Chapter 10

Rosie picked up the bracelet.

Even in the sunlight flooding the room, the bracelet gave off a dull yellow glow, not shining at all.

‘I really need to ask where he got this. Definitely not my style.’

“Are you really going to wear that bracelet?”

Mia frowned and asked, looking like Rosie had ruined all her hard work.

Rosie pursed her lips and hesitated. It was proper to wear a gifted accessory, but this one really wasn’t it.

“Just put the bracelet in the box for now.”

‘I’ll at least bring it. Maybe I’ll return it.’

No sooner had she finished getting ready than a maid announced Calvin’s arrival.

Rosie liked gatherings. She enjoyed spending time with people. Strangely, she never kept friends long, though.

But today, she didn’t want to go out at all. She sighed deeply and got up.

“Should I come along, just in case?”

Mia asked, but Rosie shook her head. Nothing would happen.

“I’ll be back soon. It won’t take long.”

When she went down the stairs, Calvin waved his hand broadly at her.

The bright sunlight in the lobby made the wrinkles on Calvin’s face stand out even more.

His neatly combed brown hair looked unusually dry. His beard, faded in the sunlight, revealed his round jaw. He was a bit plump, and though only a few years older, he seemed more like a comfortable uncle.

‘Maybe it’s because he doesn’t exercise.’

Calvin loved books, sitting and reading all day. She used to like that about him, but today he felt a bit too scholarly.

Rosie naturally thought of someone with glossy black hair, broad shoulders, and a sculpted jaw.

‘His skin was nice, too.’

The skin that met hers was always firm and elastic.

‘Oh, goodness. What am I thinking?’

She shook her head to clear her thoughts as Calvin approached.

“You’re even more beautiful today, Rosie.”

“Thank you.”

Rosie forced her lips to curl upward.

“Let’s go. My friends are waiting.”

He impatiently led her away. Rosie gave Mia a quick goodbye and got into the carriage.

“Your friends?”

“Yes. Only the closest people from the book club are gathering today.”

Calvin’s cheekbones were high with excitement, and he kept grinning.

“They’re all good people. You’ll like them.”

Rosie pursed her lips. She wasn’t thrilled about meeting his friends.

Calvin misunderstood her and moved closer, stroking her cheek with his thick palm and pinching it gently, smiling as if she was cute.

“No need to be nervous, Rosie. I’m here.”

She tried not to be pulled closer by him, tensing her neck.

“Yes, I suppose.”

“You seem a bit shy today.”

He added, “Well, can’t help it,” and scooted even closer to her.

“What……”

Before Rosie could say anything, Calvin took her face in both hands and kissed her.

The strong smell of lasagna made her dizzy. She doubted she’d eat lasagna again anytime soon.

‘That’s why you’re gaining weight, Calvin.’

Then, the hand holding her cheek began to move.

It slid down past her neck, and its destination was clear. His fingers brushed over the top of her chest, tracing her curves.

Rosie’s eyes widened, and she pushed him away with a startled hand.

Calvin parted from her lips, blushing and smiling shyly.

“I didn’t mean to…… Sorry if I startled you.”

Rosie hurriedly wiped her lips with the back of her hand, removing the lingering smell of lasagna.

It was different from Theo’s touch, which made her heart race. This was instant rejection.

“No need to push me so hard. I’m your boyfriend.”

Calvin grumbled, sounding upset.

“I actually wanted to talk about that again.”

“What……”

Just as Rosie was about to speak, the carriage rattled and stopped.

“We’ve arrived.”

“We’re here already. Let’s talk after the gathering.”

Calvin smiled politely as he opened the door and got out, leaving Rosie to nod in response.

‘D*mn.’

Why was it so hard to have this conversation? It hadn’t taken minutes to break up before.

Rosie sighed deeply. Calvin looked at her as if wondering what was wrong, but she just shook her head.

The gathering was held at the most popular restaurant in the city.

‘I’ve been here with Theo, too.’

Rosie put her hand on Calvin’s arm as they entered, remembering the time she came with Theo.

“You haven’t been here yet, right? I heard it’s impossible to get a reservation.”

Calvin’s boastful tone meant nothing to her.

Someone inside the restaurant caught her eye.

She recognized him even from afar.

Tall, with well-defined muscles highlighted by his suit and jacket, long legs, hair as black and soft as the night sky. Even the way his long fingers brushed his hair was familiar.

‘Theo!’

She hadn’t seen Theo for days since that night, and now he was here.

Theo, talking to someone, seemed to sense her gaze and looked up. His narrow eyes fixed on her.

Rosie’s face brightened at seeing him, but Theo’s neat brows twisted sharply.

She wanted to wave hello, but Calvin pulled her forward, making her stumble.

“Come on, let’s go. My friends are waiting.”

Calvin hurried her along, and Rosie tried to look back at Theo, but he had already turned away.

Rosie pouted.

‘I wish I could at least say hello.’

Was she the only one happy to see him? She suddenly felt deflated.

She thought about saying hello first, but shook her head and quietly took her seat.

For some reason, she didn’t want Theo to see her walking arm-in-arm with Calvin like lovers.

“Welcome, Calvin!”

Their table wasn’t far from Theo’s. If she focused, she could hear conversations from both tables.

Rosie, sitting with her back to Theo, naturally tuned in to his table. She listened, not to her own table, but to Theo’s.

“Take a seat, Young Master.”

“Cut it out, Edward.”

Theo’s low, rough voice in reply to the cheerful man showed his discomfort. Rosie furrowed her brow.

‘Why is he upset? Is it because of me?’

Theo had said it was fine for her to meet Calvin, but maybe he wasn’t happy after all. Rosie’s shoulders slumped.

‘I didn’t even want to come today.’

“Still, since we met for business, I should call you Young Master.”

Theo didn’t answer, and his long sigh followed.

“I know you’re tired, just came up from the estate. Let’s eat first.”

While the man called for food, Theo didn’t speak at all.

Rosie fiddled with her hands in her lap, wishing Theo would say something.

Then Calvin pulled her close and hugged her shoulders.

“So, we agreed to get back together. Congratulate us.”

“Huh?”

Rosie’s surprised voice was drowned out by the cheers of Calvin’s friends.

“Really? Wow! Congratulations, Calvin.”

“Wait, um……”

Calvin patted her shoulder.

“No need to be so shy, Rosie. Guys, stop it. The lady’s embarrassed.”

“Oh, right. Hmm. We got a bit excited.”

All eyes in the restaurant turned toward their table. The sharpest gaze was obvious.

“Calvin, I……”

Rosie gave up trying to explain to his excited friends and turned to Calvin. But he didn’t seem to hear her and spoke louder.

“This time, I’m thinking seriously about the future. Last time, I was too clumsy.”

He hugged Rosie’s shoulder tightly and smiled at his friends. She had never hated his raised cheekbones so much.

‘What nonsense. Who gave you permission to plan my future?’

He paid no attention to Rosie’s stiffening face and kept talking nonsense to his friends.

The worst part was that Theo would hear all of this.

She wanted to turn around, but Calvin’s tight grip on her shoulder made it impossible. She sighed.

‘Technically, I never agreed to date Theo either……’

She still wasn’t sure if her feelings for Theo were more than friendship. Her mind was a mess, thoughts flooding in all at once.

The congratulations exchanged grated on her nerves.

“Congratulations, Calvin. You finally found your match. You’ll be the first to get married among us.”

Smack!

Unable to hold back her rising irritation, Rosie slapped Calvin’s arm away. The table, buzzing with excitement, fell silent.