Becoming Mrs Dekan

Chapter 18 Going Home

Yoseph suddenly stopped, he opened his eyes and stared at her closed eyes in amusement. What was this woman expecting, he thought with a playful smile on his lips. Rose slowly opened her eyes to find Yoseph staring at her, she was confused.

Why did you stop? Rose regretted it the moment she finished speaking.

Why did I stop what? It seems you're more eager than I am. What did you think I wanted to do to you? I won't deny I want you, Rose, but if I were to take you, it wouldn't be here, not in a hospital ward, I can't disrespect you like this,he said.

What if I want you to disrespect me? Rose asked

Yoseph felt all the blood rush to his grip and he let out a low groan, Rose, am telling you, you can't bear the consequences of what you're saying.

**

Yoseph was discharged after two days. Rose had stayed by his side throughout those two days, barely going home except to prepare meals.

Akin came to pick them up from the hospital.

"Where are we going, sir?" Akin asked after they had settled into the back seat.

Yoseph glanced at Rose for a moment. Noticing Akin's curious expression, he replied, "To my house."

Warmth spread through Rose's heart, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Exhaustion from the past few days finally caught up with her. She shifted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Within minutes, she had fallen asleep.

When they arrived, Yoseph had to carry her into the house.

Akin watched in confusion. Who was supposed to be taking care of whom?

During the two days at the hospital, Rose had been the one looking after Yoseph. Yet most of the food she brought for him had ended up being eaten by her instead, while she spent her time fussing over him and making sure he was comfortable. Love was really a wonderful thing.

Yoseph spent the remaining three days resting at home with Rose. They had both agreed to resume work on Monday.

Those three days turned out to be some of the happiest days of Yoseph’s life. Helping Rose in the kitchen, sharing meals with her, and simply being in her presence made him feel as though he finally had a home.

The feeling stirred something deep within him. More than ever, he was certain that he wanted Rose to become his wife. The thought alone was enough to make him smile to himself throughout the day.

One afternoon, Rose caught him grinning for no apparent reason.

"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked suspiciously.

Thinking quickly, Yoseph replied, "I finally decided to raise a puppy.

Rose stared at him in disbelief.

****

Yoseph and Rose walked into the company hand in hand.

Rose felt oddly self-conscious. After all, everyone knew who Yoseph was.

"You have so many admirers," she said suddenly. "Aren't you worried they'll make trouble for me if we show off our relationship like this?"

Yoseph glanced at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Who would dare make trouble for their boss's wife?"

Warmth bloomed in Rose's chest, but she refused to show it.

"And who exactly is your wife?" she asked, trying to sound unimpressed.

Yoseph only smiled.

When they reached his office, he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

"Hey!" Rose protested. "This is your workplace. And this isn't even my office."

Ignoring her complaint, Yoseph held her tighter.

"So, you don't agree to be my wife?" he asked.

Rose blinked.

"What?"

His eyes narrowed playfully.

"Do you have someone else in mind?"

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged.

"Well, considering you're getting old and still single, I suppose I could reluctantly agree."

The moment the words left her mouth, Rose froze.

Something felt very wrong.

Sure enough, Yoseph was staring at her with a triumphant smile.

Her eyes widened.

Goodness. Had she just agreed to marry him?

And without a proper proposal, too!

"Who proposes without a ring?" she demanded.

Embarrassed, she pushed him away and jumped to her feet.

Yoseph laughed, clearly pleased with himself.

"Mrs. Dekan," he called after her, "you can't take back your word now."

Rose paused at the door and turned around.

"Who is Mrs. Dekan?" she asked innocently.

Then, before he could answer, she hurried out of the office, leaving Yoseph laughing behind her.

****

The week passed by quickly as Yoseph and Rose openly flaunted their love.

By now, everyone in the company had been force-fed enough "dog food" from the couple's constant displays of affection. Although some women were secretly envious, they could only accept the fact that Rose was now their future madam.

On their way home that Friday evening, Yoseph suddenly asked, "Don't you miss your brother? We could visit him this weekend."

Rose's eyes lit up,Really?

Yoseph chuckled. "Have I ever lied to you?"

Rose shook her head.

Besides," hs,e continued, "I need to meet your family if I'm going to ask for your hand in marriage."

The smile on Rose's face faltered.

A wave of emotion washed over her. If only their parents were still alive to witness how happy she was.

"Yoseph... thank you."

He gently pinched her cheek.

"Silly girl. What are you thanking me for? This is what I should be doing."

Rose smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.

"We'll leave tomorrow morning," Yoseph said. "It's only about a two-hour journey."

The next morning, they set off for Ibadan by bus. It was too late to book a flight, so they settled for the road trip instead.

Rose deliberately avoided calling her brother beforehand.

"I want to surprise him," she insisted.

After the long ride, they finally arrived in Ibadan. Only then did Rose take out her phone and call her brother.

"Danny, can you come pick me up at the bus station?"

Her brother sounded both excited and confused.

"Sis? Are you serious?"

"Just come and see for yourself."

About thirty minutes later, a familiar figure appeared in the distance.

Rose immediately began waving.

"Danny! Over here!"

"Sister!"

Daniel broke into a run.

Within seconds, he had wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.

"Sister, I missed you so much."

Rose hugged him back just as tightly.

"I missed you too."

The siblings held each other for a long moment, completely forgetting yoseph

But Yoseph didn't mind in the slightest.

Watching them together, he felt nothing but happiness.

Because very soon, he wouldn't be standing outside their little family circle.

He would be part of it.

Just then, Rose suddenly remembered that she hadn't introduced Yoseph yet.

"Oh, right!" she exclaimed. "Danny, this is Yoseph, my boyfriend. Yoseph, meet my younger brother, Daniel."

Daniel's eyes widened.

"Wait, Sister, you have a boyfriend?"

Rose rolled her eyes.

"

"Brother Yoseph, please take good care of my sister. She's been through a lot."

Yoseph's expression softened.

"I will. You have my word."

"It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," Yoseph replied.

Then Daniel suddenly clapped his hands together.

"This is amazing! I can't wait to introduce you to Mom and Dad."

The words slipped out naturally before the smile on his face faded slightly.

For a brief moment, silence fell between them.

Rose felt a familiar ache in her chest.

Daniel quickly recovered and forced a smile.

"Anyway, Brother Yoseph, I'll take you to the night market tonight. It's the most exciting place around here. Daniel chatted off on their way home.

Yoseph nodded,sounds good. We can all go together."

Daniel's face lit up,Sister, did you hear that? He's coming with us!"

Then he turned back to Yoseph,Brother Yoseph, what do you do for work?"

Oh, nothing too special," Yoseph replied casually. "I'm in tech. Programming, software, things like that."

Daniel's eyes practically sparkled.Seriously? That means you're a computer genius!

Yoseph laughed,"I wouldn't go that far."

"Oh, Sister," Daniel continued dramatically, "you really found me an amazing brother-in-law. When I grow up, I want to be like him."

Rose immediately puffed out her cheeks.

"Oh, I see how it is,so now that you've found a brother-in-law, you don't need me anymore?

She placed a hand over her heart and pretended to cry.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders,don't worry, No matter what happens, I'll always choose you."

Rose smiled.

Before she could say anything, Yoseph reached over and gently pinched her cheek.

"Drama queen,His voice was full of affection.

Rose couldn't remember the last time she had felt this happy.

The two most important men in her life were right beside her, doting on her in their own ways.

Then she suddenly said.

"Oh no!"

Daniel blinked.

"What happened?"

"I completely forgot to call Beatrice!