“So let me supervise the goods before you take off.” Jack instructed an employee over the phone when Rose entered.

She had a ruffled black skirt with a pleated, long-sleeved shirt. She had a black beret on and her flat black sandal made her look reserved.

“Hi baby,” she placed a soft peck on his cheekbone and he did the same to hers.

“Hi”

“Why do we always have to meet here? Why not in your apartment?” Rose whined as they took a seat.

“Asher had a female guest... There’s this girl he met on social media, Holly. So I just gave them some space.” He replied, scratching his clean beard with his fingertips while Rose pulled her lips down and nodded in understanding.

“Okay,”

“Okay, so about the wedding. Have you been able to talk to your bank?”

“About what?” She demanded autocratically, with a frown. “You mean to invite them?”

“Uh, not unnecessarily... Just to tell them to excuse you for our wedding before the training.”

Rose glanced at the ceiling and forcefully gasped. Holding onto her breath before letting go.

“Babe, can you just stop? Please!”

“But I want to-“

“I already told you, Jack! Three months is three months. I thought we talked about this.”

“But this is important to us, baby.”

“And I care about it also and it’s absolutely important to me, so please...” She stressed innocently, stared into his puzzled eyes and fondled with his beard. “I just need a little time. Just 3 months, okay?”

Rose turned to the bar tender

“Hello, please. Can I have a glass of juice?”

5 Weeks Later...

“She wants me to marry her.” Asher stated, rubbing on his beards, which were a little fuller than others. “You know why?”

“Why?” Jack asked, his eyes concentrated on his phone while replying to a chat.

“Holly is an orphan. She had to care for herself at a very tender age.”

“Oh, well, but I think you should know her better before getting any further.” Jack suggested.

“I already did. And we had a great sex and connection and it’s good.” He touched his eyes and chucked at the thought. “That’s wisdom!”

The both of them laughed at each other when Denim stepped downstairs to join them.

“Asher, you’re finished.” Jack pointed out. “I just hope she’s all you wish for.”

“Hey guys, what’s up?” Denim greeted, taking a seat amidst his friends. They sat down in his living room.

“Hey...” they chorused back. “What’s up, bro.”

He sighed tiredly and briefly gave them a warm handshake. “Good, how’s your day?

“Good.”

“What a surprise visit? You guys should have called.” Denim pointed out. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“No, no, no... We want nothing. I mean, I want nothing, but that’s not why I’m here.” Jack clarified. “I’m here because of Rose.”

Denim frowned at the thought. “What about Rose?”

“Uh, before I go any further. I’d just like us to settle whatever differences between us. We had issues in joined business and choosing our life partners and that’s wrong because we are guys. I want the three of us to forge ahead and put every grudge against us, no matter how small. That’s what I think...” Jack added with rapt attention, holding a strong eye contact between Asher and Denim, especially on Denim.

Denim, with a closed body posture, gazed at wanders, staring around at the bare floor then to the ceiling. “Okay, no problem.” he replied flatly while Asher watched the both of them.

Jack continued the conversation, speaking in short bursts. “Rose wants to postpone the marriage.”

In concern, Denim turned his face toward Jack. “Why would she want to do something like that?”

“Career, of course, you know. She sees her career as more important than us and we’ve been in a relationship for over seven months. Thing is, my family wants us to marry like yesterday.”

“Awn...” Denim shrugged, turning his gaze to Asher to watch his reaction, but Asher was just silent. He knew he never was in a relationship with Rose.

Denim blinked his eyes and folded his lips with a sour expression.

“My old man is sick, and he wants to make sure that I get married and if possible have kids before he dies and...”

“Wow!” Denim blew out his cheek. “But is there anything she’s giving to... To um, move the date?” He stammered between his friends for the first time.

“Yeah, isn’t it obvious?” Jack’s hands spread as he explained. “Career! She said that her bank wants to train staffs and stuff like that.” he frowned while explaining.

“What? Like for real?”

“Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I’m having sleepless nights in this issue and she’s calm.”

“Um, you’re a guy. I mean, cut her some slack.” Denim’s eyes widened as he suggested. His hazel pupils rolled forth and back while his right palm opened towards Jack.

“Wait, I want to be sure you’re not backing her up in this.” Denim’s eyes focused on Jack as if caught stealing.

“Shouldn’t you be supporting me? I don’t get you.”

“I’m just saying, you know... Like. It might be something she needs, you know.” His eyes widened unsteadily, and Jack squinted his eyes at him.

It was unbelievable that he’d still take Rose’s side even when he got married to get a friend. Jack blinked at Denim’s words, stunned at his anxiety.

“What? Why the awkward stare?” Denim frowned and suddenly changed the topic. “How is work?”

“Work is fine, work is fine.”

‘Grin!’ A call came up from Denim’s phone. It was Rose. Asher’s gaze stretched at the phone since they sat on the same chair. Denim grabbed his phone, a little plastered. Not sure if to pick it up or reject her call.

“And you too, how is work?” Jack asked.

“Um, me?” Denim asked, confused.

“Yeah... You.”

“Work is fine. Everything is fine.” Denim rasped, a little intense, and cut the call.

Asher rubbed his fingers through his beards, noticing his restlessness.

“So, uh... I don’t know. I think-” Jack was trying to say something when Denim suddenly cut him off with his attention on the phone

“Sorry guys, I really need to briefly take this call.”

A finger played with his front hairline while his gently nibbled on his lower lip.

They watched him leave, glancing sideways with narrowed eyes. Jack was wondering what Denim could hide from him, while Asher smiled softly. Knowing something was definitely fishy, and Denim was hiding it from the both of them.

After Denim answered the call, he took his seat, a little sweaty, while cracking his knuckles. Noticing Jack’s intense stare on him, he turned away. “Yeah, so what were we saying?”

“I think she will come around you know.” Asher suggested, rubbing his palms together. “We would visit you some other time.”

“Yeah, so you were already sleeping here.” Denim jerked at Asher jokingly.

“Yeah!”

Frowning with concentration, Jack unintentionally stared at Denim while lost in thought.

“Men, I’m out of here.”

“Alright, see you later.” They pulled to their feet and gave Denim a hand shake before leaving.

Once the door slammed closed, Denim scrolled through his phone. He didn’t still get through with her. He was about to dial her contact when Asher slid the door open.

“Aw! You’re back.” Denim muttered. “Do you forget something?”

“Denim...” Asher asked with focused eyes. “Are you still dating Rose?”

“What? Are you serious right now?” Denim frowned. His pointed jaw almost touching his chest as he faked a surprise look. “No, she just called for advice.”

“Denim, Rose did not call me. She did not call Jack but you.”

“So what? I give good advise, that was why she called me. Is something wrong with that?”

“I hope you’re not cheating on your wife.” Asher hit the on the head with a suspicious look. He pointed a finger at him before walking through the door."You’re warned."

“Congratulations, Don of none cheaters!” He hissed at him and picked up a call.

“Hello, what’s up?”

“Yeah, they’ve gone.”

“You want to see me later today? Why?”

“Okay, I’ll be there.” He replied briefly to Rose’s call.

In no time, the evening sun settled down into the eyes of the day that covered itself in a thick blanket. The night was starless and bible black. Denim Sneaked out of his house to meet Rose somewhere the around the corner, where she parked. It was already 10:00 p.m. Kimberly had gone to bed from the stress of the day.

Recognizing her car from the distance, Denim pulled the door open and entered. Surprised at how bold she can get. Rose had a simple black dress and black beret on. Her usual modest dressing with a glint of lip gloss on her slim pink lips that pulled down. Denim noticed her sour expression and looked around, hoping no one was watching.

“So, why do you decide me meet here?”

A pin of silence hung up in the air for a while. Then Rose looked at him.
“I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant with what?” He frowned.

Her eyes danced in the darkness with fear as it struck a chord in her. “Our baby.”

Denim blushed and her and for the first time in a long while, he had a maniacal laugh. It must be a joke. He knew Rose was crazy, but not to this extent. His finger fondled between the bridge of his nose, only the golden ring glittering in the darkness. “Wow.... Wait, wait, wait.” His laugh died as he turned to her. “You’re what? How... How did that happen?”

He faced her, and she already focused her eyes on his, waiting for his next words.

“Denim, this is not immaculate conception! I am pregnant with you, we did it!” Her voice cracked as she pointed out.

“Finally, I realize.” Denim nodded ironically. “Okay, then we’re going to the hospital!” He fired at her.

“For what?”

“To abort it!” Denim glared as he told her with his typical soul-wrenching brusque.

Rose stared at him for a moment. Her jaw locked tight and eyes nearly brimming with tears. “I’m going to keep my child. I am not doing any abortion. I can’t kill an innocent soul, okay?”

“Oh, so this has always been your plan, Rose! Therefore, you have been visiting, right? To ruin me!”

“Denim, there was no plan. I had no plan! All I wanted was to be with you. Stop doing this!”

He bitterly chewed his inner cheek with the most regretful glare. “Are you happy?”

His eyes searched hers for the truth. “Hmm?”

Rose turned away and gulped down the lump of tears filling her soul. “I’m happy! Having your child is the best thing that can happen to me, but I feel things are really going to go wrong. Maybe I am selfish, I just feel like... There will be a big problem.”

“Of course, there’s going to be a lot of problems. My marriage! My friends! Asher is already suspecting us!”

“Denim, end that marriage because there’s no way I’m going to marry Jack with this pregnancy, no!” Her warning ended with a burst of cry.

Denim grabbed his head in confusion. “How did I ever end up on your web? I hate you right now!” He pointed to her as if she was a devil. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re just a religious slut!”

“Come on baby, don’t say that to your wife, it’s not nice.” Her voice shivered amidst the pouring tears and she grabbed his shoulder, but he jerked her away like dirt with a warning.

“Get your freaking hands off me!” Denim fired, almost hitting her.

“I... I never wanted-” he paused, pinching his eyes at self shame and embarrassment, but everything ended in a gulp of his own saliva. His Hazel eyes that were now dark, fixated on hers. “Why did you let it happen? Why?”

Rose wracked with an onslaught of sobs and tears all held up with her sweaty, trembling palms, tightened together.

“I wasn’t thinking because I’m in love with you. Back since highschool days, I loved you Denim, and I kept myself for you. I was so happy when you came back. I just wanted to know how much you loved me and how much you will go to get me. Jack was a fling to bring you closer, but you went to Kimberly. I was weak and drenched and pained. Listen, Denim, I’m going to keep this child.” Her lips folded in strength as she blinked out more tears. “And that’s final.”

“I’m not even going to be serious until I confirm this pregnancy.” He pushed the car door in a click and stepped out of the car.

“No, Denim! Denim! Denim!” she called him as he walked away into the dark and disappeared from her sight.

Tears escaped her eyes following her fist, hitting the steering wheel in anger, but it horned and she stopped it, not to wake the sleeping neighbours. Her hands clamped over her head, pulling away the black beret. A great sob escaped Rose, and she covered her face with shaking hands, knowing the devil used her big time.

Asher Slade

Denim King

Jack Ryder

Rosemary Anton

Kimberly Jonas