Hello my dear comrades in Comrade.
I am really sorry for not being as quick as I said; I have mocks all this week so I kinda had to prioritise, so apologies for that. But can I just say a massive thank you to omarosa27, luciinwaters, VAGypsy, The cat with the blue eyes, russia2774, Ginevra Annabeth Herondale, Rhe505, dimitriXroza100 and you lovely guests for reviewing. They really mean a lot to me and look at that! We reached 40! That is more feedback than I get on a lot of things and to hear you guys speak so positively is such an overwhelming honor.
I best not screw this up then :3
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or anything surrounding it (but I do own this plot :D)
RPOV
"You were being serious!?" As you can tell, this was a shock.
"Be nice." Lissa sighed as the devil in fur strutted into the pub and the morning light of the sun blasted through the open door.
"I'm not sure you see the level of difficulty that comes with that request." I hissed back when the un-liked, and most definitely unwanted, party came into earshot.
"Christian! It is so good to see you again," the satanic women rejoiced and pulled her nephew into a tight hug, "And, of course, your darling girlfriend: soon to be wife!" she exclaimed and subjected Lissa to a face full of fur after quickly discarding Christian.
"I'm here too you know." I muttered grudgingly but it was apparently heard and disapproved by Lissa.
"Ah Rosemarie," she giggled, knowing how much I hated my full name, "I didn't see you there; so lovely to see you though." She then pulled me into a hug and I caught the gaze of Christian over her shoulder. He gave me an apologetic look and my anger lessened a little. Honestly, I felt sorry for the guy. I mean, I teased and taunted him but to have had both your parents murdered and be left with that for a guardian: I hardly saw how that was fair, but then again, the world wasn't fair.
"How have you been Tasha?" Lissa asked politely, gesturing her to sit down at the table. Christian spared me the torture and sat next to his aunt so I was next to Lissa but even still, this was not how I wanted to spend my morning.
"Alright I suppose," She sighed, throwing her coat over the chair, "Well, as much as you can be working in my high position." She emphasised. Here we go… "My job is so demanding it is a wonder how I can find time to do anything else! I am currently in the middle of a huge clash and it is honestly wearing me out." She beckoned Mia to get her, her usual coffee whilst not moving her attention from Lissa. "It is such an exhausting task being the head of such a large and favoured society and sometimes, I don't even think it is worth it! I mean I only get $850 a week, what I am suppose to do with that!?" She flicked her long black hair back and looked over at me. "So, Rose, how is the waitressing going?"
I glared at her. If you cannot see why I don't like this bitch, please get your eyes checked! "Oh, fine. Just fantastic really." I smiled sickly after getting a kick from Christian under the table.
"The restaurant is actually in a bit of a crisis right now." Lissa said sadly and Tasha outright laughed.
"It has been in one since it opened!" she amused herself and my glare returned.
"No Aunt Tasha, a financial one." Christian explained, matching Lissa's tone. "We got a final demand for over $4 million to pay in three months, from Tatiana herself!" Tasha had now stopped laughing and actually looked concerned. "The letter was received six days ago and we are still at the drawing board."
"Well maybe it would be good for a change," Tasha put her hand on Christian's, "perhaps you could work somewhere else, take a break from this cooking career?" She hinted and it took all I was not to punch her in her pretty little face. I was not new news that she wanted Christian to follow the world of politics and deskwork like she did; both myself and Lissa knew this but Christian, bless him, was oblivious to her hinting. I could feel Lissa stiffen next to me as Tasha slowly fed positive reviews about working under her wing and continued to mock the dying pub.
"What about my friends?" Christian asked as Tasha reached point number five in her clearly pre-planned speech. "Where would they go if this place closed down? No. I couldn't just abandon them like that. Whilst this place may be the worst load of shit you have ever seen, we are a family here and I can't lose any more family." Christian's ice blue eyes became distant and wishful.
"Oh Christian," Tasha softened her eyes and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, "I completely understand." She paused for a moment then changed the subject, "So, Lissa, wedding planning…"
"It was not that bad."
"Yes, it really was."
"No, it really wasn't."
"Your opinion is not valid; you were drunk when you got there!"
Adrian raised an eyebrow at me, "Not that drunk."
"Whatever," I shrugged and finished reassembling the bar, "That woman annoys the shit out of me." I said gazing at the door where Tasha had waltzed out. After an hour and a half of wedding planning, the conversation had somehow moved back to her. She was enlightening us on this "totally hot guy she is currently talking with" though did that annoying thing where she call them 'just friends' where she clearly wanted more. Urgh.
Speaking of 'just friends'…
"So, I saw that Sydney is coming in later; she is on bar shift so you'll be hanging round here..?" I said not even trying to stop the grin on my face.
Adrian downright frowned. Wait for it… "We are just friends." There it goes!
"Oh sure." I shrugged again, not sounding remotely like I believed him.
"Anyway," he cleared his throat, obviously wanting to change the subject, "have we got any further on how we are going to acquire $4 million?"
"It's more than $4 million: like $4 million and 1/5." I corrected and he just rolled his eyes. "But, no. I honestly think that we are royally screwed. I mean, unless a miracle walks through that door right now then there is no hope."
It was in that moment where my dear sweet Russian friend walked into the pub. I groaned, causing Adrian to turn and snigger.
"Speaking of just friends…" he chuckled and I glared.
"Fuck off Ivashkov." I grumbled swiping my notebook from the bar's table. "And pass that onto your Aunt!" I called back as I approached my "fave" customer. "So comrade," he looked up and raised a questioning eyebrow at me, "are you going to have anything or just ruin my day again." I smiled spitefully at him. I could swear I saw the ghost of a smile shift onto his face but, whatever it was, was promptly shut down.
"Just a coffee please." He replied: his accent heavy, like he hadn't spoken in a while. I frowned at this.
"Latte, black or cappuccino?" I asked taking in his trembling hands and blood-shot eyes.
"Black please." I scribbled something illegible on the paper and wandered over to the kitchen. Something was off. Albeit only the second time I had saw the guy – and for those who don't remember, the first was in no way, shape or form pleasant – but something was defiantly not right. Last time he had been angry and just generally pissed off but this, this was different. I didn't know what had happened but whatever it was wasn't good.
Looking up from the panini he was currently assembling, Christina saw my conflicted face and frowned at me. This small action brought me out of my thoughts and back to the world of the living. I shook out my emotions and went over to the coffee machine.
"You know, your face is too pretty to have such a sad expression." I glanced up to see the only person who dared to taunt with my crazy moods.
"You know, your face could be improved with an imprint of my fist." I challenged and Mason just laughed, swinging round his mop.
"A penny for your thoughts?" he smiled leaning against the doorframe to the supply cupboard.
"It would take much more than a penny."
"A kiss?"
I rolled my eyes and took the coffee from under the dispenser. " Nice try Ashford."
"Anytime Hathaway." He jested back and disappeared into the cupboard. I rolled my eyes again and walked out the kitchen and was met by the same troubled sight as before. The big, dark, handsome guy – well, jerk – sat there staring into space and entirely neglecting his 'important' work. I shook my head out again, refusing to get concerned about someone who had so triumphantly annoyed me. I went over to the table and placed the coffee down. I mistakenly took in his appearance again and could not help myself.
"Are you alright mister?" He looked up at me, stunned. His brown eyes were darting back and forth as if trying to find something. Feeling a little intimidated and a tad uncomfortable, I raised my eyebrows (I couldn't raise just one – it infuriated me so much) impatiently.
Finally, he answered. "I'm fine." Universal code for absolutely not fine but also, universal code for 'I want to be alone'. Doing just that, I wandered away but my thoughts were still consumed by his every detail. They remained so until I saw who just came through the door…
"Hello Rosemarie."
"Mom?"
Oooooo, Janie is in the house! Well, pub :P And what it up with Dimitri?
Once again a huge thank you to everyone reading this story, words cannot express my gratitude, and I do aim to publish a bit quicker. Our new head had somehow defied all reason, and had managed to squeeze every single one of our mocks into one week; and the first week back at that! I had three exams on the first day back from Christmas, such fun.
Sorry, a bit of a tangent there. I really appreciate everyone who is taking the time to read this story and please leave a review; I would love to know what you guys like and what I could do to improve :3
As ever, all the best
Mariarty
