Prepare for a bit of a time jump. This story is about to get deep and there are a few things I have to do before it does... Enjoy!
It is amazing how time can fly when you are having fun. The last 6 months or so had passed by in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Things were not perfect, but they were as close as they could be. My relationship with Abe had been growing, him more willing to tell me things, or maybe it was because he knew Dimitri would come home and spill the details. There were somethings that had to remain confidential but I understood and would not push on the subject.
Things with Mason had been going great as well. I spent a lot more time with him, talking and just hanging out. Mason was even growing quite found of Dimitri. After the engagement he had opened his mind a lot more about us. Mason and Abe had seen how serious we were. And both had volunteered to help out with the up coming wedding as much as possible. But with time passing by so quickly, it also brought about what had happened a year ago.
Yesterday had been the one year anniversary of my mother's death. It was hard to gauge where my emotions were, but they were mostly leaning towards sad. I wished my mother was still with us. I wanted her to meet Dimitri. To see me and how well I was doing with my life. I had just finished my first semester in Culinary School. I was still working at the bakery and Dimitri and I were going as strong as could be. I wanted her here helping me plan my wedding. A wedding that I insisted not happen until my age had at least a two at the beginning of it.
I was wishing I could go back in time and do things differently, but that was impossible. I had gone to my mothers grave with Mason and Eddie. Abe had showed up as we were leaving, a grim look on his face. He had hugged the three of us and walked to my mothers grave were we left him alone to grieve like we had. But I knew better than to sulk, life went on, even without her. And after finding out the sacrifice she had made for us I knew she wanted us to live it to its fullest.
Today though was the one year mark of Dimitri and I first meeting each other. A year ago this day I walked into his bakery and everything in my life changed. I saw the man that was Dimitri and wanted him in my life. Looking back I laughed at how insecure I had been. How I thought he may not want me or like me. I now knew the man was as crazy about me as I was about him.
It was weird to think about it really. I felt like I had changed so much since that first day. My confidence was through the roof. I still spoke my mind, but now people listened. I was going to school. I was living with the love of my life, and we were in engaged soon to be married. The marriage thing still scared me, though I knew deep inside it would not change anything.
In just a couple more weeks I would be turning 19. And though I was engaged it was not something I thought about very often. Our wedding was to be the following year, Dimitri had time and time again told me we could wait longer, but I knew it was unnecessary. I loved him and he loved me, there was no need to wait longer than needed. Plus I had recently gotten very into planning my wedding. Lissa now proudly by my side. And a year seemed like the perfect amount of time to plan it out.
Dimitri and I had sat down and talked about it a couple months ago. When I told him the date I had picked he was surprised. He expected me to want to wait a few more years, but there was no reason to wait. We loved each other, and it was going to come one day soon. Why not make it sooner. Plus, there was no real rush. I was taking my time in planning it. And if the date did not work we could always move it.
Lissa and I had spent the last 5 months or so repairing our friendship. At first it consisted of a lot of yelling. A lot of that and a lot of walking out on each other. But after Christian sat us both down in his guest bedroom and locked us in, with the help of Adrian and Dimitri, we were finally able to talk it out. We may have only known each other for so little time, but we each knew the other meant a lot. And neither of us wanted a life without the other.
Jill had also become very handy to us. She was still digging up information for us. But it was like taking random puzzle pieces and trying to fit them together, and they had all came from different boxes. But one thing had come up and that was Victor. Her mother had been talking to him recently, and that gave us a direct link to the Society and him. It was scary to think that even though he was not here he had someone far too close for comfort.
"Shit." I was running late again. I had been so tired lately. I felt like I could sleep for days and never sleep enough. Dimitri was patiently waiting for me in the living room as I ran around trying to find my wallet.
"Looking for this?" Dimitri stood in front of me waving my glittering wallet with an amused look on his face. I was also a little forgetful, it had gotten worse in the last month or so.
"Yes!" I reached for it throwing it in my purse as we both basically ran out the door.
"So are you going to talk to Abe about Emily talking to Victor?" Dimitri groaned and tapped on the steering wheel.
"Yes, I mean I have to. This is big. He's been trying to find the man for years now and has not gotten anything. Its like the man isn't even real." He sighed and looked over at me. "If she's involved with someone bad Jill is the one that is going to suffer."
I knew that was true, but at least she now had the Dragomir's. They had basically taken her in. She was staying with Lissa and Christian every time Emily went out on business. It was thanks to this that Jill had been hearing a lot more. Emily was growing careless around her daughter. She had even mentioned the Oreza's, something that had peaked even more interest with us.
"Yea I know. But I got this feeling Dimitri. And its not a good one." He nodded but said nothing else. I knew he would talk to Abe and they would figure it all out.
"I'll talk to him today babe." He reached over for my hand bringing it to his lips kissing my knuckles. The action causing his to caress my stomach, something he smiled at. God it seemed like all he thought about was sex.
"Thank you."
"Anything for you." He looked over my way smirk on his lush, delicious lips.
"Now I'll be getting out earlier today, and remind Abe he said you could leave early too. We are celebrating tonight!" I was bouncing in my seat, and Dimitri chuckled.
"Stop worrying about me, Abe told me to tell you to stop texting him about it. He hasn't forgotten." I laughed at this. Getting closer to Abe had also meant me annoying the living shit out of him. Especially since he had insisted I have his personal cell number, something not many people had.
"Well that is his own fault. I'll text him about this issue later." I went to get out of the car but Dimitri pulled me in.
"Be nice Roza. I still have to work with the man." He puckered his lips and I leaned in without thinking, getting my good bye see you later kiss.
Walking into the bakery always felt so weird lately. I had been spending so much time in school. I was there basically Monday thru Friday, and I felt bad about being away. The Belikov's were in every now and then helping out, but their main focus was the boutique, and it was time well spent. They had opened a few months before and had been a hit in this small town.
There was a lot of hard work to be done around the bakery but Christian had once again proven himself to be a good manager. He had maintained everything and had even started hiring people for the new location that was to open the following month. He had volunteered to go to the new store and train everyone as well. And would soon be back to helping me a lot more often.
It finally seemed like everything had fallen into place though. And I had the pleasure of actually having Avery quit. She came in one day out of breath saying she could no longer work, that something had come up. I faked being sad, but when she walked out I did a major happy dance. She had been even more annoying than usual lately. Not only that she was saying and doing things that were making me suspicious.
Avery had been acting so weird the weeks before she quit. I had even caught her talking to herself on more than one occasion. She would eye me worried, and was keeping her space from everyone. She seemed like a crazed woman, and I was going to fire her. I was going to until I started feeling bad for her. There was something going on in her life that was obviously affecting her. Though she never talked to anyone of us about it.
"Danish." I jumped up as Jill held a strawberry and cheese danish in my face. "Sorry." Her eyes fell to the ground, clearly upset that she had startled me.
Jill was now working close to full time hours since she was on summer vacation. She had wanted more hours during the school year but I insisted she keep up with her school work. She did not know how lucky she was to be able to experience real high school. Most of the time she was complaining about a mean girl, but she seemed to have a lot more friends than me. She had her own little group, and they seemed like good people.
"No worries Jill." I took the danish with a smile biting into it as I walked into the kitchen. "So how are the orders looking?" Jill had opened the store for me, and by the smell of it she had been here for a while.
"Well Christian dropped me off before he headed over to train the newbies. And he left pretty early." I glared at her, she knew I hated when she worked so hard. I could have helped her out.
"Don't look at me like that Rose. I love working here!" She waved me off and walked into the kitchen as a timer went off.
I turned the open sign over and started prepping everything for those early risers. We would soon be getting a morning rush, and since it was only the two of us I had to prepare a lot more than usual. It was nothing we could not handle. Jill was amazing around the bakery. Pretty soon she would be able to run this entire place on her own. Emily had an amazing daughter it was just sad she was barely around to see it.
"Morning Roza." I turned around and a smile made its way to my face as I saw Olena.
"Morning Olena." I stepped forward and brought her into a hug.
Since first meeting the Belikov's they had calmed down. Maybe it had to do with our constant visits. No matter what it was nice to not have to hear all the screaming. The hugs were still there but I had more than grown use to them. I actually looked forward to them. I had not grown up with that type of loving.
"What has you here this early." She chuckled and pulled away walking past me.
"It is about time we start helping a little more at the bakery too. Plus, Dimitri said you were short staffed." It was then I noticed the apron in her hands.
"Well, that's wonderful, thank you." I looked around remembering she said we. "Who else is with you?"
"Oh she will be a few more minutes. Viktoria has never been a morning person." She laughed to herself and made her way into the kitchen. I was about to continue setting up when the bell rang .
I looked up and the sight before me had me giggling. Viktoria was there with bleary eyes. A clear frown on her face as she took in the place. The best part was her wrinkled clothes, something I was sure she had just grabbed out of her hamper.
"God Roza not so fucking loud." Viktoria's voice was still thick with sleep. She must have fallen asleep again on the car ride here.
" Sorry but you look like a hot mess." She glared at me and then rolled her chocolate brown eyes. It was strange how much her and Dimitri looked alike. Especially since they were so different, personality wise.
"Ugh I hate mornings. But mama insisted that I come and help. Roza needs our help Viktoria." She mocked her mother and almost sounded like her. "She even told me I needed to earn my keep."
"Its not that bad, I like working here." I put my arm around her shoulders. "I'll put you on cashier duty."
"Rose no! I heard it's busy as hell, can't I like I don't know go in the office or something?" I full out laughed at her. She really was a piece of work.
"Nope! Come on wake up." I walked over to the tray of coffee that Rhea must have dropped off before I came. I handed her a cup and then walked to the back.
Olena and Jill were hard at work. And I was shocked to see how much they had already made. I spotted cookie dough, some breads rising, and some things in the oven. I looked over the order log, but then was suddenly pushed away.
"We got the kitchen Rose. Something tells me Viktoria is going to be needing some help." Jill was guiding me out the door, and my jaw nearly was to the ground.
"You're kicking me out of my kitchen?" Jill gave me another shove.
"Sorry Rose but Olena and I got this down. She was just showing me this technique to make the bread even faster!" I was about to complain some more but then saw the happiness in her face. I walked out and helped Viktoria instead.
And oh boy did the girl need help. It seemed that the youngest Belikov was as spoiled as could be. Dimitri had told me before she got away with murder but I had never believed him until I started to get to know her. She had never worked, never done chores. Olena had spoiled her youngest because she was the last little bird in her nest. That was until Sonya and Karolina had come back after failed relationships.
It seemed that even after having most of her little birds back Olena could not tell Viktoria no. That was until recently. Dimitri had set his foot down and talked to his mother, insisting Viktoria at least take part in the family business. Olena thought it was a great idea. Viktoria not so much. She whined and complained even when she was at the boutique. She was a great kid, but sometimes her whining was just too much.
The day went by rather quickly, and before I knew it 3 o'clock rolled around. I stepped outside and frowned when I looked around and did not see Dimitri. It was so unlike him to be late. And I had made sure to let Abe know what would happen if he messed this up. Dimitri and I rarely went out. I felt a surge of anger rise in me, and I had to force it down. My anger had been rising its ugly head a lot more recently, something I blamed on stress.
He had even gone all out this time. He made reservations at some fancy dancy little place an hour away. I was excited about it though, because I was planning on dressing up to the max. I had picked out a dress, a designer dress that Abe had begged me to let him buy. At first I refused. The man was trying hard to make up for lost time.
He was paying for my schooling now. Stating that it was something a father should be doing anyways. He tried to buy me a car but I quickly denied that. Though I had a sneaking suspicion that he was now saving that for my birthday. The man drove me crazy, but now I could honestly say I was happy to have him in my life. I had lost my mother, but now gained a father.
"Ms. Rosemarie?" I was startled as an older gentleman in a suit came closer to me.
"Umm yes?" I stepped back a little scared. Who the hell was he.
"Ah of course." He stepped back giving me space before he continued. "Mr. Belikov sent me for you. I am your ride tonight." I was a little caught off by this.
Why did Dimitri send someone to pick me up? I was looking forward to seeing him after work. But I suppose the man had his reasons. He had been acting a little strange lately. I had no idea why either. The man had already proposed. He had been extra loving, and was actually annoying me. He was treating me like a porcelain doll, and I would be lying if I said I did not want to punch him.
The driver dropped me off at a rather nice Hilton hotel. I tried to ask him what was going on and tell him I needed my clothes, but he simply told me to go inside and they would tell me where to go. I followed his instruction and was brought into the most gorgeous room I had ever seen. The floors where a black marble, and it seemed like it glittered as the light hit it. A small living room was set up with black leather couches.
As I walked further I saw a bedroom. A huge poster bed, with matching black and red sheets and comforter. And the bathroom. It was the biggest bathroom I had ever seen. But what caught my attention was how the bathroom was set up. The huge, did I mention huge hot tub was on, with bubbles nearly overflowing. Candles were lit and rose petals led me to where I was suppose to go. A note with familiar handwriting was sitting on the counter.
My Lovely Roza,
Enjoy the bath, but please not for too long. Stay in there no more than 20 minutes, and do not make it any warmer. Your dress is in the bedroom, hanging in the closet. Someone should be stopping by to help you with your hair and make up. Be nice to them. At exactly 7:30 PM I will be waiting for you at the bottom of the staircase. I love you. Enjoy! I cannot wait to see you.
Your awaiting Fiance,
Dimitri
A smile made its way onto my face as I started to strip off my clothes. God he was wonderful, weird but wonderful. I had no idea why he would only allow me 30 minutes in the bath but I was going to take what I could get. Actually lately he had steered me away from the hot tub at the cabin. He kept making excuses, something about it not being healthy.
Not only that when we had been having sex, he had made sure to never put his weight on me. His excuse being that he had gained some more weight. It was like he suddenly thought he could break me. I wondered if Abe had said something to him. Abe had caught us making out in a closet at the guardian building and had promptly had a serious conversation with Dimitri. One I was not allowed to attend.
After about 25 minutes I got out toweling off. I shaved everything off, and applied the lotion I found. I took my dress out of the holder and slipped it on. It was a little tighter than when I had bought it but I had also had not been working out. The bakery was so busy and by the time I got home I would be so fucking tired. Ugh, I was going to have to wake up earlier and run. I was sure cooking and eating almost hourly in class was also not helping.
A knock on the door brought me back and I went to open it, knowing it must me the person helping me get ready. I opened the door looking down and was thrown off when I was engulfed into a hug. I was about to pull away when Lissa's sweet perfume hit me. It caused me to tighten my grip and hug her back.
"What are you doing here Liss?" I pulled away and eyed her warily.
"I am your hairdresser and make up artist, duh!" I should have known he would get her. Lissa had taken a few make up and hair lessons. She was still trying to find herself, and what she wanted to do.
"Well, I'm not going to lie I'm glad its you. I had no idea what I would talk to a stranger about." She laughed and we walked back into the room.
She pulled out a chair and wrapped a cover over me. Telling me it was so my dress would not get ruined.
"So I was thinking about just lightly curling your hair. And like sweeping it to the side." She looked at me waiting for my approval.
"I trust you will do what looks best." Her smile widened, and she got to work. As she worked we talked about everything and anything.
"Christian told me Tasha has been acting weird lately." She frowned as she worked on my eye shadow.
"You mean more than usual. You know that women is a fucking pain." Liss exhaled sharply and stopped for a moment.
"I don't know, he said something about how she's not quite herself. I mean the woman is a bit out there. But I guess he thinks she's really not acting like herself. She's forgetting things, things that she would have never forgotten. He said she sent him away the other day when she had invited him over." I frowned at this. Tasha could be harsh with people but never with Christian.
"Does he know what it could be?" Lissa's cute button nose scrunched up.
"He says she got a call a few weeks ago. He thinks its from his family in New York. You know the family they have not heard from in years." I stiffened slightly.
The conversation I had with Christian back last fall came crashing to me. His family in New York equalled this unknown Society. Abe had been trying again to figure it out, but was coming back empty handed. That and no new information on this Victor character had come about. The thought that Tasha could be talking to someone in the Society was alarming.
"Christian said he told Dimitri, well he told him today. He assured him that him and Abe would look into it. I mean its scary Rose. You-you don't think Tasha would turn on us?" Her eyes were wide, and filled with worry. I was sure mine mirrored hers.
"We just have to wait and see Liss. I don't like the woman but I thought she would be better than that. Plus, she would never do anything to hurt Christian. No matter what he's like the only family she has." She nodded her head and reached for the eyeshadow brush.
"Your right." She wiped her frown off and replaced it with a smile. "Ok, enough worrying about that. Lets focus on you and how wonderful tonight is going to be. Did you know Dimitri is taking you to the same restaurant Christian and I went on our first date? Oh god you're going to love it Rose." And with that thoughts of Tasha were brought to the back of my mind.
After almost 2 hours Lissa was finally done with me. She helped me into some sensible heels and helped me to the main staircase that was the main showcase in the hotel. I walked down the stairs alone, watching my feet to make sure I would not fall. I had left the room feeling like royalty. The long flowing black dress, hugged my curves. It had a slit down the side. I fucking felt like Angelina Jolie in Mr and Mrs Smith.
"You look too good to be true." Dimitri's words were whispered into my ear. His accent thick.
I looked up to see him dressed in a classical black suit. And fucking hell did it fit him well. Normally his now long hair would be pulled back but he wore it down tonight. He knew I loved it down, I loved the way it framed his angular face perfectly.
"I could say the same about you." He extended his hand out to me, and when I reached out he laced our arms together.
"You look glowing love." I smiled at him shaking me head. He had been saying that a lot lately.
The same driver that had brought me here was waiting at the town car with the door open for us. Dimitri and I stayed quiet the whole ride. Instead we enjoyed just being next to each other. He held me as close as he could to him. His arm snaked behind me around my waist. I rest my head on his shoulder. I was certain life could not get any better than this.
The restaurant was even better than I had imagined. I was not use to anything like it. The staff was well dressed and mannered. Our table was in a corner, the only light seemed to be coming from the gas lanterns set around in convenient locations. Everything glass looked like it was made of crystal, and I was certain it was.
There was a man playing a cello softly, the music flowing through the air welcoming me in to the atmosphere. The hostess set us at a table that seemed to be away from everyone else. The privacy something I was enjoying. The delicate menu was filled with so many things I had never tried, and I could not keep my eyes off the dessert section.
"What are you having?" I had not been able to choose so I was looking to see if Dimitri would have any suggestions.
" I was thinking about the filet mignon. Christian said he had it and loved it." God that sounded awesome, I had not had a steak in over a month.
"That actually sounds delicious." He smiled at me but looked back at the menu a little too quickly.
"Why don't you get the chicken. I mean you were talking about getting something with a sauce." I was a little annoyed that he would say that. I was a big girl and could choose my own food.
"I think I want the steak thank you." I knew I was being snappy but he was ruining what should be a perfect dinner. He nodded curtly but said nothing else.
"Are you ready to order?" The waitress had come back after getting our waters and Dimitri opened his mouth.
"Yes, we will have two Filet Mignons, well done." I was about to argue, I had wanted mine medium but he basically gave the waitress a dismissing look and she scampered off.
"What if I didn't want it well done." Dimitri's eyes snapped to mine and I saw something them. It was like he was hiding something from me.
"It's not good for you love."
"The last time we had steak you had nothing to say about it." Why was he being like this. His protectiveness was getting so frustrating.
"Roza don't be like this, lets just enjoy this date." That was about all I can take.
"Why are you being so damn bossy." My voice had risen and caught the attention of an older couple near by.
"Roza not so loud."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" His eyes nearly bugged out of his sockets as I slammed down my lap napkin.
"You have been nothing but annoying as hell lately. You don't let me eat some of my favorite things. You don't even fuck me the way you use to." I had had enough of his pampering.
I knew I was over reacting but it was like I wasn't in control. Nothing had been really bothering me before. I went along with it all. But right now, right now I was pissed. I had stopped worrying about it a week ago, thinking maybe Abe had made him do these things. But tonight was suppose to be about us. Abe was not around.
"Please, don't do this. I had something planned and I just want it to be right." Oh so everything was about him right now.
I stood up quickly, and stalked over to the exit. I knew he was up and on his feet and following me. I could hear him apologizing to everyone he passed. He stopped at the hostess station, but by then I was out on the sidewalk trying to get as far away as possible from him.
"Roza!" I had gotten further than I thought. He sounded far off, but I was not looking back to find out.
I started to walk even faster, but it was not that easy with the damn heels on my feet. I knew they had been a bad idea. But the dress would not have looked as good without them. Dimitri's loud steps were getting closer and I knew I only had a few more moments before he would stop me.
"Rose, Roza please, just hear me out." I could hear the pleading in his tone.
"Dimitri what? God what the fuck could be so important that you would start treating me like a little girl that cannot take care of herself?" He flinched a bit as I barked out my words, my pointer finger jabbing his hard chest.
"Roza, please lets just go back have dinner and talk." It sounded so reasonable, but I just could not get myself to say yes.
I turned around and started walking away. His voice rang out again calling me back, but I was not going to listen. I honestly just wanted to go somewhere, anywhere and hide and cry. But then he said something that stopped me. Something that just could not be possible.
"Roza, stop. Please, you're pregnant."
Whoa! I know a bit sudden! Why would Dimitri think his Roza is pregnant? Is she really? And how will she take his outburst? Tasha getting calls from New York? Shady? Something not to worry about? I don't know you tell me? And did anyone catch Avery losing it? Thank you all again for the love. It seems I'm losing people's interest? Or am I just imagining it? Well have a great day/night!