The rose I didn't want

**Chrissy**. 

Event Day!

I cleared out the papers on my table and tucked them into a flat file. The event had started and I was still seated backstage in the dressing room with a few colleagues contemplating the guest list. 

“Chriss, Simon Brody might not make it through. He would send in a colleague to stand in for him...” my colleague, Lana, stated. 

“Fuck it. We need him to be present though. How about the others, no one called to ditch us, right?” I asked to clarify and they nodded. A sigh of relief crept in and I placed my hand flat on my forehead. 

When the others left, with did other things—like managing the stage and the incoming guests. Lana, who is usually a stick up shoved in my ass, sat next to me with an intent and curious gaze. 

“What is the matter with you, Chriss? You've been off the hook…” she pointed out with a hand in mine. 

I sighed again, “Nothing really. Bet it is just one of those days—”

“Come on bitch, it doesn't have to be today.” she snapped before I could finish. She scoffed, her eyes slightly rolling. “We have planned for this for over a month. Doctor Hansen has noticed that you're lagging behind today of all days,” she added. 

“I just got a lot of things going on, Lana. You probably wouldn't understand…” I let out. 

“Scratch that, Chriss! I'm not the nicest but I care for you though. You're the… nicest person I know. You're just down to earth and have a lovely life,” she said. 

I hugged myself, my thoughts spiraling. If only she knew that things were starting to fall apart.
Tears crammed the corners of my eyes as I swallowed, trying to build a confidence that was barely in me. 

For the first time in lots of years, I have no fucking idea what I'm doing with my life.  

“I feel like I'm losing my mind. A lot is piling up and... I feel like I'm slowly losing Dayle…” I stopped. I didn't mean to say much but it has been on the tip of my tongue for a long time. 

“Chriss, I've never fallen for a guy before but… I know when you start to lose something. It comes caving in on you like a spike and you're just in the middle, trying to save yourself. It's ugly…” she said calmly, her gaze became pensive as I stared up at her. 

“The best part of life is relishing the moment, Chriss. Nothing is truly yours. The world is small and you only have that one person to cling to for the rest of your life. If they are worth fighting for, why not go all in? Why stay back and feel terrible? If you love them, stand by them…” she said. 

This was literally the first time she spoke something reasonable. 

“You must be wondering if it's the same ‘badmouth Lana’, but hey, I've had my fair dose of shit. I admire your love, I admire your relationship, Dayle. It has proven again and again that true love exists. I need you to go out there and give the best speech ever and trust me, Dayle will be seated in the crowd —cheering you on!” she said as we shared a warm hug, a smile, and a kiss on my lips. 

“Thanks Lana, you are actually sweet tonight!” I admitted.

“Yeah and that's all you're gonna get,” she teased as she headed away, reminding me to touch up my makeover a bit. 
I turned to the mirror in front of me and dabbed some powder on my face. At least, my stylist didn't sleep on his job, he was extremely good at it. No doubt 

I stared at my long, somewhat tight pink satin dress that managed to define my contour. Although the dress was strapless, it gave me the look I wanted, topped with the diamond jewelry Dayle gifted me. 

My hand reached it and I closed it gently. I wished badly that Dayle would attend the event. 

We've been silent and maybe we needed a bit of time—probably a few hours to 

“Hey,” I heard someone say and my assumption was Dayle until my eyes landed on Egan. 

Not in my wildest thoughts did I think that Egan would be here. 

The eager smile I had on my face faded at once. 
“What are- what are you doing here?” I asked. 

He rubbed his jaw, with a rose in his hand—decked out in a fancy suit and shoes. Although his hair was a bit scruffy, he carried that slightly frustrated yet cunning look on his face. 

“It's your big day and… you gave me an invitation. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world,” he said casually. 
His stares were intense and demanding. 
“Egan you can't be here,”
“Even at a public event?” he asked and scoffed. “This is for you,” he said, handing the rose over to me, I didn't accept it. 
He moved closer and placed it on the dresser.

Suddenly, Doctor Hansen approached, dividing the moment.
“Chriss, you're up next for the speech! Break a leg, honey!” he said with an assuring nod as I smiled a bit.  

“I.. um, I have to go!” I managed to say. 

“Su- sure, Chriss!” he said as he attempted to kiss me as I moved away, his lips landing on my cheek. “I'll see you soon,” he said. 

I scoffed, “No, you won't!” I stood and left the room. I heard the thudding of a chair thrown to the floor.  

Typical Egan. 

….
“Please welcome the inspiration and the real emerging philanthropist of this event. She's my assistant and a very dedicated lady who is set to change the world through kindness and save humanity. Chrissy Horton Theodore!” Doctor Hansen announced as the atmosphere eroded with an applause that seemed never to end. 

I walked up to the stage, acknowledging the crowd. I could see my close friends and family except… Dayle. 

Why wasn't he here yet? I longed to see him even if we had so much to deal with. 

“Thank you for having, Doctor Hansen,” I said, standing by the podium as Ken and Sophia blew kisses to me. I was excited that Sophia could make it as well. 

“It is my pleasure to have you all. I mean, I couldn't have pulled this off without my crew, my family and friends…” I said with a pretty smile that kept the crowd afloat. 

While I spoke, I saw Egan behind, sipping from his wine with the other hand pocketed while his eyes were fixated on me. Unshaken and unfazed.  

His narrow gaze at me while I spoke was unyielding and daring. Something about erupted chaos deep in my mind. 

“…As a woman on the verge of her spectrum, I solicit for urgent investment in healthcare: accessible clinics, equitable funding, compassionate research. We must fight cancer with prevention, early detection, and affordable treatment. The streets of New York are a stretch, some of us look healthy but we are carriers of various diseases—killing us on the inside. No one should face disease alone or be sidelined by bureaucracy. Justice in care saves lives—act for all of us…. Today, we are gathered here to save humanity starting with our home city. Join HexMedic Foundation to save a life, thank you and enjoy your evening,”!

There was applause that boosted my confidence more as I stepped down, heading backstage.
My colleagues cheered me on as I thankfully nodded, heading back to the dressing room to take a breather. I needed it. 

“You were amazing, babe!” Dayle’s voice shot right in as I spun to give him a radiant smile on my lips. 

“Yeah, she was!” Egan added as soon as he entered the room majestically. 

What the heck is going on?