That night, in the refuge of their hideout, the soft glow of lamps faintly outlined the room. Rose's pacing steps echoed as Vincent, seated calmly, observing her storm to find its eye.

"What in the world set you off?" Vincent's voice cut through the tension.

"Elle," she spat out, "Elle..., of all people, was there. It's as if the fate has a grudge against us." Rose fuming with anger, her voice was that of a viper's hiss. "And what's more, she is well acquainted with Shawn! What if he finds out the truth before we could even make use of him?"

Vincent leaned in, his calm demeanor was a sharp contrast to Rose's agitated state. "Calm down, sweetheart," he said soothingly. "We can't afford to let anger cloud our judgement. Our focus should solely be on our next step in dealing with Shawn."

"But she knows," Rose argued, her voice became even more frustrated. "Elle suspects something. I saw it in her eyes."

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he considered her words. "Then we adapt. We have always been steps ahead. This changes nothing. It merely reshapes our approach."

Rose halted her restless strides, her gaze locking with Vincent's eyes. "What do you suggest?"

"We continue as planned," Vincent replied, his voice was a tranquil river compared to Ross's turbulent sea like expressions. "Elle's suspicions mean nothing without proof. All we have to do is remain indifferent, while strengthening our strategy."

Her breathing slowed as Vincent's words calmed her thoughts.

The moonlight falling in through the glass roof, casting a gentle glow over the cozy sofa. Rose's heart raced as she walked towards Vincent, feeling anticipation with her every step.

Time seemed to slow down, as she closed the distance between them, and in that moment, everything else faded away.

Gently holding Vincent's face in her hands, Rose looked into his eyes, caressing his cheeks. She slowly leaned in and passionately kissed him, savouring his supple lips.

Words escaped her lips as they broke apart, her breathless voice was a mere whisper, "Maybe this is why we're meant to be." Catching her breath, she continued, "No one could possibly understand the depth of these desires better than you."

Vincent, overwhelmed by her sudden confession, couldn't help but lean in and reciprocate the kiss.

But deep inside Vincent's mind, there was battle, a battle between the emotions he shared with Rose and the dark truth he hid within him.

"You really know how to drive me crazy...!" she purred,

"And here I thought, you were going crazy because of Elle." Vincent teased with a playful grin.

Hearing him say that, a mischievous smile formed on her lips, "Maybe you're right!" She withdrew her hands from his neck and turned to walk away.

Suddenly Rose felt a strong pull, as Vincent grabbed her hand, drawing her back into his embrace. They were so close that Rose could feel his warm, heavy breath brushing against her lips.

In his charming deep voice, he whispered, "You never get bored of playing tricks on me, do you?"

"Never..." Rose replied, her voice a soft echo admist the silence.

As they held each other, Vincent leaned in, his lips brushing against Rose's ear, his voice barely a murmur, "It's you, Rose... You're the reason I've been able to do it all without getting caught for four long years. My perfect partner!"

Rose's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in surprise. She was well aware of Vincent's complexities, his darkness, but she had never imagined he could make such kind confessions.

"This game wouldn't have been so thrilling without you!" Rose confessed.

Vincent's gaze locked with hers as he reached out to take her hand, he slowly lifted it up to his lips, planting a tender kiss on her palm.

His touch sent electric currents through her veins, connecting them on a profound level. Then his lips wandered to Rose's neck, savouring the softness of her skin. The desire that had lurked within him for quite sometime, was now unleashing.

Vincent's hands wandering over her top, to explore her soft skin, while Rose's fingers flailed to undo the buttons of his shirt. With every touch, their connection deepened, leading to an intense desire for one another.

Driven by the intoxicating kisses, a moan escaped Vincent's lips as he swept Rose off her feet, carrying her towards the bedroom.

The air grew heavy with anticipation as he stepped inside. Each step echoing the memories of countless nights they had spent together, intensifying the desire that simmered between them.

One by one their clothes fell down on the floor like delicate petals, revealing their bare skin. Rose slid her hand at the back of Vincent's neck, as she softly nibbled on his collarbone.

Their bodies embraced eachother, filling the night with passion. They moved together, driven by an insatiable hunger for one another.

It was a night of pure ecstasy that blurred the lines between love and obsession.

***

As the silence seeped in, the room was covered in darkness, with only the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Rose lay peacefully beside Vincent, her breathing was calm like a lullaby.

The echoes of their passionate night still lingered in the air, yet Vincent, slowly waking up from a sweet nap, found himself caught up in the silence of his own thoughts.

As the clock struck 2 am, Vincent's gaze fixated on Rose's serene face. His mind, usually a maze of calculated thoughts, now walked on the edge of a cliff he had never seen before.

Vincent was lost in between the whispers of his own thoughts. I think something's broken within me. It feels s if my heart's gonna explode, whenever she's so close. Is it what they call love?

The very idea seemed absurd, as if his own mind betrayed the logic he had followed over the years.

Vincent's eyes, which are usually cold and distant, softened as he watched Rose sleep. "Don't do this to me..., don't make me... vulnerable."

The pressure from his mother, to be the perfectly normal son he was supposed to be, had somehow opened a Pandora's box of emotions within Vincent.

Staring at Rose's delicate form, her soft breathing against the background of a gentle rustle of curtains in the moonlit room.

A nonexistent attachment got mixed with Vincent's breath. If I hold on to you... will you stay?

He held onto the possibility that the therapy might be achieving more than he had ever expected.

His thoughts were filled with confusion. The very concept of love, alien to his clinical understanding, haunted him.

As Rose shifted a little towards Vincent in her sleep, he was brought back from the complicated debate of his mind. He continued to watch Rose.

As the pre-dawn approached, Vincent's eyes became heavy and he began to lose himself to the gentle pull of sleep.

Both of them found a rare comfort, a feeling of relaxation in eachothers embrace, unaware of the fact that their so called love is actually a double-edged sword, dangerously cutting both ways.

***

Earlier that night, which was draped in shadows, Xavier, led his former gang members through the outskirts of the city, the rumble of their bikes screaming through the quiet of the night.

The engines roared, and the group accelerated into the moonlit night. The city lights fading away as they rode through the winding roads.

Xavier, usually a master of the asphalt, today, he rode in a reckless manner that set him apart from his usual precision. Unbeknownst to his comrades, it was the swirl of emotions that fueled his ride.

As the race concluded, the bikes came to a halt, and the air hung heavy with the scent of gasoline.

Xavier's closest friend, Levi, approached him with concern clearly visible on his face. "Xavier, what's eating at you tonight? You never ride so recklessly."

Xavier sighed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's just been a tough day."

Levi leaned against his bike, silently inviting Xavier to share his burdens. "You know we're here for you, man. Talk to us. Is Rose giving you a hard time again?"

Xavier, clearly annoyed, "Can we just not talk about Rose for once?"

Levi, unfazed by Xavier's irritation, leaned in, sensing the tension in the air. "Come on, Xavier. You can't deny there's something up with Rose. What's the deal?"