Chapter 2 A Close Guest

Rose's POV

I woke up from the sunshine pouring through my window. I blinked my eyes shut and hid my face in my pillow. I hate mornings. Sighing heavily I dragged myself out of my bed and shuffled my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth very slowly; as I always do. Finally I had a long shower.

I wanted to look as awake as possible.

My Dad had said some of his friends were coming. My friends were coming tomorrow to help us celebrate the upcoming wedding. I blow dried my hair and then put on a tank top and shorts.

As I walked down the hallway I could hear nothing so no one had arrived yet. However as I got closer to the kitchen I could hear my Dads and Mira’s voices. I smiled as I walked into the room and said, “Morning lovebirds.” They were cooking breakfast. Mira was sitting on a high stool and my Dad was standing by the stove.

“Morning sweetheart,” they both saidbit at the same time. I leaned over the stove inhaling the aroma of what Dad was cooking. “What’s the chef cooking today?“ My Dad chuckled and said, “Pasta. That’s the only thing I can actually cook properly!“ Mira and I giggled, knowing fully well that was true. “It’s fine. You’re still the best cook in the world,” I said while giving him a tight hug from the side.

My Dad smiled and hugged me. “Finally you’re admitting that my food taste great.“ “I know. I’m also sorry for teasing you about putting you in a suitcase the other day. I didn’t mean it.“ He kissed my cheek and ruffled my hair. “You’re too kind to do anything criminal.“ Another laugh tore from my throat.

“Wow, so much love for dad,” Mira said, crossing her arms. “No one loves me.“ I could see her trying to hide a small smile. I walked over to her with a huge grin. “Mira, you’re so sweet,” I said. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her cheek. She tried to stay serious but couldn’t help but smile and hug me back.

“He’s a big kid, he needs the extra love,” I said. Mira giggled. My Dad looked up from the stove and tried to be serious. “Becareful young lady. You’ll get less pocket money.“

I didn’t need any extra money as I had a month of wedding events and travelling to do. “Dad! I don’t need any pocket money this month as everything has been paid for.“

“Then I’ll just take it out of your budget next month,” he said.!“I know you’ll completely forget.“ Mira and I laughed. My Dad rolled his eyes but still had a smile. He looks so adorable. Mira leaned over and pinched his cheek. “You’re just too cute Tom.“ My Dad looked shocked and rubbed his slightly pink cheek. “Oww! What was that for?“

“Oh, quiet down, you cute bear,” she said, tapping his nose. Dad groaned, trying to look angry, but his eyes were full of affection. “Do not push your luck, Mira.“

“And what are you going to do about it?“ she teased.

This was their usual routine, and I was already used to it. However my stomach was rumbling and I needed them to stop flirting and cook. “Guys please stop the family comedy. I am starving! If I don’t eat I might lose it!“ Mira leaned over to the stove and said, “Chef, she said get cooking!“

My Dad gave her a playful frown and continued cooking. Now I knew my food was safe I walked over to the fridge. I grabbed a bottle of orange juice and took a big gulp. It made me feel more awake straight away. “So have any of our guests arrived yet?“ “Not yet...except...“ Mira stopped suddenly.

“Good morning everyone.“ The deep baritone voice spoke from behind me, causing a chill to go down my spine. I froze and my heart thumped against my ribcage. That voice. It belong to the French man I had been thinking about for years. His eyes were locked on me and Mira raised her eyebrows as she looked over my shoulder.

“Who’s this young lady?“ Remy asked.

My heart dropped. My worst fear was becoming reality. He didn’t even recognise me. Although, I had been sixteen the last time he saw me. Five years was a long time. I have grown in those past few years and look completely different.

“You don’t recognise her!“ Dad chuckled. I took a deep breath and turned around slowly.

As our eyes met, all the air left my lungs. The light breeze from the open window didn’t help. He took a step forward into the kitchen and suddenly the whole room was filled with his presence. I gripped onto my orange juice bottle that I had grabbed from the Refrigerator earlier to try steady my shaking hands.

“Good morning Remy,“ Mira greeted.

“I hope you slept well buddy,” Dad asked while not taking his eyes off his cooking. He had no idea what was going on inside me. “Yes, very well,” Remy answered.

He hadn’t aged at all. His jawline was still chiselled and perfect and his blue sea eyes still held that captivating look that always managed to make me melt. A few strands of his dark brown hair that I had fantasied about running my fingers through, fell loosely across his forehead.

He was wearing a simple white t-shirt that showed off his athletic physique and some casual trousers. He looked like a model fresh off the catwalk. I took a sharp breath in to stop myself from gasping. It had been five years but my body knew exactly who he was.

“This is my daughter, Rose.“ Dad said proudly, looking between us with big eyes.

“Seriously?“ Remy asked, clearly shocked. His eyes travelled up and down my body. “You were a kid last time I saw you.“

Yeah, I was a kid. I felt a wave of heat rise to my chest. But a kid who touched herself every night thinking about your face.

“Yes, time flies!“ Dad laughed slightly. He turned to me with a warm smile. “Rose, did you even know who he was?“

I gave a fake smile and slowly shook my head. “Yes, I knew it was him. Unlike me, he hasn’t changed at all. He looks the same as ever.“ I panicked slightly as I spoke. I tried to look away but my eyes wouldn’t listen. Remy’s blue eyes widened slightly as I spoke. Perhaps because I was looking at him so intensely, but he quickly masked it with a relaxed smile.

“You really grew up!Rose,” he said with a low chuckle. “I still remember how you used to sprint to your bedroom every single time I visited. For years, I thought you were just terrified of me. Eventually, I gave up trying to figure it out.“

He turned around, walked to the counter, and poured himself a glass of cold water.

It’s nice of you to think I was scared, I thought, my throat feeling dry as I watched him move. The only reason I ran away was to keep my heart from bursting out of my chest whenever I saw him.

“I used to wonder about it as well!“ Dad added, leaning against the kitchen island. “And whenever I asked her, she would just ignore me,“ he chuckled at the memory. Mira smiled sweetly at the table and Remy chuckled again. They were all having a good laugh over a funny memory, however I was completely frozen with tension and my face was blazing.

“Okay, okay. Let's stop teasing Rose about her past,“ Mira said, being the first to notice how uncomfortable I was. She nudged Dad playfully. “Look at her, she's going red!“ Those words of hers brought back those blue sea eyes were back on me.

Remy placed his glass down on the counter and his lip twitched slightly. I didn't know if he was purposely smirking at me, but a sudden warmth pooled between my thighs anyway. Ugh! Get a grip on yourself Rose! I sighed and took a deep breath. “She's still as cute as ever.“ Remy said, picking up a fresh, red apple from the basket. He raised it to his lips and took a slow bite. He leaned back against the counter and watched me while chewing. “Still the same... little girl deep down.“

Oh, god!

My breath caught in my throat. At this point, I couldn't tell if my mind was playing tricks on me or if his words actually meant something more. “Oh, you have no idea. She still acts exactly like a child sometimes,” Dad said, thoroughly enjoying the chance to embarrass me. He shook his head fondly. “She hasn't outgrown any of her old habits.“

“Well, old habits are hard to break,” Remy said smoothly. He made a quiet sound of agreement, never taking his eyes off me. His intense gaze didn't waver for a second.

I felt my self-control slipping away completely.

The calm mask I had built up over the last five years was falling apart in seconds. I couldn't stay in this room any longer without making a fool of myself in front of my dad, Mira, and the one man who controlled my entire mind.

“I need to go to my room,” I blurted out. My voice sounded tense and rushed.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, I turned around and walked out of the kitchen as fast as I could.

“Wait, what about breakfast?“ Mira called out, sounding confused.

“I'll eat later, Mira,” I called back. I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, taking one last glance back before leaving the room.

“Hold on, Rose,” Dad’s voice followed me into the hallway. “You just said you were starving.“

“Just bring it upstairs to me!“ I shouted back.

I hurried my pace, practically running up the stairs. I threw my bedroom door open, stepped inside, and locked it behind me immediately.

I slid down against the door until I was sitting on the floor, hugging my knees to my chest.

“Calm down, Rose,” I whispered, pressing my cold hands against my burning cheeks.

Remy still had the exact same effect on me. For years, I had convinced myself that my massive crush on him was just a silly childhood phase. But with one look from him today, all my logic and rules vanished completely.

This was definitely trouble. There was a heavy, deliberate look in his eyes today that I had never noticed five years ago. Maybe I was just imagining things because of what I wanted to see, but deep down, I really didn't think it was an illusion.