Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Ava

M y encounter with Fiona rattled me. I still don't know how she found me or why she came to see me. She's won, she got Viktor, and he married her. Why look for me? I have nothing. Maybe I won't have to worry about her. She thinks only of herself, and that is in my favor. But I can't deny seeing her growing belly was hard. It's a reminder of what she's sharing with Viktor that I'm not. He probably rubs her belly, talks to the baby, and goes to all her doctor appointments. All the things I wish he were doing with me. It should've been me. I should be the one he does those things with. At least nothing out of the ordinary has happened in the week since her visit, so I assume she's kept my secret.

I'm working today, which is nice and should keep me distracted. Looking at the clock, I realize that I'll be late for work if I don't leave in the next few minutes. With my AirPods in and music blasting, I breathe the cool autumn air as I walk to the bus stop.

I reach the corner, ready to cross. My bus should be here any minute. There are a few people waiting to cross with me, everyone living their lives, going to work just like I am. The light turns red, and the walk sign comes on, just in time because I see the bus heading toward the stop. I've just taken a few steps into the street when a car runs the red light and speeds toward me, missing me by a whisker as a hand grabs me and pulls me back. I'm almost knocked off my feet, unstable, but I find my footing as the person who grabbed me steadies me.

"Are you okay?" a woman asks. Her hand covers her mouth, and her eyes register shock.

"Unbelievable. There's no respect anymore for road rules," another person says.

"I saw it all. That car was trying to run you over," a man pronounces as I try to stop shaking.

"Someone, call nine-one-one," another voice chimes in.

"I'm…, I'm fine, thank you. I should…, should have been more careful. I didn't see the car coming." I blink a few times, trying to make sense of what just happened. Could the man be right? Was someone trying to run me over?

"The car was trying to run you over. No doubt about it," someone else calls.

Everyone has crowded around me, making me feel claustrophobic. I'm numb. This all feels so surreal. Thanking everyone for their concern, I cross the street only to realize I've missed my bus, leaving me with no choice but to take a cab. I wave one down and give the driver the address of the boutique. Sitting back, I try to settle my nerves. Am I so distracted that I can't even cross the street? Was Fiona driving that car?

Jesus, I'm losing it. All this drama is making me see things. Of course, it wasn't her. I'm being paranoid. She doesn't seem the type to dirty her own hands. I lay my hands on my belly. All that matters is that my baby and I are fine.

"Thank you," I tell the driver as I hand him the money.

From outside the boutique, I can see several customers inside. It's going to be one of those days, and I'm okay with that. I open the door, and Maddie looks like a chicken without a head. I put my bag behind the counter and Maddie releases a breath of relief.

"Where do you want me?" I ask her.

"Can you take the client in the blue dress to the dressing room? I'm still working with this one."

"Where's Ally?" I ask.

"Fired if I had my way."

I shake my head and enter the dressing rooms.

Almost an hour has passed by the time I'm done with the client. I bag her purchases and clear the dressing room, putting everything away.

"You're a lifesaver," Maddie says.

"I wouldn't say that," I reply, blushing from the compliment. "What happened with Ally?"

"Who knows this time. She claims she has the flu. Every week is something new with that girl. If it weren't for the fact that she's the niece of the district manager, I would have fired her ass weeks ago."

"Wow, don't think I've ever heard such colorful language from you," I tease.

"She just makes my blood boil."

"Pay her no mind. It's not like she does anything when she's here."

"How true. Thanks for jumping right in."

"No worries. It was my pleasure."

Just like that, we get in a rhythm. It's pretty busy, but I don't mind. Busy means no time to think of anything other than the customers' needs. The more I help customers, the more I realize how much I enjoy my job. As the day progresses, the fact that Ally called in sick seems irrelevant. She's more of a hindrance than a help. I think that's why Maddie doesn't really like her.

Before I know it, it's closing time, and I'm grateful when Maddie tells me to leave. I'm tired. I guess being pregnant doesn't help my case. I decide to Uber home. I just want to shower and throw myself into bed.

The Uber pulls up, and taking the pressure off my swollen feet feels like heaven.

Arriving at the apartment building, I take the stairs slowly since the last thing I need is to fall. The only downside to the building is the dangerous stairs, even more so when you're pregnant and can't see your feet. Opening the door to the apartment, I hear the television. Lisa must have left work early.

"Good, you're home," she greets me as I set my keys down.

"Hi, you seem excited." I enter the kitchen to get something to drink. I'm hoping whatever she has to say will be finished by the time I finish my glass of water.

"I got a promotion at work."

"That's great. Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you. I couldn't believe it when my boss told me."

"You totally deserve it. You work hard."

"How was your day?" she asks.

"Long. Tiring."

"I can only imagine. How's the baby?"

"Good." I instinctively touch my growing belly.

"I ordered Chinese food if you're interested." It isn't until this moment that I realize I really haven't eaten. "You don't have to have it, but I just figured we can celebrate and give you a break from cooking."

"That's very thoughtful of you. Chinese sounds great. I'm going to take a quick shower."

"Well, don't take too long." She smiles.

Even though I'm tired, I need to eat, and I enjoy spending time with Lisa. She reminds me of how normal my life has become. Of course, I'd rather it be Tina, but it is what it is. In my bedroom, I take off my shoes and grab pajamas. For a split second, I think about Viktor. If he were here, I probably would've made him rub my feet. The image makes me smile. Before everything happened, life used to be pretty normal with him too.