Chapter 65

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Nadine's POV

I woke up on the couch with Lizzie in my arms when I heard a notification on my phone. I picked it up and saw Detective Decker's message.

"Yeah, about that case... it turned out to be an open and close one. She killed him and he killed her. There was no third party so there's no murderer to bring to prosecution"

Huh... open and close case...

"Is it about Vanessa's case?" Lizzie asked.

"Oh, you're awake?"

"Yeah, I have been for a while but I didn't want to wake you up" she smiled.

"Well, Vanessa... um... She killed her dad and her dad killed her. That's the case. It was an open and close one since there wasn't a third party involved" I explained.

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"Well, I have to go to school now, finals are next week so I have to study hard" she said.

"Good luck" I kissed her and she got up to change clothes.

Each of us went through our own morning routine and I waved her goodbye when she left for school. I unlocked my phone to find another message but this time it was from Rosalyne, my boss.

"Good news, you got a raise of 7.36% and somewhat bad news, you have to work an extra hour from your previous schedule. Is that good for you? I could negotiate for you to have less time at the studio but then there would be no raise"

I opened the message and responded.

"It's okay, one hour more is nothing when our photoshoots are already several hours long. I'll take the deal. Thanks for the raise, by the way. I'll take that as an invitation to your wedding ;)"

"Take it as whatever you want, Nadine. Just remember that you have a photoshoot today :)"

Whoa, she texted me a happy face. This woman is a whole new person now.

I turned off the screen and got up to take a shower and start my hair routine to save some work to the hair and makeup crew later in the day. Once my hair was soft and shiny, I put it in a messy bun and wrote a note to put on the dining table warning Lizzie that I wouldn't arrive on time for lunch. I got my purse with my essentials and left the house to walk to the location of the shoot.

Rosalyne was already outside, chatting with a woman I hadn't seen before. She had black hair with white highlights tied in a thin low ponytail and was taller than Rosalyne, which is saying a lot. She was wearing a long sleeved white suit even though it was almost summer but she didn't seem to feel uncomfortable.

I noticed she was very athletic since she had broad shoulders and tension all over her body. Her face was, well, who am I to lie, she was gorgeous. When they both turned to me I stopped dead in my tracks. The eyes of the woman were grey. Not a grayish blue, no, they were purely grey.

"Oh, Nadine. Hi, you're here" Rosalyne greeted me with a smile "I was just catching up with a friend" she said, looking at the other woman "I have to go now. Work. You know. I'll see you another day, Arle"

"Bye, Rosalyne" Arle smiled and left without any other words.

"Whoa, who was that? Was she the model of the shoot before mine or something?" I whistled.

"No, um, she's just a work friend from... my other job" she looked away.

"Oh, you have another job? That's nice. I don't know where you get the time for everything though" I chuckled.

"Well, the night has plenty of hours"

"Don't forget to sleep every once in a while though. You ought to take care of yourself, you know?"

"I try" she smiled "come on, it's your turn for the photoshoot"

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Rosalyne's POV

The previous evening

I was waiting in the restaurant, nursing a glass of wine when a glimpse of white near the door caught my attention. My fiancée, Alisa, strolled in with her usual poise and grace, full of contained power. I raised my gaze to her and smiled as she walked up to me.

She had her platinum white hair down, bouncing on her back at every step she took and a white suit with a v-neck that showed off the golden necklace I bought her for our anniversary.

"Hey" I greeted with a little smile.

"Hi, honey" she smiled brightly, leaning down to peck my lips before sitting down on the seat in front of mine.

"Was the..." she swallowed, looking away awkwardly "was the ring to your liking...?"

I chuckled at her question, so powerful yet so insecure sometimes.

"My love, you could have proposed with a paper ring and I would still wear it proudly. I love you and the ring is a symbol of our love so of course I love it too" I smiled and put my hand with the ring over hers "besides, we've been together for two years, you can relax around me. Let your guard down"

She smiled again and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, sorry. Work's been... stressful..." she sighed.

"Those guys again?"

"Mhm" she nodded, opening the menu in front of her "have you chosen what you'll have for dinner?"

"Alisa" I called.

She let out a deep breath "...yes?"

"You need to get rid of those guys if they're bothering you so much. You're being too gentle, like always. I love your personality, I really do, but being in such a high position you need to be more strict, honey" I gave her a little smile.

"You're... right... as always" her little frown turned into a smile as she raised her eyes to me "I'll follow your advice, thank you"

I would have said something else but I was caught in the way her azure eyes sparkled in the candlelight and her pale unblemished skin glowed as light reflected off of it, the slight swaying of her smooth hair at every little movement of hers. Just her.

"You look breathtakingly beautiful, Alisa"

Her blush was very noticeable on her milky skin and she brushed her hair aside as if it was our first date.

"Rosalyne! Don't make me blush in public! I look like a schoolgirl on a first date with her crush" she fanned herself with a hand to make her blush go away.

I chuckled "Well, said schoolgirl's 'crush' thinks she looks breathtakingly beautiful and felt the need to tell her" I smirked before taking a sip from my wine glass.

Alisa cleared her throat, recovering her composure. She changed the topic.

"I can't believe we're fiancées now" she smiled "it feels like a dream"

"If it's a dream, I don't want to wake up" I said, making her smile grow.

"Your lines are terrible, Rosa" she laughed.

"They can't be that bad if they got me you" I chuckled.

"I know that maybe I'm rushing a little but... oh, I can't stop thinking about the wedding!" She said with dreamy eyes.

"You already want to plan it, don't you?" I chuckled.

"You know me too well" she smiled "but yes, that's what I was thinking. Where do you want to get married? What should the venue be?"

"I don't mind where if I'm marrying you"

"Rosalyne! Please take it seriously"

"Oh, I'm serious. You can choose the place, hun" I twirled a strand of her hair around my finger distractedly.

"Mmm... how about your hometown?"

"No." I stopped my hand's motion and pulled it away "I will never go back to that hellhole. Never"

"Okay, okay, sorry. Um... then how about my hometown?"

"Kazan? It's very beautiful but isn't it a bit cold for a wedding?"

"We can get married in summer"

"Alisa... summer is in half a month. Are you planning on marrying right away or waiting a whole year?"

"What would you like to do?" she smirked knowingly.

"I do want to marry you" I leaned my chin on my hand and smiled "so if it's not rushing for you, it's not rushing for me. Wanna start planning?"

"Yes!"

"Okay so wedding in Kazan but where will we go on our honeymoon?" I asked.

"I chose the location of the wedding so maybe you should choose our destination"

"Mmm... how about Paris? Our second language is French, right?" I suggested.

My first language was German but I learnt French since I was little and learning English opened the gates I needed to travel all over the world and set up my own business in a foreign country. Alisa's first language was Russian but she was homeschooled and all her studies were in French so she had to learn fast. Both of us having learned the language since we were so young, we had good control over it so going to France wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Yes, that's a very good idea, Rosa. I like it and it would do me good to practice my French" she smiled.

"Then it's settled" I smiled back "We'll get married in your hometown and spend our honeymoon in Paris"

"Good"

A waitress came to take our order.

"Have you decided what you want to have tonight?"

"Yes, I'll have the spaghetti alla arrabbiata" I said, handing over the menu.

"I'll have tagliatelle al pesto" Alisa handed the menu she was consulting over to the waitress, who excused herself and left for the kitchen.

"I don't understand how you can stand spicy food, arrabbiata makes my mouth burn" she sighed.

"I just have a high tolerance with spicy food, it's nothing strange or uncommon" I shrugged.

"I still can't understand it" she absentmindedly reached for a glass of wine that wasn't there, realizing she didn't have one in the first place and the waitress had forgotten to ask her if she wanted one.

"I'll handle it" I said when I noticed her action.

I beckoned a young waitress that was passing by closer with a finger.

"Be a darling and bring my fiancée a glass of the finest wine you have in this establishment. The price is not a problem, sweetheart"

The waitress gulped and nodded quickly, turning to leave towards the kitchen, cheeks red. I chuckled at the effect I had on people.

"Rosa, leave the poor girl alone. You should stop making youngsters develop a crush on you" Alisa laughed "I feel bad for them"

"Youngsters? I'm not that old! I'm not even thirty yet!" I laughed along.

"You're still a decade older than the waitress you just charmed"

I shrugged "She heard me call you my fiancée and I'd say she's not blind, she can see the ring on my finger. Don't worry about some youngster stealing me away" I chuckled.

"Yeah, remember you're engaged now" Alisa smiled, caressing the ring on my finger.

"I'll never forget it. Besides, fleeting fantasies with older women are normal at their age" I winked at the waitress that was coming back with the glass of wine and the red on her cheeks got more intense.

She set down the glass next to me and I slid it over to Alisa, resting my chin on a palm and tilting my head.

"Thanks, darling∼"

"Y-you're welcome, ma'am" she scurried away.

"Leave the poor girl alone, Rosa. She'll have a panic attack" Alisa said.

"But it's fun! Did you see her face when I said 'darling'? Hilarious" I laughed.

"Okay, yes. I admit it was a little funny" she cracked a smile.

"You can do it too!" I suggested.

"Me? Oh, no. I don't have the same effect you do on people. I'm nowhere as hot as you, no one looks at me the way you do"

"Alisa... for your line of work you're in you pay too little attention to your surroundings. Everyone looks at you, you're gorgeous. Try doing what I did to the waitress to him" I discreetly pointed toward the young waiter that was carrying our pasta plates. He must've been around twenty years old "ask for more cheese"

"You won't get jealous?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I won't, I promise. It's just for fun"

"Very well then"

The waiter set down our plates and was about to leave when Alisa stopped him.

"Hey, handsome. Could you be a sweet and bring us more cheese? Parmesan please∼"

"U-uhm, y-yes, ma'am! R-right away!" he hurried to the kitchen, visibly flustered.

I laughed.

"See? You have an effect too, darling"

"I guess I do" she chuckled "this is fun"

"I know" I took a sip of wine from my glass and she took one from hers.

"Well, bon appetit"

"Bon appetit" she twirled her pasta around her fork.

We ate peacefully for a while until her phone rang loudly to Vivaldi's "Winter".

"Oh, sorry" she apologized, taking her phone with the clear intention of turning it off but her eyes widened when she saw the contact name "I'm so sorry, you know I would hang up and turn it off to be with you but they're using the emergencies only number" she showed me the red screen of her phone "I need to take this"

"Of course, yeah, go ahead. Don't worry about me" I smiled at her.

"Thanks" she smiled back and picked up, her face turning serious "What's happening?"

I could hear gunshots from the other line from where I was sitting and I could make up what the other person was saying if I strained my ears.

"We're outnumbered and Arlecchino was shot. Even Dami is here and we're still losing, we need your help" It sounded like Sandy.

Alisa gave me the look and I took out my wallet.

"Let's go" I said, leaving a bill on the table and standing up.

"Send me your location, we'll be there as quickly as we can. Try to keep Arlecchino alive" Alisa said into the phone, standing up herself as well.

We walked out of the restaurant and as soon as we were out of sight, we turned a corner into an alley and started running.

"Did you bring mine?" I asked.

"Of course" she took two guns out of her purse and handed me mine "They're right ahead"

I walked in front of her as a shield with my gun pointed ahead.

"Stay behind me" I said, in no time, I could hear gunshots again "we're not far, let's go"

We started running again and as we turned a corner to enter another alley, I put a hand on Alisa's back to make her crouch as I did myself, dodging what would have been a headshot.

"Oh, it's you. Sorry" Dami lowered her gun. Her pink highlights in her black hair were stained with red and her white scarf was stained beyond repair with blood that I was sure wasn't hers.

"Arlecchino is not doing very well..." she said.

She led us to where Arlecchino was leaning against a wall, hands on her stomach to stall the bleeding and breathing labored and slow. Her skin was alarmingly pale and the blood bright red against it as it seeped through the gaps between her fingers.

"Arle!" I dropped my gun and ran to her, pressing a hand to he wound tightly to stop the bleeding.

"Rosa, stay here. Dami, with me. You help my fourth in command, I'll make those bastards pay" Alisa's tone completely shifted to an authoritative one. One so commanding that we couldn't say 'no' to.

"Yes, Tsaritsa" Dami bowed her head, calling Alisa by her title.

Being the head of our family, Alisa had gained quite a reputation and due to her nationality, she earned the title of Tsaritsa (the name empresses of Russia went by until the 19th century) among other mafia families. The name was whispered with fear and no one wished to cross her, except one other family, which we were fighting now and didn't seem to want to give up.

Alisa then looked at me, expecting an answer. I wanted to go with her and help but... my best friend was dying, I had to help her.

"Yes, Tsaritsa" I answered, bowing my head as well.

When I looked up again, Alisa and Dami were gone and I was left alone with a bleeding Arlecchino, sitting in a puddle of her own blood.

"Do you hear me?" I asked, touching her shoulder with my free hand.

She nodded with her eyes still closed.

"Good, um, can you move?" I ripped a part of my dress and pressed it to the wound on her stomach, the fabric immediately becoming completely soaked in red in seconds.

She winced when she tried and shook her head.

"Do you know if the bullet went through-and-through?" I moved a hand down her back to look for an exit wound.

"Yes" she breathed "it did..."

I ripped a longer strip of my dress to tie it around her stomach to cover both wounds.

"So you've been bleeding out from your back this entire time... that's not good. I'll tell the Tsaritsa we're leaving. I need to administer you medical care that I can't give you here. Stay still, I'll be right back"

After having ripped so much of my dress, it now reached right above my knees so I ran more comfortably. I got to where the gunshots could be heard loud and clearly and hid behind a corner, where Alisa and the rest were waiting for the other gang to run out of bullets so they had to reload.

I placed myself next to Alisa.

"Rosa? What are you doing here? Did something happen to Arlecchino?" she asked.

"I needed to inform you that I will be taking her home. She needs better medical care than I can provide her here. I have nothing on me"

"Okay. Take care, darling" she pecked my lips and peeked out the corner to shoot her shot. I heard a body drop and smiled at her.

"You too, honey. Come back to me unharmed"

"You know I always do"

"If anyone else gets hurt, bring them to our house, I'll take care of them"

"Okay"

I went back to where I left Arlechino only to find her unconscious.

"Come on..." I picked her up, placing her hands over the wound on her stomach and pressing the hole on her back with my hand to keep her from bleeding out.

Thank god it was nighttime and there was no one out in this neighborhood. I was stained with blood and was carrying an almost corpse. I sighed.

I rushed home and placed her on the medical bed we had ready for these occasions. Alisa and I had spent a lot of time designing our home and taking into account what her job was, we decided it would be best to have a medical room, just in case.

"Stay with me, Arle" I fetched the first aid kit and got to work.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I was stitching up the now clean second wound when I felt her move.

"No, not yet. Stay still" I said, placing a hand on the unharmed part of her stomach to keep her from moving. I finished with the stitches and leaned down to snap the thread off with my teeth, accidentally brushing my lips against her stomach. I blushed a little but decided to ignore it "okay, it's done. Do you feel better?" No response came and though I waited for her to move again, she didn't.

"She's unconscious again?" I touched her forehead, it was cold "maybe it's because of the blood loss... A transfusion would be safest. Thank god mine is the universal donor type" I prepared the transfusion kit and put the needle in my forearm, making sure to carefully pierce the right vessel before doing the same with her with the other end after having made sure there were no air bubbles in the tube.

I sat on an armchair with a book while blood flowed out of me and into her system. I read a couple pages of the book before she moved again and opened her eyes this time.

"Ro-...R-Rosa..." she called, her voice breaking.

"I'm here" I rushed to her, holding onto the edge of her bed since I felt dizzy from giving so much blood "What do you need?"

"W-water... please..."

I gave her the glass of water that was on the nightstand next to the bed and helped her drink, holding the glass to her lips and supporting her head with my other hand.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked softly.

"Yes... you should stop the transfusion, you may get anemic again if you keep giving"

I smiled as I stopped the transfusion and tidied up the materials with slow motions to keep my balance. It had happened before. I was the only one in the group with 0- blood so I would be the go-to for a transfusion. One time I passed out while giving blood to Arle and since no one was a suitable donor for me, Alisa had to steal a blood packet from a nearby hospital to give me the blood I was lacking. Ironic.

"I'm more careful with my transfusions now, Arle- whoa!" I lost my balance when I turned so quickly toward her and supported myself with a nearby cupboard for medical supplies.

"Yeah, I see" she said sarcastically.

I took a deep breath.

"Shut up. I wasn't going to let you die. Even if it costs me my life, I will always save you, Alre. You're my best friend"

"I know..." she smiled gently "come here" she opened her arms, inviting me into the bed with her.

I laid on the medical bed with her, my head on her chest listening to her heartbeat. She wrapped her arms around me and started to caress my hair.

"You have to stop sacrificing so much for other people, Rosa. One day you may get hurt for someone that is not worth it" she said in a low voice.

"Everyone is worth it, Arle... that's what Rostam lived by and I believe it. Everyone deserves life. If I can help them keep it, I'll do everything in my power to do so. I won't think twice"

I put a hand on her chest.

"You have a heart, Arle, a big one. Doesn't it tell you to do good?"

She looked away, dejected.

"Sometimes you're too pure, Rosa... I..." she caught sight of the ring on my finger "you... you are engaged?"

"...yes. Alisa proposed"

"...oh...I'm happy for you" she smiled "congratulations" she kissed my forehead and I closed my eyes when her lips met my forehead.

"Arle... our friendship won't change. You will always be my best friend"

"...I know..."

I could feel her heartbeat on my cheek. It had been fast at first but now its pace was slowing down.

"Are you okay?" I opened my eyes again to look up to her face.

Her eyes were glossy with tears she wasn't letting fall, sparkling in the moonlight that came through the window.

"I'm fine" she avoided eye contact.

I cupped her cheek to make her look at me.

"Arle, you can tell me what's wrong"

"No... I can't..." she muttered.

"What?" I leaned closer to hear her better.

"I can't, Rosa..."

"Why?" I asked softly as I wiped her tears with my thumbs.

"Because... I love you, Rosalyne... I love love you and... you're with Alisa, I... I don't know what to do with my feelings..."

"Arle... I can't... I can't do this" I pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed "...since when have you felt this way?"

"Our first mission together was when I realized but... maybe I've had these feelings for a longer time and just didn't want to admit it..."

I fidgeted with my ring. I was engaged to Alisa and Arle was my best friend...

"I can't, Arle. I love you, I really do, but as a friend. You've been my best friend for years and I trust you more than I trust myself. And Alisa... well, she's my fiancée for a reason"

"Rosa, I'm so sorr-" she was interrupted by the door opening and Alisa strolling into our house.

"Is my fourth okay?" she asked.

"I'm okay, Tsaritsa. All thanks to Rosa. I'll... go home now..." she tried to get up, wincing in pain.

"Careful!" I laid her down again "you need more rest. Stay the night and you can leave in the morning. Your body is exhausted and your defenses are low. You need sleep"

"And then you scold me for being too gentle with them" Alisa scoffed playfully "you're the one getting all lovey-dovey with my fourth in command"

"We're not-" I started.

"Tsaritsa, it's not-" Arle fell silent when Alisa raised her hand.

"Now, now, it's quite alright. I'm going to shower now. I'll wait for you in bed, Rosa∼" she chuckled as she walked past us in direction of the bedroom, leaving both Arle and me blushing.

As soon as Alisa turned the corner, I turned to face Arle again.

"Arle, I-"

"Rosa, I-" we said at the same time.

"... you go first" I said.

"Could we... forget that conversation? I... don't want to lose you and our friendship... it's too precious to me..." she looked away.

"That would be for the best, yes..."

"But... um... if you don't mind... Could you... kiss me goodnight? As... a kind of goodbye to my feelings..."

"Just once" I said.

She nodded.

"And no more feelings for me" I added.

"No more feelings for you" she repeated "Just our old friendship. I'll forget about my feelings"

"Okay..."

I looked around to ensure that no one could see us and I cupped her face, locking eyes with her as I caressed her cheeks with my thumbs. I could see her face reddening and I felt my own blush tainting my cheeks and ears red. I closed my eyes and leaned in, linking our lips together.

The kiss was slow at first but she hungrily demanded more, putting her hand on the back of my neck and pulling me closer as she took the lead in the kiss, biting and nipping at my lips. I felt my face heat up even more from the intensity and put my hands on her shoulders to push her down on the bed gently, breaking the kiss.

"Whoa..." she said, catching her breath.

I breathed in deeply, catching my breath as well.

'Damn you, Arle. How will I forget this kiss when you're such a good kisser?' I thought.

"G-goodnight" I pulled away and turned off the lights of the medical room, closing the door behind me when I got out, not waiting for her to answer.

I went to Alisa and my shared bedroom and saw that she was still in the shower. I slipped off my tattered dress, took off the patch over my eye and walked into the bathroom.

"Care if I join you?"

"Of course" she smiled and invited me in.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Arlecchino's POV (A/N: Real name is still a secret to y'all hehe)

Damn it, Rosalyne. I said I would forget it but how can I when you taste so good?

I touched the lips she had just kissed, mine. I couldn't believe she had agreed to kiss me. I heard the shower tap close and sighed. She was engaged... to my boss, no less. If Alisa found out how I feel about her fiancée I would probably be found dead in an alley next morning...

I turned on the bed and closed my eyes. I was going to dream about that kiss, I had no doubt about it. That taste...

Damn you, Rosalyne...

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Rosalyne's POV

Damn you, Arlecchino...

I tried to forget Arle's kiss as Alisa kissed down my neck slowly, taking her time to mark every little spot with nips and bites, but I couldn't... that kiss had been... No! Don't think about that, Rosalyne! And Alisa...

"Wait" I stopped her as she was kissing down my chest, her hair tickling my stomach "I need to tell you something..."

"Oh, okay" she rose up to my face, looking into my eyes with a gentle smile "Is something bothering you? You know I'll get rid of anything that's causing you trouble for you, personally if it's necessary"

"I know..." I made a little pause.

"Promise that you won't get mad..."

"I promise" she kissed the top of my head.

"...I kissed Arlecchino"

"Oh" she paused, deep in thought "Did it mean anything?"

"I... don't know..." I hugged my knees to my chest.

"Okay... um... do you want me to talk to her?"

"No!" I took a deep breath "It will never happen again. I just wanted you to know because I don't want to have secrets between us... I don't want to lie to you..."

She embraced me.

"I understand, thank you for telling me"

"And don't demote her, please"

"Did she force herself upon you?"

"No"

"Then she can keep her position as fourth" She smiled.

"Thank you, honey" I kissed her temple.

"Anything for my Rose"

She put her head on my chest and closed her eyes so I started running my fingers through her hair.

"Good night, my love"

"Good night, my Rose"

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. I quickly got out of bed and put on my patch and a robe before heading to the common area, where I could hear voices. Oh god, please tell me my fiancée is not talking to my best friend, who I kissed last night, about her position or anything to do with me..

I found them in the kitchen, engaging in lively chatter about last night's operation against the enemy family. Alisa was wearing an apron that read "kiss the chef" while she cooked breakfast and Arle was sitting on a stool with a hand over the scarring wound on her stomach, freshly bandaged somehow, listening attentively and answering while smiling brightly. I felt slightly warm inside from witnessing that scene.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty! You were still sleeping when both of us were awake so I went ahead and changed Arlecchino's bandages so now you don't have to do it" Alisa said.

"Oh, thanks"

"We were just talking about you" she abandoned the stove for a second to peck my lips before going back to her position "Arlecchino was telling me of how you almost got anemic again from giving blood" she chuckled "you should watch how much you give to others, Rosa. And eat well today"

"Tsaritsa is right. You shouldn't get hurt for others" Arle agreed.

"Listen to Arlecchino, she gives good advice" Alisa smiled.

"Yeah, maybe I should" I finally got out of my state of shock, smiling at them and walking over to sit in front of Arle.

Alisa got a plate of toast, an omelet and some small pancakes and gave it to Arle.

"Here's breakfast. You're both low on blood and you're still healing so, eat up" she smiled.

"Thank you, Tsaritsa. I'm grateful" Arle bowed her head.

"We're in private, you can call me Alisa"

"Okay then. Thanks, Alisa" Arle smiled.

It felt so good to see them getting along, especially after last night... and I prayed for it to last.

"And here's your breakfast, Rosa" Alisa placed a plate like Arlecchino's in front of me.

"Thank you, honey"

When Alisa made some breakfast for herself as well, she took off the apron and we started eating.

"Mmm... This tastes so good! You cook so well, Alisa" Arlecchino complimented her.

"Tell me, Arlecchino. Does it perhaps taste..." Alisa put both her hands on the counter, standing up and slightly tilting her head to the side "as good as my fiancée?"

I choked on my food, breaking into a coughing fit mid-bite.

"W-what?" Arle dropped her fork, a sharp clink sound resonating all over the kitchen.

"You heard me"

"I-I... um... how did you find out?"

"That's for me to know. You better prepare yourself, Arlecchino, because I'm going to make your life hell"

"Honey-" I tried to calm her down.

"Don't 'honey' me, Rosalyne. You know what you did"

I lowered my gaze, folding my hands on my lap.

"I-I'm sorry, Tsaritsa. But it isn't Rosalyne's fault. It was all me. Punish me if you want, kill me, torture me... but don't hurt her..." Arlecchino said, standing up.

"Arle, I don't need you protecting me, I'm not some helpless damsel" I said through gritted teeth "get out of here and I'll calm her down"

I put my hand over Alisa's on the counter "we can get through this, just like we got through everything else. Right, honey?" I stroked the back of Alisa's hand.

"Right..." she seemed to relax a little "Arlecchino, get out of my sight before I change my mind"

Arle did as she was told and in a couple minutes, Alisa and I were alone in our house again.

"What was that?!" I told you it wouldn't happen again last night! You promised you wouldn't get mad!"

Alisa looked collected and stoic as she did on missions when she responded.

"I promised not to get mad when you told me. No one said anything about the morning after" she said calmly "Rosalyne, tell me. How do you expect me to react when you tell me you've kissed another woman behind my back? My employee, no less"

I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"I... know... it was horrible. I am sorry..."

"Don't cry, Rosa. Arlecchino won't get demoted..." she looked away, her stoic mask cracking "I'll... try to forgive her but it's not going to be easy..." her facial expression changed again, turning cold and detached "but if I find out you did something like this again, I will hunt her down myself and torture her until she begs me to kill her. Then, I'll starve her for a day before finishing her off in front of you" she smiled at the end of her sentence "understood?"

I knew I couldn't negotiate with her when she was like this.

"Yes... Tsaritsa..."

When I called her by her title, her mask cracked once more and her features softened.

"Hey... I'm still your Alisa. Okay? I just... don't want anything or anyone to come between us" she held my hand with the ring to her chest, next to her heart "I love you"

"I know..."

"Do you love me too?"

"Would I have said yes to your proposal if I didn't?"

"Would you have kissed Arlecchino if you did?" She gave me a melancholic smile.

I stayed silent and looked away.

"I'll leave for work now. I'll call you if we need you" she kissed my cheek and left.

The food on the counter had gone cold a while ago. I got up and tidied up the kitchen to keep my mind occupied, doing the dishes and cleaning the counter. My motions were slow and a little clumsy since I was still low on blood but I managed to sweep, do the laundry and clean the house. How had the gentle and happy Alisa from yesterday turned into this? I admitted it, what I did was wrong but... I really did love my fiancée...

I put on a black pencil skirt and paired it with a red short sleeved shirt with lace sleeves that revealed my shoulders. I tied my front strands into my usual little rose-shaped buns on the back of my head with patience and put on my makeup before sending a text to Nadine, informing her of her raise and the change on her schedule, as well as reminding her of today's photoshoot.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I almost ended up not driving from how dizzy I was feeling but I had to get to the venue soon so I took a pill and prayed for the best as I drove through the streets of New York. I got there half an hour early and found Arlecchino waiting at the door. When I saw her from afar I thought I was hallucinating from blood loss but as I got closer, I realized she was real. She was really there.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, leaning on the wall.

"Just wanted to check on you... how is Alisa?"

"...she's... hurt. She didn't let me calm her down and she just left..."

"I'm so sorry, Rosalyne. It's all my fault" hearing her call me by my full name instead of my nickname made me freeze. She was distancing herself...

"Arle..."

She took one of my hands in both of hers, instantly warming it up since not enough blood flowed through my veins to warm it up properly.

"I'll talk to her" she said "If I don't come back, don't go looking for me, okay?"

"Arle, what do you mean? You're joking... right...? Don't confront her, you know you can't win" I pulled my hand away from her grasp, immediately regretting it when I felt cold again "she has the title of Tsaritsa for a reason"

Arle put her hands in her pockets now.

"I know"

"Arle, don't you dare go-" the words died in my mouth when I caught a glimpse of Nadine walking towards us from the distance.

"Act normal, my client is coming... and don't talk to Alisa. I'll handle it tonight or something. I'll figure it out" I put a fake smile on my face and waved at Nadine "Oh, Nadine. Hi, you're here. I was just... catching up with a friend" I turned to Arle, who stood still with a neutral expression, talking to her "I have to go now. Work, you know. I'll see you another day, Arle"

"Bye, Rosalyne" she left without another word after having smiled slightly at Nadine and me.

"Whoa, who was that? Was she the model of the shoot before mine or something?" Nadine whistled.

'I guess she is rather attractive... enough to be mistaken for one of my models...' I willed those thoughts away.

"No, um, she's just a work friend from... my other job" I tried to avoid eye contact.

"Oh, you have another job? That's nice. I don't know where you get the time for everything though" she laughed.

"Well, the night has plenty of hours" I replied.

"Don't forget to sleep every once in a while though. You ought to take care of yourself, you know?"

'I know...'

"I try" I smiled "come on, it's your turn for the photoshoot" I ushered her inside.

While they took pictures of Nadine in different clothes, I opened my laptop and organized my schedule, ticking off Nadine's four hour photoshoot today. The blue light of the screen was hurting my eyes so I closed my laptop after that and sighed as I brought a hand to my stomach. I hadn't eaten anything since the single bite I had taken from a pancake on the disastrous breakfast.

I told the director I would be back shortly and instructed what outfits to use in the next shots since some of the ones they had ready wouldn't be worth photographing. I chose the ones I knew would fly off the shelves in stores when they were released. After I had left it all wrapped up, I went outside to buy a bagel or something. I had heard there was a good bagel place nearby.

I was on my way to get a bagel when I suddenly felt a hand grab my wrist and pull me to a secluded alley, pressing me against the wall, facing away from them.

I tried to resist but their grip was strong.

"Shh... It's me, Rosa" my fiancée's scent filled my senses.

"Alisa?" I stopped my struggling ad she let go, crossing her arms before her chest

"Did you send Arlecchino to spy on me?" she asked "I've been feeling another presence nearby all morning"

"N-no... why would you think that? I'm really sorry about the kiss, okay? And you know I would never send anyone to spy on you..." I pressed my palm to my forehead, I wanted to cry, I felt so tired and dizzy and just so done with life "Goddamnit, Alisa! I just wanted a bagel..."

"That's not a problem, I'll buy you one" she took out her wallet and began browsing through it.

"I can pay for my own stuff" I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"I know you can. I'm still buying you that bagel" she responded matter-of-factly, taking out a hundred dollar bill.

"Alisa, it's a bagel, not a bracelet"

"I know"

I wiped my cheek, which had gotten dirty with dust from being pressed against the wall of the alley. Alisa noticed my motion and she licked her thumb before cupping my face and gently wiping the dirt off with her thumb. Her face was so close and her light eyes so focused on the spot of dirt on my cheek, I felt myself blush. Luckily, it wasn't that noticeable in the dark alley.

"Thanks"

"No problem" she wrapped an arm around my waist and led me out of the alley and out to the street in direction of the bagel shop.

In the light of day, I could see her more clearly. She was wearing a navy suit and she didn't show any signs of being bothered by the heat. Her white hair was in a neat braid that fell down her back with the front strands framing her face. She had a serious face when she looked ahead but when she turned to me and smiled when she met my eyes, I remembered who I had fallen in love with. I felt warm inside and light, like I was floating in a cloud.

"Alisa, maybe after all that has happened today it's not the best moment to say it but... you look beautiful, so beautiful" I looked at her with pure adoration. I remembered now, she was my world, my everything.

"Never more than you, my darling" she pulled me closer and kissed my cheek.

"Always more than me, honey" I smiled.

I was hypnotized by how sun rays reflected on her skin, almost making it glow, making her look ethereal.

"Rosa... I'm noticing that you're leaning on me a little... maybe you need some blood too, are you still dizzy?"

"Oh, I didn't realize I was leaning on you, sorry. But it's okay, I'll be better when I eat something"

"Okay then. Heh, let's get you that bagel"

We stopped in front of the bagel place.

"Which one do you want?"

After I told her my preferences, she ordered my favorite and paid with the hundred dollar bill.

"Keep the change, sweetheart" she told the cashier, a young woman in her early twenties, who almost fainted.

"You shouldn't just give your money away like that, honey" I told her before taking a bite out of my bagel.

"I have more than I need and she mustn't be very financially stable if she works in a stand like that. She can use it, so why not?" she shrugged and smiled.

"I guess you have a point" I smiled back. Yes, this was my fiancée, this was the person I was in love with.

We walked back to the studio together.

"I'm sorry about my attitude this morning... I was doing today's paperwork earlier and started thinking. I wasn't fair and I didn't even try to understand the situation. I'm going to give you a second chance but if you do anything like that again, I'll call off the wedding and break up with you. You'll never see me again, I'll disappear from your life completely" Alisa took my hand between both of hers. Her hands were cold but her touch was smooth and nice so I didn't mind.

"I understand" I nodded "Your terms are fair and I accept them" I pecked her lips "thank you for this second chance. I won't waste it"

"I love you, Rosa"

"And I love you, Alisa" I said, gazing lovingly into her bright blue eyes.

"So, this is the fiancée everyone's talking about?" Nadine's voice snapped me out of my trance, making me flinch.

"Nadine! Warn a lady before sneaking up on her, will you?" I sighed but then smiled again, remembering Alisa was here and we had just solved the problem we had this morning "Yes, this is Alisa, my fiancée. Alisa, this is Nadine, one of my client models" I introduced them.

"Nice to finally meet you" Nadine extended her hand and Alisa shook it.

"It's nice to meet you too" then she turned to me "So... why would everyone be talking about me?"

I shrugged and Nadine answered.

"Because you're the only piece of information we have on Boss's private life! She keeps everything so secret that there are already rumors of her being an undercover spy or part of some mafia gang" Nadine laughed and we laughed along.

'If only she knew...'

"The mafia, huh?" Alisa sneaked a playful look at me.

"It's bananas, right?" Nadine kept laughing "some people in this department have an overactive imagination for sure"

"Yeah, um, so you're on your break?" I asked.

"Yup, they gave me ten minutes to get some fresh air" she glanced at Alisa "but maybe I came at the wrong time and interrupted something?"

"Oh, no, it's quite alright. We just finished our conversation so you didn't interrupt a thing" Alisa subtly tapped the palm of my hand that she was holding in morse code as she talked to Nadine.

... shooting... park avenue... today... at five pm... rival family...

...We need you...

_____________________________

Heyyy! Avamax_blackstar hereee!

I'm sorry for taking so long to post but I'm finishing my last year of high school and my country's school system is absolute crap so I have so many things to do. A lot of exams, more exams, homework, applying to universities, preparations for said universities, etc.

Also, sorry for obsessing with the new characters so much that they're basically all the chapter's main characters lmaooo

But I just like them so much hehe

Anyway, this chapter is almost 8k words long when my normal chapters are 3k words long so be grateful for the longest chapter yet :D

Question: Opinions on Arle and Alisa?

Well, that's it for now. I'm exhausted omg.

I hope you enjoyed this extra long chapter.

Votes are appreciated but comments are the best :)

Stay happy and healthy!

Love youuu <3