Beautiful Rose (Elixir Billionaires #1)

48. Zander

48

ZANDER

“Hello, boss.” Kristy waves at me before sauntering into my recently furnished office.

“Hello, friend. What is my favorite employee doing at this time in this part of the town?”

“Hold on now.” She narrows her eyes on me, hands resting on her waist. “What are you really asking here? Why am I roaming around town at this working hour or why am I here unannounced? Or are you just happy to see your favorite employee?” She bats her eyelashes flirtatiously while asking the last question, and I chuckle at her comic come-hither expression.

“How does Oscar handle you, drama queen?”

“It helps that it’s not him who handles me but me who handles him.” She snickers before glancing around my office. “I see you’re settling in well here, and I hear the work on the new house is also going smoothly.”

I rest back in my chair. “Yes, the construction is moving along well. Why don’t you guys join us sometime? It’s really a beautiful place.”

“I’m sure it is because that’s all Rose has been talking about these days.” Kristy’s eyes twinkle as she smiles before perching on a chair opposite of me and placing her handbag beside her.

“She is in love with it. She even asked me if we can live there while restoration is in progress. I had to think of twenty different reasons until I could fully convince her that living amongst the construction chaos is a bad idea.”

“But why don’t I see you in our office more often?” She arches an eyebrow at me, and my smile slips, causing her to sit straight. When I don’t reply, she tries again. “You’re mostly only there to pick up Rose. All okay?”

“I don’t want to overwhelm her by breathing down her neck every minute of the day.” My words are frustrated.

Kristy has become such a good friend over the past few months, and she helped me a great deal in convincing Rose to take a chance on us during our early dating days.

“Did she say something?” She raises her eyebrow in suspicion.

“Not in so many words.” I grab the planner on my table just so I have something to keep my hands busy. “I think I’m reading too much into it. It’s most likely nothing.” I drop that stupid planner and grab my neck, looking up at the ceiling. “But when we were at the property with Henry and he showed us the kids’ bedroom, she got…all cold and rock solid. You know, like when she’s about to get a panic attack.”

My gaze lands on Kristy, who stays uncharacteristically quiet, playing with the straps of her handbag.

“I’m reading too much into it, right?”

“Most likely. Rosie is still coming to terms with the idea of getting married. Maybe she just panicked hearing about kids.” Kristy chews on her lower lip. “Do you…think about kids?”

“Isn’t it a natural thing to think of?” Who am I kidding? Rose, kids, family…these things constantly run through my mind. She spent all her life alone. What I wouldn’t give for her to experience the thrill, the excitement, of a little one. Bu t I guess that’s one gift she doesn’t want. “I definitely think about the idea of us having kids someday. Of course, not like tomorrow or even next year, especially after seeing how much it affects her.” There’s no hiding the bite in my voice.

“I’m sorry, Zander.” Kristy gives me a sad smile, and I respond with my own.

“I knew there’d be speed bumps but having her in my life exactly as she is makes up for all the challenges that come our way.” I focus on the memory of her excited face when we were in our house for the first time. The way her smile tugged on my heart. “And more importantly, we make progress every day.” Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined her offering me a blow job. My throat dries as I remember how she looked on her knees, sucking—

“I’m so happy she found you,” Kristy whispers, her misty eyes bringing me back from my wild imaginations.

“Okay.” I clear my throat, pushing away the arousing images of my nerd from my head. “Enough with the sappy. Tell me why you’re here unannounced. Not that I’m unhappy to see you.”

She clears her throat, not responding as I’d hoped. “Actually, I have news. And before I share it with Rose, I wanted to share it with you. I don’t know…how she’ll react.”

I nod, urging her to go on, but she hesitates. With uncertain blue eyes, she resembles Rose too much at this moment.

“But now, I don’t know if this is the right time.”

“What’s happening? Everything all right?” I’m a mix of curious and concerned at seeing Kristy this nervous.

“It’s just… I-I’m pregnant.”

It takes my brain a second to register what she said. “Kristy! That’s wonderful news.” I get up from my chair and pull her into a hug. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you and Oscar.”

“Thank you so much.” For the first time since she walked into my office, there’s a joyous expression on her face .

“I’m sure you guys are going crazy with this news. I know I am. Look.” I pull up my shirt sleeve and show her the goose bumps littering my skin. “I can’t wait to see the look on Rose’s face. She’ll be beyond excited.”

Kristy runs her hands over my textured skin, her eyes shining with pure joy. “We haven’t told anyone else yet. But I want to share it with Rose so bad. I, too, think she’ll be happy. It’s eating me alive to keep this from her. We’ve never kept any secrets from each other, you know? Especially not this long.”

“And how long has this been?”

“Since morrrning,” Kristy drawls, as if her stretching of the word would make the time period longer, and I can’t hold back my laugh at her theatrics. “Laughing at a pregnant woman?” She raises her hands up in the air in mock anger, which only amuses me more.

“It didn’t take you long to play the pregnancy card.” When I cock my eyebrow, she giggles.

“I never miss opportunities. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ll share the news with Rose this evening. Ask her to call me.”

“Why can’t you call her?”

Kristy fidgets, her fingers playing with her huge diamond ring.

“Kristy, what did you do?” I bite back a chuckle. There’s never a dull moment with this girl.

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. I promised Oscar…” she says in a cryptic voice. When I arch an eyebrow at her for further explanation, she huffs in annoyance before continuing. “I promised him that I wouldn’t call anyone to share the news until he’s back from St. Peppers tomorrow.”

“And that’s why you were so evasive in stating the exact reason for your surprise visit. So clever, Mrs. Hawthorne.”

“Well, shame on Oscar for making me keep the biggest news of my life from my best friend. I’ll do no such thing. You better ask her to call me, or you’ll find a surprise visitor in your hotel room tonight.”

I have full faith that she’ll drop by if Rose doesn’t call her.

“We’re staying at Rose’s place tonight in case you decide to pay us an unannounced visit. But I’ll ask your friend to call you in the evening.”

She raises one finger over her lips.

“Yes, yes. I’ll not say anything about your news to her.” When she crosses her arms over her chest, I supply, “Or anyone else.”

Finally, there’s a wide smile on Kristy’s face.

“Does Oscar know there’s a loophole in his promise?”

“Of course he does.”

“What smells so good?”

My hands folding the kitchen towel come to a halt at the sight of Rose standing by the kitchen door. She’s freshly showered and now dressed in yellow shorts and a matching cotton T-shirt. Her toned, long legs get to me every fucking time.

“Zander, stop staring.” She joins me next to the fridge and smacks my chest lightly.

I grab her hand and pepper kisses over her palm. “Then stop looking so pretty.” Coming back to her every evening has been the highlight of my days since I moved to Cherrywood.

“Wow, that’s too much food.” Rose looks around at the table clad with salad, mashed potatoes, and chili as I take out the bread from the oven. “You baked bread?” Her gaze shifts from me to the pan in surprise.

“Don’t tell me this is the first lucky bread prepared in this oven?” I stifle back my smile. “What do you guys use it for?”

“Pizza. But don’t be surprised if you find some socks inside. Clem is often finding new ways to use the oven.” She giggles as I place the pan onto the table.

“Preparing pizza is more complicated than bread.”

“Preparing?” She blinks rapidly before looking at me as if I’ve grown two heads, causing me to chuckle. Every moment with Rose brings joy into my life. “Do you honestly think I can prepare pizza at home? My association with this oven ends at heating an emergency frozen pizza.” Her gaze then jumps to the table. “But seriously, this is amazing. I can’t wait to come home to this every evening.” She puts her arms around my neck and swings from side to side. “Is it wrong of me to say that?” She sounds unsure, and I grab her by her waist, all too eager to ease her worries.

“Not at all. You know I love to cook for you.” I hold her close and place swift kisses on her neck. When she relaxes in my arms, I give her some more kisses before pulling away, which only causes her to make an annoyed sound.

“Couch girl, as much as I don’t want to stop, I want you to eat. I’ve been working on this for an hour.” I pull out a chair for her. “I also want you to call Kristy after we’re done with dinner.”

“Kristy? Why, is there a problem?” Rose asks as I fill her bowl with chili and place it before her.

“No. Since she was off work today, I thought you guys would like to catch up while I clean. But if you want to help me instead, that’s perfectly okay with me.”

She looks up at me with her eyebrows high, a spoon stuck in her mouth.

I try hard to bite back the laugh that’s ready to burst out of me as an expression of genuine sadness pops up on her pretty face. But finally, I give in. “I’m just teasing. You don’t have to be so sad, couch girl.” I push her bangs off her forehead.

She pulls the spoon out and then looks at me under her lashes. “I don’t think I’m ever going to like cleaning up the kitchen, Zander.”

“Hi, Kristy,” Rose says as I arrange the dishes in the dishwasher. I don’t have to do all this household shit; I could easily hire someone. But I want to have a relationship with Rose where we experience life around us, every passing moment. Moments that will become our memories someday. My girl has already missed so much in life, and I don’t want her to miss anything more.

Giving a final glance to the kitchen, I pick up my coffee and join her in the living room.

My steps halt at the door.

“Rose?” My legs fucking shake as I run to her.

Fuck. How long has she been sitting like this?

My gaze jumps from the front of her T-shirt to her shorts, both soaked in the hot coffee, before landing on her face. Her eyes are wide and emotionless as she stares at the wall.

“Rose.” My hands tremble as I shake her, trying to bring her back from whatever mental hell she’s in. But she screams at my touch.

My stomach roils at her response, and it scares the hell out of me.

She likes my touch. What the fuck happened in the last five minutes?

“Babe, come back to me.” The sound of my rapid, terrified heartbeat thrashes in my ears as I plead.

I make another attempt to get to her by caressing her hair. This time, she doesn’t protest. A jolt passes through my body at the flicker of life in her eyes.

Thank God!

“Rose, let me clean you up.” I can already see her neck turning red from the burn of hot coffee, but I also don’t want to take off her clothes and catch her by surprise. I have no idea what triggered this—whatever the fuck this is.

She stares at me, her eyes haunted and pleading. Tears trickle down her cheeks, but otherwise, her face is impassive.

With trembling hands, I gather her in my arms. She doesn’t move, doesn’t flinch, doesn’t react except for those silent tears now mixing with the brown coffee splatter on her neck.

I grit my teeth at the terrified expression in her eyes. She’s begging for my help, but I don’t know what to do.

I carry her inside the shower and turn on the water. Without taking off our clothes, I move us under the water, supporting her in my arms. I’m fucking scared to make a wrong move and worsen whatever the fuck is happening to her. My mind runs wild, not knowing what to do or whom to call. I feel so fucking helpless right now.

I turn off the water and leave her in the shower for a second after propping her up against the wall.

When I return with a towel, she’s lying on the floor of the shower stall, curled up in the fetal position. My legs shake, and pain like never before rips through my chest and lungs at the sight of her.

She looks so fucking small, so broken. I can’t help the tears that gather behind my eyes. Her body trembles as she weeps silent tears.

“Rose, stay with me,” I whisper in a hoarse voice and wrap the towel around her. I bring her to her room, the floor getting wet and slippery as I walk, my wet clothes clinging to my body.

After pulling away the comforter, I place her on the bed, still wrapped in the towel. She hides her face in the pillow, and the bed shakes as she continues to tremble.

Giving her a pained glance, I quickly get out of my wet clothes and put on a dry T-shirt and sweatpants. In record time, I’m back with her.

As I untangle her from the towel, she pulls away from me and dashes to the garbage bin next to her desk.

My hands freeze, and I’m rooted in place with a wet towel in hand.

What the hell just happened?

Did my touch nauseate her?

I can’t breathe for a moment, but soon she retches, and I rush over to her.

I want to do so much—hold her, support her, rub her back—but I’m scared to do anything and make this worse.

Looking exhausted, she lies on the floor, and I get down on my knees, helplessly watching her and begging for a clue on what to do. And then she gives it to me.

She grabs my hand and mutters, “Please don’t leave.”

“I’ll never leave you, baby.” I pull her close to my chest. But when I try to get up, she protests, shaking her head.

We spend the night on the floor. She pukes a few more times, coming in and out of consciousness the whole night.