“I’m getting ready for work.”

“Do you care for lunch today?”

Rose turned to Kimberly with a frown. How dare he call her after posting her picture?

“I can’t guarantee you that.” Rose stressed on the word with. She curled her lips into a smile. Raising her tongue behind her top teeth. “But I’ll let you know.”

“Aw, okay. I’ll see you then. Do have a good day.”

Rose ended the call with one raised brow and tucked in chin. She pressed the end call button at once. An awkward silence reigned in the room as she slapped her phone to the dining table.

“You know, I just wish he was someone from church that popped the question.”

Kim rolled her eyes, still silent. There was no point convincing her if she wasn’t ready or interest in any of them.

“As for these guys, they can remain friends. I’m not interested. Oh, it’s 8:00 a.m. already, I have to rush!” Rose let out a silent sigh and moved her lips a bit, beaming her friend a reassuring smile.

“Please help me with this.” Rose grabbed her fancy black hand bag.

Kimberly just nodded, while Rose gave her a goodbye kiss. “See you later, bye!”

“Bye.”

Rose hurried out while Kimberly took her plate of pasta into the kitchen. She barely is anything. Rose is a hardworking accountant. She is so dedicated to her job and, with this, she can feed herself and even assist her family and friends financially.

Kimberly is a writer and a journalist. Four months ago, the Media organization she was working with told her she wasn’t competent enough. They handed her a termination letter. Despite fighting tooth and nail to get a decent job, all her efforts were in vain. Not long after then, her boyfriend broke up with her saying she’s a liability. Kimberly almost committed suicide after the breakup. It took a lot to let go of the memories. She’d made a book out of her ex.

Presently, Kimberly writes for a charity freelancing company. She also writes her stories, hoping to self-publish her books, and become an indie writer. Rose takes care of all their experiences for now.

The air was thick with smoke. Asher looked so different from how he was outside. A gentle sighed escaped his lips as he sucked on his pipe. Asher cracked his lips and a cloud of smoke escaped from his symmetrical full lips, enjoying the feel. Jack walked down the stair. About to get to the living room, he stopped. Watching Jack from the back for a moment, then he stepped back and hurried into Asher’s room, as if a quick thought came up.

Jack disappeared behind the black swinging door. The uneven flap of his footsteps as echoed as he descended away, into the main room. Asher raised his gaze toward the direction of a Grey smoke, floating in the room's darkness. Relaxed, he rolled his eyes and pressed his lips against a pipe of weed on his right hand, sucking on it. Asher held on to the smoke before letting it out.

Jack bashed into Asher’s room. Luckily, the door was open. He hurried to the corner if the room where Asher plugged his phone, scrolling through his contact list. He quickly typed Rose’s number. It brought out Sister Mary. Nailing his fingers on the phone’s screen, he deleted her contact from his phone. Then, he placed the phone back to here it was charging. About to step out, Jack pulled the door to Asher’s dagger look.

Jack couldn’t help himself. His jaws dropped to the floor and his brows shot to the ceiling. He took a step back.

“Hey, what’s up?” Jack greeted in a high-pitched tone, shocked by this presence.

The guys were so private. Even as close friends and business partners, they trusted themselves to a point and kept something away from each other. As housemates, they never enter each other’s room.

“What are you doing here?” Asher asked suspiciously.

“Urr... I” Jack stammered, lost for words. As if he was a stranger, his dark eyes darted back and forth. “Yes, I wanted to talk yo you about Saturday night.”

“What about it?” Asher folded his arm, paying attention.

“Asher. I want to follow up on Rose and, you know, date and possibly get married to her.”

“So why the sudden confession? I’m not Rose.” Asher frowned with more curiosity.

“Why the sudden confession? Why the sudden confession?” Jack murmured, pinching the top of his straight nose. Suddenly, he leaned forward with steady eye contact. “I am telling you all this because I don’t want you to give her the impression that you want the same thing.”

“Oh, really? So you mean, if I Wang to date her, I have to give her an impression? Come on, what are you saying?-“

“Hey, listen!” Jack cut in with a warning. His index finger pointed to Asher and his eyes widened to his raised chin. “You heard me correctly!”

“Now look! You, listen to me!” Asher titled his head with pressed lips. “If I want something, you don’t tell me not to go for it because you want it! Competition is allowed here, man!”

Asher warned, and Jack chuckled. The chuckle grew into a scornful laugh. Asher sensed he was a stupid person when he heard his demonic laugh. He just frowned, giving him a disgusted look. Jack placed his hand on his shoulder and suddenly wiped his nose.

“Alright, it’s fine. Thus, I’m going to win her shortly, I promise. And I’m going to bring her here. Listen! If you ever try to be smart, there’s going to be a showdown!”

Denim rushed into the room with a hand over his out. As if he grasped to their last words, he smacked a palm against his forehead. Giving a dark, squinted eyes. “What’s going on here? It’s Monday morning. What are you two arguing over?”

“Apparently, this man here plays and bet on who wins Rose over!”

Denim rolled his eyes at Jack with crinkled eyes and pursed lips.

“And I think I’m ready for the game.” Asher clarified. His dark eyes gave a chill.