5. The Red Dress
5
The Red Dress
S ATURDAY noon, Roselin sat in bed drawing aimlessly with her sketchbook resting on her lap. The wind blew a soft breeze through her open window, making the curtains dance. A few birds chirped outside. If she ignored the chill weather, she imagined spring was near. Although, the cold wasn’t a stranger to the city. Much like her former home.
“Roselin, you sexy beast, come quick!” Nadia yelled with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Sighing, she rolled out of bed wearing her bunny and carrot pyjamas. Nadia stood in the opening of the front door. A grin from ear to ear plastered her face as she almost squealed in excitement like a little kid who got a unicorn.
“What’s going on?” Roselin lifted one eyebrow, and Nadia pointed at something on the ground. “If this is a prank, I will—”
“Oh my God, Rose, it’s from your Glucose Guardian.”
Her heart skipped a beat, her mind racing to worse-case possibilities. A black box lay in the hallway with a white rose and a note. So, not a bomb. They both knelt.
“It’s a rose for a Rose,” Nadia whispered.
Roselin read the card. “Be ready at eight.” She picked up the box and laid it on the table. For a second, she blinked at it. What could it be?
Nadia nudged her arm, urging her to unwrap the mystery package.
“He ignored me this whole week,” she protested.
“Judge him after you open it. I want to see.”
Roselin took off the lid, revealing a red velvet dress. They both gasped. Her fingers stroked the soft fabric. She held it up. The elegant long attire had a slit at the leg and three-quarter sleeves, the material tight enough to hug her body and a low cut at the front.
“Someone likes to see some of your skin.” Nadia wiggled her brows. “Tell me, does this Glucose Guardian have a brother?”
Roselin didn’t laugh with her friend. All she could do was stare at the dress. It was beautiful. Something she couldn’t dream of affording, but a one—or now two—night stands handed it to her as if it was nothing.
Nadia poked her side. “You need to take a shower. I’ll pick out your shoes.” She rushed into Roselin’s room, heading for the closet.
Well, she guessed she was going out tonight.
The warm water washed over her naked hourglass figure. Roselin closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the stream drown out her thoughts. Her mind kept jumping from the dress to the murder, to Ryu’s touch, his lips, his… A shiver ran along her spine. It wasn’t only the shower making her wet.
Right when her hand travelled down her body, Nadia’s voice came from the other side of the door. “What colour nail polish do you want?”
Roselin fiddled with the sling of her purse. The buildings passed as they drove through the city. Leaning forward, Roselin knocked on the divider. “Again, I don’t know if you can hear me, but I apologise for being grumpy last time.” And that she told his boss he was being rude. In her defence, she didn’t realise the driver was mute.
The car stopped in front of Ryu. Dressed in a tuxedo, he looked more handsome than ever. Her stomach knotted. Impure thoughts filled her mind, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she should embrace them instead of pushing Ryu away.
The Driver walked around the vehicle, but before he opened her door, Roselin stepped out. The corners of Ryu’s mouth twitched into a smirk, his gaze capturing hers. He held out his hands, and her fingers laid cold in them. His lips pressed soft against her cheek. “My beautiful Rose.” Her legs pressed together at his voice whispering in her ear.
She parted her lips to say something, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed where they were. A gasp slipped past her. “Le Jardin’s exhibition!” She squeezed Ryu’s hands, unable to hide her excitement. “I’ve wanted to go, but—”
“It’s only on invitation,” he said as he held out his arm.
A cloak of mystery hung around the Le Jardin exhibition. Interested could submit a request to visit, the rich bought their way in, and the important were invited. The question arose: which one was Ryu?
Roselin spent hours searching the Internet for clues about how to get in. The artworks displayed were interpretations of the still lives hidden in the gardens and the grand greenhouse of the city. Artists came from around the world, bringing different cultures together.
Ryu led her inside, showing the lady at the door something on his phone. The building looked like a sight out of the movies, with detailed high ceilings and massive chandeliers. Everyone dressed their best in beautiful dresses, fancy suits, and expensive jewellery. She was glad Ryu bought her a dress because nothing in her closet would’ve fit in.
Ryu’s finger stroked her neck and down to the tops of her breasts, his eyes following his own movement. “I should buy you a necklace.”
“I’m still waiting for you to replace my panties.”
Ryu smiled. “How can I choose the right one if you don’t model them for me first?”
The idea of him watching her try on underwear sent a redness to Roselin’s ears and a flutter around her heart.
They stepped outside through the double garden doors, where the cool air brushed against her skin. She leaned against Ryu, taking some of his warmth. The high hedges split the people up in four ways, and he and Roselin followed the line of yellow daffodils.
“They should do this again in late spring,” she whispered under her breath, afraid her voice would disturb the garden.
“I’ll tell the organisation.”
Roselin glanced up at Ryu, uncertain if he was joking or not. Right now, she wouldn’t be surprised by anything. “Don’t forget to invite me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget you.”
Ryu met her green eyes, holding her glance for a little longer before he gazed at her lips. She couldn’t fight the urge to nibble on it. All her good intentions went out the door when she was with Ryu.
Soft classical music interrupted their moment. Two people danced in a flower bed of varying coloured daffodils. Three canvases painted with different media lined up at the side, capturing the dance in the flowers from unique perspectives.
Roselin leaned in, observing the various brush strokes, colours, and techniques while Ryu’s hand rested on her lower back. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. One day, she’d achieve this level of artistry, too.
The warmth radiated off Ryu’s body, and his eyes stayed on her. The hair on her neck stood up, and a fuzzy feeling spread through her body. “Yes, stunning,” he said. Her cheeks burned red, and she couldn’t help but stare into his brown eyes again. Her skin tingled in need of his touch, and Ryu answered with a light brush on her cheek.
“We should move to the next one,” she said softly.
The pink and white Japanese Apricot leaves on the ground guided them further. Their spicy fragments filled Roselin’s nose. Small paintings of beautiful blooming flowers hung in the hedge. They walked under an arch filled with little paper butterflies, and stepped into an open area with a magnificent fountain. The shining white flowers of the Spring snowflakes surrounded the water. The fountain shot up around the couple’s ball-dancing in the water, and lights aimed at the sky made it seem like snow fell.
Roselin rested her head against Ryu’s arm. As she pinched her skin to check if she was really here, she watched the beautiful scene play before her. It was all too surreal. Not just the exposition, but being here with someone who could kill. And she kept making excuses. Still, she felt like she could never thank him enough for this experience.
“My friend calls you my Glucose Guardian.” Roselin smiled.
“Your what?”
“Glucose Guardian, as in a sugar daddy.” The top of her ears turned red.
Ryu wrapped his arms around her, stroking her stomach with his thumb. “Sounds fun.”
She clenched her legs together. If they were the only people here, she would’ve had her hands on him, ran her fingers through his hair, and hoped his lips would go lower beyond her mouth. But she held back. A waiter interrupted their moment and handed them Arcadia Sparkles, a bubble wine better than European champagne. Roselin mumbled a quick thank you before Ryu stole her attention again.
He clinked his glass against hers. “To my beautiful Rose.” He locked her gaze, making a blush spread across her cheeks. One she hoped he didn’t notice. The liquid prickled in her throat. And even as they sipped their drink, his eyes remained on hers. Small pieces of food went around, too, and Ryu made sure she ate the ones he liked.
Every corner Roselin turned, every time she stopped, watched, and gasped; the next thing was even better and more beautiful than the one before. She couldn’t stop being in awe under the watchful eye of Ryu. Dancers swung in the ropes hanging from the balcony, canvases displayed around. She took in all the details of the paintings and cursed that they prohibited taking pictures.
She was unsure how long they’d wandered through the garden, but it didn’t feel long enough. The Arcadia Sparkles and other drinks were getting to her, though. “Excuse me. I need a quick bathroom break,” Roselin said.
Ryu kissed her cheek before letting her go and kept himself busy with some people.
She made her way to the bathroom. The murals on the wall in the empty room before the toilets caught her eye. If she lived here for some time, she would paint every small detail inside and outside the building.
“If it isn’t, little Rose.” The voice made her spin around, and she came eye-to-eye with Gale, Nadia’s ex. “Funny seeing you here.”
“Is it? An art student at an art exhibition is strange, Galeazzo ,” Roselin said, using his full name.
Gale laughed. “Don’t pretend you belong here. This exhibition isn’t for your kind.”
She raised an eyebrow. “My kind? The one who doesn’t cheat and has standards?”
He stepped closer to her, his alcohol filled breath brushing her face, and she wrinkled her nose. “You took my girlfriend from me.”
“I took nothing. You treated Nadia like shit.”
Gale grabbed her by her throat. A strangled gasp pushed past her lips as Roselin grasped his wrist. “You will talk to Nadia and tell her you made it all up because you’re jealous.” His eyes had turned dark, sending an icy shiver through her body. A wicked smile covered his face. “And you better hurry, or I’ll punish you for your sins like your new boyfriend likes to do.”
Her knee flew up, making contact with Gale’s balls. He doubled over and he released her. “Ass,” she spat.
Gale’s eyes made her heart jump in her throat. Roselin tried to get away, but Gale grabbed the back of her neck, throwing Roselin against the wall and keeping her in place. Pain shot through her face as her cheekbone hit the hard surface. His nails dug into Roselin’s skin.
“Stop. People will—”
“No one will come for you,” Gale said, his voice threatening, showing a side of him she hadn’t seen before.
Her pulse thudded in her ears. This wasn’t happening. Their break-up wasn’t her fault, and she wouldn’t ask Nadia to get back with this creep. Damn it, she couldn’t be in this helpless position. Again.
“Get me my girlfriend back.” He didn’t say the “or else,” but it was clear.
Gale and she were pulled backwards, the pressure of the wall gone from her face, but the painful sting stayed. The force caused her to fall to the cold stone floor. Ryu held Gale by his jacket, his eyes spitting fire. The muscle in Ryu’s jaw flexed.
This wasn’t happening.
Ryu’s glare had her frozen in place; afraid to move, to breathe. His fist connected with Gale’s jaw. Gale groaned as he tried to recover himself, but this wasn’t a fight he could win. Gale’s fist flew towards Ryu, who caught his hand with ease. Closing his fist around Gale’s hand, Gale moaned in pain. The lights dimmed. The shadows in the room grouped together as they crawled to Ryu, and rose behind him.
“No.” Roselin didn’t realise she spoke out loud, but she couldn’t witness this again. Ryu stopped, the shadows encircling him freezing as his eyes met her. She scrambled to her feet. Her muscles protested, and her face hurt. “Please, Ryu,” she begged, inching closer. Her body tensed as the dark shadows moved slowly behind him as if they breathed. Her hands trembled, and so did her legs.
“Rose,” Ryu said sternly.
“You can’t kill him.” Her body shook.
The dark laugh coming from Ryu made her blood run cold. He threw Gale on the floor like he weighed nothing. The shadows shifted with him. Gale attempted to crawl away, but Ryu placed his feet on his back. The same shadow dagger as the terrible night formed in Ryu’s hand.
Roselin’s rising heartbeat caused her chest to ache with every breath. “Please, I can’t have his blood on my hands.” Her words made Ryu pause. His eyes snapped to hers. “I don’t want to see someone die—” her voice broke.
Seconds, feeling like hours, ticked by as Ryu stared at her. It took all her willpower not to look away. He clicked his tongue. “Seems like you have an angel on your shoulder,” Ryu said, his voice rumbling like thunder. He lifted his feet, and Gale turned to them, trying to scramble up. The shadows still stood tall above them, lingering in a threatening stance, making it obvious Ryu wasn’t done yet, and he kicked down in a swift motion.
“ARGH!” Gale held his bloody, crooked nose.
“Touch any girl like that again, and I’ll cut off your hands.” The threat echoed through the room.
Ryu grabbed her hand and pulled her against his chest. His finger brushed her bruised cheek, and he gave her a quick once-over glance. Before she could process anything, he dragged her by her hand out of the building and into the midnight blue SUV already waiting for them. The shadows followed him like a shield, but it didn’t comfort her. Her hands wouldn’t stop trembling, and she quickly wiped away her tears.
The shadows turned back to their original size and places. Ryu’s hand was warm around her chin as he made her look at him. She averted her eyes. Looking into his stare was the last thing she wanted to do.
“You saved his life today,” Ryu said.
“What?” Her eyebrows drew together, and her eyes jumped back to his gaze. It wasn’t fair she had to make the decision in the first place. “You were going to kill him.” They weren’t gods. They shouldn’t decide who lives or dies.
“He was about to do a lot worse to you,” he said, his voice dark and low. Roselin tried to pull her face away from his grip, but to no avail. “Don’t you understand what you have done?”
“Me?!” Gale had every intent to harm her. She did nothing wrong.
Roselin grabbed at Ryu’s hand and yanked away again with such force he had to let her go or he would hurt her. She opened her mouth, but Ryu didn’t let her argue back. “He lives on, Rose. Everything he does after this is your responsibility.”
“You don’t know—”
“Trust me, I do. That boy won’t change, and he’ll try to do the same thing to some other girl, except she won’t have me to save her.”
“No.” Roselin shook her head. “I don’t accept that. He wasn’t even interested in me. He only wanted Nadia back. We should go to the police… the authorities—” Ryu was misunderstanding things. She wasn’t in real danger. Gale was a prick, not a criminal.
Ryu’s dark laugh rolled over his lips, and it was almost as if the shadows laughed with him. “What are they going to do, Roselin?”
She searched for words as she stammered incoherently, but she gave up.
Ryu’s face softened, and his lips met hers. He rested his forehead against hers, the light in his eyes back. “You saved his life. His actions are yours. You made a decision, so live with the consequences.” His sweet breath brushed against her skin.
She closed her eyes. His words strung around her heart, clenching it painfully in a familiar way she never wanted to feel again. The adrenaline died down and created room for fear. Quiet sobs left her lips as tears rolled over her face. He held her close, her head tucked against his chest.
“You’re okay, my sweet white Rose.”