Rosaline
The last time I was here, the hall had been a light shade of cremé. Now it was a deep shade of plum with a royal touch of gold. The reflection from the chandelier made this hall glow like the moon in the night sky. It was beautifully decorated and every corner screamed money and elegance. It was the Carter way. Kennedy Carter's 75th birthday was the talk of the town.
Kennedy Carter was the founder of Carter Industries. Back when he was in his forties, he had started Carter Industries as a small industry. Upon his retirement, the company was passed on to his son, Henry Carter who lived up to his father’s name and made a remarkable name for himself. It became popular all over the globe and was known as the best of its kind. Henry Carter retired two years ago and now the Company was run by his eldest son and the CEO, Evan carter.
I was the assistant to the man himself.
Evan’ touch had shown the company a new side of success with the highest ever growth since its inception. It was a proud moment for the Carters. The business practically ran in their bloods.
"Ah, Rose, you look lovely today." I turned around in the direction of the voice. Laura Carter, wife of Henry Carter and my boss’s step-mother came walking towards me sporting an emerald green gown. She looked absolutely stunning with her bold red lip and chic updo. She was the true definition of timeless beauty.
"Thank You, Laura. You look stunning yourselves." I smiled back. Laura air kissed me on both cheeks and flashed me a charming smile.
While Laura looked like someone stepping out of a Vogue shoot, I was wearing a red Versace gown and my hair was pinned up. My make-up consisted of smokey eyes and a red lip.
We were having a small talk when I saw the birthday boy himself. Kennedy Carter looked as healthy as ever in a black tux. Even at seventy-five he kept himself in great shape. Grey hair was slicked back like usual and a radiant smile grazed his lips. I excused myself from Laura and presented him with a bouquet of roses and his birthday present, a diamond studded Rolex.
If there was something both of us had in common then it was our love for flowers.
"Happy Birthday, Pa." His eyes lit up seeing me and he immediately enveloped me in a warm embrace. The old man absolutely adored me and treated me as his own and I always reciprocate those feelings.
"Thank you, my child. Oh, and look at these beautiful flowers. Just like you, Rose.” After the death of his wife almost two decades ago, he had devoted himself to the cause of charity works. He also helped the less fortunate children of the society and I absolutely loved that about him. Growing up in a religious Catholic family I was always taught to be generous towards others and help the less fortunate.
"Pa, do you remember the kid I told you about last week? I was thinking, why not have him admitted to one of your institutions?”
"Of course, I'll make arrangements for him to be taken care of.” I loved that he was always happy to help. Given the kind of resources he had at his disposal, there was nothing he couldn’t do and Pa always made the right use of his wealth.
“If only there were a few more kind souls like you, kid. The world would’ve been such a good place for everybody."
I gave him a smile and replied, "No Pa, its you who is helping the poor and the sick, not me. I can only hope to be half as generous as you."
Pa introduced me to his friends and soon the laughter floored in with their jokes.
"Where is Evan? I haven't seen him the entire time. I hope he doesn't ditch his old man today." He said chuckling to himself.
Evan. Yes, the name made me nervous but in a good way.
"He wouldn’t dare to do that to you. I’m sure he’ll be here anytime now. You know he loves and idolizes you." Evan was closer to his grandfather than to his own father. He absolutely adored him.
"Well then he better show up soon.” I hoped that too.
*****
"Ah man, I just love these parties. Woah Rose! you look beautiful." I heard Adrian, one of my co-workers, give me a once over. I thanked him.
I was grateful to have Claire join me. My co-workers we’re nice people but they were a lot to take in. But I got along well with Claire despite our opposite personalities. She was a party girl. I, on the other hand, avoided going to parties as I found them too exhausting.
Growing up with strict parents, I was always taught to be a good girl. Me and my sister we’re always raised to follow the path of Christ and any kind of partying or wild behavior was always discouraged.
Adrian turned out to be the funny guy with all the jokes up his sleeves. He had a charming personality and that was one of his best attributes.
Suddenly the crowd went silent and all the gazes were directed towards the door. I too followed their gaze and saw the man who had my heart pumping fast. He looked handsome as ever with his blue eyes and dark brown hair. His perfectly sculpted jaw had short stubble and the charm on his face gave him a God-like beauty. He was dressed in an Armani. The luxurious fabric of his tailor-made suit hugged his body perfectly. How was it possible that he looked more handsome now each time I saw him?
Evan spread his arm sideways and a beautiful brunette, that seemed familiar, clung to his sides flashed him a smile. She had the same smile on her face that every woman with blood still running through her veins had when Evan Carter touched them.
The pain that pierced my heart was masked by my fake smile.
Angela White.
Angela was a famous supermodel who was often sported as these type of events. She carried herself well with a figure hugging silver off-shoulder dress that enhanced her bust. She was everything I was not. The paid had all the eyes in the room.
“They make a stunning couple." Laura spoke in my ear. Of course she knew how much it hurt me to see them together but she just wanted drama and I wasn’t going to give her that.
Every time I saw Evan with another woman I wished it was me. I told myself that someday it would be us linking our arms together. Someday, he would look at me like I meant the world to him. Someday he’d love me like I loved him.
Tears made their ways in my eyes. I quickly dabbed them with a paper napkin so that nobody would see them. I hated that I had to pretend. I hated that I couldn't be with Evan. I loved him more than I had ever loved anyone.
It wasn’t a secret. Every one of the Carters knew my feelings for him. Evan himself was aware of how madly I was in love with him.
Each time I’d see him with another woman, my heart would shatter into a thousand pieces. I had learnt to pick those pieces but the pain never went away.
For the world I was just an assistant to the CEO and nothing more. But I was more than just a girl who was in love with him.
I was his wife and he was my husband.
I was Rose Carter, Evan's Rose.
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