Charles immediately knew what this meant. Now that his boss has all the information, it's time for him to face what he has decided to do about it.

Of course, they will deal with Phoenix and the aftermath of today, but Michel still has the right to serve his punishment.


Charles went against what he was instructed to do after all and that meant he had to suffer the consequences of his actions.

Though, before they had a chance to leave, they were stopped by a small voice.

"Michel," Rosabella called weakly, gulping as she watched the Black Roses leader turn to immobilize her with a menacing look.


"What?"

Biting her lip, Rosabella did her best to keep her nerves at sea level, grateful that the brandy she had drunk earlier helped her do so.


"I don't want Fanny to know... you know... what I did." She stammered, hoping she got her message across.

He only made eye contact with her for a brief moment before turning to look at Charles, crossing his arms as he drew in another steady breath.

Rosabella just didn't know how she would handle her best friend's reaction if she found out about this.

Is she still handling it all on her own and will Fanny decide to judge her? Or treat her differently?

Rosabella wasn't sure if she could carry on with this, above all else.

"Charles, when we brief the others, we'll know exactly what happened. Only you're alone and it was you who shot Archibald. Rosabella was never there, understand? Not yet?"

Charles nodded, grateful to his boss that while he was clearly angry, he still wanted to help them.

"But you know, Rosabella was seen by one of these assholes. So if we couldn't get to him in time to silence him, everyone would know. Fanny included."

---

As soon as they closed the office door, Michel grabbed him by the collar and smashed him against the nearest wall.

Charles could easily hold Michel and push him back, but he knew he'd better let his boss do his thing before he decided to switch to the actual weapon to express the anger he feels towards Michel.

"How many times, Charles? How many times have you taken her out of the house?" Michel growled at him as he kept his hand on the second commander's collar.

Charles looked at him apologetically but dared not lower his gaze.

"This is the second time." He honestly admitted.

Michel's hug tightened as his eyes darkened, clearly trying to suppress his rage.

Michel slammed his back against the wall, only this time Michel finally let go of him, turned his back on him, and dashed towards the window.

Michel stared at the greenery outside and cracked his knuckles, slowly hoping to regulate his ragged breathing.

"You lie to me."

"I..."

"Save it, Charles. You turned against me and this happened as a result. While I'm happy that Archibald is rotting in hell, the deal was to bring him to me so I could watch him take his last breath." Michel turned and stared at Charles, who was still standing with his back to the wall by the door.

He was silent, but Michel could see the regret in his eyes.

"I can't talk to you right now. I'll call you back when we have a meeting. Get back to your woman, she's going to need you now after what she did."

Charles's heart dropped.

"My woman?"

Michel's glare was only darker.

"You're kidding, right? Get out of my sight, Charles."

Charles just looked at Michel one more time, before he obeyed, turned around, and left the room.

Standing in the hallway, a tornado had already begun to swirl around in his head.

His woman?

---

Rosabella turned on the shower and stepped under the hot water, closing her eyes and finally letting the sobs ravage her body.

She leaned against the bathroom and slid down slowly until she was sitting on the cold marble floor.

Pulling her legs to her chest, she cried. Crying at the realization of what she was capable of, of what she had done, of the fear that it all means now.

She could have run out. She may have just opened that hotel door the moment she freed herself from that Phoenix man and may never look back.

However, she didn't even hesitate to do what she did. Today she made a decision, and it was to save Charles.

Rosabella buried her face in her leg, it hurt, it hurt so much she couldn't stand it. Now there was blood on her hand and that made her cry even harder.

Finally, Charles went to the bathroom and found her. Rosabella wasn't sure how much time had passed, how long had passed. But she was shivering even though the hot water had shrunk and reddened her skin.

Charles stood in the doorway for a moment, looking at her, before he strode toward the bathroom. He's not wearing the clothes he was wearing when she last saw him.

He has changed. Yes, changed.

Her throat constricted as she stared at him, trembling and crying silently. He reached into the bathroom, still fully clothed, and turned off the water.

His dark brown eyes stopped on her as she cringed on the ground. There was care and sympathy, rife with something raw and dark in his face.

Rosabella didn't budge, couldn't. He bent down, slid his hands under her, and slowly straightened with her pressed against his chest, soaking his expensive shirt.

Her fingers caressed his shoulder almost desperately. Putting her down carefully, he still wouldn't let go of her.

Instead, he grabbed a towel and began to pat her dry, his eyes following his hands as they rubbed the smooth fabric over her skin.

Rosabella pressed her face to his neck, basking in his familiar scent, hoping it would give her a sense of security.

But nothing. The image of the bloody corpses in the hotel room entered her mind again, causing her to take a deep breath.

"God..." She panted, panted, panted but still couldn't breathe.

Almost immediately, Charles wrapped the towel around her naked body and lifted her into his arms again, carrying her to the bedroom, where he lowered her onto the bed.

He took off his shoes and lay down beside her, holding her face until her frantic gaze stopped on his intense eyes.

"It's okay, Rosabella."