Hello my dear comrades in Comrade.
Words cannot express how delighted I am to have received such a heart-warming response :) A big thank you to russia2774, Ims86, justmeanyways, Dead Revolution and all the lovely guests who have reviewed so positively on this story. Thank you :D
This chapter is back to Dimitri's perspective so I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Vampire Academy or anything surrounding it (but I do own this plot :D)
DPOV
It took a while, but I finally realized that he was most certainly not joking. I stopped laughing.
"I'm glad this amuses you Mr. Belikov." He said, not sounding one bit glad. I clenched my jaw and completely froze. I had always been so sure of myself and my ability to do things. I had never been threatened like this and now that I had, I did not like it…at all.
If I lost the job, I'd lose the money. I'd lose my party, my high, my power. My one purpose in life was hanging in the balance and my only opponent: Nathan Ivashkov.
Sizing him up, I could easily win in a physical fight – the man was double my age for Christ's sake – but that didn't guarantee a win in this fight. I hadn't actually met the man but I had defiantly heard of him. He was the office celebrity, the prized jewel. No-one could match his ability to negotiate and persuade; his skill in manipulating language to get his own way was incomparable. The rumors I had heard had painted a clear picture of intelligence and corruption. He was merciless and cold, only caring for his own title and possession, and committed to radiating an aura of fear to make sure unwanted nuisances were put in their place.
Basically me.
Clearing the initial panic, I collected myself and resumed my normally unhindered expression. I looked back to Viktor with my face void of emotion and my inner doubts and quarrels shut behind bars. Begging was only going to assure my job to Nathan and I figured if I was going to go, I was not going willingly…
"Could you explain to me what I have to do to trump Nat- Mr. Ivashkov?" I scolded my slip-up but I think Viktor was more noticing my sudden change in sentiment than my self-scorning.
He let his usual evil glint return to his eyes and grinned a little. "The problem, my dear boy, is that you are both working on the same pitch." My jaw hit the ground and Viktor continued, "Both you gentlemen are currently pitching for the public sector in Lower Manhattan and it is simply a case of who pitches best." He said waving someone away.
I took a moment a processed this. "So," I began, "I just have to continue with my work…?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed, this time actually amused, "What did you expect!?"
I didn't think telling him that I had envisaged a full-out army course, complete with survival training, would help my plea so I just smiled and told him what he wanted to hear. "I just thought that there may be extra assignment to further test our abilities." Appearing astute will always win triumph over anybody.
As predicted, Viktor took this new development into consideration and nodded fondly at my enthusiasm to succeed. This made be smile inside. Perhaps I actually had a chance against Nathan?
"I always admired your ability to think outside the box." He mused and then inhaled harshly and leaned back. "Very well," he continued, "in 'test' of both your skill and determination, you both must undergo this assignment solo. That means your teams may aid you in errands, for example, but any actually pitching must be done individually. That, I believe, will give me the best view on how your skills compare and contrast." He finished and I smiled a little.
"Thank you sir." I responded and he nodded sharply. He signaled that I may leave and I dismissed myself from the glass board room. I felt the eyes of my colleagues pierce through my skin as I walked through the offices. Refusing to give them the satisfaction of a response, I increased my posture and strode as coolly as I normally do which put some of the mutterings to rest.
Upon my entrance, I noticed the distinct lack of coffee on my desk. Sighing, I flopped down into the chair and began to ponder through the thick stack of files Alberta had so kindly left me. Shame she couldn't get the coffee on time.
I picked loose the paper highlighting the planning permission for the pitch I – and Nathan – was bidding for. It had been within my mission for around three months now, getting that sector, and now I had it I was honestly thrilled. I could've gone home, scratch that, gone to a club, found Ivan, gotten drunk and just generally lived the high life. Unfortunately, Nathan had got his grubby fingers around my plot, thus thwarting my desire to go out.
Groaning again at my misfortune in the disaster show that was my 'life', I brought up the maps and site plans just as Alberta walked in, holding a cup of coffee.
"`Bout time." I commented, glancing quickly up. Even in that short move I could see her face contort and tense, but having Alberta's fondness was not high on my priority list.
"Sorry, I was just working. I am not your maid you know, I have a job." She snapped.
"Could've fooled me." I muttered under my breath before smiling up to her scowl.
"I heard what has happened." He face went suddenly concerning and, almost, pitiful. Her concern touched me but I didn't have the time nor the patience to dwell in my deeper emotions.
"Yes, well, it simply means we have to get our pitch across quickly and strongly." I stated dumping another folder onto my lap.
"Yes, I was just thinking-"
She was cut off by my glass office door screeching open and a man stepped in. He was a pale creature, with silver hair and a metallic mustache that bristled against his upper lip. His eyes were an intense and piercing green and the evil aura he bore could have rivaled that of Viktor Dashkov's.
This was Nathan Ivashkov.
Alberta stepped into the shadows behind her and was quickly forgotten when Nathan began speaking.
"Dimitri." His voice rung like a decaying microphone with just a hint of a snake hiss, "I don't believe I have had the honor." He said, brining his arm forward to shake my own. Not wanting to make the already overwrought tension between us any worse, I took it and firmly shook his sweaty palm.
"The honor is all mine." I managed through gritted teeth.
He outright laughed. The sound held no warmth, it was cold and menacing. "You should know that flattery gets you nowhere." His face turned serious in an instant which further reminded me of Viktor.
"No but it doesn't hurt." I replied unperturbedly and I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. His demonic eyes were still running laps over my body, taking in its every detail.
"I just came in to that you will be missed. In your short," he emphasized, "time here, you have done quite well for yourself. Or so I have heard. I just wanted to make sure there was no hard feelings." He smiled but it did not compliment his face one bit.
"None at all." I faked my smile to hide my sneer, which probably looked more welcoming than his actual smile did. He nodded and spun of his heels and left the room. A chill hang in the air even after he left and I heard Alberta exhale the breath she had held in during Nathan's visit. This alerted me of her existence and I took advantage of this new knowledge.
"Alberta." I murmured, still tense and fixated on the door where he had left.
"Yes sir." She said nervously.
"I need to get out of here." I stated, still locked on that damn door. "I can't work here when that is around."
"Of course sir." She nodded and I watched as I saw her shuffle out of the same door that Nathan came in but with not nearly the same level of supercilious vanity. My gaze was still angrily locked on the glass door and I could not help the growl that came out of my mouth.
This was not going to be easy…
Ta dah! (Sorry, couldn't resist) I realise that Rose and Dimitri haven't actually clashed yet but I promise that will happen, I just need to set the scene :3 Also, Nathan, Adrian and Tatiana are all related to one another in this story just as they are in the VA series, in case that had anyone discombobulated.
I am currently reading the Bloodlines novels and oh my Lord, Silver Shadows! I am only halfway through and my God is it good. If you haven't read it (yet) I would strongly recommend it, it is fantastic! I literally cannot put this book down.
Sorry, I am getting a little excited: Christmas on the way! I have already watched Love Actually, all the Nativity's and The Holiday so I am gearing up for the torrent of socially compulsory Christmas movie watching and, of course, the telly. This is the one time a year I watch telly purposefully and I get so over-excited by it! It is the little things in life that make people happy is it not?
Anyway, please leave your comments and I hope you guys are too looking forward to the festive day; 7 days left!
All the best,
Mariarty :3