Chapter 5

JOSHUA'S POV

I watched her passing through the door frame, I furrowed when I caught a limp while she was walking. Did she hurt herself? I pressed my lips tight; she did not turn her head to look back for once and got into the car. I watched the car driving out of the porch, the guilt of not treating her well killed me from inside and I always blamed myself for being selfish and not caring about her feelings.

I knew her feelings for me were pure, but my heart had fallen for Rosie. I sighed when car was out of sight and my eyes fell on the box I was holding. A brief smile played on my lips before vanishing in a second. Ribbon was nicely tied around the box preventing it from bursting open and making it look good.

My finger brushing the bow, I couldn't get her off my mind when Rosie's cry grabbed my attention and I turned towards her.

"It hurts" she yelped in pain; I knelt in front of her touching her bare skin around the knees.

"They are swollen and have got cuts, let me take you to the hospital and get it checked" I stood up immediately to take her to the doctor, worrying that if left untreated, it might become infected.

"I don't want to go," she crossed her hands on her chest and shook her head like a small kid, I sighed and sat beside her on the sofa.

"Don't be stubborn, it could infect and I will remain worried for you." She fixed her eyes on the box in my hand and pointed her finger to it.

"I don't think you will be worried, you have other things to take care of" my eyes drifted towards the box I was holding in my right hand, seeing annoyance in her eyes made me exhale a sigh.

"Don't be so harsh, I have already done a lot wrong to her, I can't become completely heartless" Rosie shook her head, bringing tears in her eyes, she knew I couldn't see tears in those beautiful doe eyes, yet she did it.

"And what about the wrong thing she is doing with me and Jeremy, you haven't seen how she persuaded him to do that. He is innocent and wouldn't have caused that damage if she hadn't guided him to do that"

"She isn't that kind of person; you are just mistaken" she scoffed at my response.

"See yourself defending her like she is some very important person for you and still you deny me" I rested my palm on my forehead watching her leaving the lounge and going upstairs. I couldn't explain to anyone that she was close to my heart differently, I couldn't bear any word against her. I was scanning the empty lounge where I was now standing alone.

SCARLET'S POV

Today we had to go for dinner to White family, hence I was aiming to finish early from work to have enough time to change clothes and get ready for the dinner.

However, things got a bit out of my plan and when I reached home, I had left with little time to prepare, and I quickly rushed to my room without wasting any time and picked my light brown plain dress and slid into it. I stood in front of the mirror and glanced the wall clock at the reflection; Joshua would be here soon. Today, I was very grateful for my fair skin and bright eyes, I picked the liner and swiftly made a fine line on my lids and mascara to highlight lashes. Pressed my lips to cover the pink lipstick on lips and again my eyes drifted to watch that I had tied on my wrist, I sighed. I was ready without getting late.

I was descending stairs when I realized the house was back to its previous quietness which was a surprise for me because that mother and her son are still in the house, so the peace wasn't possible when they were around. I shrugged my shoulders and was putting on my favorite long coat when I heard Rosie's voice.

And the peace gone, I pitied on the brief moment of peace I got.

She took her time to eye my preparation and didn't look happy. When our eyes got locked after she had scanned my dress, I gave her a boring look. Why call my name when all she had to do was stare at me?

"You think that way you will be able to make Joshua come near you?" her words hit me hard, but I swallowed them, however, couldn't keep my eyes from turning cold.

"Who do you think he will choose? You or me?" I smirked, tilting my head.

"Woah! So, you have got the courage to tell me that after getting widowed you have your eyes set on your dead husband's younger brother, who already is married" I saw her clenching her jaw and fisting her hands, gotcha!

My words hit her right on the spot.

I would have enjoyed the show of her burning in her own fire, but Joshua had arrived and I had to leave for the dinner.

Car was steadily running on the road blanketed with snow, I was quietly watching out to the streets lights.

"You should have worn something more covered; you might catch cold in this chill weather" Joshua's gentle and soft voice caused me to turn and look at him. I smiled softly at his words.

"It's fine, heater keeps me warm." he pressed his lips tightly as if he wasn't happy with my response, I turned away my gaze when the silence between us got long.

"I haven't opened your gift yet, as it's my birthday gift so it's fair to open it that day" my attention was again grabbed when he initiated the conversation about gift. I paused and looked at his face, his soft eyes were focused on me, that was how he had always been with me, soft and gentle.

"As you wish, it's your now" I said nonchalantly, he nodded. We didn't have much to share or say to each other. The car hadn't covered the half distance, yet when his phone started to ring.

"Hello!" his thick voice echoed in darkness of the car.

"Sir you should come here soon, it is about Madam Rosie" the voice of his assistant was audible at this distance as well, I couldn't keep my eyes off from his face that had gone stern.

"Okay" with one word he ended the call and next second, he excused himself for not attending the dinner.

Something urgent came up!

As usual, being an understanding person, I was being for him. I let him go and headed alone to attend the dinner at White house.

White house wasn't crowded with many family members, Grandma Ella, Aunt Ruby and Aunt Catherine were there for dinner.

I entered the house hesitating, greeting my aunts I turned to greet Grandma, but her eyes weren't fixed on me instead she was looking behind me.

"Where is your husband?" I gulped nervously and forced a smile to help me calm down and not make it awkward for me.

"An urgent matter came up so he has to go there" I pressed my lips after answering her when there was a loud crash and I closed my eyes.

"Go and kneel" she pointed out toward the gate I used to enter, and my hands trembled in response.