But not so. Impossible."I killed him." Rosabella closed her eyes against the images her mind created, only to discover that they were even more colorful against the black canvas of her closed eyelids."I killed him." She repeated it over and over until she wasn't sure if the words were still leaving her lips or if it was the echo in her ears."Rosabella," Charles said firmly, the fingers he placed on her face clenched."Look at me."She opened her eyes wide, staring at the worried face of the man beside her."You did the right thing."Right?It's hard to see the line between right and wrong from all the death and blood that has happened since she was exposed to the life of the Black Roses family."You did what you had to do. It was self-defense. Archibald would kill me already, friend." His fingers stroked her chin."But..." He drew in a steady breath through his nose as his brows furrowed. "I need to be honest with you..."Frowning, Rosabella felt the tension suddenly invade her bod
The Black Roses leader took one last look around the room before pulling out a cigarette from the ashtray and crossing his arms."Recent events have turned out to be pretty ugly for us." He began, making it clear to everyone that what he had to say would be important."And I suppose you've been wondering why, haven't you? Why do things keep happening around here? Are things really getting more risky and dangerous or are we just being lazy?" Michel briefly made eye contact with Charles before turning to look at Kaylin, fixing her with an angry scowl."I'll tell you what it is. It's a secret. Scary behavior can do more damage than good. And I'm not talking about your five-minute games in one of our playhouses. Honestly, I can't give two words about that. But it's shady behavior between us and around the villa that could cost one of the people his head."Charles began to worry. Apparently, Michel was talking about him. But why? Was he seriously going to tell them everything?Michel clapp
"Uhm, then what we need to do is easy. Send Mr. Aiden a text from Archibald's phone and ask him to meet us. We need to act fast." Mark said.Kieran nodded eagerly. "I agree.""What about the one who escaped?" Vengo crossed his arms.Michel turned to look at Charles and let out a long breath. "I'll let you and Kaylin handle this, okay?"Kaylin and Charles both nodded.---After breakfast, Rosabella was sitting in Michel and Fanny's room, listening to her best friend as she rambled on about what happened the day before.Fanny has said that they haven't been spending much time together lately and wants to make up for it, although Rosabella has a feeling that she wants to give something up.However, pretending to be able to follow the conversation and show interest becomes much more difficult than she expected.Rosabella repeatedly caught her drifting with her thoughts as images of yesterday's incident in her hotel room, then a conversation with Michel, and then with Charles kept flooding
In her desperation to escape everything that was going on, Rosabella must have fallen asleep in Charles' bed because the next thing she knew it was past midnight and she could hear the water running in the shower.For a moment, she thought of just waiting for him to finish talking, but when she couldn't take it anymore, she threw the blanket away and struggled out of bed.She still felt exhausted and sluggish, so she slowly went to the bathroom quietly.With her fingers resting on the doorknob, she debated whether she should give Charles privacy. Her mind was telling her, yes, but her heart somehow refused.It pulled her inside, telling her to talk to Charles. She knew that they were busy dealing with Mr. Aiden all day so she somehow knows he won't be at his best.His back was turned to hers as she stepped inside. She could tell that Charles had heard her, but he was still standing, his hands on the wall, head bowed.Charles has taken off his shirt, but he's still wearing his pants. R
Rosabella was almost done in the infirmary, putting down her clipboard and preparing to take off her coat when none other than Eddie walked in, his left hand holding his right arm, face contorted with pain."God, what happened to you?" She gasped as she helped him into an upholstered chair, immediately disinfected her hands, and put on a new pair of gloves.Eddie let out a dry laugh. "I guess Phoenix wanted to say hello. We ran into one of our southern counties."Rosabella sighed in frustration but went to work, cleaned the wound, then removed the thread and needle."I'll put some numbing cream on the area. You won't feel that bad of a stitch." She had just explained, nonetheless seeing him flinch as she worked in the fine thread and carefully closed the wound.It was quiet for a moment, Eddie watching her face closer as she diligently did her duty, hoping to minimize his pain as much as possible.Clearing his throat, Eddie licked his lips. "So... you and Charles, huh." He leaned towa
She felt as if all her muscles were straining beyond their capacity. She tries to get into a comfortable position, but no matter what she does, it doesn't work."You seem tense." Charles then pointed out as he was still lying on his side and watched her writhe on the mattress.Rosabella turned her head to look at him. "Uhm... it's me." She admitted."I feel jittery. Like frustrating..." She pushed both hands into her hair and curled them into fists."A real orgasm would be pretty good, but I couldn't... uhm, you know." She refers to the fact that she has not been able to have sex with him since the incident happened in the hotel room.Rosabella still isn't sure why, but she guesses it's probably one of those things that will resolve on its own with time."Uhm, have you tried touching yourself?"Rosabella pursed her lips, pondering his question. "Long time no see. Not because... yes, you. And I don't think it will be like that."Charles rested his head on one arm to get a better look a
"Who said you can organize?"Audrey looked taken aback and immediately looked at the two of them. "But I...""Carlos is messing with you, Audrey. Of course, Fanny and I want you to plan it." Michel shot a quick glance at Carlos, receiving a mischievous smile in return."We just want to keep it intimate. So please don't go crazy, okay?" He continued as he grabbed his own burger and took a big bite.Vengo wiped his mouth and spoke. "Michel, I'm not sure if this is the way to go."Michel shot a curious look at Fanny sitting next to him and frowned back at Vengo."And why is that?"Vengo took a sip of Coke and dipped his fries in ketchup."Very well, you are the leader. To establish Fanny's place in our family, this union needs to be a defining event of the year. Everyone will be asked to show their respect, so the Wilson's family and the superiors of all our businesses should be invited." He explained before continuing down to his food.Michel looked back at Fanny, who didn't seem thrill
His jaw clenched, his breaths coming out faster and faster. Rosabella could feel her growing wetness between her thighs but ignored the pain there.A deep grunt escaped his parted lips as her thumb moved over the tip of his tongue.He stiffened as she continued to move her hands up and down, faster now. Glancing down, she squeezed her thighs together, licking her lips as she worked with him faster, noticing his hips move impatiently with his hands.Unable to wait any longer, Charles then wrapped his fingers around her, squeezing his firmness, causing her eyes to lock with his as she sucked in a harsh breath before the primitive look, he was giving her.Her chest ached, her body vibrating with need under his intense gaze."Like this." He gave rough orders, moving their hands faster and harder.He let go of her hand and let her do the rest while his hips jerked. When he couldn't take it anymore, Charles then grabbed her neck, biting her bottom lip before kissing her hard.He stiffened b
"What makes you think we're going to have sex here?"Eyes wide, Rosabella reached forward and patted his chest, earning a mischievous laugh from him."Damn it."He laughs again but rests his head on her leg in his hands again to continue sucking."Like I could stop now..."Looking at her, all mischievous eyes then disappeared."But before we do... I want you to do something for me."Rosabella licked her lips as she watched him run his tongue over her pedicure-red toes."What."Charles' fingers massaged her legs a little harder."Touch yourself, Rosabella." He whispered.Rosabella inhaled sharply at his words.This isn't the first time he's asked this of her because Charles loves foreplay as much as she does. However, each time he utters any wish, it just makes her that much more interested.Slowly, Rosabella reached under her skirt and pulled her legs apart further as she let her hands move up to her inner thighs.She could see that he was looking down, watching her fingers trace her
Shrugging, Charles drank his wine before answering. "I don't mind the handcuffs I put on you a few days ago, so I assume you won't mind the ball and the leash." He joked.The two spent the next few minutes watching Michel and Fanny cut the cake before they resumed their conversation."So what if we make a deal?" Charles hands her a plate of cake."Oh, no way.""Why?""Really, Charles? We're terrible at making deals. We were supposed to just screw around and now we're talking wedding plans. I don't follow their arrangement. I'll go the way we want."She stuck a cake fork between his lips."Oh my, you're right." He gaped in response.Rosabella nodded firmly. "I'm always right and getting...""And you get what you want." He gulped, quickly kissing her lips."You know you always get what you want. Except in bed. Because that's where I'm king." He frowned at her as if challenging her.However, Rosabella just shrugged coldly, eating some cake herself."I have no problem with that, Charles."
"It wasn't a diamond ring but when a member of the Black Roses proposed, his future wife wore his Black Roses ring. You've seen it on Audrey, Farrah, and Fanny."She looked up from the box and looked him in the eye."Propose?" Her voice was soothing immediately, her heart pounding in her chest.Charles gently stroked her cheek. "You hate big gestures, Rosabella. But you're getting a ring. It's non-negotiable."Speechless, Rosabella held out her hand as Charles took out the ring and stuffed the box into one of his pockets.He was about to slide it in when she stopped him."Wait..." She quickly withdrew her hand, seeing the confusion on his face."I need you to promise me one thing before we're officially engaged.""Star?" He looked at her with concern."There's really two things..." She licked her lips as she tried to find the right words.Charles stood in front of her, patiently waiting for her explanation."If we have kids, I want them to have the option to get out of this life if th
Looking around them quickly, she wanted to make sure no one heard their conversation before she leaned over and whispered in his ear."Let's go upstairs...""Rosabella," He chuckles."I'm the best man, you're the bridesmaid, how do you think we can work on such a disappearance?"She knew he was right, but Rosabella simply couldn't help her.Instead, she continued to whisper more in his ear. "I want you to show me how much you own me, Charles. How much you don't like another man's hand in mine..."Charles put both of their drinks down on a nearby table and immediately wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her into his body."Are you trying to kill me?"Rosabella giggled, feeling him fix his mouth on her pulse point that he began to suck lightly.Unable to resist her body's reaction, she arched into him, making him smirk against her skin. She smells flowers and her very own delicious scent."God... so you need a reminder, Rosabella? How to behave? Do I need to keep you up all night?
"Come here..." He pulled her forward, so he could bring her body closer to his.Rosabella let him kiss her, enjoying his warm lips gently brushing hers as he let out a satisfied moan.Taking a step back, she locked eyes with him as she knotted her fingers through his hair."Did I ever tell you that you're a good kisser?" She whispered low, seductive voice.Charles bit her lower lip lightly. "No, but I won't stop you..." He chuckled as he bent down to her again and kissed her again.He locked his lips deeper, letting his tongue gently touch hers as his fingers continued to pull her shape to mold into him.Panting and heart pounding, Rosabella parted again, her eyes sparkling in satisfaction."Uh, sure you're a good kisser." She giggled.---Four months later."Congratulations." Everyone joins in, sipping champagne as they stand, all gathered together in the downstairs living space that has been decorated in a T with elegant floral arrangements and lighting.They invited key businessmen
"I did, but it's because you surprised me with it. I didn't think I could have this choice again and suddenly I was offered something that I thought I wanted. I didn't even really think before I said yes."He nodded but said nothing.Charles was tired of making the first move, always chasing Rosabella.This time he wants to hear something from her.She sighed, her brown eyes tired."You think I'd leave anyway if you weren't shot? That's what everyone thinks, maybe even Fanny."He kept his face neutral."Isn't that the truth?""No, that's not true." She frowned at the window, her cheeks flushed with emotion."You know that moment we were in that hotel room, when Archibald was about to kill you, that I didn't want to lose you. I know that, but I still don't want to admit it to anyone. I was stupid and I'm the same wretched Rosabella as ever. And once I've agreed to your offer, I'm too proud to tell you that I don't even want my stupid freedom, I don't want to leave you, don't want my ol
Michel nodded. "You should do the same."Rushing out of the room, the nurse bowed to them, quickly taking the opportunity to disappear.Surprised at the rapid turn of events, Rosabella turned to look at the leader."And you can't start with that?"He shrugs slightly. "Not as much as I give you a chance. You flew off the handle there."Rosabella let out another growl. "That damn nurse did a half job and I don't have it. So if she makes a fuss, I want you to threaten that bitch to shut up and let me do the job or have to deal with it. face the barrel of your gun."He frowned at her. Even so, Michel knew better than to argue with her. Because for the first time, he understood how much she cared about his second-in-command.And as he watched her act that way, unable to control the process she held, Michel finds himself speechless, acknowledging the fact that she is somehow a good fit for his family.That woman was a lunatic - just like the rest.---A soft hand grasped his.Charles opened
Unable to form any kind of reaction, feeling completely frozen, Michel continued."You did enough damage. So you might have five minutes with him, but after that, we're done. Is that clear?"She did not answer."I ask you a question.""Are not.""Sorry?"Rosabella stood up and crossed her arms."You heard me. I stayed."Michel took a step forward and towered over her."You listen to me. This has turned sour enough already, so I hope you go so far that you won't find your way back. I'm his boss and if I say you're not good enough for him, that's what it is. Charles will do his duty to his family and move on.""You may be his boss, but I'm his woman so we'll take a look at that."The two stared at each other without blinking.Standing there, it all suddenly made sense to Rosabella.She feels freer than before. She has been fighting her feelings for so long and has suppressed herself for no good reason.Now that she had said all that needed to be said, she felt relieved.Perhaps all of t
Finally losing the battle to keep calm, Kaylin pushed Carlos who was on the way to go to Rosabella, slapping her in the face.Fanny screamed and ran over, grabbing Rosabella to pull her aside."How dare you?""You two need to shut up. Get out of our faces or you'll be next, Fanny."Knowing that emotions were running high and that grief for Bellamy and Kieran was most likely weighing heavily on female member Black Roses, Fanny dropped her shoulder and decided not to push it any further.No, she will wait for Michel to come home and, in the meantime, get to the bottom of her own question.Specifically, facts that everyone but her seemed to already know.---"Why don't you tell me? All this time you've led me to believe that you hate Charles when in fact there are clearly emotions involved." Fanny asked Rosabella gently as they were both in one of the smaller living rooms, waiting for someone to come and give them any news after that night's incident.Rosabella used her sleeve to wipe th