9

Chapter 9

Rosebud Martinez

‘Hey, honey. Something came up at work, and I had to sleep out. I will make it up to you, I promise’.

I had just stepped inside the house after a long day at work when Mathew's text popped up in my phone, and I scoffed.

I was going to opt out of the date one way or the other, so he only did me a favour.

‘Okay’

I replied to his text bluntly as I proceeded to my room.

My phone rang as I walked inside my room, and my heart fluttered, a smile creeping up my face when I saw it was Bruce.

“Hey!” His gentle voice sounded through the phone as I pressed the phone gently to my ear after answering the call.

“Hey!” My voice trembled beneath the pounding in my chest, my grip around the phone tightening as my breath hitched.

“Did you arrive home already?”

“Hmm. I just got home.” I whispered.

“Alright…” he paused and went silent for a few seconds.

“We were so carried away with old times and couldn't talk about work earlier.” He chuckled lightly, and I mouthed an ‘oh’.

I had forgotten the reason we met as soon as I saw him.

“Yeah.” I muttered, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Do you have time during the week? Let's meet and talk about work this time.” He asked politely.

I wanted to meet him more than anything else. I could create time to meet up with him, but I needed to take things slow, not to look desperate to him.

“I will check my schedule and let you know when I'm free.” I said.

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

“Hmm.”

“I have to go now. See you later.” And with that, the call ended with a beep.

I sulked in my lips, gripping my phone tightly as I dropped my hand.

Memories of earlier clawed back into my mind, and I couldn't help but blush recalling how he looked at me occasionally.

Bruce's voice was soft. Sincere. Something Mathew never had.

My phone chimed with a text, disrupting me. An email popping on the screen.

“What is this?” I muttered when I saw several attachments to the mail. Waves of curiosity sparked through me, and I proceeded to open it.

They were images of Megan and Mathew on a date and in her apartment. Apparently, they went out on a date, hence the reason he canceled on me.

“Hmph!” I huffed, tossing my phone away. They were the least of my problems for now.

My body ached as I dragged myself into the bathroom to shower, and I crashed on the bed as soon as I got back inside.

It was already morning by the time I woke up. I was welcomed by the morning sunlight illuminating the room through the window.

“What's the time?” I muttered, lazily reaching for my phone. However, a gasp tore through my throat and my eyes snapped open when I saw that it was already past 9am.

“Shit!” I rolled off the bed, rushing into the bathroom to have a quick bath. How the fuck did I sleep for so long?

“Good morning, honey.” I halted abruptly as I was welcomed by Mathew's annoying smile when I walked back inside the room.

My gaze first dropped to my body, and thankfully, I was wearing a robe to cover up my body. Him seeing my nakedness makes me feel disgusted.

“Hmm. Good morning.”

“I got back early, but didn't want to wake you up. I thought you might be tired…” he paused, closing the distance between us. He reeked of Megan's familiar perfume.

He held my hand, squeezing it gently as he locked eyes with me.

“You must've had a hard time falling asleep. It's my fault. I'm sorry, honey.” He reached for my head, stroking my hair as a smile crept up his face.

“No, I didn't.” I yanked his hand off stylishly, stepping away from him.

“It wasn't difficult falling asleep without you.” I added, smiling at him. A smile that didn't reach my eyes.

His lips curled as he muttered an ‘oh’.

“I'm glad you could cope.” He smiled.

“I made breakfast, honey. You should come to the dining room so we can eat together.” He said.

“Alright. I will join you when I'm done getting dressed.” I smiled at him.

“I'll be waiting, honey.” He had started off to the door when I spoke up.

“Were you really at the office?”

He paused, snapping his head to look at me as his face froze.

“Huh?”

I chuckled dryly. “I'm just curious. You don't have your usual cologne smell on you. You smell differently.”

“Oh…” he batted his eyelashes, obviously nervous. “About that… I worked with my secretary.” This time, his lie didn't come off smoothly like it always would.

“Secretary?” I raised my eyebrows, turning to face him.

“Hmm.” He nodded.

“You don't believe me?” He walked over to me, holding my shoulders.

“It's just weird. The perfume smells feminine.” I wasn't interested in however he chose to live his life. I just wanted to push him to the corner.

“Oh… Justin is always like that, honey. He uses female stuff sometimes. I think he likes sharing stuff with his girlfriend.” He chuckled nervously, but even as hard as he tried, the lie didn't come out smoothly.

“Oh… that's weird.” My lips twitched. He wasn't even trying anymore. Pathetic.

“You should go ahead then. I'll join you.”

“Alright, honey.” He kissed my forehead without warning, dashing out of the room afterwards.

“That audacious bastard.” I cursed under my breath, wiping my forehead with a towel.

*****

“Hey, honey. You are here.”

I caught a glimpse of Mathew smiling to his phone and texting someone as I descended the staircase, but he quickly shoved it inside his pocket and smiled at me as if I would not notice it.

“I don't think I can wait for breakfast. I got an urgent call from work. I need to leave.” I made an excuse.

His face flashed with disappointment.

“Honey, I really—”

“I need to leave, Mathew.” I cut him off, and walked off without sparing another second, but just before I got to the door, his voice came on.

“Will you be home early tonight?”

I halted, my grip tightened around my handbag as a huff tore through my throat.

I wanted to say, “Why do you ask?” as I looked back at him over my shoulder, but changed my mind and said, “I'm not sure yet. It depends on my schedule.”

And with that, I pulled the door open and stepped out of the house.

What is he up to this time?