"Ma'am, ma'am" . Rose shifted, she could no longer hear the sounds of the streets and the honking of cars and shouting of drivers. Instead it was silent, cool, too quiet. "Ma'am", she kept hearing as she struggled to open her eyes. It was Jim, his head out of the car now, and the door was opened. She had been asleep. She wondered how long she had been asley as she looked around and immediately recognized the lush and serenity of the Wayne I residence. They were already home. She looked again and Jim was stariy at her, now with a slightly questioning and funny look,as if to say aren't you coming out. She didn't realize when she dozzed of, or for how long she had been asleep for. She crouched and moved as she came out of the car, Jim holding her hands as she balanced her foot on the ground."Thank you" she muttered. "Thank you ma'am" Jim said, not looking into her face. She turned and smiled at him, "you're supposed to say you're welcome". Jim turned and looked at her, appreciatin
Rose felt good that her brother was calling her when she wanted to do the same. It felt like she was thinking about him the same time he was about her. But as she smiled at her phone and attempted to pick up the call l, the call went dead. It had only rang for few seconds.Rose tried to call back but there was no answerShe tries until she had to stop herself from trying. Maybe he changed his mind she thought. Or maybe it was a mistake, a butt dial probably.She laid down on her bed, reaching out to her foreheads, remembering the pain that had lodged there for the past few hours. Rose looked at the time and it was almost midnight. She could tell Sebastian wasn't home yet. She pondered on the kind of relationship they had, and the one she would actually want. She sighed as she went through her thoughts.Since she knew him they had never spoken through the phone. He always sent someone to deliver his messages or gifts when he had any for her. She had his number,but calling Sebastian w
Jim opened the door with a smile on his face, his face wasn't as straight as it was the previous day. "Good morning Mrs Wayne" he said his voice sounded like he was getting comfortable. That was one of Rose's attributes, she had the ability to make people feel at ease, regardless of the position they held. Rose was wearing a grey dress, one adorned with small and countless glittering beads..She seemed more glamorous thanks to the outfit, which glitterd with each step she took displaying its countless tiny, sparkling beads. She could not help but feel a reassuring sense of peace encompassing her as she walked because the outfit enhanced her inherent beauty. It wasn't an all look dress but it was definitely just alright for Rose.As they moved through the main areas of Chesterfield which was gradually getting busier as people hurried to their business for the day. She had decided to leave the house earlier than usual. She had a plan of getting breakfast at a not so popular place.
As Rose walked up slowly but calculatedly to Sebastian's office, she wondered why he wasn't at the house yesterday, he was probably caught up with work. But she hadn't seen him at the company since the day he came in with her. Hilda was still by her side, giving her directions to his office which was at the top of the building. From her side eye she could see that Hilda was observing her movements, she struggled to keep calm, and tried to keep her emotions in check and not show any signs of nervousness."I think I'll be able to find my way from here" Rose said as they got to the elevator. "Okay ma'am", "when you get to the last floor, it's the last office at the end of the hallway". "Thank you" Rose said, now already inside the elevator, she avoided Hilda's gaze as the elevator doors slowly joined together. The hallways were beautifully adorned with flowers and exotic portraits, it was slightly long and from where she stood she could see his door, it was big and plated with gol
He walked up to Rose, who was noey standing with the glass still in her hands. He took the glass from her and dropped it gently on the table. And then slowly his hands went to he dressy, slightly and gently guiding his hands up. Rose flinched, moving slightly away from him causing her dress to fall back in place. He chuckled softly, and then moved closer to her and kissed her on her lips, this time it was stronger than before. He pushed her back slightly causing her to lean on the desk. With his hand on her face, caressing her hair as little strings feel on her face. Rose was almost enchanted by his moves, and attracted by his flawless masculinity. But as he progressed,she bent her head slightly away from his face. "No Sebastian, not like this" she said now removing herself from his grip, but he held her almost tightly, causing a light scare that almoy made Rose panick. He let go of her arm, and picked up his glass. He chuckled softly again as he walked away In his almost perfe
Samuel hesitated briefly, unsure of how much information to share. Jim was dismissed today, ma'am," he said after a little pause. You didn't cause it in any way. Mr. Wayne thought it was time for a change because of certain problems with his performance".Rose's surprised eyes widened. Such an unexpected turn of events had surprised her. In an effort to make sense of the circumstance, her thoughts raced. She couldn't help but wonder whether Sebastian was in any way involved. Maybe the small interaction she had with Jim had made him feel envious, or uncomfortable, or maybe he didn't want me speaking casually with workers. Her mind raced through what Sebastian really wanted,at that moment she felt vulnerable to his choices, there wasn't anything she could do to change any of them. The mood inside the car was a bit tight as Samuel drove Rose home. Rose couldn't get rid of the suspicion that Samuel knew more about Jim's abrupt termination than he was letting on. Only the gentle hum of t
Rose carefully took off the dress and headed towards the bathroom. She entered and shut the door behind her to enclose herself in the solitude of the room. She took a moment in the bathroom to gather her thoughts and consider the complex feelings and unstated power dynamics that seemed to permeate her present circumstance.Time passed as Rose struggled to find clarity and resolution in the midst of her inner turmoil. She considered her relationship with the relevant individual or people, assessing the ramifications of her decisions and any potential repercussions they might have. The restroom turned into a haven for her, a brief haven from the outside world where she could process her emotions and gather the fortitude to face whatever lied ahead.Rose made a decision at last, after what seemed like an age. As she put on her robe, a sense of resolve and self ease came over her. She left the bathroom with a newfound assurance in her deeds, and the door softly clicked shut behind her.R
"There she is" Sebastian's voice echoed through the crowd of people in the room. All eyes were still on Rose, staring intensely In an identical manner. She struggled to force a smile from the corners of her lips as she now took steady and precautions steps towards him who was already holding out his hands, smiling strangely, she hadn't seen him smile before.As she glided slowly through the room, she could notice the familiar stare from the people inside. It was like the one she got at the office, but this was more intense. Some looked at her with full contempt, frowning and almost biting their own lips. Some chuckled and giggled, covering their mouths and saying things to themselves. As Rose got to where Sebastian was, the silence which seemed to be obvious before, disappeared and soft melodious sounds started playing, shifting their gaze and attention somewhere else.He brought her close to his side, holding her waist. His hands could now touch her skin, through the part where t
Four months later.The car moved steadily along the road, the gentle hum of the engine creating a comforting backdrop to the silence that enveloped the interior. Rose's hand rested on her slightly protruding belly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of her dress. Michael, who sat in the back seat, was gazing out of the window, lost in his own thoughts.Max's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze alternating between the road ahead and Rose's profile. He could sense the mixture of emotions in the air—grief for Rose's mother, the weight of their recent experiences, and the glimmer of hope for the future.As they approached the cemetery, Rose's grip on her belly tightened slightly. She took a deep breath and turned to Max, her voice soft but determined. "Thank you for being here with me, Max. I know it's not easy."Max offered her a reassuring smile
The tension in the warehouse reached its breaking point, Sebastian moved with deliberate slowness towards the elevated platform where Michael was tied. His demeanor remained cold and calculating, a dangerous calm emanating from him. He retrieved a gun from his pocket, the metallic click as he removed the safety echoing in the hushed air."Rose, drop the gun," Sebastian's voice was ice-cold, the threat underlying every word.Rose's hand trembled as she clung to the gun, her wide eyes locked onto Sebastian's every movement. The gun was her last desperate card, her only means to keep Michael safe, and she clung to it with a fervent desperation.Max, his eyes flickering between Rose and Sebastian, sensed the imminent danger. He moved swiftly, lunging towards Rose in a desperate attempt to disarm her. His hands closed around the gun, and in the struggle, a gunshot rang out, the deafening sound ricocheting through the warehouse.
Max's suggestion was a slim hope, an attempt to gather any useful information from Sebastian, but as Rose dialed the number again and waited for him to answer, there was a sinking feeling that he was always a step ahead."Sebastian," Rose's voice held a hint of desperation, "tell me where my brother is. I need to know he's safe."Sebastian's chuckle on the other end was infuriating. "Oh, Rose, always trying to assert control. How quaint.""Just tell me!" Rose's voice trembled with a mix of anger and anxiety.Sebastian's tone shifted, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I know you're with the cop, Rose. And I'm well aware of the audacious plan you're concocting. But remember this, you have limited time."Rose's grip on the phone tightened as she exchanged a tense glance with Max. "Where is my brother?"Sebastian's voice was like ice. "Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks. You remember it, don
They finally arrived at the boarding school, Rose's heart raced as they rushed into the reception area. She could feel the weight of every decision she had made up until this point pressing down on her. The thought of not being there for Michael when he needed her was like a heavy anchor dragging her down.As they reached the reception desk, a middle-aged woman looked up at them with a smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"Max spoke quickly, his voice firm yet respectful. "We're here to see Michael lugard, Is he currently at the school?"The receptionist checked her computer. "Yes, Michael lugardis a student here. However, visiting hours are usually—"Rose's voice trembled as she interrupted. "Please, it's really important. Can we see him? It's urgent."The receptionist's gaze softened as she recognized the urgency in Rose's voice. "Alright, let me make a quick call to the dormitory to see if he's avail
Rose's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove through the dimly lit streets, her mind racing and her heart pounding. Bloodstained and shaken, she knew she had to find a safe place to gather her thoughts and figure out her next move. Just as panic threatened to engulf her, her phone rang, the sound cutting through the tense silence of the car.Rose sped through the streets, her hands trembling on the steering wheel, her mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation. The events of the past hours had pushed her to the edge, and the knowledge that she was holding a shard of glass that had wounded another human being weighed heavily on her.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, her phone rang, the sudden sound causing her to startle. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Max's name flashing on the screen. With a shaky hand, she answered the call."Rose, where are you?" Max's voice, steady and concerned, echo
As Rose watched from her hiding spot, her heart raced as Samuel's footsteps echoed through the mansion. She crouched behind a corner, her breath held, as he slowly made his way into the living room. She could see that he was dressed differently, not in his usual attire. Her mind raced to connect the dots, and then the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning – he wasn't here as a servant."Mrs. Wayne? Are you here?" Samuel's voice echoed through the grand room, his tone tinged with a mix of urgency and concern. He seemed to be searching for someone, and Rose's heart pounded in her chest.The sight of him moving slowly and scanning the room sent shivers down Rose's spine. He was different, something had changed about him. He was no longer the calm and collected Samuel she was used to. His demeanor was tense, almost anxious.As Samuel called out for her, Rose felt a surge of fear. She bit her lip to stifle any so
The two women were locked in a physical battle, their faces inches apart, eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills. Rose could see the fear and desperation in Prisca's eyes, the conflicting emotions that seemed to war within her. It was clear that Prisca was deeply entangled in Sebastian's world, but at the same time, there was something else – a flicker of humanity, a trace of regret."Let go, Rose! You don't know what you're getting into!" Prisca's voice cracked with a mix of emotions, and her grip on the journal tightened, her knuckles turning white. Rose's heart wavered for a moment, torn between her determination to uncover the truth and the urgency in Prisca's pleas.But the weight of everything she had learned, the memory of all the lives that had been shattered, fueled her resolve. With a sudden surge of strength, Rose twisted away from Prisca's grasp, breaking their physical contact. The journal rem
Rose stood up from the bathroom, her face still stained with tears, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She whispered to herself, "Stop crying, Rose," as if trying to muster some strength to face what lay ahead. With determination in her eyes, she left her room and quietly made her way to Sebastian's room, her heart pounding in her chest.As she stood in front of the door to his room, her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the doorknob. She took another deep breath, as if preparing herself for whatever she might find inside. With a hesitant push, the door creaked open, and she slipped inside, her senses immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of Sebastian's space.The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a lamp casting shadows along the walls. Rose's gaze scanned the room, her eyes falling upon Sebastian's large wardrobe. A flicker of determination crossed her features as she walked over to it. She fumbled with the handles of th
Rose stepped into the mansion, her heart still racing from the recent phone call with Sebastian. The weight of the situation was almost suffocating, and all she wanted was a moment to gather her thoughts. She entered her room, her steps silent on the plush carpet. As she closed the door behind her, a sense of isolation settled in.The room felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was a place where she should have found comfort, but now it seemed tainted by the secrets that had been unveiled. She looked around, her eyes taking in the elegant furniture, the soft lighting, and the delicate decorations that once held some pleasant memories. Now, everything seemed different.With a deep breath, Rose pulled out her phone and dialed Emily's number. The call rang for a few moments before Emily's voice greeted her on the other end."Hey, Rose! What's up?" Emily's cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the turmoil that R