Thank you for the reviews! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

CHAPTER 21

DPOV

The next day I found myself at Mazur's mansion. Just like last time, the housekeeper let me in, but this time, she didn't smile. Without a word, she walked away. She'd probably heard about what had happened.

I sighed and walked up the stairs to Mazur's office. I wondered where Rose's room was. Maybe I could find her and explain myself to her. If she'd give me a chance to explain myself, at least.

I reached Mr. Mazur's office and knocked on the door, waiting for a response.

"Come in."

I took a deep breath and opened the door. Mazur was sitting behind his desk and looked up when I walked in. I stopped in front of the desk, not bothering to sit down on the empty chair across from him. I wouldn't be here for long anyway.

"Why don't you sit down?"

"I'm fine," I said.

"Well, I'd like you to sit down," Mazur said, gritting his teeth.

I sat down and waited for him to say something. No doubt he was going to scold me for hooking up with his daughter. I was kind of surprised he was still looking so calm.

"So, how'd you like to be paid?" he said at last. "A check? Cash?"

I looked up at him in surprise. "W-what?"

He gave me a weird look. "Why are you so surprised? You did your job, didn't you? Maybe a little too thoroughly," he added darkly.

I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable, and looked away. "I don't want the money."

He arched an eyebrow. "You don't want the money?" he repeated.

I shook my head. "No, I don't want it," I said firmly.

He frowned. "Can I ask you why?"

I shrugged. "I don't care about the money."

"Then what do you care about?" he asked.

I glanced away and said nothing.

"Ah, I think I know," Mazur said slowly. He leaned back against his chair and scrutinized me. "It's my daughter you care about. That's why you were so reluctant to tell her the truth, right?"

I nodded. "I am sorry," I started. "I never meant for this to happen. It just did. I know that doesn't justify my actions. I should've stayed professional and kept my distance, but I-"

Mazur lifted his hand to silence me. "It's fine. You don't have to explain to me. And to be honest, I really don't want to hear what has happened between the two of you," he added. His face darkened. "Because it might make me angry again and that is something you don't want to experience."

I glanced away briefly. "I'm sorry. It was never my intention to…to fall for your daughter."

He sighed. "Your feelings for each other has complicated things. I'd never thought she'd be so upset about this. But, clearly, I was mistaken."

"I never wanted to hurt her," I said sadly.

"Neither did I," he said and he sighed again.

"How is she?" I asked hesitantly.

"I don't really know," he said with a frown. "She hasn't talked to me since yesterday. I tried talking to her when I got home yesterday, but she got really angry. She's still very upset."

"Is she here? Can I talk to her?" I asked.

"You can try," Mazur said, "but if she starts throwing objects at you, I'd strongly suggest you leave. She's very good at aiming."

I paled. Had she thrown something at him? Would she throw things at me, too?

"Are you sure you don't want-"

I shook my head, already knowing what he was going to say. "No, I don't want any of it."

"Well, then. I wish you good luck," he said. "You can find her in the kitchen. That's where she was half an hour ago, anyway. She's probably still there."

I nodded. "Thanks."

I left his office and walked downstairs. I didn't know my way around so I tried a couple of doors, but none of them led to the kitchen. I rounded a corner and stopped when I heard voices. I turned around and noticed a door ajar. That's where the voices were coming from.

I walked closer and, quietly, opened the door a little further. I saw Rose sitting at the kitchen table with a red-haired boy. I recognized him from the club. He'd been there with another guy to keep an eye on Rose. They hadn't seen me yet so I stayed quiet and watched them interact with each other.

"You've got to eat something," the guy said softly as he pushed a plate of food towards her.

"I'm not hungry," she said, shoving the plate aside.

"If you don't eat something, you'll faint or-"

"I'm fine, Mason," she said briskly. "Stop pampering me."

"I'm just trying to be helpful," he said gently.

I realized he wasn't just concerned because she happened to be his boss's daughter. He was concerned because he liked her. I could see it by the way he looked at her.

"Are you still upset about that guy? You should forget about him," Mason said. "He's an asshole and-"

"Don't say that," she whispered.

"But he lied to you! He pretended to be your friend and he screwed you over!"

"Stop," she said sharply. She glared at him. "I don't want to hear it."

"But you know I'm right," he continued. Jeez, this guy didn't know when to stop. If he didn't shut up soon, she'd probably punch him. She sure looked like she wanted to. "He's an asshole and-"

"Yes, he might be an asshole," she interrupted him, standing up, "but he is my asshole." She frowned. "Well, he was. Anyway, you don't get to insult him. You don't even know him."

I didn't know why, but that warmed my heart. Maybe she could forgive me. Someday.

"Do you?" he shot back. "Do you really know him?"

"I – I don't know," she said sighing.

"I'm telling you, Rose, the guy was just taking advantage of you. You should forget about-"

I cleared my throat. I had enough of hearing that guy, who obviously had a crush on her, denigrate me. They both looked up, startled, and Rose got up from her seat.

"Dimitri, what are you doing here?" she said curtly.

"Is that him?" Mason said aggressively. He got up too and stood protectively in front of her as he glared at me. "Get out! She doesn't want you here."

"Mason!" Rose said in a warning voice. Then she looked at me. "What are you doing here?" she repeated.

"I'd like to talk to you," I said softly.

She crossed her arms. "I don't want to talk to you. Go away."

I took a step towards her, but Mason stepped in front of her again.

"Don't come any closer," he warned.

I rolled my eyes. "Please. I could take you down in two seconds if I wanted to."

"Oh yeah?" he said, clenching his hands into fists. "Let's see about that!"

"Mason!" Rose growled. "Stop it. Both of you, just stop it!"

I turned to Rose again. "Please, Rose." I refrained myself from calling her Roza. I didn't want to get slapped a second time. "Five minutes. That's all I ask."

She looked at me for a long time and then sighed. "Fine. Mason, can you leave us alone for a moment?"

"Are you sure?" he said. "I could stay and-"

"No," she cut him off. "I'd like to talk to him in private."

He opened his mouth to protest, but then he closed it again and nodded. "If you need me, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Mase," she said, giving him the tiniest smile ever.

As he walked past me, he glared at me and shoved his shoulder into mine. He slammed the door shut with a bang and then everything was quiet.

I cleared my throat again. "Seems like a nice guy," I said, arching an eyebrow.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "If that's why you're here, you can-"

"No, I really want to talk to you," I said, taking another step towards her. "I need to talk to you."

"Then talk," she said coldly.

I glanced around, checking if there were any objects nearby she could throw at me, but there was nothing. Unless she'd start throwing knives at me. Then I'd be screwed.

I sighed. "I want to apologize to you. And I know that's not going to make it alright, but it's a start."

She snorted and crossed her arms. "I don't think there's anything you can do to make it right."

"I know," I said sadly. "I'm so sorry, Rose. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Well, it's too late for that," she said quietly, looking down.

"I know, but I want you to know that not everything was a lie," I said. "The only thing I lied about is my job."

"Sure," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I swear it, Rose." I stepped closer until I was right in front of her. "I've been attracted to you since the moment I met you. I tried to fight it, but my feelings for you only grew stronger. And I really wanted to tell you the truth. I tried. But I didn't want to ruin your trip. And I… I didn't want you to hate me and I knew that if I'd tell you the truth, you would. So I didn't." I sighed. "I know, I'm a coward. But I… I just didn't want to lose you," I whispered. Hesitantly, I reached for her hand. I was relieved when she didn't pull away. "Everything I told you about me… It's true. My feelings for you are true. I love you, Roza."

Tears filled her eyes. "H-how do I know you're telling me the truth? You've been lying to me since the moment we met," she said, her voice wavering.

"I know it's hard for you to believe me right now, but, I swear, I'm not lying," I said earnestly. "I'm telling you the truth now."

"You should've told me sooner," she said, pulling her hand away from mine. She took a step back and bumped into the table. "I trusted you!"

"I know and I don't have any right to ask this, but you've got to trust me when I say I never wanted to hurt you," I said pleadingly. "I love you."

She pushed against my chest. "No! If you love me, you would've told me!"

"Roza, please…" I begged. "You have to believe me."

Tears started to stream down her face and she shook her head. "I can't. You lied to me."

"Roza-"

"I can't trust you. I don't trust you."

"No, don't say that. Please, Roza," I said, taking her hands in mine so she couldn't push me away from her. "I love you and I know you love me, too."

She shook her head again, but didn't try to free herself. "N-no…"

"You love me, Roza," I whispered, brushing my lips against hers. "Please, there's got to be a way to work this out. I'll do anything."

"No," she said again.

"I'll do anything to get you back." I pressed my lips harder against hers. "I don't want to lose you. I-"

"No!" she cried and this time, she did push me away. "I – I can't forgive you for this."

My heart sank. "Roza…"

"Don't," she whispered. She wiped at her eyes and said, her voice steady again, "I want you to leave."

"But-"

"And for the record, I do not love you," she bit out.

Her words hurt me more than the slap she'd given me yesterday. I was too stunned to say something or to move.

"Now get out and don't come back. I don't want to ever see or hear from you again."

I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head, her face hard.

"Leave."

Defeated, I nodded my head. "I'm really sorry, Roza."

She looked down and crossed her arms, waiting for me to leave. I sighed and kissed her forehead. My lips lingered there for a moment, but, at last, I pulled away from her.

"Goodbye, Roza," I whispered, a tear escaping my eye.

I looked at her one last time, trying to memorize every detail about her beautiful face, before I turned around and walked out of her life.

Things aren't looking good for them, but just a little reminder before you all start hating me: there will be a happy ending! ;)

Hope you have a nice day/evening! :)