Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or anything surrounding it (but I do own this plot :D)
DPOV
Never had I relished fresh air so much in my entire existence. The gentle winter breeze ran its calming fingers through the layers of my hair ad stroked my face like a soft caress. The setting sun's dying light seeped in golden rivers of beauty that silhouetted the busy life of the modern day like a work of art.
I leaned against the glass building that had held me prisoner and embraced the chilling wind, allowing it to cool my hot face. In fairness, it could have been worse, but that was the only glimmer of optimism I could salvage from the day.
My jaw may has well have been permanently stapled to the floor, it would have saved a lot of effort. After quickly composing myself, I scrambled a greeting out but it did not escape my notice the sly smirk that Ms. Ozera – Tasha – seemed to conceal behind a poorly executed mask.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Belikov." She said with dark eyes.
"And you Ms. Ozera." I responded releasing her hand. "Would you care for a drink?" I asked, mentally begging that she would say yes because I really needed alcohol; it wasn't everyday that you found out that your new colleague was none other than the woman who would not leave you alone after you slept with them.
But that was really just my luck.
"Whatever you are having." She winked at me before settling at the long glass table. I saw Viktor shift uncomfortably as he tried to make conversation with her; it was really quite a sight to watch him 'suck up' to someone – the big bad Viktor Dashkov shaken by another human being: I would have deemed it unheard of.
Shaking out my rapidly forming migraine I picked up the glasses of bourbon and sank into the chair opposite Tasha, who was promptly ignoring Viktor's dry wit. The day progressed smoothly but in no way comfortably. Formalities were kept firmly in place but I did not miss how she would find unnecessary ways to brush her hand or leg against mine; under normal circumstances, I would have batted her away but these were not normal circumstances. There was nothing remotely normal about being partnered with one of the most influential characters in New York, after having pre-slept with them.
I inwardly thanked the Lord that I had not rejected Tasha or ignored too many of her calls, but I was in no way pleased with the state of the outcome. The second I was dismissed, I all but sprinted out of the building, not daring to look back at Tasha.
Why does this keep happening to me?
"What have you done now?" I startled into a stance at the voice. Apparently I had made my thoughts audible but I wasn't too concerned about that – I was more concerned about the voice that had commented… I jolted my head around to see if my ears were deceiving me.
They were not.
"Ivan?"
"Hello Dimitri."
RPOV
Honestly, why we hadn't signed Adrian up for a parachute jump before, I will never know. True to his word, he applied online and had a just over a week to prepare. Lissa had worked her magic and, with the help of Adrian's artistic ability, she had created posters to be displayed outside the Inn. As well as getting more sponsors, it also enticed more customers.
"Look at that; I really am a chick magnet!" Adrian winked at the large group of girls who were writing their details on the sheet.
I just rolled my eyes. "Glad to see you're as chirpy as ever."
"And you are not?" he said, turning his attention to me. "What's up Little Disaster?"
I looked away and suddenly found the tiny speck of dirt of the pint glass I was cleaning most interesting. Today was the day. Dimitri had told me that he would find out whether he would keep his job today and I was truthfully scared for him. I wanted him to win, but it was more than that; I wanted him to have what he wanted. Whether it was a side-effect of ignoring substantial feelings for him or just that I cared, I did not know, but I was scared that the former could be progressing rapidly…
"Little D?" Adrian snapped his fingers in front of my face bringing me out of my haze.
"Wha?" I said dumbly and he just raised a brow.
"I said, what's up with you?" he repeated and I felt a blush creep its way onto my face so I naturally shut it down with some Rose Hathaway bravado.
"Who said I was upset? I was just stating a fact, that's all Ivashkov." He narrowed his eyes inquisitively and I just shrugged. I was saved by what ever comment was about to leave his mouth by the thunderous roar of Stan Alto.
"Rinaldi!" he barked as Mia detached herself from a young man with messy blonde hair – Jesse I believed his name was. I didn't like the look of the fellow but I wasn't about to lecture Mia on who she could and could not kiss.
"Didn't know Stan was such a cock blocker." Adrian mused and I let out my laugher. He was swift to join but we both shut up as Lissa approached with an exhausted look on her face.
"You okay there Lis?" I questioned as she reached for alcoholic sustenance. Lissa very rarely drank so something must be ajar.
"No." she sighed, taking a sip and grimacing so pushing the cup away. "Meredith can't play the piano for us; she has broken her hand so we need to find another person for both the concert and the wedding and the flowers for the wedding arrived anymore and they don't match the bridesmaid dresses and I…" she bowed her head and lost it to tears. "I just don't know anymore!" she cried and Adrian looked at me before I hopped over the bar and enclosed my arms around her.
"Shhh, its okay Lis. It doesn't matter, its okay." I soothed, taking gentle strokes of her platinum locks.
"Rose-I-I am ju-just a mess." She sobbed further and I tightened my grip.
"No your not, you're the best person I know." Adrian looked mock hurt but I waved him away.
"It's not just that, I am so weak; I keep breaking down over everything. The stress of work, the wedding, this place, it is driving me crazy. Not to mention the constant throwing up." I frowned and pulled away so I could meet her eyes.
"I'm sorry, did you say 'throwing up'?"I said and she looked even more upset.
"It started and while ago and-" she broke again before fear clouded her eyes. "You can't tell Christian!" she blurted in a sudden change of mood. "I have tried to keep it secret and what with all the stress he is going through, I don't want him to worry."
"Vasilisa Dragomir; he is you fiancée, your future husband, you need to tell him these things." I said sternly and her eyes widened again. "Better yet, you need to tell me. We're best friends, sisters for life." I said, getting a little upset that she did not tell me sooner.
"Sorry to interrupt…" Adrian interrupted causing me to stare at him incredulously. Brilliant timing mate. He just scowled and gave me a 'trust me on this' look so I entertained him. "Lissa when was the last time you had sex?"
Lissa's eyes widened to the point of falling out. I, on the other hand, nearly strangled him. "How does that help Adrian!?" I hissed and he just glared at me.
"Stress, tiredness, mood swings, throwing up…" he spelt it out like he was talking to a five year old – did I mention I hated being patronised? – but it suddenly clicked a moment later. Adrian leaned back and raised his eyebrows.
"Oh." Genius response.
"Oh indeed." Adrian nodded.
"Oh what!?" A hysterical voice said from behind us. I turned around slowly and met my best friend's eyes before trailing my own down to her still flat stomach. "Rose y-you-your scaring me..." her whole body shook and I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Lis, I think you might be…" I didn't need to say anymore before the smartest person in the room actually got it.
"No." she shook her head. "No!" she rejected before a calm look crossed her face and her hands went instinctively to her stomach. "I'm pregnant?" she looked down before looking at Adrian and me.
I gave a small nod before Adrian said: "Well, we don't know for sure…" but Lissa's face cut him off. A huge grin spread across her face and her hands tightened around her abdomen.
"I'm pregnant!" she exclaimed happily. "I'm going to have a baby!"
"Whoa calm down girl," I said glaring off the looks from other customers and Adrian's chuckle. "We'll need to take a test first." I said, wondering how I had become the voice of reason.
"Of course, how silly of me." She nodded vigorously before biting her lip.
"Well would you look at that?" Adrian said and I turned to face him again. "Chris ain't firing blanks." He winked at me and I cringed.
"Dude that is disgusting."
"Hey!" Lissa slapped my arm, "that is my fiancée."
"Yes, your fiancée. I don't want to hear anything regarding Pyro's…ammunition…" I shuddered at the contemplation causing Adrian to laugh and Lissa to roll her eyes. After cleaning herself up a bit Lissa asked me to accompany her to the drug store to get a test – well five knowing her. I lunged for my coat but was met by the pissed of gaze of Stan Alto.
After a half an hour argument (in which we could have gone to the drug store, bought the test, taken the test and come back – stupid Stan…) I suffered a miserable defeat and was sent back to the bar. Adrian offered to go in my place which made Lissa feel a little more comfortable but made me worry for her safety.
Ten minutes later they were out the door and I swapped shifts with Sydney but kept my phone in my pocket, just in case Lissa needed me. Come on, she was with Adrian! The thought both amused and horrified me but my amusement faded when I saw a young girl – no older than I – with long brown hair walk in the door. She smiled at the sponsor sheet and wrote down her name with an amused grin. I was frozen in astonishment; it wasn't that I had seen her before; it wasn't even that she was wearing a really, really nice dress.
It was her eyes: big, brown and beautiful…
I knew them…
They were his eyes…
I ran over to the sponsor sheet after she walked back out the door and my mouth dropped when I saw her name:
Viktoria Belikova…