Jude Townshend

The sun shone brightly and penetrated the bedroom where Rose was lying. Rose definitely had slept soundly throughout the ordeal, thanks to the drips and medications provided. She, of course, unaware of the chaotic situation back in her house as she dreamt of someone who had helped her.

In her dream, someone hugged her tightly and consoled her to be strong. It was like a flower bud that was caressed by a gentle wind. This kind of feeling definitely worth to be cherished.

Rose slowly opened her eyes and what was greeting her sight was an unfamiliar luxurious bedroom's ceilings. She turned her head to the side and was mesmerised by the sight before her. The sunshine was slightly obstructed by a thin blue-ish pastel-coloured organza curtains. What a sophisticated taste!

Rose took a deep breath and sighed in content. She closed her eyes again and tried to pick up the events that transpired last night.

When she came to the part where she had forcefully kissed a handsome stranger and took off her dress right in front of him, Rose jerked awake and sat straight on the bed.

Her cheeks blushed aggressively that it was visibly turned into crimson.

Damn! What had I've done? She vigorously scratched her hair in frustration.

It was then the door opened. At first she saw slender fingers on the door knob, followed by a well-polished black leather shoe before she was greeted by a dashing-look man. She was momentarily stunned by the sight before her.

Jude Townshend. How did she ended up in his place?

"Morning. You're awake?" Those were the words came to her ears that caused them to be slightly redden with shyness.

Rose quickly averted her sight to other directions while trying hard to calm her fluttering heart. She wasn't realised that her fingers clenched on the thick blanket that caused it to be visibly wrinkled.

"How do you feel?" Rose took a deep breath.

"I'm good, for the time being. Thanks. Truth to be told, it is only a matter of time for this type of drug to flare again. I'm afraid..." Rose bit her lower lip before sighed heavily.

Jude walked to her side and softly patted her bared shoulder. He looked into her eyes, trying to comfort her.

" Go, wash up first. The dress and whatever you need are in the bathroom. Feel free to help yourself with it. We'll talk later,"

"Oh, wait... Did we... Last night..." Jude looked at her and smiled before answered her curtly, "No." Then, he left her alone in the bedroom.

Rose looked at the back of the man that had came to her rescue. Such an enigmatic and full of vigor, definitely a dream man of many.

Thinking back of what might happened between the two of them, Rose bit her lower lip for the second time for that morning.

After she calmed her own feelings and rearranged her thoughts, she climbed down the luxurious king-sized bed and went straight to the exquisite bathroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How's the beauty doing?" Samuel took a sip of his hot coffee while looking at his friend, Jude.

"Tell me, could this drug flare up if it is not treated the way it should be?" This time Samuel stunned upon hearing Jude's question.

"Well, truth to be told, the possibilities of it to flare up is high. That's why I insisted you do something last night but you won't listen to me."

"I see...."

"Wait, why did you ask me this, out of blue? Did something happen, between the two of you?" Samuel bewilderedly looked at Jude. His little gossipy heart suddenly ignited, yet again. His eyes shone brightly with curiosity.

Jude shot him a deathly glare but he won't budge unless his curiosity was fulfilled.

" There's nothing happen. Don't worry," Then a maid came to the dining table with a young lady trailed behind her.

"Morning brother!" a bright smile plastered on her face. Samuel almost choked on his coffee upon looking at the young lady.

"Oh, you're here, as well, Sam?" Abigail Townshend simply took her seat across Samuel.

"Hello there Abby, nice to see you," Samuel greeted her with a warm smile.

"Oh, I'm famished! Bring me two half boiled eggs and a cup of tea," the maid scurried away to do her bidding.

"What bring you here?" Jude asked her. There were no doubt stern notes in his voice. Abby would not come to his place if she didn't need his favour. He knew all too well about his baby sister.

"Bro, please help me," she touched her brother's hand with pleading eyes.

"Now what?"

"Bro, you know that dad and mom wanted to match me with some unknown man. I don't want to marry someone I don't love." she said.

"Then tell me, who is the one that you love?" Abby averted her brother's eyes and looked around. It was then she saw a beautiful young lady in blue flowery knee-length off-shouldered dress approached them. She was stunned for a few moments. She haven't met someone so gorgeous like the young lady before her. Not only that, she never saw any woman ever came to Jude's place! This was explosive news!

Abby was not the only one who stunned, even Jude, who was always wore his nonchalant yet dashing look also stunned beyond words. He never thought that the young miss of Smith would be extremely gorgeous. He instinctively rose from his seat and went to the vacant seat next to him, pulled the chair and gestured Rose to take a seat in a gentle manner.

Rose nodded her head slightly with a smile on her fair complexion and sat elegantly.

A maid came forward and brought two cups of coffee, toasted breads, half boiled eggs and a fruit platter.

"You look radiant," It was an honest compliment from him. And of course he meant it. Samuel, who watched the scene before him twitched. His gut told him that his friend, Mr Jude Townshend, the most sought after bachelor was smitten by the beauty. He took another sip of his coffee.