However, he still decided not to answer the question, only to leave it unanswered between them.Accepting Michel's silence, Charles finally pulled out a chair and sat down, arms crossed on the table."Okay. Let's go down to the essentials. How many?" He goes straight to business, branching out into topics that, to him, are far more important than some little girl's feelings."Three. I had two in my chest before she woke up and one right when she was coming.""Are you sure they're Phoenix?""Who else.""Michel."Michel raised his head and immediately saw Charles, unable to move his gaze.He gapes at Charles, eyes wide."What?""I was going to talk to you.""Talk to me? Talk to me about what? What the hell is going on?" Michel cursed as he watched his mafia brother get up again, reaching for the whiskey bottle to refill his glass once more."I want to gather a little more information before...""Before what? Fuck, spit it out, Charles!"Charles sighed as he placed his drink in front of
This Michel just assassinated his target in seconds.He strangled someone's life as if it had no meaning.Oh, she wished she could just forget what happened and move on.But she could never get rid of the images burning in her head.Eventually, Fanny's cries turned into gasps as exhaustion overtook her.Opening her burning eyes, she suddenly realized that she wasn't really alone in the room. Andy was right there, sitting on the sofa, eyes closed as he seemed to be sleeping.Without thinking, she crawled over to the sofa and grabbed his arm.With a start, Andy turned her head to find Fanny burying her face in the fabric of his shirt while she cried silently."Fanny! When do you wake up? How are you?"But she didn't answer.As if she suddenly remembered who he was, not only a friend but also a killer - like Michel - she pulled away and started crying as she shook her head back and forth as if she were trying to comfort herself.Carefully, Andy reached out and wrapped his arms around her
Fanny doesn't leave her room at all and while she's busy taking online classes and reading the books Andy has brought her, her mind always ends up in the same place: think about Michel and what happened.She half-suspected he wouldn't come to check on her, but somehow she still felt frustrated when he actually didn't show up.And that's even though she's not even sure if she wants to see him or not.All she knew was that she hadn't been fine since that day, feeling as if a large hole had been punched through her chest, leaving her empty and numb.Trying to give her mind, which was a messy mess, a rest, Fanny decided to leave her room.She didn't know where she was going, but it was quite late so she hoped that everyone was asleep.Slowly getting out of bed, Fanny put her hand on the door and quietly opened it, looking left and right to make sure no one was in the hallway before stepping out.As she gently tiptoed down the stairs, she hopes that being able to stroll through the gardens
"This isn't the place for you. I'll make arrangements and talk to Vengo. As long as...""What if I don't want to go anywhere else?" Fanny blurted out, staring at him intently.She doesn't know what's going on with her.Doesn't she want this? Hasn't she been waiting for this for a long time? To go home and finally see her father again?However, now that she had this opportunity, all she could feel was the hole in her chest, getting bigger and bigger.Fanny wants to lie to herself. Give some reasons. Come up with a crap excuse to tell yourself she can't come home.But in reality, she knows it's not because she can't.That's because she doesn't want to.With their eyes still connected, anger suddenly obscured Michel's blank expression."I'd say you're suicidal. This life chose us, but that's not the case for you. You've fallen into this pile of rubbish and you can choose to leave it.""I didn't choose either, remember? I'm part of this now. What if someone finds me? At least while I'm he
"He killed all three of them? All three?" Mr. Aiden asked incredulously as he sat in his large leather chair, swirling the dark liquid in a highball glass in his hand while looking at his daughter sitting directly across from him on the couch.Gwen nodded, tucking her hair over her shoulders.She had told Carlos that she missed her cousins Nefertari and Ernesta when it was true that she needed an excuse to meet her father for a much-needed insider exchange.However, when she arrived at the mansion, she was annoyed because Mr. Aiden seems to be on a rampage, immediately leading her to his private office to vent about their failures to get rid of Michel."I can't believe it, damn it. He's a god-forsaken man. It's hard to kill this guy.""Maybe we don't need to kill him." She sighed, leaning back on the sofa.The frown on Mr. Aiden only deepens."What do you mean?"Gwen rolled her eyes as she got up and walked over to her father, standing right in front of him, leaving only the desk be
Turning his head to get a better look at his wife, Carlos looked at her with a confused frown on his face."Again? Didn't you say so last time?""Last time was two weeks ago.""Exactly my point. We haven't had sex forever and when I tried two weeks ago you told me the same thing."Gwen shrugged."I'm not even."Carlos continued to look at her for a few more seconds before he left her head with a deep sigh and sat down on the bed."Maybe you should go check this out."Gwen laughed lightly."It's normal, honey. Don't worry about it, okay?" She turned to the side, now with her back to him as she tried to find a comfortable position."Uh, but just to be sure, talk to Fanny."A scowl appeared on Gwen's expression as she didn't even try to control her expression, knowing exactly that Carlos couldn't see her."No need."Carlos sighed again, sitting up to let go of his shirt before pulling the sheets over him as he lay down again."Uh, then let's go to the doctor. We should make sure there's
Michel smiled, the corner of her lips curled up in a small smile.Despite appearing only so quickly, the smile disappeared as Michel slowly reached out and tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear.Suddenly there was a huge lump stuck in her throat she didn't want to go away no matter how hard she tried to swallow it down.Instead, Fanny just continued to sit there, frozen, as Michel began to carefully undo the pins holding her hair up, releasing the soft strand little by little, gently running his fingers through it and over and over. repeat motion.When her hair was finally down, he stroked the side of her face down to her chin, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb.It's like he's in a trance, unable to stop himself from continuing his actions, following whatever feels right and irrationally trying to tell him.As he leaned in, his face very close to hers, Fanny took a deep breath."What are you doing?" She asked in a small whisper, her lips brushing against his due to the immedi
Standing in the infirmary, Fanny was just in broad daylight daydreaming about the day before when the door suddenly opened and four men walked in with a loud noise.Michel and Charles carried the wounded Carlos, while Andy limped behind the three, holding onto his bleeding leg."God. What happened?""An explosion. Carlos and I were waiting in the abandoned building across the river when...""Shut up, Andy." Michel glared at Andy as he and Charles laid the groaning Carlos onto the hospital bed, who was writhing in pain, clutching at his side.Fanny stayed by their side for a second, her hands washed, disinfected, and gloved as she led them back a step so she could assess the damage."How is that?" Charles asked, moving to the sink to wash Carlos's blood from his hands, and Michel did.Fanny immediately hooked Carlos to the IV, adjusting the drops as she returned to her patient's side."It was a gunshot wound but it looks like he was just grazed. Now I'm starting him on antibiotics and
"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