Temptation (44 page)

I look away when he glances at me. I have a feeling whoever he’s talking to doesn’t like he’s here with Gabbie and I. Taking my phone out of Gabbie’s bag, I check my messages to see if Viktor called or texted. I sigh, seeing he hasn’t done either. I don’t want there to be problem with Viktor, but he needs to be more supportive of my decisions with it comes to Gabbie.

I toss my phone back in Gabbie’s bag when she hands me her empty bowl. “Me full, mommy.”

“Okay, baby. You want some more juice?”

“Juice!” Gabbie yells and I grab some more juice before she decides to keep yelling juice. She swings her legs back and forth while she drinks her juice and I see Malcolm hanging up his phone. He starts walking to us, and I secretly hope he’s about to leave.

“Mommy, where’s Icky?”

Malcolm reaches us right as she asks me about Viktor. Malcolm is looking at me strangely, and I take Gabbie’s empty juice box from her. “He’s working right now. You will see him later, okay?”

“Hers play wid me den?”

“Yes, baby.”

“Who’s Icky?” Malcolm asks me. I don’t answer him right away. I really don’t know if I want him to know I’ve been seeing Viktor.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“I do. Don’t you think I should at least meet this guy? Especially if he’s hanging around my daughter.”

I shake my head as I say, “You have zero rights to ask that of me. None what so ever. He practically raised Gabbie while you were off to God knows where.”

“You’re never going to let that go are you?” He looks away shaking his head.

“What do you think, Malcolm? Did you really think you could come back, and everything just go back to the way things were before? Gabbie doesn’t know you. She won’t even say your name. So no. I’ll never let that go.”

He ignores me and bends down and starts to talk to Gabbie. “Hey, sweetie. Can you say, Malcolm?”

“No,” she tells him and I have to turn my head to hide my smile.

“Come on, Gabbie. I’m your dad. You can say my name.” I whip my head back around, wondering why in the hell would he say that? Clearly, Gabbie doesn’t know him as her dad.

“No. Icky is my daddy.” She turns to me and says, “Right, mommy?”

She looks at me and I’m lost for words. I can’t believe she said that. I watch Malcolm get up and he looks angry. “I’ve tried to be patient with you, Ava. I’ve tried to do the best I could in these past two weeks and I haven’t pushed getting custody. But, I can’t do that anymore.” My heart starts to race and I feel sick hearing him say this to me. “I know I’ve been gone, but her calling another man daddy, I will not listen to that.”

“Malcolm, you can’t stand here and get angry about that. She’s been around him a lot longer than you and you can’t expect her to understand any of this.” I can tell nothing I say is going to change his mind. He’s shaking his head at me as he lets out a deep breath.

“How do you expect her to know me if you only let me see her at the park? I want to take her home with me.”

I stand up quickly and I grab Gabbie. I won’t even think about him taking her. “No, Malcolm. This is all you get right now.” I turn around and face him. “I do not trust you, at all. What makes you think you could take care of her? You know nothing, not a single thing about her!”

He smiles, but that smile sends chills down my spine. And not the good kind. “You know Ava, money talks. And you know my mother has her connections.” He gets right in my face and says, “You do not want me to push this custody hearing. You know damn well I will win.” He backs away but turns right back around and adds, “You’re a stripper after all. No judge in his right mind would let you keep her after I’m finished with you. Trust me, Ava. My mother can be quite convincing when she wants something.”

I take a step back from him. I feel as though he’s words have literally knocked me back. I don’t know what to say to him. I thought he would let this go, and we could eventually work past him trying to take Gabbie away from me. Clearly I was so wrong. “If you want to fight me over this, then fine. I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep my daughter.”

“Then a fight you’ll get. I’ll be by tomorrow to get her.”

“No, Malcolm! You’re not taking her!”

“Mommy!” Gabbie starts to cry and I pull her to me giving her comfort.

“Tomorrow, Ava, or I’ll have sole custody by the end of the week. Don’t push me on this, because you will lose.” He leaves me standing as he walks off. Gabbie’s cries are getting louder by the second, and I quickly grab her bag and go back to the SUV. I put her in her seat as fast as I can, but that only makes her cry harder.

“Gabbie, baby please calm down.”

“Mommy … hers …” She can’t even get out what she’s trying to say. But I know.

“I know, baby. It’s going to be fine.” I push her hair out of her face and wipe her tears away. I kiss her on her head and I shut her door. I get in and I drive home. She cries all the way home and it’s breaking my heart hearing her so upset. I fight my tears as well, knowing everything Malcolm said was true. His mother is a very popular woman and she’ll stop at nothing to get what her son wants.

The thought of actually loosing Gabbie is terrifying.

I push those very unwanted thoughts out of my mind. I can’t think that way. I pull up at my home and I quickly get Gabbie out. I notice Viktor isn’t here, and I’m thankful for that. I have no idea how I’m going to tell him what happened. I don’t know if I should even tell him. If I do, it’ll only lead to more fighting with him and I just don’t have the strength to try and make him understand. Gabbie sniffles and wraps her arms around my neck as I open the door. I’m glad she’s calming down. I set her bag down and I walk into the living room. I rock her in my arms, until she stops crying. I look down at her, seeing she’s fallen asleep. I get up and walk up the stairs, putting her in her bed. I cover her up and I walk out of her room and go to mine. I shut the door and sit down on my bed. I grab a pillow by the headboard and I put it to my mouth. I scream into it as loud as I can. I have to get this out now while Gabbie is sleeping and while Viktor isn’t here.

I scream until my throat hurts. Then I cry until I can’t cry anymore.

I wake up feeling someone rubbing my shoulder. I push their hand away, but when they continue to do it again, I open my eyes. I see Viktor standing over me and I slowly lean up. I wipe my eyes and ask, “What time is it?”

“It’s after ten. I came home early from the club to check on you when you weren’t answering your phone. Why are you in bed so early?” I look away and I get out of bed. I walk into the bathroom and brush my teeth. Viktor follows me, still waiting for my answer. I listen for a second for Gabbie, and when I don’t hear her I take my toothbrush out of my mouth, spit, then ask, “Is Gabbie still asleep?”

“Yeah. I checked on her before I came to wake you up.”

I rinse my mouth out, not believing she’s still asleep. I know today was long for her and she did play pretty much all day. I start to walk out of the bathroom to check on her but Viktor stops me.

“Ava, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just going to check on Gabbie.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Why are you avoiding my question?”

I shrug, and I look away. I can’t tell him about Malcolm. If I do, it’ll make things worse. I don’t want to fight anymore with him. And I sigh when I realized I never called the lawyer earlier. “I was just tired. I only wanted to take a nap but I guess I was more tired than I thought.” I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t push it. He lets me pass by him and I go to Gabbie’s room. I see she’s still fast asleep and I quietly walk out of her room.

Viktor follows me down the stairs and I sit on the couch. He sits right beside me, staring at me. I ignore him and reach for the remote. I turn on the TV to distract myself from thinking, therefore leading to crying again. I mindlessly flip through the channels, but Viktor takes it out of my hands.

“What the hell?”

He tosses the remote on the coffee table and asks, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Why did you take that away from me? I was trying to find something to watch.” I shake my head and I reach for the remote again. He takes my wrist and makes me look at him.

“I know something’s wrong with you. You’ve been crying and you’ve never go to bed early when I’m working.”

“Let go of me.” I tell him through clench teeth. I don’t know why I’m so mad at him all of a sudden. I have no reason or right to be mad, but I am. He slowly lets me go, but continues to stare.

“Did something happen today with, Malcolm?”

“No. Now, can I watch some TV?” I turn away and look at the TV. I don’t see what’s on. I just can’t look at Viktor.

“I don’t know why you’re lying to me, and I don’t know what has you so pissed off, but I hope you know you can talk to me about whatever it is.” I sigh when he gets off the couch and walks out of the room. I rub my temples, trying not to lose it again. I have to stay strong, but all I want to do, is run into Viktor’s arms and let him make me feel better. To let him do what he does best and take care of things.

But I don’t. I lay down on the couch and pull the quilt on me. I wrap my arms around myself, and I stare at the TV, hoping that things will get better. They have to.

I cringe at the sound of the doorbell going off. I know who it is, and I feel sick knowing what’s about to happen. I slowly walk to the door, looking at it as if it will jump off the hinges and attack me. I glance over at Gabbie playing on the floor and I open the door. Malcolm stands with his arms crossed. I sigh and I open it so he can come inside. For the thousandth time, I’m grateful Viktor already left to go to the club. I can’t say for sure, but I think he knew something was going on with me. He left earlier than he normally would, and when I told him I wasn’t going into work, he asked me a million questions. Mom even called worried about me. I played it off to both of them that I was sick, but I don’t think either one bought my lies. I just knew I wouldn’t be able to work knowing Gabbie’s about to leave for a few hours to go to Malcolm’s house.

Malcolm sits down by Gabbie, but she doesn’t even look up at him. I shut the door and stand by the couch. Malcolm tries again to get Gabbie’s attention but when she ignores him, he gets up. “Her things ready?”

“Yes, but I wish you would just stay here. Please, Malcolm. Just until she’s at least used to you being around.” I hate that I’m having to beg, but I don’t know what else to do.

“Where’s her bag?”

“Malcolm, please. Don’t do this. Why can’t you stay here and spend time with her?”

“Ava, I’m losing my patience. Now, where is her bag?”

I sigh, accepting defeat. I hand him her bag as I say, “Please have her home in a few hours.”

I watch as he puts Gabbie’s bag on his shoulder and he looks around my home. He takes in everything and turns back to me. “Nice house. Guess taking off your clothes has been good for you.”

I cross my arms and I look away. I clench my jaw, trying not to say anything back. It’ll only make matters worse if I end up slapping him. I end up biting my tongue until I can taste blood. He chuckles and I watch, holding my breath when he goes to get Gabbie. I feel a lump forming in my throat when he picks her up. I can tell she didn’t want him to pick her up. She’s leaning away from him and she starts to squirm in his arms as he gets closer to the door.

“Mommy! Me not go!” My heart breaks in two hearing her cry out to me.

I rub her back, not liking how close I am to Malcolm. “It’s okay, baby. It’s only for a little bit, okay?”

“No! Mommy no!”

I can see the tears swelling in her eyes, and I give her a kiss on the cheek, hating myself for letting Malcolm take her. “Don’t cry, baby. I promise you’ll be back before you know it.” I glance at Malcolm and I’m a little surprised to see him looking away. I hope he sees how much this affects Gabbie and not just me. “Just go. If you stay any longer, she’s going to start screaming.”

Malcolm nods and says, “I’ll bring her back in a few hours.” He opens the door and Gabbie starts to scream like someone’s hurting her. She cries for me as she reaches for me, but Malcolm ignores her cries and walks right out the door. I jump as it slams shut, and I fall to the floor. I can still hear Gabbie’s pleas and I start sobbing hysterically. I feel like the worst mother ever. How could I let him take her? But, what other choice did I have? I put my hands to my face and I let it all out. I tell myself, that she’ll be fine and he’ll bring her back to me soon.