The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single lamp casting golden shadows on the walls Imara was laying on her grand, king-sized bed, her dark hair spread like a halo on the silk pillows. The sheets were deep red, a sharp contrast to the pure white rose she held delicately between her fingers she twirled the rose slowly, watching the petals spin as if lost in a trance her sharp eyes, which had struck fear into the hearts of many, now seemed distant, filled with unspoken thoughts the silence of the night wrapped around her, broken only by the faint ticking of a clock in the corner as she stared at it, a faint smile flickered on her lips, as if the rose carried a meaning no one else could understand.

A soft knock interrupted the silence. It was firm yet hesitant, as though the person behind it knew better than not to disturb her thoughts.

"Come in."

Imara said, her voice calm but commanding she didn't look toward the door her gaze still fixed on the white rose the door creaked open, and Alex stepped in.

"Boss there is something you need to see."

He said in low tone and without a word, she set the rose down on the bedside table, its petals catching the faint light and turned her head slowly, her piercing eyes locked onto Alex's blue one.

"What is it?"

She asked, her tone as steady as ever, but there was a hint of annoyance beneath her words as she didn't want to hear other things or do anything.

"It's about the shipment there's been... an issue one of our men didn't make it back."

He informed cautiously and the woman's expression didn't change, but something cold flickered in her eyes she swung her legs off the bed, her bare white feet touching the soft carpet as she stood. Even in the simple act of rising, there was a power in her movements calculated, deliberate she walked toward Alex, her red silk robe flowing behind her like a whisper.

"Who?"

She asked, her voice calm but icy enough to freeze the air between them.

"Dante he was ambushed it looks like it wasn't random."

Alex said, his gaze fixed downward, unable to meet her piercing stare Imara stopped in her tracks, her hands tightening into fists.

"Not random?"

She echoed softly, but her tone carried a quiet fury that made Alex tense he nodded and glanced at her.

"Someone leaked the route it's clear now they were waiting for us."

Imara turned her head slightly, her dark hair falling over one shoulder difficulty, her lips curled into a dangerous smile.

"So, we have a traitor."

She murmured her voice laced with venom she reached for the white rose on the bedside table, twirling it again between her fingers.

"Dante was loyal."

She said, her gaze distant as if speaking more to herself than Alex.

"And loyalty demands consequences."

Her eyes snapped back to Alex, the sharpness of her gaze enough to make him stiffen.

"Find out who did this and bring them to me alive."

She commanded, her voice stern Alex gave a quick nod before stepping back and closing the door behind him, leaving her alone once more.

Imara sat back on the edge of the bed, the rose still in her hand she brought it close, the soft petals brushing against her lips for a moment, her face softened after remembered from where she took the flower but then the thorn pricked her finger and single drop of blood appeared, bright red against the white flower she looked at her finger few moments and smirked, watching the crimson bead slide down.

"Traitors bleed the same."

She whispered to herself before setting the rose down and preparing for the storm she was about to unleash.

Hours later Alex returned dragging a man with him the betrayer's hands were tied behind his back, his face bruised and bloodied he stumbled as Alex pushed him forward, but he didn't dare to speak fear was written all over him.

Imara stood at the top of the stairs which were leading to the basement, her robe replaced by a sleek grey outfit her sharp gaze moved from Alex to the man her expression was cold and unreadable.

"Is this him?"

She asked, her voice calm but deadly Alex turned his head towards her and bowed his head.

"Yes Boss he confessed."

He said while jerking the hair of that man and Imara nodded once and turned without another word, descending the narrow steps into the basement Alex shoved the man forward, forcing him to follow, the air grew colder as they entered the dimly lit space the walls were made of stone, and a single bulb hung from the ceiling, casting harsh light over a table filled with tools, tools not meant for fixing things.

Imara stopped in the center of the room and turned to face the man she crossed her arms, her presence dominating the small space.

"Do you know what happens to traitors?"

She asked, her voice soft but carrying a weight that made the man tremble in fear.

"P-please, Imara I didn't mean to.."

He stammered and fall on his knees she held up a hand, silencing him instantly.

"No excuses you made a choice, and now you'll face the consequences."

She said sternly and took out the white rose from her pockets, its petals still pristine despite the grim surroundings. Twirling it in her fingers, she stepped closer to the man.

"This rose is pure," She said, her tone almost thoughtful. "But even the purest things can be stained."

With a sudden motion she pricked his cheek with the thorn, just enough to draw a drop of blood he flinched tears streaming down his face, but he didn't dare to move.

Imara handed the rose to Alex without looking at him.

"I don't need to dirty my hands with this one make him talk I want names, every single one of them."

She said said while glaring the man Alex nodded, his grip on the man tightening. As Imara turned to leave, her voice echoed behind her.

"And Alex, make sure he regrets the day he thought he could betray me."

She said and walked up the stairs, leaving the basement and the screams that followed in her wake the sound didn't faze her she had more important things to plan.

As Imara walked out of the basement, her mind was already shifting from the traitor to something else she paused at the top of the stairs, her fingers still tingling from the interaction with the rose the fresh memory of the betrayer's fear was already fading, replaced by another thought that had been quietly growing in the back of her mind.

The blind florist.

"Maybe it's time."

She murmured to herself, her eyes narrowing as she made her decision the thought of visiting him wasn't a sudden whim there was something about the way he looked at her, even though he couldn't truly see her, that had lingered in her mind. She wasn't sure what it was his quiet strength, the gentleness in his touch, or maybe just the mystery of him Imara's steps became more purposeful as she walked toward the door.

She would pay him a visit just to see him again.

Imara stepped out of her car and walked toward the small flower shop as she approached, she frowned instead of Taehyung she expected, there was an old man inside, standing behind the counter his hair was thin and white, his face wrinkled with age, and he seemed to be carefully arranging a bunch of flowers.

Imara paused for a moment her eyes narrowing the old man she hadn't seen him around before, and it made her wonder where the Taehyung was.

She hesitated at the door, wondering if she should ask or not, the soft chime of the bell above the door rang as she entered and the old man looked up, his eyes bright despite his age.

"Good evening Can I help you, miss?"

He asked with a warm, welcoming smile Imara's frowned deepened as she looked around the shop, but she didn't say anything right away.

"Where's the young man?"

She asked, her voice casual but laced with curiosity the old man looked at him and after understand her words he chuckled lightly.

"Ah, you mean my grandson he's not here today he is not well.."

He said and without her knowing she felt anxious to know his situation.

"What happened is he ok??"

She asked, her voice filled with worry which made Grandpa shock but after saw his reaction Imara coughed.

"Um I mean I'm your grandson's regular costumer so I'm just w..worried, what happened with him?"

Worried?? She asked her herself did she really worried for him the old man smiled kindly and nodded.

"Nothing daughter just yesterday he got into accident.."

"What!!! How??"

She asked hurriedly and after heard his accident news her heart beat raised and she herself didn't know the reason..

"His life is like this daughter but of course my son is brave..."

Grandpa said, his voice held pain and proud for his grandson Imara inhaled deeply she wasn't feeling sympathy for him but what she started to had she couldn't name it.

"Ask him from me.... I'm going..."

She said on which grandpa nodded and Imara stepped out from shop and walked towards her car before pulling out her phone her long fingers moved swiftly across the screen, dialing Alex.

"Yes Boss?"

Alex's voice came through, steady and professional as always.

"Send me the address of that blind florist Taehyung."

Imara said, her voice firm but tinged with an unusual emotions which shook Alex when he sensed it there was a slight pause before Alex replied, his tone cautious.

"Are you sure boss? You know we don't usually......"

"Now, Alex it's important I need to see him. Like... a vitamin."

She said sharply and Alex froze where he was after heard her voice which he never heard, he understood because he knew she had a way of becoming fixated on things, and once that happened, nothing would stop her.

"Understood, I'll send it to you right away."

Alex replied in stern yet respectful tone and Imara ended the call, she felt a strange mix of anticipation and curiosity she wasn't entirely sure why she felt such a pull to the florist, but something told her she needed to see him he was like a small piece she hadn't figured out yet, and she couldn't let go of the thought.

She turned back toward her car, waiting for the address to arrive the idea of visiting him now seemed as necessary as breathing few moments later, Imara's phone buzzed in her hand she glanced down at the screen where Alex had sent the address she didn't waste any time without a second thought, she slid her phone back into her pocket, and sat down into her car.

The drive was quick, the streets passing by in a blur as her mind remained focused on the visit she didn't know exactly why she going to meet him but she knew she had to go the idea of waiting any longer without seeing him felt unbearable, like there was something missing that she could only find by meeting him again from previous last months she was paying visit at his shop talking with him, buying his flowers and without her knowing he became her addiction her habit.

When she finally arrived, the house was quiet tucked away on a peaceful street far from the chaos of her usual world the small, humble building looked nothing like the luxury she was used to Imara stepped out of the car and walked to the door, her heels clicking softly against the pavement she glanced around and her sight filled with beautiful and small houses, she paused before knocking, her heart beating just a little faster than usual.

It was a feeling she couldn't quite explain, a pull she couldn't ignore.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked firmly on the door, waiting for the answer that she was both eager and uncertain to hear but finally her thoughts broke when the door opened and her heart beat rapidly when she saw him who was standing on door, but she noticed his expression changed from normal to realization and then shock she looked down at herself and it suddenly clicked her she closed her eyes in disbelief because he was familiar with her perfume.

"Oh my God you!!!"

She said out of the blue and she herself didn't know why she said that Taehyung frowned after heard her.

"Are you the one who always come at my shop um I mean my regular costumer..."

He asked with curiosity and Imara was now feeling stupid why the hell she had to come here.

"Yes..."

"So you come here to meet me??"

He asked in normal tone but she felt the surprised in his body language Imara looked around to find some excuse but her eyes brightened when she saw the house which was beside his home.

"I'm your new neighbor I just recently shift here so I thought to gift flowers to my neighbors but the florist himself my neighbor so I will give the flowers to others."

She said, and first time she felt nervous her eyes were still on a board of that house on which 'For sale' was written.

"Ohh welcome welcome what a coincidence..."

He said, his tone was relaxed and less curious Imara chuckled awkwardly.

"I went to your shop to buy flowers your grandpa told me you had an accident, so are you ok?"

She asked, trying to sound casual but only she knew what was happening with her heart, Taehyung eyes were on her and she noticed for a second his expression change but he smiled which could not reach to his eyes.

"Yeah just a car hit me but mistake is mine..."

He said, his voice casual as if he was talking about his daily routine Imara looked at him with strange emotion in her eyes but that wasn't sympathy that could be anything but not sympathy.

"Ohh I see....." But she paused when she saw finger prints on his neck which seemed like someone tried to choke him.

"Please come inside...."

She came back in reality when she heard him who was gesturing her to come inside.

"No no it's ok I will visit some other day take care of yourself.."

She said softly if Alex heard her this tone he would probably die till now.

"As you want, but please visit soon but what's your name I never ask because you're my customer but not you are not just customer you are my neighbor too."

He asked softly and she smiled when she remembered his words he didn't have any interest on his customer personal life.

"Ima......Emma.."

She quickly correct herself because she knew she couldn't afford to tell her real name she saw his confusion but before he could ask anything she stepped back.

"I should go I have alot of works in my home bye see you soon..."

She said hurriedly on which he smiled and bid goodbye Imara sighed heavily when he closed the door and walked towards her car and took out her mobile to call Alex.

"There is a house beside Taehyung's home buy it in an hour I want that house paper in desk till night."

She commanded without listening him and hung up she took a deep breath and after glanced the both house she slided into her car and drove away without knowing someone's eyes were on her from the time she came here.

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...ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...

(Hey friends I hope you would like the today episode if yes then share your reviews and also don't forget to press star, I will post next chapter soon, see you in next chapter)

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