Ch. 36..40: Rebirth_ Dancing In My Destiny Chapter 36-40

Chapter 36: Forced Love Does Not Last

She grabbed the flower box, and her eyes landed on the small pink envelope tagged on the flower. Her heart was agitated. A devil is hanging at her left shoulder, whispering into her ear to open the envelope and read it.

She was tempting!

Should she open the envelope and end her curiosity or let it be and feel restless till the day ends!?

She was utterly confused now.

When they left the room, Rose saw three men sitting at their respective desks. One of them is Gavin. The other two, she didn’t know their names because Evan didn’t seem like wanted to introduce them to her.

Rose only smiles at them politely without saying a single word. She followed Evan and walked toward the elevator. She still holds the box of roses in her hands. Her curiosity swallows her. Just before she wanted to ask him, his phone rang, and at the same time, they arrived at his car.

Evan opened the car door for her even though he was still on the phone. It makes Rose blush. She completely forgets the sender of the red roses in her arms. She sat on her seat while looking at Evan, still outside the car. His face looked annoyed.

"Is he having a problem?" Rose murmurs while turning her gaze to the pink envelope.

Now the devil on her left shoulder tries to convince her again to read the envelope. Tempted to open the envelope, she decided to open it. But before, she tried to check to make sure Evan was still out of the car. She looked in his direction, and to her surprise, Evan was already sitting behind the wheel, his eyes lovingly looking at her.

"Rose, you can read the notes if you want to...." He smiled while drawing his face near her.

She was silent, frozen.

Was Evan going to kiss her again? Rose was unable to move. She could only close her eyes and wait. But after a while, nothing happened. She frowned. Slowly she opened her eyes and was surprised when she saw Evan staring at her with his charming-looking smile.

"W-Why are you smiling like that?" Rose blush.

Not wanting to tease his girlfriend, Evan shook his head and fastened his seat belt while starting the car engine.

"Nothing. I’m just trying to help you fasten your seat belt."

Hearing his words made Rose even more embarrassed by what she was thinking. Earlier, she thought Evan wanted to kiss her again. She immediately lowered her head, looking at the red roses on her lap.

"What are you thinking just now?" Evan asks her. Their car slowly moved. Didn’t hear the girl reply. Evan glanced at her. He chuckled before asking, "Rose, why do you look so shy?"

"Evan, I’m not shy...." She bit her lip as she turned her gaze out the window. She thought Evan would stop teasing her, but Evan’s following sentence surprised her.

"Can you read for me the notes on the flower?" Evan asks calmly, but Rose feels otherwise. She felt tense.

Why did she have to read him the letter another woman gave him?

Even though she was reluctant, she still followed his orders. She took the envelope and opened it. The moment she saw the card, she was totally shocked. Instantly she looks at Evan. He was looking at the road in front seriously. But, she could clearly see a faint smile on his face.

"Evan! This..."

"What is it?"

"Evan, you, you buy this flower for me?" Still couldn’t believe what she read on the notes...

[I know you are more beautiful than this flower, but I want you to accept it as a symbol of my love for you. Rose, I hope the door to your heart begins to open for me. I’m indeed, madly, deeply in love with you, Rose Wilson. Love Evan!]

Did he really buy it for her and write these cheesy words?

Again Rose looked at the card in her hand to make sure what she read was true. After many times reading the card, the notes are still the same. The card was for her, and she recognized Evan’s handwriting.

Since morning she was in a bad mood, jealous of the person who bought this flower. But it turns out the flower was bought by Evan for her. What an unexpected twist.

"Gosh, Rose!! How could you be so slow...." She scolds herself in her heart while trying to maintain her calmness.

Evan glanced at Rose. When their eyes meet, he smiles at her before turning his gaze again to the road in front.

"Rose, of course, it’s for you. Why do you think it’s for someone else? Wait..." His voice sounded shocked. "Hell no! Do you think I will give that flower to Gavin? My goodness... What are you thinking about, dear?" Evan laughed when he realized his girl was jealous because of this flower. Rose almost choked to hear Evan’s words.

"Who is jealous of Gavin? Gosh, this man!" She could only scold Evan in her heart. While hiding her blushing face. She looked outside.

Evan was really pleased because today Rose was jealous all day. It means she is starting to like him, right?

A few times, he stole a glance at her. He can see how blushed her cheeks are.

"Can you answer me now? Did your heart already open for me?" Evan’s charming and deep soft voice makes Rose feel like a whole zoo moving inside her stomach.

She feels thrilled.

Slowly she looked at him. She wanted to be honest with him but afraid this man would overreact. They are still on the road, afraid something terrible will happen to their car. So she remained silent. She will wait until they arrive at his house.

But Rose’s silence makes Evan restless.

He tries to be calm and tells himself that Rose must need more time. He can’t ask her to love him if she doesn’t actually feel the same. Love can’t be forced because forced love does not last.

Chapter 37: Her Answer

Soon Evan’s car entered the basement parking lot. After he opened the car door for her, he took the roses box from her hand. He held her and led her onto the elevator with his other hand. Along the way to his apartment, they did not talk.

When they enter his house, Evan feels Rose stop her step right behind him. He stops and looks back at her.

"Did you forget something in the car?" Evan asks, feeling confused. Why suddenly, she stops and looks at him. From her eyes, he could see how nervous she was now.

"YES!"

"Huh!? Alright, you wait here. I will take it for you... What item did you forget?" Evan places the flower box on the console table near the entrance and walks to the door, passing her.

"Evan!"

"Hmm..." Evan looked at her.

"I didn’t leave anything in the car." Rose’s faint smile frames her pretty face. Her smile makes Evan confused.

"Didn’t you say yes?"

Rose walked a few steps closer to Evan, still looking at her, confused. She took his big palm hand and held it gently while her eyes looked at his blue ocean eyes.

"Evan, I said YES to your question in the car...." Evan’s face slowly turned bright when he realized what Rose meant. Rose smiles sweetly at him before she continues her words, "I, I thought I started to like you, Evan...."

"R-Rose..." Evan couldn’t finish his words because, at this moment, he pulled the girl into his embrace and hugged her tightly. He was so happy that finally, Rose started to like him. "Thank you, Rose... I will cherish your love." He then kissed her forehead gently.

"Sorry if I made you wait so long..."

"No! It’s not long. This is fast, dear... thanks."

When they are expressing their happiness abruptly, their stomachs growl. They both laughed and rushed to the kitchen.

It’s past lunchtime now. Evan worries that his girlfriend is hungry.

"Rose, I will cook. You go to the living room, waiting for me there...." Evan washed his hands and started to find any simple ingredient to make their quick lunch.

"Let me help you, Evan..." Evan looked at her with a frown. Just before he wanted to say something, Rose continued her words, "Please don’t stop me from entering the kitchen. I’ve read many novels where the Male character said those words. Hahaha... that is too cheesy, you know!" Rose shakes her head and washes her hands.

Evan laughed, hearing her every word.

"Are you serious? A lot of men say that line?" Evan was clueless.

"Yeah! I thought you copied them..." Rose laughed again when she saw Evan not believe what she said.

"Well, I have never read a romance novel in my life. I don’t have time. So obviously, I’m not copying that male character in your favorite romance novel. This is me... I just don’t like you entering the kitchen because you never do that... I still remember when Aunt Molly said that to me...." Evan chuckled when she saw the girl sulky.

"Hahaha, don’t be angry...." He walked to her and kissed her cheek. He sees her in the eyes before he continues his words, "Fine! Today you will be my cooking assistant." Then he continued to empty her fridge. He took out some fresh ingredients from the refrigerator. After that, he took out two black aprons from the drawer.

Evan had no other choice. This time he would let his lover accompany him to cook. But, he would still forbid her to enter the kitchen in the future. Afraid she will hurt her delicate hands.

Soon Evan cooks simple spaghetti for them while Rose helps him cut a few vegetables for salad. She also helped to arrange their cutlery. A few minutes later, their late lunch was finally ready to eat.

Evan pulled Rose’s chair closer to him. Make their bodies rub against each other if they move. Rose didn’t mind. She was actually happy with the skin-to-skin contact between them. Makes her heart never stop beating normally. It feels thrilling. And she totally likes it.

"E-Evan... this Spaghetti Aglio e olio is really delish!" Rose places her fork and raises her two thumbs to compliment her boyfriend’s cooking skill. This is the second time Evan has cooked for her. And every time she ate his cooking, she couldn’t help but compliment him.

She really envies him with his god-like look. He has a brilliant brain. He has a nice figure. And now he also has master chef cooking skills.

Does he have any flaws?

"Glad that you like it... I will cook more dishes for you. What do you like to eat next?" Evan asked the girl while adding spaghetti to her already-empty plate.

"Can you cook an Asian dish? I hear a lot of delicious food from there, and they use a lot of spice...." Rose had eaten some Asian food in the restaurant in East City. Still, there weren’t a lot of Asian restaurant choices here, so she couldn’t tell whether what she was eating was delicious or not.

"Alright, I will cook Asian food for you next time!" Evan never cooked Asian dishes, but he will start searching for recipes on youtube for his pretty girl.

That day...

Time flies so fast. They both spend time working in Evan’s study room and cuddling when they feel tired. At night, Evan drops her home after dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Rose felt exhausted from today’s activities; She now entered the stock market. And she also finished her final thesis. Her goals to graduate and start her business are getting closer. Even though she was tired, her heart was so happy.

Rose couldn’t stop smiling at the red rose she had just placed on her study table. She inhaled the fragrance of the roses while closing her eyes. But a moment later images of her hugging and kissing Evan flash in her mind. She could feel her body temperature rising. Made her awake from the pleasure that embraced her mind.

"Gosh! Rose... what are you thinking about?" Too embarrassed with her sultry thought, she sandwiches her cheeks with her hands while walking fast to her bathroom. She needs a cold bath.

But, before she entered the bathroom, her cell phone rang.

She immediately took her cellphone with Evan’s image appeared on her mind. That kind of thought brings happiness to her mind and a smile.

Evan must send her a text to inform her that he has arrived at his house, right!? Rose thought.

Within a second, her smile faded, and a irk expression framed her face when she read the text message.

[Asshole: Tomorrow at 5 PM. Cloud studio. See you, babe...]

Chapter 38: Meeting With Dustin

Several minutes had passed.

Rose was standing in front of the door of Cloud Studio.

This house belongs to Dustin’s friend, but he makes studio music to accommodate his hobby. Dustin always comes here, and because she was close to Dustin, she often comes here too. She always comes here after her class ends. She and Dustin and other friends are always singing practice here. This studio is like a second home for them.

Rose’s mind was still unsure whether she should meet Dustin or not? But the desire to end her connection with Dustin is what makes her stand up at the studio door.

After taking several deep sighs, she finally dared to press the bell. It didn’t take long for the door in front of her to open. She saw Dustin standing before her. He smiled widely, looking at her lovingly. She felt like throwing up when she saw his smile at her.

"Rose! You finally came..." He took Rose’s hand and pulled her inside. Rose feels irked when Dustin touches her hand. "Why did you ring the bell? You know the password for this studio, right?" Dustin continued his words while he led her inside to the open lounge.

"I forgot the password." She lied. Of course, she remembers. She’s just hoping that she will leave the studio right away if no one opens the door for her.

When they reached the lounge, Rose saw no one else in the room. There are only two of them. It feels strange because, usually, the others must gather here at a time like this.

Are they on the second floor? The second floor is used by the studio owner as a residence.

"What do you want to drink, babe?" Dustin walks to the bar in the corner.

"No need. Just say what you want to say!" Her sharp words indicate she doesn’t want to linger in this place with this scumbag.

Dustin’s heart ached when he heard her sharp words. He walked back to the seating area while looking sharply at her.

He felt a little bit weird looking at her. The girl she knew for years indeed changed, especially the look in her eyes. There was no more joy in her beautiful eyes but replaced by anger. And this fact has been bothering him for the past few days.

Why did she change like that?

What did he do wrong that made her irritate him?

He is so worried Rose found out something she shouldn’t have known.

He sat beside her. He purposely sat closer to her to test whether she would avoid him or not. Usually, Rose is always comfortable around him. Again he had to be disappointed because Rose shifted away from him. Her behavior hurt his heart.

"Babe! Are you really dating Evan?" This question unknowingly left his mouth. And the girl’s reaction makes him speechless. He saw her standing, ready to go.

He cursed her in his heart because she was too impatient.

"ROSE!!"

Rose stopped her step and looked at him sharply.

"I told you before. Why do you ask again? I better go if you repeat such a question, Dustin!" She doesn’t want to stay in this place too long. What’s more, Evan doesn’t know she came to this place, afraid he will come to her house tonight. She wants to hurry home.

"Fine! Please sit down for a moment, Rose...." Dustin gritted his teeth, starting to get annoyed with Rose. He just realized that this girl was really stubborn.

Rose didn’t have a choice. She sits again after Dustin stands before her. He’s blocking her way to the front door.

"Tell me, what made you mad at me? I know all this year you love me and have a crush on me. But in the blink of an eye, you changed. You abandoned me and chose Evan as your boyfriend. Why?" Dustin’s voice was calm. But the emotion in his chest was unbearable. He kept his anger from exploding in front of this girl with all his might. He loves her and doesn’t want to lose her.

Rose could already guess what he wanted to ask.

"I’m not angry with you. I just realized that for so many years, I’m so stupid to have a crush on you...." Rose tried to convince him to believe what she said.

Dustin felt hurt when he heard that. But his mind and heart denied everything Rose said.

"Rose, tell me your true reason...." He sat down next to her and took her hand. Rose felt stunned. She wanted to move away but she couldn’t because she was at the end of the sofa. And Dustin held her hand so tight. Her heartfelt worry that this man would harass her.

"Did someone say bad things about me?" He continued his words. Now, his voice sounded frosty.

Rose was stunned hearing his question.

What is it? There’s something he hides that she never knows? She was curious.

Maybe all this time, Dustin has been doing despicable things behind her back, and she never knows!?

"Yes!" She deliberately answers him like that. She was curious and wanted to know.

Dustin felt like he wanted to hit someone. He has already thought about it a hundred times. Someone must be telling her about her relationship with another woman. So, Rose sulked and drifted away from him because of that thing. There’s no way she’d be able to accept Evan’s heart so quickly if there wasn’t a trigger, right?

"Rose, listen! You have to believe me. There’s no other woman in my heart. Only you! If you hear someone tell you, I have another woman, never believe that, huh!? So far, I’ve never slept with them, only once with Andy. But even then, we were drunk! I never liked her. I only like you, Rose...."

Instantly Rose feels betrayed hearing his words.

How could she never know that this asshole has a woman behind her back? He even sleeps with them!

Chapter 39: End My Live, My Way

All this time, Rose thought Dustin was only close to her. Even though he has not yet asked her to be his girlfriend, he still gives her hope that one day they will be together. They will be a couple. And she always believes that.

"You such a stupid girl, Rose!" Rose cursed herself in her mind.

"Babe... you have to believe me! Only you, the woman I love and married someday...." His grip tightening makes Rose’s hand feel hurt.

"Dustin! it doesn’t matter. We are not a couple. You never asked me to be your girlfriend. So for me, I don’t care if you have a girlfriend out there or if you sleep with whoever you like. It’s your choice!" Rose tries to release her hand, but again she fails. This man uses his power to subdue her. Damn it!

"How could you say that so casually, babe?"

"Stop calling me BABE! I’m not your babe!!" She raises her voice, feeling angry.

"Rose, I like you... you are the only woman in my heart who deserves to be my wife..."

Roses felt like throwing up when she heard his last word. She was utterly speechless when she remembered her past life. She really wanted to say to him,

"After marrying me, you abandoned me, asshole!!"

But of course, she couldn’t say that. She only stood up after struggling to release her hand from his grip.

"I don’t think we need to talk anymore. Everything is clear. Now I’m in a relationship with Evan, and he doesn’t like it if I still come here or meet you. Well, my boyfriend is such a jealous man. I didn’t want any misunderstanding with him, so I decided to stay away from you. And, please never contact me again..." She could only say these harsh words so Dustin wouldn’t bother her anymore.

Rose turns her back and walks to the entrance. She was sick of being in the same room with this annoying man.

"Rose!! Wait..." Dustin walked fast and grabbed her hand. He pulled her so hard to make her body hit him. Rose was shocked. With her might, she pushed him hard, but she couldn’t win against him again. His strong hand wrapped around her waist. Their bodies pressed against each other. And their faces are so close. She could feel the familiar smell of cigarettes coming from Dustin’s body.

Rose can no longer hold her rage. She hit Dustin’s chest a few times, but the man didn’t budge. He even smiled with satisfaction seeing her rosy cheeks.

"Oooh, God..." He groaned. "You look so beautiful, Rose. Particularly when you’re angry like this. I’m sorry if I made you wait for so long." He lovingly whispered near her ear. Make Rose’s body shiver from disgust.

"Dustin! I beg you, please let me go...." She punches him again, trying to escape herself from his embrace.

"I can’t let you go, Rose! You belong to me. No other man can have you...." Dustin whispers in her ear while smoothing her nape gently. Rose feels her whole body frozen when Dustin starts to kiss her nape. His hand now stroked her back gently.

"D-Dustin!!! Asshole! How could you do this to me? Release me. NOW!!" Her voice trembled, too angry with this scumbag trying to harass her.

She pushed him again with the remaining strength she had. She succeeded. Dustin almost felt. She uses this opportunity to run fast to the door, but Dustin runs after her.

"Stop, Dustin!! Or I will hit you with this!" Rose took the glass display that was near the door. She walks back toward the door while facing Dustin. When Rose saw Dustin stop. She felt relieved. With her other hand, Rose quickly opened the door. But suddenly, her body froze as she turned into a statue.

Her eyes, red from anger, now hurt a little because she was holding back her tears from falling. She didn’t want to show her sadness, her vulnerable side, in front of this damn man. After praying to God, she tried to turn the doorknob again, but the result was the same. It was as if someone was holding the doorknob from opening.

Her heart suddenly felt like it stopped working when she realized this asshole had other agendas. Dustin tries to keep her in this place and harass her!?

After she took a deep sigh, Rose tried to adjust her sadness, her fright. She slowly turned her back, looking at him. Rose pleads once again to him to open the door for her. But, as she had predicted, Dustin laughed amusingly and ignored her words.

"Y-you, what do you want to do, Dustin!?" Rose’s heart trembles when she imagines Dustin will do something terrible and painful to her.

"Come here, Rose! Let’s talk first... Don’t worry. I will not harm you if you are obedient...." His voice sounds so gentle. But Rose could see lust radiating from his eyes.

"I will scream if you do not open the door for me!"

Dustin stopped his step and looked at her, "Did you forget that this house is far from other houses?"

Rose clenched her fists as she realized he was right. The house was at the end of the road. Even if she screams, no one will hear her.

"Don’t waste your energy, babe. There’s no one in this house. Just the two of us... God gives us a chance to do something you will enjoy and ask for more...." He widely smiles while gesturing for her to follow him.

Rose’s entire body went limp as she realized that she had fallen into Dustin’s trap. This asshole seems to have planned all of this. She follows Dustin to the lounge area again. But now, she’s keeping her distance.

She tried to think as fast as she could. What should she do so that this lecherous man doesn’t touch her? So this evil man let her out of this house?

"Let me go, Dustin! There’s nothing more for us to talk about, do you understand!?" Rose tried to plead again. Maybe his heart will melt and let her go.

"I won’t let you go until you accept me, Rose. Be my girlfriend. Be my woman!" A malicious smile framed his face.

Chapter 40: God, You Are So Heartless

Rose began to feel afraid of what would happen to her after seeing Dustin’s evil smile. She could guess what was going through this man’s mind.

"Love can never be forced, Dustin! How could I love you like that? And I told you a few times I have a boyfriend now ...."

"I know you still love me, babe. You’re just pissed off knowing I f*ck Andy, right?" He slumped his body on the sofa while his eyes narrowed looking at her. "That slut Andy, I will kill her... How could he slander me?" His voice sounds frosty, and his gaze turns darker as he remembers Andy’s blabbering mouth. He already told her never to spill to anyone their f*ck-buddy relationship. Damn that stupid slut!

"Babe, between Andy and me, there is no love. You have to trust me...I only have you in my heart. Is it only you, Rose! I never touched you all this time because I really respect and love you...I’m really serious about you." He tries to convince this stubborn girl.

Deep down in his heart, he felt mad. After all, he had never touched Rose and did not want to immediately ask her out because he was too sure that this girl would never turn away his request. If only they were already making love, she would never run from him anymore. Nor would she have the chance to be Evan Collins’ lover.

Rose stood still in her place, ignoring what Dustin said. Her mind was busy thinking about her escape route from this house. But when her eyes saw him, she was shocked.

"Stop! Don’t come here, Dustin...."

But Dustin ignored her. With his slow pace, he walked toward her. Rose steps back a few times to make a distance between them.

"I won’t let anyone else have you, Rose...." His eyes, full of maliciousness and lust, made Rose shudder at the sight.

"Stop, Dustin!! Or I will...." Her eyes landed on a wine glass on the dining table near the kitchen. She walks fast, grabs and slams it to the floor.

SMASH! The sound of glass breaking into a million pieces echoed through the room.

Rose immediately took a piece of shard glass closest to her feet and looked at Dustin with angry-looking eyes.

"I will kill myself if you force yourself onto me...." Her hands gripped the shards of glass tightly while holding them close to her other hand’s wrists.

Dustin was shocked. He stopped in his tracks when he saw that Rose wanted to slash her veins. He felt like he wanted to slap this stubborn girl. How could she threaten him to kill herself?

His eyes saw her hand holding the glass shard. He could see there was blood that started to flow from her hand.

"Y-You will not do that, right? Rose.... Don’t joke, alright, babe!"

"I have no choice, Dustin. You forced me to do that...." Her voice shook, holding back the anger that enveloped her heart and mind.

She was so angry with her miserable life. How could her second chance also end in the hands of this perverted man? What’s the point of rebirth if she has to experience something like this again?

"GOD! Tell me, if this is just a dream, please wake me up now! I feel I’m not strong enough to face all of this...." Rose could only pray to God in her heart while her hand was ready to slash her veins with the glass shard. The smell of blood flowing from her palms made her mind hazy.

"Rose! Babe... Alright, I will stop now. Come sit first. Let’s talk nicely...."

"NO! Open the door for me. I Don’t want to talk to you anymore. I rather kill myself than be touched by you. I know what you want to do, Dustin..." Rose would rather die than be raped by this scumbag.

For the last time, she smirked at him while scolding God in her heart, "Why bother to send me rebirth if you make me kill myself because of him? God, you are so heartless...."

Dustin was surprised to hear her words. No! She must be bluffing now, right? She Wouldn’t do that, would she?

"F*ck! How many times should I tell you that I love you, Rose! I really love you. I will never let Evan have your love and affection...NEVER!" He quickly ran towards Rose. Wanted to stop this girl from slashing her veins.

But he was fucking late. He saw the girl smirking at him and her eyes full of anger, in the blink of an eye she sliced her wrist without hesitation.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, ROSE!!" Dustin held her hand. But it was too late as blood started flowing from her wrist. He could only see her smile on her pale face and her body slump. He quickly pulled her into his arms and laid her on the sofa.

"Rose! Rose woke up!"

Dustin was scared, looking at her pale face and her eyes slowly closed.

"Shit! Wake up, Rose. Why are you stupid... Why did you choose to die instead of being with me? Have you lost your mind!!" Dustin scolded her while trying to stop the bleeding.

He was frightened to see blood pouring out of Rose’s wrist. He tried to stop it by squeezing it, but his efforts were in vain. Blood was still flowing. In a hurry, he tore his shirt and tied her wrist tightly. Still, he can’t stop it.

His mind was getting confused. Don’t know what he should do. However, when he looks at Rose’s face, which is getting paler and his lips turn blue like a wake-up call hits his mind and makes his way back to his senses. He takes his cell phone, trying to call an ambulance. But before he could press the number, he heard gunfire from the entrance.

He was shocked.

He turned his back and looking in the entrance direction, he saw someone marching toward him, followed by a hard object hitting his head. Darkness swallows him. He faints.