Chapter 24 - The best memory

Rose's POV

"I had done several photoshoots for the campaigns of their fashion house." Liam replied nonchalantly and gave me a boyish smile. I smiled at him back.

We met in Rome about three years ago when he came to pose for the autumn/winter campaign of the fashion house I worked. He was so cheerful and charming and won everyone's heart. The girls were crazy for him. We got along well as well. He was like a little brother for me who I hadn't have.

"It seems everyone already knows Rose." Kate commented, smiling as she held Troy's hand, leaning against him.

"Yeah." Troy muttered, giving Liam a dirty look. I looked at him, puzzled.

Why did he suddenly get angry?

"So Alec is your son?! Oh my god, he grew up so much. The last time I saw him, he was a baby." Liam commented in awe.

"Yes." I agreed, looking at my son lovingly.

I brought Alec to the photoshoot because his nanny had to leave urgently. So I didn't find anyone to look after him and had to bring him to the fashion house with me. In his every break between photoshoots, Liam spent his time with Alec. Thank to him, I managed to work while he helped me to take care of my son.

Troy's POV

I took a sip from my red wine, clenching my fist while staring at Liam and Rose; they were chatting while Rose was smiling ear-to-ear. They hadn't stopped talking since we started having dinner.

Fuck!

What is going on between them? Or what happened between them in the past? Were they more than friends?

No, Liam isn't Rose's type. However, I can't say it about Liam because he didn't have any specific type. Beautiful and sexy were enough for him. And Rose is both.

Moreover, all these years, he knew where Rose was while I was searching for her desperately. Even my mother met her too.

If I stayed for the after party, I would find Rose earlier.

Damn it! Damn it!

I frowned in annoyance and ruffled my hair.

"Honey, are you fine?" Kate asked, interrupting my thoughts as she rested her hand on my forearm.

"Umm...Yes." I mumbled and took a piece of my fish.

I poured a glass of whiskey for myself and went towards my mother who was talking to Kate. My mother gave me a warm smile as I sat down on the couch beside her.

I took a sip from my whiskey without focusing what they were talking while staring at Rose, Liam and Alec. Rose and Liam's closeness was getting on my nerves. He even got the innocent child to his game. And Rose looked so satisfied by his attention.

Didn't she know that Liam is an incorrigible womanizer?!

I clenched my fist in frustration and sipped my whiskey without taking my eyes off Rose.

"Are you okay, Troy? You look tense." My mother asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Umm...Yeah." I mumbled, forcing a smile, and noticed that Kate wasn't beside her anymore.

"By the way, I am planning to talk about the wedding, taking an opportunity that everyone is here." My mother informed me.

"No, Mom!" I exclaimed abruptly. My mother gave me a confused look. I took a deep breath and added after looking at Rose who finally was alone. "Not tonight. We will talk about it later."

"Troy Anderson, what is going on? Did you have a fight with Kate?" My mother asked firmly.

"No, Mom. I just don't want to rush things." I mumbled. She gave me an unconvinced look. "Really, Mom." I tried to reassure her. She nodded, sighing.

"Rose, could you come here, please?" My mother called Rose, giving her a warm smile.

I looked at her as she nodded, biting her lower lip nervously, and approached us. She sat down in the armchair next to us.

"It is good you are here. I was going to get in touch with you. I really liked your collection as I told you before. Your style is so different and elegant. I would like to do a collaboration with you. What do you think?" My mother asked and gave her a bright smile.

"Umm..." Rose bit her lower lip, staring at me, and cleared her throat as she turned her gaze from me to my mother. "Thank you so much. It makes me happy to hear these words from you. I would gladly accept your offer." Rose replied softly, her eyes shining. I smiled at her excitement.

"Perfect. My assistant will inform you about the details and the timing of the meeting. It will be perfect." My mother stated happily. Rose nodded, giving her a warm smile.

"If you don't mind, I need to check Alec. He disappeared." Rose said, slightly worried.

"Don't worry. He is with Liam at the garden." I informed, pointing to them.

"Oh." She sighed in relief as she looked at them through the window.

"He is a charming little man." My mother commented softly.

"Thank you." Rose said proudly and gave her a brilliant smile.

"Actually, the first time I saw him I was so surprised. He looks like Troy so much." My mother confirmed, resting her hand on my thigh, and smiled, looking at Alec who was playing football with Liam.

"Umm..." Rose's face paled. She entwined her hands nervously as she saw I was looking at her attentively. "I don't know. Maybe... But I don't think so." She mumbled and gave my mother a slight smile.

"Troy!" Alec exclaimed, rushing towards me.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked anxiously as I placed my glass on the centre table. Meanwhile, Rose and my mother got worried as well.

"Yes. Liam told me you can play the piano. Can you play for me, please?" He replied in excitement and gave me a begging look.

I breathed deeply in relief and nodded, giving him a bright smile. My mother smiled, stroking his hair gently. Meanwhile, Rose was looking at us sadly.

"Sure." I gave him a bright smile as I stood up and held his hand.

I sat down on the bench while everyone's attention was focused on me. Alec stood beside the piano, leaning against it while looking at me in excitement.

I looked at Rose as I started to play the same song which I played for her in London. As soon as she heard the first notes, Rose looked at me in surprise. She pursed her lips together as sadness crossed her features.

I traveled my gaze from her to Alec who was staring at me, smiling, and gave him a warm smile. Then I closed my eyes, focusing on the song, lost in it while my memories with Rose replayed in my mind one by one.

As soon as I finished the song, everyone started applauding. When I opened my eyes, Rose was looking at me sadly, her eyes welled up. She pursed her lips together, averting her gaze, and wiped a drop of tear off her cheek.

"My son got this talent from me. Like father, like son." My father commented proudly.

"Dad, I am getting jealous." Liam said playfully, pretending to be jealous. "Grandpa said I took after you too. You know what he meant." He added arrogantly and winked at him.

"That old man likes to talk about me behind my back. He couldn't accept that I stole his only daughter's heart." My father scowled and rolled his eyes, making my mother chuckle.

"Will you teach me? Please?" Alec asked, looking at me with puppy eyes.

"Of course." I gave him a warm smile and stroked his hair playfully.

When I looked at Rose, I saw that she stood up abruptly and left quickly.

After teaching Alec a few first notes of a child song, I left him playing and went after Rose. She hadn't still come back.

I stopped walking and hid behind the wall as I heard Rose and Steven's voices; they were arguing.

"Enough, Dad!" Rose exclaimed angrily.

"I will not repeat myself. I don't want anyone to hear about your mistake. I will not let you damage my reputation." Steven stated in a bossy tone and left.

"Dad!" Rose hissed behind him, but he didn't stop. She frowned in annoyance and ruffled her hair angrily.

When I wanted to approach her, I noticed her mother coming towards her.

"What happened? Are you okay?" She asked her, concerned.

"Yes." Rose mumbled, breathing deeply.

"Rose, what happened? I saw your father; he looked angry. Did he tell you anything?" She asked, worried.

"Singing the same tune." Rose replied, shaking her head. Her mother stroked her arm, giving her a compassionate look. She breathed deeply and resumed. "I have a headache. If you don't mind, I want to go home. I need to rest. On the other hand, Alec probably is tired too. It will be better if Alec and I leave early." Her mother nodded, and they walked away together as Camila wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

I rubbed my chin, looking behind them. Yes, I knew Rose and Steven weren't on good terms, but I didn't think it was bad this much. He looked frustrated, but what was he angry about? Still because of her career? I should ask Kate about it.

I sighed and went back to the living room to catch Alec and Rose before they left.