*Updated 24-04-2018*
Chapter 8 - Goodbyes
Groggy, Rosa opened her eyes. The harsh sunlight that came through the windows made her squint as she realised she was lying across Hoyt's desk, a pillow under her head and a blanket draped over her. She groaned, rubbing her head. It felt sore.
She sat up and was faced with Hoyt sat in his chair, looking directly at her. He looked tired, more aged. Outstretching his hand for Rosa's, she took it as he helped her up, her back aching as she did so. A night lying on wood wouldn't have done any good.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice croaky.
"You passed out, my English Rose." Hoyt murmured and he let go of her hands.
All of the memories from the night before came flooding back to Rosa.
"Vaas." she gasped.
"Still here, he's not going yet, even though I wanted to send him before you woke up. I told you not to get involved with that boy Rosa. I told you."
Getting to her feet, Rosa wobbled, like a baby learning to walk. Her head was pounding and she went over to the window and looked down onto the compound. She scanned the area, looking for the familiar mohawk and spotted it in the hostage area.
"I need to speak to him before he goes." Rosa stated.
Hoyt made a noise, but Rosa couldn't tell if it was from annoyance or disapproval.
"Just because I am speaking to you, doesn't mean I have forgiven you."
With that, Rosa was walking out of Hoyt's office.
Rosa passed a mirror on the way down the stairs and stopped to look in it. She looked a mess. Her hair was all over the place and her face was streaked black with tears. Her lipstick was smudged and she looked drained. She dug into her jean pocket for a tissue, finding one, spat on it and rubbed under her eyes and her lips with it. She looked softer without her makeup; more hurt. She tossed the tissue aside and continued to make her way down to the hostage area.
Walking out of the building, she ran into Rich.
"Hey, Rosa. You okay?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm fine." Rosa said, monotonous.
Rich raised an eyebrow.
"You don't look okay. Everyone in the compound has heard about Vaas leaving. Hoyt is sending some of his pirates with him. He said he want's to expand his assets." explained Rich.
Rosa's expression didn't change. Rich placed a hand on her shoulder and sighed.
"You'll be fine, Rosa. You knew this is what Hoyt does. He may be your 'father' but he still has to think business and you know how cruel he can be."
Rosa just nodded and walked past Rich and came face to face with the two pirates that guarded the hostage area.
"Where do you think you're going?" one mocked.
"To see Vaas." she replied, starting to get pissed off.
"You need permission from Hoyt to get past." the other said.
"I don't give a fuck." Rosa retorted.
She tried to move past them but they blocked her way.
"Nope. You're not getting through without permission." the first one said.
Rosa's anger started to rise again, like a monster coming out of the abyss. She kicked one of the pirates in the nuts and before the other one could grab her, she elbowed him in the nose, hearing an audible crack. Both men fell to the floor, groaning and Rosa just stepped over them. She could hear Vaas' booming voice coming from the stage, where the hostages get killed and he was addressing the people that were in the cages. They were all whimpering, battered and bruised and several women were crying.
"NOW." he boomed, "You insignificant fucks will be coming with me to North Island. The Boss doesn't want you vermin infesting his compound anymore. You'll have a nice time in my island. You'll be allowed to roam free and go swimming, eat some good food and go exploring." Vaas joked, making some of the pirates start snickering.
One of the female hostages looked up.
"Really?" she asked.
Dumb bitch, Rosa thought, now you're going to die.
Vaas jumped off the stage and crouched down near the women in the cage. She was up close to him, the bamboo the only thing separating them.
"What the fuck do you think, pera?" Vaas whispered.
The woman understood and tried to back away from Vaas but he motioned for the pirates to drag her out of the cage. She screamed but one of the pirates just placed a gag around her mouth. The women was manic, sobbing uncontrollably as she was hauled onto the stage. She was on her knees and Vaas walked over to her and cupped her chin.
"I do not want gullible fucks on my island. So therefore, you must die."
The woman started to shriek but it was muffled under the gag as Vaas pulled a gun from his waist and cocked it. He brought it to the woman's head but before he could shoot he spotted Rosa. The whole time she had been watching, she was itching to kill. Vaas looked at her, his eyes soft as flipped the gun and held it out to her. Rosa walked forward and jumped onto the stage, never once breaking eye contact with Vaas. She grabbed the gun from his grip and held in in her hands. She liked the weight of it, how cold it felt under her touch. Vaas moved behind Rosa and whispered in her ear.
"Make her suffer, princesa."
The woman looked at Rosa with pleading eyes but Rosa didn't care. She aimed the gun at the woman's right knee and pulled the trigger, the shot ringing out. The woman screamed in pain and Rosa smiled. She then shot the woman in her left shoulder and passed the gun back to Vaas. She spied his knife in his belt.
"May I?" she asked.
Vaas nodded and retrieved the knife from his belt, passing it to Rosa. She felt unstoppable.
Rosa took hold of the knife, touching the tip. It was just a standard knife; made with a leather and metal. Rosa turned back to the woman and her eyes grew wide and the woman started to shriek again.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Rosa screamed and in one motion, struck the knife into the womans stomach.
She pulled it out and stabbed the woman through the chest, into her heart. Blood splattered all over Rosa and she grinned. The woman fell to the floor, dead and the other hostages screamed. Rosa turned back to Vaas and he took the knife off of her. A clap could be heard and both Rosa and Vaas turned to see Hoyt stood there. He walked a little closer to the stage, still clapping.
"That's my girl." he said and Rosa jumped off the stage and Vaas followed.
"I hate to break this up but it's time for Vaas to go, the chopper is ready."
Vaas was stood, ready to get into the chopper when Rosa walked over. She collapsed into his arms and Vaas held her tight.
"I'm sorry I have to go, princesa. And I'm sorry for what I did. I promised not to hurt you and I failed on my promise. I will make it up to you, I swear." Vaas mumbled into her hair, kissing her head.
"I'll never understand you, Vaas Montenegro." she replied.
"But Rosa ... I think you're the only one who does."
"VAAS, GET MOVING! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!" screamed Hoyt.
Vaas pulled out of the hug, kissing Rosa as she mentally made a decision.
"I want to go with you."
Vaas stared dumbly at her.
"You can't princesa, Hoyt wouldn't allow it."
Rosa sighed and knew that this was true. She felt stupid for even suggesting it. Her whole world was crumbling down and she couldn't do anything about it.
Screaming at Hoyt would be worthless as he had already made his choice. Vaas was to go to North Island. Without her.
Vaas lifted her head up and looked at her.
"You can do what you want when you're 20, can't you? I will be waiting for you princesa. Te amo."
Vaas kissed her forehead as Rosa closed her eyes. A gust of wind blew her back and when she opened her eyes, the chopper was gone into the distance and flying in the sky. She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew that it was Hoyt.
"Come inside, Rosa." he said.
Rosa felt crushed, empty and numb. She sat on her bed and stared into space. She knew that Hoyt would never have left her go with Vaas and she resented him for it. Rosa missed him already but couldn't cry. She just felt nothing. A part of her had been taken away and even though she was only 17, she knew that Vaas was the one for her. She remembered what he had said.
You can do what you want when you're 20, can't you? I will be waiting for you princesa. Te amo.
And, that's just what Rosa had decided to do.
Did you think that was the end of our famous couple? Wait and see! I hope you guys are enjoying the story and I love seeing how many of you have read it! Please review, it would mean a lot to me, I want to know what you all think and if you have any suggestions, I will accept them all! But for now, happy reading.