“Do you need anything else?" Aiden asked Rose as they walked out of the shop.
“You already bought me more than enough, our hands are full" She motioned towards the bags of clothes, shoes and designer bags in their hands. He moved the two bags in the left to the right, making his Left hand free.
“I have one free hand remaining" He wiggled his fingers in her face with a smile. Rose stared at him for a while before she bursted out laughing. Aiden laughed along with her.
“I've never seen you laugh. As a matter of fact, I've never seen you smile at me" The smile on her face slowly faded. She shrugged.
“There wasn't a reason to smile or laugh before" She confessed.
“Have you found a reason yet?" They stared at each other.
“Wow, you guys bought almost as much as we did" Andrea appeared before Rose could reply to him.
“It's all because of Aiden, he was so hell-bent on buying everything in the shop" Rose said playfully as she glanced at Aiden with a smile.
“Wow, maybe we made a mistake by splitting up" Andrea murmured to Claire who in turn, nodded.
“Aiden, did you get anything for yourself?" Andrea questioned. Aiden shook his head.
“I have more than enough" He reached out for the bags in Rose's hand and grabbed it.
“Let's go" He said to them and walked towards the exit. Claire wiggled her eyebrows at Rose.
“It seems you guys had a lot of fun together," Claire teased. Rose smacked her arm in order to draw their attention away from her face which had already turned red.
“You guys dragged me to the mall just to leave me with Aiden, didn't you?" Andrea smiled at her and laid her arm on Rose's shoulder and led her outside with Claire by their side.
“Don' t pretend like you didn't enjoy being with him," She told Rose.
“Yeah, you look happier than I've EVER seen you" Claire concluded making sure to stress out the Ever. Rose kept her mouth because they were right, she was happier.
“I was wondering where you guys were. When I woke up, I had to ask Liam and he told me you guys went to the mall" Emily said as she walked towards Andrea and Claire.
“Good morning ma'am" Claire greeted. Emily smiled at her.
“Good morning, where's Aiden and Rose?"
“Right behind us" Andrea said and climbed up to her room with Claire.
“Why won't you let me carry it?" Rose mumbled as she stared at Aiden carrying all the bags.
“Because I want to do it" He said simply.
“But they are my clothes" She countered
“Doesn't matter," He retorted. He walked away before she could complain again. She huffed and walked behind him.
“Mother" Aiden said as soon as he saw Emily.
“What took you guys so long?" Aiden shook his head
“Nothing, I'll just drop this in Rose's room" He said and proceeded to walk away.
“Okay, I'm going to work now, there's food in the kitchen" Aiden hummed in response. She turned to Rose who greeted her.
“I've already dropped Liam off at the hospital," Rose nodded at her. She patted Rose's head with a smile and walked out of the house. Rose sighed before walking to her room.
When she got to her room, she saw Aiden holding a picture frame of her and her mother.
“What are you doing?" He looked at her.
“You look just like your mother" She moved closer to him.
“That's a relief. if I looked anything like my father, I would have hated myself" She said seriously. Aiden dropped the picture frame then turned to her.
“I'm sorry you had a sad childhood" He said while caressing her cheek. Rose looked into his eyes expecting to see pity or sympathy but instead she saw care and that same look she couldn't identify in the shop.
“It's okay, I'm okay" She murmured. He smiled lovingly at her.
“Good. When you are ready, come down for breakfast, hmm?" She nodded. He ruffled her hair before leaving the room. She smiled to herself.
“Did you guys forget anything?Cross-check your luggages again," Emily suggested. It was finally time for the vacation.
“Mother, we have checked it like six times now, I think we have everything" Andrea told her. Emily sighed.
“I'm going to miss my babies so much" She hugged them, including Rose.
“Mum, it's only one week. We'll be back soon and by the way, you are crushing us" Aiden said. Emily hesitantly lets go of them.
“At least I won't be alone" She looked at Liam who just stood looking all gloomy. Rose sighed before walking up to him.
“Hey, why are you frowning?You said I could go, didn't you?" Liam nodded.
“Yeah but now that you are actually going, it feels weird" Liam voiced out. Rose ruffled his hair.
“I'm only a call away, okay?" Liam pouted but nodded. She patted his head before walking back to the car.
“Drive safe, put on your seat belt" Emily yelled after the car. Andrea snuck out her head out the window to wave at them.


“No pushing please, everyone will get into the bus, alright?" The teacher in charge said.
“Okay let me just.." He turned around to pick up the attendance list. By the time he turned back, all the students had already scattered and some were already inside the bus. He rolled his eyes.
“As expected" He climbed into the bus.
“Two to a seat please" He announced. Claire looked at Andrea who sat besides her.
“Where would Rose sit now? And where is she?" She questioned. Just then, Rose climbed into the bus. She spotted them at the back. She was about to walk towards them when she noticed everyone was sitting in two's. She shrugged and sat down on an Empty chair. Andrea tapped Claire.
“This could be good, Aiden would sit close to her" Claire's eyes widened gleefully but it instantly turned into a frown When Grey walked up to Rose.
“Can I sit here?" She nodded at him and he sat. Aiden climbed into the bus and saw them together, he scowled but when he noticed Rose was staring at him, he forced a smile and waved at her. She smiled back at him. he didn't fail to notice the glare Grey sent his way.
“This is going to be a long ride"....