ROSE.
The moment his lips left mine, the world rushed back in like a storm.
I was still pinned against the door, my spine pressed into it firmly, my breath uneven and traitorous. My hands hovered uselessly at my sides, fingers trembling.
Caelin didn't move immediately, neither did I.
Silence stretched between us, thick silence. The kind of silence that crawled into your ears and whispered secrets you weren't ready to hear.
His eyes searched my face with calculation, but I forced myself to lower my gaze before he could read anything in it. Fear, anger, the violent urge to tear my mouth from my face and leave it bleeding in the sink. I hated him so much, yet I allowed him to kiss me.
"You're drunk, sir," I whispered.
The words tasted like ash in my mouth.
For a second, I thought he might laugh, or snap, or force me into doing something I didn't even want to think about.
Instead, he stepped away.
Just one step, but the space felt enormous.
He ran a hand through his hair slowly, exhaling through his nose. When he spoke again, his voice came out hoarse.
"Don't pretend you don't know what that meant."
I kept my eyes down.
"I'm your servant," I said quietly. "I know my place."
He paused and studied me again, longer this time. I could feel his gaze like fingers tracing the shape of my thoughts, searching for cracks.
"You didn't push me away," he said.
I swallowed hard.
"Because I couldn't, because if I had, I might not be standing here breathing." I wanted to scream this to his face, inside.
"I didn't want to offend you," I replied.
He paused again, then unexpectedly, he laughed.
"You're smarter than you look, Rose."
My pulse stumbled.
He moved closer again, not touching me this time, just close enough that I could smell the faint smoke and liquor on his breath.
"Loyalty looks good on you," he murmured. "Don't lose it."
His fingers lifted, brushed a strand of wet hair from my cheek. The touch was light, almost gentle.
It made my stomach turn.
Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.
"Why did you bring me here?"
He froze.
Not visibly, but I could feel the stillness.
"For work," he said.
"That's not true," I argued softly, my gaze still down.
He didn't say anything, but I could feel his gaze on me.
I hated myself for speaking, for pushing, for even daring.
Slowly, he turned his head and looked at me fully now.
"You ask dangerous questions for someone who could not stand up to Tovia" he said softly.
My hands clenched at my sides.
"I was just curious," I said, forcing calm into my voice. "I've never been on a trip before."
He watched me for a moment longer, then finally stepped back.
"Get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow will be… busy."
As he reached for the door, he paused.
Almost casually, he added, "And Rose?"
"Yes, sir," I answered, looking up at him.
"If you ever look at me the way you did tonight again… make sure it's because you want to."
Then he left, the door clicked shut behind him.
I stood there for several seconds, not moving, until my legs finally gave out.
I slid down the door and pressed my hands over my mouth.
No sound came out, I could only breathe.
When I finally stood, the first thing I did was go to the sink.
I rinsed my mouth once, twice,then three times.
Not because I felt dirty, but because I felt weak.
And I couldn't afford weakness.
He knew exactly what he was doing, he had seen me snooping, that is why he had brought me here to isolate me. To test me.
And the kiss…
The kiss wasn't desire, It was a warning.
I stared at my reflection.
My eyes looked darker than usual.
"You killed my brother," I whispered to the glass, "I'll tear your empire down with my bare hands."
That night, sleep did not come.
By the time it was the break of dawn, I was already dressed.
The resort was quiet in the early morning, too quiet for a place built for luxury and laughter. Guards stood at every corner, their eyes were sharp, their hands rested on their concealed weapons.
I kept my head down as I walked through the halls.
Halfway to the dining area, a voice stopped me.
"Rose."
I turned. Hayden.
He stood near the staircase, hands in his pockets, concern written openly on his face.
"You're up early," he said.
"You came?," I asked, obviously shocked. "When did you—"
He hesitated, then gestured toward the balcony. "Walk with me."
I followed, still in shock of his presence.
Outside, the air was cool.
"You look… tired," he said carefully.
"I'm fine," I lied.
He didn't believe me.
"My brother came back late last night," he said.
I stiffened.
"He usually doesn't drink," Hayden continued. "And he never goes into his employees' rooms."
My heart stuttered.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I didn't invite him."
He nodded. "I know."
He leaned against the railing, eyes on the ocean.
"Rose," he said quietly, "my brother doesn't touch what he doesn't plan to keep, or kill."
The words echoed in my head.
"Be careful," he added. "Whatever you think you're doing… you're standing very close to a fire."
"I can handle it," I countered.
He looked at me for a brief moment, searching my face for some time.
"I hope so," he said.
Later that afternoon, I was sent to deliver documents to Caelin's temporary office.
My hands were steady, but my heartbeat was not.
The room was empty when I entered.
Papers lay spread across the desk, a phone buzzed softly on a table sitting by the side.
I hesitated, then moved.
"Just a glance," I told myself.
One name caught my eye, and my breath stopped. 'Reid Wade' My brother.
The file was too thin.
Inside were photos, one of him outside a bar, one of him arguing with a man whose face had been covered in tattoos.
The first page of the file read;
"Subject neutralized. Scene cleaned. No witnesses."
The date matched the night he died.
My vision blurred, but I had no time to be emotional when footsteps sounded outside.
I barely had time to shove the file back into place before the door opened.
Caelin stood there, watching me.
His eyes darted to the desk, then back to my face.
"Lose something?" he asked mildly.
I trembled. "No, sir."
A slow and knowing smile played on his lips.
As he walked past me, he leaned close and whispered, "Curiosity gets beautiful girls killed."
I did not flinch.
But inside, the vow hardened.
If Caelin had ordered my brother's death…
Then I had just stepped willingly into the lion's den.
And I would not leave without blood on my hands.