"Yeah, I'm alright," Rose mumbled. She didn't want to create any drama, so she was going to let it pass like she always does. Her eyes were fixed outside the car's window, a world away from the conversation flowing around her. Fred would glance at her from time to time, he wanted her to say something but she was surprisingly quiet

    They both remained quiet in the car, as though they haven't met each other before, more of being married on one hand is a wife trying to save her marriage with everything she could, and a husband who acts like everything is going well, that was painful part for Rose he wasn't even trying to make any efforts, Fred doesn't seem to care and whenever she tries to resolve issues he calls her nagging, what happened to the love they shared? What happened to the efforts he put in just to get her attention?

    Eight years ago after that incident with him and Rita's brother at the cafeteria, Fred did everything he could to get her attention, unbeknownst to him that he already had it but Rose was not going to give in so easily, he would leave notes in her bags, following her on all social media handles, Fred did everything he could to hint his intention to her but she acts like she was not seeing them whereas he loved them. On Rita's birthday, she organized a small party for herself and a few friends. Mark attended the party with a few of his friends, including Fred.

   "Rose Louis right?" Fred said as soon as he approached Rose, where she was seated, and he sat beside her, " It's been a while since I've seen you, where have you been?" He asked, Rose was surprised by that he slipped in notes in her bag almost everyday, he does see her, she could always feel his eyes on her whenever she was near him "Well I'm pretty sure you don't miss seeing me, isn't that how you dump your notes in my bag" Rose's deadpan delivery that made her words sound like mockery, though they might've been humorous if she'd cracked a smile.

       Fred was surprised or maybe embarrassed he doesn't know her too well to feel surprised by her attitude "Dump? Seriously, are those the words you are going to use? God I feel so embarrassed" he chuckled trying to dilute the tension, Rose was feeling bad it wasn't her intention to make him feel like that, she was just trying to get him to maybe say something related to his notes.

    "I'm sorry Miss Louis, I just wanted to get to know you, I will not do anything again to make you feel stalked or anything I'm not a weird dude and I feel like I gave you that impression, I'm sorry my bad" he said and quickly got up and walked away, Rose felt like shit, she has she done? Why did she have to say it like that? She had hopes of finally connecting with him at the party, and then she went and ruined everything.

   Rita noticed Rose's upset look. She walked up to her, not wanting anything to ruin her night, especially when it involved her favorite person. "Did you have a fight with Fred? What did you say to him?" Rita asked placing a concerned hand on her shoulder, She was surprised as to how Rita knew something was wrong and it was her fault, Rita caught Rose's surprised expression, figured she would be wondering how she got to know she then added  "Don't give me that look Rose" she said with a knowing glint. " He seemed really upset when he was talking to Mark and I heard him say he never expected you to say something like that, even if you didn't like him, and I was surprised because I know very well how much you like him, so what did you say to him?" Rose sighed she understood she was wrong to have rubbed off her words in the wrong way but she didn't know it was going to upset him to such extent, after carefully explaining things to Rita, she couldn't help but smile her she was thinking Rose might have said something so worse but it was not something worth a big deal that was just her opinion she did understand why Fred felt bad, he hasn't connected well with Rose to understand her much better.

    Rita's grip on Rose was gentle but firm, pulling her up from the spot where she was seated "Alright get up, Mark said they would leaving any moment from now and you need to talk to Fred just explain things to him" Rose was not sure if that was a good idea what if he humiliates her just to get back at her she was not going to take the chances "I don't think it's a good idea, I don't know the level of his anger I don't want anybody humiliating me" Rose said sounding unsure

     Rita's expression softened, and she pulled Rose into a gentle hug. "Hey, I'm not saying go and provoke him. Just talk to him, okay? You're strong, Rose. He can't hurt you if you don't let him."Rose looked up at Rita, her eyes searching for reassurance. "What if he just wants to get back at me? What if he humiliates me in front of everyone?"

Rita's grip on Rose's arms tightened. "Then we'll deal with it together. But at least you'll know you tried, right?

When they got home, Rose opened the door, got out of the car, and walked in without looking back at Fred, who didn't seem bothered by her attitude. He was already used to it.

   Rose got inside and sat down on the bed, she looked around and saw the little mess she had created while getting ready, she removed her heels and massaged her feet before placing them at the cupboard, she gently began picking up clothes and shoes from the floor while placing them where the need to be, she was busy with that when Fred walked into the room as well, he looks at Rose who seems tired but still managing to clean up the mess.

   "Hey, do you want me to help you?" He asked with a concerned look. Rose stared at him for a while and slowly nodded her head. Fred loosened his tie, placed it on the table, and went into action. Together they were able to clean everything up quickly, and Rose collapsed on the bed. "I feel like I've been hit with a huge load of firewood," she murmured.

    Fred smiled it felt good to see her in her mature state, she looked like a child, he pulled out his hands towards her "Here grab my hand, let's go have a shower together" he said hoping it would erase the awkward evening, Rose was tempted by the offer she really needed it so much right now.

   Rose hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "I think I'll pass, Fred. I'm still trying to process some things." Fred's smile faltered, and he looked taken aback by her refusal. "Oh, okay. No big deal. I just thought...never mind. Let's just forget about it, yeah?"

She could see the upsetting look on his face. She just wants to talk about it, and now acts like everything is so good, like he always does. Fred removed his clothes and was about to hit the shower when Rose interrupted him.

      "Ain't we going to talk about it?" She asked, hoping it wouldn't stir up another fight. Fred looked pissed. It was something he was trying to avoid; he didn't want to have any conversations at all. In fact, he never wants to talk about him, making Rose feel like she's so troublesome.

     "I'm tired, baby.  We can talk about this later, okay?" he approached her and placed a kiss on her cheek, but Rose was adamant she wanted to know why he would have the heart to just ignore her calls all evening and then show up without her, with her cousin.

     She stood up trying hard to fight back her anger.r "I just want to know where you were that you couldn't just answer my call or return them? You literally showed up at my parents' house without me? How were you even able to see Zoey?" She asked, Fred stood there and kept staring at her without saying anything. He didn't have answers to those questions or maybe he just didn't want to answer them.

    "Look honey I'm so sorry, I was a bit upset about this morning and I didn't want to answer your calls and I sincerely apologize for that, I just felt since my office wasn't so far from your parent's house I would just go and as for Zoey I saw on the road and decided to give her a lift since we were just going to the same place, believe me that's just it okay" he apologized.

    Rose's heart was melted, she didn't have the strength to fight with him anymore, all she really wanted was for things to work out perfectly for them,ike they always did; he loves her husband with everything in her. There's always this picture we have in our head and it's meant to be there forever, it was the picture that Rose has with Fred, she can't picture her like without him, at first everything seems right but now that things seem to be going south she fears he might end up leaving her "Fred I...I just want us to be happy" she said as she approached him while he pulled into a tight hug.

  Her pain wasn't unnoticed by Fred he knew exactly the what he was doing, he tried hard to make things work but whenever situation arises he can't control his emotions and end up making her feel sidelined, it was not the future he also wished for her and things were beyond his control "I know darling, I'm so sorry, I keep hurting you over and over again" he said while caressing her hair. A warm smile spread across Rose's face, relief washing over her features as she wrapped her arms tighter around Fred. It was a fragile moment, one that seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

     In that moment, the weight of their earlier argument seemed to dissipate, replaced by the comforting familiarity of each other's presence. Fred's embrace was like a safe haven, a reminder that they had weathered storms before and could do so again. Little did she know she might be losing him for good.

     Fred's lips brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine. As he pulled back, his eyes locked onto hers, sparkling with affection. "I need to get cleaned up. You do know the invitation is still open to join me in the shower," he whispered, his voice low and inviting.

    Rose's cheeks flushed, but she smiled demurely, her heart skipping a beat. "Maybe later, handsome," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to make some lemon tea, I have a terrible headache".

Fred's face lit up with a warm smile, and he kissed her forehead. "Aww, I'm sorry for that, alright, you go, I will meet you downstairs".With one last gentle squeeze, he released her and headed for the shower, leaving Rose to catch her breath and her heart to flutter in his wake.