Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ava
I t’s been an hour since I arrived at Manarch Industries, and I’m going absolutely crazy. I haven’t found anything online, and this place is weirdly quiet. I find it hard to concentrate. Maybe staying at the house would have been a better choice. But I must admit the view from this office is amazing. The skyline is beautiful, and it’s a perfect, sunny day. My cell rings, and I look at the screen as I get it out of my purse. It’s Dad.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, Pumpkin. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Not at all.” His voice sounds weird, almost muffled. “Why aren’t you at work?”
“Called in sick.”
“Are you ok?”
“I’m fine. Enough about me. How are you? How is the Manarch boy treating you?” There’s an edge to his voice I don’t recognize.
“I’m fine, Dad. Viktor treats me well. What’s going on? Where are you?” Instinctively, I put my things in my purse. I can’t explain it, but I know something is wrong. There’s a long silence. “Daddy, talk to me.”
“Were you able to settle my debt with Joe?”
“Are you gambling?” I’m out the door before I know it. “Where are you? Are you home?” I look around, making sure there’s no one to stop me.
“Yes.”
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I say, getting in the elevator.
“You don’t need to come, Pumpkin. I just need to know if you paid him.”
“It’s almost paid. Just two payments left. Why? What’s going on? Has he done something to you?”
“He wants the rest of his money with interest.”
“I had an agreement with him.”
“Your relationship with the Manarch boy is public knowledge. He wants more money.”
“Don’t leave the house. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Okay, Pumpkin. You be safe.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I end the call feeling angry. This relationship with Viktor is causing more trouble than I want. Just another reason I should never have agreed to it. I can’t believe Joe would go back on our deal. I’ve repaid all my dad’s loans in the past. I probably shouldn’t leave the office without telling Viktor. I can’t imagine how he will react, but this isn’t about him. If anything, this is because of him. Thankfully, no one stops at the lobby either. Not to press my luck, I quickly hail a cab. Before I know it, twenty minutes have passed.
“Thanks, keep the change,” I tell the cab driver as he stops in front of my building. I take a deep breath before taking the stairs. I have no idea what is waiting on the other side of the door. Upstairs I take out my keys and unlock the door. “Dad, are you here?”
“I’m in the bathroom, Pumpkin. I’ll be right out.”
“Okay,” I say as I sit on the couch, waiting for him to come out.
My cell rings, and the screen reads Viktor. I can’t deal with him right now. “What happened to you?” I cry as Dad edges from the bathroom. His eye is bruised shut, and his lip is busted. It’s worse than last time. I walk to him to take a closer look.
“I’m fine. Nothing that won’t heal.”
“Who did this to you? Was it Joe?”
“He was demanding more money, which I don’t have.”
“When?” I close my eyes, trying to calm myself.
“Last night.”
“Are you gambling again?”
“I’m not. I swear.”
“Where?”
“I was at the club… just to watch. He spotted me and pulled me into his office. He demanded I call you for more money, but I refused.” My cell rings again. I don’t need to look to know it’s Viktor.
“Why were you there?”
“Like I said, just to watch. I was with Bob.” I sit, trying to understand. I want to believe him, but I just don’t know if I can. “What did he tell you exactly?”
“That there was a five-thousand-dollar fee for having to do a payment plan. I told him I don’t have that kind of money, and he told me to speak to my future son-in-law because he has money to spare.” More drama because of Viktor.
“I’ll take care of it. You have to promise not to go back to that place, no matter what. You can’t expect anyone to bail you out. I might marry Viktor, but it’s not my money.” I lie. I have knots in my stomach. At the end of our arrangement, I’ll be back to this life. “I’m going to fix this.” A beep of a text startles me.
Viktor: Answer the fucking phone!
It rings but I don’t answer. This is more important than him. Another beep.
Viktor: Ava you have one minute to call or suffer the consequences.
I don’t care about the consequences, and nothing will deter me from dealing with the situation at hand. This is my dad. The last time Joe attacked my father, he nearly killed him. I know this was a warning for my sake. It’s his calling card. I have to go and meet him. There’s no other way.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m standing outside the Bluehorn. During the day, the place is a bar. Opening the door, I taste stale beer and a mixture of smoke and cheap perfume. The place is dark and dirty. Today it’s quiet, with only a few patrons.
“Is Joe here?” I ask the bartender.
“I’ll see if he’s available.”
“He will be. He should be expecting me. Ava O’Brien.” It’s a few minutes before one of his goons comes for me.
“He’ll see you now.” I walk to his office, knowing the way all too well. His loud, rough voice booms through the door. “Go in.” The man adds.
“Ava, nice of you to drop in. Have a seat.” Joe is a despicable, fat, old Russian man. His teeth are crooked, and he smells like an ashtray from afar. He’s hit on me since we first met a few years ago. It’s disgusting. The man is old enough be my father. “How can I help you?”
“You know why I’m here.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” He has a smirk on his face playing dumb.
“I saw my dad. We had a deal. I’m two payments away from settling his last loan. I want to know why he was beaten.”
“Things change.”
“What things? Nothing has changed.”
“Except it has. You refused my last proposal, and now you’re marrying the Manarch boy.” What is it with people calling Viktor a boy? I wonder if he knows.
“I don’t understand what my personal life has to do with my father.” Joe stands and walks over to me.
“This is my business, and you owe me money.”
“And I will pay.”
“As I told your father, his debt has increased by five-thousand dollars.”
“You’re insane if you think I will agree to that.” He moves my chair, so I’m facing him. I try to stand, but he pushes me back down. “Now, now, Ava. Let’s not be so hasty.” His fingers take a handful of my hair, and he sniffs it. “Sweet lavender.”
“Don’t touch me.” I smack his hand away.
“I can find ways for you to pay me what I’m owed. It doesn’t have to be with cash.” His filthy hand caresses my face. I’m repulsed by him.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” This time, I get out of the chair. I try to walk toward the door, but he blocks it. I try to push past, but he’s strong for an old fat man.
“We aren’t done talking. If you don’t want your father dead, you’ll give me what I want.” He tries to grab me.
“I swear if you touch me again, I’ll chop your hand off,” I scream.