CHAPTER 8: A Moment of Softness

Rosa knew after her 'debut', the internet would buzz like haphazard bees. And after the event, she and Alexander were swarmed around by reporters and cameramen, after they came out of the hotel.

Alexander stared at her. “I know this is a first for you, but I know you can handle it. Just like you did inside”.

Rosa pursed her lips, saying nothing. After all, all these came from signing the contract, so she had to deal with it.

The flash of light was almost blinding. Again. Rosa wondered if they ever considered the eyesight of their target.

She put on her fake smile, like before. But, this time it was a bit different. The smile had teeth.

She could already hear the questions before she could even see their faces.

“Mrs. Wade! Mrs. Wade, over here!“

The reporters surged forward like hungry beasts, microphones waving, cologne and perfume thick in the night air.

“Mrs. Wade!“ One of them, a tall man with bald head and a smirk on his face, called out. His voice dripped with false politeness.

“Would you care to comment on how it feels to transition from a mere delivery girl, to a CEO's wife? Quite a fairytale, isn't it?“

Rosa's heart sank. Of course, they had to dig into her past life. But it hadn't even been up to 3 hours she had been introduced. How did they dig up so fast?!

She had worked as a delivery girl for a small stationary company, and sometimes, she would run shifts for the secretary. It was the money she had used to pay for her college tuition. It wasn't really easy for her during those times. Well, had it ever been easy for her?

A few snickers rose from the small crowd.

But before she could open her mouth, Alexander beat her to it.

“Repeat that”, he said to the reporter. His expression was calm, but the tension in his jaw could cut air.

The atmosphere changed instantly and Rosa marveled at his aura.

The man cleared his throat, still trying to hold on to his wavering confidence, “Just a question, Mr. Wade. The public wants to know if your marriage -”

“-Is any of your concern?“ Alexander cut in. His voice was smooth as silk, but sharp enough to wound.

He stepped forward with precised movements. “ You think because you are privileged to hold a microphone, you can throw insults in the veil of curiosity? Let me make one thing clear. My wife isn't a story you get to twist for views. She's off limits. Permanently “.

The male reporter tried to recover from the shock, “But, Mr. Wade, surely you understand that —”

“-Understand what?“ He cut in again not giving the man any chance to spout nonsense. But, he felt a touch on his arm and he turned to see Rosa giving him a pleading look. He paused, staring at her and the anger in his eyes flickered.

“Let me”, she whispered to him. He hesitated, but then, he stepped back.

Rosa turned to the same reporter that had mocked her. Her voice came out calm, almost serene.

“You wanted a quote? Well, here is one”.

She met his gaze head on.

“I might not have come from money nor even from your world, but I didn't marry into it. I walked into it. And whether you like it or not, I'm not going anywhere “.

The man's mouth was agape but Rosa wasn't done.

“I deliver respect and integrity and apparently, a better story than you could ever write “.

For a second,the crowd went still and Rosa eyes swept across them feeling her heart pound in her chest. She had just spoken without thinking, confidently, and she wondered if she had even made any sense.

The reporter, lowered his mic in defeat. “That's quite the answer, Mrs. Wade”.

Rosa's brows raised and a genuine smile made its way to her face.

“Print that one boldly, at least it's true”.

Alexander watched, amazed at her stance and his lips curved upwards slightly.

Once they got into the car, evading the crowd and parting them like the red sea, Rosa felt like she hadn't breathed for ages. She exhaled slowly, feeling the nerves and anxiety she had tried masking rise within her.

Alexander watched her gently. “You didn't have to face them like that”.

She turned to face him with a slight smile.

“If I hadn't, they would think you were right, that I needed protection”.

His eyes softened, and so did his voice. “I wasn't protecting you, Rosa”.

Her heart skipped. “No?“

“I was protecting them”.

Rosa brows creased and she let out a hearty laugh. It was the first time Alexander heard her laugh like this. So free.

“You're impossible, Mr. Wade”, she said with her hand over her mouth, as she tried to stifle the laughter.

“And you, Mrs. Wade”, he leaned in slightly closer and Rosa's heart jumped, “are full of surprises“.

Their eyes locked in a warm gaze and before Rosa could part her lips to reply, her phone buzzed. She immediately grabbed her phone, thankful for the distraction because she could feel the atmosphere change slightly.

It was a message from her aunt. A smile spread across her lips and Alexander tilted his head at her expression.

“Who is that?“ He asked and Rosa was a bit taken aback. She hadn't expected him to.

“My auntie”.

He nodded and looked away.

Her eyes went back to the message. It read:

Rosa dear. How are you doing? Hope you are eating well and taking enough rest. Thank the CEO for me, my surgery is booked for this week Thursday. He has paid for it….

A gasp elicited from Rosa's mouth as she looked up at Alexander. His eyes met hers questioningly.

“You've paid for my Auntie's medical bills..“

“I don't go back on my word, Rosa”, he replied non chalantly but she couldn't help but feel much gratitude.

“Thank you, Sir”, she said with a teary smile and this time, she was speaking as Rosa Hamon, not Mrs. Wade.

He said nothing and watched as she went back in reading her aunt's message. He could see the happiness as the tears rolled down her cheeks. How long had she prayed for this day? Something in him flickered as he watched her wipe her tears.

He would make sure she never shed those tears ever again.