"Of course you do. This floor had a very tight security when I came here last night. I could be as sneaky as a ninja but I found myself immobile when I saw how secured it. It was at that point I began suspecting Mr. Hale was on that floor because I could not come up with anyone with such professional guards.

"I waited for him to leave and when he did not leave for a few hours, I knew he was going to stay overnight so went back to my room to sleep. I guess it is what I think, right?"

"What are you two talking about?" Anna asked when she returned from buying what she wanted to eat for lunch. She happened to see her sister trying not to talk to this so-called-cousin of theirs.

"I am pestering her," Carl replied truthfully with a smile.

"Then quit pestering her or I will . . ." Anna said raising her hand to hit his shoulder but stopped half way and glared at him. "Pest."

"Why should I? She will leave today and I might not see her for months. I want to stick too her like gum till I am forced off. The force you are using is not strong enough to pull me off," he said playful and flashed his tongue at Anna. He moved away from Anna and almost stuck his body to Rose just like he said he would.

"I bet you don't want Liam to see you sticking so close," she whispered to him.

His reaction was priceless. He immediately took very quick steps away from her and folded his hands on his chest with a very innocent yet guilty facial expression. "I am sorry," he mouthed and looked around for anyone who looked like they might be one of Liam's men.

Rose chuckled. Liam was really powerful to have such effect on her relentless and fearless cousin. "I never knew you could get scared," she said with a smile.

"What did you say to make him so scared," Anna asked curiously. She wondered what the special cleaning agent Rose used to get rid of the 'gum' that seemed too stubborn to come off was.

Rose laughed softly and avoided the question as she glanced at Carl who was happy that she got suspicious by using that method on him.

Shortly before she left, Carl stood beside her unwilling to accept defeat so easily. "I was not scared. I was only respecting my boss, okay? I am his in-law and if anyone should be scared, it has to be Mr. Hale. He should be scared that I might not approve your union," he whispered teasingly.

She was shocked and glared at him. She did not tell him anything of that. She have not told anyone she was getting married to Liam soon. "What union are you talking about?" she asked feigning ignorance.

"I just know that. Mr. Hale will never let go of anyone he thinks is important and he will find a way to have them tied to his side without a way out or a chance for the individual to betray him," Carl explained in a manner that Rose found too possessive and slightly scary.

Rose gulped unable to say anything to her cousin. She decided to remain silent as she walked away from him to the car that waited for her.

"I am also certain that you might be an important person he wants to keep tied to himself but I don't think he will ever hurt you. If he ever hurts you, I will kill him with my hands. I mean it. I might look weak but I have strong muscles under this shirt. I have a sister now and I will protect her," he promised her sounding so manly and powerful. When he stopped and replay all he just said on his mind, he felt really proud.

"When did I become your sister? We are cousins," she reminded him shaking her head.

"Was that all you took note of?" he groaned frustrated. "I just gave the biggest speech of the year and that was all you took note okay?"

"She is leaving now. I think it is time for the gum to come off," Anna said as she helped her sister into the car from the wheelchair.

"I will miss you too. Take care of yourself and Rose, I don't want us to meet again in a hospital unless someone is having a baby," he said not forget to glance at Rose and wriggle his brow.

Anna paused with her eyes narrowed. She had no idea what he was talking about. She wanted to ask him but she decided not to take his words seriously since he was always joking but that sentence still did not settle well on her mind.

"When your wife gives birth, right?" Rose asked when she felt her face heat up.

"That will be a long time from now so we might meet when Rose and I return for our usual check-ups," Anna said when she heard Rose's reply. She concluded that Carl must have a girlfriend.

"You never know how soon it could be," Carl said. "It has to be someone else because I am asexual," he told them seriously.

"Seriously, you are nuts," Anna said sitting beside her sister and closed the door after Rose waved him good bye. "I wonder how you could make friends with such a nutcase."

Rose smiled knowing her sister did not like Carl at all not even for the fact that he was one of their family members. That was the same thing with Eric. She did not get along with Eric despite how gentle and quiet Eric was with anyone else except her. "Did you ever notice that Carl and I look alike?"

"What?" Anna asked wondering where that came from.

"I think we used to be siblings in our past lives. We get along so easily," Rose replied innocently.

"If anyone was your sibling in your past life, it was me. I was sister in your past life and if you look closely, you will notice you and I look alike," Anna informed her. She hugged Rose and rested her head on Rose's shoulder.

Growing up, she found it hard to make friends but Rose felt so close to her from the moment she woke up from her coma. Rose was the reason she woke up as early as she did or even woke up at all.

She loved and cared for her sister more than she has ever loved anyone in her life. She did not like the fact that Rose chose Carl to be her sibling in her past life and not her.

"We were sisters in our past life that is why we got adopted into the same family," Anna began trying to persuade Rose jealousy sipping from the tone she used.

"I believe you and I have always being sisters and right now, we are sister," Rose said rubbing her jealous sister's hair. "No one can pull us apart, okay? We love each other and that is what is important, right?"

"Hmm. Right," Anna agreed triumphantly. "I am being whinny because I missed you so much. Every day felt so sad and lonely despite how busy I was school stuff."

"We are sisters. You have every right to be whinny with me," Rose said pulling Anna closer when she remembered the question Carl asked about what she will do if Anna betrays her. "Anna, sisters don't betray each other, right?"

"Hmm," Anna replied finding the question odd but she decided it was not wrong for Rose to say that because of the mood they were both in. "Yes, we should never betray each other. We should always stick together."

Rose nodded with a smile.

Will Anna remember this promise she made to Rose in a few years? Rose hoped she will remember even after she tells her about her true identity.

***

"We are sorry we did not come to see you as soon as you returned," Debby apologized sincerely.

"No, it is okay. I received the gifts you guys sent. Thank you," Rose appreciated with a smile.

"You are welcome," Debby said sitting beside Rose.

"The reason we did not visit you and we told Eric to stay away too till you come to school is very unreasonable. Anna told we jinxed you recovery through the party she organized. We had to wait for you to go out yourself," Wayne narrated playfully glaring at his best friend.

"I am right. She did not have to return to the hospital because you all stayed away," Anna justified herself.

"Rose is that true?" Debby asked with a sad pout of her lower lips.

"Yes, it is true because I got your cards and gifts they made me feel energized. I felt a very strong enthusiasm to come to school to see you guys. She used you guys as a bait to ensure I am well enough to come to school," Rose took her time to explain.

"Awwwnn . . . I am glad I sent the card to you," Debby said happily.

"Welcome back, Rose," Eric said with a smile when he got to their table.

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