A Fight to Indemnify Love

At Romano Mall, Italy

"Here you go"

Emily chirped as she handed Rosaline an extremely gaudy black off shoulder gown which was studded with diamonds and pearls at the neck and sleeves. It had a long thigh slit and a plunge neckline. Rosaline looked at it in shock, her eyes nearly came out of their sockets.

"I-I can't wear this."

She shook her head in denial as she refused to look at the dress even. Emily rolled her eyes at her childish behaviour.

"Stop behaving like a kid. Come on, you'll look gorgeous in this. Now, go and try it. Shoo!!"

She started pushing her towards the changing room. Rosaline jerked away her hands and looked at her with an annoyed expression.

"I won't wear it and that's final."

She gritted and harshly toppled the gown on the floor. Emily became stunned by her behaviour.

"What the hell!! What is wrong with you? Why won't you wear it, huh? You will wear only this for the ball."

Jennifer spat as she threw her a stern glare. Rosaline glared her back.

"Neither I will wear it nor I will attend any shitty ball of yours. Do hell with your party. I am not going anywhere."

"Oh, you will"

A husky voice rasped behind her. Rosaline turned back only to see Antonio staring her with sternly.

"You will go and you will wear this damn gown which you have thrown on the floor, Mrs. Valentino."

He spoke in a cold voice. Rosaline scoffed at him.

"I am not your slave. So just shut u-"

"Yes, you are one."

Emily cut her off in between. Rosaline looked at her with wide eyes.

"I hope you haven't forgotten that. Don't forget we still have your family card, Mrs. Valentino."

Emily smirked at her. Rosaline clenched her jaw. Jennifer looked at Emily in disbelief but didn't say anything.

All of a sudden, a chuckle escaped through Rosaline's lips. She shook her head and looked at the trio who were watching her with perplexed.

"Oops, I forgot your real faces. Sorry, my bad. I thought I was arguing with my friends but I forgot that you're nothing but snakes."

She snapped at Jennifer. Jennifer gulped the lump of guilt which was forming in her throat. Rosaline balled her fists in anger as she tried hard to keep her tears at bay. Jennifer noticed the redness of her eyes. She shifted her gaze towards Antonio who stood behind Rosaline. He shook his head in denial. Jennifer looked down. She then took a deep breath and lifted her head up. Rosaline became shocked as she saw her flashing her a smug smirk.

"You're right. We are snakes, so? What are you gonna do about it? Complain to your husband about us, little Doll?"

She snorted. Antonio and Emily joined her.

"That's all what you can do Mrs. Valentino. Come on, grow up woman and stop scowling and whining like a kid."

Emily spoke while staring Rosaline in disgust.

"It's not her fault Em, Xavier has catered her with his every whim. Too much pampering spoils anyone. He had always showered her with his love and gifts. But I guess your Agent husband hadn't cared for you like my friend, right? That's why you're always sulking."

Antonio snickered. They all started laughing while staring Rosaline with mocking eyes. Tears of helplessness brimmed in her eyes. She looked at them in shock.

Even when you're hurt with your loved ones, even if they had betrayed you once, still somewhere in your heart, a thin string of hope had still tied your bond of years old friendship which makes you believe that someday he or she will definitely understand their mistakes. Someday they'll realize how much they have hurt you in the past. And you also give small talks to yourself in your brain that if they'll come running to you, if they even once admit their mistakes, if they even once apologize to you, you'll forgive them immediately. You try to act tough but if for even once you see their sad and remorseful faces, your stupid, soft heart will immediately accept them and you'll embrace them whole-heartedly erasing all your ill feelings because...

That's what friends are. Right?

But what if they keep slicing your poor heart again and again? What if they keep insulting you? What if they keep crushing your emotions and making fun of your feelings? Making you doubt your own choice of befriending them? Making you feel guilty of how stupid you are that you couldn't judge them? Making you feel ashamed of yourself that you're the one who gave them a chance to demean you?

But these things don’t come in one's mind because at that moment all what you feel is only hurt, pain and too much helplessness. You don't even feel angry at that time because you're so shattered and dead. And that's what happened with Rosaline.

Rosaline kept staring them silently but didn't even shed a single tear. She felt too defeated, hopeless and empty. Their every smile was slowly sucking the life out of her, their cackles were stabbing and breaking her heart bit by bit but do they even care?

Emily bend down and picked up the gown from the floor. She stood up and walked towards Rosaline. She placed the gown on her shoulders and made her hold it. Rosaline kept staring her but this time Emily winced internally as her eyes were only staring her with too much hatred and disgust. She knew it would happen but seeing this much resentment for herself in her eyes made her upset and guilty.

"You are wearing this. End of discussion. We aren't Xavier that we'll tolerate all your tantrums. Now stop fussing around and go."

She spat and pointed the door of the changing room with her index finger. Rosaline looked at her for some time but then scoffed.

"You're right. You aren’t Xavier. Because he is bad but you, you're worst."

She spat, her voice was laced with too much hatred and venom. Emily gulped as sadness and regret hit her hard. Rosaline walked over to her and smiled bitterly.

"You know once just once in my heart, I felt that you all are deceiving me. You're just portraying yourself as villains. I was too much angry with all of you but my heart wasn't ready to believe this. Because that time everyone was present there so I thought you were acting it out but now everything has become crystal clear."

She spoke sadly. Emily looked away as she couldn't grab the courage to look in her eyes anymore which were filled with agony and pain. Rosaline looked at Antonio who was staring her with a cold expression.

"But today, I am not feeling angry at you all but at myself. I don't know why the heck I can't see the reality, why the hell I can't understand the truth. Truth that I am just a toy for you all. A toy whom you all can use whenever you want. A stupid girl who always allows herself to be get used again and again and make a fool of herself in front of everyone just because she wants to live in this false sense of happiness. The reality which she can't see even with her naked eyes that there is no respect, oh! leave respect, no value of her in anyone's eyes. She doesn't even worth to be called as your friend. I am sorry, I keep forgetting that."

She chuckled with teary-eyes. Antonio furrowed his brows; her poignant face squeezed his heart. Rosaline took the gown and handed over to Emily.

"Why are you even asking me to change in that? You simply buy it as I am in no place to argue with biggies like you. You simply throw any dress on me, I'll wear it."

She spoke while flashing her a benign smile. Emily kept staring her while Jennifer immediately left the scene as she couldn't control her tears and hear her heart wrenching speech anymore. Emily took the gown from Rosaline's hands while staring her impassively. Rosaline smiled and slowly walked away from there leaving Antonio and Emily drowned with guilt and pain.

*****

Meanwhile

At Knight Heritage

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU XAVIER? WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BANDAGE YOUR WOUNDS?"

Sebastian yelled on top of his lungs in frustration at Xavier who was sitting on the bed staring in space.

For the past 30 minutes, Sebastian was trying his best to convince Xavier to get his wounds treated but Xavier always shuns him up rudely.

Sebastian and Elijah were currently inside Xavier's bedroom. Katherine and Sophia were nagging both of them to stay with Xavier but Elijah threw them out as he slammed the door right on their faces making the girls leave while showering profanities on him. Noah left the mansion immediately after the picayune conflict he had with Antonio at the dining table and hadn't returned home yet.

Not able to take his tantrums anymore, Sebastian even called a doctor as they all didn't have the courage to call James after Xavier humiliated him. But as soon as the doctor arrived, Xavier pointed the gun on his head. He threatened him to run before he shoots him. The doctor immediately ran away from the mansion for his dear life. Since then, Sebastian was continuously shouting on Xavier to have his hand treated but he was adamant on his decision as he kept repeating the same line like a sick psycho.

"Who has given me this wound will only heal it"

He was indirectly talking about Rosaline and this was infuriating Sebastian more. Elijah was quietly watching Xavier; he could see the madness in his eyes as Xavier would always smirk and at the same time clench his jaw time to time while chanting his mantra. He was for sure going insane but Elijah not even for once uttered a single word but on the other hand Sebastian was going all frenzy.

"Leave. Stop bothering me."

Xavier answered in a monotonous tone. Sebastian glared him.

"Xavier, mind your tongue boy. Stop painting everyone with the same brush. Earlier also you insulted James but that doesn't mean I will tolerate your shits. Don't forget who I am."

Sebastian growled at him. Xavier looked at him with narrowed eyes. But then a deep throaty chuckle escaped his lips.

"You are damn right, how can I forget a person who destroyed my entire life."

He rasped. Sebastian became shocked by his words. Elijah kept quiet as he watched the drama silently.

"What do you mean? HOW DARE YO-"

"Exactly, how dare you?"

Xavier barked on his face. Sebastian's eyes widened in shock as soon as he heard him. Xavier stood up, he walked towards him while holding his bloodied hand.

"How dare you, Sebastian?"

He spoke with gritted teeth. Sebastian gulped.

"What? What are you trying to say?"

"Oh!! Cut the fucking crap. You know very well what the fuck I am talking about. Aren't you?"

Xavier clenched his jaw. Sebastian glared him.

"And you also know why I did that. Don't you?"

He argued back. Xavier's eyes turn dark after hearing his reply.

"And who the fuck gave you the permission to interfere in my life."

"XAVIER !!"

"SHUT UP!!!"

Xavier blared. Sebastian looked at him in shock. He couldn't believe as this was the first time Xavier had raised his voice at him. Sebastian flinched when all of a sudden Xavier grabbed his collar with his injured hand, painting his shirt with his blood.

"Why? Why.did.you.do.that? You knew, you fucking knew how much I love her. How much she means to me then why the fuck you handed her over to Vincent? I gave you the responsibility of protecting her in my absence and this is what you did. Backstabbing me?"

He snarled. Xavier held his shoulder as he looked in his eyes sadly.

"You knew I have no choice, Xavier. Elijah's life was at stake. It was a case of Hobson's choice. I had to do that to protect Elijah, our brother."

Sebastian emphasized the last words.

"So, you traded it with my wife?"

Xavier scoffed while glaring him with his blood-red eyes. Sebastian was taken aback by his reply. He could see the fire and rage in his eyes for him. He knew that Xavier has finally come to know that he was the one who was responsible for separating him from Rosaline. Sebastian knew now the secrets are unfolded; the truth is out now there's no way he can hide anymore. So, the only one way he can bring Xavier back under his thumb as by pulling up his family card.

Sebastian grabbed both of his shoulders and squeezed them as he spoke while staring in his eyes deeply.

"Our Elijah could have died, Xavier. You would have done the same thing if you were in my shoes. You remember our pledge right. We swore to protect each other with our lives at all costs even if we have to sacrifice someone else's life. It is all we who matters us the most. Not anyone else, that's what our Boss and your father, Mr. Knight has always taught us. We took this oath all together and it applies to every one of us. And if one deviates from his path, it's the duty of other to bring him on his right track by anyhow, by doing anything. And when I say anything, it means anything."

Sebastian spoke firmly as he tried to manipulate Xavier emotionally. Xavier kept staring him with a deadly gaze. He could easily see that Sebastian was trying to twist his mind.

Xavier removed his hands off his shoulder. Sebastian frowned and looked at him but his eyes widened when he noticed his blood-shot eyes which were glistening with tears.

"You and your dirty manoeuvres won't work this time, Seb. I have finally seen your real face. You did everything because Dad told you to. You think I don't know about this?"

Xavier snapped at him. Sebastian became stunned by his reply.

"W-What are you saying? W-What the hell are y-you trying to imply? I am playing with you? Me? Your Seb-"

Sebastian babbled in nervousness but Xavier immediately raised his palm right in front of his face making him shut.

"Don't act. I know everything. I know Dad didn't wanted Rose to be my bride but still I made her my wife. He did show his fake happiness in front of me but the truth was that he was just masking his anger behind his cheerful smile. He even called you, Elijah and Noah inside his room the night before he got killed by the rival gang and ordered you guys to break this marriage somehow even if you had to kill my Rosebud."

He spat the last word with gritted teeth. Sebastian felt as if a bucket full of cold water was splashed on his face with full force as he stayed rooted on his spot like a mannequin. Xavier scoffed as he stared at his face which was white as sheet.

"You thought you could keep me in dark throughout my whole life. I would never come to know about your evil plans?"

He seethed on his face. Xavier then turned behind and looked at Elijah. Sebastian understood everything. He marched towards Elijah furiously and yanked him by his collar.

"YOU TOLD HIM EVERYTHING?"

He roared. Elijah smirked at his trembling figure and nodded.

"You've played with Xavier and Rosaline enough."

He harshly rebuked as he jerked his hands away.

"You were involved too. Why portray me as the villain?"

Sebastian gritted. Elijah looked at him with an annoyed face.

"Because I always tried to stop you and Noah but you both never listened to me and kept reminding me of this bloody oath. Can't you fucking see that you were ruining Xavier by your fucking games? Just to build him as a heartless, cruel Mafia of America you snatched away his happiness. I even fought with you the day that bastard kidnapped me but you ruined all my efforts when you told me that you had handed Rosaline to him. I didn't want you or Noah to become enemies of Xavier that's why I always kept my mouth shut. But now it's enough. I can't see that poor girl suffering so much because of you all. You not only destroyed Xavier's life but her too when she only gave you respect. That's why I told him everything."

He said while glaring Sebastian.

"YOU-"

"ENOUGH!!!"

They both became shocked as they heard an angry growl from behind. They looked back only to see Xavier glaring them ferociously. Their heart bled as the eyes which always used to stare them with love and respect were today glaring them with antipathy and fury.

Xavier marched towards them with predatory steps. Sebastian looked at him with hurt.

"Why? Just why YOU have to be the one who did this with me? Just why in the world YOU have to be the one who ruined my whole life? Why YOU have to be the one who took away my lifeline, snatched my whole bundle of joy, my Doll, my Rosaline away from me? Just why, WHY YOU DID THIS TO ME SEBASTIAN?"

Xavier spoke in a hoarse voice, his vision turned blurry with tears. Sebastian looked down in shame.

"I just wanted you to protect Xavier. I know I did wrong but this is the life which we and your Dad always wanted you to live. We wanted you to become powerful but Rosaline was becoming your weakness."

He spoke in a broken voice. Xavier looked at him. His lips curved into a cynical smirk.

"She isn't my weakness; she is my biggest strength. My cornerstone, my pillar. She is everything I have. She is my whole world."

He spoke in a determined voice. Sebastian looked at him in shock while Suga smiled at him.

Xavier walked towards Sebastian with threatening steps as he looked in his eyes which were painted with guilt and sadness.

"You had done enough damage Seb now it's my time to make things up. I trusted you, respected you. I kept lashing out at my Rose defending you all when you were the main culprit not her. I hurt her so much, I made her shed too many tears but not now. I have lost her too many times but I won't let her slip away from my fingers this time. Consider this as my last warning, stop messing and creating problems between us. You know I don't talk in air. I mean each and every single word because if you or someone else came between me and my Rosebud this time, I swore on my dead mother, I'll burn him alive."

Xavier spoke with gritted teeth.

"You all have tried your best in separating us but perhaps you all forgot....

"Rose was mine, she is mine and she'll remain mine only. Neither you can part us nor even the death"

~~~💗~~~