Black Roses for Her

John Garnett's secretary fed me to the dogs on my own birthday.

I called his number endlessly to call for help, only for him to block my number immediately, as he fooled around with his secretary at the presidential suite in broad daylight.

All I felt was agony as I was ripped into countless little pieces, still holding on to the black rose seeds he had given me when we were younger.

That was not thrilling enough for the secretary, however, she buried me in the backyard of John' villa, intent on making my perished soul watch their bedroom activities.

It was not until rain poured a month later, and a cluster of black roses suddenly grew in the backyard.

"Where's Claire? I was just scaring her with the dogs—did she run away just to spite me?"

John Garnett chuckled coolly.

'When I was fifteen, I spent 10 million to buy those seeds on a trip abroad.

"It's my gift to her, but for some reason, she planted it in the backyard, facing the bedroom directly.

"Is she trying to get my attention? To make me feel guilty?

"I guess she hasn't spent enough time with those rabid dogs. Let her stay there a bit longer."

With those words, he returned to the couch, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Don't you think that's too much, John?" Lara asked softly as she brought John coffee. "She never liked me and always threatened to leave.

"But she must be even more upset now and deliberately planted the flowers there to provoke you. It's all my fault—I'll resign and leave…"

John took the coffee but never drank it, his eyes lingering where the clusters of black roses bloomed.

It took him a while to regain himself, and he brushed his long fingers through Lara's dangling hair. "What are you saying, silly? You're the one I love the most—she's just been clinging to me for fifteen years, and I just can't get rid of her no matter how hard I try.

"It's all her fault for refusing to greet you at the office, which led to you being ostracised by your colleagues.

"She deserved it! She was so terrified with the rabid dogs barking all around her, even sending a voice message where she was crying so pathetically!"

Hearing that, my departed soul turned away, smiling miserably.

He was the one who had said he loved me, promising to protect me for the rest of my life and vowing that no one would get to lay a finger on me.

He had smiled at me so lovingly when he passed me the black rose seeds. "It is believed that black roses embody a deep and timeless love, just like the love I share with you."

Yet, he had a change of heart and loved Lara instead, believing her one-sided claims that I had led a workplace ostracising campaign against her.

He knew I had been bitten by dogs and was terrified of them, and he pretended he was celebrating my birthday.

In reality, he lured me down to the basement, locking me inside with over a dozen rabid dogs.

They kept biting me, and biting me… It hurt so much I wanted to kill myself right then.

Even as I was torn to shreds, I held on tightly to the seeds of the black roses, imagining that the burly youth I used to know would rush in, and get me out of here.

I actually forgot that the same youth had a new love who wanted me dead.

Foolish, until the end…

-

On the couch, Lara hid a giggle behind her palm.

Then, she brushed a finger down his chest, purring, "You're so good to me, John… Shall I repay your favor with my body?"

John's lips curled up, his eyes lighting up as he lowered his gaze at her.

As he unbuttoned the top button of her blouse—revealing her pretty collarbone, he chuckled, "Such a greedy kitten. Last night wasn't enough for you? Well, you will definitely be satisfied today!"

Just as the both of them were getting into the mood, someone suddenly knocked on the door.