Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Ava
The Christmas Party…
“ H ow are you feeling?” asks Tina.
“Like there aren’t enough hours in a day,” I reply.
“Breathe. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Easy for you to say. You're not the one hosting a dinner party for fifty Manarchs and friends.”
“It’ll be fine. Don’t fuss.”
I wish I wouldn’t, but this is my chance to prove I can be part of this family. I guess a part of me is hoping my relationship with Viktor won’t end, but things have been so shaky with Viktor’s father. Anytime his father walks into a room where I am, Viktor immediately takes me out. It’s like he’s avoiding us being in the same room as his father. I understand that, but I hate the stress it’s putting on him.
“He’ll be here. You know he hates me.” I fiddle with the edge of my top.
“My uncle doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t know you. Once he sees you’re smart and wonderful, he’ll come around.” We both know it’s a lie, but I appreciate her effort.
“I don’t know,” I comment wryly.
“But I do. What else is left to do?” Tina asks, casting her gaze around.
I look at the list in front of me.
“May is overseeing the caterers as they set up. The hired staff is setting up the tent and tables in the backyard. Shit, has Viktor’s tux been delivered?” I panic and leave his office to run upstairs.
“Stop running. The last thing you need is to break a leg.” Tina laughs.
I go to Viktor’s bedroom, and I’m relieved to see the tux hanging there. Suddenly I’m overwhelmed and exhausted. A few tears escape. I have no idea why I agreed to this. Then I remember that I didn’t.
I think back to the conversation.
“It’s just the family. You’ll be fine,” proclaims Viktor.
“Why did you agree to this?” Even to my ears, I sound petulant.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Viktor explains patiently. “It’s my turn.”
“But it’s a Christmas party. I’d think Anita would be all over it.”
“Normally, she would, but I have you. As my bride-to-be, it’s your duty. This is the first of many.”
“I don’t know the first thing about putting a party together.” I sit on the bed, trying to control my anxiety.
“This is part of the job.” And there he goes, never letting me forget why I’m here.
“I can’t do this,” I wail.
“You can and you will. I’ll ask Tina to help. Hire an event planner if necessary. But I warn you, it won’t go well with my mother if you do. She’ll be pleased if you call and involve her.”
“This is too much.” I throw myself back on the bed, overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
Viktor’s voice interrupts my remembering our conversation. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You’re home early.” I wipe the tears threatening to betray me.
“You’re crying.”
“It’s nothing. Did you need something?” I attempt a smile. He moves to stand in front of me.
“I want you to tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing. It’s just been a long day, and there’s still lots to do. I just needed a moment to catch my breath.”
“Do you want me to take over?” I want to tell him yes. But I don’t want to disappoint him. I caress his face.
“No, but thank you for the offer. Your tux is here. Relax for the next few hours. I need you fully energized and ready by six.” He gently brings me closer and kisses me. I’m instantly less anxious. His power over me is unmistakable. I break the kiss. “I have to go.”
“We don’t have time for you to make out with your fiancé, Ava. You’re needed in the kitchen.” Tina says from the door. “Hi, Viktor.”
“She’ll be right down.”
“She needs to come now.”
He gives her a look. I tiptoe past and kiss his cheek.
“I’ll see you later.” I’m walking away when he grabs my arm to stop me. “What is it?” I query.
He’s quiet at first. “I’ll be in the office. Get me if you need me.”
“I will.” He winks. I smile. For a moment, I think he wants to say something else, but maybe I just want him to say something different.
The next couple of hours are a blur. Putting out fires and making adjustments. Anita called to let me know the guest list increased by fifteen people. Thank goodness I planned for something like this. Viktor mentioned it could be a possibility. In the backyard, everything is beautiful. It’s like entering a Winter Wonderland. There are white linens, teardrop lights, gold tabletop trees, white roses, and the perfect china. It’s a stunning classic look, and I’m proud of what I accomplished. It feels like Christmas at the North Pole right out of a Hallmark movie. I even have a children’s area with entertainment and gifts.
“Ms. O’Brien, it’s time for you to get ready,” Mary says beside me.
“I just need to check one more thing,” I tell her.
“Off you go. Everything is perfect. I’ll do a final walkthrough. You get ready,” she orders with a smile.
“I was coming to get you,” Viktor tells me as I reach the stairs.
“No need.”
“Everything looks great.”
“Thanks. You don’t think it’s too much?”
“It’s never too much for a Manarch.”
I smile. “You’re right. Well, get ready. You should have everything you need,” I say.
“So should you.”
“Everything is in my bedroom. I’ll see you in an hour.”
“It isn’t.” I look at him in confusion. “Your things have been moved to my bedroom,” he explains.
“This isn’t the time for us to make sudden changes. Don’t you think?” We stop in front of my door.
“There are going to be over fifty Manarchs here. We must play the part. We’re getting married, and we live together.”
For a moment, I thought he would say he wants me in his bedroom. But of course, he doesn’t. It always comes down to our arrangement.
“I wouldn’t think someone would snoop,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment.
“Appearances are everything. I won’t take any chances.” He leads me away from my door to his. “I took the liberty of ordering you a dress for tonight.”
“I already have a dress.” I throw my arms in the air.
“I want you to wear my choice.” There’s that tone of finality in his voice. It wouldn’t be him if he didn’t find a way to take control.
“Of course you did,” I acquiesce.
Forty-five minutes later, I stand in front of the mirror. My makeup is complete with soft eye shadow and bright red lipstick. My hair is perfectly pinned with a leaf hairpin to finish it off. The dress is beautiful. It’s a floor-length deep red satin, with a V-neck and long sleeves. There’s a split on the front that would make anyone blush.
“Why don’t I help you with the zipper?” He whispers from behind, making the hairs on my neck rise. He slowly zips me up, tracing the arch of my back. I let out a moan. “All done.” He says with a chuckle.
“Handsy much?” I tease.
“You look stunning,” he murmurs.
“Thank you.” I feel myself blushing, the color of my dress.
“I want to give you something.”
“What is it?”
My heart beats erratically when he answers, “Your Christmas gift.”
“I thought we’d exchange gifts tomorrow,” I say.
“Did you get me something?” he asks, surprised.
“Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I want you to wear my gift.” He pulls out a small black box and shows me beautiful diamond earrings. “They’ll go perfectly with the dress.”
“They’re beautiful but too much.” I take off the earrings I’m currently wearing.
“You deserve so much more.” He hands me one earring at a time. The moment is sweet and intimate, and we’re like a normal couple. If it were only true. We’re interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come in,” calls Viktor.
“The first car is arriving,” Oliver tells him. I didn’t even know he was here.
“Hi, Oliver.”
“Hello, Ava. You look beautiful.” He smiles.
“We’ll be down shortly,” Viktor shouts. Oliver shrugs his shoulders and leaves.
“Why are you so mean?” I turn to look at him.
“I don’t understand the question.”
“You always shout at any man who looks or speaks to me. He’s your brother.”
“And you’re going to be my wife.”
He catches me off guard. There’s so much conviction in his words I almost believe him. I want to ask why he thinks I need to be reminded. No one is here for us to play our parts.
“We need to go downstairs and greet our guests.” He says before I get a chance to speak.