~ROSE POV~
I didn't realize how much I'd missed good food until I'd gone to lunch with Dimitri. The taste of the steak was one that I would probably savor the rest of the month because getting something that wasn't a sandwich or noodle soup was quite the change.
"Are you starving?" He asked and I looked at my plate of medium rare steak, steamed vegetables, and rice to realize that it was nearly half gone. I looked up at him with a smile but didn't say anything. The flustered expression that came across his face was priceless as he realized why I hadn't spoken. "Alright, you can talk. Just be nice about it."
"Thank you." I told him and wiped my mouth with a napkin before answering him. "I'm not starving, I'm just enjoying something that doesn't taste like cheap meat or boxed soup."
He arched an eyebrow as he took a drink of his coffee before setting the mug down and asking "Care to elaborate on that?"
"I've only been able to work as a waitress most of my life and unless you let people grab your ass, they don't leave good tips." I told him with a shrug and took another sip of the Dr. Pepper I'd ordered.
He didn't say anything else but I could see a thoughtful expression come over his face as he stared into the mug of he didn't speak for a while, I cleared my throat to bring his attention back to the present. He offered me a soft smile before tucking a piece of hair behind his ear that had fallen from the ponytail he wore. "Did you say something?"
"What's on your mind, Comrade?" I asked and I didn't fail to notice the annoyance that flickered in his eyes at the nickname.
"I'm just surprised that your family isn't helping you is all." He told me and the statement took me back but I kept my expression calm.
"Well…" I started but I found that I wasn't really wanting to talk about this. I laughed humorlessly before saying "I keep thinking that it'll be easier to talk about as more time goes on but it's not."
Kindness filled his eyes and his Russian accent deepened as he said: "Roza, there is no need for you to tell me anything that you don't want to. I know you haven't had it easy."
"Has anyone?" I asked. He let a crooked smile slip and I couldn't help but notice how they made his face seem more… calm, almost teasing.
"No, I suppose not." He told me and while his smile held, I saw a touch of sadness cross his features.
I cleared my throat and decided to move the conversation somewhere that would hopefully be more comfortable. "So are you really from Russia or did the accent just stick?"
He laughed and I was relieved to see that it was genuine. "I grew up in a small town called Baia in Siberia, Russia. I was raised there until I was eighteen and then I moved to the U.S. with my best friend and business partner."
"Adrian?" I asked and he snorted. "Way off the marker, aren't I?"
He took a sip of his coffee before saying "Adrian is my cousin and a does work with me but I can't imagine living with him."
"He does give that vibe." I couldn't help the sarcastic tone that edged into my voice. "So who was the friend?"
His eyes looked up from his mug and into mine with an expression that said I'd clearly wandered into dangerous territory. "There are some things that are not up for discussion.
I coiled back and his eyes were immediately apologetic. I gave him a reassuring smile before saying: "It's okay. Same rules apply to you as they do me. I understand."
"Thank you, Roza." He said hesitantly and the tension faded away after that. That didn't stop me from making a mental note to not bring up that topic again.
We laughed for a while after that and I couldn't help but feel comfortable as we spoke. Dimitri wasn't like everyone else I'd been around. He didn't pry into my private life or push me to answer questions that I didn't want to answer. He listened to what I had to say and let me lead the conversation. We'd made quick work to drop any conversation that could hold the smallest amount of discomfort and I was grateful for that.
The walk back to my shabby apartment was a quick one that was made in comfortable silence. I knew that there was plenty we could talk about but I decided to let myself relax in the brief walk. I didn't feel safe very often so I decided to enjoy the feeling of it while Dimitri's watchful eyes observed our surroundings.
When we got to the apartment building, I turned to him and stepped in front of the door. "Thank you for walking me home and for lunch. I can safely say that the was the best lunch I've had in awhile."
"Thank you for today, Roza." His brown eyes were sincere as he stared into my own and I ran a hand through my hair, suddenly feeling nervous under his gaze.
I cleared my throat and covered up my nervousness with a coy smile. "You say it like it's a one time thing."
"I'm still your boss." He told me, all of the joy and laughter from today gone clear out of his eyes. His tone now was all business. "It has to be a one time thing."
I stared up at him wide eyed, his words processing in my mind until I felt anger boil in my blood. My next response was not my best but I didn't really care in that moment. I'd shared something with him that was personal and he'd thrown it back in my face as if it meant nothing.
"Good to fucking know, Mr. Belikov." I forced as much venom into the words as I could before turning on my heel and slamming the door behind me.
I leaned against the door of my apartment before sinking to the ground and wrapping my arms around myself to keep the sobs in that threatened to escape. I leaned my head back and looked up at the ceiling, laughing humorlessly.
"Am I ever going to learn?"
***Hey everyone, I'm back! I forgot that over half of this chapter had already been written so when I found it, I was ready to jump for joy. So sorry that it has taken me so long to update. Between the weather and school, I haven't had a lot of time to write but I hope this was worth the wait. Also, I have updated my story for HTTYD recently and, as always, would love for anyone interested to check it out. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter and have a great day!
