Caught in the trap

Rosaline's P.O.V.

Forty minutes later

We all were settled around the dining table for the grand repast. The silver plates were decorated with scrumptious, mouth-watering meals and the expensive glasses were filled with exotic liquors. Everyone was engrossed in some important conversations related to their Mafia business and looked quite happy. Except me.

My plate was filled with plenitude of food. I was badly famished earlier but now I had lost my appetite. Although I kept my posture composed but my mind was huddled with a lot of questions. The encounter with that green eyed apparition had thrown me into a puddle of unwanted and scary possibilities. But was it really a reality or an illusion?

~Flashback

"How can you forget your master....Puppy?"

I was shell shocked after hearing that disgusting endearment. I tried to shout for help but the seam of my lips got pasted together. I tried to move my limbs but my body was paralysed in fear. My senses stopped working. I couldn't believe my eyes.

'Michael was dead, wasn't he? That's what Rebecca had told me. It was even the truth. But then who is this man?'

That mysterious guy kept staring me, I saw how his irises slowly turned into the darkest shade of green. I could feel my heart palpitating wildly. His grip on my figure turned deadly as if he wanted to squeeze the soul out of my body.

He suddenly pulled me closer towards his face, I could feel his rage as his harsh breath fanned my lips. I squeezed my eyes shut in fear.

"You will pay Rosaline Knight. I will make you and that crazy lovers of yours pay badly."

He sneered on my face. My chin wobbled as I could hear him grinding his molars in anger. I didn't dare to open my eyes as I was beyond terrified.

The man whom the world had declared dead was now standing right in front of me and was promising me to take his revenge. I was literally going out of my mind.

'How is this possible?'

'No, it's a bad dream. Please someone tell me it's a bad dream.'

Tears filled in my eyes. I know he was analysing my scared face. I wanted to run away, to shout for help but I was petrified. The biggest nightmare of my life was standing right in front of me.

'Everyone lied to me. Michael wasn't dead. He is alive. He is here to kill me. He will kill me and Xavier.'

I started breathing heavily when all of a sudden, he released me. I immediately exhaled the breath which I was holding for so long. But as soon as I opened my eyes...

'He was gone'.

End of Flashback~

I was still in a daze. Michael's death left me in a conundrum with no answers. My mind started playing the flashbacks of my past. The way he used to tease me, to get close to me, the way he always tried to touch me. I could feel my blood turning cold. But what surprised me that after that bone chilling encounter, I couldn't find him anywhere. As if he vanished into thin air after creeping the hell out of me.

"Rosa"

A small shriek escaped my lips when all of a sudden, I heard Antonio's voice. Everyone stopped their movements and focused their attention on me. Their eyes got stuck on my face and that's how I came under the spotlight.

"Sorry"

I nervously smiled and looked away from them. I was dining with some high class and powerful people so they must have thought of me as a gauche woman. My cheeks turned red in embarrassment as I lowered my head down. After throwing weird glances at me, they all shifted their eyes back to their plates and started gossiping as if nothing happened.

God! I am going crazy. Well, I don't have regular encounters with ghosts so it's natural for me to freak out. I heaved a deep sigh and glanced at Antonio only to see him staring me with a frown.

"What's up with you? Rosa, I am noticing you for a while. Why are you acting so strange? Is something bothering you?", he shot all questions at me in one go. I immediately shook my head in denial.

"No, no I am totally fine. It's just I am, uhm, just you know.."

"Noey, my sweetheart"

I was cut off by Sophia's extra sugar-coated voice. I looked to my left only to see her pouring wine in Noah's glass. She looked so focused making sure not to spill the wine on the table. Her lips were puckered in a cute pout and her eyes had turned large as plates. Although I dislike her but a smile broke on my lips watching her childish tactics. I then looked at Noah only to find him staring at Sophia with an annoyed expression.

"What's wrong with her today? Why is she behaving like that?", I whispered to Antonio. He scoffed.

"Nothing. When she is drunk, she becomes verbose and stupid." He sounded pissed. I chuckled.

"Well, it seems like you know her too well", I jeered him. He laughed.

"I know you too my Rosa. A Gangster is a good observant. We are trained to be on the watch all the time. And you better don't change the topic. Tell me now, what's the matter", he spoke in a stern tone. I gulped.

'What should I tell you Antonio? That I met a man who had died years ago'

I looked at Antonio only to see him waiting patiently for my answer. I decided to tell him as this was not a secret to be kept. It can lead me as well as others into a great trouble.

"Antonio, I...I saw...I saw Mic-"

I startled as suddenly my phone pinged. I checked the notification. There was a message from an unknown number.

Unknown No: If you want your lover safe, then better keep your mouth shut or I won't hesitate to blow his head off.

My heart nearly stopped beating.

'Lover? Xavier?'

I could feel my eyes getting moist. I immediately looked around.

'Xavier? Where is he?'

I couldn't find any trace of him. But everyone was present here. Aren't they bothered about him? Why are they acting so indifferently? I quickly looked at Antonio and tried to show him that message when again my phone pinged. I quickly checked it with trembling fingers.

Unknown No: I am fucking warning you Puppy. Don't even think of opening your mouth. I am sure you won't like the consequences so don't dare to double cross me.

'OH MY GOD!'

"Rosa, what happened?", Antonio asked me as he scanned my worried face.

"I need to use the restroom.", I quickly excused myself and stood up from the chair. He kept calling me from behind but I practically ran away from there.

The last time I had seen Xavier was at the bar counter. I could feel his eyes on me while I was dancing with Antonio but after that I couldn't find him anywhere. As soon I saw Michael, I immediately decided to inform Xavier about him as Michael had practically warned me that he will harm me and Xavier as well. I don't know whether it was the reality or a deception of my eyes but I didn't want to take the risk. No sooner the lights turned on I quickly started looking for Xavier but he was nowhere to be found. I called him, messaged him but got no reply.

While I was searching him, Jennifer took me to the dining hall. I even asked her about Xavier but she told me that he was with Mr. Ivanov. I internally sighed in relief after hearing that he was safe.

'But then what is the meaning of this message?'

I jogged to the bar but couldn't find Xavier anywhere.

"Oh No! Please be safe Xavier", I mumbled. I looked down at my phone as an idea popped in my mind.

'Should I talk with this mysterious man? But what if he is really dangerous? Or is this some sort of trap?'

"Rosaline?"

I jumped on my place. I looked back only to see Katherine staring me. But she looked worried and scared.

"Katherine? Do you know where is Xavier?", I asked her impatiently. She looked at me at for a while and then looked around. I flinched when she abruptly grabbed my hand and dragged me along with her.

She took me to an empty lobby. There was not a single soul present there.

'Strange'

"Katherine? What are you doing?", I gritted as I tried to pry her hands off me. But instead, she pulled me closer to herself and seethed on my face.

"Xavier is in danger because of you bitch."

My eyes widened.

"W-What? But how come you know about this? Why didn't you apprised others of this situation?", I retorted. She huffed in frustration.

"You are an idiot or what? That bastard threatened me to keep my mouth shut. You are the one who can only save Boss or he will really kill him. If you don't believe me then check this."

She shoved her phone on my face. I grabbed it and checked the message. It was from the same number.

Unknow No: Your Boss is with me. If you want her alive send Rosaline to me as soon as possible.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

'I don't trust this girl. She can also be involved in this.'

I slapped her hands away causing her phone to fall. It landed on the floor with a thud and got disassembled. Katherine was taken by surprise as she didn't expect that. She looked at me with furious eyes.

"YOU!"

"Shut up. I don't believe you. As far as I remember you were also an Agent before. It can be one of your plans to capture Xavier.", I spat. Her jaw dropped.

"What the hell are you saying? I admit I was an agent before but now I am working for Xavier. His life is at stake and here you are arguing with me about my profession. Rosaline, try to understand. I really need you help", she spoke softly. I frowned as this was the first time, she was talking with me nicely. But still I didn't let my guard down. I continued my act.

"Why are you trying to seek my help, Katherine? Don't you remember for what purpose I was really sent here. If he or she kills Xavier, don't you think it will be beneficial for me?", I smirked. Katherine looked at me in shock but then a mocking chuckle escaped her lips.

"Stop bluffing Rosaline Browns, Knight or whatever you are. If you really don't care for Xavier then why the hell your face looks so pale? I know you're dead worried about him."

She caught me right still I kept staring her coldly.

"Listen Rosaline. We really need to hurry up or else-"

"No."

I shook my head.

"You need to understand that this is too risky. We really need the help of others. I am not an Agent or a Mafia like you. Neither I will be able to save Xavier nor I will be able to save myself. And I don't trust you at all. Moreover, this can also be a trap. You are an agent. You have a better knowledge about these things than me then why the hell are you acting so recklessly? We should act smartly and cleverly instead of jumping on conclusions."

I replied as I tried to put some sense in her thick skull. Katherine glared me. She grabbed my right elbow and squeezed it hard, digging her knife sharp nails in my flesh.

"Are you fucking insane? Don't you remember he had warned you not to inform others", she gritted.

"How do you even know that he had warned me not to tell others?"

I immediately asked her. Katherine was taken aback. I could see her pupils dilating in fear. I jerked her hands off me and crossed them over my chest.

"H-He told me the exact the same thing and there's only two of us who know about this man. So, I thought that-"

"You are also sure that he is a man and you also know where Xavier is right now that you are forcing me to go and protect him", I said and looked at her with scrutinizing eyes. Her face blanched in terror.

"Yes of course. That kidnapper had told me everything and I know he is one of his enemies.", She said, her voice wavered a bit. I rolled my eyes.

"In spite of being his wife, you don't know him. I know Xavier better than you. I know about his enemies too.", Katherine scoffed and tried to act confident but I could see the hesitation in her eyes.

"No, you don't know him at all.", I snorted. Her jaw ticked after hearing my reply.

"Do you really think that it's this easy to trick Xavier. The man who himself is no less than Lucifer, do you think messing with that devil is a cup of tea?"

I smirked and looked at her with bored eyes. She agape at my response.

"Weren't you also not scared for him? If you are so confident then why were you searching him like a mad woman?", she gritted.

"Isn't it obvious douchebag? I am his wife remember, so it's obvious for me to get worried for my husband. But I am damn sure he will be alright. There are no flies on my Xavier. And I didn't even ask for your help in the first place. You were the one who dragged me here forcibly and started giving me free advices. Now stop wasting my time and let me look into this matter.", I said in a serious tone. She glared me but I could see that my response made her ran out of words.

No doubt I was looking for Xavier but her continuous interrogations and her forcing me to protect Xavier made me dubious of her. Her silence was enough to confirm my doubts. I knew this fox was behind all this and staying around her that too when I am all alone and defenceless wasn't safe. Although I was really scared at the moment but I tried to mask my fear. I threw her a glare and quickly turned my heels to leave this place when...

"AH-Mmff"

I felt a stinging pain on my neck. I immediately grabbed her hand and was about to attack her but she quickly placed a hand over my mouth muffling my screams. She started hauling me to God knows where. I kept struggling and thrashed my arms violently. My vision slowly started turning blurry but I forced myself to stay awake.

Katherine then took me somewhere. I quickly looked around only to find myself in a dark room. I couldn't see anything. I kept thrashing my arms around to get a hold of something when my fingers touched her hair. I grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled them hard. She yelped loudly and I immediately pushed her away from me. My steps staggered and I fell on the ground as I couldn't maintain my balance.

"HELP!!! SOMEBODY HELP!!!"

I screamed my lungs out and tried to crawl on the floor when someone pulled a chunk of my hair from behind. Half of my body was lifted off the ground. My energy was draining off as that drug started entering my body slowly. A loud shriek escaped my lips when someone smacked me hard on my face. I again landed on the hard floor with a loud thud. I could feel the bitter metallic taste burning my taste buds. I opened my mouth to scream but someone kicked me with full force on my stomach. A loud gasp escaped my lips. I couldn't bear the pain anymore.

My eyelids slowly turned heavy but before blacking out, I saw the same, creepy dark forest hues staring at me menacingly. I could feel him crouching down beside me as his throaty dark chuckle echoed in my ears.

"Rest well Puppy"

And with that I fainted.

~~~💗~~~