The Continent of Europe

The Chapter 73 (End)

It was only one word, but the word 'forgive' that Rosaline said on the day of the trial changed everything. Floyd Henry Adler and Riley were sentenced to only a few years.

Jenkins and the other golden money members will have to go to prison for life and pay or indemnify billions of assets they have been corrupt.

"I'm sorry" Rosaline said, "that's all I can do to help your father" she added.

Asher smiled and shook his head. "No. That's enough for my family, Rosaline. Thank ye. Thank you very much, Rosaline," he said with a smile.

The trial is over and Rosaline's days are back as usual. But there is something a little different. Every day, cafe Daniel always comes a bouquet of flowers or a bouquet of flowers with the inscription 'sorry for not trusting you'.

Rosaline took that as an apology to the British people who lived around them after accusing her father of being a murderer for twenty-five years. Oh, that's it, he thought. The important thing is that the Vreaa family name is clean now.

"You miss him?"

Rosaline turned her head only to see Kaylie looking at her with great sadness. The girl landed her hand behind Rosaline's back, rubbing it before pulling Rosaline into an embrace.

"I don't know what you saw with that kid, but... Ah already is. No matter how hard I say it, you're not going to listen to me" Rosaline explained.

"What do you really want to say?"

Kaylie smiles. "To stop loving her."

Rosaline grunting. He let go of Kaylie's embrace and looked at the girl's face intently. His lips slowly formed the curves of a sweet smile, but anyone who saw him now, must immediately guess he was sad.

"I don't love her" replied Rosaline.

Kaylie rolled her eyes lazily. "Did you know, secrets are not easy kept hidden from these who cares. Anyone who sees your eyes on her, they know right away you love her. Maybe your mouth can lie, but your heart and eyes don't, Rosaline."

Again only a small smile could Rosaline put on. Honestly, Kaylie's words just made her heart grieve. Though the mouth says not to love him, the heart says something else. Rosaline loves him.

...•—— ⁠✿ ——•...

December 25th.

Christmas day's.

On the way home, Rosaline's emerald netra collided with a man with a red scarf around his neck standing in front of Daniel's cafe. The man smiled, but his eyes implied sadness.

"Hi," Sweep.

Rosaline bit her lower lip, lowered her head, and pulled her hair behind her ears. The girl wanted to pass by, but the man blocked her path. So Rosaline stood there, nodding as if she returned her greeting.

"During time we didn't meet" he said.

"Yes. Long time no see, James. It's been a long time."

Rosaline involuntarily swallowed her own saliva, gripped her clothes tightly, then

"Wait a minute" James said, "I want to tell you something."

"Then say. I'm cold in here."

They're speechless. Instead of looking at her Rosaline chose to look down, not wanting to look at her.

"I'm in love with you."

Rosaline. "W-what?"

James smiled. He leaned over her body and draped his scarf around Rosaline's neck.

"You may think my feeling is a fraud, but—" she looked at Rosaline's face and cupped her cheeks to get their irises together, "—this one is real."

Rosaline jumped in shock when James suddenly landed a kiss on her forehead.

"Can you give me a chance to prove it? It seems you still don't believe what I'm saying" he said, clasping Rosaline's hand tightly.

"I want a chance" he said again, "I want to repeat everything from the beginning."

Rosaline involuntarily smiled wryly. He knew the essence of their conversation. This time, he lifted his head and looked at the pair of gray that always made his heart pound hard.

"I'm afraid this is not gonna be easy as you expected."

"I know, but at least we can try—"

"How's it?" Cut it. Oh***, he wants to cry.

"This whole time you've been treating me like crap. You even let them hurt me, even though you knew I could have died that day. And again your father. If you forget happily, I will remind you. He also had responsibilities the day my father and mother were killed."

James remained silent.

"I know it's hard. All this time I've been building walls of hatred against you. I always said that I hated you even though I knew the truth was different. I just don't know how to tell my feelings without having to hurt others' feelings."

A desperate smile at the end of her sentence, made Rosaline eager to jump up and give him a warm hug. The warmest hug he's probably never felt.

"Sorry. I'm not bi—"

"Please, just one more chance and I'm gonna fix everything." His head landed resignedly on Rosaline's shoulder, involuntarily letting a speck of clear water out of her eyes. "I never thought you'd be this important to me, Rosie."

With that, Rosaline could not help her tears from flowing. His heart was being bombarded by bullets. It's painful and very painful. Then his hand slowly coiled around James' back and pulled him into a hug.

"I'm naive. But let's try this."