Too Bad, You can’t be mine
1156 Words
Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, flooding the room with a soft golden glow.
The bed beneath her felt too big, too unfamiliar. The air smelled faintly of expensive cologne and polished wood, nothing like home.
Rose stirred, her lashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes.
She blinked, disoriented, then reached for her glasses, slipping them onto her face.
As she looked up, her breath caught.
and a scream tore from her throat.
There were eight maids standing in the room.
All dressed in black and white, lined up neatly, all of them staring at her.
Rose’s heart slammed against her chest.
She opened her mouth to ask what the problem was…,
Before she could speak, one of them stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“Ma’am,” she said politely, “Mr. Darius sent us to dress you.”
“Dress me?” Rose started, her confusion rising.
“I don’t need a….”
Before she could finish, hands were suddenly on her, lifting her off the bed.
All she managed to say was,
“Whoop….”
They took her straight to the bathtub.
Warm water filled it. Some maid gently scrubbed her skin, some carefully washed her hair, fingers working through the strands like this was routine.
Rose sat there, stunned, too shocked to resist, too confused to ask questions.
When they were done, they wrapped her in soft towels and guided her to a chair.
Her nails were done next, filed and polished while she stared blankly ahead, still trying to understand what was happening.
Then someone reached up and removed her glasses. Firm but gentle hands massaged her shoulders and arms, easing tension she didn’t ask to lose. Brushes swept across her face as they began her makeup.
one of them stepped in front of her with a small case.
They gently fitted contact lenses into her eyes.
She blinked as they settled in, the room snapping into sharp focus.
They uncurled her hair, letting it fall freely down her back, soft and glossy, framing her face in a way she barely recognized.
Then they brought out the dress.
It was black—simple, elegant, dangerous in its quiet beauty.
They helped her step into it, adjusting the fabric over her shoulders, smoothing it down her waist, fastening it carefully like this moment mattered far more than she understood.
When they were done, the maids filed out of the room, leaving her alone in sudden silence.
Rose slowly turned toward the mirror.
She stopped.
The woman staring back at her looked… stunning.
The black dress hugged her perfectly, her hair falling softly around her shoulders, her face polished yet still unmistakably hers.
For a moment, she barely recognized herself.
She swallowed and whispered to her reflection,
“I may look like a mafia princess… but I don’t feel like one.”
Footsteps echoed outside.
Darius was coming down the stairs, glancing at his watch.
“Rose, are you ready—”
He stopped.
Rose slowly turned from the mirror.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, even he was caught off guard.
“God…..She is sooo Gorgeous”
The words echoed in his mind before he could stop them.
“Too bad, you can’t be mine” he thought darkly.
He looked at her once more and said,
“You look….”
“I look what?” she asked quietly.
His expression shifted, voice turning firm.
“Your father and sister are in my study.”
He held out his hand, a silent command.
“Let’s go.”
Rose hesitated, then placed her hand in his.
She climbed the stairs, Darius leading her, his grip firm as he guided her forward.
****
They reached the room.
Her father and her sister were standing there, waiting.
Rose took a deep breath, her mind steeling itself.
“I have to be cruel… to convince them that it’s my choice,” she whispered to herself.
Immediately, her father rushed forward and hugged her, relief flooding his face.
Her sister stood beside him, her makeup smudged and eyes red from crying.
Victor was going to sell her… if Darius’s men hadn’t arrived just in time.
Rose took a deep breath, forcing herself to sound calm.
“I’m going to marry Darius’s son… David,” she said, her voice steady but lacking conviction.
She added quickly, “…and we are very much in love,” though the words sounded hollow, failing to convince even herself.
Lila stepped forward, her eyes full of concern.
“Rose… this isn’t you,” she said softly but firmly.
“Whatever this is… you don’t have to do it.”
Rose clenched her fists, her gaze dropping to the floor.
“But I do….. to save your life Lila,”. She thought, the weight of her decision pressing heavily on her chest.
Rose’s gaze hardened as she pointed at Lila, her voice cold.
“Look at me now, Lila,” she said sharply.
“Look at what I’m wearing… and look at what you’re wearing.”
“This is what I deserve,” Rose continued coldly, her finger still pointed at Lila,
“Instead of being broke like you two.”
“I belong to the Kane’s now,” she declared, letting the weight of the words hang in the room.
Rose whispered in her mind, “I’m sorry, Lila… l’m sorry dad, I’m doing this for us.”
Her father stepped forward, his voice filled with concern and disbelief.
“Rose… this isn’t you,” he said firmly
Rose’s voice grew colder, sharper, her eyes hard as she forced herself to speak.
“What will it take,” Rose added, “to get both of you out of my life for good?”
Rose’s lips pressed into a thin line, her tone icy and unwavering.
“Say your price,” she said firmly.
Her father stepped forward, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Rose… you are my daughter. Nothing will ever change that.”
Her sister’s eyes burned with anger.
“You are dead to me!” she shouted, raising her hand to slap Rose.
But Darius grabbed it firmly.
“Enough!” he barked. “She made her choice, okay?”
His gaze swept over them both.
“Both of you, get out of my house, now.”
Her sister shot Rose one last furious glance before storming out.
Her father shook his head slowly, sighing, before following after her.
As soon as they were gone, Rose collapsed to the floor, trembling, her body shaking from the tension and pain.
Darius stepped closer, his voice low and concerned.
“Are you okay?”
She looked up at him, eyes burning, and whispered,
“I hope you’re happy now,”
Then she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there.
In a flash of anger and frustration, Darius smashed the glass cup in his hand, shards scattering across the floor.
- Writer
