Chapter 62 Silence before storm!
|| Author POV ||
Killian rested his face in his palm, pressing the pillow beneath his elbow and his eyes stayed fixed on Rosalie.
He went easy on her. He didn’t let his beast loose on her delicate body. She looked so peaceful sleeping soundly beside the devil.
He knew his words had hurt her. But what else could he say? What was love, anyway?
To him, it was nothing but a lie. Everyone chasing after something for their own gain.
Still, he couldn’t understand why he wanted her. So, he named it obsession.
If it’s temporary, then let it be. He didn’t care. Killian slowly brushed the strands of hair away from her face. His fingers grazed her smooth fair skin.
His eyes drifted down to her lips.
Is it lust?
If it was lust, he should have been satisfied by now. He’d fucked her thrice already. So why does he feel like he can’t get enough of her? Why did he feel like he wasn’t ready to let her go?
He didn’t want to think about it. He thought his obsession would fade after claiming her but no, it didn’t. Instead, it had started clawing at his mind. And he knew it was dangerous.
|| IN THE MORNING ||
Lilia smiled warmly at Rosa. Rosa glanced at herself in the mirror, dressed in a simple frock. Her hair was styled half-up in a small ponytail while the rest cascaded down her back.
“You look pretty. Best of luck, dear.” Lilia said with a smile. Rosa stared at her reflection.
Lilia smiled quietly, knowing that things had changed between Killian and Rosa. She had been waiting for this moment all along.
After that, Rosa walked downstairs. Her smile was lost somewhere. Still, she refused to give up.
She stood quietly behind him. Killian glanced back feeling her presence, then nodded before reaching out and grabbing her hand in his large one.
“Can you walk?” Killian asked, looking at her tiny frame. Rosalie nodded.
She looked down at their intertwined fingers letting him lead her outside.
The drive was silent. Rosa found herself lost in the world passing by the car window until the vehicle came to a stop. She pulled her hand from the window frame and turned to look at him.
Killian stepped out of the car first. Rosa’s hand held the door knob but before she could move, he was already there opening the door.
Her heart skipped a bit the moment her feet touched the ground. Her eyes fixed on the grand majestic mansion ahead.
Rosa glanced at him and Killian pulled her hand gently, guiding her to walk beside him. Rosa kept her eyes on him. He looked cold and distant as always. He didn’t even speak once.
Inside the grand mansion, Albert Davis sat waiting. His hands rested lightly on the armrests of the old wheelchair. Beside him, Elara gently pushed the chair forward. Her gaze was fixed expectantly on the door.
The air shifted when Killian stepped inside.
“There you are, my boy.” Albert’s voice rang with warmth and a smile formed across his aged features. “I’ve been waiting.”
“Welcome, Killian.” Elara added softly. A smile graced her lips but Killian didn’t spare her a glance.
Instead, he turned back halfway. His brows furrowed as he looked back.
Rosa stood just barely behind him with her frozen steps. Her tiny fist in his hand trembled, eyes scanning the unfamiliar space. Killian could sense the tight breath she held in her chest and the way her body slightly trembled.
She was nervous.
Albert’s brows drew together in a curious frown. Beside him, Elara’s gaze sharpened.
Killian gently squeezed Rosa’s hand and pulled her forward, guiding her to stand beside him. Her steps were hesitant. Her eyes flickered up to him, filled with nervousness.
“She’s Rosalie, grandpa.” Killian said calmly, slipping an arm around her waist in a possessive gesture.
Albert’s expression shifted. His eyes landed on Rosa, softening as recognition sparked. “Is this her?” Killian nodded.
Killian leaned close to Rosa’s ear. “He’s my grandpa.” Rosa hesitated, heart fluttering in her chest before she gave a shy bow. “Hello.”
Albert smiled warmly. The lines of age deepened gently across his face. “Such a sweet girl.” he murmured, eyes crinkling with fondness.
“Who’s she?” Elara’s voice cut in sharply.
Her smile faded, replaced by a furrow as her gaze landed on Rosalie. Her eyes flicked to Killian in disbelief.
“They are together. They look perfect together, don’t they, Elara?” Albert chuckled lightly.
Elara’s grip on the wheelchair handle loosened. Her nails had dug faint crescent marks into her palm. Her eyes which were trained on the sweet little girl flickered with something sharp.
“She’s Elara.” Killian said lowly, leaning close to Rosa’s ear. “Grandpa’s granddaughter.”
Rosa offered a shy, polite smile. She bowed slightly. “Hello.”
Elara forced a smile in return. Bitter and barely polite. “Well–” she said through clenched teeth, “Congratulations.”
Her gaze dropped to Killian’s hand resting peacefully on Rosa’s waist. “She’s lovely. You’ve chosen well.”
Killian didn’t bother responding. He didn’t even glance at her. His eyes were only on Rosa as if the rest of the room didn’t exist.
Albert smiled at them. “You two go upstairs. I’ll have them prepare lunch.”
Killian gave a silent nod. Without another word, he took Rosa’s hand and turned away. Elara stood there frozen.
Later.
All of them sat around the long dining table. The warm aroma of seasoned dishes filling the grand space.
The maids moved in silence, serving the meal with precision. Rosalie sat beside Killian. She was a little timid at first, eyes scanning the luxurious table setting. Her heart was beating just a little too fast.
At first, she was hesitant. Her fingers twitched slightly when she picked up her spoon with lowered head and flushed cheeks. But slowly, the warmth of Albert’s kind words and Killian’s silent presence beside her gave her courage.
She lifted the spoon, tasting the food, quietly thrilled to meet new people. They were his people and they hadn’t pushed her away.
Her breath skipped in surprise when Killian casually reached over and pulled her chair closer to his with a single hand.
The scraping sound echoed in the room. Her side now pressed against his. Rosa looked up at him startledly. Killian looked at her and Rosa gave a shy smile.
“You’ve really chosen well, Killian. Girls like her are rare to find. I liked her.” Albert chuckled at them. Rosa blushed deeply lowering her gaze to her plate.
Elara’s fork paused midair.
Her once quiet eyes now narrowed as she watched the closeness between them. Her food sat untouched. The edge of her fork slowly scraping against her plate.
She was burning inside with jealousy but couldn’t do anything.
The smile on her face never touched her eyes. Instead, she pushed the food around with her fork, trying to calm the tight coil growing in her chest.
She couldn’t deny that this girl is too beautiful to resist. Every glance Killian gave Rosa, every little movement of Rosa, it was like gasoline poured straight into her fury.
Elara couldn’t eat. She couldn’t look away. And she couldn’t stop thinking: It should have been me.
Elara’s fingers tightened slightly around the fork before she set it down. Her chest felt heavy and her appetite was long gone. She stood up quietly. Albert looked up in surprise.
“Where are you going, Elara?”
Elara offered a faint smile without meeting his eyes. “I’m done, grandpa.”
And with that, she turned away.
Rosa blinked watching her leave. Her gaze locked on Elara’s back. Elara didn’t seem to be happy seeing Rosa.
Did she not like her?
Rosa looked up at Killian but he remained unbothered, calm as ever as though he doesn’t care.
In the afternoon, Killian stepped out of the room only to pause when Elara approached him. His cold eyes met hers.
“You’re leaving already?” Elara’s uncertain voice broke the silence in the hallway.
Killian gave a silent nod with his hands tucked casually into his pocket.
“Oh, uh–” she faltered, landing on Rosalie who had just stepped out behind him.
“Happy birthday, Killian.” Elara said finally “I know you hate to celebrate your birthday. You wouldn’t have come if grandpa hadn’t asked you to... right? I didn’t even know he’d called you until this morning.”
Killian’s expression didn’t change. He nodded uninterestedly. Elara’s heart tightened. She smiled with grimace, “Thanks for coming.”
“Safe drive back.” Elara murmured. Her eyes flicked briefly to Rosalie before turning away.
Rosa stood in silence. His birthday? She hadn’t known. She never got the chance to know or ask him. Her pale eyes lifted to his face.
After bidding farewell to Albert, Killian drove them back to the mansion. The car ride was quiet, Rosa hadn’t said a word. She was pouting the entire time.
By the time they arrived, evening had already settled in. Without much of a pause, Killian left again saying he had something urgent.
Rosa entered her room quietly, quietly crafting a plan in her head
Time passed quietly.
After a warm shower and having dinner, Rosalie settled at the table in her room. Her pen moved carefully over a square piece of paper. Each word was written with care, love, simple, honest and hers.
A birthday wish letter for him.
A soft smile played on her lips as she finished the note. Her gaze shifted to the elegant silver watch nestled in a luxurious box beside her.
The same one she had bought while shopping for Aria’s birthday. Thankfully, she’d picked it up. Otherwise, she would’ve had nothing to give him. She could finally give it to him.
She was sad at first when she realized she wasn’t the first one to wish him. Still pouting at herself, Rosa gently folded the note and tucked it inside the box with the watch. With a shy smile stretching across her face, she closed the lid.
Will he like it?
Rosa looked at the box with a smile. Leaning down playfully, she pressed a quick kiss to the lid before peeking out of her room.
Carefully tiptoeing through the hallway, she clutched the box behind her back. Reaching his door, she knocked gently.
It opened almost immediately.
Killian stood there. The black shirt fit his well built body. His tall frame casted a long shadow over her. Her doe eyes looked up at him, in awe of his look.
Before he could speak, Rosa brought the box forward with both hands. Her cheeks were tinted pink.
Killian glanced at the box, then back at her. He already guessed why she came here.
He tilted his head slightly. His eyes locked on her. “What is it?” he murmured.
Rosa’s gaze dropped from his intense stare, flickering down nervously before returning to meet his again.
“Happy birthday.” she wished.
Killian let out a calm breath before taking the box from her hand without breaking eye contact and placing it calmly on the tall nightstand beside the door.
Rosa’s fingers fidgeted with one another nervously. To her, he deserved more than just a watch.
She swallowed then slowly stood on her toes. Then, shakily, her palms lifted to his face and cupped his cheeks. Her hands were warm, trembling a little like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to touch him this way.
Her fingertips grazed slightly. Her gaze met his with full of quiet emotion.
“T-thank you for everything.” Rosa whispered. Grateful to him for everything.
Her voice barely carried. It was soft like a secret meant only for him. She gave a small smile.
She chewed her lips nervously. “Thank you for keeping me with you.” she murmured. She wanted to say more, more about how grateful she is to him but she forgot everything.
Killian’s low voice broke through. “You already gave me a gift last night.”
Rosa’s cheeks flamed with heat. Does that mean their night together was a gift to him?
She shook her head, trying to hide her blush. Then, gathering her courage, she leaned up and pressed her lips softly against his.
Killian’s right arm sneaked around her waist, pulling her body close and pressing her gently against the door. His other hand slammed against the door. Rosa felt nervous. Her lips moved slowly against his.
It wasn’t the first time. But still.
Killian let her kiss him. Her lips were shy and hesitating with uncertainty. When she finally pulled away, her eyes searched his eyes for warmth, a sign, anything. But his gaze remained cold.
Killian breathed through his nose. Something was bothering him.
“You’re tired. Let’s sleep.” he muttered, taking her wrist and pulling her gently with him.
Rosa didn’t resist as he laid her down on the bed. The mattress dipped when he climbed beside her. With a flick, the room fell into darkness. Killian pulled her into his arms. Her small frame easily fit against his.
Rosa relaxed against him. She rested her head on his chest. Her heart fluttered like a fragile bird in joy and fear.
This was the part she never thought she’d reach. This closeness, this peace and him.
Yet one thought scared her. Will this last forever?
This much of her happiness… what if it’s just the silence before a storm?