Chapter 17: Chapter:17

**Dimitr's POV**

"Is it good?" I ask as I watch Taylor with a smirk as she practically inhales her food. She briefly looks up and nods  before continuing to eat.

A chuckle leaves me as I watch her savor the meal. "My mother will love you. She too doesn't believe in the whole 'eat like a lady' thing." I joke knowing damn well that my mom would have a heart attack if she saw this.

Taylor grabs the napkin next to her plate and dabs the sides of her mouth. "Make fun of me all you want but this is the best lasagne I've ever had." She says once she's swallowed her food. Her eyes sparkle with what seems to be happiness as she talks about the lasagna.

"I can absolutely relate. I might get murdered if I say this in front of her but this is way better than my mom's." I tell her and she laughs. "Yeah, definitely don't say that."

"What about your family?" I ask and she sighs. "What about them?" She asks sounding like she doesn't want to talk about it.

"You never talk about them." I say and she takes a sip from her juice.

"Uh, my parents and I haven't spoken in years." She tells me and I can see how uncomfortable is is talking about this

.

My curiosity doesn't let me ease up just yet though.

"Why? If you don't mind my asking." I ask and she shrugs.

"Uh, your typical homewrecker situation. My dad cheated on my mom with a younger woman and ran off with her. He left me to deal with a mother who was extremely insecure and angry." She tells me and I immediately feel guilty for practically forcing her to talk about it.

"So they both just cut you off?" I ask and I can see tears welling up in her eyes as she nods with a small smile.

"Pretty much. Well, I lost contact with my dad and my mom just doesn't care to speak to me. She absolutely hates my guts because she feels like I was the reason he left her for another woman." She tells me looking at her hands that are resting on her lap.

"Why would she blame you? You obviously couldn't control that situation." I tell her feeling terrible that she has to live with that guilt.

"Yeah but according to her, if I wasn't such a problem child, she wouldn't have had to spend so much time looking after me instead of taking care of her husband." She says and my heart stings on her behalf.

"If you ask me, he left her because she was a bitter old bitch." Taylor says and a small laugh leaves me. "Language." I jokingly say and she gasps.

"You sounded just like her." She says before bursting out into laughter. I shake my head with a small smile from seeing her happy.

"You want to get some dessert to-go? We could pick up your ring and watch the movie at home." I suggest and she nods, happily chowing down on her lasagne again.

We finish our food before ordering a dessert each and getting up. I got the lemon cheesecake and Taylor got the triple chocolate cake. I pay the bill at the front where we collect our to-go boxes.

Walking out the door of the restaurant, I feel Taylor's cold, tiny hand slip into mine.

This is the first time she's initiated the hand holding and I can't lie, it gives me butterflies. I look down at her with a smile as she peeks up at me.

"You're hands are nice and warm." She says trying to justify the act but we both know that's not the truth.

"I didn't say anything." Is all I say and she playfully rolls her eyes making me chuckle.

"You're so tiny, you know that right?" I say and she scoffs. "I am just the right height, you're the giant." She retorts and shrugs.

"Hey, if that's what you want to go with, who am I to argue with you." I tease and she giggles.

"Are you excited to get the ring?" I ask and she skips a little as she nods her head.

"Yeah. It's so pretty. I don't know why they don't keep those in the display case." She says and I nod. "Phillip did say that not many people ask for those."

"Nonetheless, it's a beautiful ring for a beautiful woman." I say and I can see her cheeks turning a deep red. "Stop." She whispers and I chuckle.

"What? I'm only telling the truth. You're very beautiful." I tell her honestly. She squeezes my hand a little causing my heart to go crazy.

"Thank you, Dimitri. For everything. Today was amazing." She says softly. "No need to thank me. You should be expecting more of these kinds of days." I tell her.

She really should. I've never had anybody who I wanted to spoil as much as I want to spoil her.

The reason being that she doesn't expect me to spend money on her and take her out, instead I want to do it.

I know it has only been a week but it feels like I know her already. She's so easygoing and fun to be around that I forget that I am usually an uptight prick when she's around me.

She allows me to let loose and be myself without having to fear judgment or without having my every move picked apart.

I like who I am when I'm with her.

My phone beeps in my pocket and Taylor lets go of my hand so I can get it.

"It's Claudia. She sent the details to the party." I inform Taylor and she hums. "When is it?" She asks.

"Tuesday evening at 6. I'm going to have to call the seamstress tonight to see if she's available." I tell her and she nods.

**Taylor's POV**

We're back in front of the jewellery store and we walk in.

"Ahh you're right on time. Paolo just put the ring in the box." Phillip says as we walk in. He gets a white paper bag with an elegant gold trim out from behind the counter before handing it to Dimitri.

"Thank you, Phillip. We really appreciate the fast service." Dimitri says handing, Phillip a $100 bill. Phillip nods and takes the tip from him. "The pleasure is all ours." He says before they go off to the side where Dimitri has to pay.

"You really hit the jackpot huh." The girl from earlier says as she wipes down the glass counter. "Excuse me?" I say not understanding.

"You're fiance, you struck luck. Handsome, fit, rich." She says putting emphasis on the rich part.

"Uh, I don't think it's okay for you to make such comments. It's very unprofessional and distasteful." I say shutting her down immediately. 

This is what I didn't want to happen. People perceive me as a gold digger after Dimitri's money.

*But you kind of are here for the money.*

I walk away from the red-faced girl and over to Dimitri. "Are we all done?" I ask and Dimitri nods.

"Yeah. We're all set." He says grabbing the bag.

We say goodbye and walk out.

"Are you okay?" He asks once we're outside the mall and I nod deciding to brush off the incident.

"Yeah. Just a little tired." I lie and he nods, oblivious to what actually happened.

"Then we better get you home." He says as he opens the car door for me. I thank him before getting in and buckling up.

He gets in and starts the engine before we pull out of the parking lot and drive back to his place.