Rose marched back to him as she walked to his side, she held her hand. She asked him who he was and why the doctors were kneeling in front of him but he didn't answer. He instead turned to her and told her she could mention a wish and he would grant it. Rose immediately fell on her feet as she mentioned her brother. She said he was in need of Surgery and all what was to be done on him but she didn't have the money to do any of those.
"Please help me sir. I am sorry for my behavior, please. Help me save my baby brother, please, " she pleaded.
The stranger told her to stand. He walked away from the doctors with her as he took her to the side.
"I can make all your problems go away. Not just your brother but every other problem you have go away. My name is Sebastian, everyone knows me and I believe you will get to know me too." He said. Rose nodded. She listened intently as he spoke.
"I can make every dream you have come through as money is not a problem for me but in exchange for that, you must do something for me too." He said with a smile.
"What must I do?" Rose asked skeptically.. was he going to ask her to do some kind of rituals or join some kind of mafia? Would it involve blood?
Rose's mind ran wild with those questions but quickly, Sebastian brought her mind back when he smiled at her and asked, "Will you marry me?"
The question blew Rose's mind as she hadn't expected such a question. She asked him if he was being serious and he nodded. He told her he was looking for a bride and still could not find one no matter how hard he tried. Rose was confused as to why. She stepped back as she took a good look at him. He was handsome, tall, had a charismatic presence, seemed friendly and also rich. What else did girls need to get married to someone like him?
She was deep in her thoughts when he shook her shoulder.
"The doctor over there said your brother has a few minutes left before he completely becomes paralyzed, what do you say? Will you marry me to save your brother's life and change that of your mother? Or would you let him die?"
Rose swallowed hard.
******
It had been three weeks since the accident on Rose's graduation day and now, she and her mother were inside a limousine on their way to the hospital to pick up her brother. It felt like a dream to Rose but it was happening.
Rose had said yes to Sebastian that day. She hadn't had time to inform her mother but when she did, her mother told her it felt like the right choice. Rose felt uncomfortable but it was the only way. Love in a free world did not have a little brother who would have died if she said no.
"Let's get him the sweets and snacks we brought to him," Rose's mother said as they got out of the car. Rose held onto her mother's arm as they both entered the hospital and were now headed up the staircase to her brother's room.
They got there and were happy to see him awake and eating. He saw them and seated jumping in his bed. He was alive and happy while Rose was grateful.
Rose had agreed to the marriage and immediately, they had started the Preparation immediately. She had told him they would have a ceremony and start their marriage officially when her brother was out of the hospital and today was that day. Tomorrow would be their wedding.
Sebastian had been a good man to them so far. He had changed their homes, bought them cars, helped out her family's toy business, changed their wardrobe, upgraded their lifestyles and cleared their debts. He placed her mother and her brother on monthly salaries and she was grateful.
It wasn't just for them alone, he had also done a lot for her. He got her a car, a house and opened a business for her. He sent her on trips out of the country and promised to do more for them when they got married. Rose was excited but at the same time, she was scared. She had never had a relationship before, getting married was even more scary. She hoped she would be able to cope regardless. Besides, Sebastian didn't look like he was a difficult man, nor did he look like he could hurt a fly.
He looked charismatic and daring, yet soft and gentle. She liked that combination.
As they got home, her mother took her out to the bridal shop where she had all her fittings and soon, she was back at home, in her bed waiting for the next day. She had barely gotten any sleep at all until daybreak.
When the time had come, she was taken to a room and made up. Her dress was fitted and everything was ready. She was taken to church and there, they tied the knot. Friends and family were there as they wished her good luck but strangely, she noticed no one from Sebastian's part of the family. Something felt weird. Was he an orphan? And even if he was, wouldn't he have had foster parents?
Rose tried not to think of it, rather she would enjoy her wedding day.
She danced and danced until she was tired and then, she excused herself to the restroom. In the restroom, as she decided to take a piss, three girls walked in. They seemed like gossip girls as they talked about how beautiful the wedding was.
"This should be his seventh wedding right?" One of the girls said. Rose's ears perked up at the mention of that. Sebastian had been married before?
"Yes. I heard he married every three months or so. After three months, his wives always end up dead. What do you think? Is that true?" Another girl asked. It seemed like her friends all agreed as she heard the girl say, " I wish this new wife luck. I mean, she's such a nice Person. I hope she doesn't die too", her friends all chorused a 'yes' and then, they left.
Rose felt her heart stopped working for some seconds before it came back on. Her vision failed and she watched as the Hair on her body stood. She was now afraid.
"But what if they were messing with me?" She asked herself. What if those girls were plainly jealous because they couldn't get Sebastian and then, they decided to bad mouth him and the other women that got married to him?
It rang in her head again. Sebastian was married? She wondered if it were really true. The kind and gentle man she had just stood next too at the altar had already married seven times before? Wow! It could be a lie! Rose decided she would pay no mind to it. Rumors were also the leading cause of divorces and breakup in people's homes and she was not about to let that happen to her. She wore her dress, washed her face and then walked out.
The wedding party was over and now, it was time to head home. Everyone waved to them as they said bye to the crowds and drove straight home. She watched as Sebastian was smiling all through but when they reached the gate, he stopped smiling. He ordered her to come out and head to her room. Rose nodded and did what she was asked but when Sebastian wasn't looking, sneaked up behind him. Something kept telling her to follow her newly wedded husband —only then would she find out the truth and so, she agreed.
She followed him as she watched him go to his study. In his study, Rose watched as he unlocked his drawers and started bringing out strange objects. She tried to have a closer look but couldn't and so she waited.
When Sebastian finally entered the restroom, Rose saw it as a chance and ran over to his table to see what was in the drawer. She opened it and saw a diary and some pens. Interesting.
Rose reached out for the other drawer and as she opened it, she gasped, "Are those human heads?" She asked herself.
She was about turning when someone grabbed her neck and tightened their grip. Rose tried to struggle out of it but she couldn't. Soon, a needle passed into her neck.
That was it.
The last thing she saw were human heads…
But who had covered her mouth? And more importantly, who was Sebastian, the man she had just married?!!
Rose began to regain consciousness after a few moments. She opened her eyes to see a hazy person looming over her. The figure gradually came into focus, and she realized it was Sebastian."Thank God you're okay," Sebastian replied, his voice filled with relief.Rose sat up and stroked her neck, attempting to comprehend what had just occurred. "What...what happened?" she wondered, her voice trembling.Sebastian paused for a moment before responding. "I apologize, Rose. I never intended for you to see what was in my drawer. I swear they're not human heads. They're specially made-artifacts. I'm a lover of art, and those are special one's made by my friend for me, they are made to look exactly like the real thing, that's basically what it is my dear".Rose took a long breath, attempting to calm herself. "All right, all right. I trust you. But why did you grasp me in that manner?""I panicked," Sebastian said. "I didn't know how to explain it to you, and I didn't want you to see something
Rose emerged from the restroom, covered in a fluffy towel that was securely wrapped around her chest. Her hair was still wet from the shower, and water droplets glistened on her skin. A sweet perfume floated off of her as she strolled across the room, infusing the air with a delicate fragrance.It seemed he knew everything that a woman needs, expensive things that Rose wouldn't even dream of owning. It was still too good to be true. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror and stared at herself for a long time. She was worried about what was going to happen. She had never been with a man before, but this was her wedding night. In a real sense, it seemed like he owned her, she hadn't offered anything to him, and he had been the one giving. She took a deep breath, "he won't force me to do anything that I don't want to", she thought, "he's reasonable just like he said earlier", Rose said to herself In a low whisper trying to give herself some form of assurance. Rose didn't know anythin
Rose struggled to open her eyes, as she woke with stretching and yawning, it was the start of a new day, a new life. One that she hadn't planned for or took out time to deliberate upon. She'd have to learn all that she needed to with the decision already made. As she sat up, still half awake, she noticed a difference to the room where she was. The walls were painted with a different color, the desk, tge doors and windows. She looked down at where she lay and noticed the bedsheets were also different. There was something familiar about where she was. This was the room where she had her bath, the previous night. This was the room he showed her before he suggested they sleep together In his. She began to wonder how she got from his room to this one. Rose wasn't a light sleeper, although she was obviously tired from the activities of the previous day. The busyness of that day had sapped all the energy from her. But still how was she carried From one rooi into another without waki
Prisca was sixty nine years old, but looked like she just celebrated her sixtieth. All her hair had turned gray, but she didn't seem to be too worried about it. It was neatly made and packed in a ponytail, allowing it to fall behind her neck, caressing only the tips of her shoulders as she walked. Her dress was clean and smart looking, her top matching the shoes on her feet. She was neatly dressed and spoke fluently and unapologetically, her eyes not moving away from yours as she did. Her fingernails were neatly trimmed, her face bearing marks of wrinkles. Her lips were still and never moved, except and only when she spoke, and her teeth never showed. It was as though it was Impossible for her to smile.She also had the appearance of a mourning woman. Like there wasn't anything to change her countenance again. "She's looks like she'll be in my mum's age range"Rose thought. It would be nice to have someone like my mum around. But prisca wasn't looking like any of Rose's thoughts.
Sebastian and Prisca go way back. Sebastian was the picture of success; he had built an empire from the ground up in Way's many couldn't explain and was constantly surrounded by gorgeous ladies, luxury automobiles, and cutting-edge technology. Prisca, on the other hand, was the only person who knew Sebastian better than anybody else.Prisca had worked in Sebastian's home for over two decades. Her tale with Sebastian began when Sebastian was just a boy, when tragedy struck an affluent Wayne family in Chesterfield bustling metropolis. The parents, well-known benefactors and business moguls, died far too young, leaving behind their young son, Sebastian. It was a devastating blow that shattered the foundations of the many co operations, and sent shockwaves through many people's hearts.Prisca, who had been a trusted confidante and employee of the family for years, stepped forward to shoulder the weight of responsibility in the aftermath of this tragic loss. She took little Sebastian under
Maya Lugard used to be a very lady, emerged from the ashes of a troubled past in Chesterfield, Chesterfield was noted for its volatile temperament reminiscent of Los Angeles' bustling streets. She encountered various hurdles as she grew up in the midst of adversity, which turned her into a strong and driven individual.Maya was exposed to the harsh truths of life at a young age. The streets of Chesterfield provided little comfort or security, forcing her to negotiate a world of restricted options. She, on the other hand, refused to let her circumstances define her and clung to hope, hoping for a better future.She soon found consolation in the embrace of love as she grew into adulthood. She married, Fabian Lugard. and she and him welcomed two beautiful children into their lives: Rose and Jason. The joy of motherhood flooded her heart, providing her with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. Maya poured her heart and soul into raising her children, wanting to protect them from the
Rose, picked up the dress, after she had her bath, The dress was a special garment composed of delicate, blush-colored silk that emphasized her innate elegance and delicacy. Her stunning attractiveness was enhanced by the dress's exquisite lace and lovely stitching. The tight neckline emphasized her slim body, while the skirt cascaded down in graceful waves, giving an ethereal appearance with each stride she took.Rose tried to focus her attention on her hair. She decided to let her hair down in free, romantic curls, enabling golden strands to frame her face. She added a few delicate flowers to her hair, carefully chosen to match her gown and lend a bit of simplicity to her entire look. She smiled awkwardly as she caught a glimpse of her mirror, not knowing if Sebastian would notice the change in demeanor.She decided to add a trace of makeup to complement her natural features. Her cheeks were touched with soft rosy blush, and her lips were ornamented with a delicate shade of light b
"I can't thank you enough… Sebastian", "This is more than I could have ever asked"Rose said smiling, almost shedding a tear."No no" Sebastian Said, his hands moving towards her face, and with a napkin dabbed off the tear threatening to drop from her face. "You're going to make a mess of your Make up," he said with a slight chuckle.She looked at him smiling like a child, for some reason she wasn't feeling strange In his presence tonight. He was almost Twenty years older than her. But he still had his young youthful look making him weirdly attractive."This night isn't for crying" "I planned this especially for you and me". It was weird to be in a room with someone you barely knew, but now she was married to one. Rose didn't know what to feel. As the dinner progressed Rose noted servants come in and out attending to requests from Sebastian. She wondered if they were hired, or from the house. She proceeded to ask about Prisca."So I met Prisca", "it's funny how I thought she w