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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
EvaShock rang over me in waves as her words rang through my mind. I could feel some people's eyes on mine but I couldn't care less. “Eva?”His voice snapped me back. Looking up I meet Viktor's eyes on mine. The concern clear on his face grounded me a little.Blinking frantically, I shook my head, trying to process.“Can you repeat that?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“I've been arrested.”Julienne repeated through the line and my grip tightened . She didn't sound bothered, her voice completely neutral and dare I say, emotionless. But I knew better.The moment we became friends we'd opened up to each other. She constantly kept her exterior tough out of survival but I knew better than anyone how vulnerable one could be. She was already happy going through college what the hell could have changed?After a few more seconds of silence, a sound I recognized as a sigh came through.“Technically it's not really an arrest. It's the college security that detained me and now I neede
Eva“I'm sorry love, I have to stay here longer.” Jon's voice rang through the phone. “What do you mean? You promised the kids you'd be back for the festival,” I tried to keep my tone neutral even as irritation sprang through me.“I know. Something came up that's really important. I'll make it up to them, I promise.”My jaw clenched in response. “Jonathan, it's been a month. Nearly two since they've seen you.” I said as carefully as I could, yet it was hard to keep my frustrations away from the phone.He sighed, sounding exasperated, like he was the one frustrated.“What do you want me to tell you Eva?” he asked and I snapped.“I want answers!” My voice rose and I shut my eyes instantly to calm down. Once I reeled myself in I spoke again.“Everytime I asked, you constantly told me it was ‘okay’ yet you do this. You've constantly been out of the city doing Goodness knows what. What the hell is wrong with you?”“Nothing's wrong. I just need to work out some things.”“Things that you h
Viktor It took me a few more seconds to process it wasn't her room but ours, or what once used to be. The same room I hadn't touched in months.“It had been six years since I entered, yet the place looked how I remembered. Not a thing out of place,” she said, shaking her head,She took a step closer towards me and close up I saw the walls shift down, the neutral look replaced with something sadder that made my heart clench.“Seeing it made me realize something. I thought I was doing the best I could, keeping my distance. I was still holding you to the past. I thought I'd let go, but when it came to the kids. It reared its head the moment you found out about them." She continued “I’d forgiven but not fully. I was afraid to face that part of myself until last night in the same way I was afraid to face the present you. Even though I knew that you'd changed, a part of me was still holding you to those days wondering if you were going to do something else.”Those last words were like a p
Viktor Hell. That's where I felt like I was right now.I groaned against the blinding lights. Pain hammered through my head. I'd forgotten how bad times like this could be. As I sat up, my memories began to flood back.After leaving her home I had gone to the penthouse. I didn't even know how it started. First it was one drink without hesitation and then another and another until my mind became a blurry haze. Yet I could still recall why it started. I shut my eyes tightly for a different reason altogether. The last sight of Anthea, my daughter, choking because of the candy i bought her. Cory's scream and Eva's green eyes, wild with panic.“Get out.”Eva's words echoed in my mind.The familiar self-loathing and guilt washed over me, threatening to drown me under. Things were getting better, but like always I had ruined everything. Just like that I'd backslid, months of progress gone under the bottom of a bottle.‘Pathenic’ I scoffed to myself.A flash of a hazy memory stopped me in
EvaThe scent of antiseptic stung my nose as I waited in the hospital lobby.Penelope’s presence helped. She had come in a few moments ago, even while I was spaced out with Cory on my lap. The moment she hugged me, I couldn't stop myself from breaking down again.“Everything’s going to be okay.” She whispered to me. I closed my eyes in response. Goodness knew I wished I could believe it.I didn’t know what to feel. We had gotten her there in time, but I still couldn't get my mind off it. It was just like the second time that this happened. I was on my own, alone, scared.“Miss Greene?” The voice made me look up instantly to find the doctor there. All thoughts slipped by as I stood up carefully.“Doctor? How is my-”“Your daughter is fine,” he said, “you brought her in early so it was just a mild allergic reaction she suffered. She's still asleep but when she wakes up she'll be fully ready to discharge.”A sigh of relief left me instantly. She was fine. My baby was fine.Cory was sti
ONE MONTH LATEREva“When are you coming back?” I asked, rifling through clothes as frustration brewed up in me.“Soon.” Jon’s voice rang through terse and neutral. It made my brows furrow.“So, in a week? Cory and Anthea miss you.” I said, trying to ignore the coldness in his tone.“I…Eva I don’t know yet.” His words gave me whiplash, making me flinch.“Okay.” I said.Frustration brewed inside me but I kept silent.The moment the call ended I dropped the phone like a dead weight, clenching and unclenching my arms for control. What the hell? This wasn’t the first time, at least not within this month.After telling him of my decision to include Viktor and Grace into the children’s lives the day I'd made the decision, he was completely supportive. I still sensed displeasure, however no matter how much I tried to assure him, he said that it was fine. Although he was never present while Viktor and Grace were around, he still looked well.It happened so gradually. At first he wasn’t pr
Eva I was completely frozen under the scrutiny of my best friend’s stare as she flickered between us. Even if he wasn't touching me like before, his closeness was suspicious enough. For a moment everything was still…until the moment the twins slipped out beside her. “Mom!” they chorused and my gaze shifted to their innocent smiles. Without he's they rushed to greet me and I pushed my panic away, forcing a smile. “Hey, babies. Did you enjoy your time at Aunt Penelope?” I hugged them, ruffling their hair to make them giggle and nod in agreement. Looking back up to face Penelope felt sheepish. Her expression said plenty, a mix of disbelief and recognition. I could hear her unsaid words without thinking. I tried to pass a pleading one of my own to tell her that I'd explain after this. “Mom?” I tore my eyes away to meet Anthea’s stare but she wasn't looking at me but behind me, no doubt at Viktor. ‘Oh,’ I quickly stood up, looking at him before turning back to the chil
82EvaThe doorbell rang. I was ready, sucking in a breath before standing up.I tampered down any impulse to clean aside anything within the room more than necessary despite the urge to hide it away. He needed to see the reality of their natural environment.Passing by the strewn toys I left alone made me think back to Cory and Anthea.A swift call from them moved the sleepover Penelope spent with them to them staying with her for the entire day while I sorted things out. It was already evening and they were still with her. Considering it was evening she was no doubt also on her way to my home.She wasn't the one standing by the door at the moment however.I forced myself to relax before opening the door, his cerulean eyes meeting mine immediately.“Hi,” Viktor said.The air felt awkward yet I let him slip inside, murmuring a greeting before stepping back. He looked overwhelmed as he looked around and I couldn't blame him when I was the same way.If it wasn't for what happened earli
EvaI worked up to darkness and dim lighting engulfing me. My eyes felt heavy and my body ached but the smell of food woke me up further.It didn't take long for the past memories and pain to seep in. Swallowing hoarsely, I nearly broke down in tears again until“You're awake,”Jon's voice jolted me. I looked up to find him moving towards me, a plate in his hand along with the familiar aroma of pasta.Sitting up, I tried to smile when he reached. “Are you okay now?” He asked,“Yeah,” I nodded my voice hoarse from unuse.After crying for so long, I didn't know when I just…passed out. But looking around I was sure that a few hours had passed.I should have considered it a relief compared to holding it in, but looking at him only made more guilt swell into me.“I shouldn't have…I'm sorry for coming here unannounced.” I shifted uncomfortably. “It's okay.” Was all he said.“I'm sorry,” my voice cracked as I spoke. Even still I shouldn't have to use him as a crutch.“What happened? Or is