Dark Roses Die

Chapter 3 - Impossible Offer

                                                                            Imelda 

I sat there confused. “You led me here?!” I asked, shocked.. “Yes,” he replied softly. “You were the one who put me in this mess in the first place!” I said. 

“I had too, you’d been marked, sit down and I’ll explain, I know you have questions, I have the answers. I just need you to be patient and listen,” he responded slowly as I sat down staring at him again. “These people are not just a group, they have a whole organisation which uses and manipulates people, they target and mark. The  Roses you saw, they weren’t just friendly greetings they were a  mark, you would’ve been next in a m*********r or some plot to work for them or get them out of trouble,” he said his face serious and eyes wide. “I was though, i was involved in the m*********r,” i said annoyed.  

 “ The press release about everything that happened during the dark hour was false, faked by me,” he said. I looked at the table trying to comprehend what I was hearing. “Why me, why did they pick me?” I asked interrogating him. “I don’t know, but you were most likely their next puppet,” he replied dismayed. “It makes sense, but why did you kidnap me, break in and ruin everything, you could’ve told me all this from the beginning!” I asked. “I’m with them, I found out the truth after they targeted me, what really happens, what they do and what they're willing to do. I couldn’t just threaten them, they’d kill me,” he answered hurt reflecting from his eyes. He looked down at his feet, tightening his jaw. Ignoring his sudden change of demeanour i continued, “So what did you do huh?”. Not looking up he responded “I convinced them to put me in charge for the next plot, you, so that I could gain an ally but also find out more, the killings were fake but everything else was real. I hired and planned strategically, the gunmen and the victims and even the news for the press. If i hadn't done this, people would have actually been hurt or worse killed.  I looked at him. He was young like me and had gone through so much already. “It’s fine I understand,” I uttered quietly. I sat there in silence feeling sorry for him, he didn’t deserve this, no one did. The door opened and a tall man walked in, dressed all black and neat. “You called me sir?” he asked softly. “Yes, the payments that were discussed are due tomorrow, it needs to be done. The girl here will be staying with us, I assume the arrangements are done,” Zathrian replied kindly. The man nodded, his face tanned and eyes a light hue of brown, like honey and his voice low and smooth as he replied “ yes sir, everything is ready.” “That is all,” Zathrian finished, smiling as the man left.

                                                                                      Zathrian 

I looked at the window breathing out slowly but heavily. “Anymore questions?” I asked looking back at her. “Not one at the moment,” she replied hesitantly. I placed the gift on the table in-front of me “this is for you, all yours,” I said nervous for real this time. “It’s a bit weird you're giving me a gift after everything that's happened but thank you I guess,” she said smiling as her eyes lit up. I laughed. It was quite weird I thought but essential. She’d understand soon. She opened the bow delicately as if it were fragile. Then removed the lid. In front of her in the box lay 2 phones, 4 walkie talkies, 2 sets of earbuds, 2 guns all dull and monochromatic.This was what I call a starter pack. “This is the most boring yet not boring gift I have ever received, does it even count as a gift?” She asked her eyes wide but impressed. “You’ll need it, I’ll explain the schedule and rules tomorrow after breakfast at 9!” I answered demandingly. She looked at me curiosity morphing her expression. “You're so confusing,” she proclaimed. “Confusing?” I questioned her quite taken back. “To read I mean!” She replied standing up. “ I guess I’m staying here then, since you tore down my house and made everyone run for the hills!” She continued sarcastically. I struggled trying to keep the laugh in. I forcibly cleared my throat. Things need to be kept professional, I thought. “Yes, your room is ready, down the hall left staircase and then the first room on the right. It will have your name on it,” I answered. Her jaw dropped. “You seriously have a room ready for me, like actually for me?” She gasped, the box in her arms. “Yes, everything has gone to plan, you are where we need you and things are running smoothly,” I replied attempting not to look proud.