"My love, you are worth it all"

Arabella karve Today is going to be better.

I promise myself silently, as I steadily brush my dark hair, and stare wordlessly out of the vintage window placed in my room. I don't take my eyes off of the white roses, that have shriveled leaves slowly falling from them, with every slight breeze.

White roses are something that are not recognized enough and do not receive enough attention. With their flawless color that displays angelic purity, I never understand why people say they are tedious.

"I like red roses" suck my cock.

I've only ever had one birthday party. My "sweet" sixteen. I was dressed in a white rose print, floor length puff sleeve dress, that was the most beautiful dress I've ever laid my eyes on. Tara spent months and months making it from hand, and it was the most beautiful gift I ever received, and the only.

I remember having absolutely no idea what I was going to wear for my sixteenth birthday, and as I ran around my disaster of a room Tara handed me a large white box, that had a stunning dark red bow tied on top. I remember pulling the perfect dress out of the box that had, placed on top of it, a first edition copy of Romeo and Juliet, my favorite book in the entire world. Tear's full of emotions immediately started streaming down my pale cheeks as I threw myself on her in a tight hug, and thanked her over and over again.

I had never been so excited for a party as I was for that one, for I had never celebrated my birthday before, nobody even cared enough to even wish me a happy birthday, except for Tara.

The only reason I got my birthday celebrated that year, is because my parents decided it would be a good statement for their "perfect" daughter to make a public appearance to the 'business', on her sixteenth birthday.

Little did I know is that my one birthday, the one time my life was to be celebrated, it would turn into a bloodbath.

And my pretty white dress, that was one of the most important things I ever received, would be drenched in the blood and guts of my party guests.

Little did I know, that was just the beginning.

I shake my head, trying to rid myself of those dreadful memories.

I steadily look back towards the withering garden that held so many memories. And nightmares.

Today is probably the last day before all of the white roses in the garden are completely departed... and I have not seen them up close once.

In fact I have not been near my favorite flowers since, February.

I softly close my eyes and bask in the fall air that's wafting in through the open window, and the comforting sounds that accompany autumn.

It would be nice to go outside.

I can do it, it's just a garden there is nothing to be scared of...

I slowly withdrawal from the window having made up my mind. I begin to slip on some lose ripped jeans, and a casual white knitted sweater, that was laying on the floor. Good enough.

I thankfully make my way through the manner and to the large, golden French doors that lead to the garden, without any dilemmas.

I stop right in-front of the daunting doors, and begin to take deep breaths. My hands are shaking, my heart is pounding, I'm nauseous—

I reach my trembling hand out towards the door and as my fingers hit the cold metal of the handle, I feel as if I am reliving the worst night of my life all over again. ~ "Are you sure about this? I don't think you are ready Ara" Tara says with a soft, concerned smile as pity gleams in her big sky blue eyes. I hate that she pity's me.

"I told you I am Tara. The roses are just beginning to bloom... and I have to go outside at some point" My voice slightly cracks, as the embarrassing words leave my dry lips.

"Look at yourself Ara, There is no need to rush. He could be anywhere and you got off lucky last time. Don't push it." As she talks her eyes accidentally glance down at the bandages wrapped around my torso that have blood beginning to soak through from the shallow wound underneath.

Yeah I'm pretty fucking "lucky".

"I've lived locked inside of this house for what, three fucking years now? I've barely gone outside since my sixteenth birthday. I just want to go outside and smell my favorite flower. That's all I fucking want. Please." I say with a hoarse voice as I begin to pull my hand off of the handle, figuring it's a lost cause.

"Then let's go. We can even bring some inside afterwards, some of those white roses should look absolutely gorgeous on your vanity" She says with a grin as she walks towards me and pulls me in to a soft hug, while trying to not apply pressure to my bruised body.

"I'm sorry Tara" I say as I warp my arms around her and close my eyes while a small tear rolls down my cheek.

"There's no need to be sorry. It's unfair to you. This is not your fault" She whispers reassuringly.

"I love you Tara. Your the most amazing friend I could have ever asked for"

"Love, your my sister" ~ A broken sob escapes my lips as I throw myslef away from the door and hit the cold marble floor, that was more remorseful then the memories, that haunt every single second of my worthless and sad existence.

"Sad, just sad" I hear a cold voice ring out from behind me, the Italian accent bouncing off of the floor and reverberating in my bones.

I barely register that someone is speaking to me because of my ragged breathing and trembles racking my panicked body.

A few moments later of deep breaths, I slowly and unsteadily push myself to my feet and turn around to face Eros while plastering on my best cold face, and shoving down my emotions that were rising up my throat.

I cross my arms defensively as my eyes meet his and I roll my eyes. I'm good at acting, just keep doing it.

"Do you need something?" I bite out. He saw, he caught me off guard.

"You were trembling on the floor a minute ago. I don't think I am the one needing something, Bella" He says while raising a perfect eyebrow at me and pushing his veiny hands into the pockets of his black dress pants.

"I don't do spiders anything else you need?" I lie smoothly, while scoffing in a bothered manner.

"stupida stronza viziata"

"I don't need a stupid fucking language to hide behind, to say this, go fuck yourself Eros"

"If your still fucking mad about the thing with your parents, you brought it upon yourself the moment you held a fucking dagger to my throat, idiota. Your probably just not used to having to deal with real problems and real consequences." he scoffs with an irritated expression while looking away from me. Fucking asshole.

"I have no regrets about what I did." I say with a challenging and conniving smirk.

"You are required at dinner tonight with the DuPonts and your parents at some restaurant in town. Be ready at five" ***********************

I pull at the the satin, navy minidress, that was slowly getting shorter, as I enter into the calm restaurant, that is filled with many rich looking people who all seem to be drinking cocktails. Classic.

Soft music dances alluringly around the room, drifting from the grand harp that is placed in the corner, played by a beautiful woman with dark skin and magnificent black curls. I'm jealous.

I wonder if I could play the harp. It's such a beautiful instrument and I feel like anyone who plays it looks so beautiful and majestic. If I could play it, I would-

"It should be a crime to always look so dashing"

I jump at the sound of someone speaking out from behind me, and the moment I turn around I am met with a grinning Dimitri.

He is dressed in a white sweater vest, with a formal white shirt underneath that has the sleeves and collar popped, along with white trousers. Yummy.

I place my hand over my heart and chuckle softly in relief. That's embarrassing.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but what the hell are you doing here?" I say with a small laugh.

"Your parents had mentioned going to dinner with the DuPonts tonight, and I asked if I could join since I am beginning to take a major role in the businesses future. But of course I was actually going to see you, gorgeous"

"What a flirt" I say with a grin.

"Oh you have no idea" Dimitri smirks proudly.

He begins to move his muscular arm out from behind is back, that I now now notice is holding a perfect bouquet of dark red roses. Oh.

"I take you as the kind of girl who likes red roses" ~ I shakily open the large, gorgeous box, as tears spring at my scared, brown eyes. I immediately know, whatever is inside of it, will not be good. It's from him, I know it. Dark, crimson rose peddles are sprinkled around the box, making me feel sick to my stomach. A small note is placed in the middle of the box and my trembling hand slowly pushes- ~ Don't let the memories get to you, I tell myself internally, trying to provide some sort of comfort.

"Oh wow, these are gorgeous" I lie with a light smile while gently taking the roses from Dimitris smooth hands.

I hate red roses.

His bright green eyes sparkle proudly as I gently smell the charming bouquet held in my hands. I hope my face looks like I enjoy these.

"Thank you Dimitri, it means a lot to me" I say sincerely, grateful for the sweet gift, even if they bring up unwanted memories. "I-"

"Can we go sit the fuck down and stop blocking the entrance" Eros mutters angrily from behind me. Who pissed in his Cheerios?

I look up towards him only to see him glaring icy daggers at Dimitri. His dark, messy hair hangs slightly over his icy and dead eyes, making an intimidating appearance. I would not want to be Dimitri.

"Mr.Vandare you are welcome to go sit down, I will watch Arabella just fine" Dimitri says with with a cocky grin.

"You can watch her once it's your fucking job to be her bodyguard"

I quickly turn around and look up at Eros, meeting his cold, penetrating eyes. "I'm not a fucking child, so I will choose what I do"

"You act like one"

"Says the one having to create petty issues just because their testosterone levels are dwindling" I say with a condescending smile.

"maledetta stronza viziata" Eros mutters darkly. He tightly clenches his strong jaw while pulling his phone out of his pocket and beginning to type violently on it. Probably hiring a hit man for me.

"Would you actually like to go sit though? Our waitress will be there any minute."

I look towards Dimitri and give him a affirming nod to answer his question. He pleasantly reaches out his perfect hand towards me, and I immediately panic. Fuck me.

Before I can stop myself, I quickly push the bouquet of roses into his out stretched hand. He looks up towards me with a confused expression and all I can manage to do is flash him a small, sheepish smile.

"Thanks for, uh- holding those" I say awkwardly while giving a uncomfortable pat to the dark roses in his hand. Dimitri shakes his head and let's put an amused chuckle while he begins walking to the table where i see my parents and the DuPont family engaging, in what looks like, an important conversation.

Dimitri reaches the table and immediately sits down next to my irritated looking mother, who flashes him a polite smile. I don't think she's ever smiled at me.

I sit down in the chair on the right of him and on the other side of me, I watch as Eros sits down, less then properly. He immediately leans back and crosses his large, sculpted arms while shooting the entire table an annoyed glare. What a bundle of joy.

My mother looks over towards me and her face contorts into a disgusted scowl.

"Are you not going to greet the DuPonts?" My father says coldly from across the circle table.

"Maybe if you gave me a damn minute to situate myself I would have" I say while rolling my eyes.

Dimitri let's out a surprised chuckle from beside to me and I have to stop myself from cracking a smile.

"I'm pleased to see you have not lost your pizzazz Arabella" Mrs.DuPont says, seeming entertained, while taking a small sip from the champagne glass in her hand.

The DuPonts are all a very formal and beautiful family. Mr and Mrs DuPont, are sitting next to my parents with slightly amused expressions. They both have slightly greying hair that shimmers in the lighting. They have two children, a girl my age named Diana, and a boy, Dorian, who is a couple years younger. They both have silky light hair and soft tan skin, making them look completely alike.

"Well she sure wouldn't be herself without it" Mr.DuPont laughs while shaking his head.

"Excuse me could I take everyone's drinks?" ********************** "So what was it like training in the Russian bases" Diana says to Dimitri, very flirtatiously, while leaning against the table and batting her long eyelashes.

"Ruthless, but rather productive" Dimitri says monotonously, while leaning back and placing his arm across the back of my chair.

"It must've been so tough, you don't take me as the type to train and fight and... you know kill" She says with a giggle.

Our parents a few minutes ago, started having to talk real business, and deal with some hiccups in a certain job. So that left us to all have to watch Diana throw herself at Dimitri. Imagine being that desperate.

"What type would I take you as?"

"Rich, and unwinds in his personal country club." She says while biting her lip that is painted with a mulberry lipstick.

"Growing up in Russia there aren't many personal country clubs, but good try." Dimitri says boredly while slightly stroking my shoulder with a single finger from his hand that is thrown across my chair.

"Well then I guess Arabella couldn't survive there." Diana says proudly with a condescending laugh.

"Maybe if you keep talking over there one day you will think of something intelligent." I respond while tilting my head to the side and giving her a fake, sulky face.

"Mhm" She says while narrowing her eyes at me, and then looking back towards Dimitri.

"Why would you be an assassin for our 'business' if you came from Russia? aren't we like enemies?" She says with a dumb face. Why does she have to bring up this topic?

Dimitri seems a bit caught off guard from the question, but quickly recovers again, "Just because I lived there, doesn't mean I agree with the way they run their ordeals and crime."

"Well I just thought that like- we were like, you know, at war with them or whatever. You should really ask Arabella, she knows all about this topic." Diana says pointedly, with a knowing grin. she slowly props her chin onto her intertwined fingers, while staring at me, waiting for me to snap.

I feel my entire body freeze, and I try to say something but my mind is racing and all I hear is my racing heartbeat pounding in my ears. I-

"That is too damn far so shut your stupid fucking mouth." Dorian suddenly snaps at his ignorant sister, even though he has barely said a words the entire night.

The entire table goes completely still.

Dimitri let's out a quite awkward hum of agreement while the table stays silent.

"I am so, so sorry Arabella. I forget you still have you know...issues" Diana says in a mocking tone, while whispering on 'issues' as if it is some secret.

I suddenly stand up and look Diana dead in the eyes, "your a worthless and sad excuse for a human being."

With the final word, I grab the bouquet of red roses off of the table and quickly turn on my heels and walk out of the cold restaurant. I refuse to sit there and let her fucking degrade me.

"Bella you can't just fucking leave after every minor inconvenience" I hear the Italian voice say from behind me as I sit down bitterly on the edge of the old, elegant fountain placed outside of the restaurant.

I prop my elbows on my knees and rest my head into my palms, trying to ignore Eros's lecturing.

My dark, and loosely curled hair, falls smoothly out from behind my shoulders and hangs freely by my flushed face.

I slightly shiver from the cold air and the too short of dress, as goosebumps begin to appear upon my pale arms.

I lift my head from my hands and gaze towards Eros who calmly sits down next to me and stays completely silent. He tilts his head up towards the sky, which was covered in beautiful and bright starts.

I study his perfect face as he calmly just watches the magical sky above us. His strong jaw is slightly clenched, showing off his beautiful side profile while his nose is at the perfect angle, displaying the slight crookedness of it, leading me to believe it's been broken many times before.

His slightly sunken cheeks that are littered in small freckles, are slightly rosy making him look all the more angelic. And the luminous stars above us, are reflected perfectly in his dead looking eyes, making them shimmer in just the right way.

"I know I fucked up the other day" His deep voice rumbles quietly, catching me completely off guard. Oh...

"I probably shouldn't have tried killing you" My soft voice says faintly, while not taking my curious eyes off of him.

"I'm not apologizing. But I don't know what happened with your parents, and whatever happened is not what I intended," He says less quiet, seeming more irritated then before.

"Well if you were apologizing I wouldn't forgive you"

"I don't respect you enough to apologize"

"Your an asshole"

"Your a spoiled child"

I slowly turn my head away from him, and look to the beautiful sky as I let out a small chuckle of disbelief, "I don't know why you always have to fucking say that, especially when you barely know me"

"I know all that I need to, you grew up in a rich family, had everything handed to you, and you have not had problems or struggled a single day in your fucking life"

"It's pretty fucked that you treat me like shit after making assumptions about my life, just because you think your the only person on this fucking planet who has had problems or struggles."

"Then please Bella, enlighten me on your struggles" He says sarcastically while rolling his eyes.

"Your the last person I would fucking tell if I had struggles" I say defensively while standing up and angrily crossing my cold arms.

Eros copy's my actions and looks down at me, directly in the eyes, "if? You act like you are so fucking traumatized and so does everyone else"

"The only thing I am traumatized about is having to breathe the same fucking air as you!" I yell loudly while advancing closer to him.

"Oh god, what did I do to deserve the job of protecting such a little troubled angel" Eros says sarcastically while sneering down at me.

I let out a yell of pure anger as i roughly slam my pale hands into Eros's broad chest, while loosing my temper. It doesn't seem to accomplish anything, from the way it make no impact on him whatsoever. He rather stands in the exact same position with an unimpressed and calm expression written across his face.

I hear a loud honk from the quiet road near us, I glance over only to see our driver smoothly pulling up to the curb. Thank god.

I quickly glare at Eros one last time before turning back to the elegant fountain, picking up my flowers, and making my way to my driver. ************************

Sorry I have not updated for a while my loves!!!

But I am going to start adding quotes to the beginning of the chapters because I always love how that looks!!!😁

Please remember to vote!!:D

Word count:3526 (It was a big one wasn't it) ~that's what he said

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!<33