"What?" Manuel said, breaking his silence, his voice cracking on the word. "Does she always talk like that?"The receptionist slowly stood up. "No. She has never said anything like that. She does say the name Rose, but...""Rose," her mother said once again, and she leaned closer. "Did.... did it hurt too much?"My body went cold, my chest lightly heaving. My mother? She knew my mother and... she killed her?I swallowed, blinking the tears back as I leaned further to her, holding her hand tighter. I needed to know more. I needed to know everything there was to know."Why did you do it?" I said softly, my eyes taking her in. "I was your friend.""What are you doing?" The receptionist said, her brows drawn together darkly."Just let her," Manuel said. "We are not going to harm your mother."The elderly woman gave a small smile, but the tears ran over her cheeks. I reached to wipe them away, and she burst into more tears."You always did that," she said, holding my hand. "Even... when t
The woman gave a small laugh and shook her head slowly. "I... I thought I would die with this weight. I owed you an explanation. I swear, Rose. I swear, I loved you. You were beautiful. Perfect. You were the beat human being ever. The world turned dark after you died, and the earth mourned. The light under our feet belonged to you, Rose. How could you come back to this wretched world? How could you?"I swallowed, turning to her. "I... I need to find Leo."She chuckled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I thought so. You didn't want to leave it incomplete, did you?"I sniffed hard. "Do you know where he is?""Forgive me," she said slowly. "I do not know. I never even knew where he came from. He just came. Forgive me."She leaned closer, the receptionist supporting her, as she reached for my face. "Please. Please, Rose. Forgive me. I beg of you. I am dying soon. Very soon. I don't want to die knowing you are angry with me."I swallowed, my eyes darting across from hers. Slowly, I nodded
My chest tightened as I felt his warmth as real as that woman's warmth had been on my hand. On my cheeks. I could still feel the moisture of her tears on my thumb, and I swallowed, the tears breaking through me. Vector held me tighter, his fingers massaging my back, his heartbeat keeping me company. I swallowed, my body trembling as I moved away from his comfortable embrace, and I met his eyes. They were filled with con wrn, and he brought his hands to cup my face, his thumb running right under my eyes.I closed my eyes tight, my chest heaving. "She... she died. She doed, Vector."I swallowed, my chest heaving. "My mother. And... and her mother."His brows furrowed, but he brought me back into his embrace, his hand wrapping around me. I just stayed there, knowing I couldn't possibly explain anything right now."Vector," Manuel said from behind us, and I closed my eyes."What happened? Who died?"Manuel gave a pause, then sighed. "Well, she came looking for information about her moth
Hillary fell asleep all over again, and Vector and I went down to process the arrangements. I pretty much just watched him, my hand resting in his as he put everything in place.Manuel came to us after a while, and he gave me a small smile, his eyes thin."You should go home. I will stay here with her."Vector turned to me, then gave a small shake of his head. "You should go home, Manuel. Make sure everything is in order. I will be back with her."Manuel sighed, then slowly nodded. "I hope you are okay now, Red."I nodded. "I am. Thank you."He gave a small sigh, and after a few minutes of talking with Vector, Manuel walked away. I watched him back till he was out of sight, and I slowly turned to Vector."How do you feel?" He asked, his voice low."Better now." He watched me a little sceptically before he slowly leaned in and kissed my cheek. I closed my eyes and sighed before he slowly moved away, then pushed my hair backwards."I am here."I didn't say anything back, but I wish he
Hillary woke up after sunset, and for a very long time, she just looked lost. I could almost see her trying to process the pain all over again right after gaining temporary respite from it, then waking up to realize that she had to deal with it for the rest of her life.I stretched my hand to her, my fingers wrapping around hers. Vector was sitting behind me on the couch, and his presence helped me keep the tears at bay. It was crazy how I thought I would be able to break free from him when he has proven again and again that he has become something I had learned to rely on.I sighed, a small smile lifting my lips as I looked at Hillary. She touched my hand, but no words passed between us. Just two souls, each broken in a different way. She had just seen her mother die. I had learned about how my mother died. "How do you feel?" I asked after a while, my voice low."I am better. Thank you."I nodded. "Maybe we could go home tomorrow. Vector said..." I trailed off as I turned to him. He
I sat on the couch as the doctor processed Hillary's discharge. Vector had his hands in his pockets, his eyes sunken, his hair lightly ruffled. He looked like the exhaustion, especially mine, was finally getting to him. He had woken up some time right after Manuel had left the hospital and didn't go back to sleep.I slept off on his lap, his fingers lightly massaging my hair and stomach. Now he looked like he had gotten the short end of the stick, and I felt a little guilty. "It is done. She can go home now."Vector nodded, and the doctor walked away after a few more pleasantries. Vector lightly cupped his forehead, then sighed as he came to me."The car is parked outside. I will have the driver turn it around.""I will come down with her."He didn't reply as he walked away, while I stood up to help Hillary out of bed. She was much stronger, and we found it easy to go down to the parking lot. Vector was right in front, his fingers raking through his hair, his other hand holding his p
I leaned on the car window, my eyes closing. The images of the fire lived behind my eyes, and I let myself wonder what could have happened had I been a little faster. Had Vector been a little slower or quieter. Had I been in that car.I took in a deep breath. I wondered who would want to kill Vector like that. I didn't know most of his associates, neither in his companies or his less legal businesses, but I knew he always took care of them. He always kept them away, or six feet under.My mind slowly drifted to my father. He had looked extremely angry still. The grudge still lived, and to be honest, I wouldn't put it past him to...I trailed off, my breath hitching in my throat. There was no way I would think of my father that way. He wasn't a murderer. Right?I swallowed, then adjusted, my head slowly leaning back on the seat, my chest heaving. I never returned after that day, and it didn't even feel like I was doing anything wrong. Within months, Vector's arms had become more of home
I swallowed, my eyes darting across both of hers. "What? What do you mean?"She sucked in her lips, then shook her head. "Mother always said it. The women at Segura barely ever had anyone looking for them. Anyone to report them missing or anything. They were brought in batches to the main house where they would be fucked senseless by dudes, impregnated, and then transferred to Segura. There would be no birth records, and if they died, they died like animals. And that was including your mother."I bit down on my lips. "I.... I don't think he...""Don't be naive. Connect the dots, Red. You showed me six birthdays. You are the only one remaining. What do you think happened to the other children?"I swallowed. "He said they died.""They were sold to influential families that were not part of the mafia. Sometimes, even outside the country. That was what Segura was all about. Making babies that would be sold. "My jaws clenched, and I found it hard to breathe. It felt like I was choking on
Vector was in bed, and I slowly leaned to him, my lips gently kissing his forehead. He gave a small smile and turned to me, his eyes slowly meeting mine."Aren't you going out today?"He shook his head. "She called me dada. She obviously wants me to stay home."I broke into a laugh. "That little traitor. Betraying me like that."He pulled me in. "I could call you baby whenever you want."I broke into a laugh, my eyes darting to the sleeping child. She was just six months old, and she was closer to Vector than ever. She even took after his beautiful, different colored eyes, and I was convinced that my genes hadn't even tried at all.I kissed his forehead again, then smiled. "Everyone is coming for dinner today. Get ready, okay?""Yes, ma'am."I broke into a smile, stealing one more kiss from him, before I walked away. We spent the evening downstairs with everyone. Dad, who was more than excited to be a grandfather and was even taking lessons, Rose, who took every chance to touch Victor
I woke up naked in bed, and Vector wasn't by my side either. I turned, my eyes squinting, my chest heaving as I took the room in. There was no sign of the shower. I turned to my left, and a bouquet of roses was sitting there, with a letter hanging out from it. I broke into a smile, then sat up, grabbing the letter, a smile lighting up my lips."Come meet me in the below address in an hour. I love you."My brows furrowed as I looked down at the address, my chest heaving. I jumped out of bed, then swiftly went to the shower. I checked the time on my phone. I hadn't realized it was past twelve already, but anyone would understand how much I needed my first worry free sleep in so long. In forever. Slowly, I chose a dress, then put my hair up in a ponytail. It was a cute, flowery sun dress, and I twirled around in it for a bit, my smile big.Manuel was waiting in the car when I got down, and something about his smile made me feel like he knew what was going on but simply won't tell me.I
I wrapped Vector's jacket around me as the doctor gave us instructions to take care of the wound. Vector nodded slowly, but his eyes held mine, and I wondered if he ever actually did listen to the doctor. Manuel followed the doctor and finished with the remaining discharge processes, and I stayed back with Vector, who was finally falling asleep, fatigue, lack of sleep, and the pain catching up with him."We can go now," Manuel announced, coming up to us. I went to Vector's side, then wrapped his arm around me, while Manuel did the same to his left. That way, we got him out of the hospital and to the car. I got in the back with him, then gently adjusted him to lie on my lap, my fingers slowly pushing through his hair, my smile small.He was now weak, and it didn't take him long to fall asleep, his eyes closing gradually. I leaned to kiss his forehead, and he gave a weak smile before he finally fell asleep. The ride this time was slow, and I actually got to breathe. I watched the sig
Manuel cut through the teeming traffic as he drove us at top speed to the hospital. My heart was in my throat by the time we got to the hospital, my eyes darting fearfully between the outside environment and Vector, who was now motionless.Manuel got out, then came around and opened the door. I got out first, and he leaned, then slowly brought Vector out of the car. I ran to support him, and we walked into the hospital with Vector between us.They immediately brought a stroller, and we lay Vector on it. We followed behind them as they wheeled him to the operating room."It appears to be a gunshot wound, " one of the doctors said, adjusting his gloves. "Do you have a police report?"I swallowed. Tears were running down my cheeks now, and I wasn't even sure how to control it. They wanted to wait another ten minutes to bring that man to give a police report even when my Vector wasn't even moving anymore?I turned. Vector's gun was still in my hand, and I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes
I gasped as Vector gave a small smile, his eyes darkening as he got progressively angrier. Slowly, he cracked his gun, then slowly moved Don Lucian's head, his voice low with a murderous darkness behind it. "Let's try, then.""Vector," I said, but before the word could get out of my mouth, a van I recognized drove into the port and then parked. I turned, just as my real father was brought out at gun point, his eyes wide, his hands brought up in a surrender."Dad!" I screamed, and it distracted Vector momentarily, causing Don Lucian to swing for the chance he got.He immediately grabbed me by the neck, forcing me to his body, a wicked laugh escaping his lips, his eyes thin with evil."You fool, you really thought you could outsmart me? How about living the rest of your life like that bastard pining for your Rose?""Red," Vector said, his eyes wide. I could immediately see his resolve weakening, fear flashing in his eyes. Manuel ran out, his chest heaving. "Don't shoot!"Vector blinke
I nodded, my breath hitching in my throat. The cars stopped, and for a short while, no one came out of them. I held my breath, then turned to Vector, whose eyes were thin now, his fingers clasped into each other.Slowly, the first car opened, and I watched as Don Lucian walked out of the car, his eyes thin. His eyes took in the port before it landed on Jonas' dead body.He looked up, and in the blink of an eye, the other cars he had come with opened up, armed men trooping out immediately, surrounding us.Vector gave a small chuckle, his eyes becoming a lot thinner. I know what that meant. He was getting even angrier."Deploy the men," Vector said, and I watched as the place was slowly covered by even more men, armed to the core, their guns aimed towards Don Lucian's men.Don Lucian looked cornered, his eyes wide and filled with rage. Manuel slowly came out of his car, his gun held tight and ready to shoot."Have you missed us? Don?"Don Lucian met Manuel's eyes, and he swallowed, clen
The ride was silent, and Vector called once to make sure I was on my way. He spoke to the driver, and I leaned back, my chest heaving. All of it was so nerve-wracking, and I needed to see the end to this. Has there been some sort of change in plans? Was there some sort of problem?Suddenly, the car stopped. I turned around, and Vector's car was parked by the aide. My eyes thinned as I watched the car. Slowly, he rolled down the glass, and Vector's face slowly came into view.He had a small smile and a cigar between his lips, his eyes dark. I broke into a smile and went out of the car, without waiting for him to come to me.I went into the car, and he broke into a laugh as I lunged myself into him, smile big, my chest heaving hard. He wrapped his hands around me, his lips blessing every inch of my skin available to him. My face, my lips, my neck, my shoulders, the tops of my breasts, my fingers, my arms.I guess he felt the same emptiness I had all night long."Fuck, I missed you," he
I lay in bed, my eyes watching the bright chandelier. I had lost track of time, and I just lay there. Halfway across the city to Vector, and another part of me just laying here, waiting for something, anything. Needing something to tell me that Vector was okay.A knock came on my door, and I turned to it, my eyes slowly blinking. Hillary poked her head in, then gave me a small smile as she caught my eyes."I thought you would be alone. Manuel told me they were leaving."I nodded, then slowly sat up. My phone was lying on the bedside drawer, and I sighed, watching it. There was nothing."Are you okay?"I nodded slowly. "You?""Ibam fine. Could you lend me one of your clothes, please? We are the same size and I really need to go somewhere."I nodded, forcing myself to sit up, my chest slightly heaving. I got out of bed, then slowly led her to the wardrobe. I let her choose, and she picked the simplest one, just something that looked rather plain."Is that really what you want?" I asked,
Vector closed the door and turned back to me, a small smile on his face. He leaned to me, his fingers gently massaging my scalp. "You should rest. I will be back."I shook my head, sitting up, my chest slightly heaving. "I will dress up and come downstairs. This involves me as much as it does you."He nodded, kissing me hard, his grip on my face almost desperate. He pulled away, then kissed around my face again, his eyes closed.I could hear the silent prayer in those kisses. I could tell he was nervous. He never really was, but now, because I was there, because I was a weakness, he had no other option.He was scared, just as I was. This could go either way, and this story could end with me losing him. This story could come to an end with me standing above him. I would hate for that to happen.I got out of bed, then slowly dressed up in comfortable shorts and a large sweatshirt. Soon enough, we went downstairs where Manuel was, with a group of armed men.His eyes were thin, and ever