The white dress contrasted greatly against her honey brown skin, the off-shoulder sleeves revealing her collar bones, matching perfectly with her silver jewellery and hair accessories that highlighted her black silky hair which was worn in a tight bun. She smiled as she whispered to her reflection in the mirror

"till death do us part"

The door was gently opened and a lady about average height in a purple tent dress and black kitten heels walked in. Rose smiled as her mother walked towards her and gave her a warm embrace. Her mother being here was the most happiest thing that happened today. Her mother had always been there for her through the good and bad.

When Rose was born, life was hard. Her father ran away leaving Mary to cater for Rose alone. A week after, their house was evicted. It turns out that he had taken a loan from the bank and ran away with another woman, using the house as collateral. Mary planned on killing herself and leaving her child in an orphanage, then her baby smiled at her and her cheeks were so chubby and rosy red. Mary took on a lot of jobs before she was finally able to get a roof over their heads and start a small cooking business. She was very hardworking and supported her daughter all the time even when life was hard. Today, Mary Phillips is the owner of three popular restaurants in Las Elysa, she owns a hotel, a large scale farm that supplies her restaurants and other places with cropd and she is a partner of Biggs Ltd. Her daughter is a certified paediatrician who owns three of the largest hospitals in Las Elysa, sitting in one of the most expensive hotels in town, wearing a wedding dress that women would kill for.

"Mom, I'm so nervous, it's finally our big day" Rose said, looking into the mirror, happiness written all over her face.

Suddenly, Mary fell on the floor, covering her face with her hands as she shook with sobs.

"Mom!What happened?!"

Rose rushed to her mother's side, holding her in her arms, her face obviously showing worry and fear.

Mary thought to herself. How was she going to tell her daughter?how was she going to break the news?If Rose heard it, she would be torn but it was better to tell her now than have her hopes crushed.

"Mom, what's wrong with you?"

Rose's voice filled with more worry.

"He's dead" Mary said admist her pained sobs

"What?"

"Cathan is dead Rose!!! Cathan is dead"

Her ears couldn't believe what she was hearing. The news exploded like a bomb on her brain. Her mind froze for a moment.

"That's not true!where is Cathan?!"

"He's at coldstone hospital"

Rose raced out of the room with bare feet, tears rushing out of her eyes but her heart still in disbelief. Her dress bounced faster and faster as her speed increased by every minute. She ran on the streets, bumping into people, disregarding all traffic signs and lights. Her mind ran in circles, filled with fear.

"Cathan!!!!!!!!!"

Rose's pained screams were heard together with the screeching sound of car brakes. She laid on the road almost passed out, causing a traffic jam, car horn sounds filling the air. A manly silhouette was all she saw before she was finally unconscious.

The alley was dark and wet. Three girls surrounded seven years old Rose in a corner.

"Haha you're so weak" One of the girls mocked Rose, pushing her down to the ground.

"It's because she doesn't have a dad" The tallest girl mocked her more.

Their words hurt Rose like a sharp knife. They were so mean and inconsiderate. She wasn't going to let them step on her self-esteem. She sprouted back up and stood up to them,

"Shut up!I have a dad!"

"Yeah?where is he?" their leader asked mockingly shoving her back to the ground, bruising her arm on an iron rod as they cackled loudly.

"leave her alone" A voice thundered with command

All eyes were placed on a tall boy who stood fearless at the entrance of the alley, his hands relaxed in his pockets, his deep blue eyes coldly focused on the leader, his clothes clearly depicted a child from a rich family.

"Are you deaf?get away from her"

"What if we don't? what are you going to do?" The leader queried him with a confident mind of superiority, moving closer to him until she was staring him directly in the eyes. His stare alone made her heart shiver but she wasn't going to be called out by a spoilt rich kid.

He swiftly grabbed her collar and before she knew what was happening, she was flying out the alley, nearly in tears.

"Anyone else?"

The other girls raced out of the alley like their lives depended on it.

"Are you okay?"

Rose looked up at her Saviour, offering her an arm with the sweetest smile on his face. She took his arm and rose back to her feet.

"Thank You"

"You're welcome. I'm Cathan, what about you?"

"Rose"

"Let me help you with that, I know a little first aid" Cathan said as he examined the bruise on her arm, leading her out of the alley.

BLACK OUT***

It was a beautiful spring day. Nature sang it's sweet song as it displayed it's never ending beauty. Sixteen years old Rose strolled hand in hand with her best friend, Cathan, appreciating the beauty of the plants and small animals in the park. Today's stroll was unusually awkward and silent. On a normal day, they chatted and laughed really loud and played with some dogs being walked at the park. Cathan went towards a Rose bush and picked a fully bloomed red rose, carefully placing it in her hair.

"You look beautiful"

"Thank you" She blushed at hearing the compliment.

They strolled further in silence for a few minutes.

"Rose, I love you"

She blushed more on hearing those words. She had a crush on Cathan since the first day they met and hearing those words from Cathan's mouth was a dream come true. She leaned towards him and planted a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I love you too Cathan"

"So will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes"Rose nodded, before she was pulled into a deep passionate kiss with him.

BLACK OUT***

The Dorm door was slung open as Rose dragged herself into her room, textbooks piled in her arms, dark circles around her eyes. It had been a really hectic week and she had just finished her final exams. She had not slept in this dorm for two weeks. She either found herself spending the night at the library or her study hall. She didn't even spend time with Cathan. Her textbooks slipped out of her arms and her jaw dropped at the sight of the scene before her. The biggest surprise of her life. Her dorm was totally transformed with the presence of red at every area. There were rose petals all over the room. All the desserts she could ever ask for surrounded a red velvet cake placed on the middle of the centre table which was covered with a white tablecloth and decorated with red bows and origami hearts. Candlelight reflected from every area in the room. There were two champagne glasses and a big bottle of champagne wrapped with a red bow placed on a long side stool. There were a bunch of petals arranged in a heart. Then Cathan walked towards her and bent down on one knee, stretching out a ring towards her. Rose's heart raced in excitement. She couldn't believe what was happening.

"Rose Phillips Abel, will you marry me?"

"Yes Cathan!yes I will marry you!"

He placed the ring on her finger before she jumped down on him, pulling him into a tight hug.

"I love you Cathan"

"C...Cath...Cathan...Cathan!"

Rose jolted awake, finding herself in a hospital ward, her mother sleeping beside her as she moved up to a sitting position on her bed, placing her hand on her head with pained groans as her memories came flashing back.

"Cathan! Cathan!" Rose exclaimed, waking Mary up as she jumped out of her bed, crashing to the floor due to her weak legs. Mary sat there speechless for a minute, watching her daughter cry out for her dead groom, helplessly crawling on the floor. She stood up and helped her sobbing daughter back on the bed.

"Mom! I want Cathan! Where is Cathan?!" Rose cried out admist her pained sobs, her head placed in her mother's arms as Mary stroked her hair.

"He is in a better place now, dear"

Rose was finally calm . She had cried so much that she couldn't cry again. The atmosphere was quiet and sorrow filled the room. Rose laid on her back staring at the ceiling, thoughts ran through her head.

"How did it happen?"

"He had heart cancer. He told me not to tell you because he was already undergoing treatment and he didn't want you to worry. He slumped on his way to the church and was rushed to coldstone. Later, he was declared dead."

Rose was hurt but she couldn't cry. She blamed herself for her fragile heart.The fact that Cathan kept such a big secret from her pained her soul. Memories came playing back in her head.

Mary forced a smile and held her hand. "He'll always be in your heart, Rose."

At that moment, the door was gently opened and there he was. The most handsome guy on earth. He seemed to be rich because of the Kiton k50 he was wearing, not to mention his short, black silky hair, his perfectly tanned skin, his small bright blue eyes, his perfectly symmetrical pink lips and his hunky slim but muscly structure. His steps were so bold and his contagious smile that exposed his perfect, white teeth.

"You're finally awake"

Rose took a sitting position on her bed.The confused look clearly expressed on Rose's face clearly asked the question on her mind.

"I'm Ellis"

He stretched his hand out for a handshake which Rose gently reciprocated.

"I'm really sorry for hitting you with my car, miss Rose."

"It's ok"

"Sorry Mrs.Phillips, could you excuse us? I have something private to say to Miss Rose."

"Why?"

Rose asked, clearly knowing that she had nothing to hide from her mom.

"It's ok Rose." Mary said as she walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. Ellis sat on her bed, his smile melted into a serious look.

"Yesterday, a man who claimed that he knew you helped me contact your mother and take you to this hospital. Earlier this afternoon, he approached me and gave me this and told me to make sure I gave this to you personally when you're alone"

Ellis took out an envelope from his suit jacket and handed it over to her. On the envelope, there was an inscription, "to Ro, my island princess". A gasp escaped her lips. It was only Cathan that called her Ro. Ever since Rose forced him to watch Barbie; the island princess when they were ten. She definitely knew whom it was from. Tears found a way out of her eyes as she examined that handwriting she would never see again.

"I should leave now" Ellis said as he stood up from the bed.

"Wait, did he tell you his name or where he was heading?"

"No"

He exited the room as Mary came back in.

"What happened?"

"He said Cathan gave this letter to him and told him to deliver it to me earlier this afternoon."

"Good Christ! Could it be?"

"Mom, we need to head to coldstone right now?"