Hi guys!

You have no idea how much I've missed this. So no, I haven't forgotten about you.

Which is why I was very excited, when I sat down and began to write what ended up being the eleventh Chapter 8. Because, I kid you not, there's about eleven files in my computer with the tittle Chapter 8 in various forms of completion. But they didn't feel right. So I decided to wait for the one that felt right, and the one that is right, is the one that took me the shortest amount of time to write.

Without any further a due, here's the next one!

Chapter 8.- A matter of time.

Ivan's POV

Fuck, I sighed. If I heard that screechy laugh one more time, I was going to lose it.

I was already on my last string seeing that I was spending my Friday night all by myself. And the worst part was, it had been by choice. Ivan Zeeklos had officially declined a date. With a model, for heaven's sake.

Which was the main reason, I had found myself drinking whiskey in a corner of my favorite bar. I had officially lost my damn mind.

I was 29 years old, and I had finally gotten to the point where I didn't wish for a woman with long legs and a great rack. Instead, I longed for someone who could carry a conversation that had nothing to do with how many calories a hamburger without the buns had or if I didn't mind turning into a photographer for the rest of the night.

I wanted someone that I could honestly say I enjoyed their company and for them to enjoy mine, instead of thinking of the perks from being seen with me.

Tossing my drink back, I decided I was better off watching another episode of Dr. Who at home, than trying to fix my mood with alcohol and any more bad decisions. Just as I called the bartender to ask for the check, the woman sitting behind me decided that her subtle laugh had been enough to catch my attention and she was going all in.

"Hi, there." The tipsy blonde smiled, giving me ample view of her cleavage. "Are you ready to buy me a drink or should I give you more time?"

Not wanting to be rude, because that wasn't how my mom had raised me, I returned her smile. "Sure thing, darling. Just ask Evan here, to put it on my tab. Have a good night."

With I wink, I stood from the stool hoping that she'd catch on and let me go in peace. But that didn't work out, as she grabbed onto my wrist. "Why are you leaving so soon? The night isn't over yet."

Before I could formulate the polite words to excuse myself, someone else took the chance for me.

"If he continues to hold onto your hand like that, the night will end for him."

I turned to the side and found a lovely pair of jade eyes hiding behind glasses, glaring at me and the blond woman. Did we know each other?

I looked down at the whiskey glass on the bar and I promised myself that I wouldn't drink anymore, at least when women were involved. Because men knew there was nothing scarier, than a woman that knew you didn't remember her.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" The blond woman asked with disdain. I stared back at the woman, wondering the exact same thing.

"You're looking at the reason he's even here in the first place. I'm his girlfriend. That is, if he still has a one before the night is through. Now if you don't mind, we're going to be late for dinner." Jade eyes said, before crossing her arms and walking around the patrons, towards the exit.

That's when it dawned on me, we didn't know each other. She was giving me an easy way out. Deciding not to waste the golden opportunity, I yelled. "Wait for me, baby!"

Removing my arm from the blonde's grip, I apologized. "Look, I'm sorry but I'm having enough problems as is. I don't want for her to get the wrong idea, her being pregnant and all. You can still enjoy the drink, though, on us."

When the fresh air finally hit my face, I knew I'd made the right choice to leave. The bar was becoming way too stuffy, and the crowd was getting rowdy.

"There you are."

I jumped, feeling my heart race as a tiny figure appeared from the side of the darkened alley. Noticing my reaction, she cursed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean scare you. Usually, I don't act this creepy, but I saw you were by yourself and you didn't look so happy. Which is why I meddled, I didn't think you'd need someone else adding to that." When she noticed that she'd called herself creepy, she cringed.

I felt a grin spread over my face. "Thanks for that, actually. I didn't know how decline without getting a drink thrown in my face. Were you also by yourself?"

"Yeah, I've also had a shitty day. Which is why I noticed a fellow comrade."

"Well, I wouldn't want to sound creepy myself, but would you like to have some coffee with me?" I asked, pointing an open coffee shop down the street.

"Only if you tell me your name. That'd make me feel less weird about this situation. You'll be less of a stranger and if you do decide to kidnap me, I have a name to give to the police."

I smirked. "Smart woman. I'm Ivan, a normal non-kidnapping guy."

"Thank god, with the luck I've been having, it would be no surprise if it did happen." She frowned. "Nice to meet you Ivan, I'm Natalie."

"Now that we aren't complete strangers, Natalie, how about we get some coffee and you tell me how you ended up saving my ass tonight."

"Sounds like a good idea, way better than going home and expecting my cat to understand me."

I grinned. "Thanks. I think that's the best compliment I've gotten in a while, for someone to prefer my company to that of a feline."

After finding a table, the rest of the evening went rather smoothly. Slowly but surely, I found that I was truly enjoying myself.

When our order had been delivered, Natalie shared how she'd ended up at the bar. A date gone wrong.

"How did you meet this guy?" I asked, taking a bite of a muffin.

"Through my family." She replied. "He's my father's right hand and his favorite choice for son-in-law. As soon as I sat down in front of him, he asked me to pick a date for the wedding. He expects that I give birth to his 2.5 kids and pick out matching curtains for our house in the suburbs."

"I think you've outdone me."

"At least I made someone less burdened about their own problems. Because when my father hears about this, he'll be ready to shit bricks, knowing that I left him with a pasta plate as a hat."

"This man sounds like a prick for expecting you to live in the suburbs, shitty neighbors there."

She snorted. "Finally, someone gets it. I want more in life than to be known for being someone's wife. I want to be Natalie, the girl that scares people in alleys and doesn't give a shit about curtains."

"Curtains are overrated." I said with a shrug.

Before she could say anything else, her phone rang. I didn't mean to look, but I couldn't help myself as I read.

John Spiridon calling…

From her expression, it wasn't a good sign.

She groaned. "I better get going, shit's hit the fan. It was really nice to meet you, Ivan."

"Likewise, do you need a ride?" I asked, before I could think about it.

"Thanks, but I'll take a cab. I hope I see you around." She said and before I think about asking for her phone number, she'd already disappeared.

It made me question for a moment, if I'd actually been talking to someone or if it was just a figment of my imagination.

*.*.*

Rose's POV

I was warm. Too warm.

Being the lazy morning person that I was, I pulled out my feet and tried to get back to my very pleasant dream. Something about a faceless hunk giving me a back massage, so I definitely wanted to return to it.

At least, until I felt someone touch my hair.

I opened my eyes to find myself sprawled all over Dimitri, with my head resting on his shoulder and my leg thrown over his hip, as if I was a damn koala bear. So he was my hunk, after all.

"You're awake." He said, his voice raspy from sleep. "I wasn't sure if I was going to have tickle you awake."

I snuggled deeper into his side. "You would've lost a limb, if you'd tried."

"I think I may be losing it, because I seem to like it when you threaten me with bodily harm." He chuckled.

"It's part of my appeal," I said with shrug. "I don't think want to leave this bed ever again."

"Not even for breakfast?"

"Only for that, but I was hoping someone would be kind enough to supply me with breakfast in bed."

Dimitri looked around the cabin, "Is that supposed to me?"

I whistled in affirmation. "Yes, you are the lucky winner. Now be a dear and cook for me. " Without even thinking about it twice, I kissed him on the cheek.

He looked at me funny, before kissing me on the lips. The man was taking his damn time, making me lose my damn mind.

"As much as I would like to stay in bed with you," he said in between kisses. "I have a better idea. How about I take you on a proper tour around the city?"

"You'll have yourself a deal, if I can drive." I replied, breathlessly.

"Fine," he said. "Though I'm not sure we'll get to see much from the side of the road."

I smacked him on the chest, before being a brave little cookie and leaving the warmth of the bed. "I drive just fine, Belikov. Just you wait and see..."

*.*.*

I stared at Dimitri from the passenger side, wearing a light bomber jacket and a backwards baseball cap. "We look like bank robbers."

"We're undercover. God knows that you and the media are not the best combination." He teased.

Looping my ponytail through the matching cap, I thwacked him on the arm. "I didn't know I married a damn comic."

"I must be getting better at this humor thing. Hey, I think our marriage might have a chance in the end."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Jesus, just tell me where I'm supposed to go, otherwise keep it down."

"And here I thought you enjoyed my company. You're doing fine. The diner is straight down this street. But step on it, won't you."

"I think I preferred it when you gave me the silent treatment." I muttered. "Just grunt when you see where I'm supposed to park."

He laughed, turning up the radio and leaning back into his seat. Men.

As we sat down in an empty booth at the diner, I understood exactly why Dimitri insisted we ate there. The bay windows allowed an incredible view of the marina. The docked boats, almost seemed like toys floating in the water.

"What will you be having today?"

Removing my eyes from the view, I looked up to find a waitress staring at Dimitri with hearts in her eyes. Seeing that I wasn't the only besotted fool in the building, I placed our order.

"We'll be having the buttercream waffles with a side portion of eggs and bacon, please. Scrambled. And a cup of coffee and hot chocolate, if you have some. That okay with you?" I looked at Dimitri.

"That's perfect, love." Dimitri replied, not even looking at the menu.

Love? My poor ovaries didn't stand a chance.

The poor woman, stopped staring at Dimitri long enough to jot down our order. "Okay, I'll bring your drinks in a moment."

"Thank you," I said feeling my cheeks go up in flames.

When she left us, Dimitri laughed. Asshole. "Shut it, Belikov, or I'll shut it for you."

"You're cute when you get jealous, you start talking all sweet but your cheeks go red."

I huffed. "I wasn't jealous. Now stop annoying me, and let me enjoy my breakfast without hurting you, you sadist man."

When our order had been delivered, we inhaled the food like there was no tomorrow. It was refreshing to be out in public without the hassle of security guards or the media. I almost felt normal.

"Do you want to take a look around the marina?" Dimitri asked, taking a drink from his mug.

I nodded. "Yeah, I think I saw some shops I wanted to check out."

*.*.*

Nina's Closet, was one of the quirkiest gift shops I'd ever seen in my life.

They sold just about anything, from personalized key chains to blankets in the shape of Oregon. Practical or not, I definitely wanted one.

After browsing around for a little while, I stumbled across a fluffy rabbit onesie. A perfect gift for Lissa's baby. Deciding to get her something as well, I stopped by the jewelry section and settled on an engraved locket, hoping that if I put a picture she'd remember her shitty friend anywhere she went.

Just as I was heading to the register, I looked up to find a red braded bracelet with a blue stone in the middle. A nazar.

If I remembered correctly, they served as protection from all things evil and ill spirited. Which was something Dimitri and I needed in spades. So I picked up two just in case.

After thanking the kind owner for gifting me a keychain, I walked outside to find Dimitri feeding the birds.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" He asked, pinching off small pieces of bread from his cinnamon roll.

"Yeah, that place is my kind of shop. You've ever been here before?"

"Only to the diner," he said taking my hand. "Besides my family and the company, I really didn't want to make time for anything else. But I can honestly say I was missing out."

"You were definitely missing out," I said with a grin.

Reaching out into the paper bag, I removed the nazar bracelet from its box. "I need you to close your eyes for me."

"What are you up to?" he looked at me suspiciously for a second before closing his eyes.

Tying the strings around his wrist, I said. "You can open your eyes now. It's a nazar. Supposedly, it keeps you safe from all things evil. You've already given me freedom, the least I can do is give you some protection."

"Thank you, Roza." He said, wrapping his arms around me. "I'll always wear it. Did you buy me anything else?"

"Sorry, unless you find a way to shrink yourself I don't think you'll fit into what I bought."

"Can I see?"

"Sure," I nodded.

When he pulled out the rabbit suit, the already small onesie looked even tinier in his hands. "Do you have something you need to tell me?"

I gawked at him. "Of course not. It's for my best friend. She just told me she's pregnant and I thought I'd mail it to her."

A funny look flashed across his face, before he said. "Whether it's a girl or a boy, I think it will look cute. When we get the chance, well send her something bigger."

As I looked at him in that moment, it was kind of hard not to think about the dream I'd had. He'd probably make a good father.

When I hugged him tighter, he chuckled. "What do I owe this to? For reference purposes."

I shrugged, feeling my eyes get teary. "I'm just very happy."

"I'll keep that in mind. Not bad for someone that wanted to maim me just a couple of minutes ago."

I stepped aside, feeling a grin spread across my face. "You're a pain in the ass, Belikov."

"Yeah, then that makes you, Mrs. Pain in the ass."

I found myself thinking for the second time. Men.

*.*.*

"It's great to be home!" I cheered.

We'd finally made it home a couple of hours later, after taking a stroll through the Japanese Gardens and to the unexpected, Oaks Amusement Park. As much as I loved sightseeing, I was glad to be off my feet.

"Do you need anything, mija?" Celia asked.

"No thank you, Celia. I'm still stuffed from the hotdogs we had for dinner. I don't think there was ever a time when I've had so junk much food, I think I'm going to explode."

She smiled. "As long as you had fun while eating everything, it's worth it. Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest, I think Alberto and Dimitri will a take a while."

I nodded, giving her a hug. "Good night, Celia."

"Goodnight, Rosita. Descansa."

When my body touched the mattress, I almost cried with joy. I hadn't known just how tired I was. But before I could get some sleep, I needed to check up on Lissa.

The phone rang twice, before she answered. "Hey you! I thought you forgot about me"

Shit. "Sorry, Liss. I just got home, there wasn't very good reception where I was."

"Why do I feel that something important happened while you were gone?"

"That's because it did. Dimitri confessed he had feelings for me, just when I was about to tell him that I did too."

"You have no idea how happy that makes me." She said, but she didn't sound all that happy, instead she sounded worried.

"Lissa, is everything alright with you? Something's been off since the last time we spoke, I don't like it."

She exhaled. "With me yes, it's something else I'm worried about."

I didn't like where this was headed. "It's okay you can tell me."

"A couple of days after we talked, you father told Christian he needed a favor. He mentioned that he'd be holding a special dinner on Friday, and that he'd like for us to be present, because we were around the same age as his guests. I didn't think anything of it, because I could use the company. At least until I saw who it was."

"And who was it, Lissa?" If it had her that shaken up, it couldn't be good.

"Your father didn't think I'd recognize him, but then again he didn't know anyone else knew about him. But the truth is, Abe has lied to all of us, Rose."

"I don't understand." I said feeling a heaviness spread around my stomach.

"It means that Abe didn't kill Adrian all those years ago, like he made us believe. As well as the fact, that there's got to be a reason he appeared now all of a sudden, married to—"

In that moment, I could've sworn I heard pins drop and the earth move. I also could've sworn I'd been sitting down, but as the ground seemed to get even closer, I knew that I was wrong.

I had always been wrong, I just didn't know how much until then...