No longer a family?

"I didn't lose a friend,

I just realized I never had one"

Two weeks later

At CIA Headquarters, US

"WHY THE HELL ISN'T SHE PICKING UP MY PHONE?"

Vincent growled with clenched teeth. He was inside his cabin pacing back and forth for the past one hour like a madman. Vincent had called Rosaline around fifty times but she didn't pick up his call, not even for once. Rosaline's ignorance was incensing the Agent badly. His perfectly coiffed hair had been dishevelled by now as he was continuously running his fingers through them, pulling them hard in frustration.

"URGG!! DAMMIT!!", Vincent yelled in anger and slammed his right fist on the table. The things kept on his desk rattled because of the force.

"Wifey, you're driving me nuts. Why the hell aren't you not talking to me?", he spoke to himself in a calm tone. He was trying his best to slow down his racing heart while his mind kept fabricating scary possibilities. Vincent was sweating profusely. He opened the first few buttons of his shirt as the tensed air in the room started to suffocate him.

Suddenly a knock on the door grabbed his attention.

"Come in"

Leon entered the room. His brows furrowed in confusion when his gaze landed on the mess which Vincent had created in his office. Papers and files were strewn all over the floor.

"What's the update?", Vincent's deep voice pulled him out of his daze. Leon gulped and immediately looked down. He could feel his piercing gaze boring holes in his skull.

"Sir, the news is bad", Leon spoke meekly, he didn't have the courage to even look at him as he was well aware that hell will break loose if Vincent comes to know the truth.

Vincent looked at him. His muscles immediately turned stiff after hearing his response. He clenched his freshly trimmed razor-sharp jaw and curled his fingers in a ball. Vincent walked towards Leon with threatening steps as he glared at the already shivering man with red eyes.

"Stop setting scene and do your bloody job. Tell me the ins and outs of the situation.", he spoke in his deep voice. Leon gulped a heavy lump formed in his throat. After mustering up enough courage, he lifted his head and looked at Vincent who was already staring him with his psychotic eyes.

"Sir, Rosaline and Xavier are together now."

Leon dropped the bomb.

Vincent froze on his spot. His blood turned cold. He felt as if his soul left his body. His eyes turned wide as saucers as he looked at Leon in shock who was staring him blankly.

"Sir, my spies in Knight Empire have reported me all the details yesterday. A week ago, Rosaline was kidnapped and assaulted by a freak, Ashton Finn who was the leader of Red Eagle and happened to be the brother of Michael Finn, Rosaline's bully and lover. Michael and Rebecca's family were friends. Rebecca wanted him to marry Rosaline. She even proposed an offer to Michael that she will help him fix his marriage with Rosaline but in return he had to force his father to make her Dad as his business partner. Michael agreed to it but when he came to know about Rosaline's growing love and fondness for Xavier, he threatened Rebecca to throw Xavier out of Rosaline's life at any cost. Rebecca tried hard to turn Rosaline against Xavier and make her like Michael but every time she would fail as Rosaline hated him to her core. Finally, they both came to a mutual agreement. On Rosaline's 18th birthday Mark and Nick had decided to throw a surprise party at Rebecca's house. Rebecca told Michael that she will spike Rosaline's drinks and will kidnap her. She would then bring her to Michael and taking advantage of her unconscious state, he will forcefully marry her.", Leon told Vincent who was listening to him in shock. His jaw dropped to the ground as he never knew that Rosaline's own friend was a snake in grass.

"Michael and Rebecca had prepared everything but unfortunately their plan didn't work out as Xavier came to know about their evil motives at the last moment. Xavier encountered Michael which led to their deadly fight and eventually Xavier killed him. That's why his brother Ashton wanted to take his revenge from him and abducted Rosaline with Katherine's help. He harassed and molested her but Xavier arrived in time and saved Rosaline from that psychopath's claws.", Leon finally concluded and looked at his Boss for reply who was staring him with empty eyes.

Vincent had his doubts on Xavier from the beginning. He knew that even though Rosaline was angry at Xavier but he always feared that her long lost love which she had buried deep inside her heart can bloom any moment. Vincent was dubious of Rosaline that's why he had ordered Leon to send his most trusted men in Italy who will keep an eye on her 24/7. But due to Xavier's tight security force, Leon's spies couldn't get close to Rosaline so they used to watch her from a distance and would report her every detail to Leon.

"Tell me more", Vincent spoke in a calm tone; his face was unfathomable while his eyes were cold. Leon was surprised to see him this calm but not to exasperate his boss more, he continued further.

"My men have spotted Rosaline and Xavier together walking hand in hand at the entrance of Knight Empire. Both of them looked happy especially Rosaline. She was glowing while her eyes reflected only pure love and care for Xavier. The other members of Xavier's gang i.e. the Scorpions also seemed delighted and contented. Two days ago, they even threw a party to celebrate the reunion of the couple. Everyone was present there except Katherine who is perhaps locked in one of the prison cells of Scorpions. Since Kat had tried to kill Rosaline so it's obvious that Xavier must have planned something big for her. He won't let her die this easily. All in all, Xavier and Rosaline looked happy and are thinking to start a new life." Leon finally ended his long speech and waited for Vincent's reply.

Vincent was looking at him, his eyes were dead while his expressions were stern. It was very unnatural of him to stay this calm and composed after hearing the love story of his legally wedded wife and his biggest rival.

Leon startled when all of a sudden Vincent burst into laughter. He started clapping his hands as he laughed like a deranged person. Leon felt pity for him. He saw the pain in Vincent's eyes while he was narrating the fables of love of his wife. No matter how hard Vincent tried to hide his emotions but Leon could easily see the pain and despair by his long face and gloomy eyes. But after watching his shocking response, he was now feeling scared of him.

Vincent kept laughing like maniac. The walls of his cabin resonated with his hollow laughter making Leon shrivel in his place.

"Wow! What a great story. Here I am constantly dying of anxiety by fretting about my wife's wellbeing while she is busy loving her ex-lover in Italy." Vincent chuckled and shook his head in disappointment. Leon didn't dare to utter a single word and casted his eyes down.

Vincent turned around, he ran a hand through his messy hair and scoffed.

"Rosa...Rosa....Rosa....", he sang in a sarcastic tone while loosening his tie. Vincent walked to his desk and picked up the photo frame which had Rosaline's picture in it.

"My dear wife. You are such a pain in ass. You don't have time to receive my call but you have time to hang around with your new family.", he mumbled while smiling to himself.

"You forgot about me. How could you? I forgave you when you said that you will never be able to love me, when you said you will never consider me as your husband but as your best friend, when you said you will never take this marriage seriously. I forgave you every time but this time...."

His pitch suddenly dropped low while his aura all of a sudden turned deadly.

"You went overboard."

With that Vincent smashed the frame on the wall with a loud thud. Leon jumped in fright.

"S-Sir, Rosaline is innocent. I know she did wrong but I am sure Xavier is behind all this. That Mafia had brainwashed her.", he tried to calm him down. Vincent shot him a glare.

"It's not wrong Leon, it's a crime. Scratch that, she perpetrated a sin. She is already married to me and she is having an extramarital affair with her ex-husband. She is not a five-year-old kid, Leon. This breaking news is capable to destroy my whole world, you can't expect me to stay calm after hearing this.", Vincent gritted as he glared Leon with dark eyes. He was raging like a bull as Rosaline and Xavier's reunion struck him like a lightning bolt.

'I told you she will definitely leave you one day', his inner voice chided him. Vincent clenched his jaw.

'She loves him, not you. You knew that. Now see, you've become a laughing stock', his conscience jeered him.

"SHUT UP!!", Vincent roared in rage and started destroying his office. Leon immediately scurried away from there to save his life.

Although Vincent had send Rosaline to Xavier's cave for a mission but deep down in his heart he had a hunch that it would give them a chance to stay together under one roof and can also end up reuniting them. But he let his ego and false believes overpower his fear and took such a big risk. Vincent was too sure of the fact that Rosaline was his now and she will never leave him. He even ignored the voices of his sharp mind which always warned him that one day he will have to face the consequences of his stunt.

"SHE IS MINE. ONLY MINE. I WON'T LET HIM TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME!!", Vincent shouted on top of his lungs. He grabbed the laptop kept on the table and threw it on the floor. He flipped the table in anger making it strike the wall with a loud bang.

The other officers and Agents whose cabins were near the Head's room trembled in fear after hearing the commotion. Sounds of shattering of glasses, breaking of furniture and his loud screams shook them to core. They immediately evacuated the floor as they couldn't handle his ear-piercing screams anymore.

*****

Meanwhile

At Knight Empire, Italy

"Xavier, what are you saying? Katherine was working for Vincent."

Noah said as he looked at Xavier in shock. Xavier simply nodded at his words while admiring the city view from the glass window.

Xavier was about to drop a bomb on the Scorpions but he knew others won't be able to handle it as it would leave them devastated and heartbroken. That's why he tricked them by saying that he had called the two males in his cabin to discuss his new deal so as to not make them suspicious of his plan.

"How is it possible? I mean Katherine was the one who tried to kill Rosaline that day in the lift and then again, she handed her over to Ashton. How can she risk Rosaline's life if she was working for her husband?", Antonio blabbered in a panicked voice. His heart immediately stopped beating when Xavier turned around and shot him a murderous glare.

"I am her husband. Rosebud is MY wife. She was mine and she will remain mine till eternity." Xavier rasped in his husky voice as he sauntered towards him like a predator. Antonio gulped and immediately nodded his head like a puppy.

"I am sorry man. It was just a slip of the tongue.", Antonio tried to make his insane friend understand who was glaring him with burning eyes. Xavier all of a sudden yanked him by his collar and pushed him hard on the wall making him shock. Noah immediately ran towards them.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING XAVIER?", he scolded him and tried to get him off Antonio but Xavier pushed him aside and pinned Antonio on the wall.

"Aren't words slipping too much from your tongue nowadays? Won't it be a better option if I just pull out your tongue from your mouth and wrap it around your neck?", he seethed on his face. Antonio held his wrists as Xavier started choking him.

"I-I am s-sorry Xa-Xav-Xavier", Antonio forced himself to speak as Xavier was literally cutting off his oxygen supply. His face started turning pale as he looked at Xavier with sad and guilty eyes.

"Your sorry won't be able to cover your mistakes, Antonio. My Rosebud is kind-hearted. She must have forgiven you and the rest but I haven't. And I won't. If Katherine was at fault, then you are also not that innocent.", Xavier growled on his face and pushed him harshly. Antonio immediately placed his hands on the wall for support and massaged his bruised neck. He galloped large ounces of air and looked at Xavier who was glaring him with hatred and rage. Xavier then shot a glare to Noah who was staring him with wide eyes.

"My Dad was responsible for separating me from Rosaline and you and Sebastian supported him. You both were equally responsible for breaking my marriage. And you" Xavier then looked at Antonio" because of you only my Rosebud got kidnapped that day. If I hadn't arrived on time that day, MY ROSEBUD COULD HAVE DIED!!", he shouted and punched Antonio right on his nose. Noah grabbed his shoulders and immediately pushed him away from Antonio.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? ROSALINE FORGAVE US AND YOU SHOULD ALSO MOVE ON NOW!! WE HAVE EVEN APOLOGIZED TO HER AND HAVE ACCEPTED YOU BOTH!! NOW STOP THIS DRAMA FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL!!", Noah screamed in frustration but he became shocked when he saw Xavier chuckling.

"Oh! Thanks, my Lord for your consent, I am obliged. But forgive me God because I am not an Angel. I am a Devil and Devils don't need permission to claim what is already theirs. I should have followed this path from the beginning only but I got stuck between responsibilities and love which was a bloody damn move. But now everything is crystal clear. I won't spare that fucker Vinci but I won't let you all live peacefully too. You all are toxic for me and my wife. After our last mission we'll part our ways and I wish to never see you all ever in my life."

Xavier spat venom, the title which people had given him suited him today. Noah and Antonio were shell-shocked.

"W-What are you saying? Just because of Katherine you can't put a finger on the loyalty of your members? Don't forget Xavier that we are a team and you are like our younger brother. I agree we did wrong but whatever we did, it was only for your good. Moreover, when Rosaline has forgiven us still you want us to stay guilt-ridden for the rest of our lives? Issues have been sorted out now, there is no need for you to rake over old coals", Noah snapped at him. He was glaring Xavier in anger but hurt was visible in his eyes. Xavier scoffed at his words.

"What did you say? Younger brother? Whom are you trying to fool? You did everything for your own selfish goals, not for me. You only wanted me to become your puppet, the Demon whom my father wanted to create. And my Rosebud was your biggest obstacle. So, stop your drama.", Xavier gritted. Noah looked at him sadly.

"Whatever Katherine had done she will pay for it but I won't spare you all too. I will make each and every one of you pay for what you did with me and Rosebud. I will make all of you cry tears of blood. Rosebud would be that magnanimous but I am not. And don't think that I am letting you work with me for now because I need your help. You need to pay the price that's why you are still stuck with me till the final battle. Once everything gets over, we will go on separate ways. I don't want your filthy shadows to lurk around my Rosebud anymore.", Xavier glowered at Noah and Antonio who was watching him with remorse.

Xavier looked at Noah. His heart clenched when he noticed tears shining in Noah's eyes. But he immediately shrugged away that feeling and wore his cold masque. He then straightened the crease of his shirt and maintained his posture. Xavier grabbed his mobile from the desk and started leaving the room.

"This conversation is over now and I don't want anyone especially my wife to know about whatever happened today. I am waiting for you both in the warehouse. Collect yourself and reached there as soon as possible.", he spoke firmly. Xavier then twisted the knob and immediately left his cabin.

~~~💗~~~