Chapter XXII – How Will I Know?
Robert POV
She looked perfectly put together but she looked strained behind the smile she wore as she opened the box just delivered to check the new menus. It was a little too forced and it didn't reach her eyes at all, the stiff way she sat showed her discomfort.
"Are you okay?" the fake smile made an appearance as she stood up and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine" spotting the unconvinced look I gave her, the smile faded a bit.
"I am a bit tired I guess"
"You're here longer than anyone else, of course you are. Why don't you take the afternoon off, I can watch over here" she frowned another sign something wasn't right.
"I'll be fine Rob, honestly I wouldn't be able to rest anyway not unless you kept your phone by you all day" she half laughed but I got the feeling she wasn't really aiming for humor, her mind always seemed turned to work.
"I could do that if it made you relax at all...the offer stands any time" I added when the look she shot me told me her taking time off of work willingly was nil.
"Thanks but I will be fine, I like keeping busy here"
"Okay" I said ready to drop the subject, when I remembered how Royce and her had snuck away from her birthday party the other night. "By the way how's Royce? We missed you at the end of the night" the smile cracked and she looked away quickly.
"We went back to my apartment" she answered in a detached way.
"Everything is all good then?" breathing out, she looked back at me and nodded.
"Yeah" she replied and I saw the flicker of uncertainty and now knew she was lying, however if I said anything she would shut me out and not say anything.
"Alright, you know where I am" Rosalie just nodded once more, putting a stack of new menus on the bar top, motioning for a nearby server to take them and put them away.
Over the next few days Rosalie threw herself into work even more, if that was possible. Although no slacker she had relaxed somewhat when she starting dating Royce, however now she barely trusted anyone to do any slightly managerial task.
So she worked longer hours, running on a few hours' sleep judging by her red eyes and the dark circles, expertly covered up but still visible if you were looking for it. The only time she slowed down was when she regularly checked her phone every couple of hours, she got plenty of calls regarding to work, but none seemed to be the one she was waiting for.
The restaurant was doing well, there were always reservations and hardly an empty table in the evenings, glowing reviews kept the staff busy meaning Rosalie had a viable excuse to bury herself in work.
On a photo shoot for the latest advert campaign, I was to be joined by the female face of Levi's. It wasn't the most pressing thing on my mind, but it paid the bills, keeping my parents comfortable and a decent savings account for the day I inevitably retired.
So I sat still as a stylist messed around with my hair, and an assistant brushed powder on my face for the photos whilst Alice re-entered after taking a call.
"Alice?" she tucked away her phone and glanced up as she pulled over a chair, giving me an easy, friendly smile.
"Yes?"
"Have you talked to Rosalie lately?" the smile quickly turned into a frown and she shook her head.
"Not properly, I keep trying to get her to have lunch with me or something, but she's always busy or she cancels on me" she looked as convinced as I was and it was a bit of a relief to know that I wasn't the only concerned party.
"She does?" she nodded briefly.
"What is she like at work?"
"First one in and the last one out"
"So she hasn't seen Royce recently?"
"Not unless she can be in two places at once, I'm worried about her Alice. She barely eats and I don't think she's sleeping much either"
"She does this when she's avoiding something, do you think something happened with Royce?"
"I don't know, she did clam up when I asked about him. But you know what she's like, if I push her too much she'll be on her guard all the time and she'll probably stress herself out even more" making a sound of agreement as her phone buzzed, pulling it out she quickly scanned the text and sent back a quick reply, barely looking at the screen before putting it away again.
"We'll talk about it later, okay? At the moment we can't do a lot about whatever is up with her, so let's get through the photo shoot 'kay?" the stylists stepped back and I nodded at Alice, letting myself be led onto the set.
The photographer was already taking pictures of a gorgeous brunette, dressed in low slung jeans and a loose sleeveless tee half tucked into the jeans. Makeup simply done her hair was tousled and it currently hid half of her face as she posed for a shot, a sultry smile on her lips as the photographer praised her.
"Beautiful darling" he purred, stopping when my appearance was noticed by him. I had worked with Leo on previous ad campaigns, he was an enthusiastic short Italian ad greeting me happily, he instructed me on his 'vision' and we got to work.
The brunette, Maria, gave me a sexy smile as we got fairly close for the shoot, smiling back I went along with it. After a few suggestive poses and less than innocent glanced from Maria, I left the studio with her number and headed back to the restaurant. Alice had to rush off afterwards due to a work related emergency, but not before promising to call so we could talk about our friend.
Oddly the place was quiet considering there was a dinner service to be preparing for; I noticed we were short staffed, so I headed to Luke at the bar.
"Hey mate, did something happen?"
"Rosalie fired the twins" the 'twins' were of no blood relation, but Kate Moore and Cate Brandon had similar brown hair and builds, sharing a few mannerisms that could make them pass for sisters.
"Why?"
"Sloppy behavior and complaints, something else too that I didn't catch. The boss looked mighty pissed though, I think we all value our jobs too much to ask questions" nodding and taking a step back as he put away clean glasses.
"Shit, so we're down two servers" he nodded and got back to his work as I half muttered to myself. "I'll go talk to her"
"Good luck" I headed to the office, finding her there behind the desk with an empty tumbler in front of her.
"Hi Rob"
"Hey" she leaned forwards, pushing aside the glass as she leaned her arms on the desk and looked at me, fake smile absent. I walked over, sitting in the chair opposite her and getting a little whiff of whiskey, guess that was what was in the glass. "What happened to Moore and Brandon?" she sighed rubbing her forehead and glancing down for a moment.
"I was getting complaints that they were slacking and stealing stock, I confronted them and gave them their notice" she said matter of factly, turning the computer screen around to show me a spread sheet with a bunch of numbers, that despite me growing experience meant nothing to me. I assumed that it was proof of the twin's deception, with a nod I thought of our current superstition.
"Rose, we're short staffed now. What are we going to do, we have a full house tonight especially with that birthday party at seven"
"I've called Sonny and Mitchell to see if they can cover, they're gonna call back so if I can one of them to cover you can stay on the bar with Luke, like planned" as if on cue the phone rang and as she took it, I stood up and took the empty glass, she averted her eyes as I left.
Sonny made it in half an hour later and we managed to get through the evening in one piece, with me pitching in with the servers when it got really busy later in the evening. Rushed off my feet, I barely had a moment to myself, I had no idea how Rosalie did it.
When the last dinners had left, I looked up from clearing a table to see Rosalie by the other end of the bar, checking her phone. She looked disappointed as she put her phone away, lifting her head and catching my eye, she slipped on a fake smile before Jackie got her attention and drew her into the kitchen.
I had to do something if she was determined to bury herself in work and obsessively check her phone, instead of facing her issues. After everyone was gone for the evening, I went to the office where Rosalie was finishing up on paperwork.
"Going home anytime soon, Rose?"
"Yeah, in a bit I have to make an invoice for an event next month and I'm just looking at the figures" stifling a yawn she blinked a few times and reached for the mug on the desk, and walking towards her I saw how exhausted she looked.
"I'll keep you company then" she gave me a small smile, that was the first genuine smile I had seen in the past few weeks. Standing up with a file she went to put it away, I saw the slight wobble in her walk but I attributed it to her obvious exhaustion her skin looking very pale.
"If you are going to stay how about you help me choose the special for next week?"
"What are the choices?"
"Jacqueline's Lobster Thermidor, Seafood Risotto or Escargot" making a face at the last one, I glanced at the sample menu seeing the theme our head chef was going for.
"Fish?"
"Well its either fish or snails"
"I think we can safely eliminate the last one" she shrugged.
"They're not that bad, but maybe not for our restaurant" she agreed, waiting for me to make a choice.
"Go for the lobster, upscale and don't you know a guy who can get us a good price on them?" she smiled and nodded, taking back the menu from me and making a note of our choice.
"Good choice, we can get decent deal and Jacqueline can also make a vegetarian option" shuffling papers around and typing in a few numbers into the computer, she got my opinion on few things and I helped her with some of the paperwork.
An hour later and we were done and was no other reason to stay at the restaurant, she still took her time getting her coat and bag though. When we locked up she turned away from the front door and tripped, I caught her before she landed on the pavement but for a moment she looked more than just tired as she straightened up.
"Thanks, I'm so clumsy" that's thing she wasn't usually, normally she was composed and rarely so awkward.
"Just be careful okay, you should look after yourself" Rosalie gave me a look but said nothing. "Let's get you home Rose" I hailed a cab and we got in together, I gave the address of her flat and she was strangely quiet. Five minutes later I realized why, she had fallen asleep, leaving her for the time being I paid the cabbie when we got to her place and carried her inside.
Letting us in after a tricky dig around in her purse as I half held her up, I laid her down on the bed and she barely stirred as I pulled off her heels and jacket. Making my way into the front room, the phone started to ring it only rang twice so before I could decide whether to answer or not it went to her answering machine.
"Rose..." came Royce's voice from the machine. "I wanted to let you I'm getting on a plane to LA and I'm going to be gone for over a month...maybe this is good for us. Shit, I didn't want to do this over the phone..." I looked to the bedroom door, when I heard it open and then saw my friend emerge, looking past me and at the phone. "I love you Rose, but if you won't tell what's wrong I can't help"
"Rose, pick it up...talk to him" she ignored me, listening to his voice.
"Rose, are you there?" she hesitated and took a step forwards, but in the background of the call there was some sort of announcement and he paused. "That's my flight, I have to go. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier, I guess I was trying to give you space...I still am. Bye" when he ended the call, she slowly turned around and went back in the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
Debating for a moment, I left her apartment pushing the keys through the letterbox before heading back to the main road to hail another cab.
Rosalie POV
"I don't know Alice, I have a lot of paperwork. Maybe another time?" I tucked the phone in-between my ear and shoulder, shuffling around papers and banging a stapler loudly to verify my story.
"Rose, we haven't talked properly since I got back from Paris. I'm sure Rob could take care of it, at least for an hour or so, it'll still be there when you get back" she paused for a moment and I glanced at my reflection in the computer screen, the redness of my eyes not being as easy to cover up as before. "I'm not taking no for an answer" then there was a knock on the office door and standing up, I walked round my desk to open it.
"Alice I don't think-" she was standing in front of me.
"Grab your coat Rose" her tone left no room for argument, so with a sigh I got my coat, heading downstairs with her and getting a reassuring smile from Rob.
"Are you sure you'll be okay Rob?" he simply nodded.
"I've got this. everyone knows their jobs, I can handle any paperwork and keep an eye out for trouble" I trusted him as business partners went, he was good at his job, he'd be okay for an hour.
"Okay then" I said, letting the pixie take the lead, going outside she hailed a cab and slid in giving the address as I got in and closed the door behind me. When the cab stopped in front of a building it was very official looking and I got the feeling I had been ambushed again.
"Alice?" she paid the fare and hopped out, as did I, she glanced at me with a deceptively innocent smile.
"Yes?"
"We aren't going for lunch are we?" she stopped walking and nodded in answer.
"I have a friend I'd like you to meet" I looked at her sceptically and she sighed, putting a hand on her hip. "Rose, hear me out?"
"Okay" I said eventually.
"We were worried about you" I didn't have to ask who 'we' was, it was obvious, who else but my business partner? "You've been so focused on work and the last time you were so stressed was after Emmett...I saw how you were and even though I've been your friend for over ten years, you never tell me anything about you, not without me having to pry it out of you. So if you can't talk to your fried then maybe this might help you"
"Your 'friend' is a shrink, right?" she nodded.
"She owes me a favour, so give it a try and if it isn't for you then at least you tried?" I turned my head to glance at the door to the building and shrugged, what did I have to lose?
"Alright" I replied heading towards the door before I could change my mind and wimp out of the idea. Going inside and up the lift, we were both silent when we got to the office, plush chairs and pretentious artwork on the walls failed to make the space more homey and inviting.
A male receptionist looked up as we exited the lift and as his eyes fell on Alice, I saw the recognition as he stood up to greet us.
"Hello Alice"
"Hi Alan, how is Marcus?"
"He's good, how's the hubby?" he replied giving us both a friendly smile and I remembered him being one of Alice and Jasper's wedding guests.
"He's doing well, we both are...can you let Jane know we're here?"
"Sure, take a seat and she should be with you soon" she nodded and steered me over to one of the sofa's by the window. She told me that Alan sister had been a client of hers who needed some help, Jane she had known through a brief stint of psychology classes and had helped her client.
We weren't waiting long, a few minutes later and a woman almost shorter than Alice walked out of the office and into the waiting room. She had light brown hair that was parted down the center and poker straight, it was long and complemented her porcelain like skin and steely grey eyes. She looked young, she couldn't be past her mid-twenties an she seemed to be aware of it, she was dressed very functionally more like someone in their forties.
It transpires that she was two years older than us, as well as married with two sons. If that wasn't enough she was some prodigy, with three PhD's in maths, psychology and philosophy.
"It's nice to meet you, Rosalie" shaking her hand I gave her a polite smile and followed her lead as she went back into her office, Alice remained outside and made herself at home, plucking up dated copy of Vogue and flicking through it.
Once inside of the office, she gestured to the small but comfortable looking couch and I took a seat as she sat in the armchair opposite me. Crossing her legs and leaning forwards a bit she gave me a friendly smile that seemed well practiced.
"Rosalie would you like to start by telling me something about yourself?" no.
"Like what?" she smiled again, clasping her hands and leaning forwards.
"Anything, all I know about you is that you originally lived in Washington, Forks where you became friends with Alice...that and you are the owner of a restaurant uptown?" with a slow nod I crossed my arms and leaned back as I thought of where to start.
"I'm part owner, my business partner funded the restaurant" nodding and keeping her gaze level, she unfolded her hands and made a supportive sound.
"Hmm, so you work long hours?"
"Yes, I have to keep the place running" touching the tip of my nose, I was incredibly aware of the look Jane gave me, she smiled but I knew she was analyzing me.
"Isn't there anyone who you can share the work load with? The business partner perhaps?" shaking my head, I thought of Robert; he was getting quite good behind the bar and he seemed to be getting some of the business side of it but he was a way off from managing the place.
"He can't work full time, due to other work commitments and he is still very new to the business" another nod.
"When you aren't working what do you like to do?"
"When I'm not working, I'm still working"
"Do you want to elaborate?"
"If I'm not physically at the restaurant, making sure we open on time then I'm checking the inventory, doing the books and making sure all outgoing payments are going out on time. Even when I'm not there I'm still working"
"What about your friends and family?" looking don briefly I crossed my legs and leaned back.
"I have a few close friends, Alice obviously and the other people I know are mainly business contacts or acquaintances...I don't have any family left"
"I'm sorry to hear that, may I ask what happened?" glancing back up at her, I kept my expression neutral as well as my tone carefully level.
"Both of my parents have passed away and I was the only child of only children, so no aunts or uncles. My paternal and maternal grandparents passed away years ago as well" nodding she reached for her glass of water, offering me a drink which I declined, she took a small sip before responding.
"When Alice called me concerning yourself, she seemed genuinely concerned for you and she also seems to think that that talking to me on regular basis could help you" putting her hands together and sitting up, she kept looking at me.
"It is clear you have doubts, as many people do, about therapy or therapist in particular. Obviously it is completely up to you, if you want to continue with these sessions or not, the framed PhD on my wall is the only the thing that can you about my experience apart from more sessions"
"There are plenty of people who can get qualifications, it doesn't mean all therapist are any good" with the first hint of a real smile, she nodded and lowered her hands.
"That's...probably true"
"What would your initial, professional opinion be of me?"
"We have barely talked or ten minutes" Jane replied quirking an eyebrow curiously.
"I read somewhere that you form an impression of someone within the first second of meeting them, so I'm sure you've got something" I uncrossed my arms and Jane's expression turned professional once more.
"My professional opinion?" I nodded mutely and she pondered for a moment. "You said you only have a few friends and I assume that Alice is one of them, as you grew up together. So clearly you are loyal, and probably selective with whom you let get close to you. You don't mind talking about other people, but you get business like and almost impersonal when talking about yourself or your family, which tells me that there is something unresolved there that you'd rather not delve into.
You look very well put together which I expect works well for your line of business and allows you to make good contacts, by the way you talk about your responsibilities it is clear you are very organised. Lastly, I think that your body language shows, that you are very closed off, the crossed arms and legs are all like very physical barriers"
"Okay" was all I could say in response, she was good. Uncrossing my legs and straightening up in my seat, I went to pick up my handbag.
"Rosalie, like I said it is up to you but sessions can be arranged around your schedule"
"For a fee you mean?"
"How about this, try at least a three or four sessions and if you aren't somewhat satisfied, I will not charge you at all"
"Do you do that for all clients?"
"Yes, if they need it"
"Well thank you for your time, but I don't know how therapy can help me"
"We have forty five minutes left how about you at least try a full session before making a choice?"
"Fair enough"
~X~X~X~
At work during lunch, I was working through it in the office by sorting out the outgoing payments; for water, electricity, the lease and on and on the list went. Placing my cell phone n the desk, I eyed it and grabbed it in an instant every time it rang or buzzed for my attention.
No joy.
I was a coward. I was scared to call Royce in case he told me it was over, so I avoided it and yet wanted him to call me. I told myself he needed space and that when he was ready to forgive me he would call, I wasn't sure I could do the same myself though. So in the meantime I fooled myself into thinking as long as he didn't call to break up with me it was okay and I buried myself deeper in my work.
Through the open office door I heard the music in the dining area stop, signalling the end of the lunch rush, heading out of my hole I supressed a yawn as I headed to the coffee maker for a refill. I was a little unsteady in my new Jimmy Choos and almost slipped when I got to the machine, most of the staff were busy cleaning the tables and bar and so my slip went unnoticed.
But Robert's eagle eyes picked it up right away, with a narrowing of his eyes I responded with a smile motioning to my heels, he rolled his eyes mouthing 'women' before looking away and resuming his work. Getting my refill, I turned away from the machine but the quick movement had me momentarily dizzy and a pin prick of pain flared up in my head that. I gripped the edge of the bar as the pain faded, but I felt shaky and dropped my mug.
"Rose?" Rob was by my side in an instant, breathing out and taking a step forwards the dizziness only increased and the pain in my head came back full force.
My hand let go of the counter and I fell back, then my vision went black.
Emmett POV
Walking towards the office at the end of the hallway, I got to Santino's assistants' desk and gave her a smile in greeting, which she returned.
"Hi Emma"
"Hi Emmett, if you take a seat I'll let Gio know you're here once his conference call is over" with a nod, I sat on a stiff leather couch by the window. I had been back only one day and already my boss wanted to talk to me, no doubt it was about the New York promotion I passed up on. It was only a minute later that Giovanni Santino had finished the call, after the phone on her desk rang Emma sent me in.
Entering the spacious and well decorated office, Gio was stood behind an ostentatious mahogany desk, looking at me as I walked in.
"Emmett, have a seat. Would you like a drink?"
"I'm fine thanks" we both sat down and he leaned forwards, pressing his hands together to form a triangle, a signature move of his, as he looked straight at me.
"Emmett" he said drawing it out as he looked at me, I was certain he was going to talk about the promotion. "Care to tell me why you passed up on a promotion? One I personally recommended you for?"
"It wasn't right for me" he shook his head looking affronted and disappointed at the same time.
"Your own assistant, a decent office and a pay rise with the opportunity to be the head of a department and it wasn't for you?" he waved his arms as he talked, the professional attitude dropped now that he was irritated at me.
"I don't care about that" I replied honestly and he dropped his hands, into his lap looking exasperated at me.
"You don't care?" he said incredulously, his voice rising in annoyance. "Then why is it that you are the first in the office and the last to leave, that you are always on point for meetings and work harder than anyone else here. If not to get further why work so hard?" to keep myself busy was the right answer because at this point in my life, I had nothing else but my work.
I should not be living my life this way.
"Because, I don't have anything else...and I don't want that anymore" he raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, half turning away from me. "So I want to give in my two weeks' notice stating immediately if possible"
"Shit Emmett, you're one of my best guys"
"I would have left for New York at your recommendation" I commented and Gio shook his head slowly.
"Yeah, but you would have stayed with the company" I stood up and with a heavy sigh my boss stood up as well. "Anything I can do to change your mind? There are positions available elsewhere if you don't like New York, how about California or Hong Kong even?" that gave me an idea.
"No. Sorry Gio" he shook his head again and sighed deeply.
"Had to give it a shot..." rubbing his chin thoughtfully, I glanced to the door.
"Do you accept my notice?"
"No...if you get it to me in writing then I'll put it through, you can help me find your replacement it would be appreciated" I nodded.
"Thanks" both of us walked to the door which he held open for me. "So any chance I can have the rest of the day off? All of my paperwork is done and filled and I'm up to speed for tomorrow's meeting" I flashed him a grin and he looked down at the watch on his wrist.
"It's not like I can fire you now is it? Go on then, just this once" he let out a short humourless laugh, shoving one hand in a pocket to dig out a cell phone as I took my leave.
I walked back to the elevator and back down to the reception, telling the girl manning the desk that I would be out of the office for the rest of the day, before leaving the building.
Now what to do? It was just after one in the afternoon and lunch sounded good, foregoing taking public transport or my car, I walked down a street opposite to the one I normally took, taking my time. As I walked I saw a travel agents on the other side of the road, on another whim I went in and came out an hour later with over a dozen leaflets.
Each was about a different place; London, France, India, Tokyo, Australia, Dubai anywhere I could find out about. I had never left America, I didn't even have a passport.
Settling in at a small corner table at an Italian style café, I shrugged off my jacket and tugged off the noose called a tie, rolling up my sleeves and undoing the top button of my shirt. I spent the next hour pouring over the leaflets and looking up more information on my phone, seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Temple and the Sydney Opera House as I tried to narrow it down.
Where to go first?
After I had eaten I went back to the apartment and fired up my laptop, continuing my research and expanding the list of places I wanted to see. Where to start that was the question, I was lucky enough that I could go travelling and not be too concerned money wise due to the savings and trust fund sitting in my account.
If I didn't want to I probably never had to work again, my father knew enough financial advisors that could invest the money for me and keep me financially stable for as long as I wanted.
However I had started a career separate from my father to make my own oath and my own money so that would seem like I was giving up or taking a step back. While I wasn't working and decided what to do that money could help me out and I was glad to not have to worry about that.
~X~X~X~
A few weeks later and I had found the candidate to take over my job and a one way ticket to Australia in five days' time. I decided that I would get rid of my apartment and everything I couldn't fit into one suitcase.
"Alice?" she answered her phone only after a few rings, and I could hear her husband in the background talking to someone else.
"Hey Emmett, how are you?" the voices in the background faded as she walked into another room, I heard her close a door.
"I'm good, I have some news"
"Good or bad?" she asked me.
"A bit of both? I quit work and I'm taking some time off"
"You quit? I thought you got a promotion?"
"I turned it down, I'm going travelling in a few days' time and I'm going to start in Australia" she made a sound of surprise.
"That sounds great, how long will you be gone?"
"Maybe a year or two, honestly I don't know. So I'm getting rid of my apartment and all my junk, unless there's anything you want?"
"A year or two?" she was taken aback and I knew I would miss her, well talking to her. I didn't know how often I'd be able to talk to her when I left. "You better keep in contact Emmy" she reverted to the nickname that she hadn't used for years, it started when she was one and half and couldn't say my name properly.
"I will, I promise"
"You better send me postcards and take photographs, call me, email me whenever you can. Okay?"
"Okay" I agreed.
"You promise?"
"I promise, Alice" pausing I blinked a few ties and sat in an armchair not overwhelmed by boxes of my junk. "I'll miss you"
"Me too...okay, I'm going to come out as soon as I can and see you off. If you are going to be gone for a year or more, I'm not doing this over the phone" I chuckled at her suddenly business like tone.
"You just came back from your honey moon, haven't you used up all of your vacation days?"
"You let me worry about that. Have you told mom and dad yet?"
"Not yet...I wanted to tell you first"
"They'll want to come to see you too"
"Not really looking forward to that call"
"Just don't put it off for too long okay? Give them a chance to see you off as well"
"I will...hey um...how is, how's Rosalie?"
"She's...not doing so well" her voice lowered and I got the sense that Rosalie was nearby.
"What's wrong?"
"She fainted at work" a spike of fear for her ran through me at the idea that she was hurt.
"Is she okay?"
"She's home, that's where I am now. She was stressed out and a bit dehydrated, ever the workaholic" I heard the concern in her voice and wished I could be there...to do what? "She needs ret and she'll be okay"
"That's good" leaning forwards I pressed a hand to the side of my head and sighed.
"I'm glad she's okay...that's good"
"You okay Em?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Look, I won't keep you any longer, I still having packing to do and parents to call"
"Okay, talk to you soon" hanging up I tossed my phone onto the couch and grabbed a nearby box as I stood, starting to fill it with my now redundant CD collection.
Rosalie POV
Sipping a glass of water under Jasper's watchful gaze, I brought my legs up onto the sofa and made myself more comfortable. Alice had gone to take a call from her brother and Jasper remained to chat with me; half of my mind was on Alice and the other half with my conversation with Jasper. We had gotten back from the hospital over an hour ago and my friends had insisted on staying with me, as if I were a child.
Robert had not gone willingly, but Jasper had convinced him that I would take a week off and that him and Alice would stay with me tonight. Then they ganged up on me and brushed off my attempts to get them to leave my apartment, both of them just as stubborn as I was.
Maybe I didn't argue as much as I could have, but it wouldn't be too bad to have someone other than me in this apartment.
The second I finished the glass of water, Jasper was on his feet taking the glass from me and going to refill it for me, putting it back in my had with a smile. He watched me as I slowly sipped it, heeding the doctors' instructions to stay hydrated and rest.
Soon Alice came back into the living room, tucking her cell phone away into her jeans pocket and putting on a smile when she looked at me.
"Are you okay Alice?" she sat in between me and Jasper, who drew her close and put his arms around her, kissing her cheek out of habit.
"I'm fine, Emmett just surprised me" the moment she said her brother's she gave me a worried look and I just took another sip of water and breathed evenly, before responding.
"Guys, you can say his name. I'm not going to break down" in a creepily familiar move both of them raised an eyebrow sceptically.
"Well so far you haven't been dealing with it well have you? You overworked yourself so much you ended up in hospital, you did break down. It's not like you talk to us to tell us why you are doing it; is it Emmett, Royce, the business or something else? You can't do this Rose, you think you're on your own but you have us, Rob and if you let him Royce too"
"Alice, it's always been me. Don't you understand? Since I was a kid, I was the responsible one who had to everything. I am on my own!" I stood up and slammed the glass on the table, ignoring the water splashing over the rim of the glass. "I am dealing with all of this the only way I know how, it's not perfect but this is me!"
"It doesn't have to be, that isn't what we are trying to say" untangling himself from his spouse, Jasper came over to me and placing his hands on my shoulders forcing me to stay still. He gave me that calm smile of his that always seemed to calm me down as well, breathing out slowly I returned his smile. "Rose, we are your friends and we love you. Which means you can tell us anything and we will be here to help as much as we can. You are not a burden for confiding in us, nor are you being selfish okay so get that thought out of your mind"
"I don't know how to start, I was trying to move on"
"Why don't we start by sitting down and ordering some food? And we can all talk, okay?"
"Okay" we hugged and then Alice came over too, hugging me surprisingly tightly before she picked up the landline and ordered from our favourite Chinese takeout.
Half an hour later, we were eating and chatting I told them what I had hid from them before, including what happened with Royce.
"You haven't talked to him?" I shook my head, pushing aside my now empty plate.
"He hasn't called and I'm too scared to call him in case he wants to end it"
"You should talk"
"Is that your solution to everything Jas?" I tilted my head and he nodded his head.
"The least you could do is try, then if it does end you didn't just let it happen"
"You may have a point there"
"I know" he said smugly and I chuckled at him, feeling almost lighter even though nothing had changed.
Emmett POV
The moment I got off of the plane the heat hit me and it felt good, donning a pair of sunglasses and made my way to the car rental desk. I picked up a map with the jeep keys, tossing my bag in the trunk and driving towards the hotel.
Rolling the windows down the heat and the wind felt great, I had never felt better or freer in my life.
I started in Sydney and planned to make my way around and see and do everything and anything. Then I would go to Singapore and travel by boat or bus, I wanted to take the slow route round and not rush anything.
Every new place I went I collected postcards and sent them off to my sister, calling her when I found a place that didn't charge too much and emailing her when I had internet access. I made sure to keep her updated on where I was staying or going next and when I arrived at my hotel in Singapore, there was a letter waiting for me at the front desk.
So when I got to my room I gave her a call, she answered after a few rings and the line was somewhat shaky but I was glad to hear her voice.
"Hello?"
"Alice it's Emmett"
"Emmett! Hi how are you?"
"I'm good I just got your letter and I wanted to call you as soon as I could. I miss you"
"I miss you too, so what are you planning on next?"
"There's the botanical gardens and the Singapore Flyer which is kind of like the London eye, and apparently there is some great food at a place called Geylang, if I'm saying that right. If I looked it up right it used to be a sort of red light district"
"Better be careful" she warned.
"I will be, after that I might go off the grid and visit a few villages or go to one of the islands. I'll send you another postcard and a letter, I'll let you know when I can call you again"
"That sounds amazing, are you taking pictures cause if the postcards are anything to go be it all looks great"
"I am don't worry, in fact there's internet here so I can send you some I took in Australia"
"I'd love that, be safe and talk soon okay?"
"Okay, love you Al"
"Love you too, Emmy. See you soon"
Author's Note:
So finally, after who knows how long an update!
Thought? Criticisms? Liked it? Hated it?
With the next chapter I'm gonna do a time jump, about two years, so any thoughts on what should happen with Emmett and Rosalie separately or together, I have an idea fro Emmett but I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for reading!