ROSE'S POV

I cuddled up against him and held onto his collar tightly, as he kissed the top of my head.

"You alright?" He asked me, and I nodded.

"Just confused and scared," I told him.

"Of what?" He asked me. I sighed.

"I don't know Dimitri. I don't think I can stay in this mafia life. I love being who I am when I'm not in the mafia. I don't know," I told him. He chuckled.

"As I told you before, you have so much time left to decide," He told me.

"Hmm," I hummed.

"But that's not the real problem here," He told me making me look at him.

"How are we going to this? I mean I've never dated..." I snickered making him stop.

"What?" He asked me.

"That's a fat lie," I told looking at him and he sighed, cursing under his breath.

"Fine, you win! I had one back in college days," He told me.

"We just started and you already lied," I marked out.

"Sorry. But you're just different. Anyway, so if we come back, you have to think about my place sladost, your father's going to kill me, I bet he's already planning to do," I chuckled as he faked a shiver.

"You should've thought about that before playing with fire," I told him and he suddenly laughed.

"What?" I asked him."On the day of the party, your father and brother both told me that too," I chuckled.

"How are we going to do this Rose? I honestly haven't dated much. I don't know if I'll be good or..." I didn't let him finish.

"Shhh, it'll be fine. Even I didn't know but it'll be fine," I told him.

"Are you cold?" He asked me looking at my hands. I followed his gaze and saw goosebumps.

"I am honestly, Not much used to cold I guess," I told him. He took off his blazer and wrapped it around me.

"What about you?" I asked him.

"I'm from Russia sladost, this is nothing I can't handle," He told me and I smiled placing my head on his shoulder.

He placed his hand on my back and I stiffened.

"I'm sorry," He told taking his hand away and I shook my head.

"I don't want you to feel them," I told him.

"Sladost, I told you you're the strongest woman I've ever met, I will never judge you," He told gently placing it on my back again. I nodded.

We enjoyed the silence and the clatter of rain for a while before I broke it.

"Dimitri?" I called him after a moment.

"Hmm?" He asked running his fingers through my hair.

"If I choose to leave what'll happen then?" I asked him. He took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter if you stay here or not, what only matters is how we feel about each other," He told me. I smiled.

"When did you know that you've fallen for me?" I asked him.

"I don't know, it's a hard question. What about you?" He asked me.

"I guess when I first started feeling safe with you," I told him.

We both sighed.

"We can't expose this right now," I told hoping he'd agree.

"You're right as I told you your father will burn me alive," I chuckled as he told me.

"Didn't you think of it when you started flirting with me?" I asked him, he playfully glared at me.

"Ivan, Peter and Mason are fine. They won't tell it to anyone," He told me and I nodded.

"We can't keep it a secret but at least until we finish this Veswassa thing," I told him.

"Hmm," He told. I yawned. The coldness of the air, the clattering of the rain, and the warmth of Dimitri are lulling me to sleep.

"Take a nap, I don't think this rain will stop anytime soon," He told me and I nodded, closing my eyes.

DIMITRI'S POV

I felt her falling asleep in my arms. I kissed the top of her head and tightened my arms around her. I looked at her angelic face.

She's so beautiful.

Not just from the outside but even from the inside, I couldn't help but fall for her.

When she kissed me back then suddenly I lost everything. Just the feeling of her was so enough for me. I felt like I'm finally on earth. And when we kissed again, knowing that we broke each other's walls, I was happy. No, I am happy.

This is dangerous. So fucking dangerous! But I didn't want to stop. I wanted to be with her without a second thought. And now I know something for sure, that she's not just some ordinary date for me. She's something so special, something I don't want to lose.

It'll be hard. I'm sure of it. She's still in doubt about everything. It can be seen, the way she enjoys the life she spends as Rose Hathaway is about freedom, but as Rose Mazur, she has to pretend, wear a mask, and be strong every time. And I can see that it exhausts her. So there's a huge possibility of her leaving this life.

But even then, I don't want to let her go.

...

ROSE'S POV

"YOU TWO COULD'VE FOUND ANOTHER WAY APART FROM STARTING TO FUCKING MAKE OUT!" I sighed as baba boomed.

"Baba," I tried but he didn't let me finish.

"Did he force you?" I snapped my head.

"What? No baba! I was the one who kissed him first, it was my idea," I told them.

"Oh for FUCK'S SAKE!" Eddie told.

"Can I kill him?" Uncle Pavel asked and I glared.

"Well, what about her? She kissed him first, so I guess she should be shot too," Ivan told. They all glared at him.

I looked around the room to find angry, confused, and even faces with teasing smiles. We arrived 15 minutes ago! And they've been giving this bullshit for that long!

"I think you're more frustrated because you all know that there wasn't another way," Dimitri told, making us all look at him.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY FUCKER?" Eddie asked trying to get to Dimitri.

Okay, I've had enough!

"STOP IT, EVERYONE!" I yelled making the hall silent.

'He was only 10 steps away! That was his house! He left the door open, without a security system, or at least without locking the door, what were we supposed to do huh? Hiding under the table or behind the curtains?" I asked standing.

These heels are killing me!

"Yeah something like that," Uncle Dave told making me roll my eyes.

"We would've done that if it was a bloody hide-and-seek game," I told.

"We did what we should've done in that situation. We weren't in a surrounding where we could fight, or hurt him. We didn't have enough time and most importantly we couldn't let him or anyone know why we were there! So if it means doing the same thing ten thousand times more if I was in that situation, I will do it!" I told them.

"But Rose, you shouldn't have done that, I mean you're still young and a kiss is not something for you," Uncle Dave told making others snicker. I scoffed.

"You know it's very ironic coming from you, 'cause I was only 12 when I first caught someone having sex, that too in the kitchen. And that person was you!" I told making others laugh and he blushed.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to freshen up! I had enough drama for one night. And you all will let Dimitri live, and in one piece," I told pointing my finger at my father and Eddie.

"Data's in this pen drive and we will check it out two days later," I told them.

After that, I went to my room and took a long hot shower, before slipping into my comfy pyjamas. As I went to the bed and closed my eyes, I felt a buzzing from the nightstand. I took my phone.

'Sweet dreams sladost!'

I chuckled finding it funny, cause this guy, live in the room right opposite me.

'night Dimitri,' I sent him before letting sleep engulf me.

...

Next Day

I woke up groaning as my alarm kept ringing. I looked at it to find it was 7.30. If it wasn't for Friday, I would've freaked out but today, we have classes at 11.00 so I guess it's okay. I went to the bathroom and got ready, feeling good I did a little makeup and tied my hair into a ponytail. After getting dressed I took my guitar and bag and went downstairs.

"Miss Rose," Mrs Janet saw and called me. I greeted her.

"So I heard there was a kiss?" I groaned as she asked with a smirk.

"I'm gonna go have to breakfast," I told her, going to the dining room.

"You're late today," Eddie told me as I went inside.

"Yeah," I told smacking the back of his head.

"You look awfully good today, why?" Baba asked me. I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Today, we're going to spend a lot of time with music after lunch," I told him taking my hot chocolate from the maid, and then turned to meet Dimitri's eyes for a bit and then

"Are you going to hang out with girls today?" I frowned as my dad asked me that. I almost forgot about Jill.

"Baba, can you do something for me?" I asked him making everyone halt their movements and papa nodded.

"If I ask you to help one of my friends if she's in a problem, would you do that for me?" I asked him. He frowned.

'Of course, I would," I nodded.

"How close are you to your friends?" Eddie asked me. I smiled a little bit.

"How about this? If they weren't here, I would've died already," I told making them stop their movements.

"They trusted me, not knowing who I am. So yeah they mean so much to me. They were there for me," I told continuing to eat.

"Anyway, what if Carlo gets to know about what we did?" I asked changing the subject.

"He can't do anything," Dimitri told and I raised my eyebrow.

"He's right Veswassa became powerful like 10 years ago," baba told me.

"I can remember hearing the news, I was like 17, I guess," Dimitri told.

"When did you take your mafia?" I asked him.

"When I was 21," He answered.

"Your father gave it to you?" I asked him furthermore.

"Mother," He replied and my jaw hit the floor immediately, and even I'm sure lots of others too.

"Wow," I mumbled. He smiled.

"My papa died from a heart attack when I was 15, I was on the line to take the position but my mother took it, telling all of us I was too young. She became the boss, it's like your donna. After that, she ruled over our Bravata for 6 years," He told and then grew silent.

"How's she now?" Eddie asked him.

"When I was 21, she went on a mission, placing me as the underboss. She came back in a body bag, barely noticeable," I suppressed a gasp my heart clenching.

"We're sorry," I told, he looked at me and I sent him a reassuring smile.

"I couldn't find who did it. She won the mission, so someone else did that to her. I couldn't find who did it. I spent a whole year to find who did it," I wanted to comfort him.

"It wasn't your fault," Eddie and I both told it together. I looked at him, to find his face hidden behind a mask. The mask I can always see through.

"You feel that it's your fault, that you could've protected her, but it's not true," He told Dimitri.

After breakfast, when I was about to leave, I found Dimitri leaning against my car.

"Hey," He told smiling softly and opening his arms. I went straight to them, hugging him tightly.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled against his chest. He sighed and kissed my exposed shoulder slightly.

"Not your fault," He mumbled pulling away. I stood on my toes and gave him a small kiss.

"I might stop over for lunch after 4, if that isn't a problem for you," I asked him, and he nodded.

"See you later sladost," He told me as I got in.

"You know I should think of a nickname too," I told making him laugh.

"You call me Dimitri, that's just perfect," He told me. I laughed and then drove away.

...

"You've reached Belikov's phone, please keep a voice mail," the Recorded voice told me. I sighed.

"Hey Dimitri, I'm coming over, is that fine or are you busy? Call me back later," I told and then hang up.

I'm still in the uni, and we just finished our lecture 5 minutes ago.

I sat down under the tree and started roaming through my phone.

"Boo!" I yelped loudly but before I could turn around Lissa wrapped her arms around me hugging me, or should I say suffocating me.

"Liss," I whined laughing, making her laugh.

"I missed you," She told sitting beside me.

"Me too, we didn't get to spend much time did we?" I asked her and she nodded.

"I know those finals are killing us, but we deserve time to ourselves right?" She asked and I nodded.

"Hey remember that hot tub, Christmas night we spent in Colorado?" I asked her.

"How can I forget that night? We saw each other naked for god's sake," She told making me chuckle.

"Yeah, remember we talked about our future in 5 years? That was two years ago," I told her.

"I thought about that too. I'm gonna take over dada's business," She told making me look at her."Really?" I asked her and she nodded.

"I'm their only child, besides I've always wanted to work there, so I'll be an intern there after the finals. I have so many new plans for it," She told and I nodded.

"I'm planning to open a publishing company, you know after publishing my books, if they get succeed," I told her.

"That's great! By the way how things are going in your place? Is everything alright? Is that asshole trying to do something?" Lissa asked referring to Dimitri. I clicked my tongue.

"Well, apparently, I'm dating that asshole," I told her

1 2 3... and BOOM!

"WHAT?" She asked and I nodded.

"He's not that bad, and he's not forcing me. I just like him, he grew on me so yup, we just started dating, but please keep it low okay?" I asked her hoping she won't explode.

"You've gotta be kidding me, Rose, what if he tries something funny?" She asked me.

"Well, we didn't take those self-defence classes for nothing now did we?" I asked her and she chuckled.

"Talking about that, I've had enough. I'm going to visit Jill and that's the finale," Lissa told.

"Don't go alone. I'll come with you. Jeez, I haven't seen her for nearly four days," I remarked and she nodded.

At that moment I got a text, so I excused myself for a second.

'Sure, just stop over, okay?' I smiled reading the text.

"That's a smile I haven't seen for a long time," Lissa told me.

"gotta go, for a lunch date," I told getting up.

"Get it on girl!" She told making me laugh.

"Bye," I yelled at her.

ROSE'S POV

"Good evening, my name is Rose Hathaway, I'm here to meet Mr Dimitri Belikov, to talk about my book," I told to the receptionist.

"Oh I remember you, did he agree to publish it?" She asked and I nodded.

"That's great, by the way, did you set up an interview?" She asked me, and I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, I forgot, but is there a way I can meet him today?" I asked her.

"Rose?" I turned as I heard my name.

"Mason?" I asked as he came.

"Why are you here?" He asked me. At that moment I realised Dimitri haven't told him about us him.

"I'm here to meet Mr Belikov to talk about my book," I told him hoping he'll get my hint.

"Sure, follow me. He's free now, I'm going to meet him too," He told me.

"Bye Fiona," I told to the receptionist, and she smiled back.

"So you work here?" I asked him.

"I'm the technical manager," I gasped as he told me.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Why Ivan is his assistant when you're his technical manager?" I asked him.

"Ivan is his best friend and second in command, he has to keep him close," He told me.

"He keeps you guys close?" I asked him.

"He does, it's a way of him knowing everything going around him," He told.

We reached his office, but the thing is I didn't see Ivan, at his desk. I peeked into Dimitri's cabin by the window. And what I saw made me so mad. So mad!

Dimitri is sitting by his desk, and Ivan was beside him. But the thing is a girl is standing in front of him, bent, showing half, no, all her cleavage, and grinning like a Cheshire cat making me want to puke all over her black hair.

'Bloody bitch!'

"Are you alright?" Mason asked. He must've sensed my difference.

"Fucking no," I told turning around and taking my phone.

'Dimitri, do you think you can change for me? I mean we both do have problems, but do you think we can overcome them?" I typed.

I peeked again and saw him looking at his phone, then he started typing.

'Of course, we can make them out. Why?' He sent.

'Then you better tell that chick to back away, or I will make sure that you won't go to the mansion in one piece. I will kill you, I will break you into pieces,' I hit the sent button. I looked back in.

He looked at the phone and widened his eyes. His mouth opened wide before he placed his hand in front of it. Then he started looking around before catching my eye.

I glared hard. That chick tried to touch him but he backed away.

"I'm coming inside," I typed and sent it. He looked at it.

No, he doesn't have a choice in this. I calmed myself before opening the door.

"Come on baby just one night, I'll..." That bitch was talking but stopped and they all looked in my direction.

Dimitri stood up. If it wasn't for this situation, I would've laughed hard seeing his face. Ivan looked surprised. And even Peter, was there looking surprised.

"Who the hell are you? Don't you know about knocking?" That bitch asked.

"Is she here important?" I asked from, well no one in person.

"Huh?" Ivan asked. I raised an eyebrow.

"No, she's here for uhh," He told.

That's it! I clenched my hands. I could feel the blood boiling inside me. But I calmed myself again.

"Miss, I would appreciate it if you take your hands away from him," I told looking directly at her.

She scoffed! This bloody bitch dared to scoff at me.

"Who do you think you are to tell me?" She asked me.

"I'm someone important. Besides don't you think it's highly inappropriate for you to touch the CEO when he's in his office?" I asked her.

"Look Dimitri baby she's threatening me. Who is she?" She turned to Dimitri and pouted battling her eyelashes. I smirked and went to her and stood in front of her.

"I'm his girlfriend, so I would appreciate it if you stop touching my boyfriend like that," I told her.

Ivan gasped and looked with his mouth open. Check!

Peter followed his lead. Check!

Mason dropped his I pad. Check!

That bitch widened her eyes. Check!

The entire room was pin-drop silent. Check!

"Tell me she's wrong!" She turned to Dimitri and told him. Everyone, including myself, turned to meet his eyes

"She is my girlfriend, so leave. I told you I'm not interested. And tell your father I'm not falling for his traps," He told making me smirk inwardly.

That girl glared daggers at me and took her purse before leaving the room. I turned to Dimitri crossing my arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Rose, I swear..." I didn't let him finish.

"You have 10 seconds, to justify yourself," I told him.

Dimitri's POV

Fuck! That bitch has to come today! I was just about to leave, so I can go on the lunch date with Rose, but that bitch Tasha has to stop by. I should've known Rose will be here soon. She's always fast.

"I was about to meet you halfway so that we can go to grab lunch, but she came by," I told her. She didn't say anything but kept her eyebrow raised with her lips in a thin line.

I must admit my inner self is swooning like a lovesick teenager knowing she's jealous.

"There's nothing for you to be jealous sladost, when I meant I'll be yours, I truly meant it," I told her hoping she'd blush. But she didn't. Instead, she rolled her eyes.

"Better remember that 'cause I hate sharing, and if you ever dare to play with me, just know two can play the game," She told smirking. I raised an eyebrow.

Then she smiled.

"Come soon. I'll be in my car," She told and turned around to leave.

'Close your mouths," She told the boys passing them.

I looked at them.

"You two are together?" Ivan asked me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked him back.

"Absolutely not. It's about time boss, I thought you'll never make a move. Wait that kiss in the Veswassa party, was it real too?" Ivan asked.

"No, not that one," I told them.

"Dimitri?" I looked at Peter.

"You do know that I'm going to be a father soon right?" He asked and I nodded.

"Is everything alright with her pregnancy?" I asked him and he nodded.

"I don't care about the fact that you two are dating I think it was supposed to happen but if you truly love us as your brothers, or at least as your men in Bravata don't ever let what happened today happen again. She'll kill us without a second thought," He told making me chuckle.

"He's right. She scares me more than spiders does," Ivan mumbled.

"I've got to go, Mason, there might be paparazzi stories, so take care of them, and we still haven't figured out how to tell this to Mazur, so keep it low," I told them.

"Are you crazy?" They asked.

"B'layd," Mason mumbled. (Fuck)

"I'm leaving," I told grabbing my coat and leaving them behind.

"Rose," I told gaining her attention as I came near her. She had her car parked in the car park, and she was leaning against it, typing on her phone.

"You ready?" She asked looking at me. I nodded smiling.

"Let's go," She told getting into the driver's seat.

"Where are we going?" I asked her.

"Well it's lunch, so do you have something in mind?" She asked.

"Well, I was hoping I could go on a burger date with my girl," I told making her laugh.

"Burger date then," She told.

"Oh, by the way, it's a date," I told her as she started driving.

"That's what burger date means, Dimitri," She told.

"I don't do dates. So this means you're mine," I told leaning toward her. She took her eyes off the road to meet mine.

"So are you. Besides, you told this me enough times. No need to remind again and again." She told giving me a small peck on the lips.

...

"I didn't overreact back then did I?" She asked making me laugh.

"No, you were calm. I don't understand how you keep it calm," I told kissing her knuckles.

So apparently, Chloe knows so many burger places, not that I'm surprised after all burgers are her favourites.

"So how did you find this place?" I asked her.

"Google," She replied taking a bite.

"I thought one of your friends introduced you to this," I told her.

"Nope, this is somewhere I come alone," She told making me raise an eyebrow.

"Alone?" I asked her and she smiled.

"Maybe not anymore," She told.

"I'm glad," I told her winking.

"So tell me more about you," I told her, and suddenly she laughed.

"Why?" I asked her but she kept laughing.

"I thought you know that I'm an introvert," She told making me laugh.

"You remember that?" I asked her.

"How can I forget? By the way, why there's always Ivan when something like that happens?" She asked me making me chuckle.

"No, but sometimes yes. In your case, he kind of had a thing for you at first," I told and she raised an eyebrow.

"He did?" She asked.

"You know when you see someone beautiful or hot, opposite attractions," I told her and she nodded.

"So about me, I love singing, and reading books. You must already know that," She told, making me chuckle.

"Is it just me or do you also find this hard?" I asked her and she laughed.

"I feel it too," She told.

"Okay then, have you covered any songs?" I asked her and she nodded.

"I live with music. I kinda miss my old life, you know before this Robert and coming back. I used to surround myself with music. Sometimes, when I can't sleep I used to stay awake and cover songs till morning. And when Jessica's with me we sing all the time. I think I spent most of my free time either covering songs, reading books, spending with girls or doing some extra jobs," She told. I tilted my head and frowned.

"How many jobs did you do?" I asked her.

'Help in the library, working at Alberta's, tutoring," She told.

"How on earth did you find time for all this?" I asked her.

"Just like how you manage to run so many different businesses and still run the Bravata," She told and I smirked.

"You done?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Let's go," I told her.

"What are you going to do next? I think you don't have any classes," I asked her.

"I'm going to go practice, by the way, Dimitri, Lissa, Mia and I decided to visit Jessica. I don't feel good about her absence," She told making me frown.

'Don't go alone, take some security with you guys. And meanwhile, would you mind if I do some research about that boyfriend of hers?" I asked her.

"No, not at all. I was going to do it myself today but it would be great if you can," She told me.

We drove back to my company. But stopped a few blocks away.

"It was nice. I'm sorry that this is hard, but I'm glad we did it. We should do this more often," She told making me smirk.

"You're right. Well then, careful sladost," I told looking into her eyes.

She then leaned and kissed me.

"See you later," She told.