Chapter 2 I Don't Mind Facing Death

Rosalie Gaston POV

With the first light of dawn, I heard the lock turning slowly. Genevière appeared from behind the door, her face cold.

"Your brother is still asleep. Don't make any noise when you leave the house."

I only gave her a calm side glance and stayed silent. I slipped into my school uniform, pulled my hair into a tight ponytail, then looked into the mirror on the wall.

The swollen corner of my mouth, the redness, it reminded me of what happened. Not to feel sorry for myself, but to remember who I am, and who I want to be.

"I look like I just came out of a fight... and that's exactly true."

I whispered bitterly. All of this had to end soon... and it would. Daniel and I had already agreed to escape this nightmare, very soon.

I walked slowly after leaving the house, until I reached the main gate of the high school. From a short distance, I saw Daniel coming closer. My lips curved into a smile. Daniel was the only one who made me feel safe, the only one I could call a true friend.

"Rosalie!"

"How are you?"

He waved and came near, but as soon as he caught sight of the bruise on my lip, his brows furrowed.

"Was it Damon again?"

I'll never forget the first time I saw Daniel, two years ago. He was pulling me out of Damon's grip, saving me when I was so close to dying. That night, I thought of myself as lucky. Daniel stepped in, and for the first time, I felt rescued.

"By the way, what were you doing in this neighborhood so late at night?" That was the first thing I asked him, because he was a new face.

He cleared his throat roughly, and I realized I had gone too far. But then he leaned closer and whispered, softening the air. "My girlfriend lived at the end of the street. We planned to meet that night, since we didn't have enough time earlier."

From that moment on, he became my closest friend my only one. He doesn't date that girl anymore. Now, he doesn't have anyone.

That night turned into one of my best memories. Two years later, Daniel is still saving me, still comforting me. He is the best thing in my life. As long as I have him, I can keep going.

I shook my head slowly, and Daniel sighed. "After classes, wait for me. I'll walk you home, alright?"

I blinked at him, a little surprised. "Why? Do you want to talk to my brother?"

He had spoken to Damon that night, while he was drunk, promising he'd find him a good job thanks to his father's connections. My brother had been so thrilled, like some stray dog handed food, before passing out.

"It's about the job I found him. If I tell him today, he'll be happy enough to let me take you out with me."

I had always wished I could leave that miserable place, hang out with friends, live normally. But Damon's rules were iron chains. Daniel was the only one willing to break them.

"You're serious? So it really is nice having a rich friend, huh?"

He patted my shoulder with a reassuring smile. "All you need to do is convince him it's good for him. Then he'll let you do anything you want. Trust me.. it's easy."

He was respectful, and smart too. With him, I felt safer than I ever did with my brother.

"Thank you, Daniel. I just hope Damon doesn't push back."

When noon came, I found him waiting by the big gate. Standing before him, I suddenly felt how small I was.

"Done with your classes already?"

He blinked, answering calmly, "Yeah. They were short today. I promised I'd come, so I rushed before you thought I'd forgotten."

His clothes were neat and stylish, marking his wealthy family background. But I never felt embarrassed for how I looked. I was strong enough not to care.

"So... what did you do to your brother this time?"

I smirked, bitter. "He asked me to buy a birthday cake for his wife. I came back late, almost when the rain started. You can guess how it ended."

Daniel exhaled, tired. "Do you even realize what could've happened if I hadn't stepped in? He wasn't in his right mind. That alone was dangerous enough!"

I lifted my shoulders like it didn't matter. "I don't mind facing death. I'm not afraid."

His gaze locked hard on me. "Rosalie..."

I forced a crooked smile. "Fine. I won't bring up death again."

"I'm sure he'll be glad about the job. He'll be too busy with work to hit you again. And you, just be careful. Don't do anything reckless. Don't put yourself at risk anymore."

I nodded, agreeing silently, until we reached my street. But then Daniel caught my hand, stroking my palm gently, and whispered, "You're special to me. I promise your suffering will end soon."

I had never thought of giving my heart to anyone. But I wasn't stupid enough to ignore the warmth in Daniel's voice when he called me special. When he touched my shoulder so gently, I realized how much his presence mattered.

"Will you open the door?"

I studied him for a moment, then turned the key with cautious confidence. My brother was sitting on the couch, as always, his sharp eyes fixed on me.

"Daniel's here. He wants to talk to you about the job."

Damon's brows pulled tight. "The job?"