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
"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
"Sugar, wait!" The baritone voice in the background continued to call out with the occasional large fingers trying to hold on, but Rose continued to resist. There was a price to pay for Theo's dangerous actions, which even though they had been successfully dealt with still didn't put Rose at ease. Rose didn't like how Theo was indifferent to the man's own safety. Her heart was still pounding loudly at the thought that bad things could happen. Rose's steps quickened after entering the mansion building. Soon she would reach the main room. She pressed the door handle no matter Theo was still trying to persuade her. "Sugar." Theo was very close, so Rose was one step away from crossing the threshold. She deliberately hit the frame very hard and just as Theo was about to enter. "Oh!" The man winced like he was in a lot of pain. While Rose was silent for a while. Silent to understand the situation out there. Only once did Theo complain and the rest was wordle
The trigger contained the deadly wires that Theo had to finish with one hour and one minute left. It was all around him, but perhaps the most appropriate place for him to start was the basement. George was trapped and lost there. Then there was the chip in the corner of the wall that had the potential to blow up the mansion and all the things and creatures inside. After five wasted minutes Theo couldn't let his precious seconds go to waste. He returned to the basement in a real hurry. The conditions in the dimness were still the same as the last time he was there. The chip in the body of the wall and the digital analog continued to show that every moment lost was a very important thing to take into account. Theo scurried quickly through each side of the cellar. At a hidden corner he decided to dismantle some of the stacked objects, some of which were difficult to remove—which although successful did not allow Theo to find the whereabouts of the explosive chip triggers. He