Elise wiped off her tears as she was pouring hot water into the tea cups. Then, she lifted the tray and put it on the table. Rose noticed her blank expression.
"I don't know... I don't know if I can still find forgiveness in me. I don't care how much money your parents can get in their pockets to pay off what you've done to me. There's nothing in this world can bring back my daughter." she said, seething with anger. Her voice was still full of hatred. She pulled a chair and sat down heavily.
Rose shifted her eyes to Dylan. He held on the table, then he suddenly dropped his knees on the floor. She was shocked.
"Please... I'm really very sorry. I truly am... It doesn't have to be now... I can wait. I just..." He was cut off while talking when a strong slap came to his face.
Rose was about to get him when Elise started to cry. "That's for taking my child from me. (gasped) I forgive you if that's what you want, but never show your face to me ever again!"
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
Dylan was quiet until they reached the bus shelter. They sat on the seats while waiting for their ride.
"Are you all right?" Rose asked in a concerned tone.
"I'm fine... Do you think she's serious about forgiving me?" he asked, sounding sad and uncertain.
"Just give her some time. I think, somehow, she saw how sorry you are." she answered.
He turned his head to her. "My face hurts."
She got up from her seat and checked his left cheek. "Yeah, that slap was solid. I can see a perfect print of her fingers on your face."
"Really?" he asked in a worried tone.
"I didn't expect the kneeling part you did back there. That was totally epic." she commented, sniggering.
"My knees were actually trembling at that time." he admitted.
"They say only brave men can kneel." she told him.
He raised his head. "I will kneel in front of you one day."
"And why would you do that?" she asked in a suspicious tone.
"Just wait for it." he answered, smiling. Then, he pulled her coat and put his arms around her waist.
She assumed he was cold, so she let him.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
On Rose's day off, she went to the shopping center to look for something she could give to Dylan. A few days ago, he demanded a Christmas gift from her.
She spent hours walking around, but she didn't find anything. She had no idea what a person in love with her would want to receive as a present.
She was about to leave, when something suddenly popped up in her mind. She hurried back and bought her materials.
After that, she went to a photo shop and requested for a layout. Once settled, she headed back home feeling confident in her plan.
As she was walking on the sidewalk, she spotted a grey van parked in front of the gate. When she reached the entrance to the guardhouse, she saw a man in the driver's seat looking at the house. Then, he shifted his eyes to her. She quickly ignored him and proceeded on her way inside.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
On Christmas Eve, Mr. and Mrs. Walton came home to celebrate. That night, they gathered around the dining table. It was full of lavish foods and drinks. Rose was invited to join them.
Mr. Walton opened a bottle of wine and gave each of them a glass. "Cheers for another splendid year in our family."
They raised their glasses, then they took a sip of their wine.
After their dinner, Dylan told Rose to go to his room at exactly twelve midnight. She suspected it was about the gift he asked for.
After she took a shower, she wore her night clothes and put on her long coat. Then, she went out of her room bringing her gift for him. When she reached his bedroom door, she knocked.
"Come in!" Dylan yelled.
When she entered, she found him on his bed leaning against the headboard. "Is this about the gift you requested?"
"Yup" he answered. "What you got for me?" he asked, sounding very excited.
"A box" she answered.
"Box? ...Box of what?" he asked in a confused tone.
"For now, you will only receive a box from me. Open it when your sight is back. I will leave it on your table." she told him.
"What's in the box?" he asked again, sounding very curious.
"Can't tell ya. Find it out yourself." she answered.
"That's a long suspense... but okay. The important thing is you got me something for Christmas." he said.
"Can I go back to my room now?" she asked.
"Wait, I have something for you too." he told her. "Come here, sit on the bed."
"I didn't ask for a gift from you." she replied.
"You got me a gift, so you should receive something from me too. Now, come here." he called again.
She approached him and sat on the edge of the bed. "Okay, I'm here."
He pulled out a big maroon box under his blanket and gave it to her. "Careful, it's heavy."
She put it down on the bed. "Yeah, it's heavy. What's in it?"
"Why don't you open it." he told her.
She did. When she removed the cover, she found a black case inside it. She traced the buckles and unlocked them.
When she opened it, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. It was a complete set of photography camera with different sizes of lenses, a tripod stand, and memory cards.
"You're giving me all these? ...This is too much." she said in a surprised tone as she was staring at the camera tucked in the center of the case holder.
He smiled. "Yeah... That's the only thing I know you would really want." he reasoned. "Are you happy?"
She looked at him. She still couldn't believe he was giving her something she knew she could never afford unless she wins the lottery.
"Hey, Rose. Say something. You're making me nervous. Do you like it?" he asked again when he didn't hear anything from her.
Then, all of a sudden, he felt a weight on his lap and a tight hold on his face.
Before he could get a chance to ask what was happening, his lips were seized. He was completely surprised, but he did not refuse to be kissed. He let her do whatever she liked with him.
That night, she offered herself to him again. She thought saying thank you would not be enough, so she decided to give him a very satisfying Christmas night instead which she knew he would relish.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
Dylan woke up late in the morning. Recalling what had happened last night was the first thing he did. He could still feel his exhaustion from what Rose did to him.
"That was the most amazing sex I've ever had." he mumbled in a drunken voice, smiling.
Then, he turned his head to his right. Rose was still sleeping on his shoulder. "So, that's how you say thank you, huh?" he murmured, chuckling.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
The holiday season soon ended, and the resume of classes had began, but the snow was still all over the streets and the breeze was still freezing cold.
Rose was on the second floor balcony of the house putting a long-focus lens on her new camera. Once ready, she began to take long shot pictures of the view.
As she was trying a different angle, she caught sight of a familiar car near the house's gate. She remembered it was the same grey van she had seen a few weeks ago.
Using her camera, she spotted the same man in the driver's seat. She found it odd, but she later ignored it again thinking that it might be just a coincidence.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
As Rose was eating with Dylan at the dining table, she recalled the strange man in the grey van she had seen twice already.
"Do you know someone who owns a grey van?" she asked Dylan.
"No, why'd you ask?" he replied.
"There's a grey van in front of the gate this morning. There was a man in the driver's seat. I thought maybe he has a business with you or with your parents." she told him.
"I don't remember meeting someone with a grey van. Maybe he's waiting for someone else." he guessed. "By the way, after my checkup tomorrow, let's buy a gift for dad. It's his birthday next week."
"Okay" she agreed.
☆••••○○●○○••••☆
The next day, Dylan's checkup went well. He was told by his doctor that in three months or less, he could finally get a donor for his eyes. He was very happy when he heard about it.
"Heard that, Rose? In three months, I can finally see you." he told her as they were leaving the clinic.
"Don't focus on that. The first thing you should do is to see the world you missed for almost a year." she replied.
She knew he was really looking forward to finally seeing her, but not like him, she was very nervous thinking of that day.
"No, you first before anything else." he insisted.
She sighed. "Fine... Now, let's find a gift for your dad."
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To be continued....
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