A Guilt trip

Two days later

Knight Heritage, Italy

7:00 p.m.

Rosaline was sitting on the bed silently while lost in deep thoughts. She got discharged from the hospital two days ago.

Rosaline had been fully recovered by now. Xavier had brought her back to the Knight Heritage. Emily, Jennifer and Antonio were stuck with her like a glue all the time. They were too delighted for her as that incident had for sure undermined her health. But Rosaline wasn't happy. Since she had returned from the hospital, Xavier was giving her a cold shoulder. Although she didn't let it become evident but deep down his impassivity hurt her.

Love is so stupid. She doesn't even know what relationship she shares with Xavier. Was it love or hate? She wants to hate him but still her heart beats for him only, she wants to leave him but at the same time her eyes turn teary when she couldn't find him, she wants to shout at him, hurt him, give him the same pain and torture which he had showered on her but at the same time she wants to heal his scars and wipe his tears, she wants to find happiness in his misery but when she sees him broken, her own soul gets torn apart.

And for Vincent, he hadn't called her for two days. Rosaline was feeling ashamed of herself after that ignominious incident. And she didn't have the courage to call him also. She was feeling disgusted with herself. How can she let Xavier take control over her feelings? Why didn't she stop him? But now what's done had been done so there was no point in hiding. She had to confront him and tell him everything. Even if she had to admit her mistakes.

But still Rosaline was a bit dubious about Vincent. She still couldn't erase that memory from her mind. The day she left Xavier, Rosaline couldn't forget the betrayal and anger she saw in Xavier's eyes. The way he looked at Vincent as if he was cheated? As if he was played by him? And most importantly it looked...

As if they knew each other since so long?

She saw everything. But still she decided to drew the blinds.

Rosaline was in a dilemma. She wants to believe Vincent. She wants to trust him and be faithful to him but her own heart betrays her every time. She knows that she is here for a mission, a mission to bring down the Scorpions, to demolish the image of Xavier, to get him behind the bars of CIA, to avenge her misery, to get her revenge. She had even made up her mind and promised herself to not get distracted but why can't she bring that plan into action? What's stopping her?

The situation was too complicated. What to do and what no to? Who to trust and whom not to? Her mind had turned chaotic with all these facts and evidences. She was drowned in an ocean of emotions and couldn't get a hold of herself.

Rosaline flinched as she heard her phone rang. She grabbed her phone and checked the caller ID.

It was Vincent.

Her eyes glistened with joy as finally he called her but at the same time, she felt afraid as an unknown fear crawled in her bones. The rage she saw in his grey orbs when he saw her bruised and blemished neck still give her goosebumps. Vincent was very angry at her and she knew that. Rosaline bit her lip in guilt as she was feeling too embarrassed. Her fingers trembled. She was unable to press the answer button. She kept staring the screen fearfully. She was unable to make up her mind, she couldn't grab the courage to face him. Eventually after a few rings, the call ended.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Rosaline shut her eyes and clutched her phone tightly in her hand. All of a sudden, she jumped on her spot as her phone started ringing again.

Rosaline was utterly terrified but then she had to face him someday. For how long she will keep running away from him? Afterall Vincent had his full rights on her. He was her husband. She didn't want herself to be called as an unfaithful wife. Taking a sharp breath, she finally pressed the answer button. Her heart was beating wildly as if it would come out of her ribcage. With shaking hands, she brought the cell phone near her left ear.

Silence.

Rosaline fisted the bedsheet in apprehension. The only sound which could be heard from the other line was only his deep breaths. She waited for him to say something as she was tongue tied. Her lips were quivering in fear to speak to him, to tell him that she was sorry, to tell him that she didn't cheat with him but the dread of his eerie silence had sealed her lips.

"Rosa"

Finally, after a long-awaited silence, Vincent broke the ice. His tone was authoritative yet fierce. Anger was evident in his baritone which made her petrified. Rosaline clutched the phone tightly in her hands and finally a strangled sob escaped her lips.

"S-Sorry."

Her breathing turned ragged and her heart turned heavy with remorse. She finally broke down.

"I am sorry, I am so sorry.. *sob*.. I didn't meant to*sob*...Don't think...d-don't think I..I c-chea*sob*...I cheat-"

Rosaline couldn't gather herself to say that word as if a load was placed on her tongue. That mere word was now constricting her heart brutally. She was now loathing herself. She placed a palm over her mouth and sobbed like a child.

Rosaline immediately cut the call and buried her face in her palms as she started crying her heart out.

*****

Meanwhile

At Valentino's residence, America

Vincent was in his study. He was still holding the phone in his hand even though Rosaline had ended the call. He did hear everything but didn't spoke a word. He listened to her painful wails quietly but decided to stay silent.

Finally, Vincent removed the phone away from his ear and made his way towards the glass window. He shoved his hands inside the pocket of his trousers. His face was stoic but his eyes were empty as he stared at the black firmament which was embroidered beautifully with night stars. He knew his apathy would have definitely hurt Rosaline but still he chose to be quiet.

While he was staring the city lights suddenly his eyes dazzled with a silvery reflection. Vincent closed his eyes as that intense beam blinded him. He then opened his eyes and blinked his eyes a bit to take a close look at it. It was the reflection of a photo frame which was kept on the table behind him. Vincent turned back. He strolled towards it to get a better view of it. He stood in front of the frame and his eyes automatically turned soft and his heart fluttered.

It was a picture of him and Rosaline from their wedding day. They both were smiling genuinely in that photo as they both were happy at their places. Vincent was celebrating his victory while on the other hand Rosaline was celebrating her new freedom.

Vincent raised his hands and slowly traced his finger on Rosaline's face, caressing it gently and softly.

A victorious smirk got plastered on his face as he stared at her face with a diabolical grin.

A deep throaty chuckle left his throat as he chuckled like a maniac.

"Oh, my Candy, you are really so sweet. So innocent, so pure. Matt was right."

Vincent rasped and shook his head. A playful smile lingering on his face.

The reason behind his distance from Rosaline for two days was not his anger but because of his evil plan which he was fabricating to bring her back.

After that hickey incident, Vincent decided to drop his plan of keeping Rosaline with Xavier. He cancelled the mission as he couldn't bear their closeness anymore. His jealousy and possessiveness had reached to its peak. Vincent was insecure, scared and mad. He just wanted to see Rosaline in front of his eyes. Although his Dad had tried to very hard to convince him to drop his idea as it would ruin the whole plan but Vincent turned a deaf ear to all his suggestions.

Matteo had kept himself away from all this nonsense as he was still against his brother's madness. Vincent even told his parents that he will himself go to Italy and bring Rosaline back with him forcefully if she denies. He had completely gone insane and his craziness was unstoppable. Matteo had to finally butt in the matter when he saw that Vincent was getting out of control day by day. Although he felt bad for that poor girl but Vincent was his little brother so he can't turn a blind eye to him also. He was torn between responsibility and truth. He wanted to help Xavier as he was right but at the same time, he can't see his brother upset and go lunatic. He knew he was doing wrong so he decided to choose a wise path.

Matteo then advised Vincent to talk with Rosaline regarding this patiently. Although Vincent agreed to his decision but still, he had made his mind that he will bring her back either by hook or crook.

"I was thinking how to get hard on you. You don't have any idea how much I was busy in all this planning and plotting. How much I pressurised my mind as to how can I pull you out from that hellhole but you really made my job easier, darling."

Vincent chuckled darkly while talking to himself. Although he was laughing but his eyes were red rimmed. He had indeed turned psychotic but it was just the beginning.

Vincent then maintained his composure as he finally calmed down. He then quickly called Rosaline.

After a few rings she picked up.

~OTP

Vincent: Hello Rosa.

Rosaline didn't reply but her constant sniffing was the evidence that she wanted him to say something. Vincent's heart twitched unknowingly as he couldn't bear her in this state. He sighed and spoke in his raspy voice.

Vincent: It's okay. I am not angry. It's just I didn't expect that but I know it wasn't consensual, right?

He emphasized the last word, his tone turned gruff. Rosaline quickly shook her head as if he was watching her.

Rosaline: No, I am sorry. He forced me. It wasn't my fault.

She quickly tried to justify herself. Well, it was the truth as Xavier had indeed forcefully kissed her.

Vincent clenched his jaw. He balled his fists tightly, the tip of his fingers turned white.

Vincent: I knew it.

He growled; his grey eyes completely turned dark. Vincent closed his eyes to control himself. He knew it wasn't her fault but he didn't want her to get away with it so easily.

Rosaline: I know V, I know you are angry at me but I swear to God, I am innocent. I really didn't do anything. You know me V. I will never stoop this low. I will never cheat behind your back. Please believe me.

She cried while imploring him helplessly. Rosaline knew she was at fault. She was feeling too guilty and ashamed of herself. Vincent was indeed her backbone. He didn't leave her in a lurch when she needed someone the most. She didn't know his true intention; all she knew that he stayed by her side when everyone turned their backs to her. When the world caged her in a witness box and threw mud slings at her, Vincent was there for her. He stood for her, gave her his name and an identity, returned the self-respect and boosted up her confidence which Xavier had snatched away from her. It was the bitter truth which no one can deny.

Not even Rosaline herself.

Rosaline: I know you are angry at me V but please don't doubt me. Don't question my character, don't think of me as a who-

Vincent: SHUT UP!!

Vincent immediately cut her off with his fierce blare. Rosaline immediately sealed her lips but continued sobbing silently.

Vincent: Don't, I repeat don't you dare call yourself that. Understood?

He spoke with gritted teeth. His razor-sharp jaw clenched tightly as he growled at her silence.

Vincent: Rosaline, I think I said something.

His low deep voice echoed inside the four walls of the room.

Rosaline: I-I, yeah.

She whimpered. Vincent sighed at her laconic response. He knew she was mortified of her action. Although he wanted to scream his head off and lash out at her. He was mad enough to chew nails but he couldn't see Rosaline like this.

Although it was only a fake love as his real motive behind all this charade was to defeat Xavier but Vincent had now fallen deep into that pit which he had dug for his enemy. He had started loving Rosaline. He felt bad for her when he heard her clarifying herself. Vincent definitely was enjoying this as Rosaline made his job easy. She took all the blame and freed himself but he himself doesn't know why he wasn't liking it. Unknowingly his felt a pang of guilt in his heart.

'Am I doing wrong with her?', he thought.

'No Vincent, don't deviate from your plan. You need to put Rosaline totally under your thumb. Don't get soft.'

Suddenly his chest vibrated in fury. His demons took over his mind and heart. His eyes glimmered with a dark promise. Vincent immediately subsided his feelings and focused on his plan.

Rosaline's sobs pulled him out from his trance. A satisfactory smirk crept on his face as the hurdles immediately moved away on their own clearing his path.

Vincent: If you are really guilty then will you do as I say?

He spoke in a cold but calm tone.

Rosaline: Sure, whatever you'll say. I promise.

She quickly chirped.

Vincent smirked sinisterly and finally pulled his card.

"Then Come back."

~~~💗~~~