FINDING ROSE

ROSE

"Rose, are you even listening?"

I blink out of my thoughts as Elsie swats my arm with her notebook. The lecture hall is almost empty now, students rushing out into the afternoon sun while we're still packing up.

"Sorry," I mutter, sliding my laptop into my bag. "What did I miss?"

She leans across the desk, eyes shining. "Applications for the Sterling & Co. internship open next week. Rose, this is it. This is our chance. Do you even realize how huge this is?"

I raise a brow. "Sterling & Co.? You mean the company that chews up nine out of ten applicants before they even see the interview stage?"

Elsie's grin widens. "Exactly. And we're going to be in that one percent. Imagine it, interning at one of the top firms in the world. The kind of name that lands you anywhere you want after graduation."

I laugh softly, shouldering my bag. "Or we get rejected and end up sobbing into a pint of chocolate chip ice cream."

"Speak for yourself," she retorts, tossing her curls back. "I already practiced my confident, hire-me speech in the mirror last night. Twice."

"Of course you did." I roll my eyes, but my lips twitch into a smile.

As we push open the glass doors and step into the bright chaos of the city, Elsie links her arm through mine. The streets hum with traffic, laughter, and the faint smell of coffee drifting from a café across the road.

"You should apply, Rose," she says more gently now. "You're top of the class. If anyone belongs at Sterling & Co., it's you."

I glance at her, warmth spreading through my chest despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "You really think so?"

"I know so." She bumps her shoulder into mine with a grin. "But first, sushi. If I eat one more sad cafeteria meal, I'll lose my will to live."

I laugh, letting her tug me down the busy sidewalk. "Fine. Lead the way."

We weave through the crowds, dodging students and street vendors, our laughter bouncing over the noise of the street. Elsie tells me about a professor who nearly cried because someone submitted a PowerPoint full of memes instead of a business proposal, and I'm laughing so hard I nearly trip on a crack in the pavement.

By the time we reach the restaurant, the smell of fried tempura and miso soup makes my stomach growl. It's bright, colorful, and buzzing with students. Elsie slides into a booth by the window, practically bouncing with excitement.

Before I can sit, my phone buzzes in my bag. The caller ID makes me smile instantly.

"Auntieee!" I answer as I step outside, my voice filled with joy.

"My beautiful Rose," comes the warm reply, her Nigerian accent wrapping around me like home. Aunty Jane, my uncle's wife, my anchor. "How many times will I tell you to stop calling me Auntie? Just Jane. I'm not that old."

I laugh, leaning against the wall. "I know, but it slips out every time."

"You think I don't know you do it on purpose?" she teases, laughter spilling through the line.

Aunty Jane had a way of making me smile and making everything seem ok with just a laughter my worries are all vanished. She's the sweetest human being I have met.

My chest loosens, and I smile. "How are you? How's everyone at home?"

"The kids are fine, healthy and driving me mad as always," she says fondly. "I just wanted to hear your voice. You've been busy, so I didn't want to disturb you."

I swallow, my throat tightening. "I'm okay, Auntie. Classes are intense, but I'm managing. Nothing's really changed here."

Her voice softens. "I'm proud of you, Rose. You've come so far."

My eyes sting unexpectedly, and I blink hard, pushing the lump in my throat down. "Thanks, Auntie. I miss you. I miss all of you."

"We miss you too. Next time, I'll put the kids on the line so you can hear their noise for yourself."

I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Please do. Tell them I love them."

"I will, my dear. Stay strong, hm?"

"I will."

We end the call, but I stand there a moment longer, chest heavy with longing and comfort all at once. Then, across the street, my eyes catch on an ice cream truck painted in pastel colors. Elsie's favorite flavor is mint chocolate chip. I smile, already picturing her squealing when I surprise her with it later.

The pedestrian light turns green. I step off the curb.

Then...

A blaring horn.

My heart stops as a sleek black car screeches toward me, close enough that I can feel the rush of air against my skin. The world seems to slow, every sound stretching thin, sharp.

For a single, terrifying moment, all I can think is

Is this how it ends

The city roared around me.

Honking horns, flashing lights, the blur of people crossing streets with practiced speed, everything moved, and I didn't.

I was frozen on the crosswalk, the blaring horn ripping through me like a siren of doom. My knees buckled, trembling until they gave out. My chest clamped shut.

Breathe, Rose, breathe

But I wasn't.

The ground seemed to tilt. Neon signs blurred overhead, faces in the crowd melted into smears of color. My hands shot up, pressing hard against my ears to block out the unbearable ringing. My eyes stung as tears pooled. And then the memory I'd fought to bury clawed up from the dark. That day. That accident. That helplessness.

I gasped, choking on nothing. Panic swallowed me whole.

Then shoes.

Shiny, leather, clearly expensive, planted firmly in front of me like an anchor. I forced my gaze upward. A man crouched low, city lights haloing him from behind. His lips moved soundlessly at first until my shaky breathing slowed enough to catch his words.

"Miss, are you okay? Can you stand?"

His voice was warm, concerned, cutting through the storm inside me. Around us, curious eyes lingered, some pitying, some whispering. The humiliation hit like a slap, and I ducked my head, letting my hair fall forward, hiding my face.

"Can you stand?" he asked again.

I nodded, tried. My knees betrayed me instantly. Strong hands steadied me before I could hit the ground again.

"Th...thank" I started, voice shaking

And then I heard him.

A voice like velvet dipped in ice. Smooth, rich, lethal.

"She's fine, Ethan."

My head snapped up.

He wasn't close, but his presence devoured the space between us. Standing at the edge of the crowd, he was impossible to miss. Tall, broad-shouldered, the city's chaos somehow bent away from him, like he belonged above it all. His black suit was immaculate, cut to perfection, catching just enough of the neon glow to look unreal.

And his face.

Sharp jawline, sculpted cheekbones, lips too perfect to be fair. But his eyes God, his eyes silver-gray, glinting like steel under moonlight. They locked onto me, dissecting, unblinking, a predator's gaze that made my stomach flip.

For one breathless second, I stared. Shameless. Because how could you not?

Then I saw it. The car behind him. Sleek. Black. The very same monster that had nearly flattened me seconds ago. The customized plate number glared like a scar burned into my mind.

So this was him.

The driver.

Any trace of awe burned to ash.

"Let's go, Ethan" His words dripped disdain, velvet stripped bare. "I'm late."

The way he looked at me like I was a nuisance, something beneath him made my skin crawl.

He slid a sleek wallet from his pocket, flicked through crisp bills, and tossed them toward me with casual cruelty.

As if my life was worth spare change.

Ethan, the kind-eyed man beside me, bent down, caught the money before it touched the ground, and pressed it into my hand with a gentleness that almost made me cry. "For hospital bills. Sorry again."

And then the silver-eyed man turned, slipped into his car, and the beast roared away, leaving me stranded on the sidewalk with my humiliation burning hotter than the neon lights overhead.

I made my way into the restaurant still in disbelief.

The tiny sushi bar glowed warm, the smell of fried tempura and miso wrapping around me like comfort. Students filled the booths, laughter and chatter bouncing off bright paper lanterns.

But Elsie's voice was the only thing loud enough to cut through my fog.

"Rose! Oh my God, are you okay?" She nearly vaulted across the table, curls bouncing, brown eyes wide with worry.

I dropped into the booth opposite her, still shaky. "I'm fine. Just... shaken."

"What happened?"

I told her everything. The car. The men. The money.

Elsie's face darkened with outrage. "Unbelievable! Who does he think you are, tossing money at you like that? He screams privilege. No manners, no respect. He's lucky I wasn't there. I'd have turned his car into modern art, bashed his ego to dust, maybe even made it onto the news."

Despite myself, laughter broke through. Trust Elsie always dramatic, always ready to burn the world down for me.

"I couldn't even speak," I admitted, pushing sushi into my mouth. "I was... dumbfounded. And I didn't even buy your ice cream."

Elsie flicked a shrimp tail at me. "Forget the ice cream. We're plotting revenge."

The sun was dipping lower now, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and pink. The afternoon heat had mellowed, leaving the air warm but gentler as Elsie and I strolled toward the student parking lot.

Elsie swung her keys around her finger, humming cheerfully. "That sushi was worth every penny. If I ever get rich, I'm making it my daily ritual."

I chuckled. "You? Daily sushi? You'd probably make the chef memorize your motivational speeches too."

She smirked, tossing her curls. "Naturally. But Rose listen to me for a second." Her voice softened, eyes flicking to mine. "You have to apply for the Sterling & Co. internship. Don't you dare talk yourself out of it."

I frowned slightly. "What if I don't make it past the first round? What if it's just...."

"Stop right there." She pointed her keys at me like a weapon. "You're top of our class, Rose. You belong in places like that. Even if they reject nine out of ten applicants, you're still that one."

Warmth spread in my chest despite the nerves. Her faith in me felt heavier than the doubt.

"You really think so?" I asked quietly.

"I know so." Elsie unlocked her car with a click, then leaned against the door, smiling. "Promise me you'll apply."

I nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll try."

"Good girl." She bumped my shoulder, grinning. "Now go home and rest. You've had enough drama for one afternoon. I'll see you tomorrow."

I hugged her quickly before she slid into her car, the engine purring as she pulled away.

I turned, heading for my own apartment then froze.

There it was.

The sleek, black car. Gleaming in the fading sunlight like it owned the entire lot. That custom plate number glared at me, mocking me.

My lips curled into a slow smirk. Sweet, sweet revenge.

ADRAIN

The meeting with the school board had drained me, their persistent insistence on pre-selecting a candidate for the Sterling & Co. internship is clashing with my principles, I alone would choose.

Now, as I walked through the parking lot, ethan by my side, the late afternoon sun catching the lines of my suit. Each step was measured with an unspoken assertion of authority.

The parking lot stretched quiet under the afternoon sun. My car sat there four tires slashed. I stopped, letting my gaze settle on it for a brief moment. Irritation flickered, sharp and fast, but fleeting. This was nothing I couldn't fix.

"Ethan," I said, voice calm. "Arrange for another car. Tow this one."

He nodded immediately, moving to make the calls. I didn't linger, didn't fuss. The car was replaceable. The audacity behind the act? That deserved attention. That was interesting.

The replacement car arrived, and I stepped in, leaving the destroyed vehicle behind without a second thought.

Today demanded my focus. The Sterling & Co. board awaited, and my attention shifted to the meeting, though a spark of curiosity lingered beneath my composed exterior.

Hours passed, discussion after discussion, and by the time I returned to my office, dusk had settled over the city. Ethan was waiting, tablet in hand.

"Sir," he said quietly, sliding it across the desk. "You'll want to see this."

I raised a brow, expression neutral, but my interest was piqued. The footage played.

Her.

The girl who had dared to slash my tires. At first, I didn't recognize her. Then the memory of the earlier accident resurfaced the fear, the face from this afternoon.

And then it hit me: the school's persistent recommendation. The one student they'd been insisting I consider for the Sterling & Co. internship.

A slow, deliberate smile touched my lips, controlled, mischievous.

"Inform the school," I said, voice low. "She will be selected.

And... she will learn exactly what it means to provoke me."

Ethan's brow lifted, a mixture of amusement and caution in his eyes. "Understood, sir." He said as he left my office to make the necessary arrangements.

I leaned back, letting the thought linger for just a heartbeat. The car was nothing. The game? Everything.

The soft hum of my phone vibrating on the desk pulled me from my thoughts. Anthonio. I answered, voice low, measured.

"Adrian. Let's meet at Tyrel's tonight. I need a check-in. You, me, Tyrel... see how you're holding up."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Very well," I said simply, ending the call.

By evening, we were seated in the private room of Tyrel's five-star restaurant. The thick wooden doors shut behind us, muting the clinks and chatter of the main dining hall. The soft glow of recessed lights created an intimate bubble, perfect for candid conversation.

Anthonio leaned back in his chair, that infuriating grin plastered across his face. "So," he began, eyes twinkling. "Your little car is vandalized. How does it feel to be taken down a notch?"

I let my fingers tap lightly on the polished table. My voice, low and calm, carried enough weight to hold the room. "It's... inconsequential."

Anthonio laughed, shaking his head. "Inconsequential? Adrian, you really aren't going to do anything?"

I let the silence linger, slow and deliberate, before responding. "Some things are better watched than fixed immediately."

At that moment, the tall, cool figure of Tyrel walked in, his calm presence carrying across the room. He greeted us with a smooth smile that didn't quite reach his cunning eyes, always observing.

"Gentlemen," he said, sliding into the chair across from us. "What's all this? Secret meeting I should know about?"

Before I could answer, Anthonio leaned back, waving his hand casually. "Ah, Tyrel. Perfect timing. Adrian's car got vandalized today. Big deal. Laugh it off, right?"

Tyrel's smile widened slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Vandalized, you say? That's... interesting. And how does Adrian plan to handle the culprit?"

I leaned back, letting the tension stretch, my voice slow, measured, and undeniably authoritative when I finally spoke. "That... will be handled in due time."

Anthonio burst out laughing, clapping me on the shoulder. "Oh, I like this version of you. Calm, collected, and deadly. Can't wait to see what you do next."

Tyrel's grin remained polite but sharp. "I'll admit, I'm curious as well. Watching someone like you in action is... entertaining."

I allowed myself a brief, satisfied smirk, letting them imagine all the possibilities while keeping my thoughts entirely to myself. The game had just begun.

The waiter arrived promptly, taking our orders. Anthonio picked the flashiest dishes with a grin, Tyrel chose thoughtfully, and I kept my selection simple.

When the food arrived, I ate steadily. Anthonio laughed between mouthfuls, teasing Tyrel and me, while Tyrel's calm smile remained.

The conversation was easy, light at times, with just enough tension beneath the surface to keep it interesting.

Anthonio leaned back after finishing, a teasing glint in his eyes. "That car of yours... still gives you trouble, huh?"

I paused, taking a slow sip of water, letting the moment stretch. "It's been dealt with," I said quietly, my voice calm but carrying weight.

Tyrel's smile curved, knowing more than he let on. Anthonio waved his hand dismissively, still grinning.

Once we were done, I set down my utensils carefully and stood. "Thank you for your company. I have business to attend to."

Anthonio's grin softened, sincere for a moment. "Careful on your way back and if you want to get a new one, my company is always open"

I allowed a faint smirk. "I'm aware."

Tyrel's sharp, calculating smile followed me as I left.

Outside, the city stretched in quiet light. I slid into my car, as the driver drove off letting the night settle around me.

Back at the penthouse, in one of my hotels where I made my home everything was still. Quiet. A perfect place to think, plan, and act.

Tonight, my next move was already forming. I couldn't help but let out a little laugh.