The Black Rose

Three years ago...

"That's it for today's class, everyone. Make sure you've completed your weekly writing assignment by next class period. We'll be sharing them with each other, so I can't wait to see what everyone's written," the professor at the front of the room said.

Other students began to file out of the classroom, grateful to be done with that seventy-five minutes of hell. Everyone in the class hated this senior year GenEd they'd been forced to take.

Natalia was just packing up her notebook and pen when a shadow loomed over her. She looked up slowly.

"C- can I help you?"

A young man in her class rested his hands on her desk and leaned towards her. His light brown hair cut at medium-length bounced as he moved. "Who dared to hurt you?"

Alarm flashed in her eyes. "Y- you must be crazy, Ian."

He grabbed her arm and peered at the bruises on them. She looked away, ashamed.

"I- I just ran into a table, that's all."

At that moment, her phone rang. She turned and saw the caller id. It was Tallulah.

"Yes?"

"Where the hell are you? I'm waiting. You slow imbecile."

"I'm on my way, Lulu."

Tallulah hung up with a hmph. Natalia sighed sadly and finished packing her things. She stood and glanced at her classmate once more.

"I have to go."

"Let me go with you. I don't trust your older sister to not do anything mean."

"Wha-?!" she yelped as he pulled her along with him.

They made their way to the western edge of the university campus where Tallulah was waiting by the shining silver Ferrari sports car. Her jaw dropped the moment she laid eyes on the man with her younger half-sister.

He stepped between the two sisters, black eyes narrowing. "Can you drive?"

Tallulah sputtered, "Y- yes, w- why?"

"Then, drive yourself home. I'm taking Natalia out for dinner."

With that, Ian left, pulling her along behind him. As they got out of hearing range, Natalia turned towards him.

"Do you know just how much trouble you've now put me in?"

"You're a Montrose, but you're treated worse than a servant in your household. You come to school every day on the verge of tears and are almost always hurt somewhere. Do you think I haven't noticed?"

"So?"

"So... don't you want to learn how to defend yourself?"

Her eyes widened. "You're going to teach me self-defense?"

He nodded. "I have some, erm, associates who can train you in karate, taekwando, and shaolin kung-fu. On top of that, you can also learn how to throw knives and shoot a firearm. Basically, I can help you stand up to your bullying family."

Disbelief shone in her eyes. But hope soon replaced it. Determination coursed through her. "Alright."

- - - - -

Ian drove her out of S City. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Ian, where are we going?"

"Patience, Natalia. Trust me, I don't mean any harm."

When he took a turn and started up into the mountains, fear curled in her stomach. Was this a mistake? Why did I believe him so quickly?

Seeing her nervousness, he tried to placate her. "Don't worry. We're just going to a training ground."

"A training ground? For what?"

"Self-defense."

She frowned. "Ian... what aren't you telling me?"

He bit his lip before asking, "Natalia, have you ever heard of the Black Rose?"

"Aren't they a crime syndicate group that even the government is wary of?"

Ian nodded. "Yeah."

"Why did you ask me that?"

"Because... we're headed to their headquarters."

"WHAT?!" she gaped at him. "You're part of the Black Rose syndicate?"

"Yes."

"Are you trying to get me killed?!" Natalia screeched, whipping to look at him. "If my father learns I've been to the Black Rose's headquarters..."

He shook his head. "Your only hope of surviving your family is the Black Rose, and I think you know it. Deep down. Our Head has had his eye on you for a while now. Hence why I "transferred" to S University. We needed to find the right time to approach you and recruit you."

Her shoulders slumped as she looked back forward. "Great, another place with no freedom."

"You can have your freedom with the Black Rose."

"How?"

"By becoming its Head."

- - - - -

Back at the Montrose family household...

Tallulah pulled into the garage and turned off the car. She entered the mansion, grumpy. Adrianna, who was standing at the kitchen island and sipping from a glass of red wine, glanced at her daughter and then frowned.

"Where is that wench?"

Her younger daughter replied, "She went off with some boy. He said he was taking her out to dinner. Before I could insist she drive me home, he had already pulled her away."

"That ungrateful--!"

At that moment, Maxwell entered. Noticing the tension in the room, he asked, "What's going on here, my doves?"

"That b*tch Natalia went off with some boy. She made my Lulu have to drive home alone. We should've never let her go to S University. She's putting her boyfriend before her family."

Maxwell nodded solemnly. "She's a Montrose. No one will dare to hurt her. If she's not back by seven tonight, I'll have some people go look for her."

Then, he walked on towards his study, not caring any further about his youngest daughter. Adrianna crossed her arms over her chest, furious.

"Mom," Tallulah whined as she clutched her mother's arm. "You're going to stand up for me, right? How could I be forced to drive home alone?"

Adrianna patted her hands gently with a loving and caring look in her eyes. "Don't worry, Lulu. When that wicked spawn gets back, I'll definitely give her a good beating. It seems she's forgotten the rules of this family."

- - - - -

When the two people arrived at the headquarters, Ian got out first and pulled the car door open for Natalia. She grumbled as she climbed out.

"You do realize that if I die here today, I'll haunt you forever as a ghost."

He chuckled. "You won't die. Our Head just wants to meet you."

Following him up to the front doors, she asked, "Who exactly is your Head?"

"You'll see."

They entered the compound and weaved through the corridors until the duo finally came upon a large set of wrought iron double doors. She frowned, all too wary of what waited behind those doors. He turned to her with a serious look on his face.

Pointing towards the doors, he said solemnly, "If you enter that room, your life will change forever. Natalia, are you willing to leave the light behind and join the darkness?"