When the Rose meets the Nightshade

:2

een ye

kwood

y to avoid waking anyone.The stormy weather outside mirrored Felix's nervous energy as he crept through the darkened

nderclap. Felix's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and he gently shook Rhys's shoulder. "Rhys

oice groggy with sle

he woke up. Felix gently tugged on h

Rhys asked groggily

m" Felix whispered, his vo

our

right! You promised to

mall arms over his head. "Aunt

d held his hand. "Let's go, budd

epy, but Felix supported him. "

n the hallway, making as little noise as possible.

spered, Felix swiftly dra

large bear, Rhys's eyes widened in fear. "It's a ghost! Ahhhhh

ched them, revealing Rosemary, Rhys's twin sister, her eye

g out of bed?" Feli

leave me out of everything. I want

wn-up. "Rose, you should be asleep

oot. "No! I wanna come

d. "Okay, okay... you can come

ow watching their every move. Just as they reached the front door, a

their father demanded, his fierce

k, Dad," Felix said, his vo

do you think I'm a fool?" their father

ling, blurted out, "We

r mouth, his eyes wide w

"Stop, Rhys, stop! I don't care if we're not supposed to talk

of the night, or that you've been corrupting your siblings' minds to support that vile woman.

h emotion. "Just because you decided to marry her, it does

onique with respect! She has been nothing but kind and supp

s voice filled with hurt. "You hate me for being her son, but you s

a flowing red nightgown appeared, her arm draped

ug her thighs. "Mom, Dad won't let us

e transformed wi

elix that he shouldn't mingle with people below his stat

into fists at the insu

hen you'll learn the hard way. Go and kneel in the rain unti

"But dear, he's just a child

unwavering. "It's time he learned that actions have consequences. He

know right from wrong," their mother

s time he learned," their fathe

Bu

r him and see if he admits his wrongdoings?" their dad s

protests falling on deaf ears as their f

nd a cigarette, lighting it with a quick flick of her wrist. Felix remained teary-eye

smoke into his face. "Well, well, well, what do we have h

I want is to see my mom," Fel

my, all that can be settled if you ju

h his vulnerable heart. He couldn't understand why she was being

m roughly. "Don't think you're worthy of more than your station, boy. You're jus

ming down his face. Monique's grip

grew louder. "

d. Remember, my son Rhys is the rightful heir.

ing off her hands. "Back

onique led him to the door, pushing him out into the chilly night

que ordered, h

ng little protection from the cold. The stone patio was unforgivin

muscles ache and his skin numb. Felix's mind grew foggy, his thoughts muddled by the

robbed, his back ached, and his head spun. He felt himself swayin

pre

:3

ived the nightmare of his troubled past. The shadowy figures of his memories danced in hi

s forehead, his body trembling as he relived the nightmare of his youth. A lady, her long, silky hair ca

up, wake up!" she sa

ing and his body still shivering. The lady seemed increasingly scar

early lost his balance. The lady, who had been anxi

e you okay?" she asked, her

the remnants of his nightmare. The lady, growing more fearful by the se

you get going"Felix

d. "Adrian, please let

e air. "Remember the rules, Kassia? Don't get cl

want is for you to open your hea

his little tryst of ours, I thought I made myself perfectly clear: I'm not looking for a nursemaid or a mother, and I sure as hell ain't

I love

ed, his patience wearing thin. " But We're not here to hold hands and sing kumbaya. You're a good

rs threatening to spill over. "But... but I

cares, now get out" Feli

"You will be mine one day, Adrian," she said, her voice thick wit

to the bedstand, where the phone seemed to be ringing louder by the second. He st

ed, his voice lace

laus's voice replied, a hi

his temples in frustrat

e person in the morning without get

Klaus," Felix growled. "J

interview. Paula and I think that Miss Cohyen is the best candidate out of everyone we inter

sively. "I don't care. Do what you have to do.

ipped, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

selves into," Felix countered. "It's

't expect you to b

one in the morning and you called immediately after my fight with

I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to ma

put you up to this? She probably called you crying, just like s

d to check on you, man. You know Kassia can be dramatic

of baiting me with the job interview," Felix count

d. "But seriously, I need to know if you're

Klaus," Felix said dismissively.

een there for you since we were kids an

she insists on trying to be more than just a good lay Felix sighed "But why are you sti

hint of frustration in his voice. "I'm sick o

haven't noticed how you pretend not to see Paula's feelings for you?

. "What are you talking about? Paula's just a go

id with a chuckle. "But just remember, I warne

r a retort. But before he coul