5

Chapter 5

Rosebud Martinez

Bruce stared at me, his face unreadable.

“Your wife?” He broke the silence that had taken over the atmosphere as he raised his gaze to Mathew.

“Yes.” Mathew answered proudly.

Bruce's lips curled as he said, “Oh… I had no idea.”

“You know, for a second, I thought you were Megan's boyfriend. I mean, you guys look more like couples.”

“Huh?” Mathew's eyes popped open, and his face froze as if he had no idea what Bruce was talking about.

Bruce turned to me and smirked. “I think you should rethink your marriage with this man, Rose. He doesn't look like he would be a faithful husband…” he paused, then stood up and leaned close to me. “He looks like he has a thing with Megan. Maybe it's just my hunch.” He then pulled away and straightened his back, smiling at me.

My heart twisted in my chest.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Mathew snapped, probably ready to throw a fist.

“Let's keep in touch, Rose. Can I have your card?” Bruce demanded, ignoring Mathew, and I didn't hesitate before giving him my business card. He then smiled at me and patted my shoulder before walking away, while I sat rooted to the chair, gazing into space, my fingers clenching tightly around my purse as I clenched my jaws tightly.

*****

The party was finally over, and I didn't wait for Mathew before leaving. However, as I approached the parking lot where my driver was waiting for me in the car, I heard Mathew's voice behind me.

“Rose, honey…”

I grunted silently in disgust, rolling my eyes annoyingly before turning to face him.

“Yes, Mathew?”

He wasn't alone, but with Megan.

“You didn't believe what Mr. Hawkins told you, did you? You know I won't ever cheat on you, right?” He closed the distance between us and held my shoulders, his eyes gazing into mine.

Seriously? Does he think I'm dumb? He is asking me that stupid question while still with this bitch?

Megan's eyes flashed with anger, as she glared hard at him. She had no idea I was looking at her, but her face softened the moment she noticed it.

“Come on, honey. You know I can never do that to you, right? I love you, and I won't ever think of hurting you.”

If his mask hasn't fallen off yet, I would've fallen for that, but fuck him and his lies!

“Why are you bothered about what Mr. Hawkins said? Are you thinking of it, or are you doing it already?” My lips curled up in a smirk, and his face went frozen.

“Wh…what are you talking about?” He stuttered as his hands fell off my shoulders.

“What I'm saying is that, you don't have to get worked up about what Mr. Hawkins said. And you have no reason to prove anything to me.” I smiled at him, dusting an invisible speck of dust from his chest.

“Thank you for believing me, honey.” He looked proud that I fell for his lies. If only he knew he was the fool here.

“Uhm… are you leaving already?”

“Hmm.” I nodded, glancing at Megan whose eyes were almost boring holes in my body, but she would smile each time our eyes met. Can she stop being pretentious, please? It's annoying the shit out of me.

“Alright, honey. I will drive you home.” Mathew offered, but I could see in his eyes that he didn't mean it. Not that I wanted to ride in the same car as him anyway.

“Sis, it's already late, and I can't go home all by myself. I was wondering if you will permit Mathew to drive me home, please?” Megan came to stand beside me, holding my arm and whining.

I rolled my eyes, snatching my hand from her and stepped away from her. “You didn't seek my permission before you came here together. Why do you need it now?” I looked straight into her eyes as I asked her calmly, and her eyes widened.

“Sis, I…”

I didn't allow her to finish her speech before hopping inside the car.

I snuck my head out through the car window, looking at Mathew. “Megan needs you more. You should drive her home.” And with that, I wound up the glass, and rested my head on the headrest with my eyes closed.

“Let's go.” I said to my driver.

Those shameless bunch of ingrates. Cheating on me and displaying it publicly. He will surely regret this.

My mind wandered off to Bruce, and I found myself smiling to myself.

Damn! I've always loved his gut, and he didn't fail to amaze me back there.

Who knows, maybe I would've met Bruce back then if I had gone to this same banquet, but it's all fate. I'm glad we met again.

“I should really get a divorce quickly.” I muttered, reaching for my phone. I dialled my lawyer's number, but the call rang for some minutes before it ended with a beep, and an automated response popped in

‘Busy. Will call back’.

I exhaled, putting my phone back inside my purse.

My attention was drawn by the sudden droplets of water in front of the car's windscreen. It was raining.

We arrived home after a few minutes' drive.

“Ma, there is no umbrella in the car—”

“I can manage.” I cut the driver off, then hopped out of the car. I shielded myself with my purse as I walked briskly under the heavy rain into the building.

*****

I had just walked inside my room from the bathroom after having a warm shower and changing into my nightie, when my phone chimed with a text, and I anxiously went to pick it up from the bed, hoping it was Bruce.

However, disappointment washed through me when I saw it was that bastard who had texted me.

‘Honey, I'm sorry I won't be home tonight. It started to rain after I dropped Megan at her apartment, so I'm lodging at a hotel’

I scoffed in disbelief. What does he think of me? That I'm a fool? That I'm dumb?

The old me would've been worried sick about him and would probably not be able to sleep all through the night, thinking about his safety. Fuck! Even if I saw him dying now, I won't even feel as little as a twitch in my heart.

“Who cares? He can sleep wherever he pleases.” I tossed my phone back on the bed before going to sit in front of the dressing mirror to dry my hair and do my usual skincare routine before I would go to bed.

‘Bruce’.

The only name that occupied my mind. Even after years, he still hasn't changed.

My thoughts were disrupted by my phone's ringing tone, and I cursed silently. I didn't want to receive another call from Mathew.

I still couldn't ignore the call because of other important people that might be calling me, so I went to pick up the phone.

“Who is this?” I muttered, staring at the unregistered number displayed on my phone screen as I watched it ring.

I swiped the answer button and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hey!” My heart fluttered when I heard Bruce's familiar voice.

“Hey? Are you there?” His deep yet soft voice echoed through the phone again, melting me softly, and I found myself dropping to the bed as my legs suddenly weakened.

I swallowed nothing, my grip around my phone tightening as a spark of excitement coursed through me. I was eager to talk to him, but also nervous. I'm sure if not everyone, most people have been there. That nervousness that comes with speaking with your crush. I cannot be the only one, yeah?

“Hey!” My voice only made it out in a whisper. I wasn't sure if he heard me.

“Did you get home safely?”

“Hmm. Yes I did.” I nodded.

“What about you?” My voice quivered.

“Yes, I did. I just got home now.”

“Are you okay? I mean, the rain…” I paused, and bit my lip. Bruce was somehow allergic to rain. He would always fall sick back then in school each time he was drenched by the rain.

“Oh, yes. I'm fine. You still remember?” He chuckled briefly, and I smiled, nodding my head as if he was here with me.

“Hmm.”

“So, do you have time tomorrow? Let's meet, catch up on old time, and maybe… discuss business.” He offered, sounding like the old Bruce I know. Always straight to the point.

My heart fluttered with joy, and in my head, I could already picture being there, but still, I didn't want to look desperate to him. Like I missed him, or wanted to do business with him, so I composed myself.

“I will review my schedule and get back to you about this.”

“Alright, that's fine. I'll be expecting your feedback soon. Don't keep me waiting.”

“I won't.”

“See you soon.” And with that, the call ended with a beep.

I didn't want the call to end. I wanted to hear his voice longer.

A smile crept up my face as I lifted my hand to my chest to feel my pounding heart.

“Calm down, Rose.” I whispered, gently tapping my chest…