Chapter 005

ROSE

I stared at the wedding dress that hung in the corner of the room like a testament of my doom.

The wedding was tomorrow, just four days after I had so tragically met him. I could not understand why Luca wanted us married so soon.

A looming sense of dread hung over me like a curtain as I scribbled down my observations into the little notebook I had gotten on my way back from getting the gown.

The sooner I got done with this case and Luca was arrested, the better for all of us.

My phone was in the purse I had lost when I was cruelly abducted, cutting off my connection to the world completely.

I had barely seen Trevor around, but he left me clues around, informing me of his presence.

It would be risky for him to be seen as with me, especially when cameras littered the ceiling of almost every room, including mine.

I read through the last note he had left for me in my bathroom. It was a kind of clue.

'The door at the end of the hallway in the fifth hallways. It's secured by two guards. I'll distract them while you go get keys and go in. Ten minutes. That's all you have.'

I digested its content before ripping it to shred and squeezing it down the drainage.

If the routine for the last four days since I got here was still being followed, the maid, Sophia, should be at my door any moment from now to lead me out for lunch.

I held my breath with my eyes trained on the door.

The door clicked after a moment, and I let out the breath, pretending to be brushing my hair.

"It's time for lunch, ma'am," she stated, her head bowed as usual.

I smiled slightly to set her at ease. "You know, Sophia, I think we're about the same age. Just call me Martha. How old are you?"

She peeked up at me, her brows scrunched in uncertainty. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Come on," I urged.

She let out a sigh. "I'm twenty-seven."

I sighed, rolled my eyes, linking my arms with hers in a carefree manner, but she pulled her arms out of my grip firmly.

"You're older than me by two years, Sophia. Just call me Martha."

"But Master—"

"I'm not him, Sophia. I'm fine with just Martha."

She nodded shakily, her neck twitching. As we walked out of the room, I tried to make small talks with her, but she was shut off.

"I'd like a tour of the mansion," I suddenly stated, but she froze in her steps, staring at me with wide eyes.

"I don't have the right to do that," she stuttered, avoiding my eyes.

We were on the fifth floor, heading to the dining room, and I could vaguely make out the door Trevor talked about. This was my chance.

The guards were not at the door like he had stated.

"Sophia," I called out, wearing an uncomfortable face. "I'm really pressed. Can you show me to the closest bathroom?"

She looked uncertain, but I scrunched my face in discomfort, making her succumb.

"Come with me."

She took me to a bathroom very close to the door that I wad targeting.

I waited for a moment to catch my breath and prepare myself for the risky task.

Peeking in her direction, I confirmed that her eyes were still fixed to the ground.

Seizing my chance, I crept into the shadows of the sharp turn between the toilet and the door of the mysterious room.

She looked up sharply, and I held my breath,my eyes shut tightly. I opened my eyes to find her staring down.

I stealthily crept towards the door and twisted the know so silently that there was not a single creak.

Proud of myself, I crept in and shut the door tightly behind me, releasing a sigh.

The room was dark. My hands fumbled across the wall in search of a switch. I clicked it sharply and the whole room lit.

My brows knitted in curiosity. There was nothing in the room except a few cartons and some sacks.

I walked towards one of the cartons. It was labelled 'fragile. Handle with care.'

Pulling it out, I carefully pulled off the tape seal and lifted the covering.

My eyes grew wide at the familiar, faint smell of cocain wafted through my nostrils. It was faint because it was carefully wrapped and concealed in plastic bags. My experience as an agent told me they were illegal drugs.

I pulled out my notebook and jotted down my findings, and tucked it back into my clothes before unwrapping one of the plastic bags. It confirmed my suspicion.

He was trafficking drugs. I gathered a tiny sample for evidence before closing the box.

My heart did a flip as I heard a footstep.

I quickly closed the box, trying to leave it the exact way I met it, but I the seal was destroyed.

As I struggled with it, a man appeared out of a secret door in the room, his eyes blazing as he walked over to me with predatory strides.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What are you doing here? Who are you?" He growled. He tucked his hand into his belt, and a shiny knife was pulled out.

I assessed the situation. I could tear into a sprint towards the door and be killed before I got there. Or, I could try to take him.

Within the four years I had spent working as an agent, I had learnt martial art and the skill of self-defense. It would be good to put it to use now.

He lunged at me with the knife, but I was quick to dodge it, sliding to the right. He looked surprised. He glared hard at me before gritting out.

"You bloody cop. How did you get in here?"

I smirked in his direction. Taking advantage of his surprise, I lunged my fist at his throat.

A groan escaped his lips, but he quickly recovered and lunged at me. I held him off by kicking a carton in his direction, causing him to lose his balance slightly.

I made a dash for the door when he grabbed me by the foot and pulled me down harshly.

A groan escaped my lips. He grabbed my neck, choking me with his large palms while hovering above me.

I tried to reach his knife, which was just inches away from my fingers, gasping for breath when the door swung open sharply.

I heard a gunshot, and the man fell flat off me with a groan.

Slowly, I looked to the door and all colours drained from my face.

It was Luca and he did not look pleased!