Chapter Seven
1168 Words
Lisa smiles contentedly as she opens her new shop. She had finally reopened her fashion shop, and she felt very happy about it. This was the first time she has felt happy after her fiance's demise. This will definitely help take her mind off things and make her build her life. She smiles again, as she looks around her. She couldn't wait to get started.
“Lisa!" A scream of her name jerks Lisa up from her euphoria. She quickly turns around to see Rose excitedly walking into the shop. “Lisa...!" She screams again.
“What happened?" Lisa asks anxiously.
Breathing hard with excitement, Rose couldn't utter another word so instead she shows Lisa her ringed finger.
Lisa's eyes grow wide as saucers in surprise. “You're engaged?"
Rose nods, her smile widening. She was too happy to utter a word.
Lisa quickly hugs her. “Congrats dear".
“Can you believe it? Michael proposed". Rose says once she has caught her breath and was able to talk.
“Of course. You guys have been dating for a while and things between you two have been going well".
“Too well, I was beginning to think it was too good to be true". Rose says, grabbing herself a seat. Lisa follows suit. “I was not fully convinced that he was committed to the relationship. I always had my doubts".
“I guess his proposal convinces you now?" Lisa asks.
Rose mind in seconds quickly lingers to how the proposal had actually happened. She considered telling Lisa, but decided not to. She was overthinking everything. Michael may have not planned to propose at that moment, but the fact that he had gotten her a ring only means he planned to do so.
“Rose to earth...!" Lisa calls back her friend's attention.
“Sorry, I zoomed off for a moment".
“I understand. I am really happy for you Rose".
“Thank you my chief bridesmaid". Rose says smiling at Lisa.
“Chief bridesmaid?"
“Yeah...who else if not you?"
“Thanks, I am honoured". Lisa smiles.
“You're also going to make our dresses".
Lisa's eyes pop with excitement. “Is the wedding happening anytime soon?"
“We haven't discussed dates, but we're definitely not wasting time".
“Okay. I am at your service".
“I know you've got my back".
Michael sighs for the umpteenth time that day, finally getting his friend's attention who was having lunch with him in a restaurant.
“What's wrong Michael?" Timothy, his friend asked.
Michael shakes his head. “Nothing".
“That's not true. You haven't touched your meal, and you've been sighing since we got here". He looks him in the eyes, “What's bothering you?"
Michael heaves a deep sigh, “I owe you a ring".
“What?"
“Why did you give me that ring to keep for you?" Michael asks with a frown on his face.
“I already explained, my girlfriend is a nosy one. She is going to ruin my plans on engaging her". Timothy replies.
“Hope it's not anytime soon, because I need to get you another ring".
“Oh come on Michael, don't tell me you misplaced it. I gave it to you because I trusted you".
Michael sends Timothy an angry stare.
“What happened?" He probes.
“Rose turned out to be nosy like your girlfriend, and saw the ring". He tells him.
“Okay, did you tell her it's mine?". Timothy asks.
“No, on the contrary I engaged her with it".
“You're kidding me right?" Timothy sends his friend a shocked glare.
“What did you expect me to have done? When I come home to a nice romantic dinner because she thinks the ring is for her".
Timothy puts his head down in disappointment and sighs. “You should still have told her the truth though".
“I can't hurt her like that. Don't worry, I will get you another ring".
“So you're getting married?"
“Well, just engaged for now. Don't know about marriage".
“Michael, sometimes you speak like you don't love her".
“I do. Just not sure about marriage yet".
“Well, when you do eventually I am guessing you will finally reach out to your brother".
“My brother?" Michael says with dismay.
“Yeah, won't you let him know when you're getting married?"
Michael stays mute, his face squeezed in a frown.
“He is your only family. You need to let go of whatever differences you have".
Michael gets home that day with a heavy mind. He hasn't spoken to his brother in almost five years. Since their mother's demise, they have stayed apart. Maybe it was high time to forget the past and reconcile.
“My love, you're back". His fiancée's voice jolts him out of his thoughts.
“Rose..." He starts to speak but was cut short by her hug.
“How was work today?"
“Fine".
Rose looks up at him and smiles. “I missed you".
He smiles back at her. She was so happy. He was sure it had everything to do with the engagement. He loosens himself from her hug. “How was your day?"
“Great". She replies smiling hard. “I picked perfect colour codes for our wedding".
“Our what?"
“Our wedding Michael?"
“You say it like it is happening anytime soon".
“Isn't it?"
Michael sighs. “How soon are we talking about?"
“In two months, so we have ample time to plan".
“We didn't discuss this Rose".
“That's what we're doing". Rose looks at him perplexed, “Or you don't want to get married yet?" She asks.
“That's not what I am saying". Michael heaves a deep sigh again, this was what he was dreading all day.
“If it's too soon for you let me know".
He looks her in the eyes, the smile she has had all night was gone and he saw she was hurt. “It's fine Rose. I don't mind, we could get married tomorrow if you wish".
Her smile resurfaces, as she wounds her arms around his neck. “I would have said yes to that, but we've a lot to plan".
“Like what?"
“Firstly, we need to meet each other's family".
“I told you I was an orphan". He says stepping away from her hold.
“Yes, but you have a brother who you rarely talk about". She persists.
“What's his business with our wedding?"
“Michael are you being serious?"
Michael rolls his eyes as he gets busy removing his work clothes.
“He is family, and we must invite him".
“He won't come. He never shows when you need him, just like my father".
“There's no harm in trying". Rose says and waves his phone at him. “Why not call him now?"
Michael looks at her with bewilderment. “Right now?"
Rose nods.
- Writer
