“Presenting the Queen of the Night’s Aria!”The loud voice of the announcer rang in Rosella’s ears. The renowned composer Mozart was known for his happy tunes but let’s be f*cking honest, there was nothing joyous about the Queen of the Night’s lyrics, if anything it was the complete opposite!This very contrast described Rosella’s existence. Dressed to the nines for this Opera display, she looked as beautiful as a flower but none of that mattered as she cried her eyes out in the hallways. Everyone else enjoyed the show while she wept bitterly against the resounding instruments echoing through the walls. No one knew but her how stupid she felt, all the years spent on loving one man stared back at her in mocking delight, making her a slave to regret! The sounds ringing in her head wasn’t the sharp and melodious voice of the Prima Donna, instead it was the words told by Jake her supposed fiancé! Moments ago, these hallways knew the sound of his voice but right now she was barely st
Rosella’s POVIt took just a month for my smooth-sailing life to crumble before my face and the captain of the wrecked ship was none other than me! Rosella Beauregard!When did things start going wrong for me?Was it when my father was killed and I was left alone in this world five years ago? Or when I trusted life for a second chance by devoting my heart?My guess is neither…I know exactly what went wrong and that’s ‘Love’I loved wrongly, for five years I kept watering a poisonous plant and eventually it bloomed and poured out its venom.I still remember the bright smile on my lips as I tried on various wedding dresses. The fitting was going smoothly and the attendants praised my beauty. I wasn’t new to such compliments but I felt especially pleased on that day and I wondered if it was because Jake was a few steps away. I know, I should’ve gone for the fitting with a friend but welcome to my antisocial life. I had no friends and I’ve grown quite used to being alone.In any case
Rosella’s POVThe words rang in my head like a siren, I was flabbergasted to the point my lips only opened but I didn’t speak. That was the most outrageous thing I’ve heard all my life. I hoped he would say it’s a joke but it wasn’t. He looked dead serious staring into my eyes but I said nothing. For love I actually considered that ridiculous offer and that terrified my being to its core. For Jake’s sake I was willing to do it! I felt trapped in my mind and next I heard him explain the process in his pursuit to convince me.“You won’t ever meet him Rose, it’s just a medical procedure. You know, IVF. Once the baby is born you’ll hand it over and we can be together peacefully, there won’t be any contact between you two…”He kept on rambling as though I don’t know what a surrogate would do. I, on the other hand stayed numb in silence. In my mind was a battle of love and hate and as foolish as it sounds the hate I had for Donovan wasn’t enough to subdue the love I had for Jake so I a
Rosella’s POV‘How bad is my luck?’ I mumbled under my breath as I slowly lifted my head, but my neck paused midway. For one I realized he wasn’t talking to me! Those instructions were for the maids as every lady present already had their chins up and back straightened in a dignified posture so only I was left looking like a crooked bird!I took that as my cue to stand erect with my gaze shooting forward, purposely avoiding the tall frame of a man whose peppermint cologne had closed our distance even before his figure. His footsteps on the marble flooring rhymed with my racing heartbeat. Each one slamming against my ribcage.“Welcome Mr Donovan”The head maid was the first to speak and his strides finally ended along with the entourage of hefty men suited behind him. He had his sides facing me and then with a suave that was almost noble-like he turned and our eyes jammed. Those cold emotionless eyes stared at me like it could see my innermost soul and read my darkest thoughts.
Rosella’s POV For a hot minute, my brain refused to process his words so I just stood as stiff as a board, my feet were already growing roots into the ground before I got a hold of the situation. “What are you talking about? That wasn’t the agreement-”“That’s not for you to decide” he cut me off and I took a deep breath to regulate my emotions. “Then why didn’t you tell me sooner? You allowed me to sign the contract only to drop such a bomb on me?”I was being responsible enough by holding this conversation but this man kept stepping on my last nerve!“You seemed excited to sign the contract and now you feign ignorance. I’m sure your fiancé explained the terms to you”Now I was really starting to second-guess everything. The things he said earlier about Jake I brushed them off as false allegations but it seems there are sides of the story I’m not aware of, or is this just a trick?!I decided to place my trust in Jake.“I don’t believe you, Jake would never agree to such terms.
One month ago. The day of the Surrogacy announcement…In the high-rise building of Maston Corp. the hundredth floor which happened to be the highest level where Donovan’s office resided. The gloom of a man In his late twenties swamped the majestic swiveling chair where he sat with his eyes closed.At first glance he looked like he was asleep in dreamland but a closer look showed a man trapped in his nightmares! His eyes were squeezed showing signs of resistance and sweat beads formed on his forehead while his fingers crawled into the chair’s arm. The wrinkles of his brows kept getting deeper until the sound of the door opening snapped him awake and made him subconsciously blurt out a word. The word was a name and that name was…“Rose!”The intruding figure took a bow and walked closer until the moonlights shining from the huge windows behind Donn brightened his frame. “Franklin…” “How long will you continue to torture yourself?” A young man that seemed around the same age of Do
The horror stricken face of every man around wasn’t enough to quantify what’s to come?! But the person in question who has shaken forbidden waters had no idea or maybe he got his boldness from staring death in the face because he kept on talking.“You know Marcus is a better leader than you! One day the Dalgliesh empire will fall and all your men will pledge allegiance to the Heinrich clan, I know it!”“Argh! Huff!”The man speaking received a whiplash that cut across his back. The men couldn’t stand to watch the blasphemous words falling from his mouth, if it wasn’t for the fact that they had to receive orders to end him, he wouldn’t be alive till now!The gloom over Donn was intense enough to melt anyone who dared to come close and his eyes were sharp as the viper staring deep into the soul of the nearly lifeless body. With a calm but thundering voice he commanded.“Pull out his teeth”Horror instantly filled the man’s face, he thought all that awaits was death but he seemed to f
“Hello, am I speaking to Mirable?”Franklin’s voice formally came through the cell of a twenty-two year old girl. With shaky voice she replied.“Y-yes, I’m Mirable”“Congratulations, you’ve been hired for the secretary position. Starting Monday report to Maston Corp hundredth floor”Her hands went over her mouth, shock and relief graced her expression but mostly gratitude. It took a second but she finally regained her composure and answered.“Thank you-”The sound of loud clashes of broken glass interrupted her. It was loud enough to even capture Franklin’s attention over the phone and before he could ask about the situation the call dropped. Something felt terribly off and he wasn’t wrong for thinking that, because over there at Mirable’s house hell had set loose!She didn’t know when the phone in her hands fell to the ground but she found herself in the kitchen dragging her father off her mom with all her might!As usual, her feeble hands were no match for an aged man, just a
Rosella’s POV Although, I hate the idea of going to a party organized by Olivia and her minions, but the getting ready process allowed me to see Mirable after some days. I knew she was working so I didn’t want to disturb her but I can’t help but feel I caused such a mess that night at the club. After all it was my exclusive idea to drag her along, she was against it and look what a mess happened. Maybe it was because of guilt but I didn’t communicate with her like I normally do when we go for dress fitting and styling. Or maybe I just didn’t have anything to say because my mind was busy thinking of Felix. I still haven’t reached out to him and I wondered if he would even have me. “All done” The attendant announced and I stared in the mirror. I looked stunning but my countenance wasn’t on par with my looks. “Mirable…” The moment I called her she had a call and shot me an apologetic look. It was a business call so I understood and while she left to take it I also left to attend th
Rosella’s POV I was cornered by his chest and the look in his eyes told me he was highly suspicious of me but it still had a flicker of flirtatiousness. I knew I needed to save myself immediately!“I was looking for you, I just got a little carried away by the sculptures and antiques” I said in one breath and the smirk on his lips broadened. “And why where you searching for me, Rose?”I was racking my brain to think of an answer and I suddenly blurted out. “Because when I woke up you weren’t there”What the hell am is saying?! My words would only give the wrong idea and they did just that!“So you missed me that much?” His eyes widened a little with surprise and his appearance evidently got lighter. He was in a good mood over the wrong thing!“That’s not what I meant” I gritted out either way. It’s best I think of a different excuse. “Then why?” He questioned and covered the last straw of distance between us. How was I supposed to think with such proximity?! My brain immediatel
Rose had no intention of holding back her tears and she definitely had no intention of stopping. She grabbed onto his shirt and bawled her eyes out. Retching out the pain that was killing her inside. “What did I ever do wrong?! I wasn’t the best daughter but I wasn’t irredeemable either! I was so young! She could’ve waited a little bit longer! She could’ve been my mother for a few more years, then I wouldn’t resent her this much! Arrrrrgh!”Donovan didn’t say anything, he just let her cry to her heart’s content while gently stroking her head and patting her back. “If only I could meet her once, just once in this lifetime, that’s all I ask. I’m not hoping for a reunion or anything, I’m not that naive. I just want to know why she left me that night. I want to scream my lungs out and say. Why did you abandon me, Mother?! You told me to wait! You said you’d be back! Wasn’t I worth it?! Was I not f*cking worth it?!”“It’s okay, I’m here for you, Rose”Those soothing words from him fel
Rosella’s POV“What?” Before I could comprehend what was going on he pulled me by the hand into the now empty theater. He really sent everyone out! I stared at him in disbelief. I held his gaze for a minute longer and suddenly stared laughing. I wasn’t just laughing, I was wheezing. For odd reasons, I found the reality very absurd. The fact that Donovan actually has the potential to go crazy was exhilarating. The heavens really shared problems for everyone. Why was he so paranoid over such details? “Are you done laughing?” He sounded pissed. Maybe I did overstate the problem but it was still award-worthy. I cleared my throat and adjusted my hair.“Since you already chased everyone away like a petty two-year-old, I guess we have no choice but to see the movie, alone”Wait, alone?! I just realized that the jokes are on me! I’m trapped here alone with Donovan! What could be worse than that?We sat for the movie and after a moment the film started rolling. Maybe if I focused o
Rosella’s POV “I already gave you my cycle report. I’m not ovulating now so give it a rest, will you?” I tried to act nonchalantly even though my heart was pumping blood faster than normal! This man might really end up killing me with a heart attack if he keeps this up. He wasn’t saying anything so I took that as my cue to slip away because no good could come from being naked in his presence. I was finally out of the puddle but he suddenly held me by my wrist.“Let’s help each other shower”“No!” I shouted instantly, I was against any unwanted attraction and I’m sure as hell the only reason why he was holding back was because of the injury otherwise, I would’ve really been in trouble. Still, I don’t have much time. His wound got so much better overnight, on that note he wasn’t lying, he even removed his IV drip. How audacious!“Why not?” He had nerves to ask after just threatening me with a dark promise. The reason was quite clear in my opinion.“Because I’m perfectly fine. Als
Rosella’s POV I came into the room soaked from the rain, it was only a small distance I ran but the rain was so heavy that I got drenched in a matter of seconds.But when I entered the room, all thoughts of myself that clouded my mind ceased. The food tray I dropped on the shelf remained the same. It wasn’t even touched and the heavy wind from the window blew the curtains like it was going to cut from the rails any minute. Yet, my attention was on Donovan who was shivering so much. I didn’t know what else to do but call his name and run over to his side. “Donovan!” I nudged him and he responded to my call but his body vibrated more and that was due to my cold wet hands. “Sorry” I retracted my hands “I’ll go see if Alice is around to check on you” I stood to leave but he caught my wrist. “Don’t go” It was just like when he was asleep but this time he was awake, even though the illness caused his eyes to be barely open, I knew he was awake.“I’ll be back, let me just find he
Rosella followed behind Odessa and was led to an outdoor balcony. Today was a sunny day so she wore a sundress and had a light scalp over her neck. Its blue color highlighted and ocean eyes and made her look refreshing in the midst of the swirling breeze while Odessa on the other hand, was on her usual heavy makeup with a red lipstick that stood out any day. If you were looking for the perfect woman to describe an aristocrat who doesn’t hold back in blinding everyone with her elaborate fashion sense. That position would already be taken by Odessa!And if no one told you, you definitely wouldn’t guess that she was in the medical field because she had a wild feel that made her perfect for the entertainment world yet, she was trapped in an office with a lab coat hanging from the coat holder. “You asked to speak with me” Rose was the first to break the ice, watching her sip a glass of juice and stare at the sky wasn’t really what she expected when she followed her all the way here, p
Rosella’s POV What in the world is wrong with this man? I didn’t reply and increased the pace of my cleaning, the faster I’m down with this the better for us all because he kept staring at me like I was a feast for his eyes. It’s a good thing he’s currently injured otherwise… I’d rather not think that because I’m still freaking sour from last time!I cleared my throat nervously for letting my mind wander and I carried on my act diligently but that’s not to say someone had the decency to curb his behavior and stop staring at me like that. “I’m done” I announced and that’s when he finally took a look at my hard work. He had the nerve to look skeptical about my cleanup.“I think you missed a spot” He said pointing to his lower abdomen like a four-year-old. For odd reasons, I found his behavior funny but I quickly regained my composure.“How would you know if I missed a spot when you had your eyes someplace else the entire time” I argued but he was just as thick-skinned as ever, ne
Rosella’s POV Donovan holding my hand in his sleep and telling me to stay was definitely not the outcome I expected. I couldn’t even leave if I wanted to because his grip on my wrist was made of iron so I lay there and miraculously he calmed down.His brows relaxed and his breathing stabilized. An intrusive thought tugged my heart but I brushed it off. Why on earth would he be dreaming of me and it looked pretty serious like he was scared I’d leave. I shook the thought off my head and slept and thankfully when my eyes opened it was morning. The bright sunny weather reflected from the huge curtains and sliced through to meet my cradled figure. I felt extremely comfortable clinging to my pillow and I didn’t want to wake up. I hugged it tighter but it suddenly made a sound that scared the living daylight out of me!“Ah!” I shot open my eyes and raised my head only to be staring Donovan straight in the face and my supposed pillow was nowhere in sight. I met his relaxed gaze and fel