44 ~ Welcome To The Dark Room

Brinda 

My slippers slapped against the marbled floor as I made my way to Francesco's bedroom. My heart wouldn't stop beating while the tray in my hand wouldn't stop shaking as well. 

I know Francesco is in a state of rage but I can't bear not to give him the newly grinded bottle in powder form to him. His father's actions had already paved a way for me. All I have to do is invite him to dine with the Angel and boom, his death. 

As I approached the door, my heart beat faster as I wondered if Francesco would open the door or not, especially with the music that was blaring from his bedroom at midnight.

I was about to tap on the door when the door flung open. Francesco melted into my arms, almost knocking off the tray in my hand but I held it firmly. 

This is the only way for me to leave his house. 

We will both meet in the afterlife. He has given me The Deadly Nightshade already, what should stop me from opening the gate of hell for him? 

Karma! Like he said he said to me when we first met. 

“What have I done?” He spoke softly, his voice very inaudibly because I had to strain my ear to pick up his words. 

I stopped my breathing for a while since he reeked of alcohol like a drunkard.

“Everything will be okay, Francesco.” I assured him. 

“Nothing will be okay. It's all finished.” He said before he pulled away from me. 

“Take this,” I offered him the drink with the hope that he would take it. 

He grabbed the cup and gulped down the whole content. A smile spread on my lips as I watched him drop the cup back into the tray. 

“Thank you! Goodnight.” He nodded his head and smiled before he closed the door. 

I remained gummed to the floor at the entrance of his room wondering what just happened. Why did my heartbeat increase when he told me Goodnight?

Since he brought me forcefully into this man, he had never bid me Goodnight not to talk of telling me Thank you.

Am I making a mistake by poisoning him? 

But I do hear that even the devil has his soft side. But as for Francesco, can I change him? No. It's too late. He has to pay for his sins. He killed my mother and that is it. 

Getting back to my room, I brought the board I had been using for my private investigation. I pinned my eyes on the board, trying to find shreds of new evidence or loopholes but nothing seems to appear. 

Then, I remembered Purab Chaturvedi, the man Francesco killed first the next morning he gave me The Deadly Nightshade. 

He once worked with Francesco's father. Is it possible that Purab knew who killed Francesco’s father?

“Who gave you the power to threaten me? Your father who did that the last time is already dead. He is fucking dead.” 

Yes… That was the statement he made that night. I have to look through his profile. 

What if there are high chances that the Fernandez family used to work hand in hand with the Dante family and during an argument or something, Ronald killed Marshall’s father? 

No. That wouldn't have happened. There's a missing link. 

As I held the marker and placed it on the white board, a knock came violently on the door. My breath hitched a little before I glanced up at the wall clock. 

Three AM.

Who the fuck would be knocking at this time?

I quickly pulled the board to the small space in between the wardrobe and the wall. I scattered my hair just to make it look like I was asleep. I yawned purposely and tried stretching my body as I walked towards the door. 

A thought crossed my mind, “What if it was Mark?”

Yeah, Mark. Bullet's boyfriend. If he is the one, then he is welcome. 

A smile spread across my face while I opened the door. My face went pale immediately. The people at the door were no other people than Francesco's men. 

“Don wants to see you,” Guerrero, one of his closest men, informed. 

“By this time? It is late.” I yawned, but I was pulled out of the room. 

The men joined hands and carried me up the stairs. I fought back but they were just too strong so I gave up in peace. 

Guerrero and the men turned to the left. Yes, the left. No one has passed there before. I mean… I haven't passed the side before. 

Where are we headed? Am I about to be crucified? No, please.

Guerrero opened the door on the right after inputting a passcode which I struggled to see but didn't see a thing. The men moved into the room with me in their arms while my heartbeat increased. 

Am I about to be sold? 

The men dropped me on the floor with a loud thud and exited the room. I gazed around to observe the room. 

The room was beautifully decorated with black interior designs. The bed stand, curtains, wardrobe, doors, the paintings, and the floor. Even the mattress was covered with a black bed sheet with a black rose in the center. 

I need not be told that it is Francesco who is behind it. 

“Welcome to the Dark Room where you will witness my Dark Side.” Francesco sang from behind. 

“Dark Room.” I repeated. 

I turned back only to see Francesco standing at the bathroom door. He was clothed in a black colored bath suit. His dreadlocks were let loose as usual but he looks handsome than usual. 

What am I saying? All devils are handsome except Francesco. 

From his looks, he was more in a teasing state. He wasn't the emotional fool I encountered earlier. My eyes trailed his face to his neck region then a little downward till it reached his chest area. Staring at his tattoos, I blinked my eyes. They looked more visible than usual. 

I slapped myself from the inside to snap out of whatever I was seeing or thinking. 

“Do you admire my body so much?” His words were loud, his assumption not uninhibited. 

“What is special about your body? You look more like a statue.” I replied with a sly smile on my lips. 

“How about if this statue continues from where you stopped the other day while you tried to seduce me?” His words were warm and he winked at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief.