Black Lucy

Roseline Palmer: Roseline Palmer is a determined and ambitious young woman with expressive hazel eyes. Her long and graceful chestnut hair added to her approachable charm. Standing at an average height of 5"8, she exudes confidence and resilience. She normally dresses like a smart secretary during work and in casual baggy clothing during her private hours. She loves fruit and dislikes excessive wastage of good food, she's the submissive type and extremely daring when angered. Roseline's POV Raindrops traced delicate patterns down the office windows, and the city lay beneath a blanket of gray clouds. At my desk, I tapped away on the keyboard, surrounded by papers and files in disarray. The ringing of my office phone persisted, a distraction I attempted to shrug off. Overwhelmed and weary, I pressed on. There was no other path to tread, not when it came to caring for my brother and myself. Then, the office door swung open, revealing Mr. Grayson, our boss. He was an average-sized, somewhat portly man, his expression often stern. Approaching my desk, he stood, casting a shadow over me. "Ms. Palmer," he said in a deep, commanding tone. "I need you in my office, right now." A sinking feeling accompanied his request. His office was a place I dreaded, a space where unease thrived. His advances, unwanted and vile, had been thwarted time and again, but what scheme did he have in store this time? I collected my belongings, rose from my seat, and followed him into his office. Entering Mr. Grayson's office, I took a deep breath, trying to quell the nerves that fluttered within me. Conversations with him were a challenge, a source of unease. My journey with the company spanned three years, a period marked by my pursuit of education following a certificate from a local business school. Since I was sixteen and our parents were no more, my brother and I had been on the move, navigating a world where relatives offered us little more than scorn. I had become my brother's sole guardian. Among the office's whispers, I was known for my apparent disinterest in matters of the heart. Love and romance had never found a place in my life; there simply wasn't the time or inclination. My focus remained steadfast on survival and ensuring my brother's well-being. The office exuded an air of grandiosity, its spacious interior adorned with dark wood paneling and luxurious leather furnishings. Seated behind his desk, Mr. Grayson was engulfed by an assortment of papers and files. He motioned for the secretary to take a seat across from him, his gaze lingering upon her momentarily before he began to speak. "As you're aware, Headquarters has been orchestrating a general gathering to enhance communication among top executives from each branch," he paused, shifting his focus towards me. "The event is slated for this weekend, and all managers are obliged to attend, along with their respective secretaries," his voice, devoid of warmth, conveyed the gravity of his words. "Attendance is mandatory. Do you comprehend?" A surge of panic coursed through me. The company's gala was to be hosted in New York, and my financial reserves couldn't stretch to cover a plane ticket. "I-I understand, Mr. Grayson," my voice wavered slightly, yet I endeavored to steady it. "However, I lack the means for a plane ticket. I'm uncertain if I can manage the trip." His withering gaze bore into me as I averted my eyes to the ground. This celebration was non-negotiable, and it was undoubtedly within the means of any other secretary to secure a flight. Yet, due to my circumstances, it wasn’t particularly something I couldn’t handle. "Chin up, Miss Palmer," he offered a smile tainted with pity. "The company will cover the entirety of your travel expenses, so there's no need to concern yourself with the flight costs." An involuntary sigh of relief escaped me, and I immediately took it back in, hoping he hadn't taken note. If the travel expenses were covered, then I wouldn’t have a reason to decline. "Yes, I'll share the meeting details and time with you later. On that day, please dress appropriately," he mentioned, a distasteful smile slowly creeping onto his face. Swiftly, before he could catch sight of my irritation, I made my way toward the door and hastily grasped the doorknob. However, he interrupted before I could depart, "Wait Roseline, have you given any thought to my proposal since then?" I anticipated that he would eventually circle back to this topic, which was why I aimed to exit as soon as possible. "Time doesn't stand still, Roseline. With your responsibilities, isn't it time to consider having a well-off, strong companion to care for you and provide enjoyment?.” I didn't look back, yet I sensed his gaze dissecting me. Every fiber of my being abhorred this man. Suddenly, the sound of his chair clattering and his desk shifting reached my ears. He was rising, moving in my direction – a clear signal to leave. "I'm sorry, Mr. Grayson, but I've told you repeatedly that I'm not interested in romance or anything of the sort. Your proposal isn't something I can entertain." I rotated the doorknob and exited without hesitation, and as I moved further away from his office, I heard distant sounds of documents and metal objects falling to the floor. Even if I were to date someone, I'd rather drink molten lava than be near that repugnant creature. “How was it? Did you strike another killer deal with the manager?” An equally annoying presence greeted me as I made my way back to my desk. In this building, it was just from one pest to another. I ignored and walked past the accountant Stella, the owner of that screeching voice. She called the attention of the once distracted workers with her statement, invoking several murmurs as I walked by to my desk. Every single day in this place made me lose a string of my sanity. ... The end of my late-night shift had arrived. I gathered my belongings, clocked out, and began my journey home. Glancing at my worn silver watch, I noted the time as 10:20 pm. While strolling through the bustling streets of London, I paused to appreciate the captivating night lights that had become a nostalgic charm for me. Throughout my 26 years alive, more than a decade has been spent in this city. It brought both advantages and disadvantages, one of which was the unease that shrouded the environment, compelling me to hasten my steps during nighttime to avoid aligning with the unsettling headlines in the newspapers. Continuing along the streets, I spotted a figure approaching briskly. I quickened my pace, yet the shadow ahead seemed to dwindle as I went. I gradually escalated my strides until they transformed into an all-out sprint. I raced away from the sound of rapidly nearing footsteps, my deepest fears materializing before me. Just as I was about to raise my voice to call for help, a familiar voice shouted my name. "Sis! Wait, it's me! Why are you running?" The voice echoed, appearing somewhat breathless. I decelerated and turned, only to be met by the sight of my younger brother, his face flushed and sweat glistening. "Jacob! Why did you startle me like that? Don't you know how dangerous these streets can be? Are you out of your mind?" My raised voice drew the attention of a few women nearby. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to walk you back home, but you suddenly started running," he explained, obviously trying to defend himself. He wasn't particularly wrong, but his approach almost scared me to death. I thought I was on the verge of an attack. "Just give me a call next time or call out my name, don't trail behind someone like that," I scolded one last time before motioning for us to continue walking. The bystanders, having had their curiosity sated, resumed their own affairs. People with no sense of shame, honestly. "Rose, you seem more stressed than your usual self. Normally, you'd at least glance back to see who it was," he noted with a concerned expression. He had an unusual knack for understanding my emotions. He could always tell when I was secretly irritated, sad, depressed, or frustrated. He never failed to try and lift my spirits. He'd known me his entire life, so I understood just how important I was to him. That's why I confided in him about everything. As we reached the front of our apartment complex, I poured out my thoughts to him. ************************************************************* “Hmm, so that’s the Rose everyone’s so giddy about?” In the corner of the street, a blonde-haired boy in his late teens stood facing a middle-aged man with a chiseled jawline and a pair of glasses. After watching the entire spectacle between the siblings, they moved further into the alleyway to avoid suspicion. ”Indeed. Quite frankly, I’d like to take care of nuisances before they become a real headache." The seemingly unbothered man replied his counterpart while staring holes at Rose, who was now walking in the distance with her brother. Just then, he felt a cold sensation wash over him. This bloodlust came off the blonde teen who had begun pulling out a ballpoint pen. “Then, can we just kill them?” he uttered coldly with a demonic smile covering his face. The fact that he could think of taking lives this easily was proof of his rank at the Blackbone group. However… “No. We were only told to gather information on her. If anything, we have to make sure she doesn’t get killed”, The middle-aged man replied after taking a few seconds to compose himself. “Eh? C’mon now, you’re no fun at all. You must not have many friends” the blonde retorted, shoving his ballpoint pen back into his pocket and staring the man straight in the eye with a frown. The man said nothing but stared back for a few seconds before heading deeper into the alleyway. The boy watched, then followed suit. "If anything were to happen, not us alone, there would be an unimaginable massacre.” The man said before they both disappeared into the night.