Drabble:176

Rose knew she was being followed.

She knew it as absolutely as she knew that the sun rose everyday in the east, and that Dimitri – stoic, brave Dimitri – was scared of clowns.

More than that, Rose knew who she was being followed by. And why.
And by whose orders.

Vika was oblivious as they made their way through the town square, running errands for Yeva. Which, Rose thought did not bode well for an almost-guardian. But then again, Rose had lived for two years previously looking over her back, trying to not get caught by the St Vlad guardians, and spent the next year being trained by the one and only Dimitri Belikov, so she did have a higher awareness of her surroundings than most people.

Either way, Rose kept a close watch on her pursuant, who was sneaking about 200 metres behind her and Vika, and subtly taking photos of them.

Partly amused and partly irritated by this stalking, Rose sent Vika to the grocery store alone, making an excuse to check out the chapel a little distance away. As soon as a confused-and-still oblivious Vika had entered the shop, Rose speed-walked away, towards the chapel. But she did not enter it. She hid in an alley right beside the building, which Dimitri and she had discovered about 5 days ago. (And where Dimitri and she may or may not have played tonsil-hockey)

When the man who had been following her walked by, undoubtedly thinking that she had enter the building, Rose grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into the alley.

A little while later, she walked out, skipping as she retraced her steps towards Vika, humming under her breath.

Nobody followed her.

The next day, a bruised and limping Pavel entered Abe's study to update him to the whereabouts of his sole daughter. And to deliver a message, a special hand-written note from Rose.

'Old man,
Stop sending your stooges to stalk me. While I'm flattered by your concern, frankly, being followed like this is annoying and a little creepy.

If you want to know what I'm doing, and how I am, all you have to do is to show up. Olena cooks for an army anyway, she wouldn't mind setting an extra plate at the table.

Love,
Zmeyette.

PS- Lay one hand on Dimitri, and what I did to Stooge 1 (which he totally had coming, btw) will seem like a walk in the park. Don't think I didn't notice Stooges 2 and 3 following Dimitri and Paul last evening.'

Needless to say, Rose was not followed again. Neither was Dimitri.

And Abe showed up at the Belikov's residence for dinner every other night till his daughter and that boy left for America.

So, I'm back again, after a much-needed and appreciated vacation. How have you all been?

Hope you liked this update :) Sorry for any typos, and thanks for reading!
Cheers!