A Glimpse of the Past

Knight Heritage, Italy

8:00 a.m.

Rosaline was in the balcony staring at the smears of white clouds that were scattered in the blue sky. The chirping of birds ringing in her ears, the cool breeze making goosebumps all over her body, her hair bouncing happily in the air but still this serenity was not able to soothe the pain in her heart.

Her eyes were sad and filled with pain. She still couldn't forget how much she got scared when Xavier tried to throw her off the building yesterday. She had never thought that he will ever do that to her. But nothing happened to her right. She wasn't physically hurt but emotionally?

Yes.

Was she in pain?

Yes.

Was she upset?

Yes.

But didn't she expect that from him?

The answer was No.

Xavier had always hurt others to make her listen, he had always threatened others to make her obey, but he had never ever tried to kill her. She was appalled with his behaviour. Rosaline recalled how his eyes looked at her emotionlessly when she was crying her heart out. How his face was dark and dead where her own was painted with fear and pain. His eyes, his voice, his posture, his aura screamed nothing but anger, revenge and death.

Her mind kept going back to the time when she was begging him for help and mercy but Xavier didn't try to calm her down. Instead, he was enjoying her tears and pain and that was where Rosaline got hurt. Xavier had many times abused her, forced her and threatened her but he never enjoyed her misery, her tears. She knew he had always done that because he wanted her to listen and obey him but when things went out of control, he has always tried to make it up to her. Even if he broke his promises multiple times but still, she felt a bit contented when he apologized to her. But this time Xavier was completely changed. He didn't have an ounce bit of mercy or sympathy left for her in his heart so it will be better to keep love out of the picture.

The day in his cabin when they made out, Rosaline may lie that she didn't feel anything for him but deep down her heart, she did feel good. His dominant touch, his cold hands running all over her smooth skin, his rough palms groping her fragile body possessively, his hot lips sucking the life out of her soft flesh marking his territory all over her body, the warmth of his body making her feel safe and tempted, she did feel immense pleasure and enjoyed every moment of their intimate hot session. And why wouldn't she? After so many years Xavier made love to her which wasn't forced but was filled with care and gentleness. She loved it and was even happy but again her heart got shattered into pieces when she came to know that the sole reason behind all this was just to unmask her. It was clear now that there was not a bit of affection left for her in his heart. Her eyes spilled another lake of tears as she recalled his words.

"But don't forget that your Agent husband had spent only fucking four years with you while I had known you for the past 25 years of your life."

Well that was true though. Xavier was her childhood crush. Their cute love story began as an innocent, one sided love of a sweet and shy Rosaline Dawson who fell head over heels in love with the quiet and cold guy Xavier Knight which soon turned into a dangerous and psychotic obsession.

~Flashback

10 years ago

At Stanton Highschool, America

"God!! I will get late again"

Rosaline mumbled to herself while she was hightailing down the corridor. Her thick, brown braids were dangling in air while she kept adjusting her glasses which were slipping continuously from her sweaty, round nose.

Rosaline was a very simple, chubby and shy girl. She was wearing a baby pink top tucked in loose blue jeans along with pink shoes. Her Bambi hazel orbs hidden behind those big round glasses and her long hair was tied up perfectly in two braids. She was famous in the school as the chubby geek. Her puffy cheeks turned red due to running so much. She stopped for a while and held a pillar for support to catch breathe.

Suddenly sounds of loud punches ringed in her ears. She turned to her left and saw a boy practising boxing along with his coach in the gym. Her heart skipped a beat. Rosaline couldn't take her eyes off him. Although she could only see the side view of his face but she became infatuated with him the moment she saw him.

The boy was wearing a loose white tee and black gym shorts. His damped hair, his skin glowing with sweat beads, the veins popping out from his neck and the way his muscles flexed when he swayed his arms furiously made him look so hot and handsome. Rosaline totally lost the track of time and kept staring him like a dumb.

"Well done, Xavier, we'll take a break now"

The coach praised him and handed him a towel. He nodded and took the towel from his hands. He took off his boxing gloves and started wiping off his sweat.

"Xavier"

Rosaline murmured softly.

Xavier immediately stiffened on his spot as soon as he heard a sweet voice from behind. Rosaline panicked as she noticed his frozen state. Xavier turned back but found no one at the door. He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Must be my imagination"

He shook his head and then continued drying himself off.

Rosaline heaved a deep sigh of relief as she rested her head on the pillar. After a few minutes, Xavier walked out of the room. She peeped at him from behind the pillar and smiled.

"You came"

From that day onwards Xavier got his cute secret admirer back.

Rosaline knew Xavier since childhood but Xavier didn't know her or maybe he pretended not to. When they both were kids, they used to live in Chicago and were neighbours.

Xavier was always a quiet and cold guy since childhood. Rosaline always used to watch him from afar but never had the courage to talk to him as she was scared, he might get angry at her or scold her. Xavier never ever spared a single glance at her. Rosaline didn't even know his name but always used to stare him through the window of her room or from her garden. They used to study in the same school when one day suddenly Xavier's Dad send him to Italy and Rosaline also moved on with her life but she couldn't forget him.

After 10 years Xavier came back to United States. Rosaline immediately recognised him after all he was his first love when she doesn't even know the meaning of love. She further came to know that his name was Xavier Knight and he was the son of the famous business tycoon, Mr. Andrew Knight. His father was the CEO of Knight Enterprises and was also the biggest trustee of their school.

Xavier was two years senior than Rosaline and was the hottest heartthrob of the school. All the girls admired him as their Prince Charming while all the boys envied him as he was the ultimate golden package. He excelled in every field, be it sports, academics, arts, dance, music and also had good leadership skills. He was rich, handsome, smart, clever, brilliant basically he was a child prodigy. But people feared him too as Xavier had some serious anger issues and no one ever tried to get in his way because of his fierce personality and dominating aura.

The girls used their best seductive tricks so as to seek his attention. They would dress up in one of the most costly and gaudy dresses and cake their faces with loads of makeup. They would purposely sit near his table, send flirtatious winks at him, drop their phone numbers in his locker or scribble them on his desk and would always linger around him like bees. But their efforts always turned useless as Xavier would never even spare a single glance at them. He would always wear a cold mask around them and would avoid them in the most humiliating manner as if they don't even exist. Unfortunately, he had no friend in the entire campus. He was disgusted with girls because of their slutty tricks and about boys, he didn't consider them that worthy to be his friends. Well, it was not such a big issue as Rich hotties have damn attitude. And Xavier was also one of the kinds, maybe more than that!

Rosaline always used to watch Xavier from afar secretly. She also used to write letters to him in the beginning but stopped when she noticed how he always used to get disgusted with all those love letters stuck on his locker. Rosaline used to secretly clean his locker. She would remove those sticky notes from his locker but makes sure that he doesn't catch her otherwise first, she didn't have the courage to face him and second, she was scared to face the wrath of those freaking Annabelles who would literally eat her alive if they found out that she throws away their love letters which they had written to their heartthrob.

Rosaline always made sure that Xavier never catches her but Xavier always felt weird because in the morning he will find tons of love letters and messages like 'Marry me Xavier' or 'I love you Xavier' scribbled with red and pink lipsticks on his locker but then by the evening, his locker will be completely clean and tidy. He had tried to find it out about the mysterious Samaritan but didn't find any. But this was not it. He always felt a shadow near him as if someone was always watching him. Although it wasn't a new thing for Xavier as he had a habit of staying in the limelight since childhood. Even though he was hella irritated with those love letters but still these jerks would stick them on his desks, lockers, on the windows and bonnets of his car which annoyed him like hell.

But this presence felt familiar to him. He always tried to catch that mysterious shadow but luck was never on his side.

Until one day....

Xavier's P.O.V.

"God not again"

I muttered frustratingly while looking at my car which was covered in pink and purple papers scribbled with hearts and kisses. Today I had decided to teach a good lesson to all those jerks. My patience had completely ran out as I was so done with this stupidity.

I abruptly walked out in the mid of the lecture to check my car. The Professor glared at me but I don't give a fuck about it. I immediately strode inside the garage to check my car and as usual it was embellished with love notes and even there were lipstick marks on the windshield and window panes which was totally disgusting.

My blood boiled in anger. I had clearly instructed my driver, Simon to keep an eye on those boneheads but it seems like he didn't get my point. I immediately fished out my phone from my jacket and was about to give him a piece of my mind when all of a sudden, my eyes landed on the most exquisite and adorable sight I have ever seen in my life.

A short girl with round glasses and chubby cheeks was removing all those notes from my car and was carefully stuffing them in a large paper bag. She was wearing a white shirt with a denim jumper skirt along with white sneakers. Her hair was tied up loosely in a long ponytail and multiple strands of hair were covering her forehead and cheeks. She kept adjusting her glasses while wiping off the sweat beads from her forehead as she continued fighting with those sticky notes. After stuffing off the last note in the bag, she picked the bag and placed it near the trash can. She then took out an off-white cloth from her school bag and a bottle of water. She sprinkled some water on that cloth and started wiping off the stains from the window panes.

I watched her in awe as she kept cleaning off my car. Her small hands vigorously wiping off those sickening marks from my giant Audi R8 was indeed an adorable sight. Unknowingly a small smile crept on my face and I became relaxed. But suddenly many questions popped up in my head. Why was she doing that? Did she know I was around her? Was she doing for an advantage? Had my driver sent her here to clean my car?

Although I desperately wanted to meet her but I stopped myself since I wanted the answers first. Finally, after completing the arduous and fatiguing task, she exhaled and threw that cloth in the trash. She then took out her napkin from the pocket. She took off her glasses and started wiping her damped face with the napkin. She then picked up her bottle from the ground, uncapped it and gulped down the water with her eyes closed quenching her thirst. I hid behind one of the cars so as to check her next move. She then smiled at the perfectly clean and shining car proudly, complementing her hard work silently. It was the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my life. But I was shocked when she picked up her bag from the floor, stuffed her bottle inside it and walked away from there.

I kept staring her till she disappeared from my sight. I then ran to my car. I traced my fingers over the shining glass panes.

"Young Master"

I turned back and saw Simon standing in front of me while panting heavily. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Have you sent any girl to clean my car?"

I asked him in a cold tone. He looked at me puzzled"

"N-No Young Master, why? Is there any problem?"

He spoke with hesitation. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"My car was again ruined today. Where were you?"

I growled with gritted teeth. He frowned as he saw the car was completely clean and tried to argue back but restrained himself as soon as his eyes met with my fierce ones.

"I-I am sorry Young Master, Mr. Knight had called me up for an urgent work that's why I had to leave. I apologize for my mistake. It won't happen again"

I nodded but suddenly I recalled that mysterious apparition. That cute girl can be that mysterious shadow but I wanted a confirmation first before I jump to a conclusion. It is definitely true that she wasn't one of those jerks who always send me those nasty letters because who would throw away their precious efforts but again why didn't she throw them in the trash can, instead she put them beside it. I want to know about this cute doll. An evil idea popped up my mind. I looked at Simon and gave him a smug smirk.

"Alright but you have to do something for me"

****

A month later

Knight's Villa

I was in my room eagerly waiting for Simon. Today was the last day of his secret mission. I had assigned him a job to keep an eye on that cute doll for one month and then report me all her information on the last day of the month which was today. I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in"

The door opened revealing Simon. He bowed to me. I nodded and then he handed me a file. I opened it and instantly my lips curved into a smile as I saw a picture of her on the front page. She was looking too cute and adorable.

"Her name is Rosaline Dawson. She is 16 years old. She is the only child of her parents and as you know she goes in the same school as yours"

I nodded and looked up at him.

"Hobbies?"

"She likes playing piano and sketching cars"

I raised my left eyebrow and smirked.

"Wow impressive. Friends?"

"Rebecca Wills, she is her best friend"

I nodded.

"Boyfriend?"

"None but a boy named Michael Finn has a huge crush on her and always sticks around her", Simon replied.

As soon as I heard that my gaze darkened. I clenched my fists together. But soon my anger faded away when I heard his next words.

"She is your secret admirer, Young Master"

My eyes sparkled in excitement.

I knew it!!

"And Young Master, she is the same girl who used to live next to your house in Chicago"

I looked at Simon in surprise but then I recalled the little brown hair girl with hazel eyes who always used to stare at me through the window of her room.

"Probably you don't know about her Young Master"

Simon spoke while smiling at me. But his smile immediately got dropped as I closed the file and looked up at him.

"Who said that, Simon?"

He looked at me in shock and confusion.

"You know? You know her Young Master?"

He spoke with widened eyes. I chucked at his shocked face.

"I've always known her. I just pretended because I liked her staring at me and stalking me secretly. I immediately recognised her the moment I saw her that day cleaning my car"

I replied in a duh tone. Simon's eyes turned wide as saucers. He stood frozen on his spot. Well, he would be as my Dad always wanted me to behave as a cold and calculated guy. Not because he was chiselling me up for handling his business empire but because he was training me so that I can handle his Mafia business.

My Dad is the leader of Black Swan, the most dangerous and fearsome gang of America. He had told me that he will hand over me the command of the gang on my 19th birthday. I used to train for around 10-12 hours which included shooting, fighting, exercising and learning about Mafia life. I was trained by Dad and my coach Mr. Ben. Mr. Ben was my physical trainer and Dad was my mentor. He used to teach me the tricks and secrets of other rival gangs, how to fabricate a clever plan, how to manipulate our enemies and also how to find out the snakes in our own army. Theses snakes are worse than enemies. In fact he says that enemies couldn't do more harm to us than those backstabbers who act like friends but are worse than foes. Along with this strenuous training, I have to manage my studies also as Dad wants me to be perfect in everything.

Because of such a tiresome and hectic schedule, I never got any time for all this love shit. I don't even give a fuck about all the girls at my school not because I don't have time for them which can be partially true but most importantly because I was waiting for her.

I lied to Simon about recognising her in the parking area. In fact, I had recognised her that day in the gym itself. I knew she was her only. The sound of her small and scared steps, her loud and wild heartbeats, her soft but fast breathes, her sweet and delicate scent were the inkling that I had ingrained in my brain so as to recognize her whenever I find her in the future.

She thinks that I don't know about her and about her little but cute obsession. You are so naive my sweet little doll...

I smiled as her pretty face flashed in my mind. Simon smiled while watching me in surprise.

"That's so surprising Young Master"

I smirked.

"And why is that?"

"It's very rare to see our quiet, cold, aloof and reserved Young Master smiling genuinely and that too for a girl. I think she is the one for you. She is sweet, kind, caring and innocent. Don't you think that?"

He asked me while clasping his hands together in excitement. I chuckled.

"Of course. Till now she was only in my memories. Now it's time to bring her in my life and make her a part of my life too"

Simon smiled at me and then nodded. He then bowed to me and left while closing the door silently.

I picked up the file and removed her picture from it. I threw the file away. I don't need it in fact. I had told Simon to investigate about her so that I could get a bit of information about her personal life. Well, I don't need it because she will be mine soon but I don't want to force her. I want her heart not her body. She is so naive and pure and I have no intentions of forcing or hurting her. She loves me and I love her that will be enough for me to marry her. Now I just need to approach her.

I took the photo frame kept beside my bed. I took out my photo from that and placed hers in it. I placed the frame beside my bed and traced my fingers on her picture.

"You'll be soon Mine...Rosebud"

"Your sweet smile, your glowing face,

You trapped me in your love, you made my heart chase,

The day you entered my life you became my madness,

I forgot all my worries, you wiped out all the darkness,

You are the most beautiful Angel I have ever seen,

I will be your King and you'll be my queen,

Forget all your pain, I will always catch you when you'll fall

Cause now you got your Knight in armour and I got my cute and innocent, my little Doll"

~~~💗~~~