CHAPTER SEVEN

Hi guys! Super keen to finally upload the next chapter. I'm sorry, it's not the best I've ever written, but, in my defense, NSW has recently been hit with some pretty severe storms (equivalent to a category 2 cyclone) and while I'm okay, I've had issues with power/internet/reception for a while.

Just to clarify: I have no problems with honest reviews and I'm happy to answer all questions, but please, try and remember: everyone's interpretation is different. I'm not okay with someone stating their interpretation of my story like it's fact rather than an opinion, particularly if it's negative.

To clarify: I'm a huge Rose/Dimitri fan. This is simply a story idea/theme I've been wanting to try out for a while, and I promise it WILL have a happy ending. I haven't delved much into Dimitri/Tasha's story yet, but so far, I don't feel they'd be sleeping together (although, they do have history, so they may have once upon a time... I AM keen to see opinions on this... Do think they have/haven't/should/shouldn't have?) Remember guys, this is the 21st century and it's all about liberation... Most people will sleep with more than one other in their lives. Other than that, my lovely readers & reviewers: thanks heaps for your support, hopefully I'll write something worthy of it!

Ever heard the saying, 'the best ideas come in the most unlikely of places'?

Well cliché as it is, it might just be true.

Back in my room, I shrugged off my jacket and dumped my bag, walking through the room to the adjoining shower. I blasted my music at top volume and cranked up the hot water. Instant rejuvenation. Lord knows I needed to find some peace and clarity. This thing with Dimitri was wearing me down, and I was just beginning to get back my strength. I was rinsing the last of the conditioner out of my hair to Will. 's "It's My Birthday" when I had an epiphany.

"It's my birthday… It's my birthday… I'm gonna spend my doollllaaaaaaaarrrss!" I shook my hips, risking a slip in the soaking shower. "It's my birthday… It's my birthday… It's…. Shit!" Speaking of birthdays, it was Dimitri's this Friday and with everything that had happened lately, I'd completely forgotten to get him something. Although… with everything that had been happening, this was really my chance to show Dimitri how much I cared about him and what he'd be missing out on if he decided to follow through with this plan. I turned off the water, stumbling out of the shower and racing into my room, thinking. Tasha would most likely buy him something expensive but with relatively little meaning. So I needed to give him something with real meaning. Remembering back to a conversation Dimitri and I had had about what three wishes we'd choose if we found a genie (my idea, obviously), I recalled that Ivan had left a box of things for Dimitri in the event of his death but, as Dimitri was a dhampir, the moroi officials had decided not to give it to him, keeping it in storage instead. He had tried over and over to try and get it back, using all his contacts, but none had come through. He had eventually accepted that it was impossible. And it was… unless you had a mobster for a father. (In this story, Rose knows her Dad.)

Wrapping my hair in another towel, I walked over to my phone before searching through my contacts. As I waited for the international call to connect, I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.

"Abe Mazur speaking."

"Hey baba."

"Kizim! How are you?"

I smiled. "Oh, you know. Knee deep in trouble as always."

Abe laughed. "That's my girl. Now, tell me what you want."

I gasped in fake shock. "Whatever do you mean? A girl can't ring up her old man for a chat without having an ulterior motive?"

I could almost hear Abe smirk. "Well, a girl could, if she wasn't my daughter."

I laughed. "Fine. I need a box of things that used to belong to Ivan Zeklos. He died a few years ago. There should be some keepsakes in it, things a friend of his would have liked to have but wasn't allowed to."

Abe paused, thinking. "And you think I can get it for you?"

I huffed in frustration. "Well, can you?"

Abe scoffed. "Of course."

I rolled my eyes. "So, will you?"

Abe sighed. "Do you want it sent back to your dorm or straight to this person?"

I nearly squealed with joy. "Thank you Baba! Send it to my dorm, please." My gift wasn't finished yet.

I said my goodbyes and hung up in a flurry of excitement.

Next, I grabbed my laptop and set about booking two tickets to Baia, Russia, having to use the money Abe had given me for my birthday. I hadn't had anything I needed at the time, and right now I was thankful for it. I grinned, snapping my laptop shut and feeling victorious. Dimitri was going to love this birthday present.