"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.""Are you sure you're ready?" Xelle's deep, raspy voice was full of doubt. The eyes met intensely, as if to bare the thoughts of the interlocutor who acknowledged the statement with a slow nod. "Or you could just stay here until the funeral is over." Rose shook her head. "I'm ready." Continuing to speak only to really assure Xelle that she would still be there. Participating in guiding the departed soul to its final resting place. As much as possible Rose would try not to be affected by anything from the outside environment. She should fight against anything that might undermine her peace of mind. It was true that after a month of living in the hideout nothing had changed in Rose's feelings. She was still as upset as she was that day. It was a little difficult to control herself, even Rose was no longer as free as she should be. The various pressures were destroying the various things inside Rose. She had to be more careful without too much activity considering t
Rose looked at Bridgette's face for a long moment. Her lips parted to say something. Slightly undecided, she eventually made a sound. "No need, Bridgette." Rose tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She no longer had the blonde color for the sake of suppressing painful things. However, what really haunted Rose was Theo's phrase that once reminded her not to change her hair color under any circumstances. "Does Acampeliaz know that her mother is passed away?" asked Rose. Only then did Bridgette's expression turn grim. "Even if Campel knows, she doesn't quite understand what happened, Rose. I feel sorry for her. I wish her father wasn't such an asshole." A quip caught the attention of the one person in the driver's seat. The speed increased as hands tightened on the steering wheel. Xelle's jaw dropped, though the man did not utter any protest. "You must remember that two pregnant women are riding in your car, Axe." "Then, don't gossip."In reality Bri
"Theo!" Rose woke up not feeling well. Her mind was still focused on one sad name. Theodore Witson... which was clearly engraved on the tombstone Rose had found moments ago. She froze. Her feelings were crushed—crushed as often as the image of the tomb jolted her memory. "Where's Theo?" muttered Rose, no one in front of her could be trusted. For the blessed time Rose became a complete mess. She was messed up... very scared about the reality she had just known. Once again Rose wanted to get a closer look. Once again wanting to know how wet the ground was that buried her husband's body. Once wanted to feel how far her heart had been carried away. Could it die with Theo's wordless departure? Rose should have realized from the beginning. If indeed Theo recovered as she hoped, he wouldn't have taken so long to come and take her home. Rose knew Theo and her husband's desires... what could be said in more detail. Now Rose understood why Xelle had remained silent when she qu
In front of Rose, she was indeed meeting her husband's grave. Rose's eyes scrutinized a piece of land with one tall step. Slowly, she knelt down. Her trembling arms touched the damp part of the earth's crust that buried the body that Rose hadn't even seen for the last time. The particles of soil that she was now holding in her hands felt piercing. Rose didn't know what to do, but she desperately wanted to express her pain. Everything that had been pent up for a month. Rose took a deep breath. Exhaling the air roughly as she found the right words to speak. "How far have you traveled, Theo?" So soulfully Rose's fingers swept over the name engraved there. Rose smiled wryly, completely lacking the quiet passion of her life. "You saw the test pack. You knew I was pregnant, why did you leave? Now what about me, Theo?" Rose chuckled to herself. It wasn't the first time she had been hit by reality. Rose shouldn't be surprised by fate playing tricks on her. "Want to feel the presenc
"How is my baby?" The first time she opened her eyes the reality was what Rose thought. She noticed the extent to which the man standing beside the blanket was reluctant to stare. "Axe...," Rose called out. Knowing full well the blood was pouring out before she was swallowed whole unable to maintain consciousness. The agony literally snatched Rose away helplessly. And when she woke up she felt quite different. Still Rose noticed that face .... "I'm sorry—" Rose turned away already guessing the answer. Only the hospital ceiling she continued to watch wordlessly. Rose was accustomed to not demanding all kinds of wishes for whatever choices were given to her. Losing both her husband and her future child. It was two favors Rose could not bargain with any other suffering. She did not expect a happy ending. All had been lost since the rhymes that had once lived, had died with her feelings. "Are you okay, Rose?" The hesitant question for
Rose forced herself not to show a glum look. "That's not it. I want to take my giant." She forgot, however, that Xelle did not understand what 'her giant' meant. "The big doll that Theo gave me for my birthday," Rose said, clearing up the confusion on the other's face. For a moment Xelle seemed to want to interject. However, a moment later the man simply started the car engine with a silence. Rose didn't say much during the trip either. The voice in her head was already too full. She had to be able to control herself, just like the man who calmly controlled the four-wheeled vehicle without words. "Are you sure you can go inside, Rose?" asked Xelle after the long journey was over. "Sure." So without thinking, Rose proved to Xelle the doubts that were highlighted for her. So carefully Rose stepped through the entrance. Several pairs of eyes looked at her with respect and wonder. "You guys, how are you?" Including having the courage, although
Halfway back to the safe house, Rose's heart was still sinking. She tried to stay strong. It was difficult. But it was better than when she was in Beatrace's presence. Rose was just trying not to get carried away. This time she didn't understand what Xelle was going to do by stopping the car in front of the large mansion. Who it belonged to, Rose didn't want to know, and just waited inside the royce rolls until the man returned with a sling bag that Rose recognized very well, she guessed it was densely filled with a laptop of approximately the same size. "I think I've seen it before," Rose muttered as Xelle placed her bag on the back seat. "Theo's. There's no way you haven't seen it." Rose was too sensitive. It was enough to hear the name that she was bombarded with a feeling of sadness, with which her heart broke a thousand times. Rose blinked rapidly, perhaps unable to pick up the debris that had been scattered far away. She turned her body halfway around to sta
"My photos? What do you mean?" This was something new that had not occurred to Rose. She had rarely if ever witnessed Theo taking pictures of anything, let alone her. And now Xelle seemed to be revealing her husband's secret. "How did you know my photos were there?" asked Rose still sprinkled with curiosity. "He said it himself when he threatened me. I thought it was important to move your photos before the laptop was taken over." "So you're saying Theo collects my photos?" "I don't know much. You can see for yourself if you want." Rose's gaze then shifted to the front. She no longer wanted to discuss anything. The afternoon skies was already on her mind. Italy and Milan held a myriad of memories with Theo. Rose was claustrophobic the further away she got. "After I pack my things, we can fly straight to Canada, right?" Once again Rose wanted to make sure. She managed to turn Xelle's facial expression slightly sharp. "Maybe tomorrow, Rose. Tonight Bridge
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
The first time she opened the door to the main room, Rose's eyes were fixed to the west, noticing Theo and Verasco facing each other along the second floor line. No wonder Verasco's voice was booming as he searched for Lion. The man who was also there, bowed down next to Theo's body and said absolutely nothing. Rose closed the frame quite carefully. Keeping her distance from her husband. She was grateful that Theo was still in control of the body, though not with Verasco who seemed to be growing increasingly displeased. Anger was thick in Verasco's gray bead. The worst part hurt in Rose's mind when the middle-aged man spoke up. Not knowing how Theo heard it, Rose took a step faster. "You ignorant bastard. You should have gotten out of my son's body!" Verasco said angrily again. Theo's defiant stance was relaxed in the face of his father, as if it didn't matter what Verasco said. However, Rose knew very well what Theo was like inside. She quickly grabbed one