His Crode Clutches

His grasp!

Author Pov

It was already afternoon. Rosa slowly opened her eyes at the sound of a knock on the door. She hadn’t realized when she had fallen asleep while crying.

She swallowed hard, got up, and walked to the door. When she opened it, the same woman from before stood there.

“Have you been sleeping?” the woman asked. Rosa gave a small nod.

“You’ve slept enough. Now let’s go, you need to eat.” she said gently, though Rosa just stood still with her eyes down.

The woman, Lilia, noticed her puffy eyes. Her heart ached for the little girl, for whatever pain she was going through.

“Please, you need to eat. You’re starving—” Lilia stopped mid-sentence when Rosa looked up. Her eyes were teary, lips trembling.

Lilia’s heart squeezed seeing the raw pain in her eyes. The girl’s small frame shook slightly; she looked so fragile, so lost.

Unable to hold back, Lilia bent down and wrapped Rosa in a gentle, sisterly hug.

“Shh,” she murmured softly, running her fingers through Rosa’s hair and the girl broke into quiet sobs.

Rosa’s hands clutched Lilia’s clothes tightly, desperate for the warmth and comfort she’d been denied for so long. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, dear.” Lilia whispered, rubbing her back tenderly.

Rosa couldn’t think anymore, she just needed someone to hold her, someone to stay. The hug felt so warm, so real, that she couldn’t resist; her eyes filled with tears again.

Her face flushed red, lips trembling. She cried silently in Lilia’s arms. Lilia sighed softly and patted her back, staring straight ahead.

----

7:09 pm | ᴇᴠᴇɴɪɴɢ |

Rosa lay on the bed, her eyes wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling. What is this life?

Was this really happening… or just a dream she couldn’t escape from?

Millions of questions flooded her mind, and she didn’t even know how many tears she had shed since last night. How had her life turned so suddenly? It felt like a dream or maybe a nightmare.

Rosa shut her eyes tight and turned on her side, pressing her cheek against the soft pillow.

She was homeless now… really? Did she truly have nowhere left to go?

Why did it feel so impossible when her aunt was still alive? Is it because she trusted her?

And Kevin… did he have to do that? He hadn’t even said the truth. He stayed silent like a coward.

The world seemed crueller than she ever imagined.

In the pin-drop silence, Rosa flinched when someone knocked on the door again.

Is he back?!

Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe she could finally ask him everything.

Rosa hurriedly got up, her hands trembling, and went to open the door. Lilia stood there again.

“You okay now?” Lilia asked softly.

Rosa nodded slowly.

Lilia hesitated for a second before speaking again. “Mr. Salvatore called you to his study.”

Rosa’s throat instantly went dry at the mention of his name. The thought of facing him made her nervous, almost scared.

“Follow me, dear.” Lilia said, turning away. Rosa trailed behind her, her heart pounding faster with each step.

When they reached a large study door, Lilia stopped and looked back.

“Go inside and don’t worry, okay?”

Lilia offered a kind smile before leaving. Rosa blinked several times, staring at the door in front of her.

After standing there for a few moments to gather courage, she raised her trembling hand and knocked gently.

Her heart pounded violently when his deep voice granted permission from inside.

Her lips went dry; she swallowed hard, forcing her hand to twist the knob and push the door open.

She froze.

Killian was there, sitting behind his desk, focused on the laptop screen. He didn’t even glance her way.

Rosa stood rooted to the floor, unable to move. Just seeing him made her heartbeat double.

Finally shaking herself from the trance, Rosa took a few slow steps forward and stopped a short distance from the table, waiting quietly.

Her fists clenched tightly at her sides; her legs trembled. She could barely breathe in his presence.

After a moment, Killian finally looked up. His cold blue eyes locked on the small girl standing nervously before him, eyes down, hands trembling.

He noticed everything, her tiny frame, her pale face, her trembling fingers.

He mentally tsked.

The girl stumbled a step back when he rose from the chair. The sudden movement made her flinch.

His tall frame shadowed over her tiny frame as he came near. Poor girl flinched. She couldn’t help but tilted her head upward. As her eyes met his, her soul took a turn. Her feet took one step back. Now both facing eachother.

Killian gazed numb at her. His eyes down as she’s standing small. His eyes turned more sharp at her timid behaviour.

Not like he didn’t like her scaredy behaviour. He enjoys her obedience.

“So.”

The single word slipped from his lips, deep and low. He stepped closer, and she took another step back.

A faint smirk ghosted his lips. Killian moved forward again, and she did the same, retreating, until her back hit the wall.

Rosa looked up and up until her eyes met his. He was standing dangerously close, only a hand’s distance away.

Her palms brushed against the wall behind her. She didn’t even realize she was staring straight at him, breath uneven.

“Let’s kill.”

His voice was deep, velvety, laced with something dark. Rosa’s eyes widened at his words, confusion flashing across her face.

The monster in him seemed to enjoy her fear, the way her expression shifted the moment she heard those two words.

With a faint curve of his lips, Killian leaned closer, his voice dropping into a whisper.

“Your curiosity.”

A shiver ran down her spine. He was toying with her.

Rosa blinked twice, her gaze dropping to his chest. If she continues to look at him stretching her neck high, her veins may rip.

Killian hid his smirk, his expression unreadable.

“You can ask me only once.” he said in a low, commanding tone and gazed down at her head “Go ahead.”

Her wide eyes looked up at him again. “O-once?” she stammered softly.

He didn’t reply, just kept gazing down at her with those numb, cold eyes. He knew she had lot of questions.

Rosa’s mind spun. What can she possibly ask among all those questions.

Killian watched her tiny frame, too small compared to him. He pulled one hand from his pocket and placed it flat against the wall beside her head, caging her in effortlessly. The other hand stayed tucked away, he didn’t even need both to dominate the space.

His dark eyes roamed her pretty face, a dangerous smirk tugging at his lips.

“Nothing to ask?” he teased, voice low and sharp. He leaned in slightly, his presence almost suffocating. “Say what’s on your mind… or should I guess?”

Rosa couldn’t take it anymore. Her heartbeat thudded violently; his voice, that deep tone, sent her mind blank.

“Hm?” His low hum made her spine tingle.

Rosa swallowed hard. “Why did you… w-why did you bring me here?” she whispered.

Killian’s cold blue eyes met her soft lavender ones. Her round bambi eyes stared at him, curious, scared, and confused all at once.

His gaze was so void of emotion it made her shiver. His intimidating aura sending chills down her spinels. Does he not feel anything?

Killian looked away briefly, “Because…”

He paused and again looked at her curious face. Rosa’s eyes widened and shut them close when he made the next movement.