"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rose's POV:

Darkness.

Vague whirlpool of darkness.

That was all my eyes could register as they opened.

Where was I?

What had happened?

A faint, throbbing pain in my temple made me flinch. I pressed a finger over the anguishing area and closed my eyes shut for a couple of seconds. I sat up, feeling uneasy.

I felt my hair fall over my face, blocking the remnant of the light out.

"Lord! Rosel you're awake!" I flinched upon hearing Calissa's loud hollering. Why was everything so loud? I could probably hear the noisy generator next door.

"Huh- Wh-What happened?" I stammered out, seemingly losing control over my tongue. It felt like I was injected by a powerful sedative. Even my mouth felt sour.

"Rosel- you don't remember? A man was here and you-"

It felt like a zapping electricity ran through my body, awakening my nerves wide, making me realize the graveness of the situation.

Fear gripped my soul like a vice, like a gnat of darkness had come at me and swallowed me whole- I felt breathless, like I had never learned to breathe in the first place.

Like a swarm of hawk had began to attack me and bit off chunks of fleshes from various parts of my body.

Sure, a man was here.

A man who had damaged me, a man who had kept me captive, tormented like an animal. He had shattered me.

A man who did the cruelest things imaginable to me- inhuman and barbaric.

I hate him.

So much so, I hurts me to even think about him.

The man we were talking about, was the epitome of cowardice. He believed what he wanted to and he did what he wanted to- later on blaming it over his condition.

"Th-The man-" I looked up at her with fearful eyes, "Wh-Where is he?"

Her features transformed immediately. Her expression that was of concern and worry, morphed into one of raw rage and loathe within a span of a second.

"He was the man who took you hostage, isn't he?" She spat out, her jaw clenching, "He is the one who blamed you for his fiancée's murder, no?"

I nodded my head shakily.

I was frightened, of him, of everything. I didn't want to face him- I didn't want to let him know about the life that was growing inside me.

But then again, he probably knew.

I tried to recall his face before I blacked out. I could only see his face for a brief time, but for some reason his expression was latched into my mind like a broken movie reel.

He looked so..... broken, vulnerable, haunted by something invisible. He was afraid and happy at the same time. He was ecstatic, frightened and livid at the same time.

Disgusting, he was disgusting.

I was tempted to lie to myself and say he was looking like a lunatic he was but truth never perishes no matter how much we falsify it.

What frightened me more- he looked like a human. A completely sane and normal human being.

I didn't like it.

"Where is he Cally?" I whispered, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"Apparently I wasn't the only one who recognized him. Your mom also recognized him as 'The guy who wants to make things right.' She doesn't know the truth for now. They are chatting in the drawing room."

I nodded briefly, afraid of what he might do. His temper was barely balanced on a twine, I didn't want mama to see this ugly side of a man who was unknown to her and was seemingly her daughter's ex-lover.

Let's not forget he fathered my child.

"Take me to him," I attempted to stand up.

My legs felt like soppy noodles as I tried to balance my form on them. I grabbed the headboard as a support with my shaky hands, which actually didn't do much- causing me to fall over, straight to Calissa's arms.

I felt dizzy, my legs were weak and shaking and all I wanted to do was sleep.

But I had a problem to deal with.

"Rosel- you should re-"

"No," I cut her off as aimed my frail body to stand, "I need to meet him and send him away. I think he knows about the baby."

"I can do that for you!" She offered as she gripped my form, supporting me over her right shoulder, "You can't take stress! The baby is already at risk and..."

"Calissa-" I huffed out in exhaustion, "He is here to see me and he will see me. I can't let anyone risk their life for me. I need to talk to him and give him a proper adieu so that he doesn't bother me anymore."

"But- why are you being so calm?"

I smiled as I looked at her through my unruly lushes, "Cally? Do you remember when I told you that I was a mess?"

I saw her nodding slightly.

"My life has always been a mess. It was never pieced together you know? But do you know what urged me to push those mess aside and live on?"

"What?" A whisper was heard.

"My conscience. You see," My voice trailed off- quivering, as I tried to phrase the next words, "Throughout my life- I have never pondered over the fact that I didn't have a normal childhood or maybe a great schooling, or more money. I was always content with what I was- because I knew if we look down at a pit- the depth is never ending.

I knew if I started regretting, it would eventually lead me to a pit of never ending depression. If I started blaming the deity- I could blame him for countless things, but I don't do that. I pride myself for having a clear conscience and a forgiving heart. I know some might think I am weak for being forgiving- but I believe in karma and I believe we are bound to suffer for our misdeeds."

I heard her sigh audibly. "But being rude for a couple of times wouldn't hurt y'know?"

I sighed, smiling softly, "I am not rude by nature. Why should I practice something that is not me? I could be rude because I have pent up anger and hatred for the man who's sitting there- but ultimately- what good it will do?

You might say, it will drive him off, but I know it won't. I know him. It will just irk him more which will bring harm to all of us. Instead talking with him with a calm demeanor will just pour a bucket of water over his rage, it has the highest possibility of sorting things out for good."

"I wish I was as calm as you-" She sighed, "I could undo many rash decision I had made."

I nudged her, smiling softly as I silently urged her to move forward. She took the hint and began to move us forward to the dinning hall.

My heart started racing wildly, I was nervous, I was afraid- but I wanted to face him. I didn't want to run away.

Beads of sweats formed over my forehead as I began to breathe heavily. We crossed the dinning arena and reached the drawing hall.

I didn't look up, my fear wasn't allowing me to. But I knew he was there. His presence was way too intimidating to ignore.

I was wide aware of my surroundings. Like how the clock was ticking slowly, or how the annoying sound of the broken generator next door had gotten louder or how harshly we were breathing.

It was silent, yet, everything seemed to be screaming. Even silence has it's own voice and it was talking to me with that.

I squeezed my acolyte's hand once more before letting it go.

I will not be weak.

Letting out a breath, I looked up.

I felt two pairs of eyes over me, one was eyeing me with concern and another weighted down on me heavily.

I looked my eyes with my mama first, giving her a small smile to reassure her that I was okay, I was strong enough to deal with it.

And then, I broke my gaze only to lock it with the pair of turquoise ones.

I stopped breathing for a moment.

He was staring at me, so many emotions clouding over his eyes, more colorful and vivid than ever. His pupils were dilated, his mouth was open; from shock? Awe? Surprise? I didn't know.

His fists were clenched, he was sitting rigidly from what I could make from his posture. One could mistake him as a statue- that was how still he was. Like he had stopped breathing.

I only stared at him. I wanted to show many emotions; anguish, lividity, terror- everything. But I remained impassive.

"Rose-" Mama's cheerful voice cut through the tense silence like a sharp knife, I looked at her smiling form, "Are you okay? Marienne here was saying-"

I raised an eyebrow, "It seems like you guys have acquainted yourselves, considering the fact you are calling him by his first name..."

"Oh yes yes, exactly!" She shot a smile at Marienne, who gave her a tense smile.

"Rosel you fainted-" Calissa eyed me for a moment and then diverted her gaze to Marienne who seemed to be squirming, "And this gentleman here brought you up. Why did you faint, Rosel?"

I gulped, pleading her with my gaze to not to take it further, I would take it further, just not in front of my mama.

"I-" I stared at Marienne who was now staring at me with wide eyes. I couldn't speak for a moment; I couldn't think for a moment.

Instead of squaring his shoulders up and holding his nose high up in the air like he should, he only sat there, shoulders slumped, seemingly defeated.

His posture screamed his vulnerability, like he had completely surrendered to what was about to come, accepting his fate gracefully.

"I- fainted because-" I took a deep breath before lying, "I fainted because- I was in shock-" It wasn't a full lie. I was truly shocked by his appearance.

"Understandable," Calissa muttered bitterly, much to my mama's oblivion, "Do you still want to-"

"Why are you here?" I blurted out, my voice hoarse and shaky. I was wondering if he had heard it when he took way too much time to reply, but then his soft mumble was heard.

"I- wanted to-" He looked at mama, as if silently asking her something; I saw her nodding, which confirmed my suspicion of them having a long talk.

"I wanted to-" He stared at me, I noticed his finger fidgeting from the corner of my eyes, "Have a talk regarding- e-everything-"

My heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by everything?

"I-I do not have an ill intention-" He halted his gaze and looked down at his joined hands, "I just wish to talk"

Despite my hardest attempts of not wanting to show any emotions, a titter of sadness escaped me, capturing three of their attention.

"Uh- Do you guys want to talk in private?" Mama enquired, sensing my rush.

"Talk?" I couldn't help but question; ignoring mama, "Sir, there has to be a topic in the first place before we sort it out." I was trying my hardest to not to show my anger and fear. Maybe that was causing these words.

I let out a breath to calm my racing heart and the raging blood in my veins. My hand went over my baby bump instinctively as an urge to protect this baby became more stronger than ever.

What if he was here to claim the rights of this baby?

What if he wanted to file a lawsuit?

Or worse....

What if he wanted me to abort him?

I gulped, not breaking our eye contact. All I had to do, was to convince him to let me keep this baby and threaten him with police and media if necessary.

He was a powerful man, but when it came to my baby, I vowed to protect this child at any cost.

Even if it ended with me impaling a knife in his throat.

"Maybe we should go-" Mama attempted to stand up.

"Mama." My voice cut her off, making her stop. I looked at her nervous form and then stared back at the man who looked like a wreck with his hair unruly, his black button down shirt open quarter way. Weirdly, he didn't look like one of those mannerless punks, rather, he still managed to look classy.

"Mr. Victor-" I addressed him formally, not wanting to give him any ideas, "As you can see, I have audience here. Our problem is too complicated to discuss here. I wish to talk and end things once and for all and for good." I took a deep breath as I continued, "Today evening, 8:00 PM sharp, at Arbequina."

I heard him sucking in a breath as he stared at me. "End?"

I frowned. What expectations did he have?

"Yes, of course. Considering our circumstances, I shouldn't even talk to you this calmly. But I figured fighting and ignoring a problem is an immature way, so, I wish to talk, loud and clear."

He hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

I nodded in confirmation as I witnessed a livid expression making it's way over Calissa's features.

"So, um-" I gave the blonde a look, which caused her to give me a look of disbelief, "If you don't mind, let us end this meeting now," I looked back at Marienne, who was studying me with an unfathomable look on his face... It looked like an expression of fondness rather than gratitude. "I will meet you today. If you do not mind, my friend here will accompany me, but she won't butt in of course. It's for safety reasons."

He nodded vigorously as he stood up, running a hand over his hair, disordering it more. I saw him gulp before he looked up at me, seemingly flabbergasted, like he wasn't expecting anything- much less a conversation.

"I-I don't know how to thank you enough-" He stammered, utterly disheveled and shook, "But thank you.... I don't deserve this- th-thank you-"

He seemed genuine for a moment.

It scared me.

I saw him leave in a haste. I stared at his retreating form until it disappeared behind the stairs.

"Rosel are you crazy?! You can't meet him like this!! What if he does some-"

"Why would he do something?" Mama questioned, looking more clueless than ever, "Besides, when I talked with him, he seemed like genuine gentleman. He seemed to regret his actions truly and expressed his earnest wish to mend things between you two-"

I saw Calissa rolling her eyes from my peripheral vision, which caused my mom to frown.

"DO NOT ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME YOUNG LADY!" Both of us flinched from her coarse tone as we stared at her fearfully, "And Rose-" Her voice was soft as she looked at me, "He seemed to be repenting and guilty. I had a chat with him for an hour and a half and trust me- I could read it all in his eyes-"

I sighed as she moved forward and began to stroke my hair gently, "Hija, I don't know what happened between you two; but no problem is bigger than this child. I am not saying that you can't raise this child alone, I'm saying, if he truly regrets it- give him another chance. Even the devil deserves it."

"Auntie, you don't know what he has done to her-"

Mom smiled at me softly, squeezing my cheeks gently, "He has done something worth your nightmares and cries that much I can say. I am not saying that you should forgive him just like that, I am saying, if he knows about the child and wishes for a chance to show a better side of him badly, grant him. If he messes up again, I will cut his dick and shove it down his throat."

I gripped her hand, smiling at her. All the pain, the sadness and misery poured over me like a brief shower, laving me in it's depth.

Tears blurred my vision as I finally broke.

What was going to happen?

Is he here to take me away?

Wouldn't he spare a pregnant woman?

Or was he cruel enough to torment an expecting woman?

Hadn't he done enough?

"M-Mom-" I sobbed, "What if he does it all over again? What am I to do?"

She wrapped me in a hug. I latched onto her like a child, desperately seeking warmth from it's mother as I cried.

"He won't do it;" She stroked my back gently, comforting me as I wailed like a kid, "Call it a mother's insinuation, he won't do it. Do you know what was the first thing he had told me when I had asked him who he was?"

I shook my head.

"He said, "I am a debtor of hers." He brought you up here, fussed about your well being, called a doctor. Thankfully, it was just a panic attack. That man was on verge of tears."

I sighed.

"This man- I could read him as clear as the day- like he was sure of what he wanted to say and he seemed calm and perfectly in control. I depicted it as his practiced words rather than shameless confidence. Do you think you mom would let you meet a man who is not safe to be around? Take Calissa with you and keep it short."

I felt her taking in a sharp breath, "But do not forgive him. Maybe compromise, maybe agree on something, maybe come to a good term, but he is way far from being forgiven. He has to prove his worth for being forgiven.

You are a woman of class, a woman of class can do a lot of things, but doesn't do it. She can walk away flipping her hair and not give a fuck, she can negotiate and not forgive- even if she forgives, she never forgets. Never forgive unless he is worthy, even if you do, never forget. Stand up for yourself."

I pulled back and nodded, "I will not let him get to me mom. I am meeting him so that he doesn't bother me anymore."

My mom gave me a smile, seemingly proud, "Good. Now go and get ready, it's almost afternoon. You are so strong."

Thank you for reading VENGEANCE! Your support means a lot to me! There are so many new readers! I am so happy!

Love y'all!

Rewritten.