Taming the playboy

Chapter Three

Rose sat disconcerted in her room, as Lisa busied herself searching for the right dress Rose would wear to a charity function Dr Michael had invited them to. Lisa has turned the invite down, but Rose who agreed to attend had no clue what to wear. Lisa who was the fashion designer, decided to help. Rose stared at the mirror before her and felt her self esteem decline. Even with makeup on, Rose didn't feel beautiful at all and she really wanted to look beautiful for him. But no, she will always remain the ugly one, the ugly duckling.

“Which one do you prefer?" Lisa asked lifting two dresses to Rose. “They would both look good for the event, and their colour contrasts well with your skin tone". Lisa added, but soon noticed Rose's awkward silence. She quickly dropped the dresses on the bed and walked to meet her where she sat. “What is wrong Rose? You seem sad".

Rose shakes her head in denial, “I'm okay".

“No you're not". Lisa says adamantly, “Talk to me".

Rose looks at Lisa and pretends to smile,“I'm fine Lisa. You're going through a lot, I don't want to disturb you with my issues".

“Don't be silly, what are we friends for?" Lisa retorts, “I'm able to recuperate through mine, thanks to you". She holds Rose's hands, “You can always tell me anything, I am here for you Rose".

Rose's eyes glistens with tears. Her and Lisa have been friends since their teens, and their friendship has grown stronger over the years.They never kept secrets from each other and were always there for each other.

“I think I am in love". She says shortly.

Lisa's eyes grew wide as saucers. “Rose that's good news. Why are you sad about it?"

“I doubt he feels that way about me". Rose answers with dismay.

“Well, there's only one way to find out?" Lisa says quickly.

“Lisa, I am not his spec. He is above my league". She says with defeat in her voice.

“That's arrant nonsense. Love doesn't do spec. It happens in strange places". Lisa pulls a chair and takes a sit beside Rose. “Peter wasn't my spec. But I fell head over heels in love with him, and...". She paused and sighs deeply.

“I'm sorry I made you bring him up". Rose reaches for her hand and holds her tenderly.

“Don't be sorry, Peter lives on in my heart. He was and is the only suitable man for me, I don't plan on being with any other man".

“Really?" Rose asked with shock.

Lisa nods. “I have known and experienced love, that's more than enough for me. But I will be more than happy to see my best friend experience love too".

Rose smiles. “Thanks".

“So are you going to speak to him, and let him know how you feel?".

“I don't know if I can, when I probably know what the answer would be". Rose replies as she tries to hold the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“You can't be so sure. Don't let the fear of rejection keep you from finding love". Lisa persuades, handing her a tissue.

Rose phone suddenly rings. Her heart beat accelerates when she sees Michael's name.

“I need to get dressed". She said quickly as she stood up.

“Which of the dress are you wearing? Lisa asked, standing up to show her the dresses she has picked again.

Rose looked at both dresses briefly,“The lilac one, because you made it". She answered.

“Oh that's true, for you cousin's wedding". Lisa said remembering she actually was the one who made the dress for Rose.

Rose nods affirmatively. “When are you going to resuming doing what you love?" she asks, as she puts on the dress gently, trying not to ruin her makeup.

“I think very soon, I miss making dresses". Lisa tells her as she helps her zip up.

“I am very happy to hear that". She replies, smiling at Lisa before staring at her reflection on the mirror. “Not bad". She says simply.

“You look stunning Rose". Lisa corrects, and Rose smiles at what she said. “Thank you". Her phone buzzes again. “I have to go. See you when I get back". She says, pecking Lisa on the cheek before leaving in a hurry.

Michael opens the car for Rose to step in once he saw her. They were already running late for the event.

“Sorry I took time". She apologized.

“It is fine. You look good". He replied, then shut the door as soon as she was seated properly inside the car. She looks good, not beautiful. Noted. Rose thought sadly within herself.

“How's Lisa?" He asked as soon as he joined her in the car.

Wow, no surprise there. The first thing he wants to talk about is Lisa. Rose thought angrily. Why wasn't she half as beautiful as Lisa?

“She's doing better. She even plans on resuming her passion".

“Which is?" He asked.

“Fashion designing. She made this dress I am wearing". Rose informs flaunting her dress for him to see.

“Wow, she's really good. The dress is beautiful. I'm really happy she's coming back to her old self and moving on". He said.

The dress is beautiful, but I am not. Great. Rose felt her heart sink.

“She also made it clear that she wasn't going to be with any other man". Rose added quietly. She almost bit her tongue immediately she said it. She didn't plan to tell him, but didn't want Michael to hope on having anything with Lisa. She has seen how he looks at her, and talks about her. And it made her jealous.

He kept mute for a while, as if letting the information sink in.“Well, she's still healing. With time, she could still change her decision". He finally spoke.

As the event wind up, Rose couldn't help but smile as Michael came to sit with her at her table. He has been busy all night being part of the organisers for the event. She was happy to finally have him to herself.

“How did you see the event".

“Laudable". She answered simply. “Didn't know you're philanthropic".

He smiles. “Well, there's still a lot you don't know about me".

“I agree". She clears her throat.“There's one particular thing I have been wanting to ask".

“Shoot".

“Are you single?" She asks shyly, avoiding his stunned gaze.

There was a brief moment of silence.

“Yes, I am single". He mutters,“Sorry for the awkward silence, I was just taken aback by the question". He added quickly.

“I understand". She says quietly.

“Why do you ask?" He inquired.

She clears her throat again, “Well, I am also single". She looks at him, and sees the confusion written on his face. The man couldn't read between lines, he needed more explanation. “I am single, you're single. Why don't we mingle?" She shrugs.

Michael open his mouth to speak but shuts it quickly. He was short of words. He didn't know what to reply.

“Its fine if you don't want to". She quickly says seeing his hesitation to say anything.

“I'm just short of words. No lady has asked me out before". He finally said.

“This is my first time actually, I am a traditional girl. I have been giving you green lights ever since we met, but it seems you're colour blind". She chuckles nervously. He laughs too.

“So what do you say?"

Rose was nothing near his type of woman. He didn't have romantic feelings towards her, but he could tell she liked him. He has always prayed to find a nice woman to settle with. Rose is a nice lady. Guess his prayer has been answered either way.

“Okay". He said simply.

“Okay what?" She demanded, wanting to be sure what his answer meant.

“Let's mingle".

Rose laughed, her cheeks turned red. She couldn't believe what just happened. Michael has agreed to be her man. For real?

“Why are you laughing?" He asked, confused.

“Sorry, that's me not being able to contain my happiness". She explains, as she keeps on giggling.

He smiles at her.

“Are you happy?" She asks shortly.

He nods. “I am". Then he gets up.“Let me take you home".

As they arrived at her house, Rose didn't feel like getting out of the car. Her night was just getting better, she wanted to still spend more time with him.

“I will see you tomorrow?" She asked instead.

He nods, “And every other day" He said , and she smiles at him. His answer made her feel warm inside.

“Call me when you get home".

“Okay".

She looks at him, still reluctant to step out of the car. He takes cue and leans forward to claim her lips in gentle brief kiss. “Good night Rose". He said softly.

“Good night Michael". She said blushing excessively.