Slowly, Victor became a mighty force of nature in my life. Each passing day he swept in line a storm I didn't know I needed.
He spared no expense: Vacation in sun-drenched cities, quiet romantic nights in the penthouse suites. Roof top views at night, overlooking the glittering skyline , profound intimate moments that put the world to a pause Each time he closed in.
One day during our intimate hours I said to him, "It almost feels like the world stopped when you came into my life... you make everything so easy. You hear me even when I don't speak, you just know what to do and when ... and how. How do you do it?"
I saw his eyes soften as a new born. A beautiful warmth swept across his usual intensity. " Because I pay attention. I notice the things that matter. I pay attention to people who matter to me."
"What are those things you have noticed from attention?" I raised my eyebrow, asking teasingly.
"Your favourite food for instance." He said with a brief pause then he leaned closer and continued. "The way you curl your hair before important meetings. The way your hands fidget when you're nervous. Your clothing sizes, even the brands you prefer."
I felt like I was caught off guard. "What? You know all of that?"
He gave a shy smile. "I told you I pay attention to the things I love."
I was sure I heard love.
I almost lost track of the reality behind our marriage.
What was meant to be a contract suddenly made my heart skipped in beats. I had never known anyone who cared so so fully about me.
A few days later , I told Viktor I needed to pick up a few items from the mall, he said I could go with his driver and his car.
At the mall, every eye I met looked heavy and slightly piercing. Shortly, it felt like the crowd had faded away then suddenly a small slip of paper landed in my cart.
I looked around trying to catch glimpse of who it came from or who it belonged to but everyone seem too distant to have owned it.Then curiously, unfolded it carefully.
The message I saw shocked my entire being:
"You have no idea what's coming at you."
I looked around once more to see if I could find a cue but it seemed whoever dropped the bot was far gone, perhaps swallowed by the crowd.
The driver who was assisting me be get items I could not reach noticed my switch of mood and asked, "is everything alright, ma?"
I said I was fine .
But I ordered him to return every item.
"Take me home. Shopping is over." I said with so much tension.
The driver didn't utter another word, he did as instructed and we drove home immediately.
On arrival, I jumped out of the car almost running, I took the note and handed it to Viktor who was already anxious by the speed I swept in.
His eyes scanned the note briefly. There was no intensity what so ever in his expression. Infact, he read it like he was reading a fictional pamphlet.
Then he folded it and threw it in the trash bin.
"Have you stopped to think that perhaps, this was mistakenly dropped in your cart?"
My expression was darkened. How come he didn't feel the weight of it like I did?
"I'm convinced it wasn't a mistake. I would have figured it out."
"Very well then, it's your Ex or his new wife playing pranks on you. It's nothing you should worry your pretty head on."
I didn't know why I felt so eerily unsettled.
It couldn't have been Julian. I know what his writing looks like. Well except he paid someone to write it.
But why would Chloe say a thing like that to me?
I had questions I couldn't find answers to.
My heart pounded uncontrollably. Viktor could see through me. He placed his hand on my shoulder. " Don't worry baby... I'll take care of it. No one would touch you, I guarantee."
I didn't know what Viktor meant by taking care of it, but I was sure about one thing-- my fears just doubled. The seed of dread I had tried to bury deep inside had surfaced .
A sudden fear of the unknown.
Later that night, my worry couldn't let me close eyes in sleep so I decided to go look for the paper in the trash again so maybe I could find something , something to connect the dots in my head, but to my surprise, it wasn't there.
I went to the house servant to ask if she had took out the trash but she said she didn't.
Confussion rose in my head. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know if Viktor truly took the trash or it was because of the note.
Viktor cornered me by the hallway. "Why are you pacing at the this time?"
My heart raced, I managed to say it, "Is there a particular reason you took out the trash?"
"I take out the trash , Layla, always. Is that a problem?"
I watched his eyes through the dark a brief moment then I spoke again, this time, with more calm. "Perhaps you didn't want me finding the note again."
He held my hands softly, "Layla, baby, I told you, there's nothing to be worried about . The note you speak of is clearly a ploy by your ex and his wife to get to you." He paused and searched my eyes as though expecting a response. That I didn't have. Then he continued.
"It may have skipped my mind to inform you that chief Carter, Chloe's father, was stripped the role of a manager and out of the board of directors."
My brow arched. "What? But why?"
"It's a long story. But I just need you to rest easy. Julian and Chloe are clearly furious and are capable of anything. Don't you think so?"
I nodded subtly while he pressed a kiss on my lips briefly, then he held my hand, "come. Enough of the worrying."
I took a deep breath. It was my last resolve.
---
Days passed. One cold evening, my phone buzzed, when I picked it up I was shocked at the name staring at me.
Julian.
I had not seen or hear from him since my marriage to Viktor.
I watched the phone vibrate in my hand.
"Help the caller Layla. "
Viktor's voice jolted me.
I picked the call swiftly. Julian's voice stirred something in me.
Anger and maybe memories.
"Please, darling..." His voice was somewhat desperate, coated with fear. "I know I wronged you.... don't let my boss fire me. I'll do anything... please..."
My fingers tightened around the phone. I took a deep slow breath forcing out all the calms in me but I somehow managed to let out the coldest response.
"Stop calling me. I'm a wife now. Your boss' wife." I hung up instantly.
When the line went dead, I sank back onto the couch , Julian's voice still resounding in my head then sudden Viktor appeared down the stairs and walked straight to me. He pulled me into his arms. His warmth surrounded me like a shield.
That night, we slept side by side. His steady and protective arm melted my very soul. He had slept earlier but I was basking in the scents of his body then I heard him murmur. A name.
Ava
My childhood nickname. One I had forgotten until this day.
My heart skipped violently. I jolted in disbelief, staring at him sternly, unsure if I had heard him correctly.