Despite All Odds

"Rose! Why are you still in bed? It's noon already," Riele expressed with concern.

It's nothing Riele, I just felt like sleeping in today.

"Sleeping in ! You want to sleep in? On a Saturday afternoon?, do you know how lame that sounds?

Anyway, I need you to get off the bed and get dressed because I want us to go to a friend's birthday party," Riele demanded while she gazed at Rose who was still laying on the bed.

"What! A birthday party? No freaking way!" Rose shook her head in disapproval. "Listen Riele, I appreciate the consideration but I'll have to pass up on your offer."

"That isn't happening Rose. Not today. It's been months since you and I went out and had fun together.

"I know Riele, believe me I do but I'm just not in the mood for a birthday party."

"There you go. There you go again. That's my problem with you Rose. You are never In the mood to have fun.

Rose! How long will you keep sulking because of what happened in the past?"

"I don't want to talk about it Riele, just let it go," Rose expressed with a stern face.

"No Rose. I won't! I won't let it go. You need to move on. It's been six months. You can't keep letting.........You know what? Never mind!"

"Say it Riele, you clearly have something to say so just open up to me."

"Rose!....... I feel like ever since what happened, you've changed into a shell of yourself.

"You don't want to go out. You don't want to have fun, you just want to stay indoors and I miss you Rose. I miss us. I miss..... I miss the fun moments we've shared with each other and I want my best friend back."

"Do you think I don't want that too? Do you think I like being miserable and sad all the time?"

"I've tried Riele, " Rose sighed as she began tearing up. "God knows I've tried but it's so freaking hard!."

"How could Jasper and Linda do that to me? Why is life so unfair!" Rose yelled with a trembling voice.

"Rose! I know that you are hurt and truthfully, you have every right to be. I also know what happened was messed up but you gotta move on because you can't change the past.

Rose, You just have to pick up the broken pieces and forge ahead, it's the only choice you've got,"

Riele encouraged as she walked closer to Rose and gently wiped off her tears.

Aww! You are so sweet. Come here, Rose remarked while she stretched out her hands to give Riele a warm embrace.

Thanks for the advice Riele, you are an amazing friend and I don't know what I'd do without you.

You are welcome, Riele let out a little smile. Now, Go and get dressed because we have a birthday party to attend.

"Ugh! Fine!" Give me a few minutes and I'll be right back, Rose retorted while she got off the bed and made way to her wardrobe.

"I'm waiting! Oh and Rose! Ensure you wear something sexy," Riele retorted with a smirk.

"Something sexy?! Riele! I thought we were going for a birthday party?" Rose, a bit flustered, seeks clarity.

"Yeah it's a birthday party but who knows?..... Perhaps you might meet your prince charming?" Riele teased.

"Ha! ha! Ha! very funny," Rose remarked with a fake laugh.

Come on Rose! I think it's high time you get back into the dating game. You need to let go of Jasper and move on.

"And who says I am not over Jasper? I just don't think I'm mentally prepared to date right now, that's all," Rose replied while she wore her dress.

I think you are, Rose, you just haven't met the right guy yet.

After a couple of minutes, Rose was ready to go with Riele to her friend's birthday party. Rose wore a red gown which complemented her skin tone and accentuated her curves, thereby looking gorgeous.

Riele was also looking beautiful and they held each other's hands as they made their way to the birthday party.

Rose and Riele eventually arrived at the birthday party and walked majestically into the premises.

The birthday venue was well decorated and furnished. The people present at the birthday party couldn't take their eyes off Rose and Riele as they gazed in admiration of their beauty while Rose and Riele made their way to their seats.

A couple of minutes into settling down at the birthday party, there was good music playing in the background. People were muttering among themselves when Riele sighted a client of hers who she immediately called out to.

"Oscar! It's so good to see you, what are you doing here?" Riele expressed with excitement as she let out a smile and stood up from where she was seated to give Oscar a hug.

"Riele! Fancy seeing you here. You look amazing!" Oscar retorted and hugged Riele.

"And who's your friend?" Oscar inquired with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Oh! My bad! Oscar, meet my good friend Rose, Rose, I want you to meet one of my loyal clients, Oscar," Riele introduced the both of them to each other.

"Hi Rose! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Oscar," Oscar expressed while he stretched out his hand to give Rose a handshake.

Rose ignored Oscar's greeting and handshake while getting up from where she was seated and walked away to a different corner of the birthday venue.

"Riele, Is everything alright with your friend? Oscar inquired," startled by Rose's indifference.

"I'm so sorry Oscar, Rose is just going through a rough patch. I literally had to drag her here. Pls! Don't take it personally," Riele pleaded.

"Of course not! No problem at all, I understand," Oscar assured.

"Kindly excuse me Oscar, I need to speak with Rose," Riele walked away to meet Rose.

"What the hell Rose! What is wrong with you? Oscar was literally greeting you and you just ignored him and walked away. That was so rude!" Riele remarked with her voice laced with frustration

Rose nonchalantly retorted, "When are we leaving Riele? I want to go home."

"What! What do you mean leaving? Rose, we just got here. You know what? Just wait for me," Riele walked away leaving Rose to herself.

Oscar, glancing towards where Rose was standing and seeing that she was all alone, mustered up courage and walked over with an intent to start a conversation with Rose.

"Rose, I know this is kind of random, but have we met before?."

" I know that it sounds like a cheesy line but I'm serious because your face looks quite familiar," Oscar asked while he gazed at Rose intensely.

"Look! Oscar, I appreciate you still coming to talk to me despite me walking out on you earlier, but I'm certain we've never met and I'd really like to be left alone, Rose clarified.

"It seems like you are having a bad day, Rose".

"A bad day? A bad month sounds more like it, Rose added."

"Hmmm, perhaps I can help elevate your mood today at least," Oscar sounded convinced.

Oh Really, and how do you plan to do that Oscar?

Uhm..... Aha! A drink, let me get you one. I'll be right back and don't go anywhere.

Okay, Rose replied as she watched Oscar walk away to get drinks for the both of them.

Wow! Seems like someone is having fun, Riele expressed as she walked up to Rose.

"I've been watching the both of you for a minute and I could definitely see some chemistry there," Riele chuckled.

Rose rolled her eyes while she gazed at Riele. "Riele!, we were just talking and chatting, get rid of those naughty ideas of yours, will you?"

"Rose! You need to go for it my friend. Oscar is handsome, sweet, caring and rich. He is definitely a keeper," Riele remarked.

Oh my God! Riele, you are unbelievable. Since when did you start playing matchmaker?

Come on Rose, He's hot! You can't tell me that you don't see it.

"I.......I have no idea what you are talking about," Rose muttered while avoiding eye contact with Riele.

Oh really! If that's true then why can't you look me in the eyes to say that?.

Well look who we have here.... If it isn't the shameless cheating fiancee.