4 ~ The Black Rose

Brinda 

Waves of restlessness swept past me and my knees turned numb which made me stagger backward while my heart raised as if I had just finished a marathon. 

Each step Francesco made towards me was accompanied by the sound that was soon followed by the droplets of rain. 

My heart sank as his face came into the view — clear enough for me to see it. It's been five long years but he remained the same. 

Why didn't I recognize him at the bar?

I gripped the hem of my clothes as the memories of our past flooded into my head. He locked his eyes on mine for the first time letting a sly smile appear on his face. 

Five years ago, Francesco was my boyfriend. We both worked tirelessly to make ends meet which included me working as a stripper and him working as a bar attendant. 

He raised his head and inhaled deeply then he brought his face back to our normal level. “It's so nice to see you again, Miss Brinda.”

“And it's not nice to see you. You bastard!” I yelled. “You're such a cruel person.”

He twisted his locks for some time and chimed, “I know I'm a bad person, damsel but who is more terrible between us?” He walked two steps closer and we were inches away from each other. He cupped my chin in his hand. “Where is the old Brinda? This new Brinda I'm seeing is a weak one.”

“Stop saying nonsense,” I said, removing his hand from my chin. “You've lost the right to touch me years ago when you left me all alone. You're a wicked person and… I regret having met you in this lifetime.”

“Who cares?” He said icily which forced me to touch my chest which was beating rapidly. “Well, I'm here for a purpose.” He declared. 

“What purpose? I can't help you with anything,” I replied. 

“I need you, Brinda. I need the Black Rose. The one who inserted rods in throats to kill, the one who would do anything to hide a dead body, the one who once chopped a body into one hundred and eighty pieces. Where is that side of you?”

The Black Rose, which happened to be me, was a spy under Alpha Exposition — A spy agency, popular in the underworld, but can't be heard of outside. 

While struggling to pay my fees in college, Cecilia introduced me to a man who was the leader of Alpha Exposition. Later, I got to know the man was her father, Andrew. I was ordered to deliver drugs and as time went by, Andrew saw through me and realized I had the potential. I was the type he was looking for. One fateful day, he called me into his office. 

Guess what? 

He told me to be his personal spy. My duty then was to secretly monitor all the activities in the agency. I accepted the offer and did really well after which, I resumed my training to be a brutal spy. 

All I needed was the money so I worked really hard. 

When I started killing high-profile citizens, I got a job at Mr. Donald's clubhouse where I mostly attract my targets and silence them at the snap of my fingers. 

Things went perfectly well until the sudden demise of Andrew evoked chaos and Cecilia's elder brother attained power. He dismissed us all, including me, not knowing that I was the real deal. 

Speaking of back to square one!

“Black Rose died years ago and I'm not going back to that lifestyle.” I finally answered after a long silence. 

“Look,” he said and dipped his hands into his pocket before he walked to my back, brought his head to my ears then whispered, “I’m not here to bargain with you. I'm here to instruct you on what to do?” 

I turned sharply which nearly made me bump my head into his. My eyes shone brightly as I was ready for a showdown. I should have known there was nothing good that would happen with his presence. 

“I can't fulfill your request,” I told him. “Wait, how did you know Black Rose?” I asked, surprised. 

“The Black Rose… The most wanted spy and criminal in New York City. The one who had executed over a hundred assassinations in three years. Who hasn't heard of the Black Rose? As for me knowing that you are Black Rose, you shouldn't be surprised. Did you forget how close we were? I simply went through your things but… I kept it a secret.”

“You're a cheater. And why was the need to kill Peter?” I demanded as color drained out of my face. 

“He deserved to die? He is your lover, he's not your best friend. You can deceive the whole world but not me.” He said acerbically. “Put that aside. All I need you for is to help me find my father's killer, retrieve the crypt key to open the Black Book, and sideline my opponents in the Mafia…”

“Mafia? What the hell have you gotten yourself into?” 

“It's none of your business. I am trying to be nice to you because of our past. Don't take advantage of it and look me in the eye while I'm talking.” He growled and pulled my head downward. “In return, I promise to save your mother.”

When I realized I had just two hours left, I made up my mind. “I can't accept your offer,” I said, trying to prevent tears from flowing. “Pay me for killing my lover then.” At least, I would use that for Mom's treatment. 

He snapped his fingers and a young light-skinned handsome man appeared from behind and handed a briefcase to me. 

I looked at Francesco annoyingly before I turned to walk away but the men that alighted from the other cars earlier with Francesco had guns in their hands, particularly, pointed at me. 

A mischievous smile played on my cheek as I ignored them and walked away peacefully not thinking of anything else but to save my dying mother. 

As I settled at the backseat in the taxi, I lowered my head and tears came rolling down my cheeks. All I could say was, “Francesco, why? Why are you back?”

Quickly, I pushed the thought away and focused on the issue at hand — How to save my mother. 

Immediately I remembered Mom was lying sick again, I couldn't help but be reminded of Peter. He had always stood by me. Ever since I met him four years ago and still had a broken heart because Francesco disappeared out of the blue. 

Now, I was the one who killed Peter. I was the one who killed Mr. Donald. Two murders in two days. 

Brinda, why? 

I tapped my head gently as a series of headaches awakened in my head. I managed to open the door and entered the house. When I got to Mom's room, there was nothing. Mom was missing as well as her medical treatments and the like. 

“Francesco,” I called out. 

I dropped the briefcase on the floor with a loud thud and it flinged open. Using a side eye, I saw its content – They were just pieces of paper stacked together. I wailed as hot tears poured out of my sockets heavily.

My phone rang and I crawled to where it lay not faraway. “Francesco, you had better not try me. Where is my mother?” 

“Relax, damsel. I sent you a live location. Meet me there. More surprises awaits you,” he sang which made me quake concerning the surprise he talked about.

Deep within me, I knew things won't hold well.