Rose's POV Linda and I found a quiet spot away from the bustling crowd and settled down on a comfortable bench. The cool evening breeze swept through the trees, adding a touch of serenity to the lively atmosphere."Hmm. It feels so good to be back," I said, smiling, watching the people have fun."I know right... There's nowhere like home." Linda replied.Linda and I dug into our plates, savoring the flavors of the dishes. As I took my first bite, a burst of spices danced on my tongue, a perfect blend of heat and subtle sweetness. It was as if the food carried the essence of the collective strength and resilience of our community.Linda watched me with a smile. "You seem to be enjoying that."I nodded, a contented smile spreading across my face. "Yeah, I am. But then it's not just the food, Linda. This meal represents our triumph, our unity. My escape from them."We sat in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging knowing glances as we continued to indulge in the culinary delights
Rose's POVAs if in response, a gentle fluttering sensation brushed against my palm, reminding me of the life growing inside me. It filled me with a profound sense of awe and responsibility. With a tender smile, I whispered a silent prayer for the well-being of my unborn child.The fatigue that had settled over me became more pronounced, and my body urged me to surrender to sleep. I closed my eyes, allowing the serenity of the moment to embrace me fully. My breathing slowed, and my mind drifted into a peaceful slumber.The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently coaxing me awake. I stretched my limbs, feeling the pleasant ache of a restful night's sleep. The worries of yesterday were replaced with a renewed sense of determination and hope.Rising from the bed, I shed the clothes that had kept me warm during the night and made my way to the bathroom. The floor was cool beneath my feet as I stepped inside, feeling a surge of anticipation for the day ahead.I turned on the
Rose's POVWe arrived at the café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Finn held the door open for me, and we entered the cozy establishment. The place was adorned with warm hues and soft lighting, creating an atmosphere that invited relaxation and conversation.We settled at a corner table near a large window, offering a view of the bustling street outside. A friendly waitress approached us, ready to take our orders. I opted for a cappuccino, while Finn chose a black coffee.As we waited for our drinks, I couldn't help but replay Linda's words in my mind. There was something off about her reaction to Finn. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that perhaps Linda and Finn's relationship wasn't as perfect as it seemed. I wanted to find out the truth, not only for my own peace of mind but also for Linda's sake."So, Finn, how did you and Linda meet?" I asked, attempting to steer the conversation toward their relationship.Finn's face lit up with a smile
Rose's POVMy mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of conversation I had overheard. Linda's involvement in something secretive was becoming more apparent, and now it seemed that I was somehow involved as well. My curiosity quickly transformed into concern and a touch of fear.I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as my mind raced with questions. Linda had always been a close friend, but her recent behavior had been mysterious and unsettling. Why the lies? What could she be planning? And why did it involve me?Linda continued her conversation, oblivious to my presence nearby. "I won't let Rose get in the way of our plan. She can't know what we're up to."My hands trembled slightly as I clutched onto my food order slip. What was this plan she was talking about? And why was she so determined to keep it hidden from me?I debated with myself whether to confront Linda or not. The confrontation was never my strong suit, and the thought of a confrontation with a close friend made
Rose's POVThe door to Linda's room creaked open, revealing a room that appeared ordinary at first glance. Linda's personal belongings were neatly arranged, photographs capturing happy memories adorned the walls, and a faint scent of her favorite perfume lingered in the air. But beneath the surface, something felt amiss.I cautiously stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room for any clue that could unravel the mystery. A stack of papers on the desk caught my attention. I approached it, my heart pounding in my chest.As I sifted through the papers, my eyes widened in shock. They were filled with coded messages, names, maps, and sketches of a place I couldn't recognize. Whatever Linda was involved in, it was far more complex than I could have imagined.Just as I was about to delve deeper into the papers, a sudden noise startled me. The sound of footsteps approaching the room grew louder, sending a jolt of panic through my veins. I quickly closed the drawer and retreated to a hiding spo
Rose's POVI blinked in confusion, my tear-stained face turning pale. "Wh- what? But you… you look just like him," I stammered, my voice trembling.The man sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. His eyes held a mix of frustration and annoyance. "I get it. As a rogue you need money and your tactics are getting old. It's this the new trick to get money right?" He asked, feeling disgusted as he clearly misunderstood me."No, please. That's not it. What do you mean by tactics? I'm not begging for money. It's me, Rose, last time we met, you called me Hazel- like the color of my eyes. Don't you remember? You have to, you have to be Hottie, the voice, the facial features, you…""Enough! Take," he said and handed me a wad of cash. "Do not bother me again and stop this new tactic of yours, it's not working."I shook my head, my mind reeling with confusion. "No, I swear, I'm not trying to trick you or beg for money. I genuinely thought you were Hottie because of the uncanny resemblanc
Rose's POVThe deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, shattering the tense silence that had settled over the scene. We all bent down as we heard the gunshot trying to avoid the shot.I heard a man yell and I turned around. Time seemed to slow down as I watched in horror as the bullet missed me, its intended target, and struck a passerby instead. A middle-aged man who had been innocently walking by stumbled and fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder, blood staining his clothes.The realization of what had just occurred crashed over me like a tidal wave. "Ahhhhhhhh," I screamed at the sight of blood, my trembling legs threatened to give way as my gaze locked onto the injured man. Panic and guilt consumed me, threatening to suffocate any rational thought. I couldn't believe that my presence had led to such an unfortunate event.The men who had confronted us froze in shock, their expressions shifting from smug confidence to wide-eyed disbelief. They hadn't intende
Rose's POVMy sleep was fitful and restless, plagued by fragmented dreams and snippets of conversations. The voices grew louder, and closer until they finally pierced through the haze and roused me from my uneasy slumber. The sounds of urgent whispers and raised voices seeped into my room, stirring me to consciousness.I sat up, rubbing my eyes and blinking away the remnants of sleep. The hospital room was bathed in pale, sterile light, and the air hung heavy with anticipation. Linda, who had been standing vigil beside me, exchanged worried glances with me. "Rose, you're awake? How are you feeling?" She asked worriedly."Yeah, I'm fine. What's happening?" I asked, my voice laden with grogginess.Linda leaned in closer, her voice hushed but tinged with urgency. "There's a heated argument going on outside, Rose. They're saying that you're responsible for the man's gunshot condition."My heart jolted in my chest, the remnants of sleep instantly vanishing as a surge of adrenaline course