ROSE'S POV (A FEW DAYS LATER)
"Psst Rose," I looked around me startled as I felt a nudge.
"Huh?" I asked the girl next to me.
"The class is over," She told. Just then I realised the class is over.
"Oh thanks," I told her.
"Rose, are you alright? You didn't pay much attention today, and that has never happened before," Ms Matthews told.
"I'm fine, Ms Matthews. Just tired," I told her.
I closed my eyes and leaned onto the pillar outside the class. My mind was somewhere else. I know that. And as much as I hate to tell it, I must admit, it's kind of tiring.
"Fuck it!" I mumbled and went to the car park.
I have another two classes but, Fuck it! I need to think!
I get inside my car and started driving. After a few seconds, my phone started ringing.
"Baba?" I asked him.
"Why are you moving out of the town?" He asked me. I sighed.
"Are you following me?" I asked him.
"No, I'm not. I was looking at your tracker for a second and found out you're leaving the university premises. I thought you have another 2 lectures?" He asked me.
"I do, but I... I just... I need some time okay? Don't worry I'll be fine," I told him.
"You don't sound fine. Besides Alberta and Pavel told me you didn't even stay for breakfast today. What is it? Are you sick? Okay, at least tell me where you're headed too?" He asked me.
"I haven't figured it out," I told him sighing.
"What do you mean by that? Rose, tell me where you're going or come back," He told.
"Dammit, old man. I need some space, okay? I'll be fine. I just need to think. So don't worry I'll be safe," I told him.
"Fine, but I'll keep watching you," He told.
"Fine," I told him.
"Is it Dimitri?" He asked. I froze for a millisecond but my almighty father got me there.
"It is him, isn't it? I'm going to kill that bastard!" He told angrily.
"Stop baba. It's not about anyone but me! Just let me be okay? I'm hanging up!" I told him.
"Fuck!" I muttered before driving away.
After wandering around the town to find a place to be myself, I realised there was only one place that can comfort me now.
My place
I drove to my place. Thank me for having my key all the time with me.
I opened the door and went inside. Even though it has been nearly 2 months, this place still has a homey feeling. I looked around as I went into my bedroom.
I opened the wardrobe and took my comfy sweaters outside. I changed into it before going back to the living room.
I decided to order something for my supper. I ordered a salad and a chicken pot pie.
I took my phone and wallet, deciding to walk to the mart. It was nearly 5.30 p.m. and I walked slowly letting the warm breeze hit my face.
It was a warm day, but according to the weather news, tonight was going to rain. Children were playing around and adults watched them laughing. I stopped near the park and watched a couple hugging each other. Today morning incidents going through my head once again.
A shiver ran through my body making me hug myself more. I started walking down the street again, till I reach the mart.
I grabbed a cookie and cream ice cream tub and a Vine bottle.
"That's all?" The cashier girl asked me. I nodded giving her a small smile.
"You look like shit! Trouble in paradise?" She asked, I chuckled.
"Confuse in the paradise," I told her.
"That's worse. By the way, we got a discount on chocolates, you want some?" She asked me.
Sure why not.
"Gimme a sec," I told her and went to the chocolate section. I took a Lindt chocolate box and went back.
"Just talk and try to work it out, usually that works," She told me as I paid her.
"Thanks," I told her and left a $20 tip for her.
As I started walking again, I sat down on the park bench to think through what happened.
Flashback (Morning)
"Wake up sladost," I felt a trail of kisses running from my ear to the back of my neck.
"Mmmm, noooo," I whined with my eyes closed like a small child. I heard his deep chuckle.
"Well, you have to. It's Monday don't you have like 4 lectures today?" He asked whispering to my ear, continuing his sweet kisses all over my neck.
"I don't want to go," I murmured turning to my right and wrapping my arms around him, hugging him closer to ignore the shivers he creates inside me.
"Well you have to, after all, you only have another week for your exam," He told hugging me back. I bet on my chocolates, he's smirking, cause he knew my reaction.
I groaned finally opening my eyes.
"Good morning," He told looking into my eyes.
"Morning," I told him.
He gave me a small kiss, which I returned. We stared at each other for maybe a few seconds.
"Have I ever told you that you're beautiful?" He asked cupping my face.
"Couple of times, yes," I told him smiling.
"I'm gonna go to take a shower," I told him.
"Hmm," He told realising me. I pecked his lips before going to my room.
I smiled as I stood under the shower.
The past few days have been great. We all decided to end Robert as soon as my exams finish. Next week my exams are going to begin. It'll last for 2 weeks. We finished the Vesvassa file, and from all we found, we found some gangs whom we can ally with, also we gave all the documents to the police. Let's just say, now all his brothels, drug fields and all other nasty stuff are being chased.
Mr Dragomir along with My dad and Dimitri proved to the court what kind of sick bastards are Lee and his father. They were prisoned for 40 years with heavy work. Jill started counselling and promised to visit us.
I came out wrapping a towel around me. I wandered through my wardrobe trying to find my outfit. Finally, I decided to wear a short denim skirt with a black top. I wore my black sneakers along with that.
I set my hair in its natural waves and wore very light makeup.
Finally, I took my bag and guitar, before stepping out of the room. Just then Dimitri came out too.
"Done?" I asked him. He nodded smiling.
"You look beautiful," He told wrapping an arm around me.
"Let's go for breakfast," I told him and tried to walk with him.
Keyword: tried
He pulled me back to him.
"Hey," I told giving him a surprised look. He chuckled.
"I wanted to ask you something," He told me. I frowned.
"Go on then," I told giving a small smile.
"I was hoping, if you could move in with me," He told tracing my arm softly.
I looked around.
"Aren't we already living together, in the same house?" I asked him and he laughed.
"Not like that, like move into my room, or maybe to your room," He told me.
"Oh!" I told. That was unexpecting.
"Is it too fast?" He asked me.
"No. Absolutely not, you just took me by surprise," I told him.
'But why do you want us to move in together? I mean I feel like there's something else," I told him.
At that moment he looked different like he was nervous about something. It's weird cause I haven't seen him like this. He looked like he was not sure about something.
"It's just that remember that day when you came to me in front of everyone?" He asked me. I nodded.
"On that day when you told me that you will be there for me forever, many took it in a very different way. Mainly my people," I frowned as he told me that.
"Like what way?" I asked him frowning.
Please don't tell me they think I'm your sex slave or personal hacker or maid!
"They think that you have decided on staying in the mafia forever,"
My mind went blank when he told me this.
"But...But I haven't decided yet," I told him. He caressed my face gently.
"I know, I know sladost. But if I'm being honest with you even a part of me wonders what exactly is your plan. Cause I want you. I want you to move in with me because I want you closer to me, I don't want you away from me," He told me.
I was speechless when he finished.
"Fuck," He murmured and ran his fingers through his hair.
I continued to look at him without uttering anything. I couldn't. My mind was blank, it didn't tell me anything.
"Sladost, sweetness. Forget everything, for now, forget everything okay? We'll discuss this later. Fuck! I shouldn't have told you anything," He told making me nod repeatedly.
Flashback ends
I was taken away from my thoughts when I felt a water drop on my face. I looked around startled.
"Dear, it's about to rain, you should head back home," An old lady told me.
"Oh, yes I should," I murmured and wore my raincoat. I started walking quickly. Just when I reached near my phone went off.
"Hello," I answered.
"It's freaking raining, where are you?" Baba's voice boomed through the phone.
"I'm at my house," I told him.
"Aren't you coming tonight?" He asked me. I stayed silent. I heard his sigh.
"Please tell me that you will be fine," He told me.
"I will be. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to use my hand and mind to walk fast. Good night old man," I told him.
"Love you, sweetheart. Careful," He told and I hung up.
I practically ran into the house, carefully not breaking my vine bottle.
"JESUS!" I yelled as I found Dimitri sitting on my couch.
"When did you get here?" I asked him, placing what I brought on the table and removing my coat. I saw that my food is also on the table but he hasn't taken them out.
He didn't answer. He just stared at me.
"You didn't wait for breakfast, you left from university early, you didn't come home, so yeah is that enough excuse?" He asked me, getting up and coming closer.
"Dimi..." I didn't know how to finish, or how to begin.
"Is it because of what I told you?" He asked me gently touching my cheek.
"I... I don't know," I told him and looked down. That's the only thing I knew right now. I didn't know.
"You don't have to know everything. It's okay if you don't know things. I'm not expecting anything right now anyway," He told me.
"I'm sorry," I told, looking back up at him tears escaping from my eyes.
"Oh sladost, there's nothing to apologise. I know that it's hard for you. I know that it may not be the right time or the right way. Hell, I've never been in a relationship before you. But all I know is that I do adore you. I understand you," He told and I couldn't control myself anymore.
I sobbed. Hard, loud sobs escaped my mouth, and I placed my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me bringing me to his warmth.
I hate this. I hate how weak I feel. He means so much to me. He took me away from my panic attack, and He made me feel beautiful again, I feel so damn safe when I'm with him, I feel happy, I feel alive, and I feel so much with him.
But why couldn't I tell him that I can stay with him? What on earth is stopping me? Why am I so afraid?
He let me cry. And god I did! And once I finished he kissed my forehead again.
"S toboy vse v poryadke?" He asked. I gave him a small smile. ( Are you alright?)
"ya s toboy," I replied. ( I am with you)
"Good," He told. He loosened his arms around me.
"I should probably leave. It seems like you were planning something alone, no offence though, He told. I thought for a second.
"It's alright stay, I ordered enough food," I told him.
"Where'd you go?" He asked me.
"I wanted to relax so I was planning to eat something hot, drink wine and cuddle by the window with ice cream," I told him.
"You make me feel so damn workaholic, 'cause I never do that to myself," I laughed as he told me.
"You better get used to these Belikov. Otherwise, I might drag you out of the meeting hall in the future," I told him giving him a playful glare.
"Go and get changed before you catch a cold milady, I'll set the table," He told chuckling at my silliness.
"How do you know about where I keep my things in this house?" I asked him. He smirked.
"You're lucky Belikov, so damn lucky that you're dating me," I told him before going into my room.
I took a small hot bath and changed into one of my favourite dresses I left here. It was a sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neckline. I wore a cardigan to avoid the cold. I tried to dry my hair using a towel because I'm not in the mood for a hairdryer.
"You look pretty," He told me as I came here.
"Thanks," I told him.
"Dinner?" He asked me.
"Sure," I told sitting down.
We had a comfortable dinner. More than comfortable, it's so peaceful. We didn't have to worry about anything. We talked, about simple things.
"So I thought about something," I told him.
"Go on," He told holding my hand.
"I think, I'd like to move in too, but not now, like maybe this Friday?" I told him.
"Friday's cool, I assume you want something to be changed?" He asked and I nodded chuckling.
"Few things," I told him.
"We could just move to another room if you want," I shook my head.
"No need, your room is perfect," I told him sipping my wine.
"Great," He told me.
"Dimitri, I wanted to thank you for helping with Jill's case. It means a lot to me," I told him.
"I would've done that even if she's not your friend," He told making me smile.
Later, once we finished our dinner, we did the dishes together.
"I don't think it's the perfect weather to eat ice cream," He told looking at my ice cream. I looked at him surprised.
"Don't tell me you've never had ice cream on a rainy day," I told him. He didn't react.
"No way!" I told.
"What? We might catch a cold," He told me.
"Well, too bad," I told him.
"Get the tub, we are going to eat it," I told him.
"What are you doing?" He asked as I put chocolates into the bowl.
"I'm going to melt them. Melted chocolate with ice cream is perfection,"
"Okay, so are we going to stay on the sofa?" He asked me.
"Nope, I usually sit by the window. The view is amazing when it rains," I told him.
After I melted the chocolates, I placed the bowl on the small table and joined Dimitri, taking off my cardigan.
He wrapped his arms around me bringing me closer to him.
"Here," I told giving him a spoon of ice cream.
"It's cold," He told.
"Well, there's a reason why it's named ice cream," I told taking a spoon for myself.
His fingers were running in circles on my waist. I sighed leaning to his chest.
"That night under the gazebo, I was close to having a panic attack. I could hear the voices, I could feel the cold, and I was scared. I hugged myself wanting to give me comfort. In my case that is the first step to falling for a panic attack. I know it's stupid to isolate myself knowing I will get one. But then you came and talked to me, danced with me. Something about your voice, your warmth, about you, made me feel safe and continent," I told taking a spoon of ice cream again.
"You are the first to do that," I told him furthermore.
"On that day, I watched your reaction to the video. I saw your perfect mask breaking. I saw nothing but a scared version of you. I swore to myself, I'd never let it get you again," He told looking down at me. I leaned up and kissed him.
I turned and straddled him without breaking the kiss. I cupped his cheeks, kissing him harder. His hands tightened around my waist, and when he bit my lip slowly, I let him in.
I returned his desire to him. I wanted him, so I told him.
"I want you,"
Hi Lovelies!
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