So, this is the last chapter! First of all, thanks to those who reviewed.
absy- *Scandalized look* OMG, that's evil!! But hey! Thanks for the review. It scared me so much I updated so soon! Look!
divinedragon7-Thanks for the review~~!
Chapter 8
The sky was bright blue as they sat under a cherry tree at the edge of the orchard. The birds chirped in the distance as the clouds float aimlessly over their heads. He climbed the tree, his feet balancing his body on the gnarls and smiled at her. She looked up at him and laughed bright eyed when he shook a branch resulting in a shower of pink petals.
She hollered him to come down so that they could look at the beautiful blue sky together. He just shook his head mischievously before creating another shower of pink and pearl. She sat down, under the tree, enjoying the rustle of leaves and the silence of the wind.
Rosa opened her eyes. She got up slowly, looking around. She was surprised to find herself in an elaborate room with gold and silver all around. She rubbed her temples, feeling her head hurt. At once, her mind spun a couple of hours ago.
She was jerked out of her stupor at once as she struggled out of the mass of satin and silk cover her body from the cold. She opened the huge door slowly and peeped out. The whole grandeur of the place hit her at once and she felt shy and small. Just as she was going to close the door and retire back into a corner of the room she heard someone call her.
"Rosa!"
She turned to find Bo at the end of the corridor. Bo ran to her hugging her tight.
"Rosa! You are finally awake!!" he said not leaving her, "Come downstairs! All the others are having breakfast!"
He took her head and Rosa let herself be led through the maze of huge and ornate corridors. When they entered the huge dining room, she saw her friends at the table. Nobody had touched their breakfast even though it was something they couldn't have afforded with all their resources pooled together.
Prosper and Mosca stared at their empty plates in concentration as Riccio was sulking at the portrait right in front of him. Hornet just played with her cutlery. She looked up as Rosa entered and patted an empty seat next to her. Rosa sat next to her. There was silence as each of them was lost in his own thoughts.
Everybody looked up as the door opened and Dottor Massimo entered looking as though he had aged overnight. He was pale, his cheeks sunken and his eyes puffy. He looked at the untouched food and sighed.
"Eat something," he simply said, not knowing how to start a conversation. Nobody moved. All eyes looked at him. They wanted an answer…
"Scipio is my son," he said again, not sure of himself. For the first time in his life, Dottor was unsure of what to say. Otherwise, all his sentences had been thought over twice, thrice in his mind right to the last word before speaking out.
"Scipio is an orphan," Riccio stated simply.
Dottor controlled himself. He sat down in his chair, sighing heavily.
"Look, I don't know half of what's happening here and you don't know my side of the story so why don't we stop being so hostile and get things cleared up?" he said, trying to be diplomatic.
"We would like to know your side of the story first then," Prosper said his voice cold and firm.
The Dottor wiped his face with his handkerchief and nodded.
"Well, then, I shall tell you my side of the story," he said, "That man, Carlos, was a very good friend of mine. He was the one who helped when I was facing financial problems but he was also the cause of my wife's death."
Dottor paused and took a deep breath.
"He killed her," he said, trembling a bit, "He killed her because she knew of his evil intentions and he killed her before she could warn me. He made it look like a suicide…"
The Dottor took a small sip of water from his glass, trying to control his emotions.
"I knew there was no evidence against him. Then, when he told me about you," his eyes rested on Rosa momentarily, "I knew I could catch him red handed and finally avenge on my wife's death. That's why I helped him. But I never knew Scipio was involved in all of this. I never knew he'd get caught like this…"
With that, the Dottor trailed off, tears running down his cheeks.
"Did they find Scipio, Mister?" Bo's little voice rang through the silent dinning room.
Dottor shook harder as he shook his head.
The others felt their hearts sinking down in despair as they realized what must have happened. Rosa found herself clutching Hornet's hand tightly, as though trying to draw comfort from her touch. She knew she could never see Scipio again. Her heart shattered into a million pieces as tears fell from her eyes, staining the front of her shirt.
Twilight settled over the city as the sun sunk further into the ocean. Rosa sat in the balcony, looking out at the sky as stars began to appear far off in the distance. Her heart felt empty…she felt alone. Just like when she ran away from home.
Just like when her father was tortured and murdered right in front of her eyes. Her stomach gave a sick lurch as the past came tumbling down in her mind and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. She shook uncontrollably as more and more images of the past, of the present began to cloud her mind.
She buried her head in her hands as she swallowed sobs she could not control.
When she opened her eyes, it was dark and the moon was out. She rubbed her eyes. She realized she must have fallen asleep. Her body felt numb with cold and she lifted herself slowly from the stone cold floor. She swayed a bit for a moment as she looked at the eerily silent city in front of her.
Then, she had a strange urge to visit the STELLA again. She was sure it was nothing but a charred mess right now but somehow she knew that had been her home…where her heart always was. She slipped on her shoes and stumbled quietly through the dark and silent hallways.
The house was silent. Everybody was asleep. She reached the huge living room which overlooked the small garden.
She opened the French windows and hopped out of the house. She was surprised there were no alarms. Rich people often set up all kinds of alarms to guard their grounds but Dottor didn't have any! But she had no time to wait and brood over the fact.
She walked slowly down the garden, her feet sinking into the soft, damp grass. For a moment, she stopped to take in the captivating fragrance of the roses.
Roses…
They always reminded her of home.
She turned to see a cluster of white roses glowing in the tranquil night. Her fingers ghosted over the petals as she took in the scent, utterly captivated. For a moment she had forgotten about the world…
"Rosa?"
She whipped around, surprised. She saw a shadow in front of her. The clouds drifted apart as the silvery moonlight came cascading down the garden, filling it with a shiny glow. Rosa's heart stopped for a moment before her eyes widened and she gasped.
"Scipio?!"
She looked at him. He was pale and almost looked ghostly in the moonlight. She was sure she was hallucinating. He looked back at her serenely.
"Rosa," he whispered again, his voice being carried by the wind. Rosa stepped forward, unable to believe her eyes. She reached out to touch him. To make sure he's real and not some cruel trick of the light.
But then she stopped mid way. Her heart thumped fast. She wasn't sure. If this was a dream, she would wake up with her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. She was scared…she didn't want this to be a dream. She didn't want this to be a dream…
Scipio stepped forward suddenly and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes widened at the solid contact. Her heart thumped rapidly through her chest at the joy. This wasn't a dream! This was real!!
"I'm so glad you are fine," he whispered, holding her tight as if scared to let her go.
Rosa buried her head in his shoulder, trying to stop her tears. She just nodded.
When Scipio pulled away, she looked at him with tear filled eyes.
"Where were you?" she asked, her voice hoarse with emotion.
Scipio looked away for a moment and then spoke, "I'm sorry. I escaped from the fire unhurt but I couldn't bring myself to face you all since I realized what must have happened. I'm a coward, Rosa. I know everybody must hate me for what I did and that they're glad I'm dead."
Rosa shook her head.
"No!" she exclaimed at once, "Nobody hates you! They're just confused and upset! Scipio, you should talk to them! They'll be happy to see you! Even your father!!"
Scipio looked at her with doubtful eyes before she pulled him towards the mansion. When they entered through the open window, Scipio felt a sense of foreboding go through him.
"Who's there?"
A small voice rang out through the silence.
"Bo?!" Rosa exclaimed.
"Rosa!!" Bo ran towards her, not noticing Scipio who stood just behind her, "Rosa!! I had this weird urge to visit the STELLA! Do you want to come with me?"
Rosa kneeled down to Bo and ruffled his hair.
"Sure, but first look who we have here!"
Bo turned and looked at Scipio. For a moment, his eyes widened and then he squealed.
"SCIPIO!"
He jumped on Scipio hugging him as if his life depended on it. Scipio smiled as he hugged Bo back. Bo's squeal was loud, loud enough to wake the whole house up.
Sure enough, Prosper came running into the hallway.
"Bo? Are you here, Bo? Why did you scream?"
And he stopped and stared. He couldn't believe it.
"Scip?"
He asked cautiously as though scared whether it was really him or not.
"How are you, Prosper?" Scipio asked, beaming.
Prosper was grinning widely as he ran to Scipio, punching him the shoulder.
"Where were you, idiot?! We were so worried!" he said.
Before they knew it, the commotion had woken the others up and they were having a group hug.
They living room fell silent as Dottor entered, grumpy from being woken up so abruptly in the middle of the night. He stopped when he saw Scipio. He rubbed his eyes and blinked twice as thought to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.
"Scipio?! It's really you?" he asked slowly.
Scipio beamed.
"Yes, father," he replied, "How have you been?"
How was it? I hope you loved it! Well, somehow I'm not the type to give happy endings. (It's because of my evil sadistic mind!) But I couldn't help but give it a happy ending! :)
And I didn't have the time to proofread it, so if I have made any mistakes, feel free to whack me with a mallet or give me cookies…your choice really!
Okay…why do I have a feeling that the ending is lame?? (T_T)
But, anyway, review please!! (^_^)v
~Miki Bidan
