In the middle of their respective activities. From outside, someone rang the apartment bell.
Who is it? Rose's head was filled with questions and unfamiliar thoughts. She wasn't used to having visitors this early in the morning. If anything, it was just Marry dropping off snacks for Oracle. Was Rose supposed to open the door for whoever was out there? "Oracle, wait a minute, okay? Mommy wants to see who's here." Rose washed her soapy hands and turned to look at Oracle. "Okay, Mommy. Uncle T will keep me company here." Only a faint smile was given. The rest of the time Rose left the two in the kitchen. This time she made sure Theo wouldn't follow her at Oracle's request. Rose sighed. Reaching the front, she silently brought one eye to the doorway, trying to figure out who was waiting. "What the hell is he doing here!" growled Rose impatien"Now you know everything, right? Come back to me, will you?" Sean continued half coaxingly. He thinned his lips as his hand stayed in the air. Rose refused to be touched, even though he had told a big lie. "If you're the one who saved me. How come I woke up in your mistress's place?" Rose was no fool who would believe without logical reasoning. Sean had lied before and it left her unconvinced. "It was because T hit me to get you away, as if he was a hero to you. You see this bruise?" Sean pointed at his own cheekbone. The bluish marks on his face had almost disappeared when he walked into the boxing ring, which he had come to after witnessing Theo's success in getting Rose away from the Humber River area that time. "He hit you, but you made no extra effort in preventing him from taking me away. Well done Sean, I'm proud of you. And don't think I want to come back, we're done. There's no way I'm giving
"Mommy!" The Oracle's exclamation was the reason for Rose's distraction. She quickly rubbed her rough face, watching intently as Oracle's footsteps drew closer. Rose frowned. Slightly surprised at Oracle's fresh appearance. Her mind wandered as she noticed something also different about Theo. The man's hair was wet and a few strands had fallen down, truly sexy and seductive. "Oracle took a bath, Mommy," reported the little one who was now in front of Rose, looking so excited and happy. "Who's taking a bath? Why don't you wait, mommy said it would only take a minute," asked Rose as she knelt down, leveling her height with Oracle. "Take a bath with Uncle T. We're going for a walk. Is that okay?" Rose raised one eyebrow in displeasure. "No, Oracle. You can't go out with people you don't really know." Just knowing the name wasn't enough-Theo was still a stranger to her. "Bu
Just like the clouds, my eyes will do the same. -It will rain - Bronu Mars- ________________________ "You're crazy! What are you doing?!" "I want to smash your face!" A slight yell did nothing to stop Rose's actions. She continued to press the knife down, not caring that Theo's grip continued to ooze thick red liquid. Anger was in her blood, the pain of thinking about Oracle's whereabouts made her unable to restrain herself. Her world suddenly collapsed at the thought of Oracle being taken by someone else. The child had once almost been a victim of kidnapping while they were in the park. Now Rose didn't know what to tell Bridgette about this reality? She didn't have the courage to be honest, especially since her chest felt tight against the loud thudding of her heart. What if something bad real
"Button it all the way down," he whispered sensually. One free hand reaching for Rose's fingers, Theo let the palm meet the skin of his chest. He felt a jolt of electricity as Rose offered no resistance. Rose blinked, snapping out of her trance. "You have hands, you can do it yourself." She tried to get out of the unusual situation that was suffocating her chest. Being this close made it almost impossible for her to breathe. But, Theo continued to hold Rose's body deeper. "I don't know who came and what happened to you," he said still with an intense gaze. "There's one thing you should note, if you want to cry, don't hold it in. Not every water, can break through the wall. Feeling you are very strong is the gateway to pain," Theo continued while wiping the corners of the eyes that looked wet. Asking Rose to button the shirt on his body was only part of the plan. Anything else couldn't be hidden, his instincts were too sensitive - trained by profession and self-protection. He had n
There was no response from Rose yet. She was still busy burying her face in the deepest part of Theo's neck. Rose didn't know what to say. On the one hand she was angry, on the other hand she felt she had done something bad when Theo didn't take into account her reckless actions. In terms of the advantage of Rose being weak, Theo should have been able to counterattack. Instead, he chose to calm her down. Truly, Rose was sorry. The matter of the Oracle's disappearance could have been resolved with a cool head, instead of involving emotions that multiplied and let anger be the main actor. Now there was a risk that blood would become a fresh fruit between them and a rancid scent would complement the rest of the mess. What should Rose pay for the spilled blood? Agreeing to Theo's earlier invitation? Rose's breath rushed out in a tingly sensation, until Theo could sense the desperation on the edge of restlessn
[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
Zever's sudden departure made quite an impression on Rose. At that moment she and Travis silently watched the backs of two people who were moving away. Rose didn't dare say anything as she herself realized Travis was leaving her behind—Travis looked down and Rose hoped he was okay, then followed with careful steps carrying her triplet into the mansion building. Two hours after the incident in the back garden, and after putting the children to bed, Rose soon caught up with Zever's whereabouts. Through the messages given to Lion, Rose certainly monitored whatever was happening outside. This included asking how Travis was doing. The man was behaving as before, but there was one problem. Zever in the living room with a ripple face so cold and gray eyes that stared half-empty arranged miniature joints on the table. Rose repeatedly took a breath just to steady herself sitting next to her husband. "Zever," Rose called out, wanting to make sure he would respond or not. Z
"I'm done, Theo. Now it's your turn—" Rose thought, after stepping out of the bathroom and changing there. She would find Theo keeping all three of their babies in their proper positions, but that big body—in his sideways sleep—seemed to be deeper than the three babies who were snoozing peacefully. Exhausted. That's how Rose interpreted it, because these days Theo was often busy in the middle of the night—looking after their babies, while Rose was forced to rest. Rose smiled slightly as she rubbed the top of Theo's head. It was only for a moment that she turned to her triplets to transfer them to the trolley. Rose would take them for a walk in the back garden. Finished with the transfer she returned to Theo simply covering her husband's body with a thick blanket. "We're leaving first." Rose briefly kissed the corner of Theo's face. She pushed the trolley carefully towards the elevator. Rose already knew where the elevator was, it was quite hidden—and Theo had no
"I got a lot of grandchildren." O'Douglas laughed like a pirate captain who had just discovered a historic treasure. Each of the middle-aged man's arms flanked two tiny babies, while the other was in the arms of Verasco, who continued to hold them, occasionally bringing them closer with a lighthearted joke. There was no telling what Rose would say as she watched her children being swarmed as soon as Verasco and O'Douglas walked into the ward. She had just finished breastfeeding, so the satiated babies would just sleep through the day, and not trouble their two grandfathers. "You never stopped looking at me," Rose said quietly. Most of the time Theo had a glare on his face, but right now the gray bead was shining something different. It was so loving and some of it Rose couldn't interpret correctly. How could Rose stand being shot at so closely. Theo had to, just once, look away from her. "Thank you, Sugar." A gentle touch on the skin of Rose's face made her
Rose didn't expect Theo to take her to the island of Ortogia, the historical center of the Sicilian city of Sirakusa, to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The scents by the sea were soothingly beautiful. Rose had not forgotten that Theo had not once let go of her body on the man's broad shoulders after walking along the old buildings on the islands of Ortogia. "Whose house is this?" asked Rose looking at a sturdy building that looked like it was meant for two people to live in. "Our house." There wasn't much Rose could say, except to bury her face deep in the hollow of Theo's neck. The masculine scent was still very much present, even after they had spent the whole day entertaining the guests, as if the perfume was very much at home on Theo's clay skin. "Want to go straight to bed or shower first, Sugar?" In front of a door Theo stopped and let Rose get on the floor. Between hesitation and the need for something fresh she finally looked up at Theo.
"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