ROSE

The air reeked of perfumes, aroma and warmth of the crowded room.

It suffocated him.

Standing at a towering 6'7" with a massive build and a perpetually scowling face,

Elliot glared at everyone in his path. They would flinch or try to move away without notice.

Fear. Good.

Exhaling deeply, he played with the bracelet on his wrist, trying not to allow the air close in on him.

It was the wedding reception of their boss, Daniel King.

He internally scoffed.

Weddings weren’t their thing.

They didn't and shouldn't have time for that..love.

His mood dampened more.

They operated on a similar train of thought. Do the dirty work the legal system keeps putting off like it's irrelevant, and have a nice vacation afterwards.

But—

When a hurricane of loudness and positivity zings into your life, plans alter. He in fact was not cool with the changes.

He played with the bracelet again, sighing harshly as the tie around his neck felt increasingly constricting. She had given the bracelet to him to ground himself. He'd step on a mine before admitting it was helping.

The main source of his discomfort appeared in front of him, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He glared at her.

It had no effect on her.

He was losing his touch for sure..

The happy woman looked at him with wide green eyes. His eyes narrowed at her.

"I would ask you to dance with me, Bubbles, but I have a feeling you'd throw me into the Atlantic," He grunted a yes, and she laughed, her head falling back. His eyes scanned the room for the boss.

"Daniel is dancing with his grandma, and since I don't have a father, I thought you'd do. Don't worry, I won't ask you to dance, I'll just sit here with you." His heart fluttered and he felt an incoming headache at the same time .

She struggled to climb onto the high chair, and he rolled his eyes, adjusting it for her. Using his shoulder as support, she jumped eagerly and when he was sure she was comfortable, he let go of her gown as if it were on fire.

A smile he always deemed creepy found its way to her face.

He pleaded once.

She ignored him.

"I like this party. It's fun. People are here, there's free cake, food, and drinks, and you all are here. I want to do this every month."

she swung her legs and her voice carried on a happy trail. Her tiara had slipped to one side.

His stare was blank.

Of course, she'd be happy.

"You can't get married every month, Rosalinda."

"why not?"

He rolled his eyes.

Elliot saw it. The way her eyes lit up and the audible gasp she barely contained.

Her hand latched onto his.

He tensed for a moment before remembering it was her.

He'd never get used to it.

"Let's go to the ice cream parlor downtown."

why me?

"You are going to give the boss a heart attack. Stay still," he commanded. She frowned at his lack of enthusiasm and moved closer into his space.

"I'll buy you three strawberry flavors."

"I don't like ice cream, Rosalinda."

She gave him an offensive side eye.

"You love strawberry ice cream," her voice increased by a notch.

He looked around in panic, whispering for her to shut up. She giggled, chattering away, while he silently prayed for the grandmother-son dance to be over. Or better yet, for the remaining three to come and take her away.

He was not interested in what she had to say.

He disliked how her voice didn't grate on his nerves.

The way she'd look at him like he was worthy.

"I don't like you, Rosalinda" his gruff voice came out harsh.

"yeah, and I'm the president"

she shook her head at him like he was some petulant child and continued her chattering.

His headache was worse now. He glared at the twins who were stuffing their faces with food and scowled at the last man, who was entranced by a woman.

His heart sank.

He wasn't ready for another wedding. Just because he tolerated Rosalinda didn't mean he was ready to mingle with another woman.

He glanced at her again, frowning as she talked with her mouth full, crumbs falling on her gown.

But It reminded him that she was alive, healthy, here.

She was eating his strawberry cake, and he felt his veins popping. She was infuriating.

Words were on the tip of his tongue.

But one look at her and they died down immediately.

Her chin was going to tremble and her face will contort into an ugly frown. More than anything, he hated that.

Funny.

He used to search for the lies behind her sparkling eyes.

That behind her bright smiles, was a dark soul, that her good nature was forceful and sickening.

That her kindness had a knife to its edge.

Shame washed over him.

This woman had taken three bullets for him.

Three.

The sound of gunshots still rang in his ears.

Saw the way her blood spilled. How she looked at him with terrified eyes like she was going to die.

He shut his eyes.

Shame didn't even begin to cover it.

Stupidity sounded like a better tag.

Three months. Rosalinda battled with her life for three months because of him.

His vile actions twisted and stabbed at his heart.

And then she woke up.

Asked for him.

Him.

Like he mattered.

Like he wasn't worthy of hate.

Like someone she had placed all her trust in, whether he accepted or not.

And for realizing too late, he wasn't sure he'd ever forgive himself.

"Bubbles, I have a feeling you are ignoring me on purpose"

Her voice anchored him.

He didn't reply.

3..

2..

1..

"I don't care. anyways..."

his left eye twitched.

But one thing was for sure.

If his annoyance level was 98 back then, it was over 998 now.

As she rambled on about pineapples on pizza, Her husband made his way over.

Behind him was a sight that had Elliot's senses alert.