ROSALINE
I followed Igor down the large stairs and into a hallway. I couldn't help but admire the paintings that were hung on the wall. I wasn't one that knew a lot about art but I knew enough to tell that the artist was skilled.Everything was beautiful. I didn't even know Igor had stopped until I bumped into his hard back."Ouch," I mumbled as I rubbed my nose. "Sorry," I heard him mutter and knock on a large door. After two seconds, he opened it and walked in.I frowned. He didn't wait for permission?I followed him in though. I shudder as I was hit by the cold air in the room. The A.C. was surely on."She's here, Boss," Igor said and my eyes fell on the man seated behind the desk.God really has his favorites when he's creating people.Alexei sat at his desk, dressed in a white buttoned down shirt without a tie and two of his buttons undone, letting out a peek of his hard chest."You sent for me," I cleared my throat before he could catch me staring at him. The last thing I needed was to be embarrassed in front of this man."Take a seat," he motioned to the chair in front of his desk, I obeyed."Have you had breakfast?" he asked me, surprising me in the process. I blinked, "Yes?" "Good. Let's get down to business then," he said and was tempted to roll my eyes. Igor walked out of the office.Of course, everything was all about business."I'm listening.""For one, do not talk back at me," he glared at me making me raise a brow. "Because?" I couldn't stop my mouth from moving.Damn Rose!His jaw clenched, "You have quite a mouth on you." "You have no idea," I said with a fake smile but that seemed to tick him off.Good."You're not allowed to leave this house until I say so," he said and I nodded. It's not like I knew anywhere here."Whenever I have guests over, you are to be out of sight," he stated. "Why? Are you ashamed of your wife?" I narrowed my eyes at you. "You have a lot of nerves," his tone was dangerously lower and I took the sign to keep my mouth shut."You obey everything I say and your head will still be attached to your neck," he said. I was tempted to roll my eyes."Is that all?""Fuck up and get punished."Now, that was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire life."You will punish your own wife?" I asked in disbelief. "Cross the line and I won't hesitate to clip your fingers with tweezers or even better, drill holes into your spin," he said without an ounce of emotion in his voice and I couldn't ignore the fear that spread through me.This man was insane."You're out of your mind," I glared at me. "Say one more disrespectful thing and I won't mind cutting off your tongue," he retorted."You can't control me! I'm not a doll!" I yelled in annoyance as I stood up, agitated.He leaned back in his seat and pulled out a pistol. My eyes widened as he pointed it at me. He clicked off the safety and my heartbeat accelerated."Why do you think I married you? You're mine to control and do whatever I want with. You're mine to torture and you're mine to fuck. You're mine to kill and you're mine to punish," he said with a sinister smirk."Like I'll ever let you touch me!" I scoffed and crossed my arms across my chest. At this point, I didn't even care if he killed me."Really?"I glared at him in response."You are mine, Rosaline," he said and placed the pistol back on the table. "I belong to nobody," I glared at him and stormed out of his office."So infuriating!" I cried out in annoyance as I turned to walk down the hallway only to bump into someone causing me to fall on my butt."Ouch!" I groaned. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Volkov," it was Igor.He helped me up. "Don't call me that," I muttered. "I can't. it's boss's order," he said and I huffed."Whatever," I walked away.I turned around to see that he was following me. "Why are you following me?" I furrowed my brows. "I was assigned as your bodyguard," he said and I stared at him in disbelief."What the hell do I need a fucking bodyguard for?" I glared at him. It wasn't meant for him but I couldn't help it. His face remained indifferent."Our world is very dangerous," he said and I rolled my eyes. "No shit, Sherlock.""Boss wants your safety to be guaranteed," he said and I wanted to laugh. "I'm not an idiot," I spat and continued walking."Where is my mother?" I decided to ask."I can take you to her," he answered and I nodded."Are you going to follow me everywhere?" I asked as I followed him down the hallway. "Only when necessary," he replied and I nodded.He led me to a room upstairs and I stood by the door to face him. "Thank you, that will be all," I said to him. He nodded and turned to leave.I walked in and my heart warmed when I saw my mother in the middle of the room on the bed with the IV attached to her arm.I was glad that they were able to set everything up."Mom," I ran to the bed and sat down on it, beside her.The window blinds were down so I quickly went to pull them up before going back to my position."I need to arrange your things first," I said and stood up to get her unpacked travelling bag.When my father married Catherine, I packed all my mom's belongings into a bag and kept it in my room.My father had put her in a spare room and allowed medical attention to be given to her.I was still little and I wasn't really obvious of many things.But when I turned seventeen, I realized that Catherine was making one of the maids feed my mother liquid poison.Ever since then, I made sure it was only Lauren, Blaze and I that had access to the room. Lauren was the only maid I trusted.ROSALINEI have spent two days in this place. I rarely left my room because I didn't want to come across Alexei. I only came out for breakfast and dinner and to also look after my mother. But today was different. I needed to exercise my muscles before I become bored out of my mind. I was missing the hospital so badly. Thanks a lot father.I was wearing a pair of jean shorts and an oversized green round neck today. The afternoon was hot and I didn't want to be all sweaty. "Anya?" I called as I walked into the kitchen. "Yes, dear?" she turned around with a smile. I giggled when I saw flour on her apron."What are you making?" I approached her to see that she was kneading dough. "Ooh, I'm making Vera's favorite snack. Alexei's parents are coming over and I know his sister will be very hungry," she said and my eyes widened.His parents were coming over?He couldn't even tell me!How nice of him."Do you know where the library is?" I asked her. "Oh yes. It's down the hallway, about thre
ROSALINEI walked out of my closet to see he was still seated there on my bed. "Asshole," I muttered and smoothened my green sundress. He looked up to see me and his infamous smirk settled on his face. I wished I could smack it off his face. "Now, you look like a wife," he got up and approached me. "Thank you for your praise," I rolled my eyes and we walked out of my room. I followed him down the stairs and into the living room."Mom," he called and I saw two females on the couch. One was a lot younger than the other."Alexei, you're back," the older woman said as she stood up. She was beautiful. Very beautiful.She had dark brown hair and baby blue eyes that made her exotic features look soft. I could mistake her for a model."Hello, darling," she approached me with the warmest smile I have ever seen ever since my mom died. My heart moved in my chest and I felt it."Good afternoon, Mrs. Volkov," I stretched my hand with a shy smile. I did not know what to do at all. She laughed an
ROSALINEI needed to leave this house. I couldn't just stay in this place forever. I need fresh air.So with that motivation, I got dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and a black crop top. It's not like I would be allowed to go anywhere so I would just take a look outside the house. Alexei hadn't been home for the past two weeks and I have been happy but slightly worried. I think it is normal for a wife to be worried about her husband.I slipped on my Jordans and walked out of my room. I walked down the stairs and entered the living room only to see Alexei walking in, holding a bloody arm along with two other people.My eyes widened and I ran to him, "What the fuck happened to you?""Don't yell at me," he glared at me as he moved past me. I glared behind him but someone tapped my shoulder as I was about to take a step forward."He got shot in the arm," a brown haired guy said. "Thanks," I said and went to drag Alexei to the kitchen. "I saw a first aid box here," I said as I pushe
ROSALINEThe following week went well. At least, maybe I should say better than I expected then. Alexei actually listened to me and didn't do much heavy work that could cause damages to his wound. He also granted me my request for more nutrients for my mother.I could now say that were closer to becoming friends. But my attraction towards him didn't wither one bit. And it was choking and frustrating. Today I was busy sweeping the floor of the living room when someone walked in. "Good afternoon, Rose!"It was Yeka. I looked up to wake at her but instead I was greeted with a warm hug. It made me miss Lisa."Good morning, Yeka. You look good," I said to her when she pulled away. She giggled and flipped her blonde hair that was in a ponytail. She was dressed in black leather pants and a black leather jacket with a black crop top underneath. She even paired the whole outfit with black leather boots.She was hot and she knew it. I could never pull it off."Where's that grumpy man?" she a
ROSALINEI was dressed in a carton brown body con dress. It was floor length and had two spaghetti straps. I was glad it was padded so I wouldn't need to wear a bra and keep checking my breasts every now and then.I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled at my reflection. I paired it with a pair of black heels and wore a simple diamond necklace and earrings.I wore clean makeup and chose to use gloss instead of lipstick. I let my curly hair loose to hang around my waist in full volume and grinned at how I looked.Once in a blue moon, I would appreciate my beauty. That's because I rarely felt beautiful. Every time I looked in the mirror, I would remember those scars and the torture."He'll just leave when he sees them," I sighed and smoothened the dress with my hand. There was a knock on the door. "Come in," I said as I grabbed my black clutch and putting my phone in it."Boss is waiting for you downstairs," it was Igor.I turned to look at him. "Before you leave, how do I look?" I
ROSALINEI should have had a glass of wine. Wine always helps me endure stressful things. It was a habit I picked up from my mom, I think. I used to see her pour herself a glass of her favorite Italian wine before going to have an argument with my dad. She used to joke that it was like preparing for battle.At the end, she would come out victorious. And if she didn't, she wouldn't be moved. But not once have I ever seen my mother get drunk. She always lectured us on how unethical it was.It's not like Blaze or dad listened anyway."They're a lot," I said to Alexei as we walked into the large hall. He wrapped a protective arm around my waist, "You'll be fine." "If you don't feel comfortable, let me know," he said to me and I nodded."Volkov!"An aged man approached us. He was dressed in a very expensive suit with gold chains around his neck. I would have complimented his fashion if he hadn't gone overboard with his dressing.Who wears four heavy chains on their neck to a party?"Popov,
ROSALINESo, I got to know that Vincenzo, Bianca's husband was Alexei's cousin and the head of the Italian mafia. It explained the different accent she had. Not to mention that Vincenzo and Alexei had almost the same behavior. It was frustrating, to be honest.We had already spent about three hours at this party and I was getting tired already. Alexei had gone with Vlad, Igor and Vincenzo to talk about 'business.'They left Bianca and I alone to talk with prod and obnoxious women. I was tired of hearing them talk about the latest Prada clothes they just purchased and Bianca seemed to share my thoughts. She told them our husbands were calling us and grabbed me before whisking me away."I can't stand those women. This is why I didn't want to tag along," she huffed as we made our way to the bathroom. "Then why did you come?" I asked with a chuckle. "Because I didn't want any sly woman to touch my husband. He sometimes thinks with his dick," she grumbled."That's men for you," I patted h
ALEXEIHer face had drops of blood on it and her nose was bleeding. This angered me. I turned to Igor and Vlad. "Find those idiots and bring them to me."They nodded and took off. I turned to my cousin who was carrying his own wife. His face was filled with anger as he walked alongside me. "I'm coming over to torture them," he said to me. "You're welcomed anytime," I replied and he nodded.We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I got into the car and my driver started the engine before driving off.Rose was on my lap with her arms still around my neck. I brought out my handkerchief and wiped the blood of her face. Her nose was still bleeding."What happened?" I asked her gently. My shirt was stained but I didn't mind. My wife was more important at the moment."We went to the bathroom and those men followed us. They wanted to have a good time," she said jokingly and I rolled my eyes. How could she be joking like this."I have a headache," she groaned as she sat straight and