Hi guys :)

Here's the next one, I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me, they belong to the lovely Richelle mead. Also English isn't my first language, so please be patient with any spelling or grammar mistakes or if anyone would like to help me with that I'd appreciate it :)

Chapter 4. – Take a chance on me.

I was crazy.

It wasn't something that I didn't know or didn't accept.

As a matter of fact I embraced my craziness—it kept me alive.

So that was one of main reasons I found myself sitting outside at five in the morning. It was definitely a move from my crazy nature, to be outside in leggings and tennis shoes when the cool breeze from the river made me shiver.

I didn't know what I was thinking, I guessed I thought it would be like in the movies when you run and then you have a super catchy soundtrack. Then all of my jumbled ideas and thoughts would magically piece themselves together. Sadly, it didn't work out for me because I hadn't exercised in years.

Declaring myself a quitter, I sat down on a boulder were it met the edge of the water. Even after living in this house for whole week I still couldn't get used to the beauty and peace of the place.

Yes, a whole week. I still couldn't believe that just last Tuesday I was still wondering if I could escape to Mexico and sell piña coladas to tourists in Acapulco.

It was surprising how fast I was getting accustomed to living in the house. Celia and I were quickly becoming friends, and I genuinely enjoyed the company of both Albert and Celia so much that I wished they'd adopt me.

As for Dimitri, I didn't get to see him as much since he left for work early. The only times I saw him were when I ate dinner and at bedtime, which was something I just couldn't get used to. Waking up in the middle of the night and finding another human being in my bed was a terrifying experience. I guessed it wasn't something Dimitri enjoyed either since I'd attacked him at least twice now. But other than that, he used post-its to communicate. Nothing worth writing home to, just a couple of I have left for work, here's my credit card. Don't max it out. and I left for work. Don't drink my chocolate. But that was the married life.

The only thing bothering me was that I felt like I was missing my routine. Sure, even my independent-self liked not to have to scrape pennies for rent and food, but was starting to feel like a fixture on the walls.

At least until my life's belongings had arrived, in three sad boxes and a couple of suitcases. The next day I'd found that I had my own space in the giant closet in the main bedroom as well as a key that belonged to my own room. Not one I could sleep in, Dimitri had said, but one I could have my own space to call my own.

It felt uncomfortable for him to be splurging on me, but when I'd tried to stop Celia from picking up so many things, she'd used her big guns and called Belikov. In his defense he used the husband card saying that I couldn't be walking around in my cat pajamas and crocs. Thought that didn't stop me from choosing to wear them.

But that was just to annoy Dimitri, because I did like having new things. I'd would've never had the money to spend on myself what he did. My mother and Lissa had always pressured me to use the money my father had put in a trust fund for me instead of working. For them it was easy to judge, since they were better off not knowing exactly how and where that money came from. I knew better.

That money was bloody. Don't think about that night. I shuddered.

"What the hell are you doing out here, at this hour?" Dimitri glared at me.

"Could you stop creeping up on me all the time, one day I am going to have a heart attack."I glared at him, too. "I'm still inside the house. Shouldn't I be able to roam around like I want to?"

"You still haven't answered my question. What are you doing up at this hour, you're usually snoring right about now."

"That's a big fat lie," I scoffed. "We both know it's the exact opposite. There's no reason in particular, I just wanted to get some exercise before Celia turns me into a beach ball."

"You've noticed, too? I thought I was imagining the couple of pounds you'd put on since you've arrived." he smirked.

I flipped him the bird. "You know what, I'm going to give a few laps around the house so just leave me alone."

"Fine, as long as you stay inside the house. I am going to jog near the waterfront, you want to come? Or do you prefer to run in circles."

I didn't want to exercise but I did want to leave the house even for a little while. "Fine, but no more remarks about my weight or else I'll leak the video of you snoring to TMZ."

When we make it to Wanda, we hear a loud "Wait for me!"

I leaned over the car, while I watched Ivan jog from two houses down the road. "Ivan is stalking you."

"I am offended that you think I stalk his ugly ass. I was about to go for a run and I saw both of you."

I laughed. "What is it about five am that makes everyone want to exercise?"

"I don't know." Dimitri answered. "But we better we get moving we have to be at the office early today."

"Shotgun!" Ivan yelled.

*.*.*.*.*.*

My lungs were on fire.

I wanted to walk but at Dimitri's and Ivan's insistence they'd made me run along with them. Only it was impossible for me to keep up.

"I quit." I whispered while I laid down/passed out on a bench.

"Are you okay?" Dimitri asked.

"Just dandy," I said trying to remember how to breathe normally. "This is how I run. I run then I pass out and then I think about why even thought about running in the first place."

Ivan laughed. "That's what happens to me too, but Dimitri here keeps beating my competitive ass into shape."

"That's enough exercise for today. Come on." Dimitri said while handing me a water bottle.

"Thanks." I said taking the bottle greedily.

*.*.*.*.*.*

"Would you like some more bacon, Rose?" Celia asked as she hovered a piece of bacon in my face.

"She would love to." I answered her, but before I could grab it Ivan's sticky hands got to it first.

"You gotta be quicker than that, Rose" He scoffed.

"Why are you all the same? You can't mess with a girl's food, you just can't. Aren't you going to eat?" I muttered while looking at Dimitri.

Dimitri looked up from his laptop. "I am." He said while pointed to a half-eaten muffin and his chocolate mug.

"No, you're not. That isn't food" I replied while I fixed him up a plate. "Here."

Ivan, Celia, and Albert were staring at us. I coughed unsure if I'd done right, but as Dimitri closed his laptop and started to eat I knew I had. Ivan grinned at me like he knew something I didn't. I shrugged continuing to eat Celia's delicious breakfast.

When we'd finished breakfast I helped Celia clean the table while the guys stared at Dimitri's computer.

"So what do you think?" Dimitri asked.

"Well the pitch is great—even for you—but let's face it man you were never good at editing shit out."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. This looks great." Dimitri defended himself as he pointed at the PowerPoint presentation.

My curiosity was peaked so I pretended to clean some crumbs off the table to get a closer look at the presentation. "Oh, god." I whispered when I'd finally seen what was on the screen. The font was red and while the background was pitch black. My eyes were hurting just staring at for a few seconds I couldn't imagine having to read this for the entire 32 slides it consisted of.

"You see even Rose agrees with me." Ivan said, laughing his ass off.

Dimitri scratched his neck. "You guys have no idea what you are talking about."

"Man, why didn't you let one of the assistants handle this? You could've just given it to them without a format. Anything is better than this."

Dimitri glared at his friend. "Look, just help me make it look presentable."

"What? You think I am any better at this crap than you? I've no idea how to make look decent."

I smirked, I couldn't help it by the looks of their faces. Both of them glared at me.

"Okay, okay. I'll put you out of your misery, I was a pro at this at school. If you don't mind me helping you, I could do it." I half expected Dimitri to say that it wasn't a woman's job to be interfering with his business like Abe had done in the past. I was just about to tell them to forget about it…

"If you think you can do it, I don't see why not." Dimitri looked relieved.

Ivan elbowed him in the ribs. "Anything is better than that, mate."

I laughed while Dimitri stood and left me his chair in front of the computer.

After changing the horrible red font, the boys had started pacing around me. "Why don't go and get ready for work while I finish this."

"We don't have to be there for at least another two hours" Dimitri answered me while looking at his watch.

"Actually, you're both driving me crazy with all that pacing." I said while paused over the keyboard. "Don't worry I won't do anything too drastic, trust me."

"Fine" He said finally giving me some space to work. "Come on Ivan time for you to go home."

"Thank for breakfast, Celia" Ivan yelled as Dimitri pushed him out the door and disappeared to our room.

Celia smiled. "Boys will always be boys, won't they?"

"Yeah those two are definitely kids in suits when they're together."

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Dimitri's POV

This was the second time I tried to do the damned knot on my tie.

But somehow my mind wasn't on the tie or even the presentation for the Germans.

It was on her. The girl that smiled the brightest when she felt useful.

She thought that I wouldn't notice the way her eyes had lit up when I'd accepted her help. She was a box of surprises.

"Do you need help with that?" she gestured to the offensive tie hanging limp from my neck.

I looked up to find her standing in the doorway dressed in the same workout clothes with the exception of those horrible shoes she liked.

"No." I lied. "How did the presentation come out?"

"Here, you can see it for yourself." She said as held the laptop open for me.

"This is a very good work, Rose." I said in awe at how much better her presentation turned out than my previous attempt.

She smirked. "I'm glad I was of service, husband. And about your tie, don't wear one today you look good without it."

And with that little tidbit she left me alone with an undone tie and a finished presentation.

\\\\\\\\\\\

"How did the presentation turn out?" Ivan said while he chewed on a muffin that he'd stolen from my kitchen. I swore sometimes I didn't know if having him as a neighbor was a blessing or a curse. On most days—a curse.

"Fine" I replied while we stopped on a traffic light. "More than fine actually. Rose has talent, even more than some of the presentations Tasha has made."

"Damn it, why hell didn't I record you. Tasha would love to hear this."

I flipped him the bird, stealing a page from Rose's book. "You know what asshole, next time you're taking the bus. What I don't understand, is why did you buy a new car when I have to drive you around? Especially because I'm your boss."

He shrugged. "I'm all about being ecofriendly and why take two cars when we can carpool. And I always thought we were partners."

"Yeah and does this ecofriendly bullshit also apply for you eating my food."

"That applies because you have Celia and your wife is prettier to look at, than your ugly face in the morning."

I stepped on the breaks. "What did you just say, asshat?"

Instead of being worried about his life he grinned. The idiot. "I got you there, didn't I?"

I flipped on the radio. "Shut up."

\\\\\\\\\\\

"Dimitri, Mr. Zelig loved the ideas for the layout of their new security system. He was very impressed with the form of encryption. He feels it will be a better match for his company than the competition." Tasha smiled as she sat next to Ivan.

"Thank goodness I can't stand to see any form of code for the next couple of weeks." Ivan replied. "You know what I've been such a good sport, that after the gala tomorrow I am taking a vacation."

I sighed. "That's good, on the other hand the competition be scratching at our backs for this."

"You think Dashkov would try something funny?"

"I wouldn't find it below him to try. You know how he works; it's either cheat, buy or sabotage with him." And to think Rose would've had to marry the man. I clenched my fists. "So Tasha let's keep things closed tight for the gala tomorrow."

"You got it, I'll make sure security keeps a tight grip on the guest list." She said, while excusing herself to get back to work. "Oh and by the way, have you both got your tuxedos ready? If not I can arrange something."

"I was about to pick it up myself, this afternoon." I answered her. "Thank you."

"You're right to buy it yourself," Ivan said with a shudder when she left. "She could try and voodoo your ass into sleeping with her."

I shook my head. "Keep bothering me, asshole, and I'll get her to teach me just so I can voodoo your ass into working."

After finishing up the last details at work, I drove to pick up my suit I passed an exclusive boutique. Roza. She would also need a dress.

"Hello, sir, would you like some help?" the store clerk asked me while I walked inside the store.

I debated whether to call Celia and just have her come here with Rose. But why risk her buying some bedazzled version of her crocs. "Yes, I would. I am actually looking for an evening dress and everything that accompanies it."

"Uh, sure, sir. Can you give me more details about the person it's form?"

"It's for my wife, she's about this tall," I said while I pointed to the middle of my chest. "She likes black and I think she wears size 6."

The clerk smiled. "Of course sir. You can accompany me and I'll make sure to find the perfect dress for your wife."

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Rose's POV

"Hello! Baby how are you?" my mother cooed from the other side of the borrowed laptop I held.

She looked more composed since the last time I'd seen her. "Hey, mom, I'm fine how have you been? Everything okay with Abe?"

Instead of looking at me in the eye, she looked away, ashamed. "Did he hurt you again, mom? Tell me and I promise that I'll do whatever it takes to get you out of there. Even if I have to kill him myself."

She blanched. "Rose, you shouldn't say those things, he's your father after all."

"He's not my father, mother! A father wouldn't do this to his child, his only child. I am tired of having to hear you make excuses for a man that doesn't even love you!" I yelled.

My mother winced as if I'd slapped her. I guess in some sense I had. Who wanted to accept that even after all the pain and suffering they'd withstood they weren't even loved? That was her case.

"Rose you can't possibly mean that… he does in his own form."

I laughed mirthlessly. "You know what, mom, I can't do this. I'm happy that I get to speak to you and to see you in one piece but I can't see you defend him. So I want you to take care of yourself and for you know that I am safe and happy here. They're very nice to me."

"Rose, listen—" was the last thing I heard before I clicked end call.

I wasn't going to cry. I wasn't going to cry… and yet I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

I picked up a blanket and sat on the couch facing the windows. Why did I have to Skype with her? Maybe if I'd talked to her on the phone, I wouldn't have had to tell her those awful things I did. Then I wouldn't be feeling so guilty. You're an idiot, Rose. I said to myself.

A knock from the door made me dab at my eyes quickly, there was nothing I could do about the redness but it was better than tears.

"Hey, Celia mentioned I'd find you here." Dimitri said poking his head in the my new room. "I like what you've done with place."

I cracked a smile. "I only had three boxes of stuff Dimitri, thanks for the rest. It's really nice and cozy."

He cleared his throat. "Well, I'm glad. I came to talk to you about something."

"What's going on?"

"I wanted to make you a proposition."

I glared at him. "It better not be something dirty, Belikov, because I'm not in the mood to murder you right now."

"Jesus Christ, woman, will you let me speak before you make up your mind about what it is I'm talking about."

"Fiiiine." I nodded. "I'm all ears."

"The presentation you edited for me was very well received, and it impressed not only the client I was trying to persuade but also the majority of my staff."

I grinned, and when I'd tried to ask him something else he shushed me.

"What did I say?" he glared. "Look what I'm trying to say is that if you want to work for us at the company, I'd be willing to give you a chance. Not because you're my wife but because I think you have potential."

I stared at him. He wanted me to work at his company! Dimitri didn't realize this, but he was giving me a chance to prove I wasn't just decoration, that I had a brain. Sure I'd only worked some of my magic with the presentation but I could show him and everyone else that I didn't rely on his money or the influence from my family and for that I was so grateful.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I said while I nearly pushed him off the sofa. He glared at me some more for rumpling his suit. But hey, I was happy to have a job and to stop walking around the house like a ghost.

"Hold on, but before you thank me, I have to let you know you won't have especial treatment because you're married to me."

"I wouldn't dream of it, as a matter of fact, just be rude and mean to me all you want. It still doesn't sour the deal."

"What if I told you you'd be under Tasha's care?" he smirked.

"You're pushing it." I glared at him.

"I'm kidding—she's not the worst, you know—instead you'll be Ivan's assistant."

"What really?! Ivan is a nice guy."

He shook his head. "I was going to give you many examples of why he isn't but I'd rather see you find out for yourself. Oh and Rose the charity gala is tomorrow, so be ready to leave tomorrow at eight."

I smiled. "Okay, boss. I'll put that in my agenda. I mean, Mr. Zeklos' agenda."

Without any other word he left.

It was amazing how a human being could lose its meaning so easily by being depraved of basic things; like family, friends, a profession, etc. Somewhere in Abe's twisted mind he thought he'd made suffer—like he'd always done to try and toughen me up—by sending me off to the highest bidder.

If he only knew that the place he'd made my prison felt more like a home than the house in Montana ever did. He would be pissed and I would die laughing at his expense.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*