Rosetta

Chapter 4 : Sin and Punishment

“Allright gentlemen, all the documents are complete I will ask one more time, is everything correct?”

“Yes, Thank you”

*Knock Knock*

“Come in”

Behind the door is Daisy, then she greets the guests and approaches Noah.

“Master, Rose is back from her mission. should I ask her to come here?”

“Yes please. Jasmine, Iris please come with Daisy and please take care of the rest.”

The two got up from their seats and Noah handed over the completed documents, before exiting the door the three of them gave their greetings and headed out.

shortly after Rose arrived in the room, with a gentle smile she greeted the guests.

“Good afternoon everyone, im sorry for the delay. I hope you didn't wait too long.”

Mr. Shu and Mr. Oxley returned Rose's greeting with a nod and asked her to sit down. Then Mr. Shu started the conversation.

“You must be tired from all the happenings today, thanks for your hard work.”

“Thank you Mr. Shu, i was only carrying out my mission it was only right that i worked hard.”

“Allright, allright, let's get back to work, so? how is Rose?”

“Yes master, all went according to plan so far. Mr. Hansel is still at the police station for questioning and Miss Zoe has been detained for further investigation. I have submitted all the evidence and results of the investigation to Sergeant Ian.”

“Good job. is anyone hurt? Are you okay?”

“Everyone is fine, only Mr. Hansel is still in a state of shock.”

“I was quite worried when I heard there was some tension there from your bugger, thank God nothing serious happened.”

“Rose?”

“Yes, Mr. Oxley.”

“Thank you for protecting my son, how is Zoe doing now?”

“it's my duty sir, miss Zoe was in a temporary cell while the investigation was going on, she's not in a good mental state to continue today so it seems the investigation will continue tomorrow.”

“Any news from the police?”

“I already told sergeant Ian your wish not to enlarge it, and the police await further news from both sides of the family regarding the action against miss zoe. I have also informed him that you will be there soon to see Mr. hansel.”

“We have made a decision on this matter, and I will personally resolve it at the police station and pick up my son now. how about you Mr. Shu?”

“I guess I'll go back home and discuss it with my wife. thank you for taking care of it Mr. Oxley, i will also arrange a press conference soon so this matter can be resolved soon and the trial can begin.”

“It's nothing, please rest you need it.”

“Yeah i guess me and my wife need some time. sir Noah thanks for everything i guess we'll be going.”

“Please take care of yourselves, we'll take care of the rest and we look forward to hearing from you again.”

“Of course, Mr Noah, Miss Rose see you soon.”

The two guests had left the silence in the room, Noah watched rose stretching her neck, she looked exhausted. today had been a really long day.

“Rose, go rest. we'll take care of the rest.”

“Yes I think that's the best, thank you master.”

“Great, and don't forget we have a meeting tomorrow morning.”

One week later

prison visiting room

Silence, in the cold visiting room only the sound of the ticking clock could be heard. There were so many things that both of them wanted to say but both of them just kept quiet. Both Hans and Zoe, both of them are not doing well. It feels like only yesterday the two of them were still laughing together but here they are.

Hans took a deep breath, his eyes that avoided looking at Zoe started to look at her slowly. Zoe's beautiful long blonde hair is now cut short, her sparkling eyes are replaced with a sad look and her bright expression looks pale.

“Zoe, can we talk?”

“……”

“Please?”

“….yeah.”

With still the same gaze Zoe looked at hans, Hans smiled bitterly. he really didn't like this situation, he really didn't want to see Zoe in this state.

“I hate this Zoe, I hate seeing you like this.”

“Hansel.”

“yes?”

“do you hate me now?”

“I don't know, after the plan to kill William was revealed, they also found new facts about Natalie's death.”

“like what?”

“like Natalie knowing your intentions and how you provoked her so she found out how depressed Will was that made her follow Will's death?”

“…….”

“They found evidence of your conversations on social media.”

“I don't understand.”

“About what?”

“Why doesn't she see you? even though she knows how much you love her sincerely and you have even done a lot for both of them but until the end they are just…”

“Is that why you made the decision to do it?”

“i love you, since long time i always love you but i know for sure i don't deserve you.”

“……”

“even though you are close to me or even though you are by my side I still feel you are very far away that's why I give up. I do love you but I don't dare dream of you loving me back, I want you to be happy, even with Nathalie or with someone else. you are my world, but...why is the world so cruel?”

“You did it because you felt the world was unfair to me?”

“They are blind, william is nothing without you and for natalie you are the best partner, in fact everyone thinks so. but why even when they die they still bother.”

“Zoe.”

“You do anything for Natalie and you care for William, you say you're a coward because of your engagement and take chances but you're not the only one who takes advantage of it. Natalie is also using you for that, she gets attention and her family problems are solved.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you not aware? The reason why William was so depressed was because Natalie didn't tell him why she agreed to the engagement, and worst William already knows how you feel about her.”

“!?”

“Oh my dear, how do you think I caught him so off guard? it's just as easy as I just sympathize with him because I'm in the same position but little does he know I don't expect anything from you.”

“How can you be like this? you killed him zoe!”

“i saved him! from the pain, from the disappointment and from the worry to be abandoned. he loves nathalie very much, and as a best friend he cares about your feelings, he has no heart to blame you. even though he knows the plays between the two of you, not from the mouth of his lover or his own best friend, but from the mouths of the people who came to your engagement party. can you imagine how heartbroken he was?”

trembling, hans gripped his hand tightly so zoe would not notice. he was too naive, too naive to not realize it was happening behind him.

“Natalie told me that she had told Will long ago even before the party.”

“didn't i tell you? You have become blind because you love her.”

behind the door outside the visiting room, unnoticed. there were two people who constantly watching and listening to their conversation. they both continued to listen intently and silently.

“I didn't know you had a hobby like this, agent Rose.”

“pfft, I do have a lot of side jobs sir.”

Rose is undercover in an officer's uniform. she wears a hat and a short brown hair wig with matching lenses. Sergeant Ian who immediately recognized her made her chuckle.

“it's refreshing to meet someone who can recognize me easily, even though my appearance is very different from before.”

“if you don't wear that perfume maybe I can't recognize you and your voice even though it's a little different.”

“perfume? I don't use any.”

“then it's the scent of the shampoo or soap you used.”

“haha, I didn't expect you to be such a pervert.”

“nothing like that, i have a pretty good sense of smell.”

“the sergeant is a dog tracker, i'll be careful from now on thank you.”

“do as you please, what are you doing here? isn't your mission complete?”

“You're not asking how I got in here?”

“are you going to answer it?”

“Of course not, that's a silly question.”

“that's what i mean.”

“haha sergeant you have good humor, and to answer your earlier question. I'm here for personal business, in other words I want to know the end of their story.”

“a tragedy disguised as a love story?”

“gosh, one way or another this is a love story, unrequited love.”

“She kills someone because that person's lover doesn't receive love from the one she loves? And worse, the three of them are best friends.”

“love really makes people crazy doesn't it? have you never been in love?”

“Who knows.”

“you're such a cold person.”

“says someone who plays with other people's feelings, you could end this sooner and you know it but you prefer this. in the end they will only hurt each other.”

“Sir Hans wants truth and justice, I'm only fulfilling my duty. And..”

“?”

“isn't it better for both? She want him but also want get over him and neither are happening. Do not take it wrong, I don't justify what she did. It is just letting go is easier than holding on to something fragile.”

“you look very experienced with this stuff, who hurt you?”

“pfft, I dunno maybe if we get a little closer I can tell you.”

“no thanks, you look dangerous.”

“how rude of you.”

“!?”

The conversation in the room was getting more intense, both of them fell silent for a while to listen to the conversation inside.

“looks like they're almost done.”

“Really..”

“?”

“do you know sergeant? Honest feelings and bad timing can make the worst combination.”

“that…”

“I'm done here, so I'll be going now.”

without waiting for ian's answer and without looking back rose left that place leaving ian alone.

Ian had a fairly built body and he was also quite large compared to an ordinary person, golden yellow eyes with sharp eyes like a beast and black shiny hair makes people who first meet him a bit afraid and tend to avoid him.

when Ian first met Rose, she seemed very reliable and quick to make good decisions under pressure. really the first impression that shows that she is not weak and even looks tough. but today after talking to her, ian kept watching her back walking away, she looked so small and fragile.

“The rose scent suits her very well.”

ian called the other officers to stand guard with him around, he is in charge of this case after all.

Inside the room things start to melt, as Rose said. Honesty and bad timing can make the worst combinations.

“Willam found out through other people and Natalie who realized it too late made his feelings worse, You who also didn't say anything to him assuming that Natalie explained it made him feel betrayed.”

“that’s…”

“he who no longer has anyone but only the two of you is in his lowest state and this is what he gets. even if I don't kill him he won't survive. in short I just help him, And the evidence on social media you're talking about is just the last little thing I can do for William.”

“it still doesn't justify what you did, it doesn't matter if you blame me-“

“I don't blame you no one blames you and yes I did not do the right thing I just did what I needed to do, this is a sin I have to bear.”

“Is this a form of your love for me? is it like this?”

“I told you I just want you to be happy. That woman has always relied on and depended on you, So I eliminated the problem that was holding her back.”

“For Natalie to see me and accept my feelings is your goal?”

"Yes, because you look so happy with her, you don't even look at other women even though you know her heart is not yours.”

“Zoe.”

“I thought that way she would realize how kind and sincere you are but apparently she was too stupid for that and ended her own life following William.”

“Zoe!!”

“that's a fact! she has everything that I dare not even dream of. The world even spinning for her, then what about me? at least if i can't be happy with you i want to be happy for you.”

“do i look happy now?”

“!?”

“look at me and tell me what you see, do i look happy now?”

Zoe started to pay close attention to hans, his eyes looked empty. he didn't look fine and he wasn't happy. like lightning that strikes suddenly, zoe realizes something and she has gone too far that there is no turning back.

without looking away her tears flowed, her body was shaking and various thoughts raced through her head. what have i done?

“Zoe, i lost my best friend, lost the woman i love and now i lost you. do i look happy in your eyes?”

“no... you don't... this is not what I meant, im sorry..im sorry it's all my fault..im so sorry.”

“Thank you for loving me Zoe, it must be painful for you but you still..stay by my side. I have always seen you as a part of my family, someone I have to look after not someone I love as a woman. I'm sorry.”

“hansel..i..”

“You're right I'm too obsessed with Natalie, even though you are always there for me and always do the best for me I forgot about you. I should have realized how you feel... hey Zoe tell me, what's holding you back from telling me? is it because of my family?”

“that-..thats..right, I will forever be indebted to the kindness of the Oxley family who have always looked after me. So how can I say I want to be your partner when I'm supposed to be serving you? I don't deserve that you deserve much better. But now I have ruined everything, I hurt you and I let you all down.”

“I.. have no right to say this but you are underestimating yourself zoe. you and me we are the same, cowards who take advantage of others.”

“no hansel, that's not true. i'm just me-“

“Zoe, I am also a sinner for this, how can I only blame you? punishment for you and punishment for me is waiting for us. We made a mistake, now we will living with the consequences. let's do our best Zoe so that this time we choose the right choice and maybe we can become better human beings.”

“….”

“Zoe.”

“?”

“Meeting you will be never my regret, but tolerate the path you choose always will be. I hope maybe sometime in the future, we had better timing for you and for me.”

her tears have dried and she has realized what she has done, maybe not all but slowly and surely with the help of time. it's time for both of them to face the punishment for their actions and prayers made that their sins may be forgiven.

“Good bye hansel.”

“Good bye Zoe.”

one week later at the police station

the ringing of telephones that never stopped, journalists passing by and several other commotions. a press conference regarding Zoey Willow has just taken place and her trial is being prepared, according to the request of both families some information related to the process was covered up so that the motive was only revealed as mere revenge.

After a few days rest zoey's condition is getting better but she needs some therapy sessions and she is willing to cooperate in solving her case. Hansel received several internal punishments from the family, he had to head social charity activities for the next few years. however his expression became much better.

“You don't look good sergeant”

“The ringing of the phone makes me tired."

“this case is much bigger than I thought, is the life of aristocrats always highlighted like this?”

“those two families were not only famous, both of them also had big businesses in this city so it was only natural.”

“is your family also like this sir? you are also among the upper class.”

“not at all, my family is just an ordinary military family.”

“yeah sure-, sir do you know that person?”

“?”

From the elevator, he saw a blonde haired man with red eyes like roses. the man seemed to notice the gazes of the two and approached them. looking at the badge he is using it seems he is a sergeant.

“Good morning”

“good morning sir, is there anything i can help you with?”

“my name is Reinhard Haynsworth, i'm here because i have an appointment with the captain of this office. is he in the room?”

“my name is Ian Davies, nice to meet you sir. yes the captain is in his room, his room is at the end of the hall on the left.”

“Thank you sir.”

The two shook hands and Ian directed him to the captain's room, Reinhard greeted and smiled a little then walked towards the captain's room.

“wow with that look he must be popular.”

“Matthew.”

“Yes serg? do you know him?”

“Honestly not, but I know he's the heir to the Haynsworh family. you better watch your attitude.”

“Haynsworth, that haynsworth? an extremely influential hereditary military family, that were on par with the shu or oxley families.”

“Yes you're right.”

“the head of haynsworth family is the commissioner right?”

“yeah.”

“that’s scary.”

“indeed.”

At same time in the Glass House

all the agents are gathered in the meeting room.

“Good work on this case everyone, we got very well paid on this mission.”

*Clapping sound*

“yeah even though rose did most of the cases.”

“don't be like that, without your help I would have had a hard time.”

“That's right Daisy, we've all worked hard.”

“rose rose roseee!”

“Is there anything you want to ask Sakura?"

"Well how did you get the robber's record? and how can you be sure that the shu family wasn't the culprit at that time?”

“Oh right, I'm also curious about that.”

“Jamine”

“that's true me too, tell us.”

“even you, wisteria?”

“come on i was out of town when all this happened.”

“Fine.”

“huhu you guys look really excited, I still have business so I'm going first.”

“Yes master, please take care.”

“now now tell us!”

“I got the tape with the help of my connections and threatened them.”

“what threat did you give.”

“That is a secret.”

“geez”

“stingy, stingy rose!”

“and for the shu family i realized it during their first press conference and when i visited their residence.”

“what did you find there?”

“a family that throws away their own child is unlikely to keep items made by their child, and in that residence I found them on display in various places with great care. Not only that, I also found photos of Natalie and William displayed in frames and novels written by William neatly arranged on the bookshelf.”

“too bad it had to end like this, if only they accepted both of them maybe this tragedy wouldn't have happened.”

“You're right, are noble families really like that?”

“noble families especially high ranking ones have a reputation and tradition to uphold, it is taught from generation to generation since early education. because it is in this modern age many contradictions or debates that arise, especially in the old and young groups. even today.”

“oohhh you know a lot about this.”

“yeah, are you noble too?”

“Who knows, this is just common knowledge.”

a month later

at the Cemetery

“Long time no see Natalie, Will i miss you both. zoe is in prison now, she will serve her sentence and so am I. but don't worry because we will work hard. I hope you two have resolved the misunderstanding and be happy together there. I might find it hard to visit both of you but don't worry I won't forget. so see you until then.”

Hans put a bouquet of flowers on their graves and walked to return but his eyes fell on someone. like last time, but this time there was a blond haired man with dark blue eyes standing in front of a white tomb with a bouquet of white roses in his hand. the man noticed hans who was silent on the spot watching him and so he smiled at him.

“hello there, are you all right?”

“ah yes I'm sorry for staring at you for too long, I just remembered something.”

"Really? Thank goodness you're okay. The weather hasn't been good lately."

“yeah thank you.”

“are you friends of zaylee?”

“oh no no I just talked about her with someone before, and the situation is very similar to the one I'm having now.”

“ah I see.”

“apparently no red roses this time.”

“!?“

“Ah sorry, I have to go now. See you.”

“Wait…he’s gone.”

“Red rose huh?”