Chapter 31 31
|| Author POV ||
1 week later.
Rosa stared out of the car’s window like a curious rabbit. It’s been two hours since they left the city.
Her breath fogged the glass slightly as she leaned closer with wide eyes. Everything felt dreamlike.
She snuck a glance at Killian. His jaw was clenched and his gaze was locked on the road like he was chasing ghosts only he could see.
Three hours later.
The black SUV finally came to a halt. Killian’s gaze dropped to the figure beside him. Rosa’s head was leaning against the window, snoring softly. His breath oscillated as his eyes fell on her pouty lips.
He glanced outside. A few of his men approached swiftly, bowing as they reached the vehicle.
“Bring the luggage inside, then leave.” Killian ordered quietly before sliding open the door. The men nodded silently.
Crossing to the other side, Killian gently lifted Rosa’s sleeping form into his arms, careful not to disturb her slumber.
He pressed a tender kiss to her lips before stepping into the cavernous building.
\---
|| Hours passed ||
The night’s soft blue glow spilled across the dark room. Rosa shifted in her sleep gently chewing her lips before her lashes fluttered open. She rubbed her eyes and blinked awake.
An unfamiliar ceiling came into her view. Slowly she sat up and the white duvet slipped down her shoulders.
‘When did we get here? It’s already night...
He didn’t wake her up and carried her inside.’ She wondered, glancing around.
Her curious eyes scanned the room. Was this a hotel? The faint night light revealed luxurious surroundings. The furnitures were gleaming with golden accents, ornate and rich.
Her eyes searched for him but he was nowhere to be seen. Where could he be? Maybe outside?
Quietly Rosa slipped out of bed and padded toward the bathroom to wash up.
Moments later, she came out. Her lips were trembling from the cold air. Standing in front of the mirror, she took in the room’s luxurious details. Everything she needed was there.
Her fingers ran gently through her silky hair, smoothing the strands. Her heart pounded fiercely against her chest, a mix of nervousness.
Her eyes drifted toward the curtain which were floating softly in the air. A gentle blue light spilled inside from there.
Could it be a balcony?
Rosa stepped forward slowly, her lavender eyes catching the glow as she crossed the threshold.
The cool night air brushed against her skin making her shiver. Her eyes fell on the vast land of sand and then her heart fluttered at the breathtaking view. From the second-floor balcony, she saw the sea stretched endlessly, bathed in the moon’s silvery-blue light. The water shimmering under the moonlight like a silver mirror almost magically.
Her lips parted in awe. The night’s soft blue light that caressed her delicate features. As she stared at the seaside, the quiet familiarity touched at her.
She blinked twice and heart skipped.
She knows this place! This is the same seaside.
Velaris Island!
Her heart fluttered at the sweet memory. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the view. The sea was shimmering under the moonlight like a dream calling her back.
Rosa glanced over her shoulder at the quiet room behind her.
Killian still wasn’t back. Should she call him? What if he was busy?
But the pull of the ocean was too strong as if the waves were whispering her name, urging her to come closer and lose herself in their soft lullaby. The moon glowed brighter than usual.
“I’ll tell him when he gets back.” Rosa murmured to herself with a small smile on her lips.
‘He won’t be mad. I know this place. I won’t get lost.’ she thought.
Rosa stepped back inside the room excitedly. She found her side purse and slung it over her shoulder to take her phone and quietly slipped out of the room.
Time melted away without her noticing.
Rosa sat quietly on a woven mat someone had left near the shore. Her legs were pulled to her chest and chin rested gently atop her knees.
Her lavender eyes stayed fixed on the sea water.
She didn’t realize how long she’d been there. Her eyes sparkled with quiet wonder, completely lost in the sight. The way the moonlight painted the sea in strokes of silver and the stars seemed to sink into the water.
It felt peaceful. Too peaceful.
Like the world had forgotten to tick forward.
Rosa hadn’t even noticed how far she’d wandered. Or how cold the night had grown.
Only when a cool breeze brushed her cheek did she realize how long she had been sitting there.
“Oh no.” Rosa panicked, pressing her palm against the mat and slowly rose to her feet.
She glanced around, surprised at how far she had wandered. Far from the hotel. There were only a few people in the distance.
Still in awe of the breathtaking view, Rosa began to walk along the shore with quick steps. Her eyes found a small stall nearby which was nestled on the sand.
As Rosa moved closer, she saw a woman standing behind the stall. Rosa’s gaze fell on the colorful flowers arranged there and she gasped softly in wonder.
The shop lady’s smile deepened.
“Would you like some flowers, young lady?” she asked kindly.
Rosa looked up, her eyes shining bright with delight. A soft beautiful smile bloomed on her lips. Without a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
“I’m the last one closing for the night.” the lady said kindly, arranging the flowers on the stall. “Everyone else has already packed up. What are you doing here all alone, miss? Aren’t you scared? There could be bad people out this late.”
Rosa didn’t reply right away, her mesmerized eyes were locked on the stall. Roses in every hue, tulips with soft petals and delicate wildflowers, all glowed under the stall’s yellow light.
“I know this place.” Rosa finally uttered. She glanced up and met the woman’s eyes with a warm smile.
“You’re so beautiful.” the woman praised making Rosa blink in surprise. Her cheeks turned pink. The lady smiled widely at her.
“Single or bouquet?”
Rosa looked up, thoughtful for a moment as her gaze swept over the flowers again.
She slowly raised one finger, shyly showing she wanted just one.
The lady chuckled softly at her innocence.
“Pick the one you like.” she encouraged.
Rosa’s eyes lit up and she scanned the vibrant sea of petals in front of her. But then her lips pouted, she didn’t know Killian’s favorite color. Her fingers fidgeted slightly, unsure.
That’s when she saw it.
A single red rose in full bloom, its petals velvety and rich. Her gaze softened.
“I want this one, please.” Rosa pointed her finger at it with a small cheeky smile.
The lady nodded warmly and wrapped a delicate silver ribbon around the rose’s stem. She leaned down and handed it to Rosa.
Rosa held the rose close, a beautiful smile bloomed on her face as her heart fluttered with joy.
She reached for her purse to pay.
“Ah, no need for that, young lady. This is a gift from me.” the shop lady said warmly.
Rosa blinked, taken aback. “No, no, it’s alright. I’ll pay for it.”
“I said no.” The lady’s voice was gentle but firm. “You should listen to this old auntie, hmm? When elders offer you something, you must not resist. That would be disrespectful. Take this as a small gift from me.”
Rosa stared at her, lips parted slightly. The lady smiled before asking, “What’s your name?”
“R-Rosalie. But everyone calls me Rosa.” she answered sweetly, still a little dazed.
“Rosalie. Rosa. hmm.” the woman repeated as if testing the name on her tongue. “A soft name for a soft girl.” The woman leaned in slightly, her eyes were kind. “And those eyes of yours. Lavender, aren’t they? So rare and lovely.”
Rosa’s smile deepened, her eyes twinkling.
“Thank you, auntie.” she offered a bright grateful smile.
“You should head back now, dear.”
Rosa nodded and gave her a respectful bow before turning around.
She held the rose close to her chest as if it were a precious treasure.
Will he like it? Or will he think it’s silly?
She walked across the soft sands, the gentle sound of crashing waves filled her ears.
Then her eyes landed on a tall familiar figure standing a little ways off, his back was facing her. It was Killian.
Rosa’s smile widened. Had he come looking for her?
He was in a phone call, the black shirt hugged his muscular frame. Rosa let her hand fall by her side, hiding the flower carefully so he wouldn’t see it.
She tiptoed closer with a pounding heart, each footstep light against the sand. Her heart raced as she overheard the rough intensity in his voice.
‘Was it really okay to give him the flower?’
The urge to do it was stronger than her fear, like a silent promise that if she didn’t, she’d regret it forever.
Rosa stood right behind him with the flower still clutched tightly behind her back.
Her head lowered, teeth gently worrying her bottom lip. Then with a shaky breath, she lifted her small hand and timidly tugged at the back of his shirt with her tiny fingers.
“I’ll blow your skull if anything happens-” Killian stopped mid-sentence.
Slowly he turned around. His narrowed eyes fell on the small figure before him.
His eyes were like hard ice, cold, strict and merciless. The kind of cold that didn’t just chill the skin but cut deep into bone.
His jaw ticked, nostrils flared and the veins along his neck stood out, tense from suppressed rage. He looked furious. His eyes blazed like an animal.
“Where the hell were you?!”