No. It can’t happen. I refuse. I kept thinking as I slid the dress Dimitri picked out for this stupid party. I don’t why I let him talk me into this and I don’t know why I let him talk me into letting him pick out this dress for me. I felt fake. I felt like my boobs were pushed up to my ears and my stomach was pushed against my spine. I swung the curtain back and Dimitri was ready with his phone in hand. I heard the click of the camera, and was about to say something when he cut me off.
“Stop. You look beautiful and sexy. If you weren’t my partner and we hadn’t been together starring death in the face, I’d do you in that dress. And I’m sure Austin will once he sees you, because I invited him to the party!” He exclaimed.
“You what? When did this happen?” I asked getting sweaty.
“Oh when you were spazzing out. I got his number and asked him to come. He said yes of course once I said you were going to be there. Which is perfect because you’ll get laid before Berlin. It’s the perfect doomed love story.” He said. I shook my head.
“No, I’m not going. I cannot get attached to anyone and you know this. Why did you invite him?” I couldn’t breathe. Maybe it was the dress, or maybe it was the fact of a man touching me and loving me when I could die tomorrow.
“Stop being a drama queen, which we all know you’re very good at it. It’ll be fine. I’ll be right here by you. You need to have some fun even if it’s your last night. How about it eh?” He smiled wrapping his arms around me and kissing me on the forehead. I swear if people didn’t know any better, we were a couple. I smiled softly and stepped back into the room to undress. As I looked in the mirror, I heard my phone ring. I picked up my phone from my purse and saw it was Randel messaging me. I opened up the message and saw, “Looks perfect! Have fun tonight. You earned it.” With a picture of me in the dress.
“Really?” I shouted.
“The man agrees with me. Now hurry up, we’re meeting Rose at Starbucks in 5.” I heard back. I giggled and got dressed and paid for the dress. I was excited to see Rose again. We haven’t seen each other in 6 months since she left for America. I missed my old partner, but understood why she left. We walked down the side walk arm in arm and was talking about the evening when I saw a familiar red head that I would know anywhere.
“Rose!” I exclaimed running up to her grabbing her and spun her around for a hug. I heard squealing and arms wrap around me tight. I swear she’d had grown since we last saw each other. We finally let go of each other and I was able to take her in. Her green eyes were brighter, and the scar on her head, you could barely see. I shivered at the memory and grabbed her for another hug.
“Love! I missed you! How’s life? How’s you know what? How’s Dimitri, who I see right behind you! Oh, you haven’t changed at all.” She said pulling him in for another hug. What can I say? We like hugs.
“I’m fine thanks Kim, and how was America?” She rolled her eyes at the nickname and picked up her bags that she had dropped.
“Surprisingly, not that bad. A lot of good shopping. I saw Denver and smoked a lot of pot, but that’s what happens when you gain your freedom.” She laughed. Rose has always been the wild one. Trying to get me to join the dark side as she would say. “So who’s this mystery man Dimitri told me about?” She asked. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him.
“You told her? I don’t have a mystery man. We just bumped into each other and he got tea on my cardigan, which was nothing.” I replied. She shook her head.
“A happy accident. Scarlet, I am so proud of you. You’re finally going to experience love and sex and all the enjoyment that it comes with! My little spy is growing up!” She pulled me in for a side hug. I sighed. I would never win with these two.
“Wait till you see her dress. I happen to have a picture of it.” Dimitri showed her the picture and she gasped.
“I have the perfect shoes and jewelry to go with it! This will be the most amazing, spectacular party ever and I know that you are going to loosen up and have some fun, okay love?” She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. This is going to be a wild night, that’s for sure with these two.

_-some time later-

“Okay so where is this party going to be?” I asked slipping on the dress. “So what do you think?”
“Here of course! I didn’t get this house to just live in it.” Rose said from her closet. She turned around and gasped. “Okay the picture did not do that dress justice. You look amazing and Austin will love it!” She said. The dress was two piece and blood red, with black lace over the skirt. The top was strapless with the same lace as the skirt.
“Now how shall we do your hair? I’m thinking the night in Paris when you got the mob king to buy you a couple of rounds before you kicked his ass?” She said. I smiled at the memory and my eyes focused on her scar. She caught me looking. “You know that night wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known that was going to happen. It’s in the past. Now, let me grab my curler and we shall make Austin drool at the sight of you!” I rolled my eyes. I knew how to do makeup, but when it came to hair, Rose knew her stuff. It was like second nature to her. Her dress was a dark navy blue color and skin tight to show off her curves. It was floor length with a slit going up to mid-thigh. Her hair was in natural curls and her makeup was dark but tasteful. I had black cat eye makeup and blood red lipstick to match. She was doing my hair and was almost done when there was a knock at her door.
“Come in my munchkin!” I saw Dimitri with three shot glasses in his hands and a smile on his face.
“Ladies, you look wonderful! Scarlet, I wouldn’t have recognized you. I brought us a celebratory pre-party shot. To tonight, may all your sex crazed fantasies be fulfilled and may all the ladies come prepared to spend the night in the presences of greatness.” He exclaimed. We laughed and I looked down at the shot. I felt a nudge in my shoulder and looked up to find them both staring at me. I shrugged and threw back the shot, letting the alcohol burn my throat. I shook away the burning sensation and went over to the counter to sit down. That’s when we heard her door bell ring and all three of us went to the door. Rose opened the door and Austin and three other men behind him were standing in the door way.
“You’re Rose right? Hi, I’m Austin. This is Alan, Aaron and Valentino.” I heard mumbled ‘hellos’.
“Welcome to the party gents! You’re the first ones here, but as you can see, the party has begun. You know Dimitri, and this is my life long best friend Scarlet, to whom you’ve already met.” She said pushing Austin onto me and was talking to Austin’s friends when she focused on Alan. I giggled and stepped back. He took my hand and gave it kiss.
“Scarlet, we meet again. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to spill tea all over your cardigan.” He said, looking into my eyes. I could feel my heart racing and the need to throw up which would be embarrassing. The doorbell kept ringing and Dimitri was volunteer doorman. People soon started flooding in and I’m sure Rose invited half of London to this party. I backed up, nodding and quickly looked for a scapegoat. The kitchen would be perfect and told Austin I needed to help. Drinks needed to be poured, snacks needed to made, I just needed to get away from Austin. I walked into the kitchen to find Alan and Rose breaking apart from what was clearly sucking face.
“Do I need to go? Cause I can go.” I said backing up to the door.
“Alan, sweetie? Could you give Scarlet and I a few?” She said sweetly. He nodded and walked away.
“Already playing a game, aren’t we?” I said. She blushed.
“Sorry, you know I can’t help it. Now please don’t tell me it’s Austin you can’t do. Because he clearly wants to do you.” She said winking seeing the panicked look on my face. I groaned.
“That’s what I don’t want to happen. I’m a spy. I can’t just get a relationship and be like ‘oh by the way, I have this really dangerous job that I could die from. But let’s hook up anyways!’ I can’t.” I whispered.
“I don’t know why you’re whispering. The party is going, no one can hear us. Look, just hear me. I’ve been in your shoes, and I believed that no one will ever love and I could never get into a relationship because of my job. And look where that got me. Trust me, your parents wanted you to have a better life than this. You’re my best friend. I believe you can find someone who is willing to look past that and love you for you. Now go out there and get laid you sex deprived animal.” She said laughing. I took a deep breath and walked out of the kitchen. I grabbed a shot off of the counter and threw it back, letting it hit the back of my throat. I looked around and saw Dimitri already dancing with 2 girls grinding their bodies on them. I giggled. Fucking Dimitri right? I took another shot and could already feel the effects of the alcohol take place. I wasn’t paying attention when I felt two arms slide around my waist. I quickly turned and threw my hand up ready to attack when I saw it was Austin.
“Easy tigress. It’s just me.” He said smoothly. Clearly drunk.
“Austin, 1) you’ve got stop doing that and 2) tigress?” I asked. He giggled.
“Cause you remind me of a tigress. Beautiful, fearless and ready to kill when giving the opportunity. If I didn’t know any better, you were a spy in a past life.” He said coming closer. Oh you have no idea, love. I said in my mind. He was leaning in for a kiss, when Alan and Rose bumped into us. Clearly drunk I might add.
“Oh hello darling! We’re doing a drinking game downstairs. Join us!” Rose said hanging onto Alan. I shook my head but felt Austin come up behind me.
“Come on Tigress, it’ll be fun.” Austin said. I nodded and took another shot. I looked at Austin and smiled.
“No I’m good. I should stay up here and keep an eye on Dimitri and make sure he’s staying in line.” I said backing up from the door to the basement.
“Then I’ll stay up here too.” Austin said. I gulped. Not what I wanted him to do.
“Alright, but if you change your mind, you know where we are.” Rose said. She took Alan by the hand and walked downstairs. Austin got in front of me and sighed.
“What are you hiding Tigress? You need to loosen up. Live a little. You know, tomorrow could be your last day in this earth.” He said. Literally has no idea at all that he could be speaking the truth. “Let’s play a game of our own.” He said grabbing my hand and pulling me into the kitchen.
“But I have to keep an eye on Dimitri.” I said protesting.
“Easy, I saw him with two girls and they looked very into each other. He’s fine, you’re fine, I’m fine. Now relax and trust me.” He looked at me concerning. He really does want me to trust him.
“Okay, what’s this game you’ve got?” He smiled and grabbed two shot glasses and a bottle of Jim Beam and walked toward the deck.
“Just follow me okay?” He asked pushing the door open. I walked past him and thanked him quietly and took the breath taking view in. The sun was setting and the lights in Rose’s garden were already lit. She had lanterns in the trees and there were chairs and tables placed near perfect around her small yard.
“Beautiful. Not nearly as beautiful as you Tigress. Now let’s begin! Since you don’t know me, and I don’t know you, the object of the game is simple: ask a question, take a shot. You must answer the question truthfully, no bullshitting. Deal?” He asked. I gulped and took a shot glass.
“Alright, I’ll go first.”

Notes

It's such a long chapter, but Rose is finally in the story! Yay! What do you all think of her?
Keep showing your love and support! Chapter 4 is on its way!

Much Love <3