Think a title for:Rose
Dressed in a flowing satin dress, accentuated by black heels and my hair cascading down, I stepped out of my home with a mix of anticipation and excitement. Joseph was outside the car, engrossed in a phone call, his presence making my heart skip a beat, he was handsome, in dress suit all black but shiny. Hair again back in an effortless manner. I might just have a thing of guys in formal, or is this man just too handsome to not feel intimated? He looks just good in anything he wears.
“I'll be back in two hours.”  He was one a call. “Hmm. Then put him in bed, make sure he doesn't eat anything cold past eight,” Joseph instructed, his voice gentle yet firm. He ended the call and looked at me, his eyes sparkling with admiration. His gaze lingered on me, and he couldn't help but utter, “You look beautiful.”
A blush tinted my cheeks, and I gratefully accepted the compliment. “You look charming yourself.” I looked at the back of the car. “You didn’t bring Mark.” 
“I hired a nanny to look after him today. I wouldn’t want him to be around drunk people.” 
“I miss him already.”
As we made our way to the car, conversation flowed effortlessly between us the air filled with a sense of warmth and affection. The mention of the fifth-year anniversary sparked curiosity within me, and I couldn't resist asking Joseph if I should expect to bring a gift along.
“I'm just a partner there, my friends actually own and run the place. If you want to buy a gift, I would rather have you go there more for dinners, some people find joy in feeding others and put a hole into their pockets.” Joseph replied, his tone filled with playful sincerity.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his response. “I thought I'll be meeting your business people.”
Joseph chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and something more. “All my closest friends who are actually my subordinates as well, they're are going to be there.”
His unexpected answer caught me off guard. “I didn't expect that.”
Joseph's gaze locked with mine, his voice filled with sincerity. 
“That I have friends? Do I look like someone who are too prideful to make friends.”
“No, that you would want to work with friends is kind of unexpected.”
“We are friends, aren't we? And now partners too. Is that a bad thing?”
I couldn't help but ponder his words, the implications of merging friendship with business. “Doesn't that make the relationship sour if you work with your friends? We all have something bad to wish for about our bosses.”
Joseph's response was immediate, his voice filled with conviction. “I think quite the opposite. Working with people I trust, I believe, is better than working with those I don't know and don't trust. My friends are my friends because they've already earned my trust. And I know what they're capable of.”
His words struck a chord within me, highlighting the strength of his bond with his friends. “You're right. I know nothing about business, and I've got just one friend. You are clearly luckier in that aspect than me.”
Joseph's gaze softened, his eyes filled with a tenderness that made my heart skip a beat. “Trust me on this, I always had a great eye for choosing friends. I'm only complimenting you here.”
The car stopped and as I looked out, we are outside the Sapphire Inn. It’s definitely been one of my go-to place to dine with Jill whenever we feel like treating ourselves. He owns this place too. No wonder he goes around in his lavish car, his home is not any less fancy. 
We got out of the car and the valet took the car to park, allowing us to step into a beautifully decorated lawn. Tables were positioned at a comfortable distance from one another, all facing the same direction. The atmosphere was infused with an air of celebration and joy. It was evident that Joseph and his partners have put thought and care into creating a memorable evening.
“I didn't know you had connections in the restaurant. I come here a lot. I actually love the pasta here,” I remarked, a hint of surprise in my voice.
Joseph's voice held a touch of pride as he replied, “Most of the recipes are my family recipes owned for generations. It makes me very prideful when people praise those recipes.” 
I smiled wishing to experience something similar soon.
We entered further in the crowd, our footsteps carrying us towards the group of friends gathered there. The soft lighting and warm atmosphere set the stage for an evening filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and shared memories.
In that moment, as I stood beside Joseph, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection. The tiny details of his unintentional nervousness, the glances he stole when he thought I wasn't looking. The evening, the decoration, all so beautiful felt like a romantic dream come true, where friendship and love intertwined, creating a beautiful tapestry of emotions. If I ever have a special person in my life, I'll definitely bring him here for the first date.
Joseph took me to join his friends as they were raising a toast, the clinking of glasses resonated through the air, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Surrounded by the enchanting atmosphere and the presence of those who mattered most, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect celebration of our shared journey.
All male friends surrounded him, and well, Linda was there too, her gaze over me is too intense for it to go unnoticed by my entire body. Joseph took me to join them, and we introduced ourselves.
Joseph proudly presented his friends, “This is Victor, Chad, Steven, and Henry. Steven and Henry are the main chefs and food creators of Fame Foods.”
“Fame Foods? Instant food company? You work for them.” 
“Something like that.” Steven answered.
“You'll find Chad and Victor here, if you ever want a ‘friend’s discount’.” He then turned to me, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “And this is Rose. Rose, five years ago, Henry and Chad came to my office and offered to buy my grandma's recipes that we grew up on, he wanted to open a restaurant so his parents won't force him to work with them. But when I realized how much profit it’s gonna make, I decided to ask for a twenty percent partnership.” His friends chuckled.
“Don’t trust this man Rose, he is very stingy.” Victor responded.
“And now he’s making money just for being the descent of a great chef’s family.” Chad added.
Joseph shrugged, “That's my investment for knowing the true value of my family heirloom.”
Linda approached us, hugging all his friends before pausing briefly in front of me. Her unwelcoming gaze made it clear that she was less than thrilled to see me there. I brushed off her negativity, determined to enjoy the evening and not let anything dampen my spirits.
“It's the first time Joseph has brought a girl with him,” Victor chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. I noticed Joseph shifting slightly, a mixture of amusement and nervousness evident in his expression.
“Because, other than Linda, she is my only partner,” Joseph clarified, his voice tinged with excitement. His friends couldn't contain their curiosity, their eagerness palpable in the air.
“Just to clarify, business partner,” I interjected, wanting to make our professional relationship clear. We were more than that, of course, but I didn't want any misunderstandings among his friends.
“I'll officially announce it to all of you soon, but for now, let's focus on enjoying this dinner together,” Joseph reassured everyone, his voice filled with warmth and affection. It was comforting to have him by my side, providing a sense of security amidst the gathering.
Steven, clearly the entertainer of the group, interrupted the conversation, grinning mischievously. “Not yet! First, we're going to play a game!” I could sense my competitive side awakening at the mere mention of a game.
“A game?” I exclaimed, my curiosity piqued. I loved a good challenge and was eager to see what they had in store for us.
Steven nodded enthusiastically, ensuring everyone heard his words. “A drinking game! Everyone, take your seats.” His declaration prompted Joseph to guide me to the table positioned at the center of the gathering. Linda, Joseph, Chad, Henry, and I settled around the table, forming a close-knit group ready to embark on this lighthearted competition.
Victor, in his energetic manner, took charge of the game. “I'll ask three questions. Whoever answers it will get a point. No one member can give the answer twice and you'll deliberately have to give the wrong answers. The team with the most wrong answers wins! If I ask, what is the colour of the sky, you will give a wrong answer, let’s say Silver.”
Steven added his twist, his mischievous grin widening. “But before we begin, you all have to take five shots each. It'll make the game even more hilarious!” The thought of five shots made me gulp nervously, but I couldn't resist the challenge. I should be able to handle that much at least.
Victor concluded with an enticing incentive, “And the winning team will have a chance to win hundred coupons for free dinners at any of our restaurants!” The reward sparked a frenzy of excitement, fuelling the competitive spirit in the room. Determination surged within me as I imagined the array of mouthwatering pasta dishes I could savor if we emerged victorious.
“We need to win,” I asserted, determined to lead our team to victory. As the servers walked in with trays of shots, we each grabbed five and downed them without hesitation. The room started to spin, and I could feel the effects of the alcohol creeping up on me. Who thought it would be a good idea to partake in this insanity? I felt like I was on the verge of losing my lunch several times.
With my head swimming, Steven began the questioning, his words blending together in a haze. “Alright, first question. What is the main ingredient of the chicken alfredo?”
I squeaked out my response, my voice slurring, “A gator.” Didn’t really give much thought before opening my mouth.
Laughter erupted at my ridiculous answer, and I couldn't help but join in, finding the absurdity of the moment amusing. The alcohol had taken hold, and my senses were dulled, leaving me in a state of semi-consciousness. Perhaps gulping down those shots so quickly wasn't the best idea.
Steven continued, undeterred by our intoxicated state. “Alright, the next question. Why are we all here today?”
I struggled to focus, my gaze drifting to Joseph who sat quietly beside me. He seemed reluctant to participate in the game, his concern evident in his eyes. Across the table, Linda's gaze was fixed on Joseph, her expression a mixture of longing and frustration. I had a feeling there was more to their dynamic than met the eye.
“A birthday party,” someone from another team answered confidently. It seemed our team was a bit slow on the uptake, our minds foggy from the alcohol. Why is none of the participants on my table are any more interested in playing as I was.
I glanced around the room, noticing that many of the other participants were already far too intoxicated to provide coherent answers. The room was filled with laughter, slurred speech, and stumbling participants. It was a comedy of errors, and I was right in the middle of it.
Steven posed the final question, his words muffled in my ears. “Who is not the owner of this restaurant?”
My mind struggled to comprehend the question. Not the owner. I could feel the cloud of alcohol impeding my thoughts, making it difficult to reason. “I don't know,” I mumbled incoherently. “I'm not the owner.” The words slipped out nonsensically, my attempt at deliberately giving the wrong answer. The confusion in my mind was palpable.
Joseph, seeing my struggle, leaned closer, his voice filled with concern. “Rose, are you alright? Maybe you should take a break.”
I shook my head, my vision blurry as I tried to regain some semblance of focus. “No, no, I can do this,” I slurred, my determination masking my state of intoxication. “Just... give me a moment.”
But the alcohol had taken its toll, and I could feel myself losing control. The room spun around me, and I could no longer make sense of the questions or my own thoughts. I muttered to myself, nonsensical phrases and silly musings slipping past my lips.
Joseph, recognizing my vulnerability, reached out to steady me, his touch gentle and caring. “Rose, let's take a breather. You don't have to push yourself so hard. We're just here to have fun, remember?”