11. Rose
11
Rose
I T’D been days since Roselin gave Ryu the note, and she still hadn’t heard from him. The weekend drew closer. Would she see him again? If not, she was going to hunt him down like last time. He couldn’t leave her when someone came after her with a dubious message.
“Morning, my beautiful artist,” Nadia greeted her. Roselin groaned in reply, and Nadia handed her a cup of tea. “I have something important to tell you, but you’ll need to sit first.”
The blood drained from Roselin’s face. “Did someone stop by?”
“The fact that your first response is fear says a lot.”
Roselin chewed the inside of her cheek and sat on the chair next to Nadia. “I’m not scared of Ryu.” Roselin took a sip from the warm green tea.
“Maybe you should be.” Nadia swirled her tea in her cup.
She sighed. “It’s complicated, and I understand if you think I’m being a terrible friend because I probably am. But—”
Nadia held up her hand. “I’m not getting into the thing between you and Abasi. You’re a big girl. You can make your own judgement, and Abasi shouldn’t have cornered you the way he did.”
So Abasi and Nadia talked?
“I saw Gale yesterday.” Nadia tapped her fingers against her cup.
Roselin nearly stumbled from her chair. “What?” she said, hoping she heard it wrong.
“He was quite sweet and apologised.” Nadia stared into her tea.
“But he’s not a good person, Nadia.” Roselin’s hand clenched around her cup. She still felt his warm breath on her skin when he pinned her against the wall.
Nadia rolled her eyes. “You’re the one to say.”
Roselin opened her mouth and closed it. It was true, but for different reasons. Ryu played Judge, Jury, and Executioner, which was a dangerous job when it came to justice. But it was Gale who should be on trial. Although, no one would probably believe her. After all, Gale was the son of a prosecutor. She’d think the world would be fairer in the prosperous city of New Arcadia. Ryu had a point; there wasn’t a lot of fairness in the world. His words still haunted her to this day; ‘You saved his life. His actions are yours. You made a decision, so live with the consequences’.
“It’s different, and I wish I could explain it to you,” Roselin said
“What if Gale is my one and only?” Nadia avoided Roselin’s eyes as she went back to swirling her tea in her cup.
“One and only doesn’t exist, and if it did, it isn’t Gale. You deserve a lot better.”
“Well, I don’t want to close the door just yet. He’s been nice to me… except for that one thing.”
“Nadia, please be careful.” Roselin reached for Nadia, placing her hand over hers. Her eyes locked with Nadia’s. Damn it, she should’ve told her friend this sooner. “He attacked me at the art exhibition.”
“What?” Nadia raised her brow. “You didn’t tell me this.”
Roselin shrugged her shoulders. “It wasn’t important. You weren’t together anymore.”
Nadia stood up, shaking her head. She placed her cup in the sink. “How can you say that? It is important. If a person attacks you, you should tell me.” The frustration seeped through Nadia’s voice, and she couldn’t blame her friend.
A knock on the door interrupted the argument.
“Did you expect someone?” Nadia asked.
“No,” Roselin said as they stared at the door. What if it was the Sin Eater?
“Someone should answer it,” Nadia whispered as they both kept blinking at the door.
As if freed from a spell, Nadia walked over to the door. Roselin followed her steps like a baby deer following its mother, repeating over and over that it was probably nothing. Come on, Rose. She was better than this.
Nadia opened the door, but no one was there. A big box lay on the ground. “It’s for you. Ten bucks it’s from your Glucose Guardian,” Nadia said, but not as happy as she might have intended it to sound.
Roselin picked up the package and placed it on the dining table. They both stared at it.
“I guess he isn’t over you?” Nadia said as Roselin stayed quiet. “Do you want me to throw it away?”
“No!” she blurted. “No. It’s… We…” Roselin sighed and opened the box, revealing ten white roses and a note.
Nadia gaped at the roses. “I thought it was over between the two of you?”
“It’s complicated.” Roselin worked her lips between her teeth. “I told you I was an awful friend.”
“Only because you don’t tell me things.” Nadia watched Roselin’s face as if it was going to reveal answers, and perhaps it did. “Do you love him?”
Not this talk again. Roselin scoffed. “No.” It didn’t sound very convincing, so she took the note from the box as a distraction.
“Good, because you should be careful with people like him,” Nadia said, but Roselin wasn’t sure Nadia believed her either.
“And you with Gale,” Roselin mumbled as she read the message. “There’s a gala this Sunday.”
Nadia picked up the roses, and a black gala dress lay underneath. “I guess you‘re invited.”
“Should I go?” Her hand brushed the silk fabric.
“Would you listen if I said no?”
Fair point. There was a logical voice in Roselin’s mind telling her to stay away from Ryu—to avoid dangerous shadows and threatening enemies—but her heart didn’t seem able to let him go, and if she was setting him free, she should tell him to his face.
Careful, Nadia picked up the dress out of the box. “Oh my goodness, it has pockets.”
Roselin lifted the long dress from the ground as she descended the stairs, her purse clutched against her side. It was a simple sweetheart neckline gown with—again—a slit in the skirt. Guess Ryu liked slits… or the easy access up her leg. Sleek black gloves covered up the bandages around her arm. Not watching where she went, she opened the door and almost walked into Ryu’s chest. He caught her in his arms with the familiar smirk on his face. “Hello, my darling white rose.”
“I’m a black Rose today.” She smiled up at him.
His eyes scanned over her body. “I can see.” He kissed her cheek. “You look stunning. Perhaps we should skip and head to my place.”
Flutters filled her stomach, but they died down as she remembered, “You left me hanging last time and dropped me off without a word.”
His jaw tensed. He rested his hand on Roselin’s lower back as he guided her to the car. “My apologies, Miss Bessette. I realise I wasn’t a proper gentleman, but I promise to make it up to you.”
There was the flutter again, but she still had questions. “Have you found out what the Sin Eater is?”
“It isn’t important right now.” Ryu opened the door for her.
She turned to him, her back towards the car. “It seemed pretty important.”
Ryu smiled, hanging his head before cupping her chin. “My Rose, not tonight.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line as they held a staring contest. “Fine,” she said finally. “But you’ll have to make it up to me twice and give me an answer later.” She slid into the passenger seat as Ryu whispered a maybe, and something told her it was about the last part and not the making-it-up-to-her bit. Why was she making plans anyway if she intended to break things off with him? She should, right? She suppressed a sigh.
His hand rested on her upper leg as he drove through the streets. The architecture and greenery changed as they rode into the chic English side of the city. “How fancy is this gala?” she asked, unsure what to expect except for Arcadia Sparkles, pearls, tuxedos, and tiny bites of food that leave you hungry.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.” Ryu squeezed her thigh. “I’ll keep you away from the unrecognisable small portions of food that taste like ass.”
Ryu helped her out of the car as she almost stumbled over the skirt of her dress. He handed the keys to a valet in a dark red uniform. Candles led them into the majestic mansion, where inside, old paintings adorned the wall, and the scent of old wood welcomed her. Furniture that looked too expensive to touch stood in the grand entrance.
“Mister Botan, thank you for attending,” a butler of some kind greeted them. It was strange to see Ryu in this setting. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine him fitting in. “Miss Bessette.” The butler bowed his head to them. “Please follow the candles to the ballroom.”
Ryu nodded back as he led her further through the hallway. She leaned to him and whispered, “Why does he know my name?”
“Because I gave it when I wrote you down as my plus one.”
“And how did you know I would go with you?” It wasn’t like she sent an RSVP.
“Gut feeling and a lot of hope.” He kissed her temple, his hand cupping her ass and giving it a light squeeze.
“Mister Botan, behave yourself. We have company.”
“Perhaps I like having company.”
Before she had time to react, they walked into a grand movie-like ballroom, the fancy dresses and tuxedos distracting her. Diamonds and pearls decorated necks, wrists, fingers, and more. A Mageía controlling fire danced on a podium in the middle of the room, and a small orchestra filled the space with music.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Ryu said as he pulled her to the side. Out of his pocket, he took a velvet box. “I think I promised you this.”
Her eyes widened at the expensive-looking necklace. The diamonds were marquise-shaped, and the silver shone. “Ryu, you can’t.”
“I already have.” He spun her, her back towards him. His fingers were soft on her skin as he brushed her hair over her shoulder, baring her nape.
The cold necklace hung heavily around her neck. She stammered, no words coming out as she tried to convince herself the diamonds weren’t real, but she knew better.
“Almost as beautiful as you.” He kissed the crown of her head. “Let’s get you something to drink.” Ryu snapped his fingers, and a waiter came over with Arcadia Sparkles. They clinked their glasses, and the bubbles stung in her throat. But God, it tasted delicious. Must be an expensive one too. Not like she could tell the difference.
Ryu took her glass and set it on the table, his hand touching her lower back. “My Rose, may I have the honour of a dance with you?”
A smile crept up her face. “Of course, Mister Botan. How can I decline the protector of our beloved city?”
He smirked the same way he did the first time they met, and heat spread through her body. Pulling her against him, his lips brushed her ear. “Be careful, Miss Ethics. I might give in to my cravings.”
Ryu pulled her onto the ballroom floor, and they swung to the music. It was a good thing he knew how to lead… and that Nadia dragged her to dance class last year. The melody slowed. The dress swirled around her as Ryu twirled her towards him before slowing their pace too. His hand was warm on her waist, and she couldn’t stop imagining his fingers in other places.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look this evening?” Ryu said.
“You might have mentioned it along the way.”
He spun her, her back against his chest and his arms safely around her. His breath tickled her ear. “Be mine tonight.”
“What about after tonight?”
“We’ll figure that out later.” He kissed her cheek before turning her to face him again.
Roselin tried to suppress her glee but couldn’t help the corner of her mouth from twitching up. Shit, she was feeling feelings she wasn’t supposed to feel. His nose brushed the skin of her neck. They may have danced for some time, but it felt like seconds.
Pulling away, Ryu gave her his arm. “How about another drink?” All she could do was nod, her eyes glued to him.
She'd allow herself to have this one fairy tale night with him. Screw the world outside of the ballroom. “I’ll need a quick bathroom break first,” she said. Ryu showed her the way before being pulled back by some fancy people who seemed to know him.
She opened the heavy door. Holy shit. Roselin stared at the bathroom ceiling. Was that gold? An old lady in pink coughed, the perfume taking Roselin’s breath away—and not in a positive manner.
Roselin snapped her head to the lady. “Sorry,” she said, stepping out of the doorway.
After figuring out how to flush the toilet with all the buttons—seriously, how many buttons could a toilet have—she returned to the ballroom. Although the posters at their ElyU told them all citizens of New Arcadia were fortunate, they were definitely not this wealthy.
Roselin’s eyes scanned the room. Ryu stood in a corner with a gorgeous woman in an amazing red ballroom dress and gold jewellery. Was that a tiara? Little much, but okay.
Roselin marched towards them—not at all jealous, of course. The woman’s hand rested on Ryu’s chest, her back towards Roselin, and they both laughed about something. But Roselin wasn’t. Rude, bitch! Stepping closer, the girl kissed Ryu’s cheek. Traitor! Her fingers trailed down his chest. That’s enough. Roselin snatched the Arcadia Sparkles out of the waiter’s hand, ready to ruin someone’s nice clothes… again.
Fuck that woman, and screw Ryu.
Swiftly, Ryu seized Roselin’s wrist. “Rose, how kind of you.” Ryu smirked at her as she narrowed her eyes at him. He took the glass and drank the Arcadia Sparkles in one big gulp. “Thank you.”
“I like one too, please,” the woman said with an awfully sweet voice.
Roselin balled her fist, looking for another drink to throw. Wine would do too.
Ryu chuckled and pulled Roselin further into the corner, away from the throwable items and the other woman. “My darling Rose,” he whispered. His lips brushed hers, stealing her jealousy from her. His tongue slipped in, and the flavour of Ryu mixed with Arcadia Sparkles filled her mouth. Roselin melted against his chest, her anger fading.
The woman huffed behind her, but Roselin ignored her. Ryu pulled away, only a little, his breath grazing her ear. “My cock is yours as your body is mine,” he whispered to her, making her legs clench together.
The woman coughed. Was she the family of the pink lady in the bathroom?
“My apologies, Petra. This beautiful lady is Miss Roselin.” He turned to Roselin. “Rose, this is Petra. She works for Mister Visser, whom you’ve met before.”
Petra’s lips pursed together in a thin line. “You’ve met Mister Visser?”
“She has,” Ryu answered, placing his hand on her lower back. “Now, if you excuse me, I should make a donation.” He led Roselin to a high table.
“Who was that?” Roselin couldn’t stop herself from asking.
“No one important enough for you to worry about, but still important enough that I need to be friendly.”
“Friendly enough with her claws on your—”
His fingers wrapped around her chin, and Ryu kissed her lips. “Don’t be jealous, my white Rose.”
“Guess I’ll have to just trust you,” she mocked him.
“I’m not your friend Gale, so don’t talk about me like that.”
“Gale isn’t my friend,” she bit back.
Speak of the devil. As Ryu wrote out his cheque for some charity whose name she should probably know, Gale strode towards them. His father watched them from a distance with a frown.
“Rose, so good to see you.”
“Roselin,” she corrected him. He had lost the privilege of calling her Rose. “ Galeazzo .”
He faked a smile, showing his pearly white teeth, and his eyes fell on her arm. “Hiding your abuse? We were worried about you, Rose . Nadia sounded quite concerned on the phone.”
Her heart skipped a beat at Nadia’s name. She furrowed her brows at him, wrinkling her forehead. Did Nadia talk to him again?
Ryu stepped into Gale’s personal space, but Roselin quickly pulled him back, taking his hand. Her eyes glanced over at Gale’s father. The last thing Ryu needed was to slip up in front of a justice attorney.
“Good to see you too, Ryu .” Gale patted Ryu’s shoulder.
Ryu’s hand turned ice cold in hers. Little shadows danced around their fingers, but disappeared as a threatening smile appeared on Ryu’s face. The blood in her veins froze. She wouldn’t think Ryu’s eyes could become scarier than his shadows. Nerves washed over her, but she kept her face straight. Gale took an almost unnoticeable step back as he tried to maintain his smile.
“I understand you’re new in this business, so let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t make enemies you can’t handle on your own, because, boy , your father isn’t going to save you,” Ryu said calmly in a soft voice, sending a shiver down her spine. And by the looks of it, she wasn’t the only one whose blood ran cold. Gale’s face ashened. His smile wavered. As a statue, Gale blinked at them. From the corner of her eye, Roselin saw Gale’s father shake his head, and he left, adding insult to injury.
Ryu placed his hand gently on Roselin’s lower back and took her away. “Let’s go home, my Rose.”