Shadows!
1570 Words
|| Author POV ||
It was a holiday. The mansion felt unusually quiet, except for the soft echoes of footsteps padding down the stairs.
Rosa walked quietly into the dining hall, her presence almost ghost-like behind Lilia.
“Take your seat.” Lilia said gently, motioning toward the table.
Rosa obeyed her, sitting down quietly. Her eyes followed Lilia’s every move as she placed light dishes onto the glass table, toast, fruits, poached eggs and a cup of warm milk and many more.
“Your breakfast is ready.” Lilia chirped with a kind smile before turning back toward the kitchen.
Rosa’s gaze lingered on the table. She wasn’t sure if she was hungry but she knew she had to eat.
Footsteps echoed down the staircase.
Rosa turned her head and looked over her shoulder. Killian came into view, his tall frame dressed in black t-shirt, phone pressed against his ear as he muttered something in his usual low tone.
He stepped into the dining hall and his gaze fell on her tiny back. Then, without a word, he moved to the opposite seat and sank into the chair across from her.
Rosa’s head slowly lifted, her wide eyes locking onto his face. Her breath hitched.
Was he... going to eat with her?
Her lips parted slightly, the thought too strange to believe. She blinked, watching as he ended the call and tossed his phone to the side. His dark eyes met hers and then he tilted his head slightly, almost amused by her confusion.
Her hands froze above the table, fingers still tangled together. She sat upright, not knowing where to look.
Killian leaned back in his chair, gaze still fixed on her like she was something he couldn’t quite figure out.
“You’re not eating?” he asked in a firm voice.
Rosa’s eyes dropped to the plate in front of her. She shook her head a little, almost like a scared kitten.
Killian scoffed softly under his breath, grabbing the water bottle and pouring himself a glass.
“Eat.” he said without looking at her.
Rosa hesitated for a moment. She was still in dilemma. She slowly picked up her spoon nervously, the clinking sound against the glass plate suddenly too loud. Her shoulders slightly tensed as she brought the first bite to her mouth, stealing a glance at him.
It felt so unreal...
But it was happening.
She held the spoon tightly, her heartbeat drumming louder than ever against her chest. A soft flush colored her cheeks.
The man she feared, the man she dreamt of, he was right here, sitting across from her like it was the most casual thing in the world.
Breakfast. Together.
A scene too gentle for the chaos inside her chest.
Rosa kept her eyes low, but her lashes fluttered, stealing quiet glances at him.
Killian was slicing the egg in clean motions, his focus seemingly on the phone screen resting beside his plate.
And yet, to her, he looked like something carved out of a daydream.
Every little movement of his held a weight she couldn’t quite explain.
Rosa didn’t know how else to admire him without feeling like her chest would burst.
Above all, she felt grateful.
For the shelter. For the silence. For his presence, even if it came wrapped in coldness.
Someday, she will return the favor.
Someday, she will repay him for everything.
A soft smile crept onto her lips at the thought.
But just as she looked up, her smile froze.
He was staring.
Straight at her.
Expression still. Eyes like ice.
Rosa’s breath caught.
Embarrassed, she quickly dropped her gaze, heart thudding with shame.
Why was she smiling like that? Like a fool.
Suddenly, Killian’s phone buzzed. His tattooed hand reached out, fingers curled around the device before glanced at the screen.
Then, he stole a fleeting glance at her.
She was staring down.
Without a word, Killian stood up from his seat, chair sliding back softly against the floor.
Rosa’s eyes followed him as he walked away.
She lowered her head, pushing the food around on her plate without taking another bite.
The chair across her sat empty, just like the space in her chest.
He didn’t finish his breakfast. And she didn’t finish her thoughts.
-----
Time passed quietly. Rosa hadn’t stepped out of her room all day.
The afternoon sun filtered in through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the floor.
Standing before the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair one last time.
“Done.” she whispered to herself.
With a breath of calm, Rosa walked toward the door and opened it.
There was something comforting in knowing she wouldn’t have to ride the car today. No leather seats. No tinted windows and no silent tension.
Just her, and the open path ahead.
Rosa preferred it that way, walking alone, free from all the weight that came with luxury.
She reached the main gate. The two guards bowed slightly and pulled it open for her. Just as she was about to step out, they bowed again.
Her brows furrowed confusedly. She glanced over her shoulder and then followed their gaze.
Her breath hitched.
Killian was a few feet behind her with his heavy presence. He gave a slight nod, and walked up until he was beside her.
“Follow me.” he said in an unreadable tone.
Without waiting for her response, Killian turned and began walking.
Rosa stood frozen for a moment, trying to grasp what was happening. Her feet moved on their own, trailing behind him nervously.
And then she saw it.
The black sleek car came into view, like it had been waiting just for them.
Without a word, Killian pulled the driver’s side door open and looked over his shoulder at her.
“Get in.”
His voice was low.
Rosa blinked, surprised. He’s... giving her a lift? Her heartbeat stumbled.
Killian didn’t let her speak further and slipped into the car without a word.
Rosa stood frozen for a second, unsure and then slowly made her way to the passenger side. Her fingers curled around the handle, and she gave it a gentle pull. It didn’t open.
She looked up in confusion, only to see Killian glance her way. Without a word, he leaned slightly toward her door and pressed the unlock button before pushing the door open.
Killian’s cold eyes gazing up at her standing from.
And Rosalie? She just stood there, staring back, her innocence pouring through her gaze like a soft prayer.
Killian didn’t say a word and sat back to his place.
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Rosa quietly got in and folded her hands neatly on her lap, trying not to look at him.
She tangled her fingers together and stayed quiet as the engine started.
---
|| At Night ||
A man sat in the shadows of a lavish room, his presence wicked, eyes sharp like a dagger. He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as another man stood before him.
“Boss, your man is nowhere to be found. We suspect the King’s man has taken him.” the subordinate reported.
A deep frown settled on the boss’s face, his jaw tightened. His teeth gritted in growing fury.
“I want his name!” he hissed through clenched teeth. Then, in a sudden burst of rage, he stood up, slamming his fist onto the table with a loud bang. His brown pupils growing.
“WHO THE F*CK IS HE?! FIND OUT! NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!” the man before him trembled and nod.
“Leave!”
The man left the room immediately.
---
|| ᴜɴᴋɴᴏᴡɴ’s ᴘᴏᴠ ||
I can’t understand.
Few days ago, my mens had informed me about a secret meeting between the underworld mafia’s. I wonder how is it possible. It felt suspicious to me. Even before that I sent two of my mens to keep an eye and they vanished.
But this time...
I had planned everything with precision. That day, I didn’t go to the meeting myself, even in disguise. I couldn’t risk it. My identity isn’t something I hand out to just anyone. So, I sent one of my most trusted men, trained to mirror my movements. All he had to do was be there for a few hours. Sign what needed to be signed, and leave unnoticed.
But he never came back. He was gone. Vanished like dust.
Strange, isn’t it?
This so-called Mafia King, he’s not just another name floating in the underworld. He’s a shadow. No one knows his face except the underworld mafias, and the ones who might have seen it?
They either vanish or go quiet. Permanently.
He’s hiding himself too well. Almost... inhumanly well.
These underworld mafia’s are so good at hiding their identities. The mafia’s are only known well in the underworld, hidden from the outside world. I cursed on my fate for not being a part!
Only a handful of people know who he really is, and they guard that truth like it’s worth more than their lives.
But I won’t stop.
I love to sin.
I don’t care who he is. King or devil! I will take his place!
But for now, I have to hide my identity for safety. I want the power anyhow!
“Challenge!” a smirk came visible on my face.
- Writer
