"Damn woman. How dare you play behind my back!"
A thrown item almost hit the woman who was staggering in fear. Still in her nun's clothes, the woman's body was dirty and covered in bruises. Her long hair was disheveled. The woman grimaced with the corners of her lips trembling in fear. It was her fault that she was found in a state of no escape. The rage of a man was about to take her life. A man in a fit of rage is truly merciless. She endured every punishment, especially the way the cigarette flame touched the skin of her hands and feet. She just resigned herself unable to hold on to the resistance. It was all too late. Couldn't get rid of the savage, crazy and heartless old man. "Mercy, sir," she said softly, but explosions of rage overwhelmed the worn-out warehouse. She was helpless. Her long hair was pulled back to stare up at a face full of frowns and vicious streaks that went everywhere. Then a slap made the nun—clad woman turn away violently. "I apoRose never looked away from the sleeping face in front of her. Theo had said he wanted to sleep, and he did just that after their intimacy ended. The intimacy while Theo was awake was exciting, but what was unforgettable was that Theo held Rose almost tightly, never once releasing the embrace until all Rose could do was stay still. Occasionally she would have to wail at Dara's figurine. Rose imagined how if Dara hadn't had such a bad experience, maybe she would have seen what a happy man her husband was without having to carry guilt for almost the rest of his life. Rose understands that Theo might be carrying all the wounds, especially Verasco's denial of his existence. And it was Theo who had to bear every bit of pain that Zever should have. Rose had already found the answer to the very first question posed to Theo. She had once hurt the palm that now often caressed her, when she lost Oracle and caused Theo to come face to face with Bouldog. Rose questioned why Theo didn't sh
"Can you, Theo?" repeated Rose. Without specifying an answer she wanted to understand what Theo was thinking. Theo's silence was like ice until the atmosphere in the room changed. "Theo ...." "We can't predict what problems will happen in the future." "Yes, I'll try not to put you in any danger. But I can't promise." "I'm talking about you. Not me." To not put her in danger. Rose didn't think that was what she meant. "I know. I can take good care of myself." "But you didn't even dodge when I shot you." Rose parted the blanket between them. Her gaze fell to where she had fired hot lead at Theo. Already back to full skin, the scars were invisible—perhaps Travis had given them an elixir. Some of the wounds on Theo's body weren't as gruesome, except for the part where the shredded wound merged with a fold of flesh. "I didn't dodge, because I knew you weren't a danger to me." "It just looks that way, doesn't it? In fact, I put m
"You brought Esme out of the cage to meet Mr. Zever, Miss?" Lion's one swift question seemed to intimidate Rose that she had just made a big mistake. While twisting the lid of the jar of snacks that had just been removed from a whole plastic packet, Rose deliberately did not let her gaze linger on Lion for long. Neither did she deny the accusation based on the 'truth'. It was Rose, and she had no intention of simply wishing for time to turn back to fix her empty knowledge. If Rose hadn't brought Esmeralda to the main room and sent Zever into a tizzy. Maybe she wouldn't have been hounded by her own thoughts about Theo waiting in the living room and her accompanying her husband on the hack. Last time Rose had told her everything. All about the problems they had to face together. And just like that—there wasn't much of a response from Rose after she ended her long string of sentences. Theo was silent, but Rose was sure he had processed all the information well.
Rose woke up amidst the silence passing through her body. She scanned the perimeter of the living room still sharing the same oxygen and other things that wouldn't change. Including her husband—Theo on the side sitting back with his beady eyes closed so calmly, as if unaffected by the slightest movement from Rose who had just removed the arm band around that solid and firm body. She didn't know the last time Theo had immersed himself in the deep sea between them. Rose only remembers the little part of her that couldn't hold on any longer, then fell asleep clinging to Theo's body. While her husband was busy drumming on the keys of the keyboard, occasionally rubbing the top of Rose's head–offering a nod to the drowsiness and heaviness in her eyes. Rose's gaze shifted momentarily to an object on Theo's lap. It looked like Theo's coding work had been completed. A horizontal green line almost a quarter full filled the empty box lengthwise on the monitor screen. Then Rose as
Waking up under the warm, soothing gaze of her husband's eyes seemed to lead Rose astray into the gray beads and thick fur that seduced her defenses. She closed her eyes again and nuzzled the surface of Theo's chest more closely. Inhaling the masculine scent that never faded a bit until the only thing Rose couldn't escape was that intoxicating fragrance. Rose deepened the sweep of her face in search of the most comfortable position, at least until Theo embraced her with his arms, but he did not. Theo gently grasped her dark brown hair, which felt just right as the man's large fingers sank between strands and then rubbed the back of Rose's head lightly. "Still sleepy, Sugar?" Theo's baritone voice was crisp as if the man had been preparing for a long time to ask her just one question. Rose pulled herself up onto Theo's body. Let her husband lower his head slightly, and she would look up to start the conversation. "You've been up since earlier?" That swee
Underneath the hiding place Rose's heart pounded violently. She couldn't understand how Theo could be so calm, while the man's heartbeat was Rose listening. She was a little jealous of Theo's skill in dealing with a tense situation. Verasco's presence was nerve—wracking when Rose thought she and Theo should be sharing their closeness in the presence of the man who had strictly forbidden their relationship. "What is this asshole doing?" "He's hacking into something?" There was a pause after Verasco's question aired freely. Rose hoped that Lion—who was probably still accompanying the middle-aged man—could give a plausible reason without being dishonest. It was dangerous if Verasco knew the truth about what Theo was doing secretly. "Yes, sir. Mr. T is indeed having a drop." Woe be to Lion. Rose could barely keep herself from swearing harshly. Lion was too... honest. "Hacking what?" "That I don't know, sir. You can probably ask Mr. T directly la
It was too painful when the man had left her existence. Going far away. Untouchable. And Rose was sure that the more the sturdy shoulders were built up, the more the recently demolished skeleton would be forced to collapse. Exactly Verasco's statement. Callous phrases spoken in such a cruel way that they had a profound effect on Theo and took away whatever form they took, which was even the same thing—Rose had to watch her husband build a high wall. She hasn't tried to reach it yet, but knows it won't be easy. Rose couldn't drag Theo by the arm like she had in the past and whisper soft words. Inviting her husband into the room, then Theo would say yes. None of that was easy. Not when Rose's decision was too late to make. Theo was already making his way down to the top floor in the left wing. What could Rose do as the door thudded loudly, bouncing off the mansion's skylights. Rose had never even so much as focused her mind on the highest point of the building's structure, which
"Mr. Verasco also just arrived." Rose confirmed Lion's mutterings from the side. She stopped the car—turning for a moment to the man who had just stuffed his cell phone into his pants pocket. Rose guessed that Lion was sending a message to his man according to what Rose had said. She quickly got out after Verasco like a king who was greeted with respect. "Wait," Rose hesitated—not knowing what to call it. Rose swallowed harshly as Verasco waited at the end of the steps. Those eyes were sharp as if they wanted to skin her mercilessly. "I don't think I've invited a prostitute into the grounds of my mansion." Such a cynical greeting didn't hurt Rose any more than having to imagine Theo's anger which was probably still very much on fire. "What are you doing here? Changed your mind and want to sell your body?" "I'm no longer interested." The image of Rose's face kept reminding Verasco that the blood running through that body was O'Douglas' bloodlin
"Ready?" Rose nodded as Theo spoke over the top of her head. She was indeed standing with her back to Theo, holding the handle of a long cookie-cutter knife, while Theo's large fingers grasped each of her knuckles warmly. The multi-tiered cake, or not much different from a fragile tower, was being split open. The blade slowly descended downward to symbolize sharpness. Rose smiled almost melting into laughter when Theo whispered something funny to her, funny but Rose wouldn't tell anyone. Let her keep it to herself and make it an important fun moment. After the first slice of cake Rose and Theo should have been feeding each other. Instead Theo scooped out the cream and immediately applied it to Rose's lower lip. Rose's face was a mess, but that was exactly what Theo wanted. He took Rose's lips like he was taking a delicious cake. The sweetness of the sugar and butter mixture seemed to make Theo insatiable. He licks Rose so intimately—there's no end to it—that Rose
"It's enough. I'm full." Again Rose had to restrain herself as Theo's big fingers tried to push away the bowl of white porridge in her hand. "Just a little more, Theo. You have to finish your porridge." "Come on." Rose brought another spoonful of porridge closer, but that face refused. "Don't make me eat bad porridge, Sugar. It's tasteless." "That's why if you eat while looking at me, you'll get some flavor." "One more bite. I promise after this is over." "I don't believe it. You said that earlier, don't you remember?" Rose's wide grin completely fooled Theo. The man was exactly a child who had lost his appetite. It was very difficult to persuade him to open his mouth. "This time I'm serious about the last one. Ahk... open wide." Rose thought Theo would immediately accept her bribe. Instead, the man moved the elbow of Rose's hand, moving the bow of the spoon to Rose's own lips. "You should eat too." "I ate earlier," Ro
One day after Theo regained consciousness, Rose finally decided to return to her home, the place where she once lived alone next to her small restaurant. At the moment there wasn't much for Rose to do other than prepare to meet Theo at the hospital. Rose immediately drove her father's borrowed car. On the back passenger seat she placed a medium-sized box with several holes in it that was wrapped very beautifully. While beside her sat a cute little dog with curly hair and white color like cotton. Yesterday Rose had just bought the poodle breed at the pet shop. Intrigued. That was all that drew Rose's desire to bring home the poodle named Cocomelo. "We've arrived." Rose prepared a special backpack to carry Cocomelo on her shoulders, so that when she first entered the infirmary Theo would not immediately meet her Cocomelo but Rose would show him. And in her hand, she carried the medium-sized box and walked into the hospital. Not just daring, but Rose had already ob
Coming back from the bathroom, Rose thought she would be faced with the same situation. She had warned against it by waiting longer in the humid room until some of the noises from outside faded away. But everything Rose had expected was not true. The blood seepage on the floor when she opened the door was gone. Verasco's subordinates... even Verasco himself was nowhere to be seen, in his husband's infirmary. All that was left was Lion waiting very quietly, arms folded across his chest as he watched Theo silently. "Are you still here, Lion? Where are the others?" asked Rose as her steps brushed the side of the blanket. "Mr. Verasco asked me to wait here, Miss." Lion's attention was finally diverted. Rose suspected that he had just returned from the police station and helped Verasco and Elijah to execute George. As for George's betrayal, perhaps it was a wake-up call for Verasco to be more intolerant of hidden intentions and whatever else might happen. "Where is my
"On the way home. Their story has a happy ending. Finished." Rose closed the 400 pages book and placed it on the nightstand. Reading sweet stories had become her routine in the past few days. Rose smiled slightly at her husband's face who was lying so quietly. This morning the breathing apparatus had just been removed indicating Theo's condition was getting better after the bloody spear incident. Luckily, they immediately brought Theo to get the right treatment. Theo had to undergo surgery three times. He had lost a lot of blood and needed transfusions as soon as possible. Rose remembered that some arguments happened between them regarding Theo who had very step blood, even Verasco was helpless about it. Just a Wench .... That's what Verasco said at that time with a trembling tone of voice. Like he was so regretful. Really regretful, until finally Travis suggested the few people who were still left in Italy to bring some bags of Theo's blood that were taken two
"She's very good at acting." Rose whispered softly in Bridgette's face who had only come into view after the play had started. There was no need for Rose to ask where the woman had been, she could guess what the couple sitting next to her had been up to from the slightly disheveled appearance a few moments ago. "Yes. No wonder she's the lead. She's very pretty tho." Rose nodded in agreement as Bridgette whispered along. The students who were drafted to act out the drama on the wedding stage were really good. Their pronunciation and intonation were perfect, especially when they were blocking. Rose remembered things like that that her father often commented on when watching street theater. Until this moment Rose had not found her father's whereabouts. Rose looked at Theo for a moment. Her husband was too focused on watching the theater play. The sharp gaze and tightly clenched lips were very hot. Rose wanted to touch Theo but was prevented by the arrival of the w
Who would have thought that the two weeks since that day would feel so short as Rose's busy journey came to an end. It all seemed to be over in an instant, until in the shade of a large, luxurious building she stood. Smiling at her handsome husband whose black hair had grown into a neatly combed bun. The thick eyebrows and gray eyes were a perfect combination, plus the hot touch of lips that sometimes returned her smile, and so whispered the naughty words that the man would later plan after the party was held. There should be nothing for Rose to worry about at this point. Just carrying out the last vestiges of the plan that would lead her to an intact family, then waiting to see how Theo would fight for their happiness together. But as long as she was there. Occasionally moving her feet regularly—back and forth in turns with her arms wrapped tightly around her husband's neck. Rose didn't find anyone who might still bear a faint resemblance to her parents among the a
"Who did you come with?" Rose felt a touch on the top of her head and immediately broke away from Bridgette's embrace. Xelle smiled at her and it seemed as if the man had just gotten home from work. The long blue shirt on the body was slightly ruffled with half of the buttons open, so the reddish marks on the skin of Xelle's chest were faintly revealed. Rose understood... she had just guessed wrong. "I think my arrival has interrupted your fun," she said, not directly answering Xelle's question, but at the same time Rose received a light pinch on the arm as well as Bridgette's 'shut up' gesture. "I'll take Rose inside. Don't forget to take a shower after this, Axe. You're very messy. And one more thing, tell Edward in an hour to pick up Oracle and Campel at school." Already Rose had taken a step towards where Bridgette was leading her, instantly she froze in place remembering Theo in the car. "I can't stay long, Bridgette. Theo's waiting for me." "
"This many invitations, who will be at our event?" Rose's attention was fixed on Theo and the concorde sheet of paper in his hand. Occasionally she turned back to confirm the existence of a stack of invitations arranged in tiers, some of which were in the trunk of the car with the rest sitting on the passenger seat. The golden color of almost all the invitation paper gave a luxurious impression, especially the embossed writing on the surface added an elegant side. Rose liked it when she was fingering the parts of the letters that popped out. It felt like she had just pampered her fingers. "Is your name right there?" But instead of answering Rose's question, Theo asked her that very thing. "It is." For a moment Rose returned her attention to the invitation paper. O'Douglas. Her eyes searched carefully for the name on the back. Rose had never been allowed to bear the title 'O'Douglas' for the rest of her life, but this time Rose had mad