Chapter 1

Rosalia 

I sighed in exasperation as I walked down the subway steps, planning to board the earliest train and lock myself in my apartment before I started going crazy. I lost my job again. It is literally the fifth one this year and this is only March. Courtesy of the world being filled with shitty people. Not that I regret losing the job, it was worth it if it meant hitting sense into disgusting people. 

 Whenever I remember what had transpired earlier, disgust immediately fills my gut. "it's not worth it"

"Did you hear about the prisoners that were released today? I even learnt one of them was a grapist" One of the girls standing beside me at the train station was saying to her friend, making me glance briefly in their direction. 

"God help us, people like that should be allowed to rot there Instead of being released. Do they think they'll change or what after spending some time in that place, they'll obviously be out for more blood" Another had replied. Indeed a piece of trash like that never changes but only gets worse.

The first girl was about saying something when another person immediately called "The train is here".

 I pulled my cotton jacket closer to me, not because I was feeling cold or anything but to keep my wits around me. I can't lose my shit out here, at least not until I get into the safety of my apartment which soon won't be mine anymore if I can't pay my rent. 

Living is not for the weak, if you ask me. 

The ride in the train wasn't as uneventful as I had expected. Seems people didn't use this line that much today. I alighted at my stop but froze on my tracks due to the silhouette my eyes landed on. I immediately recalled the words of the girls from the train station. "Did you hear about the prisoners that were released today? I even learnt one of them was a grapist" 

Lo and Behold, he was right here in front of me unless my eyes were playing tricks on me which I'm certain isn't the truth. He's right there, in flesh and with the same indignant expression he wore when he was being taken by the police, two years ago. Oh, it was two years already? 

So, was he out now and about to kill me as he had promised? I stared back at him with the same intensity he held. He might be able to scare other girls but not me. Truth be told, I'm actually scared but not while we are in public where everyone could see us. Unless he wanted to go back to where he's coming from. 

He didn't move either, just staring at me like he wanted me to feel his presence, to know he was out and could get me anytime. Howard Walter, the director of the orphanage I used to work for two years ago. And yes, I had been the one to send him to prison after finding evidence of his crime. 

He smiled, a creepy one then turned around to leave. I watched as he disappeared in the crowd then breathed relief. Guess I was more scared than I thought. Maybe I should call the police? But he hadn't done anything so there wasn't much evidence against him. 

I headed for my beautiful and cozy apartment. Lies. The elevator in the building had stopped working and the landlord had refused to fix it so I had to walk to the eighth floor. Lucky me. After successfully climbing the stairways to heaven, like I love calling it, I headed for my apartment which was strangely dark. It shouldn't be. I never allowed the light around my apartment to go out, like never. 

I stopped on my tracks and stared at the darkness. It couldn't be that Howard had set a trap for me, right? But he doesn't know my apartment, so it shouldn't be. We can never tell with a criminal though. So I brought out my electrocuting battery and my cellphone so I can turn on the light. I wasn't someone who was afraid of the darkness normally but something about today sends chills down my spine. It better not be Howard or I'll kill him myself. 

I input my password into the door and realised it was already opened. Someone was inside. Perfect. I entered anyway. You'll argue that I'm stupid and I know I am but I'm not the type to back off from a challenge. The moment I got in, I reached for the switch and turned it on. The living room was instantly filled with warm lights and I could see the back of a man sitting on my couch. That wasn't Howard, it definitely wasn't cuz this person was in a suit and was oozing such a dangerous aura that makes me want to dash for the door. But this was my house...at least until further notice so I can't have a stranger scaring me in it.

"Who are you?" My voice was unexpectedly clear and did not hold any trepidation, thank God. 

The man sitting on the couch got up and slowly turned to me. For whatever is in the heavens and earth does he look breathtaking. His dark orbs widened a bit as if he was surprised to see me then it quickly went as it came then he took in my appearance which made him frown. 

"You are Rosalia?" He asked like he was waiting for me to deny it. But I didn't, I was indeed Rosalia. 

"Yes and you are what? An intruder?" No matter how dangerous he looked, he can't just burst into my house and be asking my name. Though I admit I liked the way he said my name but that's not the point, is it?

His brows furrowed slightly "You don't know who I am?" I barely managed to stop myself from calling him ridiculous. Am I supposed to? God please help me from this hot intruder who seems to think he's some kind of celebrity I'm suppose to know about. 

He started walking closer to where I'm standing and even though I wanted to move back in response, I couldn't, which was strange. He looked like he might snap my neck the moment he gets to me but I still didn't take a step backwards which seemed to amuse him. 

He stopped and peered down at me "I am your husband"