Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Ava
W hen I get up, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Dad hasn’t come home which is disappointing since it means he’s probably gambling, but I can’t make that my problem—not anymore. One thing Viktor was right about is my dad is a grown man, and I need to start thinking about myself because no one else will, not even Viktor.
I turn on my cell. I see a few texts from Tina and Anita. But nothing from Viktor. I’m disappointed and hurt. I swear I thought he would at least try. It’s yet another reminder I never truly meant anything to him. I don’t know what I expected. He’s a good liar. I get out of bed and continue my job search. I decide to stay in the city, just far enough away that Viktor can’t find me.
Three hours later, I have decent prospects. One job, in particular, gets my attention. A position at a boutique. I call and schedule an interview. My next task is finding a place to live. I can’t afford anything on my own, but maybe I can find someone seeking a roommate. After compiling a list and making calls, I leave to check them out. Time is of the essence.
The first two are a bust. One was a man looking for a woman to play his maid. I almost spit in his face. He should be ashamed of himself. Now I’m arriving at the third. Hopefully, this is the one because I’m running low on options. I knock, not knowing what to expect. A woman my age opens the door.
“Hi, you must be Ava. I’m Lisa. Come in.” My first impression is that she looks nice. Inside the apartment, everything looks good—clean and in order.
“Thanks for letting me see the room on short notice.”
“No problem. I’m getting pretty desperate, to be honest. I’ve met with over a dozen potential roommates, and it’s been a horrible experience.” She laughs.
“I saw a few places myself. It wasn’t pretty.”
“Finding a good roommate is tough. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
“Tell me about you, Ava,” She leads us to the living room.
“I’m trying to move away from home. Get a fresh start.” There’s no need for me to tell her I’m running away from the heir to the Scottish Mafia. The man who broke my heart and is capable of anything to get what he wants.
“You sound like me. I did it last year. It was tough at first, but I’m glad I did. Let me tell you about the bedroom. It’s the reason we’re here.” We laugh. “The bedroom is furnished. It’s six hundred a month for rent and an additional one-fifty for utilities and internet. It might be pricey, but trust me, for this neighborhood, that’s cheap. I go to school during the day and work evenings, so I’m rarely here. I only have one rule. No loud tv or music after ten. I come home pretty beat.”
“It sounds reasonable, and the price is perfect.” I looked in the neighborhood, and she wasn’t lying. The prices are high. I want to make sure I’m somewhere safe, which means paying more. It also helps that I’m on the other side of the city from where the wealthy and elite live. No way Viktor will think of me living on this side of the city. “When could I move in?” I ask, hoping she agrees to me moving in.
“Right away. My last roommate moved out two days ago. All I need is the first months rent.” I let out a breath relieved that she is renting me the bedroom.
“Will cash work?” I ask her.
“Cash will be perfect.”
“I need to go to the bank. Any near?”
“There’s one a few streets down.”
“I’ll be right back.” I stand, smiling at Lisa. Instantly, I feel like we’re going to be good friends.
“I have to leave in about thirty minutes. If you can come back before then, I'd appreciate it.”
“Got it.”
I leave the apartment feeling hopeful. The bank is a few streets down, like Lisa said. Luckily there aren’t many people inside the bank waiting for the teller. As I wait in line, I find myself missing Viktor. It’s been less than twelve hours, and the void is a black hole. Right now, we would be in bed fooling around, or he would be getting ready for work.
“Next,” the teller calls.
“I’d like to withdraw some money,” I say.
“Please insert your debit card. Do you have a withdrawal slip?”
“Yes.” I hand her a slip with my account number and ask for eight hundred dollars. I’ve been saving all my allowances from Viktor. Last time I checked, I had a few thousand dollars. It should be enough for a few months if I don’t get the boutique job.
“Enter your pin.” I do. “How would you like the cash?”
“Sixty in ten-dollar bills and the rest in twenty-dollar bills, please.” She counts the money twice. She prints a receipt and slides it through the slot with the money.
“Thank you.”
I put the money in my purse and look at the receipt. My balance is over one hundred thousand dollars. I swear it didn’t say that when I checked in the app last week. There were only a few thousand dollars. This has Viktor written all over. He paid me the amount of the debt I was paying off. It makes me feel cheap. But I am also grateful. This will help me in many ways.
I walk to Lisa’s, forcing myself not to call and insult him. But I need to do something. This is insane and, in many ways, disrespectful. I won’t call him. It’s what he wants. Instead, I call Oliver to demand an explanation. It takes four rings for him to answer.
“Ava, everything okay?” He sounds concerned. Probably because I’ve only called him a handful of times during my time with Viktor.
“Yes, thanks for asking. I’m calling because I have a question.”
“If I can answer, I will.”
“There’s over a hundred thousand dollars in my bank account. Do you know anything about that?”
“He asked me to wire money to your account this morning.”
“I don’t want or need his money.”
“You’ll have to take it up with him. I do as I’m told.”
I’m annoyed. Viktor won’t take the money back. I know that. If I try, it will mean facing him, which might be the real reason he did it. But he doesn’t get it. I don’t ever want to see or speak to him again. I won’t do it to myself. He doesn’t deserve it, and I must think of myself.
“Fine.”
“Should I have your things taken to you?”
“No. I won’t be needing them.”
“Ava, he’ll want you to have them. I can have Marco bring it all to your old apartment.”
“Don’t bother. I don’t live with my dad.”
“Tell me where to send them.”
“I don’t need anything from that house. You can trash it for all I care.” The last thing I need is for Viktor to find me, and I don’t want anything that will remind me of him. I want a clean break.
“He won’t like it.”
“His problem. I have to go.”
“Ava, please.”
“Are you talking to Ava? Hand me the cell.” Viktor’s deep voice freezes me in place.
“Ava…” I don’t answer. “I hear you breathing. We need to talk. Where are you?”
“I have nothing to say.” I end the call as I strive to still my galloping heart and calm my breathing.