The Union 4

After six minutes, they were at the train station.

“Thank you for the ride, George,” she appreciated after he parked at the train terminal.

“I'm glad that I'm of help. I pray that my day will be Rosy.”

Now, they were out of the car, and Rose laughed at his joke. They took the luggage out of the car trunk, and he assisted her to take them to the lounge. Then, she began to wait for her departure alongside other passengers. After a few minutes, George announced, “I hope to take my leave.”

“It's okay, George. Thank you, once again.”

“It's my pleasure. Have a Rosy trip.”

She giggled, and complimented too, “Have a Georgy day.” They laughed happily, and thereafter, he left. He walked out of the lounge delighted and got into his car. Meanwhile, he ignored the mockery looks on the faces of the passersby over his clunker.

At Dome City

Rose Temple arrived at the National Mathematical Center after ten hours. As soon as she settled down, she gave Mrs. Owens a call, and she picked happily, and greeted, “Hello, my dear. Have you arrived at your destination?”

“Hello mom. Yes. I just arrived.”

“That's good. I hope you had a safe trip?”

“Yes, mom. I miss you already.”

“I miss you too. When do I get the response to my proposal?”

“It's okay, mom. I accept to be your daughter-in-law.”

“Wow! I like that. Thank you for your acceptance. I will arrange for you to meet him when you return.”

“I can't wait to meet him, mom,” she announced shyly.

“Yes. I'm confident that you will love him when you see him.”

“Yes, mom. I have no doubt that he would be as good as you are.”

“Certainly. That is why I chose a good girl like you for him.”

“Thank you, mom, for believing in me.”

“You are welcome. Let me allow you to settle down. Okay?"

“Okay, mom. See you later.”

“Take care.”

Six Months Later 

Just as Sarah promised, she supervised the Shop Attendant, and the shop thrived. When Rose was home sick, she visited just to see Mrs. Owens. Nevertheless, after George left the lounge of the Municipal Station that day, he realized that he did not exchange contacts with her, and he was troubled. However, he got over her after some days. That Saturday morning, he visited the suburb for his haircut, and ran into her.

“Rosy,” he called out happily. Apart from his voice, Rose recognized that no other person addressed her as 'Rosy'. She looked up at once, and saw the annoying car, which was synonymous with his identify.

“Hello, George,” she called, and walked out of her shop. Then, she walked up to him. Meanwhile, he was out of his car, and met her halfway.

“I am not aware that you are around,” he explained. Now, they began to walk back to her shop, and she responded, “I visited last night and I hope to leave tomorrow.”

“I see. How are you?” He inquired after they got into the store, and he took his seat, 

“I'm fine. And you?”

“So good. Kindly let me have your contact,” George requested happily.

“That won't be a problem,” she responded, and gave out her contact. Then, he dialed her number and announced, “I just dialed your number. You can save mine.”

“It's okay. What do you care for?” Rose offered. Likewise, George looked away from his phone, and beheld her lovely face. To avoid disappointing her, and ruining her day, he indicated, “Water will do for now.”

“Room temperature, I suppose.”

“Certainly.”

The Attendant quickly got a bottle of water. Likewise, Rose collected it and handed it over to George, and he appreciated. After a few minutes, he stood up, and requested, “Do you mind accompanying me to the gym?”

“Wow!” She exclaimed, and inspected her wears to ascertain the suitability for the outing.

“You are okay,” he stated and helped her to make up her mind.

“It's okay,” she admitted, and gave him an acceptance look. Then, he took a step, and Rose followed. Thereafter, she turned to the Attendant, and hinted, “I will be back soon.”

“I got it, ma'am.”

Thereafter, they got into his car, and drove away. They got to the fitness center, and George led the way.

“Have you been here before?” George curiously asked.

“Not at all,” she responded, and tried to take her seat at the visitors' seat because she was not prepared for the walkout. 

“I see. Make yourself comfortable. I will join you soon.”

Now, George mounted the treadmill, and began his exercise, while she looked on. Subsequently, she gave Mrs. Owens a call, and informed her of her arrival.

“Wow! That is good to hear. How was your trip?”

“My trip was okay," she responded with delight. Just like George, she was careful to keep her identity away from her. For the moment, she preferred to visit her shop instead of inviting her to the house, and revealing her identity.

“It is all right. I will see you in the evening.”

“Okay Mom. The Attendant had informed me of your contribution towards the growth of the shop. I'm grateful for that.”

“You are welcome. See you later.”

“All right, mom.”

After one hour, George felt that he had kept her waiting for too long, so, he decided to cut his training short.

“Wow! Are you through?”

“Yes,” he responded and tried to dry himself with the towel.

“I thought you would train for at least two hours.”

“You are right. I would do that the day you would be prepared to train too.” 

“I got it,” she responded, and they got off the fitness center. Then, he drove her back to her shop.

“Thank you, for the outing,” she appreciated, and attempted to open the door.

“Kindly wait a little while longer,” he requested, and she halted. Then, they locked eyes for a few seconds before he remarked, “It is nice hanging out with you, Rosy.”

“I feel the same way. See you some other…”

“Hold on,” he stopped her again from opening the door. Now, she furrowed her brow, and asked, “Is anything the matter?”

“Not really. But I wish to request you to be my friend,” he requested and looked into her eyes. Rose smiled broadly, and replied, “I thought we are friends already.”

Now, George was inexperienced on such an issue. As far as he was concerned, he had said a lot, and seemed to have exhausted all his wooing skills.

“I know we are friends, but I mean something more intimate,” he poured out at once. Now, Rose smiled softly, and made clear, “Being your friend is okay with me, but something to intimidate is 'no' for me.”

From the scenes he had seen and read in love movies and novels, he never expected her to accept at once. Likewise, he smiled, too, and was pleased with his progress so far, and continued, “I will give you time to think about it. All the same, would you like us to hang out again this evening?"

“Certainly. By then, I would have prepared for the training.”

“It's all right. I will come around in the evening.”

“It's okay. I will wait for you,” she promised, and got out of the car.

Evening – At Mrs. Owens' Residence

Now, she had made up her mind to bring Rose to the house, and introduce her to George. She wished that they should be acquainted with each other, and when her mother had been gone for a year, and back from her internship, they would get married.

“George,” she called out when she got to the parlor. Compared to the distance between the parlor, and his room, it would be impossible for him to hear her. Now, she took, her seat, and gave the janitor an instructive look, and he volunteered, “I can get him, Mrs. Owens.”

“Kindly do.”

Soon, the janitor returned with George, who was already dressed for the gym.

“Good evening, mom. You sent for me,” George greeted.

“Good evening, George. Yes. I am expecting a visitor. I would like you to meet her,” she informed, and observed his countenance. Now, he never bothered to think twice, he quickly dismissed her with a tangible reason.

“As you can see, mom. I'm on my way out. I never had the plans to meet anyone. Excuse me, mom.”

Likewise, Sarah watched him walk away, and blamed herself, “I should have informed him earlier.”

Nevertheless, George walked to the garage, and uncovered his clunker, and drove off to the suburb to see Rose.  Meanwhile, Mrs. Owens had promised to see Rose that evening, and her driver, Richard, was waiting for her.

“Richard,” she called out.