Chapter 12: The Chocolate Stain

AN: So here's Chapter 12! It might be a little weird...i don't know it's like i'm trying to say 'this' and then i can't seem to find the exact word! :/ but anyway i think it make sense...hopefully :) This is another introduction chapter to a greater adventure!

Thank you for all your reviews, and i hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy. Richelle Mead does!

**Rose's POV**

I have to say, I'm rather impressed with my new look. The old Rose is hot but this new Rose? She's fierce.

So, last night after leaving Olena's house, I thought I would end up sleeping on some random benches. I was walking down the streets, looking really help and hopeless when a car pulled up next to me. All the nerves inside my body were telling me to run, to get away but a tiny part of me was curious.

And thanks to my curiosity, I didn't have to sleep on the streets.

**flashback**

This isn't good. Rose! This is a bad idea. For all you know, it could be Dimitri in there! Or worse, a strigoi looking for revenge! A voice whispers inside my head as soon as a black Range Rover pulled up besides me.

I should run, that would be a normal thing anybody would do if a mysterious car pulled up next to you in the middle of the night. But as you already know, Rose Hathaway is far from normal. Instead I just stood there and stare at the tinted car window.

My heart made a small thump, thump sound as the driver's window slowly rolled down revealing a very relieved-looking Sydney.

I heaved a sigh. "Sydney!" I practically scream.

"Rose! Dammit, get in the car." She hissed.

I was more than willing to do as told. I quickly grab my duffle bag—which I just noticed was dropped on the ground, instead of hanging behind my back—and jumped in.

As soon as I swung the door closed Sydney was yelling, "Rose! You could at least warn me about what you were going to do! Do you know how frightened I was—no I was terrified! Next time you decided to fake your death again, let me know first, it wasn't pleasant knowing someone you cared about died!" she inhale deeply after saying it all in one breath.

I was stunned for a minute by her outburst, "Whoa, Sydney. First of all, I'm sorry. I should have been more thoughtful and second—no offense, I'm really happy you are here and all but what the hell are you doing here?" I asked truthfully.

"Well, first, you are forgiven and second, Abe told me everything. God! That was like a call from heaven—anyway he told me you had to run off again but he couldn't come with you. He said he was dealing with a greater problem—although I'm not really sure what he meant by that… So he was worried and he sent me to look for you, not to bring you back but just to 'take her someplace sleep-able'" Sydney quoted the last sentence with a funny look on her face.

So, Sydney's idea of a sleep-able place was an apartment in town, "It belongs to my granny, but don't worry she won't mind you staying—she won't even know you've been here,"she said. And as if answering my quizzical look she whispered, "She's dead." Turns out I had spent the night at her dead, grandmother's apartment. Talk about creepy!

But it was cozy, really. It wasn't big but it wasn't small either. The first thing you see when you walked in is the kitchen. The fridge was stocked with foods, I bet Sydney knew I was gonna be staying here and she had made sure the apartment was ready for moving in. The wall is painted yellow pastel and there's a round, wooden table next to the window which is covered by granny-style white, laced curtains. Everything pulled off the word 'granny' really well except for the TV in one corner. The flat screen TV looks out of place comparing to other things in here so I supposed it was Sydney's doing.

Then there's another door leading to my bedroom. The interior is just like the living room. A four-poster bed stood in the center. And there's a floor-to-ceiling window revealing the beautiful sight of the mountain ranges. I guess this is where I'll be staying from now.

**End of flashback**

I had insisted on her staying together but she had waved me off, claiming she has works to do. So, I ended up sleeping alone. Not that I'm afraid of anything…

Back to the present, I'm standing in front of the floor-length mirror in the room, Oksana's silver necklace dangling on my neck.

I look at the mirror to see a drop-dead gorgeous woman staring back at me. She kinda reminds me of Catwoman. She has black hair, as black as the color of the midnight sky, styled into a stylist bob with a straight bangs. Her eyes are the same color of brown but instead of her old big ones, these are sharp—cat-like. She—or should I say I?—have high cheek bones with thin nose and lips. My used to be athlete body—was gone although my curves are still there. My tanned skin is now paled. And I look even slimmer than Lissa.

On the whole I look like a fierce moroi who had just landed a role as Catwoman. I have to say I'm rather impressed with my new look. The old Rose was hot, but this new me is fierce.

After looking at myself in the mirror over and over, I was sure no one could recognized me. It's eight in the morning and I decided to go into town.

I locked the door to my apartment and walked down the stairs. My room is on the third floor—the highest floor of this small building.

I got out of the main door and the cool wind hits my face, messing my straightly-combed bangs. What a way to start off the morning, I sigh.

Nearby was a small coffee shop with a few customers. Perfect, I thought as I made my way inside.

I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and went to sit by the window. Nobody looks at me like I'm any different from them, so I supposed the necklace is really working. I look out the window and see people hurrying out of their apartments as if they were going to be late for work if they don't. The bells on the door ring as new customers came in. I was just taking a sip out of my coffee when I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see what the person wants—and choke, spraying my hot chocolate all over the person's shirt.

Dimitri.

SHIT! What to do? Where's the door? No—too far away. Will he be able to catch me if I jumped out the window? Ohmygod Rose! Do something!—and then I practically slap my forehead. I totally forgot that to everyone else, I'm no longer Rose Hathaway. Well, blame my mind for going blank as soon as I saw Dimitri's face. I instantly relaxed. But not long before another realization hit me,

"Shit! I'm so sorry!" I said quickly and try to wipe the chocolate stain off his shirt with a napkin. "Dammit! I'm really sorry! I hope that shirt wasn't expensive—but of course I'll pay you if you—"

Dimitri laughs, and oh god…that laugh. "It's fine, really. Don't worry about it." He reassures. "I was actually just wondering if you'd seen this woman?" then he held out a picture of me, it was taken at his house when we visited Baia last time. Just perfect, I swear in my head.

My mouth is hanging open, so I quickly snap it shut, "That's Rose Hathaway. Haven't you heard? She's dead." I said coldly.

He shook his head slightly, "I don't believe it…well at least not until I find her body."

"Well if you want to see her body, shouldn't you be at the hospital—or where is it they keep corpses?" I said as a matter-of-factly.

Again, he shook his head, "I don't know why I'm telling you this but…I actually just talked to Rose's father and there was something he said that made me think that maybe all of this is an act…" then he told me the story of his conversation with Abe, "He said her body was being examined. I don't really believe that… Since when do you examine Dhampir's bodies?"

Well damn, couldn't he just let it go? "You talked to her father?" I snickered, "Gee, you guys must be really close." I can almost hear sarcasm in my voice.

Dimitri doesn't seem surprise by my sudden change of mood. Instead he said, "Yeah…we were…"

By this point, Dimitri was sitting on the chair besides me, facing the window.

"Tell me about her…" I said softly. I honestly don't know what I'm doing or where I'm heading at, all I know is that I'm overwhelmed. First of all, the fact that Dimitri is here, he is here sitting right next to me. Within my reach! Second, that he's looking for me. I mean it's true I ran away hoping that he couldn't find me, that he would leave me alone. But truthfully? Those are all lies. I still love him and there's always a part of me that wishes he would come for me, that he wouldn't give up on me like he said he had. And third, the way he looks at my picture…it's beyond words. I don't want to get my hopes up or anything but I swear the way he looks at my picture was like… like it was the only light in an absolute darkness. Somehow that thought sent a wave of warmth through my heart.

**Dimitri's POV**

I don't know what I'm doing or why I trust this woman so much since we just met five minutes ago. She is beautiful, very beautiful—although it's nothing compare to my Roza—but that's not it. I think it's the way she moves and talks, the way her moods shift so easily, reminds me so much of Roza.

"Tell me about her…" she said in a small voice.

I smile sadly, "I can't think of a word to describe how…special she is."

I look up at her to see her reaction only to find her already staring at me. Our gaze met and she quickly looks away. Then she was smiling, "Seriously, Dimitri?"

I stiffened, "How do you know my name?" I'm pretty sure I haven't told her my name—rude, I know but that's not the point.

She stopped dead, "I…I know Rose. I met her last week when she first came here—"

I gasp, "Rose told you about me?"

She looks lost for word for a minute, "I didn't say it was good." she shrugs.

It doesn't matter. Rose talked about me. Does that mean somewhere deep down, she still care about me? Because if she doesn't, she probably wouldn't waste her time thinking—much less telling other people about me…right?

**Rose's POV**

Alright, so that was a bad move. I totally forgot that I wasn't supposed to know his name. When he asked, I was still in shock so I told him I knew Rose. And that was just… unexpected.

"Rose told you about me?" Dimitri asked the expression on his face is somewhat disbelief.

Why is he so surprised? No, that's not the point—but why does he even care?

"I didn't say it was good." I shrug.

Dimitri was silent for a while, "You know…me and Rose we have a really… strong relationship. Our love was unbreakable. Nothing or no one could ever come between us—not even the rules. And it would still be that way if it wasn't for me…I…messed up. I was the reason she ran away, and if…if she's really gone, it'd be my fault too… Every single minute, I hate myself for what I did to her. But mostly…I hate knowing that she might—she probably hate me. I know I sound selfish, given that I was the one who pushed her away at first but…if Rose hates me…I wouldn't—I couldn't imagine a life like that…"

Well, that's a lot to take in. Even for me. Honestly, I don't understand Dimitri. The last time we saw each other, he didn't want me, he pushed me away and now, he sounds like he really needs me—No, Rose. Remember; don't get your hopes up. I know you love him but just because he doesn't want you to hate him don't mean he loves you, I silently said to myself.

I sigh, this really isn't a topic I want to think—much less talk about. So instead I change the topic, "Why are you telling me all of this? I mean, don't take it the wrong way but, do you even know me?" I asked.

Dimitri laughs, a humorless laughter, "How rude of me, I'm Dimitri Belikov and you are?"

"Ro—wan. Rowan. Rowan Venus." Well that was close, Rose. Lucky for me, he didn't seem to notice anything wrong.

"That's a really nice name." he compliments and smiles lightly at me. My insides melt. I was about to smile and thank him when another horrible thought hits me. Is Dimitri flirting with me? That doesn't sound like a bad thing except for the fact that to him, I'm not Rose Hathaway. I'm this sexy and mysterious girl. That thought makes me sick to my stomach. Is he trying to move on? But…he was just being so sad over me a moment ago! Arghhh! I honestly don't get him anymore.

"Are you alright?" he tries to look me in the eyes but I avoid his gaze.

"Yes." Dammit Rose, this is not the time for jealousy. If you want to find out the truth, about how he really feels about you then you better get your head straight.

"You know what? I have an idea…" I trailed off. Dimitri looks at me curiously, his face forming a question mark. "If you want to find Rose, I'm the best help you could get."

He doesn't look so convinced, so I said, "Rose might or might not be dead. That I don't know. But if she is dead, we could try and find her body together. It's hard to do it all alone. You see, like you said before, I don't believe that Rose's body is really being examined. They might do that in the normal, human world, but here in our world? No way. The Court doesn't give a shit about our well beings, well at least not to Dhampirs. Besides, they already know she was killed by those strigois, so what's the point of examining it any further?" I stop and took a deep breath, "So, if she is dead, it's possible that Abe's hiding her body somewhere—possibly, away from you. And here, I have a feeling that you won't stop looking until you find her, right?" he shook his head and I wish I could heave a sigh.

"So what do you say?" I asked, and then added hopefully, "let me help you."

Dimitri considers it for a minute and then asked, "But why? Why do you want to help me?"

Because I want to know how you really feel about me! I want to shout. There's a lot better chance of finding out how he really feels about me as Rowan Venus than to confront him about it. I've tried that once, didn't end so well. Instead I told him the first truth of the day, "Because I know exactly what it is like to lose someone you love…"

He looks at me curiously but again, I avoid his gaze. "Alright." He finally said.

And the decision is made. Together we are going on a hunt. We are going to find Rose Hathaway's body! I laugh silently; this is going to be fun.

Dun-dun-dahhhh! Alright, so they finally meet again! Luckily, for Rose, Dimitri hasn't noticed anything off yet. But in the future? Who knows? ;)

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! In the next one Adrian will have a little role (because honestly i'm starting to miss him) :)

Well thank you for reading! And as always, don't forget to review!

xox

Prim