Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Viktor
“ E verything looks so beautiful,” Ava tells my mother.
“Thank you. I spend most of my days finding ways to spruce this place up. It’s my precious hobby.” They both laugh. We’re in the living room having cocktails while the finishing touches for dinner are being made. “How about you? Any hobbies?” my mother continues.
“I’m afraid I don’t yet. I used to work a lot before meeting Viktor. I didn’t really have much time to myself.” I hear voices at the door.
“Were you expecting more people?” I ask my mother.
“No,” she replies with a slight shake of her head.
I look for my father. I was so distracted I didn’t notice he walked away. My eyes land on Oliver, who is talking with Tina.
“I don’t know,” he mouths.
“Thank you for inviting us. It’s been some time since I was last here,” gushes Fiona as she enters the living room. I pull Ava closer as Fiona continues, “Anita, it’s been too long. We didn’t get a chance to chat at that god-awful Christmas Eve party.” She’s smiling but throws daggers at Ava.
“If you’ll excuse us,” I say.
“Don’t be like that, babe. I come in peace. I promise.” She steps closer to us. I push Ava toward Oliver, ready for anything. I don’t trust Fiona for a second.
“Good to hear. I’m going to get another drink, Mom. See you at the table,” I say.
“I guess we’ll catch up later,” Fiona says as she goes to grab my arm, but I don’t give her the chance.
“Why is she here? Did you know she was coming?” Ava whispers when I’m beside her.
“No. Stay close to Oliver and me.”
“Okay.” Ava’s body tenses. This is exactly the shit I’m talking about. My father is playing games.
I run my hands through my hair, then reach a decision. “Let’s go. You don’t have to put up with this.”
Ava stops me and places her hand on my cheek. “Anita has worked hard all day to put this dinner together. We can’t leave. It’s just a few hours. I’ll survive.” She softly smiles.
“At the first sign?—”
“You’ll be my knight in shining armor.” She kisses my cheek.
We’ve been sitting at the table having dinner for two hours, but it feels like days. Everyone is tense and it feels like shit will go down at any moment. Fiona managed to sit next to me, while Cillian sat next to my father. Ava has done a fantastic job of keeping it together despite how often they’ve spoken like she isn’t here. I’m ready to go home. We’re finally on the last course, and it couldn’t come fast enough.
“Daddy, I think I’ve finally decided on a date for the wedding. I’m thinking Valentine’s Day since it’s right around the corner, and I don’t want to wait. Wouldn’t that be romantic?” Fiona says out of the blue, silencing the table.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Cillian says.
“That should give you and Anita enough time to plan the wedding,” My father adds.
“I can have a beautiful white dress custom-made. What do you think, Viktor?” She takes my hand. I pull it back.
“If you’ll excuse me. I need to use the washroom,” Ava says, pushing her chair back.
I move to stand and follow her, but Fiona grabs my arm.
“Let her go. It’s not like something will happen to her,” she says.
“What the fuck did you just say?” I pull my arm back hard, making her jump.
“Viktor, you’ll respect my house and your future wife.” My father says. I’m going to say something when Oliver stands beside me.
“Don’t. It will only rile him up. I’ll go.”
He squeezes my shoulder. I wouldn’t imagine they would be so stupid as to do anything to Ava while she’s here with me, but I also wouldn’t put it past them. The minutes go by, and Ava isn’t back. I have an unsettled feeling. Right as I’m going to get up, I see her coming with Oliver beside her. I’m distracted by trying to gauge her mood, so I miss it when Fiona stands.
“Oops,” Fiona says as she throws her drink at Ava. “I’m so clumsy. Anita, whoever does your floor is great at it. You must give me their number.”
I stand and walk over.
“What the fuck, Fiona?” I turn her to face me.
“It was an accident. An honest mistake.” She holds her hand to her chest theatrically.
“Apologize,” I demand.
“To whom? There’s no one here worth apologizing to,” she says with a sneer.
I shake her. “I won’t tolerate you disrespecting my future wife.”
“You aren’t going to marry her. Get over it. You had your fun with the whore.”
I’m about to grab her by her neck but grab her by both arms instead.
“I wouldn’t if you want her to make it out of here,” my father yells as Ava rushes toward the door.
“Ava,” I call. I let go of Fiona. “Thank you for dinner, Mom. I think it’s time to call it a night.”
“You’d better sit down, boy. I swear if you leave, she won’t see tomorrow,” my father warns, referring to Ava.
My mother pleads with her eyes for me not to leave. She loves Ava just as I do. We both know my father’s warnings are a threat. He’s a man of his word and won’t hesitate to give a kill order if it gets him closer to what he wants. My father doesn’t care who lives or dies. I need a solution and exit strategy as soon as possible.
Ava has been extremely patient with the ordeal with my father. I’m not sure how much longer she’ll put up with his shit and now Fiona’s. Any sane woman would have walked away, and a part of me fears I will lose her for good.