Chapter 27: Quiet Corners

Rosa's POV

“Rosa, there you are. I’ve been looking for you,” Gary said, his voice smooth as he stepped closer to me near the elevator. “Everyone’s gone home already. Perfect timing.”

I tilted my head slightly toward him, smiling softly. “Gary. You always seem to appear when things get quiet. What’s on your mind?”

He chuckled, standing just close enough that I could smell his cologne. “You. All evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about how everyone was talking about how incredible you were. And at the celebration… that laugh of yours? Dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” I asked, letting a light laugh escape as I looked up at him. “I was just celebrating the win with everyone. You seemed to be enjoying yourself, too.”

“Oh, I was. But mostly I was enjoying watching you,” he replied, his tone dropping playfully. “You light up a room, Rosa. I meant what I said earlier. You and I should have dinner. Just us, you know ...Good food, better conversation. What do you say?”

I pretended to think about it, biting my lip gently and letting the silence settle in. “Dinner with you… that sounds tempting, Gary. You don’t give up easily, do you?”

“Not when I see something worth chasing,” he said, stepping a little closer, eyes bright. “Come on, Rosa. One dinner. I promise I’ll behave…. You deserve to be taken out properly after closing a deal like Creston.”

“You’re very persuasive,” I murmured, tilting my head with a small smile. “Let me think about it, okay? I don’t want to rush into anything, especially with how busy things are right now.”

Gary’s face lit up with satisfaction. “That’s not a no. I’ll take it. Think about it tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow and see if I can convince you properly. You won’t regret it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied sweetly. “You’re full of surprises, Gary. Good surprises.”

He grinned wider. “And you’re even better than I imagined. Get home safe, beautiful. Text me when you’re thinking about me.”

“Goodnight, Gary,” I said softly as he stepped into the elevator.

The doors closed with a quiet ding, and I stood there alone for a moment.

“God, that was exhausting,” I whispered to myself. “Keep smiling, Rosa. Just keep playing the part.”

Then I heard footsteps. I turned slowly and saw Andres at the end of the corridor, jacket slung over one arm. He stopped walking. I stood still, too.

We looked at each other across the quiet hallway.

I nodded once, softly. “Andres…”

He nodded back, his eyes steady on mine. “Rosa.”

Neither of us moved closer. If a pin were dropped in the room, it would be heard.

“You’re still here,” I said quietly after a moment.

“So are you,” he replied.

I swallowed. “Long day. But a good one.”

“Yeah,” he said simply. “You handled everything well.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He shifted his jacket on his arm but didn’t come closer. “Gary found you.”

“He did,” I answered. “He’s… persistent.”

Andres nodded again. “I saw.”

We stood there, the air thick between us. My heart beat louder than it should.

“I should go,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Me too,” he replied.

Still, we lingered for two more heartbeats. Then I turned toward the elevator button and pressed it. He turned the other way down the corridor.

The ride down felt longer than usual. I stepped out into the cool night air and caught a taxi home.

The moment I got inside, I kicked off my shoes and fell flat on the couch. Quinn heard the sound of the door and came out of her room.

“Hey Quinn,” I said tiredly when she got close.

“Rosa? You sound wiped. How was the celebration?” Quinn asked.

“It was… a lot,” I replied, closing my eyes. “Gary cornered me by the elevator after everyone left. He asked me to dinner again. Full charm mode.”

“And what did you tell him?” she asked.

“I told him I’d think about it. Let him feel like he’s winning. I smiled, tilted my head, and gave him the version he wanted to see. He looked so satisfied when he left.”

Quinn sighed, taking her seat. “You’re playing a dangerous game with him. Be careful, okay? And what about Andres? Did he say anything?”

I laughed softly, sadly. “Andres… we didn’t really talk. He saw me with Gary. We ran into each other in the corridor.

We just stood there looking at each other. I said, ‘

He asked if I was still around, and I asked the same question too. Then we nodded and went our separate ways.

“Damn,” Quinn whispered. “That tension between you two is getting thicker. Are you sure that you are, okay?”

“All I want now is to go sit on the bathroom floor right now, and lie my back against the tub, then give myself ten minutes to feel and process everything,” I admitted.

“I’m tired, Quinn. Tired of performing. Gary thinks I’m interested. Andres… I don’t even know what he thinks anymore. And I still have our big plans to worry about.”

“You’re doing so much, babe,” Quinn said gently. “But remember why we’re doing this. Stay strong. You’re allowed to be tired. Just don’t stay down there too long.”

“I won’t,” I whispered. “I just need those ten minutes of cold water on my body and my head, get to bed, and get some rest.”

“I know you do,” she replied. “Let me know if you still need to talk. I’m here.”

“Thanks, Quinn. I love you.”

“Love you more. Now go splash some water on that pretty face and breathe.”

I walked slowly to the bathroom, lay on the floor for a little longer, staring at the ceiling.

“Okay, Rosa. Time’s up,” I told myself, pushing to my feet. “You’ve got this.”

I turned on the bathtub, took a nice, cool bath, looked at myself in the mirror, and told myself, “Rosa, you are strong and beautiful, and you got this.”

“Now off to bed,” I whispered.