After their fight, Michel did not see Fanny again that night.

Instead, he focused on an emergency meeting he held at the office, filling out all the Black Roses members about the situation and planning to use Archibald's phone to contact Mr. Aiden.


When everyone had left, he went to the large living room and sat at the piano, running his fingers over the keys in the dark before hitting the opening notes of the gentle melody he had composed many years ago.

He needed to lose himself for a moment, just let go of all the emotions that had tortured him for the past few hours.

It's not obvious to most people, but as the leader of the Black Roses gang, the responsibility falls heavily on his shoulders and he sometimes has trouble dealing with the realities of his situation.


Michel played for a few minutes, the soothing sound swallowing him whole until a floorboard creaked behind him.

Cutting off the middle note, he turned to find Fanny standing there, her uncertain eyes on him.


Her long hair was loose, showing a tired and dignified face.

Sighing, he patted the piano bench, inviting her to join him, which she hesitantly accepted, approaching him on small steps as she sat down beside him, resting her head on his role.

She stared at the instrument as he played it again, picking up the same note he had stopped. Mesmerized, Fanny's eyes sparkled as she watched his fingers almost lovingly stroke the black and white keys.

The silence in the room was shrill when he finished singing, the two of them not saying a word for a while.

"You played really well." Fanny finally spoke, her voice no more than a mere whisper.

Michel did not answer this. Instead, he turned his head to look at her, his eyes scanning every line of her face as he searched for the right words to say.

He didn't know how to tell her how important she was to him. What it was like when he couldn't find her before, all the emotions from her abduction rushed into him like a swoop, scaring him to his bones.

Because that's the truth. Michel is very afraid of losing her. He loves her so much that he can't even deal with the possibility of not having her.

Before he had a chance to voice his concerns, Fanny cautiously interlaced her fingers with his.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, her expression painful but sincere.

"I just... I just hate feeling helpless like this, you know? I don't want you to feel like you can't leave me unattended. I'm a grown woman, Michel. I don't need to be protected by you."

A sudden burst of irritation hit her at her words, but he fought back, knowing he needed to keep his temper on her.

Fanny panics for a moment when Michel pulls his hand away from her, but as he caresses her face, his eyes locked on hers, she is relieved at the sincere explanation that follows.

"You don't understand, Fanny. I want to do this. I need to do this. It's the only thing that gives me a sense of control in our world."

Her face softened as he reached out and ran his fingers through her hair, gently tucking a few strands behind her ear. The affection has grown over the past few months, the length has gone past her ears and down her neck.

They then went upstairs to their room, and she had her arms around his neck with her fingers running through his hair as she pulled him towards her, kissing him passionately.

Michel resisted at first, caught off guard, but eventually couldn't help but give in, sending her back to bed.

Taking off his shirt, he threw it on the floor before lying on top of her.

Instinctively, Fanny shook her hips, pressing against him, causing him to hiss as the sudden friction made him shiver.

He wants her more than he ever wanted anything. He wants to consume her, taste and explore her body.

And of course, he wants to sleep with her. But as much as he wishes he could, he knows it's too soon. Reluctantly pulling her lips away, his strong voice contradicted the longest in his body.

"We need to stop."

"Stop?" She was gasping for breath, her face as if drugged.

He hesitated, for a moment pondering what to say next.

Though, he quickly pulled himself together and nodded.

"Yes, stop. We just, you know..."

He didn't know, but she did. And as a result, she nodded, pulling him down to make him rest his head on her chest as she wrapped her arms around him.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

---

The next day, Michel knew he couldn't delay telling her what happened to Archibald.

He had dreaded it the night before, knowing that she would inevitably ask questions he couldn't answer. Michel wasn't even sure if he would ever tell the truth on the matter.

So instead, he just told her what he had initially told the rest, explaining to her that he attacked Charles and ultimately led to the death of the member gang Phoenix.

Of course, Fanny was shocked to hear him speak, but from what Michel could gather, he also noticed the relief on his woman's face, her expression softening as he continues to provide her with the necessary information. He also went ahead and filled her with the plan they had drawn up.

"So, if all goes well, Mr. Aiden will be the bait we're setting. He will respond to the messages we send him and will think he is seeing Archibald when in fact he will see us.

Fanny nodded, her expression pensive as she mulled over his words. "And is Charles really okay? Is he hurt?"

Michel drew in a steady breath as he licked his lips. He's a professional liar, but somehow she's the only one he has trouble being dishonest with, too.

And he can tell that Fanny is feeling it because she hasn't responded to his plans for Mr. Aiden but turns around and asks about the attack that happened.

"Yes, he's fine."