Jealousy - Chapter Fourteen

My mother summons me and Dimitri to the living room so I can meet one of her long-time friends that she hasn't seen for many years. When we arrive, I see a beautiful girl with blond hair and blue eyes talking to my mother and father. I watch them talk for a moment before I approach them with Dimitri who is set on staying a few steps behind me. She seems much younger than my mother, if I had to guess I would say she was in her late twenties.

I stood by quietly while they talked to each other. After they talked for a few more minutes my mother motions for me to join them. "Emily this is Ann, my long-time friend. Ann this is my oldest daughter Emily," my mother says. "I heard the devastating news about Hanna, I'm so sorry, I wish I could have come sooner," Ann tells my mother. "Thank you, we are managing, we will never give up hope for her safe return," my mother replies. Ann leans closer to my mother, "So who is the guy with the dark hair?" she asks as she gestures across the room. My mouth must have dropped to the ground when I realized she was talking about Dimitri that was standing across the room talking to Chris. My mom smiles, "That's Dimitri, my daughter's head guardian".

"Oh, so that's Dimitri, I have heard so much about him. Is he single?" she asks with a grin on her face. "As far as I know, Dimitri is single. I think you should introduce yourself to him," she tells her. "I'll be right back," she says as she gives my mother a small wink. I'm about the freak out as I watch her walk toward Dimitri. 

Ann walks over to Dimitri, she's going to do it, she's going to try to get Dimitri to go out with her. I can't believe this, I can't actually watch this. He's mine and she is going to try to steal him away from me. I watch as they exchanging words. "I think Ann might be interested in Dimitri, I think that would be sweet if they got together," she tells me as my stomach lurches as the bile rises in my throat. I think I'm about ready to be sick.

If she only knew how I felt about Dimitri, would she be talking about hooking him up with her? I'm trying to keep calm and not show any emotions but I'm finding it really hard. I feel the blood drain from my face as I struggle to breathe. In the corner of my eye, I can see Ann and Dimitri talking and actually getting along. No, no this is not happening. Get away from him, I scream in my head. "Emily are you ok, you look a little pale?" she asks.

"Yes, I'm fine, I must have eaten something that is not agreeing with me. "Do I need to get the physician?" she asks. "No, I'm fine, really. Mother, I don't think Dimitri is one for relationships, he takes his job very serious, besides he's my guardian! He's got to be with me and that wouldn't leave much time for a relationship," I choke out to my mother. She seems a little shocked at my response. "Emily, guardians are allowed to have families, they just will work shorter shifts. He's young and shouldn't be alone all his life. If he chooses to start a family, he will move to the guardian quarters on the grounds with the other guards that have families. We can add a third guard to make up the time," she tells me.

"Dimitri has been with me for a long time. I'm sure if he wanted that he would have let you guys know, and with Hanna being taken, I need a lot of protection. Especially, Dimitri, he's the best," I plead. "Oh Emily, don't worry we will double your guards if we have to, I would never let anything happen to you," she says. I wanted to blurt out about how I want them to let me and him be together despite the laws, but I can see this is going to blow it all up in my face. I got to find another way. "I'm going to let you and Ann visit, I have things I have to get finished, I will see you later," I tell her. "OK, I will see later," she tells me.

As I go to leave with Dimitri my mother calls out to him to stay for a few moments. I stop and look back to see what is going on. "Go ahead Emily, Chris will go with you," she says. I look at Dimitri who gives me the look of "I have no idea what this is about". My heart sinks because deep down I know.

While my mother, Ann, and Dimitri talk together I find myself about ready to lose it. I realize I got to get out of this room before I really scream. I'm almost a caged animal at this point, I'm in panic mode and I have to get away from everyone at this moment. Chris and Sandy walk out of the room with me as I try to stay calm. I look around and see the door, my exit. I look over to Chris and motion for him to follow and give Sandy a signal that I will only be needing Chris.

I manage to dart out the door and the cool air feels so good. I start walking and I know Chris can sense something is wrong with me. He says nothing as he follows a few feet behind me.

The first place I manage to get to is the gym. I knew it would be empty and I had to get away from everyone. I can't let anyone see me fall apart, I know it's coming. Chris follows me in and just stands there. "Emily, What's wrong?" he finally asks.

This Ann girl, she wants Dimitri, and when I say she wants him, she wants to date him, probably even marry him. My mother even thinks it would be a good idea. That's what they are talking about right now," I shout out.

"Emily, you don't have anything to worry about, Dimitri is head over heels in love with you," he tells me.

"But what if she can give him the life he's always wanted, the one he doesn't have to hide. He can even get married and have kids. I would have to watch them together," I cry. "That may be true, he has had only one other relationship in his entire life besides being with you. Whether you know it or not, you have stolen his heart. He won't even be tempted by this Ann girl. Trust me, he's not going to leave you," he tries to reassure me.

After venting my frustrations to Chris, I head into the house. I can't find Dimitri or my parents anywhere. I head into the kitchen and hear voices outside. I lean over the sink to peer out the window. There they are, my parents, Dimitri, Sandy, and Ann. They all look like they are enjoying themselves as they swim in the pool. My heart sinks as I continue to watch. I know deep down in my heart that my parents are trying to help Ann hook up with Dimitri is just heartbreaking. I wish I could tell my mom how I felt about Dimitri. How I had finally found the person that made me happy. I know she would love to hear that I had found my soul mate, but I can't, they would for sure send Dimitri away.

I go to the gym to be alone so I can hide my tears. I slump to the floor, curling up I cry silently. Chris starts to come in and stops for a moment, I don't even need to look up to know it is him. I hear him shut the door quietly as he leaves.

As I cry more tears I'm unaware that Dimitri is crouched in front of me. "Emily, why are you crying?" he whispers. I gently wipe the tears from my cheeks and choke back a sob. "My parents..................., they want you and Ann together. She told me you two would make a good couple. That you guys could live..................," I cry out as tears run down my face.

I put my head down as the tears continue. "So this is why you are upset, you think I would leave you and be with her?" he asks as he places a kiss in my hair. "Yes," I sniff. "Baby, you don't have to worry about that, she may want me, but I don't want her. It's you I want, you're the one I love," he whispers into my hair.

My tears finally stop and I manage to crawl over to Dimitri and place a kiss on his sweet lips.

"I told them no if that makes you feel better. You would have loved to see their faces," he grins.

He pulls me up from the floor as he wraps his arms around me. "You told her no?" I say. "Yes, she was persistent and even your mom tried to talk me into it, but they understood that was something I didn't want right now, as far as they are concerned. As far as you and I, I'm already taken," he smirks at me.

Then I know what I need to do, I need to talk my parents into passing a law so we can be together," I tell him. Dimitri's eyes shoot to mine, "you know they might change it a little, but I'm a guardian, your guardian they won't allow it," he says. "I can always try, if that doesn't work, then when I leave home you're coming with me," I smile at him.

Later that day I walk outside to see Ann talking to Dimitri again. She is really starting to get on my nerves. I don't want to approach them, but that doesn't stop me from getting a little closer to hear what they are talking about. "So you won't even consider my offer," she asks Dimitri. She's relentless, she's not going to give up.

"Listen, Ann, I can't accept your offer, I don't want a relationship, my place is here with Emily and her family," he tells her.

She moves close, running her hand up his arm. She's flirting with him, she has no shame. I'm about ready to walk over to her and knock the crap out of her. "He's mine!" I grumble under my breath. Before I get one step in their direction, Dimitri removes her hand off his arm, steps away from her as he makes a face. I'm almost laughing as she gasps and her mouth hits the floor.

"No Ann, I don't think I have made myself clear. I don't want a relationship with you, please don't do that again!", Dimitri tells her. Ann's face falls and I'm about ready to laugh out loud now. I turn to hide my face as a giggle about erupts. "I just don't see why? We could be good together," she says as she looks defeated.

I can't help myself, I run up to Dimitri and launch myself onto his back taking him by surprise. I'm giggling and being playful. I wrap myself around him as he grabs my legs to keep me from sliding off his back. "Let's go shopping," I ask so she can hear me. Ann gives me a dirty look before she walks away. Dimitri starts to walk away still carrying me. "I know what you're doing Emily," he says as he laughs softly. "Who me, I would never," I giggle.

"Don't play innocent, you know what you're doing. I don't mind, she was starting to get on my nerves," he says. "Well, I can remember a time when I was harassing you," I tell Dimitri as I frown at the memory. "There was a difference, I wanted you, I don't want her," he tells me as he smiles his big smile. "Now how about that shopping," he says as we head back toward the house.