ROSALINE
I grabbed my purse and took a final look at myself in the mirror before heading for the door. I was dressed in a simple body con dress and had my hair tied in a neat bun, leaving out a few strands.
Light makeup and lipstick and I was good to go. I was going to meet up with my friends like we usually did on Sundays. That was what Rick had called me for earlier. He wanted to know if he should come pick me up but with how Russo's hatred for him was growing? Nah, I didn't want him showing up.
But Russo had left home for something urgent and had promised to be back in two hours. He wouldn't be meeting me home when he got back though.
I walked out of the house and got into my car, dropping my purse on the passenger seat.
*
"Where is Tim and Melinda? Don't tell me they are going to be late because they are caught up fawning over each other" I said to Rick as I sat opposite him in the luxurious restaurant.
"Nah, they won't be here. Those two are too loud and talkative. You can be sure we'll be thrown out if they were here" Rick laughed.
"So it's just the two of us? Ah, relaxing" I let out a small heave and Rick chuckled.
"It's been a while just the two of us hung out. You've been going home straight from work"
"Yes, just a little busy so I have to work from home too" I lied. Well, what I was doing was with the CEO of the company so it could be considered work too, right?
"I was at your home last night" Rick stated and I felt my body freeze.
Last night.... I was being fucked senseless over the dinning table. The person who had been approaching us, could it have been Rick?!
"Oh, really?" I tried not to make my smile awkward.
"Yes and I had a maid go call you for me but they said they couldn't find you in your usual places and I was wondering if I could talk to your uncle and know exactly why he seems to hate me but the maid returned and told me he was having fun"
Having fun... Of course he was. With his big cock buried inside my wet cunt, he sure was having fun.
"Yeah, probably with one of his women" I shrugged my shoulders, trying to seem as casual as possible.
"Hmm, I guessed so too. What would you like to order?" Rick asked, ringing the order bell.
In a matter of seconds, a waiter was next to us while I glanced through the menu. I could feel Rick's gaze on me as I tried to pick something to eat. Was he suspecting that I had been the one with Russo?
That couldn't be. No one could ever suspect us.
"Just give me your signature dish" I dropped the menu and with a red face, I looked at Rick.
"Rick, you've been staring at me"
"Yeah, you just look really beautiful tonight" he replied and I would have taken it as a casual compliment but I couldn't get Russo's words out of my head.
"Thank you. But can I ask you a question?"
"You are already asking one." He chuckled.
"I know I have asked this question before and your answer was no but I have to ask again and this will really be the last time I am asking you this. Rick..." I held onto my purse.
"Yes?"
"Do you like me?"
"Of course I do, we won't be best friends if I didn't like you."
"You know that is not what I mean. I am asking if you like me romantically, if you want us to be more than friends, if you actually love me. That's what I am asking"
Awkward silence settled around us.
"Rosa" Rick called my name and breathed out softly.
"Yes?"
I was expecting him to laugh like he always did when I asked this question. Laugh and tell me that I was thinking too much and that he was a big brother to me.
"I actually..." He drew in a long breath and let his gaze rest on me again.
"I know what my answer has always been whenever you ask me this question but the truth is... I have just been a coward all these while"
I felt my heart drop.
No, Rick could not be serious right now.
"I have liked... no, loved you since way back, Rosa" he confessed and I felt my head spin.
"Since... Since when?"
"Since we were in highschool, I have just been too much of a coward to let you know about my feelings. I have always loved you and... And you are the girl I told you I loved. You are the only woman I have ever fallen in love with..." He reached his hands out to mine across the table but I didn't stretch my hands out to meet his.
"Rosa" he whispered called my name.
"Rick, you... You can't be serious. I have asked you this question in the past and you have always told me that our friendship is platonic"
"Because I didn't want to lose you, Rosa. I didn't want to lose our friendship because of my feelings and I really thought the feelings would go away over the years but... But they never did. I am so in love with you, Rosa"
"I... I don't know what to say about this. I could have sworn that you only liked me as a friend."
"I... I know and I am sorry, Rosa. I am sorry I betrayed our friendship but we could be more, right? We have been friends for so long, we... We probably can become..."
"Rick" I cut him off, not wanting him to say the word.
"Rosaline" he called my name softly, his eyes almost pleading.
"So the girl you liked, the one you told me about is me?"
"Yes, Rosa. It has always been you. How could I like someone else? I have never paid attention to any other girl and that's because I have always had you in my heart, Rosa." He looked around the restaurant for a second and then settled his gaze back on me.
"I know I am not worth of you. You are from the wealthiest family in the country and my family is just a casual, averagely rich family but I promise I will do my best to make you happy if you give me a chance"
"Rosa, I don't want to be a coward anymore so I am telling you now that I love you and I don't want you just as my friend. Fuck being a big brother to you, I have never wanted that. I really want you as my woman, Rosa"
"Rick..." I was speechless and had no idea what to say.
This was my best friend whom I never saw myself with. I didn't know if I had the right to be mad at him right now or if I should just tell him that I didn't want him.
"Rick, this is something that..."
"It's alright, Rosa" he smiled at me, cutting me off.
"You are surprised at the moment and you probably weren't expecting all I said today, you should probably think about it and give me a response later, I guess."
Right. That was the best thing to do.
I didn't want our friendship ruined but I couldn't be in a relationship with him. Never. I could never belong with Rick. I couldn't see myself being myself with him.
What would it be like being all romantic with Rick? A big NO
What would it be like being sexy and kinky with Rick like I was with Russo? A bigger NO.
With Rick, I would have to hide that part of me and bury it forever.
No, I could never be with Rick.
"You are right. Words fail me right now and I will give you the right response at work tomorrow but for now, I... I should get going back home" I got on my feet and he rushed to his feet too.
"Rosa, are you leaving cause of what I said?"
"Yes, Rick. I need to go home and think over what I heard carefully."
"I... Fine" he gave in and picked up a bag by his chair and stretched it to me.
"I am sorry but I can't accept this from you right now" I shook my head, having no idea what was in the bag. Visible hurt clouded his face.
"This is... this is why I hid my feelings all these years. Because I knew you would treat me like this. But I am giving this to you as your best friend, Rosa, not as the man who wants to date you."
I couldn't stand the hurt in his eyes. I blinked, lowering my gaze to the floor before taking the bag from him.
"See you tomorrow, Rick" I turned swiftly on my heel and walked away, still trying to process what I had just experienced.
It all felt like something that could have never happened. Russo was damn right, everyone was right. Rick had feelings for me!