I woke up the next morning, the sun was still up and shining in through my window. I groaned lightly, rolling over to check the time.
It was only 5, late by my usual standards but I was just so tired.
Id been up most of the night thinking about my decision, trying to convince myself that it was the right thing to do. I had to let Rose go, to let her be happy with someone who could give her a future, and so I had to get on with my own life.
I hadnt said anything to Tasha about my decision, I figure I will give it a couple of days, I dont want to make anything really official until I was one hundred percent sure about my choice... about whether I could actually do it...
I got up and showered and changed, walking out into the living room to find Tasha already up and sitting on the couch. She looked a lot better than she had last night, no sign of tears or being upset at all on her cheery face.
"Morning Tasha." I smiled as I pulled on my duster.
"Morning Dimka, Where are you off too this early?" She asked, raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"I figured you and I could go and get breakfast down at the cafe down the street."
I almost laughed at the way her face lit up, it was like a child at christmas. I had never really asked her to go anywhere with me, it had always been me following as her guardian, always being professional and keeping my distance.
"Sure, Ill just grab my wallet." She said practically leaping off the couch and racing to her room where she returned not even a minute later and we walked out of the house side by side all the way down to the cafe.
We both ordered coffee and some food, and she looked shocked when I told her it was my treat.
We sat at one of the tables outside in the light from the setting sun, it was actually a really romantic setting...if only I wasnt constantly wishing I was sitting here with...stop Dimitri, just stop... you have to let her go...
We talked and laughed for a while as we ate, at one point her hand rested against mine, but I didnt pull away like I normally would. The touch was plesant, it was nothing like the tingle that would rush through me when Roza touched me... but it was still nice.
"So what have you got planned for today?" I asked, faining curiousity.
"Well, Im supposed to be meeting the queen to go over the training trials that we have been doing in Russia, she wants a full progress update seeing as how we are here anyway, so it sounds like Ill be stuck in her office for most of the day." She replied, drinking back the last of her coffee.
"That doesnt sound fun at all." I replied sarcastically. She laughed at my lame comment before I carried on, "well...Shall we go to that asian Thai restaurant on the other side of court for dinner tonight then? Just me and you?" I asked, placing my hands together infront of me on the table. I kept eye contact with her, watching as her eyes slightly widened, then her eyebrows knotted together like she was confused, maybe she hadnt understood what I had asked?
"You... you mean like a date?" She asked hesitantly.
I nodded my head slowly, "Yeah... a date." I responded as casually as I could.
I saw the pure excitement and joy on her face just before she practically squealed, "Yes, of course Dimka, Id love to!"
"Great, Hows 8? Ill give you some space at the apartment so you can get ready and then Ill swing around and get you." I smiled at her, hoping she couldnt tell how forced it was...
I still wasnt completely sure of this, and I knew if I got her hopes up too much and then decided I couldnt be with her that she would be devastated, but I had to try... She obviously hadnt noticed my internal battle though because she glanced at her watch and then stood up exclaiming that she was going to be late if she didnt hurry up and go get ready.
I just nodded in response, She kissed my cheek before turning and running back towards the apartment. I touched the spot on my cheek where her lips had met my skin, the feeling wasnt anything special... like a kiss between friends... only somehow I dont think it was like that for her...
I started feeling guilty at how I was practically using her for my own purposes, but if I could really get over Rose then it wouldnt technically be using her would it?
As if my thoughts had conjured her up Rose came walking down the street, hands tucked into the pocket of her jeans. I could see the headphones in her ears and the way her lips were moving as though she were singing along to her music. She hadnt noticed me as she walked closer, I was about to get up and walk over to her to say Hi when she stopped, looking over at the otherside of the court yard with a smile on her face. My eyes wandered over to where she was looking and I almost growled when I saw Adrian waving at her and sauntering across the path to her.
He swept her up and spun her around once before placing her back on her feet and kissing her forhead, God how I wished that was me doing that to her, making her look so happy and content.
They carried on walking towards me, hand in hand untill Roses eyes suddenly locked with mine. It was like I was struck by lightening, that one look had my heart beating faster and my palms sweating. I feel like a hormonal teenage boy, this is rediculous...
She bit her bottom lip, and in the same second took her hand out of Adrians as though she had been caught doing something she shouldnt have. He looked at her in confusion until he followed her line of sight and saw me. I looked away, I didnt want to be caught staring at another mans girlfriend nor did I want to see the look of anger on his face that would no doubt be directed at me.
I looked down, drinking the last of my coffee as quickly as I could before I stood up and walked the other way, taking barely a second to glance at where they had been, the footpath was now empty as though they had just vanished.
I spent most of the day working out in the gym, and even offered my services to Head Guardian Hanz, he only put me on border patrols but I would take anything to keep my mind occupied.
Before I knew it I was walking down the corridor to our apartment in a pair of black jeans and a white dress shirt. I stopped outside our door and knocked, I figure if this is going to work then I might as well try to make it seem like a real date.
Tasha opened the door, a wide smile on her face. She wore a tight, deep blue dress that stopped halfway down her thighs. I couldnt help but think it would look better on...no, stop. Just stop Dimitri.
"You look lovely this evening Tasha, shall we?" I asked, turning to my side and holding out my elbow for her to take.
She grinned, "we shall" And laced her arm through mine as she closed the door.
We strolled down the main street like that, down to the Thai restaurant that I had booked a table at. It wasnt the fanciest place in town but I knew they did really good food.
We ordered our food as soon as we were seated, I took a moment to glance around the restaurant taking in the fancy red, black and gold decor around the room, each table set with three candles in the middle, it was a very, very nice place to eat. Tasha pulled my attention back to her, asking me about my day and then telling me about hers.
It was only 10 minutes later that the waiter bought our meals back to us, smiling as she set them down. "Is there anything else you need?" She asked, turning specifically to me.
I just shook my head, giving her a polite smile in return. Tasha just scowled at the women, giving her an evil glare as she turned and left the table.
Was she jealous? I almost blanched at the thought that Tasha was THAT into me that she would be jealous of other women even speaking to me... I certainly did not return that type of feeling...
We were halfway through our meal when I felt it, a tingle ran through me and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as though someone was touching my neck with a feather light touch. I turned to look behind me and almost fell off my chair.
It was the single most beautiful sight I had ever seen, almost like something from a movie... Roza had just barely walked through the door, her hair was down in ringlets over her shoulders. She wore a deep red full length dress that swept along the floor as she walked, I recognised the gold and diamond heart necklace she wore around her neck, It was two hearts that wound around each other, half of each one was lined in a row of diamonds... I bought it for her... I didnt even realise she had kept it... why was she still wearing it?
Her wide brown eyes did a sweep of the room, I was seated behind a large decorative palm bush so I was hidden from her view but I could still see her. She smiled at the waiter as he walked over to her, she gave a name and he led her to the other side of the room. I couldnt help but stare after her, she moved like a goddess.
I heard someone clear their throat, turning back to Tasha who had quite obviously caught what I was looking at. She raised one eyebrow at me and folded her arms on the table.
"They are a cute couple arent they?" She asked,
"What? Who?"
"Adrian and Rose." She said, tilting her head in the direction Rose had gone, I glanced over to see her sitting down at the same table where Adrian was waiting, he stood to meet her, kissing her cheek before sitting down opposite her.
I wanted to go over there and throw him out the window they were sitting by, how dare he have a romantic meal with the women I am supposed to be with... how dare he...
I had to stop myself, if I kept thinking things like that then my self control would snap.
With Rose involved...anything could happen... But I was here with Tasha, I was moving on.
I turned back to her putting a smile on my face, I nodded, "Yes, they are. Im glad she found someone to take care of her." I forced myself to say out loud, It was supposed to sound sincere but to my own ears it sounded fake and completely forced.
I wasnt sure if Tasha noticed this but she finally unfolded her arms and started to finish her meal. I however had suddenly lost my appetite. So instead I settled for downing the last of the wine that had been set on our table.
If I had to sit here and watch her be happy with someone else then I would do it atleast half drunk.
What felt like an eternity later, we finally finished our meals. I refused desert although it looked like that upset Tasha slightly, I just wasnt in the mood to sit here any longer. I asked the waiter for the check and then stood up to leave. Tasha excused herself to go to the bathroom quickly so I stood by the front door, still trying to keep out of sight of them, and waited for her.
Tashas Point of View
Good God, hes been staring at her all night, He thinks hes being subtle about it but I can tell, his eyes constantly wander in their direction. Hes supposed to be here with me, on a date with me not sulking after that tramp.
He even cut our date short, refusing to have desert. I know he just wants to get away from them, he cant stand to see her with someone else. It infuriates me, Im so much better for him, I can give him things that that whore cant. Why cant he see that?
Before we leave I excused my self to go to the bathroom, the little bit of wine that I managed to get before he practically chugged the bottle was already through my system.
As I came out of the stall I was using I saw her standing infront of the mirror, her hands clasping the basin and she was staring intently at her own reflection. God, vain much?
She barely glanced at me as I moved beside her and started washing my hands. She did a double take though when she realised it was me.
"Tasha." She said in way of greeting.
"Oh Rose, I almost didnt recognise you. How are you?" I asked, not that I really care. Two bit, wannabe man-stealer.
"Im fine, what are you doing here?" She asked, her eyes wandering down to look at my ensamble. Yes I know, Im hot.
"Im here on a Date, with Dimka." I replied, I couldnt help the triumphant grin that was on my face as I told her.
"You guys are dating now? since when?" She asked curiousity obvious in her tone, both her eyebrows were raised.
"Oh he asked me out this morning, We just finished our meal, now we are heading back to our apartment... for desert." I said the last bit as seductively as I could, trying to get my point across, theres no way me and Dimitri would actually be eating if I can help it... well, not food anyway.
Her eyes widened slightly, then she pursed her lips before the fakest smile I have ever seen appeared on her face. "Good for you. Well see ya." She said practically storming out of the bathroom. I couldnt help but smirk triumphantly, she was such the jealous ex. Not that I should even call her that, they never would have lasted anyway, hes too good for her.
And now, hes all mine.
Dimitris Point of view
I heard the subtle bang of the bathroom doors closing and looked up, expecting to see Tasha walking this way. Instead I saw Rose practically stomping her way out. She froze suddenly as her eyes locked on mine, I saw a look of sadness and hurt on her face, I couldnt understand why... then Tasha came out behind her, walking swiftly past her. I saw Rose glance at her then back at me, the hurt look being replaced by.. disgust and anger?...
What the hell happened in there for her to look at me that way?
I couldnt help raising one eyebrow as Tasha approached me, wrapping one arm around mine as she pulled me around and through the front doors. I glanced back once more to see that Rose had left the spot she was in, an empty feeling hit my chest.
Why did she look so mad at me? Was she... was she jealous? Was she hurt that I was with Tasha?
I shook that thought out of my head instantly, she was with Adrian, she was happy. Why would she be jealous of me.