THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 19
(DICLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZINGLY TALENTED RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
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previously on The Other Way Round…
Ivan: "you like her?"
Dimitri: "what!?"
Ivan: "I mean… its okay if you like her, buddy! I mean that woman's crazy about you and-"
Dimitri: "why- why will she like me? Me?"
Ivan: "don't you ever see how concerned she gets about you? She was literally looking at you the whole time during maths class! You were too!"
…
Ivan: "what about you? Do you like her?"
Dimitri: "I do"
…
Rose: "Lord Dragomir"
Andre: "Guardian Hathaway Mazur. long time no see"
…
Rhea: "well this is Ariana Shelzy… Andre's fiancé"
…
Ivan: "well rose is going to be there, you know"
Dimitri: "still no ivan"
Ivan: when you become my guardian, you will have to go to these kinda moroi things with me, so why not start the practise now?!"
Dimitri: "fine. Ill come."
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RPOV-
"Rose! You're late! Come in fast!" lissa's voice echoed in the hall.
"coming liss!" I shouted, making my way to her bedroom
It was 6:35 am (early morning for humans) and my bestfriend has no chill…
I was greeted with a mild fragrance of strawberry perfume as I opened her door.
The whole room was a mess!
Dresses scattered around on the bed… shoes thrown on the floor…
Yeah… that's lissa getting ready.
She was trying to zip up the silver satin slip dress that she was wearing…
"lemme get that" I said and quickly zipped up her dress
She turned around… oh- and she looked mad!
"where were you?" she demanded, crossing her hands above her chest
"I had some paper work… sorry im late" I replied.
Our "why are you late?" conversations were just like the ones between a mother and daughter.
"well we have to get ready!" lissa exclaimed "and where is your dress?"
I looked at her confused "um… im wearing it" I said gesturing my pansuit. I didn't changed after the dragomir's arrival cuz I had a a lot of work today…
"umm… you wearing that?" lissa asked pointedly
"yeah- don't worry ill straighten out the shirt and do my hair" I assured her, I had to get properly dressed myself, cuz Im sure as hell that I looked like a tired potato right now…
"you are not wearing a guardian uniform to the dinner party!" lissa said- more like ordered.
"um… im your guardian lissa. What else am I suppose to wear? Ball gowns" I joked
"not a ball gown… but a dress…" she trailed off
A dress?
A DRESS?
"What? Why- I- you do understand that im your guardian lissa! I have to wear my uniform!" I argued
She sighed "that's the point! You're not coming as my guardian" she said "you're coming as my 'plus-one' "
What In the world?
"where will your poor fiancé go?" I mocked her
"oh shut up rose!" lissa chastised "he'll go with mason! Mom's orders"
"rhea?"
"yeah! She said that you have to wear a dress!"
"I really shouldn't lissa!"
"oh please! For me rose! Pleaseeeeeeee"
Her puppy dog eyes really work at me!
"ok- fine! Fine!" I exclaimed
She squeaked in excitement.
"lets find you a dress!" she announced and we both dived in her closet.
After a lot of agreeing-disagreeing, quarrelling and threatening… we finally found a dress for me!
I quickly put it on and looked at my reflection in the mirror…
Oooo I looked smoking sexy but elegant at the same time…
The dress was red, fit and flare, ending just before my knees. Thankfully it was full sleeves, with a square neckline which showed my defined collarbones perfectly.
I had to admit… lissa has a very good taste.
She wore a silver satin slip dress, and put tucked her hair up in a messy but decent updo, and had a fresh face of makeup. Diamond studs shined on her ears… she really looked like a princess.
"you look so beautiful liss"
She blushed "thank you rose…" she said "now you get ready fast!"
"okay- okay! Geez.. mom!"
I turned towards the mirror and started doing my makeup.
"speaking of mom… when's Janine coming?" lissa asked
"well she has arrived… I wanted to meet her but couldn't got out of work, I guess baba was with her the whole evening. Ill meet her straight at dinner." I replied.
"abe's still not over her, huh?" lissa said chuckling
I just grinned. There is no way in hell that baba was over mom…
"who is her new charge?"
"I don't know… some ivashkov."
"well… I invited guardian bonville for dinner" lissa said slowly.
I almost dropped the makeup brush I was holding. I remembered Christian telling me that liss was trying to set me up with guardian bonville… but I cant believe she invited him at the dinner party!
"wha- why would you do that?" I managed to ask her.
"rose… he's nice you know! He has a good status among the guardians… he earns well… he's very kind too! And im pretty sure he likes you! Just give him a chance" lissa pleaded.
It was sweet but also frustrating whenever lissa tries to find my "better half". I mean- its stupid! I don't want to be with anyone! Like. No. One!
"no lissa… you know I cant start dating!"
She raised an eyebrow "why? Oh my god- do you- do you like someone already?" lissa squeaked happily.
Suddenly dimitri's name came in my mind. Waittttt. No! no… not his name! huh! My mind's gonna explode!
"what!" I exclaimed "no! I don't like anyone liss… and I do not wish to eighter."
Lissa didn't argued more.
I finally did my makeup… just my lips remaning.
Lissa walked over to me and handed me a lipstick.
I opened it. It was red… like a dark red colour… exactly like my dress.
"liss this will be too much!" I complained
"oh cmon rose! Its not everyday you dress up!" she exclaimed "and it will look perfect on this dress. Be a lady for once!"
Be a lady…
I can be a lady…
Without any further argument I swiped the lipstick on my plump lips.
"I still cant believe andre has a fiancé" lissa said, slumping down on her bed.
I just hummed.
"its so weird… thinking that my brother is getting married…" lissa sighed "and that to with a shelzy! I mean… since when are the shelzy's and us are friends?"
I hummed again, and started curling my hair. I could've just went like this but right now my long hair is a big nest with a lot of knots… so curling is the best option; just light curls though!
"queen bitch really has crossed her limits this time..." she mumbled "I mean… that girl is so fake! You can literally see her boobs are fake!"
I stifled my laugh at lissa's outburst. "its okay liss… maybe she's not that bad." I tried reassuring her.
"that bad? Rose… that Ariana girl has "evil" written on her head!" lissa exclaimed
"okay- okay! Before making any cunning assumptions in your mind, just talk to her! Get to know her at dinner tonight… im sure she's not a big bad wolf! Just act being nice…" I said, laughing after the last part.
"fine" lissa muttered.
"hair up or down?" I asked lissa
"hmm… well it will look good up on this dress, but put them down… or half up half down"
I went with the half up updo; just took some of my front hair and pinned it on the back of my head.
After I was finally done, I checked myself in the mirror…
I looked so nice… and modest!
Suddenly I wondered, how Dimitri would think… if he saw me dressed like this…
Its none of your business rose! Dimitri is your student remember?!
Well he is my student… but- he's more than just my student!
Even though these feelings and thoughts are completely wrong… I really wish that Dimitri comes for this dinner party, it can take his mind off things…
After last night… I would do anything to keep him happy and safe… its wrong, I know! But he's really special to me…
Grinning like a child, I spinned around.
"Oh my Gosh! Rose you look beautiful" lissa said coming out of her bathroom
She walked and stood next to me,
"well arent we lookin like beautiful proper ladies!" I said in a dramatic british accent.
"we sure are" lissa mimicked my tone and then we burst out laughing.
"okay! Lets go, orelse we'll just get the desert!" lissa said.
"yeah… its kinda getting late" I said looking at my black strappy watch. It was 7:28 now.
"oh! Before we leave- I gotta give you something!" lissa said and went back to her closet.
When she came out, she had a pair of really long and pointed black strappy heels in her one hand and the other was hidden behind her back.
"put these on" she said tossing the heels to me.
I bent down and slide on the heels, it took a little while as it had a lot of buckles over it.
When I stood up, I reached lissa's height, which I must tell you, she is very tall. Like every moroi.
"oh! These suit you so well!" lissa complimented "now, for the main part!"
She pulled out her hand from behind… she was holding up a stunning diamond bracelet.
My jaw fell on the floor, when I saw the diamonds, they were the size of blueberries!
"lissa… no- I cant!"
"rose… im got gifting it to you! Just wear it tonight!"
"what- I- ill probably loose it somewhere!"
She sighed "no you wont!"
She grabbed my right wrist and made me wear the bracelet.
I had to say… the bracelet looked amazing on my lightly tanned skin…
I picked a black clutch from lissa's closet and kept my phone and some tissues in it.
After lissa had her silver heels on, I shrugged on my white parka and we made our way out of the door.
It was morning for humans. Little streaks of sunlight were falling on the ground.
The doorman opened the door and we stepped inside the ballroom.
The hall shined with dim lighting. There were couches pushed up against the wall as the large dining table with a lot of chairs, was set in the middle.
I spotted rhea smiling brightly at us, with Ariana standing next to her giving us a small smile, which was forced, obviously.
"that girl doesn't even have fashion sense… I think ill not be able to keep up that 'nice-act' afterall" lissa muttered under her breath.
Lissa is a fashion freak… but she is kinda right…
Ariana was wearing a short strapless burgundy-red dress, which didn't go well with her fiery red hair.
"just try lissa" I whispered to her.
"oh great! You guys are just in time!" rhea exclaimed.
We took off our jackets when coat-lady came upto us for them.
We went down the steps and saw Christian, mason and eddie coming out from the corner.
Christian gave lissa a very… *ahem* dirty *ahem* look. I tried not to gag at lissa blushing at Christian.
"are we late?" lissa asked slowly as she gave rhea a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"oh no darling! Christian, mason and eddie just came 3 minutes ago!" rhea said.
I went upto her and pulled her in a big hug.
"you look absolutely gorgeous in this dress rose!" rhea said kissing me lightly on the cheek "you look so dull in your guardian uniform! you should dress up more often!"
I laughed.
Dress up for who rhea? My coffee machine? Or for my doughnut boxes?
Lissa gave a little peck on christian's lips "you look stunning tonight babe" he complimented her.
She blushed.
Lissa is my bestest-best friend… don't get me wrong- I love her! She's like my sister… but there are times when im sort of jealous of her… its stupid- I know! And I hate myself during times like these… but she had everything… a nice family… good identity… perfect reputation… a nice boyfriend…
I also have a very nice family, amazing friends, my dream job… for which ill always be grateful… but it still feels empty sometime…
"how does it feels rose? Stealing my date?" Christian joked
"it feels very nice Mr. Ozera!" I said dramatically.
He huffed and I grinned.
"hey mom!" andre's voice echoed in the room as he walked up to us from god-knows-where, his eyes were down to his phone. "dad said that the kitchen had some problems but-"
He stopped saying… whatever he was saying when he looked up from his phone.
His bright green eyes were staring in mine.
His mouth had a little 'o' formed…
I looked at him. he was dressed to perfection in a black tux with green shirt, which matched his eyes and a black tie.
He looked nice…
I suddenly remembered a conversation we had… years back when I was 17…
"so… when you'll graduate and become 'the-best-guardian-ever' you'll have to wear those uniforms, right?" andre asked me.
We were laying on my bed, after a heavy gym session.
"well- do you see alberta wearing shorts and crop top?" I mocked him "of course ill have to wear those uniforms!"
"it's a shame… you look beautiful in dresses" andre said lacing his fingers into mine.
Such a flirt!
I chuckled "you are such a flirt, Andre!"
"yeah… but im your flirt!" he said "and anyway… ill miss you and your dresses."
"funfact! I own just 4 dresses" I reminded him. he always loved seeing me in dresses!
"yeah! But your dress at the equinox dance was oh-my-my! You know that's when I actually started liking you and think of you more than my sister's bff" he said and kissed my hair.
"oh please! You were in love with me, from… forever!" I exclaimed.
He laughed "maybe…maybe not"
"just promise me that you will still wear dresses and nice girl clothes after you become a guardian… they really suit you and I love seeing you in them"
I sighed "I know you do…. Okay- ill try to dress up once in a while… but just for you!" I joked.
"you don't know how much of a good night sleep ill get tonight, 'Guardian Hathaway Mazur' " he smirked
"lets go for dinner, lord Dragomir!" I said getting up from the bed and pulling him up with me.
"you know I hate it when you call me that!" andre chastised. "don't call me that, again please!
"no promises" I said kissing his jaw…
"eric said what?" ariana's sharp voice snapped both of us back in the ball room.
She narrowed her eyes at andre and me…
He looked puzzled for a second "uh- eric- I- I mean dad told that the food situation is under control." He stuttered.
There was silence in the room.
"Rose, Vasilisa" rhea broke the silence "I believe we have a lot to catch up!"
We both followed rhea to the corner.
My shoulder accidentally brushed with andre's while I was moving past him.
For vlad-knows-what reason… I stopped.
We both looked at each other…
There was a time when I used to get lost in his green eyes… but not anymore…
I looked away and walked towards rhea and lissa.
We talked about anything and everything… rhea wasn't lying when she said that we have a lot to catch up…
Apparently there have been a lot of strigoi attacks at court and the guardian numbers have been going down.
Queen Tatiana is being a bitch like always… but her adviser Pricilla Voda is suggesting her to let the moroi learn how to fight… and stuff.
Thankfully lissa knows how to fight… just the basics, because of me and Christian.
The boys were all talking with andre in another corner.
Ariana joined us after some time… lissa and her went together pretty well…
I could sense andre looking at me from time to time…. Its was kinda creepy.
"oh there you are!" rhea exclaimed looking over my shoulders.
I turned around and the first thing my eyes fell on was a drop dead freakin gorgeous Russian god…
Dressed to perfection, in black jeans and powder blue shirt… and shoulder length hair set loose… Dimitri looked beyond handsome…
So perfect!
DPOV-
"oh there you are!" a blonde woman dressed in a soft pink colour dress exclaimed.
"that's Mrs. Dragomir" ivan whispered to me.
I gave him a little nod.
Everyone turned around, looking straight at us.
My eyes instantly fell on a girl dressed in a beautiful deep red dress… her hair was half pinned up, soft curls falling down her shoulders…
Roza looked stunning…
No scratch that- she looked breathtakingly gorgeous!
She smiled at me… dreamily. That's right folks! That was a dreamy smile!
I felt myself smiling back at her.
She looked amazing in whatever she wore… but she looked like a real life angel in a dress…
That red lip colour looked so perfect on her soft plump lips… I just wanted to run and kiss those lips.
And don't get me started one those sexy black heels… they looked like they were made for her from heaven!
Ivan lightly elbowed me which made me drag my eyes away from rose.
"told you she'd be here" he muttered to me under his breath and made his way down the staircase, to Mrs. Dragomir.
She hugged him tightly and Mr. Dragomir shook hands with him.
I walked right behind ivan.
He introduced me to the family. They were all very kind and "laughy"… well except for Andre Dragomir...
In no time me and ivan started talking with Eric and Rhea…
I tried my best not to look at roza, but then… I always watched her from the corner of my eyes talking with lissa, mason and Christian.
How could someone look so good in such a simple modest dress?
Lissa and Princess Shelzy were also wearing nice party dresses, rose was dressed in a very simple dress… but she still looked so stunning!
"I hope we're not too late!" a bold voice stopped our conversations.
On the staircase, stood Abe, dressed in a black tailored suit with a silver scarf wrapped around his neck and his signature gold jwellery. Her arms were interlocked with a short woman dressed in a black pansuit. She had auburn hair and a little muscular built.
I knew I've seen that woman before…
I saw Roza's face lit up immediately, the others were smiling brightly as Abe and guardian Hathaway made there way down the stairs.
Rose rushed towards her mom and hugged her fiercely.
"mom!" she exclaimed. Everyone chuckled at them.
There was no doubt that Rose was meeting her mother after a long time.
"how are you!" she asked her eagerly, pulling away from her
"im quite fine, Rosemarie" she answered in a curt guardian voice, but her eyes had love filled in them "how are you?"
"I- I'm good" rose said nodding.
Soon after that everyone started talking again.
The waiters served around the drinks… both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
Ivan and I picked up a glass of coke, since we obviously couldn't drink the wines and whiskeys.
We both were currently talking with Christian, mason and eddie… they are a very fun company.
"oh! The fun begins now!" mason muttered to Christian.
I saw where they were looking… I turned around and saw rose walking towards the drinks corner.
Only one glass of red wine was kept on it.
As she was about to pick the glass another hand clashed with her.
It was Andre.
She looked up, I saw her eyes widen.
They looked at each other…
I felt a sudden pang of jealousy at the way andre was looking at her…
"its okay" rose said breaking their eye contact "you take it."
"no… you take it" andre said
"no. you." rose argued
"its fine, rose…"
"I don't need it… please you go ahead" rose said putting down the glass.
There was so much tension between them.
By now, everyone's eyes were on them.
I saw Christian and eddie stifling a laugh from the corner of the eyes. Lissa looked worried and so did Eric, Rhea and Abe, Janine. Andre's fiancé just looked mad and angry.
"whats going on there?" ivan quietly muttered to me
"I have no idea" I whispered back.
"I know you don't take a drink if you don't need it…just take it" andre gestured her to take the drink.
Rose stepped in, closer to him. by now I was literally burning with purple fire, things roza makes me feel…
She muttered something to him, turned around and walked over to lissa.
"what just happened?" ivan asked
"it's a long story, ivan" Christian shrugged.
"about?" I piped in. I really wanted to know what is the deal between rose and andre.
Christian was about to say something but mason interrupted him "I think rose will punch you if you tell her student about andre"
Oh for vlad's sake! What about andre and rose!?
Curiosity killed the cat! And now… it'll kill me!
"yeah… I guess I don't want a black eye again from her." Christian mumbled.
"the last time you got one when u teased her with Andre's name" eddie piped in "she really doesn't like the 'A- word' you know…"
"the 'A- word'?" ivan asked, confused.
"just ask rose… it'll be a miracle if she doesn't strangle you…" Christian said looking at me
I just nodded.
What is the deal between Roza and Andre?
"uh-oh… here she comes! Act normal" mason said looking away, Christian and eddie too.
"wha-"
Before I could ask what they mean, an angelic voice interrupted me.
"Dimitri?"
I turned around and saw Roza standing infront of me.
She looked even prettier from close… okay! Snap out of it! She's your mentor and she's standing right in front of you! Don't look at her like that!
"hey…" I said, trying not to stutter.
She smiled. Oh how beautiful she looks while she smiles….
"um- mom would like to meet you" rose said
Her mom?
For some reason… I was very nervous. Like… very-very nervous.
Rose's face fell
"uh…. Is there any problem?" she asked frowning.
"no- not at all." I replied quickly "I would love to meet her"
Her smile returned.
I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"lead the way, Rose" I said softly
She let out a light chuckle and we walked towards Abe and Guardian Hathaway, who stood at a corner talking to each other.
"mom" rose gently interrupted them.
They both looked at us, abe smiled but Guardian Hathaway had her guardian mask on.
"this is my student… Dimitri Belikov" rose said gesturing to me.
"Com- Dimitri… this is my mom, Guardian Janine Hathaway" rose said
She was about to call me 'comrade' infront of her parents…
I and Guardian Hathaway shook hands with each other.
"Ibrahim has told me a lot about you Dimitri" Guardian Hathaway said, smiling a little
"and your family" she added.
I saw rose looking confusingly at us. She didn't knew much about my family…
"I've heard a lot about your glory Guardian Hathaway" I said to her "it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"
"well… whatever Rosemarie told you about me… just don't believe it" she joked.
Abe chuckled and so did I.
Rose definitely didn't like her mother calling her by her real name…
"hey!" rose protested.
"mom… I actually meant to ask you- where's your new charge?" rose asked her mother.
"oh, he's not in the academy" Janine replied and took a sip from her wine "not yet. He'll be arriving tomorrow. I came here to check the arrangements for his arrival."
Abe huffed and rolled his eyes "what? He needs 2 elephants dancing for him when he arrives?" he asked her.
Guardian Hathaway smirked at him while rose and I stifled our laughs.
"no… just his living arrangements… he'll be staying until the equinox dance"
Now abe was more frustrated "I need a drink" he excused himself.
"don't mind baba…" rose said to Guardian Hathaway "he's still a little mad for the fact that you arent his guardian but an Ivashkov's"
"he cant stay mad forever, Rosemarie. He'll get over it" Guardian Hathaway said waving her hands.
Rose just shrugged
"so Dimitri" Guardian Hathaway turned to me "tell me about some ways to protect morois' when you have an encounter with strigoi's…"
Rose tried to protest when Guardian Hathaway fired me with questions.
"I don't mind Rose, really" I assured her and answered all of Guardian Hathaway's question perfectly.
She seemed impressed.
Good thing is… by the end of the rapid fire, I got allowance to call Guardian Hathaway by her first name.
Rose had a proud look on her face while I answered the questions.
"you've got a star student there, Rosemarie" Janine said to her.
"I know" rose replied smiling, her eyes not leaving me…
"I never thought you will accept to mentor someone after all these years" Janine said to rose
"what do you mean?" I asked her curiously
"oh- well Rosemarie got several offers to mentor novices… and guardians even moroi's too." Janine said "some families were offering pay her so much because of her high reputation in our world. But she always turned down those offers."
I suddenly felt so happy…
People were literally paying rose to teach them but she denied them all… and taught me?
I felt a smile crepting on my lips.
"she got one last week too, am I right?" she said
My neck snapped at rose's direction.
Did she say yes?
Oh no…
Ofcourse she would've said yes! She wouldn't want a stupid boy as her student… im not even paying her!
"uh- yeah… I turned them down" rose said quietly, trying not to make eye contact with me.
"why but? Cant you handle 2 students?" Janine asked
"its not that- I think I should keep my focus on Dimitri… until he graduates" rose said
Janine pursed her lips "I think you're right. well I hope you are learning a thing or two from my daughter."
That question was to me…
"yes. I am, she's and very good teacher" I said looking at her "and friend" I added smoothly, which made her smile… and Janine too.
Abe joined us soon after with his drink and we started talking i instantly started having fun with them.
The four of us talked about any thing and everything.
Surprisingly, I was having a great time with Janine and Abe.
Between our conversations I often found rose looking at me with a beautiful smile playing on her lips…
Well- I was stealing some glances at her too, the whole time, which Janine and Abe didn't notice… thankfully!
It was all fun until someone decided to make an appearance.
"oh! Guardian Bonville is here!" we heard lissa exclaim.
Why the fuck is he here?
I tried not to look mad or bothered…
He stood besides eric and rhea, in his proper guardian suit… his eyes stuck at rose.
I looked at rose, who stood beside me from the corner of my eye…
To say she was unhappy with Guardian Bonville looking at her like at… would be an understatement.
From the look on her face, anyone could tell that she was feeling really uncomfortable!
"we should start with the dinner, now" rhea announced
We all just nodded as we made our way to the long dinner table…
To be continued….
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author's note-
hellloooo my creatures of the night!
I hope you all are well!
Im seriously very sorry for the late update. I have to go out of station the next Saturday so I had A LOT of packing to do.
But I'll try my best to upload the next chapter as soon as possible.
Love you guys!
Until next time…
~K