After they had their late breakfast, they went back to their room and stayed there because they couldn’t go out. Snow was all over the streets of Norwich.
“I’ll just go to the balcony to take some pictures.” Rose said.
Dylan nodded. While she was outside, he sneaked to the bathroom. When he got inside, he closed the door and called her mom using the voice access in his phone.
Her: “Hey, sweetie. Why’d you call?”
Him: “Can I have a few minutes with you alone later this evening?”
Her: (surprised) “Oh, um… Okay, sure. We’ll be back early.”
Him: “All right”
After the call, Dylan returned to his bed. When Rose went back inside, she hopped onto her bed and checked her camera roll.
“If you want to take more pictures outside, go ahead. I’ll be fine here.” he told her.
“No, I won't leave you here.” she replied without looking.
“Really?” he asked, smiling. He gave a different meaning to what she said.
“Yes. I’m worried you might jump off the balcony or slip in the bathroom and hit your head open.” she reasoned apathetically.
He chuckled listening to her exaggerated reasons. Then, he heard her phone rang.
“Are you not going to answer it?” he asked when it kept ringing.
She grabbed it. “Hi, Max”
After he heard that, his expression changed. She noticed it.
Him: “Let me guess. I bet you’re holding your camera right now.”
Her: “Whoa, how did you know that?” (chuckling)
Him: “Ha ha! So I’m right, huh?”
Her: “Yeah, I just took some pictures of the snow outside.”
Him: “Oh, you got snow there? ...That’s a little early.”
Her: “Yes, we’re stuck in our room because of it.”
Him: “You're with Dylan in one room?” (surprised)
Her: “Yup, he can’t be alone, and he’s pretty sensitive to cold.”
Him: “I see… but you sleep in separate beds, right?” (bothered)
Her: “Of course, Max”
Him: “Sorry, I’m just concerned about you. I mean, because of your job, you’re being forced to sleep with a guy in one room.”
Her: “Don’t worry. I can handle my situation.”
Him: “Um… By the way, Rose. Can I ask you a favor?”
Her: “Sure”
Him: “When you come back here, can I have a time with you? I just… I just want to say something very important.”
Her: “Go on, tell me now. I'm listening.”
Him: “No, I have to say it in person.” (tense)
Her: “Oh, okay. I’ll find time.”
Him: “Thanks”
Her: “All right, I have to hang up now. Duty calls.”
Him: “Okay, take care of yourself there. Bye.”
Her: “I will. Thanks, bye.”
When the call ended, Rose looked back at Dylan. “It’s Max.”
“I know. You mentioned his name while on the phone.” he replied. “Is he asking you out?”
She remembered when he got out of control because she went out with his friend. “Yeah. I think he has a problem. He sounded very serious.”
“What if I tell you I don’t want you to see him?” he asked in a serious tone.
She furrowed her forehead. “What is your problem with Max? Aren’t you in good terms?”
“Don’t you get it, Rose? …Max likes you.” he revealed. Although, he felt a bit guilty of taking his friend's chance to say it first.
“Pfft! That’s impossible.” she disagreed.
“He told me.” he admitted.
She looked at him for a moment before she responded. “I don't get it. How?” she asked in a confused tone.
“I’ll be frank with you right now… You lack intuition and common sense.” he told her, then a pillow landed straight to his face. “Hey, don’t get mad at me. I just want you to be aware of it. I’m actually wondering why all this time you still don't suspect me of how I feel for you, because if it’s another girl, she will definitely sense it right away.”
“And I’m equally wondering why you fell in love with me. You know I'm very different from the girls you used to like before.” she argued.
“If Max fell in love with you with his eyes open, then I can too.” he claimed.
“I have to meet him. I want to hear it from his own mouth.” she said.
“And what if I’m right?” he asked, calming himself.
“I want to hear it from him first.” she insisted.
“You’re not going to choose him over me, are you? I met you first." He paused. "It’s either you choose me, or never fall in love with someone else.” he bossed firmly.
“You’re selfish.” she blurted.
“Yes, whatever you call it.” he replied stubbornly.
She sighed. “He’s just a friend to me.”
After he heard that, he felt relieved.
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
At night, like what Mrs. Walton said, she went back to the hotel early. When she knocked on her son's room, Rose answered it.
“Hi, Rose” she greeted.
“Hi, Mrs. Walton” Rose greeted back.
“I’ll just borrow Dylan for a few minutes. You can stay here and rest while waiting.” she told her.
“Okay” Rose replied.
Mrs. Walton took Dylan to their room. “Your dad stayed at work. It’s just you and me now. What is it you want to tell me?” she asked, pouring wine into a glass.
“It’s about Rose.” he revealed.
“Are you now ready to answer my question?” she asked.
“Yes” he answered.
“I’m listening.” she said, then she took a sip of her wine.
“You’re right. I like her… Um, no. I actually love her.” he admitted.
“I already sensed that, but I have my doubts. Not about her... About you.” she replied calmly.
“You’re the third person who doubted me.” he said, sulking.
“You can’t avoid that, especially to those who know you. For many years, you’ve dated countless girls, and I’ll be honest with you, they’re all nothing but sluts. I actually like Rose. She’s simple, yet she has this incredible personality. I bet that’s also the reason why you fell in love with her, but… are you sure it's real love... and not just a blind infatuation?” she asked frankly.
“Rose feels the same way… She told me to wait until I see her before I get her answer.” he replied.
Mrs. Walton smirked. “I really like that girl. If she’s one of those bitches you've dated before, she would definitely grab the opportunity in a snap.”
“Does that mean we will not have any problem if she agreed to be my girlfriend?” he asked.
“Sure, if you really can please her… and good luck with that.” she answered.
He raised his head. “I’m sure, mom… She’s the one I’ll marry some day.” he claimed confidently.
Mrs. Walton smiled. She felt happy her son was finally starting to become mature.
After their conversation, he went back to their room.
“Is everything all right?” Rose asked.
“Yeah, we just talked about my eye donor.” he told her.
“What’s about it?” she asked.
“My turn in the list is approaching. She told me to prepare.” he answered.
“That’s a good news.” she said gladly.
“Yeah, good news for you too.” he replied. “Don’t fall in love with someone else until I see you. Don’t forget that.”
“Pfft... Since you’re back, I’ll go to sleep now.” She opened her comforter and lay down in her bed.
“Wait, me too” He joined her.
“Hey, what are you doing? You have your own bed over there.” she reacted.
He ignored her and lay down beside her. “We’ve done it twice, Rose. I already know every inch of your body, so stop resisting and acting like a baby.”
She raised an eyebrow. She also felt a bit embarrassed. “What did you just say? ...Excuse me, I’m not resisting.”
“Really?” he teased.
“Yes” she answered firmly.
“Let’s see.” He pulled her close and tickled her.
She screamed and giggled. “Hey, stop!” she yelped under her laughter.
He stopped and went on top of her. “I love you.” he said softly, then he gave her a quick kiss.
She stared at him for a moment. “Okay, knock it off. Time to sleep now… Fine, if you want to stay here.”
He chuckled. What she said made him feel she was really resisting.
That night, they slept together wrapped with each other’s warmth.
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
The next day, Dylan was not bothered by the cold that much, but Rose still convinced him to wear extra clothes. He agreed. Once ready, they went out of the hotel and took a walk in the snow.
“Just let me know if you’re starting to feel uncomfortable.” she told him.
“Okay” he replied.
*
*
*
To be continued....
Please don't forget to tap the STAR/VOTE icon after you read, might as well leave a COMMENT of your reactions, questions, suggestions, corrections, or compliments about this part of the story.
Thank you for reading!