Erik didn't know how he had managed to drive back home, given the state of confusion he was in, but eventually he found himself parking his Audi in the driveway and walking inside his house. The drive was spent analysing almost every single possible scenario that might help explain why Rosaline reacted the way she did. Eventually, all of this excessive thinking drove Erik to reach for some strong brandy located in his liquor cabinet. He wasn't usually one to drink in the early afternoon or to simply avoid his problems, however considering the amount of regret he was currently feeling, he wanted to try and drown out his thoughts, at least if only for a short while. Sitting on one of the lounges in his living room, Erik began to think of how he might apologise to Rosaline. He didn't want to bombard her by dropping in at school, even if he wanted to do just that, so instead he settled for arranging to have some flowers and a note delivered to her Monday morning. Selecting the flowers was an easy choice, but choosing what to write in the card was an entirely different and difficult task. Pulling out his phone, he began to brainstorm some ideas, before finally settling on writing something he thought was short yet meaningful.

Rosaline,

My sincerest apologies for the way I acted towards you on Saturday afternoon. I was out of line and did not consider how my words might have affected you. Please find it in your heart to contact me so that I may be able to explain myself and apologise for the hurt I caused you. I truly hope I haven't tarnished what little friendship had begun to grow between us, but if so, I will understand and respect your decision to stay away from me.

Erik

After making the final arrangements with his local florist, Erik set his phone aside and walked into his home office, hoping to get some work done. Much of the remainder of Saturday and Sunday was spent in the same fashion, working hard to distract his mind from thoughts of Rosaline. Luckily for Erik, he was able to do just that given the various professional outlets he was involved with. Unfortunately, by the time Monday had arrived Erik had turned into somewhat of a nervous wreck. He was uncertain about whether or not Rosaline would contact him and in the case that she did, how would he even begin to tell her how sorry he was for making her uncomfortable? These thoughts and a whole list of others filtered through Erik's mind, up until later in the evening when he was eating dinner and his phone had began to flash Rosaline's name on it. Hastily dropping his knife and fork, he took a deep, calm breath before accepting the call.

"Rosaline, thank you for calling."

"Sorry for calling you so late into the evening."

"It's not a problem." Erik assured her.

It was quiet for a minute between them, but before Erik could think to begin his apology Rosaline was thanking him.

"I received your flowers today, they're beautiful. Thank you." She said.

Much to Erik's surprise, Rosaline didn't sound as off put by this conversation as he imagined she would be. Something was telling him however that it surely had to do with the fact that it was a conversation that was taking place over the phone and not in person, and for that reason it might have helped put her nerves at ease. Whatever the reason, Erik was relieved to know that she had taken the opportunity to call him and for the moment, seemed to be relatively fine in speaking with him.

"It's the least I could have done, given my inappropriate behaviour last Saturday." Erik informed her, before attempting to explain himself.

"The truth is Rosaline, from the moment I saw you I was attracted to you in a way that I can't even begin to explain and I think part of that attraction stemmed from the fact that you held no preconceived notions about me, nor did you attempt to show any obvious interest in me. I know it's far from a valid excuse, but I just wanted to tell you on Saturday, in the only way I knew how, that I think you're an incredible young woman, who not only has a bright future ahead of her but is sensationally gorgeous too."

Erik could hardly believe that he had just worked up the courage to tell her the complete and utter truth. He wasn't sure if it was his adrenalin kicking into overdrive or the fear of losing Rosaline that pressured him into revealing his true feelings for her. Never before had Erik been so forthcoming in expressing his feelings for someone, not even with Bianca, but for one reason or another, Erik knew that Rosaline deserved to hear the truth, even if it meant there was a possibility now that she would flee from him altogether. Erik had taken so many calculated risks throughout his career, but none other could compare to how anxious he felt waiting to hear from Rosaline on the other end of the phone.

"Erik, you're the only person who has ever spoken to me in that way." Rosaline finally said, although her voice was barely above a whisper. Erik chose to stay quiet, hoping she might elaborate.

"But, I'm scared." She quietly admitted.

Suddenly, Erik's heart sunk into his stomach. Of all the things Rosaline could have told him, she had just confessed to being afraid of him and Erik wasn't sure how he would try to recover the amount of pain it caused him to know that.

"I'm so sorry, Rosaline. You have no idea how angry I am with myself for making you fear me, it was never my intention." Was all Erik could tell her.

"I don't think you understand."

Of course Erik didn't understand, because unlike Rosaline who was evidently scared of him, Erik had never encountered someone in his entire life who had made him feel so afraid.

"I couldn't possibly understand, but what I do know is that you're better off without me. I don't want to cause you any more hurt than I already have." Erik dejectedly explained.

Whilst contemplating whether he should hang up his phone, nothing could have prepared Erik for what Rosaline nervously mumbled out next.

"Erik, what I'm trying to tell you is that I'm scared of my feelings for you too."