Roses Aren’t Always Red

Cookies and Cream

"It was for the best Rosie."

"Was it? Was it really?"

The two stood a few meters away from the grave as everyone else gathered around the area in mourning.

"He was a bum that knocked my daughter up. He had left you with an orphaned child!" He growled

"Don't speak on that baby's name, ever! You cannot understand what I've been through! Mom would've." She said cruelly. She was done sparing her father's feelings. She knew it would hurt him, and happily used that leverage.

"Now you're just being cruel." He sighed quietly

She smiled, "Good, you now know a tiny portion of the pain you have cause me."

"Rosemund-"

"And quit calling me that." She turned to face him squarely, "You do realise you owe me now? You tore three people out of my life - you owe me. You're indebted to me. I expect to be fully reimbursed. Always."

"You are cursed Rosemund, do you even see the hurt you cause? You are a curse. You deserve nothing from me." He retorted, " You do not deserve love."

"And yet I have loved more than you ever have and will. I hope you understand I hate you and only stick by you because for some twisted reason, I feel sorry for you."

"Well I love you Rosemund, no matter how evil you think I am, I do everything for you."

She swallowed, "Even murder?"

Suddenly someone had turned in their direction and he put on a smile and embraced her, "Even murder." He said with a kiss to her forehead.

"Hey there."

Queenie's neck snapped toward the waiter beside her

"Oh uhm I'm waiting for someone, I'll have a cookie and cream while I wait" she smiled sheepishly

It was around four in the afternoon on a Tuesday. She had spent the Sunday at home, working and Monday as well. They had decided in a rebrand and August has issued out details and tasks for each division for a follow up meeting. And naturally, Jay was avoiding her completely.

She tapped her fingernails against the table in the café. Her coffee had just been served to her and the smell was luring but she just couldn't drink it due to all the nerves she was feeling.

Queenie looked at her phone and went to Jimin's chat; she had asked to meet him in this café after work.

Having spent the rest of the day at work with the writing team in preparation for Wednesday's meeting, it had been a busy day and she had only seen August at lunch. They talked and laughed but all through the day she couldn't stop stressing about Jay not even contacting her.

His response to her request for coffee was a simply - ok.

she was distracted from her phone's screen when she spotted Jay walking in. He spotted her and when he reached the table he didn't sit down at first.

He raised his eyebrows at her and tapped the milkshake in her hand.

"Hey," she said in a cheery voice, pointing at the shake as a peace offering.

"Hi." He responded, then pulled his chair back and set his phone on the table. "Make it quick, I have to go home real soon. Busy day you know?" He said

He was still mad. she sighed, "Look, I am sorry about that day. I have no idea what happened to me."

He was quiet.

"There's nothing wrong with your dating life or what you do in general, I was just upset" she tried again

There was a long pause.

"How's working with August, is the relaunch coming along?" He said suddenly and rather ruefully. she slouched in her seat, "Babe."

He huffed, "It doesn't matter Q. It's not about me, it's you." she frowned in confusion, "What does that mean?" He leaned forward, "It just... you've just been so consumed by that guy lately."

She was, at this point, very confused, "Consumed? What?Dude...Like it's only been like what?... three days of knowing him -"

"Exactly! It's just been three days and you've been nothing but lovestruck." He jumped in

"I am not in lov-" he waved his hand at me, "I didn't say you were but it's just that you always get so involved with your current love interest. You barely have time for anything else, or...anyone really." He finished lamely.

She blinked at him.

He quickly added, "I mean, when was the last time you saw Adrienne? Hm?"

"Adrienne works twenty four eight Jay, when was the last time anyone saw Adrienne? And anyway I saw her on Thursday night. The same 'last time' you saw her..."

He huffed and looked away. And she inhaled sharply. Then it suddenly hit her.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "Are you upset about my time spent with someone else?"

"Of course not."

"Are you trying to police me?"

"No Queenie I am not responsible for you." He was growing more agitated, "Get over yourself Jackson, I have plenty of friends." He took the shake and sipped on it.

"You know for someone who was all up on August's side you sure ain't for him now." she said.

"I actually still am. But you're my friend. And I just don't want to see you hurting again."

She rested her head on her hand and smiled at him, "I'm a big girl now Cookie. I'm over that. And anyway it's not the same type of pain."

He furrowed his eyes in worry, " I really hope so."

She looked down at the table.

There was a shift in their dynamic, they were acting like two strangers who were trying hard to like each other.

He shook the cup slightly, "Man this is getting cold, how bout a refill?" He made to call the waiter.

Jay always managed to get over his own anger and upset just to make things right. Especially when he figured she was genuinely confused and trying. He has always been like that. As he is in this moment. "It's because I love you Jay."

It was random but necessary, "You're the one person who truly knows me Jay, I'd be completely lost and wasted without you. You know that. I have mad love for you. I'm really sorry that sometimes I'm an asshole."

He stared at her, "I love you too Bambi,"

He hadn't called her that in a while. And he seemed pained by his own response. But before she could inquire, the waiter came to them and they ordered their items, Belgian Chocolate smoothie for her, a large muffin for him - their classic hangout combo.

And in the thick of the moment and happiness to be on good terms with each other, the curious moment just went over their heads as they dug into their food and goofed off, staying longer than they'd both planned as they shifted back into their friendship; Bambi and Cookie, besties since high school.