Chapter 9: Rose

Florian’s POV…

“I brought the documents you asked for.”

Gabriel held out a piece of paper to me.

But I wasn’t paying attention, my mind was fixed on Roseline.

Was I too hard on her? 

Giving her prep duty alone was almost like going on a suicide mission on a freaking Friday when the restaurant is usually packed.

“Hellooooo, earth to Florian.” Gabriel snapped his fingers in my face, bringing my attention back.

“We need to stop signing these documents here, someone could walk in on us.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have to bring them here, if you showed up at the office like a regular CEO would.”

I glared at him.

“No one can hear us through these doors?”

Right, I made my office soundproof.

“You know I can’t go to the office in the meantime.”

“Right, you don’t want your new roommate suspecting there’s more to you.” 

“Are we really going there?”

“Yes and what were you thinking living with her? You could have easily found her an apartment.”

“Then how do I explain renting an apartment?”

“You know this whole average act doesn’t fit you.”

“Well you have to get used to it, I don’t want the city to know who I am. Remember, I am here for some answers.”

“Hopefully you find them soon, it’s boring living your life.”

I raised my brows at him.

“Okay aside from the cars, your life is genuinely boring.”

“Hopefully your new roommate brings some colour to it.”

Colour.

I had lived most of my life in a blur of black and white.

I have concluded that I didn't deserve a life of color, I somehow believed I was the cause of my own past trauma.

“I would leave you to it, your company needs a CEO after all,” Gabriel winked at me before finally leaving.

I let out a sigh when he was finally gone.

Over the next few hours, I was buried in work, turns out my little ruse required me to work overtime.

By the time I was done, it was already well past closing time.

My sous chef had single-handedly held things down.

I packed up a few of my things to leave.

When I came out, I was hit with that same nostalgic wave.

Only two people could replicate that aroma; my late parents and… Roseline.

I followed the trail of the aroma to the back of one of the cooking stations.

She didn't notice my presence, nor did I give myself out.

I just stood there frozen watching her in her element.

She moved like she was one with the meal she was preparing as she hummed a song and cooked.

As she cooked she wasn't the sharp-tongued Roseline or the arrogant Roseline; she was simply peaceful and delicate like the flower—Rose.

Flickers of some suppressed memories played in my vision.

Years of therapy couldn't restore them but the aroma of Roseline's dish unlocked them with ease. 

The sound of dishware crashing brought me back to reality.

Roseline held  her chest, “My God you scared me.”

I moved quickly to her side to help her pick them.

“Wait don't use your—”

Before she could complete her statement I had touched one of the pans, I didn't know it was hot.

I hissed in pain when the heat burned me.

“—hand.”

She grabbed my burnt hand, “You are the head chef and you somehow forgot about safety first?” 

“It's just a mild burn.”

“Which can blister and get infected, where's the first aid kit?”

I pointed to it, and she grabbed it quickly.

She sat beside me on the floor carefully studying the wound before attending to it.

I couldn't feel the pain if there was any, her touch rather burned through my skin.

She was completely focused on the wound while my gaze was on her the whole time.

“You should be more careful next time,” she hissed as she put the last plaster on it. 

She turned my hand to the other side.

Her breath hitched when she saw my scar.

It was an old burn scar.

Defensiveness kicked in, and I quickly shuffled away from her. 

She looked at me as though she pitied me.

I didn't want her pity, I didn't want anyone's pity. It was my fault it happened and a scar was an easy lay off for me. 

When she noticed the shift in my mood she didn't press further on it. 

“Did you have anything to eat yet?”

I was thrown off guard by her question.

“Umm… No, I haven't eaten all day.”

“Good, sit!”

I didn't argue, I just took one of the seats by the island.

I cleared my throat as she busied herself arranging a plate.

“Why are you still here? It's past closing time.”

“You placed me on prep duty, remember?”

I felt a low jab at my chest, “Oh—” 

“Since I didn't get to eat all day I decided to practice a new dish to eat.”

“This late?”

“Don't bite my head off, it's not like you even closed early.”

“I had work to do.”

She studied my face almost as if she could hint that there was more to what I was letting on.

Or I was just imagining it.

“Here tell me what you think.”

The spoon was midway to my lips when she added; “and don't think of running off kike the last time, I know it's not bad. I hope.”

I almost giggled.

She was supposed to be pissed at me for placing her on prep duty instead here she was serving me.

“What if she poisoned it to get back at you?” A tiny voice at the back of my mind screamed.

I couldn't help but chuckle, Roseline was definitely bringing out the humour in me.

I finally worked my way up to my first bite.

Immediately it touched my tongue. It was a burst of flavors, the world around me faded and the only thing I could feel was the food in my mouth.

It was even better than the last time.

After a minute had passed or at least I thought it was a minute, Roseline spoke. 

“So how is it?”

“It's beautiful, Rose… just like you.”

She let out a low gasp.

I didn't even know where that came from, but the name Rose felt like a perfect fit for someone who cooks like her recipes were straight from heaven.

She didn't blush or smile at my compliment, her eyes held a certain sadness in them.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her as I held her gaze.

When she raised her head tears rolled down her cheeks.

She raised her hand to wipe them away, but I stopped her by grabbing her hand.

She stood frozen and confused as she looked at where my hand held hers.

I used my other hand to wipe her tears away.

I held myself back from kissing every drop of her tears away. 

As I wiped them away she inched closer.

The distance between us became so small, that we mimicked each other's breathing.

She leaned closer and kissed me.