11

Chapter 11

Rosebud Martinez

“I got this for you.”

My fingers clenched tightly as I stared at the bouquet of flowers in his grip. His face held a warm smile. One that could've swayed me if I didn't know the bastard he was.

“Thank you.” I smiled, but it only lasted for a nanosecond before disappearing. I reached for the flower, and just when he handed it to me, I loosened my grip, watching it crash to the ground.

His smile faded, suspicions creeping up his face.

“It slipped off my hand.” I told him, my lips curling up in a smile.

“It's fine, honey.”

He bent down and picked it up.

“I made dinner for us. Why don't we eat together, hmm?” He held my hand, holding the flower in his other hand.

I felt my skin crawl in disgust, my stomach twisted, and the sudden urge to throw up coursed through me, but I held it back.

“Okay. I will shower and come back.” And with that, I left for the room, not soaring him another glance.

For a moment, I thought of staying back inside the room after I was done with the shower, but somehow, I was convinced to go. I had no idea why, but for some reason, I just wanted to watch his acting tonight.

“I told him that I'll call you, Meg. What if your sister was here with me?”

I paused along the staircase, my fingers tightened around the rail as I heard his voice from the dining room.

They had been doing this under my nose for years and I never had any idea about it. I was so fucking stupid and dumb.

‘No, Rosebud. You were never dumb nor stupid. He just knew how to play his card well’.

I convinced myself, clenching my jaws tightly.

I intentionally tapped my foot as I descended the staircase, and as expected, he had shoved his phone away by the time I got to the dining room.

He was visibly shaking, rubbing his palms together as a nervous smile played on his lips.

“Honey, you are here…” he pulled out a chair for me. “Come have a seat.”

I walked over to sit on the chair without saying a word to him.

“I made your favourite. You will love it.” He chuckled as he opened the bowl on the dining table, and the sweet aroma of catfish soup flew straight into my nostrils.

I hated to admit that Mathew makes the best catfish soup. At least I haven't seen anyone else as good as he is when it comes to this. I could say that it was another thing that he was good at after cheating.

I watched as he picked up a plate and dished out some to me, but as inviting as it looked, I would be so damned to eat from him.

“Thank you.” I picked up the soup and scooped some soup, intentionally lifting it to my lips, but paused, and lifted my eyes to him.

“Is everything alright?” He batted his eyelashes, his eyes boring into mine.

“Hmm.” I nodded.

“Something just crossed my mind.” I sighed, dropping the soup, and his eyebrows drew apart, curiosity creeping up his face.

“Megan and I had a fight today.”

His face flashed with worries and fear, but I knew it wasn't for me, but Megan.

“Megan? What happened? Why did you two have a fight?” He asked in a single breath.

Oh… I guess she hasn't mentioned it to him yet.

I pulled a surprised look as I asked, “I thought she already told you about it.”

“Huh?”

“Why would she…tell me?” His voice sounded unsure, his eyes gave him away.

I chuckled dryly and shrugged. “You two are friends. I thought she must've reported me to you.”

“Are we?” He raised an eyebrow, and laughed dryly.

“Maybe not. I just thought you two are close. That's all.” I replied to him, and he slowly nodded.

One…two…three…

“By the way, what happened between you two?”

Bingo! And just like that, he asked the question I knew would come first.

I gave him a long stare, then smiled and waved my hand in the air dismissively as I said, “It's siblings fight, Mathew. We will handle it.”

His face flashed with disappointment. Just what I wanted. To keep him on suspense and make him restless, and I'm glad it worked.

“Are you sure?” He asked. As if he really cared.

“Hmm. We will be fine.” I nodded, but he still looked restless.

He picked up his phone in a bid to do whatever was on his mind, maybe text Megan because it was the only thing he could do now, but I held his hand and gently took the phone, his eyes snapped open.

“This date is about us, right?” I locked eyes with him, but his gaze went straight to the phone. He was obviously scared of being busted.

“Hmm.” He swallowed whatever was in his throat as he managed to nod his head.

“Why don't we focus on this date instead, hmm?”