So many of you were curious about Janine. Hopefully, this chapter has the answer!
Rose's POV
"So you lived with your uncle until 3 years ago who's a freaking billionaire?" Lissa asked me and I nodded folding my clothes, packing.
"Why did you leave?" She asked me. I sighed and turned to her.
"I didn't like it there, I still don't but I don't have a choice," I told her.
"Why not?" She asked me.
"He has my custody until I'm 24 years old," I lied to her.
"Why didn't he come back before?" She asked me.
"I left him, I didn't want him to find me so I lied to him that I'm chosen to Harvard," I told her.
"And it took 3 years for him to find the truth?" I smirked.
"How many Roses do you know? Besides I think he understood that I need space," I asked her.
"You're amazing, and what was his expression when he saw you?" I smirked.
"You should've seen his face, I'll introduce you to him soon," I told her.
"You better," I smiled.
"That's all so you're moving out tonight? Rose are you sure about this? I mean you never act like this," She asked and I nodded.
"I know you are worried about me, but trust me when I say, that I'll be safe. And yes, I am moving tonight, so I can adjust there within the weekend," I told her. She got up and hugged me.
"We didn't even throw a party," I laughed.
"Liss, I'm only moving out from my home, not my country, stop worrying," I told her.
"But how am I going to get my free hot chocolate now?" I laughed.
"I know it was even hard for me to quit my jobs but I had to you know," I told her and she nodded.
"Now, come on we can't be late for college," I told her. She scoffed.
"You can't be late for college," She told me, I laughed out loud, again.
...
"Haven't you heard breaking into someone's house without their permission isn't so nice?" I asked turning on the lights.
"This isn't the first, not-so-nice thing I've done Rose," I turned around to see Dimitri sitting on my couch along with Ivan. I rolled my eyes and turned around to make some hot cocoa after placing my guitar on the table.
"Whatever, can't say I'm surprised," I told him.
"So this is where you hid for 3 years," I could hear him getting up.
"Don't act so fake Mr Belikov, we all know that you became Sherlock Holmes from the moment you stepped inside," I told him turning to face him with my coffee.
"Oh, you've no idea, Rosie, he went through everything," Leonid winked at me, I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Rosie?" He just smirked.
"Since we're going to work together I thought that you'll like my new nickname," He told me. I smiled at him.
"Rose is enough, I'm not a fan of nicknames," I told him.
"Why didn't you tell him?" I turned to look at Dimitri who's now walking closer to me. I raised an eyebrow.
"About how we met, why didn't you?" I chuckled looking down only to look back at him.
"Many reasons,"
'Like what?" He asked me. I sighed.
"One, I don't trust him that much.
Two, he could've killed you, I don't want anyone to die for me. There are only two people in this world I want dead. One of them is already dead and the other one, we're going to kill him.
Three, you didn't do anything to me, Dimitri. You didn't rape me or force me, actually, you kinda gave me a choice and I'm the one who refused and it's over." I told him and I can see that he was surprised by my answer. I turned around walked towards my room passing him. I heard food steps but I ignored them.
"You know, I never thought I'll meet you like this," I heard him telling. I turned around leaning on the counter, raising an eyebrow. To my surprise, Ivan has gone outside.
"Which means you did expect us to meet again," He nodded a smirk forming on his face.
"And why do I have the feeling that you didn't want to meet me appropriately?" I asked him.
"Because I didn't," I scoffed looking at him. I examined his face.
"You didn't run a background check because my father told you to. I bet he didn't even tell about me." I walked until I'm a few steps away from him. I tilted my head to look at him in the eyes.
"You were surprised to see me there, I saw it. I saw how you were so surprised to hear that I'm Ibrahim Mazur's daughter. You were surprised to hear that I'm a professional hacker. You made him believe, that you ran a background check on me because I'm in LA university." I crossed my arms around my chest managing a blank expression on my face.
"I guess you probably ran a check on me after I left that day or after you saw me in the club. You knew I wouldn't tell my father about you. You knew that I don't have a reason. So I suggest you, quit acting. If you have something to tell me, say it to my face without running in terms Mr Belikov," I told him he smirked and chuckled. He stopped to examine my face looking deeply into my eyes making a shiver run through my blood.
His gaze is intense!
"Aren't you smart, Ms Hathaway?" I didn't reply to his question. He moved closer to me placing both his hands beside me pinning me to the counter. His smile faded and a bloody serious look grew on his face.
Stay Calm, Don't panic!
Stay Calm, He can't do anything!
"I'll tell you what I want Rose," He started.
"You are the first person to pull that stunt on me. No one, I mean no one has ever done that. I'm not angry with the fact you didn't have sex with me but I am curious about you. I am curious to know about this strong attitude all over you which amazes me. So as you wish I'll tell you what I wanted after that stunt you pulled." He came closer to me.
I could practically smell his aftershave. It was intoxicating. I could feel his breath on my ear, warming my earlobe. He's too close. MY fingers gripped the counter.
"I wanted you," I shot my eyes up at him.
WHAT.
THE.
FUCK?
"Yes, I wanted to know you so badly, but after getting to know that you're his daughter, I knew that I can't go in my ways. But then I realized that you hate this world, So many people think you hate it but what I see is fear. I see fear in your eyes. That fear has turned to hatred. Which tells me that you are pretending something. That you have a secret. And I love secrets," He remarked, his fingers tucking my hair behind my ear. I gulped when his fingertips touched underneath my ear.
He's smart. He's so damn smart. He's right. I hate this world because I fear this world. And this world is my greatest weakness. Anyone can use me if they know my breaking point correctly. I looked up at him. His chocolate brown eyes stared into mine. As much as I'm weak I shouldn't forget that I'm strong too, in a way, I can hurt him too.
"You love your mafia, don't you?" I asked him and he raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Just answer," I told him. He nodded. I moved closer to him. His body pressed to mine. I can feel his warmth. I placed my hand on his shoulder and leaned to his hair standing on my toes.
"Then you won't do anything to me. You won't do a damn thing to me, Dimitri Belikov," I told him.
"Why?" He asked. I smirked,
"Because I have the brains and power here, with one click I can destroy your kingdom until nothing's left but dust. I can burn it down to ashes. You can't kill me. You can't own me, or do anything to me because I can destroy you," I told him. He looked completely taken back. I showed his chest away from me.
"Let me make this clear to you Dimitri. Staying with you or not, having sex with you or not, is NOT YOUR CHOICE BUT MINE. You can't do anything. I don't need daddy's help to get rid of you because I can do it by myself." I told him. He looked still surprised. I took deep breathes to calm myself.
"So why don't we come to an agreement?" I asked him smiling.
Yeah, I'm a bipolar bitch, and I love it!
"Dimitri, we're going to work together. We both want one thing, so I don't want to hate you so stop this." I told him.
"I don't want you dead, Dimitri, I don't want to screw the only chance to get the hell away from this madness, so," I offered him my hand to shake. He looked at me like I was crazy but then smiled.
"Very well then," He took my hand shaking it. But suddenly he pulled me towards him. I gasped at his sudden action. I looked up at him only to see him smirking. He leaned down and whispered.
"Doesn't mean I'll give up," I rolled my eyes at him trying to deny the shiver that went through me.
"We'll see that," I told him pulling away.
"Hurry up!" Ivan's voice knocked us both from our staring contest.
"Anyway this is it? He asked me looking at my suitcases. I nodded.
"And my guitar," I told him. He nodded.
"You don't have to take much we've prepared enough for you," I glared at him.
"Shal we?" I asked him. He nodded leading me to the car which was parked in a dark corner.
"How did you know that we were inside?" Leonid asked.
"It's my home, Ivan. I know about it," I told him. He just smiled shaking his head.
...
"Wow," I told without even realizing. I heard a chuckle. I looked at Dimitri and Leonid.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Leonid asked. I nodded.
"It is, how come I didn't see it before?" I asked them.
"It was night Rose and Pavel took you in a highly secured way remember?" I nodded.
I looked at the mansion in front of me. I saw my father along with Uncle Pavel standing in the front waiting for us.
My father came to us as I stepped out.
"Kiz,"
"Father," I nodded. He looked shocked.
"Shall we?" I asked him. He nodded.
"Ah, yes. This way," He led me along with Dimitri.
...
"This room is so... beautiful, simple and simply amazing..." I remarked trying my best to hide my disappointment.
"But..." Dimitri asked leaning to the door. I looked at them and sighed.
"What is it, Kiz?" My father asked.
"It is so... bright," I told.
"What?" They both asked together.
"It is so bright. I mean it's white." Dimitri sighed.
"But it's okay, I'll manage," I told them not wanting to be a burden.
"Come on," Dimitri told leading us towards another room.
"I thought you'd like something like that," Ivan told me.
"Sleep is so important to me, I like my room dark. Besides, I don't think I'll have much time to sleep," I told him.
"Why would you think that?" Dimitri asked.
"Robert Doru is the most horrible fucktard I've ever met so it'll be long enough beside my finals are coming and basically yeah I won't have much time to sleep," I told them.
"You took literature? I mean why lit and music?" My father asked with amusement clearly in his words. I stopped walking and looked at him.
"I took it because I wanted," I told him. Dimitri cleared his throat.
"Umm, check this one, I think you'll like it," I broke my eye contact with my father and turned to see the room.
"Holy Shit!" I remarked. A smile formed on my face.
It was a brown room. But the interior was simply amazing. There was a couch beside the window. And a huge bed! It has enough space for me to stay
"I'll take it as you like it," I turned to Dimitri and nodded.
"Yes I like it," I told him.
"Okay then Kiz, settle down. We'll ask to move things from that room to this one. Also, decorate as you want, We'll give you a house tour tomorrow and you can meet our men tomorrow too. Anything else?" My father asked.
"From that room to this one?" I asked him.
"We brought things to you Rose," I crossed my hands in front of my chest.
"Do I look like a doll?" I asked them and they all chuckled.
"You're going to do a lot of things Rose, this is your repayment," He told. I rolled my eyes.
"Fine, See you tomorrow, good night, and thank you," I told them.
"Good night!" Ivan told winking at me.
"Good night and see you tomorrow Rose," Uncle Pavel told me giving me a warming smile.
"I've told my men about you, and they'll like to meet you tomorrow," I nodded at Dimitri.
"We'll tell you everything tomorrow," He told furthermore, I nodded again.
"Very well then see you tomorrow," I smiled at him, he smiled back before leaving. I turned to face my father.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I told him, turning to go inside.
"Rosemarie," I turned back to see his face. He came closer to me.
"I'm sorry, once again." I didn't tell anything. He cupped my cheek and tilted my face to look at him.
"I know what I did for 18 years, it wasn't fair, nice and you didn't deserve it. You mean so much to me. I realized it was too long. I know that you don't believe me and probably hate me, I deserve it. And I know I don't deserve to say this but I'm sorry," I didn't tell him anything. He bent down and slowly kissed my forehead.
"Good night father," I whispered getting away from his grasp and going inside.
Later that night when I decided that it was finally time to go to sleep, I finally let myself shed the tear I wanted.
...
Ibrahim's POV
Promise me, Abe, promise me that you'll take care of her. Tell her about me. Give my 'eye' to her. Please protect her.
I heard her voice. Words she spoke to me on that dreadful day she died.
"I'm sorry Janine. I know that I promised you to protect her and love her but I didn't. I'm sorry." I whispered holding a photo of my Janine.
"I was a coward, an idiot, a horrible father, please forgive me," I whispered.
"She doesn't hate you," I turned my head to see Pavel.
"What makes you say that?" I asked him.
"If she does, she would've already told you that," I didn't tell anything.
"I don't why it took so long for me to realize everything. For me to understand and accept her as my daughter. She was always there," I told him. He sighed.
"You were blinded by anger and sorrow," He whispered. He came near me looked at her picture.
"They look alike in a very odd way," He told. I smiled nodding my head.
"Yeah, even though she mostly resembles me," I told.
"She'll forgive you, Ibrahim, she will. She has Janine's heart. It's just hard for her. Besides she has grown up," I nodded.
"I hope so," I whispered kissing the photo one more time before placing it inside my drawer.
Thank you so much for your positive comments!