ROXANNE'S P.O.V.
It was the first quiet time I was getting in what seemed like two weeks. Since the wedding preparations reached a peak, I have had friends, cousins, relatives over, and even at this time of the night, we would be attending to one detail or another, fixing things and making sure everything would be perfect. Now the wedding is tomorrow, and I am standing here, watching my dress, my heart feeling light. I could see everything spiral in front of me. The first time Damien had asked me out. It was seven years ago, and we were both just starting college. I didn't take him seriously because then, I had just started fixing up on myself. I had just taken off my braces and had lost the glasses and switched them for contacts. I was taking care of my skin, and I had shorter, better styled hair now. I was slowly growing into the woman I was now, and I didn't think someone who knew the chubby girl from high school would ever want me, even with the changes. He apparently did, and the relationship that had started out as a joke, with me keeping my heart away so I don't get it broken in the long run, ended up being a seven year commitment. Through every problem. The times that felt like we couldn't go on anymore, the times that felt like we would never end up together. We somehow powered through it. I turned to the wedding dress that was still resting on the mannequin. It was a custom dress, and I had asked for a fusion of colour at the bottom of the dress. It was a large ball gown that burnt into a deep purple towards the lower part. It was an absolute dream. From my gown to my husband, I was convinced it was all I had ever dreamed of ever since I was a child. I smiled to myself again, then started to walk to the violin that was propped up in a corner of the room. I had gotten a piece ready as a surprise for Damien tomorrow, and I intended to play it at the reception. I slowly walked to the violin, then pulled it to me, resting it on my shoulder. My eyes closed, but right before I could get the very first note out, my phone started to ring. I looked up to the dresser. It was probably Damien calling to check on me as he always did whenever we weren't together. I hadn't been expecting it today, however, as he and his guy friends had prepared a last night out to drink and play games at Damien's family country house. I walked to the phone and slowly took it. It wasn't Damien. There was no caller ID, and it seemed to be a hidden number, too. My brows furrowed as I felt my heart skip a beat. I have been a little anxious, but I knew it was customary of brides. Maybe I was being paranoid again. I shook my head and answered the call, then brought it to my ear. "Hello?" There was no answer for a long minute, and I was starting to contemplate dropping the call when the static cracked and a smooth female voice came through. "Congratulations to you, bride." I lightened up a little, even though I couldn't exactly pin the voice to a face. "Thank you. Who am I speaking to, though?" She gave a small laugh. "A well wisher, sweetie. Your husband seems to be having fun. I hope you are, too." My brows furrowed. Damien hadn't mentioned there would be any women around their little getaway. "How do you know he is having fun?" There was a bit of silence before she started to laugh. I could hear loud music behind her and the unmistakable sound of a moaning woman. I could hear knocks on a door, and I felt my heart sink. Who could this woman be? That place didn't sound like where Damien said he would be, mot even in the very least. "Answer me," I said, my voice cracking a little, my chest heaving hard. "Oh, sweetie. What was your question again?" "How do you know my husband is having fun?" I asked again, my fingers shaking violently now, my chest heaving. "Where are you? Who are you?" "One question at a time," she drawled, and I heard her slurp on something, probably a drink. "For your first question, oh, I know because the first girl he took from the back said so. I haven't confirmed it for myself, and for the sake of the sisterhood, I won't." I felt my brain immediately shut down, and the violin I had cherished all my life left my hand, the sharp strings cutting the tips of my fingers as the violin fell to the floor and shattered into broken pieces, scattering around the room. "Wh... what? What the fuck are you saying?" "For your second question," she said, then laughed again. "I am simply a well wisher, and I am currently at Dirty Dreams. I trust you can find that on your map?" Before I could say a word, the phone had gone off, leaving me standing there in the dim lights of my room, contemplating between trusting this strange woman and the first man I have ever loved. I closed my eyes briefly, then started to call Damien. He didn't pick, and I kept calling and calling, till the tears could hardly let me see the phone screen. I gave an exasperated scream as I flung the phone across the room, my chest heaving. I swallowed hard, then immediately turned to the dresser again. My car keys were there, and I knew everyone would be asleep by now in anticipation of tomorrow. I bit down on my lips. I had to check. I wouldn't be able to rest until I know what this was all about. If it was nothing but a prank call, good for me. But if it wasn't... I shook my head. Damien can't do that to me now. He had said he loved me. He had said he loved the fact that I was waiting till we were officially married. He had sworn to wait, too. He had sworn all of that... I tried hard to attain a bit of composure, then slowly snuck out of the house. Once I was in the clear, I took a few deep breaths to calm myself before I headed to the car. Dirty Dreams. The map in my car showed me the exact location, and I swallowed again, watching the screen. What if Damien was really there? What if... I tucked my hair back and turned on the ignition. If he was really there, I would want to know. That, I was completely sure of. With new found resolution, I backed out of the garage and sped off, my eyes resting on the dark road in front of me.ROXANNE'S P.O.V The drive was a full hour, and I checked my time before getting out of the car. Twenty-eight minutes past ten. I swallowed hard, then got out, my chest heaving. The place was lit up, and I could see a neon sign above the place.Dirty Dreams followed by the illustration of a pole dancer. I bit down on my lips before I slowly walked to the entrance. "ID," said one of the guards at the door. I sighed and turned to him. "I just need to check something inside.""You can't enter without an ID."I nodded. "Can I enter with a police man?"His brows furrowed, and he turned to the other. "I am turning twenty-six soon, and even if I wasn't, I am not here for any of the business that apparently goes on here."They went silent for a long minute before they finally opened the door for me and let me in. I slowly walked into the place. The music was loud, and the place was dim, but from the blue and red lights, I could see some scantily dressed women pole dancing on stage, with me
ROXANNE'S P.O.V My fairytale was crumbling in front of me, but there was nothing I could do. The illusion I had made up in my head was shattering, and I realized just how my own mind was my biggest enemy. How everything that I had carefully glazed over came back, glaring at me. How Damien's inconsistencies now stared right back at me, daring me. That secretary two years ago that he had assured me was nothing. She was, after all, his employee, and he wouldn't have anything to do with her. That time, he had stayed out throughout the night, and he had come back to tell me he had fallen asleep in his car. The strange number in his phone that was saved under my name, but I knew it wasn't me. I blinked hard, my chest heaving as I struggled to breathe. I should have seen it all. I should have known that this... this drunk man speaking gibberish, swimming in despicable acts of shame with no remorse whatsoever, this was the real Damien. Everything else had been a fragment of my own imagin
ROXANNE'S P.O.V I slowly turned to Florian, my lips parting, the salty taste of my own tears filling my eyes. He was driving slowly, his sleeves rolled up, his brows drawn as he focused on the highway in front of us.I closed my eyes tight, swallowing hard. "Why are you not with them?""Where were they?"His voice was just as I remembered it. Deep, resonant, smooth. "The strip club. Dirty dreams." I broke into a laugh, but my tears only streamed down my face harder. "I should have known.""It isn't your fault you didn't," he said simply. I watched him, my eyes thin. Florian was one of my brother's closest and oldest friends. Even though his family was much richer than ours, I could remember how he was always at our place every day, especially at the time I was in high school.Looking back now, I wasn't sure why we never got along. Maybe because I was chubby then, but he loved to poke fun at me. I hated it back then, and I couldn't lie, he had been one of the reasons I decided to im
FLORIAN'S P.O.V I could taste her tears on her lips, but she wasn't stopping, and sure as hell, I wasn't going to. The next forty-five minutes that it took to get to the mansion was an absolute pain, and I hated that I had to drive. I wanted to give her all of the attention she wanted, all the things she was looking for by pushing herself on me like this, touch her in all of the places she never showed anyone else so she is never tempted to feel anyone else.We finally got home, and I pulled her into me, her body fitting right in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. I opened the door, then turned to the wall, her back softly hitting the wall. She adjusted her legs around me, and I chuckled to myself, my fingers holding on to her.She was breathing heavily, her eyes closed, her fingers holding on to my shirt. I let my hand slowly tuck her hair back in, my eyes looking down at her. I wanted to take it slow. Understand her grief. Maybe. "Do you still want this?"She swallowed,
ROXANNE'S P.O.V I turned slowly to Florian. My hair fell on both sides of my face, so I was hoping he wouldn't see the glances I was stealing. His eyes were focused fully on the road, his hand, adorned with two rings, rested between his thigh and mine.His other hand navigated the steering wheel, his hair falling prettily on his face. I held my breath as my eyes took him in. I remembered just how I had always seen him at least one tier above every other man around. He was that beautiful. He had the stainless charisma that turned girls his way.That's how I knew I didn't have a chance.I shook my head and turned, my knees trembling a little as if to remind me of the very thing I didn't want to be reminded of. I wasn't even completely sure how it had happened, but I knew I wouldn't forget it.I had never expected that I had been waiting so long despite all the times I had come close, only to finally be taken by Florian. Florian. That one man I never thought I would ever be good enough
"What the fuck, Florian? How could you fucking do this?""What did I do?" Florian asked, his voice deep, dark, and smooth. "Drive her insane with pleasure when you were planning to drive her insane with pain?""What?" Damien countered, his eyes wide. "What the hell are you talking about?"I swallowed hard, pulling myself away from Florian. "You were at..." I trailed off, blinking the tears away. In as much as Florian was right about his ability to make me forget everything, at least for last night, seeing Damien, those pretty eyes I had loved so much, that face I saw in my happiest dreams...It hurt. All over again. "Fucking speak up, Roxanne! What is yoir excuse for being this bastard's little slut?""Don't you dare call me names. You are the one who went around and broke the vows we didn't even get to make. You are the one who...""Shut up, Roxanne. Shut up." It was my brother this time, and I could see the nervousness in his eyes as he looked towards Damien.My eyes filled even fa
I let out a small whimper as my eyes closed, my chest heaving hard. My face buried in my palm, and I let out a shaky breath. I was trying as hard as I could to not let Florian hear me, but I knew I had gotten loud at some point, and I was grateful that he hadn't bothered to say anything to me.I sighed, closing my eyes. Today would have been my wedding. Yet here I am. I have nowhere to go.I straightened slowly, sniffing hard as I tried to best to compose myself. I turned to Florian. His eyes were cold as he drove silently, his fingers resting between us, the other navigating the steering wheel."I... I will sleep at the office till I can...""You are coming home with me."I bit down on my lips. "That is hardly home, Florian."He turned to me, his brow lifting. "Okay? You have called the Roseville mansion home for twenty-six years. Surely it wouldn't hurt your soul to call my place home for now."I turned away, my eyes brimming with tears. He was right. I had never felt at home in the
I stood in front of the mansion where Florian apparently lived. It was at least twice that of my parent's, and was situated in a quaint, quiet place in the richest part of CA. I looked around. Nature was thriving here, and the mansion itself was victorian style and extremely beautiful."Let's go," Florian said finally as he came beside me. He had handed the keys to a man who had greeted me and said man was currently taking the car away."I..." I started to say, my eyes falling to my feet. I still couldn't shake off the heavy awareness of him that I felt. And the awareness of what we had done last night. "Are you sure this is okay? I could sleep in my office before I find a way to retrieve...""Stay here, Roxanne. Don't be stubborn."I nodded slowly, then swallowed as I felt his hand rest gently on the curve of my waist. Without another word, he pulled me into the massive entrance, his body heating mine up due to how close together we were.The interior was even more magnificent, and I
I leaned away from Florian, my hands still loosely wrapped around his waist, my eyes looking up to his. "I meant every word.""Oh, I know," he said, gently stroking my face. "I know you did."I swallowed, then turned towards the room I had just come out of, my anger fuelling even more. I hated that he would have it so damn easy. That he wouldn't see his life flash in front of him like Florian's parents did. That he wouldn't feel the gruelling pain and humiliation that Ellinel felt before she died. That he would simply lie here and get away with everything."Let me treat you tonight," Florian whispered, causing me to turn back to him."Roast?" I asked, and he broke into his breathtaking smile that I knew for a fact that he reserved for just me."Roast, baby girl."He held my hand tight, and I felt my brain shut off as he led me out of the hospital towards his own car. The car that had driven me here was parked next to it, and Florian waved it away.We got into the car, and Florian lean
I walked down the long hallways that led to my father's hospital room. It was in the VIP section, hence it was much quieter than the rest of the hospital, and the only sound I could hear was the clinking of my heels against the tiled floor.I stopped in front of VIP room 8, my eyes cold as I examined the cold door. My fingers tightened around the printed will papers I was holding and all of the information Florian had regarding my father's mistress and her twenty year old son.It made me laugh just thinking about how I thought I was second favourite. I hadn't even been in the equation. Not even Ronan was, but he deserved that. He had been in the equation long enough."Hello?"I turned, and a nurse gave me a small smile. "Hello.""Who are you?" She asked, her voice polite. "I am his daughter," I said, a small smirk appearing on my lips. Of course, I was his daughter. Only one demon can take out another."Oh, sure, then. He has not had any visitors ever since he went into another card
The house was awfully quiet, and I lay in ned all alone, my eyes fixed on the chandelier hanging from it. My mind reeled with all of the inconsistencies that I hadn't noticed all these years.How I never realized just how bad these people were. How shameless they were, fighting for money that was never even theirs.I swallowed hard and turned on my stomach, burying my face in the pillow. It haunted me just how Florian had to stand by and watch it all happen. How he had to watch himself still want me despite everything.I gave a small grunt and sat up, my heart burning with anger. It all felt like it was happening right now for me. Like I was seeing my father threatening Florian's father for money that originally belonged to the latter. It haunted my soul that they could have spent that blood money in me, for something, and it felt like I owed Florian a bigger apology.I got out of bed and slowly went down the stairs. I stopped at the very foot of the stairs, however, as the sound of s
I held unto Florian's waist even as he gently parked the bike, then leaned back and removed his helmet. I reluctantly let go of him and got off the bike, and he got off too, taking my helmet from me as he gently balanced it on the bike. He turned, holding my hand as softly as the subset lights were resting in his hair, his eyes tender. "Is this alright?" I swallowed, my eyes slowly moving to the gate. "Will they want to see me?" He gave a small chuckle. "I am sure they will." I nodded, and he gently led me towards the gate. He pushed open and slowly started to lead me into the long rows of his family that have passed on. I held my breath throughout the short trip that took us to the side by side graves where his parents lay forever, and I immediately felt my heart drop. "Hi, Mum, Dad." Florian's voice was casual, and it reflected just how close he was with his parents, and it extended to even right now. "Sorry, I haven't been able to come around recently. I am all grown up, and I
I watched the sun as it set, while Florian lay in my lap, his body spread on the bed, his bare back tinted a warm light brown by the sun, his hair sprawled all over me. I had my fingers buried in his hair and my other hand running down his back.His fever had gone down after a few pills, and it seemed to have knocked him out. I leaned, kissing the top of his back, before I leaned away, just as a familiar ding reached my ears.I turned, and his phone that was sitting on the bedside drawer to my right was lit up, most probably with a message.I swallowed hard, looking down at him. I wasn't sure if he would have let me read the message had he been awake, but morbid curiosity haunted my mind, and I found myself reaching for the phone.I stopped, however, my chest heaving. Knowing how heavily involved with my family Florian was, there was a very good chance that it would be about them. I am not sure I want to ruin this evening with them. I am not sure I want to ruin this day by discovering
"I am sorry," I said to Florian, reaching to cup his face. "I wanted to make something for you."He nodded slowly. "So why are you fighting with a maid? You can just have her escorted out."I bit down on my lips. "I am sorry. I let my jealousy take over for a minute."He didn't reply but raised his eyes to the maid that was still standing behind us. I turned to her too, my eyes wide, my chest heaving hard as I watched her."You heard me the first time. Leave.""Sir, please. I beg of you. I was simply cooking porridge for you and...""Don't let me repeat myself, Savannah. Please leave."Florian turned to me. "Be careful."I nodded, and he started to turn away from both of us. "You know I can love you better, sir," came Savannah's strained voice, her breaths so loud that it made her voice sound a little muffled. "You know I would never remind you of the things you want to forget. You know I would never be selfish. You know I would never ever huet you. You know that, sir."Florian turn
I gently ran my fingers through Florian's hair, my eyes fixed on his sleeping frame. He was wearing a robe around him, his head resting on my lap, his lips slightly parted. His body was burning up, but he preferred having me sit right here than be Iver him, trying to bring down his temperature with a cold towel.I leaned, my eyes darting across both of his closed ones. He was slightly reddish, and against his layer judgement, I gently moved his sleeping frame, then got out of bed.I walked to the restroom and grabbed a small towel and his first aid kit. I dampened the towel, squeezed the excess water off, and then walked back to the room. Luckily for me, he wasn't awake, and I sat next to him, keeping the towel and the first aid box away.I gently loosened the knot of his robe, then pulled it down to his waist, leaving him shirtless upwards. I then slowly brought the damp towel to his body.The first I pressed it unto him, he gave a small shiver, but then slowly fell back asleep, his
The ride home was quiet, but at least Florian let me hold until his hand tight. I watched his profile, my eyes blurred with tears. I hated myself for pushing him to this point. I hated myself for the blood I carried in my veins. I hated the time I wasted without letting myself go for someone who I knew would absolutely do it for me.We finally got home, and Florian went out, then came around and opened the door for me. His eyes held mine for a long minute before he turned away, closing the car door, before he walked away.I stopped by the door, watching his back as he made his way up the stairs, letting go of the cat keys on one of the stairs and never even looking back.I blinked, my face dropping, the emotions heavy on my heart. I slowly followed him, wondering if he would still come to my room tonight, like he always did. I wouldn't even want him to. I wanted him to be selfish and not spend the night in the arms of the person who reminds him of everything he keeps trying to run aw
ROXANNE'S P.O.V It felt like the wind was knocked right out of my lungs. Ronan? Ronan was a little bitch but... I slowly looked up to Florian.Florian wouldn't lie to me, especially right now. Florian wouldn't make things up right now, and he definitely wouldn't do so much for an anger that wasn't justified."What's that look?" He asked, laughing slightly. "Why would you be surprised? I told you she was dead the other day.""I...""You guarded your heart a little too hard again, didn't you?" He gave a small pause, his brows raised. "You... we both know you asked now only because you still want to guard your heart. That's why you forgot that she wasn't even living competition. That's why everything passes for you like these rain clouds. Because you keep guarding your heart a little too hard. A little too selfishly, Roxanne.""Florian..""What are you going to say to me?" He asked, his voice breaking. I never thought I would see Florian reach this point, and fuck, it scared me. "That