SMACK!
Roseanne's head jerked to the side, a sharp sting blooming across her left cheek. The world seemed to go silent for a heartbeat, her eyes blurred and her ears rang from the force of the slap.
It felt personal and brought every single bit of anger from the woman in front of her.
Blinking rapidly, Roseanne lifted her gaze to meet the eyes of her assailant.
Florence Falcone. Czar's fiancée.
The morning had started like any other. Roseanne and Wilhelm were quietly absorbed in their work. She managed schedules and responded to emails, Wilhelm reviewing documents.
The office was quiet with Czar, Ermias, and Frederic away at a meeting elsewhere. Roseanne had expected a peaceful, productive morning.
That peace shattered when Florence stormed into the office. Roseanne had just risen from her seat, preparing to greet the guest, when the slap landed without warning or preamble.
She hadn't even managed a simple 'good morning'.
