think a title for :Joseph
I woke up early in the morning, my concern for Rose still lingering in my mind. As I stepped out of my room, I was relieved to see Rose already in the lounge room, engaged in conversation with Alex. She appeared slightly better than the previous day, and it brought a glimmer of hope to my heart.
Approaching them, I couldn't help but express my worry. “Rose, are you feeling better?” I inquired, hoping to receive reassurance from her.
She looked up at me with a faint smile. “Yeah, I'm better now,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of relief. “It was just period pain, Joseph. I'm fine now, trust me.”
Her words offered some solace, but the lingering concern persisted within me. Before I could delve further into the matter, she directed my attention towards the laptop Alex had in front of them. “Come take a look here, Joseph,” she said, her tone eager. “Alex has already put together a rough video. It looks good.”
I nodded, appreciating her distraction tactic for the time being. “I'll look at it once we're back. For now, we have a flight to catch,” I informed her, taking charge of her bag and ensuring everything was in order. We joined Alex in the cab, while the rest of the team occupied the other vehicles.
The day was designated as a well-deserved break for everyone, a chance to rest after their hard work over the past two weeks. As we reached Rose's place, I hesitated before dropping her off. However, Rose took the initiative and called Jill, requesting her presence to ensure she could rest peacefully.
With a sense of relief, I left Rose in Jill's capable hands, knowing she would provide the care and support that Rose needed. It was a small comfort, but I couldn't help but hope that the day off would allow Rose to rejuvenate and regain her strength.
As I entered my place, I was greeted by the heartwarming sight of Mark playing with his grandfather. Making the poor old man run behind him while he jumped from places to places. It had been a while since I had seen him, and it was clear that Mark was excited about our reunion. Mark hugged me before running away to play with his toys.
Dad, sat down breathing heavily. “Dad, I haven't seen you in a while,” I said, taking a seat beside him. 
His reply was simple and straightforward, “I've been busy.” We settled in, engaging in conversation as family does. “You son is really something huh. He just can't sit in quietly.”
“I know, it’s really hard to handle him sometimes. But I'm still worried for his safety so I can't let him on his own.”
“Did those people got caught yet?”
“The police has no idea who send them, they are local goons. Their car had no number plates so they can track them.”
“You should rather hire some private investigators. You know how cops work.” I nodded agreeing with him. It was also my second resort.
“I'll tell me friends to hook you up with a great detective.” I laughed from his choice of words. Yet, I agreed.
Eventually, the topic shifted towards Rose and the recent events involving her. “I heard about your little act in front of the chairman,” my father remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “I've never seen you advocate for someone in that manner, no matter how talented they are. Is this girl special?”
I couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of warmth in my heart. “She is special, Dad,” I replied earnestly. “I've never met someone quite like her before. She's intelligent, caring, and so strong. She’s been through a lot but still when she smiles, it seems like she is the happiest person on earth and even Mark loves her. She has been a tremendous help to us. You know she was the one who saved Mark from kidnapping.”
At that moment, Mark chimed in, eager to share his perspective. “You know, Grandpa, Rose kicked the bad people and saved me,” he exclaimed with excitement. “Even Dad and his people can't fight like that!”
Dad chuckled, amused by Mark's enthusiasm. “So, she already has you two wrapped around her fingers,” he commented playfully. “Must be someone special.”
I quickly interjected, eager to clarify any misunderstandings. “It's not like that, Dad. We are just friends,” I clarified. “All I wanted to do was repay her for everything she has done for us, without ever expecting anything in return. She really deserves the best.”
“You didn’t tell her how you feel for her?” he sounds almost disappointed.
“I thought you would suggest me to not bother for her like you always used to do.”
“You truly look happy thinking of her and since Mark like that girl, she has to be someone special.” My father, always one for banter, couldn't resist teasing me. “I'll have to meet her then to really see that. but until then I'll just trust your words.” He said mischievously.
I chuckled, knowing his intimidating presence might not be the best first impression for Rose. “You will only scare her. you should wait until I can completely make her mine so she won't run away scared of you.” I replied, half-jokingly.
“I'm not that scary,” he retorted, defending himself.
Smiling, I reminded him of his own past. “None of my exes had the courage to look at your face, Dad. You resemble those old movie villains, who shoot first talk later. And you gun collection doesn’t help either.” I teased, enjoying our exchange.
He laughed heartily, appreciating the humor in my words. “You know, I looked just like you do now, so you know what the future holds for you. Maybe Mark will say the same things to you one day,” he mused.
I shrugged playfully. “Don't worry, Dad. I take after Mom more, and I don’t drink as much as you do. I'm definitely more handsome thanks to mom. And I must say you have great taste in that.”
His laughter echoed through the room. “You'll go on and on, saying good things about your mom. I'm off for golf. Your son has already exhausted me,” he exclaimed, jesting about Mark's boundless energy.
As he left, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite the challenges we faced, having my father's support and witnessing Mark's connection with Rose reassured me that we were on the right path. 
Barely five minutes passed and there was another ring on my door. I was taken aback by Rose's unexpected visit. As she stood at the door, asking if she could come in, I immediately let her inside. Concern filled my voice as I asked, “Why are you not resting? Shouldn't you be taking care of yourself?”
Her demeanor was different from the usual confident and composed Rose. She appeared nervous, her hands slightly trembling as she settled on the couch. Something important seemed to be on her mind.
“I forget something important here.” she replied.
Curiosity and apprehension mingled within me as I inquired, “What did you leave behind?”
“I-I wanted to talk.” 
“What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?”
Her words hung in the air, her voice quivering with anticipation, “I won't have peace until I know your answer.”
My heart skipped a beat as she posed the question that caught me off guard, “Why did you kiss me last night?” Her awareness of that moment left me speechless. 
How did she know? I questioned myself, feeling a mix of surprise and confusion.
“No, I wasn't sleeping,” she continued, her eyes searching mine. “My eyes were just closed, and you kissed my forehead. Why did you do that? I thought we were friends? Right? Did I get the wrong idea? do you have something else in mind? Because I will tell you, I don’t want any of those feelings in my life.”
The weight of her words settled upon me, and I struggled to find the right response. This was not the conversation I had anticipated. “No, stop,” I interjected, my voice tinged with urgency. “You were not sleeping. So, you heard what I said?”
Her gaze held mine, determination shining through. “I did. I want to know why you did that. I want to know the real reason why you've been so moody with me lately. What is going on with you?” Her words struck a chord within me, unveiling her vulnerability and genuine concern.
Silence enveloped the room as I grappled with my emotions, searching for an explanation. The truth couldn't be denied any longer. “Rose, it's not that simple,” I finally spoke, my voice filled with a mix of regret and longing. “I... I have feelings for you.”
Her eyes widened, mirroring the surprise I felt. “Feelings?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” I confessed, mustering the courage to lay bare my emotions. “I've been struggling with these feelings, trying to navigate this delicate balance between friendship and something more. It's been tearing me apart, and that's why I've been moody and distant. I didn't want to complicate things between us.”
Her expression softened, and she reached out to hold my hand. “Joseph, why didn't you talk to me about it? We've always been honest with each other. We could have worked through this together.”
“I was afraid,” I admitted, my voice laden with vulnerability. “Afraid of losing our friendship, afraid of what could happen if you didn't feel the same way. I didn't want to ruin what we had.”
Rose's eyes shimmered with understanding and a hint of something more. “You should have trusted me, Joseph,” she said gently. “Friendship is built on trust and open communication. We can face any challenge together.”
As her words sank in, a sense of relief washed over me. The weight I had been carrying lifted slightly, replaced by hope and the realization that I didn't have to face this alone.
“I'm sorry, Rose,” I whispered, reaching to cup her face gently. “I should have trusted you, and I promise I will be more honest from now on.”
A soft smile graced her lips as she leaned into my touch. “We'll figure it out, Joseph. Together.”
In that moment, a newfound sense of closeness and possibility bloomed between us. The unspoken feelings we had carried in our hearts were now laid bare, and the journey ahead promised both challenges and beautiful moments, united by trust and love.
As Rose expressed her concerns and doubts, I listened intently, aware of the complexities surrounding our evolving relationship. The fear of complicating things and the impact it might have on Mark weighed heavily on her mind. Her words struck a chord within me, reminding me of the importance of considering all aspects before moving forward.
“I understand your worries, Rose,” I reassured her, my voice filled with empathy. “It's true that we have a lot to consider, especially when it comes to Mark. His happiness and well-being are of utmost importance.”
She pleaded with me, her eyes searching mine for answers. “Joseph, I can't make any promises right now. I'm still trying to untangle my own feelings and fears. The fear of betrayal is strong, and it's holding me back.”
Her vulnerability touched my heart, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for her struggle. “Take all the time you need,” I responded softly. “I don't want to rush you into anything. Your emotional well-being matters to me, and I want you to feel comfortable and secure in whatever decision you make.”
Rose rose from her seat, indicating her readiness to leave. However, I couldn't bear to let her go without at least sharing a meal together. “Wait, have breakfast with us,” I suggested, hoping to create a moment of normalcy amidst the emotional turbulence.
Reluctantly, she agreed, and I called for Mark to join us downstairs. His excitement was palpable as he saw Rose, and he enveloped her in a tight embrace. Their affectionate exchange warmed my heart, even as I grappled with my own mixed emotions.
They sat together at the dining table, feeding each other and sharing lighthearted moments, while I watched from a distance. Although happiness surged within me, the lingering hope for a future together mingled with the uncertainty and complexity of the situation.
As they immersed themselves in their connection, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us all. It was a delicate balance, one that required patience, understanding, and a willingness to navigate the unknown. For now, all I could do was manage my own emotions and be there for both of them, supporting them in their own journeys of self-discovery.
Continuing the breakfast, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change, and the path ahead would be filled with challenges and unexpected turns. But in that moment, amidst the laughter and shared joy, I held onto a glimmer of hope, knowing that our bond had the potential to grow stronger, even in the face of uncertainty.