Twisted Petals // MIKHAIAH AU

Whispers of the Rose

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The quiet town of Rosewood had always carried an air of peaceful simplicity—where the only excitement came from weekend markets and the occasional gossip that stirred between neighbors. But recently, the town's tranquility was shattered by something far more sinister.

The sun had barely risen when the town awoke to the news. A body had been found at the edge of Harper's Park, lying beneath the tall, swaying oak trees. An eerie sight—the woman's lifeless form, sprawled out on the grass, her expression frozen in terror. But what haunted everyone the most was not the brutality of the murder but the delicate red rose placed carefully beside her head.

Melissa Blackthorn sat in the local café, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her pale skin seemed to glow faintly in the morning light. She stared out the window, watching the townspeople whisper as they passed. The town was alive with fear. She could see it in their eyes, the way they nervously glanced over their shoulders, murmuring about the "Rotten Rose," the name the police had given to the elusive killer.

A smirk tugged at her lips, but it quickly disappeared as the bell above the door jingled, and a familiar figure stepped in.

"Hey, babe," Alessia Devereaux greeted with a bright smile as she approached their usual table. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Melissa's cheek before taking the seat across from her. "Sorry I'm late; the whole town's buzzing about that murder. They're saying the killer left another rose," "or in other words, you." she silently whispered in Melissa's ear. 

Melissa's heart quickened slightly, but her expression remained calm and controlled. She lifted her eyes to meet Alessia's. "Another rose... That's three now, right?" asked Alessia. 

"Yup, three," Melissa nodded, her dark, beautiful brown eyes reflected on the sun as she stirred sugar into her coffee. "You know, I've always found the idea of a killer leaving roses strangely romantic. Like, what a way to say, 'Hey, I love you, but I also kill people.'" She chuckled, leaning closer. "Almost makes me wish you'd leave a rose for me sometime."

Melissa felt her pulse race at the suggestion. "Is that so? What would you do if I left you a rose?"

"Depends," Alessia replied with a playful smirk, her voice low and teasing. "Are we talking a sweet little flower or the kind that comes after a body has been... disposed of?"

"Maybe a little of both," Melissa teased back, her heart racing. She leaned in, their foreheads almost touching, the tension crackling between them. "It's more thrilling that way, don't you think?"

Alessia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I think it sounds like the start of a very interesting evening. You'd have to tell me everything about your 'adventures' as the Rotten Rose."

Melissa's breath caught for a moment, and she knew Alessia could see through her façade. "You're not scared of me, are you?"

"Scared? Not at all," Alessia whispered, biting her lip. "In fact, I think it's incredibly sexy. A woman who knows what she wants? That's powerful."

The air between them thickened with desire as Melissa leaned closer, brushing her lips against Alessia's, igniting a spark that sent shivers down her spine. It was a kiss filled with promise, heat, and the unspoken acknowledgment of their secret lives.

As they pulled away, Alessia smirked, her cheeks flushed. "So, tell me, what's the plan? More roses? More bodies?"

Melissa chuckled softly, feeling a rush of warmth and affection for her fiancée. "You know I can't share all my secrets. But there's something thrilling about keeping you in the dark... and also bringing you into my world."