Chapter 75

Chapter 75
\-Rose-

I step out of Sinclair Enterprises, the sun hitting me like a rush of warmth after the cold, sterile air of the building. My heart is pounding in my chest, still buzzing with the shock of it all. The interview went well, too well. I'm practically on cloud nine as I pull out my phone and dial my mom's number. I can't wait to tell her, she's going to be so proud!

"Come on, pick up!" I mutter to myself, tapping my phone impatiently as I wait for my Uber. My hands are shaking a little, and I'm not sure if it's from excitement or nerves. 

Finally, the line clicks, and my mom's voice comes through, sounding distracted. "Rose? Is everything okay?"

I grin, barely able to contain myself. "Mom, you're not going to believe this. I got the job! I'm officially working at Sinclair Enterprises!" My voice cracks a little, but I don't care. I feel like I'm soaring.

There's a pause on the other end, then a long breath from my mom. "Sinclair Enterprises? I didn't know you were applying there..." she says, her voice filled with anything but excitement.

I laugh lightly, feeling a little confused as to why she doesn't sound so happy for me...

"It was one of the first places that got back to me. They even gave me an office, right next to the boss. A corner office. Can you believe that?" I let out, hoping that will be enough to at least change how she is feeling. But still, she's always been supportive, so why isn't she now...

"Rose," she says softly. "I know you've always worked so hard. But maybe Sinclair Enterprises might not be the best for you... how about we talk about this properly when you get home..." She says and I find myself frowning, a slight pang hitting my chest.

"Uhm... okay, sure..." I murmur, trying to figure out what the issue is. My mom has always been understanding, so maybe all I have to do is hear her out on this...

"I'll be home a little later. I just need to-..." I cut myself off, hearing something strange in the background. A loud noise, like something falling to the ground, so loud that it ends up leaving me startled.

"Mom?" I call, my heart skipping a beat. "What's that sound?"

"Nothing, sweetheart. I'll see you later. I love you, okay?" She answers quietly.

I frown, confused by her odd tone. "Okay, Mom. I'll be home around 6 PM. I've got some stuff I need to take care of. I love you too..." Something about her voice doesn't sit right with me, but I push it aside. It's probably nothing. I'm just overthinking it, right?

By the time my Uber arrives, I am already distracted. I enter the car, greeting the driver briefly, all while trying to hide the smile on my face. I can't believe the interview went that easily, and by Mr Sinclair himself...

Mr Sinclair...

I bite my lip at the thought of him right before pressing my legs together, yeah, I need to change asap...

.  .  .  .

I decided to head home a little earlier than intended, just before the sun had set. I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. My mind travels to the conversation I had with my mom. Why had she been acting so weird? And why had she asked me to wait before coming home?

I shake my head, trying to calm myself down. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe she's just busy.

But when I finally pull up in front of the house, I'm now certain there is something wrong...

There are two vehicles parked outside our house. One black SUV and one black van, all of them with tinted windows and blocked out number plates, all the them brand new and expensive. The front door is wide open, and I immediately freeze, my blood running cold as I slowly enter. 

The house is too quiet. Way too quiet. 

I step out of the car after paying the Uber, my heart thudding loudly in my chest as I continue to stare at the house. Why would the door be open? We never leave the front door open like that, especially at this time...

I glance up and down the street. Nothing. No cars, other cars. No people. It's like the world has gone still...

"Mom?" I call out as I slowly walk forward, my steps cautious as my heart thumps in my chest.

The house smells strange, off, like something has been burned, or a firework had gone off... then I realise what it is... gunpowder. My stomach clenches as I step further into the hallway. The air feels heavy, making it hard to breathe. I slowly take off my heels to be quiet and walk across the wooden floorboard barefoot, my feet thudding softly as I move forward.

"Mom?" I call again, louder this time, but there's no answer.

My pulse races in my ears now, and I feel a cold sweat break out on the back of my neck, and soon, across the rest of my skin. Something's wrong. Something is definitely wrong. The silence is too overwhelming, and every sound I make only makes me feel even more anxious. I finally reach the opening that leads into the living room. The moment I do, I stop dead in my tracks.

My mom is standing there in the middle of the living room, but she's not moving, nor is she alone...

Her hands are up, her face pale, and she looks beyond terrified. Two men, rough-looking with hard eyes, are standing in front of her, one of them holding a gun to her head. There are 3 more men around her, all of them dressed in all black gear. They look like they belong in the military or some sort of special ops, but from what I'm getting, that may be far from the case...

"M-mom...?" I breathe out, my voice cracking, my body becoming paralysed with fear as I suddenly feel weak in my knees.

Her eyes snap to mine, but there's nothing comforting in them. She looks as terrified as I feel...

"Rose... don't come any closer," she says, her voice shaking. "Just... just stay where you are..." She tries to say, her blue eyes meeting mine.

I can't breathe. I want to run, but my legs won't move. The man with the gun sneers, his gaze now shifting to me... 

"You better listen to your mother, sweetheart... or should I say, this imposter..." His voice is low, coarse, and he's got a bit of an accent. Italian American. The man is tall and muscular, having a buzz cut, cream white skin and tattoos covering his forearms. He's dressed in all black, just like the rest of the people around him. His words register in my mind, and once they do, I begin frowning at him in confusion.

"Mom... what is he talking about...?" I mumble, remaining still as my eyes dart to my mother. She stares at me warily, but doesn't say a word, only leaving me more confused. My gaze shifts back to the man with the gun pointed at her, finding him watching me curiously.

"Please... you have the wrong person.. I-I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding.... please just leave my mom alone...." I try to reason with them, my heart racing.

The other man steps forward, his hand gripping my mom's arm tightly, making her gasp at his movements. The man cracks a sick smile and turns to his companions.

"She's really convinced this is her mom, Cobra," he says just as the other man, Cobra, scoffs and looks back at me...

"Come on, Mina. Why don't you tell your 'daughter' the truth, huh?" Cobra says slyly, motioning with his gun to my mother, and that's when she flinches as she looks at him fearfully, right before she turns her attention to me.

"I-I... I'm so sorry, Rose... all I wanted was to protect you..." she lets out as tears stream down her face and at this point, I feel tears burn in my eyes as well.

"Tell her!" Cobra barks, stepping behind my mom at his point, his voice coming out louder than before.

"I-I'm not your real mother..." she lets out, and I frown at her in confusion, feeling tears streaming down my face.

"W-what-..." 

I can barely process his words by the time the gun goes off. 

Cobra fires right at her. The sound of the gunshot rings through the room, the bullet piercing through her forehead and spraying a mist of blood in front of her and at the back of her head. I watch in horror as her head snaps backwards and she falls, crumpling to the ground in a heap.

My body jumps in fear before realising what has just happened before me.

He killed her... right in front of me...

Tears well in my eyes, and soon, everything comes crashing down.

A blood-curdling scream escapes my lips as I cover my mouth, my body shivering as I stumble backwards in sheer terror.

"M-MOM!" I continue to scream, completely distraught and frightened as I stare at her lifeless body. I don't have time to react, and soon, the rest of the men around the room begin approaching me. They each grab hold of me, and keep me from going anywhere. Panic sets in my body as I glance between them, beginning to struggle and fight to break free, all while sobbing uncontrollably.

"Let go of me!" I scream as I continue to thrash around, but it's no use.

"Easy, sweetheart, it's all over now," Cobra says casually, putting his gun in his pocket and beginning to walk past me.

"Let's take her, the boss is waiting." He lets out just as all the men file out of the house, dragging me with them.

My vision blurs with tears, but I try to focus. The world spins around me as they pull me toward the door, my legs feeling like lead as they lift me off the ground and carry me.

"Wait! Please, just let me go! Let me go!!" I beg, but they don't listen. The last thing I see before they pull me out is my mother's body, lying lifeless on the floor, blood leaking profusely from her head and creating a large puddle on the floor.

They killed her... 

Just like that...

All because they believe she isn't really my mother...

None of this makes any sense...

None of it.