Don't own VA. R&R!
CHAPTER 5: The Ball
Both angry and disappointed I headed back to my room. No matter how I felt I had promised Tasha I would escort her to the ball tonight. As I was getting dressed I thought maybe this would be a nice chance to forget all about my Rose problems and have some fun. I hadn't been out in quite a while and I had to admit that I needed a distraction. There it was then! I brushed my hair quickly and left to pick Tasha up. My relationship with Tasha was easier in the past; just two best friends having fun together, talking about all their problems…. I remembered that one time about three years ago in Russia. I had my day off and she had come to visit me. We had lunch together and then went skiing. I admitted when she won the race. It hadn't been long since Christian's parents had died-or been murdered- and she wasn't over it. I had tried to comfort her but it hadn't seemed to work. She felt better though when she talked to me about that.
Yes, our relationship was much easier in the past. But since she did that offer to me, it had been hard to be normal around her. I had to be careful of what I said, what I did..everything could turn into a misunderstanding. And I didn't want that. It was bad enough for her to wait for my answer and I already felt like a jerk for that. However, being around her like a friend when I knew she expected more or giving her the wrong impression about my feelings was even worse. Nice work Belikov!
I stood out of her room and knocked. She opened almost immediately like she had been waiting for me. Wow, she looked really beautiful. I never seen her in a ball's dress before and she was really nice. She was wearing a long dark blue dress with a short white fur coat. She was holding a black hand back and wearing black heels. She had her hair nicely hanging across her face.
"Dimka, if you keep staring like this I'm going to believe I changed so much you no longer recognize me!" she joked and she laughed.
"I actually don't. I have never seen you like this before and I have to say it suits you. You should do it more often." I said feeling kind of stupid.
"Was that a compliment or an insult? she asked and raised one eyebrow. Oups. "Relax, I'm kidding. Shall we?" she asked.
"Please!" I offered her my arm. Let's go before I say anything more idiotic.
As we headed to the ball room I took some glances at Tasha. She was really beautiful. In addition she was kind and strong, had a great sense of humor and I had known for quite a long time. Perhaps it could work between us. It would be easy being normal around her. She knew my habits, my likes and dislikes… Maybe I should think about her offer more seriously. I knew I had to stay away from Rose and there was my escape… Maybe Tasha could make me forget. She took a deep breath as we came closer at the ball room and put on one of her best smiles.
"Here we go" she murmured as they announced our entrance: "Lady Natasha Ozera and her escort Dimitri Belikov". We entered, kneeled in front of the queen and walked into the crowd. I could see Tasha was nervous and I didn't blame her. In fact, so was I.
"Hey, relax!" I told her. "You deserve to be here as much as anyone in this room. You are royalty too and your family has been one of the most important in centuries. Act like it!" I said trying to ease her fear.
"Easy to say hard to do. But I'll try!" she said wrapping my hand in hers.
"Need a drink?" I asked
"Maybe later" she replied.
I sneaked a peek at the room. The huge ball's room was one of the most impressive at the lodge. There were chandeliers hanging from the roof, lighting the place. The dancing floor was pretty enormous and all of the guests could without even realizing they weren't alone. And then they announced the next couple;
"Lord Adrian Ivashkov and his escort Rosemarie Hathaway". My head jerked instantly to look at Rose. What was she doing here? What was she doing out of bed? Why was she escorting him? What the fuck was going on? And then I saw her..really saw her. If I had thought Tasha to be beautiful then Rose must have a living, breathing goddess because there was no comparison. She was wearing a short, black dress ending higher than her knees. It had a cut ending at the height of her hip, leaving her gorgeous les in sight. It was strapless and she didn't wear anything to cover her arms. The dress was sparkling slightly at her chest. She was wearing black heels and holding a red hand bag and caught her hair up. She was smashing! And very provoking with her tiny dress. I had the urge to grab and hide her from everyone and when we would be alone kiss her, all of her, touch her and finish what we had started when we were under Victor's lust charm. When had I turn into such a perv? But I knew I wasn't because I loved her, more than anything, loved her so much it hurt.
And I didn't hurt just because of my unfulfilled love for her. I hurt because of her being with Adrian..or anyone. She looked so gorgeous at that moment that I let myself imagine that I was the one holding her arm, escorting her.. But I wasn't. He was, Adrian Ivashkov was stealing my Roza, doing his best to possess her. How could I ever allow that? I didn't miss a move of hers as she and Adrian greeted the queen by kneeling. Then they both approached Lissa and Christian to join them. Roza, my Roza was smiling and laughing and seemed to have fun. For a second I saw Adrian's hand wrapping around her waist, as to stand her only she didn't need it. How could he? How dared he touch her? How dared he lay his hands on the holy body of hers? How dared he desecrate her?
"Wow, that's a surprise!" Tasha said to my amusement. I had forgotten she was there. I followed her eyes and they were looking at Rose's direction.
"A big one!" was all I could say.
"She looks amazing, right? And her dress is… revealing." she said hesitating. Ah, you think?
"It suits her. I don't know any other girl who could support a dress like that better than Rose does. Like it made for her!" I said trying to be objective. I tried to make it sound like it was no big deal but I wasn't sure I fooled anyone. For one, Tasha wasn't.
"How about that drink we were talking about?" she asked clearly attempting to distract me.
"I'll be right back. Champaign?" I asked.
"Yes, champaign please, Dimitri." I went to the bar to get our drinks and tried not to look like someone had just put me on fire.
"Whoa, Comrade I don't remember seeing you in a tuxedo before. I nearly didn't recognize you!" a so much familiar voice said from behind. I turned and there she was ..my personal goddess.
"Ah, look who gets to talk of changes. Yesterday you were in hospital and tonight look at you.." I waved my hand at her direction to emphasize my words.
"I guess we're even then!" she said laughing. God, how I loved that laugh. "Seriously, now you really look amazing. Where's your lady?" she asked.
Right here, standing in front of me, I wanted to say. But I knew who she was referring to. "Somewhere in the room, waiting for her drink." I said pointing to the bar.
"Mmm nice. Gorgeous and gentleman. Priceless combination!" Was she… flirting with me? Maybe she.."So,.." she said cutting off my mental monologue "..what are you drinking?"
"Champagne." I answered wondering on the purpose of her question.
"Really? Leaving the hard drinks for later? Wise of you. We, the reckless teenagers, although will start right away…with vodka to continue on with tequila! Tonight is for fun, right?" She would drink what? And then get completely drunk and incapable of understanding and give the chance to any immature piece of junk, aka Adrian, take advantage of her. No way in hell!
"Rose, I don't think you should. You are too young for those kind of.."
"Oh, come on Comrade. Relax! Just for tonight is not that big deal. And I have no intention to pass out. Of course not. I know how to control myself." She said laughing. She laughed so much tonight! Just then I wanted so badly to kiss those laughing lips. There was in the world but her lips. I still remembered their warmth, their softness, the way they moved towards mine and.. God damn it, what is wrong with me?
"Yes, of course you do. Forget I said anything. Just have fun!" I wished her.
"Thank you! You too! I'll see you later, OK? Maybe I'll steal you for a dance. Tasha won't mind, will she?" she asked.
"I bet she won't. See you later then!" I said and she left with drinks in her palms. I couldn't help but notice that she was pretty cool with Tasha. When she had first heard about me possibly leaving to guard her reaction was..not the best on earth. And that had made me so happy and hopeful..it meant she cared, right? But now..what did her behavior mean? Maybe she had got over it and didn't care of what I might do..or..she had found comfort in Adrian's arms. I didn't know what hurt me more..
At that moment I had the most painful and unbearable vision; Rose dressed in white, shining in her wedding dress, smiling, walking inside a church to get to Adrian who was waiting next to the priest. She reached him, her eyes full of love and devotion and he caught her and pulled her into a passionate kiss. No, no stop it Belikov! When did you get to that you don't even know if they are together..
"Her Majesty, the queen Tatiana requests from her nephew to give us a dance with his escort!" someone announced. I saw Rose's eyes widen in shock and she stepped back trying to refuse. But Adrian whispered something to her ear and dragged on the dance floor. Lights turned off and a searchlight hit them. Adrian caught her arm, placed his other hand on her waist and they started dancing. She was so beautiful as Adrian was spinning her around. My previous vision came back and my heart stopped. When the dance was over, Adrian pressed his lips against hers pulling her into a kiss.
Did I need another proof that she didn't care about me? I couldn't stay there a second more. I caught Tasha's hand and dragged her outside.
"We're leaving! Now!" I whispered.
"Dimka, what happened, are you alright?" she asked, concern in her voice.
"No! I'm not and I need to get out of here!" I burst she didn't say anything and we walked down the hall.