Unveiling Hearts

“Girl, I envy you, you're living the life. Come give me your secret.” shrieked Katherine with excitement. As Rose brushed through the various lingerie sets on the shelf looking for the perfect one for tonight, she couldn’t help but reminisce about what Katherine just said. It caused her heart to flutter because she knew she was living the dream. She dragged her friend out for some shopping earlier in the day and couldn’t resist the urge to take a look at the lingerie store in the mall. “Just strip naked, stand outside at exactly midnight and scream your lover's name out loud three times and you’d have him kissing your feet” Rose responded, laughing. “Girl, don’t patronize me” Katherine practically cackled. “But Smith is perfect for you. You guys fit like two peas in a pod.” Rose stopped her search, smiled and turned to respond “It makes me happy when I think about how much he treasures me. I feel at peace whenever I am around him, and I’d do anything for a man like that.” She didn’t realize that she had zoned out and was smiling and grinning from ear to ear while talking. “My girl is in love!” Katherine grinned. Rose laughed as she placed her black lingerie that caught her eyes on her torso. “What do you think about this?” “It’s perfect. One more thing, take my advice and buy a nurse's role-play outfit. Your welcome” she said as she smiled mischievously. “You’re such a naughty girl and that is why I love you” Rose chuckled “How’s Adrian, by the way?” Rose loved Katherine and had been best friends with her since they were ten. She loved her like her sister and, because they grew up together, they were inseparable now. “He’s doing great. He just closed a contract with a big law firm, and he mentioned to me a few days ago that he wants me to move in with him”, Katherine says, blushing slightly as she pushes her hair behind her ears. She always wanted this and, judging from her expression, she was really happy. “I am so happy for you girl.” Rose grinned and high-fived her. “Things are looking up for both of us and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Rose hugged Katherine real tight and just as she pulled away, her phone rang. “Hi Amor, how are you?” She excitedly said as she picked up her phone and walked away from Katherine as she noticed it was Smith calling. “Rose, where are you?” Smith said at the other end of the call. His deep voice that always sent shivers up her spine flowed smoothly, and she resisted the urge to leave her friend and run home to his strong, masculine arms. She paused confused. He never calls her by her name, and he teased her a lot about being named by a flower. “You will always be my angel. Ethereal is the only word I can use to describe you “ he said as he looked deeply into her eyes after noticing she pouted because he was teasing her. She snapped out of her thoughts to reality and responded: “ I’m at the mall with Katherine, do you need me to pick up anything for you?” “I don’t need anything, I just need to see you right now.” He says with a sense of urgency. Katherine stared at Rose with a look of concern after seeing her sceptical expression and walked closer to her to see what was going on. “Okay amor, I will be home in 20 minutes.” She says much calmer now.“ Are you home now?” “I should be home in thirty minutes and hurry up, I do not want to wait for you.” He says with an air of conclusion and hangs up. As she stares at her phone in disbelief at what has just transpired, she wonders what would prompt such behaviour from him. Katherine got closer and placed her hand on her shoulder. She looks at Rose with concern written all over her face. “Is everything okay with Smith?” “I have no idea but I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. He is probably just having a bad day at work and needs to see me” she hesitantly responds. “I will have to cut our shopping short and get home, will you be okay?” Rose says as she looks at Katherine apologetically. “Girl last I checked, you dragged me out and there’s no way I’m coming out without picking up something. Besides, I’m almost done here “ she says as she walks towards a cute red lingerie and picks it up. “Perfect, we can just leave together,” Rose says as she hands Katherine her black credit card. “Can you please settle the bills while I call my chauffeur to bring the car out to the front?” “But Ro…” Katherine was cut short by Rose’s fingers placed gently on her lips. “It’s fine. This is my treat today”, Rose says as she smiles and moves away to make the call. “You’re the best,” Katherine says as she throws her friend's kisses. She adds the role-play outfit as she notices Rose did not remember to do so and settles the bills. By the time she is done, Rose has made the call and hands all the bags, including the ones from other stores to the guards and they make their way out of the mall with a swarm of paparazzi around them scrambling to get a shot. Rose stops in front of the mirror for the umpteenth time, just to make sure everything is perfect. She adjusts the bra strap of her new lingerie and marvels at the beauty looking right at her as she traces her body with her fingers. She has always been a beautiful woman and is admired and envied by many. One for her striking redhead and her green eyes and also that she married the love of her life who was the most eligible bachelor 7 years ago in her dream wedding. As she stares at herself, she realizes she is truly blessed. As she reapplies her red lipstick, she feels Smith’s presence behind her. A broad smile came across her face as she turned to him seductively. “Hey handsome, it seems you were having a bad day, can I make you feel better ?” She says with a sultry voice. His expression is unreadable. His eyes sweep across her body very slowly and looks right back into her eyes. She notices there’s no warmth in his eyes. “What’s the matter amor? Did I do something? “ she asked, taking a step forward. He remains silent with the same expression. “Rose” His voice is cold and distant, and she moves a step back frightened. “There’s something I need to tell you.” “I want a divorce .” Rose knew she hadn’t heard correctly. “You want a what?!”