Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Ava
I t’s been four weeks of bliss, and I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown.
Viktor and I have spent as much time together as his work allows us. We have dinner together every night and sometimes he plays hooky to spend the day with me. I’ve never been happier. But security has been tight. Previously, we only had about a dozen guards roaming the mansion on any given day. Now it seems like it’s doubled. He keeps claiming they’re new recruits doing training exercises. I’m trying not to think the worst. At least we haven’t had a run in with Fiona or his father recently. Perhaps they have given up and moved on.
“Ava, come on. It’s just a little shopping. It’s been weeks since we hung out. You’re always cooped up in this house,” pleads Tina
“Not true. I’ve been studying. You know how brutal my finals were.” I was excited when I finished the two courses I was taking.
“What courses, again?”
“I did the intro to business and fashion.”
“It sounds boring.” She laughs.
“It was interesting. It has me wanting to take more classes.”
“That sounds cool. What does Viktor think?”
“He’s encouraging me to study full-time. I’m super excited. I never thought it was a possibility before him.” I finish pulling my hair into a ponytail.
“Please?” Tina bats her eyelashes at me.
“You’re such a drama queen.” I laugh.
“And you love every minute.”
“Yeah, yeah. Give me a minute. Let me tell Viktor. Wait for me downstairs.”
“Are you going to have cell sex?” she teases.
“Don’t be such a child.” I shake my head. “Go before I change my mind.”
She laughs. I take my cell and text Viktor. He’s supposed to have back-to-back meetings today.
Ava: Just want to let you know Tina wants to go shopping. I’m joining her. Dinner at seven. Your mom will be here
I’m nervous about tonight. I haven’t seen his father since the dinner fiasco, and Anita promised he won’t be attending. We’ve been spending a lot of time together. Like two days ago when she convinced me to have a family dinner. I wasn’t inclined to since the last one was practically a war zone. I told her yes, as long as we did it at our home. More control of who comes. We shouldn’t have any surprises, especially since his father isn’t coming. My cell rings, and I smile.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting?”
“Gave everyone five. Why did you wait until now to tell me about this?” His tone is serious.
“Because I didn’t know. Tina just showed up. Why are you upset?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not. Just a long morning.”
“You work too hard. You need a break.”
“Hopefully, after Manarch Industries goes public, things will settle.”
“I’m so proud of you.” I grab my purse.
“Thanks, baby girl.”
“You're welcome. I should only be gone for a few hours. I want to be back early for dinner tonight.”
“About that?—”
“Oh no, mister. You’ll be here on time. No excuses.”
“Okay, okay. You’re tougher than some of my board members.” I laugh.
“Don’t forget it. I should go. I don’t want to keep Tina any longer than I should. Who knows what kind of trouble she’s getting into?”
“I’ll call Marco and let him know.”
“Always controlling.” I giggle.
“What can I say? You’re the air I breathe.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “You should really get back to your meeting. I’ll let you know when I’m back home.”
“Text me when you reach wherever you go shopping.”
“Yes, sir,” I say in a low, sexy voice.
“Behave. It will only take me twenty minutes to get to you.”
“And what are you going to do?” I tease.
“Should I show you?” His voice deepens.
“Bye. Go back to work.” He chuckles, and I end the call.
The man is something else altogether. I walk downstairs, excited to spend time with Tina. We’ve become so close, and I love it. It’s nice having someone who understands this life. We’ve become sisters. Downstairs, she’s flirting with Marco.
“When can I get your number?” she asks coyly. Marco looks uncomfortable.
“Leave the poor man alone. Don’t you get tired of asking him the same question? Where’s your new beau?”
“History. I’ll stop the moment Marco gives me his number.” She laughs. I shake my head.
“Ready, Marco?”
“Yes. Where are we going?”
“Downtown,” Tina chimes in.
“The SUV is ready.”
“Great.” Tina wraps her arm around mine. “What did the controlling man tell you?”
“Nothing. We need to be back in a few hours. You’re still coming to dinner, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” We go outside, where two Range Rovers and five men are standing.
“What’s this?” I turn to Marco.
“Per Mr. Manarch’s orders.” He leads us to the first one and opens the door.
“I won’t stand for this.” I get my cell from my purse as we enter the SUV.
“Can I say something?” Tina asks. There’s something about her voice that makes me look at her.
“Always.”
“It doesn’t matter if you call. Things are tense with the family. You know they’ve been working with the devil’s family.” I look at her, confused. “I guess he hasn’t told you. My uncle has brokered a deal where Manarchs must work alongside the Irish. There have been a few fights. He’s probably just being dramatic with the extra security.” We slide in.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” I ask, putting my cell away. The SUV pulls out.
“Probably not to worry you.”
“I just wish he wouldn’t keep things from me,” I say more to myself.
“The Manarch men aren’t exactly known for sharing anything. I’m sure you’ve learned by now. Don’t be hard on him. He loves you. He just wants you to be safe.” She has a point.
“I guess.” I sigh. She looks at me. “What?”
“What was that sigh for?” Tina asks, confused.
“Nothing.”
“Now you have to spill it.”
“I wish he would trust me with his problems. At least talk to me. We’re getting married. He keeps me inside a bubble. Like I’m a porcelain doll who’s going to break.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
“I don’t want to push him away. You know how he is. I figured he’d eventually tell me what’s happening. But enough about Viktor and me. What are you shopping for?”
This is all it takes for her to start talking. I don’t want to talk about Viktor and me. It will remind me that I feel like he doesn’t trust me with what is going on. It’s hard not to see that I’m in the center of all his problems with his father. He might not say it, but I know choosing me won’t end well for him.
“We’re here!” Tina says, clapping.
“You get excited about the most insane things.”
“It’s the best thing ever. Shop ’til you drop.” We laugh.
For the next few hours, we go through more stores than I could ever want. But I have to give it to her. It’s been fun. People stare when they see the six huge men following us. I had to convince Marco to have some of them stay outside the stores. They attract too much unwanted attention. Tina comes out of every store with a handful of bags. I don’t know how she does it. Maybe I’m too conscious of money.
“Come on, you have to get something here.”
“I don’t need anything.”
“Shopping isn’t about need. It’s about seeing things you like and buying them. I know, let’s look for a hot dress for tonight.”
“You realize it’s a family dinner.”
“Yes, but then you’ll be his dessert.”
“Tina.” I lightly shove her.
I look at dresses despite my objection. Viktor loves me in dresses, and I’m craving his darker side. I can already picture myself wearing a dress with nothing under it while we eat. Maybe even spread my legs a little. What has he done to me? We’re fifteen minutes into the search. I can’t find anything that would work.
“I’m not going to find anything,” I say with a sigh.
“Did you look over to the left? There are a few Valentino’s that will look great on you.” I walk over, hoping to have better luck.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the whore.” I follow the voice. Fiona is staring with her smug face. I move to another section. “How cute. You think you can ignore me.” I don’t speak. “I have a secret to share with you. It’s about Viktor and me.” I look at her. “I knew it would get your attention.” She moves closer to me.
“What do you want, Fiona? Just give up already. Move on.”
“You’re the one who needs to move on. You see, Viktor and I have been enjoying amazing nights of passion lately.”
“Why are you lying?”
“I’m not. All those late nights. Where did you think he was?” I know she’s baiting me. Viktor wouldn’t betray us. “You’re thinking about it. You know it’s true. But that’s not why I’m telling you. You should congratulate me.” I stay quiet. “I guess you don’t want to ask. It’s not like we’re BFFs. I’m just going to tell you. Viktor’s going to be a daddy.” I drop the dress I’m holding. “Oh, poor you. Didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Save yourself the trouble of staying with him. He has to marry me now. Otherwise, his father will kill him before he lets him marry you. He must take responsibility for our baby.” She lays her hand on her stomach. I look at her stomach. Her mouth is still moving, but all I heard was that she’s having Viktor’s baby. I turn to leave. “Your time is up. Go back to where you belong.” She taps her watch.
I don’t let her say more. She must be lying. She’s spiteful. He wouldn’t do this to us, to me. But could it be true? He has been working late. He doesn’t tell me where he has been. Sometimes he comes to bed late or leaves early. No, I can’t let her get in my head. There’s no way. He finds her repulsive. He’s told me this repeatedly.
“What’s wrong?” Tina looks at me with concern. “Why are you crying?”
“I have to go. Stay, finish your shopping. I’ll see you later.”
“Wait,” she calls. But I keep walking.
“Ms. O’Brien,” Marco calls.
“I want to go. Please have someone take Tina home.”
I walk to the SUV in front of me. Marco opens the door. I slide in. My cell rings. The screen reads Tina. I let it go to voicemail. I can’t talk. The tears are falling freely now. I can’t stop thinking there might be some truth to Fiona’s words, even though the logical part of me is screaming that it’s a lie. She just wants to hurt me.
He wouldn’t hurt me like this.
But why would she lie about something like a baby?
He wouldn’t. There’s no way.
My cell beeps.
Tina: I just saw the devil. What did she tell you?
Tina: Talk to me. You can’t believe a word she says
Tina: I’m coming over
I look at the texts but don’t have the strength or desire to answer. I want to be left alone. My cell rings again. The screen reads Viktor. I don’t answer. He’s the last person I want to speak with right now. He rings two more times, and I still don’t answer. I look out the window and see that the beautiful day has turned into pure darkness.
“Ms. O’Brien, Mr. Manarch would like to speak to you.” Marco says from the front passenger seat. I don’t say anything. “Ms. O’Brien?” I don’t answer and keep looking out the window. My cell beeps.
Viktor: Ava, answer the cell
Viktor: I’m not asking
Viktor: If you don’t answer, you’ll deal with the consequences
I take a deep breath…
Ava: Nothing to say. I’ll see you at your house
He texts a few more times but I put the cell on silent. I can’t stop thinking of Fiona or her implications. Did he really sleep with her? Is she pregnant? How many times has he slept with her and then me? How stupid have I been?
I really was fooling myself. He’s Viktor Manarch. He has it all.
Of course, he would be with her. She’s perfect. She’s everything I’m not. Why would he want me when he can have someone like her? I knew this day would come. It was too good to be true. I’m at a loss. By the time I see where we are, the gate is opening. Viktor is waiting at the front door. The SUV stops. He opens the door to let me out.
“Why the fuck are you not answering your cell?” His voice is demanding, but I say nothing. “What’s wrong?” I jerk him out of the way and walk. “What the fuck happened, Marco?” he shouts.
For the first time since we started our arrangement, the house feels cold. It makes me shiver. I feel like it was all a dream. I walk upstairs, still hearing him shout. I go to our bedroom. Regardless of what is happening, we still have people coming over for dinner. This is not what I need. But I must swallow my pain. I go to the bathroom and wash my face.
“What did she tell you?” Viktor’s voice is cold, demanding.
“The truth. Did you know?” I keep my voice emotionless.
“Did I know what?”
“She’s pregnant.” I slam the bathroom door, not giving him a chance to walk in.
“Open the fucking door, Ava.” I can’t breathe. I turn on the shower to drown out my sobs. He didn’t deny it. It must be true. He has been sleeping with her and with me. “Open the door now.”
“Go away, Viktor. Leave me alone.” I say between sobs.
I sit on the toilet, wondering how I let myself fall in love with him. How did I allow myself to believe anything that came out of his mouth? He’s Viktor Manarch—he takes with no regard. I was just another name to add to his collection. No one can save me now from the pain ripping me apart. I trusted that he would protect my heart. But he lied. He’s been keeping things from me. Now this.
How can I trust a word that comes out of his mouth?