CHAPTER 1

The man hugged her and whispered, "Wherever I am, my love for you will never wane.''

''I'm too'' she responds with an embrace.

She was going to see the man's face, but his brother's booming voice made her awake.

To prepare for school, she took a bath. She quickly rushes downstairs after putting on her uniform to check what her mother is preparing.

The sight of her favorite cooked veggie made her smile.

'' Mom, can I bring these for lunch?''She asked her mother ''Naturally, I am aware that is your favorite'' her mother answered with a smile.

She knows her mother is going on a trip, and that's why her mom cooks for them.

"We're leaving in a week for a business trip, my Dear, If you need anything, just call me'' her mother stated.

''Okay, mom, stay safe'' she retorted.

She checked herself in the mirror before leaving the house.

She slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. Her school is not far away, so she arrived in 5 minutes. When she exits the car, her friend Esther is already waiting.

"It was Elise's birthday, and you're invited to her party later" Esther explained as she handed over the invitation card.

"Where is the venue? 'I just ask mom first if I can go,'' Rosalind said.

"No need, my friend; I already discussed it with Aunt Rosie, and she approves," she said winking at Rosalind.

"You already know I'm not coming, so you really talk to my mother, huh? " She said with a smirk.

"Perhaps we'll find your perfect match there!" She exclaimed with glee.

"Your so talkative let's go we're getting late" Rosalind said, pulling her friend's hand to speed up their walk.

They take their seats in their respective chairs as they enter the room. Rosalind was relieved because Esther was not her seatmate.

When their teacher entered the room, the class began.

''What are the three most important habits of a successful entrepreneur?'' the teacher inquired.

And one student raises her hand to respond to the teacher's question.

They go to the cafeteria after the second-period class and order food for their snacks.

They had free time after the second period in the afternoon and decided to go home early to prepare for the party later.

Rosalind enters their home, and her brother rushes over to hug her.

"How are you doing, baby? "She asks, pinching his cheeks.

"I received a star! "he said happily, and he let her sister see it.

''That's nice baby, what do you want me to buy you? " Rosalind inquires of her brother

'' I want chocolate and marshmallows'' he replied.

"I'll buy you, but please go to bed early, okay? " She told him and her brother nods and walks into his room.

She informed their maid that she would be leaving tonight to attend the party.

It's already 6:30 p.m. and she's looking for a dress. And she decided to wear the peach dress that her mom gave her.

She goes down the stairs after she has finished fixing herself. She was dressed in a peach dress with stiletto heels.

She takes the car keys and drives away. She does not exit the car as soon as she arrives at the venue.

She informs Esther that she has arrived. And she was told to proceed through the Entrance. When Esther sees Rosalind, she waves.

"You're so lovely, my friend," Esther told Rosalind.

"You are as well," she replied.

The party has already begun, and Rosalind remains seated while others dance.

She enjoys the food and the company of her chatty friend.

"Are you familiar with Kaden Finley? " Esther inquired.

"I don't know him, why?''Rosalind replied.

"He's hot, and many girls want to be in a relationship with him," she exclaimed.

"I don't care who he is, so let's not talk about him," she grumbled.

"He was invited as well, but I'm not sure if he'll come," Esther explained.

Rosalind doesn't listen to Esther when she talks about the guy. She excused herself to use the restroom.

When Rosalind returns, a band is getting ready to perform a song.

They were both ecstatic to hear the band perform.

"Who wants to join us here and sing? "The band's leader inquires.

"Here, my friend! "Esther yells, pointing to Rosalind.

"Esther, you really..." Rosalind said.

"Let us greet the lovely lady in peach!" The leader stated.

Rosalind has no choice but to enter the stage. She was asked what she would like to sing. She told them she was singing Sweet Caroline.

''Where it began, I can't begin to knowing

But then I know it's growing strong

Was in the spring

And spring became the summer

Who'd have believed you'd come along'' Rosalind sings in the intro

Someone was secretly watching her while she was singing.

Rosalind sings beautifully. And everyone at the party enjoys her singing.

They request more, but she refers them to her friend Esther.

Esther enjoys singing too and performs well.

Rosalind did not finish the party because she was concerned about her brother. So she finally said goodbye to Esther.

He goes to her brother's room as soon as she arrives to see if she is already sleeping.

Her phone rings while she is drying her hair. It was her mother.

"Are you home now, my love? '' her mother asked.

"Yes, mom, Orville is already sleeping. How's your journey going? "She replied on the other line.

"We're so busy here, we have another transaction tomorrow," her mother explained.

"Where is Dad? " Rosalind inquires

"He's not yet home," her mother responds.

Before they hung up, they told each other to be careful. Rosalind does not have a close relationship with her father. She caught her father cheating when she was young. And she was furious about it.

She sits on her bed, scrolling through her phone.

She received a text message from her friend Esther.

"Kaden arrived..." Esther texted.

"She had overheard you singing earlier..." she added

''Goodnight !'' Rosalind quickly responded.

''Is it that you will respond? The other girls would be so excited if they knew Kaden was listening to their song," she texted.

Rosalind did not respond because she is aware of Esther's naughtiness. Rosalind falls asleep while scrolling through her phone.

She had no idea someone had texted her. Someone texted her, saying, "Hi...you're amazing."

Rosalind is awakened by the alarm on her phone.

For breakfast, she has coffee and toasted bread. It's their wash day, so they can wear whatever they want.

She is dressed in a white top, high-waisted jeans, and boots. She is carrying a backpack and wearing a jacket.

She chose to ride her big bike motorcycle.

Everyone was staring at her as she entered the university. They want to know who the lady riding the big bike is.

They were taken aback when Rosalind took out her helmet.

" Can I ride there Rosalind? "One man inquires."

"You're so cool," they exclaimed Rosalind simply chuckles as she walks to their classroom.

She takes her cell phone out of her pocket. She was perplexed after reading someone else's text message. {Hello? Do I know who you are? } she replied { It doesn't matter if you don't know me because I already know you } someone texted.

She eventually finds Esther as she enters the room. She is aware that Esther can tell who is texting her.

"Hello Rosalind, I heard you ride your large bike motorcycle," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, I want to use it. By the way, do you know who is texting me?"Rosalind questioned.

''I'm sorry, but I can't help it when so many males beg for your number.'' She answered

"You must have entered the wrong number," she remarked.

'' Better than that, she said with a smile, "you have a choice."

'' I'll tell you a few times that I don't have to look for a man'' Rosalind exclaimed.

They didn't resume the conversation when the teacher arrived immediately. Prior to the class end, they were told to review because the following meeting would feature a graded recitation.

One of their buddies had a birthday, so they made the decision to visit a resort.

They prepared their belongings for the outing. Rosalind is wearing shorts and a blouse. Due to Esther's dad sending them to the port, she won't be bringing her car.

They see their buddies waving at them as they arrive. They bid Esther's father farewell before departing to be with their friends.

On the boat, there are lots of people. The sound of the waves, a baby screaming, and children shouting are all audible. Rosalind attracted the attention of the happy movie-watching pair.

During the ride, Esther nods off.

While she was looking at them, she was surprised by a voice asking her a question.

"May I sit here?'' the man inquired

When Rosalind nods, the man sits down next to her.

The scent of the man is detectable to her. Additionally, she can see the man staring at her out of the corner of her eye, but she seems unconcerned. Finally, they reached the port. She wakes Esther up so they can go down already.

One of her friends yelled at the man as they waited for the van that would pick them up.

He said to the man, "Kaden it's wonderful you came too, it would be fun."

Rosalind's perspective (it was the man who had been seated next to me earlier; is that who Esther had told me?)

Esther speaks softly to Rosalind and says, "That's him, and I didn't know his coming too."

Kaden is finally seen by Rosalind. He was Emmeth's closest pal. The vehicle has already arrived, and they are moving toward their destination.

They heard music playing as they made their way to their destination.

And when they heard it, they were thrilled.

They were welcomed inside by the resort workers. Laughing and joking aside, they were all engaged in happy conversation.

Rosalind and Esther forgot to purchase certain essentials. They visit a local mall to buy it.

As they walk into the mall, Rosalind's eyes widen to see her favorite restaurant.

She advised Esther to eat before they go shopping for necessities.

They eventually enter and search for the menu. The waiter approaches them while they were looking at the menu.

Rosalind decided to order Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Celery.

''And what about the drinks, Ma'am? the waiter inquires.

''Simply serve me some strawberry lemonade,'' she replied

"How about you Ma'am? "Waiter is referencing Esther,

"Cinnamon buns and fresh lemonade" she replied

''Ma'am, please wait a moment while we prepare your food.'' The waiter said, and they both nodded.

They go shopping for their supplies after they eat.

They also purchase some food and bathing suits.

''What do you think?'' Esther asked Rosalind if she liked the two-piece suit.

"That was very revealing, the color was beautiful." She responded

"I'll buy this for you," she said with a smile, and she then went to the desk to pay.

They went back to the resort. Friend laughter was heard and seen.

"It's good you two are already here. Ada remarks

"What's going on? Esther questioned

'' We're going to play a game of Truth or Dare," Cecily said.

'' That's fun, I'm on it,'' Esther exclaimed with joy.