SEVEN: ROSE

NOIR

I stared at her as she sank deep into her thoughts.

"Sir, we land in a few minutes."

I was just glad no one got hurt. Well severely.

We landed safely and I let out a sigh of relief.

She got up weakly.

"Wait," I said, standing.

She stared as me as I struggled to get her out of the straitjacket. My hands trembled slightly.

She opened her mouth to protest but the words didn't come out.

"Take this car. Get her home. Drive slowly and don't say a single word to her," I said to two of the bodyguards while the rest struggled with the crowd and paparazzi.

"Are you sure you want to drive alone, sir?"

"Yes," I said getting into the other car. I was sure I needed the space.

He closed the door without another word and I pulled out of the airport.

I drove at high speed, using the time alone to have an inner battle.

DANICA

Two huge men in black suits helped me into a car and drove away from the airport.

I slouched in the backseat and tilted my head back with me eyes closed.

I stayed in this position for a while, thinking about nothing in particular.

"Is she asleep?" The one at the passenger's seat asked.

"I guess so," the driver replied.

"Good. She's not in her straitjacket. She could totally do something crazy," the one in the passenger's seat said.

The driver chuckled.

"Yeah I heard what happened. She's dangerous."

"Look at you two scared of a little girl," I said raising my head.

They cleared their throats and straightened up awkwardly.

"Aren't you two supposed to be bodyguards?"

They didn't respond but I assumed it was because they were embarrassed.

I rolled my eyes.

"What? no answer?," I stated folding my arms.

Silence.

"Ugh. You're rude."

"Sorry we thought you were asleep," the driver said.

His friend glaced at him with a warning look.

"I'm Trevor and this is—"

"Dude!" He cut him off.

"You know we're not supposed to speak to her," he added.

"Whatever man," Trevor said.

"What's your name?"

I asked.

"Adam," he replied.

"Well that wasn't so hard. Why did he tell you not to speak to me?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.

I sighed, going back to my original position.

The rest of the ride was silent. Soon enough, we passed through a huge gate.

We approached the house and the sight of it made my jaw drop.

Just as the car stopped, Asher walked out of the house and stood by the door.

How did he get here so fast?

I opened the car door and stumbled out, falling to the ground. Trevor and Adam rushed out of the car and tried to help me up.

"You okay?" Asher asked once he was in front of me. I nodded.

He held out his hand and j took it hesitantly. He started leading me into the house but stopped abruptly at the sound of an engine.

The car stopped and it's driver stepped out. He tossed the key and Asher caught it.

"Perfect timing?" He asked.

Asher rolled his eyes.

"Danica this is Neil, he's going to be your—"

"Knight in shinning armor," Neil said cutting him off. He stretched out his hand and I shook it awkwardly.

"Hello, Danica. We're going to be spending a lot of time together," he added with a smirk.

Asher stood directly in front of a small screen on the door. It scanned his face and the door opened.

"I'll have yours set up," he said.

"After you," he gestured for me to walk in.

I looked around, taking in the melancholy interior.

Three maids rushed over to us in black uniform and something twisted in my stomach. I struggled to breathe as past events replayed in my mind.

Asher noticed almost immediately.

"Danica?"

I clenched my chest and tries desperately to calm myself down.

"I-I..." His eyes darted around, searching for anything that could've scared me.

"I had most of the mirrors taken out. Is—"

"I'm fine," I said cutting him off.

He stared at me puzzled, but his eyes widened in sudden realization.

"Their uniforms are making you uncomfortable?" He asked in a low voice.

"Alice," he called out calmly without waiting for a reply from me.

"Yes sir," she replied.

"Get everyone to change into casual clothes. You'll all have new uniforms by tomorrow. Have my tailors take care of it," he ordered.

"Anything specific in mind, sir?" She asked.

He glanced at me. "Pink?" He asked.

I would've laughed under different circumstances. I nodded silently.

"Pink dresses," he stated.

"Yes sir," she said, walking away.

"I'll show you your room," he said holding out his hand. I took it and he led me upstairs.

"Aren't you gonna show me mine too?" Neil called out from behind us.

"You can sleep wherever the fuck you want," Asher replied with an eye roll.

"Careful Ash, its not too late to walk out in our deal," Neil said smugly.

"You wouldn't dare," Asher replied with a smirk of his own.

We walked past several doors and finally reached the end of the hallway.

"Your mansion is nice," I said.

"This old thing?" He joked.

"That's my room," he said pointing at the last door.

"This one's yours," he added pointing at the door beside it.

"You probably shouldn't let me sleep so close to your room. I scream sometimes," I said making it sound like a joke.

"Then I'll be right here waiting to come to your rescue," Neil said pointing at the room directly opposite mine.

I let a small fake smile appear on my face.

Asher rolled his eyes and pushed my room door open.

It was plain as expected. "You can decorate however you'd like," he said as we walked in.

It was a pretty large room with a large bed in the middle.

Everything was either black, blue or gray.

"I won't be needing that," I said pointing at the bed.

"What? Why?" Asher asked.

"I don't sleep," I stared walking over to the bed.

"We'll fix that," Asher said.

"I'll fix that," Neil cut in.

"I'm your new doctor," he said with a smile.

Asher cleared his throat.

"I'm sure lunch is ready. Anyone else hungry?" He asked walking out.

"After you," Neil said, gesturing for me to walk out.

We sat at the table and the maid I identified as Alice brought each of of a plate of spaghetti.

We all ate in silence until Asher got a call and left immediately.

"So, Danica, what's your story?" Neil asked turning his seat to face me as soon as we were done eating.

"My story?"

He nodded.

So I told him everything I had already told Asher. He stared at me with his arms crossed.

"Shouldn't you be taking notes?" I asked.

He chuckled.

"I'm sure I'll remember this story. Its special. You're special. And strong too.

How were things before Asher showed up?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat that formed as soon as he mentioned it.

"You can tell me anything," he said, placing his hand on my shoulder. I flinched slightly.

"Not so good," I said.

"You must've been lonely and afraid. Maybe more," he said.

I nodded silently.

"Well that's all over now," he said retrieving his hand.

"H-how do I know I can trust any of you?" I asked.

He smiled.

"Because we're good people. I'd never do anything to hurt you."

I nodded, trying to convince myself.

"Do even you trust yourself?" he asked with a small, adorable smile.

I shook my head.

"No," I replied honestly

"Then that's what we need to focus on before anything else. Okay?"

I couldn't help it but smile back at this stranger that now knew almost everything about me.

"okay."