Becoming Mrs Dekan

Chapter 9 Be My Woman

After Rose got home, she took a shower, prepared a simple meal, and sat down to sort out her finances.

She first transferred part of the rent money to her landlord before sending some money to her brother. Afterward, she called him.

"Hey Daniel, I've sent you some money. Have you seen it?" she asked.

"Yeah, I have. I was actually about to call you. Sister, thank you."

Rose smiled.

"No, Danny. This is what I'm supposed to do. The only thing I ask in return is that you study hard. Don't end up like me—"

Daniel immediately cut her off.

"Sister, don't say that. I've never looked down on you. In fact, you're the strongest person I know."

Rose blinked.

"You could have walked away from all this responsibility. It was never meant to be yours, but you stayed. You've done everything for me. I'm very proud of you, Sister."

Rose felt tears sting her eyes.

She swallowed hard and forced a laugh.

"You this boy and your sweet mouth."

"I'm serious."

"Alright, alright. Don't make me start crying. I'll come and see you soon."

"Good. I'll be waiting."

"Stay safe."

"You too."

After the call ended, Rose sat quietly for a while.

When had Daniel become so mature?

The little boy she used to worry about was slowly becoming a man.

A smile spread across her face.

Maybe she hadn't failed her parents after all.

She opened w******p and immediately saw a message from Ade.

Ade: Have you eaten?

A smile found its way onto her lips.

Rose: Yeah, I have. What about you?

The reply came almost instantly.

Ade: Still working. I'll eat later.

Rose frowned.

She suddenly realized she didn't even know what he did for a living.

If he hadn't mentioned work, she probably wouldn't have asked.

Rose: What do you do?

There was a brief pause before his reply came.

Ade: I'm in tech.

Rose: Are you a computer science graduate?

Ade: Computer engineering. Though that's not exactly what I do. I work across different areas—programming, web development, software systems, and a few other things.

Rose: Wow. That's ambitious. Doesn't it get overwhelming handling all that?

A few seconds passed.

Ade: What are you up to?

Rose laughed.

He had completely dodged the question.

Rose: Nothing much. I paid part of my rent and sent some money to my brother. Guess what he said to me?

Ade: Hmm... thank you?

Rose: He did say that, but that's not what made me happy. He said he's proud of me and that he's never looked down on me.

She paused before typing again.

Rose: It's been a long time since I heard something like that. Most times, it's just me trying to stay strong.

The typing indicator appeared almost immediately.

Ade: Can you do a video call?

Rose hesitated for only a second.

Rose: Sure.

The call connected.

"Hey."

Yoseph's deep voice filled the room.

"Rose, look at me."

Rose slowly raised her head.

Yoseph's expression softened instantly.

Just as he suspected.

Her eyes were already shining with unshed tears.

"Rose."

"Yeah?" she answered softly.

"I want you to know something."

Rose listened quietly.

"I've never looked down on you either."

Her breath caught.

"Not many people could survive everything you've been through and still come out standing. Most people would've given up a long time ago."

His gaze remained fixed on hers.

"But you didn't."

Rose bit her lip.

"You're strong. You're responsible. And you're far more capable than you give yourself credit for."

Her eyes filled completely.

"Your degree doesn't define you, Rose."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"And you're not alone."

His voice softened.

"You've got me."

That was all it took.

The tears came rushing out.

Rose covered her face and cried.

Yoseph stayed on the call, patiently comforting her.

When she finally calmed down, she sniffled and wiped her face.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I suddenly feel like hugging you."

Yoseph chuckled.

"Is that an invitation?"

Rose rolled her eyes.

"Maybe."

"Do you know what happens when a woman invites a man to her house?" he asked teasingly.

Rose folded her arms.

"Have you ever been invited by a woman before?"

"That's not the point."

"Well, you're the first man I've ever invited."

Yoseph's heartbeat skipped.

"Are you sure you want me to come over?"

"If you don't want to come, then don't."

She tried to sound casual.

Failed miserably.

Yoseph smiled.

"I wouldn't dare refuse my lady's invitation."

"Who's your lady?"

Rose began protesting, but the call had already ended.

She stared at the screen.

Then buried her face in a pillow.

Oh Rose.

How could you be this impulsive?

You actually invited a man over.

She sprang up immediately and rushed to her wardrobe, changing into something more modest.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door.

Rose blinked.

That fast?

It seemed she wasn't the only one looking forward to seeing the other.

She hurried over and opened the door.

Before she could speak, she found herself wrapped in a warm embrace.

A smile spread across her face as she hugged him back.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Eventually, they stepped inside.

Yoseph held her hand.

"I'm hungry."

Rose laughed.

"I thought you said you were working."

"I was."

"And you didn't eat?"

"No."

Rose shook her head.

"Sit down. I made yam porridge earlier. Let me warm it up."

She practically pushed him onto the couch before disappearing into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, she returned.

"It's ready."

Yoseph walked over and sat down.

After dinner, they settled comfortably on the couch.

Rose brought out a blanket and draped it over both of them.

The movie played in the background while they talked about random things.

Their favorite foods.

Childhood memories.

Embarrassing experiences.

"So you're scared of dogs?" Rose laughed.

"How can a grown man be scared of dogs?"

Yoseph scoffed.

"I never said I was scared."

"You literally avoid them."

"That's called being cautious."

Rose burst out laughing.

"Same thing."

"No, it isn't."

"It is."

Time slipped by unnoticed.

Before either of them realized it, it was already past ten.

The movie continued playing softly in the background.

"Rose."

His voice sounded different this time.

Lower.

Rougher.

Rose looked up.

Her eyes met his.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Yoseph exhaled slowly.

Then covered her eyes with one hand.

"Don't look at me like that."

Rose swallowed.

"Like what?"

"It makes me want to do things I shouldn't."

His voice had dropped even lower.

The warmth of his breath brushed her skin.

Rose felt her heart stumble.

Without thinking, she leaned slightly closer.

Yoseph stared at her parted lips.

Every ounce of self-control he possessed was hanging by a thread.

Then it snapped.

He kissed her.

Rose froze.

For a brief moment, her mind went completely blank.

Then slowly, uncertainly, she responded.

Yoseph smiled against her lips and gently pulled her closer.

When he finally pulled away, Rose was breathing hard.

Yoseph chuckled softly.

"Don't you know how to breathe?"

Rose glared at him immediately.

"You're impossible."

"Maybe."

She rested her head against his chest.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Then Yoseph tilted her chin upward.

"Be my woman."

Rose's heart skipped.

"What?"

His gaze never wavered.

"Be my woman."

She stared at him.

Speechless.

Yoseph sighed dramatically.

"Too late. I've already decided."

Rose finally found her voice.

"When did I say no?"

Yoseph blinked.

Then smiled.

A genuine smile.

"Really?"

Rose folded her arms.

"Of course. You have to take responsibility."

"For what?"

She pointed at him accusingly.

"That was my first kiss."

Yoseph looked genuinely surprised.

Then he laughed.

A deep, warm laugh that made her cheeks burn.

"Okay."

He squeezed her hand.

"I'll take responsibility."

Rose rolled her eyes.

"You'd better."

"I'll even take you on a proper date."

"A proper date?"

"Yes."

Rose tried—and failed—to hide her smile.

Eventually, Yoseph stood up.

"I should go."

Rose hesitated.

"You could stay."

The words escaped before she could stop them.

Yoseph stared at her.

Long and hard.

Then he sighed.

"Rose."

The seriousness in his tone immediately caught her attention.

"You shouldn't casually ask a man to stay over."

Her face heated.

"Especially one who has feelings for you."

Rose looked away.

"And definitely not one who just kissed you."

She became even more embarrassed.

Yoseph laughed softly.

"My self-control around you isn't exactly reliable."

Rose covered her face.

"Can you stop saying things like that?"

"No."

"Goodnight."

She practically pushed him toward the door.

Yoseph laughed again.

Before leaving, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, girlfriend."

Rose's face turned bright red.

"Drive safely."

"I will."

She watched him leave.

Then closed the door.

A huge smile slowly spread across her face.

For the first time in a very long while, the future didn't seem so frightening anymore.