Roses and Guns

Chapter3

CHAPTER III

“What would you like to eat?” Aiko asked as she organized the equipment back into the first aid box.

“Nothing,” she replied, her voice filled with hopelessness.

“But Mr. Gravano said you have to eat,” Aiko insisted politely.

“Tell him to come and shove the food down my throat,” she shouted, but then quickly reconsidered.”Wait, don’t tell him that,” She sighed in frustration. The last thing she needed was to provoke that sociopath.

“I'm just not hungry, and thanks,” she said, feigning a smile.

“Alright,” Aiko bowed and left the room.

************

“I should have eaten,” she murmured to herself, clutching her stomach as it rumbled aggressively.

“You're feeling down; you're not exactly in the mood to eat,” she rationalized, lying back on the bed and pulling the cotton duvet over herself. “But I need strength to deal with this sadness,” she suddenly sat up, justifying herself.

“If I leave this room, that sociopath might end my life, but if I stay , I'll die of starvation” She walked towards the door but was hesitant to open it.

With each step carefully placed, she descended the stairs, the grumbling of her stomach echoing as the only audible sound she could hear in the silent house, carefully opening and locking doors, searching for the kitchen.

She delicately placed the tip of her toes as she descended the stairs. The rumbling of her stomach and the ticking of the clock were the only sound she could hear in the house. Carefully opening and locking the doors, she searched for the kitchen.

As she approached another door. A male voice called out “Who is there”. Not again she thought. Instantly she bolted away , but before she could get far, the man lunged himself at her, causing them to fall to the ground.

“I just want to eat,” her voice trembled.

She cautiously opened her eyes and found herself gazing into a pair of piercing blue eyes. “Why are there so many attractive men in this house?” she wondered to herself. But the reality of her situation quickly snapped her out of any fleeting thoughts.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trip you,” he said, getting up and extending his hand to help her up.

“Thank you,” she gratefully gripped his hand.

“Let me show you the way to the kitchen. I'm pretty hungry too,” he chuckled, running his fingers through his tousled dirty blonde hair.

“Here you go!” he handed her a plate of cereal he had made.

“Thanks!” she exclaimed before eagerly digging into the food.

“I'm Fazio, Kenshi's brother,” he introduced himself with a smile, extending his hand for a handshake.

“ Wait, brothers?” She exclaimed, almost choking on her cereal. Glancing between the two, noticing their dissimilar features.

“ I know, right? I’m so happy, and he is so nonchalant,” He burst into laughter.

“That's not what I meant. I mean, he looks…” she started, attempting to clarify her observation about their appearance.

“Oh, we are not biological brothers.” he interjected before slurping the milk from his plate. “ You want another?” He asked.

“Mmm,” she replied, passing her plate to him.

He took it and started making another plate of cereal for both of them.

“ Wait, You are the brother who made the deal, How could you?” she asked, the realization hitting her.

“He said he had a fine sister,” He shrugged casually, “I also saw your picture and I liked what I saw. So it’s not like I made the deal without having an idea what you looked like” He said, still focused on making the plate of cereal.

“He really is foolish.” She thought to herself. “ Pictures can be deceiving. What if I wasn’t as pretty as my picture” she implored.

“ I’d have had to kill you both,” He said with a casual smile on his lips as he handed her a fresh bowl of cereal.

“You really are brothers.” She remarked with an overly dramatic tone.

“I specifically told you not to leave the room,” Kenshi said, leaning against the kitchen door with a book in his hand.

“I was hungry.” Her eyes widening as she spotted him.

“I thought you would wait for me to shove the food down your throat” He retorted nonchalantly.

“Curse that woman” she muttered quietly, feeling a twinge of betrayal.

“ Brother” Fazio moved, hugging his brother with a smile. “ See the beautiful woman I gave you” he gestured toward Amsel.

“ Beautiful? Yes. Worth my money? No” Kenshi stated, slipping out of his brother’s embrace.

Noticing Kenshi’s Coldness toward his brother, She mused,“ He is an empty shell”

“ Goodnight” Kenshi grabbed a bottle of water and exited the kitchen.

Feeling irritated at leaving his brother and Amsel alone in the kitchen, he took a deep breath before returning to the kitchen.

“ Dinner is Over,” Kenshi said, taking Amsel by her hand.

“ But she hasn’t finished eating” Fazio jumped in, holding Amsel back.

Kenshi shot a stern stare at his brother, causing his brother to let go of Amsel’s hand.

“ You can take your food with you” Fazio turned to Amsel, wearing a forced smile on his face.

Kenshi firmly held her hand and led her back to her room. She expected to be angry but found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions, warmth swelling in her chest.

“What? Can’t I have a peaceful dinner?” She withdrew her hands, folding them across her chest.

“Seems like you were enjoying your time with Fazio,” he blurted out, surprised at his words. “Good night.” he quickly added before leaving the room.

Lying on her bed, she pondered his unexpected comment. Why would he say that? Was he feeling jealous? Her mind drifted through vivid memories: his grasp on her hand, the striking image of him in all-black pajamas. These recollections evoked a rosy hue in her cheeks, accompanied by an involuntary smile.

“Don't be silly,” she scolded herself, giving her face a gentle pat. She tried to push away thoughts of him, but his image stubbornly lingered in her mind, intertwining with her thoughts until sleep finally wrapped its comforting arms around her.