ROSE.
"The manager wants you in his office" Sally called from the counter, I was aware of why he was calling.
I had been absent from work for two days after staying out late and ended up stranded downtown while searching for clues about what happened to my brother, it was impulsive but I got what I wanted.
I dropped the napkin I was using to wipe the table and headed for his office, Collins sat behind his desk adjusting his fogged glasses and pretending he didn't notice me coming in.
"You called sir?"
He lifted his gaze from his computer.
"Ah yes, Rose. Take a seat" He gestured at the chair and I sat down, my stomach churned with anxiety but I forced a polite smile regardless.
"It has come to my notice that you took a leave without informing anyone, two days in a row. Not even a phone call or an email, I was worried and thought you were sick until you showed up this morning" He remarked, his tone was light but I could feel the annoyance underneath his facade.
He wouldn't care if I told him I was sick, heck he would tell me to try and show up just so he can be satisfied that I earned my check.
"I had personal issues, I couldn't find the time to call-"
"Or email me? I mean if this 'personal issue' is that serious then perhaps I would excuse this nonchalant manner" He averted his gaze from the computer giving me his full undivided attention.
I felt cornered.
I couldn't tell him what I was doing and I'm not good at coming up with a good lie on the spot, I expected him to reprimand me and threaten to suspend or cut my pay not this interrogation.
"It was a family issue, my distant relatives called and it was my brother's memorial so I had to go, it was on short notice" I managed to lie smoothly, he hummed showing that he wasn't really satisfied with my answer.
"I thought you told me that your relatives weren't in contact with you?" He questioned.
"Yes but recently I-"
"You understand that this puts me in a difficult position, you left for two days without permission, you disregard our rules, and not to mention the constant excuses, this was the last straw, Miss Wade, I'm afraid we will have to let you go"
My eyes widened in shock when he dropped a white envelope on the desk in front of me, I tried to find words to express myself but I was speechless.
It's as if the universe is against me.
This job was all I had to settle my bills finding another job would be hard.
"I- I don't understand, it was just this once..." I swallowed the hard lump in my throat slowly taking the envelope.
"I'm sorry Rose. But your negligence is one thing we don't tolerate, you are constantly distracted, and if you ask me I would say you still haven't gotten over what happened and you still need time to heal which is okay. Have a nice day, Miss Wade, I will send you half of your cut for this month"
With that, I was kicked out.
Back to the start, again. On my way back home I found myself sobbing in the taxi, I could tell the driver was concerned but he knew better than to interfere and I appreciate him minding his business.
He made it sound like I was a liability, like some sort of troubled girl who they let stay out of pity but now they just don't care anymore.
I worked hard. I did all I could and Collins shouldn't even be judging when all he does is sit in his office all day.
"Thanks" I paid the driver and stepped out of the taxi, I got to my doorstep and found mail waiting at my door, I ignored it and went inside dropping my bag on the couch I looked around the almost empty apartment.
The TV was gone, and on one couch remained and even the glass table was gone. All sold during difficult times and it looks like I would be going back to going that again now that I don't have a job.
I left for my room but as I was passing through Reid's room I paused, the door was slightly opened and I was tempted to go in.
My chest felt heavy and my fist clenched, tears burned in my eyes streaming down my cheek as the dam burst. I sank to the floor brining my knees to my chest as I cried my eyes out.
I have lost everything.
After crying for what seemed like hours I wiped my tears, maybe this is for the best, I would throw all my focus on find dealing with his killer and that's what I did.
It was dark outside. The sound of rain pattering on the sidewalk echoed inside the house. The light reflecting from my laptop was the only source of illumination in my apartment.
My back hurt from sitting here for twelve hours, but I still hadn't found what I was looking for.
Funny how I was supposed to be celebrating with my brother right now. He had promised to take me on a vacation to the Bahamas after my graduation. I still remember how excited I was to see him on the day of my graduation. I was agitated when he didn't show up, and I tried calling him, but his number wasn't going through.
Only to receive a phone call.
My brother was dead.
*
*
*
~Flashback~
(Rose's graduation day)
"You have no idea how happy I am to be done with this shit," Alice Trevor huffed, fixing her graduation cap. I chuckled, looking for my brother in the crowd, but it was difficult to find him because the place was packed with people.
"It wasn't all that bad. I enjoyed my time here, but I won't miss the classes," I interjected, and someone behind us snickered.
"We're saying the same thing. Look at my mom over there," Alice pointed to a short woman with brown hair like hers, beaming and waving at her. I smiled, wishing my parents were still alive to witness this day.
They died in a car crash a few years ago, and Reid had stepped up as my guardian and elder brother. Now it's just the two of us.
"I'm sure she's so proud of you," I remarked.
"I know. Your brother hasn't shown up yet?" she asked.
I shook my head and tried looking for his familiar frame in the crowd. No dark curly hair or sparkling blue eyes.
"It's a shame. I wanted to meet him," Alice smirked, and I rolled my eyes. My roommate's crush on my elder brother never ceased to amaze me.
They started calling the graduates, and that was when panic began to set in. Reid had promised to be here today, and he sent me a text this morning saying he was on his way, so how come he wasn't here now?
"Rose Wade."
I forced a smile as I walked to the podium.
Soon it was time to take photos, and my mood was ruined seeing others with their families. Alice had gone to meet her mom and aunts, and I stood alone.
The knots in my stomach tightened, and I tried swallowing the hard lump in my throat, ignoring the sting in my chest.
He will come.
I kept telling myself as the ceremony came to an end. I excused myself to call him, but his line went straight to voicemail.
"For fuck's sake, don't do this to me today, Reid," I bit my lip, calling him for the fifth time, but it still wasn't going through.
I went back to finish the ceremony, and as the others cheered, throwing their caps, I blinked back the tears in my eyes. Forcing a smile, I hugged my roommate and pretended to be fine, even though the disappointment broke my heart.
After the ceremony, I stood in front of the hall while others exited with their parents. It was getting dark.
No sign of Reid.
How am I supposed to get home now?
My phone started vibrating in my pocket. I reached for it and saw an unknown number calling. I picked up, thinking it was my brother or his assistant from the office.
"Hello? Is this Miss Rose Wade?" a male voice asked.
"Yes. Who am I speaking with?" I demanded.
"There has been an accident. Your brother was involved in a fatal accident. You need to come to the hospital," he replied.
My heart skipped a beat. My chest felt too heavy.
"Acc-accident?" I stuttered, rushing down the steps. Tears blurred my vision, and guilt washed over me.
My brother was on his way to see me.
He told me the hospital, and I rushed there in a taxi, only to be informed that they had moved his body to the morgue.
Reid was dead.
His car collided with a truck as he tried to escape assassins who attacked and pursued him on the highway. Two bullet holes were in his chest, but they didn't kill him.
When he collided with the truck, his ribcage shattered and punctured his heart.
I fainted.
*
*
~Present Day~
There were whispers and rumors about my brother's death. They said he was involved with the mob, and they got to him.
My brother was the nicest person I knew. He didn't deserve to die like that.
They left me with nothing.
No parents.
No siblings.
My hands trembled as I clicked on the photo taken on the day of the accident. The wrecked car and the blurred photos of the assassins' bikes.
The insignia on their bikes. It was the Vipers Clan.
Ruled by the notorious mafia Don, Caelin Marcelo.
He's responsible for my brother's death, and I will make him pay. Even if it takes my life in the process, I will gladly die as long as I get my pound of flesh.
I got an invite to an event tomorrow. His stepmother would be there. I needed to find a way into his domain.
I stood up from the chair. My vision dimmed, and my body wavered. It reminded me that I hadn't tasted food in days.
That won't do. I need to look my best tomorrow.
I staggered to the kitchen to find something to eat, but I was out of groceries, so I settled for making sandwiches. I ate a little and headed to my room to take a bath.
My reflection caught my attention in the mirror. I looked like a haggard ghost. Pale skin, chapped dry lips, dark circles and puffy bags under my eyes. My eyes were red from crying until there were no tears left to cry and maybe from lack of sleep.
I looked exhausted.
I had lost a lot of weight while grieving.
My fists clenched when I imagined my brother's killer enjoying himself right now. Living, while I was wasting away, dead inside.
Not for long.
When I get the chance to take my revenge, I will make him suffer and beg for his life before taking it.