Chapter 30 - Beside you

Troy's POV

Her eyes widened in shock. She bit her lower lip nervously as she averted her gaze. I rested my hand on her cheek and stroked it gently.

"Troy..." She pulled back and crossed her arms over her chest. "He is a child; Alec misunderstood. I didn't cry." She mumbled without looking at me.

I grabbed her arm as I cupped her chin, lifting it up, and looked into her eyes. "I don't want to see you unhappy. I will handle everything. Trust me." I assured her as I cupped her cheek and brushed my lips against her soft red lips.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer as I deepened the kiss.

After resisting for a few seconds, she finally responded to my kiss. I pressed her against me while kissing her feverishly.

A few seconds later, she pushed me back.

"What the hell are you doing?! You are engaged to my sister." She snapped in a low voice after checking around if someone saw us or not.

"But I love you." I confessed, cupping her cheek.

She shook her head as her eyes welled up and ran towards the mansion without saying anything.

I cursed under my breath while running my hand through my hair.

When I was going to leave, Camila came back and suggested that I join them for dinner. When I wanted to refuse, she insisted; so I had to accept.

I was playing a ball with Alec in the garden when Rose approached us, holding a camera in her hand while talking on the phone in a bossy tone.

"Alec, go and wash your hands. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Rose stated as she hung up her phone and placed the camera on the wooden table.

"Mommy, can I play with the camera?" Alec asked, pointing to the camera with puppy eyes.

"No, Alec. Not right now." Rose refused and ordered the maid who approached us while holding a file in her hand. "When Calvin comes, give the file to him and say I approve the photos. I will be in a Zoom meeting in two hours; so I will be busy." The maid nodded and left us alone.

"Mommy, please. I want to take photos." Alec pleaded.

"Alec..."

"Please, Mommy." He gave a begging look.

She sighed and nodded. "Just a few photos. Then we are having dinner."

Alec grinned ear-to-ear and nodded in excitement. He held Rose and my hands and pulled us together. I pursed my lips together, trying to hold my smile when Rose looked uncomfortable and bit her lower lip, looking at me while standing close to me.

"Mommy, come closer to Troy. And Troy, wrap your arm around Mommy." Alec stated in an authoritative tone while holding the camera in front of his face.

Rose's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at me, her cheeks slightly pink. I smirked in amusement.

"No, Alec. Be quick. Just take the photo." She said nervously and ruffled her hair, biting her lower lip.

"Mommy, please." Alec pouted, looking at her with puppy eyes.

She sighed and nodded as she came closer to me slightly. I grinned devilishly as I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. She gave me a dirty look and wanted to pull back, but I tightened my grip around her waist without letting her pull away.

"Smile, Rose." I whispered in her ear and gave her a teasing grin while holding her against me.

She gritted her teeth, giving me a death glare, and forced a smile as she looked at Alec.

After taking a few photos, Alec rushed towards us and extended the camera towards us. Rose grabbed the camera as she bent down and showed Alec and me the photos. I looked at Rose tenderly after seeing our photo together; the photo transferred me to the past. She bit her lower lip as sadness crossed her features. Probably, she was thinking about the same thing.

"Mommy, let's take a selfie too." Alec suggested, excited as he wrapped his arms around our necks, pulling us together, and grinned. I nodded as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and took a selfie.

"Let me see." Alec said cheerfully. I smiled and gave him the phone.

I smiled as happiness filled my heart when I looked at our selfie. Our first photo together. Three of us. I pursed my lips together as my eyes welled up; I felt emotional.

When I looked at Rose, she averted her gaze and wiped the tears off her cheeks quickly, trying not to draw attention.

"Mommy, can you take my photo with Troy?" Alec asked hopefully. Rose nodded as she grabbed the camera.

Alec grinned happily and wrapped his arms around my neck tightly. I smiled happily,  hugging her tightly, and looked at the camera.

Once I took Rose and Alec's photo together, we went to have dinner.

After dinner, I fortunately caught Rose alone and asked her to send the copies of the photos to me. Surprisingly she accepted without refusing.

Rose's POV

I looked at our photos in my laptop after sending them to Troy while leaning against the headboard in my bedroom. I smiled sadly as I ran my fingers on Troy's face at the screen.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and opened it. Alec gave me his cheeky grin as he ran towards me.

"Mommy, are you sad?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"No, honey. I am just tired." I lied as I put the laptop on the bed and pulled him into the bed.

He wrapped his arm around me as I placed a soft kiss on his hair, holding him in my arms tightly.

"Are you sad because of Troy?" He asked innocently as he looked at me.

I looked at him in shock. I cleared my throat and asked, confused. "Why do you think I am sad because of Troy?"

"Yesterday I saw you crying while looking at a photo... Umm... This morning I found the photo. I saw it when you put it into the drawer. But don't worry. I talked to Troy. He told me he loves you, and he wouldn't hurt you. So don't be sad." He confessed firmly.

I looked at him in surprise. Troy told him that he loves me?

I pursed my lips together, averting my gaze. My eyes welled up as I remembered what happened between Troy and me today. It ached my heart to stay away from Troy while being in love with him. As much as I wanted to forget him, I was deeply in love with him.

I shook my head, getting rid of my thoughts, and forced a smile, stroking Alec's hair affectionately.

***

I grabbed a cup of coffee at the cafe near the fashion house and left the place while informing my assistant that I would be there in a few minutes.

After hanging up my phone, I turned around in confusion. I felt someone was following me since I left the mansion. I looked around, but I didn't notice anyone. I sighed, shaking my head, and walked towards the fashion house.

My eyes widened in surprise as I saw Troy waiting for me in front of the building while leaning against his car.

"What are you doing here?" I asked dryly as I approached him.

"We need to talk." He stated firmly as he straightened, placing his hand into his pocket.

I sighed, ruffling my hair. "Troy..."

"Please." He insisted, looking at me with his ocean blue eyes.

I bit my lower lip, thinking, and nodded, heaving a deep sigh. "Fine. Let's talk in my office." He gave me his charming smile, melting my heart.

Get a grip, Rose! He is your sister's fiancé.

"I am all ears." I said, crossing my arms over my chest as I placed my clutch on the desk.

"I want to talk to Alec this evening. I think it will be better if we talk to him in my penthouse." He stated firmly, placing his hand in his pocket.

I bit my lower lip, thinking. "Umm... Are you sure? I don't know if it is a good idea. I don't want Alec to get hurt. This complicated situation can affect him badly. On the other hand..."

"Enough, Rose!" He snapped, frustrated.

"Troy, understand me I don't want to involve Alec into this mess. You are marrying my sister, and Alec and I will go back as soon as possible. We will not see each other anymore, my future brother-in-law." I stated, my arms crossed over my chest while trying to hide my sadness.

"Is that all?!" He snapped furiously, full of anger and disappointment in his eyes. "Do you think I will let you leave and take my son with you?!" He growled, approaching me.