The Blossom of Rose

16 • Emotional

12:44 pm, the time read. I have enough time.

"Where are you going?" Aunt Brie speaks up from the passenger seat, typing the belt of her puff sleeve, a-line, almond dress.

"I just need to take care of something real quick," I answer, taking a detour from Louis Blanchet's house.

"But, we're going to be late," Calla pops her head between the seat. She wears a baby pink summer dress that ends above her knees with little flowers embroidered into it and a choker.

Our style varies a lot. She has a lot of vintage preppy and pink with bootcut jeans, sweaters and anklets whereas I have more of a chic style with the fitted skirts and oversized blazers but I love my cottagecore at heart.

The navy midi dress I'm wearing has a slit that goes up to my thigh and is dotted with specks of pastel colours from the printed flowers. Both the neckline and thick straps are ruffle edged and I wore it with nude, ankle-strapped stilettos. My make-up I kept to a minimum, only applying a bit of mascara and concealer under my eyes and half my hair is twisted into a loose crown on my head while the other is left down in its natural waves showcasing the belle drop, rose-gold earrings.

When I've parked outside the grand-scale building, I grab the manila folder from the glove compartment.

"I'll be quick," I tell them and get out of the car.

The doorman holds the door open for me and I rush to the receptionist who makes a call. Impatiently, I wait for her approval to enter, which could be heard from the phone with a couple of curse words, and I attempt to run in my 4-inch heels down the hall.

Without knocking, I push open the door.

"Bellissima," he greets without looking up from his work to check who entered.

His eyes rake over my attire, lingering on my tits for a second too long no doubt noticing their increase in size. It was a struggle trying to get this dress on but I managed to do it without it looking too tight.

He keeps his face void of any emotion when he declares casually, "you look pretty." At the same time, I say, "I need you to kill someone."

He gawks slightly, his lips parted when perplexity runs through his eyes. As a response, I stroll over and place the file in front of him.

"La rosa si è finalmente scurita," [the rose has finally darkened]. Curiosity runs circles in his grey irises.

"I haven't," I narrow my eyes slightly and then flit them to the file repeating, "everything you need to know is in there. I'll pay you whatever you want, I just-I'm asking you if you can kill him."

"I certainly can," Luca sits back in his chair and his black dress shirt pulls against his body, "I'm simply trying to figure out if you truly want this or if you're acting irrationally."

"I'm completely rational," I say without skipping a beat. In all honesty, I don't know if I am. Currently, this is the only solution I can think of and I cannot go through with being married to Pedro Garcia.

He challenges me by holding my stare and I try not to heat up at the fact his eyes are on mine. Pure grey, that's the colour I'm analysing right now.

Assertive, irresistible and cold.

When I don't give in to him or show the slightest bit of hesitation, he leans forward.

"The Columbian drug lord," he says after he flicks open the first page and glances at me, slightly annoyed, "my supplier."

"I'll give you another one. If this causes a war between you and the Columbians, you can blame it on me. I don't care, Luca, he just..." I swallow harshly at the bitter words that I never thought would leave my mouth, "needs to die."