03

3

VALENTINE

“Have you gone nuts?" Rossetti barked harshly at me. He was infuriated the moment he saw the girl by day break. His eyes glowered.

"She looked helpless. And needed the help,” I retorted.

"Listen to yourself,” He scoffed and combed his hands through his dark hair. The only characteristics that actually shows we are related.

"Did you ever stop to think? What if she is a spy?”

I never thought of that. She looked harmless last night. She was covered in blood, cold and all alone. She can't be a spy.

"She isn't,” I responded, my heart beat tripled. I wasn't sure.

He gave a mirthless laugh, "How do you know that? I warned you Valentine. Stick to the mission."

“And I did.."

“She wasn't part of the mission," His accusation was loud and clear enough to make my tongue roll back. I bent my head low.

“We have to decimate her."

His statement forced my eyes to widen. Dispose?

“Ross…"

“I'm still the boss, Valentine." He hollered, shutting me off.

“Get her ready. You can leave," He said with an air of finality and turned his back against me.

I exhaled and left the study. My body still reeked of blood and smoke from last night. I stopped by the room I gave to her.

I knocked on the door and opened it. She was sitting at the edge of the bed, hugging herself and staring out the window.

She couldn't hurt a fly. I trotted in. The sound of my feet rang softly. She rose up looking startled. My chest tightened. Her face was coated with fear. Her brows arched high in alarm.

When she saw me, her brows relaxed.

She ran to me, threw her arms around my torso and embraced me tightly, “Thank you for saving me." She mumbled softly, sniffling.

My hands went numb at my sides. It felt like a new synergy was surging through me.

She disengaged from the embrace. A sweet, charming smile now replaced the frown etched on her face.

“Good morning."

Her voice. My chest pounded at the sound of her velvety voice. And why is she smiling so hard? Doesn't she feel pain on her cheek from smiling so hard?

All these and more ran through my head as I stared at her. She was the image of a goddess. Her collar bones stood out. Her lips were tempting. My fingers throbbed to hold her again. The other night she fell asleep on my shoulders. I had to carry her all the way up to this room. My fingers registered her soft skin and once more wanted to touch them again.

I remained mute with a stoic expression.

Her stomach rumbled. She gasped and wrapped her hands around her stomach, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment.

I turned around and began to leave.

"What is your name?” Her sweet voice once more made my feet halt. My hands wrapped around the door.

I craned my neck around to her direction, she still had that smile.

"Valentine,” I croaked in a deep, hoarse voice.

Her lips fell open and her smile got wider, “Valentine."

A sense of familiarity knocked me. Her voice was just like hers. Soft. Exciting. And low-pitched.

I pushed open the door.

“Nice to meet you Valentine. I am Cleopatra," She yelled after my retreating figure.

I shut the door gently. Exhaled and made my way to the kitchen.

Cleopatra. Her name kept resounding in my head. I got to the kitchen and gave orders to the cooks.

After that, I went to my room to prepare for the day.

~~~

Rossetti barged into my room without knocking. His face was contorted in annoyance.

“Why is the girl still alive?" He questioned, his glaring eyes boring a hole in my forehead.

“She isn't a spy."

“What are you even saying? How sure are you?" His voice roared higher in frustration.

“She could have been sent by Don Rossini or even any other person. What could she be doing out there in the alleyway?"

He kept throwing questions that doubted the certainty of Cleopatra not being a spy.

I took my eyes away from the paper work before me and looked up to him, “There are thousands of reasons why she could be in the alleyway. She doesn't look smart enough to be a spy."

Rossetti chuckled, “Valentine, Don't underestimate Rossini's plans. He could have sent her."

“There is no better way to find out other than interrogating her."

“No interrogations, Valentine. You have to kill her."

“Rossetti!!" I yelled, feeling the rush of blood to my head, “No one will touch a hair on her skin."

“What is going on with you? Is there something I should know about this girl?"

I held his gaze but lowered mine.

“Why do I feel like you didn't tell the truth about her? Where did you find the girl?"

“Enough!!" I hit my balled fist on the table. The rattling echoed in the room.

Rossetti's lips twisted in a smirk.

He leaned forward, pinching his fingers on the table, "If you don't kill her, I will do it myself.”

He threatened with a glare. He straightened and tucked his suit. He left my room. His steps echo louder than my thoughts.

My lips opened slightly and a rush of air flowed out.

I picked up my clothes and began to dress up.

~~~

CLEOPATRA

My thoughts flicked back to Aunt Kimberly and Nephew Andrew. There was a longing in my heart to see their faces once more.

When Valentine returns, I will tell him I wish to leave now. I can't stay away from them for too long.

I exhaled and laid on the bed. Shortly after my back met the soft mattress, sleep warped around me. I fell asleep.

He was here again. The evil man with that dark smirk. The one that was my new owner. This time his face was fixed in a stoic expression.

His eyes held me rooted at a spot. He advanced towards me. My knees buckled and I fell on the floor.

“Little girl, Do you think you can run?" He asked menacingly. He stretched his hands forward.

His fingers curled around my neck. He pressed tightly. My chest tightened. My airway was constricted. Black dots rotated around my eyes. I was slipping off. I tried to hit off his hands but he was stronger. His grip was tighter.

“Cleopatra," I heard a deep voice call calmly.