*EDITED*

♥

Iran sat, unable to conjure up a memory of the last time he and a female sat down in a restaurant, on a date. It was always ' meet me in my room.' That was the 'date,' in a way. Iran liked it better that way anyway, he hated talking about himself to some stranger, while their only intentions were to have sex.

Watching Rose eat, was somehow warming and relaxing for Iran. He didn't know why, maybe it was the way she was so engrossed in her food. There wasn't a second when Rose's mouth was empty. But she didn't eat like an animal, maybe that was it, she ate fast, but gracefully, as if it was natural.

"If you're going to watch me, get yourself some food." 

Iran regains his focus, shaking his head slightly. "Oh, ahh-"

"Creep," Rose whispers under her breath. She bows her head, indulging back into her meal once again. She glances at her phone that laid in front of the food, and groaned.

3:15pm, it was getting late.

Rose lifts her fries- filled hand and plunges the fries into her mouth, she chewed, swallowed, then got another handful.

"Hmm," 

"Are you really that hungry, or are you just trying to mock me?" Iran crosses his arms, leaning back in his chair. His back met the smooth, but cold wood.

"Both!" 

Rose said enthusiastically, looking up at Iran with a cheesy smile, to which Iran returns-- chuckling. 

Rose stops chewing, "I've never seen you smile before, eww." 

Iran doesn't answer, his smile fading away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have." Rose says.

"Rose, you have-" Iran leans over the table, grabbing a white napkin then outstretching his right arm, - "something on your cheek,"

Rose quickly slid back in her chair, "I got it-"

"No, here," Iran swipes his hand, collecting the ketchup in the napkin. He rolls it up, and places it on the table. 

"Iran-"

Cling. 

Rose switches her attention to the entrance door behind Iran. Two buff guys-- with tattooed covered bodies, enters the restaurant, their eagle- like shaped eyes planted on Iran's back.

"Iran."

Iran turns in his chair, following Rose's gaze.

"C'mon, we should go-" Iran pushes back in his chair and stands up. He moved quickly, grabbing onto Rose's arm, yanking her out of her seat.

"No! Wait! I need to f-"

"You can finish your food in the car!"

Rose scoops up her remaining burger and fries, along with her milkshake. She imitated Iran's pace, getting worried as the expression on his face darkened. The buff guys now twelve feet away from their table, frowned at them.

"Hey, Iran, grab my water." 

"No Rose, we have to go. And now!"

"But, but-"

Iran guides Rose out the back door of the restaurant. Behind them, the door they recently exited is left open, and the two men steps out. Iran looks behind him, seeing them, he takes off, pulling Rose by the arm.

The two men follow behind Iran and Rose calmly, never changing their pace of walking. Their goal wasn't to catch him, just scare him. 

Iran and Rose jumps in the car, shutting the door behind them. He starts the car and they drive off. 

Rose looks out the window, her breath hitched in her lungs as the guys stood side by side, staring at her through the glass. 

____________

As they drove back home, Rose felt Iran stealing glances at her. She stuck her hand out the window, letting the wind rush through her fingers, sending thrills through her body. 

She felt it again. 

"Who were those men?" Rose turns to Iran, finally asking the question that repeated in her mind after they've drove off.

"No one! Ok? Just some business." Iran concentrated on the road ahead.

"They were following us! And-" Rose pressed, -"they-"

"Fucking shut up Rose!" 

Rose turn away, frustrated. Her eyes set on the road displayed out her window, once more, she stuck her hand out.

She felt it again. His eyes. On her. 

______________

Rose exits Iran's car, making her way towards her house.

"IRAN!" 

Rose turns and looks behind her. Mrs. Col was outside, gardening. She watered white roses, planted in front of her house, but drops her watering can and steps out of her little garden patch when she notices Iran. She wore lavender rain boots, denim overalls and thick brown gardening gloves. And a big straw hat held down her black hair.

"Hello, Mother," Iran said lowly engulfing Mrs. Col in a hug. 

Iran's cheeks burnt bright red as Mrs. Col release him, turning to Rose.

Rose stood up straight, careful not to slouch, the dark look in Mrs. Col's eyes made her squirm. 

"Honey, come here." 

Rose walks over to Iran's mother. Standing beside Iran she faced her, "yes, Ma'am?"

"Hmm, call me Julie." Mrs. Col grabs both of their hands and leads them to her house. She nods to the security guard and he lets them in.

As they enter, Rose's mouth falls open in awe. Laying in front of her was a gold- rimmed spiral staircase. The white walls, decorated with pictures of Iran and his family. The floor they walked on were made out of white pearl tiles, that shone brightly clean. Rose felt as if she had just walked into a palace, and maybe she had. 

"Close your mouth," Rose turns to Iran, his features emotionless as he stares back at her.

Mrs. Col led them to the dining area, "here, have a seat."

Rose sits down, her head spun as she took in the beautiful setting. 

"Hmm!" 

"Oh."

Rose faces forward, all attention towards Mrs. Col as she sits across from them. Mrs. Col expression matched Iran's, plain and stern.

"Iran."

"Yes, Mother?" Iran scoots back on the couch, placing both hands on each sides of his thighs.

"I spoke to-"

"Why do we need Rose here?" He asks, interrupting.

"Iran, do not interject. I spoke to Mister Wood, and-"

"Mother-"

"Iran..." She threatens.

Rose sat uncomfortably next to Iran. Her hands resting neatly in her lap, as she watched them. She didn't know what to do as Iran was being scrawled at by his mother.

"And he told me about your little accident. Why wasn't I informed about this by you?"

Mrs. Col smiled at Rose as she got up and walked over to her, crunching down to match Rose's sitting height.

"Let me see honey," gently placing two fingers under Rose's chin, she left, exposing her neck. Mrs. Col stares, astonished at the bruises.

"Iran!-"

"Mother it was her fault-"

"It was not!" Rose interjects furiously, she crossed her arms across her chest, "I- "

Mrs. Col held her hands up in the air, silencing both Iran and Rose.

"Rose, we would love to have you over for dinner, so you do not see us as a cruel family, as Iran here, has portrayed us to be." With that, Mrs. Col stands up fully and sits back down. 

"Wait-" Rose begins, before Mrs. Col interrupts.

"And, your father have already agreed to the splendid idea." Mrs. Col looks hopefully at Rose, "would you mind having dinner here?"

Rose shook her head, "Not at all, I would love to!" 

With that Mrs. Col clasps her hands together in excitement, "ok-"

"Um, yes, I would mind!" Iran looked deeply at his mother, her excitement withering as each word left his mouth.

"Iran, Its final!" Mrs. Col smiles at Iran mockingly, "and you're grounded!"

"Fuck this, and I don't get grounded!" Iran gets up, proceeding towards the door with ambition. He hastily opens it, and walks out. Inside the house, Mr. Col and Rose heard the engine of his car start.

Mrs. Col sighs, "boys and their tactics."

♥

thank you for reading.

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