Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ava
I shouldn’t be here, but his tone was commanding and vibrated to my core. Three doors down, I open the door to the bathroom. After locking the door, I open my purse and find my change of clothes. I hate what I’m wearing and can’t wait to take off the god-awful uniform. I change into my leggings, sweatshirt, and flats. It doesn’t feel appropriate next to his tailored suit, but I don’t care. This is who I am. I wash my makeup off and pull my hair into a ponytail.
When I look in the mirror, I feel more like myself. No use in pretending to be someone I’m not, regardless of who he is. There’s a knock at the door.
“I’ll be right out.” I stuff everything inside my purse. There’s another knock, more insistent this time. “Hold your horses,” I snap, frustrated at being harassed.
When I open the door, a woman with too much makeup and cheap perfume pushes me out of the way. “Took you long enough. Move. I have to pee.”
I want to say something, but she isn’t worth the effort.
I look around for Viktor and spot him in a corner, his body faces the front door, but his head is turned. He’s watching me.
At the table, I set my purse down and sit across from him. I need as much distance from him as possible. I don’t know his intentions, and to be honest, he intimidates me. I need to keep reminding myself he’s a criminal.
“You changed. I like it.”
I don’t know what to make of his comment.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” He has a bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 in his hand.
“No, thank you. I need to be up early.”
He nods and smiles. “Food should be out shortly.” He pours me a glass of water.
“Thank you.” I drain half.
“Ava O’Brien, tell me about yourself,” he says as he tops off my glass.
I look him directly in the eyes and say, “This is not a date.”
“I never said it was a date.” He chuckles.
“What do you want, Mr. Manarch?”
Before he can answer, his mother arrives with two steaming hot plates of food. “Your friend looks different,” she says to Viktor as she approaches the table. I don’t know if it’s a compliment or insult.
“She was wearing her work uniform before. She works at Eros,” Viktor explains
“Right.” She says it like she knows what that means. “Dinner is hot. Enjoy. Let me know if you need anything, Ava.” Her smile is warmer than earlier.
Weird. Was she judging me by the clothes I was wearing?
“Thank you.” I smile back at her as she leaves.
“My mother likes you,” comments Viktor.
“She doesn’t know me.”
He laughs. “Yet.”
“What does that mean?” The steam off the food is warming, and the smell makes my mouth water. I take a bite. It is delicious. We eat in silence for a while, almost like he’s letting me eat. Is he aware I was starving? I didn’t realize it was that obvious.
When he eventually speaks, he avoids my question. “My mother’s cooking is like no other.”
“It’s delicious.” Delicious is an understatement—it’s the tastiest food I remember eating. I take another bite. It’s been a long time since I had a proper meal. Money has been tighter than usual, and food has been at the bottom of my list. I’m lucky if I get two meals a day, and I skip dinner most nights.
“Slow down. If you want more, I can get you another plate.”
I’m embarrassed by his comment. I didn’t realize I was inhaling my food until I look at my plate and see it is almost empty.
“Sorry. I skipped dinner. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.” I lie and don’t even know why.
“Don’t apologize. Eat as much as you want. I find your appetite refreshing.” I’m not sure if he’s mocking me, but I don’t care. I won’t let the food go to waste.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“What’s that?” There’s a mocking glint in his eyes.
“Don’t play coy. It doesn’t suit you,” I snap. “What do you want from me, Mr. Manarch? Why am I here?”
“Mr. Manarch is my father. Call me Viktor. I have a proposition.”
“What sort of proposition?” I set down my fork, my senses on full alert, instantly aware of my surroundings. I look around. The restaurant has pretty much cleared, and only a few people remain.
“I will not hurt you.”
“I don’t know what your intentions are, Viktor,” I say warily. “Why has the restaurant emptied?”
“If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn’t have brought you here. People left because the restaurant is closing soon.”
“Then I should get going too. Thank you for dinner.” I set my napkin down and stand.
“Sit,” he says.
I don’t know why, but my body obeys.
“I have a proposition that will benefit both of us. You have a debt to pay, and I need a wife.”
“I’m not marrying you!” I exclaim in horror.
“I need you to live with me on the pretext that you are.” Viktor’s eyes bore into mine with an unbearable intensity.
“I don’t understand.” I clutch the napkin I’d put down a few moments ago as though it’s the only thing tethering me to the world.
“There’s a clause restricting me from taking over the family business. My father’s condition…” Viktor explains calmly. “… is that he requires me to be married.”
“I don’t see how this could benefit me.” My head is spinning as I try to follow Viktor’s logic.
“For every week you’re my fiancée, I’ll reduce your father’s debt by two thousand dollars.”
“You expect me to be your fiancée for almost a year?” I’m outraged he would think I’d go along with this. I am not giving him close to a year of my life.
“You’re smart. I’m impressed.”
Is he insulting me? Who does he think he is?
“I’m not trying to impress you. I won’t give you a year of my life. It’s insane that you would even propose it. What type of woman do you think I am?”
“The kind that doesn’t have another option unless you can come up with one hundred thousand dollars by next week.”
“I don’t have that kind of money. You already know that.” I’m being played. He is cornering me, and he’s enjoying himself.
“It’s only one year of your life. Fair trade if you ask me. I’ll provide you with an allowance, clothes, and anything else you need. In return, you move in with me and do as I say without question.”
“Absolutely not. I don’t want to be your fiancée, and I definitely don’t want to live with you. You’re out of your goddamn mind.” I stand, smoothing my hands down my sweater. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll come up with your money by the deadline.” I don’t look at him as I push my chair back and get my purse.
Viktor leans back in his chair and scrutinizes me slowly. “The offer expires tomorrow at midnight.”
“The answer is no.” I stamp my foot for added emphasis.
“It’s your father’s life for a year of yours.” He shakes his head as if in disbelief that I haven’t leaped at the opportunity. “I don’t see the problem.”
“Are you kidding? You’re an asshole.”
I start walking to the door without looking back at him. I am appalled by his words. To propose such a thing and threaten my father’s life. It’s disgusting and speaks to the man he is. He doesn’t care that he will destroy my life.
My dad might be a gambler and selfish at times, but he’s still my dad. He raised me right, and I won’t sell myself to Viktor or anyone. Regardless of how hot or appealing Viktor might be. I am worth more than a lousy hundred thousand dollars.