Chapter 16

Dimitri

“So when is the next fight?”, I asked Ivan.

Ivan and I were walking together to our next class, we were way too early and the hallway was pretty much empty, but it was smarter to go now than with all the other – very loud! - students. We both had a cup of coffee in our hands and tried to wake ourselves up and get rid of the hangover. It wasn't really working, but I hoped it would in a while.
“Tomorrow morning.”

“Morning?”

“Yeah, 3.30am”, Ivan replied shrugging.

“Why so early?”

“No idea”, Ivan mumbled. “I just have the info, I don't ask questions anymore, you know that.”

We fell into an uncomfortable silence, both lost in our own memories and thoughts. Even if we were best friends, Ivan never really opened up about this one part in his life and I didn't push him.

“So”, Ivan broke the silence. “You still want to fight?”

“Yes”, I answered immediately.

I didn't know why my answer came so quick, but there was this nagging thought in the back of head that I had to go to the next fight. I wasn't present at the last one, so I needed to be there this time. It was somehow the only part in my life were Rose wasn't, it was the only part of my old life, Rose hadn't interfered. And this one thing, the fighting, the feeling of power and control, that's what I needed.

“You?”, I asked Ivan.

“If you're going, I'll be there man.”

“Thanks Ivan”, I said and slapped his shoulder lightly.

Again a long silence followed, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Ivan and I reached our next class: Chemistry. The room was empty except for us both, we both walked to our seats and sat down. I bet Ivan's head hurt as much as mine did, so we both just sat there and tried to get rid of the headache, enjoying the silence.
“You remember everything from last night?”, Ivan asked cautiously.

“Not all, no”, I answered. “Just some parts.”
“You know who I have to thank for this?”, Ivan asked.

He stood up and lifted his shirt so I could see his stomach. There was a deep blue and purple bruise. Ouch, that must have hurt.

“No idea, you don't remember?”, I asked shaking my head.

“Nope”, Ivan sighed frustrated. “All I know is that -”

“Damn Rosie”, Ivan chuckled.

I could barely hear his voice over the blasting music. But when my mind registered his words, I closed the fridge and took my beer with me to the living room again. Ivan was still sitting on the couch and was eye fucking my wife. Damn, I thought.
Rose was wearing really short jeans shorts that didn't leave much for the imagination, a checkered blouse, the buttons undone so everybody could see her black lacy bra underneath. On top of her head was a cowboy hat and she was wearing cowboy boots. Her hair cascaded down her back and she took a swig from the bottle in her hand.
“Do you like my outfit, cowboy?”, she asked me when she laid eyes on me.

She titled her head to the side and smirked when she saw the boner in my jeans.

“Very much so”, I smirked right back.

Rose giggled lightly. She swayed her hips in a very seductive way, her eyes boring into mine and made her way towards me, purring all the way.

“Damn this ass”, I heard Ivan mumble from behind her.

Growling I broke eye contact with Rose and went to Ivan. At first he didn't even saw me coming, but when he did he instantly paled and tried to crawl away, but he was too slow. I kicked him in his side and he fell of the couch, holding his middle and groaning in pain.

“Keep your eyes closed”, I snarled.

Then I plopped down on the couch and watched my wife dance for me. God she was sexy! How the hell did she know that I loved the wild west?!

-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-

Rose

“I ...? What?”, I shrieked. “Mason, what the hell are you talking about?”

I was confused and looked at Mason like he was crazy. Cheated on him? You had to be in a relationship to cheat and Mason and I never were in a relationship as far as I remembered! What the hell was going on here?

“See”, Mason scoffed. “I knew it!”

“Would you please just tell me what you are on about. We're friends, how can I cheat on you?”

“You don't remember?”

“Remember what?!”, I screamed exasperated.

“When I left our last school. Do you remember what you promised me?”, Mason asked.

His voice had changed, he wasn't angry anymore, he was more calm and collected, but utterly sad. And when I looked into his bright blue eyes, I remembered the day he told me he would leave. Mason was smart, really smart. He was an only child, his father had left his mum when she told him she was pregnant with Mason. His mum was great, I met her a few times, but she got pregnant with 16, so she hadn't graduated and didn't have the time to do it now. She needed to support herself and Mason and the city was expensive. His mom worked 13 hours each day, so Mason saw her barely and he himself got a job so he could support his mom as well. He studied hard to get a good job and help his mum. He got offered a scholarship for three months for the best private school in the city. Mason always had a crush on me and he tried to act on it, but I always rejected him. I didn't want to risk our friendship, because he was the only friend I got. But when the day came he left for the next three months, I kissed him and I felt … something. I don't know if it was a spark or my desperation to keep Mason close, but I did feel something for him. Mason made me promise to wait for him, to wait three months and give him an actual chance to be my boyfriend and I agreed. That was two months and three and a half weeks ago and I had totally forgotten all about it.

Oh my God, of course he was angry with me. We were best friends for years and I always told Mason I wasn't ready for a boyfriend and then three months later I was married.

“Mase”, I gasped when I remembered. “Oh my gosh.”

“I can't believe you have become this person”, Mason said. “I never thought I would say this, but you've become a heartless bitch Rose.”

I recoiled a step back. It felt like Mason just slapped me across the face. Mason, the sweetest guy I've ever known in my entire life, never cursed and never said one bad thing about me. Not once.

“You don't mean that”, I whispered.

“I do”, he said angrily. “Don't you see? Rose, after only one day away from you I missed you and called you. What did you do?”

I stayed silent, because when he called me I didn't pick up. It wasn't because I didn't want to speak to hi, it was because I was at a job interview. I wanted to get money to help my parents with my little brother or sister on the way.

“I didn't pick up”, I said. “But Mase, that was -”

“I don't want to hear it”, Mason interrupted me. “When you ignored my calls, I tried mailing you, but you didn't respond. I thought: 'Hey, maybe she changed her address'. So I wrote you a freaking letter! Did you ever respond? NO! You forgot about me and now I know why. Seriously Rose you could have just told me instead of keeping me in the dark. Do you know how I feel right now? Or when I heard and saw you with Belikov? Belikov, Rose? Seriously? The Rose I knew would have never even talked to – hell looked at - a person like him, look at you, you're one of those snobby bitches you always complained about! And what is with all the crap excuses about 'I'm not ready for a boyfriend'? You're freaking married! So thank you for nothing and go screw yourself! I hate you!”

Masons last scream was thrown back from the walls and echoed throughout the school. I stared at him wide eyed, while he took a step forward.

“I utterly and truly hate you Rose and I thought that would never be possible, but it is. The saying is true, there really is a thin line between love and hate.”

And with that Mason turned around and stormed away from me and out of sight. I felt the tears in my eyes, threatening to spill over and slid down the wall behind me. I felt the lockers on my back, the cold floor on my bare legs and then I just let the tears fall. Mason, my first and only friend I have ever had hates me, he really hates me. God, I was an awful person! And I did, I forgot about him. I helped mum and dad, I studied and just … forgot. And in this moment another thing entered my mind: I haven't talked to my parents in all this time. Oh my gosh, why haven't I called them? I was not only an awful friend, I was an awful daughter too!

My thoughts were interrupted by a beeping sound and a slight vibration on my thigh. Frowning I got my phone out of my pocket.

3 missed calls

1 voice mail

I called my mailbox and listened to the voice mail, forgetting to look at the caller ID. And then I listened to the mechanic voice.

“You have one new voice mail. Received: Today, 4.18am.”

Who the hell would call me this early in the morning?, I asked myself. And then I got my answer when my fathers voice began talking.

”Rose? What is going on at your house? I just got a really weird call from Dimitri. Kiz, are you alright? Your mum and I are a little worried, you know your mother doesn't need this kind of stress right now. Please call me back as soon as possible. We love you, kiz.”

And new tears formed in my eyes and spilled over. I couldn't believe this, Dimitri had called my parents last night while he was drunk? And to top it all of he said something that unnerved my pregnant mother.

Okay Rose, pull yourself together! This wasn't about me or my self pity, I needed to think about my mum! So I dialed my father's number and hoped he would pick up this time of day.

“Kiz?”, my dad asked.

“Hey Baba”, I sighed with a watery smile.

I only realized now how much I missed him and my mother. Their smiling faces or the home cooked meals. My father's sense of humor and the way my mum always forced herself to laugh at his lame jokes, the bickering or just watching a movie with them. I just missed their presence.

“Oh God, kiz are you alright? Yesterday when Dimitri cal -”

“Baba, Baba”, I interrupted him. “I'm fine, really. I'm sorry Dimitri called you and worried you.”

“What the hell happened Rose?”, my father asked – now slightly angry.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

“It's a long story, Dad. Just know that we are alright and that I'm sorry.”

“Okay”, my father replied.

Then his voice changed, it became more stern and serious.

“Rose? Were you drunk last night?”

Oh God no, I thought. My head slammed into the lockers behind me and I groaned.

“Dad.”

“Rose, seriously”, Dad growled. “Were you drunk or not?”

“Maybe”, I mumbled. “But dad, nothing happened, we had it under control and -”

“Under control?”, My dad asked laughing. “You call it under control that your husband called his parents in law drunk last night telling us God knows what?!”

“Well”, I answered hesitantly. “What did he tell you?”

My dad barked a laugh.

“I bet you would like to know all the little secrets he confessed last night.”

“Oh no”, I groaned and my father laughed.

I think that was a sign that it hadn't been all to bad and that my father forgave me. At least I hope so. He seemed amused, not all that angry.

“So?”, I asked. “Am I forgiven?”

“Of course, Kiz”, Baba laughed. “I was just messing with you. Rose, you are my daughter and you are 18 years old, you've never drank alcohol before or partied or anything. You worked and studied hard and always helped your mother and me. I know you are a responsible young woman, I am not mad at you.”

I sighed in relief and felt a smile creep up on my face.

“How are you and mom?”

He sighed, sounding awfully tired and exhausted all of a sudden. My father always put my mother's wishes first, pregnant or not.

“We're fine, just worried”, he answered. “Your mother's mood swings are getting worse, but they are bearable. I just miss you around, Kiz. It was so much easier with you here.”

“Baba”, I said, sighing sadly.

“It's true”, he said. “I love you for doing this for us, Rose. But I can't help but think that it isn't worth it.”

He sighed again and I could just imagine him, playing with his beard and frowning, deep in thought.

“Is he treating you good? Is school okay or are the other snobs mean to you? You know you can always back out Rose.”

I smiled. My dad was giving me a chance, it were only a few months I had to live like this but my dad was telling me that even if it was such a short amount of time, I still didn't need to do this. He would understand if I backed out of it all. But compared to all the years my parents had to sacrifice things for me, this was really nothing and Dimitri was treating me good.

“I'm fine, dad, really”, I assured him. “I miss you both, but Dimitri is treating me more than fine. I'll keep doing this for our family and my little brother or sister. You don't need to worry about me.”

“I will always worry about my little girl”, I heard the smiling voice of my father.

-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-

Dimitri

“Finally!”, Rose groaned when the bell that signaled the end of the day rang.

“It wasn't that bad”, Lissa said.

“It was!”, Christian groaned.

I agreed with all my heart, it was an awful day! It was long and loud and noisy and all the teachers seemed to enjoy making loud noises because they knew we had a major hangover. All in all? This day had sucked! And to top it all of my father was calling me right now. I hold a finger up to the gang and went a few steps ahead of them to talk to my dad in private. Well a little privacy, it were only a few meters separating us.

“Dad”, I answered monotone.

“Dimitri, my son. How are you doing?”, he asked.

I frowned at my phone. My father barely asked about my well-being.

“I'm fine”, I answered slowly. “How are you?”

“Same old, same old”, he said. “Listen, your mother is throwing a party tonight, some of my co-workers and business partners are going to be, so the press will probably be there too. You and your wife need to be there. Oh and bring Rose's parents, your mother wants to meet them. I will let you know when and where. See you tonight, son.”

And he disconnected. Well of course dad, whatever you wish dad, everything to please you dad, it's not like I have a life dad! I glared at my now blank screen and shook my head. My father really was something!

Grumbling nonsense I went back to the gang. Without really thinking about it I instantly went to Rose and put my arm around her and she snuggled into my side. I don't know what happened during the lunch break, but after it Rose somehow always searched comfort in my embrace, not that I was complaining! I was just confused and a little worried, it was odd.

“Who was that on the phone?”, Roza asked.

“My dad”, I answered. “My mother is throwing a party tonight and he wants us and your parents to come.”

“Oh, well … okay?”

Rose furrowed her eyebrows, not sure if her answer was right. She seemed to ask me for the right answer. Why was she so insecure all of a sudden?

“Oh yeah, my aunt sent me a text earlier, saying I had to go to some important event. Now I know I'm not going to be alone, that's a plus”, Adrian said.

“If Adrian is going to be there, I guess I will be too”, Lissa replied shrugging.

“I will tag along”, Christian volunteered.

“As always”, Rose mumbled.

“What was that?”, Christian asked.

And where every other girl would have answered 'Nothing' or changed the subject, Rose just repeater herself more clearly and louder, so that everybody chuckled.

“Oh so funny”, Christian mumbled.

“I know, thanks”, Rose grinned.

“Okay guys”, I interrupted their bickering. “Stop. Rose we need to pick up your parents and we need to get changed.”

“You don't want your wife to go as a naughty school girl?”, Ivan asked smirking, making everybody laugh.

“In front of my whole family, her family – including her dad and pregnant mother – and all these old business men? Yeah, no, not really.”

I pushed Rose away from our group. We said our goodbyes and walked away from school to my car. The sun was still shining and it was nice out, not too warm but warm enough to walk around without a jacket on. I felt my phone vibrate, probably a text from my father, telling me place and time.

“So what do you want to do first?”, I asked Rose. “Get changed or visit your parents?”

She seemed to think about for a minute or two, before she answered.

“I'm not sure”, she said. “I mean we could visit them now and tell them: Hey, let's go party and then drag them with us to the apartment so they can wait for us getting changed. Or we could call them now, tell them we are coming and why, so we and they can get changed at the same time?”

“Second option it is?”

“Yeah”, she nodded. “Please.”

I laughed and told her to call them, while we walked to the car. She smiled and did just that. Honestly I didn't really listen to their conversation, not because I wanted to give her privacy or anything else, but because I was too focused on something else: Paparazzi in front of my car.

I stopped Rose, so she could end her call in peace and her parents wouldn't freak out hearing all these people shout at their daughter.

“Okay, I said we would be there in an hour, that alright with you?”

“Of course”, I answered. “You've seen them?”

I nodded to the paparazzi and Rose followed my gestured and looked at my car.

“Great”, Rose muttered. “Like my headache isn't bad enough now.”

I chuckled lightly.

“Wanna rush through them or answer questions?”

Rose gave me one of her famous 'Really?'-looks and I rolled my eyes. Typical.

-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-

“What are we supposed to wear to this thing?”, Rose asked. “I mean is it okay to wear jeans and a blouse or do I need to wear a dress?”

“Dress would be more appropriate”, I answered.

“Dress it is”, Rose nodded.

I was glad Rose was one of those girls who could choose a dress in under a minute and get dressed with hair and make up in under an hour. She actually took about ten minutes I think and I thought it would take way longer. I actually took a book with me, so I had something to do while Rose changed, but she came sooner than I expected her to.

“Wow, that was fast”, I said.

“What?”, Rose laughed. “You thought I would be back in an hour?”

“Honestly yes, I did”, I replied, joining her laughter.

Rose looked better laughing, she looked like an angel, just fallen from the sky. She looked so carefree and young, but still like a young woman and not a girl. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a dark blue summer dress, that showed off her curves, but not too much. It looked really beautiful on her. She was wearing her hair down and little make up, no jewelry.

“Approved?”, she asked.

She caught me checking her out and smirked knowingly. I just smirked back, I wasn't a schoolboy, I was her husband and a man, I wasn't embarrassed I checked her out.

“Turn around for me”, I replied smirking.

She raised her eyebrows at me, hands on her hips. I hold my hands up in surrender and grinned wider.

“Just wanna check your ass looks good in that dress”, I said raising my eyebrow.

“Sure”, she laughed, but turned nonetheless. “Like it?”

“Yes, I do.”

Rose laughed and turned back around, her hair swaying behind her. She smiled at me and mustered my outfit. I was wearing black jeans, a white T-Shirt and a black jacket over it. I looked professional, but not too professional, sport, professional and casual or whatever you call it these days.

“Well then let me check now”, she replied still laughing.

I scrunched up my brows, which made her laugh harder. She made a gesture with her hand so I would turn around for her. I rolled my eyes, but did what she wanted and even lifted my jacket so she could check out my ass.

“Happy?”, I asked.

“Soooo happy”, Rose answered smug.

Frowning I turned around and saw her holding her phone.

“You filmed this?”, I asked shocked.

“No”, she answered laughing, still holding the phone up.

“Oh you will regret this”, I laughed and ran to her.

She squealed, put her phone away and ran to the elevator. Why that was totally useless? 1) The elevator wasn't on our floor, so she needed to wait at least thirty seconds for it. 2) I was faster than her, especially when she was in heels. 3) Her legs were too short to outrun me.
So I took maybe three long strides and I already was right behind her and scooped her up in my arms. I laughed and Rose joined in, not even trying to wiggle out of my grasp.

“Give me your phone”, I whispered in her ear.

She let her head fall on my shoulder and looked up at me.

“No”, she smiled cheekily.

-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-

“You know this is practically the first time I meet your parents”, I said to Rose. “You know as your husband and all.”

“So?”, Rose asked.

“That means I have to behave!”, I said outraged and Rose full on laughed.

She laughed so hard she had to clutch her sides and a tear escaped her eye.

“It's not funny”, I grumbled. “I'm being serious. I've never met parents before.”

Rose's laughter died down to a fit of giggles and she looked at me with her deep brown eyes.

“You wanna tell me the big bad Russian is scared?”, Rose teased

“Hell yes!”, I answered. “Your dad wanted to chop my head off the last time I saw him and your mother is pregnant! I remember the time my sister was pregnant, so not fun! And your mum doesn't even like me, she will probably kick me in the balls several times and I can't even do anything because 1) she is a woman and 2) she is pregnant.”

“Awww, just hide behind your wife”, Rose said in a baby voice, pushed her door open and exited the car.

Yeah Rose, for you this must be hilarious, I thought rolling my eyes. Honestly I wasn't really scared of Abe or Janine. I was scared of what they thought about me and how that could change Rose's opinion of me. I knew she was close to her parents and I knew if they didn't approve of me, they would tell her to cancel the Deal. My dad would kill me of that ever happened!

“Come on”, Rose called.

“Yeah, yeah”, I mumbled and followed her.

The house wasn't big, but it wasn't small either, just a normal family house. It looked homey and cozy, and I could see Rose and her parents living here when all of this was over. It gave me a weird feeling, thinking about Rose living here and not with me. I couldn't really imagine what it would like after this experience, Rose already changed too much.

“Rose!”, Janine squealed.

The front door was open and a very pregnant Janine was running towards her daughter. She was crying, but laughing at the same time and then she pulled Rose into a bone crushing hug. Rose groaned from the impact, but returned the hug.

“I've missed you so much”, Janine cried on Rose's shoulder.

“I've missed you, too”, Rose answered calmly.

While Rose and Janine celebrated their reunion, Abe exited the house and locked the front door behind him. He made his way over to us. When he looked at his daughter, his eyes began shining with love and pride, and with a bit of longing too. I guess they have been really close before Rose moved in with me.

“Dimitri”, Abe greeted me.

“Mr. Mazur”, I replied and shook his outreached hand.

“Oh now it's Mr. Mazur?”, he asked raising an eyebrow.

Frowning I looked to Rose. Her mother had let go of her and was now standing beside her, Rose looked a little nervous at her father.

“Excuse me?”, I asked.

“Well last night you seemed to be so much more open”, Abe answered.

“Dad”, Rose interfered. “Please don't.”

Abe and Rose looked at each other, looking like they had a conversation, just without words.

“Kiz”, Abe said suddenly smiling and opening his arms.

They hugged and Janine greeted me.

“Dimitri, it's nice to see you again”, she said.

“Like a wise, Miss Hathaway”, I replied smiling politely.

“Oh Dimitri”, Abe laughed. ”Why are you being so formal all of a sudden?”

“I'm sorry?”, I asked.

“Dad, seriously, let it go”, Rose pressed.

“Just asking my son in law a few questions”, Abe said. “Is that a crime now?”

“Yeah Rose. When your husband called us last night we had such a lovely chat.”

What? I thought while my eyes bugged out of their sockets. I called them last night? LAST NIGHT?! The night I was drunk as hell and could barely remember anything, I called my wife's parents of all people?! What did I say?!

“I – I called you last night?”, I asked bewildered.

“Well yes, honey”, Janine answered. “I believe you called us Jay Jay and Abby.”

“Dimitri”, Rose groaned. “Really?”

“I don't remember!”, I said to my defense. “Really, I am so sorry. I would have never done something like that in my right mind.”

Janine and Abe didn't look amused and seemed unfazed by my apology. They both looked at me, like I was statue and they counted all the flaws in me. I felt like they had some kind heat-look that burned through my skin.

And then? They suddenly began laughing hysterically like teenagers. Tears streamed down Janine's cheeks and Abe clutched his sides so he wouldn't fall to the ground. Frowning I turned to Roza, but she looked as confused as I did.

“Oh Dimitri, don't worry”, Abe laughed. “It was actually pretty funny. You're a god man for our daughter.”

He patted my shoulder and we went to my car. And after these first … well let's call them 'starter' problems, it all went well. Janine, Abe and I were on a first name basis and they both actually seemed to like me. God knows why! I must have said something last night, but I had no idea what that could have been. Rose and I tried to get it out of one of them, but even Janine who got easily distracted with food was stubborn and wouldn't budge. Abe and I talked about cars and even a little about business, he was a really smart man and would easily fit in with all the business men my father worked with. Abe could have become one himself easily, I was sure of that, I guess he just hadn't luck on his side.

Janine was a nice woman, I was sure she would get along with my mother and sisters. All in all this went way better than I thought, it went smoothly and without that many awkward moments.

When we finally arrived at our destination I was nervous again. My father could easily destroy these last hour of bonding with only a few minutes. I just hoped he wouldn't.

“ … and she said your little sister is going to pop out next month”, Janine just said while wobbling out of the car.

“Sister?”, Rose asked and her head snapped to her mother.

“Yes, sister”, Abe confirmed nodding.

He stood behind his wife and put his arms around her, resting his hands on her big belly. He smiled proudly at his daughter, just like Janine. They both would burst with happiness every second.

“Let's go inside”, Janine said. “I'm hungry.”

“Of course you are, honey”, Abe chuckled.

He grabbed her hand and they both made their way around the big mansion to the garden, where the party took place. Rose still stood in her place, watching the retreating forms of her parents, looking a little lost.

“You okay?”, I asked.

“Hmm?”, she asked, shaking her head. “Y- Yeah, I'm fine.”

“What is it?”, I asked and wrapped her in my arms.

She sighed and let her head fall on my chest, taking a deep breath.

“I'm scared”, she mumbled. “A little sister. A little girl that is going to look up to me, I've made so many wrong decisions, did so many wrong things. I mean as a big sister I have to be there for her, but when she is going to start school, I'm probably in college or already have a job, I won't have enough time for her. She will hate me!”

“What? No! She won't hate you!”, I answered instantly. “How can you even think that? She will love you! She will adore you, Roza. You're smart, funny and beautiful and you will have time for her, you will manage.”

“How do you know?”, she asked.

And she suddenly sounded like a small kitten, afraid and in need of help, my help.

“Because I know you”, I answered simply.

Rose looked up at me with her big innocent eyes. She just stared at me, her gaze intense, seeming to look right into my soul. She looked at me like I was some sort of puzzle she was trying to fix. And then she began to stand up on her tiptoes, looking from my eyes to my mouth and back, my eyes, my lips, ma eyes, my lips. And I titled my head so I could meet her halfway and kiss. Not while I was drunk or while other people wanted us to, but because she and I wanted to.
“Children!”, my mother shouted. “What is taking you so long?”

What the hell had fate against us?!, I asked frustrated when my mother interrupted us! I heard Rose sigh disappointed, which made me grin in return.

“On our way!”, Rose shouted back.

“This family has great timing”, I muttered, while I put my arm around Rose and walked towards the garden entrance.

Rose and I laughed lightly at my little joke. The party was great, as always. My mother threw parties like these all the time and every time they turned out amazing. A lot of business man and their wife's were present, as well as the richest families of the city and some friends.

“Wow”, Rose breathed.

I chuckled. She was going to get used to parties like these eventually. I was glad that at her first party, she would at least have her parents with her and Lissa. Speaking of Lissa, she came towards us in an elegant green dress. Her brother Andre right beside her, smirking at me.

Andre Dragomir, heir of the Dragomir empire and a total ass! He looked like every other Dragomir: Blond hair, jade green eyes and pale skin color. He was almost as tall as me, but with less muscles, but still enough. Andre always competes with me in every way possible and he loves to get on my nerves. Our fathers only tolerated each other, they only invited one another to get together's like these, because protocol forced them to. Our families always hated each other, especially our fathers. Then our mothers followed and now it was between Andre and me. Lissa and I got along just find surprisingly and my sisters always told me what a charmer Andre was.

But whenever he and I met, we always tried to outrun the other and praise ourselves with nonsense. I was in the football team, Andre was too, I start underground fighting, he does too, I'm in the newspaper, he is the next day. It annoys me to no end!

“Rose, Dimitri”, Lissa smiled.

She went to hug Rose first and then me. Andre growled, just seeing me near his sister, seeing me hugging her must have been awful for him. I smirked over Lissa's shoulder at her brother and winked at him. His face became a deep red and I could see the anger burning in his veins, the clenching of his fists.

“Hey Liss”, Rose greeted.

“You look great”, I complimented, just to annoy Andre.

“Thank you”, she smiled. “Rose, this is my older brother Andre. Andre this is Rose, Dimitri's wife.”

“Wife?”, Andre asked Rose and took her hand, kissing her knuckles and holding her hand longer than necessary.

“Yes, wife”, I answered for her.

“Ah Dimitri, my dear friend”, Andre smirked at me. “How are you these days?”

“Fine”, I replied.

I wasn't polite enough to ask him the same and he glared at me. Rose and Lissa seemed to catch on pretty quickly and excused themselves. I kissed Rose's forehead, just for show and squeezed her waist to reassure her a little. Andre and I stayed put, glaring at each other.

“So your married, now?”, Andre asked. “What happened? Is she some prostitute who needed money and was desperate enough?”

Andre chuckled and sipped on his whiskey. I growled and pulled him to me, grabbing his collar.

“Don't you dare say one word about my wife”, I threatened. “You don't know her and I won't allow you to insult her.”

“Soft spot there, Belikov?”

If we would have been alone and not surrounded by a lot of important people and our families and friends, I would have punched the living daylights out of him, but because we were surrounded by people, I could just give him a string push.

“Oh I need to get to know this wife of yours”, Andre chuckled.

“Stay away from her!”

“Or what?”, A new voice asked.

Both Andre and I turned to my right and saw Jesse Zeklos making his way towards us. He was a friend of Andres and went to school with him.

“Mind your own business, cousin”, The voice of my best friend sounded suddenly beside me. “I really am ashamed we share the same blood.”

“As am I”, Jesse answered.

“Well at least my father still speaks to me, huh?”, Ivan laughed.

Jesse's face turned red from anger and his fist clenched, it was only due to Andre that Jesse turned away and left and didn't start a fight in the middle of this. Jesse was … There wasn't a word, he did everything wrong, he sucked in school, sports, couldn't get himself a girl for more than one night, drank, took drugs and disappointed his family every chance he got. He was a disgrace and the only reason he wasn't disowned from the family, was because of his mother and the picture, the family needed to show the press. The picture of an intact family.

The party turned out to be good. My father – to my luck – was pretty busy with all his business partners, so Rose's parents mostly talked with my mother and some of the other guests, and they seemed to get along just fine. Rose was mostly at my side or off with the other girls. We had to talk to some of my dad's partners, but these conversations mostly lasted one or two minutes. Most of the night we just talked and laughed with our friends who were all there. Right now Rose was with off with my sisters and mother somewhere, because they wanted to introduce her to some high society ladies. The guys and I just sat near a bonfire and drank something, talking about this and that, mostly about last night, hoping we could fill all our gaps.

I saw Rose standing a few feet away, laughing, showing her pearly white teeth. I could hear her laugh, even when she was so far away. I know how it sounded and I loved to hear it. But the scene changed when Andre came and separated Lissa and Rose from the other women. He slung an arm around Rose's shoulder and Rose leaned a little into him, laughing at something he had said to her.

I saw red. Who did this clown think he is? Touching my wife in front of my eyes? Oh no buddy! An actual growl formed in my throat and escaped, making the people around me flinch and look at me with scared eyes. I didn't care. There was no excuse for what I was going to do next. I sometimes acted without thinking and when it came to Rose, I did just that, all the time! I did what came first to my mind. So not caring what everyone else at the party was going to think, I stalked across the back lawn towards my wife.

“Roza!”, I called.

She turned around, a smile still prominent on her face. Lissa and Andre looked at me too, Lissa with a smile, Andre at first confused and then angry to be interrupted. I didn't care, faster than Rose could have seen it coming I grabbed her face, pulled her away from Andre to me and kissed her without warning.

Rose immediately kissed me back, no frozen shock or surprise, she just kissed me back and I enjoyed myself for a moment longer, before I pulled away.

“Don't touch my wife again or you will regret it”, I growled at Andre.

Then I swept Rose off her feet and slung her over my shoulder.

“See you, Lissa”, I nodded.

“Yeah”, Lissa answered a little dazed with an open mouth.

“Dimitri!”, Rose shrieked, while I said my goodbyes. “What the hell?”

I didn't bother responding and just made my way through the crowd, away from the party. When I out enough distance between Rose and me and the other party guests, I sat Rose back down on her feet before me, but kept my arms around her waist. She just gaped at me like fish.

“Did my kiss actually leave you speechless?”, I asked smug and smirked at her.

Before she had a chance to actually respond I kissed her again. Rose's anger seemed to encourage her and she kissed me harder than ever and I absolutely loved it!