“Whatever you want, baby. Always.” I wink, and as she turns to the woman I attempt to gather my wits about me. What is happening to me? I’m trailing after Rose like a high school punk desperate for his first lay. I’m not that man. I don’t tread carefully around women and definitely don’t try to impress them. But Rose, well, she’s different and for now I allow her to take control because it’s obvious she knows a lot more about communicating with the locals than I ever will.
I pay the price and, as expected, the credit card transaction goes through without a hitch, and as we walk into the darkening light outside, Rose holds her finger up in front of her and admires the ring.
“It’s strange wearing this.”
“It’s a ring.” I shrug dismissively, and she sighs.
“Yes, it’s, um, well, just a ring.”
I spy a bistro nearby. “We could eat there after we get the rest of our possessions.”
“There’s a department store across the street. That should do.”
Once again, I follow her, and soon we are clutching several shopping bags filled with various items to get us through the next few days.
As we take our seats in the pleasant bistro, I note the light glistening in Rose’s eyes and the flush of excitement staining her cheeks.
“I haven’t had so much fun in, well, ever.”
“Shopping does that for a woman.”
I grin, and if anything, her face falls.
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
She turns her attention to the menu, and I whip it away, causing her to stare at me in shock. The waiter stops by our table and, without breaking eye contact with Rose, I ask for a starter, main and dessert of his choice, alongside a bottle of still and sparkling water.
When he leaves, I waste no time.
“Tell me what changed that smile into a frown.”
She sighs. “I guess I’m missing my sisters. I never realized how far they are woven into my life. When you spoke about shopping, it conjured up images of times with them.”
“That’s understandable. They may be missing from your life now, but it doesn’t mean they won’t play an important role in your future. You haven’t lost them.”
“I guess, but these are uncertain times, Julius. I mean, I could have been living a very different life by now if you hadn’t rescued me.”
She pulls a face. “Then there are my sisters. I’m worried about them. They will face the same obstacles and may not be as lucky as I am.”
“Lucky?” I raise my eyes, and her smile catches on my heart.
“I consider myself lucky to have you watching out for me.”
Images of how unlucky she is fill my mind because if she knew what I am capable of, that soft expression would be replaced with one of disgust pretty damn fast.
She carries on with a slump to her shoulders. “What if they decide to leave and I decide to stay? I can’t even communicate with them. I would hate being locked away while they continue life without me.”
“Then opt to leave.”
“But they may opt to remain in the convent.”
I shake my head and fix her with a hard glare, causing her to shrink back in her seat.
“You are overthinking this, Rose. You have only been out for one day and already the doubts are messing with your mind. Contact with your sisters can be arranged. Hell, everything can be arranged, and whatever you want, you will get.”
“You mean I can speak with my sisters.”
