"In the shadows of her past, Ivory's life is a dark and twisted labyrinth. But her greatest reason for living is her daughter-the spark that keeps her from succumbing to the darkness that has consumed her.
When she's forced to team up with Salvador...
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TRIGGER WARNING : VIOLENCE
Chapter|4|
The red fluid flowed down the drain as she scrubbed her body, disgusted by the night she had just adored. Another demon she ridded the earth of but the biggest one of all roomed freely as she tormented herself in the jail that she had constructed for herself. When her body had finally felt cleaned she exited the shower dressing in the oversized shirt before she laid herself on the hotel mattress.
Staring at the eloquently placed ceiling she imagined the beautiful things in life. The roses who peered at her when she entered the balcony, the bright innocent smile of her daughter, and the smell of the crisped air at sunrise. She breathed in and out trying her best to calm her thoughts.
KNOCK KNOCK
The rough bangs of someone at her door alerted her. Who could it be? She ordered no room service are waited with no expectancy for a visitor. Grabbing the metal weapon she slowly made her way to the door staring through the peep hole until she was brought to a bit of ease. It was Castillio. He stood in his Armani suit elegantly waiting for her to open the door.
"What have I done to earn your presence Castillio?" She said as she knew he was a busy calculated man only going to places he felt a need to appear at.
"Let's have a little discussion inside shall we" He said entering her hotel room without an invitation.
He positioned himself on the sofa before gripping at her body desperately wishing for a view of what lay underneath the oversized shirt.
"I have done my research on you and will help you however there are some conditions that must be followed."
"Surely you should know that your life will never be the same again even after he's killed as such marry me I'll take care of your daughter and you. If you can agree to those simple terms then our plan should commence as soon as possible "
Standing bewildered she laughed for a moment before moving over to the bar to pour them stiff glasses of the brown liquor. Men always had great audacity she thought continued to sip the drink as she gazed into his eyes trying to figure out if his words were some form of comedy.
She knew too well though that men like Castillio told no jokes only stated truths and facts. His knowing about her daughter also placed her in a dangerous predicament as crossing him may cost her little one her life. She contemplated her options for a while before agreeing.
She was aware of the dangerous game she had just entered but knew that he was the only man who would successfully help her without breaking her mind body and soul any further. He was a ruthless gentleman key word gentlemen as most of the other men in this world were ruthless without limits. This didn't mean she would keep her guard down but her odds with him were better.
They shared hands before he disappeared into the night leaving her with a request to move into his place tomorrow. As per his request the next morning the little items in her possession were shipped to the mansion he owned. She must say that the place was beautiful and humongous. She was settled in the room he had assigned to her back in the previous position she lay in with her head to the ceiling and consumed with thoughts of things that brought her joy.
She could feel herself coming closer to the day she had dreamed of and every day her heavy heart became slightly lighter. It was dinner time and she was ushered downstairs to the dining room. It was grand and beautiful. Castillio with a little girl sat at the table waiting for her arrival.
When she sat she greeted them and throughout the dinner light conversation was conducted. Castillio had ordered her to rest as tomorrow they would begin working. She lay on the bed consumed by the heavy eyelids before she dosed off.
PAST
As Ivory approached her mother in the garden, she couldn't help but be drawn to the vibrant red roses that seemed to be dancing in the gentle breeze. With her small hands outstretched, she reached for one of the flowers, but was suddenly met with a painful prick from the thorns. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the tiny wound on her finger.
"Shh, sweetie, let me take a look," her mother said softly, gently prying Ivory's fingers apart to examine the injury. "I'll make it all better."
As her mother tended to her wound, Ivory looked up at her with a curious expression. "Mommy, why does something so beautiful cause so much pain?"
Her mother's eyes softened as she replied, "You were trying to take it out of its natural home, and that's when it defended itself. Sometimes, beautiful things have to cause hurt because they've been put in harm's way and need a way to survive."
Ivory didn't quite understand the words at the time, but she was captivated by the beauty of the roses. From that day on, they became her favorite flower. She loved watching her mother's smile light up when she gazed at them, and she longed for the day when she could have a rose garden of her own.
On her 12th birthday, her mother surprised her with a beautiful rose pendant necklace, which Ivory wore proudly around her neck. She never took it off, and the mere thought of being without it sent her into a panic.
As she grew older, Ivory would often find herself lost in thought, wondering about the secrets hidden within those delicate petals. The pain she had once experienced at the rose's thorns had become a distant memory, replaced by a deep appreciation for the beauty and resilience that lay within.
BACK TO PRESENT
The dream had forced her to think of her mother. She hadn't thought about her in years and often blamed her for not protecting her better. What could she do, though? Her tears could not defeat the demons that ripped me out of her arms. The rose pendant necklace was tightly clutched in her arms, and she sat breathing in and out, calming herself from the dream she had just had.
She lifted herself off the bed and walk down the stairs for a glass of water. Stumbling back, she was shocked by a figure sitting patiently in the dark. Castillio sat shirtless, showcasing his perfectly sculpted body. She tried her best to ignore the current attraction she felt, sipped her water, and stood curious as to why he was up this late at night.
