". . . Adrian"

After that last line of his, I finally found my voice. I wanted to fall on the ground and bawl my eyes out but that would be a very unattractive sight to see. I wanted to do so many things. . . .

We just stared at each other, not saying anything, not breathing, just staring and our hands touching. I'm sure my eyes showed him pure love and hurt. A few tears escaped my eyes. I looked at him for a little while longer, shook my head, turned around, and walked away, no, ran away. I hurt too much, it hurt too much to see him.

I burst out of the banquet hall with a lot of tears. People stared my way wondering why there were tears in my eyes.

"Rose!" Adrian's voice rang out. Everyone stared at him too. I didn't want anyone to witness the scene that was sure to develop right now.

I turned my back on him. "What do you want, Adrian? Haven't you've done enough damage?" I said. I wanted my voice to sound like I was pissed but it came out sounding like I was about to burst out crying at any second. Shaky.

The snow started falling again. It hit us and then melted in our hair. It was such a beautiful night and I would have taken pleasure in it if not for the ugly scene that was going to happen with him and me.

"I have something to say to you, Rose." He said.

"So say it! You're wasting my time!" This time, my voice did sound rough. I didn't care that everyone saw my tears.

"Rose, I need you!" He said exasperated. My tears mirrored his. "I should have realized how dumb I was not to notice that Andre was indeed coming between us."

I shook my head and laughed humorlessly. "It took you that long, Adrian?"

"I was an idiot, Rose! I love you!"

"You hurt me. . ."

"I know, and I am sorry. But you hurt me more by leaving and taking our kids with you."

I didn't know what else to say so I shrugged, letting the tears fall. I looked away, not knowing what else to do.

He looked around for a second. "Come to my room." He was not asking me, he was ordering me.

There was nothing else to do but to follow him. The elevator ride was awkward; we were so caught up in our thoughts. The doors opened and he stopped at a set of double doors. Oh, shoot. It was a room across mine. How was I so blind not to notice such thing? Maybe that was a sign of karma. Maybe we were really meant to be.

He opened the door and stepped aside and let me in. He stood in the middle of the room not really doing anything. Finally, he walked to the middle of the kitchen where a liquor stand was set up. He got a bottle of Russian Vodka and poured himself a couple of drinks.

I watched as he took drink after drink.

After a couple of drinks, I couldn't stand to watch him like this. All miserable. I walked up to him and took the cursed bottle out of his strong hands. No matter how big of an ass he had been to me, he was still my husband and one true love. I needed to help him. "Don't." I said softly.

"I can't take it anymore, Rose. I need you with me." He said. He looked at me sadly and tears dripped from his eyes.

I put my hand on his cheek. "I'm here."

That little I'm here seemed to do it. He looked at me for a second. He grabbed the hand that was on his cheek and pulled me close. His lips were on mine before I knew what was happening. I didn't care that I practically got drunk off his breath. I didn't care that I was supposed to be mad at him. The whole could be out there dying and burning and I still wouldn't care. I didn't care about anything as his lips were on mine and he was in my arms.

In the morning, I felt happy in Adrian's arms.

"Do you mind if I go get more clothes?"

"I will only if you promise me you won't take long."

I tiptoed to my room across the hall. I sighed happily.

I got inside my bedroom. Since I was not staying more than two days I had only brought like four outfits and underclothes. I slipped into that and then walked to the bathroom so that I could brush my hair and teeth.

I finally decided I needed a shower. It was a fast shower, since I was so eager to join him again. I put on a different outfit of clothes. It was a dark purple sweater dress with black tights underneath and my newly bought pair of heels. I slipped on my black bracelet. I sprayed some Can Can from Paris Hilton. I loved how it smelled sweet.

I walked out and to his room. I had taken a decent amount of time to change because he wore a dark pair of jeans and a black button up polo. "You took too long." He said.

"Yeah, but I'm here now."

He came to me and hugged and kissed me. "Come on, I made reservations to the restaurant downstairs. Let's go."

He took my hand and led me to the fancy restaurant on the first floor.

The hallway to our room was empty and I was grateful for that.

Once in the room, he laid me down on the bed and held me. We stayed quiet for a while.

I smiled, touching his cheek—

"ADRIAN IVASHKOV!" A female's voice yelled. Damn did that female sound pissed. Adrian pulled away to see who was disturbing our "love scene."

I thought it would be Yaritza or Vera. But, no. Rika stood there looking at with tears in her eyes. "Didn't you get enough of Andre? Oh, I get it. You had Andre and now you want to get Adrian again!"

I was mad at her for ruining my life and Adrian's.

I wanted to die when I saw she had a baby bump.

She put her hand to her stomach. "Can't you see that Adrian and I are going to have a baby? Why can't you ever leave me alone? Why can't you leave me to be happy? What have I ever done to you?"

I looked at Adrian. He was looking at Rika with an incredulous look. "What, Rika! You and I aren't going to have anything together!" He looked at me with pleading eyes. It was so heart breaking that I wanted to believe him. "Andre left Rika because she was pregnant and now she wants to rub it off on me like it was my damn kid!"

I shook my head and let pain and hurt fill my body. When was this life going to let me have a happy life? "Why, Adrian? Why did you have to do this? To us? I can't believe it." my face scrunched up in disgust.

"Rose, its not true! Rika just wants you to believe that cause she has always wanted me! I don't love her, I love you!"

I shook my head again and ran out the door. Before I was fully out the door Adrian caught me. I looked into his eyes. "I can't believe you, Adrian. I was prepared to give you another chance but you just blew it off!"

He looked at me, so seriously and intently. "Rose! I do love you! Rika is lying never have touched her in my life! It's not my baby, it's Andre. Why do you think he is not here?"

"Adrian. . ."

"Let me explain, Rose." He said so seriously that I wanted to listen but I couldn't. He leaned me against the wall.

"Explain what? Or should I say, what lie are you going to make up now? I can't believe you, Adrian." I pushed him off me.

He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eye. "Rose. . ." I took that as a chance to escape to my room. Good thing my bag was already packed, everything was packed. I picked up my purse and walked out the door to where he was standing, looking hurt and crazed.

I walked right past him. He reached out and gripped my arm. "Damn it, Rose! Listen to me!"

"Why would I want to listen to you?" I asked, heading towards the elevator. I sort of had to feel my way around because there was so many thick tears in my eyes.

"Because I love you, Rose. I love you and only you, Rose."

"Wow, you expect me to believe that?" I asked, damn why were these elevators taking so long. "I don't love you anymore, Adrian, not anymore after this. Now, I hate you."

He looked really upset as he looked from the ground to me; he looked like he had aged at least ten years from the time we started yelling each other. No, scratch that, he looked like he was gaining a year of age as the seconds went by. "Feel anything you want about me but don't hate me. I rather you don't feel for me than you feel hate towards me. I can't bear to live knowing that you hate me."

The elevator doors opened and I walked in. I leaned my head against the corner of the elevator. I was thankful that the elevator was empty.

I walked out of the elevator. I wiped my eyes and went to the front desk to check out. It was overly concerned old lady. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I just found out some bad news." Bad, indeed.

"You feel better okay? Have a wonderful day." Since she was so kind, I tipped her a decent amount of money. I smiled at her and left to get a taxi. Vera and Jack were long gone.

I was standing on the curb, calling the airlines so that I could the next available ticket, when a cold hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find Rika's bursting face of triumph. "I'm telling you, I always will win."

I didn't look at her as I got into. "There will come a time when you will fall in love and it will hurt. A lot." I closed the door and the taxi drove off.

I had to wait for at least thirty minutes so I could board my plane. The airport was filled with people. Some were leaving town, some coming home, while my world was crashing down. The intercom came on. "All passengers for flight 532 please board the plane."

I was more than happy to step out into the cold winter. I climbed into the plane and went to my seat in the first-class section. I laid my head against the window. I heard the plane start and then it took off.

I arrived home in less than an hour.

Ervin and Taylor and David were playing with Vera and Jack when I went inside the door. Vera looked at me and unaware of what had happened asked me an unwanted question. "So how did it go with you two?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I looked at Ervin and Taylor. "I don't want to talk about it." I kneeled down, down to where Taylor and Ervin played. I kissed both of them on the cheeks. I turned my face away from them so they wouldn't see my tears.

Of course ,my tears made Vera's motherly side come out. "Rose, what happened? Did he—

I looked at Vera. "I don't want to talk about it." I said, softly focusing on my children.

She nodded by her eyes remained on me. The day was so glum and I couldn't wait for it to be night already so that I could break down already. The night came sooner than I imagined. Vera and Jack left with their son, but before they left, they both hugged me and David kissed me on the cheek.

I put Ervin and Taylor inside bed with me. I kissed both of their foreheads. They looked at me sadly. Ervin asked, "What is wrong, mom?"

I tried to smile, biting my lips so I wouldn't cry in front of him. "Nothing, sweetie. Now, go to sleep before Taylor wakes up and hits you for waking her up."

He laughed gently. The he stopped. "Mommy, why isn't daddy here?"

I didn't know what to answer. So I said, "He is um. . .out being a donkey."

My little two year old boy laughed again. He threw his arms around me and kissed me on the cheek. "I love you, mommy!"

"So do I, baby, so do I. Now, go to sleep."

"Okay, mommy." He was one of those kids that when their backs touched the mattress, they passed out.

Not for the first time in my life, I was thankful I had them with me.