"I can sense your every move even with closed eyes"

"You think I don't care; you think I don't love you

You may deny it thousand times but I know my indifference hurts you

But that doesn't mean you can leave me, don't dare to use my silence as a gain

Thinking that I am ignoring you so you can betray me again

Don't think to play with me Rose, I can catch all your lies

You think I am not watching you but I can sense your every move even with closed eyes."

Next day

Knight Heritage, Italy

8:30 p.m.

Rosaline was in the living room along with Jennifer and Emily. They all were sitting on the couch and were busy chatting and laughing with each other. Emily and Jennifer were telling Rosaline about their previous Agent lives and their past experiences in CIA. Where Emily was boasting about her heroic Lara Croft stunts proudly, Jennifer was busy goofing around.

"I turned around and immediately grabbed the chain which was behind him. Without wasting time, I swirled it around his neck and strangled him to death."

Emily spoke fiercely. Rosaline gasped in horror.

"Oh My God!"

Jennifer smirked at her petrified face. Suddenly her eyes landed on Xavier who was entering the mansion along with others.

'Great timing', she thought.

"Oh, come on Rosie, that's nothing. We both had killed around thousands of criminals, it's a very common thing, little girl. And you know Emily's best shot is head shot. She is expert in it."

Jennifer smirked. Emily looked at her in shock. She gave her a 'WTF' look. Jennifer winked at her and wiggled her eyebrows. She followed her gaze. Her lips then twisted up into an evil smirk.

"Yeah, I like that. I love to see my enemies in pain. Their bodies seeping with blood, their pale faces, their heart burst open, their eyes staring me with pity, ahh I just love that."

Emily spoke in an eerie tone. Rosaline turned pale. Her blood ran cold as she was appalled by this gruesome information. She looked at Emily and found her staring her like a psychopath. She immediately scooted away from her. Rosaline looked as if she could cry any moment. As soon as Jennifer saw Xavier coming towards them, she burst into laughter.

"Oh My God Rosie, just look at your face."

"Yeah, you're crying."

Emily deliberately said that so as to see Xavier's reaction which they got because he abruptly snapped his neck to towards her. He kept walking while his eyes were glued on Rosaline's frightened face.

'It's working, it's working.', Jennifer screamed in her mind.

She saw how Xavier looked at Rosaline with concern but he didn't want to make it obvious so he hurriedly tried to walk past them. So, she continued her act further.

"Seriously Rosie, you? You got scared? You're reacting as if you had never ever heard of these things before."

Jennifer chuckled while holding her stomach. Rosaline glared her and gave a hard smack on her left shoulder.

"Haha-Ouch!"

"Shut up okay. Of course, I hadn't heard of such heinous things before. I hate all this gore and violence and you-You both are monsters."

Rosaline spat while glaring her. Emily scoffed.

"Not more than your husband."

As soon as Xavier heard that, he stopped dead in his tracks. He shifted his gaze towards them. Emily immediately regretted saying that. Her heart skipped a beat just by the premonition. Rosaline was taken aback as she was herself shocked. Jennifer gulped in fear. She saw Xavier glaring Emily through her peripheral vision. She hurriedly tried to cover the situation but the choice of her words only added fuel to the fire.

"O-Obviously, you're married to the head of CIA. Vincent Valentino, the senior most officer of CIA. Your husband is no less than a monster."

She spoke while smiling nervously. Rosaline looked down. Emily also joined the conversation masking her dread.

"Y-Yeah, why? Has Vincent not told you how he hunts down his prey? Well, he is the master in torturing his rivals. Hadn't he narrated his fables of valour to his baby wife? Hmm, Rosie?"

She chuckled while nudging her elbows. Antonio looked at them in pure shock.

'What the hell are they saying?', he thought.

Antonio glanced at Xavier only to see him shooting daggers at both the girls. His jaw was clenched while his chest was heaving erratically clearing indicating that he was just controlling himself. Antonio knew that they both were acting as it was the part of their plan. Although their motto was pure- to bring Rosaline and Xavier close but still they were worried for their dear life as they can't forget with whom they were really dealing with.

"I need to go."

All of a sudden Rosaline stood up making Emily confused. But Jennifer kept teasing her.

"Yeah go, you can't hear bitter words for your hubby. Right Vincent's baby wifey?"

She mocked her oblivious to the fact that someone was boring holes in her head from behind.

Rosaline quickly left the scene while the two the girls kept laughing and jeering her.

*****

~Time skips

9:00 p.m.

Everyone was settled around the dining table enjoying the delicious dishes peacefully. Sebastian and Antonio were discussing about the new deal while Katherine and Sophia were trying to get Xavier's attention by involving him in their stupid conversation. Emily and Jennifer were glaring them with pure hatred and disgust. Elijah was busy munching his food not giving a damn about others. Noah was eating his food silently while his eyes were fixed on Rosaline who looked lost.

She kept twirling the fork between her fingers playing with the food while her gaze was fixed on one spot as if she was cogitating about a very serious issue. Noah then shifted his gaze to Xavier who was eating his food silently ignoring the two chatter boxes sitting beside him. But what confused him more was Xavier's stolidity when he was well aware of everything what was going under his nose.

~Flashback

Two hours before

7:00 p.m.

Noah was heading towards the study to meet Xavier. After the return of Rosaline, Xavier and Noah's relationship was deteriorating day by day. Till now everyone was aware about his aversion towards Rosaline but no one could understand the real reason behind his resentment for the poor girl.

One of the major reasons of Noah's hatred for Rosaline was that since her return, the Scorpions had halted their underground activities which had caused them a heavy loss. Although it was Xavier's call but Noah was outrageous. When Xavier brought Rosaline to Italy, he all of a sudden ordered his members to put a hold on all their activities without giving them a proper and genuine reason. Everyone had to obey his command without any if or but as he holds the sovereign power. However, Noah flouted him for the misuse of his authority. He had tried multiple times to evoke the truth from him but all his efforts went in vain as Xavier always used to shut him up by reminding him of his position leaving no room for further argument.

But this time the issue was dead serious. A few days ago, Noah came to know that their ships were waylaid by their rival gang, Black Panthers. The gang had even confiscated all their weapons. Antonio was also shocked because till now no one has ever tried to trifle with the Scorpions. This was the first time that someone had dared to lay their hands on it's property and even stole it. When Xavier was informed about this, his reaction was unexpected and shocking. His face didn't even show a single sign of worry or rage. Without uttering a single word, he simply stood up and left the room leaving everyone stunned and perplexed. Noah was furious by Xavier's rude and indefensible response. So, he decided to get all his answers and promised himself to not back down till he comes to know what's wrong with that Mafia.

Noah was passing by Rosaline's room when all of a sudden, he heard something which made him halt in his steps. His eyes turned dark with rage while his jaw ticked as soon as a familiar name ringed in his ears which he despised the most.

Vincent

Noah swiftly turned his neck to the right. His mind turned blank and all he could see was red everywhere. He immediately grabbed the door knob and tried to barge in but to his bad, the door was locked from inside. Noah quickly looked around when all of a sudden, his eyes fell on the window of her room which was partially opened. He immediately ran towards it and hid behind the pane to eavesdrop their conversation.

Noah frowned as he saw Rosaline's frozen figure. He didn't know what Vincent said to her which made her this shocked. She looked tensed but her eyes were cold and empty. All of a sudden, the shock on her face got replaced with rage. Noah scowled as he saw how her hands automatically curled up into a fist. Her jaw got clenched as sheer anger crawled in her bones making her insides blaze with fury. She looked angry, very angry.

A prolonged silence made its way inside the four walls of the room. The air turned cold but it didn't affect her as the intensity of the fire which was burning inside her was more. Beads of sweat adorned her forehead and neck. Noah waited patiently for her to say something but more clouds of confusion enveloped his mind when he heard her next word.

"No"

With that Rosaline hung up and threw the phone on the bed. Noah grinded his teeth in frustration as he wanted to know what the hell Vincent said to her which infuriated her this much that she hung up on him. His curiosity reached its peak. He badly wanted to collect all the pieces together so that he could solve this puzzle.

Noah flinched as soon the door burst open. His eyes shone with joy when he saw Rosaline exiting the room. He waited for her to leave. As soon as her figure disappeared from his sight, without wasting a single second he rushed to her room when his phone buzzed.

"FUCK!!"

He growled and checked his phone only to see Maxwell, one of his trusted men calling him. He walked towards the empty hallway and picked it up.

~OTP

Noah: WHAT?

He muttered angrily under his breathe.

Maxwell: Chief, our secret sources have revealed that Black Panther has hastened its activities more around the outskirts of Italy. I think they are again planning to attack us as our spies have spotted some of their men wandering around our ports.

Noah: Hmm, does Boss know about this?

Maxwell: Not yet.

Noah: Alright. Keep an eye on them and make sure they cause no harm otherwise heads will roll.

He growled.

Maxwell: Got it Chief.

With that he ended the call. Noah sighed and ran a finger through his hair. The situation was now getting out of control and Xavier's recklessness wasn't helping at all. Suddenly his eyes widened as he remembered Rosaline. He quickly ran to her room but what he saw next made him froze. His eyes turned wide as saucers while his lips parted in shock.

Xavier was inside Rosaline's room sitting on her bed with her phone in his hand.

Xavier was smirking while checking her phone when all of a sudden, he felt a presence at the door. He tore his gaze away from the phone and looked at Noah who was looking him with wide eyes.

"You need something."

To say Noah was shocked would be an understatement. Never in a million years he had anticipated this but his sudden appearance at this moment and most importantly in Rosaline's room only ruined his plan.

"W-What? What are you doing here?"

He stuttered while his eyes were still staring the brunette in shock. Xavier stared him for some time, his obsidian orbs staring deeply in his brown ones as if he was trying to figure out what was going inside his mind. All of a sudden, a guttural chuckle escaped his lips. Xavier stood up from the bed and took long strides towards him.

"I should be the one asking you this. What are you doing here?"

He spoke in a deep voice; his tone was a bit dominating while his gaze was an intimidating one. Noah gulped when he saw Xavier staring him suspiciously. He averted his gaze and replied nervously.

"I was looking for you only."

"In Rosebud's room?"

Xavier immediately cut him off. Noah glared him but then a mocking chuckle escaped his lips.

"Yeah, where else I can find you? I knew you will be here. And see my prognostication was right."

He spoke with a smug smirk. Xavier didn't reply. His eyes were cold while his face was stoic. Noah knew that he definitely hit his nerve and looked at him eagerly waiting for him to explode. But soon his hopes died in midway when Xavier shoved Rosaline's cell phone in his pocket and walked past him quietly leaving him bewildered and dumbfounded.

End of Flashback~

Xavier's extraordinary strange behaviour was now becoming more and more questionable and dubious. Noah knew that he was planning something big. The Devil can't remain silent for so long and if he is then it only meant that his silence is the harbinger of another deadly cataclysm and this time Rosaline will be the victim of his wrath.

"Rosaline, why aren't you eating?"

Emily's words brought Rosaline out of her trance. She looked up only to see everyone except Xavier looking at her with questioning eyes.

"Uhmm, I am full."

"But you haven't eaten a single bite."

Rosaline swiftly turned her neck to her right and looked at Xavier who was wiping his lips with the tissue. Noah couldn't believe his ears as he himself noticed that Xavier didn't even spare a single glance at Rosaline. Not even for once he had shifted his eyes from his plate then how come he knew that she didn't swallow a single grain? On the other hand, Rosaline was shocked because after two days, this was the first time that he had talked to her.

Xavier looked up and found her hazel eyes staring him in shock. But a glint of hurt and sadness was also hidden behind her shining orbs which didn't went unnoticed by him. Rosaline was very depressed because of the past events. Suddenly a fire erupted inside her heart turning her eyes red and her face dark. Xavier raised his left brow gesturing her to answer but all he got was a glare from her which was filled with pure hatred and rage.

Rosaline immediately put the spoon down and got up.

"I am feeling tired. I am going in my room."

She replied in a stern tone. Rosaline then pushed the chair back and was about to leave when...

"Sit"

She turned back and glared Xavier who was already staring her with deadly eyes.

"Sit down and eat."

He rasped.

"I said I am not hungry."

Rosaline gritted out.

"And I said that you won't leave until you finish your food. Now sit."

He seethed.

"I am not obliged to obey your command. I will do whatever I feel like. Don't forget I am not your finger-puppet anymore."

Rosaline spat making everyone gasp in shock. Antonio looked at Xavier who was glaring her with dark eyes. His jaw was clenched and his aura turned dour which clearly meant that she had crossed the line. Her words not only brought the awful past back but also triggered his hidden beast. His eyes turned red-rimmed as he was furious and also a bit hurt by her harsh words which were no less than a knife. Suddenly a diabolic smile made way to his lips as he smirked.

"But you're still my wife, aren't you?"

Xavier grinned. Rosaline glared him and balled his fists in anger.

"I am not."

"Yes, you are."

He cut her off in between. Rosaline then pushed the chair harshly making it land on the floor with a loud thud.

"NO, I AM NOT!! I NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE!! YOU DON'T OWN ME GOT IT? I WILL DO WHAT THE FUCK I WANT SO YOU BOTH STOP FORCING YOUR DECISIONS ON ME!! STOP TELLING ME WHAT I SHOULD DO AND WHAT I SHOULDN'T? I AM NOT A FOOL, NOT YOUR MARIONETTE!! YOU BOTH ARE NO GODS, ALRIGHT? I AM CAPABLE ENOUGH OF MAKING MY OWN DECISIONS!! I DON'T NEED YOU NOR VINCENT TO TEACH ME WHAT'S GOOD AND WHAT'S WRONG FOR ME!! SO SHUT THE HELL UP AND FUCK OFF!!!"

She yelled with tears streaming down her eyes. Everyone looked at her in shock. This was the first time they saw her like this. Her fierce outburst shook them.

Rosaline then harshly wiped her tears with the back of her palms and ran to her room. Jennifer and Emily immediately stood up and ran behind her. Sophia and Katherine smirked as they saw Rosaline running while wiping her tears. Antonio stared her with sad eyes while Elijah and Sebastian also looked down as they felt bad for her. Noah scoffed and looked at Xavier who was watching everything quietly. But suddenly his brows got furrowed as something flashed in his mind.

"I DON'T NEED YOU NOR VINCENT TO TEACH ME WHAT'S GOOD AND WHAT'S WRONG FOR ME!!"

Noah looked up and found everyone looking at Xavier while confusion was written all over their faces. Xavier sighed heavily. He then took out Rosaline's phone from his pocket and brought it near to his ear while everyone watched his every move with hawk eyes. They frowned as they couldn't decipher the meaning behind his weird demeanour.

All of a sudden, the corner of his lips twisted up and what he said next left everyone shell-shocked.

"I hope you heard everything, Agent."

~~~💗~~~