CHAPTER 2

We usually got off work at five but today, the boss's assistant said the boss had something to do so he asked everyone leave work early. I packed my things ,turn off my computer and headed out. but before I could reach the elevator, Rose intercepted me in front of the elevator she looked at me with a questioning gaze.

" Where do you think you are going?" " home?" I replied. Rose pretended to cry put her hand on her chest looking wronged." Oh! Rose, look at you now, your best friend has found a man and has left you behind in just one day! I'm so pitiful!" she sobbed. I directly rolled my eyes at her " what do you want to eat?" as soon as I said this, the tears she was trying to force out instantly dried and she stuck out her tongue" fried chicken breast, burgher, fries and ketchup!" she listed.

Rose could be very dramatic sometimes. unless you've known her for a long time, you would easily misunderstand things. Just now, the onlookers were looking at her as if she was going mad but she careless. I gave a light chuckle then shook my head " you know, you can also come down and buy food yourself why be like this?" " and who said the card was from a guy?".

Being asked a series of questions, Rose pouted her small lips " but I want you to buy it for me!" I sometimes wondered if I spoilt her too much because she could be a handfull sometimes. I took her hand and patted it" okay baby Rose, mummy will buy it for you. You go and pack your things" with this, I quickly slipped into the elevator before she threw a tantrum.

Once inside, Lea pressed the button and waited patiently for the elevator to decend. In the quiet elevator, Lea started to think about the post card. She closed her eyes and tried to remember where she had seen that handwriting.

As soon as she grasped a fleeting memory of who it belonged to, ' ding!' the elevator opened snapping her out of her thoughts. She walked out and headed to the cafeteria " hey!" she greeted Sam, one of the chefs. she was a regular here and had made some friends in the kitchen so she sometimes went to the kitchen directly when the queue was too long.

" hey!" she greeted Sam, one of the chefs who reciprocated with a nod. " Fried chicken breast,burgher, fries and ketchup " I said " that sounds more like Rose's taste. He guessed with a smile. " as if you know, she's always picky when it comes to food. But she seems to know the correct food for the weather ! " Lea said nodding. Sam gave a light chuckle then started to prepare the order.

She wore an apron ready to prepare her meal, she suddenly felt someone watching her. she turn to see who but she noticed that there was only Sam and her in the room. Sam turned" why are you spacing out the food is burning!" I came back to my senses the turned off the stove. lucky, she turned it off early or else the food would have been burnt badly.

Sam walked over and scratched her nose " what are you thinking about huh? it's a good thing it's still edible" he said as he looked at the fried rice in the pan. Lea pouted " it was going to be perfect! now look I ruined it!" she lowered her eyelashes making her look wronged.

Sam's pupils darkened as he stared at her rossy lips. his throat suddenly felt dry making his voice hoarse when he spoke " should make you another one?" I felt something was wrong with Sam but I was too busy feeling disappointed to think about it. " After a careful thought I nodded.

She took off the apron and took a step back but as soon as she did she stepped on a cooked vegetable then slipped. But before she hit her head, Sam pulled her forward bumping her head on his chest. After the bump, Lea felt dizzy then raised her head just in time when Sam lowered his head to ask if she was okay, Their lips met! Lea's eyes were about to pop out! Sam on the other hand lowered his head more deepining the kiss.

Scared out of her wits, Lea pushed him away panicking" w....what are you doing?" Sam licked his lip and stared silently at her. Lea forced down her panic and looked into his eyes " what was that about" finally, Sam cleared his throat " I didn't mean to it was a mistake. I'm sorry. I want to tell you something" when Lea heard the first part, she felt relieved but when she heard the last part she tensed up again. " g.....go...on" she said after mastering enough courage. Sam signed and looked at her....

Lea returned to her office lost in thought. She didn't notice Rose sitting on the couch munching on the cookies like a squirrel. Seeing Lea sitting down not sparing a glance at her, she place the cookie aside, got up and walked to her side " like you said, the person who sent the letter might not be a guy so why are you still thinking about it? if you don't want to go then don't!"

Lea came back to her senses and started laughing" Hehe! what nonsense are you talking about? I already said I would go so why are you changing my mind now? " Rose blushed and stuck out her tongue at her " I was just worried about you. So why are you sour? " " Sam proposed to me." " what!? he... he proposed to you? w.....what did you say" Rose exclaimed echoing in the office. " shhh!" Lea leaned in to cover her mouth " what are you doing? we are not alone!" Rose didn't respond and mechanically took her stuff " it's getting late and I'm starving let's go home" she left without looking back. Lea stopped in her tracks and looked at her friend's lonely back and had a guess in her heart.

Once home, Rose went straight to her room with her food. Lea signed and sat on the couch. She took out the card thought for a while then went upstairs....

Rose sat on her bed, hugging her knees sobbing quietly when she heard a knock on the door. she quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand " come in " she said. Lea walked in and sat at the edge of the bed. she patted the space beside her and Rose crawled over with a teary face. She wiped her face with her thumb " you know you can't hide anything from me right?" Lea asked her. Rose sniffed, " I'm fine " " you're not! you can't lie. it'll only make me worry more" the two kept exchanging words until Rose gave up.

She rubbed her nose and looked at Lea " I know you're my friend but there are some things that I can't control. Sam is a nice guy and you're a good person. Naturally you are a good match....." I rolled my eyes at her words " get to the point! " Rose gave a bitter smile and said " it's nothing..... that's all. I wanted to tell you how cute guys will look together!" Rose, thinking her words were convincing turned to lie on the bed but suddenly, she heard a light chuckle. She turned to see Lea staring daggers at her. " w... what's wrong?" " what's wrong? hehe! I thought we were friends " Rose knowing she had been too obvious cursed in her heart and started to explain...

" It's not what you think! I..." " you? Rosemond Charleston! Since when did you start hiding things from me?" Rose turned pale and she begun to panic " I can explain!" " Save it! you like him don't you? " seeing her friend like this, Lea signed. She thought of something and begun to laugh. Rose who was already panicking saw her friend laugh which scared her. She reached out to touch Lea's forehead " are you okay?" she asked genuinely concerned.

Lea saw her concerned, stopped laughing and looked at her " what?do you think I'm going insane because my best friend likes the guy I like? " Rose looked at her silently showing her thoughts on her face. Lea gave a faint smirk " I do like Sam but not the way you think. Judging from your behavior it seems you like him more than I do!" Lea's face had a carefree expression. " why do you think I befriended him? you didn't really think I'd go after the guy my friend likes did you?"

Rose's was shocked! Lea continued " Sam like you but has a crush on me." this revelation made Rose even more confused But Lea felt it was time to tell her the truth. " I didn't realize it until today, when I went to the kitchen. He knew it was you who ordered for it without me telling him. if he hadn't payed attention to it, do you think he would notice?"

It was true. for the past week, Sam usually spoke about how Rose would be lost in the kitchen every time she came alone. She wouldn't know what to eat until he chose for her. And he sometimes knew her order without Lea telling him. It took Lea a while to learn this thing about her, but Sam was able to know these things as fast as a week! In Lea's opinion, they were a perfect match!

Of course, that was what she thought but she had never voiced it out. " I could help you. that is, if you want to be with him." Rose looked at her with stars in her eyes but the next second, it dimed " but he chose you anyway" Rose said with a pout. Lea signed. that was true but nothing is impossible.

" Don't worry about me. I'm fine. everything happens with a reason!" Rose gave a geniue smile. Lea signed in her heart feeling frustrated. That was also true but she had already made up her mind so nothing could change it.

She smiled and hugged Rose " I'll help you. Don't refuse!" Rose sniffed and didn't respond but rather changed the subject " well someone looks seductive tonight! Tell me, are you going to meet him?". Rose said with a playful yet bitter smile.

" What? you mean Sam? definitely not!" Lea shook her head. Rose felt relieved even though she didn't want to admit it to herself. " Remember the post card I received earlier? I think I might know the person who sent it " Rose looked at her with anticipation in her eyes . Seeing this Lea giggled mischievously " it's from Leo!" "what??!!! how do you know?"

" I told you I've seen that hand writing somewhere before. It belongs to Leo. he used to teach me when we were kids so I know it when I see it." Lea explained. " Rose was a little skeptical but kept it to herself. " so are you going to the club?" Lea nodded and got up " I want to see for myself." Rose signed and nodded. okay you go ahead but don't do anything which will bring trouble!" Lea smiled and pecked Rose before leaving the house.