Rose's Point of View (RPOV)
I was sitting at my desk going over what needed to be done for the day when the creak of my door alerted me that my secretary Mia needed me. Looking up I saw Mia peeking her head through the partially opened door.
"Yes Mia?" I asked my blond haired assistant, as I sat back in my chair and motioned for her to enter my office.
"Ms. Hathaway, a Dimitri Belikov sent in this manuscript to be read." She told me lifting up said manuscript.
"Thank you Mia, I will read it over in a little bit." I outstretched my hand and Mia gave it to me. Looking it over I read the title: Strangers on the Open Plains
Mia left my office with a nod, her ringlets shaking as she gave me a small smile. I went back to my work almost immediately, but this manuscript from a Dimitri Belikov kept calling my name. Deciding to read it instead of waiting to finish my other duties. Settling down comfortably I opened the manuscript and read. After reading the first couple of chapters, that had me crying, laughing and smiling I knew that I needed to have Mia get in contact with this Mr. Dimitri Belikov so that we could set up a meeting to get Strangers on the Open Plains published. I reached over to my phone and buzzed Mia.
"Yes Ms. Hathaway?"
"Mia, will you please get in contact with Mr. Belikov and ask him when he's able to come in for a meeting?"
"Yes Ms. Hathaway."
I spent the rest of the day going back and forth between my previous work and reading the manuscript. I was really enjoying this work of fiction and it made me wonder what other manuscripts this author had up his sleeves. I was looking forward to meeting this man. As I left the office for the day Mia stopped me.
"Ms. Hathaway. I was able to get in contact with the author of the manuscript and he is able to come in tomorrow. He'll be here in the morning at ten sharp.
"Thank you, Mia." I nodded to her and walked out of the office to head back to my apartment for the night.
Looking at the time on my watch it read 10:25. I was running late for my meeting with Mr. Belikov; rush hour in New York was never easy to get through even when I don't have a meeting. I had just gotten out of my cab in front of the building and I didn't notice the stone that was on the ground, I stumbled and waited for the impact of hitting the ground but it never came. Instead what I felt were strong male arms wrap around me. Catching me. My saviour straightened me up into a standing position.
"Are you okay?" An accented voice asked me. It sounded to be maybe a Russian one.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Thank you for catching me." I answered patting myself down to see if I did sustain any injuries from my fall. Twisting my ankles back and forth they moved fine and didn't hurt in any way.
"It's no problem." My saviour answered. Looking up my eyes locked onto his breathtaking chocolate coloured the moment I looked into those eyes there was instant attraction more than I have ever felt with anyone.
"I have to go to work, but thank you again for catching my fall." I ran the next block to my office. Once I got closer to the building I sighed in relief, I hope that I hadn't been keeping Mr. Belikov waiting long. Reaching my floor, I walked over to Mia's desk, my blond ringlet baby dolled face secretary looked up hearing my approach.
"Good morning Mia, has Mr. Belikov arrived yet?"
"No ma'am, he phoned about half an hour ago saying that he would be running late." I sighed in relief at that news. It was the best news I've heard for awhile.
"Well when he gets here please send him in right away." I turned away and walked to my office.
"Yes ma'am." Mia said as I let myself in my office, thanking her as I did so. Sitting down I kicked my heels off and flipped through my notebook, looking at the questions I needed to discuss with Mr. Belikov. Try as I might to concentrate I just couldn't. My wandering mind kept going back to my collision in the street with the dreamy Russian. God he was so handsome with them chocolate brown eyes that I could get lost in. And his hair, god his brunette hair. A few shades lighter than my own. I was disappointed in myself for not getting at least his name or number, but I knew in a city this big there was a slim chance of ever seeing that god of a man ever ever again.
The buzzing on my phone kicked me out of my stupor. Answering it with a dreamy hello it was silent for a few minutes, until Mia announced that Mr. Belikov had arrived; I thanked her for letting me know and told her to show him in. I put my heels back on and stood when I saw the door open, in walked Mia and the man that had saved me from falling, I was stunned that it was the same person, I thanked Mia and dismissed her. Once she had closed the door, I walked over to the man, stuck out my hand and said,
"Rosemarie Hathaway."
"Dimitri Belikov." He shook my hand and the moment our hands touched I felt a little zap. I pulled back trying not to gasp.
"So a writer and a rescuer of damsels in distress I see." Chuckling I went behind my desk and motioned for Dimitri to sit in one of the chairs that sat in front.
"No, just a writer and someone that was in the right place at the right time," he said smiling as he settled down in the chair but not before I sat first. What a true gentleman. I opened my notes and began going over what I wanted to discuss with him, he was willing to change the few things that I had suggestions about. I told him that I loved the book and I couldn't wait for it to be published and to see if flying off the shelves. He told me that it was always a far off dream of his to have a book published and now that it was coming true, he couldn't believe it. I told him that it was all true and that I couldn't wait to see what other books he had in him just waiting to burst out on paper.
Taking a sip of my chocolate mocha latte I went over the agenda for the day. As I was about to call Mia to come up she suddenly burst through the door almost knocking it off the hinges.
"Ms. Rose do you have the agenda for me ready?" She asked in her normally cheery mood. If she wasn't one of my best-friends I would have reprimanded her for that.
"Yes here is the agenda; can you send the story to printing?" I asked as I handed her everything.
"Yes ma'am I can." Grinning Mia left the room but not without saying how much of a hunk Mr. Belikov was. I couldn't agree more.
"Thank you," I said as she shut the door upon her exit.
Now to get back to work. After many minutes of staring at a blank computer screen I opened my email and began to write an e-mail to Mr. Belikov.
Dear Mr. Belikov,
I'm glad I've accepted your story. Over the next few months it will be go through many steps which you probably know of anyway.
I'm so happy with your work and think you'll go very far in the writing world.
I would love to set up another meeting with you, is Thursday at noon fine for you?
Again thank you for sending your story to The Hathaway-Dragomir Book Publishing Company. We look forward to doing business with you.
Wishing you Good Luck,
Ms. Rosemarie Hathaway Editor & C/O.
Clicking send I set back and relaxed. Checking the time on my watch it was noon, time for my lunch break. I walked the block from where my car was blocked at do to the street being under construction. Once I arrived at my car and got in -a Red Hummer H3- I sped out of the parking lot and on to the busy highway of New York.
Arriving to my destination 15 minutes later I parked in front of the building: Cafe Mason's Fine and Dine Cafe. After sitting at my favorite booth in the middle of the café, my friend and owner of the café Mason came to take my order, even though I'm pretty sure he knows it by memory.
"Hi Rose, what would you like to order?" Mason questioned in his sugary gay voice.
"Well Mase this might be a surprise but I'm changing my order today." I announced watching his eyebrow raise at me.
"Wow umm. Okay so what would you like to eat?" he asked.
"I want a turkey sandwich combo with a brownie. For my beverage I'm in the mood for some refreshing ice cold water." I replied trying to contain my giggles.
"Coming right up" Mason replied jotting down my order on his server pad and then walking away.
I sat in the booth thinking about how I wanted Mr Belikov's book progress to go. The moment Mason brought out the food my best friend and co owner of the publishing company, Lissa ran across the café to my booth trying to catch her breathe.
"Rose you will never believe this." Lissa Said.
"Believe what?" I asked
"Mia told me Mr. Belikov has a crush on you" She said batting her eyelashes.
"No he doesn't." I deadpanned.
"Well she said right when he walked out of your door she heard him say that he wishes he could make the butterflies in his stomach to go away and the tingles in his hand." Lissa, Mason and I sat in the booth and talked for a bit. "Hey you guys I have to get back to the office and see how everything's going. See you back at work Rose? Catch you later Mase."
"Sure see you back at work, but until then I need to eat this food or it's going to get colder than it already is." I said making a jab at Mason who just rolled his eyes that a cold sandwich could get even colder when it was supposed to be cold. Lissa grinned ad the both of us and skipped away.
Upon Lissa's departure customers came in and Mason had to go deal with them. I started to eat my luscious meal and almost moaned when I took a bite of the brownie. It was heavenly. After finishing and paying for my meal I gave Mason a hug, promising to hang out with him and the gang later this week.
Exiting the Cafe I ran into the person entering it. Our heads bumping together. I hissed in pain, flinching as I landed on my derriere.
"I'm sorry I wasn't watching where I was going." The man said, dusting myself off I got back to my feet and faced my tormentor only to find myself face to face with none other than the man of my thoughts. Dimitri Belikov himself.
"It's fine Mr. Belikov." I said giving him a knowing look.
"Ms. Hathaway I'm truly very sorry. I keep knocking you over today it would appear." He apologized.
"It's truly fine, busting my butt keeps me on my feet." I answered back, watching as he tried to fight a smile.
Omg did I just say that? Oh wow, I have really gone insane. I really need to get out of here before I embarrass myself further than I already have.
"Well I'm running late for work so I'll talk to you whenever" I stated, moving passed him to get to my car.
"See you later" I said waving to him and fully exiting the shop.
After what seemed like a life time I ran to my car hopped in and drove back to the office, trying to keep the blush from rising to my cheeks.
Arriving to my office I logged onto my computer and checked my email. I had a few spams, a few writers mad that we wouldn't publish their work. The heat on my cheeks started to rise when I saw an email from Mr. Belikov. Clicking on the email I sat back and read it.
Dear Rose,
I'd be glad to meet you on Thursday. I'm very enthusiastic that you have found my story satisfactory and that your company has chosen to publish it. I'm much obliged to you. Thank you so much. Sorry I bumped into you earlier, it really was an accident. Maybe I can make it up to you by buying you coffee?
Best Wishes,
Dimitri Belikov.
He really does like me!
to be continued
Beta-ed by: Emilie Brown
Adopted from: Clara Kingston
Edited on: December, 06, 2015
Cover made by: Emilie Brown
A/N: This is Clara Kingston. I am writing this story with a friend. You may recognize this fic from before. That is because this is from my other fanfiction account Clara Kingston. My co-writer and I both hope you do enjoy this fic that we both will be working on completing together. Sending our love your way.