Chapter 4

Intuition was something Sean had learned to rely on throughout his life, but for the one time he ignored it he was going to pay dearly for it. He ran through the streets looking for the long curly hair that hasn’t left mind ever since. He imagined how his fingers would feel running through them. He shook his head and continued running until he saw the man from earlier pinning something to the wall.

He was about to turn away when something caught his eye. It was Rosalia laying limply in his arms. Hearing Sean’s footsteps the man turned to him wide eyed. Before a running Sean could reach him, he dropped Rosalia on the floor and ran for his life.

Sean stopped when the man was no longer in view, going back to Rosalia panting hard. He grimaced when he saw her torn shirt and dishevel state. He sighed in relief when he saw she still had her pants on, he would never forgive himself if she had sustained any real damage.

He stood up carrying her in his arms when he saw the bright headlights of his car. His driver was right on time. He looked around for her belongings and found nothing, only the toy she had been playing with earlier laying in the dirt. His driver helped him put her in the backseat with her head lying delicately on his lap.

“Drive as fast as you can Marcus, call the doctor while you’re at it” he said before the divider in the car came up, separating him from his driver.

“Just who are you?” He asked the girl on his lap. He brushed her hair away from her face. Even a blind man could see she was beautiful, small delicate lips adorning her face. Her pale skin so soft to his touch. His phone rang, it was Dex.

“Howdy boy! It’s bangin’ down herrrr…Saw your favorite a while ago, say anything difffrennt…” he slurred into the phone making Sean put it down for a while.

“I’ve told you not to call me when you’re drunk” Sean said. After the events of today, he wasn’t ready to deal with Dex’s drunken ass as usual.

“Chill man! No need to go all badass on me…” He laughed “I’m your best friend, I’m not going to screw you over like them”

Sean rolled his eyes as he heard his friend sniff. “I’ll never abandon you Sean, you’re a brother to me… you mean more to me than my entire family put together” He was full on crying now “I love you man! I really do”

“I’ll call you tomorrow morning, get home safe” Sean said and hug up. Tears were beginning to sting in his eyes. No matter how tough he acted he liked when Dex showed just how much he cared for him. if there was one person he could count on, it was his best friend. The girl in his arms stirred and he looked down on her. He loved Dex but the girl he was carrying was springing up new feeling from his heart.

Sean’s house was massive, the word not even doing the castle like mansion justice. The big black gate opened to reveal tall palm trees lining up the driveway which was a good distance from the gate. Sean carried Rosalia with him, she was so light she wondered if she ate at all. He carried her straight up the flight of stairs and into his big room.

“The doctor is here” Marcus said as Sean laid her on his bed, her body barely making a dent in the bed.

“Let him in” Sean pulled the duvet over her, watching her chest raise slowly. He wondered what her prompted her to run away from home. Was she running away to meet her lover? The thought alone made his heart writhe in pain. Unable to keep his hands to himself, he traced her face starting from her lips. They were soft just like he had imagined them, so pink it reminded him of a baby.

Her eyes twitched as he drew his index finger across them, it was clear she was having a bad dream. He wished he could protect her from the nightmare but even he had his limits.

“Mr. Derero” A curt voice came from the door. Sean turned to see the grey-haired doctor. He was clad in his usual attire, big polo and oversized jeans. One would never suspect he was a doctor at first class.

“Thank you, Mr. John, for coming this late at night” Sean said. He stood up and welcomed the old man into his home as they shook hands.

“Anything for you boy. Now who do we have here?” He asked when his gaze fell on Rosalia. He turned back to give Sean an amused look. “You’ve never brought anyone here before”

Sean huffed “I don’t know her. Saved her from some man trying to take advantage, I don’t even know how someone could be so stupid to travel this late at night alone” The anger rolling off him was obvious to the doctor. Sean didn’t even know who he was angry with, the girl or himself.

“You cared enough to bring her to your home” Mr. John said kindly, his smile softening his voice.

“Don’t read anything into it. I’ll be in my study” Sean walked out. He hated what the doctor was implying. His house was the same as every day. Silent. It lacked life that Sean himself could not give.

He poured himself a glass of scotch when he got to his study, ignoring all the paperwork he needed to tend to. The reminder to call Mr. Grata stood out the most, glaring at him in bright red letters. Damn Anna!

The drained his glass and poured another. The business world was a very dangerous one. Albeit almost as dangerous as the Mafia itself. He knew the rules, he had learnt it the hard way. Mr. Grata was one of those people you never crossed, they could end your business as quickly as easily as you could make omelet. But he couldn’t partner with them, not with the steady decrease of their stocks. Sean was a businessman all through, and the first rule him was never to lose his money.

The door opened to reveal the doctor “She’s fine for now. No major harm was done. I’ll be back in the morning to check her again, I need to be sure the shock she suffered is merely temporary”

Sean hummed in response following the doctor out “Thank you doctor”

“It’s always my pleasure. I’ll be leaving now before Martha sends out a search party for me”

“We do not want that to happen…” Sean said laughing “… Again” Sean said. Remembering that one time the doctor stayed with him for too long. His wife, Martha sent out the entire police department to look for him. “Goodnight Mr. John”

“Sleep well Mr. Derero”

Sean walked back to his room when he heard the door shut. He watched Rosalia sleep soundly as he sat beside her. Her skin was slowly regaining its color. He was about to leave when her hand suddenly shot out and held his arm.

“Please don’t leave” She said, sleep muffling her voice.

Sean watched her for a while before laying down beside her against his better judgement. She snuggled into his side basking in his warmth. Together they slept more peacefully than they ever had in years.