Chapter 10

　　The next few weeks pass by quickly in preparation for the big event. Eric and Sarah work very closely together with their teams and Rose supports them fully from the sidelines since Alec keeps reminding her that her primary role in the organization is being his secretary.

　　Since that day of their lunch at the yacht, Alec and Rose had somehow gotten rid of the coldness between them but it is still a delicate professional relationship. Alec knows if he pushes even a bit, the cold walls would be drawn up between them once again. So he tries to stay reasonable around her. However, he is unable to stop feeling threatened by Eric’s growing closeness to Rose.

　　It is one of the reasons he keeps a close eye on them and barges into meetings unannounced on the pretext of supervision and updates, just to keep a check on them

　　Alec, with his eyes only trained on Rose, doesn’t realize that his brother is interested in Sarah and what he feels for Rose is a protective brotherly love, more so since he knows she has always been on her own, having lost her parents early on.

　　The night before the event, with everything going smoothly and things lined up well, the three of them decide to go out for an impromptu dinner. Well, Rose proposed and they both agreed. Eric agreed only with the condition that he gets to take them out.

　　Finally, after several stressful weeks, the three head to the upscale newly launched restaurant in town, and soon enough their drinks orders arrive at the table.

　　Raising his glass, Eric proposes a toast, “To the two beautiful and talented women I’m in the company of, may this event be the beginning of their lifelong relationship with someone as extraordinary as me!”

　　Giggling, Rose and Sarah raise their glasses, and the evening starts on a great note. However, soon they see a lot of flashing cameras outside their glass window, and thinking it must be a celebrity, Rose and Sarah’s eyes stay glued to the entrance door.

　　The couple that walks in manages to hold not only theirs but everyone’s attention inside the restaurant.

　　Looking towards the entrance Rose spots a gorgeous woman wrapped around the arms of a familiar-looking tall, well-built man with midnight black hair.

　　She doesn’t need him to turn to know who it is. Especially when she hears Eric mutter, “He also had to turn up here only today!”

　　As she turns back to take a sip of her drink, she hears Sarah drop in a question between them in a low voice, “She seems familiar. Could she be an actress? They seem close.”

　　Shaking his head, Eric flatly says, “Supermodel. Huntington.”

　　Both look at him with the unspoken question in mind, “What?” and Eric explains. “She is a supermodel, not an actress. And they aren’t close since they only met last week.”

　　Rose remembers seeing a few clippings about him being seen about town with the new Brazilian supermodel Francisca Huntington Santos on his arm. The PR team at Xander Group sends a copy of all the weekly stories that appear about him online.

　　Rose didn’t want to believe it since she hadn’t seen them together. But now, despite Eric saying otherwise, Rose feels there might be some truth to it since Charmaine seemed to have completely slipped out of the radar.

　　Seemingly unaffected, she just rolls her eyes and gives Sarah the look conveying “told you so”, before proceeding to dig into the food that had just arrived at their table.

　　Sarah does drop in her two bits about it though, “You know he hadn’t been seen with anyone in a really long time. Even all the stories these days have been about his work. It seems either he keeps his flings hidden really well or maybe he really did stop playing around.”

　　Saying this, Sarah excuses herself to visit the restroom.

　　Eric, adding on to what Sarah just said, says, “Well, not that anyone cares, but Sarah is right. He hasn’t been seen around with anyone. And I know this association with Huntington is only business-related since I’m the one who helped the two of them meet.”

　　Seeing Rose’s lips drawn into a straight line, laughingly he says, “Sorry, I know you do not care but he is my little brother. I don’t want people to mistake him.”

　　Quickly taking a look at Sarah’s retreating back, he asks Rose, “So, are you and Sarah both ready to dazzle everyone at the party tomorrow?”

　　Rose looks at him with a raised eyebrow with an amused look on her face wondering where this is going. “Yeah, of course, we are.”

　　A slow smile hits Eric’s face as he asks, “So what color are you guys wearing?”

　　Hearing this, Rose giggles. “Sarah is going to be wearing a bright red dress since you asked. I guess it gives you enough time to coordinate your outfit with hers, huh?”

　　Seeing Eric just quietly smile, Rose asks him, “Are you planning something for tomorrow? At least tell me. You know, I could help you.”

　　Gently touching her arm Eric responds, “I know my dear Robin that I can count on you, but there are a few things I need to do on my own. What’s the point of a surprise then.”

　　Faking to be offended, Rose curtly tells him, “Hey! I’m great at keeping secrets. If there is no one else, you should ask your brother.”

　　Despite it being such a short period, Eric and Rose’s friendship had really grown in the last month, hence their camaraderie is more easygoing.

　　Soon enough Sarah comes back to the table and the conversation stays fun.

　　Rose’s mood uplifts further when she sees two voice notes from Derek on her chat.

　　True to his word, Derek had been trying to make it up to her. Things seemed to be improving between them. He had even met her for a quick lunch twice last week. And her bedroom had a constant stream of flowers.

　　Rose had told him about the event and asked if he was free to join her that day as her date. Derek had anyway been invited since Delta Group was also one of the leading companies. But when asked, he immediately agreed.

　　However, he had never once asked her about the event or what she was planning to wear or if she needed anything, at least moral support. But, having been so preoccupied with the event, this thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

　　Saying their final goodnights as they all individually head to their homes, walking towards the subway station, Rose spots Derek standing right outside a bar with a cigarette trapped between his fingers, talking to someone on phone.

　　Wanting to see if he is here with a woman, Rose stands behind the car parked around the corner. Wondering how long she might have to wait to see what happens, when suddenly two men, also in business attire, step outside and join him.

　　Feeling relieved, Rose steps away and leaves the area unobserved. Riding the subway, the thought that nags Rose, ‘maybe it is time she stops doubting Derek’.

　　Rose has a deep, undisturbed sleep that night and wakes up fresh and relaxed, ready for the event in the evening.

　　---

　　Standing in front of the mirror, getting ready, Alec looks extremely happy for a change today. Spending extra time on his hair today, he moves away giving an appreciative look to himself.

　　He knew today was going to be a very important day for him.

　　With his outfit for the evening already having been sent down with his driver, he picks up the big brown envelope in his hand and with a purposeful stride, steps inside his car.

　　Getting on a quick call with Eric he checks a few things about the attending dignitaries and media persons for the event this evening, before signing off.

　　Reaching his cabin, Alec is happy to see the coffee cup on his desk but tasting it, today somehow it feels different.

　　Quickly calling the front desk, he asks for Rose to be sent up to his cabin right away when the lady at the front desk reminds him that today she would be at the event venue all day long. Hearing this, he angrily tells her to call Rose on her cell phone and transfer the call to his desk without another word.

　　The moment the first bell rings, without waiting to hear a word he blasts his anger on her.

　　“Why was I not informed you would not be in the office today? How many times do I have to tell you that you are part of that event only as my eyes and ears? Just because I have put a fancy designation to the role does not mean you can neglect your duties in this office. Your first responsibility will always be towards me. And you do not get to take such liberties with me.”

　　When he doesn’t hear a word from the other end for a moment, he asks, “What now? Got anything to say about that?”

　　It is only then he hears the voice of his Rose, “No, I was waiting for you to finish. That is the least amount of respect we can offer to someone we work with.”

　　Angrily breathing out he says, “Rose, you should know by now, I do not believe in pleasantries. I need to start my mornings with you.”

　　Suddenly pausing for a moment and trying to correct himself he says, “What I mean is, I want my routine. I do not like unexpected changes. Why aren’t you here? Where is my day’s schedule? My coffee? Where are the documents I had to sign so we could send out the contracts?”

　　Before he can continue his rant further, Rose interrupts him. “Alec, I believe your coffee is right next to the phone on your desk. The papers you need to sign today have already been double-checked by me and if you open the top drawer on your desk, you will find those inside the brown file. Your schedule for today had already been emailed to you last night and a printout of the same has been attached to the soft board on your wall. I have also instructed Lydia, the CFO’s secretary, to be available to you all day long since the CFO is on a holiday right now.”

　　Hearing all this Alec feels a little regret in reacting a little sharply, but his fiery redhead continues, “Since you asked, I was headed to the event venue right now, but now that you have highlighted that I don’t have a real role there, I shall head back home and take the day off since I have been working extra time these last few weeks. Rest assured I shall inform HR to deduct my salary for the day. Thank you. Have a good day!”

　　Without giving him a chance to get a word in, she quickly hangs upon him. Just as she is putting her phone inside her bag, she hears a burst of laughter but without saying anything she just makes a face.

　　It is only then that Eric decides to say something, “You know my brother is an arrogant fool but today I’m a little surprised to see you overreacting.”

　　As Rose angrily looks at him, “Really? You are defending him?”

　　Quickly explaining his perspective Eric says, “Wait! Before you turn on me, this is an unbiased opinion. It is ok to get angry but why would you refuse to even go to the event which you have worked hard for. That’s just unfair.”

　　Looking at her softly, he says, “I am glad I came to pick you up today otherwise you would have gone back and locked the doors, leaving poor Sarah and me alone on the big day.”

　　Pouting she says, “Why shouldn’t I? I may not have worked as much as you and Sarah for the event but I also did something. So why would he dismiss it like that?”

　　Hearing this Eric pulls her in for a side hug. “Sweetie you did more than you were supposed to. And you also know that. Now stop pouting especially because of that idiot. This is anyway not his event. It's mine. My company won the contract. I just got Xander involved because..”

　　Smiling at that, Rose finishes the sentence for him in a heartbeat, “because of Sarah. Yeah, I know. Stop making things about yourself. I am the one feeling bad right now.”

　　Just as both laugh at that, Eric’s phone rings. Looking at Rose, he says, “The devil calls. Now please, my angry Robin, do not say anything in between.”

　　Seeing her nod, Eric receives the call.

　　Hearing his brother’s high-pitched voice, Eric asks with a smirk on his face, “What do you do now?”

　　Rose observes Eric looking at her with a goofy grin as he hears Alec before responding to him. “Of course, I’ll ensure she is there and taken care of, but remember I wouldn’t always be around to help. So please appreciate what you have and stop making a mess of something that is going well.”

　　Alec on the other hand is a little relieved when Eric assures him that he will bring Rose to the event venue. But this means he may not be able to see her till later in the evening.

　　Sitting at his desk, he buzzes in for Rose’s replacement for the say and asks her to organize a tall Americano and a blueberry muffin from Starbucks. If his Rose is not here, then he can at least taste what she loves the most for her mornings.

　　Opening the brown envelope that his private investigator had shared with him, he goes through the contents again.

　　All incriminating evidence against her beloved leech ‘Derek’ was right here in his hands right now. His investigator had already confirmed all of this to him a week back but Alec wanted to be doubly sure and hence asked him to re-check all pieces of evidence before sharing the final hard copies with him.

　　He had wanted to show this to her today although he had been slightly conflicted if today was the right day for it since he didn’t want her to be distracted from the event this evening.

　　Alec knew how hard Rose had worked for this event. She had smoothed out many things for those guys without even being asked. He knew all of that. He just didn’t like to be her second priority. That’s what irked him the most.

　　Now that he would only be seeing her in the evening, it seems the decision to show her the leech’s reality had been taken out of his hands for today. Putting the envelope away in his drawer, temporarily forgetting about this, Alec gets busy with his work.