HI! Terribly sorry for the wait and I apologize because this seems to me more of a filler chapter. But, it needed to be done. Anywho, RL caused the delay in UD, so again I'm sorry. I leave saturday for vacation and won't be returning until the following sunday, therefore an UD won't be happening next week.

Last chapter, my AN contained info on the Triple Crown hopeful, and guess what? American Pharoah won the Belmont, sealing the Triple Crown. AWESOME.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own vampire academy.

"Come on man, get your ass out of bed already." I groaned as Ivan plunked a crystal glass unceremoniously onto my night stand. The orange juice and advil were graciously accepted, my hangover immediately feeling better after. I squinted up at him from my place on the side of my bed.

"You, my dear friend, are a sorry excuse of a soppy ass." I glared, only receiving a laugh from him. "So, we've the big annual Thanksgiving Banquet in two days. You need to figure out who is attending with you this year. Plus, I hear through the grapevine, momma Belikov is flying in tonight to attend as well. AND they're going to Kentucky with you." He was obviously happier than I.

I had forgotten about the Banquet, therefore forgetting I needed someone to be a plus one. From the look on Ivan's face, he already had someone. Bastard. My subconscious rolled his eyes at me as he motioned me to get up. My mind flashed to Rose. I groaned. Not happening Belikov. The hangover? Your way of dealing with the bridge you burnt.

"Who are you going with?" Ivan smiled.

"Why, Natasha Ozera of course." I groaned. Maybe Sydney Sage would save my ass… As if reading my thoughts, Ivan answered my unasked question.

"Ivashkov has snared her up my man. Sage is spoken for." I sighed, grumbling curses in my native tongue. At least that meant Rose wouldn't be with that ass hole. I pushed by Ivan and into the living room, looking out onto the city that bustled at my feet.

"Relax man. I've go-" A knock cut him off mid sentence. He practically skipped to the door. He shrieked when he opened the door. What the hell? "She's here!" And for a half a second before the woman walked into my view, I hoped Rose would stride through my door. She didn't.

"Dimka, this is-" She cut Ivan off.

"I'm Eliza Lambert. Ivan recruited me to go to the banquet with you." She had strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. Her legs were a mile long easy. Definite runway material. I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but wasn't allowed a chance. "I know who you are. Also, no funny business." At my look, she continued. "I know all about you, Mr. Belikov. I also know my girlfriend would be quite upset with you if you tried anything." My mouth slammed closed.

"By all means, Mrs. Lambert, allow me to show you around." Ivan sent me a wink before retreating through the front door. I rolled my eyes.

I spent a little over an hour with Eliza, showing her around, talking and discussing our plans for Wednesday night. I would pick her up at six and we would go from there. I could honestly say I was sort of looking forward to the even now. Eliza was easy to get along with and proved helpful at taking my mind off of things.

Rose Garlands

My penthouse had turned into a dressing room. It was two hours before my family and I were to depart for the banquet. Naturally, when word had spread about all of the Belikovs attending, the event blew out of proportion. I really didn't understand why we were this famous. Babushka would stay here with Paul and Zoya, Karo's kids. That left momma, Sonya, Karo, Vika, and I to pick up Ivan, Natasha, and Eliza. Thankfully we had a limo.

Eliza joked with my family as we made our way to the up scale hotel this would take place at. Ivan and I discussed our horses. Tasha stayed quiet for the most part. (Surprising). Eliza's gown was a mint green and strapless with a swooping neck line. Her girlfriend was definitely lucky.

We arrived and were announced. We mingled, Eliza playing her role perfectly. Ivan kept eye fucking Tasha every chance he got, making me want to hurl. We were talking to Lee Szelsky about business and such when his wife Monica sprang to his side. She began gushing about their son, Neil who was about to take over the company. I wanted to roll my eyes. Her squeal broke me from my thoughts.

"Oh Lee! He's here! Isn't he dashing? Oh and his friend, what was her name? She looks lovely in that ombre gown!" Monica lunged away from us, heading towards the man in question. With his back turned, all that could be seen was his broad shoulders and blonde hair. The woman at his side cut quite the figure as well. I frowned, eyes widening. I knew that figure. I flinched as Ivashkov and Sage reached the pair. Ivashkov threw his arm around her in a quick but intimate hug, stepping back so Szelsky could wrap an arm around her waist.

Rose turned, causing my breath to catch. The deep red of her dress splashed upward ending about her thigh, giving way to a cream color. Neil's tie matched perfectly with the red. I shuddered. Her face was perfectly made up for the event. Long eyelashes splaying across her face, a smoky colored red on her eyelids. She was perfect. I hadn't noticed I had been staring until Eliza caught my arm, dragging me away from the crowd.

"Okay, you have it bad. Why the hell aren't you with her? That look you just gave her told me all I need to know." I flinched at the memory of why she wasn't with me, the memory I had spent the better of a month trying to drink away.

"I, uh.." Scratching the back of my neck, careful of my ponytail, I turned my attention to where Rose descended the stairs and spilled onto the floor. I noticed Lissa was here with Natasha's cousin, Christian. Rose hugged the blonde, laughing at something that was said. She was fine. I was baffled. How could she keep her emotions in check, but I, who had plenty of years to practice, couldn't reign my own in.

The night continued on, despite the looks Eliza gave me. Rose danced with Szelsky, Ivashkov, and Ozera. Each one causing me to force a growl down my throat. Not yours Belikov. Finally, Eliza stopped our twirling.

"Jeez. Just go to her already! I'm tired of the ogling like no one can see you. We can. I promise." I frowned. Shaking my head.

"Can't. I fucked her over. There's no way she's gonna ever want me back." Eliza rolled her eyes, but stayed quiet. Giggling caught my attention. I turned my head, zeroing in on the commotion.

"No way! You're Tiny's jockey?! That's amazing! My family came down to watch him run this weekend!" Vika's squeals were loud, causing me to frown. Really? Eliza chuckled beside me.

"At least your sister admits she likes her." I rolled my eyes, scowling. Ivan walked towards me.

"Tash and I are gonna blow this place. See you guys later." I nodded towards him. He turned to leave before turning back towards me. His hand slipped into my coat pocket, my face no doubt showing the confusion I felt. He leaned towards me.

"I was told to give this to you. I almost didn't, but I'm not that mean." And with that, he left. Eliza huffed, causing me to give her an expectant glare.

"Well, are you gonna open it? I swear I've waited all night to see if Ivan would hand it to you."

"What in the hell are you talking about?" She rolled her eyes and reached into my jacket pocket, producing a slip of paper. She tucked it in my hands, waiting expectantly. I sighed as I uncrumpled the paper.

Room 1707, Langham Place. Check Mate. Your move.

My mouth instantly dried at the thought. I recognized the writing immediately. Rose. I could feel myself stir already, my member far too fed up with my daily hand ministrations. Eliza chuckled.

"Time to get out of here yeah? If I was single and she gave that note to me, I wouldn't have waited this long. I don't care how bad you fucked up." My eyes widened. Holy shit. I looked Eliza's back as she walked away.

My eyes caught brown ones across the room. She winked, standing on her tip toes to plant an open mouthed kiss on Szelsky's cheek. Red tinged the room, a growl ripping from my throat. I watched as she said something to the bastard, his eyes traveling the length of her body as he nodded. She stepped from him, in the direction of the foyer. She disappeared from sight, causing my tension level to sky rocket.

I said my goodbyes to my mother and sisters, not missing the knowing glint she had in her eye. I rolled mine, not brandishing a response. I climbed into the limo, mindful of the press. My leg jumped in repeating rhythms, my body unable to relax. I sighed as I saw the hotel, my plan for getting her back already forming.

READ AN AT THE TOP, IT'S IMPORTANT. Also, I'm looking for songs to listen to, I'm open to any genre. Leave them in reviews please :)