MERCY

f o u r

N E W   B E G I N N I N G S

Standing in the office elevator to make my way home, I watched the floor numbers drop from 16 to 0 before a ding and I walked to my Black G-Wagon on the other side of the car park. Cupping my hands for warmth, I quickly ran to my car hoping Raphael had turned on the heater when I asked.

Unlocking my car door, I sat in the driver's seat. I was going to drive myself home; I gave my chauffeur the day off. Looking ahead from my window. I broke down and let all my emotions loose.

I couldn't take the treatment anymore. Why do I have to go through this because of generational problems?

Picking up my phone, I tried to call No Caller ID back to no avail. 'How can I contact a hidden identity?' Feeling defeated, I drove to my penthouse and checked myself in at the front desk.

I just wanted to take a shower and sleep after this long day. I turned my key into the door only to hear feminine giggles echoing through the entrance hallway. Quietly closing the door, I walked and froze in front of our bedroom and slowly turned the handle, met with an indescribable scene of betrayal. My brain processed what I was seeing and before I knew it, I felt sick. I ran to the bathroom and threw up. Sailor chased me into the bathroom, but I locked the door, retching into the toilet bowl. 'No... It can't be but I know what I saw.'

My heart sunk and my body temperature was rising.

"ROSALINE, LET ME IN. I CAN EXPLAIN." His bangings on the door made me feel woozy as I gripped the sink struggling to stand while I slumped to the floor in defeat sobbing.

"In our bedroom? Get the fuck out and take that red-haired bitch out with you." I choked it out. I could barely breathe or think. I felt so suffocated. I ran my fingers around my scalp in frustration, like I was searching for something to let go of.

"No, it's my home too. Let us just talk, please Rosa."

"Don't YOU dare call me that, get the fuck out now and correction: it isn't your home it is MY penthouse. So GET OUT. I CAN'T EVEN LOOK AT YOU" I screamed through sobs.

I sighed and broke down, even more, when I heard him walk away leaving me by myself. 'He didn't even bother fighting for me' I don't know how long I stayed in there, it felt like an hour but checking my watch, it had just been 10 long minutes.

I unlocked the door only to find the red-headed girl was gone and Sailor.

'He really... left with her' There's no point in me getting angry. I need to be calm right now. I can't afford to let my feelings mess with my head maybe this was what I deserved.

I knew who to call.

"Hi, it's Rosaline Elle Handler. I want to sell my property, and all of the furniture can go as well. Also, I'll be donating clothes to your partnered charity. I'm giving away for free males designer clothing and shoes; everything is male. I'll come in later to sign everything off thanks."

Then I cut the phone. I don't want the home anymore, he dared to taint our memories with some bimbo bitch who has a sloppy dye job. That's fine with me, I have all the money in the world to move anyway, he doesn't.

'Stupid bastard' By the time he comes back here, there'll be nothing for him to come back to. Then I called a moving company quickly packing everything I owned that I was taking with me and all the things I bought. A locksmith has been called and my animal sitter to watch Alice for the week.

I wiped my wet cheeks and took a last look at the penthouse that I had stayed in for 3 years before walking out for the last time.

"Marcel, take me to the Loungarie."

My chauffeur quickly took the quickest shortcut to the Loungarie, the most exclusive hotel to get into but lucky for me, I have access. It is famous for its long-stay mini-apartments you can book for 1 month, 6 months, or a year. Celebrities always come here to stay when they come to visit New York. I'm only looking for a 1-month stay so I can get myself together.

Staring outside the car window, my phone started vibrating in my coat pocket. NO CALLER ID splashed on the screen and I instantly picked up.

NO CALLER ID: You've been trying to reach me Rosaline, why?

R: I want out. I can't do this anymore, Darian assault-

NO CALLER ID: I already know and I've told you before you're staying working for me. I'm willing to change our agreement. But first, you will meet my associate and give him the file you received, then we can talk and you can meet me.

R: Okay fine, but where do I go?

NO CALLER ID: Check your messages. Then he cut the call.

A notification popped up on my screen almost instantly and I told my chauffeur to turn around and go to the address mentioned.

6 :0 4   P M 

'There's nothing here...' Standing in an alleyway by myself since I told my chauffeur to leave, I was worried, to be honest. Even more worried, when a black van pulled up in front of me and the man driving told me to go inside the van. Getting into the passenger's seat he shook his head no at me, "Go to the back now, boss orders."

Annoyed, I waited for him to open the van and sat inside feeling uncomfortable. If this is what kidnapping feels like then I would sure hate to be kidnapped. I could feel all the twists and turns the driver made on the road; the speed bumps the van encountered until the van stopped. The long journey was finished.

"Out and into the red house." The van driver said as he opened the van door impatiently waiting for me to leave. The moment I stepped out he hurried to the driver's seat and hit the gas leaving a trail of wind that hit me behind as I almost fell to my feet.

Staring at the red house in front of me, I knocked on the door. It was shortly answered by a man around the same height as me, with brown straight hair in a Hawaiian shirt and black shorts.

"Hi, you must be Rosaline, Jasper." he nodded at himself.

Staring back. I said, "Do I just give you the file and it's over?"

"Not exactly, but where's the fun in that." he took my hand and pulled me inside shutting the door.