Charles walked into the office and found Michel slumped over his desk, his head at an odd angle while one of his arms was swung out over some documents.Instinct made him reach into his jacket, ready to grab his gun but as he slowly approached, he soon noticed that Michel wasn't shot by the intruder, Michel was just sleeping.Relaxing a bit, he cleared his throat, causing Michel to jump in surprise, looking around to see where the sound was coming from.When he saw it was just Charles, he let out an annoyed sigh and ran a weary hand through his messy hair."My God, Charles. Why don't you speak up or knock?" Michel grumbled.Charles crossed his arms. "I knock on the door. But you're sleeping." He speaks realistically.Looking at him with displeasure, Michel reached for his cigarette and lit one himself without acknowledging Charles' answer.Michel knew he had fallen asleep.After all, he had a bad night, having spent it sitting in an uncomfortable chair next to Fanny's bed as she conti
"I have a feeling that Archibald wouldn't care about that."Relieved that Michel had turned to work again, Charles let out a breath and nodded."He won't. After Mr. Aiden, he will be next in line to get Davies' leadership. Since Mr. Aiden has never had a son, he will be his second-in-command, obviously Archibald." He explained.Michel ran his hand through his hair again."Does he have legs to stand on?""Some. He has connections to some clubs and still has a lot of security. Bellamy and Kieran will tell us."Nodding, Michel licked his lips and immediately went into plot mode.If Archibald decides to go against them, they need to keep a close eye on him.Because in the end, that will be what can lead them straight to Mr. Aiden.---Andy didn't let go for a long time, holding Fanny to his chest tightly while she stiffly patted his back."I'm fine, Andy... Really..." She glanced at the window bench where Audrey and Rosabella were sitting, smiling at the sight as she shot them a look, beg
Instead, he watched her fidget with her hands, bunching the sheets in her fists to then smooth them out just to repeat the motion.And he knows why she did it. She worried."I didn't mean to be disrespectful by coming here. I just heard you and..."Fanny shook her head, interrupting Michel. She doesn't want to tell him how she feels, somehow she doesn't think he deserves it.Though, she feels that her normal manners would want to thank him for what he did last night.He helped her.However, her anger towards him is too great to give in to the impulse to let him know.Fanny doesn't want him to get excited because he has that kind of power over her. So she kept quiet. It's really strange.Fanny knew exactly that what she saw yesterday wasn't real, but that was just hindsight.At that moment, she was convinced that she was back in that basement with Mr. Aiden and the constant torture.But for some reason, Michel was there suddenly and she couldn't deny the fact that his presence helped h
Michel cleared his throat and raised his glass to congratulate, looking around the large dining table as the exquisite Chinese food, drinks, and fare served covered the surface."This is to welcome you into our family, to see you as our own, to accept you as our brother, and to once again renew our purpose - all tied together for a reason.""Long live the Black Roses family." Everyone raised their glasses and took a sip of very expensive and rare wine that they only brought out for a special occasion.They moved on and started eating when one of the former Davies members started a conversation."As we are all sitting together, I wanted to express our appreciation for the opportunity to be part of this family. I know one of your requests was not to mention it. name, but our former leader never showed us the respect or gave us the protection you have in a short time since we started." Mark said to Michel, who nodded in understanding."Yes, sure. We've wanted to leave for a long time, bu
Going to her, he looks at her dinner and then looks at her as she just sits there, just turning a page in her book.This is not new. When she's resting, she just wants him by her side at night when it's time to sleep."What's wrong with the food?" Michel asked, keeping her voice neutral, always hoping that she would look up at him and answer as if he wasn't a demon.She was silent."How about some soup?" Michel bent down and stirred the spoon in the bowl, watching the hot steam rise from the plate.Fanny set the book aside and pulled her legs up, now grabbing a pillow that she hugged tightly to her chest."I have already eaten.""Lunch. This is dinner."Turning to glare at him, she didn't exactly answer him, but instead made it clear how she felt about his constant concern.Michel sighed and ran a frustrated hand through his hair."Fanny, you need to eat."When she didn't react, Michel stepped closer and sat on the coffee table so he could face her directly."Fanny...""Can you stop?"
But he doesn't know if this is how she feels about him. Or at least how she felt about him when she told him she loved him.Yes, she's seen some bad things, but she's faced worse since. Maybe that opened her eyes to the fact that she really hates him now."I'm not sure, Vengo. I just... You know... comfort her at night. It's not anything that would make her see me as..."Vengo raised both eyebrows, causing Michel to pause. "What?"Michel shook his head. "I just felt that I was only serving a purpose for her. She didn't want me around.""Mind is one thing and the body is another. Logically, she shouldn't want to be with you. But her body, her heart, she can't turn it off, you know. Take it out of her and you'll see." Vengo said confidently.Receiving these words, the leader finds himself wondering how much weight they suddenly carry.---Of course, Vengo had no intention of taking away from Fanny what made her comfortable, but Michel was still intrigued by the theory.He is also a desp
Checking the device, he cursed out loud, immediately replying to unanswered messages."Damn it. I've never slept so late.""You're exhausted."Michel sent a brief message to Charles and Carlos before getting out of bed and starting to move around the room quickly and fluently.He was only dressed in boxer clothes, but he quickly went to his closet to grab a new black suit, placing it on the bed as he went to the bathroom to shower.“I was thinking…” Fanny began, her voice making him pause in front of the bathroom door, turning curiously toward her."Uh?"Fanny licked her lips nervously. "Maybe some sleeping pills won't be so bad... you know... get it for me..." she said softly.Michel frowned at her statement and turned to stand by the bed she was sitting on, tilting his head to the side."Why? But why now? You're pretty adamant that you don't want anything."Fanny lowered her gaze from him and fumbled with the paper, her fingers pinching the document."You can't just expect me to sta
Dinner that night seemed quieter as the newcomers, Eddie, Kieran, Bellamy, and Mark were on a business trip and Vengo and Audrey were eating in their rooms.However, this was the first time Fanny had returned to the table even though she felt anything but moody in the presence of anyone.And on top of that, Kaylin somehow managed to take the exact seat across from her, giving her a clear picture of the woman who appeared to be Michel's old bedmate."Nice to have you back, Shortfoot." Andy smiled at her, who was lucky to be sitting right next to her, loading her plate with potatoes, steak, and salad.In response to the gesture, she couldn't help but notice that Carlos seemed to be grinning at her as well."Yes, man. It's time for you to come back and eat with us. Next time we can introduce you to new people.""Newbie?" She wondered."Yes, we've got four new members from the old Davies family," Kaylin explained to her, though Fanny tried not to acknowledge Kaylin as she averted her gaze
"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