Next day
"I'm sorry about last night," Jill told me as I bandaged her bruises.
"Jill, what are friends for?" I asked her.
"Is that why you never talked about your past?" She asked after a few minutes.
"One of them," I sighed.
"Before that happened to me, there was a person I trusted with everything. My uncle's best friend. I was very close to him since I was a child. When I was 18, he started touching me the way he shouldn't. I ignored it thinking it was normal but it didn't stop there. So I told Uncle Ibrahim that, but he didn't believe me. So I was planning to leave but then, I was kidnapped and taken to the person who abused and raped me. After that, I didn't want to stay here. I hurt myself even after I came from Turkey to here. But then I started a new life here, but I had no one at first," I told her.
"So if your uncle believed you at first, that wouldn't have happened?" She asked me.
"There was a possibility to that but mostly, yes," I told her.
"Did he find out what happened?" She asked me.
"First he found out that his best friend did try to hurt me and recently he found out about what happened completely," I told her.
"How did you forgive him so fast?" She asked me. I looked at her.
"I don't think I have forgiven him completely," I told her.
"Anyway do you want to have breakfast with me here, or go downstairs?" I asked her.
"I don't want to see anyone. But I want to talk to your uncle," She told.
"About what?" I asked her.
"Many things. But mainly I want to thank him, that guy who was there with you and Mr Belikov," She told me.
"What do you want to wear?" I asked her. She chose an oversized hoodie with sweatpants.
"Get dressed I'll go see what's happening outside," I told her and she nodded.
I came downstairs to find my father and Dimitri talking.
"Hey, I thought you'd be with others," I told them.
"Rose, we found information about Lee. He's a drug dealer, and he's not in some kind of gang or anything. He got away with everything because his father is the Litenunat at the police. We put him in a hospital cause his father was searching for him. Besides, I believe Jill would want to go through the law," Dimitri told.
"I think so too. But what about other consequences?"I asked them.
"Pavel can be her lawyer if she and her family want to, and you'll probably need one too," Baba told and I nodded.
"Would you mind if she joins us for breakfast?" I asked them.
"Breakfast?," Papa asked.
"She wants to meet you, Eddie and Dimitri you," I told them and they nodded.
Well then bring her to the balcony on my floor. We'll be waiting," Papa told.
"Have her parents called?" I asked papa.
"They did. I woke up to their call. I don't think they slept at all, I told them that she'll be having breakfast here and then come to the hospital. Her father and I talked too," He told and I nodded.
"I'll go bring her," I told them. Before going back to the room.
"You dressed?" I asked Jill who was looking in the mirror.
She turned and wiped a tear.
"I look horrible. It doesn't go away. I feel filthy, ugly and horrible," She told wrapping her arms around her. I hugged her.
"I know. Let's get through this okay?" I asked her. She nodded.
"Come on, let's go for breakfast. Oh! Just for you to know, there'll be lots of people. Like lots of them, you sure?" I asked her. She looked confused but nodded.
"Yeah," She told. I wrapped my arms around her as we went upstairs.
As we came inside I was surprised to see Ivan and Pavel setting the table instead of the maids. They smiled softly at us and resumed their work,
"Wow," Jill whispered at the sight of the garden.
"Good morning," Papa told and we both turned around to see him entering with Eddie
"Morning Mr Mazur," Jill told as we sat down.
"What do you want to eat?" I asked her.
"Pancakes," She told.
"This is Pavel. He's my lawyer and a family friend. This is Ivan, his lawyer for Dimitri. And this is Eddison, he's my son too and finally Yakov, he's taking care of the security. And I assume you know Dimitri," Baba told to Jill once we sat down. She nodded softly.
"Thank you for yesterday," She told softly. And they all nodded with small smiles.
"Your parents called," Baba told making her stiffen.
"They did?" She asked. He nodded.
"They want to meet you today at the hospital," He told. She looked down and nodded.
"Mr Ibrahim?" She called papa after like 5 minutes.
"Yes, darling?" He asked.
"I want him to pay for what he did to me," She told looking into his eyes. Her eyes were glistening with tears, her entire face is red.
"I want him to be alive and suffer for what he did to me for the rest of his life," She told me. Baba put down his fork and looked at her with that observing look of his.
"I've been dreading to know this. When all of this happened you called Rose but not your parents. Even now you're asking for my help but not theirs. And I believe you're telling this to us because of something you believe and know. Definitely, I will help you, but why are you telling me this?" Papa asked and we all looked at Jill.
"Aren't you guys like in the mafia?" She asked.
There was only one word to express everything after that.
Silence.
My fork dropped from my hand. Dimitri placed his cup on the tray, papa had an amused look. Eddie coughed.
It took us like three minutes to recover from what she told us.
"How... Uhmm How do you know that?" I asked her clearing my throat.
"It's obvious, all of you have the same tattoos. The flames on their arms except for you and those three," She told pointing to Dimitri, Ivan and Mason.
"And you all have this scary disturbing vibe. You could trace the call within a minute but most of all, I heard you yesterday. When you beat Lee," She further told me making my eyes widen.
"Oh!" I exclaimed and slowly started sipping my hot chocolate avoiding her face.
"And you're his daughter," That's it. I spit my chocolate right on Mason's face and even dad choked along with Ivan.
"I'm sorry?" Papa asked.
"You two look alike," She told.
"Besides, I think you two have the same personality," She told.
"When did you figure this out?" I asked her.
"On the day I saw him at the university. And then it started making sense. By the way, he must be your brother, the one you talked about?" She asked me pointing at Eddie. I sighed.
"Cousin, but yes you can say that," I told her.
"Jill, you told me that you want him to be paid for what he did. How do you want that to happen?" Papa asked changing the subject.
"I want him and his father to go to jail. He hurt me but his father covered him always. They were planning to use me and take money from my father," She told.
"Son of a bitch!" I muttered.
"Let's talk to your family," He told her.
"Do you think he'll get what he deserves?" She asked.
"If he doesn't by law, then we'll give him that. After all, no one should mess up with people I care about, Go to hell with that! No one should ever treat a woman like that!" I told her.
"You know you sound so scary right now," She told and I stiffened after hearing that.
"Anyway, I believe at least I must say this if no one's going to," Eddie told getting up and looking at her directly. She looked at him a little scared. His face was different. It looked disturbed and if I wasn't her sister, I would be scared too.
"Since you know about us. You must also follow the code of omerta. You are not to tell about this to anyone at any cost. I'm not gonna sugarcoat this. But all of us helped you because of Rose. So make sure you will not tell anything to anyone," He told to her and walked away.
There was a moment of silence. I cleared my throat.
"He's right. Don't say anything to anyone," I told her and she nodded.
"I won't," She told.
...
"Why didn't you try to contact us?" Mrs Dragomir asked Jill hugging her tight.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," She sobbed.
"It's going to be fine, I promise. Now it's over, we all are here, and I won't ever let that happen to you again," Mrs Dragomir told kissing her head.
"I love you, mom. I love you so much," Jill told hugging her back.
We are at their house. It has been only a few hours after her check-up. We met at the hospital, and then after the check-up, we came here. Mr Dragomir and papa are talking in the living room and, Jill and Mrs Dragomir are inside Jill's room. The doctor has examined her and from the results, her bruises will heal within 2 weeks, luckily nothing major has happened to her. She also recommended she take therapy.
"I feel so dirty mom. I loved him but he hurt me," She told sobbing.
"You don't have to worry about him. I will never let anyone get near you," Mrs Dragomir told her.
"I hate this. I hate it," Jill told.
"We are in this together," Mrs Dragomir told and I nodded too.
She cried for a little more before falling asleep.
"Mrs Dragomir, let's give her time to rest," I told and she nodded.
"I want that bastard dead," She muttered angrily as she came down with me.
"Me too," I whispered back.
"Mr Mazur, I want him to go to jail for the rest of his life," We both heard Mr Dragomir's angry voice.
"He will, not just him his father too," Papa replied. Mr Dragomir raised an eyebrow.
"Mr Dragomir, he was a drug dealer and a user. Not just that he has been doing women trafficking, but he got away from his father's help. So we have to put him inside too," Papa told.
"We will go to the police and do this today after Jill wakes up. And no matter what he will not get away with anything," Mrs Dragomir told getting their attention to us. They both nodded.
"We will help you with the evidence which will be needed to get his father down," Baba told and Mr Dragomir nodded.
"Well then, we should leave. I'm sure that Jill needs you," Papa told.
"Thank you for your help. I have no words for how to repay you," Mr Dragomir told.
"Then I can say the same for Rose," Papa told.
"Call me anytime, Mrs Dragomir," I told hugging her.
"Thank you so much darling," She told hugging me tightly. I nodded. Then we both left their house.
"Are you alright?" Papa asked me.
"I am. I just don't want her to go through what I went through," I told him frowning as he drove.
"You told me you saw a therapist? Who is she? Can I meet her?" He asked me.
"He. It was Adrian. I wasn't comfortable talking, but around him, when we were dating, it was okay. He has done a psychological degree or something like that, he saw me in horrible moments and reached out to help," I told him.
"You two are much more connected, aren't you?" He asked me. I nodded.
"He saved me. By the way, we recorded our sessions, and I have them with me," I told him.
"Can I see them?" He asked me. I sighed rubbing my forehead.
"Don't force yourself, baba, 'cause trust me they're quite hard to watch," I told him.
"I deserve it don't I?" He asked me.
"You do. More than anyone," I told him.
"Why did you forgive me?" He asked me.
"I didn't. I just can't find a reason, why can't I hate you," I told him.
He didn't tell anything.
"You and Eddie are the only blood family I have left. Maybe that's the only reason I don't want to hurt you," I told him as we pulled into the mansion.
...
DIMITRI'S POV (AT HIS OFFICE)
"How many times do I have to tell you, Miss Tasha? I'm not interested. I know that we shared a past. And that is exactly what it is. A past. So please with all due respect leave," I told her as politely as I can. She rolled her eyes.
"Please Dimitri, those days you wouldn't hesitate to take me when I came over," Tasha told making me wince.
I can't say she's not true. I was a big dick back then. I didn't have any kind of dignity at all. Hell, I even asked Rose to have sex with me.
"I know, and I apologize for all the time I disrespected you by that. But please do understand I'm in a relationship with a girl," I told her, feeling guilty for the way I acted before.
"I was your girlfriend too," She told me and I sighed.
"That was when we were in high school. And that was a mistake. We both agreed on that before we broke up. Look, Tasha, I can yell at you, call you names but I don't want to. Because I'm wrong too. So please understand the situation and leave," I told her. She scoffed in annoyance and smacked her lips.
"What about my father's deal?" She asked pushing the file to me.
I rubbed my forehead gently as I felt a headache forming.
"This is not up to my standard. Honestly, the business idea is pretty outdated. People are not looking for something like this. It looks like a child prepared this. So tell your father no. I have a lot of work to do, so please leave," I told her. She huffed as she got up and walked to my door. But she turned on her heels
and looked at me.
"It's ironic when you said you have standards. Cause she didn't seem to be in yours," I chuckled as she told me that.
"She doesn't need to fit into mine Natasha Ozera. She, herself is a standard," I told her smirking. She scowled and left the room slamming the door on her way.
"Bloody fucking hell," I mumbled to myself as she finally left.
I'm not going to lie. I still feel ashamed for who I was, and this guilt makes me wonder if I can be a better person for Rose.
And this is something I need to talk to her about.
LATER AT THE MANSION- 8 PM
ROSE'S POV
I knocked on his door hoping he'd answer and he did.
"Who's it?" His deep voice answered.
"Rose," I told back.
"Come in," He told. I opened his door and went inside.
This is my second time coming inside his room. The first time was embarrassing. But this time I wanted to go inside.
His room is beautiful. It's a brown room. I can tell that this is also a master bedroom. It's simple yet elegant. I love the chandelier. I took Dimitri as a person who would love to show off, but apparently, when it comes to his personal life it seems like he doesn't.
He has a pretty amazing balcony, and that's where I found him. His back faced me. He was wearing only a pair of sweatpants which is hanging low on his waist.
Damn, it looked good on him!
And God his tattoo! It's massive, It's more huge than my one. It looked like some kind of a tribal sign tattoo. And damn again! He's hot!
Anyway, to my surprise there was a smell of cigars. I didn't know he smoked! I've never seen him smoking. And again there are so many things I don't know about him.
He turned his head slightly but didn't turn around completely to meet my face.
"Rose?" He called me. I sighed. I went to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I thought you were with Jill," He told me.
"She's sleeping. I thought I could use some time," I told him.
"That's good, How's she?" He asked.
"Awful. She's so quiet. She's a bubbly girl, who's usually calm but right now she's so quiet. And that's nothing calm," I told him. He nodded.
" He told.
"I didn't know you smoke," I whispered against his shoulders.
He crushed the cigar on the tray.
"Rarely, very rarely," He told me placing his hands on mine.
"How many times have you done it since I came here?" I asked him.
"With today, twice," He told and then took a deep breath. "On the day Robert sent that video I smoked after I came to my room," He told me.
"Have you ever smoked?" He asked me. I nodded slowly.
"What?" He asked me.
"After I broke up with Adrian, I went clubbing. And we all ended up getting drunk and I smoke," I told him.
"You're one hell of a girl," He told me and I smiled. He took my hand and pulled me in front of him.
I took a good look at him. His entire face shows me a different emotion I've never seen in him. It's similar to the one he gave me the day we danced under the gazebo, but this one was sadder.
I placed my hands on his jaw, caressing his cheeks. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
"I want to kiss you," He whispered looking into my eyes. I nodded and stood on my tiptoes, touching his nose with mine slightly, offering him my lips. He didn't kiss me right away. He placed both his hands on my cheeks, holding me so softly like I'm the most precious and delicate thing in this world.
Then he tilted my head and gently touched my lips with his own, moving them very softly.
This is the first time he kissed me this softly, ever since we started dating. The feeling is amazing. I don't know why for some kind of reason I felt like he was telling me something, he can't find words for. He's poring so many emotions to the kiss. And I gave him the same intense, returning everything to him.
I felt like we both are letting our emotions get us better. Not the usual want & need or desire. Whenever he kissed me I felt like he was protecting me, but this time I felt nothing but gentleness.
He gripped my hips and lifted me and placed me on the balcony. I gasped at the sudden action. He took the opportunity to enter his tongue I slid my right hand down his shoulder to his arm. His one hand tilted my head, kissing me more. His other hand gripped me hard.
Our tongues battled together but I let him win. His tongue explored my mouth. I moaned, making him groan. I placed my hand on his back and clutched him hard. As we started getting low on breath, we both slowed down. I cupped both his cheeks and gently bit his lip before pulling away breathing hard.
Our foreheads were touching, and both of us were breathing so hard. My hands now rested on his chest feeling his heartbeat. He then pulled away only to hug me close resting his face on my neck. I wrapped my legs around his waist hugging him back, bringing him closer. If it was another time, I'd blush at his half-nakedness but right now all I could feel was his warmth.
"I don't ever want to lose you," I heard him mumble. I pulled away to look into his eyes.
"When you saw Jill, you saw me, didn't you?" I asked him and he nodded.
"I did. Like for a second, and FUCK! it was horrible," He told me.
"I felt the same. Even when I was helping her, I saw myself," I told him.
"You have a perfect mask. You can hide your feelings Rose, and I don't know how to express how I feel when you chose to do that," I gave him a sad smile as he told me that.
"Well, being strong is not that easy," I told him.
"There's something I want to know," He told me.
"Go on," I told him.
"On that day, when I first met you and asked you to have sex with me, what did you feel?" He asked me.
I was taken aback by his question. Nevertheless, I sighed and thought about it. When I looked at him again, I saw something I never thought I would see in him. Shame. He was ashamed of what he did.
But I couldn't lie to him.
"Anger, disgust and fear," I told him. He groaned and hid his face in my neck.
"I'm sorry," He told me and I nodded.
He looked at me again and kissed my lips softly.
I placed my forehead on his shoulder and sighed.
"Tired?" He asked me while playing with my hair. I closed my eyes breathing his scent.
"Very," I told him.
"I don't know how you managed to come to my room, but I believe you can stay at least for another 5 minutes," He told making me chuckle.
"Fine," I told him.
He carried me to his bed on the bridal side and placed me there. I hugged his pillow and closed my eyes feeling him move. Later on, I felt his blinds being closed and the room temperature decreasing to a very cold setting.
Then he came to the beg and cuddled with me, holding me closer.
"Is it warm enough?" Dimitri asked me pulling me closer. I nodded cuddling closer to him.
"You sure miss home, don't you?" I asked him. He nodded, running his hand through my hair. I think his cold room reminds him of Russia.
"So, how was your day?" He asked me.
"It was usual. After coming home from Jill's house, baba went to work. I practised and studied a lot. I even spent some time on a security system trying to make a software plan but failed," I told him.
"At least you tried," He told me.
"What about yours?" I asked tracing his tattoo.
"Paperwork, meetings, and other needed things," He told.
"I love this tattoo," I told him looking at it.
"Do you have the Mazur tattoo?" He asked me. I nodded then shrugged my shoulders.
"What does it suppose to mean?" He asked chuckling.
"Not that, but something teeny-weenie similar to that," I told him.
"Where?" He asked me.
"On my hip," I told him. He nodded.
There was a moment of silence between us before I broke it.
"Dimitri, can you remember the day I yelled at you at the car park?" I asked him. He looked down at me and nodded.
"Why?" He asked me.
"You told me that, if you wanted to force me, you would've but you didn't. I know I shouldn't be but I feel that there's more to that story. Like something personal, like you're scared to force me," I told him. He was still looking at me but then he started chuckling.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked moving so that now I'm lying on his chest straddling him.
"How do you do it?" He asked me and I tilted my head in confusion.
"Do what?" I asked him.
"Having that goddamn sense. Nothing goes passing you," He told making me smirk.
"I know I'm a genius," I told him flipping my hair back.
He groaned before getting up to a seated position making me move to his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck playing with his hair. He placed his hand on my face moving my hair back.
I smiled leaning to his touch. There was a soft smile, I rarely see on his face as he gazed at me.
"I never force women. I was 15 when my sister told me how my father married mom," He started.
"My parents had an age gap. Dad was 10 years older than mom. They loved each other. I always saw their love. I and my sisters grew up seeing their love. No matter how horrible mafia and work can get he always enjoyed being close to her. So did she. But then I found out they were just pretending their love," He told making me frown.
"What?" I asked him.
"I never knew their story until I was 16. My elder sister told to me. There's something everyone regrets in their lives deeply. Me, I wasn't able to protect my mom. To my mother the fact that she was weak in front of my father. Not when he hurt her or not when he forced her to marry her," He told and my eyes widened.
"Yes. He saw my mother first when she was 18, she was so beautiful that he couldn't help but fall for her. I don't believe in that 'first sight love' thing. Being impressive, yes, but not love. For my father, it was an obsession, a possession. So he forced her to marry him, I don't know how. He thought she'll love having everything around her. But apparently, she didn't until my sister was born. She hasn't enjoyed a thing until she was born. When he got married, there was this rule among our advisers that he needs an heir to keep the mafia going, so he couldn't stop but force her to sleep with him," He stopped to take a deep breath.
"She didn't do or tell anything to stop him, 'cause she knew it was no use, but he was sure that she didn't enjoy it for at least a little moment. She had dreams, and everything crumbled right before her after she married him. Our rules were fucked up back then. She has to be an obedient woman to her husband, or should I say a slave. But that night, she cried. She cried for the entire night because dad got so mad. He got annoyed and hit her. He told her that this was the life she now has to live. He was angry when my sister was born first," He took another deep breath.
"But after I was born, I think their relationship renewed. It worked better. Dad was happy. Dad told me that I brought them together. They were this lovely couple who never fought in front of me and my sister. But still, the pain was visible in my mother's eyes whenever she saw girls going to university, or female doctors. I can still remember my sister's words," He stopped for a second and then looked into my eyes.
"No matter who she is, never force a woman. Don't do the same mistake our father did. He used mother to get what he wanted, but look where he ended," He told.
"What happened to him?" I asked him.
"He got the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I don't know what it is, nor do I care. When he died I was happy and my mom became the leader. We together changed the rules," He told me.
"I want to be with you Rose, without letting you go. I wanted to make you mine, but I didn't want to force you. Not then, not now, not ever," He told me. I smiled.
"I know you won't," I told him, my eyes glistening with tears.
"I trust you," I told him, my voice breaking. He kissed my eyes before laying back.
"Fall asleep with me. You can leave in the morning," He told caressing my hair.
I nodded cuddling closer to him.