Chapter 11

I found Rose sitting in the garden. It was nice and breezy outside so her hair was blowing all over her face. She was a sight for sore eyes.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I said.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Well, I saw a painting in your room and...." I started.

"What were you doing in my room?" she barked.

"Putting your ass to bed, Miss attitude!" I countered.

"Fair," she giggled. "Continue," she said.

"I saw a painting of a woman that kind of looks like you and it was really disturbing so I was wondering..."

"It was my mom," Rose replied before I could finish.

"Oh, she was beautiful. But why did you paint her that way? What happened to her?" I asked her. 

"What do you care?" Rose snapped again.

"I just want to get to know you more," I said gently, not phased by her attitude this time.

"She was murdered. There, now you know. Happy now, you nosy bastard?" she looked at me angrily.

I could tell she was still hurting from what happened to her mother so I didn't press her any farther.

"So you are an artist?" I tried to change the subject.

"Yup, it helps me calm down when I paint," she said.

"Good, because you need to calm the hell down," I said seriously.

"Shut up," she said but she was smiling.

"Rose! I'm here!"

We both turned our heads as we heard Marissa's chirpy voice. She was running toward us, flailing her arms around like a crazy person.

"Oh hey Liam, you are here too," she said. Her demeanor suddenly changed from friendly to flirty.

"Hi Marissa, I was just asking Rose about you this morning," I smirked.

"You were?" Marissa's eyes lit up. "What about me?" she asked.

"He is trying to get into your pants and I told him you were out of his league," Rose said.

"That's so not true," Marissa protested.

"Anyway, I'm gonna leave you two alone. Stay out of trouble. Bye Marissa," I smirked as I saw her blush. I could feel Rose's eyes burning a hole in my face. She was not liking me talking to Marissa at all.

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Rose's P. O. V.

Liam walked away with a smug expression on his face. That idiot. I wish Marissa would stop looking at him like that. The idea of seeing them together irks me.

I knew how boy crazy Marissa can get. She would definitely try to go after him. For some reason, I didn't like that one bit. She is my best friend and him... I don't know what he is.

No, I know. He is my grandfather's slave. He is only hanging around me because he told him to. A guy like that would never be friends with a girl like me without an ulterior motive.

Which is why I need to keep him away from Marissa.

"Boo! You chased him away. I wanted to ask him for his number," Marissa pouted.

"Why are you so interested in him anyway? It's not like he is the only cute guy you know around here," I said irritably.

"He just seems so sweet. Not like the guys that usually hang around us," Marissa said.

He does, doesn't he, I thought to myself. Last night when I leaned my back against him, I felt the kind of warmth I never felt before. He made me feel so warm and safe that I let my guard down completely and fell asleep. I didn't even feel him carrying me to my room. I woke up in the morning covered in a blanket.

Maybe I've been too harsh on him. Maybe I should give him a chance?

No...I shouldn't trust him. He is probably just like everyone else.

"Earth to Rose!" Marissa said. "You haven't heard a single thing I said to you have you?"

"Sorry what?" I asked.

"I was saying, I think I want to hook up with him," Marissa smirked.

"What? No, that's not a good idea," I said quickly.

"Why not? Don't tell me you have your eyes on him too? You always hook up with the guys we meet. Let me have this one," she giggled.

"I said no! Stop being such a whore Marissa!" I snapped.

"Fuck you! You are always trying to ruin things for me. I don't know why I hang out with you," Marissa shook her head.

"You hang out with me because you are a greedy slut. So you can make me buy you nice things," I said.

"Excuse me? I don't need you for that. You are not the only one who has money, Rose," Marissa looked at me with shock.

"I know all about your parents going through bankruptcy. Your father tries to borrow money from my grandpa and you've been leaching off of me for a long time now," I said harshly.

"You know what Rose? You may be pretty on the outside but inside you are an ugly bitch. I hope you rot in hell!" Marissa screeched and ran off.

I am already in hell.

I guess I shouldn't have humiliated Marissa like that. It's not like I didn't realize she was using be this whole time. I knew but I didn't care. But the thought of her hooking up with Liam made my blood boil. I didn't want to let her have him.

I stormed inside the house and picked up the first thing I saw and threw it against the wall. I breathed heavily as I stared at the shattered remains of the big flower vase.

"What the fuck....Rose? Are you okay?" Liam came out of the room and looked at me with concern. "I see you murdered whatever that was over there," he said and pointed at the broken pieces.

"Fuck off Liam!" I screamed. I don't know where these overwhelming emotions were coming from and I couldn't stop them.

"What did I do?" Liam looked at me with confusion.

"Marissa is acting like a bitch and it's all your fault," I accused him.

"Huh? What did I do?" Liam asked again.

I didn't answer and ran off to my bedroom then slammed the door shut. Seeing him acting all innocent just pisses me off.

After a few minutes, I started to calm down. I expected him to come after me and knock on my door but he never did. Why wouldn't he come to see me!