Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Ava

T he second trimester is supposed to be better, but someone lied. Sleeping has become a challenge because I either have to pee every hour or thoughts of Viktor keeping me awake. Then when I finally get to sleep, I end up oversleeping like today. And now I'm running late for work again. I rush to the bus stop hoping to make it to work on time. But it's fifteen minutes before the bus comes. The bus is crowded, and I try to find somewhere to sit, but no seats are available. Of course, this is NYC, so no one offers me one. Moments like these I wish Viktor were here.

Finally, the bus arrives at my stop, and I speed walk to the boutique. When I get to the boutique, I'm out of breath, and Maddie is already inside with the lights on. I hate being late.

"Did you run here?" she teases as I walk in.

"No, well, from the bus stop. Sorry I'm late."

"You're only ten minutes late. Take a breath." She smiles.

"I swear this baby's mission is to keep me awake at night. Then in the morning, I don't want to get up." I set my purse behind the counter.

"Wait until you're waking every few hours for a feeding," she teases.

"Good thing I have time to prepare myself for that," I say with a grimace.

I told Maddie about the baby a couple of weeks ago. Well, she figured it out. I guess running to the bathroom to puke or pee every twenty minutes gave me up. I'm happy she knows. I have enough on my plate without the stress of hiding my pregnancy from my boss.

It's Tuesday, is typically our slowest day of the week, which is nice. These days I rejoice in the boring. In the last six months, my life has been filled with enough drama to last me a lifetime. Now I'm perfectly content with the life I'm building for myself. No Manarchs and far from my dad's gambling. I've finally achieved some sort of peace, and I would like to keep it.

I spend a few hours cleaning the boutique and switching the old collections with new ones. It's my happy place as I get to lose myself in a mundane task. I think Maddie secretly gives me that job because she knows I love it. It makes the day fly. But the truth is, I don't think about anything other than the task. At least while I'm at work.

If I'm honest, it's hard not talking with Viktor. Granted, it's my choice, but it's one of the hardest choices I've made in a long time, if ever. Holding onto the notion of what could have been will change nothing. He's married, and I know I have to move on. I need to focus on my baby and not Viktor. But it seems impossible. I'm not sure I will ever be able to move on.

"Ava," Maddie calls.

"Hey."

"Are you okay?" She asks with concern.

"Yes, why?" I ask curiously.

"I've been trying to get your attention. You would tell me if something isn't okay, right?" she asks in a motherly voice.

"Of course."

"Good. I was asking if you wanted something from the diner."

"What time is it?"

"Lunchtime."

"Wow, where has the time gone?" We laugh. "Fries and a milkshake would be great." I grab my purse from the counter.

"You better not be going for money," she teases. "What flavor milkshake do you want?"

"Chocolate, please," I say with a smile.

"Anything else?"

"No, thank you."

"I'll be quick," she says, already at the door.

"No rush. It's not like we're busy," I say as I look around the boutique.

"Don't be a smartass," she quips, and I laugh.

She leaves, and I'm back with my thoughts. I don't know why, but I think of Tina and wonder what sort of trouble she's getting into. On a day like today, she would come over and drag me into one of her schemes. I miss my time with her. Besides dad and Viktor, she's the closest I've got to family. As wild and crazy as she is, her heart has always been in the right place. I'm moving some purses on the display when the chime of the door gets my attention.

"That was fast, Maddie."

"Last I checked, my name isn't Maddie." I look up, frozen in place. It can't be. How is Fiona here? How did she find me? Jesus, I can't get a break.

"What are you doing here?"

"I should ask the same. You should have disappeared. Gone far from here." I move to the side to cover my growing belly.

"What do you want?" I ask defensively.

"I heard you worked here. I wanted to make sure you knew that Viktor and I are happy." She smiles, but it's not genuine. I don't know how, but I know she's lying. "Our bundle of joy is growing." She places her hand on her belly. It is like a punch in the gut. A reminder of why Viktor and I aren't together. I hate it.

"Fiona…" I take a deep breath. "I'm happy for you both." She moves closer. I grab a few items to hide my belly. The last thing I need is for her to know my secret.

"Viktor and I are happy, and I expect things to continue that way." She's two steps from me. "What the fuck?" she yells, looking down. I know she's spotted my belly, but I won't confirm it. I can't.

"I'm glad you're happy. Thanks for stopping by." I move away from her. She grabs my arm to stop me.

"You have to be shittin' me." She stares at my belly. I guess today was not a good day to wear leggings and a fitted blouse. I pull my arm back. "That better not be Viktor's baby," she hisses, her eyes narrowed.

"This is my baby," I say, protecting my belly.

"That is not what I asked."

"This is my baby, end of story," I repeat. I veer around her to the front of the boutique. I need distance from her.

"If he ever finds out you're pregnant, you'll both die." The venom in her voice makes my blood run cold.

I stop and turn. "Is that a threat?" I ask as I take a step toward her.

"A fact. If you and that bastard growing inside you want to live, you'll not tell Viktor or any of his family that you're pregnant."

"Is that why you came here?" I'm confused. Do they know I'm pregnant? Is my secret out? That can't be it, Fiona looked surprised and horrified when she saw my belly.

"Stay away from Viktor. He's my husband."

The chime at the door goes off again.

"Ava, is everything okay?" The concern in Maddie's voice slices through the tension in the air.

"Yes, Mrs. Manarch was just leaving." I look at Fiona and then pointed at the door.

"That's right," she sneers. " I'm Mrs. Manarch. You better remember that." As she storms out of the door, she adds, "Stay away from my family."

"Ava—" Maddie starts as Fiona leaves the boutique.

"I just need a minute." I interrupt her and follow Fiona outside. "Fiona," I call. She stops and turns to face me, disdain written all over her face. "I'll stay away. I won't tell anyone I'm pregnant. But I need your word that you won't tell anyone either."

"You don't tell me what to do," she spits venomously.

"Fiona—" I try again.

"Stay away from him and the Manarchs. I'll only warn you once. If Viktor finds out, it'll be the end of you and your bastard."

I stay silent. There's no point talking to her. Fiona won't risk Viktor knowing because she knows he'll find me if he does. I know that much. A few seconds pass before she heads for a parked car. I was naive to think that I could hide or get away from everything to do with Viktor. I thought moving to the other side of the city would be far enough, but it wasn't. I should've left the state. Taking a deep breath, I enter the boutique, where Maddie is waiting with concern. I know she's going to have questions, but I don't have answers to give.

"Who was that?"

"Someone from my past." I walk to the counter.

"Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No. You don't need to worry about her. She won't be back." I take the milkshake so I can ground myself.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I take a sip of the milkshake. "This is good. What did you get?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I'm here if you ever want to talk," she tells me, moving toward me.

"I know. Thanks." I give her a small smile.

For the next hour, Maddie talks about the latest in fashion as we eat. I don't talk, just nod at the right times and give short answers. She never brings up Fiona, and I'm grateful. But I can't stop thinking about Fiona being here. How the hell did she find me? What does she really want? She's a conniving bitch who would stop at nothing to get her way. I wouldn't put anything past her. But I don't have a choice. I have to trust that her hate for me will be strong enough to keep my secret.