Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm trying to make sure I'm not rushing through this but I'm hoping to pick up the story line soon. I did notice most stories are very upbeat and I did want to try something different so thank you for letting me know that you like it . Please don't forget to leave a review at the end of the chapter and I hope you enjoy it!
"Are you just going to stand there in the cold?" The gruff voice sends warm tingles down my spine but irritation slides through me.
"Maybe." I retort without opening my eyes.
Turning away from the direction gorgeous man's voice came from, I wipe at the moisture behind my lids. My fingers sting slightly before going completely numb. I don't want anyone see me cry. I've made it through worse than this and I refuse to give my mother my tears over her abandonment. Tugging my sleeves over my hands I turn back to face him. Meeting my gaze from the porch, he scowls leaving me with a sinking feeling I push aside. He wasn't the first person to dislike me right off the bat and he wouldn't be the last.
"Rose come inside, it's cold and I don't want you to get sick." Olena calls out from the doorway.
Looking at her I look back over my shoulder. How easy it would to just run. I had $20 in my shoe and even though I didn't have a coat I could find a place to bunker down in until the immediate threat of them catching me passed. As if reading my mind gorgeous speaks again.
"You won't make it far before I catch you." He informs me firmly grouchy.
Closing my eyes, I breathe deeply through my nose and try to calm the slight feeling of helplessness rising in me. I am not a victim. There is always a way out. Opening my eyes again I pass the man and head into the house. The warmth of being inside makes my skin feel like it's melting off but I welcome it compared to the icy numbness that froze me inside out. We're standing inside a small entry way with a set of stairs to the left, a hallway straight ahead, and what appeared to be a cozy living room to the right. The smell of food hits my nose and my stomach growls loudly much to my embarrassment.
"Let's get you some food. We've been on the road for hours and I just didn't have it in me to wake you up." Olena practically gushes ash she ushers me forward.
Leading me down the hallway we enter the first doorway to the right and into a rather spacious kitchen/dining room. I'll give it to them…as run down as the house looks on the outside, it was not run down on the inside. Oak floors ran through, what I've seen so far, the entire house. Walls were painted a warm almond color with white trim and pictures in nice frames hung in the hallway. The kitchen was equipped with updated stainless-steel appliances, black cabinets with frosted glass windows, and concrete counter tops. The room was set in a sort of giant square. Coming through the entry from the hallway, the right wall held another entrance leading to the living room. Straight ahead lay a set of French doors leading out to a deck. A foot from the left side of the French doors started the counter tops. They made a giant U and ended with a giant table with booth bench seats.
Standing in the doorway I'm frozen at the sight of Olena moving around the kitchen humming a tune and preparing food. It's a scene I'm definitely not used to seeing and that realization makes my chest hurt slightly before I shove it away.
"You really like standing in places."
Annoyance shoots through me and his name officially changes to gorgeous asshole. Shooting him an open glare I watch him return the look before sitting down at the table. Olena looks up at the sound of his voice and zooms in on me in the doorway. Frowning in concern she motions gently toward the table.
"Please, sit." She says as she brings over three bowls of soup and slices of dark buttered bread.
My mouth waters just looking at it and my stomach twists painfully at the sight of food. Standing by the end of the table, Olena watches me quietly. Tall man just glares up from his bowl.
"You're being rude." He barks at me.
"Dimitri!" Olena chastises.
"I don't want to eat your food. I don't want to be treated like a charity case. If you'll give me my bag I can leave and be just fine." I tell them as I fidget with a hole at the end of my hoodie sleeve.
"Where would you even go?" Gorgeous asshole…I mean Dimitri asks sarcastically.
"Dimitri!" Olena snaps. Sighing she walks up to me and guides me to sit down despite my slight resistance. "You're not going anywhere. You're going to sit right here and eat this meal because you're nothing but skin and bones."
"I don't…"
"I'll hear no arguments." She cuts me off. Her tone leaves no room for anything else. "Dimitri be nice or go to your room."
"Yes mama." He replies solemnly.
I practically choke on my tongue from the laughter threatening to escape my throat. Hearing the small sound come from me he fixes me with one of the dirtiest looks I've ever seen. Smirking at him I watch his eyes glower before lowering my eyes to the bowl of beef stew in front of me. It's hard not to inhale it and ask for more. The food fills me with warmth and makes me strangely tired and the bread was amazing for wiping the bowl clean. The emptiness of it makes me almost sad before it's suddenly filled again and new bread is placed beside it. Looking up Olena smiles down at me and strokes my hair lightly as if afraid I'm going to yank away…it was hard not to.
"It's good that you have an appetite still. Means my cooking is good." She chuckles.
Nodding quietly, I dig in again and take a drink of the glass of milk placed down for me. I watch as she brings forth my bag and I tense up. I may not have much but that was still my stuff and I don't appreciate anyone going through them.
"I was hoping I could see what you have. I'm wanting to buy you some proper clothes for winter and some school supplies." She explains.
"I don't need anything." I tell her. She didn't need to know that I only had three pairs of jeans and 5 tops and a week's worth of panties in there. I didn't need to be in debt to her.
"You do and I won't take no as an answer."
"I don't and you will. No." I argue back. "I'll get a job and get my own things. I'll also pay my room and board."
"This is my home and you'll do no such thing." She says looking me in the eyes. "You are not charity, you are family and family doesn't pay rent."
"You don't even know me." I remind her.
She falters slightly before standing tall. Her stance told me I wasn't going to win this argument.
"If your done I can take you to your room." She says firmly.
"I'll take her mama." Dimitri offers as he takes both of our empty bowls away.
Standing up I grab my bag but am stopped by Olena's hand on my arm. Looking into her face I fight not to flinch away from the unfamiliar emotion in them.
"I may not know you but that doesn't mean you're not my family now." She says softly. "Shower and sleep as long as you need to tomorrow. After you wake up we'll do some clothes shopping and if you absolutely decide you want a job…we'll discuss it but I want to hear no more talk of paying me back for anything."
Not saying anything else I follow Dimitri up the stairs. There was a common open floor area that formed yet another giant square. Eight doors were spaced out around the square. Two doors for each wall. In the middle of the common room laid bean bags and the walls were lined with pictures or even, on one wall, a cubby/coat organizer. Leading me to the far-left wall in front of the stairs he opens the right door and leads me in.
"Mama said you could have this room since Karolina moved downstairs with Paul." He grumbles as I enter the room. "It's pretty bare."
He was right about it being bare. The walls were a simple white and empty. There was a bed up against the right-hand wall and a small table and chair along the middle of the left wall. The prettiest part of the room was the pushed-out window with a bench seat that curved along all three windows. Shelves sat beneath them to hold books. Mismatched sheets and a heavy downs comforter lay folded on the bed and the closet sat beside the door on the right.
"Be sure to keep it clean." He tells me.
"What is your issue?" I ask him irritated.
"My mother is risking a lot taking you in. We don't have a lot and I don't need you ruining what we do." He says simply.
Ouch. Anger and pain rise sharp within me. How dare he. I didn't need this. I didn't want this. Something inside me feels like snapping but I shove it down and settle for a shrug of indifference and to turn away from him to mover further into the room.
"The bathroom you'll be using is next door. You'll be sharing it with me since this bedroom was the only one open. Just lock the doors from the inside and I'll know you're in there." He explains.
"How do I get in?" I ask still trying to ignore the anger boiling inside of me.
"Through your closet." He says as he turns away and walks out.
I swear my face is going to age and wrinkle prematurely at the rate I'm frowning lately. Setting my bag on the floor I open the closet door to find it's a decently sized walk in closet with another door on the left-hand wall. Opening the door, I find Dimitri was right about it leading to a bathroom. Sighing I quickly close the door and move back into the room. Opening my bag I pull out the little clothing I own, a small wooden box, my small collection of books, and my only framed photo of my mother and me.
Quickly hanging my clothes in the closet and setting my panties and bras in the top drawer of the floor to ceiling organizer. Taking off my raggedy sneakers I set them down on the floor. Grabbing my books, I put them in the organizer and try to ignore how pitifully small the space they took up was. Moving onto the bed I quickly make it before hiding my box in the nightstand next to the bed.
A knock on the door makes me freeze before Olena enters with a mug and arm of clothes. She makes eye contact with my books, smiling slightly, before setting the mug on the nightstand.
"You read?" She inquires. Fidgeting with my sleeve again I nod in response. "Well I thought you might want these. I gathered some flannel pajamas and some warm socks. Karolina says it can get a little chilly in here. I also wanted to bring you some soap. I hope you don't mind coconut and strawberry."
It didn't take a rocket scientist to see she was as genuine as it got. Yet the amount of generosity made me cringe inside and question her actions. Reaching out I grab the items.
"Where are we?" I murmur. "Where are the rest of the people?"
"Pennsylvania. Karolina goes to bed early with Paul. My mother is at late night Mass. Viktoria is spending the weekend at her friends and as for Sonja…she works late." She smiles. "Well I'm leaving you some hot chocolate. Goodnight Rose."
Making her way towards the door I feel guilt start to flood me and try and shake it off before giving in.
"Thank you." I call out quietly.
She turns and smiles even more warmly at me before nodding and closing the door behind her and leaving me to my thoughts. Looking around I feel my chest start to ache with loneliness and sit on the bed.
"WELL I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR MOTHER!"
A low painful sob escapes me and I bury my face in the clothes in my arms. Even though she wasn't worth my tears it seems she's getting them anyways. The silent cold of the room cause my sobs to sound loud in my ears. How the hell did I get here?
As always, I ask to please take just two seconds to leave a review. I don't even care if it's just one word. I'll try to get another chapter up soon! Thank you so much for reading! Will Dimitri ever stop being an ass? What the hell happened to Janine? What happens next?!