014

ROSE

I had this urge to show Derek the text but I decided against it. Telling him didn’t make any sense to me , not when I couldn't even explain why it made my stomach twist like that.

When I woke up the next morning, Derek wasn’t in the room. It occurred to me that he may have left for work.

The house was too quiet.

I sat there for a while, hugging my knees, staring at the spot where he had slept. My phone was still on the nightstand. I reached for it, unlocked it, and stared at the same message from last night.

“You don't know what you’ve done.”

Though I wondered who might have sent it, I didn’t reply and I didn't delete it either. I just… kept staring at it until the screen went black again.

“What am I supposed to have done?” I muttered under my breath.

Who do I think I’m talking to? The walls obviously can’t give me an answer.

I forced myself up, deciding I won't spend the whole morning being paranoid. I’d make breakfast for myself, shower and maybe go out later.

Just… anything to stop my brain from playing that line over and over again.

I was walking towards the bathroom when I heard the door bell to the mansion ringing. I frowned a little, wondering who the person might be because Derek isn't home right now.

A knock came to the room door and I walked towards the door and opened it.

“ Ma'am, someone wants to see you.” The butler informed me and I arched a brow at him.

“Who's that?” I asked.

“Mrs Jennifer.” He replied. The name sounded familiar but I couldn't really remember.

“Sir Derek's sister-in-law.” He explained further as if sensing my confusion.

“Oh,” I muttered wondering why she came here. “I'll meet her downstairs in a few minutes.” He nodded and I walked away and closed the door.

I'm not used to this life. Having an old man speak to me with so much respect is new to me.

My stomach dipped as I made my way downstairs.

The butler, Mr Hans, was coming up again and I stopped him.

“Did she tell you why she's here?” I asked and he shook his head in negativity.

“She only said she wanted to see you. That's all.” He replied.

“I'll go back to work now,” he added and went inside the room to his right while I was left battling if going downstairs to meet Jennifer was a right decision.

When I reached the sitting room, I glanced around but there was no sign of Jennifer.

Just a red purse sitting beautifully on the couch close to the TV.

The purse looked so beautiful and I couldn't resist touching it.

The moment I lifted the purse up admiring it, I heard footsteps.

“I don't think you should touch that. It's expensive and could buy your whole life.” I recognize that sassy and annoying voice.

Very demeaning.

“Oh, you're here.” I muttered nervously and laid the purse down.

She strolled in like she owned the damn place. She was in a cream coat, oversized sunglasses and red heels that complimented her purse.

Her perfume reached me before she did and I coughed slightly.

It was damn choking.

“Well,” she said, removing her glasses with deliberate slowness, “you look… comfortable.”

I glanced down at my soft sweater and leggings. “I am. Thanks for noticing.”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I suppose it’s nice, not having to work or… you know, contribute. Must feel like a holiday every day.”

I resisted the urge to laugh because yeah, it's sure nice.

“It must feel nice for you, too. All that free time to drop by uninvited.” I retorted with a big-fake ass smile plastered in my face.

Her lips tightened, but she breezed past me into the sitting room as if she’d been invited.

“I thought I’d have coffee with you. Get to know you better. Derek never really talked about you before you know… marrying you into the Rivera.”

“Maybe because there’s nothing for you to know,” I replied, following her in.

She sat on the edge of the cream sofa like she didn’t want to wrinkle it, crossing her legs.

“Oh, there’s always something. People like you don’t just appear in men like Derek’s life. There’s always… a story.” Jennifer lifted her hand as she spoke, her eyes dropping to her nails, studying them like they held the answer to something more important than me.

I poured coffee from the pot butler Hans had brought in.

“Careful, Jennifer. If you’re going to call me a gold digger, at least be creative.”

She didn’t flinch but she smiled. “I never used those words.”

“You didn’t have to,” I said, setting the cup in front of her. “Your tone did the heavy lifting.”

She leaned forward, lowering her voice like we were sharing a secret. “I’m just saying… men like Derek are targets. And women who suddenly land in their homes, women with no real background anyone can point to well… people talk.”

I took a slow sip of my coffee while looking her dead in the eye. “And you make sure they keep talking, right?”

Her eyes flashed for a moment but she suddenly looked away. “I just care about my family.”

I tilted my head. “No, you care about control. And right now, you don’t have it. Must be… uncomfortable.”

Her fingers tightened around her cup. She smiled again, but it was brittle now. “You’re bolder than I thought.”

“I’m tired,” I said simply. “Tired of fake politeness. If you have a problem with me, say it. Otherwise, don't come here like you’re on some kind of inspection tour.”

Jennifer stood slowly, setting her cup down with a deliberate clink. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She walked toward the door, then paused in the doorway to glance back at me. “Enjoy it while it lasts, Rose. Things change fast.”

The front door shut behind her, and the house was silent again.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

Then my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out.

Unknown Number…Again!

Who the fuck is this person!?

“She’s not your only problem.”

I glanced toward the tall window overlooking the driveway and froze.

There was someone standing at the far edge of the gates. A masculine figure.

He was too far to see clearly but he was watching.

When I blinked, he was gone.