Dimitri
After school I told Rose she needed to get home without me. To my surprise she didn't ask me why. She just said Goodbye and left. I didn't bother to think too much about her or her reactions. She probably got a ride with Lissa or she was stupid enough to try to walk home. If she was I just hoped she would be smart enough to avoid any paparazzi or their questions about our marriage.
“You ready?”, Ivan asked.
“I was born ready”, I smirked.
Ivan and I began running around the track. We always started with five miles to warm up our muscles. We normally didn't race each other but today we did. Ivan wasn't a match for me, so I jogged beside him for the first four miles and began printing the last mile, leaving Ivan behind me. His breath was more then labored and his head had become red.
“Seriously dude”, he breathed. “How – Is that – Even – Possible?”
I just chuckled and grabbed my water bottle. Ivan grabbed the other one and chucked in down in under 10 seconds.
“You sure you still want to spar?”, I asked laughing.
“I'm good”, Ivan breathed hard. “Just gimme a sec.”
Laughing I drank another sip from my water and waited for Ivan to control his breathing. It took quite a while, but then we could finally spar.
We did this almost every day. Ivan and I both fought in underground fights and made a bit money. We couldn't care less about the money, we both had enough, but we had made ourselves quite the reputation and we loved it.
Fighting always gave me this rush of energy, the feeling of power and control. Nobody could beat and I felt superior. It came in handy, too that the underground knew not to mess with me or Ivan. I could go around New York every time at night in the worst parts of town and could be sure that no one would even dare to give me a sideways glance.
“Hey, are you attending the fight Friday night?”, Ivan asked after four hours of sparring.
“There is a fight on Friday?”, I asked. “I didn't knew that. You know when and where?”
“After the ball around 1am near the pier we were last time.”
Right on Friday was the 'Welcome back'-Ball from our school. I needed to tell Rose, that would be the first event we would be attending as a married couple. Reporters would be there and we needed to be convincing. God, I hated those kind of events and I really didn't want to go. Guess I had to suck it up. But at least the fight afterward was something to look forward to.
“Sounds good”, I nodded.
“You sure?”
“Why wouldn't I be?”, I asked confused.
I looked at Ivan and saw him frowning at the ground. He gripped the bottle in his hands harder than necessary.
“Because of Rose”, he answered.
Right, Rose, I thought. Now I knew why Ivan was looking so troubled. A year ago Ivan had a girlfriend – Camille Conta – and they were so in love it was actually painful to be in the same room as them. They flirted, kissed and cuddled every minute of the day. It was enough for us guys to leave Ivan alone most of the time, but he didn't even notice because of Camille.
The thing was that the press was all over them and Ivan's biggest rival – Brandon - took it to his advantage. He and some friends followed Camille and beat her unconscious. What nobody knew was that Camille was pregnant with Ivan's child. They lost the kid and their relationship didn't make it. Camille stayed in the hospital for three weeks and moved away a week later. Could that happen to Rose? Was she in danger? Because of me?
Rose
“Mrs Belikov, I'm afraid the limo is too big for the garage in doors. I need to let you out at the main entrance. I'm sorry”, my driver told me apologetically.
After Dimitri had told me he couldn't give me a ride home with him, I asked Lissa if she could, but she rode with Christian to his place, which apparently was too far away from my place and they needed 'alone time'. But Lissa gave me the number of a driver service, so I called them and a driver picked me up from school.
I had no idea what Dimitri was doing and I wasn't sure if I should have asked him. Honestly it didn't bother me that much, he probably went to flirt with some bitch behind the school, I just hoped he would be subtle so nothing would be in the magazines.
But now a way bigger problem stood in front of me, because in front of the main entrance of our building were a lot of reporters. I sighed and thought about just driving around town in this limo for the rest of the day, but I'm sure they would all still be here even at 11pm.
“I'm sorry, but we're here now”, my driver said and smiled sadly at me. “Do you need my assistance?”
“No”, I sighed. “But thank you. You know what, could you pick me up tomorrow morning at 8am?”
“As you wish, Mrs Belikov”, he nodded.
“Thanks, see you tomorrow.”
I don't know why I did that, but I knew it would annoy Dimitri and I somehow was hurt, that he couldn't even give me a ride home today. This was going to be the first time some reporters would bombard me with questions and film me and take pictures of me while I'm all alone. What if I did something wrong? Say something wrong? Or fall on my butt?
I took a deep breath and then went out of the car. And here came my first mistake. I never wore skirts, really, I never did and I never drove in a car, so I had no idea how to step out of a car in a skirt. I just learned now!
It was my luck that the cameras were still to far away from me to take a picture. So as fast as I could I stood up. When the reporters recognized me, they began throwing questions like this morning and the cameras flashed.
“Rose! Rose! Rose!”, they all shouted.
“Are you pregnant?”, the loudest shouted.
“Did you marry Dimitri just for his money?”, another one asked.
I tried to wriggle through the mass, but I was on my own, so they didn't let me pass.
“Get out of my way!”, I said.
“Rose, why are you in such a hurry?”
“Rose, where is Dimitri? Did you have a fight?”
“Get out of my way, please!”, I tried it again, but they still didn't let me pass.
They all began shouting again, more and more. My ears began to hurt and I tried to block them all out, but they were too loud. Some even began to grab my arms, to keep from struggling.
“Stop touching me!”, I shouted suddenly.
Again many questions were thrown at me and I think more and more hands began to grab my arms and shoulders.
“Get the fuck away from her!”, someone from behind me shouted.
I couldn't see who it was and I couldn't turn around because I was in such a big mass of people. They still were all around me, all touching me with their filthy hands and all I wanted to do was run. Oh my God, I was going to have a panic attack, I thought. Whoever shouted at the reporters made his way through the crowd. Suddenly there were two big hands gripping my shoulders. I felt lips on my right ear.
“Take deep breaths, I'm taking you out of here, just a little while longer”, he said.
I tried to do as he said, but it was hard. My breathing became more even and I closed my eyes, just to be sure.
“Get the hell away from her or I will smash your cameras to a thousand pieces right this instant!”, the guy yelled. “Seriously, you are harassing this girl!”
The reporters didn't stop, I think they didn't even care what the guy said. The next thing I heard was some kind of growl and then a loud thud. Then string arms wrapped around my shoulders and guided me forward. I stumbled a few times and again hands reached for me and tried to hold me back. I began to breath more urgently and I felt the panic rise and with it the adrenaline in my system.
“Are you okay?”, the guy asked.
But I couldn't talk, I couldn't say a word, so I just shook my head. My savior didn't even think twice, before he just picked me up bridal style and made a run for it. Sooner than I thought I heard the double doors of the entrance open and close behind us.
“Which floor?”, he asked.
I couldn't answer him. I had the feeling that someone just ripped the ground under my feet away and not just because this guy was carrying me. I couldn't get enough oxygen into my lungs, every breath I took into my lungs hurt like hell, my head was spinning and dark sport began dancing in front of me.
“Shit”, the guy cursed. “No, no, no, no, come one, don't go to sleep. No, no, no, come on girl, stay awake, okay? Please, stay awake, I need you to stay awake for me. Tell me something, anything, just -”
And that's when I fainted and everything went dark.
I lay on something soft. A weight was slung over my body, a blanket, I realized. My head still hurt a little and I felt a but dizzy. What had happened?
Slowly I cracked one eye open, only to shut it again. I groaned because the light was too bright for me.
“You're awake”, I heard soft murmur.
I pressed my eyelids together and tried to block the light out.
“Oh, wait.”
And then the lights dimmed and I tried again to open my eyes. This time it was easier to open them up and I looked around. I was laying on the couch in the living room of my new apartment with Dimitri. The sky was a bit darker, but I could tell it wasn't night yet. It looked around late afternoon. A young handsome man came to my side and sat on the ground in front of the couch. I shrunk back into the couch, because I didn't knew this guy. Who the hell was he? How did he get in here? Where was Dimitri, when I needed him?
Just before I wanted to start screaming, the guy noticed I was afraid of him. His eyes widened and he hold his hands up in surrender.
“No, no, no”, he said. “I won't hurt you. You had a panic attack, I was the one who brought you away from all the paparazzi. Do you remember them?”
I stared at him, still shocked. He was the guy that carried me out of the mass of people. Did he carry me all the way up here? Oh my God, that was embarrassing.
“I'm sorry, but you fainted and I didn't want to leave you alone. I carried you up here and waited until you woke up. I swear I didn't touch anything.”
My breathing became more even and the aching in my lungs subsided. I looked at the guy more closely. He had sandy blond hair and blue eyes, a strong jaw line, high cheek bones and tanned skin.
“Ehm, thank you”, I whispered.
He smiled relieved and let out a breath he was holding.
“Your welcome”, he said and smiled kindly at me.
“What's your name?”, I asked curiously.
“Eddie, nice to meet you.”
“Likewise”, I smiled. “I'm Rose.”
“How are you feeling, Rose?”, he asked concerned.
I thought about it. How did I feel? Well, I was laying on a couch with a stranger in front of me. I probably had a panic attack in front of a bunch of people who videotaped it or at least took pictures of. Well, fabulous!
“Awful”, I groaned and let my head fell back against the pillow.
Eddie chuckled lightly and stood up. I heard him shuffle around, then water being filled into a glass and again his footsteps.
“Come on, drink this”, Eddie said and nudged my arm.
Stubbornly I shook my head. Eddie sighed.
“Rose”, he warned. “Don't act like this. You know you fell better once you drink a little bit.”
Again I shook my head, but couldn't help grinning at Eddie.
“Rose”, he laughed. “Either drink this or have it all over you.”
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”, I said rushed.
“Nah, I don't think I will”, Eddie said and hold the glass out of my reach. “You know, you look like one of those girls that would look cute all dripping wet. Like a wet kitten, you know?”
“Pretty, pretty please?”, I asked and pouted. “I'm the injured one here, be nice.”
“Trying it with guilt?”, Eddie asked and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
I nodded smiling happily, I knew he was going to give me the glass. And like I suspected he sighed defeated and hold the glass out to me. I drank a sip and it actually helped the throbbing in the back of my head. Eddie chuckled and shook his head smiling.
After I drank a sip, Eddie and I just sat there for a while looking anywhere but the other person and it was kind of awkward.
“This is awkward”, I spoke it out after a while.
“You tell me”, Eddie laughed. “I mean I sit here with a girl I only new from pictures in all the magazines, trying to -”
“What pictures?”, I interrupted.
Eddie frowned at me, like he didn't know what I was talking about, even if I didn't know what he was talking about.
“You haven't seen them? You and Dimitri are all over the magazines. The Times even calls you the 'Cinderella of New York'.”
“What?”, I asked surprised.
And then Eddie began to tell me about all the articles and pictures of me and Dimitri, all the rumors that were spread and everything else. The most prominent rumor was that I was pregnant and just wanted Dimitri's money, because I was the 'poor Cinderella' from New York.
Eddie was surprisingly great to talk to and really funny. He kept my mind off of things I didn't want to think about.
“Hey Eddie. Thanks for saving me down there”, I said sincerely.
“No problem”, he brushed it off laughing. “It was actually pretty cool. I felt like a knight, you know? Saving the damsel in distress.”
“Shut up”, I said. “I was not a damsel in distress -”
“Oh, but you were!”, Eddie interrupted me laughing. “You had a panic attack, hell you fainted in my arms, I had to carry you up here.”
I blushed furiously and looked down, finding the floor extremely interesting.
“Thanks again”, I mumbled.
“Hey Rose”, Eddie said, suddenly serious and grabbed my chin. “You know I was just messing with you, right?”
He looked suddenly unsure of himself. It was actually quite cute to see him like this.
“I know, I know, it's just so embarrassing”, I said and let my head fall into my hands.
“No it's not”, Eddie said and pried my hands from my face. ”You aren't used to this and these guys were total picks. They grabbed you, shoved you and harassed you. I promise, you will get used to it, but right now this is all too much for you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”, I asked.
Don't get me wrong, I was very grateful for his help, but it was still unusual for a stranger to be this helpful and supporting.
“You're still innocent”, he shrugged. “You need someone nice in your life.”
“Don't get me wrong, but this sounded really creepy”
“I know”, Eddie laughed. “But you don't need to be afraid of me. Dimitri and I are friends, we're going to the same school and I never had any trouble with alcohol or drugs or girls or anything else.”
“Well sounds good, but this is still creepy”, I laughed.
Eddie typed some things on his smart phone and showed me a few pages with articles about him. Like everyone else I've met so far, he was rich, because of his family. And as he said, he was a nice guy, all the articles stated exactly that.
Eddie stayed the rest of the remaining afternoon and we had a lot of fun. He cooked something for us and we ate in front of the TV and watched some reruns. I found out that Eddie was in some of my classes and that I probably had to a go to some kind of ball on Friday night I didn't even knew of until now.
Around 7pm the front door opened and Dimitri came into the room. When he saw me sitting on the couch with Eddie, sharing a blanket his eyes turned into slits.
“Edison”, he nodded. “What are you doing here?”
“Just chilling with your wife”, he shrugged. “The paparazzi gave her a hard time, so I brought her home.”
Dimitri didn't look convinced, but he couldn't really say anything, because he wasn't there. Just now I saw Dimitri had a black eye.
“Oh my gosh, Dimitri!”, I shouted and stood up.
The blanket gave a hard time, standing up and I almost fell flat on my ass, but I managed and ran at Dimitri. He frowned a little when I came to a stop before.
“What happened to your face?”, I asked.
He looked at Eddie and glared a little bit.
“Nothing”, he growled and turned briskly away from me.
Okay, did I say something wrong?, I asked myself. Why was he acting like I had some disease on me? Dimitri went into the kitchen and came back with a little bottle of water.
“Thanks Eddie, you can leave now”, he said then, without even looking at Eddie.
He looked straight at me and there was a burning in his eyes, that told me I was in trouble. He obviously wasn't pleased with Eddie here, but I didn't understand why.
“Alright”, Eddie replied frowning.
He gave me a hug and sent me a look, asking me if I knew what was going on with Dimitri. I shook my head lightly and hoped Dimitri didn't see it. Who knew what he would think?
“See you tomorrow Rose”, Eddie smiled, then he turned to Dimitri and nodded. “Dimitri.”
Dimitri nodded back at him. Eddie had offered me yesterday to give me a ride to school, so that I didn't need to use the main entrance again. Eddie also lived in this building and his car was parked in the indoor garage as well. I thanked him and took his offer gratefully, I just needed to remind myself to call the limo service some time later.
“What the hell was he doing here?!”, Dimitri yelled the second the elevator was gone.
I flinched and looked shocked at Dimitri. He looked angry, beyond angry, he looked murderously pissed!
“H- He helped me with th- the paparazzi a- and -”
“Why did you even use the main entrance?!”; Dimitri interrupted me. “God Rose, you knew they were going to be there, what the hell were you thinking?!”
My fear only grew with Dimitri's shouting, he was getting louder and louder, but now I was getting pissed. How could he say that? I didn't have a choice? What did he want me to do? To wait for him the whole day in a freaking limo? He probably wouldn't have even noticed me!
“Are you kidding me?!”, I asked. “You left me alone at school! I had to get home somehow and I couldn't exactly tell the man to drive into the garage, because one I have no clue where the entrance for it is and two, the car didn't fit in the freaking garage!”
“Why didn't you drive with Lissa then?!”, he shouted right back.
Couldn't we have a normal conversation without shouting? Apparently not.
“This might surprise you but Lissa has a private life and not the time to drive me around – a girl she just met today!”
“Then why didn't you tell me?!”
“You left me there and told me you didn't have time! Sorry I thought you meant what you said!”
“Don't Rose!”, Dimitri shouted. “Don't blame me for your stupidity!”
My mouth fell open. I looked at Dimitri with shocked eyes. Did he just really say that?
“How can you be so damn cruel? How can you be sweet to me one second and then treat me like crap the next? You don't even know what happened”, I said barely above a whisper.
“Rose, we are pretending to be a couple, okay? We aren't!”, Dimitri yelled. “I play the fucking boyfriend, I'm not it! Get that into your head! I don't care, okay?! You are doing this for the damn money and I'm doing it to please my father, that's it!”
And even if he was right that I did this for the money and he because of his father. I didn't think that meant we needed to hate each other, just because we both didn't want this. Honestly I was stupid enough to think that we maybe, just maybe could become friends for the time being.
Well, there goes that thought … I felt the tears in my eyes, threatening to run down my cheeks every second.
“Okay”, I whispered. “But you know, that doesn't mean you can treat me like crap. That doesn't mean you can shout at me all you want or act like you can control me, because you can't. I'm a human being and yes, I was stupid enough to think we could live this few months in peace. I know we aren't a couple, Dimitri, and hell I don't ever want to be, but I thought we could at least try to become somewhat friends.”
I left him standing right there and my way up the stairs, but I stopped at the top and turned around. Dimitri stood there, no facial expression, no emotion what so ever and he was looking at the space I was standing seconds ago.
“Just so you know: I had a panic attack and Eddie had to carry me up here. He was kind enough to keep me company, so I wouldn't be alone, because well” I laughed without humor. “My husband wasn't there, right? But I forgot, you don't care. I will drive with Eddie to school tomorrow so don't wait up on me.”
Not that you care, I mentally added.
Dimitri
I sighed and ran a hand through my. On one side I was frustrated with myself, on the other I was glad. Maybe this way she would grow more distant towards me and the press would show exactly that. I couldn't have it that they wrote something like 'they're in love' or 'look how happy they are'. That would make a Rose target instantly and I couldn't have her beaten to a bloody pulp. Just imagining her in a hospi – No! I wouldn't let that happen to her! Not if I could change it!
With new found determination I went to the phone and called a number I knew all to well.
“What do you want?”, he picked up after two rings.
“No hello?”, I asked.
“You just threw me out of your house and now want me to be polite to you?”
I chuckled. Same old Eddie.
“I need you to do something for me. I'll pay you.”
“I have enough money Belikov”, Eddie replied laughing.
“Did I say I wanted to pay you with money?”, I asked him smirking, even if he couldn't see it, I bet he heard it in my voice, he always did.
“You're smirking”, he stated.
“Indeed I am, my friend”, I answered, my smirk growing.
“I'm listening.”
“I need you to keep an eye on Rose. She already told me you are taking her to school and I guess you are bringing her home afterward as well. I want you to be at her side at school and everything that's not at our home, you understand me?”
He was silent for a while and I only knew he was still there because I could here his breathing.
“Why?”, he finally asked.
“Not your business”, I shook my head.
“Everywhere that's not your home?”
Eddie's voice sounded unsure and I bet he was frowning right now.
“Yes.”
“Even if she is somewhere without me? You want me to follow her?”
For a moment I thought about it and I decided yes, yes I wanted him to follow her. I couldn't take any risks.
“Yes”
“And I get?”
“I'll get you Jill Dragomir as a date on Friday.”
“Deal.”
And he hung up.
After school I told Rose she needed to get home without me. To my surprise she didn't ask me why. She just said Goodbye and left. I didn't bother to think too much about her or her reactions. She probably got a ride with Lissa or she was stupid enough to try to walk home. If she was I just hoped she would be smart enough to avoid any paparazzi or their questions about our marriage.
“You ready?”, Ivan asked.
“I was born ready”, I smirked.
Ivan and I began running around the track. We always started with five miles to warm up our muscles. We normally didn't race each other but today we did. Ivan wasn't a match for me, so I jogged beside him for the first four miles and began printing the last mile, leaving Ivan behind me. His breath was more then labored and his head had become red.
“Seriously dude”, he breathed. “How – Is that – Even – Possible?”
I just chuckled and grabbed my water bottle. Ivan grabbed the other one and chucked in down in under 10 seconds.
“You sure you still want to spar?”, I asked laughing.
“I'm good”, Ivan breathed hard. “Just gimme a sec.”
Laughing I drank another sip from my water and waited for Ivan to control his breathing. It took quite a while, but then we could finally spar.
We did this almost every day. Ivan and I both fought in underground fights and made a bit money. We couldn't care less about the money, we both had enough, but we had made ourselves quite the reputation and we loved it.
Fighting always gave me this rush of energy, the feeling of power and control. Nobody could beat and I felt superior. It came in handy, too that the underground knew not to mess with me or Ivan. I could go around New York every time at night in the worst parts of town and could be sure that no one would even dare to give me a sideways glance.
“Hey, are you attending the fight Friday night?”, Ivan asked after four hours of sparring.
“There is a fight on Friday?”, I asked. “I didn't knew that. You know when and where?”
“After the ball around 1am near the pier we were last time.”
Right on Friday was the 'Welcome back'-Ball from our school. I needed to tell Rose, that would be the first event we would be attending as a married couple. Reporters would be there and we needed to be convincing. God, I hated those kind of events and I really didn't want to go. Guess I had to suck it up. But at least the fight afterward was something to look forward to.
“Sounds good”, I nodded.
“You sure?”
“Why wouldn't I be?”, I asked confused.
I looked at Ivan and saw him frowning at the ground. He gripped the bottle in his hands harder than necessary.
“Because of Rose”, he answered.
Right, Rose, I thought. Now I knew why Ivan was looking so troubled. A year ago Ivan had a girlfriend – Camille Conta – and they were so in love it was actually painful to be in the same room as them. They flirted, kissed and cuddled every minute of the day. It was enough for us guys to leave Ivan alone most of the time, but he didn't even notice because of Camille.
The thing was that the press was all over them and Ivan's biggest rival – Brandon - took it to his advantage. He and some friends followed Camille and beat her unconscious. What nobody knew was that Camille was pregnant with Ivan's child. They lost the kid and their relationship didn't make it. Camille stayed in the hospital for three weeks and moved away a week later. Could that happen to Rose? Was she in danger? Because of me?
-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-
Rose
“Mrs Belikov, I'm afraid the limo is too big for the garage in doors. I need to let you out at the main entrance. I'm sorry”, my driver told me apologetically.
After Dimitri had told me he couldn't give me a ride home with him, I asked Lissa if she could, but she rode with Christian to his place, which apparently was too far away from my place and they needed 'alone time'. But Lissa gave me the number of a driver service, so I called them and a driver picked me up from school.
I had no idea what Dimitri was doing and I wasn't sure if I should have asked him. Honestly it didn't bother me that much, he probably went to flirt with some bitch behind the school, I just hoped he would be subtle so nothing would be in the magazines.
But now a way bigger problem stood in front of me, because in front of the main entrance of our building were a lot of reporters. I sighed and thought about just driving around town in this limo for the rest of the day, but I'm sure they would all still be here even at 11pm.
“I'm sorry, but we're here now”, my driver said and smiled sadly at me. “Do you need my assistance?”
“No”, I sighed. “But thank you. You know what, could you pick me up tomorrow morning at 8am?”
“As you wish, Mrs Belikov”, he nodded.
“Thanks, see you tomorrow.”
I don't know why I did that, but I knew it would annoy Dimitri and I somehow was hurt, that he couldn't even give me a ride home today. This was going to be the first time some reporters would bombard me with questions and film me and take pictures of me while I'm all alone. What if I did something wrong? Say something wrong? Or fall on my butt?
I took a deep breath and then went out of the car. And here came my first mistake. I never wore skirts, really, I never did and I never drove in a car, so I had no idea how to step out of a car in a skirt. I just learned now!
It was my luck that the cameras were still to far away from me to take a picture. So as fast as I could I stood up. When the reporters recognized me, they began throwing questions like this morning and the cameras flashed.
“Rose! Rose! Rose!”, they all shouted.
“Are you pregnant?”, the loudest shouted.
“Did you marry Dimitri just for his money?”, another one asked.
I tried to wriggle through the mass, but I was on my own, so they didn't let me pass.
“Get out of my way!”, I said.
“Rose, why are you in such a hurry?”
“Rose, where is Dimitri? Did you have a fight?”
“Get out of my way, please!”, I tried it again, but they still didn't let me pass.
They all began shouting again, more and more. My ears began to hurt and I tried to block them all out, but they were too loud. Some even began to grab my arms, to keep from struggling.
“Stop touching me!”, I shouted suddenly.
Again many questions were thrown at me and I think more and more hands began to grab my arms and shoulders.
“Get the fuck away from her!”, someone from behind me shouted.
I couldn't see who it was and I couldn't turn around because I was in such a big mass of people. They still were all around me, all touching me with their filthy hands and all I wanted to do was run. Oh my God, I was going to have a panic attack, I thought. Whoever shouted at the reporters made his way through the crowd. Suddenly there were two big hands gripping my shoulders. I felt lips on my right ear.
“Take deep breaths, I'm taking you out of here, just a little while longer”, he said.
I tried to do as he said, but it was hard. My breathing became more even and I closed my eyes, just to be sure.
“Get the hell away from her or I will smash your cameras to a thousand pieces right this instant!”, the guy yelled. “Seriously, you are harassing this girl!”
The reporters didn't stop, I think they didn't even care what the guy said. The next thing I heard was some kind of growl and then a loud thud. Then string arms wrapped around my shoulders and guided me forward. I stumbled a few times and again hands reached for me and tried to hold me back. I began to breath more urgently and I felt the panic rise and with it the adrenaline in my system.
“Are you okay?”, the guy asked.
But I couldn't talk, I couldn't say a word, so I just shook my head. My savior didn't even think twice, before he just picked me up bridal style and made a run for it. Sooner than I thought I heard the double doors of the entrance open and close behind us.
“Which floor?”, he asked.
I couldn't answer him. I had the feeling that someone just ripped the ground under my feet away and not just because this guy was carrying me. I couldn't get enough oxygen into my lungs, every breath I took into my lungs hurt like hell, my head was spinning and dark sport began dancing in front of me.
“Shit”, the guy cursed. “No, no, no, no, come one, don't go to sleep. No, no, no, come on girl, stay awake, okay? Please, stay awake, I need you to stay awake for me. Tell me something, anything, just -”
And that's when I fainted and everything went dark.
-o-o-o- Thrown into His World -o-o-o-
I lay on something soft. A weight was slung over my body, a blanket, I realized. My head still hurt a little and I felt a but dizzy. What had happened?
Slowly I cracked one eye open, only to shut it again. I groaned because the light was too bright for me.
“You're awake”, I heard soft murmur.
I pressed my eyelids together and tried to block the light out.
“Oh, wait.”
And then the lights dimmed and I tried again to open my eyes. This time it was easier to open them up and I looked around. I was laying on the couch in the living room of my new apartment with Dimitri. The sky was a bit darker, but I could tell it wasn't night yet. It looked around late afternoon. A young handsome man came to my side and sat on the ground in front of the couch. I shrunk back into the couch, because I didn't knew this guy. Who the hell was he? How did he get in here? Where was Dimitri, when I needed him?
Just before I wanted to start screaming, the guy noticed I was afraid of him. His eyes widened and he hold his hands up in surrender.
“No, no, no”, he said. “I won't hurt you. You had a panic attack, I was the one who brought you away from all the paparazzi. Do you remember them?”
I stared at him, still shocked. He was the guy that carried me out of the mass of people. Did he carry me all the way up here? Oh my God, that was embarrassing.
“I'm sorry, but you fainted and I didn't want to leave you alone. I carried you up here and waited until you woke up. I swear I didn't touch anything.”
My breathing became more even and the aching in my lungs subsided. I looked at the guy more closely. He had sandy blond hair and blue eyes, a strong jaw line, high cheek bones and tanned skin.
“Ehm, thank you”, I whispered.
He smiled relieved and let out a breath he was holding.
“Your welcome”, he said and smiled kindly at me.
“What's your name?”, I asked curiously.
“Eddie, nice to meet you.”
“Likewise”, I smiled. “I'm Rose.”
“How are you feeling, Rose?”, he asked concerned.
I thought about it. How did I feel? Well, I was laying on a couch with a stranger in front of me. I probably had a panic attack in front of a bunch of people who videotaped it or at least took pictures of. Well, fabulous!
“Awful”, I groaned and let my head fell back against the pillow.
Eddie chuckled lightly and stood up. I heard him shuffle around, then water being filled into a glass and again his footsteps.
“Come on, drink this”, Eddie said and nudged my arm.
Stubbornly I shook my head. Eddie sighed.
“Rose”, he warned. “Don't act like this. You know you fell better once you drink a little bit.”
Again I shook my head, but couldn't help grinning at Eddie.
“Rose”, he laughed. “Either drink this or have it all over you.”
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”, I said rushed.
“Nah, I don't think I will”, Eddie said and hold the glass out of my reach. “You know, you look like one of those girls that would look cute all dripping wet. Like a wet kitten, you know?”
“Pretty, pretty please?”, I asked and pouted. “I'm the injured one here, be nice.”
“Trying it with guilt?”, Eddie asked and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
I nodded smiling happily, I knew he was going to give me the glass. And like I suspected he sighed defeated and hold the glass out to me. I drank a sip and it actually helped the throbbing in the back of my head. Eddie chuckled and shook his head smiling.
After I drank a sip, Eddie and I just sat there for a while looking anywhere but the other person and it was kind of awkward.
“This is awkward”, I spoke it out after a while.
“You tell me”, Eddie laughed. “I mean I sit here with a girl I only new from pictures in all the magazines, trying to -”
“What pictures?”, I interrupted.
Eddie frowned at me, like he didn't know what I was talking about, even if I didn't know what he was talking about.
“You haven't seen them? You and Dimitri are all over the magazines. The Times even calls you the 'Cinderella of New York'.”
“What?”, I asked surprised.
And then Eddie began to tell me about all the articles and pictures of me and Dimitri, all the rumors that were spread and everything else. The most prominent rumor was that I was pregnant and just wanted Dimitri's money, because I was the 'poor Cinderella' from New York.
Eddie was surprisingly great to talk to and really funny. He kept my mind off of things I didn't want to think about.
“Hey Eddie. Thanks for saving me down there”, I said sincerely.
“No problem”, he brushed it off laughing. “It was actually pretty cool. I felt like a knight, you know? Saving the damsel in distress.”
“Shut up”, I said. “I was not a damsel in distress -”
“Oh, but you were!”, Eddie interrupted me laughing. “You had a panic attack, hell you fainted in my arms, I had to carry you up here.”
I blushed furiously and looked down, finding the floor extremely interesting.
“Thanks again”, I mumbled.
“Hey Rose”, Eddie said, suddenly serious and grabbed my chin. “You know I was just messing with you, right?”
He looked suddenly unsure of himself. It was actually quite cute to see him like this.
“I know, I know, it's just so embarrassing”, I said and let my head fall into my hands.
“No it's not”, Eddie said and pried my hands from my face. ”You aren't used to this and these guys were total picks. They grabbed you, shoved you and harassed you. I promise, you will get used to it, but right now this is all too much for you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”, I asked.
Don't get me wrong, I was very grateful for his help, but it was still unusual for a stranger to be this helpful and supporting.
“You're still innocent”, he shrugged. “You need someone nice in your life.”
“Don't get me wrong, but this sounded really creepy”
“I know”, Eddie laughed. “But you don't need to be afraid of me. Dimitri and I are friends, we're going to the same school and I never had any trouble with alcohol or drugs or girls or anything else.”
“Well sounds good, but this is still creepy”, I laughed.
Eddie typed some things on his smart phone and showed me a few pages with articles about him. Like everyone else I've met so far, he was rich, because of his family. And as he said, he was a nice guy, all the articles stated exactly that.
Eddie stayed the rest of the remaining afternoon and we had a lot of fun. He cooked something for us and we ate in front of the TV and watched some reruns. I found out that Eddie was in some of my classes and that I probably had to a go to some kind of ball on Friday night I didn't even knew of until now.
Around 7pm the front door opened and Dimitri came into the room. When he saw me sitting on the couch with Eddie, sharing a blanket his eyes turned into slits.
“Edison”, he nodded. “What are you doing here?”
“Just chilling with your wife”, he shrugged. “The paparazzi gave her a hard time, so I brought her home.”
Dimitri didn't look convinced, but he couldn't really say anything, because he wasn't there. Just now I saw Dimitri had a black eye.
“Oh my gosh, Dimitri!”, I shouted and stood up.
The blanket gave a hard time, standing up and I almost fell flat on my ass, but I managed and ran at Dimitri. He frowned a little when I came to a stop before.
“What happened to your face?”, I asked.
He looked at Eddie and glared a little bit.
“Nothing”, he growled and turned briskly away from me.
Okay, did I say something wrong?, I asked myself. Why was he acting like I had some disease on me? Dimitri went into the kitchen and came back with a little bottle of water.
“Thanks Eddie, you can leave now”, he said then, without even looking at Eddie.
He looked straight at me and there was a burning in his eyes, that told me I was in trouble. He obviously wasn't pleased with Eddie here, but I didn't understand why.
“Alright”, Eddie replied frowning.
He gave me a hug and sent me a look, asking me if I knew what was going on with Dimitri. I shook my head lightly and hoped Dimitri didn't see it. Who knew what he would think?
“See you tomorrow Rose”, Eddie smiled, then he turned to Dimitri and nodded. “Dimitri.”
Dimitri nodded back at him. Eddie had offered me yesterday to give me a ride to school, so that I didn't need to use the main entrance again. Eddie also lived in this building and his car was parked in the indoor garage as well. I thanked him and took his offer gratefully, I just needed to remind myself to call the limo service some time later.
“What the hell was he doing here?!”, Dimitri yelled the second the elevator was gone.
I flinched and looked shocked at Dimitri. He looked angry, beyond angry, he looked murderously pissed!
“H- He helped me with th- the paparazzi a- and -”
“Why did you even use the main entrance?!”; Dimitri interrupted me. “God Rose, you knew they were going to be there, what the hell were you thinking?!”
My fear only grew with Dimitri's shouting, he was getting louder and louder, but now I was getting pissed. How could he say that? I didn't have a choice? What did he want me to do? To wait for him the whole day in a freaking limo? He probably wouldn't have even noticed me!
“Are you kidding me?!”, I asked. “You left me alone at school! I had to get home somehow and I couldn't exactly tell the man to drive into the garage, because one I have no clue where the entrance for it is and two, the car didn't fit in the freaking garage!”
“Why didn't you drive with Lissa then?!”, he shouted right back.
Couldn't we have a normal conversation without shouting? Apparently not.
“This might surprise you but Lissa has a private life and not the time to drive me around – a girl she just met today!”
“Then why didn't you tell me?!”
“You left me there and told me you didn't have time! Sorry I thought you meant what you said!”
“Don't Rose!”, Dimitri shouted. “Don't blame me for your stupidity!”
My mouth fell open. I looked at Dimitri with shocked eyes. Did he just really say that?
“How can you be so damn cruel? How can you be sweet to me one second and then treat me like crap the next? You don't even know what happened”, I said barely above a whisper.
“Rose, we are pretending to be a couple, okay? We aren't!”, Dimitri yelled. “I play the fucking boyfriend, I'm not it! Get that into your head! I don't care, okay?! You are doing this for the damn money and I'm doing it to please my father, that's it!”
And even if he was right that I did this for the money and he because of his father. I didn't think that meant we needed to hate each other, just because we both didn't want this. Honestly I was stupid enough to think that we maybe, just maybe could become friends for the time being.
Well, there goes that thought … I felt the tears in my eyes, threatening to run down my cheeks every second.
“Okay”, I whispered. “But you know, that doesn't mean you can treat me like crap. That doesn't mean you can shout at me all you want or act like you can control me, because you can't. I'm a human being and yes, I was stupid enough to think we could live this few months in peace. I know we aren't a couple, Dimitri, and hell I don't ever want to be, but I thought we could at least try to become somewhat friends.”
I left him standing right there and my way up the stairs, but I stopped at the top and turned around. Dimitri stood there, no facial expression, no emotion what so ever and he was looking at the space I was standing seconds ago.
“Just so you know: I had a panic attack and Eddie had to carry me up here. He was kind enough to keep me company, so I wouldn't be alone, because well” I laughed without humor. “My husband wasn't there, right? But I forgot, you don't care. I will drive with Eddie to school tomorrow so don't wait up on me.”
Not that you care, I mentally added.
-o-o-o- Thrown Into His World -o-o-o-
Dimitri
I sighed and ran a hand through my. On one side I was frustrated with myself, on the other I was glad. Maybe this way she would grow more distant towards me and the press would show exactly that. I couldn't have it that they wrote something like 'they're in love' or 'look how happy they are'. That would make a Rose target instantly and I couldn't have her beaten to a bloody pulp. Just imagining her in a hospi – No! I wouldn't let that happen to her! Not if I could change it!
With new found determination I went to the phone and called a number I knew all to well.
“What do you want?”, he picked up after two rings.
“No hello?”, I asked.
“You just threw me out of your house and now want me to be polite to you?”
I chuckled. Same old Eddie.
“I need you to do something for me. I'll pay you.”
“I have enough money Belikov”, Eddie replied laughing.
“Did I say I wanted to pay you with money?”, I asked him smirking, even if he couldn't see it, I bet he heard it in my voice, he always did.
“You're smirking”, he stated.
“Indeed I am, my friend”, I answered, my smirk growing.
“I'm listening.”
“I need you to keep an eye on Rose. She already told me you are taking her to school and I guess you are bringing her home afterward as well. I want you to be at her side at school and everything that's not at our home, you understand me?”
He was silent for a while and I only knew he was still there because I could here his breathing.
“Why?”, he finally asked.
“Not your business”, I shook my head.
“Everywhere that's not your home?”
Eddie's voice sounded unsure and I bet he was frowning right now.
“Yes.”
“Even if she is somewhere without me? You want me to follow her?”
For a moment I thought about it and I decided yes, yes I wanted him to follow her. I couldn't take any risks.
“Yes”
“And I get?”
“I'll get you Jill Dragomir as a date on Friday.”
“Deal.”
And he hung up.
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