[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
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
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
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
"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.
"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
Rose 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
"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 apo
For the next few seconds, not a word was spoken. Theo's fingers were still doing their endless thing. More and more those hot lips began to nestle in the recesses of Rose's neck. Sometimes a small nibble on the earlobe would tempt Rose to let out a stifled moan. Rose had to remind Theo they had just had an emergency situation. His father probably hadn't left the mansion yet. And the man was already back to his perverted thoughts. "Theo, this isn't our room," Rose warned. It was enough to make Theo stop. The moment the ash bead turned towards Dara's large figurine, a mischievous grin simultaneously appeared offering Rose all kinds of alarm. She should have acted quickly before Theo did anything. Unfortunately Rose's movements were sluggish, spilling onto the bed first as Theo brought her to tussle under the thick blankets. One tug of a t-shirt on Rose's body slipped away. The rest of the clothes were just as easily tossed to the floor. Theo seems impatient to undo
"Damn old fart!" Zever's silence was short-lived. The next Theo was back in the picture. The man's anger was unusually explosive. He slashed at anyone nearby once, then lunged at Verasco mercilessly. A lunge that sent Verasco toppling backwards to hang from the second floor railing. "Great lord!" called Lion loudly. Everything had happened. Verasco's position was under great threat while Rose stared at Theo in disbelief. "What are you doing?" She asked incredulously. Thankfully, Verasco was still able to defend himself. However, Theo's cold streak didn't exactly care as he waltzed away towards Dara's room. The last point Rose found her husband disappeared, then turned to where Lion was trying to pull Verasco's arm to crawl up. "Let me help," Rose said shakily, offering to help. She and Lion struggled together. Little by little, they dragged Verasco to get the right accuracy to place his feet between the holes. One or two counts of them strugglin