ROSALIA'S POV:
I was jolted awake due to the repeated and persistent blare of my alarm clock. Disoriented and with sleepy eyes, I took a glance at the alarm clock: It was 7 am. The early hour is definitely not my favourite time of the day. I don't really like to miss the chance of sleeping in unless I have to go to work. Yes, I am definitely a sleepyhead! Cursing the necessities of the early hours under my breath, I dragged myself out of bed. In an attempt to tap the alarm off my sleepy gaze fell upon the family photo kept on the bedside table. "I miss you, mommy," I whispered, a familiar ache tightening my heart. It's only me and my younger sister now. Our father abandoned us a long time ago leaving behind a childhood which is never a pleasant one to remember, A childhood marred by constant arguments between my parents. The relentless arguments took a toll on my mental health and made me feel unloved and desperate for some affection. My younger sister, Emilia, was my solace. Trying to keep her away from those discomforting situations became my mission, she was my only reason which made the so-called home bearable for me after school. As my parents were always busy bickering, I took care of my little sister like my own baby. One day, finally, Mommy left that house and the we three shifted to a different city. For the first time in a while, I saw a glimpse of happiness. We rented a small apartment and mommy used to work hard and tirelessly to provide for us. In that meantime, Dad had completely cut ties with us, practically abandoning us without any prior information. To help cover the educational expenses of me and Emilia, I started taking up part-time jobs at a very young age. Despite the hardships, we were determined to make it work. We were poor but there was a sense of relief, a feeling of happiness. That happiness did not last long. Mommy was taken away from us in a fatal accident, there was not a single day in the past three years which did not remind me of this. I was in my second year of college when my life was shattered into pieces. Soon we ran out of the little savings we had, and I had to tutor school students in addition to my part-time jobs to manage the finances. Still, it was not enough. Being that the reason I opted for a full-time job as soon as I graduated to ensure Emilia could get a good education. I outdone myself in order to get into a good company, but the feeling of the newfound independence is quite good. Emilia is currently studying in high school and she stays there in the school's hostel which led me to shift with my best friend, Kristen. As she went to her hometown for her cousin's wedding ceremony, I could not help but miss her. She's like a sister to me, a sister from another mother. We both studied at the same University where she is still pursuing her master's. I also planned the same as I wanted to complete my higher studies but my fate did not allow me. Reluctantly, I got out of the bed and headed to the small bathroom. Even though our apartment was small, it's tidy and cozy, our little comfort place indeed. After my quick morning routine, I took a refreshing shower. I chose a knee-length black pencil skirt paired with an off-white top for the day, letting my waist-length black hair cascade down my back. I applied a touch of mascara & lip tint. It's not that I don't like make-up but it's not my thing for daily purposes. After grabbing some toast, I hurried out the door and left for the office. Luckily my boss, Kate is genuinely a sweet and warm-hearted person. She is only a few years older than me, yet she carries herself with grace and kindness. Despite her position, I never saw her acting bossy, she always treats everyone with kindness making the office a welcoming one. My shift starts at 9.30 and thankfully, I am not late today. No matter how friendly a Boss might be, everyone expects punctuality from their employees. "Good morning, Miss Knight" I greeted Kate as I saw her passing by. "Come to my office at 10," she said smiling at me to which I simply nodded. "I need you to make ten copies of each document," Kate instructed while handing me a file. "Yes mam," I replied and stepping out of her office, I headed towards the Xerox machine which is on the ground floor. While busy doing my work, I noticed a blue metallic BMW pulling up in front of our office. A tall man in a suit got out of the car and he helped a toddler to get out of the car also. The guards immediately bowed down as he approached followed by the little boy. Upon entering the office, he looked for the receptionist who was not present at that moment. I was standing nearby, just beside the receptionist's place, absorbed in my work when his gaze fell upon me. His eyes were captivating, strikingly handsome in a very masculine way. Towering with a tall stature, he made me feel even smaller. Literally, everyone is taller than me cause I'm only 5'0 but he is over 6' I guessed. He was quite a different person to be looked at, his aura, his presence was somehow exuding a powerful vibe that was both intimidating and intriguing. Geez! Rose, he is with a baby boy most probably he is his father. I was so intimidated looking at him that I did not notice the cute little boy was trying to grab my file. "Have you seen my mom?" He asked looking up at me with wide eyes.: ROSALIA'S POV :"Have you seen my mom?" the little boy asked as he grabbed the file it fell on the ground. It was for my distraction that the documents were scattered on the floor."Come here, Aaron," That man I just saw outside beckoned while coming nearer to grab the child's hand. He did not give me any chance to talk to that little boy. I noticed the employees on the ground floor started to bow down a little to him in an attempt to show respect. Who is he? I was a little curious. He did not even spare a glance back at them. Soon he lifted the little boy in his arms and entered the lift.I saw Jacob coming in my direction. He started helping me to pick up the documents. He is my only good friend in this office. I never had many friends since I was a nerd in school. Jacob is always very helpful."Why are you so clumsy Rose," Jacob said as he handed me the documents he had picked.Honestly, I don't even know myself. "Thank you, Jacob," curiosity got the best of me so I asked," Who
KEVIN'S POVI called my right-hand man John to clear my day's schedule and also asked my Personal Assistant to hand me over the resume of Rosalia Brown.I left Aaron with Kate and went into my office. I have my personal office in every building of Knight Corporation, a personal space to think and plan. I felt the pool to stay in here, a bit longer driven by the desire to meet Rosalia, her eyes and voice already consumed my mind, I needed to do something about that. At lunchtime, I saw her eating lunch with an asshole. I think he is the same guy that helped her to pick up the documents this morning. Isn't he a little too interested in my kitten !?I felt the need to hear her angelic voice one more time so I asked my pa to call her in my office.ROSALIA'S POVI was having lunch with Jacob since he is the only friend I have in the office I always have lunch with him."I didn't know Miss Kate has a son. He is very cute" Jacob said"Yes, he is! " I chirped. I love children. They are very
ROSALIA'S POV I was lying on my bed and trying to distract myself by diving into a novel. But I could not just forget about what happened earlier. Mr. Knight was formidable, but his voice lingered in my mind, impossible to forget. "I expect you to look pretty on that day" Why he would say that? Why does that even matter? I could not deny the fact that he was very handsome and intimidating in a way. I've never felt that nervous in anyone's presence like him. His personality was somehow different. My thoughts were completely occupied by him that night. I couldn't read the novel anymore as sleep took over me. NEXT DAY AT WORK... Miss Kate called me into her office. I knocked on the door and she instructed me to come in. "Miss Brown, I found out that Kevin called you to his office yesterday" "Yes, mam", I replied. "I'd like to know what he discussed with you," She curiously questioned. Even though I didn't realize why she was asking me that, I told her that Mr Knight wanted to
"Well, This includes accompanying me to certain places I want you to go and fulfilling my sexual desires. You will have to be available for me 24×7. Other terms and conditions will be instructed to you soon. And you'll be provided with all the luxuries You can't even think of." What! He wants me to become his prostitute! "I am not that type of girl, sir. I think you got the wrong idea. I'll never do something like that for money." "That doesn't matter, baby. An offer from Kevin Knight can easily change anyone's mind. You should be thankful that I have chosen you. So, I suggest you reconsider it," he proudly shot those words back to me. "What! No.. never! How can you even say something like that? Just because you are rich and powerful that doesn't mean you can trade anything! And take advantage of my misery. I've been through much worse but never used my body for money. I'll never accept your deal. Never. And you are asking me to be thankful. Thankful, my foot! You are just so
'I'm the truth you can never escape' :ROSALIA'S POV: I was lying on my bed scattered and unable to process the things that happened earlier. I was crying so hard that I didn't notice Kristen sitting beside me on the bed. She started gently stroking my hair. "Why didn't you tell me, Rose, what happened in my absence" she sounded very concerned. "It all happened within a day. I just met him twice. I had no clue this was coming. I was about to tell you but I didn't want to spoil your date" I told her everything that happened earlier this. Her jaw dropped after listening to my words. "I was so shocked when I saw him, Rose. He is a very dangerous person. We have to do something. You have to escape the town." "How can I just run away? I don't have enough money or a place to stay. besides his man is outside our apartment," my voice cracked. "You can stay at my house in the upstate. I'll inform my parents. when things cool down you can come back" "But how will I escape f
After some time a huge mansion came into my view. The guards immediately opened the huge front gate. The car stopped in front of the main entrance of the mansion or I should say Palace. Even the exquisite beauty of the place failed to comfort me in that situation. I saw Mr Knight getting out of the car as the man who got me out of the bus earlier opened the door for him. He quickly came to my side and pulled me out of the car by my wrist. "Bring her to the basement, John," he ordered without even looking at him. John nodded to his order and he walked away from us. What are they going to do to me? Lock me up in the basement! Beat me up for trying to run away from him! These thoughts were enough to make me shiver again and again. Soon, John started dragging me towards the backside of the huge mansion. "Where are you taking me? Please help me get out of here" "Please I'm begging you," I requested in vain. John didn't even utter a word to me. And kept dragging me to
ROSALIA'S POV: I have always dreamt of marrying someone who will love, adore and cherish me the most. I've witnessed the downfall of my parents' marriage. The haunting memories of my childhood made me so paranoid. I was always so hungry for love. For just once in my life I wanted to know how it feels to be truly cherished by someone. But things never happen the way I expect. Love is not something that is written in my fate. I guess I'm cursed to die unloved. I had no other option but to give in. The fear of losing my loved ones was much more than the taste of my freedom. I wished Mommy was here to protect me. She would never let this happen. I wish I was strong like you, mother. I saw a tray full of food on the nightstand. I was not in the mood to eat anything. Never running out of tears that night, I cried myself to sleep. THE NEXT DAY... I woke up to a knock on the door. Hoping that someone had brought me food, I asked to come in. A woman in her 30s came in. "Good
The next day Kevin sent me to a salon with Kate. There were two of his men following us. They stood outside the salon. The whole day passed by doing some essential bridal treatment according to Kate. This includes hair and body spa, pedicure, manicure, full body waxing and much more, most of which I had never done before. I was happy that I had not to face Kevin for the entire day. He scares the living daylight out of me. However, my anxiety was growing thinking about the next day, the day of the wedding. If someone had told me just a week ago that I was going to get married I wouldn't have believed that. But there I was ... I was going to marry a cold-blooded mafia who enjoys torturing people to death. I would not be able to forget what I saw until the day I would die. I just hoped Kristen is alright. Hopefully tomorrow, he will let her go. I did all he told me to. Unable to sleep, I was tossing and turning in the giant bed. I have a habit of eating something sweet