Rose

"Tough decision," I said, my eyebrows creasing in distress as I gazed at the two things in front of me. "I don't think I've ever had to struggle this hard with figuring something out. I think I need your help."

I lifted them up and her bright eyes glanced between them as she bit her bottom lip.

"What do you think, Princess Sapphire? Jam or Nutella?"

She hesitated, her vibrant eyes scanning both tubs of the different substances. Her hand raised and pointed to the component in my left hand. I grinned at her as a small smile came onto her sweet face.

"I was thinking Nutella too. Great minds think alike," I told her, giving her a genuine smile as I spread the chocolate across the toast. Handing her the plate, she thanked me quietly, sipping her drink before taking a bite of the Nutella.

She looked up at me and smiled and I grinned. "Told ya it would be good," I said playfully, taking a bite out of my toast.

"Morning, ladies!"

My smile automatically faded and I turned away, making myself some more toast.

"How are you doing, Princess?"

As usual, I didn't hear her reply. When I turned, she was nodding with a smile on her face. She munched on her toast, her eyes glancing over at me cautiously. She was a clever girl and already sensed the tension.

Her sapphire eyes moved over to the door then back at me. I nodded and she smiled before slipping off her chair and leaving the room with her toast.

Then my eyes landed at Cris, my eyes filled with bitterness. "What are you doing here?"

"I want to talk to you."

I rolled my eyes, leaning against the counter and sucking my teeth. "We've been through this. No matter how many times you apologise-"

"I know," he butted in, his eyes filled with disappointment. He licked his kissable lips that caught my attention and continued, "I'll figure that out later but for now, I need answers. How do you know that girl?"

I rolled my eyes again. I almost considered not answering them I realised that he was paying for the hotel room we were in, the food we were eating and the clothes we were wearing. It was much better than struggling in that old apartment I despised.

"I escaped from Stefano a few months ago. I killed him and all of his little perverts," I confidentially told him, my eyes burning with anger at the thought of the ruthless man. I licked my lips slowly, ignoring the shocked look on his face. "Don't ask how but that's that. When I came out, I had nothing all because of you. So I stripped."

"Then one night, one guy got handsy and he tried to attack me. I was about to stab him until that girl saved me." I shook my head, smiling a little in disbelief. "That sweet, little girl - who can't be older than five - saved me. She hit him with a pole on the head. She didn't have to do that but she did."

"Turns out she was hiding in my dressing room. We left and she didn't really talk. It was late so I took her back to mine and cleaned her up. I was supposed to take her in but she didn't let me. . .she said someone was coming for her so I didn't need to hand her over."

"Who?" Cris interrupted, his tone filled with curiosity. I shrugged softly, sipping my drink. "As you can tell, she doesn't talk much. I think she's scared so I'm still trying to warm up to her."

"We've been together ever since and she won't let me hand her in so I won't. I'm just gonna wait for this mysterious person to save her. She won't tell me where her parents are either. I don't think she even knows."

"Do you know her name?"

I shook my head, sighing softly. "I think she's just protecting herself. I call her Sapphire and she doesn't seem to mind."

Cristiano sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"She's not safe. You're not safe. Come live with me."

"Excuse me?" I spluttered, scoffing and rolling my eyes. "I'm not living with the bastard who sold me! Dream on, Romeo." Cristiano sighed again, his hazel eyes gazing over at me.

"I know you hate me - despise me so much that it hurts. . .but I can protect you-"

"You didn't last time," I practically whispered, my voice filled with hurt. His face softened and I licked my lips, blinking away the tears in my eyes. "You fed me to the wolves. She's a little girl. I'm not letting you hurt her like you did to me."

He took a step closer saying, "I can't ever make up for what I did, Rose. But I can try day by day. I can't just apologise and everything will be okay - because it won't. I messed up and it affected you in so many ways that I can't even begin to imagine. You've been through so much because of my mistake. Let me show you how I've changed."

I stared at him, my eyes studying his face intently.

"No."

I glared at him, rage burning in me. "You won't even begin to understand how badly I regret ever being with you."

Each word I forced out hit his heart. His eyes were filled with hurt and guilt but I didn't even care. I pushed it too far by saying, "you know, maybe my baby was lucky. Lucky enough to be in Heaven then have someone like you as a father."

"I'm not living with you."

Then I stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind me.

I exhaled loudly in frustration, running my hand through my long, red hair and sighing softly.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and breathed out, trying to compose myself. I sniffed, blinking away the tears in my eyes.

That man crushed my soul when. He sold me. I couldn't forgive him; it hurts too much.

For months I sobbed to sleep, months I was in pain. For months there was doubt, pain, abuse, crying and suicidal thoughts that haunted me every single day.

I was happy. I was finally happy with a man who understood me and loved me. I thought we were even going to have a future together; get married, have children. But he ruined it all and threw it all away because of drunken mistakes that cost.

I couldn't look at him in the same way. When I saw him, I felt bitter and betrayal. I felt anger, hurt. But deep down, I still loved him and I wanted more than ever for that feeling to fade. I didn't need him and I didn't want him or at least, that was what I kept telling myself.

Sapphire looked at me, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. I knew what she meant. I sighed and sat beside her, her head resting on me. She snuggled up against me and I wrapped my arms around her, sighing softly again.

As I stroked her hair, I quietly asked her, "do you like Cris?"

She nodded, a small smile forming on her face. Then she surprised me by quietly saying, "he's funny, Rose." Her voice was so sweet and shy - angelic.

"Yeah, his charisma is a charmer," I bitterly replied before sighing and shaking my head to myself. "I'm sorry, sweetie, I shouldn't of said that. Soon, we'll have to go back to the apartment, okay?"

Her face scrunched up and a soft groan came from her. I bit my lip, realising that I didn't want to go back to the cheap apartment either.

"Where do you wanna go?" I asked her quietly, stroking her soft, brown curls.

"Warm house," she responded, then I realised she was talking a lot more than usual. The girl kept surprising me. "With yummy food. . .nice people. . .and mama. ."

I used her talking to an advantage and quickly asked, "who's your mama?" Then she stopped talking and snuggled closer to me. I bit my lip harder and sighed again. I went too far with my curiosity.

The girl did not want to confess who her parents were or who was coming to find her. I had to find out who she was and what she was hiding. The poor girl must have been four or five. I had to know what was going on.

Then I thought about my situation. Living in that old apartment was hell and I cringed at the thought of going back there in that horrible neighbourhood. I exhaled, almost groaning as I thought of Cristiano and his stupid idea. I didn't want to give in but I wasn't by myself. The Princess needed somewhere to be comfortable and sleep on a proper bed at night, not a mattress. Cris's offer didn't seem too bad.

"Okay, sweetie. . .I think I can make your wish come true except your mama. But don't worry, we'll find her soon. . ."

~~~

"-You're not allowed to persuade me to get back with you, no touching, no kisses and I am not sleeping in the same bed with you. I don't want any of your bull - BS." I glanced over at the girl in the back, hoping she wasn't listening. She was too busy playing on Cris's phone.

He kept his eyes on the road, his tongue going over his lips. His hands tightly held onto the steering wheel and he had an emotionless look on his face.

"Okay. I respect that. But, Rose, just know, I won't ever give up on you. I will always love you."

Then I turned my head away, my hair hiding my face. Tears sprang into my eyes so I tightly closed them, pushing away all the memories flooding into my mind of me and him.

When I opened my eyes again, we were there, right in front of the building I was last in a year ago. I stared at it and the sound of seatbelts unbuckling distracted me from my thoughts.

Swiftly, I took off my seatbelt and stepped out. Before Cris could reach her, I opened her car door and let her out. She held onto my hand and like me, she was also nervous.

We started walking towards it and Cristiano spoke, "things have changed in there too."

I bit my lip hard as he opened the grand doors. Inside, the boxing ring had changed. It was a lot larger and seemed more. . .new. The place looked a lot cleaner and much more modern compared to before.

My eyes roamed the room, thinking of every single fight I had witnessed in there, the kisses I shared with Gage. . .the playful boxing fights that I'd have with the guys. I was eager to see them. What could happen to them in a span of a year?

We walked up the stairs and he took his keys out, unlocking the door and we entered.

The loft was just the same. However, some of the furniture had changed. The living room had completely changed; the sofas were upgraded, as was the television and there was no longer the coffee table where he guys used to dump stuff on, but a rug. The place looked surprisingly clean.

My eyes studied the place as memories surrounded me; all the surprises, the laughs, the kisses, the arguments, the dancing, the singing, the confessions, the games, the movie nights, the fun, the family time. There were good and bad times in the loft but they always ended up good. I could never forget how happy the place made me.

"W-Where are the guys?" I anxiously asked, gnawing on my bottom lip nervously.

"They all went out for some sale," Cristiano responded, his eyes intently studying the loft too. I glanced over at him before looking away, sighing softly. "They should be back any time now."

"Come on, Saph. Let's go make some food, you hungry?"

While the food boiled, Sapphire was playing with Cristiano and I managed to slip off upstairs.

I slowly pushed my old bedroom door open to reveal a somewhat tidy room. Besides a bunch and spilled papers on a messy pile on the desk, the room was clean and still the same.

I bit my lip and moved over to my old drawer, opening it and surprised to see that all of my old clothes were still there. I softly exhaled, staring at the clothes I used to be so comfortable in. I couldn't imagine myself wearing some of the items anymore; I wasn't the same. I wasn't the confident Rose who would strut around in anything she wanted to wear, I was the confused Rose who didn't know who she was and hid all skin.

The table where I used to sleep near had all my belongings; my charger, my earphones, my iPad, my watches, my jewellery and of course, my phone. I smiled automatically, turning it over to see its red, glossy cover with my name on it. I remembered the day Cristiano had gotten it for me; customised especially just for me. Then my smile faded. We used to be so happy. How did things go so wrong?

I sighed, turning on my phone and after a few moments it turned on. It was charged to 100% surprisingly and I could still remember the password; Cristiano's birthday which I had to change. I sighed and made a mental note to call Juliet.

I then walked over to my makeup table which was just how I left it: neat. Nothing was taken from there.

The room seemed too normal - too simple. Nothing had changed in there. It was as though I was back in time walking around the bedroom. But feelings weren't the same. I was a different person.

The room held so many memories; our laughs, kisses, baby time, making love, watching movies, eating, playing around, arguments, crying and worse of all, being taken.

I tugged my long sleeves, covering my bruised wrists and walking over to the bathroom which was also clean. I moved onto the papers on the desk that were messy.

Scanning them, I was surprised to see that they were all linked to finding me; auctions, strip clubs, people, money, cities, towns, countries. How was it even possible? He wasn't lying at all; he was actually searching for me.

But I told myself I didn't care. He was he reason why I was taken and I couldn't forgive him for that.

I sighed, biting my lip as I reached the bottom. My eyes expanded as I stared straight at my diary. The letters to God. It was opened and clearly had been read. At first, I grew angry but the more I stared at it, the calmer I grew.

I sighed again, turning away after putting the papers down.

Then I left the bedroom filled with memories, swiftly going downstairs.

"Roseeeee!"

I bursted into the kitchen and there was Saph, shrieking and laughing as Cristiano tickled her. A beaming smile was on her face and I ruined things by pulling her away and holding the little girl. I placed her on the counter and she frowned at me.

"Rose-" Cris began but I interrupted by saying, "Sweetie, why don't you go watch some TV? You know how to use the remote." She glanced between Cris and I. With a small sigh, she slipped off the counter and went into the living room.

I turned and glared at Cris. "She doesn't need your false love."

He sighed. "I'm not gonna - look, I'm not asking you to trust me-"

"Then what are you asking me?" I snapped back.

"I'm asking you to just have some faith in me," Cristiano said, his eyes filled with guilt. "Rose, I'm a liar, a bastard of a man, a disappointment. I betrayed your trust, I told you I'd never hurt you and I did. But things happen for a reason and fate works in unexpected ways. I know we are meant for each other-"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"You don't know it now but hopefully one day you will. I won't ever stop fighting for you, Rose and I will try every day to earn your trust back. But just please, have some faith."

I stared at him, slowly licking my lips. Sniffing, I turned and took the pile of plates saying quietly, "I'm gonna go set the table." Then I left, my heart burning with sadness. As I set the table, I called Sapphire and she came, taking a seat beside me.

I hesitated once I finished before huffing to myself and calling, "C-Cris. . .the food's set."

I still hate him

You love him

No, I hate him

No, you love him

Hate

Love

Hate

Love

I hate love

When he entered the dining room, I heard the front door slam closed and the sound of numerous footsteps and voices.

A small smile came onto Cristiano's face as he noticed the look on my face.

"It's them. All of them. They're back."

________

I wonder how much things have changed. . .

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