ROSES ON FIRE

cc

y, Pa

ways do. You are a God at this. What is

me, it left my blood boiling. What the hell was wrong with

ing like a zombie, going through the motions with no energy. As

er emotions. I had no regard for any woman, and I showed it through my actio

sheets, her gaze heavy-l

Riccar

d my mind. No one ever asked anything of

s the face. As her eyes brimmed with tears, sh

I shouted again, p

he gentle whisper of my thoughts. The persistent noise must have prompted Aida to come upstairs. My mother's sister was like a second mother to me; I coul

she owned the place. Out of all the people here, she was the only woman to do it, and it didn't bother me in any way. When

of her hands, toughened from much labor, had a reassuring and healing power. "My dear, change this face. I know sometimes it's har

ce within myself, but unfortunately, this strategy wa

ve any medical problems... I don't know and I don't underst

A tall, handsome man like you with these sparkling blue eyes won

eciate. But I was too damn polite to tell her she could be wrong. I was sincerely thankful for her always being there

like it was my fault. Even with my tendency to be short-tempered, she d

." She told me with a mo

od idea... I will

lfed in my own thoughts. I would often wish that I could start over and have a fresh beginning. Start from scratch. Alter so

sic would stay. It would be the priority item I

ut I had other methods of savoring its enchanting notes. Thus far, no artist, not a

experience remained unchanged for me. Boring and pointless. The beautiful harmonies that women created at concerts mesmeriz

new that when I did, I wouldn't be recognizable. Their silly smiles woul

k. Something so fucked up that I would go out of my m

nd making me feel whole again and vigorously swimming from one end to the oth

e and my thoughts. I had so much on my mi

o see me dead and buried. They were actually living o

ption, I would finish the pool laps, and I was doing it until I was out of br

t, I ran my hand through my dark hair and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Aida. I already felt a grimace in the

men feel uncomfortable. Too b

ther one of my grimaces, but thi

cardo! You can'

rescuing me. But since all good things must end, and since until now I've tried to deny it, Aida had to go.

could say or do to m

ret in my eyes, a feeling I n

You know that

ary eyes, she spoke again. "My dear boy, in life, everything ends. So was my time here. Y

know.

t speak. Then, just like that, I threw my arms arou

seconds there was no pool, no house, no nothing, just the two of us and our p

with the idea, even though I don't know when I'll see

are always fine. Besides, there is your brother. You are not alo

her is right now..." I took a fe

visit you, don't worry.

whatev

. I have an early f

need a

u. You know I

as going to be a long night. At least I could

iss me off even more. I was going to need my people, as th

Cello Clare, the definition of femininity and beauty in a woman. This time, it was something different. It was an international

woman. They were all the same, and they all turned me in th

I spilled my guts on various men who were around me at t

ing. Artists held most of the concerts here, in the Diamond Hall, and the staff already knew me and my ha

the performer in person. What they didn't know was that t

first smile aroused something in me. As they all did. Only this time,

cello. With grace, with gentleness, with ecstasy. It was like she was playing for me. I made such in

gued me even more to want to discover her. I watched her every move, every rebellious s

concert, I sent my men to bring her in, but to my shock

orthless! How can you n

rom spilling my guts on those who disobeyed my orders. So, I punched in all directions and I knocked down whoever fell victim to my fury of blows