HERE IT IS! Sorry it took so long.
Thank you so much for the reviews! 150! I'm so happy i'm somewhere between sitting and jumping right now.
it's exam weeks(yes, weekS) and i really tried rushing to update. Sorry if it seems very rushed.
If i'm not studying, i'm writing. If i'm not writing, i'm studying. and if i'm not studying, i'm sleeping. That's sort of my life right now. God, i sound so boring. Hahaha.
Okay, this chapter is all Rose and Dimitri :D
Usual Disclaimers.
"Rose..." Dimitri whispered. "What happened to you?"
He motioned me to go back inside and he followed.
He asked me sit down on the bed and I did. He moved around the room like he knew exactly where everything was.
He took a glass of hot chocolate and came back. "Here."
"Thanks." I whispered as he sat on the chair opposite me.
He tried to lighten the mood. "It's funny how I remember where everything is in here. It's so familiar. I must have been in your room checking on you loads of times eh?"
I faked a laugh. "Yeah."
"What happened?"
I sipped from my drink and replied "Nothing, really. Nothing you should worry about."
"Rose..." he moved closer. "I know something's wrong. And I hate seeing you this way."
I couldn't resist asking "Why?"
He cracked a little smile. "Well, I have three sisters back home. I might not remember much but I do remember feeling pained to see them hurt. And I had to protect them. I was told that there's a reason why I gave so many black eyes and broken bones back in Russia. Especially the guys. I care about them so much." he looked up to meet my eyes.
"Kind of like how much I care for you. And it sounds crazy but I feel hurt and responsible for seeing you like this."
I touched his hand. "It doesn't sound crazy. And don't feel responsible. It's not your fault." I smiled. Well, not his fault entirely.
He took my finished glass and placed it on the table. "I wish I can do something to cheer you up a little. Who is the guy? I'll kick him in areas that should never be added harsh force on." he started to stand up but I pulled him back down.
I couldn't help but laugh. "It's okay. Really"
He wasn't satisfied. "Maybe I can do what I used to do to my sisters? It'll make me feel better..." he asked.
I've no idea what he did but I nodded. "Well, I remember making them hot chocolate because my hot chocolates always seem nicer. And then, I'll lay with them in bed until they're sound asleep, making sure nothing is going to hurt them anymore."
I didn't know what to think. I wanted him to lie in bed with me, holding me close but he's doing this cause he thinks of me as a little sister. I guess I know how Adrian must feel now.
"Lie down and move over Rose." I obeyed.
He lay down on the bed, facing me. We weren't touching unfortunately.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
He thought about it for a moment. "I know it sounds completely crazy but I feel like I have to take care of you." He let out a small laugh. "I must be really close you."
Oh, you have no idea. "Yup. Really close."
"Will you answer my question now?"
"Hmm?"
"Tell me the real reason. What I'm going to miss. You acted really weird when I asked you and I'm thinking it's something big."
Aww crap.
"Something's stopping me from taking that offer with Tasha. And you know it..."
I bit my lip. Yes, I do know.
"I really don't know, Dimitri..."
He sighed."You need your sleep."
I know this conversation is going to continue. He isn't going to give up that easily.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. There were so many reasons behind it but I prefer to keep them a secret from him now.
I was sorry that I'm the one keeping him from going. I'm sorry that it's my fault. I'm sorry I can't be straight forward with him now. I'm sorry for so so many things.
He ran a hand through my hair. I was shocked for a moment because I didn't imagine that he would do that. He tucked the remains behind my ear.
"Its okay Roza..."
I stiffened."What did you call me?"
"Roza. It's your name in Russian. Sorry, my Russian tends to slip out every once in a while."
The only time he calls me Roza is when his emotions are at an ultimate high. Anger. Lust. Worry. Just to name a few.
The last time I heard that name was when he told me that he would never stop loving me, no matter what.
I didn't feel a tear escape from me until he used his thumb to wipe it off. "Don't cry Rose...come here."
He opened his arms wide and I moved in between them. I snuggled into him and inhaled his scent. I thought I would never be in this position even again. But I am. Unfortunately it means something different to him. Like what he said, as a younger sister.
I was curled up in a ball against him and he tightened his grip on me. I love being in his embrace. He stroked my hair with one hand and placed the other securely on my back.
I was so close to telling him "I love you" but I didn't. I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
He started humming something in Russian against my hair and I started to relax. I closed my eyes and appeared to be asleep but I wasn't.
My eyes were closed and as I was about to drift off, I heard Dimitri talking. He continued stroking my hair as he said "I know this sounds terribly crazy and seems like I'm talking to myself since you're
asleep but..." he sighed.
"I don't know Rose; I feel this weird connection towards you. I can't even explain that. And I don't know what it is or why too. Sometimes, the things that you do trigger some part of my memory but I can't remember no matter how hard I try. Please tell me what's going on. It feels like I have to take care of you. And I don't want anything to happen to you. Sometimes, to be completely honest, I feel jealous when you're with that Adrian. I don't know why too. Why won't you tell me why I can't leave with Tasha, Rose? Is it something big? Who am I going to miss? The person I'm in love with? Who is that? I have so many questions I want to ask you."
He chuckled to himself and I felt his chest rumble.
"Thankfully you're asleep or this will be awkward."
He started humming that Russian song again and this time, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, Dimitri was asleep. On the couch, unfortunately. He had those black rings under his eyes which meant that he stayed awake throughout the night.
I couldn't resist. I moved towards him and gave him a peck on the lips, and I whispered against them, "Please, please try to remember."
I sighed and went towards the bathroom to get a nice hot shower.
When I got out, he was sitting on the couch, rubbing his temples. Thankfully I'm already fully clothed or it will be very awkward considering the fact that he doesn't remember much.
"Did you get any sleep at all?" I asked, standing in front of him.
"Of course I did." he replied, looking up.
I placed a hand on my hip. "How much sleep exactly..."
He smiled and patted the space next to him. I obeyed. "Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay."
I grinned. "Why'd you sleep on the uncomfortable couch?"
"Because you we sprawled on the bed and when I was there, you kicked me...repeatedly."
I could feel the blood rush into my cheeks, feeling embarrassed. "Well now you know I hurt people when I'm conscious and unconscious." I smiled my hundred watt smile.
"Yes but when you're awake, you're aware of who you hit. But I have to say, awake or not, your kicks are...powerful."
"Heheh sorry." thank god I didn't talk in my sleep.
"You talked in your sleep though." Damn.
"What did I say?"
He started to turn pink. Hold up, THE Dimitri Belikov is blushing?
"You said my name." Damn it.
"I...umm....well I say a lot of crazy random stuff when I'm asleep. You can ask Lissa. She had to put up with that for years!"
He chuckled. "I think I've sort of already figured that out."
I laughed.
"I've never really got the chance to thank you properly." he said, looking at me right in the eyes.
"For what?"
"For staying in the infirmary with me until I woke up. Even though I didn't remember you. Sorry about that."
I gave him a smile which he returned. "Hey, I should be the one thanking you. For taking care of me last night. And for the not remembering me thing...well at least your 'who are you' approach is
much better than mine. The first time I met you, I regarded you as cheap foreign labour. Sorry."
He chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Cheap foreign labour eh?"
I shrugged.
The room feel silent. In times like this, I would just lean in and kiss him right now. But I can't.
Damn it! I have to get over this feeling before he goes off with Tasha.
But, we're so close. So so close. All I have to do is to just move forward and...
"So you mind if I take a shower in your bathroom?"
Damn it. He just had to ruin the moment.
"Sure, go ahead."
The way I see it, he's not gone yet...
No Rose! That'll ruin his chances to have a family, the one thing he wants most.
But then again, I deserve to be happy for once. Don't I?
But he deserves to be happy too. Especially after what he went through. He deserves to have a family. And me? I'll survive.
Like I said, I'll survive. It's different than living life.
My mental debate was interrupted by someone calling my name from inside the bathroom.
"Uhh Rose? Where do you keep your towels?"
I chuckled and went towards the bathroom door.
"Are you fully clothed?" I asked before I walked in.
"Yes, I'm dripping wet and I'm fully clothed. Now why would I need a towel for?" he replied sarcastically.
I sighed. "Fine. Go hide behind the curtains. I'm coming in."
I heard a few noises coming from the inside before I walked in.
"Why didn't you ask for a towel before you stepped in?" I went towards the lower drawer to grab a dark blue towel.
"I thought I could remember where it was. In my defence, this place is very familiar."
On second thought, I placed the dark blue towel back into the drawer and took out a hot pink one.
"Genius..." I mumbled sarcastically.
"I heard that. So are you going to give me the towel or not?"
I started to think...
"Rose...."
"What? You gave me a choice. I'm thinking. Hey, this is awesome
payback."
"For what?"
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"On second thought, no. I'm afraid."
I'm starting to love this. "Thank the skies above, he admits he's afraid. You've killed Strigoi and you're afraid of me?"
"You're a force to be reckoned with. Now pass me the towel."
"I thought you gave me a choice?"
He played along. "If I didn't know any better, you're just waiting for me to get out to get the towel so that you can see me naked."
News flash, I HAVE seen you naked. And trust me; I don't mind seeing it again if you're offering. But I can't possibly tell him that. So, I lied.
"Ugh fine. Here's your towel."
I placed the towel in his hand that was sticking out from behind the curtains.
"Thank yo- why is it pink?"
"I don't know, it's sort of your colour." I couldn't help but laugh.
I walked out and waited for him to finish getting dressed.
He walked out, drying his hair with the towel and looked at the clock. "We still have one hour until your training starts. Have you eaten?"
My stomach grumbled. "Yes I have actually. When you were asleep, I sneaked out, when to a five star restaurant on the moon and ate the food there. Oh and I billed it to you, if you don't mind." He laughed at my sarcasm.
"Well then, you wouldn't want these now would you?" he walked towards the small coffee table and revealed pizza. He let out a smile that made my heart melt.
"Pizza! How'd you know I love pizza?"
"Well, I had a strong feeling." he took one slice and started eating.
I sat down next to him on the couch and practically gobbled down my slice.
"Rose, chew your food."
"Yes mummy." he laughed and I ate...well, half chewed and half swallowed. What can I say? I was hungry.
"Are you that hungry?" he asked.
"Yes. What was your first clue? My stomach grumbling or the way I swallowed everything."
He laughed again and I wanted to melt. "Rose, Rose, Rose..."
When we were done, we simply sat on the couch and I answered all of Dimitri's questions.
"It seems like you were very close to Me." he concluded, smiling.
"Like I said, you have no idea..." I chuckled.
He looked at me and unexpectedly tucked a hair behind my ear.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Rose?"
Oh, here we go again.
"Well..."
I was saved by a knock on the door.
I opened it. "Rose, have you seen- Oh Dimitri, there you are!"
Okay, i'll PM anyone who reviews!
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-Lydia