Chapter <b>83 </b>
ROSETTE
HOURS AGO…
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I didn’t really know why I wanted to see Ss, only that I wanted to. I haven’t seen him for two years now, not even heard a single word from him.
When Axel had told me his father was behind the message, I hadn’t really been so shocked, but I was regardless. Because I had least expected that his own father would do something like that.
Axel had said his father was a dangerous man, was this what he meant? And what did he hope <i>to </i>gain from doing this? This was exposing me to their world, letting me know they weren’t human. What did he hope to gain from doing this? Was he trying to drive Axel and me apart? But why?
I hope to get answers from Axel, but first…
Christopher packed in front of the Varkas‘ mansion and I took my time before I stepped out. The ce looks exactly the way it was two years ago.
“It’s good to see you again, Christopher,” I said with a smile, leaning down and looking into the driver’s window so I could see his face. He hadn’t said a word to me since he picked me up, not even in the car. Even now, he said nothing. “Mad at me? I’m sorry, you know? That day was… pretty rough for me.”
He finally looked at me. “It’s good to see you again, Miss Rosette.”
<b>I </b>smiled, reaching inside and squeezing his shoulder. “Likewise, Chris. I’ll be out soon.”
But as <b>I </b>stepped away, he came out of the car. I looked back to see him just standing straight, looking ahead.
“I’ming with you, Miss Rosette,” he said, his voice nk, staring ahead.
My eyebrows furrowed. “Why? I’m just going to be inside.”
His expression didn’t waver. “Mr. Varkas is an unpredictable man.”
“Are you saying he’s going to try and hurt me?”
He said nothing and that made my insides turn sour. Just how dangerous was this man? Did I make the right choiceing here?
I sighed but turned forward and began walking to the entrance.
“You know you’re supposed to be my driver, not my bodyguard.”
He grunted. “I can do both.”
<b>I </b>scoffed. “Of course.”
<b>9:16 </b>Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>15 <b>d</b><b>. </b>
…
We got to the entrance but before we could open the door, it opened.
“Miss Rosette,” Gabriel greeted, bowing deeply. “Mr. Varkas has been expecting you.”
I grimaced, stepping inside. “Has he?”
“He’ll be in his study.”
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As I entered inside, I looked around and the ce looked just the same, just as lifeless and cold.
“Take me to him,” I said, my voice cold.
But as he led me to the study, hammering steps sounded on the stairs and when I looked over, I froze, my blood going cold in my veins.
“Rosette!”
She came down the stairs, her clothes and hair a mess, but she looked… good.
“Mother,” I said, swallowing.
She ced her hands on her knees, bending over and trying to catch her breath.
“I… heard you… came.”
I looked down at her, an unusual knot tightening in my chest. “I did.”
She finally managed to catch her breath, straightening and adjusting her robe. “What brings you here?”
“I came to see Ss.”
Her eyes widened and she took a step towards me. “W–why?”
“I have business with him.”
She continued to walk until she stopped in front of me and she grabbed my shoulders, shaking me, looking a bit crazed. “Why? What business could you have with that man?” The way she said “man” with so much venom and hate was no joke. “And why are you here? Why aren’t you in school? I told you never toe close to these people, didn’t I?”
I shook her hands off me<b>, </b>growing furious. “Since when did you care about what I did?”
“I am your mother! I have the right to ask!”
<b>I </b>just gave her a t look. “This again? Seriously? We’re going to do this again?”
Her shoulders fell and she didn’t look so angry anymore. She held my shoulders gently, her eyes moving. “I know. I know, Rosette. I haven’t really been a mother, but I’m trying, okay? I know I messed up, but… but I know better now, Rosette. I swear I do.”
“And what changed?” I asked, my voice shaking.
<b>9:16 </b>Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>15 <b>d </b>
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Her hand stroked my arm and there was nothing more I wanted to do than lean into that touch. “A lot. A lot has changed and I now realize a lot of things.”
I stared at her, my eyes burning. “This isn’t enough to fix anything, Mom.”
She bowed her head, her bottom lip trembling. “I know, Rosette. So give me a chance. Let me try to make everything right. Please, Rose.<b>” </b>
A tear slipped past my eyes, my chest tight. How many times have I dreamed of hearing those words? How many nights have I slept wishing she could try to fix… this?
I gently shook her hands off me. “I’ll see you when I’m done with Ss.”
Her face brightened but then it fell. “That boy… Axel.” My body stiffened just by hearing her say his name with that tone. “He said something outrageous. He said he… he said he loved you.”
“And why’s that outrageous?” I said, stepping away from her.
She looked at me like I was mad. “Be–because he’s a Varkas, Rosette! He’s dangerous, unpredictable. They’re monsters! Do you even know-”
“I do,” I answered, my voice hard. “I know everything. I know what they are, Mom.”
She went still, her eyes going as wide as a saucer. “Wh–what? How?”
“That’s what I’m here to see Ss here for.”
She shook her head slowly, her eyes still wide. “Since you know what feelings that boy has with you, why are you still here?<b>” </b>
“Because I feel the same for him,” I answered without hesitation.
She scoffed. “What are you saying? That you love him too? That monster?” When she saw I was serious, her smile dropped. “You’re serious. What is this madness, Rosette? What has he done? Did he deceive you? Threaten you?”
<b>I </b>just shook my head, turning and walking towards Gabriel and Chris who had just stood still throughout this…. madness. “I’ll <i>see </i>youter, Mom.”
“Don’t turn your back on me!” she screamed as I walked away. “What do you mean you love him? He’s a monster! A beast! He can’t even control the beast!”
“He can now,” I said without looking back, and she fell silent while Gabriel, who was ahead of me, his back went tense, but he didn’t turn back and just continued walking.
He stopped in front of a double door. “He’s waiting.”
I nodded and looked back at Chris. He nodded, letting me know he would be waiting outside.
I took a deep breath and turned towards the door, Gabriel pushing it open.
<b>9:16 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>15 <b>d </b>
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<b>Ss </b>Varkas was <b>seated </b>behind his desk, <b>a </b>cigar in his mouth, his hands folded on the desk and his cold eyes fixed on me <b>as </b>I entered.
“Wee, Rosette. I’ve been waiting for you.”