Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 7
"Yes Tasha. What are you doing here?" I asked and Roza was watching the scene play out intently.
"I thought that I would come and visit my nephew." She said and turned to Roza. "Rose." She said flatly, obviously not liking the scene before her.
"Tasha, I didn't know that you were coming. Christian and Liss have been helping me at my place. I suppose that you didn't tell them you were coming either?" Rose said trying to be polite to her.
"No I wanted to surprise them but I guess I'm the one who's surprised. How are you and Mason Rose?" Tasha asked and Roza and I both froze. I stood and looked angrily at Tasha.
"Tasha we have been friends as long as I can remember, but I will not sit by and let you harass Roza. I suggest you leave and find someone else to bother." I said and her mouth hung in shock at my words. Roza was almost trembling and I had to get her out of here and away from Tasha. I flagged down the waiter and handed him cash for our dinner, telling him to keep the change. I took Roza's hand and led her out to my car. I drove straight back to her home. Roza was holding it together, but barely.
I was furious with Tasha. I didn't know that Roza knew her but as I thought about it, I could see the resemblance Tasha had to Christian and I felt like an idiot for not seeing it before. I wasn't sure if Tasha honestly didn't know that Mason had died, or she was just being a bitch, I guessed the latter. How after three years she couldn't know was beyond my comprehension. I knew Tasha was petty and manipulative, but tonight proved I needed to cut all ties with her. Hell I pretty much had seeing as I thought she was still in Russia. I kept talking to Roza and she calmed slightly but Tasha's words had cut through her resolve like a knife. I made it back to her home and carried her in as she cried on my shoulder. I hated to see her like this and I could see that the others wanted an explanation. Roza was sleeping now so I took her upstairs and tucked her in just like I had done the previous night. I kissed her forehead lightly and left her room, heading back downstairs.
"Dimitri what happened tonight?" Lissa asked. Thankfully Lissa and Christian were the only ones here tonight.
"Tasha Happened." I mumbled and ran a hand through my hair nervously.
"What do you mean Tasha happened? Tasha as in my Aunt Tasha?" Christian asked and I nodded.
"Tasha and I have been friends for a long time. I didn't expect her to be here, but she saw us at the restaurant. She always wanted to have a relationship with me but I never agreed to it and only ever saw her as a friend. When she saw us at the restaurant, she asked Roza how she and Mason were." They both gasped in shock and I continued. "I wasn't sure if she knew about his death but I suspected she did since it's been three years, but Rose was so close to a breakdown I had to get her out of there. Tasha is probably jealous of mine and Roza's relationship now." I finished and they sat there with several emotions playing on their faces, the strongest was anger towards Tasha.
"Tasha did know that Mason was gone and she said that out of spite. I can't believe that she would do that. Rose has always been so polite to her and I didn't even know that you knew her." Christian said.
"I don't care if she is your aunt Christian, but she is no longer welcome in my home." I turned to the voice and saw Roza standing at the foot of the stairs. She looked like she was a little better but I still saw the haunted look in her eyes. I stood and went to her.
"Roza I am so sorry that happened. I had no idea that Tasha was even here in the US. She always wanted a relationship but I could never see her as more than a friend. I can't be friends with her anymore though and I can't stand the thought of her hurting you." I said and Roza smiled. I was amazed as always how that one gesture could light the room and warm my heart.
"It's okay Dimitri. I know that it wasn't your fault and I never really liked her attitude anyway. No offence Christian." She said and I smiled at her.
"None taken for once Rose. In fact I'm surprised you haven't showed your distaste for her before now. I knew that you didn't really like her that much." Christian said with a smirk. Rose laughed lightly until there was a knock at the door and Roza went to answer it.
Rose POV
I was still reeling a little from Tasha's comment at the restaurant and I knew that she said that out of spite and possible hopes that Dimitri would feel betrayed or jealous. I woke up after my little nap and went downstairs where Lissa, Christian and Dimitri were talking about the events of the night. The mood in the room lightened a little until there was a knock on the front door and I went to answer it, wondering who might be coming here at this hour. I opened the door and I almost growled aloud.
"Hello Rose, I'm here to see Christian. Is he here?" Tasha asked.
"Yes Tasha he is here but you will not set one foot in my house. You are not welcome here, especially after that stunt at the restaurant. Leave now." I practically growled and Tasha stepped closer towards me but still outside the threshold.
"You cannot keep me from seeing my own nephew Rose, and I know that Dimitri is here to and he is a very close friend of mine." She stepped forward again and my anger reached a breaking point. I pushed her hard as she tried to come through my door and she landed flat on her ass.
"Tasha, I will not say it again. Leave my property now. If you want to see Christian, do it somewhere else." By now the others had heard the commotion and I slammed the door hard as she started to get off the ground. I turned to the others fuming with anger towards Tasha. "Damn that woman. Who does she think she is coming here after what she did tonight?" I yelled and Dimitri hugged me to him tightly.
"Roza calm down. Tasha's not here anymore and she won't set foot in this house as long as I have something to say about it." Dimitri said.
"Dimitri's right Rose. I heard you warn her not to come here again and she won't if she knows what's good for her. I'm sorry she is causing you so much trouble Rose." Christian said and I smiled at him. My anger towards Tasha hadn't diminished but I had calmed considerably.
"That's okay Christian. Maybe you guys should go and see her at your place though. I know that isn't the only reason she showed up at my door, but it was a big part of it. I'll be fine here by myself and I've actually gotten a lot better." I told them and I could tell they wanted to stay here, but did understand my point. Lissa and Christian left the house, leaving me and Dimitri alone again.
"Dimitri you can go home you know. You don't have to stay here and keep watch over me." I said and Dimitri sighed.
"Roza I don't want to stay just for that. I want to keep you safe and protected from everything and everyone. I…I love you Roza." Dimitri said and I was sure that I would faint in surprise.
"Really Dimitri?" I asked and he nodded. I wanted so much to say the same, but I just wasn't ready for that step yet. "Dimitri, I…" He cut me off before I could finish.
"I know Roza. You don't have to say it unless you are ready and absolutely sure. I won't push you or make you do something you aren't ready for." He said and I think I sighed in relief a little because he smiled at me slightly. He wasn't hurt that I didn't say I loved him but was supportive in my decisions. I went to bed that night and Dimitri stayed it the room that Lissa and Christian used during their stay. I fell asleep that night wondering to myself if this was someone that I could be falling in love with.
The next morning I awoke to the smell of breakfast and the sound of my bedroom door opening. I sat up not really looking at who opened the door and I was surprised when a small tray was placed in my lap. Dimitri had cooked breakfast for us and brought it upstairs to my room. I inhaled the mouth watering scents of the delicious looking food and looked up at Dimitri. My eyes about popped out of my head because he was clad in only the pair of slacks he wore to dinner last night. His tanned and toned chest was in full view and I think I almost drooled. I was apparently staring at him because he smiled widely while I turned about four shades of red. I was so embarrassed and I couldn't even speak. We ate breakfast in silence, sitting there on my bed. We talked and laughed about different things and I was very comfortable around him.
Tasha stayed in town over the next few weeks and Christian asked me about inviting her to the Christmas party. I suggested that she could come as long as the party wasn't at my home. I'd be dammed if she set foot in my house, so we agreed to have it at Lissa's. I wasn't petty enough to deny Christian the right to spend Christmas Eve with his only living family member and I wasn't mad at him for asking. In fact, Christian asking me about Tasha attending prepared me to face her. I was a little worried that she would be throwing herself at Dimitri, but I was certain that he would stand up to her as he did at the restaurant that night. Lissa and I went with the other girls to get some supplies for the party and we carried them back to Lissa's. After getting to know Dimitri a little better, I also managed to find him the perfect Christmas gift. Lissa and the girls spent the day of the party decorating and I was at my home waiting for my parents to arrive. Dimitri and Ivan also waited with me and they both kept me calm before the party. I was a little nervous as to how this party would turn out. Sure it was my idea, but I hadn't planned on Tasha ruining it for me at the time. About an hour and a half before the party was to start, Mom and Dad arrived at my house. I was upstairs and I came down as Dimitri let them in.
Now there were four pairs of eyes bugged out at my appearance. I looked to see if I might have had some kind of wardrobe malfunction or something but found nothing out of place. I was wearing a sleek, long sleeved dress that was floor length. It had a steep neckline and was a deep emerald green with rose colored accents. My hair was down in soft waves behind me.
"Uh, why is everyone staring at me like that?" I asked to no one in particular and Dimitri walked up to me and answered with a breathtaking smile.
"Roza, you are as gorgeous as ever. I've seen you like this for our dinner date, but it still takes my breath away." He said and I blushed a little. Mom and Dad finally broke out of their stupor and came over to hug me tightly. After introductions were made, Ivan and Dimitri helped load the remaining gifts into their car and I rode with Mom and Dad to Lissa's. Lissa's mom, dad and her brother Andre were going to be there too. I hadn't seen them in years and neither had Lissa. Andre was about two years older than us so he was about Dimitri's age. It didn't take but a few minutes and we were all there at Lissa's.
The party started and everything went pretty well for several hours. Soon it was time for us to open the presents and there was a huge stack under the tree in Lissa's living room. Each person passed out their presents to their new owners and I was amazed at how many I had at the end of it. When they were all passed out, we opened them. I got an IPOD from Lissa and Christian, a beautiful dress and a gift card from Mia and Eddie who were now a couple. From Adrian I got a bottle of my favorite perfume, mom and dad gave me a laptop computer. Tasha actually got me a gift card and Dimitri got me a beautiful gold and silver intertwined bracelet. Lissa's parents and Andre got me a gift card for song downloads. I watched carefully as Dimitri opened my present and his eyes lit up. I had gotten him one of those leather dusters that I knew he wanted and the newest western novel known to man. He leaned over and kissed my cheek and I smiled at him. Lissa went over to the tree and noticed one more present there.
"Liss, who's is that?" I asked and shock registered in her eyes as she read the name. I recognized the paper as the same one Tasha had wrapped her gifts in. Lissa looked at me warily and I asked her again.
"Mason." She whispered. I was furious at Tasha for the stunt at the restaurant, but now I was livid.
"Hand it to me Liss." I ordered and she complied quickly. I tore open the paper and opened the box. Inside there was a withered red rose and a piece of paper. I read what was written on the paper and I wanted to kill Tasha in that moment. The paper was a piece of newspaper that reported the accident three years ago and the death of mason. The top of the article showed a picture taken of me and Mason from the rehearsal dinner and I could feel the hot tears coming down my face and Dimitri wrapped his arm around me.
"Aunt Tasha please tell me that you didn't do this." Christian said. Tasha smirked triumphantly and I wanted to deck her.
"I did." She said smugly. "I wanted Rose to know that Dimitri is mine and off limits to her." She said and I snapped.
"Really Tasha, if that were the case he would be sitting beside you. His arm wrapped around you. Do you really think that a dead rose and a newspaper clipping will stop me or him from doing as we please? You never had him Tasha and never will. Bringing my dead fiancé into this isn't going to get you what you want." I yelled. "If he was yours then why does he look disgusted with you right now?"
"He loves me. He just hasn't realized it. Why not be with me instead of a whore like you?" Tasha yelled back and I stood. There were quick intakes of breath throughout the room and I walk towards her.
"Know this Tasha. I only agreed to let you attend because of Christian and even though this is their house, we had an agreement. If you showed your ass I get to throw you out of here. I really hate to do that on Christmas Eve, but I won't lose sleep over it. This is me keeping that agreement. You have worn out your welcome Tasha, get the fuck out!" I said with as much venom as I could and she had the nerve to look scared for a minute. She tried to punch me and I ducked. I sent an uppercut to her jaw and effectively knocked her out. I shook my hand out for a minute as she was passed out cold on the floor. "Damn I've wanted to do that since the restaurant episode." I said and turned to the others in the room.
"I'm sorry you guys. She just pushed too far this time." I said and Christian laughed along with the other guys. The girls were still a little shocked at my actions. The parents were looking at me strangely.
"Honestly Rose I'm surprised you held on that long. What was the restaurant thing you were talking about?" Eddie asked and I groaned and turned to Dimitri. He explained it to the others and my anger slowly subsided. The others were shocked to hear how she treated me since she arrived several weeks ago. Tasha was moved from the floor over to the couch as everyone got ready to go home for the night. We loaded our gifts we received into the car and Mom and dad drove me back home and Dimitri followed with Ivan in their car. When we got back to my place, I said my goodbyes to mom and dad and Dimitri helped me get things into the house. I went upstairs after everything was unloaded. Dimitri and Ivan were staying the night since it was already late and I welcomed the company. I was walking past the spare room that contained the closet full of Mason's things and tears filled my eyes. I sucked it up and walked into the spare room and straight to the closet I constantly avoided.
I opened the closet and sank down to my knees slowly. Tears fell silently and of their own accord and I looked at the items in the closet. I had kept everything. Most of the items were Mason's clothes but there were also unopened gifts from Mason and to him. I picked up the first package addressed to me and opened it. I laughed at what was inside. There was a picture that was framed of me and Mason, taken during one of our little outings. Mase had decided it would be a good idea to ride a mechanical bull at the local fair and I was scared to death for him. He had a picture taken with him on the bull and me sitting up there with him. Of course he stayed on about a second and fell flat on his ass. I set the picture aside and opened the next one. That one was a bottle of perfume and a pair of delicate earrings. I went to the next and it was one I had wrapped for Mase. I laughed when I saw what it was. I had bought him a cookbook because he always burned the food he cooked, even in the microwave. The next was a video game that he begged for weeks for me to let him buy. He didn't know I had already bought it.
In the back of the closet was a box that revealed all the pictures I had packed away. Some were of just me and Mase, but there were others that showed our friends. I was crying hard when I felt two strong arms come around me in comfort and I heard soft whispers in what sounded like Russian. My chest hurt from the intense emotions but it wasn't like before. This was me accepting his death and finally, whole-heartedly moving on.
I hope you guys like this as much as i liked writing it. You guys guessed it, it was Tasha but dont worry. She got hers didn't she?(cue evil laugh here) Thanks guys and keep up the reviews.
