Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Ava
V iktor has lots of mood swings. He is sweet one minute and controlling the next. I’ve been with him for less than twenty-four hours, and I’m already questioning myself. Have I made the right decision? But wondering is pointless since I don’t have any other choice.
I was surprised by how hard it was to pack my things and leave Dad. I hated that I lied. Right before I left, I told him Viktor was good to me. That he hadn’t been ready to commit until now. The debt situation was just a coincidence. We had been headed for a serious relationship.
I was shocked by how easily he believed me. I thought he would know me better. But I’ve never lied to him before. There was no reason for him not to believe me.
It was even harder witnessing Viktor’s reaction to seeing my bedroom. I don’t think he noticed me looking at him, but I saw the pity in his eyes. I can tell he’s never struggled in his life. How would he know any different? I wasn’t embarrassed by my living conditions since everything was clean. I could only imagine his reaction if he had gone to the kitchen and opened the cupboards. He would see they’re almost empty. A few instant processed meals, that’s all. The meals last night and this morning were a treat for me.
A sudden thought crosses my mind. “Why can’t I stay in the guest room I stayed in last night?” I ask, remembering he said I’d be across from him on the second floor. I need distance, not to be closer.
“If we have company, I can’t have you downstairs.” I didn’t even think about the physical implications of being his fake fiancée.
“Wait, am I expected to sleep with you or kiss you?” The thought sends a bolt of warmth through my body. A part of me is hoping he’ll say yes. I don’t know why.
“I’m not expecting you to have sex with me.” He sounds so matter of fact, perhaps this really is just a business arrangement for him. “If we have company, you’ll sleep in my bed. As far as kissing, I expect you to be affectionate in public.” I am both happy and worried. After last night I’m not sure I’m strong enough to be in a room alone with him. “Is that a problem?” He looks at me quizzically.
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
“Then why would you ask?” I am annoyed by his constantly entitled attitude.
“Baby girl, you’re expected to behave in a ladylike manner. No back-talking, defiance, or sassiness from you. If you behave that way, I’ll have to punish you.”
I am going to say something about him calling me baby girl again, but it’s obvious at this point he’s doing it because it bothers me.
“I’m going to introduce you as my fiancée…” he tells me as he parks the car, “… my mother might ask to see the ring. The story is it’s being resized.”
“Okay,” I answer. I hadn’t even thought about a ring.
What the fuck have I gotten myself into? I am not good at lying. They will see right through me. We get out of the SUV and walk into the restaurant, which is very different from last night. It is quiet. A few older women are present, but no men or women wearing skimpy clothes. He greets the women, many by name, while I smile. The kitchen door opens, but he doesn’t let his mom walk toward us. Instead, he takes my hand and leads us to her.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, sweetheart. I see you brought your friend back.” She smiles, but I’m not sure why. It is like she knows something is up.
“Let’s go in the kitchen.”
“Sounds serious.” Her words belie the light laugh coming from her.
“It’s pretty simple. Ava and I are engaged.”
“Really?” For a second, she looks lost for words. “Since when? I thought you just met.”
“We’ve known each other for some time. I didn’t mean to lie. I proposed last night. I wasn’t sure she’d say yes. She’s shy.” He looks at me adoringly as he squeezes my hand.
Mrs. Manarch claps her hands in delight. “Let’s see the ring,” she exclaims. I hide my hand as she reaches for it.
“It’s being resized,” he answers glibly. Shit, how am I supposed to do this? I can’t even talk in front of his mom.
“Viktor, you can let her speak.” She smiles at me encouragingly. “You don’t have to be shy, Ava. You’ll be family soon enough.”
I smile back but don’t say anything. I have no idea what to say.
“To the point of my visit, Mom. As a gift for her agreeing to marry me, I’m sending you both on a spa day.”
“That sounds wonderful.” His mom grasps my hands. “You must call me Anita,” she says with a huge smile.
“Ava has had a few hectic days. She could use some spoiling.” I am not sure what he means by that. But I must admit it sounds nice. I can’t remember when I last had a proper haircut or a mani-pedi. I never get to do something for myself.
“I’ll arrange something,” Anita promises.
“Perfect. Call when you’re both ready to be picked up.”
Anita turns to Viktor and says, “You don’t need to worry about anything.” I have a feeling Anita’s words hold a deeper meaning. Like they’re having a different conversation.
“Thanks, Mom.” Viktor faces me. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.” He proceeds to pull me into his arms and kiss me. The kiss is unexpected even though he’d said I would have to be affectionate not ten minutes ago. But this kiss is inappropriately longer than it should be, especially in front of his mother.
“Okay, love birds,” Anita says, prompting me to break the kiss. “Off you go, Viktor.” She smiles at me as she speaks.
“Thanks again, Mom.” Viktor brings me closer. “Behave, baby girl,” he whispers in my ear, then chuckles as he heads out to his meeting.
“Ava, you’re going to marry my son.”
“Yes,” I say, even though I’m not sure she was asking.
“Don’t be nervous. I won’t bite. If my son believes you’re good enough to marry him, that is good enough for me.” Her voice is warm, and I feel reassured that she likes me.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have to call the spa. In the meantime, help me bring out pastries for the ladies as they gossip.”
“Yes, Mrs. Manarch.”
“Call me Anita,” she reminds me, “Mrs. Manarch is my mother-in-law.”
“Okay.” I smile.
I spend the next hour listening to women talk about everyone. They have no boundaries. No one is safe or above their reach. They try to question me about my relationship with Viktor, but Anita quickly puts an end to the inquisition. I’m grateful because I’m not exactly sure what I should say. It is lunchtime when we’re set to leave for the spa.
“We’re eating lunch at the spa,” Anita tells me as if reading my mind.
As if on cue, my stomach rumbles. Embarrassed, I mumble, “Thanks.”
Anita smiles and pats me on the arm. “The car should be outside. Let Viktor know we’re leaving. He’ll want to know your whereabouts. I think he gets that from his father. The Manarch men are controlling,” she tells me like it’s the most natural thing.
“You’re telling me.” We laugh. It is the first time in a long time, if ever, that I find myself not thinking of anything other than the moment. I quickly follow her instructions and text Viktor.
Ava: Hi, Viktor. This is Ava. Your mom suggested I send you a text letting you know we’re leaving the restaurant.
I feel like I should add something, but I’m coming up blank. I opt to keep it simple. I don’t want him to think I’m going to be doing this regularly.
Ava: I’ll talk to you later.
Seconds later, I see bubbles.
Viktor: Thank you. I’ll pick you up from the spa. I’ll see you in a few hours, baby girl.
I want to scream at him. He just doesn’t get it. I hate him calling me baby girl. It is disrespectful, but I feel that the more I complain, the more he will use the pet name. It is infuriating.
“Ready?” Anita asks.
“Yes.” I don’t want to let on, but I’m really looking forward to it.
“Then sit, relax, and let’s enjoy ourselves.”