ROSALINE
I was beyond shocked, seeing who the anonymous person was.
"Mr. McAllister, what do you think you are doing?" I felt a certain anger rise in me.
Had he done this to turn me against Russo after I refused him the other time? What the hell was this man thinking of?!
"I know you are thinking about a lot of things right now, Rosaline but you should listen to me. Hear me out" he demanded.
"And why do you think I will hear you out? Do you know I could get you right now and tell Russo about this entire thing?" I asked him.
"And lose the chance to finding out the entire truth? I am not sure you'd like that, Rosaline" he readjusted in his seat.
I was glaring at him and breathing heavily. I wanted the whole truth so I had to still listen to him.
"Now, can I listen to the whole truth? What was that video about? Did Russo really... Did he really plan the plane crash?"
"That is quite easy to figure out, Rosaline but I know why you are in denial. It must be hard for you to accept the only family member you have left is the killer of your parents and your grandfather."
I drew in a shaky breath.
"What proof do you have that Russo actually did it?" I asked.
"Well, there isn't much proof but if you decide to reason things properly, he threatened to wipe out the family and three days later, they all died. You should have been on that plane too, you know."
I clenched my jaws, knowing that he was right. If I hadn't been delayed that day, I would have been on that same plane and I would have died too.
"Russo intended to wipe out the family"
"But... But I am still alive. He could have killed me all these while, why is he keeping me alive?" I questioned.
"That is because you did not pose to him as a threat and so he saw no exact need to get rid of you anymore after you escaped death. But you still pose as a threat to him, however Russo is taking an easy way to eliminate the threat you pose to him. There was a clause in the will, wasn't there? A clause which allows you to lay claim to the title of CEO of the company once you are 25 year old and confirmed capable of the position. Why do you think Russo El Massimo suddenly came back after been gone for so long?" He questioned and I could feel my heart hurting even the more.
The tears threatened to roll out but I held them back. I could not cry in front of him.
"Russo El Massimo only came back because he was worried you would act on that clause and start a fight for the position. Isn't it clear that he is trying to pull you closer to him, befriend you so that you won't act on the clause and he won't have a reason to actually kill you like he killed your family?"
My heart hurt more as the words sank in. Russo had only come back because of that. Him wanting me for almost six years was probably a lie. The painting was probably just one of his many plans. His plan had been to pull me closer so I wouldn't try becoming the CEO?!
"I know you are hurt right now" Mr. McAllister's voice was soft as I struggled not to cry.
Any attempt to say a word right now would lead to me bursting into tears. It hurt so much that all these while I was starting to think that I was special to Russo but fuck no! All these while he was just trying to pull me to his side so I would not be a hindrance that he he would have to kill.
"But you have to know that this is the time for you to be strong. I and a few other shareholders know the truth about Russo and he might have led the company to greater heights but it doesn't erase what he has done. We believe in you, Rosaline. We believe that you can become to CEO and that with you there, the company will become even better"
I couldn't process his words properly anymore as I was still reeling with the pains of realisation. Everything made so much sense now. Him acting like he cared, him acting like he wanted only me when there were thousands of women who would throw their bodies to him for free. Him acting like he... Like he loved me finally made sense.
Oh god! Russo had played me so perfectly. I was such a fool! I was such...
"Rosaline"
"I..." I palmed my face with one hand and sniffled back the tears.
"The position of a manager is far from your accomplishment and as long as you are willing to take on this fight against Russo, I and the others will offer all the support you need and try our best to protect you from Russo. Surely, Russo would not attempt killing you brazenly and since you know better now, you will be able to escape his attempts at your life. You have to know this, Rosaline. You will never truly be safe until you have more power than Russo does. I know Russo better. He only cares about power and about himself. You have to take this step. You have to avenge your parents and your grandfather, Rosaline."
"What do you seek to gain in this?" I managed to ask, my face still palmed.
"Your father was a good friend of mine. I am still hurt by the fact that Russo killed him and you, Rosaline, I have always viewed you as my daughter, I want you to get what you deserve and I want Russo who is totally undeserving of what he was right now to go down."
"I... I..." My voice cracked, the tears rolling down.
I sniffled back again.
"We will talk again soon, Mr. McAllister. I need to process this information" I whispered and ended the call quickly.
I broke into loud sobs as soon as the call ended. Russo had killed my family and he could kill me as well. It all hurt too much and this part of him that I had known all these while was fake too!
The Russo who protected me, the Russo who wanted me, the Russo who cared for me more than any other man in my life. The Russo... The Russo I had thought was maybe in love with me.
Everything was fake! Everything was all a fucking manipulation!
He had never liked me, never truly cared for me and never ever thought about loving me. I was such a fool for him and I had fallen for every of his well mapped out plan.
"I hate you" I sobbed, burying my face into my both palms.
"I hate you so much Russo. I hate you."
*
AUTHOR'S POV
"Well, that worked out just perfectly" Mr. McAllister smiled, dropping his phone.
"What was her reaction like, sir?" His manager asked.
"Poor girl is heartbroken. You could hear her sobs, couldn't you? I am sure that once she is over this broken stage, she is going to be ready to go against Russo for us and for... Well, her murdered parents" he grinned.
"I really hope this works out sir"
"Shut up with the word 'hope'. This is hundred percent going to work out."
TBC
I would like to clarify the identities of a few characters as it seems like I have been too lost to make regular appearances of them.
Mr. McAllister is just a shareholder in the company who is trying to take over using Rosaline's eligibility to become CEO.
Dark Caster is Russo's partner in the mafia business who has been making attempts to bring Russo down. Dark Caster is Rick's uncle.
These two characters are different but with the same aim of bringing Russo down.
Lastly, Rio is the character who was trying to gang rape a woman with his friends and got stopped by Rosaline. His father is Giovanni. I hope these characters are now all clear. Thank you for your understanding.