[That bastard must come before two hours from now ends].
Theo was calculating the time remaining 15 minutes since the benchmark threatening message was sent on Rose's cell phone. From the rolex watch in his hand, he was now focused on the dilapidated building that loomed before him. The hostage-takers (probably) Theo didn't know how many people were in there, it could be one, it could be a crowd, for sure they had prepared a strategy by choosing a remote old place. Very far from the modernization of the city, the building was too gloomy to be depressing. "What the-" Theo's tirade and steps stopped as his body crossed the threshold of the entrance. Indeed, not everything could be judged by the cover. The outside of this place looked shabby and neglected, in contrast to the inside which was filled with electronic circuits and other magnetic materials. The interior seemed specifically designed to trap anyone who dared to cross the bu"Fine." "But take these cuffs off first." Only a human bored of life would actually agree to Bouldog's crazy offer. Inhaling carbon monoxide for that long would be suicide. Hell, maybe the next 30 minutes would see Theo collapse first before an hour of doing nothing in the tube. In hindsight, Bouldog should have made Theo fall more helplessly before making the offer, because when the handcuffs were open. He would not allow himself to be controlled like in the next building. "Do you think I'm a fool to just let you go?" Bouldog gave Theo a haughty look, then he chuckled very loudly. His captive was no ordinary person. To be able to trap him with such a well-orchestrated plan was an honor. He was looking forward to being praised by Mr. Alenjandro for a success. Unfortunately, Bouldog was too complacent. He didn't realize Theo was watching every curve of his face calculatingly.
What kind of virtue might influence one's life. One who is willing to sacrifice body and soul or one who dares to decide on whom his life is hung by invisible pleasures? Perhaps, had the chains that ensnared the soul been broken by luck, Theo would not have drowned in the helplessness that still shackles him today. The consciousness that should have survived, had wandered far beyond desire. And with that, one's hope was snatched away before the fertilizer sown worked as intended. "Hurry up and get some water." A faint, commanding voice from someone was faintly captured by the listener's senses. Theo had to get out immediately! He did everything he could to escape the darkness. The walls between him and reality were broken down with all him might. Nothing. Nothing happened except fatigue forced its way into his heart and mind. How much longer would Theo be trapped in the relentless circle of blackness? Two or three hours? What dose of anesthesia would keep him unconscious f
"You don't deserve to live!" cursed Bouldog unhappily. He darkened his eyes, then strode quickly towards the dangerous machine. With one press, the sound of the device operating filled the entire room. At that moment, an odorless and colorless gas raced into the target tube. Carbon atoms covalently bonded with oxygen atoms continue to invade someone in there. There was nothing Theo could do but hold his breath. He looked down with his hands clinging to the glass wall. Dying out of fresh air supply or dying of poisoning, both were difficult choices. What if Bouldog didn't want to stop the engine that continued to deliver risky gases? Theo really could no longer bear the feeling of suffocation when not a single bit of air reached his chest cavity. Nearly four minutes in, he was still trying to hold himself back from the dryness of his lungs. Damn it! To hell with carbon monoxide. Theo's
Yes, he was. A few months ago, by agreement between them-Verasco had shown a photograph of Theo, whom Mr. Alejandro had first called Zever. In short, coincidences are part of life for businessmen like them. "Be careful." Mr. Alejandro moved from his previous position to maintain Theo's balance. He didn't want Buldog's fatal mistake to cost him financially. It was enough now that the man looked useless. Not the rest. "You don't look well, Zever. My men will bring an oxygen tank for you." "No need." Theo didn't have much time to receive oxygen. The firearm under Mr. Alejandro's coat, which had been raised during his beating of Bouldog, had been in his sights ever since. Theo wanted to give something back before taking Oracle away. In the blink of an eye he had what he wanted, the weapon in his hand along with the master's consciousness. "No, Zever!" Mr. Alejandro's shout had no effect.
"Next time, don't be like this again Oracle. Don't accept gifts from strangers. Do you understand?" asked Rose sternly. She had warned Oracle that he would be traumatized by the kidnapping. Thankfully when he woke up, Oracle didn't remember anything, including the face of the man who lured him with frozen solid food. "Got it, Mommy. Sorry." Oracle looked down in fear, not daring to look Rose in the face. A child like Oracle could not resist being seduced with ice cream, his favorite food. "Mommy is sorry. Next time Oracle has to be smarter, okay?" "Okay, Mommy." "Good boy." Rose smiled as she gently rubbed Oracle's head. Occasionally she turned toward the blanket, where Theo lay so content to close his eyes. Indeed, Theo lost consciousness not long after the ambulance arrived. Now they were in the emergency room, where the symptoms were present, a bright red rash on the skin and the res
"Hey." The soft voice froze Theo in his tracks. For the first time Rose gave a warm greeting. Never before - ever. What demon was Rose possessed by? While watching Rose's mesmerizing face, Theo silently moved his hand up. He took off the oxygen mask on his face, feeling uncomfortable especially when he was about to speak. "What are you doing? The doctor said you need minimal oxygen until your lungs clear." Rose put the oxygen mask back on as it should be. Rose's gaze was sharp as Theo still wanted to put the life support away. "My phone." Theo's voice was filtered, although what was said was still quite audible. While beside him Rose had handed Theo the device he was looking for. "I have something to do," Theo said after successfully removing the oxygen mask and welcoming the cell phone in Rose's hand. Rose watched what Theo was about to do. "You should keep that sophisticated thing away
"I need your help, Rose." Theo looked around, taking in every object until his gray eyes stopped on the door leaf. "A favor?" Rose's question broke Theo's fully-extended focus. While thinking, Theo searched deeply into the beautiful, sweet face in front of him. A single impulse filled his head. Theo gulped with difficulty. Still staring at Rose's mesmerizing face. His heart was currently surrounded by feelings of doubt and want. Is it possible that Rose will say yes? He asked himself. "I was waiting for you. What kind of help do you mean?" "Help me by going to Sean, getting close to him. Find out when he's going to spread that damn video. I'll take care of the rest." "But-wait a minute. It's okay. That won't happen. I can handle it." Never mind that Rose would make it, all Theo could think about was how Sean and Rose would get along. Already a divider, there was no way Theo cou
"I'm counting from one to 10, if you don't get in I'll leave you out," Rose threatened calculatingly. "Patience, nag!" A short grunt could be heard from outside. Theo's every move and the man's relieved reaction did not escape Rose's eyes. There was a very faint smile on her lips, but it didn't last long. Rose's sweetness was lost along with her forward-focused gaze as Theo hurriedly opened the car door. Rose squeezed the steering wheel after hearing the sound of the door closing movement and felt the addition of a passenger. From the tail of her eyes, Rose realized Theo was watching her. "Someone who said she didn't care, suddenly forced me to get into her car," Theo chided after fastening the seat belt. The car started quietly. "I'm just sorry. You and your luxury are used to walking." Rose picked up speed, a little unable to keep from looking at Theo on the side. For a moment, their gazes crossed, and
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
Mesmerized. That was one of Theo's main reactions the first time Rose stepped out of the dressing room in a creamy white wedding dress like a romantic bride. An interesting conclusion emerged as Theo gazed at Rose as if she were a gentle woman with twists and turns... so beautiful and pure. The woman's sweet smile was something Theo never imagined he would have in full. Rose was absolutely stunning draped in a dress that began its beauty by leaving Rose's neck exposed in a transparent and elegant way. On the chest, the fabric that fit Rose's body was decorated with lace in the shape of spreading flowers and leaves accompanied by a sprinkling of sparkling crystals. From the hip line, the dress was in full bloom, but not beyond the slightest portion that Rose had to lift when stepping slowly. The curve in Rose's lips grew wider as she stared straight ahead. It was in those moments that Rose realized her husband was still silent without saying anything, as if he
After a flurry of activity with several dresses and eye-catching accessories. Rose's decision was then made to meet Theo in the office after parting ways with the woman who introduced herself as Alma as well as the woman's two beautiful secretaries, Evalina and Lindsey. The accidental encounter with Lion, whose fever was much better, was the moment when the man told Rose the whereabouts of Theo—who he said he had accidentally seen when Lion walked around several corners of the mansion just to add to the heat. The man wanted to sweat, but Rose's real business was with Theo. She didn't need to worry about anything else, except that her husband might be busy again. That was also what Lion had said before saying goodbye, which eventually led to Rose standing in front of Theo's study door... wondering if she should knock before entering. She didn't. Rose wouldn't do that once the door had been opened. A dimly lit room showed her husband there. Focused on his laptop, while Esmeralda
Loud howls filled Rose's senses almost all the time. She had locked the room. Her face was buried under the pillow, but Theo deliberately let Esmeralda roam the mansion. Occasionally the baritone's voice even chuckled in her ear. They seemed to be very close and perhaps Rose should have given Theo a warning not to make a single disturbing sound. Rose let out a long sigh letting her footprints rest on the cold marble. Step by step she walked out reaching out and pressing down on the doorframe then pulling the frame inwards, that second at the same time Theo's body fell along with Esmeralda who bit the man's forearm. There was no pain, because what Rose found was that Theo was enjoying Esmeralda's treatment. It actually reminded Rose of the first time she was reunited with a Siberian husky and the first time Theo found out Rose was pregnant. She smiled wryly at the thought of those days. If their baby had been saved, her stomach would have swelled up. "You and your wif