Dream or Reality?

At Knight Hospital

James's P.O.V.

"Rosaline is out of danger. She was exhausted of being inside the elevator for so long that's why she has become a bit weak. But I had given her the injections. She'll be alright, Xavier."

I spoke as calmly as possible so as to assure the Mafia King who was sitting near his wife holding her hand gently while looking me with teary-eyes.

But I lied to him.

The truth is that Rosaline would have died today if she had stayed a bit longer inside the lift. But I can't tell this to Xavier otherwise he'll panic. His temper is already on the edge and I don't want to anger him more. He will lose his cool and God knows what he'll do if he comes to know that...

Someone had tried to kill his Rosebud.

I might be wrong but her pulse was too low when she was brought to the hospital. There is no chance that it was an accidental case. But I can't underestimate Xavier, he himself must be well aware of that but I don't care about all this because right now my priority is to keep Rosaline safe and Xavier sane as he had already created a lot of ruckuses inside the Hospital. He was continuously fighting with the medical staff as they weren't letting him inside Rosa's room. He was about to shot one of the doctors so I quickly called him inside.

As soon as Xavier entered the room, he rushed to Rosaline and sat beside her. She was unconscious and I was giving her the injections. Xavier enveloped her small hands in his large ones and was sobbing silently. I looked at him sadly because I know how much he gets scared for his Rosebud. I didn't say anything further and continued my work.

Present time

"But Brother, my Rosebud had been inside that deadly box for about an hour. That's too dangerous, don't you think? And besides my baby was looking completely pale and half dead. Then how come you're saying that she's fine?"

Xavier spoke in a crying voice but anger was laced in his tone. I narrowed my eyes at his accusation.

"I know you're dead worried about your wife but I have checked her Xavier. Definitely she was dehydrated but I have given her the medicines. Rosaline must had become too terrified so it is obvious that you had witnessed her pale body. But trust your brother, she is completely out of danger now. Just let her rest and make sure to stay by her side when she wakes up. There's a possibility that she would freak out and it will be natural so don't panic."

I warned him strictly but Xavier just nodded like a child. I sighed and left the room quietly.

Well, I was not shocked by Xavier's behaviour in fact it was expected. The implacable and relentless Mafia Prince whom the world fears, whose name is enough to make them shiver like a leaf has only one weakness. There's only one person who can melt his stone-cold heart and that is his Rosebud.

Xavier forgets everything when it comes to Rosaline. He forgets that he is a Mafia or a leader of a dangerous and vicious gang. His soft and caring side is switched on automatically just by a single glance of his Rosebud's beautiful face. I peeked through the glass window and saw Xavier caressing Rosaline's forehead softly. He was rubbing small circles on the back of her hand while tears kept escaping his eyes. He looked broken, hurt and guilty and I know why. He must be blaming himself for her condition.

I know Xavier since childhood. Like Noah, Eli and Seb, I was also a member of Black Swan. Xavier had introduced me to Rosaline when they were in high school. I was studying medicines that time from Stanford University. I was taken completely by surprise when I saw how Xavier was watching Rosaline. His cold eyes that only reflected anger and ruthlessness were sparkling with love and admiration. It was true love. I saw how Xavier was staring Rosaline softly when she was talking to me shyly. The way his obsidian orbs kissed her pretty face with care and love when she kept tugging her hair behind her ears while blushing furiously was indeed a heart-warming sight to behold.

I understood that Rosaline was getting a bit uncomfortable as she was very coy and timid that time. So, me and Seb started to crack jokes so as to lighten up her mood and make her comfortable. And it did as she started smiling and laughing while Xavier was staring her all the time like he was memorising her every feature. His eyes never left her face not even for once as if she was an exquisite piece of art. I was surprised to see Eli as he was also taking part in the conversation which was very unexpected from him. We all were happy for Xavier.

Rosaline came like a ray of sunlight in Xavier's life sweeping away all the darkness and gloominess. He became lively again. Xavier loved her unconditionally and always treated her like a Princess. We all liked and loved Rosaline as our younger sister. She was very sweet, innocent, kind-hearted and chubby kid. When Xavier told me that he is marrying her, we all were very happy and supported his decision except one person.

And he was none other than Noah.

Well Noah was not a big fan of Rosaline since the very beginning. I don't know what was wrong with this man but he had always despised her. He knew about Rosaline and Xavier before us so I thought that maybe he was in favour of this relationship but I was totally wrong.

I still remember the day when Xavier had brought Rosaline to his house so that we all can meet his dream girl but Noah was not at all interested. When Rosaline met him, she smiled and extended her hands forward for a handshake but he didn't accept it and kept staring her blankly. We all were shocked and a bit disappointed at his coldness. Rosaline was also taken aback as her face fell. Xavier glared Noah in anger but he just rolled his eyes and walked away from the room leaving all of us stunned.

But that was not it. He always created troubles to stop this marriage. He even tried to convince Xavier's Dad that Rosaline is not the right girl for him as she was so innocent and can never be able to survive in this harsh and dark world. Mr. Knight was also not in favour of this marriage but he loved his son very much and finally gave his approval for the marriage. It's good that Xavier didn't came to know about all this otherwise Noah wouldn't had been breathing today. But I don't blame him as his worries were presumably true because we all have seen what Rosaline had to go through.

I had never thought that Xavier's love will turn into a deadly obsession. The first time when I saw Rosaline's bruised face, I was shell shocked because that was totally unexpected from Xavier. But I don't hold him nor Rosaline responsible for the current situation. It is because deep down my heart, I had a feeling that this love story would have a bad denouement.

And it became true...

Neither I blame Rosaline for betraying Xavier nor I blame Xavier for torturing her so much that she had to leave him. It is because the truth is that there is only one person who is responsible for destroying the beautiful, selfless and unending love of these two soulmates.

And that person is none other than....

"Jamie?"

I startled and turned back only to see Eli, Seb and Antonio staring me. Their faces were painted with worry and I could see that their eyes were searching Rosaline and Xavier impatiently. I mentally smiled because no matter how much we are angry at Rosaline for backstabbing Xavier but still we care for her. And I could tell that by the gloomy and worried faces of Eli and Seb. Their moist eyes which were looking at me while reciting a tacit prayer for Rosa's well-being was sufficient to give me my answers.

Antonio ran to me and spoke while panting heavily.

"What happened to Rosa? Is she okay? Where is she now?"

He spoke in one breathe. I smiled and placed my hand on his shoulders, squeezing it lightly.

"She is fine and totally out of danger. Xavier is with her so don't worry."

After hearing my words, they all closed their eyes and sighed in relief.

"Thank God."

Elijah mumbled but I heard it.

"No, it's not"

Suddenly Sebastian spoke in a gruff voice. We all looked up at him and followed his gaze only to see Noah sitting on the bench while his fingers were entangled in his hair as if he was trying very hard to control his anger.

"Noah?"

His body turned stiff upon hearing my voice. We all went towards him but as soon he lifted his face up, I became shocked. He was staring us with murderous eyes while holding his bruised jaw. His eyes were red and his face had blemishes and blood smears.

My eyes widened.

"NOAH, WHAT HAPPENED?"

End of James's P.O.V.

*****

Meanwhile

Rosaline's P.O.V.

"Xavier? Where are you taking me?"

"Sshh Rosebud, just a few steps more"

He spoke softly and guided me to move forward. I clutched his hand tightly and he was making sure I don't trip.

"That's it."

With that he left my hand. I startled but he placed his hands on my shoulder and squeezed them a bit.

"I am here love. Don't worry."

Xavier assured me. I sighed in relief. He then opened the blindfold but before I could open my eyes, he covered them with his palms.

"Open your eyes slowly."

I nodded and then slowly he removed his hands from my eyes. I squinted a bit. My eyes widened as the scene unfolded in front of me leaving me in complete shock.

Xavier took me inside a room which was decorated with heart shaped balloons and beautiful flowers. A large heart was made on the floor with rose petals and on the wall of the room, "WILL YOU MARRY ME" was written with golden letters.

"WOW! THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!"

I yelled while jumping in air. Xavier chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"You liked it?"

I looked him and nodded vigorously. He smiled.

"Liked it? I LOVED IT, THANK-YOU!!"

I jumped on him and hugged him tightly. Xavier laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I am glad that you liked it."

We then broke the hug and stared in each other's eyes.

"I love you Xavier"

I spoke with teary-eyes as I was too elated. He cupped my face and looked in my eyes softly.

"I love you too."

Xavier replied and with that he started leaning forward, I smiled and closed my eyes waiting for his lips to embrace mine.

But...

They never touched.

I frowned and spoke in an irritating voice.

"Xavier?"

No answer.

I opened my eyes. A scream escaped my lips as instead of my Xavier a tall man was standing in front of me. He had thick black mullets but I couldn't see his face as he had covered it with a white mask. My heart jumped when all of a sudden, he pulled me towards himself in one swift motion.

"W-Who are you?"

I tried to get out of his hold but he scoffed.

"You know me damn well babe"

A deep raspy voice echoed in my ears making me froze on my spot. He then slowly removed his mask.

I was shocked.

"V?"

He was none other than Vincent. He nodded while smirking at me menacingly. Suddenly everything started to turn black. I became horrified and looked at him but he kept smiling sinisterly. I started wriggling in his death grip but a deep husky chuckle escaped through his throat which ran chills down my spine.

"L-Leave me! X-Xavier, XAVIER!!"

I started thrashing violently in his hold but he pulled me more closer crushing me with his well chiselled figure. My heart was thumping in my chest wildly, I bet he was also able to hear it as his smirk widened.

"Why are you getting so scared Rosa? And who is Xavier? You chose me yourself babe, remember?"

I froze and looked at him in shock.

"N-No you're l-lying, I don't even know you and how come-"

I spat in anger and kept pushing his shoulders. My breath hitched as he circled his left hand around my waist and pulled me closer to his chest. My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion but soon my confusion got replaced with fear as he pulled out a gun which was tugged in his pants and pointed it to his right.

"You don't know me but you know my name? How come is this possible?"

He chuckled sinisterly near my ear. My blood ran cold.

'Yes, he is right. I don't even know this man still how am I able to recognize him?'

'What's wrong with me?'

'What's happening to me?'

Thousands of questions started running in my mind like a wild storm. I was going insane. Vincent noticed my panicking state. He chuckled darkly and turned his head to the right. I followed his gaze but a terrifying scream escaped my lips.

"XAVIER!!"

Xavier was lying on the floor in a battered form. He was staring me sadly. His eyes held an expression of pain and hurt. But what surprised me the most that it was not because of physical pain but because of...

Betrayal?

'But what I did I do?'

I tried to go near him but immediately got pulled back. My back collided with a hard chest making me tremble. A hot breath fanned my ear making me shiver in disgust.

"Don't forget. You yourself decided to deceive him. You're an unfaithful wife."

Vincent chuckled darkly.

"NO!! I AM NOT!!!"

I kept crying and shouting but Xavier just stared me with teary-eyes.

"Say goodbye to your Rosebud Mafia."

Vincent rasped in a malevolent voice. With that he pulled the trigger.

"NOOOO!!!"

The bullet hit Xavier right on his chest. Blood started oozing out from his body while some got splattered on my face.

I was a crying mess. My whole world collapsed right in front of my eyes. It felt like someone has stabbed a knife in my heart. Xavier smiled sadly but before folding his teary orbs, he mumbled something. I focused on his lips but the ground snatched beneath my feet when I deciphered his last inaudible words which were enough to shatter my last hope and my heart into millions of pieces.

"I hate you Rosebud"

Those four words were my downfall and with that everything turned black.

I opened my eyes as I jolted up in fear. I scanned my surrounding only to find myself stuck between huge white ceilings. The beep sound made me turn my head to the right only to see ECG machines displaying the sine waves of my heartbeat.

"Where am I?"

Suddenly a memory flashed my mind making my insides tremble with trepidation.

Noah's call

The elevator

Lights off

Darkness

I was screaming

My heart started palpitating violently. My hands started shaking. The fear of death started crawling inside my body again. I shivered in horror as the walls slowly changed their colour from white to pure black.

The ghastly fear which had groped me inside the elevator again took over my mind and soul. The walls started coming closer to me and I again found myself being encased in that deadly container. The walls kept decreasing the distance slowly. I felt my heart will come out of my chest.

"H-Help"

No one answered.

I tried to get up but I couldn't even lift a finger. I tried to scream but my apprehension was strangling me brutally and I was feeling myself so forlorn and helpless. The thought of dying was crushing all my hopes of living again. I tried to cry but it felt like my tears had betrayed me too. The machines started to go in a haywire as my heartbeat kept increasing with a tremendous speed. I was on the verge of death. I was trying to calm myself down but I had no control over myself and the fear of losing my life was increasing with every ticking second. Finally, I succumb to despair. There was no chance I could survive. There was no one who could help me.

No one could see my tears,

No one could hear me cry,

No one could feel my fears

So it's better that I should die.

I finally gave up and closed my eyes. A sad smile crept on my lips as I prepared myself to take my last breath when....

"ROSE!!!"

I opened my eyes when suddenly two large muscular arms lifted me up in air and I found myself being engulfed in a warm soothing embrace.

My eyes widened in shock. I opened my mouth to scream but words died in my mouth as soon as I heard a familiar crying voice. Unknowingly I felt my stiff muscles getting relaxed. My body hung loosely in his hold and my breathing turned normal. Tears of sadness were continuously wetting my neck as pained whimpers escaped through his throat squeezing my heart.

"I am so sorry my Rosebud"

~~~💗~~~