Chapter 367: OS 04: A Secret to Unravel (Mikael & Rose)

"Pregnancy looks good on you, Eve," Rose spoke from the living room couch. She turned her head towards the kitchen that was separated by a long counter. "It's turning you into a good housewife. Keep this up and you'll be on Andie's level of cooking."

Eve could spot Rose from the corner of her eye. She stood in front of the stove, stirring a pot of stew for lunch. Her stomach had started to show so she switched to wearing more flowy dresses. Her scarlet hair was up in a messy bun. 

"I can cook this much, Rose." Eve glared briefly towards her close friend. "I don't always rely on Andie, you know. I was just lazy most of the time."

"Whatever you say." Rose reached for the jar on top of the coffee table. It was filled with candy-coated chocolate discs. She grabbed a handful and leaned backwards. 

Eve tasted the stew and placed the lid on top. "When is your flight again?"

"In two days. Thanks for letting me stay, by the way."

"I'm just practicing my hosting skills," she said, deciding to clean the bowls and utensils she used. "Aunt Avery says I need to get used to it in order to keep good relationships with Ambryan's business associates and their families."

"Ah, the life of a madame…" Rose trailed off. "So demanding."

Compared to Eve who was settling down, her life had just started taking her overseas—Paris in particular where she would be performing at the Palais Garnier. It was a dream come true. Words couldn't describe her excitement when she got the call.

This was her chance to climb up in her career.

Eve turned off the stove and started preparing bowls for the stew. "Maintaining good ties is not that far from what I did as a secretary. I had to know what they liked to create a good mood during meetings, and be a good hostess if they needed anything… I just have a new job title."

"As Mrs. Hathaway?"

"As the wife."

"Oho…" Rose smirked. Finishing her chocolate, she walked over to the counter and sat on a stool. "Guess you're still in honeymoon bliss. Good. Because that will be gone once the little rascal is born."

She looked down and found three servings of stew. A scowl knitted her eyebrows. "Is Ambryan joining us? Didn't you say he had a business meeting for lunch?"

"He does." Eve nodded. The corner of her lip tugged upward. "But I am expecting another guest."

Rose felt an ominous feeling at the back of her neck. "Who?"

The sound of the doorbell echoed inside the Hathaway residence. Eve wiped her hands with a towel before opening the front door. She wore her most hospitable smile. "You made it just in time. Join us for lunch."

Mikael stepped inside, holding up a paper bag. He wore a button shirt and a pair of jeans. "Sometimes I wonder if Luna thinks I work as a part-time delivery boy. She should know I have more important things to do than bring you some fruit."

"Maybe she thinks I need company."

At that, Mikael glanced above her shoulder. "Then, her assumption is wrong."

He spotted Rose as soon as he walked in. She had made her presence clear around him so much, he could already sense her even without any indication. A stunning smile spread across her face when he glared in her direction.

"He-yo." Rose waved from her seat, tilting her head. The tips of her ash brown hair dropped off her shoulder. "We could always use an extra hand around here. Eve can be too stubborn. She tried to carry a heavy box earlier."

Mikael instantly had his radiant blue eyes on Eve. "You shouldn't risk that."

"But it was in the way." Eve groaned. "They left it at the door before I could even open it."

He shook his head. "You really need someone to stay here with you."

"I'm here!" Rose shouted, raising her hand up.

"Then, where were you when that happened?"

"Hey! I only got here today. I also came just in time to do it for her. I don't need this accusation." She huffed at her bangs. "I don't want to be rude—"

"That sounds like a lie." Mikael snorted.

It was her turn to glare. "But Eve needs to eat. Baby needs to eat. I need to eat. So unless you insist on turning down this bowl of stew Eve prepared for you then, leave."

"Rose!" Eve scolded. "That's too rude."

"Ha! See? Whatever you say is either rude or too rude." 

"That goes to you too, mister. Get inside and eat!" Eve yanked the bag of fruits from his hand and closed the door behind him. "You're acting like a pair of kids whenever you face each other. But, oh! When you're on your phones—"

She clamped her mouth shut, realizing what she just said.

"What about us being on our phones?" Mikael questioned.

"Nothing, that's what," Rose answered for Eve. She hopped off the stool and snatched the bag of fruit from Eve. "We're quiet when we're on our phones. Too distracted to argue. But people say it's a bad thing."

Eve let out a silent sigh. That was a close one. It's been months, almost a year, since Rose started messaging Mikael. For some reason, both agreed not to reveal their true identities. They liked to keep the atmosphere of being strangers. 

They found comfort in it whenever they felt vulnerable. 

But, now, instead of looking for a stranger, they just find each other.

Mikael left as soon as lunch was over. A blanket of silence fell inside the house. Rose saw the invisible eggshells on the floor. The text exchange between her and Mikael became a taboo topic one day. She couldn't explain it but she knew one thing.

She liked how she and Mikael bonded over it.

And she didn't want to lose it. He already disliked her enough. If he found out, not only would it stop but good memories would also be ruined.

"Rose… when are you going to tell him?" Eve asked as if reading her thoughts. "You can't hide it from him forever. You thought it wouldn't last long but it's different now. You need to seriously consider telling him."

"I did consider it!" Rose defended. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. "But you saw us. He can't even look at me without glaring at my face.  He'd cut me off completely if he knew. As bad as our interactions are, it's better than nothing."

Eve took a deep breath. She couldn't argue further. As someone who also had a secret before, she knew how Rose felt. She got lucky that Ambryan was understanding about the situation. But Mikael was far from an Ambryan Hathaway. He'd be furious if he knew he's been pouring personal things to Rose of all people.

"Well…" Eve trailed off. Both of her hands held the edge of the counter. "Leave it to fate then. You need to prepare for it though. It could happen at any moment."

Rose sighed. "Good thing I'm flying off to Paris then."

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A week later, Rose stood on stage at the Palais Garnier. In front of her were rows and rows of velvet seats. There were more on the upper levels and private boxes. It will be her biggest audience since she started learning ballet—even the air smelled prestigious. 

"Rose, it's time to get ready," someone called out from behind the sidestage. 

"I'm coming." She turned around and sprinted towards the dressing room, unable to stop the smile on her face. It was only rehearsals but exhilaration pumped in her veins like it's opening night.

A glass of champagne in his hand, Mikael had his thigh raised on a bar countertop. He wore a cerulean blue suit over black vest. The stylist gelled his hair into an elegant fashion. Lamp camera lights shone in his direction. The camera shutter filled his ears.

His gaze reflected a faraway look.

He seemed lost deep in his thoughts.

"That's a wrap! We got it."

One blink of his eyes and the expression left his face completely. 

Jordan came to help him out, taking the champagne and handing it over to the staff. "You killed it today, Mikael. We have the rest of the day to ourselves. What do you want to do? Visit the Louvre? Walk along the Seine River? We could hit the club later too—"

"Sounds nice. But I have plans," Mikael said, uncuffing his sleeves. He headed for his dressing room and shrugged off the jacket. "Don't let me stop you though. You deserve a break too."

"Wait, wait, wait—" Jordan jogged up to cut Mikael's path with a bewildered look on his face. "You want to look around Paris alone? I know we came here multiple times before but it's still dangerous to go by yourself. You're a celebrity for goodness' sake!"

Mikael dropped his eyes to the floor and placed his hands on his hips.

His nostrils flared in concentration.

When he shifted his focus back on Jordan, he exhaled sharply. "You're right. I'll change quickly and meet you out front."

"Good. I'm glad you came to your senses."

Jordan shook his head as he headed for the entrance. Mikael had been acting strange lately. Ever since they got booked for a photoshoot in Paris, he had long periods of silence—sometimes he would pace around by himself. Then, the night before, he was tossing and turning in his sleep.

When Jordan asked him about it, Mikael merely brushed it off as nerves.

"But he never gets nervous," Jordan found himself saying out loud. The streets of Paris greeted his sight after he stepped out of the establishment. "Hell, he just pulled off a perfect photoshoot. Nothing was redone.  What's with him?"

A tap on his shoulder brought Jordan out of his reverie. "Mr. Dawson? Mikael wanted to tell you that he won't be out late. We gave him one of the costumes so he won't be recognized."

"What are you—" Jordan's eyes bugged out as the words sank in. He grabbed the staff by the arms and yanked her closer. "Where did he go? Which direction did he take? I only took my eyes off him for one minute and he's gone?! How could you let this happen?!"

Mikael walked in a circle, taking in the sights of Paris, France. He wore a jersey jacket over a white shirt. A flannel was tied around his hips and covered the back of his denim pants. A baseball cap sat on top of his head.

The outfit gave the impression of a student slacking off from school.

'Would she recognize me like this?' He contemplated in his head. He quickly dropped the thought. That wasn't part of the plan. He just wanted to see her once, get a face to the person on the other side behind the text messages.

Since she was a ballerina, it was hard to cross paths. 

But today… today, they were in the same area.

A few seconds would be enough.

He reached Palais Garnier by taking a taxi. The building was more magnificent than any of its pictures he saw. It was an architectural masterpiece. Onyx, luxurious marble, delicate frescoes, rich gilding… it deserved to be known as an exceptional monument. It was no wonder she was so excited to perform at such a grand place.

Mikael slowly made his way up the front steps.

He reached into his pocket and took out his phone, dialing her number.

Rose had changed into her leotards. Music flowed out of the speakers. Markers were placed on different spots of the stage. It was to help the performers adjust to the space. Rose was in great shape. She hit her cues with perfect timing. Her movements caught people's attention—but it never overpowered the main lead.

It was a perfect first day of rehearsal.

She refused to let anything break her focus.

Mikael felt his heart race with every missed call. Was he wrong? Maybe he remembered it differently. He scrolled through their conversation window, checking for the date. She rarely revealed information about herself. But she slipped this time because of her excitement.

It might be his only chance. 

He couldn't let it fail.

Following the signs, he headed for the theater. 

"Excuse me, sir. This place is off limits," the security guard informed him. 

Mikael pointed to his phone. Worry lines creased his forehead. "I'm sorry. My friend is inside but she's not picking up. Her uncle is in the hospital. He raised her after her parents died so he's like a father to her. He's in critical condition and I know she'll regret not being there for him. She wouldn't even be able to perform. Please let me in. The ballet is at stake too."

The security guard pressed his lips together. He glanced at Mikael's smartphone, noticing the number of missed calls. "Fine. But I'll escort you inside. I won't leave you alone until you find her."

"Thank you!" The stars must have aligned over Mikael. 

Would he be able to guess which one was her?

"Right this way." 

He and the security guard entered the empty theater. Dancers flocked the stage, performing their best. It was like being teleported to a new world. The place, the music, the performers… Mikael had attended his fair share of grand events but this was a new level.

"Can you see your girl?" The security asked him, pointing towards the stage.

Mikael squinted and tried to make out their faces. "It's a little hard to see from here."

"What's her name?"

"... Snow," he answered reluctantly. It was a code name. They both had one and used it in their conversations. He didn't mean to use it but making up a fake name didn't sound good either. She would recognize it though, right?

But then… she wasn't supposed to know he was here.

How should he proceed from here?

"Snow? Like Snow White? That's crazy," the security guard ridiculed.

Mikael breathed out a fake laugh. "Right? I told her the same thing."

"There's more shadow over there so we can move a little closer to the stage."

Luckily, the female dancers lined up together and faced the vacant seats. It gave Mikael the advantage. His eyes became sharper as he checked their faces one by one. A familiar face stood out immediately. 

"Rose?" Mikael blurted out, fluttering his eyelashes. There was no mistaking it. He had seen her far too many times for his comfort. He'd never mistake her for someone else.

"But why…" he paused. Then, he nudged his elbow at the security guard. "Do you know that girl?"

The latter scowled in response. "I just guard this place. I'm not close to any of them."

Hours passed by while Mikael sat on the front steps. He watched as the people passed him by. The sun slowly made its descent in the distant horizon. Arms on his bent knees, he gripped his hands tight. 

Why was Rose here? He couldn't shake off the feeling that this wasn't a coincidence.

From what he knew, Rose worked as a waitress. He initially found it strange because of her perfect posture. Her back always stayed impeccably straight. It wasn't a common achievement. When he tried to ask further, she teased him about how he was interested in her. He had to let it go and dropped the topic. 

Chatter came from the side of the building after the sun had set.

He straightened his legs to get a better look.

"Rose!" Her name left his lips as soon as she came into view.

At the sound of her name, Rose stiffened. She knew that voice anywhere. Her colleagues turned their heads in her direction but her attention was only on one person. Blood drained off her face. The sky came crashing down.

Judging by how Mikael was dressed, he came in secret.

Her thoughts led to one reason he could be here.

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"Did you have to say that in front of everyone?" Rose called out to Mikael's retreating back. He halted in his steps. Cold wind caressed the back of her neck. It was the same as that night at Palais Garnier.

"Say what?" Mikael scoffed, spinning on his heel. He looked at her through the corner of his eye. "Oh. About how no one would marry you? That's bothering you? I think I said worse things in the past."

"Maybe." Rose clenched her hands. Her voice quivered just now. "But they weren't as hostile."

Mikael chuckled without humor. He took a step in her direction, fully facing her. "Hostile? If anything was hostile, it was how you made a fool out of me. You just could never stop, could you? Was it funny? Had fun stringing me along?"

Rose closed the gap between and seized him on both sides of his collar. "Listen to me, Mikael Davis."

Her voice died inside her throat after that. Her mind had gone blank. She felt as lost as that day he found out. Nothing had changed over the weeks. Her head was a mess. How could she even begin to explain? To apologize? Hell, she couldn't even face him until now.

"Can't deny it, can you?" He smirked.

"I never had ill intentions." 

"Oh, really?" Mikael pulled her hands off by her wrists. "It doesn't sound like that to me."

This time, Rose let him walk away. The tears she suppressed trickled down her cheeks. Her mouth opened but no words came out. Her chest squeezed and she choked on air. No matter how much she wanted to explain…

… a voice in the back of her head that said she deserved this.

And she should just take it all, not fighting back.