Chapter 30: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟗

FINN

“Bree is dating someone,”

I choke on my drink the moment the words leave Ryan’s mouth.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

I pat my chest to stop my heart from pounding so hard, “sorry,” I clear my throat, “I didn’t see that coming,”

We are currently at a product launch party of one of our associates. Usually, Jack tags along at these kind of events but since he’s in New Jersey meeting his girlfriend’s family, Ryan had to come.

I just didn’t expect him to say what he just said.

“Why.. why do you think she’s dating someone?”

Geez, stop stuttering!

Ryan stares at me with his intimidating gaze and while it never bothered me before, right now, he may as well figure out everything just by the look on my face.

However, he looks away, “I wasn’t sure before but I’m positive now. She’s dating someone I don’t know about.” a pause, “or she’s hiding him from me,”

“You don’t exactly have the best impression when she reveals her partners,”

“Because none of them deserve her,”

True. None of the boyfriends she had before did anything to deserve her. She made a mediocre man feel like he’s one of a kind, the best of the best.

I am not perfect either. I haven’t even been able to talk about my past with her properly while she tells me everything. Whatever that bothers her, what makes her happy, everything.

But unlike some other people, I am willing to do everything to keep her. I spent years trying to make her get out of my mind but it never worked.

I am obsessed with this woman. I can’t let her go.

“She’s happy,” Ryan says, so quietly that I almost missed it.

“What?” I ask again to make sure I heard that right and am not being delusional like Farhan.

Ryan looks at me with a pissed expression, “I am not repeating myself,”

Of course.

“Well, isn’t it good that she’s happy?”

“I am not saying anything until I figure out who this man is,”

That’s fine. Ryan sees that Bree’s happy and I will make sure that she stays happy even after our relationship is public.

Ryan’s attention wavers when his eyes catch something behind me. I turn around and look in the same direction and find out it’s not ‘something’ but ‘someone’.

“Why is Rose with John Miller?” Ryan asks.

Bree told me that Rose was going to attend this event on behalf of Henry since he's out of town but I didn’t expect her to bring a date.

“She doesn’t like bringing dates to these kind of events,” is what Bree told me.

Either she changed her rules or…

John waves at us when he notices me and Ryan- or feels the daggers that Ryan is throwing at him through his eyes. Rose’s expression completely changes as she spots the guest of honor behind me.

Despite Rose’s gloomy mood, they head towards us, both hand in hand like a couple.

We greet each other and shake hands. Rose exchanges a sweet smile with me then the same smile turns forced when it’s directed at Ryan.

“Ryan.” She greets.

“Rosanna.”

Her smile vanishes in a blink, “You need to stop calling me that.”

“Why? Isn’t it your name?”

“No one calls me that. Not even dad.”

“Someone should.”

Somehow, even in such a crowded place, the room falls silent while these two just stare at each other with boring gazes.

John and I exchange an awkward glance but he doesn’t let go of Rose’s hand.

“Well, fine, you do you.” She says then puts her arm around John’s.

Ryan’s eyes snap to their joined arms while Rose gives him her smile, “excuse us. There are people I want to introduce John to,”

Ryan exchanges one last glance with Rose before she walks away with John.

After they're far away from us but still in sight, Ryan asks, “Since when did they start going out?” his eyes stay fixated on the couple.

“Why does it matter?” I ask.

Just like how Rose hates when we mention Ryan in her presence, Ryan gets annoyed whenever we mention Rose and her dates.

We may go a little overboard but it’s fun.

Ryan looks away, “it doesn’t,”

While Ryan gets busy with conversations with other business associates, I pull out my phone to text my beautiful girlfriend.

Finn

Why didn’t you come with Rose?

Her reply comes in an instant

Amore

I’m sorry, I was working

Finn

You don’t say have to say sorry, amore

Amore

Yeah.. but I wish I had tagged along.

I miss you

I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my grin.

God, what did I do to deserve her?

I wipe my grin off before Ryan gets suspicious but a hint of smile stays on my face as I text back.

Finn

Im picking you up on my way back and you’re spending the night at mine

Amore

I’ll be waiting