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Chapter Thirty-Six
Ava
The touch of someone caressing my face startles me.
“It’s me.” I see Viktor as my eyes adjust. I feel groggy and disoriented. “You have to wake up and eat.” He sits on my bed.
“What time is it?”
“It’s almost eleven in the morning. How did you sleep?” He pushes a few strands of hair behind my ear. It’s sweet.
“Honestly I don’t even remember falling asleep.”
“It was probably the sedative you took.”
“You gave me a sedative? Why would you do that? How could you?” I sit up putting distance between us. He looks hurt by my reaction.
“I didn’t. The doctor prescribed them.” He stands. “Get ready. I expect you to be in the dining room in fifteen minutes.” His tone is back to demanding.
“And if I don’t?”
“You know the answer to that.” He answers as he leaves.
All this drama has me on edge. Suddenly I have a headache. What am I supposed to do? I am not really safe here. But I don’t want to be anywhere else. Why did Dad have to put me in this position? Despite his gambling, we were ok.
I jump in the shower knowing well if I am not downstairs in fifteen minutes Viktor will come for me. The hot water feels good on my body but does nothing for my headache. I dress in joggers and an off the shoulder sweatshirt trying to hide all the scratches on my arms. From the top of the stairs, I hear voices. It isn’t loud, but Viktor’s voice carries. He seems to be shouting orders.
“I want four men with her at all times. Another dozen walking the perimeter.”
“That is a lot of resources you are shuffling to protect one person.”
“She isn’t one person Oliver. She is going to be my wife.” His words sound so convincing I almost believe them. But it’s a lie.
“Good morning Ava,” Oliver greets as I reach the landing. Viktor turns.
“Good morning Oliver.” I keep walking to the kitchen ignoring Viktor’s stare.
“Let’s pick this up in an hour.” I feel him walking behind me. “How are you feeling?” His voice is gentle. A one-eighty from the man who was shouting at Oliver seconds ago.
“Better, the shower helped.” I walk into the kitchen where Mary is cooking. “Good morning Mary.”
“Good morning Ms. O’Brien. Can I get you some coffee?”
“Yes please.” I sit at the breakfast bar. Viktor looks at me but after a second sits beside me.
“Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” Mary goes back to the stove. “Viktor, can I ask you something?” There has been a question burning in the back of my mind I feel I need to ask.
“Sure.” I eye Mary, unsure if I should ask in front of her. “Mary, please bring breakfast to the dining room.” He stands and takes my hand leading me out of the kitchen. At first, I want to resist, but my burning question needs to be asked.
“Am I safe?”
“Yes. Why would you ask that?”
“It just seems like ever since, you know,” I drop my voice, “‘the arrangement’ it’s just one thing after another.”
“Ava, I swear to you nothing like yesterday will ever happen again.”
