ViktorMy mouth tasted like sandpaper no matter how many times I swallowed. Even though I'd stopped the car engine minutes ago, it took a while to fully recover from the haze I'd been in. Weariness filled my bones as I stared at the large house against the orange hues of sundown.With a final push I slipped out of the car, dragging myself through the front door. Silence was the new normal. Aside from a few employees and the security guards up front, there were no people. It made it more intimidating, no matter how many times I dragged myself back here.The lights were down, letting more shadows in. As I stepped onto the hallway I could hear noises distantly, but I forced myself to focus on moving to the one place I needed.Knocking briefly I entered, opening the door to find my mother there. There was no need for me to wait for her assent when she really responded. Whether it was because she was used to me constantly coming here or simply wished to ignore me, I didn't want to know,
Viktor Night had fallen when I reached the place. Stepping out of the car, I looked at the building with a hollow feeling in my chest. The lights were off. Yet I stayed in place, feeling like an outsider.After years of avoiding it, I'd returned to the place I'd left years ago.My old penthouse. The home that unused to be ours before I ruined everything.It didn't matter how many times I'd come here, it still felt foreign yet painfully familiar and no matter my state I remained standing in this same spot in the entrance, focused on the room windows above that belonged to that room.Six years ago, she had been thrown out in the same place. Had she looked back at the window? The pang of regret never failed to sting. Shutting my eyes, I finally moved forward. Whatever sounds I gave the security at the reception could barely be called a greeting, but it was enough as I slipped into the elevator. The silence throughout reinforced the memories floating in my mind. The good and bad, all o
EvaThe Cafe's bustling noise felt refreshing . At least, it was good compared to the tense aura of the woman in front of me. Another sigh came through, making me shift back to the subject in question. Penelope moved around the desk gathering ingredients. Even though she had employees up front which made her recipes to her satisfaction, she still preferred to make her personal blend herself and she was doing so, very gloomily.After the first few days, the hype of her return settled down and the excitement and happiness she had had turned into this lonely sense. As if she was longing for something. Or in this case, someone.Were I not her friend, I would've kept silent to not aggravate her. Unfortunately for her, I was. Clearing my throat I spoke up.“So, has he contacted you?”She perked up instantly, as if I'd jolted her. I held back my amusement at how quickly she'd responded. She definitely had it bad for him.Yet just as quickly, she deflated.“No. And he won't either. He's pro
Eva The awkwardness grew the longer the silence persisted. I took the initiative to break it, shifting slightly, “Uh…Julienne , this is Penelope,” I introduced, turning to Julienne before staring interchangeably at Penelope “she's my friend and owns this cafe.” Julienne looked trite, staring at me in shock. I sent her a silent apology, hoping she didn't think I'd done this on purpose. Even I was still recovering from the shock. Lost in conversation I'd forgotten about Penelope meeting her, but it didn't help the discomfort from her sudden entrance and words. Penelope sat on the free seat at the side, middling us. “Did something happen?” I asked warily. “No, I just felt like stepping out,” she replied, shaking her head, “I also wanted to meet you, Julienne.” I noticed Julienne stiffen. “Penelope-” I said in a warning tone. “Thank you for helping Eva out before. Drinks are on me.” Penelope said with a smile. “Oh, thanks…” Julienne said, a wary look on her eyes. O
EvaAny dismissal I felt washed away under panic as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. He was following me?It seemed impossible to think of. The Viktor I knew would never do that, but that car was unmistakable.And one thing that the past years taught me was that I didn't know him.‘He stalked the office, what makes you think he wasn't capable of doing this?’ a skeptical voice rang in my mind.Not to mention, where I was. I took another turn and his car followed through. It seemed to be confirmation from me. I was already near the school. If he came any closer …‘No,’ I thought to myself. I had to confront him now. I couldn't let him do this.It wasn't possible where there was still a little traffic. Squeezing the leather wheel, I broke out in panic. As I took the next turn towards the next avenue, away from their school. It was a double measure, first to make sure he wouldn't know where I was initially going. And second, to confirm my suspicions.“It's okay,” I murmured to mys
Viktor I didn't want to think about what happened earlier, but it remained burned in my mind.Did she think I was capable of stalking her? Was that how despicable she believed I was?‘How is she supposed to feel after you practically stalked her workplace?’ a voice in my mind berated. I gripped the steering wheel.Abd after everything I'd done, that was the least act. I had caused her to have a low perception of me. Taking her directions, I saw the sign for the 3rd Avenue and looked at the address on the paper.She was right. After she'd pointed it out, I couldn't unsee the evident number error. I only wished I'd seen it sooner.If I'd found the stop faster and hadn't moved forward mistaking a number, she wouldn't have seen me or been so afraid. She wouldn't think of me as a stalker.‘That's the least accusation you have to worry about,’ my thoughts haunted me. I had done worse things to her already. Things that I'd intentionally tried to hurt her. Things that I couldn't take back.
EvaDespite agreeing to meet, it wasn't until the end of the week that we'd finally met, days later. I didn't know why she'd extended it, but I was thankful for the time it gave me to prepare myself, although now those preparations were turning to dust. I'd dealt with business deals with more urgency than this yet here I was, completely anxious as I stood in front of the Greenhouse Cafe. With a final sigh, I stepped inside. One of the waiters led me into the room I recognized as the same private spot we were in the last time.There were so many words loaded in my mind but they disappeared the moment I saw her. Her poise remained the same, but her face was more wan, with more wrinkles and a gauntness to them.Yet when she faced me, she lit up in the brightest smile and it chipped at my senses. It was one thing to hear from Viktor that she missed me. It was another to see it.She stood up and reached me before I could think, hugging me.“Come in dear, do you want to stand there all
Viktor Minutes passed by as I remained frozen in place in the Cafe.‘Was it real?’ I thought. It was a laughable question to others. It should have been incredulous to refuse to trust my senses, but the past few days had taught me otherwise.I'd been going through withdrawal symptoms since dropping alcohol for more than a week, almost a day or so before my first meeting with the therapist and only hit a day or so after. From the pounding headaches to being unable to keep anything in to my constant draw I had to force myself to ignore. The hallucinations however, was the worst of them.Everytime I was in the penthouse, where I would suffer from hallucinations and flashbacks, seeing Eva there with tears in her eyes in many ways. Her teary face when she found us, the angry look before.I remember crying and begging before passing out only to wake up and find that it was a hallucination. Even when it was obvious, I would still fall for it and the ache would begin again.Between trying to
EvaMy heart raced as I reached the door leading into the cafe.My words the day before were like a fever dream. It wasn't until hours later when night had fallen that doubts and panic of what I'd done began creeping in.It was still the weekend and Penelope had snatched the children away to play for the day. Jon had left to the penthouse leaving me wearing down the floor of my room alone.‘I should have waited a little longer. I wasn't prepared yet. Why did I say that?’ doubts filled my thoughts. I’d made that declaration still high on the feeling of reciprocation, to equal his determination. It was cowardly yet I was second guessing everything. ‘Maybe he hadn't told her. Maybe he would postpone it.’ All the possibilities that he wouldn't take me on my word reared its head and for a moment I nearly deluded myself into thinking that it wouldn't happen. The text I'd gotten twenty minutes after rid those thoughts away. ‘‘We’re on our way to the cafe.’’ he said.The ticking time I
Eva“Is he going to still keep us waiting?”“Jon,” my voice came out harsher than I expected, but it was rightfully so. Jon looked trite immediately. He looked away and set his jaw, making me deflate instantly. Out of all the words I could use to describe Jonathan, insufferable wasn't on the list yet it seemed that way now more than ever. I couldn't blame him for how he's been reacting though.It was my fault for making the decision so abruptly, especially when I had so confidently told him that I wouldn't let Viktor into their lives. Despite his attempt to be supportive he hadn't expected me to go through with it, hence his reaction now It had taken a day to come to terms with my decision and another day to muster up the courage to tell Jon. It took a few days more for us to talk about it.He was far from happy once I told him my decision but he'd accepted it, or claimed to at least. Despite his veiled irritation and his attempt to pick on things, he was still here for me. For all
Viktor “Did something happen?” My mother asked, her worried tone filtering through the phone. I smiled even if she couldn't see it, trying to muster.“Nothing bad happened mom. It's just some extra documents to sort out in the office. I'll be coming home later than normal is all.” I said. It wasn't necessarily a lie, yet it still sent a sliver of guilt to me that I would miss dinner with her. I didn't want any setbacks on the relationship we were rebuilding.The anxiety eased as she sighed,“Okay…” my mother trailed off, “Don't forget to eat.”“I won't,” I quickly assured her, “I love you mom.”Despite time and efforts bringing us closer I was still half expecting her to hesitate and not day it at all. It made it all the more relieving when she chuckled.“Love you too.” she said and the call ended. Putting my phone down I turned to the empty street from my office window. Only a few hours ago, I was recieving what felt like the best and worst news of my life.A part of me still couldn
EvaI entered the cafe booked for this meeting. It was a new place, unfamiliar to me unlike my regular spot with Penelope’s Cafe or the growing familiarity of the Greenhouse cafe. It was exactly what I wanted for this occasion.I needed a neutral spot, free from any influence to meet him. This time, we were on equal grounds.“Good day, what's your order?” The unfamiliar waitress smiled at me. I ordered a random pastry and some water to pass the time. I wasn't planning on staying for long.The noises around helped keep me calm but I kept on questioning if this was the right thing to do.‘We’ll see,’ I told myself.The door opened and this time I looked up to meet a familiar face..he was right on time.Viktor entered the cafe, looking around. I silently nodded the moment he spotted me, waiting with bated breath.Less than a few days ago I'd finally solved the conflict brewing in my mind with a single call to the RCF office. They recognized me and amidst my issues, forwarded my call to h
EvaI tensed hearing his name from her mouth. Penelope sighed beside me.In the past, she hadn't done so much as blink an eye when I told her my past and who my ex lover was despite him being a literal billionaire from one of the wealthiest families. While many others would have found a way to take advantage of the information, she hadn't even bothered mentioning it after I told her except when she wanted to curse him out. It was rare to see someone like that. It was one of the oddest things that made me question her in the past but that was just the way she was. Grounded. The money glitz and glamor didn't seem to affect her. I was grateful for it.“Julienne, let's change the topic.” she offered while Julienne remained feel “B-but..”“Yes. He is.” I cut her off, giving Penelope an assuring glance that made her relax in her seat. Switching my gaze to the brunette, I saw that her face turned slack.I expected the shock, but I I hadn't expected her face to turn stormy. “So when he che
Eva “Stop,” I spoke through the silent room as I paced, as if it would help. Spoiler alert: it didn't. In the end, settling on the couch was the only reprieve for my tired legs. I shut my eyes, digging my fingers into the side of my head as frustration brewed in me Why? Why couldn't I stop thinking about him? It was already Friday, four days since I confronted Viktor. Normally I was able to brush up any upsetting thing with a layer of professionalism as I did in the past or simply block it out, get for some reason that day and his words remained stuck in my mind. I couldn't stop thinking back to him, his face and his words. And worst of all, it was making more guilt settle in me for rejecting him and his desire to see the children. Which was insane…right? My hardy words that day still rang true, yet a stabbing feeling came to my gut as I recalled how his face fell. His sincere expression. I was doing the right thing by keeping him away yet my conscience was telling me
Eva I couldn't hide my restlessness for the rest of the day. My mind was going haywire. If not for Lucy constantly keeping me in check I was sure I would have been a spaced out mess. Every action I took felt more automatic than conscious. Thanks to a text I received I knew that Jon wasn't coming back till evening. I couldn't wait to get home. The moment it was nearing closing time I stormed out, grabbing my bag and keys to leave. I told myself to wait three days until things cooled down, but Victor's appearance changed everything. I had to tell Jon, tonight. “Mommy!” Cory squealed, jumping up to hug me. I caught his embrace, putting on a smile. How ironic it was that I'd just spoken about them a few hours before. Their signature green eyes haunted me. “Were you two good?” I teased lightly after separating from them, forcing those thoughts away. ”We’ve never been bad!” Anthea cried out while Cory pouted. I stifled a laugh. “Alright. Let's go.” I foisted them I to the
EvaI swallowed thickly. It was ironic that he was here now that Jon was away. The man I wanted to tell everything was absent while the one I wasn't ready to face stood in front of me.I wished I could be defensive and pull it under the rug. A part of me urged to walk away and completely ignore him, but what good will that do when he would still find me here or could corner me somewhere else?Despite his actions, this time, he actually had the moral high ground to come to me demanding answers. I couldn't refuse, even if I wanted to.There wasn't any escape this time.I quickly glanced around. Just as I hoped,the parking lot was empty, leaving me in privacy.I sped my footsteps to near him, heart shaky. I stopped several inches away, leaning in as the spice of his cologne wafted.“Not here,” I said in a low voice, averting my gaze. When I finally looked up, I met his face full of disbelief and anger.“Not now. I have a meeting minutes from now. After…we can talk somewhere else.” my wo
Eva Darkness filled the room and I had a feeling that it was past midnight. Jon's breaths beside me were supposed to be soothing but my thoughts ran even louder.“Are you going to tell me what's wrong?” He'd asked soon after I'd recovered. He was so considerate, despite not knowing what or why I was in that state as he led me inside, making an excuse as we passed the kids about why I couldn't show my face until he led me into the bedroom. I tried to speak. I tried, but the words couldn't come out. I was still too spaced out, too in my head and in shock to do so. the question of what if was torturing me. That had been happening more times than I liked.In the end he'd sighed and happily brushed it off, set on distracting me. I was both relieved and pressured. How could I hold this back from him?Guilt bubbled my gut horribly , both then and now. It didn't help that throughout dinner Cory and Anthea's faces were there to remind me of the accident that happened.I always kept a pictur