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
Rose had to admit that Theo was quite different by remaining silent when their position was intact. The last sentence from her was ignored, the man was busy sniffing Rose's body scent. Deeply nuzzling the surface of her flat stomach. "Take a shower." Rose played with the black hair warmly. She smiled as Theo looked up at her. "Take a bath with me?" The ash bead drowned Rose deep in the warm ocean. She pursed her lips as she pulled Theo's facial skin wide to the side. "I'm old enough to bathe by myself. Hurry up...." A faint shake of Rose's head brought her to fall on her back on the bed. Theo's thirsty face and the man's large fingers began to dig into a t-shirt depicting a black bear, just like Theo who was currently resting on top of her. "I told you to take a shower, Theo. Not—" Rose was silenced by the tongue thrusting into her mouth. The sound of a wet sniffle trails off—a greeting of desire igni
Slowly Rose's eyelids slipped from their valves. The same Theo stared, silhouetted against each other in the mirror—Rose was lost in the seduction of the locking gray bead. "I was thinking of Oracle. He knows I don't like wearing earrings. Deliberately gifted me earrings so I'd wear them," Rose replied, successfully drawing one of Theo's eyebrows up high. "He's here, isn't he? Why don't you go straight to him." Theo's baritone voice whispered softly. Comparable to the smile on Rose's lips that curved again-this time briefly and too faintly. "He's back home ...." "Home?" Rose's body was slightly freed as Theo moved his face away from the crook of her neck. "Yes. Axe came to pick him up earlier." One step away she found Theo moving backwards. "Strange. Oracle came home because he was afraid of me, right? Did I hurt him too much?"Theo's quiet tone disturbed Rose's mind. She scrutinized the few times Theo's expre
Rose didn't care how the swaying bed jerked like a violent swinging shock. She maximized each powerful gallop like a giant crashing into the earth. Theo's body was a soft target for her feet. The man moaned in a submerged voice. Yet, also with pleasure... sometimes asking Rose to move from one spot to another. "Up again, Sugar. Up to the shoulders." Rose chuckled, still doing everything Theo wanted. One foot stomped even harder on her husband's hot, sexy shoulders. "That's it," Rose said. One leap ended the earthquake on the surface of Theo's body. She flung herself down beside the sleeping man. "You said you will give me back my gift box!" "I need to know. Who gave you the gift?" "Oracle. Here, give it back quickly." Rose's arms extended to pull the red velvet box in Theo's grasp. Their positions were in sync, both using their arms as a fulcrum to lift their chests. "Let me open it." Theo's large fingers separa
"No, you don't. You had your fill of acting like a baby last night." Rose ruffled the remaining strands of hair that still dangled over half of Theo's face. She looked down, searching for the most comfortable spot to strike. "Ouh, Sugar ...." A contrived hiss. Rose knew that no matter how much she clenched her teeth, it wouldn't give Theo much leverage. "Let go. I have to meet, Axe." "You son of bitch. I hope you don't leave before I get back." The chances of escape were slim in the conditions Rose had to face. She wasn't going to waste it, deliberately hunting her nimble footsteps leaving Theo alone lost on the bed. Rose reached for the doorframe. The hinges clicked after she positioned herself facing the man who had been calling impatiently. "You're taking so long." The stifled protest from the owner of the deep, raspy voice uploaded a barely perceptible smile on Rose's lips. "Sorry, Axe. I h
"Open your eyes, Theo." The throbbing was still as loud as it had been the first time Theo had spoken. Rose's heart and head were fighting each other. Each fighting for the space that overlapped the boundaries she had created for herself. In between came a strange feeling, which Rose could not organize into a symphony. She was a jumbled mess of randomness. Should have reconsidered Xelle's sentence a moment ago, was it true that Rose was trying to stay with someone who made her get lost in her own feelings? .... No, she wasn't. Rose didn't want to be confused by all that reality. As far as possible, she separated the things that shouldn't be lodged in the deepest corner of her heart. Towards a kind of choice which is the most appropriate to win Rose's sanity. She didn't want to be conquered. "Wake up. Get up, Theo!" Rose squeezed the clay muscles in her husband's arm. Turning the curled up body to face the ceiling of the main room. "T
"What conclusion?" A look of unequal color narrowed sarcastically. Rose's face was lifted a little roughly until she looked up and stared at each other. "It's so bad that even saying his name scares Oracle. And you say he didn't mean it?" Xelle's whisper was like a spark of fire. Quite disturbing if Rose had to admit it. She brushed off the lingering link of fingers, though Xelle's actions were not hurtful. "Theo didn't mean to. I was the one who misplaced the Oracle in our midst," Rose argued, not realizing how the blind finally blinked. "You're defending him, Rose?" Rose swallowed harshly. The glint in her eyes flickered quickly. "I'm not. It's just that you don't understand. I told you, that Theo did that out of his control. He had a nightmare last night." Rose held back the lump in the back of her throat. "You know I love Oracle, Axe, he's my son too. But please don't make a mess here. I've seen my husband hurt enough times. Not anymore. P
"Oracle, are you sure you want to go straight home? Not wait for Om T to wake up first?" Oracle's rejection firmly dispelled the offer Rose had repeatedly made. Rose's breath rushed out, lips pressed together thinly. She contemplated everything that had not and would happen. In front of her, from a distance Rose had guessed what Xelle's reaction would be, if the blue bruise on Oracle's conspicuously elastic bandage—covered wrist caught the heterochromia's eye. As slow as a leaf combing Rose changed position. Towering high, she awaited the quick approach of the one who was now beside her. "Daddy." The thin curve of the lips responded to Oracle's greeting. A neat knit of eyebrows rose with Xelle's sharp eyes scrutinizing. He took a deep look at Rose's face, then turned back to the first focal point. His large body knelt down, light as a feather to reach for Oracle's small fingers—noticing carefully the cloth wrapped densely... breaking the suspi
"Travis." Rose pushed her way in, making the man behind the ledger jump. "Sorry, Travis. I was in a hurry." "What is it, Miss?" The light question came after Travis closed the thin sheet marked with a string. "Do you have any painkillers or anything to treat the bruises on Oracle's hands? Theo just had a nightmare and accidentally did this to him. I'm scared if anything happens." Travis's eyebrows shot up. "Mr.T just had a nightmare?" he asked. In stark contrast to Rose's haste. Travis was too calm to notice the extent of the bruise. "No need to worry, miss. You'd better see the master, I'll treat him." Travis smiled. She hesitated between refusing or agreeing. Rose glared at Travis and Oracle's faces in turn. She blinked. "Are you sure there's nothing to worry about?" "Yes, Miss. I can handle it. You should see the master. He may need you." Stunned, considering things from all angles. Rose finally sighe
"Uncle T, you hurt me. Let me go!" "Uncle T!" Rose tried to understand the situation in the dim room. Faint squeals of pain clashed in the air. Rose frowned, as the almost uninterrupted movement in its entirety pulled her closed brown eyes wide open. In front of Rose several black events were fully recorded, broadcasting the silhouette of a rough resistance along with a small body that was trying hard to pull himself out of the grip of the subconscious. Rose's heart hammered violently. All the chaos overlapped to form ornaments in her head. She took definite steps, quickly bringing half the darkness to light. And then some things that Rose couldn't digest properly, appeared in a heap, jolting her feelings. On that torture—like bed .... Oracle was completely unable to resist the strong grip that could be seen from the muscles digging into the surface of the large, clayey, man—sized arms of the person there. The