She knew she had a better than average body, but was she really that beautiful? Many times at home, she had stood in front of the mirror and observed her facial features. She had been convinced that she was quite plain.
Benedict was talking to her.
“Sorry?” She asked, and then she realized that she had just accepted his movie date.
“How about The Exorcist?”
The Exorcist? Practically everyone had been talking about the scariest movie in town. She wanted to watch it too.
“I’d love to,” she said sincerely, “but I can’t be home late. How about the day after tomorrow instead? I’ll having a half day and we could catch the afternoon show.” She could not believe she had said that.
“Day after tomorrow? Wednesday? But I finish at four,” Benedict said as he slowed the car at the traffic junction.
Rosalind knew that. She wanted to find out how far Benedict would go to please her.
Benedict announced, “No problem, I’ll skip the last two periods.”
“I can’t let you do that,” Rosalind said.
“No problem,” he smiled. He looked down. Even though her blouse was oversized, the outline of her breasts was prominent. He thought of how she would cower in fear in the cinema. He had already seen the movie thrice, once with Mabeline, and twice with a girl from another college. And he did not have the slightest idea what the movie was all about.
Later, at Kentucky’s in Holland Road, Rosalind stared at the rose. It was a very beautiful flower.
“You like it?” Benedict asked.
“Yes, thanks. It’s beautiful,” Rosalind said dreamily. A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady.
“It’s like you,” Benedict said, taking the rose from her, his rough hand brushing against her fingers.
“Huh?” Rosalind said. She wanted him to say that word again.
“Like you, it’s beautiful,” Benedict said.
Rosalind felt her cheeks flushing.
(This is an excerpt from one of Douglas Lee‘s earlier books, A Rose Has Thorns, which is no longer in print. )
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