Roo was the very definition of a dashing enigma, carrying an air of aristocratic grace and a touch of aloofness that seed etched into his very being.
When his gaze fell upon strangers, it held an untad wildness paired with a lofty indifference. Yet, when he looked upon the one he cherished, his eyes softened into a tender caress.
This stark contrast had Serena utterly captivated. She relished Roo’s icy dominance, his powerful aura that seed to tower above the rest, his statuesque figure, and his impeccably handso features.
Everything about Roo was an object of her affection.
In comparison, Martin seed so utterly ordinary.
In that mont, Serena found herself a touch envious of Rosemary, who was the recipient of Roo’s fervent kisses, his intense affection.
Before Roo’s lips could tire, Rosemary’s phone buzzed to life, his eyes lingering with a hint of desire yet to be sated.
It was her grandmother calling.
"Rose, your uncle is driving up the wall. I can’t talk sense into him!"
Belinda’s voice ca through the phone, laden with complaint. "You deal with him!"
Rosemary tried to suppress a chuckle, but before she could offer a few soothing words, she heard Sampson’s resigned voice.
"Rose."
"Uncle Sampson," Rosemary replied with a light laugh. "Are you stirring up trouble with Grandma again?"
"She wants to visit your grandpa, but I’m swamped with work and can’t spare the ti."
Sampson’s explanation was cut short by Belinda’s irritated interjection.
"When are you ever not busy? May can take . I can’t wait for you forever."
The ntion of her grandmother’s impatience brought a smile to Rosemary’s face.
"I’d like to see Dad too. Let wrap up so things here, and we’ll go together."
"I don’t need you to co with ! Rose said I’m well enough to travel on my own, didn’t you, dear?"
Belinda pulled her granddaughter into the conversation, asserting, "She even said a long-haul flight wouldn’t be an issue for ."
Sampson imdiately saw through the ruse.
"Rose would never say sothing so irresponsible. Can you just wait a few days for ?"
As the mother-son duo continued their debate, Rosemary intervened with a laugh.
"I think Grandma’s idea is sound. With May for company and using the family jet to land directly at the estate’s airstrip, it’s quite safe."
"Still, I worry about her health."
"I’ve looked at Grandma’s recovery stats recently. A trip won’t hurt her."
"Did you hear that? Rose says it’s fine!" Belinda’s voice was tinged with irrepressible joy. "May, start packing! Rose gave the green light!"
Sampson, realizing her determination, resignedly said to Rosemary, "This ans you’ll have to look after both of them."
He worried that if his parents caught even a minor cold, it would all fall on Rosemary’s shoulders. Others might help with simple tasks, but none would take the burden of acupuncture or surgery.
"Don’t worry. Let Grandma co. A good mood is key to a faster recovery."
Assured by her words, Sampson replied with a laugh. "Alright, I’ll listen to you. And how’s Bard? Has he been treating you well?"
Rosemary smiled back.
"Uncle Bard and Aunt Eunice have been wonderful. But when are you going to give a new aunt, dear uncle?"
"You too, with the matchmaking." Sampson chuckled. "You’d do better to pay attention to those closer to you."
"You an Roo?" Rosemary looked up at the young man before her.
Roo, ever doting and curious, leaned in closer, his handso face inches from hers, eager to catch the words floating from her phone.
"The McMillian lad is quite the catch. I’m looking forward to raising a glass at your wedding soday soon."
Roo’s eyes softened as he gazed at the girl before him, her long eyelashes framing her bright, smiling eyes.
"Uncle Sampson, Roo and I are also looking forward to celebrating your big day," Rosemary interjected before he could respond. "But enough about that for now — I’ve got to run."
Sampson chuckled, turning to his excited mother, who was already busy packing for tomorrow’s trip. It was clear that it had been a long while since she’d been this happy.
"Is Grandma coming over tomorrow?" Roo asked quietly after they had hung up.
"Yeah, she should be here by noon," Rosemary put her phone away. "It’s getting late, you should head back."
"You’re kicking out already?" Roo feigned disappointnt, knowing that once Grandma arrived, it might be hard to spend ti with Rosemary. He wondered when they would see each other next.
"Who knows? Maybe Grandma will want to see you tomorrow and we’ll et up again," Rosemary reassured him, seemingly reading his thoughts.
"What does Grandma like? I want to prepare a gift, just in case I get the chance to give it to her in person," Roo said, then added, "And what about your grandpa, uncle, and aunt?"
"Trying to charm the whole family in one go?"
"Well, if I’m going to take their precious granddaughter and niece under my wing, I’ve got to make a good impression." Roo’s gaze was tender as he looked at Rosemary.
From her room, Serena watched through the gap in the curtains as Roo held Rosemary in a lingering embrace, his hands refusing to leave her for even a second.
He seed so enamored with her.
A pang of envy struck Serena. She wondered what magic Rosemary had cast to hold Roo’s heart so firmly.
If only Rosemary would share her secret.
anwhile, Roo walked Rosemary back towards the main house. As they strolled, Rosemary’s gaze lifted to the branches above, and whatever she said made Roo crouch down so she could sit atop his shoulders and reach for the blossoms.
Serena was stunned. A man of Roo’s stature, allowing a girl to perch on his shoulders?
Rosemary plucked a small branch of blossoms, several flowers adorning it, and softly asked to be let down.
"If it’s pretty, take more," Roo indulged her. "If you like, we can plant so in our future ho."
Rosemary laughed. "Are you talking about Moon Villa or Rose Villa?"
"Whichever you want. If you like Moon Villa, we’ll plant them there. If you prefer Rose Villa, then there. But if you don’t like either—"
"Then we’ll find a new place, as long as you love it," she finished his thought.
"That’s right. Now, let help you down. Is it uncomfortable?"
"I just want to get down."
Roo crouched to let her off. "Take it easy."
Once on the ground, Rosemary’s hand was once again clasped in his as they continued their walk, fading from Serena’s sight.
In just half a year, their relationship had grown so close, so intimate.
Jealousy seethed within Serena. Without Rosemary, maybe Roo would have taken a liking to her. She even believed she could win him over.
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