THE BLACK ROSE
1555 Words
Chapter 9:
The screen went black.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Amelia stood frozen in the middle of the library.
The last words Victoria had spoken continued echoing inside her mind.
Especially Adrian.
She slowly turned toward him.
Adrian remained completely still.
His face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw told her that Victoria's message had affected him.
"Who is the Black Rose?"
Adrian didn't answer.
"Adrian."
Nothing.
"You're hiding something again."
His eyes finally met hers.
"Yes."
Amelia's heart sank.
"What?"
He walked toward the large window and stared into the darkness outside.
"The Black Rose isn't a person."
"Then what is it?"
"A network."
"What kind of network?"
"Powerful people."
"Politicians?"
"Some."
"Businessmen?"
"Some."
"Criminals?"
His silence answered her.
Amelia wrapped her arms around herself.
"And they are after me?"
"They're after what you represent."
"What do I represent?"
Adrian turned toward her.
"The missing Blackwood inheritance."
She frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Everything."
He walked back toward the desk.
"There was a hidden account created by my grandfather twenty-five years ago."
"What was in it?"
"Money."
"How much?"
"Enough to change the balance of several powerful families."
Amelia stared.
"And you think I have access to it?"
"No."
"Then why are they after me?"
"Because your father knew where it was."
She suddenly understood.
"They think he told me."
"Exactly."
"But he didn't."
"Maybe he did."
Amelia shook her head.
"I barely remember him."
"That doesn't mean he didn't leave something with you."
"What?"
"I don't know."
She became frustrated.
"You never know anything!"
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"I know more than you think."
"Then tell me."
He took a deep breath.
"Your father disappeared because he was carrying information that could destroy the Black Rose."
"And my mother?"
"She helped him hide it."
Amelia stared at him.
"So my entire childhood was a lie."
"Most of it."
She looked away.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because you were safer not knowing."
Amelia laughed bitterly.
"Safe?"
She gestured around the room.
"Someone broke into my bedroom."
"My mother was kidnapped."
"My sister appeared out of nowhere."
"And now I'm being hunted by some secret organization."
She looked directly at him.
"How is that safe?"
Adrian walked closer.
"It wasn't supposed to happen."
"But it did."
He stopped in front of her.
"Which is why things are going to change."
"How?"
"You will not leave this mansion."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"No."
"Until we know who is behind this."
"I need to see my mother."
"Your mother is still being protected."
"I want to see her."
"Not until we secure the hospital."
She shook her head.
"You can't keep controlling me."
"I can."
"You mean you will."
"Yes."
Amelia glared at him.
"You are impossible."
"And you're stubborn."
"At least I'm honest."
His expression softened.
"That's one of the things I like about you."
She froze.
"What?"
He looked away.
"Nothing."
"No. You said you like something about me."
Adrian ignored her.
Amelia stepped closer.
"Adrian."
He looked at her.
"You want honesty?"
"Yes."
"I like your strength."
Her heart skipped.
"And?"
"I like that you don't fear me."
"I do fear you."
His eyes darkened.
"Not enough."
She didn't know what to say.
The silence between them felt different.
Then Adrian reached out and gently touched her cheek.
Amelia stiffened.
He immediately stopped.
"I won't hurt you."
She whispered, "I know."
For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
The moment he answered, his expression changed.
"What?"
He listened.
"Where?"
He ended the call.
"Elena."
Amelia's heart jumped.
"What happened?"
"They found her."
"Where?"
"At the old Blackwood chapel."
---
The chapel stood on the outskirts of the city.
It had been abandoned for years.
The stone walls were covered with vines.
The windows were broken.
The doors creaked in the wind.
Adrian's security team surrounded the building.
Amelia stood beside him.
"Is she inside?"
"Yes."
"How do you know?"
"We received a message."
"What message?"
Adrian showed her his phone.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT YOUR SISTER ALIVE.
Amelia's heart dropped.
"You shouldn't go."
Adrian looked at her.
"I'm not going alone."
"But they said—"
"They don't make the rules."
He walked toward the entrance.
Amelia followed.
Inside, the chapel was dark.
Dust covered the wooden benches.
A single candle burned near the altar.
Then a woman's voice echoed through the room.
"Amelia."
She turned.
"Elena?"
Her sister stepped out from the shadows.
She was crying.
Amelia rushed toward her.
"Elena!"
Adrian immediately stopped her.
"Wait."
Elena looked frightened.
"He's right."
Amelia frowned.
"What happened?"
"They know."
"Who?"
"The Black Rose."
Elena looked toward the windows.
"They've been watching us."
Adrian stepped forward.
"Where are they?"
"I don't know."
"Why did you come here?"
"Because I needed to warn her."
She looked at Amelia.
"You shouldn't marry him."
Amelia's heart tightened.
"Why?"
Elena glanced at Adrian.
"Because your marriage is part of their plan."
Adrian's expression became cold.
"Explain."
Elena shook her head.
"I can't."
"Then why bring us here?"
"Because I found something."
She pulled a small key from her pocket.
Amelia stared.
"What is it?"
"Something our father left behind."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Where did you get that?"
"From Victoria."
Amelia's heart jumped.
"Victoria is alive?"
Elena nodded.
"Yes."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"You just said you got this from her."
"She gave it to me before she disappeared again."
Amelia looked at Adrian.
He looked furious.
"What does the key open?"
Elena shook her head.
"I don't know."
Adrian took the key.
He examined it.
A tiny black rose was engraved on it.
"The Black Rose."
Elena nodded.
"That's why I was afraid."
Suddenly, the chapel doors slammed shut.
Amelia jumped.
The lights went out.
A voice echoed from the balcony.
"You're all becoming very troublesome."
Adrian immediately drew his weapon.
"Show yourself."
A man stepped into the dim candlelight.
He wore a dark suit.
His face was partially hidden.
"You Blackwoods always think you're untouchable."
Adrian stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled.
"You'll find out soon."
He looked at Amelia.
"Especially you."
Adrian moved in front of her.
"Don't look at her."
The man laughed.
"Still protecting your possessions."
Amelia's eyes narrowed.
"I'm not his possession."
The man looked amused.
"That's what Victoria said."
Adrian's expression changed.
"You knew Victoria."
"Of course."
"Where is she?"
The man smiled.
"Closer than you think."
Before Adrian could respond, the man threw something onto the floor.
Smoke exploded across the chapel.
Amelia coughed.
"Adrian!"
"I'm here!"
She reached for him.
A hand grabbed her arm.
She screamed.
"Let go!"
Adrian heard her.
"AMELIA!"
He rushed toward her.
But the smoke was too thick.
Someone pulled Amelia through a hidden door.
She fought desperately.
"Adrian!"
She heard him shouting her name behind her.
Then the door slammed shut.
Darkness swallowed her.
---
When Amelia opened her eyes, she was sitting in a strange room.
Her wrists weren't tied.
The room was dimly lit.
She looked around.
"Where am I?"
A voice answered from behind her.
"You are safe."
She turned.
Her heart stopped.
Victoria stood there.
Alive.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes were tired.
But she was unmistakably Victoria.
Amelia stared at her.
"You're alive."
Victoria smiled sadly.
"Yes."
"Why did you bring me here?"
"I didn't."
"Then who did?"
Victoria's expression changed.
"I don't know."
Amelia stood.
"I need to go back."
"You can't."
"Adrian will find me."
Victoria looked at her.
"That's exactly what they want."
"Who?"
"The Black Rose."
"Why?"
Victoria walked toward her.
"Because they need Adrian to come here."
Amelia's heart sank.
"They kidnapped me to trap him?"
Victoria nodded.
"But that's not the worst part."
"What is?"
Victoria looked directly into Amelia's eyes.
"The Black Rose didn't choose you because of your father."
"Then why?"
Victoria's voice dropped.
"Because of your blood."
Amelia stared.
"What does that mean?"
Victoria took a breath.
"You're not just Daniel Carter's daughter."
"Then who am I?"
Before Victoria could answer, the door opened.
A man's voice came from the hallway.
"Tell her."
Victoria went pale.
The man stepped into the room.
Amelia recognized him immediately.
He was the same man from the chapel.
He smiled.
"Let her know why everyone has been fighting over her since the night she was born."
Amelia stepped backward.
"Who are you?"
The man removed his gloves.
"My name is Marcus."
He smiled.
"And I am the last person your family should have trusted."
Meanwhile, outside the building, Adrian stood surrounded by his security team.
His eyes were cold.
He had lost Amelia.
And for the first time in years, the ruthless CEO wasn't thinking about business.
He wasn't thinking about money.
He wasn't thinking about revenge.
He was thinking about one thing.
Getting his wife back.
His phone rang.
He answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
"Come alone."
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
"Where?"
A location was sent.
Then the voice added:
"Bring the Black Rose key."
The call ended.
Adrian looked at the message.
His face became expressionless.
Then he whispered:
"You made one mistake."
His men looked at him.
He turned toward the car.
"You took the woman I love."
Everyone went silent.
Adrian opened the door.
"And now I'm coming for all of you."
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD