think a title for :Rose
The doctor arrived to tend to our wounds, and Mark looked a little apprehensive. Sensing his fear, I reached out and held his small hand tightly, offering him comfort. As the doctor began dressing my wound, Mark held my hand in return, his tiny fingers clinging to mine for support. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel connected to him in a special way.
Once the doctor was done, and gone, Mark eagerly took my hand and led me to his room. "Let's watch a superhero movie together, Rose!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. I couldn't resist his enthusiasm, so I agreed, settling down beside him on his cozy bed.
As the movie played, Mark couldn't contain his excitement, pointing at the screen and exclaiming, “Did you see that, Rose? The superhero just saved the day! Like you saved the day. I can be in your team, we can fight off bad people together. We're like a team, right?”
I nodded, munching on the popcorn. “Absolutely, Mark! We make a great team. And you know what? You're my favorite superhero.”
Mark beamed with pride, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “You're my favorite too, Rose!”
The room echoed with laughter and exclamations as we cheered on the hero's adventures. We shared funny comments and silly impressions, fully immersing ourselves in the fictional world of superheroes.
But as the movie drew to a close, Mark's eyelids grew heavy, and he nestled against me, his breathing steady and peaceful. I couldn't help but smile at his serene face, feeling a sense of joy and contentment wash over me.
It was in that moment, amidst the sound of Mark's soft snores, that I realized how lucky I was to have found this unexpected bond. A bond forged through laughter, popcorn, and shared moments of bravery.
And so, as I snuggled closer to Mark and closed my eyes, I couldn't help but whisper, “Thank you, Mark, for being my superhero too.”
I don’t know for how long I was gone, but I woke up with a jolt, someone is screaming and it’s not in my dream.
I stood up, I recognize this voice, it’s Linda. Linda's angry voice reverberated through the hallway, crashed on me like a lightening bolt. Confusion and unease washed over me. How did she even know I was here? I hesitantly made my way downstairs, my heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and sadness.
Linda stood there, her arms crossed and an accusatory glare fixed upon me. “Well, well, if it isn't the leech herself,” she sneered. “Taking advantage of Joseph's kindness, are we?”
I tried to find the right words to defend myself, but Linda's relentless taunts cut me off at every turn. It felt as though she was purposefully twisting the knife, exacerbating my already raw emotions.
Mark, who had been ascending the same set of stairs, sensed the tension in the air. He approached me, his eyes filled with concern. “Rose, why is Linda being mean to you? She doesn't know what she's talking about, right?”
I knelt down to his level, brushing away a tear that had escaped my eye. “Sometimes, people say hurtful things without knowing the whole story, Mark,” I explained, my voice quivering with emotion. “But it's okay. We just need to be strong and walk away from negativity.”
Mark nodded, his small hand reaching out to grasp mine. “We're superheroes, remember? We can handle anything together.”
 
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, grateful for Mark's unwavering support. “That's right, Mark. We're superheroes, and superheroes don't let mean words bring them down.” I said as much, but deep down, Linda's hurtful accusations and my own insecurities were gnawing at my spirit. I excused myself from Mark's presence, needing a moment to gather my thoughts and emotions.
With tears streaming down my face, I quietly slipped out of the house, the weight of Linda's words heavy on my shoulders. The cool breeze provided a welcome respite as I found solace in the embrace of the night.
Sobs racked my body as I walked aimlessly, the turmoil within me threatening to consume my every thought. I couldn't bear the thought of causing any further disruption to Joseph's life, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness.
As I wandered through the quiet streets, a voice inside me whispered, “Rose, don't let the darkness overshadow the light that you've found in Mark and Joseph. They care about you.”
 
Taking a deep breath, I wiped away my tears and made a decision.
I cab stopped past me that took me towards my home. As the cab pulled up, a sense of trepidation washed over me when I spotted Richard standing outside, like a specter from a nightmare I couldn't shake.
My breath caught in my throat as our eyes met, and I could feel his gaze piercing through me. His smug smile sent shivers down my spine as he began to speak, his words dripping with arrogance and a twisted sense of nostalgia.
“Well, well, if it isn't Rose,” he taunted, his voice oozing with false sweetness. He followed me as I tried to get inside. “Doesn't this place bring back memories? The passion we shared, the secrets whispered within these walls.”
My stomach churned with a mix of anger and disgust, but I refused to show him any sign of weakness. I steadied myself, determined not to let his presence unravel me.
“This place is just a structure of bricks and plaster, nothing more. I've moved on from those memories, Richard,” I replied, my voice steady but laced with a hint of bitterness. “They are nothing more than ghosts of a toxic past. I suggest you leave before I take further action. I have some quiet great ideas.”
Richard's smirk wavered for a moment, his eyes narrowing in frustration. But he quickly regained his composure, attempting to regain control over the situation.
“Rose, we need to talk.”
“So, talk.” I said folding my hands.
He readjusted his posture. “Rose, we need to talk about the company, our shares, our future,” he insisted, his voice filled with a false sense of urgency. “I think we still have a conversation undue.”
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, seeing through his manipulative tactics. I refused to be ensnared by his words again.
“All the conversations I would ever had interest in sharing with you ended when your vows to share a lifetime with her began. I have no interest in your empty promises,” I retorted, my voice laced with defiance.
“I was serious when I said you'll get the company back. I meant it and my offer still stands. I won't move from here until you hear me out.”
I scoffed, this is the hardest he’s ever tried to make a conversation with me. “If you're so keen on discussing it, meet me at the café down the street, two blocks away. That's the only way I'll even consider entertaining this conversation.”
Richard's frustration was palpable, his façade slipping as he grudgingly agreed to meet at the designated location. I knew deep down that I had rattled him, that his power over me was slipping away.
Walking to the café, my mind raced with a mix of caution and determination. I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for Joseph and Mark, whose unwavering support had emboldened me to confront the demons of my past. Their belief in me bolstered my strength, reminding me that I was not alone in this battle.
As I sat across from Richard in the bustling café, my gaze locked with his, my eyes mirrored the fire within my soul. I could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he realized that the person before him was no longer the one he once controlled.
“Speak your piece, Richard,” I said, my voice steady but filled with a newfound assertiveness. “But know this: I am not the same person you once manipulated. Your attempts to regain power over me will be in vain. So, if you have some real business to talk, then talk.”
Richard's mask cracked, his realization of my transformation evident in his eyes. The tables had turned, and he struggled to regain his composure. He understood, perhaps for the first time, that his toxic influence would no longer hold sway over me.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of donuts reminiscent of our shared after-school treats wafted through the air, a wave of bittersweet nostalgia washed over me. But any semblance of sentimentality quickly dissipated as Richard dared to bring up those precious memories.
“I'm planning on selling out the company I brought from you. It’s been a thorn on my profits for quite some time now.”
I chuckled at his shamelessness. “It wasn't yours, Richard,” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger and indignation. “The company belonged to my father, not to you. And let's set the record straight – you didn't 'buy' it from me. You manipulated and deceived your way into acquiring it. don’t be mistaken to think I don’t remember all I've suffered because of you.”
Richard's lips curled into a smug smile. “Well, it's mine now any way, Rose,” he retorted, his tone dripping with arrogance. “You shouldn't have trusted me with your shares. Now, it's time for you to face the consequences. Well, you’ve faced it for some years already.”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Consequences? Selling my father's legacy for your selfish gain? You're nothing but a snake in the grass, Richard.”
“A snake you loved.”
“Shut up!!”
He leaned back, crossing his arms, and continued to mock me. “Oh, Rose, always the fiery one. But let's be practical here. The company isn't making any profit, and I'm considering selling it. You can buy it back from me for three million dollars. it’s your family’s legacy and you can keep it.”
“Three million dollars?” I scoffed, my voice laced with disbelief. “Do you think I have that kind of money lying around? do you think my family is just as vile and soulless as you to con other people out of their fortunes? You've always underestimated me, Richard, but this time, you've truly outdone yourself.”
 
A glint of mischief danced in his eyes as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a sickeningly seductive whisper. “I know you won't have that kind of money, you're too innocent. just don’t understand this cruel world. Perhaps, Rose, we can strike a different kind of deal. Three million dollars on loan from me to you, in exchange for your companionship and lively pleasures. Think about it.”
I felt a wave of revulsion surge through me, my face contorting into a mix of anger and disgust. “You're repulsive, Richard. How dare you reduce me to a mere object? I'd rather live in poverty than sell my dignity to the likes of you.”
His laughter filled the air, echoing through the café, further fueling my fury. “Take your time to think, Rose. But remember, the offer won't stand for long. Anyone would be glad to grasp onto such an offer. And who knows, we could have some unforgettably steamy experiences together. You, me and Isa.”
That was the breaking point. Rage consumed me like a wildfire, blazing through every fibre of my being. Without a second thought, my hand propelled the cup of coffee towards him, the hot liquid splattering across his face and staining his suit. The café fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the spectacle unfolding before them.
Wiping the coffee from his face, Richard's expression twisted into a mix of amusement and annoyance. “You always were a wild one, Rose. But mark my words, you won't find a better offer anywhere else. The clock is ticking.”
I rose from my seat, my voice quivering with a mix of fury and determination. “I won't waste another second of my life with you, Richard. Consider our association severed, once and for all.”