Tracy: Huh?
------------------------------------------------------------
Collin: What?!
Why am I hearing this now?
Guard: I'm sorry, sir.
Collin: You are all useless. Get the fuck out of here!
Damn you, Eugene. Damn you.
Logan: Calm down.
Collin: Calm down? Is that all you can say to me?
You knew about this, didn't you?
Logan: Hey, hey, hey, chill.
I didn't.
I'm just as surprised as you are.
I never imagined he'd go as far as kiss her in public.
[That brother of mine really has guts].
Logan thought to himself.
Look, let me ask you this question.
Are you in love with Rose? Or are you just after her to get to Eugene?
Collin: That is none of your business, Logan. I have no time for your interrogations.
Logan: Fine. But remember, Eugene is never going to back off now. He has made his grand move, and that girl was never yours to begin with. It's the hard truth, and I believe you already know that.
Collin: Shut the fuck up!!
Logan: Just saying.
Collin: Uhhh!!!
Out of frustration, Collin broke a vase with his fist and stomped out of his office, letting the door slam with a loud bang.
Logan: 'Sigh.' This stupid boy will be the death of me.
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After what seemed like an eternity, they finally broke their kiss.
Eugene: Rose, Are you ok?
Eugene, still cupping her face, scrutinized her face, not willing to miss any reaction from her.
Rose: I'm fine, Eugene.
I just...
And then it hit her. Everyone was staring at them.
Rose: Eugene, can we please get out of here?
Eugene followed her line of sight and understood her.
Eugene: Let's go.
He grabbed her by the wrist, and off they went.
Tracy went after them.
Whispers echoed through the walls. This was definitely going to be a topic for a while, and that was exactly what Eugene wanted.
Mom: What your father did may have seemed crazy, but it was definitely a calculated move. He wasn't just confessing his feelings to me, but he was making a statement. This, I found out later on.
Me: That was one crazy move, Dad pulled there. 'Giggle.' What happened next? Where did you go?
Tracy: Where the fuck did they run off to?
Tracy lost track of them in the garage.
Rose: Eugene, where are we going?
Eugene: Somewhere we can be alone.
Eugene drove the car like he was being chased.
Rose: [What just happened? How did I get here?]
Rose turned to look at Eugene and just couldn't believe everything that happened truly happened.
He said he loved her.
Rose: [He loves me?]
Eugene: Is there something on my face
Rose: Huh? Oh, um, no. Sorry
Eugene: 'Smirk'
Rose: [Why does he look so damn gorgeous when he does that?]
Eugene: We are here.
Mom: He took us to his apartment. The inside was huge and so clean.
Rose: Wow.
Eugene: You like it?
Rose: It's beautiful.
The dark-themed interior and decor really gave off the vibe of a loner. Even though everything looked beautiful and in order, it felt off, and Rose felt it.
Rose: You live here alone?
Eugene: Yes.
Rose: Hmm, I see.
As Rose checked the place out, Eugene got her a glass of water.
Eugene: Here, have this.
Rose: Thank you.
Eugene: I know I startled you with everything that happened earlier.
Rose: ...
They both sat on the sofa in silence. For some reason it didn't feel awkward but rather comfortable.
Rose: Eugene...
Eugene: Rose...
You go first.
Rose: What did you mean when you said you were there when my parents died?
Eugene: .....
I didn't want you to find out this way. But I have decided not to hide anymore.
He took the water from her hand and placed it on the table. Then he pulled closer and held her hands.
Eugene: Your parents crashed in the same plane mine did.
I was the boy you gave your candy to. Do you remember?
Rose: I.. I
Rose squinted her eyes trying to remember. Then the memories flooded in.
Young Rose and her parents had just boarded a plane. The family had decided to go on a vacation to the Vallo island and spend time together.
Rose's mother and father were a bit of workaholics. They were not extremely rich, but they were well-to-do. They did their best to provide for Rose, and they were happy.
Rose was six (6) then, and it was her father who brought up the idea of a vacation.
As the family tried to settle in their seats, the loud cry of a boy caught Rose's attention. His mom was trying her best to coax him to stop crying, but he didn't.
Rose approached them and brought out a candy from her tiny bag and handed it to him. He stared at her for a while, sniffling.
He took the candy and immediately stopped crying. His mom smiled and thanked her.
Rose: That was you? Sniffling boy?
Eugene nodded.
Rose: Woahhh!
Rose took a good look at Eugene as if in denial.
Eugene: What?
Rose: I just can't believe it. You are such a crybaby.
Eugene: ... Excuse me?
Rose placed her hand on her mouth to stop her giggles.
Rose: I'm sorry, it's just... you looked so cute back then.
Now, you just seem grumpy.
Eugene: 'Smirk' Oh, really?
You mean I'm not cute anymore?
Eugene leaned in closer and spoke in a seductive way. Rose gulped.
Rose: Wh... What are you...
Rose couldn't finish her statement when Eugene smacked his lips on hers, kissing her ever so gently. Rose didn't pull back even though she was caught off guard. Before she could react, Eugene pulled back.
Eugene: [Shit] I... I'm sorry I didn't mean to...
Rose: It's fine. Don't apologize.
Rose placed her hand on his, catching Eugene by surprise. He looked at their hands together and then at her face.
She was smiling. She looked so beautiful in his eyes.
Eugene: I have loved you since then, Rose.
Do you remember what happened next?
Rose: Mhmhm, I do.
She replied softly.
Rose: The plane crashed.
Eugene: Yes.
We survived together, Rose.
I was with you at the hospital as well.
I saw you when the doctors declared your parents dead.
Rose had a flashback of her younger self on an hospital bed crying her eyes out.
Eugene: I heard you cry every night. Even when you tried to hide your tears, I saw them.
I swore then to be by your side.