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I was having a good time despite what Erick had said earlier. We were all gossiping, well Jade, Lissa, and I were gossiping, when Jonathon tapped his fork against the champagne glass. We all stopped our chatting and looked up at him. He seemed a little nervous, but he wore a smile on his face as he looked down, lovingly, at Jade. She smiled with the same kind of love.

"Well, the reason I brought you here tonight was because I wanted to ask you something."

Jade smiled, urging him to continue. "Ask me anything, babe." She winked. I had an idea where this was going—how couldn't she realize what he was about to ask.

"I remember the first day I met you, I picked you up because you had fallen off your sing and snow was covering half your body." Jade chuckled. "I watched you through the years and I couldn't believe I hadn't realized you were my one. But then, everything changed. It was just one day and I realized you were my one true love and the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, each and every day of the rest of my life. I already talked to your father and he agreed . . . now, I ask"—he kneeled down on one knee before Jade, a black box in his hand the held a perfect diamond ring and by now, Jade's mouth was hanging open, her eyes wide with shock—"will you marry me, Jade Ivashkov?"

I gave a little gasp of surprise. She looked at me as if to ask is this really happening? I smiled at her and she turned back to Jonathon. Then, tears started falling out of her eyes. "I—I don't know what to say." She was crying, but obviously still shocked. "Maybe you should say, YES." I stage whispered and she chuckled. "Oh, my God." She laughed and threw her arms around Jonathon's neck. "YES!"

We celebrated all through the night. She and Jonathon just laughed and smiled at each other like they had just won the lottery. And quite frankly, they had. I felt somewhat jealous of them. This could have been Adrian and I. It could have been me crying and laughing as I told that I would marry him. It could have been . . . . I decided not to depress myself any longer. I faked a smile and pretended to be happy for Jade's sake, drinking a lot more than I was supposed to.

I laughed a little as I made my way with Jade to her penthouse. She had invited me to stay with her because she didn't like being alone. Someone was always there with her, according to her. Man, these heels were killing me. I leaned against the wall as I took of the awesome pair of ankle boots that had been a gift from Jade's credit cards. As soon as my bare feet touched the ground, I moaned rather loudly you would think I was having an orgasm right then and there. "Why did you make me accompany you? Why didn't you ask Jonathon? He could have kept you totally occupied and he would have made you forget about your fears about being alone?" I gave her a teasing wink.

She half smiled. "Jonathon isn't like that. He says he wants to wait till the time is right so we do the deed." She squealed softly. "I still cannot believe I am getting married!"

"Me neither! Damn . . . it was such a cute thing when he asked you to marry him!"–She smiled so hugely. "I know! I can't believe I cried like a baby." Her eyes softened a little. "What makes me happy is that you would have cried as well if my brother had asked you to marry him."

I sobered up a little. I did not like to talk about Adrian and marriage . . . it depressed me too much. Athon, the nickname I had made up for him because his real name was too long, reminded me too much of Adrian. Adrian would only give in only if and when I was ready. "It's good that you wait." It was all I could think to say. It was at her door where I stumbled on a brown package. It came in a box that you had to pay a good amount of money to ship out. Overnight . . . Express . . . two stickers read on the box as I picked it up. The label said that this package was for me. Why would this send it here when this wasn't even my house? How did they know I would be here tonight? And why was it addressed to me, but it had no address from the sender? Too many questions, no answers.

I looked at Jade and she just shrugged, looking away momentarily. With curiosity, hoping it wasn't a bomb, I tore at the package only to reveal the most perfect painting in the world. There was a note attached to it. It was printed out so I didn't have any idea who would have sent this. I was disappointed when I read the note. It only said "Love Wounds Bleeding." I admired the painting and realized it was a woman in the moonlight, holding a rose with lots of thorns to her palm, blood dripping from the wounds that had been left when she grasped the rose too hard. The title of this painting might as well have been "Rose causes Bleeding." Even though I didn't know who the hell it was from, I decided to keep it because it was so my life right now. In a way, it kind of gave me closure . . . I didn't know how to describe it. It gave me peace.

"Wow . . . that has to be one of a kind." Jade whispered, awed by what she saw.

"I agree." She looked at me like she really wanted to tell me something; I could see she was fighting. "Anything wrong?" She shook her head. Everything was quiet from then on . . . .

Three months later . . .

I found myself going over to Jade's once again. Ever since that painting (it now hung on my wall) came into my life, it had reminded me more and more of Adrian. Somehow, I wanted more of his life and his life consisted of his baby sister . . . Jade. Every night, Jade and I went over her wedding details as I was her Maid of Honor. She sought me out for advice for anything. And that was good. The more the Jade, the more the Adrian. Today she had scored an appointment with the best wedding dress designer at the Royal court. Her wedding was only three months or so away and she needed a dress fast. According to, well, everyone, this lady was the best and could have the prettiest dress done in a month.

I was about to knock on Jade's door when she was already there, ready for action. "Anthon's sister is coming, too. We'll meet her at the boutique. You are also going to try on bride's maid dresses there, too."

I nodded and we started walking. "So, when are you and Anthon going to start popping out kids?"

"She gave me a weird look. "I am only nineteen years old. Having kids is for you, the now twenty-one year old." My birthday had been last week and I was not happy with the age. Well, I was. I was just not happy the way I was spending it. Lissa had gone on a trip, a college trip, last week as well and since Tatiana hated me, she had not been happy with the idea of me going. Tatiana made ten other guardians go in my place. Well, at least I got some time off and spent that time off why my bitch Jade. See, that's what Jade and I were. BBF. Best Bitches Forever.

"Yeah, I am going to have my first kid when I am thirty."

She waggled her eyebrows. "I am assuming that my brother is going to be the sperm donor."

"Sure, if I ever see him again."

She winked. "That you will, my bitch, that you will." She didn't let me have any more time asking questions before she was calling out, "SYD!" and running and hugging a girl with blonde hair that was standing, looking lost. The girl smiled when she noticed Jade. "Sydney, I want you to meet, Rose. Rose, Sydney, Rose." Jade introduced us. The girl—Sydney—smiled at me. I smiled back. "Come on, let's get going." Jade asked, grabbing both of our hands and leading us into a luxury-looking boutique.

There were awesome dresses everywhere! I fell in love with all of them. "Ms. Jade Ivashkov! The last time I saw you, you were with Krestel as she was buying her wedding dress and now you are buying your wedding dress! Funny how the years just go by!" A plump lady with lots of jewelry on gushed from behind the store. Luckily, the store was empty.

"Jenny!" Jade hugged the lady and they chatted up a storm. "Excuse us, ladies, I have to take Jade to the back. Irene over there can help you with your dresses."

Sydney and I were left alone. I tried making conversation. "So, do you have any plans of marriage?"– She smiled. "My Devin hasn't popped the question yet. How about you?"

"Well, I've give up on love because love's given up on me." I had a straight face as I said it.

"Oh, no. Who broke your heart?"

I liked this girl so I decided to tell her. "First was a guy that turned Strigoi. His name was Dimitri Belikov. Then, I fell in love with Jade's brother . . ." She looked at me like I was crazy. "What?"

"Dimitri Belikov . . . ?"

"What about him?"

"I know him and he is no Strigoi. He is downright dhampir."

"Are you fucking serious?!" She nodded. Oh, fuck no. I got mad, real mad. I swear I even saw red. I could not believe Dimitri. I could not believe his stupid ass. Why did he do this to me? I wanted to punch the first thing I could get my hands on. I saw Sydney move a step away from me. Was the anger that obvious on my face? Then, I thought about things. Why was I getting mad? It wasn't really Dimitri I loved. It was Adrian. I should be worrying about him and not Dimitri. "I can't believe it." I said, calmer now.

Just then, Irene spoke. "Well, ladies, if you'll follow me to the back. I need to get your measurements . . ." I tuned her out and followed her to the back. Irene said that we would not see our dresses till the day Jade got married. What happened if we gained or lost wait by that time? Screw these bitches. I had better things to worry about like . . . "ROSE!" Jade's scream made me jump. I hurried to where her voice was coming from and I saw her crying, jumping up in happiness.

"What's wrong?"

"I need your advice . . . is this dress pretty? Does it look good on me? Should we add something more?" The dress was pretty, but she needed something sexier. I hadn't realized I had voiced my thought aloud when she nodded, agreeing with me.

As she tried the next dress, she began asking me questions."Why aren't you dating, Rose?"

" In my job, love isn't permitted."

"Sure…or are you waiting for someone…say like my brother?" She slowly turned towards me. I tried hiding a smile. The smile slipped out. That was all she needed.

I became serious. "Jade…" I closed my eyes and sighed, longingly, longing for Adrian. "I lost him already."

She wasn't moved by my words. "Quit worrying about my brother…he'll be here soon!" Those subtle hints were dropped by her for the next ten minutes. They were starting to annoy me.

"Can I ask you something?" I shrugged. "Why did you leave Adrian?"

I told Jade about Amber, the one who had thought that she actually had a chance at happiness with a royal and how it turned out she was wrong. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jade start to fume.

"I can't believe you believed in that little cheap whore!"

"What do you mean?"

"She is a total bitch! That story she tells. It's ALL a lie. What she said was not true! My cousin is Seth Ivashkov and I know the whole truth. None of it was true. I am surprised that you heard it." She seemed to be a little calmer, but I could see the anger in her eyes.

"Why?"

"My Uncle Dane had to pay billions of dollars to shut everyone up about that story; he didn't want the Ivashkov's to get an even worse reputation."

I cringed at the word billions. How much money did these people have? "If it is not true . . . then why would Amber want the whole world to know?"

"She's mad. Let me tell you the real story. Seth is the nicest person you'll ever meet. He doesn't care about money and his class or anything like that. He said he was looking for love and that's when he found Amber. Amber was—is a total slut. It wasn't Seth that raped her . . . it was her 'best friend' and she blamed it on Seth. Seth loved her and he said 'I'll be with you even if that kid isn't mine.' So she went out drinking and got raped again. From another guy. She had another kid and still Seth stayed with her. Seth is too nice. I would have dumped her ass in no time. Anyways, Amber was mad that Seth didn't care of what she did; she went crazy saying 'Oh, he doesn't care about me, blah, blah, blah.' I remember slapping her that day." Jade chuckled.

"So Amber paid this actor that looked too much like Seth and she paid him to pretend like he was raping her so that she could 'get back at Seth for not caring.' And that day, I guess Seth snapped and he went out and started living again. Amber saw him cheating and she went even crazier. Amber turned the pictures and the video tape to the cops; she said, 'I will make sure that your life is a living hell. You will not be happy with anyone anymore!' My poor cousin would have had his ass thrown in jail if not for the actor speaking up and saying that it was him that was doing that to Amber because he had paid him to do it. Just like that, case dismissed. As they dragged her out of the court, she was screaming things like 'You'll regret this!' 'Your life is going to be hell that you will wish you were dead.'" Jade shook her head. "And that's the story."

I was instantly mad again. "WHAT THE HELL? She made me believe that—I cannot believe—why did I ever—and Adrian and I apart—that stupid slut . . ." I was so mad I couldn't get a real sentence out of my mouth. "I am apart from Adrian because that lying, deceiving bitch! I ought to kill her!"

Jade laughed. "Ha. You do that. I'll help if you need the help." I shook my head, clearing my head and focusing on Jade's wedding dress which I loved.

After the dress shopping and the conversation with Jade, I couldn't help but feel depressed. I was depressed all day, even when it was time for some sleep. I was depressed because I had separated from Adrian because of a stupid reason. I could have been with him now. I went straight to be and let it all out, crying my ass off. At one point, Jade walked in. She went in bed with me and she put her arm around me as an older sister would do if their younger sister is in need of comfort. It made me cry even more.

"Relax…he might be closer than you think . . ." I heard her whisper before exhaustion took over, but soon my dream's edges began to blur which could only mean one thing. Adrian was dream walking on my dreams . . .

Adrian's POV

I stared at the blank screen of my laptop, wondering how I could start the essay my college professor had asked for. I wanted to take over for my father. He owned Microsoft. My roommate, Cohen, was drunk yet again so all you heard from his side of the bed were soft snores. He had a girl safely tucked under his arm. I didn't want to know anything of what happened before I came into this room. A few years back, it would have been me drunk with a girl next to me. But that all changed when Rose came into my life.

Rose.

I knew she was at the royal court. I wanted to reach out to her but I was scared she might reject me.

I started typing random shit on my laptop when my phone vibrated. Jade was calling. I hadn't heard from this girl in two weeks.

"Well, well, sister. What miracle has happened for you to finally remember my existence?"

"Rose crying . . . is that considered a miracle?" I heard her voice from the other side of the world say.

"Oh, God. What happened to her?"

"Well . . . if you want to ask her about it then you can. I am not going to be anyone's messenger."

"How is she?"

"Dream walk and you can see for yourself." Jade always the rude little bitchy sister.

"I might do just that." I sighed. "I heard the great news. My little sister get's married in less than three months. Why didn't you tell me? I had to force it out of my mother. I feel bad for Jonathon. He now has to deal with the mini devil."

"Surprised I matured a lot faster than you ever did?" She stopped the sarcasm as she said her next words. "I am not calling you to talk about me." She paused for a breath. "Rose is hurt and she needs you to heal her. You have to talk to her. None of us can make her better, except you. I know why she left you."

"Why?"

"Amber." I cursed under my breath. That bitch. "Adrian, I am not a baby anymore; you can cuss in front of me."

I chuckled softly.

"She loves you, you know? Deep down, there is a great love towards you. She loves you!"

I sighed. "I wish it were true."

"Just talk to her, okay? It will make everyone happier. Bye. Love you." She hung up as soon as I said love you back.

I thought about what had happened earlier today. Rose would be ecstatic if she knew what I knew. I had bumped into Dimitri today and he was no Strigoi. I had asked him "What the hell?" He pretty much understood what I meant. "Rose needed a taste of her own medicine." Well, that didn't matter. I had convinced Dimitri of going back for Rose. And I told him I would get out of the way of their happiness. Dimitri was leaving in a couple of days to go find Rose. I needed to see my little dhampir before she was not-mine officially.

I needed to see, Rose . . .

I needed to feel, Rose . . .

I needed to smell her sweet scent . . .

I needed to hear her beautiful voice say my name . . .

I was going to see Rose. Right now.

I stared at nothing, looking for her essence, and then I was in.

I made her dream, our dream, into the garden my grandmother had let me play in all the time when I visited her. I saw Rose looking around in wonder. When she sensed me, all we could do was stare at one another. I walked over to her, my eyes kept on her.

"Adrian!"

"Rose!"

We were both just as excited to see each other. I wanted to hug her, pull her close, bury my face in her neck, smell her sweet hair. But I couldn't do it; she wasn't mine.

"Adrian, I am so sorry—"

"Shhhh . . ." I put a finger to her lips.

She tried to smile.

"Don't worry. This will be short. I have a surprise for you."

"Yeah? What's the surprise?"

Dimitri coming to see you. "You'll see."

She gazed into my eyes and for a second I wanted to believe I saw love shine in them.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, letting my lips rest there a little while longer. "I love you . . ." I whispered soundlessly. I exited out of the dream and that's when I made my decision. I was going to see Rose, in real life now . . .

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