Wilted Roses

Chapter # 6

Faye

“Did you get into a fight with him again?” I asked with a sigh, applying antiseptic on Ralph’s cheek which had a visible wound, indicating he got into a fight again with his biggest enemy, Raizel King.

“I swear, I will kill that bastard one day.” He growled, running his hand in his long black hair, green eyes flickering in rage while I chuckled, blowing on his wound before putting the bandage over it.

“Oh, you. Leave him. You shouldn’t talk to him in the first place.” I said sweetly, wrapping my hands around his arm. “I don’t because you said it but that asshole forgets his limits.” He snarled, plopping back on the bed.

“You said don’t fight or else…” He scoffed but I chuckled, kissing his cheek. “Come on, it’s okay.” I smiled as we were in our apartment, the place we call our home. Grinning as I laid beside him, he put his hand under my head, pulling me closer as we both stared at the ceiling.

"Faye..." He called me after a moment of silence. "Hmm?" I hummed, putting my hand on his chest, smiling softly. "I love you, you know it, don't you?" He asked, shifting his gaze to me mesmerizingly, curling his lips upward. "Of course I do." I chuckled, sitting up but he pulled me down, hugging me tightly, murmuring on my neck sweetly,

"You will always be mine."

***

A faint smile came to my lips when I remembered old times, my first love, everything about those days was so beautiful, the first experience where I felt like nothing existed before us, the unforgettable feelings. My first love…

A smile adorned my lips as I leaned on the balcony, staring into the horizon with mystifying thought afflicting my mind but when my words used to slip between the vocal cords was bliss. Ah well, that's another matter, it's only a memory now.

Sighing, I was the sun rising into the sky, emitting a long breath, I went to get ready for work. It was highly unpleasant to work there. Each time I see him, it infuriates me immensely.

"What's that man's deal in the first place? Staying up late, working constantly." I muttered, securing my hairs in a high ponytail, I couldn't perceive his ordeal. "Hiding his nature behind the wall of dominance, hmph." I scoffed, rolling my eyes off, I got ready for work with an expressionless gaze.

Seeing him over and over again invoked the heartbreak I couldn't bear but I had no choice but to do it.

I left for work, the day passed nonchalantly. Things were fine. Apart from seeing him on a daily basis, I indulge in my time, making friends, talking, and working.

"Hey." I was having lunch but James came. "Hey." I smiled. "What are you doing here, Faye?" Lena, another friend I made came, she was also one of the directors, sitting beside me. "I had some work, I was just about to leave for my cabin." I told her quietly, taking a bite of my sandwich.

"Seems like Boss has found a perfect PA." Lena chuckled but I raised my brows, not knowing what she meant by this, "What do you mean?" I asked.

"You both wallow in work." She giggled, my lips formed a thin line, looking away, "That's not it. I don't work twenty four seven like him." I muttered, rolling my eyes off. "But you do. Lena is right." James chuckled.

"What could prioritize work anyways? I don't have anything else to do anyways." I reasoned, shrugging my shoulders. "Exactly! That's why we are going to the club the Friday, you wanna tag along?" James asked excitedly, eyes glimmering in happiness, wanting me to say yes but I don't know how to react. "James.. Um.. I don't know." I said, looking down.

"Come on, Faye, it's gonna be fun. All of us were going, the club is amazing, you can even find many pretty boys there." She beamed telling me. "Hey! What about me?" James asked with a frown.

"Oh shut up, I see your face everyday." She muttered before turning to me again. "So, Faye, you up for it? PLease say yes or else I had to kidnap you." She was not in the mood for backaway, grinning widely.

Smiling nervously, I nodded, "Okay... but I won't come alone, I will come with Janessa." I demanded. "Sure." She grinned.

"Great then, see you then." They smiled as we began to walk and Lena continued to fantasize about meeting her Prince Charming there I don't know for what time, making James frown.

I was listening to them, chuckling but noticed him coming there and stealing my attention, my gaze lifted to his direction, my grip tightening around my cup, pressing my teeth together, narrowing my eyes at him.

He entered, glanced at me for a second but I didn't remove my eyes. My throat dried. How obliviously you act to everything. I am sure this might even mean nothing to you. I thought furiously, pressing my teeth together.

James and Lena were bickering but I kept staring at him and he walked to us,

"James." He called him strictly. "Yes, Sir?" He asked instantly, getting up.

"What about the file I gave you?" He asked sternly, upholding his stoic features. "I gave it to Faye already." He replied quickly, turning to me, getting up immediately, I replied, "I was about to give it after lunch."

He hummed, not even bothering to look at me and walked away.

After he left, I sat down. I don't understand his dealings sometimes. Everyone here is so nice, they all get along well, regardless of what position. Or else why would the directors sit with me? But he remains in his office all day, even when he has nothing to do.

Sighing, I shook my head. "You guys continue, I am leaving for my cabin." I said and left. "Sure."

I was leaving for my cabin, using my phone, scrolling through i********:, humming to myself, totally minding my business but soon I bumped into someone. "Ah- I am so sorry, I didn't watch." I apologized quickly, looking up and seeing him. My heart skipped a beat in dread, taking a step back, I looked up at him timidly. "I am so sorry, Sir." I said hurriedly, tugging my hairs back and was about to leave but he turned to me completely, brow knitted in seethe. I remained still when he took a step forth, not removing his intense eyes from mine,

"Faye." He breathed out my name. A strange stress dripped from his attributes, rendering me unable to think, "Y-Yes, Sir?" I asked nervously but putting his hands in his pockets, he was right in front of me, "I want to ask you something for a while now." He said, the scent of his expensive cologne hitting my nostrils, "Yes?" I asked, swallowing hard, worried at this point.

"Why do you stare at me?" He asked dominanalty. "What?" I asked, blinking.

"I have noticed you doing it for a while and honestly it has begun to irk me now." He sighed, pinching his nose.

"I don't know what are you talking about?" I mumbled innocently, not removing my eyes from his keen dark blue eyes. "Do you think I don't notice? I am sure Janessa has told you I notice every single detail." He said sternly.

My heart began to thump, taking a step back, I shuddered, "My gazes wander most of the time... I-It's nothing." I tried to reason. "That's a weird habit to possess." His lips curled downward, tilting his head.

"I apologize. I won't do it again. I didn't mean anything, it was unintentional." I said hurriedly, hoping he would understand and not make a big deal out of it. He stared at my face for a few seconds, vexing me but ending in a sigh, he actually bought my excused and moved back, "Make sure they won't wander again, it's weird." He mumbled to himself and left.

After he left, I let out the breath stuck in my throat, putting my hand on my chest, leaning on the wall. "That was a close call." I breathed out, knowing this man doesn't think twice before firing someone.

Shaking my head, I threw what happened out of my mind and left for my cabin, gave him the file he asked for and continued to work, pretending nothing happened and spending a monotonous day.

After work, I went to the nearest bar with Janessa, to have some drinks.

"You have work tomorrow, Faye. I don't think you should drink." She said, noticing me finishing my drink in one go.

"It's fine. One drink isn't gonna cause any harm." I uttered, putting the glass down and turning to her. "And yeah, we are going to the club tomorrow with everyone." I told her calmly. "We?" She asked in disbelief. "Yeah, I have told James I won't come without you." I shrugged.

"But Faye, I am just a receptionist. James is a director, I don't think I would fit in." She tried to reason but I didn't care not to listen. "I don't care, you are coming along, You have to." I declared and she knows I will drag her along. "You and your demands." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Great." I grinned and was about to order for another drink but she stopped me. "You are not going to drink anymore." She said strictly. "Whatever." I scoffed, folding my arms. Humming, she took a sip of her drink. "So.. tell me..." She began to ask. "Tell you what?" I asked in confusion.

"You are working for more than a month... What do you want to do? For what reason you are working for him in the first place?" She asked coldly but my amusement faltered, lowering my head, looking down at my hands.

"I... don't know this either, I don't know what should I do, why should I, what will I gain..." I paused, inhaling deeply, curling my hands in a fist.

"Don't tell me you are going to kill him too." She chuckled dryly, pinching me but frowning deeply I said impassively, "What difference would be left between us then? I am not a murderer." I breathed out, staring at my hands.

"But I won't let him live in peace either." I hissed, curling my hands in a fist. "You are living in delusions, Faye. You are walking on a burry path, you don't know what you could do, what you should do. You know nothing. Things are not easy as you perceive them. What will you gain from this?" She asked, scorning me but I couldn't argue, she was right too. I was walking on a ravaged path where I was supposed to earn nothing but I won't stop.

"You don't want to kill him, you have no proof. no evidence. What will you do?" She teased, smirking widely at my vulnerability but glaring down at her, I grit my teeth, "That's not it." I hissed as a rush of rage evoked in me.

"Then what is it?" She asked, licking her lips but snarling, I replied derisively, "There's one thing I can and will do." I whispered, curling my lips from one side ominously, "What?"

Leaning back, a pain tingled my chest but lowering my gaze, I enunciated my intention, "I will return the nightmares he gave me."