"Elsesa, are you done? Why haven't you come out yet?"
Mr. Alejandro pushed aside the body of the woman in front of the tightly closed frame, a woman about the age of his daughter, Alexa, whom Mr. Alejandro had hired to accompany Elsa on a daily basis. It's true that lately, the culprit of Elsa's chaotic behavior has been Mr. Alejandro's monthly. Now it was evident that Alexa was calling her name loudly and fearfully, occasionally knocking on Elsa's bathroom door before Mr. Alejandro's arrival. The two were still waiting to see when Elsa would appear after saying nothing to Alexa. What she was doing in there was the big question. Mr. Alejandro gave Alexa a sharp look. "How long has Elsesa been locked up and why isn't she answering me?" The coldness of Mr. Alejandro's question pierced Alexa's mind. The woman looked down even more frightened."I don't know why Miss Elsesa is reluctant to answer, sir. But Miss Elsesa has been there for half an hour." Alexa spoke numbly. FDouble line. The flat object in Rose's hand was an unbelievable display. She touched her own chest, trying to suppress the burst of warm feelings that kept breaking the violent pounding in the heart. Another double line. Rose held her breath almost speechless. Her brown eyes never stopped looking at the test pack, until she pulled the bathroom door open to face the middle-aged woman waiting in front. "I'm... pregnant, Beatrace!" Rose spoke once. She jumped for joy hugging Beatrace's body quite tightly. Rose's happiness was quickly contagious. Her smile managed to curl both corners of the woman's lips, who couldn't even say anything yet, except for the obvious emotion on her face. Just like a mother yearning for a grandchild-Beatrace showed it all... no less tightly embracing Rose's body. "Congratulations on the pregnancy, Miss." "Mr. T should know soon. He'll be very happy." Rose confirmed Beatrace's words. Returning her att
A heartbeat that should have been filled with happy news. Rose couldn't help but wonder if she was about to receive bad news. Trembling, Rose's forefinger pressed the 'enter' button to directly prove whether or not her suspicions had grown into a big pile of fear. Thankfully, the document's series of sentences were written in English, so Rose could understand what explained every detail of her parents' deaths. 'All the facts' starting from the date the deal was made, how long it would take just to complete the task, and the manner of execution until the plan absolutely took two precious lives of Rose's parents. Rose clamped her lips together. Her face was flushed red with all kinds of emotions raging in her head. She was looking for Theo to avenge her, only to find Theo as the killer of her parents. How could this be possible? Rose shook her head violently to deny the reality that tore at her heart. Rose's guerrilla of common sense splashed violently. She turned a
Theo touched the bleeding wound on hid stomach. That was the only thing Rose saw, while the firing point Rose had given him should not have been there. She missed. However, she kept the muzzle of the gun pointed higher when not once did Theo stop the pace. "I told you not to come any closer, Theo!" "You're a murderer!" "Murderer!" Rose repeatedly cried out in anger. She was capable of recklessness, especially over the doubts that had been wrapped like a heart in her mind. There was no love for Rose's feelings of being forcefully killed. She had been through a lot, and so had the choices that were lined up in front of Rose right now. Two of them... completing the mission or letting it become something forgotten. "I told you not to come any closer, if you don't want me to shoot you again!" Rose's threat was indeed as bad as the way she held the gun. How Rose didn't care who was standing in front of her and what status she was tied to. The more The
"Please." Theo's embrace loosened slightly as Rose remained silent. The truth was too painful to understand. Rose did not easily accept the explanation, which was that Theo had never intended to take the lives of her parents. "Dream that I'll stay by your side." Rose repeatedly elbowed the surface of her husband's stomach. Strong, hard, and undeniable. Everything became so easy, and Rose never gave up. She escaped after a great opportunity opened up. Rose's steps were steady through the doorway. In her haste to descend the stairs, Rose did not look back once. "Miss, why are you in such a hurry?" Right in front of the gate Rose squeezed in with Lion. Rose's breath floats to neutralize the pounding of her heart. As quick as a flash of Lion's eyes, Rose hid her firearm behind her back. "Let me borrow your car key." Rose immediately pulled the object from the master, already preparing to pull over past Lion. However, the sound of a gunsho
"Is my wife okay?" Skeptical question. Rose really didn't want to hear it. Really didn't want to supply additional pain by letting Theo's caring attitude tear apart something that was already broken, something Rose couldn't even put back together. She pushed away the arm that had accidentally touched Theo's left shoulder. Wet and red were two kinds of things that almost broke down Rose's defenses. Theo was shot—again—in a different place right after protecting her. There wasn't much Rose could say. Deliberately separating herself from and staring at the owner of gray eyes that offered shade. Many times Rose had noticed the pallor on that face, but never as severe as it seemed at the moment. The moments before Theo returned to hold Rose tightly in his arms. Or actually Theo realized Mr. Alejandro was almost no longer far away. "Fuck!" A curse so close it was followed by a hurried clatter. One more shot .... No, it wasn't. But two, with Rose a
"Theo!" Rose shrieked violently as Theo's body fell helplessly against the seductive leaves swept away by the strong wind, just as Theo's chest heaved with difficulty.Rose approached, quickly resting Theo's head on her lap. The blood from the blow was too thick. Now the surface of Rose's hand was completely bathed in the thick red liquid and the rancid scent that emanated was no less piercing. "Sorry." The single spoken word tore Rose wider apart. She shook her head not wanting to hear anything else. But Theo argued with a look that was out of place. Theo's eyes almost closed, Rose immediately grasped the same bloodied fingers. "Why did you save me?" Rose's tone was choked. The contents of her head and her movements were not well synchronized. She asked while not wanting to dive into Theo's pain whenever the man spoke. "I love you." Three words that absolutely killed Rose. She was unable to react, except for the violent pounding that continue
Trembling hugging her own body in the middle of the jungle. Rose buried her face between her bent knees. Empty, alone, and scared. The last time Rose had been in the distance with Theo's men just to ascertain how her husband was doing, when they all agreed to take the man away. While others decided to split up to look for her whereabouts, which made her have to shuffle away from civilization. And now Rose was too far away. It would be quite difficult for anyone trying to find her. Thus, after hours there were no longer any cries of name, especially Lion's loud voice calling her. Rose was thankful that at least she hadn't gone back to Theo or she would have directly—from a close distance—witnessed how unlikely the man's condition was to survive. The blood everywhere, even the blood around Rose's face as she unconsciously smothered her lips, had dried up to the point where it was pulling at her skin. Rose sobbed, just hoping that the rain would race down to wash away eve
"Axe ...." Hoping too much until hope itself hit Rose's shadow. She thought Theo would come wherever she docked. Showing that her husband would always be fine like the past events. Instead, in front of Rose, those heterochromia eyes glared at her with an unreadable expression. "How come you're here?" "Who made you in this condition? Why are you covered in blood?" Xelle's deep, hoarse voice jolted Rose's senses. Her grief suddenly overflowed in one emotional engagement. Rose crawled quickly to hug the body that was not fully ready to receive the blow. However, she was still able to balance her position and return the suffocating embrace. The sound of crying and Rose's body again returned to trembling, noticeably shaking between the embrace that was still intertwined. "Take me away from here. Please." Rose said softly. She buried her face in the line of Xelle's shoulders as a light stroke traveled up her head. "Take me away from here, Axe. Please."
There was no response whatsoever, other than that handsome face sinking further into the folds of the arms. Rose didn't want to think her husband was exactly like a little boy hiding something from her. Theo was avoiding being stared at, that much was obvious and Rose's suspicion grew more and more certain as she herself struggled to pull Theo up simply to reposition him to face forward. Rose's long breath rushed into the air. For a moment she thought of looking down to whisper something. However, the words she had composed in her mind vanished as soon as she found a box nestled deep under the bed. It was completely familiar to Rose. She reached out to touch the object. It should have been a matter of pulling out when Rose's fingertips reached one of the corners of the square box, but instead Rose's action was restrained by Theo who brushed her off and as if on purpose, one of Theo's pushes made the box jut away from their position. Rose growled in anger—suppressed b
'Miss, Travis says Mr. T has calmed down.' Rose recalled one of Lion's statements that ended up getting her back into the car. They traveled towards Theo's mansion, and along the stretch of rocks they passed Rose's gaze was only drawn to the movement of the trees that seemed to be following her. And just like that, Rose felt that the last conversation with Verasco was still looming in her mind. They were not finished yet, but Rose believed she had given Verasco a small leverage. A stare. The meaning of the tightened jaw. It was all Rose's belief that Verasco would not have given her an option if it was true that the man did not believe. Or actually because such things were still related to her father. For some reason Rose felt foolish in making a choice. It was a moment—a tense moment—she had to give up one, while her heart begged to have both. "You're right. I know Theo too. My husband has his reasons for not coming to you." Rose replied as Verasco's hose shooed
"Mr. Verasco also just arrived." Rose confirmed Lion's mutterings from the side. She stopped the car—turning for a moment to the man who had just stuffed his cell phone into his pants pocket. Rose guessed that Lion was sending a message to his man according to what Rose had said. She quickly got out after Verasco like a king who was greeted with respect. "Wait," Rose hesitated—not knowing what to call it. Rose swallowed harshly as Verasco waited at the end of the steps. Those eyes were sharp as if they wanted to skin her mercilessly. "I don't think I've invited a prostitute into the grounds of my mansion." Such a cynical greeting didn't hurt Rose any more than having to imagine Theo's anger which was probably still very much on fire. "What are you doing here? Changed your mind and want to sell your body?" "I'm no longer interested." The image of Rose's face kept reminding Verasco that the blood running through that body was O'Douglas' bloodlin
It was too painful when the man had left her existence. Going far away. Untouchable. And Rose was sure that the more the sturdy shoulders were built up, the more the recently demolished skeleton would be forced to collapse. Exactly Verasco's statement. Callous phrases spoken in such a cruel way that they had a profound effect on Theo and took away whatever form they took, which was even the same thing—Rose had to watch her husband build a high wall. She hasn't tried to reach it yet, but knows it won't be easy. Rose couldn't drag Theo by the arm like she had in the past and whisper soft words. Inviting her husband into the room, then Theo would say yes. None of that was easy. Not when Rose's decision was too late to make. Theo was already making his way down to the top floor in the left wing. What could Rose do as the door thudded loudly, bouncing off the mansion's skylights. Rose had never even so much as focused her mind on the highest point of the building's structure, which
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