Chapter 19
Tachina never would have thought she belonged in a place where the napkins were folded into origami swans and the host wore a suit that probably cost more than her monthly mortgage.
At least that’s how it felt today. On any other day, she would’ve admired the quiet elegance of Chateau Noir.
It was the kind of restaurant that one needed a reservation for six weeks out.
She was here for business. For a chance to work on an art center renovation that would add to her robust portfolio.
Anxiety rode low in her belly. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. The Artisan Avenue was gaining a lot of traction. Already, her calendar was filling with consults. She couldn’t take on all of the projects, but she could offer her ideas and concepts—for a hefty price.
Her phone buzzed.
Mrs. Olivia Green: Running 10 min behind! Traffic is an absolute mess today. Don’t hate me!
Tachina smiled and text back: All good! I’ll be here.
She forced a smile and approached the host stand.
“Table for two. The reservation is under Winston. My guest will be joining us soon,” she announced.
“Of course,” the host replied. He picked up a few items and waved for her to follow him.
He led her through the plush restaurant and past gleaming glass sculptures.
There were low murmurs of conversations that were only meant for those at the tables.
They arrived at a table where he pulled out her chair. “Water while you wait?”
“Yes, please,” she said.
He nodded curtly then walked away. She sat and smoothed out her skirt and used her fancy hook to hang her purse off the edge of the table. She wasn’t one who was very superstitious, but she never wanted to try the universe. Everyone knew what sitting a purse down on the floor could lead to.
Not her and not today.
A waiter stopped by the table and dropped off her water.
She thanked her then reached for her tablet where she’d be taking notes during this meeting.
She wanted to ensure she was prepared. As she began to review the notes she already had on this project, she froze.
The worse sound she could have heard reached her ears.
It was none other than Sydney Bridges laughing.
A high, too-bright titter she’d recognize anywhere. The muscles in Tachina’s neck grew taut. She didn’t look. She didn’t want to, but her mind wouldn’t let her ignore the woman. That laugh was then followed by another familiar voice. An older one, rich with dignity engrained in it.
Nancy Maxwell.
Vic’s mother.
That anxiety that was lying low in her stomach was climbing high now.
Don’t turn around, she told herself.
She failed.
Her eyes shifted, slowly, as if she were simply taking in the beautiful room. And there she was—Sydney Bridges, sitting straight-backed and poised as if she owned the place. She was smiling too sweetly at the woman across from her.
Nancy was impeccably dressed. Rings gleamed on her fingers. Her smile today seemed sort of forced. She looked worried while she listened.
Sydney leaned forward and touched Nancy’s wrist in a gesture of being too familiar with a person.
“I worry that he’s just too nice,” Sydney said. The woman apparently didn’t know how to have a quiet conversation in a public establishment. “He loves Kian so much, you know? People like him…well, they are easy to be taken advantage of.”
Tachina ground her teeth together, but she kept a neutral expression as she continued to listen in on their conversation.
“It is important to protect children. They need stability,” Nancy said with a nod. The elderly woman reached for her glass and took a sip.
“Oh, absolutely. That’s what I told him. I don’t want him being pressured into giving up custody or being manipulated with child support. I remember him telling me they were negotiating how much he needed to pay her.”
Tachina’s eyebrows rose at this comment. Vic had shared information about their agreement with this woman?
“Well, I don’t want to speak poorly of anyone, but I questioned some things I’ve heard and seen when Victor and I were together, but I wasn’t allowed to say anything.
I just worry that she will use Kian against Victor.
Maybe even try to take Kian away to make Victor pay her more money.
You know how women are when they feel threatened. ”
“That would destroy Victor.” Nancy frowned.
“He doesn’t deserve that. Neither does Kian.” Sydney’s venom was practically spewing from her lips. “A woman from her background just won’t understand what it takes to be the wife of a man like Victor. He needs someone who is used to our lifestyles, our culture, and can elevate him.”
That was enough.
Now the woman was talking about her background? Just because she wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, didn’t mean she wouldn’t be good enough for Vic. Their culture? What the hell did that even mean?
She blinked and realized exactly what it meant. She didn’t fit in with them. She hadn’t grown up with fancy country club memberships, billionaire parents, and luxury vacations.
Tachina was just a woman who had grown up in East Cleveland.
A small suburb of Cleveland that was underprivileged, but the people were proud.
They didn’t have much, but they made do.
Her parents had always taught her to work hard, which she had.
Everything she had accomplished was because of her sacrificing and hustling to get to where she was.
Fear slammed into Tachina. She was no longer hungry. She felt nauseated. She stared down at her hands and hated how they shook.
What if Nancy believes her? What if she convinces Vic that I’m a threat? That I’m using him? Once she finds out about the baby, will they assume I’d gotten pregnant to get more money out of Vic?
What if I lose him? Or Kian?
Kian’s smiling face flashed in her mind. The baby she haven’t even felt yet suddenly seemed like a dream.
Stop it, she snapped at herself. Stop spiraling. Vic won’t believe them.
Except Sydney had spent years around his family. More so than she. She knew their secrets, their vulnerabilities. Nancy loved Kian with a ferocity that may cause her to not think clearly if she thought her grandson was at risk of being lost to her.
That thought chilled her. She couldn’t afford to fight them in court if need be. They had extreme wealth that she couldn’t compete with.
“Ms. Winston! I’m so sorry I’m late, my dear. It’s like the universe threw every roadblock in my way!”
Tachina blinked and looked up to find a smiling, blue-tinted-blonde woman with a kind face. Mrs. Olivia Green was a whirl of warmth in the sudden chilly room. She extended her hand before she even sat down.
“Not a problem at all. I’m happy you made it.” Tachina shook her hand, focusing hard on sounding normal. She offered a smile and sat back.
“You’re so sweet. Now, where’s the waiter? After traffic like that, I need a mimosa.” Mrs. Green laughed. “Should we both get one? It will be my treat.”
“I would, but technically, I’m working.” Tachina chuckled.
“You are such the professional. More responsible than me.” Mrs. Green burst into laughter. She waved over the waiter and ordered her drink anyway.
And then she launched into her pitch about the Mapleton Community Inc., a nonprofit trying to reinvent its community art center. She described their desire to expand mural workshops, including a place for woodcraft, pottery, textile art, and partner with schools to bring art therapy into them.
It should have been captivating, and it sounded like something Tachina would want to dive into.
But her mind was still stuck back at the other table. She strained to hear every dangerous word that Sydney uttered.
She tried to take notes. She asked questions, but each response felt delayed, like her mind was glitching. Mrs. Green stopped mid-sentence and tilted her head while concern crossed her face.
“Are you all right, my dear? You look as if you are going to faint?”
“I’m fine…I…excuse me for a moment. I need to go to the restroom.” Tachina offered an apologetic smile.
“Of course. Go ahead. I’ll be here enjoying my mimosa.”
Tachina stood too fast. The room tilted slightly. She steadied herself and snagged her phone from the table. She attempted to make a graceful exit. She failed and wobbled a few steps.
She didn’t go straight to the bathroom. Instead, she moved toward Sydney and Nancy’s table. She pretended to scroll on her phone while she slipped behind an oversized decorative tree where its leaves hid her. From here, the voices were clear, and Sydney was still spinning lies.
“And you saw that party they threw for Kian. She made Vic pay for everything. She’s obsessed with his money,” Sydney said. “I remember one day Vic had come home upset. They apparently had a discussion about child support. The only thing he told me was that it didn’t go his way.”
“What does that mean?” Nancy asked.
“I’m sure she was demanding more than he wanted to give.”
Tachina clenched her fist tightly. It had been quite the opposite. Now that Kian was older, Vic had wanted to double the amount he gave her, but she’d refused. She had a half a mind to go over there. She took one step, but Nancy’s question halted her.
“Does Victor know of your concerns? I assume you’ve spoken with him,” she said.
“I’ve tried, but he always shuts me down.
Tells me it’s none of my business.” The woman had the nerve to pout.
She sipped from her glass and laid on the victim card heavily.
“I only want what is best for Victor and Kian. That little boy is near and dear to my heart. That’s why I came to the party. I just had to be there.”
It amazed Tachina how a person could lie so much. This woman was evil, and she did not want her anywhere near her son.
Tachina stepped back to leave—and slammed right into a server carrying a heavy tray.
The young man tried to hold his tray upright, but it was too late. Plates slid, and silverware clattered onto the floor. The sauces and food splattered across the marble floor like abstract art. The crash echoed through the restaurant, all conversations ceasing and all eyes turning on to her.
“Oh my God! I-I’m so sorry!” Tachina stammered. She reached out a useless hand to keep the last plate from sliding off but she was too late. It joined the rest of the food on the floor.
The poor server froze. He stared at her while she stared at him.
This was a disaster.
A nightmare.
Gasps filled the air when the last plate crashed to the floor and shattered.
Tachina backed away quickly, sliding on the now slippery floor.
She must have moved way too fast because her stomach decided to go against her.
It lurched and twisted violently. She slapped a hand to her mouth and knew she wasn’t going to make it to the bathroom.
She heaved and made her way to a nearby potted plant where everything that was in her stomach reappeared.
Oh, dear Lord.
She closed her eyes and tried to inhale, but the aroma of her stomach contents had her about to hurl again. Mortified beyond belief, she backed away and fled to the restroom.
Inside the bathroom, Tachina washed her mouth out at the sink. Her hands trembled, and her heart was still racing. She didn’t even look up at the mirror. If she saw her own humiliation, she might cry.
The bathroom door opened. She ignored it and prayed that whoever entered would pretend she didn’t exist.
A stall closed. She breathed a sigh of relief. Seconds later, the door opened again. Heels clicked softly.
“Tachina? Are you all right? I saw what happened.”
She turned and found Mrs. Green standing there with worry-filled eyes.
“I’m so sorry you had to witness that.” Tachina cleared her throat that was suddenly dry.
“Oh, nonsense. Happens to the best of us.” Mrs. Green waved a hand and came over to stand beside her. “I once threw up on a senator’s shoe at a fundraising gala. Thought he would surely kick me out of the state!”
“I don’t know what came over me.” Tachina managed a weak laugh. “I guess with all of the stress…” She didn’t finish her sentence. She was just too embarrassed at the moment. What could she truly say? She was eavesdropping then made a mess of an elegant restaurant?
Mrs. Green studied her for a moment longer. She reached out and rubbed Tachina’s shoulder.
“Your skin is glowing today. Either you bought a miracle serum or…should I be congratulating you?” she whispered loudly.
Everything in Tachina froze. She didn’t want to say. Not here. Not now. But Mrs. Green made her feel slightly safe, and the woman had just witnessed her humiliating herself. It felt wrong to even lie to someone who was willing to entrust a million-dollar project to her.
“Yes,” Tachina said quietly. It almost felt unreal to be admitting it out loud. “I’m pregnant. Please don’t tell anyone. I haven’t shared the news with anyone else yet.”
“Congratulations! How exciting. I won’t tell a soul. I promise.” Mrs. Green smiled and took her hand in hers. She gave it a tight squeeze.
Tachina sighed. This woman was such a dear. She could already tell she would be a wonderful client to have.
A stall door opened.
Sydney stepped out.
They locked eyes. The tension in the room thickened. The only expression Tachina could read was a calculated triumph flickering in Sydney’s eyes, and it made Tachina very suspicious of her. The woman was scheming. She moved over to the other sink and washed her hands.
“Shall we get back to lunch, dear? I still want to hear about your plans for the center.” Mrs. Green smiled and held her arm out for Tachina. The woman was oblivious to the tension between Tachina and Sydney.
Tachina nodded, put her shoulders back and held her head high. She entwined her arm with hers and allowed her to guide her out of the restroom. She didn’t look at Sydney again.
She hated that Sydney knew the little secret that she and Vic shared. She should not be one of the first people to know. Maybe Tachina should have lied to Mrs. Green. She was not going to appear weak in front of her. She would not crumble here. She put on a smile and listened to Mrs. Green chat.
On the inside, she was spiraling. If Sydney was already trying to smear her name to Nancy Maxwell, what would she try to do next?