Beautiful Rose (Elixir Billionaires #1)

36. Rose

36

ROSE

I shift in my bed, and my back hits a wall—a warm wall of Zander’s bare chest. My eyes open to look at the time on the bedside clock and it’s seven thirty. The house is dead silent, no usual buzzing of a coffee machine or Kristy’s treadmill.

This is how my mornings are going to sound from now. After Zander leaves, I’ll be alone in this house. My house, which until yesterday was mine and Kristy’s.

I sit upright as a feeling of nausea hits me. My chest feels heavy, and I clutch the cotton T-shirt, rubbing my chest underneath.

How am I going to live here by myself?

“Marr, what is it?” Zander’s sleepy body sprouts to life, and he pulls me into his arms. “Hey, couch girl. What’s the matter?”

“I… I’m alone.”

“What do you mean? I’m here.” He crushes me into his arms so tightly that I have trouble breathing.

“In…this…house. I’m…all alone,” I stutter.

“You are not alone, Marr.” Zander tucks my messed-up bed hair behind my ear and holds my face in his hands. Looking into my eyes, he says, “You have a wonderful new housemate.”

“You’re staying?” Hope rises in my voice.

“No, baby. Not me.” He smiles and adds, “Not yet.” Before I can comprehend his added words, he continues, “But you will like her.”

He pulls me out of the bed and leads to Kristy’s room.

It looks the same, except all her stuff is gone, including a picture of us that was always placed on the top of her dresser. Her makeup table is empty, and her favorite pillow is gone. I purchased that I am my own boss pillow for her with my first scholarship money. Everything here makes me sadder.

Oblivious to my forlorn mood, Zander opens the closet.

The clothes hanging definitely aren’t Kristy’s.

They’re way too bright and flashy, nothing like Kristy’s business dresses. There’s a small cardboard moving box that’s overflowing with stuff hastily shoved inside. On top of it lies a photograph, placed face-first with familiar faces. Clementine, Oscar, and the rest of the Hawthorne family.

“I’m confused, Zander.” I turn my gaze from the closet to him and notice that he’s been looking at me the whole time, possibly gauging my reaction.

“This is Clementine’s stuff. She wants to move out of her mother’s house.” He pauses, letting me comprehend his words.

“Oh.” I can’t decide straight away how I feel about this change.

“If you don’t like it, she’ll understand.” Zander grabs my hands, which are scratching the full sleeves of my T-shirt. “Kristy asked me to put this box here so you can imagine better, but Clementine hasn’t completely moved in or anything.”

I pause for a long while before replying, mulling over the idea in my head. It also doesn’t skip my mind what lengths Zander went through to help find a solution to my roommate situation.

“It’s okay, I guess. I knew Kristy would leave after her marriage, and…I would have to find a new housemate. For some reason, I was stalling the inevitable. But Clem isn’t a stranger. I know her and she also knows…of me.” I glance at him, and he nods.

“I’m also planning to stay for a few days.” Zander swallows as if he’s nervous about something, possibly my reaction.

I squeeze his hands, which are still holding mine, trying to reassure him and also myself.

“Thank you.” But the creases on Zander’s forehead don’t relax. Does he think I’m going to have a meltdown? “It’s good. Really good. I know Clem, and it’ll be…fun.” I add the last word just to pacify his worries.

Nothing new is fun.

“Okay.” He releases a sharp breath and plops down on Kristy’s—um, I mean, Clem’s bed. Scratching his head, he tugs on his hair.

“Zander, what’s the matter?” I place my hand over his to stop him from plucking his cowlick out.

Instead, he grabs my waist, pulling me close. His head rests over my stomach as I stand in front of him. I don’t know why, but in this moment, he looks so vulnerable, and Zander is never vulnerable. He is strong and brave.

“You’re worrying me. Is something wrong?” I try to pull away to look at his face, but his tight grip on my waist doesn’t allow me to move even an inch. It’s like he’s worried I’ll disappear if he lets go even for a moment.

“I can’t lose you.” His words sound muffled against my stomach.

“What do…you mean? Tell me what’s wrong,” I demand. His anxiety is contagious, and my own heart beats rapidly.

What happened to him ?

He’s been off since the wedding. The way he talked to me about love in the coatroom. The way he held me throughout the evening.

“Nothing’s wrong.” He pulls me down on his lap and gazes into my eyes. “I love you so much that sometimes it hurts to think what I’ll do without you. I need you, baby.”

I don’t know what to say to his admission. My throat constricts at the emotion I see in his eyes. Nobody has needed me, ever.

“Zander, are you going somewhere?”

“No, I’m not. I just can’t stay far from you.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, sweetheart. It’s just—” The ringing of the doorbell interrupts him. We both turn our heads to the door. “I’ll get it. You get dressed. We have to leave for Kristy and Oscar’s breakfast party soon.” He places a swift kiss on my lips before standing me up and walking out of the room.

When I come out of shower, I find Zander sitting on my bed, dressed in another of his fine suits. He might have taken a shower in Kristy’s bathroom.

“Who was at the door?” I ask, my brain still struggling with the news of Clementine moving in. Everything is changing so fast.

“Zach and Zane. They’re here to pick us up,” Zander replies, playing with the ends of the peach dress I’ve laid on the bed to put on.

“Oh, sorry. I’ll be quick.” I scramble to the dresser to get my hairdryer.

“It’s okay, Marr. They’re early.” Zander walks to me and plucks the brush from my hands. “Can I request something?”

“Mmm…sure.” My voice fills with trepidation as his hesitant voice.

“Can you put on your green flannel shirt today?” he urges.

“You want me to wear my flannel and jeans?” I can’t hide my surprise. “You don’t like the dress?”

Why? I purchased this dress with him in St. Peppers.

“I like it very much. You look so beautiful in it.” A familiar smile dawns on his face. Thank God!

“Then what’s the matter, Zander? You’re really scaring me today.”

“Nothing, sweetheart.” He pulls me to his chest. “I just want to remember our first meeting, and I…” He swallows deep. “I kinda have a surprise for you.” He searches my face, and I’m sure he can see anxiety written all over it. “It’s a happy surprise, couch girl.” He plants a kiss on my temple. “Trust me.”

“I was really looking forward to a surprise-free day. It’s all too much,” I whisper, barely holding my tears at bay.

“What is?” he whispers back.

“Everything. Everything is changing… so fast.” Today, Zander has taken the role of Kristy for me. I usually discuss such fears and insecurities with her. He slowly rubs my back as I continue.

“I feel like I’ll fall behind and get lost again. Kristy is gone, Clementine is moving in, and you are being strange and… weird.” My voice breaks. “I feel like I’m gonna lose you too.”

“You’re not going to lose me, ever. From what I see, you’re not falling behind but moving forward. You’re not getting lost but discovering new things in life. Instead of losing Kristy, you’ve gained two new relationships with Oscar and Charlie. More people are entering your life. It might be scary, but you are doing so great.” He gazes into my eyes, urging me to believe his words.

“You think so?” I look at him with tears blurring my vision.

He nods and smiles. “I believe so. ”

“Okay then. Let’s check out your surprise,” I mumble, walking toward my dresser to put on my green flannel.

We all sit around the giant breakfast table set in Oscar’s family’s lavish garden. The weather is pleasant, and the breakfast is mouthwatering, which is no surprise considering most baked goods are from the coveted Hawthorne bakery in Cherrywood.

It’s a close family-and-friend gathering. Kristy is settled with Oscar and Charlie on either side of her. Oscar’s arm lazily hangs around her chair, and Charlie is half sitting on her lap. They do make a sweet family.

I sit next to Zander and his brothers, surrounded by people who are slowly taking the role of my family.

Meanwhile, Clementine assured me several times that she’ll be a wonderful housemate and is looking forward to living with me. Seeing her so excited is actually good. I’m starting to believe in Zander’s words about me moving forward in life.

A clearing of a throat interrupts my thoughts, and I notice Zander standing and drawing everybody’s attention to him. He’s wearing the reputable cherry red tie today, looking handsome as always.

“ Rose , my sweetheart. I know you hate surprises, but I’m hoping this will be a good one, for both of us.” He swallows hard and takes a long pause, which only makes me more anxious.

Why can’t he surprise me in private?

“You might be wondering why I’m doing this in public.” As always, he reads me like an open book. “But I need to do this in front of people who care about us and our happiness.”

I glance across and meet Kristy’s wide smile. Her eyes widen, and I follow her gaze to find Zander on one knee.

W-what the hell is he doing?

My heart stops and then races as I latch on to his action.

“My sweet Rose . Since I met you, I’ve experienced so many emotions. I was curious about the girl dressed in a green flannel shirt and sleeping on the office couch—my couch girl. Your intelligence amazed me, Dr. Marlin. And your sweetness enamored me, my Rose.”

Oh my god!

He’s calling me Rose.

“These emotions grow stronger by the day. I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but it feels like I’ve known you for a lifetime before. And I would like to spend each minute of my remaining life with you, knowing you more.”

“Zander.” I’m stunned by his declaration. There are others around us, but I can’t pull my gaze away from this man before me.

Photographic memory can go to hill ; even without it, I’ll remember this moment forever. My eyes burn with happy tears as they race down my cheeks.

“I’m not asking you to marry me, or maybe I am,” he says sheepishly and nervously. “But I’m in no hurry. I’m just asking you to accept this ring in front of our friends and promise to be mine. That’s enough for me. We—”

“Yes, I promise to be yours. I’m yours.” I crouch on the ground beside him and whisper only for him, “But no hurry, right?”

“Of course, Rose.” He places the ring on my palm, and that’s when I notice the rose made with small intricate red diamonds. My tears turn into full-blown sobs.

“I love it,” I say as sunlight shines on the inscription on the inside of the band. I bring it closer to my face and read aloud. “U have Me, I have U. Forever.”

“Are you sure?” I ask Zander as we watch the dancing reflection of stars on the lake, sitting under a cherry tree.

“More than anything, Rose.” My heart trembles every time he’s said my name since he proposed to me this morning, making today the most special day of my life.

I can’t believe it.

I’m engaged. I twist my ring and remove it.

“You aren’t supposed to take it off,” he whispers in my ear, pulling me closer to his chest.

“I’m making sure it’s real,” I whisper back, grazing my fingers inside the band to feel the inscription. I can’t read it in the dark, but I can still feel the letters and see the words in my mind.

“This is as real as it gets, Rose.”

“Does it feel weird?” I turn around to face him. When he doesn’t understand, I provide, “To call me by my name.”

“No. It feels… right. I thought it would be difficult, but once I said it, I can’t stop using it.” He smiles.

“So, no bad memories?”

He shakes his head. “Only the best ones, my beautiful Rose.”