Confrontation

The changing rooms weren't especially big but two people could still fit inside with some space to breathe. Ryan threw the clothes on the bench and neared his ear to the doors. He could hear many voices mix together but none of them were any close.

"Uff… It seems they didn't see us…" Ryan commented quietly, sighing in relief.

His finger was still on Rose's lips so he pulled it away, wondering how he should explain the situation. It was obvious she would ask about it.

Just as he thought, Rose questioned right after, "What is going on? Who are you running away from?"

She got influenced by him and also talked in a whisper so she would not expose him by accident.

"I'm sorry Rose, I didn't want to involve you in this. I thought I would be able to handle it on my own. I guess it won't be possible anymore…" Ryan apologized and held her shoulders while taking a deep breath as if he was about to drop some serious news.

Rose got visually anxious and reached out for his face, holding onto it with care.

"Are they bullies? Is someone pestering you?" Rose questioned worried, rubbing on his cheek. "Don't worry, we can fight them off together. I and my toys are at your disposal."

Ryan blinked a few times, having his time of being surprised. He didn't think this would be the first thing that came to Rose's mind.

She took Ryan's silence as a confirmation and he saw her reaching out towards the bag, ready to pull out her toys. He quickly stopped her by catching her hand and denied, "No, no, it's nothing like that. I was never bullied."

"Oof, I'm glad. Knowing how big you are, your bullies would have been quite scary," Rose sighed in relief and continued guessing, "Who is it then? Your crazy ex? Or maybe some debt collectors?"

"What? No. None of those," Ryan shook his head and finally explained, "Do you remember when I mentioned that I need to have a girlfriend by the end of the week?"

"Mhmm, I do. I said I will help you with that," Rose confirmed with a nod.

This wasn't the place to reveal all secrets so Ryan decided to speak about the problem at hand. "I will tell you everything today on our date after I get all the details from my mother but basically, my mom didn't believe I would get a girlfriend so she prepared a few candidates for me to choose from."

"Oh, same as me…" Rose realized. "It's good that we have each other now. We can solve each other's issues."

Ryan scratched his head and cleared up, "Well, the problem is that those girls my mom chose are rather persistent. They even came to my University yesterday to meet with me…"

"Oh…" Rose paused surprised but she didn't look deeply concerned, trusting Ryan. After all, he didn't give her any reason not to.

She didn't question him about those meetings, knowing it wasn't the right time and asked while looking at the curtains, "So we ran away because the two of them are in the shop right?"

"Yeah… I don't really know how the two got together. Maybe they were friends from the beginning," Ryan confirmed before suggesting with care, "We should just wait here and let them leave. I don't really want them to see you. I already decided on you so there is no need to face them. They will only target you after knowing you stand on their way…"

"I'm not scared of competition," Rose announced calmly. "You are my boyfriend so I won already."

"Mhmm… In the end, the final decision of who I date is mine and no one else." Ryan assured her with a smile, squeezing her hand.

Rose returned the same and proposed, "Wouldn't it be better if I go out to them and tell them you are mine? They would stop pestering you."

"No, this would only make it worse. Trust me" Ryan rejected this idea immediately, pulling her closer to himself in case she decided to run away. "They are not that simple to deal with. They don't care that I have a girlfriend."

He recalled how Jennie ignored that fact completely, claiming he will be hers in the end. Rose was too innocent to face her.

"Now I really want to know who they are…" Rose muttered curiously and suggested, "How about you stay here and I will go out incognito? They don't know what I look like so they won't connect me with you."

"Rose…" Ryan whispered, wanting to reject her but she looked up at him with a pitiful expression, pleading softly, "Please~"

Ryan couldn't find the strength to reject her and agreed under one condition, "Fine… But promise me you won't talk to them."

"Don't worry, I will just take a look," Rose promised happily and questioned, "How do they look?"

"One has long blond hair while the other is similarly long but black. They are already mature, around twenty-five years old and really pretty," Ryan described before adding, "Naturally not as pretty as you."

"Hah, I knew you will say it," Rose chuckled and decided to leave for her solo mission. "Alright, stay here. I will go out to take a look."

Rose peeked outside without opening the thick curtain too widely and sighed in relief when she didn't spot anyone waiting outside. They were whispering the whole time but if someone stood close, it would be easy for them to hear everything.

She gave Ryan one last smile and sneaked out, closing the curtain behind her. Just as she turned around, she saw a beautiful blonde girl standing in the entrance to the changing rooms and immediately froze.

She knew this person!

Isn't she the guest professor from my University? Miss Lisa?

On the other hand, Lisa didn't recognize her and asked with a gentle smile, "Excuse me, is that changing room free? I saw you leaving."

Rose's eyes followed Lisa's gaze and saw the room with Ryan inside so she shook her head, "I'm sorry, my boyfriend is still inside…"

Lisa didn't mind and remained polite in response, "I guess I will need to wait some more. Thank you."

Rose checked out Lisa, comparing her appearance with Ryan's description and was surprised everything matched. She looked around the store but there was no one else like that which made her uneasy.

Was her rival the legendary Lisa that everyone in her school admired? She would be lying if she said she didn't look up to her, knowing how much she achieved just after finishing her Masters.

As if to confirm her guess, another beauty joined Lisa, having long shining black hair just as Ryan described. She gave Rose a casual glance and asked Lisa, "No changing rooms?"

"None. We will have to wait," Lisa replied quickly and returned her gaze to Rose who had been standing there, looking at them. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Rose realized she has been staring like a statue and swiftly asked, "Did Miss teach at Saint Mary University?"

Lisa was becoming suspicious but once she heard the question, her attitude changed one hundred eighty degrees. "Oh, yes!" Lisa exclaimed in agreement and asked happily, "Are you one of the students? What a coincidence we meet here. What's your name?"

With the two looking exactly like Ryan said, she became conflicted. Rose stood in front of two women that were trying to steal her boyfriend. It was a shock that Lisa was courting Ryan, knowing her status but thankfully, Rose didn't lose her composure and acted naturally.

"I'm Rose, a first year in business class," Rose introduced herself with a gentle bow and confessed honestly, "Miss Lisa, I loved all your lectures about fashion and building my brand."

Even though they were rivals in love, she still admired her academic work so she had to acknowledge it.

"Aww, thank you, dear," Lisa replied happily, placing her hand on her chest as if touched. She started sizing Rose up and recalled, "I think I slowly remember you. Were you the girl who asked multiple questions on every lecture? Was it you or someone else?"

"Yes!" Rose nodded and admitted shamelessly, "Fashion is my passion so I wanted to squeeze everything from Miss' experience and knowledge."

"Haha, yes. That's the right way. I don't mind it at all." Lisa giggled, approving of Rose's method.

"Your student is cute," Jennie commented, watching the whole exchange from the side.

"Mhmm," Lisa nodded in agreement and suggested generously, "If you are so interested in fashion, how about I send you the presentation I did in the Phoenix University yesterday? I already sent it to one student so I don't mind sending it twice."

Rose's eyes widened, realizing Lisa was actually Ryan's professor as well. Now the conversation she had with Ryan yesterday made complete sense. She was a bit upset he didn't tell her about it but she understood his reasons. He still chose her in the end so she couldn't help but forgive him.

Even though Rose already had that presentation, she promised not to expose Ryan so she stayed in her role. She showed a troubled expression and asked worriedly, "Oh, won't that be a problem? Though, I would love to take a look at it if possible..."

Lisa smiled at her reaction and pulled out her phone, assuring her, "Don't worry, it is nothing much. Just give me your email and I will send it to you in the evening."

"Thank you, Miss!" Rose exclaimed in gratitude and gave out her contact information.

She still had some time so Rose questioned curiously, "Miss, do you have a boyfriend?"

Lisa paused at such a question but seeing Rose's curious smile, she spoke honestly, "Unfortunately, I'm still single but I do have someone I like."

"Oh, is he handsome?" Rose questioned further, showing her gossipy nature.

Lisa smiled and looked up as if she was imaging him. "Yes, very handsome. Just my type. Too bad he has a girlfriend already. When I confessed to him, he rejected me," Lisa described with a sigh.

"Ah, that's really unfortunate…" Rose agreed, finding it hard to pretend anymore. She was really happy inside but acted like she sympathized with her. "There are many boys around. Miss will surely find someone who is single."

Just as Rose suggested, a person happened to leave from one changing room, freeing space for them.

Lisa didn't reply to her this time and instead changed the subject, "Thank you, it was nice chatting with you. I will go try on this blouse."

She gave Rose one last smile and walked towards the changing room.

"Wait, I'm going in with you," Jennie called out as she followed after her and both disappeared behind the curtain.

Rose pursed her lips in a smile and returned back to Ryan. Her mood improved a lot with that small conversation. Who wouldn't be happy when their boyfriend rejects such a star businesswoman like Lisa because of her?

Just as she entered, Ryan caught her hand and pulled inside. She already expected he would be pouting as she broke her promise. Before he scolded her, she broke free of his grasp and dove deep into his embrace.

"Rose…?" Ryan was surprised but she didn't release him.

"I just felt like hugging you as a reward for being a good boy... Hug me back."

_____________

Author notes:

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