Rosella’s POV The universe was at it again, I only just arrived but Olivia had already spotted me and was taking majestic steps toward me. Will it make me a coward if I make a run for it? I really don’t wanna get involved in any drama!“You came…” she looked above my head tentatively “…You’re alone” She ended her drawl with a victorious smirk. “Are you already being abandoned by Donn? Oh my!” She snickered with her delicate manicured fingers covering her lips. I didn’t have any reaction whatsoever, I just couldn’t be bothered but I must make one thing clear.“We aren’t close and we certainly aren’t friends. In the future let’s try to minimize our interaction to nothing” I said my piece and circled her frame to get away but of course, things weren’t that simple with someone like her. After our last interactions, I did my homework and one thing’s for sure, if you asked a hundred people what they thought of her, a hundred and fifty would describe her as a troublemaker!“Stop rig
Rosella’s POV My breathing became haggard as inexplicable fury consumed me.“I will only ask once, delete that picture” I said through gritted teeth.His audacious expression aggravated my lividness.“You don’t seem to get it, You’re not in any position to make demands. Do as I say and hope I’m benevolent enough to delete it. Understand?”I chewed the inside of my mouth, how in the world was I ever in love with such a nuisance?!This seems to be my thing, getting associated with mentally deranged individuals!“Look here, as you know I’m nothing but a mistress to Donovan. I have no say in whatever he chooses to do. I can’t stop him! Your tricks will only negatively affect the company”“That’s not my business!” He sharply retorted and my fingers twitched. I was itching to leave my print on his face. “Find a way to stop him tonight, otherwise… we’ll make headlines tomorrow”I had my doubts regardless of his threats. There was no way he would drag his name to the pits just to punish
Rosella’s POV “Mr. Donovan please take it as a belated gift and a present for Mr. Dalgliesh. Don’t get me wrong, my package is very special to both of you”I watched in the sidelines as she spoke ever so eloquently and no one opposed or denied her the chance to display her so-called special package.Anyone with a kin eye could detect the tense air floating around these four persons. Marcus stood closer to his mother protectively. What a filial child! So he knows how to be reasonable!Donovan had me close to his side as thorn is to a rose and Mr. Dalgliesh was fairly in the middle of this arrangement. We watched the attendant bring the gift over and Mr. Dalgliesh did the honor of unraveling it.For a second my gaze darted toward Marcus and I instantly regretted it! I only wanted to steal a glance at the mother and son duo but I didn’t expect to catch a set of resilient eyes that were glaring at me. My gaze faltered and I broke eye contact. I should be the one pissed at him, w
Mirable’s POVSo far the party has been going smoothly, I’ve taken the necessary actions to note down the reasonable potential companies that show interest in a partnership. I headed for the drink section to get a mocktail, looking back it’s a good thing I never ventured into drinking alcohol. Just one time and I’m still not done cleaning up my mess. That Mitch of a man is a handful!“What are you thinking of?”I jumped in fright, even spilling a generous portion of my drink. Has he ever heard to personal space?! I wonder. How ever did he know I was thinking of him? I turned to face him, his voice was already etched in my memories thanks to the outrageous things he said in the hospital. “So what do you say about my offer?” Oh, I felt a headache coming. These spoilt children of aristocrats don’t know when to draw the line between frivolous offers and downright nonsense! “I already gave you my answer Mr. Mitch” I adjusted my specs and walked right passed him but he was like
Rosella’s POV Jake’s tolerance was growing slimmer and that’s exactly what I wanted. Anytime we turned I would shoot Donovan a distressed expression and then quickly fix my face once we spun again. I did this for the bulk of the dance and by accident my gaze landed on Marcus who was staring at me with an expression that could see through my lies.He obviously watched me long enough to deduce my plans but I didn’t care. He wasn’t part of my scheme, I only hope he doesn’t try butting in! “My patience is running out, Rose” Jake lowly stated in a threat, and needless to say I was the least blessed with patience.But the process of riling Donovan couldn’t be rushed, when it’s ready it’ll come as sudden as a tidal wave on a summer sea. Tick-Tock!It was finally time to switch back partners. Everything was at its peak now, even Jake couldn’t hold back anymore and pressed his fingers into my shoulder. A move that was much needed! “Fine, I’ll tell you…Lean closer” I urgedEvery other
Rosella’s POV The fear I thought I felt earlier was nowhere near the kind I was experiencing now.The crippling feeling enveloped me and it seemed almost suffocating to breathe. I watched the two hefty men who pulled the man over, stand stiffly beside him, it was like they were robots awaiting Donovan’s orders and he was more than ready to exert dominance!“Take off the wrap”Immediately the black cloth over the man’s face was removed and tossed aside revealing his bruised cheeks and swollen eyes. My fingers subconsciously rose to my lips in bafflement. How long has it been since Jake had him take my pictures, yet in so little time the man was beaten to a pulp with a face that was barely recognizable?“Point your gun to his head” His second command forced my head to stare at him. Was this man trying to kill me of a heart attack?“Wait, don’t kill him” I said this with great difficulty. I can’t believe we’re debating about someone’s life! A man who was just some steps away fro
Rosella’s POV Like every other boring day I had breakfast alone and scrolled through my phone. I’ve been so distracted lately that I only just had the time to read through the group messages. Apparently, my high schoolmates are planning a reunion. “What is this?” I was tagged a number of times. My eyes widened at the sight before me. Why was I put in charge of the venue when I had no idea there was going to be a reunion?!Of course, no one could contact me because they didn’t have my contact details. The only person who would’ve been able to reach me was now sitting in my father’s company!I read the text and I immediately understood why they put me in charge of the venue![“We all voted to use Cambridge Lounge so let’s put Rose in charge of booking the venue”][“Yes, that’s a good idea, since she’s close with Mr. Donovan, she should be able to get us that place”][“I agree”]One by one they all agreed without my consent! It’s funny that they assumed I would be interested i
Rosella’s POV My vision was still black but I seem to be awake and my eyes were opened.For a crazy second I thought I had gone blind until I realized something far much worse was happening.I have been abducted! And I’m certain my head was covered with a black cloth.Oh, where have I see this before?!Donovan that psychopath! I was seething with rage and that seemed to set off the signal that I was awake. Their voices sounded muffled but I could make out the command to remove the cloth from my face. The footsteps approached me and with one swift move the cloth was dragged away and the shinning bulb above forced light into my eyes.‘Curses!’I squinted my eyes in pain and lowered my head. I was ready to give Donovan a piece of my mind but when I slowly lifted my face I was petrified. This… who are these men that abducted me?“Such a pretty face, Boss” The one closest to me which I suspect was the one who removed the black cloth said. He licked his lips lavishly but I was more
The tension in the hospital lingered in the air like an uninvited guest, heavy and suffocating. After the doctor delivered the news that their mother had survived the surgery but was now in a coma, neither Rosella nor Mirable could breathe a sigh of relief. The hope of her waking up was the only thread holding them together, yet it felt too thin, too fragile.Rosella’s knees buckled, her strength waning, but Donovan’s strong arms shot out and caught her before she could collapse completely. His grip on her was firm yet gentle, his eyes filled with concern. “You need to rest,” he murmured softly, but she barely heard him, her mind too occupied with the image of her mother bleeding out in her arms.The room where their mother was moved to was quiet, save for the beeping of machines and the faint rustle of nurses shuffling about. The doctor informed them that they could visit, but before they could take a step, Mirable turned to Rosella and Donovan, her expression conflicted. “Rosella… c
Blood spattered on the ground, pooling beneath the crumpled body of Rosella's mother. The sound of the gunshot still echoed in Rosella's ears, even as chaos erupted around her. Her body froze, rooted to the ground as the weight of her mother's falling figure pressed against her chest."No-No, no, no!" Rosella cried, catching her mother in her trembling arms. The air seemed to thicken, bullets zipping past her in the ensuing firefight. She didn't flinch.The world blurred, focusing solely on the woman bleeding out in her arms. ‘Why did she throw herself in front of me?’ Rosella’s mind was pinned on this thought. "Mom! Stay with me!" she screamed, shaking her gently. Blood seeped through her mother's dress, staining Rosella's hands and knees. "Please, don't close your eyes, don't do this to me!"Her mother's eyes fluttered open, her irises clouded with pain yet filled with a strange serenity. "Rosella..." Her voice was barely audible, a faint whisper under the chaos.Tears streamed d
The tension in the air was suffocating, thick enough to choke. The small warehouse echoed with the sound of guns cocking and men shifting into position. The stale scent of sweat, gunpowder, and mildew permeated the room, clinging to the skin like an unwelcome reminder of the danger that loomed.Rosella could barely breathe as she sat on the floor, her wrists raw from the ropes that had only recently been removed by Marcus, her heart thundering in her chest.Her mother was beside her, pale and trembling, though her gaze flickered with a strange kind of strength. Across the room, Odessa stood tall, her arms crossed and her expression cool but edged with irritation as she surveyed the chaos she had orchestrated.In the middle of it all stood Marcus, he suddenly rushed in holding a gun that wavered between two targets, Donovan and his mother, Odessa. His jaw was clenched, his brow furrowed, and his breathing uneven as he wrestled with the storm of emotions raging inside him."Marcus," O
Rosella was slumped against the cold wall of the dimly lit room, her wrists sore from the ropes digging into her skin. The air was damp and carried the faint metallic tang of rust and decay. The room itself was barren save for a flickering bulb overhead, casting long, ominous shadows across the cracked concrete walls. Every creak of the floor, every distant muffled noise made her flinch, the tension wrapping around her like a vice.Odessa stood before her, her figure imposing despite the elegant tailored suit she wore. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she paced, the sound filling the otherwise silent room. Her lips curled into a smirk, and her dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She looked every bit the predator who had cornered her prey.“You must be wondering,” Odessa began, her voice smooth but laced with venom, “why I hate Donovan so much. Why I’ve gone to such lengths to tear him down.” She paused, her gaze flickering to Rosella, who stared back with defiance despi
Rosella's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto the older woman slumped nearby. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Mirable's mother, her mother was sitting just feet away, her head bowed, her blonde hair falling limply over her face.The revelation felt like a sucker punch to the gut. This wasn't just a coincidence or some cruel game Odessa was playing. The truth was undeniable. The woman who had shielded Mirable with her life during the earlier chaos, the woman whose face seemed strangely familiar from the moment Rosella laid eyes on her was the same woman who had abandoned her as a child.Her mother.Rosella's heart thundered in her chest as a whirlwind of emotions tore through her.Shock, betrayal, anger, and the faintest hint of longing all fought for dominance.She clenched her fists against the ropes binding her, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back tears.Across the room, Odessa’s smirk widenedas she basked in the tension. "Well, well," she dra
Rosella’s world felt drenched in icy water as her senses came alive. She gasped, her body jerking against the tight ropes that bound her to the cold, damp floor. The sharp sting of water dripping from her hair to her skin left her shivering, but the real coldness came from the person standing over her.Emma.A wicked smile stretched across Emma’s face as she held an empty bucket, her gleeful eyes mocking Rosella’s misery. “Good, you’re awake,” she said, tossing the bucket aside carelessly. The clang echoed in the dimly lit room, its harsh sound amplifying the tension in the air.Rosella’s eyes darted around, panic rising in her chest. The room was barren except for a few scattered crates and a single dangling bulb casting a dim, flickering light. Her gaze froze when it landed on a motionless figure slumped against the wall.Mirable’s mother.The older woman was still unconscious, her blonde hair matted and her pale face streaked with grime. Rosella’s heart raced, a sinking dread settl
Rosella paced her room, the plush carpet muffling the frantic huffs of her breaths. Her heart raced in sync with her thoughts, each beat heavier than the last. Donovan’s warning to stay indoors had seemed simple enough at first, but as the hours passed, unease wrapped around her like a suffocating fog. Why wouldn’t he or Franklin answer her calls? What was happening out there?The vibration of her phone jolted her from her thoughts. Snatching it from the table, she saw the name Dalgliesh Residence flashing on the screen. Her breath hitched.“Hello?” she answered, her voice trembling.“Miss Rosella,” the voice on the other end was panicked, rushed. “It’s Mr. Dalgliesh. He’s collapsed, been rushed to St. James Hospital. It’s bad… very bad.”Rosella felt her knees weaken, her free hand gripping the edge of the desk for support. “Collapsed? What happened?!”“We don’t know yet. The doctors are trying their best, but…” The voice faltered, leaving the grim implication hanging in the air.Ros
Felix had his father discharged, watching him from home was best, even though Daisy was against the idea he went ahead with it anyway. He hated hospitals, he put up long enough already, any more would break him. Daisy adamantly followed him set his Father at home. Felix leaned against the porch railing, his gaze distant. Could he even look Daisy in the eye after what he was about to say? She stood a few steps away, her face a mixture of hope and hesitation. Did she feel the same tension in the air, the same heaviness that sat like a stone in his chest?Daisy spoke first, her voice soft. “Felix… I know things haven’t been the same since I left, but—”“Why did you come back, Daisy?” he interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “Was it guilt? Regret? Or did you think you could fix what’s already broken?”Her eyes widened at his words, and she shook her head. “I came back because I realized what I lost. I made a mistake, Felix. I thought I was doing what was best for us, but… can’t we try a
The rain poured relentlessly, a thunderous symphony that matched the turmoil in Mirable’s chest. She tried to wrest her hand free from Mitch’s grip, but his hold was firm. His face was a picture of regret, drenched in rainwater and guilt.“Let go, Mitch!” she shouted, her voice sharp, raw.“Mirable, please, just listen!” Mitch’s voice cracked with desperation.Suddenly, a hand shot out of the downpour, grabbing Mitch’s wrist and forcing it away from her. The strength of the grip made Mitch stumble, and Mirable gasped as the figure stepped into view.It was Franklin.“You heard her,” Franklin growled, his voice low and menacing. “She told you to unhand her.”Before Mitch could react, Franklin’s fist connected with his jaw in a brutal punch, the sound of the impact cutting through the rain. Mitch staggered back, clutching his face as blood dripped from his lip.“Franklin, stop!” Mirable cried, her shock evident.Franklin wasn’t done. He grabbed Mitch by the collar, lifting him slightly