"Huh?!"
"Matt, we bid our goodbyes downstairs minutes ago. The date is over." Rose said softly pulling Matt away from Dad.
"And even if you think it isn't, I say it is.
I don't know what to do with this shrine whoever built for certainly you.
Dad and I need to think things through. Police needs to be involved since it's on our property and I don't think our combined security is handling it well discreetly."
"For the exact reason I need us to handle it ourselves." Matt said pulling Rose back to Dad.
"Thomas, I don't think am privy to all information from your end. This is as much a spectacle created for me as it is for Rose.
Now I know we got acquainted recently and from the looks of it, it's an employee of mine who likes Rose as much as I do."
Rose could hear her jaw hitting the floor if it were detachable.
Who is this guy?! And how mad is he?!
Who in this age and time falls in love before the first date and talks to parents immediately after?!
Mental facepalm*
"Ouch!!"
Rose ended up giving herself a really strong facepalm. Dad and Matt both turned to look at her when that happened.
The fuck is happening.
Matt, no!!
Am not even decided how long I pull this before saying yes to you!!
Rose's inner voice shrieked, "You're going to say yes to him?! So soon?!"
Not now.
Returning to the conversation Matt said, "I say this because he's shown himself and his possessiveness on all the three occassions Rose and I have interacted and once without any rhyme or reason."
"I myself would've played my cards close if I were in your spot but we both don't want to risk anything happening to Rose."
"I saw what her security was capable of when she went to her farm and I see serious loopholes in mine today."
"Robert will be bringing in a highly recommended security counsel before end of day tomorrow who'll liaise in cleaning up this mess once and for all. Till then I insist Rose stay at my penthouse with my family and I. We can both work in better tandem towards Regalia there without wasting any time chasing shadows.
And it'll be better from a security standpoint." said Matt eyeing the smashed petals.
"I think it's a good idea." Dad said pointedly.
"Haha!! Dad your sense of humor is so weird at times," Rose said playfully slapping Thomas's arm.
But when he looked at her with the same pointed expression she sobered, "You're not kidding?!"
"Am not."
Thomas continued, "I agree it'd be easier safeguarding both of you at one place instead of two. Whoever this is, is a risk to you both. Solving it takes precedence to work. And such moments call for extraordinary measures. What do you think Rose?"
After you've dissected the scenario like a limp frog?!
Gee, dad, I don't think I can voice opinion any differently risking sounding too desparate or complacent!!
"From a purely security standpoint, it does make sense." Rose said clearing her throat and itching an imaginary itch on her neck.
"It's decided then. Sicilia pack for Rosey a week's worth of clothing by which I hope this matter would be solved." Dad said eyeing Matt as if throwing him a challenge.
"I hope to nab him before that." Matt responded with equal confidence.
What is it with men and their pissing matches?!
Dad, I thought you were above it.
Rose looked at Dad with a why-are-you-doing-this-to-me look but he just winked at her.
I don't know what to make of this.
Am sure one night stand whirlwind romances take longer not from experience but from all those books, movies, third-person accounts.
Were you misleading, O tales of amorous success everywhere?!
When Matt turned his car to 10, Rowes Wharf the only thing Rose wondered was when did this beauty go off the market. With space sprawling to 7000 sqft, four bedrooms, seven baths, ceiling height of 27 feet, it is a property which does Boston proud as one among the serious hot property markets.
This place was the 2nd most expensive penthouses in Boston.
Rose joked trying to lighten the mood, "I thought we'd be going to Millennium Tower." (The most expensive Boston real estate)
"My place there is just an investment, not ready to move-in yet." Matt responded matter-of-factly.
Of course it is. Why did I even ask?!
'Cause you like going up against him.
"We're here." Matt spoke into his phone and those were the only words he did.
"I thought your team already knew of our status." Rose said glancing at the car following them.
"I was informing Mom since we'll be dining with them, if you're okay with that?"
Am meeting the parents three hours after my first date and rush proposal with this guy.
Obviously am not okay!!!
I wanna bury my head like an ostrich and pray it all gets recorded and I get to watch it at my leisurely sluggish pace.
Guess that's not on the table.
"Thank you Matt!! I know it must be an inconvenience to you inviting me in, explaining to your family on such a short notice."
"You're kidding me, right?!
Taking home the girl I like and am confident of introducing to my parents three hours and thirty-two minutes after I've had my first date with and proposed affections to?!
I'll admit my efficiency has surprised me too this time but unwillingly I have Pete to thank for this."
If Matt's tone wasn't so honest, Rose would've called him cocky to his face.
Rose simply smiled and got out moving towards her luggage.
"I still don't get how is a single trolley all your luggage for a week?"
"Judgemental much?!"
"Not every book has the same cover and some females do ace with basics. Besides I'll be working here not touring the world party circuit." Rose responded with the plainest of expressions and a simple smile.
"You floor me with every passing moment. Stop it if you don't want this to go any faster."
Rose blushed at this.
Any faster and we'll be married by midnight and popping babies for breakfast.
The thought made Rose laugh out loud.
"Penny for your thoughts?!" to which Rose nodded an emphatic no.
Is it with every royal or just with Matt's mom? Why do they look otherworldly, like they have this invisible shield separating them from us lesser mortals.
The grace with which she effortlessly got down the stairs it felt like she glided here. Rose could not recall meeting personally anyone who had a similar honest aura on their face, perfect mannerisms, honey-smooth voice which made you want to request a reading of your favourite bedtime story and frank visage.
"It's lovely to meet you, Rose. I'm Susanna, Matt's mother."
"It's so lovely to meet you. Your Highness?!" Rose spoke looking at Matt with quizzical eyebrows.
Help me out here.
"It's Susanna to you." She smiled putting Rose at absolute ease.
"I hope you would dine with us. We almost never get to meet Matt's friends and acquaintances."
"Mom, they're just business acquaintances!!"
"So is Rose but she's here, isn't she?! Susanna said giving an innocent Mother-knows-all smile.
Can I melt and disappear into the Italian marble flooring?!
Even though Susanna felt like an ideal 2nd guru (after Mom ofcourse) being her pun-target wasn't fun.
Matt gave his Mom the heightened eyebrows what-are-you-doing look, which was funny if it didn't involve me.
"Getting a chance to tease Matt is very rare Rose. I hope you don't mind!!"
Rose smiled an emphatic no.
Ofcourse I can't say I mind to a royalty, who's my mock future mother-in-law!!
Don't want to risk the guillotine.
Ha!! Mother-in-law?!
Where did that come from?
The same basket from which the rest of the day did.
"Would you like a drink before you freshen up for dinner?"
"Just some water please."
"Matt please move Rose's luggage next to my room.
Rose, why don't you go up and I'll send the refreshments?!"
I'll be sleeping next to a royalty who's Matt's mom. The said hunk is moving my luggage to my room at his place which is one of the properties I wanted to do-up.
Is this a stroke of chance or fate?
A/N: Am I on a roll or what?!
Two chapters in a single day.
I thought of putting this one up later but with how everything is these days, if you want to do it, do it.
Stay safe everyone.