Chapter 56

Chapter Fifty-Six

Ava

P utting my pajamas on in my bedroom, I'm actually surprised Viktor hasn't tried to come to see me but has kept his distance as I asked. I know asking for space was the right call, but part of me wishes he had come anyway. I know he came to see the babies. Mary mentioned he saw them earlier when I wasn't around. I miss Viktor, and it's only been a few hours. What does that say about me?

I can't excuse his behavior. What he did was wrong. I bet if I had pulled a stunt like that, he would have reacted just as I did or worse. I need to set clear boundaries if we are ever going to work. There's a light knock at my door. I pull my pants up.

"Come in." The door opens, and I don't have to turn to know it's him. I can feel him. "I thought you'd left." I grab my towel and go to the bathroom to hang it up without looking at him. Weirdly, I'm nervous about exiting. I have butterflies like a schoolgirl with a crush.

"I've been here. I wanted to give you space."

"And you decided to listen to me," I can't help but laugh.

He stalks my way. "I was wrong. You were right."

"Look at that. You admitted you were wrong and didn't burst into flames." I'm about to veer past him when he grabs my arm.

"I'm sorry," he tells me. I look at him, and I can see he means it.

"Don't just say you're sorry, be better. Max means nothing to me. He's just working for House of Beauty. If you had told me why you don't want him in the house, we could have avoided this argument, but your first instinct is to demand and control. For us to work, you need to trust me."

"I do trust you. I don't trust him."

I put my hand on his face. "But why? What has he ever done to you?"

"He isn't trustworthy."

"That's not a good answer," I say with an exasperated sigh.

"It's the only one I have."

"I love you, Viktor. Max is not a factor in my life. He's an employee. Nothing more. Our true problem is that you're using sex as a weapon, and it needs to stop. It's not fair to use it to get what you want."

He takes a deep breath before answering. "It's the only way I know."

I shake my head and, giving in, kiss him. The next thing I know, he has picked me up and taken me to bed. I'm probably not doing us any favors by letting him claim me, but who am I to fight my craving for him?

Viktor's fit of jealousy from a few days ago still amuses me. I'm sitting at my desk, trying to keep myself from laughing. I'm still a little pissed, but I see the irony. Who would have thought? One of the most ruthless men in the city was intimidated by Max. I don't understand the point of stressing out. Why waste his energy? I'm with him, and he's with me every single day and most nights. Between my babies, work, and his demanding ways, there isn't much time left for me. So when would I have the time for anyone else? It's dumb, and I wish he would see it.

"Ms. O'Brien, your ten a.m. is here," my PA, Rosie, tells me from the door.

"Rosie, how many times do I need to remind you? Please call me Ava." I smile.

"I keep forgetting."

"Don't. We spend more than enough hours interacting. I don't want so much formality."

"Okay."

"You can let Maddie in."

Less than a minute later, Maddie enter.

"It's so nice to see you," I greet her as she embraces me.

"It surely is."

"Come, have a seat." I point at the couch.

"I can't believe I'm at the headquarters of House of Beauty," she says as she looks around, smiling. "You have to tell me everything."

I put some things in motion shortly after Viktor gave me House of Beauty. I knew there were many things I wanted to keep, but just as many I wanted to change. Maddie and I would spend hours talking about it when I worked for her. The things we would change to make the brand better. Now that things are where I wanted them to be, it was time to bring her to headquarters.

"There isn't much to tell. Never in a million years would I have imagined running my own business or owning House of Beauty, for that matter."

"I get that part. It's just crazy."

"My thoughts exactly. When Niko's father told me about it, I nearly died. These sorts of things don't happen to someone like me. I grew up on the wrong side of town and I was barely making ends meet."

"I'm so happy and proud of you. How are the kids?"

"Growing too fast," I admit with a smile.

"Enjoy them. Pretty soon, they'll be breaking everything."

"Don't remind me. But let's talk about why you're here."

"I was trying to figure it out myself. Am I being fired?" There's a slight look of concern on her face.

"God, no. What gave you that idea?"

"I was called to headquarters. No one told me it was to see you."

"Shit, sorry. Didn't mean to alarm you. It's nothing like that. I actually want to offer you a job."

"I thought you said I wasn't fired," she says, making us laugh.

"I've missed you so much, Maddie, especially your sense of humor."

"I do try. But in all seriousness, you know how much I care about you and the brand. Tell me what this new job is."

"I want you to be the head of branding." Working with Maddie, I saw firsthand how talented and passionate she is. It doesn't hurt that she's been with the company for almost twenty years.

"You can't be serious?"

"What is it that you say? As a heart attack." We burst into laughter.

"I don't know what to say," she finally says once our laughter is under control.

"It's simple. Say yes. The role comes with an amazing salary, benefits, and mostly normal hours." I take the envelope sitting on my desk. "Here is your offer letter and a sign-on bonus."

Opening the envelope, her eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her hand as she gasps. She looks back up at me, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.

"You have to be kidding. This is too much," she finally stammers.

"Believe it or not, it's market salary. I didn't make those numbers up." She's looking at a salary of one hundred and forty thousand dollars a year, full benefits, and a stipend for childcare. There's also a check for ten thousand dollars as her sign-on bonus.

"Again, I don't know what to say."

"How about… when do I start? And where's my office?" I tease.

"Get up. I want a hug." As I stand, I see her eyes are watery. I embrace her. "You have no idea what this means." Her voice trembles.

"But I do," I tell her as we sit again.

"I swear I won't let you down."

"I know. I'm not worried."

"Ava, your brother-in-law is here to see you," Rosie says from the door.

"Who? I don't have a brother-in-law." I shake my head, knowing it's Oliver being Oliver.

"Don't let Viktor hear you say that," he states with a smile. Rosie looks back, mortified that Oliver is walking in without permission.

"It's ok, Rosie. The Manarchs always walk in like they own the place," I quip and roll my eyes, making Oliver laugh. "Oliver, this is my good friend and new head of branding, Maddie. Maddie, this is Oliver, the very annoying uncle of my kids."

"Nice to meet you," she responds. He holds out his hand to Maddie, and she takes it.

"Same here," he says.

"I should get going. Is there anything I need to do?" she asks me.

"Rosie will give you all the details. Call me if you need anything."

"Thanks again for the opportunity."

"Please, I'm the one who should be thanking you. I need people I know and trust." I wink.

"It was nice to meet you, Oliver. I'll talk to you soon, Ava."

"Probably tomorrow morning," I tease and smile as she leaves. "So, what brings you around my neck of the woods?" I ask as I point for him to sit as I sit behind my desk.

"Can't a man just check in?"

"If you were another man, or I another woman, maybe." He chuckles.

"Seriously, I just wanted to see how you were doing. You're always on the go, taking care of everyone, and a few days ago, you had a blowout with Viktor. I want to make sure you're okay."

"Oh, Oliver…" I smile affectionately at him, "… you and I have been through so much."

"Yes, we have. Let me tell you that the first night we met, I wasn't too keen on you. You had trouble written all over you."

"That feels like a lifetime ago. I was just a girl trying to keep her father alive. I never imagined his gambling would turn my life upside down." I close my eyes for a second, remembering that night.

"I'm Viktor Manarch. I loaned your father the money."

"Why would you loan a gambler that much money? You're taking advantage of him."

"Ms. O'Brien, I'm in the business of giving people what they desire."

The words couldn't be truer. He's good at giving people what they desire but better at taking. From that night, my life was no longer mine. I didn't know it, but Viktor would be the man who would give me what I deeply desired. To love and be loved.

"Even though I didn't approve of the arrangement, I can't picture anything different. You changed him."

"I wouldn't say that. Viktor is still the controlling man I met that night."

"But he isn't, not really. My brother has never put anything above the clan. But with you, he doesn't think twice. You make him happy."

"He certainly doesn't make it easy for me." We laugh.

"You're telling me. I'm the one who always tried to keep Viktor in line before you. I've been his conscience for a long time, but I'm happy to say it's now your job."

I shake my head.

"He still needs you. We need you. You truly have been like a brother to me. Somehow deep down, I knew I was safe because of you. Niko and I are alive because of you."

"You're family. It's nothing Viktor wouldn't have done for me."

"Thank you."

He looks at me.

"I know. But it needs to be said, even if just for one last time. I love you very much, Oliver. I'm so grateful you're in our lives."

"You're an amazing woman and mother. We're the lucky ones. I love you too. I'll always be here for you."

My life could have been completely different if Oliver had not walked into the boutique that Tuesday evening before closing. To know someone had my back. He made me feel part of a family. He made me feel safe and that I wasn't alone. There is no other way I could have survived everything I faced after I left Viktor. I had no one. No mother or father to be there for me. Oliver was my rock when Viktor couldn't be. Oliver is the definition of a great brother. Someone who would stand by you even at a high price. I'll forever be grateful for and to him. Without him, I would have been lost.