"Did Samantha leave already " Mira came downstairs from Andriana's room.
She had just put Andriana to sleep, and David and Karlye had disappeared into the study , David received a call about work.
Susan and Jenny had stayed behind to help Rosie and the maids clean up.
"Yes, she did. I think someone picked her up " Rosie replied.
"That must have been her boyfriend. So how are you girls getting home ?" she asked.
"We are going to order a taxi since Arthur left without us " they said.
"Oh, when did he leave ?" Mira glanced back at Rosie who avoided her gaze.
"A while back " Jenny answered.
"I will drop you off, we can't let you get a taxi this late" David came in.
"I saw drinking earlier. Let the driver take them. You both are staying here " Karlye instructed.
"Oh ...but it was only one glass . Am completely sober " David wanted to protest.
"No buts David. Andriana wanted Mira to stay back and since we have an early meeting tomorrow , just stay here so we can leave together in the morning " he added.
Karlye walked up to the door and looked back.
"You two, let's go " he said.
The two girls nodded and followed him out the door.
Rosie said goodbye to her friends and stood next to Karlye.
Jenny and Susan got into the car and were driven off.
"Is everything okay at school ?" Karlye suddenly asked.
Rosie glanced back at him surpsied but she nodded.
"Really ?"
"Yeah ...apart from the upcoming exams stressing us out everything is okay " she lied.
He turned facing her, "Rosie, if anything is bothering you and it's too hard to tell your sister or Mira and Samantha then you can try and confide in me .....and if that fails, we can try mother. And if that fails too then we ....".
She cut him off.
"I think I'm a bad person " she let out.
"Bad person ..okay. And what makes you think you are ?" he asked.
She gulped, "Something happened at school ".
"Are you talking about the bullies....what you did was t bad you where simply defending yourself " he muttered.
Rosie gasped looking back at him.
"You knew ....when ....how....wait does my sister know ?" She stammered.
He chuckled.
"No she doesn't. And I know it was wrong of me to spy on you at school but I was worried about you. And when I found out about what those girls were doing I was going to intervene but then you handled it "
She sighed.
"Please don't tell my sister about it. In fact, no one knows about it apart from those girls and me "
"I know and don't worry I don't intend on telling anyone. But I didn't know you knew how to fight, I had to watch it twice to believe it " he laughed.
Rosie looked away in embarrassment, "Please delete it and forget about it ".
"Hmm, but I'm sure you have pictures you took of them too" he said.
"That is because I need something to threaten them with. They kept bothering me I had to do something " she let out.
"I understand and since they started it they kind of deserved it. But I still don't support it, it will break your sister's heart if she finds out " he explained.
Rosie scoffed, "Who do you think taught me ".
Karlye froze.
Rosie giggled, "We had to with how crazy our parents hit us. We didn't fight back but we knew how to make sure not to get hit in vital places. But you're right, I don't think she would like it ".
"So you mean Andriana knows how to ....fight like that ?" he asked.
"Yeah...she is a lot worse. But she never got to use it, my sister is such a soft-hearted person to even think of hurting anyone " she muttered.
"Mmm, that's good..... so what exactly is bothering you, if it isn't the bullies ?". he asked.
Rosie stared back at the dark night.
"I think Arthur likes me " she let out.
"What you just found out ....I thought you knew " he chuckled.
"Huh!. I just thought he just wanted to be friends and he never said anything or showed it until recently " she mumbled.
Karlye smirked.
"Are you sure he never showed it ,you need to think carefully".
Rosie fell silent.
"But I'm going to have to talk to him ...you both are still young for that. Concentrate on your studies and then when the right time comes you can fall in love all you want " he advised.
"I ...I ...never said I liked him back " she blushed.
Karlye smiled, "I see...but Rosie you need to work on your poker face if you want to learn to lie better in the future ".
"Huh...who said I was lying " she blurted out.
He turned towards the door.
"Let's get back inside, it's getting late "
"Karlye " she called.
He looked back, "yeah...".
"Can I really call you if I'm in trouble ?" She asked.
He nodded, "Anytime, and I will be there "
Rosie smiled walking beside him.
When they got inside she headed upstairs to her room saying goodnight to him.
Karlye noticed David outside back on the terrace.
"What are you doing out here ?". he asked joining him.
"She chased me out, saying this place has plenty of other rooms for me to use "he said.
Karlye scoffed.
"She is right but this is my home. I gave you that room to share with her. So unless you want to use the living room ,go back upstairs and convince her to let you stay "
David sighed.
"Can't I just go home ?, Mira gets really physical when angry "
"No, go back to your room and she is your girlfriend you can handle a few slaps from her " Karlye said.
David walked back inside and headed upstairs with a frown.
Karlye pulled out his phone making a call
"Tell your little brother I need to talk to him tomorrow" he said.
"My little brother ...what is this about " the other asked.
"Something to do with my sister-in-law" he replied.
"Huh...you got married. When was that and I wasn't even invited " the other laughed.
Karlye smirked.
"I know you know what I mean. Just deliver my message to him " he hung up.