18 BLOODY ROSES

Seraphina’s POV

I rolled my eyes as I watched my mom pace back and forth in front of me. She’s holding 2 magazines in her hand contemplating whether a gold, black, and red motif or a pastel motif. I sighed as I glanced at the table, it was filled with magazines and brochures of different designers my mom was considering. My eyes looked toward the 2 organizers my mom hired. “Sera, are you listening sweetheart? You should, this is your big day after all.” My mom said as she handed me the magazines she was holding. “Now pick, this one is elegant, daring, and bold.” She said as she pointed at the Gold, red, and black motif. I looked at it intently. It’s indeed elegant. “But this one is also nice, it’s subtle, demure, and very much pleasing in the eyes.” She said as she pointed at the pastel one.

She sat beside me as I sighed. I can’t decide. My mind is still clouded with the things that had happened last week. The man’s scent still lingered in my mind. The way he held me so gently in his arms as if I was the world’s most precious diamond. I smiled at the thought of what he said to me. “Be safe, my queen.” I felt goosebumps all around my body, it was like I could still hear him whispering in my ears.

“Sera!” My mom sternly called me. I opened my eyes quickly when I heard her call my name. “I’ve been asking you for ages, what do you want?” My mom annoyingly asked me. I smiled awkwardly before I faced the magazines, well I guess I should pick one now. “I think; this suits me better Mom.” I said and pointed at the first one. “Good choice sweetheart, this’ll be the talk of the town for sure.” She said, smiling widely at me. She took the 2 magazines from my lap and went to the 2 organizers.

They were talking for ages; I didn’t care about it at first but what she said next intrigued my whole being. “I want every rich bachelor at the age of 18-21 to be my daughter’s 18 roses.” My mom said, I smirked at that thought. 21? What a pity then, but that’ll be exciting.

Cameron’s POV

I glanced at the mountains of paperwork on my desk. This workload has been keeping me busy for the past few days. It stopped me from seeing Sera and I hated it. If only this money didn’t benefit me, I wouldn’t care if this Empire my father built would crumble into pieces. I sighed as I grabbed another folder to read.

A knock on my office door interrupted me, I was about to burst into anger upon seeing my secretary enter my office. But the Black envelope in his hands caught my attention. Could it be the thing I’ve been waiting for?  “Sir, sorry for interrupting you, but an invitation was given to me by the head executive assistant of the Volkski’s. They await your response to their only daughter’s debut.” He said as he handed me the black envelope. It had golden vines with blood-red roses as a design and their family’s crest as a stamp.

I smiled knowingly as I motioned my secretary to head out of my office. As soon as I heard the office door closing, I tore the envelope open. As I took the Card out, a familiar scent enveloped my whole office. Sera, her favorite perfume was sprayed inside. Inhaling deeply, I felt a surge of desire stirring within me, causing my pulse to quicken. I steadied myself and focused on the invitation in my hands, determined to maintain composure as I began to read its contents.

“Duke Cameron Atlasdair Dashwood, you are cordially invited to the Debut of Seraphina Aurelia Volkski.” As soon as I read that I felt ecstatic I couldn’t even think straight. I quickly stood up and grabbed my keys. I called Cillian, it took him a while to answer and I was already in front of my Bugatti. “Come in my office, finish my workload.” I said. “Pay me.” He replied. “Sure!” I said and dropped the call. I drove my car fast; I didn’t care about any speeding ticket. My priority is Sera and will always be Sera. After I parked my car in front of my house I sprinted towards my room. I entered my walk-in closet and started looking for a suit to wear.

After hours of looking at piles of suites in every inch of my closet, I slapped my forehead in disappointment. Stupid! Why am I looking in my closet? I should call a designer to make me a suit instead. I quickly stood up to look for my phone, bullets of sweat were forming on my forehead. Where did I put my phone? I panicked, I searched everywhere. My closet was a whole mess. I was already on the verge of breaking everything when I remembered that I had spare phones on my bedside table.

I quickly got out of the room and opened the drawer beside my bed. I picked up a spare phone and called my secretary. After a few rings, he answered. “Sir?” I tapped my foot continuously as I thought of my favorite designer. “Send me Rajo Laurel’s Contact information.” And without a second thought, I ended the call.

1 Month Later

I entered the venue. It was the biggest hotel in the country, it was filled with gold and black decor with a tinge of red. A bouquet of Black leaves and blood-red roses with golden dust filled the entirety of the place. I smirked in awe of my queen’s wealth, I couldn’t help but imagine Sera looking so elegant in her gown. The Volkski’s princess is turning into a queen tonight. My queen.

I walked to the table where I should be seated. Businessmen and women flocked to me trying to get me to sign a contract with them but my attention was fixed only on my queen as I waited for her grand entrance. A few minutes passed and a voice was heard throughout the venue, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we humbly request for you to wear a special mask made especially for this special event.” I heard the emcee say. After that, I saw waiters coming out of nowhere bringing out trays of masks. I didn’t know that this was a masquerade ball.

“We send out our gratitude to everyone for participating.” I heard the emcee speak again as I tied a black and red mask around half my face. It covers the left side of my face. “Now, please stand as we welcome the queen of tonight’s ball, Senorita Seraphina Aurelia Volkski!” The emcee announced the lights went out and the spotlight turned on at the top of the grand staircase. My breathing started to quicken as I awaited my queen’s descent.

And when I saw her in her body-hugging red, black, and gold dress with a high slit and feathered mask that only covered her eyes upward, my eyes lit and my breath hitched. It was like seeing an angel descending from heaven, falling down gracefully on earth. My queen looked like she was the most beautiful woman on the planet and I couldn’t agree more.

She started going down the stairs slowly and gracefully making sure to look at every face in the room. My eyes darted at every corner she looked at; why would she glance there? Who is she looking at? And for a moment I wanted to murder everyone in her sight. She should only see me and me alone! But my anger slowly vanished when she glanced in my direction, and for a moment I thought she recognized me. Cause for a second our eyes met and I saw familiarity in her eyes. But maybe I was just dreaming, like how I fantasized about her in my arms every day.

As she stepped down the last step of the staircase she was greeted by her father as well as her mother. “Let us give the Volkski’s a round of applause.” A voice said. I saw her smile sweetly at everyone, she started approaching each table as one after the other greeted her. She bowed her head to show her gratitude to some and held others' hands. And when she reached mine, I felt my voice weaken. Where did my strength go?

Everyone at my table greeted her but I couldn’t find any words that should be said. But before she could leave the table to go to another I whispered a few words that made her stop. “Happy birthday, Aurel.” I said. She stiffened, her back facing me. She slowly turned her head and approached me. And in a soft voice she asked, “What did you just call me?”

I smiled meaningfully and uttered, “Happy birthday, senorita.” She suspiciously looked at me intently, and she stepped closer to me. I could already feel her breath. “No, I heard you call me something else. Say it again.” She said. But I just smiled at her and shook my head. “That's what I said Senorita.” I lied again. She clicked her tongue and stepped back.

Sera’s POV

I heard him call me Aurel, I swear I did. And only one person calls me Aurel, my childhood best friend Atlas. But he denied it, so was I just imagining it? I clicked my tongue and stepped back. “Okay.” I said. I was about to walk away when I felt him pat my head. I stiffened again, only Atlas does that to me. My eyes widened as I looked back at the masked guy. But he was already gone. I looked around to find him, but damn I couldn’t spot him anywhere. I sighed as I heard my Mom call me. “Sera, it’s time for the games.” I heard her say, I smiled a little. This will be fun.

I sat on a chair in front of everyone. Beside me were both my parents. I excitedly watched as people gathered around. 5 bachelors of this country stood in front of all of us as they were handed a Pistol. I looked at the emcee and signaled her to announce the mechanics of our little game. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the mechanics of our game are easy. 5 men will be given a pistol and a waiter will be assigned in which an apple is placed on the waiter’s head. The players must hit the apple to receive a prize, a kiss from Senorita Seraphina.” The Emcee announced as I smirked.

“Let the game begin.” My father said as he fired his pistol.

“First up, the only heir to the Coleman empire, Lath Coleman.” The emcee announced. I watched as a fine man graced the stage and he pointed his pistol to a waiter. Everyone watched as he fired the pistol without a blink. And I disappointedly shook my head when I saw the waiter drop dead. “What a shame, an only heir can’t even shoot right.” I whispered under my breath.

Another guy tried, and another and again. But no one seemed to hit a little apple. I started getting bored when the last waiter dropped dead. This is boring. I called the emcee to whisper something I wanted to be done.

“Another game will be played, as requested by Senorita herself. Let’s play a round of Russian roulette.” I smiled as the emcee announced my favorite game. I stood up and motioned my father to give me his favorite pistol. He smiled menacingly at me before handing it over. “Have fun, sweetheart.” He said. I slowly went up the stage with one bullet in hand.

“One player will be needed in this game. So whoever wants to, please stand and come up to the stage.” The emcee announced. I waited for a few minutes but no one seemed to want their head blown to shreds. And then a familiar man stood, the man who I thought called me Aurel, the man who patted my head. He walked slowly as he came up and faced me.

The mechanics of the game are simple really, all he needs to guess is the number of chambers the bullet is in. As I fire the pistol on his forehead. It’s a shame if he died before I could see his face. But I smiled anyway.

He stood in front of me, his eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn’t seem to distinguish. Was it fear? Hesitation? No, it couldn't be. Yet, there was an intensity there, a depth that hinted at something more profound. Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the commencement of the game. He looked me straight in the eye as he was asked to guess a random number from 1 to 6. “5” He declared, his voice steady and  unwavering. I was taken aback, the confidence in his voice was evident. 5, It was a bold move, one that defied convention and courted risk. In choosing the number with the highest potential for danger, he embraced the thrill of uncertain death, inviting it to dance with him in the shadows of possibility.

I stood there, the weight of the gun heavy in my hand, I pointed the gun at him, aiming for his head, each click of the empty chambers echoing through the tense silence of the room. The crowd held their breath, their anticipation greatly felt as they watched the deadly game unfold before them. I heard the crowd gasp as the gun emitted smoke but no bullet came through. He stepped a little closer, making me wonder who the hell is this man? “Try again.” He bravely said.

I pointed the gun at him, a little annoyed at his audacity to dare me. Another chamber was shot and again, no bullet came. He stepped closer, annoying me more. With each failed attempt, he inched closer, his movements calculated, his purpose unclear. I pointed at him again, and again, and again. 4 total chambers have been shot and he’s now inches away from me. As the fifth chamber clicked empty, he stood mere inches away, his proximity a dreadful challenge. He smiled meaningfully, “Where’s my kiss?” The crowd clapped but I only smirked and stepped a few feet back and pointed the gun at him again.

I quickly aimed the gun and fired the bullet. As the bullet tore through the air, a cumulative gasp swept through the venue, followed by a hushed silence that hung heavy with anticipation. The mask he wore flew from his face, revealing features that seemed to shimmer, bared to the world at last. I smiled and stepped closer to him, leaving little to no gap between us as I whispered. “Now you can claim your prize.” I said as I gently kissed him.

Cameron’s POV

My heart raced when her lips touched mine. It felt surreal, I swear I thought I had died and gone to heaven. So when she gazed back at the crowd, I quickly regained my composure and exited the building. I tried to calm myself down, breathing in and out trying to bring my heartbeat back to normal. I sat in a little garden for a few hours before deciding to return to the venue. But the joy that enveloped my heart was quickly replaced by jealousy.

Arriving at the scene, the festive atmosphere of the occasion clashed with the fury brewing within me. Laughter and music filled the air, but my gaze was drawn unexplainably to the gathering of guests, where the ritual of the 18 roses had already started.

Jealousy and envy swallowed all of my composure as I watched from the corner, a silent witness to the procession of suitors eying her attention. Each rose presented was like a thorn pricking at my wounded pride, a reminder of the competition I now found myself unwittingly entering in once again.

My queen was dancing with a random guy, a stranger, his presence an annoying intrusion upon the delicate weaving of our shared moment. My pulse quickened, a surge of possessive fury coursing through my veins as I watched them twirl together in perfect harmony. I watched his hands intertwined with my Queens’.

And then, all I saw was red.

Anger clouded my vision with a bright haze of crimson rage. Every rational thought evaporated in my mind and was replaced by my fury, leaving only a burning desire to reclaim what was rightfully mine.

………………………..

I held this guy’s hand as I sliced off his fingers. His screams filled the room we were in. His cries were all that I could hear besides the subtle pleading of the other 17 men in the room, their eyes wide with terror. Should I cut off their entire arm? I tilted my head as I looked at my bloody work. His fingers were on the floor along with the other fingers I cut from the other men. “Quiet.” I sternly said as I shoved the back of the knife in his mouth.

I looked at them and their pitiful faces. I looked at the screen of an encrypted laptop beside me, the side of my lips rose as I read some of the missing articles.

“The sole heir to an oil company is currently missing.”

“The oldest son of Marina Tsu, the pioneering tycoon of hotel chains in Asia has been missing since last week.”

“General Enrique, the chief of generals has issued a search and rescue order for the 18 heirs who have been missing for 5 days.”

“Young superstar heir has been missing in action for the past 5 days.”

“Lath Coleman, the most eligible bachelor of 2024, is still not found after days of search and rescue. A 1-billion-dollar reward has been issued for the person that can find the sole heir to the Coleman empire.”

As I scanned through the list of missing persons on the laptop screen, it was the mention of Lath Coleman that caught my eye. There he sat in the corner of the room, stripped of his wealth and status, reduced to a trembling wreck in my presence. I smirked as I looked at Lath Coleman, shivering, naked, and almost dead.

"What's mine is mine," I thought, a cold resolve settling over me as I looked upon Lath Coleman's broken form. In this world of chaos, I alone held the reins of control. And as I gazed upon the once-mighty heir to the Coleman empire, I knew without a doubt that my rule would remain unchallenged, and my queen would be forever mine.

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