Chapter 34 - Feeling home

Troy's POV

"Wait a minute!" He exclaimed as he pulled back slightly, narrowing his eyes. "So you let that bastard keep in touch with your sister behind my back?! How could you do it?! I warned you." My father added angrily and swore at Romeo under his breath.

"Dad, I let him use my phone. They didn't get each other's numbers. I swear. They love each other. I am sorry, but I did what I thought was right." I stated confidently and gave my father an apologetic look.

He breathed deeply and nodded. I gave him a warm smile.

***

I was staring at Rose while sipping my whiskey at a charity gala. She looked stunning in her blue long chiffon dress. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I was enchanted by her beauty.

I placed my glass down on the table and started following Rose without drawing attention when she walked towards the terrace.

"Hey, Troy. Come here!" Romeo called me behind me.

"In a few minutes." I replied hurriedly as I turned around, facing Romeo and Nathan, and without letting him say anything, I left.

"Leave me alone!" I heard Rose's voice as I approached the door.

I strode towards the door as I heard a man's voice; they were arguing.

"Let go of me, Adam!" Rose snapped, trying to pull her arm away while the man was grabbing her wrist tightly.

"Let go of her!" I demanded between gritted teeth as I grabbed his wrist tightly.

"Who are you?! Don't intervene." He snarled.

"Let go of her now, or I will break your bones." I ordered in an authoritative tone as I tightened my grip around his wrist. He groaned in pain and released Rose's wrist.

Rose stepped back while rubbing her wrist. I pushed his arm back roughly as I gave him a murderous look. Then I turned my gaze from him to Rose and asked, concerned, resting my hands on her upper arms. "Are you okay?"

"Yes..." She mumbled, rubbing her wrist.

"Well. Well. Well. The gorgeous Troy Anderson is worried for his sister-in-law. How touching!" The bastard commented mockingly.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance and breathed deeply, trying to calm down. Rose shook her head, giving me a begging look that I didn't do anything to this prick.

"How can someone think that a cold-blooded man like you is able to be concerned for his sister-in-law? Isn't it strange? Huh?"

Without waiting for a second, I turned towards him and punched him. He groaned as he fell down and touched his bleeding nose in pain.

"Stay away from Rose! If you dare to touch her again, no one can save you from my hands!" I warned him in an authoritative tone, shaking my finger at him, and held Rose's hand, pulling her with me, leaving the bastard lying on the floor.

I was sipping my whiskey while trying to concentrate on what Romeo was telling, but my mind was on Rose. She was talking to an unfamiliar man with black hair. He probably was on his early thirties. They looked so close.

"Troy! Are you listening to me?" Romeo asked in annoyance.

"Umm... Yes." I cleared my throat as I nodded.

"Hmm... He isn't bad. Who is he?" He asked, smirking as he pointed to the black-haired man beside Rose.

"I don't know." I replied dryly and sipped my whiskey.

"Troy." When Romeo wanted to add something which probably would make me want to strangle him, my mother called me as she approached us.

The lucky bastard! As always.

"I will leave you alone. I have to go. I came here for a few hours. I don't want to leave Sienna alone so long when her due date is close, despite the fact there are maids in the house." Romeo stated as he placed his glass on the table after finishing his drink. "See you." I nodded.

My mother gave him a warm smile as she nodded. "See you later."

I sipped my drink, staring at Rose who was now chatting with that prick alone.

Who is he?

I gritted my teeth as he leaned towards her ear and said something while resting his hand on her back. Then both laughed.

"Are you fine?" My mother asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yeah." I mumbled, turning my gaze from them to my mother, and sighed.

My mother looked at Rose and asked curiously. "Is he Rose's boyfriend? I can't remember, but he looks familiar."

I gritted my teeth in frustration and snapped without managing to control my voice. "No!..." My mother raised her eyebrow and gave me a suspicious look. I cleared my throat and added. "I don't know, but I didn't hear from anyone that she dates someone."

"Maybe it is new." My mother commented, looking into my eyes. I clenched my fist and looked at Rose and that man. "She is a beautiful woman. Of course, men will chase her and try to get her attention. And eventually, she will give someone a chance." She stated and shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

I drank all of my left whiskey in a sip without saying anything and tried to control myself. Then I placed my glass on the table loudly and grabbed another glass as the waiter passed beside me, carrying a tray full of drinks.

When I looked at my mother, she was staring at me, some mischief in her eyes. I averted my gaze and rubbed the back of my neck, thinking.

Did my father tell her about what happened between Rose and me?

No, he wouldn't! But my father never keeps secrets from my mother.

"Mom..."

"Oh. I need to tell Grace something." My mother said hurriedly and walked towards Nathan's mother quickly without letting me say anything. I looked behind her, confused.

I sighed, shaking my head and looked at Rose. Finally, she was alone. I placed my glass on the table and walked towards her while she was tapping something on her phone.

"Would you like to dance with me?" I asked as I approached her.

She lifted her head up and looked at me in surprise. "Troy, I don't think it will be appropriate." She replied and pursed her lips together.

"Why not?"

She sighed, closing her eyes. "You were engaged to my sister. You broke up with her a few days ago. If I danced with you, it would be weird. On the other hand, if our secret was revealed, they would think I came between you two and separated you." She answered, looking at me gloomily.

"You didn't do anything, Rose. And I don't care what everyone thinks." I stated firmly, giving her a reassuring look, and grabbed her hand. I dragged her towards the dance floor without letting her protest.

"Troy, please." She whispered, giving me a warning look as I turned her towards me and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into my chest.

"Shh. Let me enjoy you in my arms. I missed it terribly." I stated, looking into her eyes, and gave her a bright smile, ignoring the curious eyes staring at us. She bit her lower lip, blushing, and heaved a deep sigh.

****

I parked my car in front of the nightclub, Stardust. It was owned by my friend, Nathan Carter. I was going to meet up with Romeo and Nathan here.

I searched for my friends as I walked into the nightclub. Romeo waved at me, giving me his signature smirk when he saw me. I gave him a nod and walked towards him, placing my hand into my pocket.

After giving him a side hug, I ordered a glass of whiskey for myself and asked where Nathan was. He told me Nathan had to make an urgent call in his office.

"I heard I missed something important at the gala. Someone saw you dancing with your ex-sister -in-law." He commented, giving me a sly smirk.

"Nathan told you, didn't he?" I asked, rolling my eyes. He grinned, nodding. "He is a bastard!" I exclaimed and took a sip from my whiskey.

"I absolutely agree with you." Romeo winked at me arrogantly.

"You too."

"Me? Why? I am your best friend." Romeo said, pretending to be offended, and rested his hand on his heart.

"He is my best friend too." I reminded.

"No, he is your friend. It is me who is your best friend." He gave me a smug look. I shook my head, grinning.

"By the way, where is he?" I asked in curiosity as I checked the time.

"I don't know. He prefers to talk on the phone more than watching these chicks." Romeo commented, pointing to the girls dancing on the dance floor. "Is he gay?" He added sarcastically as a sexy blonde girl in black mini dress walked towards Nathan seductively, but he told her something with a serious expression and the girl left angrily, telling something under her breath. Then Nathan frowned, looking at his phone, and went to his office quickly.

I burst out laughing. "Really? Nathan? Gay? Are you kidding me?"

"Yes, I was joking." He gave me a mischievous grin and sipped his drink. "He has a new conquest, but he keeps her a secret."