Blood Rose

The light quiet breathing of the eight people present stood out clearly in the meeting room. It was accompanied with the sound of an occasional flip of a paper and the soft rhythmic ticking of the clock.

The clearly mundane sounds carried an invisible oppression, like any one of it could end up being the starting pistol, except that it was to signal the start of a brawl. Each sound hammered into their ears. Their hearts beat fast. No one could be at ease. Cold sweat eventually ran down the backs of everyone present. That was, everyone, except two people. These two were the only ones unfazed in the might of the thick tension pervading the air - Audrey Capulet of the Capulet Syndicate, and Romeo Aldrich of the Aldrich Organization. The bosses of the top 2 mafia families, each dominating half of the Sanbranc’s shadow.

They behaved as if the other did not attempt to reap their lives at any opportunity given.One couldn’t tell if this was their confidence or arrogance.

It had barely been a minute, since Audrey started to rhythmically tap the antique wooden table. However, it was long enough for their subordinates to soon snap from the stress. Each tap was like a guide that led them step by step into impending doom. Just as they thought that their torture had ended, a soft chuckle chilled their hearts. They could feel the danger behind it.

Audrey’s cold eyes held no traces of a smile, only a flood of killing intent could be perceived behind its’ frigid blue.

“Mr Aldrich, don’t you think this joke is of bad taste.”

At the drop of this short sentence, even the most ignorant learnt that Audrey was immensely dissatisfied.The tapping of her fingers resumed in the same light rhythmic manner. It was a silent countdown to Romeo’s ill fate if he didn't give her a satisfactory answer before the time was up.

“You know that could never be my intention Ms Audrey. I wouldn’t dare to pull a joke on the acting figure of the Capulet Syndicate. Besides putting you in a bad mood, there are no other benefits I could possibly gain from doing so.” Romeo replied lightly, clearly portraying that Audrey’s threat didn’t enter his notice.

The tapping stopped and the mundane sounds seemed to mysteriously disappear together with it, blanketing everyone in a suffocating silence. The subordinates breathed lightly in hopes of not drawing attention to themselves.

One side stared coldly, while the other held on to that same expressionless face of nonchalance. This silent battle for control continued until it was interrupted by a knock on the door. Audrey’s eyes swept to the closed heavy double doors and opened her mouth, “Enter.”

A young man in his twenties, carrying an unnerving smile, entered the room and the tension multiplied by several folds. The young man first greeted Romeo briefly, “Sorry I’m late, boss.”

Romeo greeted him back with a nod of his head, “Alphonse.”

Alphonse proceeded on to greet Audrey with a hint of tease hidden underneath his politeness, “I apologise for my tardiness, Ms Audrey. Did something upset you, Ms Audrey? You seem colder than usual.”

Despite the constant surveillance on Audrey since they entered the room, only Romeo and Alphonse noticed the slight twitch in the corner of her eyes. It put the both of them in a good mood, though for different reasons.

Audrey’s eyes narrowed. Her voice sharpened and dropped by several degrees with each word that passed through her mouth, “Don’t push your luck, Aldrich.”

Alphonse kept the same smile on his face as he walked to his position, that was by Romeo’s right, and casually brushed off the oppressive air that Audrey was omitting. He then took out the documents from his suitcase and distributed a copy each to Romeo and Audrey in one fluid motion.

“What I’ve given out is the revised contract, please take a look and let us know if there’s something you’re dissatisfied with and we can discuss and hope to reach an agreement.”

Alphonse’s words threw the subordinates into confusion. Everyone allowed to participate in this meeting were experienced and trusted by their leaders. Their individual capability was superior to the common man. Yet at this moment, they felt their brain was too dull.

Everyone knew that it was impossible to have drafted a new proposal within the time that Audrey had made her dissatisfaction known to Alphonse’s arrival with the revised contract.Audrey had not breathed a word about what she was upset with, or about its content. How did Alphonse know that the contract was rejected, when no one present had informed him? There was also his impeccable timing. It was almost as if he knew that the first contract would be rejected and already had the revised contract long before the meeting. If that was the case, then why did Romeo pass the first contract to Audrey? It would clearly upset her. Also, if Alphonse already had the revised contract ready in hand, why was he still late to the meeting? It was almost as if they did it all on purpose.

As that terrifying improbable conjecture passed through the subordinates’ minds, they collectively decided to stop pursuing the answer to the mystery and focused on their respective responsibilities.

Audrey lightly snorted and ended the farce Romeo and Alphonse played. She shifted her focus onto the revised contract.

As Audrey flipped the last page over, Romeo sounded out, “It’s not a bad deal, isn’t it?”

Even though it was phrased like a question, there was a finality to it and was filled with a conviction that allowed no rebuttal.

“It isn’t bad, but I only accept good deals. It’ll take more than just this to get my approval.” Audrey’s eyes shone with a cold light that forewarned of the hell she would raise should they continue wasting her time.

“Naturally, that’s not all there is. It’s simply not indicated on the contract.”

Romeo lowered his eyes for a split second and an indecipherable light flickered past. He raised his eyes again to meet Audrey’s directly and dropped a bomb, “The Garden of Eden. We’ll hand over the ownership to the Capulet Syndicate at the end of our cooperation. With this, it should be more than just a good deal.”

Audrey’s side resounded with gasps while Aldrich’s side seemed to become sluggish. As compared to the huge reactions behind them, the main people involved had much milder reactions. Romeo and Alphonse stood steady, while Audrey remained silent. Her sharp eyes scrutinised Romeo, then Alphonse, in an attempt to read their expressions. However, it proved to be fruitless, from how unmoving they were. So, Audrey decided to question them directly instead.

“Is this a call you can make?”

“If I can put this on the table, naturally I have the capabilities to follow through with it. So, do we have a deal?”

A small smirk grew from the corners of Audrey’s mouth as she looked down on Romeo with amusement swimming in her eyes.

“This is indeed a good deal, an excellent one in fact.”

She paused and relished in knowing what’s to come as her mocking eyes swept over the people of Aldrich.

“I don’t mind your brother taking over your position, should you not live to see the day of the start of our cooperation.”

“I’ll have to disappoint you with my presence then.”

Audrey decisively signed on the revised contract. With that, the meeting was concluded. Both sides stood up simultaneously and shook hands, signalling the closing of a successful deal.

“To a happy cooperation, Ms Audrey.”

“Likewise, Mr Romeo.”

Audrey looked on mockingly. However unlike at the start of the meeting, there was now a hint of respect in her tone.

Whereas, Romeo continued to wear the same expressionless look, with anticipation and ambition lurking in the depths of his eyes.

Alphonse's eyes lingered on Audrey’s face, then silently moved to stare at the combined hands. His eyes darkened just a little, before resuming it’s unnerving smiling countenance.