Blood And Roses

Chapter Ten.

RICHARD'S POV.

The anger of how things went down at Dimitri's was still fresh in my veins. That sick old disgusting bastard knew damn well how to rile me up, I needed to get things under my control soon and right now, I was so stressed out and couldn't focus on anything.

I arrived home shortly and headed straight for the study, my personal haven. Finding the door to the study open again didn't go unnoticed. That maid was too stupid and very foolish. How could she think, she would sneak in and I wouldn't find out. She was definitely calling for trouble and this this time, I would certainly know if she took the bait because I had installed cameras two days ago and watching the footages seemed like a good way to lighten my mood after that bastard Dimitri ruined it.

I scanned the top of the desk, the shelves and pulled out the drawers, everything was in place; exactly how I had left it. I put on my laptop and opened the folder that had the footage recordings.

Watching the recorded footage had me feeling impressed. She was smart and careful while searching the room, almost like any nosy person would do but the rush of emotions she had when she opened the brown file and the way she wept pressing those pictures to her chest and clutching her locket proved my suspicions correct. She was indeed the Jackson's lost princess. papa  had ensured every single family member was wiped out so it had to be her.

It's a pity she'll be dying soon and I plan on making her death an exciting one. For now, I'll just have fun tormenting the bitch.

ROSELLE'S POV.

The sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen startled me a bit. I reached for the knife resting on the isle beside me and tried hiding it in my pocket just in case thing were to get ugly but I was too late and Richard had seen my flimsy attempt to steal the weapon.

"What are you trying to do dear?' don't tell me you plan on killing me with that?" he asked, leaning on the counter with a sick smile plastered on his ugly middle aged face.

"Of course not! I was a little flustered and I didn't know it was you. What can I do for you sir?" I asked, returning the knife and hoping he believed my lie.

"Nothing, I just wanted to have a nice little chat with you that's if you don't mind" he said maintaining his smile.

"I don't mind at all sir" I replied knowing fully well it was an order and not a request.

He pulled out a familiar brown file I didn't even realise he was holding from behind and placed it on the counter in front of me. It looked like the file containing information on my deceased family. The same one I had seen in the study. Does it mean he knows I've been searching his study??
Is he aware of my identity?.

I couldn't help as a thousand thoughts flooded my mind, beads of sweat formed on my forehead and I fought the urge to run. I wasn't that scared little girl anymore. I am brave and strong and skilled in fighting. I could take him down easily but there were about ten men around and I wasn't sure I could take them all out and escape in one piece.

"I was going through some things and I stumbled into that"  he said gesturing towards the file on the counter.

"You know, every single case has an interesting story behind it and in all my years as a business man, that's the most interesting case I've handled''

Actually, my father and I have handled" he corrected taking a noisy sip from the glass of water he poured for himself.

"I'll tell you the story so you can understand what am saying" he said and pulled out the pictures from the file.

"This man, he said pointing to the picture of my father, was a fool" he giggled

"He betrayed the people he worked for by giving out important information to their rivals and it cost him the life of his lovely wife, his son and even his own. It's a shame his daughter got away and her whereabouts are unknown".

I balled my fists, digging my finger nails into my palm until it drew blood. I wasn't even over the fact that he had something to do with the death of my family and now he's disrespecting their memory with his filthy mouth. 

"You don't think she's still alive do you?"  he asked.

"I have no idea sir"  I replied trying hard to breathe and maintain a neutral facial expression.

"Of course you wouldn't dear Roselle.' Funny enough, his daughter's name was Roselle too." he added this time laughing like a rabid female hyena.

I wanted to climb over the counter and plug out his eyes. It took so much energy to keep the tears prickling my eyes in and plaster a fake smile on my face. I didn't need any hand writing on the wall to decipher that he was desperately looking for a reaction from me. he obviously suspected my identity and the questions and silly attempt to make a story out of every thing couldn't be waved off as mere coincidence.

"I'll be going to bed now." I said and excused my self.

I hurried out of the kitchen and my heart almost fell out of my chest when I bumped into one of his men.

"Watch where your going bitch!! Or I'll be forced to help you!" He said with venom lacing his words.

I recognized that voice. It was one I could never forget. He was the same man that killed Royce and my father that night.

With the way Richard acted in the kitchen, I was positive he knew I had been to his study today. This place was no longer safe and I plan on getting out tonight.