Rose’s POV As the car slowed to a stop, the first thing I noticed was the crowd of paparazzi around the entrance to the building where the event was to be held. Seeing them chase down every of the invited guests with their cameras ready to record made me sick to my stomach. ‘Maybe accepting to attend the ball was a mistake,’ I couldn’t risk getting photographed or videoed. It would draw attention to me and my cover would be blown. Worse still, Don Torelli could finally get onto me. This thought alone had my heart palpitating widely. I glanced at Jian and his eyes met mine. As if he could sense the thick waves of anxiety rolling off me, he squeezed my palm that was still in his hold, resting on his thigh. “Don’t worry, we won’t be getting down here. I hate them too,” he murmured the last part but his words brought me immense relief as I relaxed into my seat once again while the car kept going until we were at the back of the building. When it finally came to a stop, we alighted and

Jian’s POV “Shhh…” I placed a finger on her lips to keep her shut but she scampered away from me, pulling the duvet to cover herself. “Pl-please, do-don’t kill me,” she stuttered, trembling in fear, her eyes teary and wide with horror. The sheer terror in her eyes and the way she was panting and clutching the duvet while cowering at the far end of the bed away from me, spoke of how terrible her nightmare had been. I’d just returned home and was undressing just a few minutes after checking on her when I heard the loud ear-piercing scream of agony. I immediately ran to her room only to see her thrashing about on the bed while acting as though she was tied and struggling against her binds. Immediately, I rushed to her and the moment my hand touched her stomach, her eyes shot open with tears streaming down her face. “Rosie…” I tried to touch her again but she shook her head vigorously, and when I reached for her, she squeezed herself against the wall as though she’d rather be swallow

Jian’s POV“Gentlemen, I’m sorry but you’ll have to return another time. Rose is a bit busy right now,” those were the words I said to the strangers, while still shocked by her sudden disappearance. Although I hadn’t bothered to check the house properly or even ask Greta if she’d seen her leaving, I believed she was gone.Asides from the main door, there was another back door that led to the woods behind the property. Considering how cunning Rose was, at this point, I had no reason to doubt that she hadn’t figured out where the door was located. But why didn’t she get away all these while, why now? The only reasonable answer to this question was that she must be on a mission, and that mission is what I was eager to know.It was as if I’d suddenly discovered more interesting facts about this woman and as angry and disappointed as I was that she lied to me, I was also intrigued.The men stared back at me skeptically, and from their looks, I could tell they thought I was hiding their fri

Rosie’s POVI stood by the door after ringing the doorbell. I didn’t know how to feel but despite how long I slept on the plane, I was suddenly feeling very tired, both physically and mentally. It felt so strange to be home and it even felt more strange to be standing outside the door with the knowledge of what to expect as soon as the door opens.What if it’s something like in the movies where my every move is being watched and the door opens up to reveal the Don standing there, over my parents bodies, a malicious smile on his face with guns pointed at me? These thoughts filled me up but I shook myself back to reality, telling myself to be calm just as the door opened up to reveal one of the numerous housekeepers, Dally. Dally was young, just slightly older than myself, and aside from working for my parents, I see her as more of a friend and we’ve often spent time together whenever I’m home.Her usual bright smile slipped into her face the moment she saw me.“Welcome home, Miss Rose

Rose’s POV“It’s okay, love. I’m here now,” he patted my back, and tears brimmed in my eyes, threatening to spill.After our phone conversation the previous night, I couldn’t wait to get to him. It felt like I was holding the weight of the entire world but the moment I saw him, I felt a bit of relief. I’d told my dad about my nightmare but played it off as something unserious after I woke up to meet him in my room the previous night. Thereafter, I borrowed his phone to call Jian, after lying to him that my phone was stolen. As soon as the first light of dawn streamed into my bedroom, I told him I had to meet up with my best friend, Sam, and I may stay over at her place for the rest of the weekend. He didn’t question me or find it suspicious since such sleepovers were a regular thing for Sam and I. Hence, I took one of the cars in the garage, scribbled down Jian’s home address on a piece of paper, and left him in search of the only man that could bring me peace, the one place where I