The Story of Blood and Roses

The room was silent when her story ended. I had kept my eyes strictly on Anthony who seemed infuriated with that she had just heard. What I couldn't understand was the reason why. No, I knew what he could be the reason for his anger, but the problem was: which one was it?

"So, you couldn't call anyone to help you out?" Cienna gaped at the man who seemed to be least bothered about what had happened to her. She shook her head as if to clear it, but Anthony took it as an answer. "How stupid can one woman get? You've faced these situations enough times to know how you should react. You call for back up. You save your ass from all the trouble that you've caused." Stunned, she kept shut. "You have no idea what you said to him or to the cabbie. Do you realize the amount of damage that you have caused by not doing the simple task of preserving your safety and calling us?"

"At least you care," she mumbled to herself. Anthony obviously heard the mumble just as I had.

"No. Do not for one second think that I care about your well being. I do not care if you die. I have told you so already. Stop acting like you can get away with murder just because I hold you in high regard. You can't get out of spilling inside information, even if you were inebriated at the moment. You spilled, end of. You suffer the punishment."

"You'll kill me?" He shook his head.

"I can't. You're good at your job. Your personal life is the bane of my life, but I need you to earn me profits. And I don't have a substitute for your position, right now. You'll live until I find someone else to take over." And he shoved his hands inside his pockets and tried to walk out. "Oh, and she stays under constant surveillance for as long as it takes to find out how much of an idiot she was. She will not be allowed to leave the house at any cost. If there is a fire, she will stay inside and suffocate to death. Do you understand?" He waited to see the two of us nod our head and then walked out of the room like nothing had happened in the past half an hour.

"Thank you for showing mercy, Anthony," she whispered to herself. Across the room, Ethan huffed and got off from the couch. He looked straight at me with unreadable eyes and motioned for me to follow him. Not in a mood to keep up with Cienna's insults, I followed him wordlessly. I closed the door behind me, just in case if Cienna felt defiant and tried to escape, ending up getting hurt and infuriating Anthony further.

"What happened to the girl?" I asked as I followed Ethan.

"I took care of her. No one needs to worry about her."

"How?" I wondered if he had killed the poor girl, but I doubted Ethan would be able to do it.

"I took her to one of the private practitioners Anthony consults when someone needs tending to. I'll pay for her medical bills and take care of her. As I said, no one needs to worry about her opening her mouth."

"And what of her mother?" I asked curiously, sensing that he had no intention of letting the girl go.

"Dead. Someone reported her missing and the police found her body."

"Who identified it?"

"The landlord," he replied. I didn't ask him more questions. He didn't offer me any other information, either.

.

"I want you to find out about James, Eric. I need the information as fast as I can," the boss instructed in the meeting two days from when Cienna had freely offered her story.

"Okay, boss. Is there anything in particular that you want me to do?"

"Yes, inform me when you find any leverage that he has on us or on Cienna. We will want to see it gone. Do it yourself and make sure there is no evidence." Eric nodded and stood back. Anthony turned towards Ethan who was waiting patiently for his turn.

"I know that you have the girl in your custody. Is she well enough to answer our questions?"

"She is still recovering and is traumatized by what has transpired," Ethan replied formally. Anyone in the room could tell that he was nervous and hesitant to talk about the girl.

"Good. Inform me when she is able to speak to us."

"Yes, sir."

"On the meanwhile, I want you to search Cienna's apartment again for clues and increase the security at the mansion. I want one guard always with Cienna. She is not allowed to move without me being informed of it. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mia," he called me out.

"Yes, sir?"

"You will be helping us out to interview the girl. You seem to be good with them." I nodded and then stepped back. "Also, I'll need you to set up another meeting with that Nicholas boy."

"I will do that, sir. Do you want to meet him yourself?"

"Yes. I think it's about time that I meet the man and find out his secrets myself. I don't trust anyone else to unnerve others as much as I do." I think I snickered at his overconfidence, but with the questioning look he shot me, I shook my head and then minded my own business.

"Now, everyone go home and take a nap. Things are going to get really interesting, really fast."