My 3D Lovers

Episode2

Andrew was everything Jeffery was not. Smooth, stylish, and bathed in the aura of wealth, he walked into Rose’s life like a storm in designer shoes. They met at an art gallery Downtown, where she had performed a short acoustic set.

He approached her after the show, wine glass in hand, a sharp smile and charming. "You sing like you’re trying to heal the world," he said.

She blushed. "Thanks. I’m just trying to survive it." He laughed. "I like that. I’m Andrew."

His confidence was magnetic. His perfectly sculpted jaw, skin like honey, and eyes that sparkled with a mix of danger and charm made her feel seen in a way that fed her deepest insecurity. She had never felt beautiful. Not truly. With Andrew, she felt chosen.

The early days were not very good, but good. Dinners, Weekends together and Pictures together. He said all the right things. "You're different." "I’ve never felt like this before." "I want to build a future with you." But that was all he ever offered. WORDS.

When she struggled to pay rent for one month, he smiled and said, "I don’t give money to women I’m not married to. It’s bad business."

Rose laughed it off, but a seed of doubt began to root itself in her heart. Maybe she should have left when the sign was clear. But she waited and hoped he would change. She made up excuses for him. Maybe he was hurt in his past relationships. Maybe he is just testing my loyalty. Besides, I am not with him because of his money. I just love him. Rose used those silly excuses to continue with Andrew.

He never showed up to her performances. He’d disappear for days, then return with grand gestures. When she asked questions, he’d get angry.

Rose graduated from Fredric University and got a job through her friend Lucy on a farm as a video editor, graphics designer and farm supervisor. Her boss, Mr. Josh, was so kind to her. He would give her extra money even before the month ended and still pay her almost double her salary. Rose was so happy because she was previously not doing well for herself financially before she got this job. And she shared every detail of what Mr. Josh was doing for her with her friend Lucy.

Lucy and Rose started living together when Rose started working with them, because Rose was staying far away from the farm, and she was required to be at work by 6am. For that reason, Lucy decided to take Rose in to live with her in the apartment her boyfriend rented but could not stay in because of work. He has been posted to another state in the country for work, and he only comes back once or twice a year.

Mr. Josh would sometimes take Rose and Lucy out for dinner after work. And as for Rose, he went as far as taking her shopping. One evening after dinner, Mr Josh told Rose what seemed too serious for their relationship as a worker and her boss. “Rose, I am interested in you.” Rose could not believe her ears. She wasn’t too surprised; it was just that she wasn’t expecting it to be that early. Rose was speechless for a moment.

Mr. Josh looked at her and continued, “I know you are surprised. But ever since the first day I set my eyes on you, I have fallen deeply in love with you. Please don’t say no.”

Rose had to make an instant choice that could make or break her. But at this point, she still loves Andrew even though she doesn’t care about her. “I have someone in my life right now, please,” Rose said without looking at Mr Josh.

Hmm, OK, but I will wait for you in case you change your mind. Rose was shocked by his reply. He wasn’t angry, he was as normal as ever.

Rose went back home that evening and told her friend Lucy what had happened. Lucy instantly became uncomfortable. She stopped eating her grilled catfish and picked up her jacket. “I’m coming, Rose,” Rose was confused. “Have I said something wrong?" Rose asked herself as she watched Lucy from the window.

Lucy came back a few minutes later with a moody face. “Is everything okay?” Rose asked. “Everything is fine," Lucy replied and went to bed.

The next morning, Rose woke up to a text message from Mr Josh. “Meet me outside now." For a moment Rose felt scared. “What is happening?" she asked Mr Josh. Immediately, she set her eyes on him. “Nothing, your friend is just being dramatic. Let’s go get breakfast. I have decided no one is going to the farm today. We all need to rest.

Mr Josh looked at all the back Rose was carrying. “I’d like to take you to a saloon to take that all back and make you something nice.” Thank you Sir, Rose replied with a smile on her face. Mr Josh got Rose breakfast and dropped her off at a saloon. “Call me when you are done with your hair, so I will come and pick you up,” Mr Josh said as he drove off.

Rose felt like a princess. For the second time in her life, a man carries her like an egg without gaining anything from her, even though this one felt different because he was rich. She made her hair and Mr Josh sent her some money to get lunch, and he picked her up from the saloon that evening.

“Your hair looks good,” Mr Josh said as she sat in his car. Thank you, she replied.

Let’s go and buy dinner for you and your friend. Mr Josh said as they drove off to a nearby restaurant.

Mr Josh dropped Rose off at her gate when they got back and drove home. Rose was calling Lucy to come help her open the gate, but Lucy wasn’t picking up her calls. Rose stood there for almost an hour and kept on trying to call Lucy, but Lucy was not responding. Rose had no other choice but to call Mr Josh and tell him what was happening. Mr Josh called Lucy, and she picked up the phone and decided to come open the gate for Rose.

“You are lucky. I decided to pick Mr Josh's call,” Lucy said to Rose as she opened the gate.

Rose is a very quiet person who only thinks and hardly voices out even in the most critical situation. And because of that nature, Rose didn’t utter a word to Lucy. She just greeted her as if she didn’t hear what Lucy said, and she went inside the house.

“Here is your dinner, Mr Josh and I got it for you on our way back from the saloon. Rose said to Lucy as she stretched the food towards Lucy. No, thank you, Lucy replied with a look of disgust. I am not interested. Rose didn’t say a word. She just kept the food on the table in the room. A few minutes later, Lucy picked up the word and said to Rose, “I want to eat the food now, hope you guys didn’t poison it? Rose still did not utter a word to her.

Rose woke up to a text from Mr Josh: “I want you to leave Lucy’s place.” Rose could not phantom what was going on and she decided to ask Lucy again. “What is going on? Why is Mr Josh asking me to leave your house? Is there something you both are not telling me?” Lucy didn’t reply. Shortly after, Mr Josh came and took Rose out of Lucy’s apartment.

Ever since then, Lucy has always meant to Rose and never wanted anything to do with Rose and that started to affect their work. But none of it ever bothered Mr Josh.

Rose grew tired of the whole attitude and insisted Mr Josh tell her what was going on. He then decided to open up.

I will tell you the truth, Rose. Lucy and I had a relationship in the past. She hates you because I am in love with you. Rose’s mouth went wide open. She couldn’t believe what she heard.

What? Is that why she just hates me so much? If you two have a problem, why not fix it and keep me out of it? I only told her you asked me out. I didn’t tell her I agreed to be in a relationship with you.

Just ignore her, Mr Josh said to Rose as they entered a supermarket to get a few items.

Rose goes to Andrews’s house for weekends after a week full of stress. And as for Mr Josh, he keeps texting Rose to checkup on her during the weekend break.

One night, Andrew found a text on Rose’s phone from her boss, Josh. Just a polite thank-you message after a team dinner, and he flew into a rage. "Who the hell is this man texting you? Are you sleeping with your boss now?"

She tried to explain, but his fury was blinding. He struck her. Once. Then again. And yet, she stayed.

Because deep down, she feared she would never do better. Because he was handsome. Because he was rich. Because he made her feel, for fleeting moments, like someone worthy of envy.

She remembered how he once said, "Why would I spend on a woman I’m not married to?" That line haunted her like a promise.

So when he proposed, she said yes.

She clung to the hope that marriage would change him. That love could fix what felt broken.

Rose, I am not telling you this because I want you for myself. I am telling you this as someone who truly cares about you. Andrew is not a good man. You will regret being with him. Those were the words of Mr Josh. Even though he wanted her for himself, he wasn’t talking from a place of envy.

Rose could not just shake off the fact that she loved Andrew. She felt the red flags weren't something serious and could easily be dealt with.