I was a millionaire. I was a foreign exchange student in California. I'm on my way back there to visit my parents. They had no idea I was returning, it was a surprise. I invented a computer program and it went viral making me a millionaire and a rich daddy's girl. My plane landed an our ago and I was driving up the long driveway. I looked majorly different. My boyfriend took my hand, squeezing it gently. It was my parent's anniversary so I knew that everyone would be there. "You okay baby?" I looked at my boyfriend.
"Never better… after this week we'll go back to New York for my college education and your business. We will have the life everyone dreams of." He smiled at me. "Park, I want to see everyone." He pulled in next to my best friend's truck. I hopped out. I tapped my foot impatiently as he walked around the car. "Come on Adrian." I whined. He laughed. I hopped onto his back, wrapping my legs around his waist. "Go forward." I pointed at the back yard. He laughed and walked with me attached. I kissed his neck gently.
"Hey, that's distracting." He joked. I slid off his back, taking his hand. "Ready?"
"It's only been four years." He tucked my long black hair behind my ear.
"You're so beautiful." I smiled.
"So are you." I kissed his nose. "Let's go." We walked around the corner, everyone was chatting. I bit my lip nervously as I stepped up to the bouncer guy.
"Name?"
"Rosemarie…" Eddie looked up at me.
"Oh my god, look at you." He hugged me, swinging me around. "You've grown so much." I smiled. He looked behind me.
"This is my boyfriend Adrian. Adrian this is one of my best friends Eddie." They man hugged. "Can I get by?" I pouty lipped. He laughed and nodded. We walked past him.
"Ever date him?" Adrian whispered into my ear.
"No." I smiled at him. We walked through the guests. I saw the girl that switched with me there… with my parents. "They look busy."
"Why did you go into foreign exchange?" Adrian never asked me why.
"I saw my best friend murdered." I whispered. "I left two days after that…" he wiped away a tear. "I never went to his funeral." He pulled me into his body. I loved his smell, so warm and delicious.
"Tasha switched with you?"
"Yeah, Christian is her cousin but she lived in Cali and he here so we switched because it was for the best."
"She lived by herself."
"I know, her parents died so she got the house." He rubbed small circles into my back. "I love you Adrian." I met his eyes.
"I love you too." He kissed me lightly. "Let's go meet the rents'." I laughed and nodded. We walked over to them.
"Hello…" I looked at my mom.
"Happy anniversary guys." I smiled.
"Oh my god…" my mom smiled, tears springing to her eyes. "You're back." She hugged me tightly. "I've missed you so much. What have you done to your body?" I laughed.
"I've missed you too… and I made my body my own." She kissed my cheek.
"You've grown up so much."
"I know. I'm going to Columbia this year and Adrian…" I nodded towards him. "Has his business ordeal right in New York. We have our own place and everything." She squealed.
"Who's Adrian?"
"My boyfriend." She looked at him, then back to me. "Has Dimitri and them seen you yet? They all got accepted to Columbia too… did you plan this?"
"I haven't spoken to them since Mase mama." She nodded.
"How long are you staying?"
"A week… I want to go find the gang… same place?" she nodded. I looked at Adrian. "Ready?" he took my hand and we headed towards the basement. It was handprint access only, the gang only had access. We walked down the stairs, I heard the announcement made.
"Rosemarie Mazur is entering the hood." We thought it was funny when dad first had it built for us. I heard gasps coming from all over. We finished down the stairs. Adrian wrapped his arm around my waist.
"Roza?" I looked at Dimitri.
"Yes… it's me." I smiled brightly.
"Who's he?" I looked at Lissa.
"My boyfriend." Lissa waited two more seconds before attacking me with a hug. She was crying and I felt her. I hugged her close.
"You left me." she sobbed.
"I know sweetie…" she held tighter. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't stay in this house anymore."
"We all understand." She assured. I never said goodbye to any of them. I let her gather herself. She withdrew, wiping her tears. "How's life?"
"Dad gives me allowance still…"
"Same amount?" Christian asked. He hated I got a mil a month.
"No it's now weekly… I'm also a millionaire on my own… I'm going to college this year… how about you?"
"We all got accepted to Columbia." I smiled.
"Congrats."
"Dimitri and Tasha are together." I looked at him. I bit my lip and then smiled.
"That's good." Dimitri was a year older than me, but in our grade. I had the biggest crush on him back when.
"Me and Liss are together."
"I knew that would happen, you two always were sneaking around." Lissa turned crimson. "Oh yeah, this is Adrian Ivashkov." I introduced him. They all welcomed him, he slung his arm around my waist protectively.
"Where are you going to college?"
"Columbia… is Tasha going there too?"
"No, she's working for your father now." I looked at Dimitri, biting my lip. The day before I left he had kissed me.
"That's good, he likes her a lot." I looked at the ground. It was awkward.
"Why didn't you call us?" I looked at Lissa.
"Dad… I didn't think it was best. I left my life behind for a reason." She looked slightly upset. "I came back to tell you guys that I was sorry. Our lives are moving forward… we are all going to college together like planned an-"
"Not all of us." Christian muttered.
"This was a bad idea…" I said. "I'm sorry I came back. Adrian and I are staying a week to visit with my parents and see Olena, and then we are moving in together."
"No, we're glad you came back." Lissa reached for me. I pulled away.
"Baby, why don't you wait for me at the top of the stairs?" he nodded, dropping a kiss on my lips. He left. I waited until I heard the door shut quietly.
"Do you love him?" I looked at Dimitri. I took a deep breath.
"You guys don't get it apparently." I said calmly. "I know it was my fault he was killed. He was with me when he died. I know this, but watching someone you love with everything in you die… it changes you. Now, I finally return and all I get is cold welcome homes. I left because of you guys." I screamed. "Do you think that I want anyone else to die?"
"Rose…" I glared at her.
"Shut up for once." I snapped. "I felt nothing for years. I only loved one other person like I loved Mase and they weren't interested. It froze my heart. I woke up every morning for the first year and felt nothing, I wanted to die. The only sign that my parents had of me being alive was when they were sent my credit card bills. I met Adrian and everything changed." I had tears in my eyes. "I actually could look at a knife and want to use it to cut something other than my throat. I love him so much, he makes me happy… if you can't accept that I grew up then get the hell out of my life." Christian went to talk. "I'm not listening to anymore. I came back because I love you guys… but I see that I've been replaced, have fun with Tasha." I turned and walked up the stairs, Dimitri caught my arm. I whipped around on him. "Remember when I called you the day before I disappeared to come over?"
"Yeah."
"I was going to tell you that I was leaving." He looked sad. "I was also going to tell you that I was completely in love with you." I ripped my arm from his grip. "Hint the past tense. That kiss meant nothing. Be happy without me." I turned and walked up the stairs. I slammed the door shut behind me. I ran right into Adrian. "Hi." He laughed, hugging me. "I love you."
"I love you too." I stayed in his arms for a few more minutes.
"I want to leave sooner. I have cosmetology school this summer and I need to attend." He nodded. "Let's go up to my room." We have slept together. Mason took my virginity and I was glad it was him. We loved each other over the moon. As we were about to head up the stairs mom and dad caught us.
"Why is Lissa crying?"
"I sort of yelled at them…" she looked at me shocked. "I said how we are all going to school together and Christian said that it wasn't all of us." She knew immediately I was talking about Mason. "We aren't staying the full week. Tomorrow we will spend with you, the next with Olena, and then I'm going to Mase's grave site and then to the airport."
"Did Lissa tell you?"
"Tell me what?" I stepped closer to her.
"The day you left… her parents and brother died."
-X-X-X-
"Are you okay?" I looked behind me at Adrian. He wrapped his arms around me. "You shouldn't ignore them, they all love you… especially Dimitri." We just got home from the day with Olena.
"Too bad for them huh?" I leaned back into him. "They replaced me baby."
"No one could ever replace you." I laughed.
"They managed somehow." He released me, walking towards the bed.
"Little angel… don't you get it?"
"No, apparently I don't."
"They were mad that they couldn't have helped you through your loss, not that you left them… that they were bad friends." That string broke me.
"I know that they were bad friends Adrian." I screamed. "Do you know what they did when they found out Mason died?" I cried. "Do you?" he shook his head. "They all went and comforted Eddie. Eddie was his best friend I get that, but Eddie wasn't there. I was." I pointed at me. "I watched the man snap his neck. I killed a four people that night… did you know that the person you love is a murderer?" he took a step closer to me, I stepped back. "I wish people would stop telling me what they feel or felt like and hear what I felt like and maybe for once give a damn." I screeched. I slid on my flip flops and walked to the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked calmly. He knew me so well. I slammed the door shut behind me, stomping down the stairs. I saw the gang with Tasha in the living room. I haven't even met Tasha. I walked past them to the kitchen where all our keys hung. I looked for my bike's key. My fist gathered together. "Rose!" he followed me.
"Damn it, why can't you just leave me alone for once. Let me deal with the issues by myself." I begged, I had tears in my eyes. I haven't cried for Mason yet. It's been four years and I haven't cried one bit.
"Because Rose, that isn't how relationships work." I flipped him the bird and went back to looking for my keys. "Rose…" he touched my shoulder.
"Stop okay… we've talked about this." They were all watching our encounter. "We don't talk about feelings that were before we met… okay?" he shook his head. My shoulders tightened. I spun around on him, looking past his shoulder. "Where in hell are my keys?" I barked at them.
"You mean your bike?" I nodded. Tasha held up the key.
"Can you please hand over my keys?"
"No, Dimitri taught me how to ride. It's mine now." I raised my eyebrows at her.
"No, it will never be yours. Hand them over." I demanded. She shook her head. "MOM. DAD." I screamed. They ran down the stairs.
"What?"
"You gave her my bike?" they nodded slowly. "How could you do that?"
"It's old and pathetic, we didn't think you cared." I felt tears burning their way down my cheeks. "Why do you care?" I looked at Adrian.
"We are leaving… NOW. Get our stuff." He nodded and went back upstairs. I walked past them until Dimitri grabbed my arm. "Let go."
"Tell us why you care."
"You don't need to know." I tried to rip my arm, but he held tight. I looked into his eyes. "It was the only thing of Mason's I had left." my eyes had gone blurry with tears. "The only piece I had left." he released me. "He gave me my first kiss on the bike. He taught me how to ride. He drove me to the date…" I wiped my eyes. "He and I drove that when he took my virginity." I wiped my eyes again. "The date he took me on was to that spooky house… we were taken and the bike was taken too… he died three hours later." I put my wall back up. "That is Mason and I's bike, you gave it to the tramp… we are leaving." I saw Adrian at the door. I walked away. "I'm promising you that this is the last time we will see each other and I will talk to you." I walked out of the door.
-X-X-X-
I sat on my private jet, Adrian was staring out the window. I was pacing. "Did it really mean all that to you?" I looked at him.
"Yes, it did. Adrian besides you… I only ever loved Mason… he died in front of me, that kills a girl on the emotional side. I'm sorry that you got back lash of my temper." He nodded. "When I'm ready to talk about Mason… I'll talk to you."
"Promise?" he held up his pinky. I smiled and wrapped mine around his.
"I promise." I sat down on his lap. "I'm sorry I barked you around so much."
"It's okay baby." He danced his fingers along my skin. "Sorry you never got to visit his grave."
"I'm not ready for it yet…" I whispered. I leaned back into him, closing my eyes. I let sleep overcome me.
"Good job Rose." I looked at Mason adoringly. Mason loved me and I loved him, but I also loved Dimitri… I always would love him. I shut the bike off. Mason walked over to me.
"Thank you." He kissed me lovingly. "I love you Mason."
"I love you too Rose, even if you're the reason I'm dead."
I shot up. Adrian was sleeping deeply. I gently stood and went to the bar. I got a bottle of Vodka out. I downed a large swallow, the burn was light. I put the bottle down. My phone buzzed. I dug it out of my pocket, not bothering looking at the caller ID. "Hello?" I asked raspy.
"Rose." I looked at the ID. It was mom.
"What? Haven't you emotionally scarred me enough for one night?"
"You aren't really going to ignore us are you?"
"You gave away the only thing left I had of him…" she went silent. "Don't bother apologizing."
"I heard you two fighting… are you two okay?"
"We're happy mom. I love him more than I loved anyone else. We have our lives planned out… we're getting married, did I tell you guys that?"
"You can't." she exclaimed.
"Why?" I groaned. "I don't care if you object, we are in love."
"D- Di- Dimitri." She stuttered.
"What about him? Did Tasha give him AIDS?"
"No… he won't get touchy with her."
"Okay, what about him then?"
"He loves you. You and him are supposed to be together." My heart turned icy cold.
"I don't care. I don't feel anything for anyone in your home."
"Our home." She emphasized 'our'.
"No mom, it stopped being my home when Mase died… before that even. You and dad got caught up yourselves… I'm gone. We're eloping and you can't stop us." I hung up the phone. I totally just lied to her, but Adrian was going to propose. I looked at sleeping Adrian. We were landing. I watched him sleep as we hit the ground. He was the heaviest sleeper in the world. I waited five minutes and then tried to wake him up. "Adrian." I shook him.
"Go away." he turned away from me, swatting my hands. I touched his lower area, his eyes shot open. "Not fair." He grumbled.
"Come on, we're home." We grabbed our bags and exited the plane. We walked towards our waiting car. We were silent on the way to the new apartment. As we arrived I decided to tell him. "I told mom we were eloping. Just so you know." I shot out of the car as it came to a stop. I wheeled our bags up to the elevator, trying to avoid him asking why. The elevator doors were about to shut when he stuck his hand out to stop them. He entered.
"Now, why would you do that?"
"Um, well you see…" I cleared my throat. "She pissed me off and she told me dad had an arranged marriage planned for me. That's when I said we were eloping and hung up." He face palmed himself. The bell dinged and we were at the top floor apartments. They were two floors and nice. We walked to our door and unlocked it. I haven't seen it, but Adrian says it's really nice. He covered my eyes before opening the door. He led me inside. I was bouncing with anticipation. He uncovered my eyes. I looked around, it was beautiful. I smiled at him. "It's beautiful Adrian."
"I know." He sounded so proud. I kissed him.
"Suddenly… I really, really want you." I took his hand and led him towards the couch.
-X-X-X-
I woke up to the sound of the alarm on my phone. I had an hour before cosmetology school. I stood up from under the blanket. I left Adrian behind and went to search for our room. I found it on the top floor. It was huge and was already stocked with my clothes. I showered and threw on skinnies, heels, a tank and a cut off shirt. I grabbed my purse and left a note on the counter for Adrian. Everything was within walking distance from us. I loved him so much. I got to Empire with no time to spare. This was going to be a long day. I already had six months from back in Cali, this would be my last six months.
-X-X-X-
I walked out a few hours later. I was done for today. I went to a local coffee place near Columbia's campus. There was a now hiring sign in the window. I walked inside. "Hello, my name is Andrew, how may I help you?" he looked up at me.
"I saw the now hiring sign in the window and wish to apply." He smiled.
"I'm the manager. We need someone soon… come in tomorrow and you're hired." I smiled.
"Thanks." I walked out. I saw a bar. I walked inside. It was afternoon, I could drink. "Vodka straight." I said to the bartender as I sat down. He nodded and went to work. I sat there stupidly, looking at the pin up board. There was a club hiring too, right near campus. I shrugged… maybe two jobs wouldn't hurt.
"Here you go." He set the glass in front of me. My phone rang. I pulled it out.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby… where are you?" he sounded tired.
"Did you just wake up?"
"Maybe…" he yawned. I sighed.
"I'm just getting lunch before heading out. Why? What did you break?" he laughed.
"I was just curious." He went quiet. "We're going out tonight… to Giovanni's."
"Are we now?"
"Yes, see you then. Have to get to work." I laughed.
"Love you, bye." I hung up. I shot the vodka down. I set the money on the bar. I took a deep breath. I looked at the club poster again. The number was printed on there. I dialed it.
"Hello. This is Frostbite. Are you calling to apply?"
"Yes." I smiled at the voice, it was Mia's.
"Well, we will set up an interview… let me look here." She sounded so bored.
"Mia, really need to work on your phone skills." She squealed.
"Rosie… how was your trip?"
"Good, awful actually. I'll tell you more when I see you."
"Well, the boss is free now. Come on in."
"See you soon." We hung up. I typed in the address to my phone's GPS and started hunting down the place. It wasn't that far away. I got there in ten minutes or so. I walked into the epic bar/ club. I saw Mia standing by the bar. "Mi Mi." she turned, running and attacking me.
"How are you?"
"Fine babe. How about you?"
"Good, Ivan is ready to see you." She led me to the office door. She entered. "Rose Ivashkov is here to see you about the bar tender job." I entered behind her. She pointed to the seat in front of the desk. "She's also applying for the waitressing job." I sat down. Ivan looked me over.
"You'll train her?" Mia nodded. "You're hired." I stood up.
"Thank you." I laughed. He nodded.
"How are you an Ivashkov?"
"My boyfriend is one and he gave me permission to use his last name. Why?"
"Adrian Ivashkov and I are buddies." I nodded. I turned to walk out of the room when he stopped me. "What's your real last name?"
"Mazur." I told him firmly. His eyes widened then went back to normal.
"That is all, you will train the rest of today and tomorrow night you will start." I nodded.
"Thank you again." He nodded and shooed us away. Mia led me to the bar. She showed me all the tricks.
"You'll only waitress until I can train you more in bartending. You will have the same working time frame as me." I nodded. "This will be so much fun." She squealed. I laughed and nodded. "Only three months until school starts."
"I know right?"
-X-X-X-
I slowly ate desert. It was delicious. Adrian and I made small talk through dinner, jokes and such… but now it was time for what he really took me out for. "Rose… baby…" he held my hand.
"What's up?" he smiled at me.
"We've been together for three years now and I think it's time we take things to the next step."
"We're already living together Adrian." I pretended to be blonde.
"I love you more than anything, I'll always love you…" he got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" I bit my lip.
"Oh my god." I whispered. I felt tears come to my eyes. "Yes." I let him slide the ring on to my finger. It was beautiful, lots of diamonds. I smiled at him widely, kissing his lips. "I love you so much."
"I love you." In that moment my life was perfect.