160. “NO!”

KATERINA

"Can I speak to mommy on the phone?" Ava asked quietly, looking up at me with desperate eyes.

This was not the first time she had asked it, and it broke my heart for her that I could not give in to her request.

"Sweetheart, I told you many times… mommy is out of reach. You cannot speak to her yet, but you will, I will take you to see her one of these days. I promise." I did not care if Whitney wanted her to see her like that or not, they'd have to meet, I decided.

"Alright, K. Thank you." She muttered. The nickname always filled my stomach with butterflies. Fun fact; she had come up with it herself. In fact, she had requested to call me that. Though I secretly hoped she would eventually call me mommy, I decided to make do with this.

We sat there while she colored on a new drawing hook I had bought for a while, until the smell of roasted chicken wafted through the room, and I looked back, noticing the nanny walking towards us. I almost moaned in relief. Finally.

"Sorry this came late, ma'am. I had to do this without the chef as she woke up ill this morning." She explained.

Oh.

"Didn't know that.. Is she in her room?" I asked as I made a mental note to check up on the chef later. She nodded.

"She is."

"Alright, thank you. For the food, as well."

She walked away after a little, "You're welcome", and then playfully winked at Ava. I chuckled at that.

Speaking of Ava, she stood nearby, watching me intently with those wide grey eyes of hers, her bunny tucked under one arm. I didn’t think much of it; she always seemed fascinated whenever I ate, as if it was some grand event.

"This is delicious, Ava. Did you help make it while you were with her?" I asked, taking another bite and glancing up at her.

She hesitated, her little fingers fiddling with the bunny’s ear. "Noo… Nanny said I wasn't allowed in the kitchen today."

“Oh. Well, maybe next time we'll sneak in together and make something," I offered with a wink, and that got a tiny smile out of her.

Her giggle was soft and nervous, but I chalked it up to the fact that she was still trying to be completely comfortable around me. Poor thing had been through so much already. Whitney's disappearance had left scars on this little girl that would take time to heal. I had to remind myself that patience was key with a child like her.

It did not take long before I finished my meal of Omelette with the p

"Alright Ava, baby, I need to get some work done, but you can stay with me if you want?" I really wanted her to stay with me, actually.

She nodded, clutching her bunny tighter. "Okay."

We moved to my room, where I had to take a few calls. Ava trailed behind me, as quiet as a mouse. I settled into my chair, glancing at her as she climbed onto the couch, curling up with her bunny. Her presence was oddly comforting, even though I knew I couldn't give her my full attention right now.

I started out with the most important client, one I couldn't afford to ignore. The conversation was long, filled with negotiations and promises, but all the while, I kept an eye on Ava. She was lying on the couch now, tracing patterns on the fabric with her fingers, her bunny nestled against her cheek.

By the time I hung up, I felt drained, but the sight of her made me smile. "Are you okay, baby?” I asked.

She looked up, nodding, though her expression was unreadable. "Uh-huh."

I was about to ask her what she wanted to do next when my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Vincent. I smiled automatically, opening his text:

VINCENT: Hi gorgeous. I miss you, can't wait to get out of this depressing meeting.

I giggled.

ME: Cannot wait to see you too. I feel like you've been gone since forever.

VINCENT: Same. How are you? Anything you'd like to update me on?

ME: Nothing really. I actually had a boring day too. Trying to change that though, want to convince Ava to play.

VINCENT: She's there? Ask her if she wants to talk. I want to say hi.

I glanced at Ava, holding the phone up as I asked hopefully, in a coaxing manner, "Daddy wants to say hi. Want to talk to him?"

Her face instantly crumpled, her lower lip trembling. "No," she whispered.

"It eon't be for long, sweetie, and also not face to face. Please, he just wants to talk to his baby g—"

"No!" She said louder this time, hugging her bunny tightly and half-burying her face in it, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes.

I set my phone down, walking over to kneel beside her on the bed. "Ava, it's okay. You don't have to if you don't want to. But can you tell me why you're upset?"

Her little shoulders shook as she let out a soft sob. "I just don't want to…"

"Alright, alright," I said gently, stroking her hair. "No one's going to make you. But daddy's just trying to check on you, that's all."

She didn't respond, her tiny body curled into itself like she was trying to disappear. My heart broke all over again. This just reminded me that whatever Whitney had done to her, it ran deep. I knew better than to push her, so I texted Vincent back:

ME: Doesn't want to talk. I'm sorry.

He replied almost instantly.

VINCENT: It's okay. I'll be home soon. You two be good.

I smiled at the message, reassured by his concern no matter what had happened, and then I tucked the phone away. Ava had quieted down, though her face was still hidden. I let her lie in my arms for what looked like forever before moving away a bit to take more calls and attend meetings on Zoom.

Something about this whole ordeal lingered in the back of my mind, but I managed to focus mainly on work.

I'd talk to Vincent about this later and we could come up with quicker ways he could bond with her. For now, I just wanted her to feel safe.

MAIN AUTHOR’S NOTE:

I know, I know, and I’m sorry. Here’s an update for you guys, and the makeup I promised sometime earlier. Love you guys to pieces, thank you all for sticking!