THE CAGED BIRD

CHAPTER 30

Evelyn and I made our way down toward the foyer. Both our dresses moved majestically around our bodies as we made our descent down the stairs. Both men were waiting for us as they stood in their sharp - looking suits.

Nicholas was wearing a dark black suit with a matching black dress shirt. Xavier, on the other hand, wore lighter clothes. His suit was grey with a light grey dress shirt, matched with a burgundy red tie.

It was my brother who spoke up first as we got in their eyesight. ‘You look lovely, both of you ladies.’ He smiled. He always smiled when Evelyn was in the room. I wished somebody would do that when I entered the room.

Maybe, someday. After all, this is over.

When we were at the bottom of the stairs Evelyn thanked Xavier for the compliment. ‘I think ‘Beautiful’ is a better way to phrase how our ladies look.’ Nicholas finally said as I stood beside him.

‘You look really beautiful Ava.’ He said in a low voice.

I did not know how to take the compliment.

‘You think?’ I stammered. Nervously I smoothed out the skirt of the dress I wore. It was purple, the top part was heart - shaped, tucked around my waist and from there the skirt went down in an A - line.

‘Yes, Shall we?’ Nicholas asked as he held out his arm for me. With a questioning face I looked at him. Wondering why he held out his arm like that.

The said man chuckled. ‘I know you find it difficult to walk in heels. I noticed at our wedding.’ He smirked at me. A slight blush washed over my face and very gracefully I hooked my arm with his. Nicholas gesture calmed down some of the nerves I had for tonight. The Ball.

Evelyn called it a party, but it was, in fact, a Ball. Nicholas had invited friends and enemies of his Mafia. This, to show enough people to believe we were indeed a convincing and legally married couple. Nicholas warned me that he might act a bit different towards me form how he acts at home, but respectfully of course. So, people would be convinced of us. I was truly grateful for his ‘Heads up’, so to say…

When we all sat down in the Limo Nicholas made sure I could watch out the window. He knew how much I loved it. I heard Xavier and Evelyn in the background whispering and giggling like schoolchildren. It seemed that everybody was not nervous about tonight. Of course, all three of them were used to go to events like this. Especially the men.

I, on the other hand, was not used to parties, dinners or Balls.

Technically, this was not the first event I went to if you count the party that was held at father’s house. The same night my hand was promised to a wicked man and later my Ex-husband named Edric. Memories of that night flashed through my mind together with the ones after that dreadful moment. Fear coursed through my body. What were we doing? I cannot go to the party. What if something happened? What if I or the others got hurt? I did not even like huge crowds.

Absent - minded I started to pick at my dress, which caused the attention of Nicholas. He had put his large hand over mine. It startled me. ‘Didn’t mean to frighten you. You seem stressed. Are you alright?’ He silently asked.

I shook my head. ‘No, I cannot do this Nicholas. I simply cannot.’ I whispered as I did not want to alarm the Love Birds.

‘Of course you can. After everything you went through, this is a piece of cake.’ He smile kindly to me.

‘No, I really cannot. What if something goes wrong, or…or what if-’ Nicholas took both my hands in his, which caused me to stop my rambling. ‘You are a strong woman. Ava. Whatever it is you will get through this. And I will be there to protect you, your brother as well. Nothing will go wrong tonight, I promise you.’ Nicholas put a small kiss on my forehead. Another gesture I appreciated much.

We had finally arrived in front of the hotel where the Ball was being hosted. The door of the Limo was opened from the outside and Xavier and Evelyn were the first ones to get out of the vehicle. Soon followed by Nicholas and me, who held his hand out to me, again. Once outside I could see the full grandness of the building. It screamed richness and luxury by the Golden Details and exotic plants on the inside and out. Bodyguards were all around together with other guests that had arrived, just before us.

My heart was in my throat, my palms started to sweat and my mouth felt dry. How was I going to survive this night? I had no idea how to start a conversation with any of this people. Knowing how dangerous these men and women could be. As I admired the building I stood glued to the ground.

When Nicholas had wrapped his arms around my waist and slowly moved forward, it was then that I could move from my spot, even though it was unwillingly.

‘If you like, you can follow one simple rule, ‘only speak when spoken to.’ I do not mind if you speak freely but I know you do not like to speak and this rule is very common in our world. Mafia’s are very traditional when it comes to relationships between men and women, especially in a marriage. Nobody would notice anything weird about your quiet and hesitant behaviour. But, if you do decide to follow it you have to follow it through completely. If you understand what I mean.’

I nodded my head and thanked him for the suggestion. ‘I think I will do just that.’

‘Alright, squeeze my hand if something is wrong.’ Again I nodded my head and we entered the huge Ballroom. It was gorgeous. The pillars that stood at the sides of the room were decorated with all kinds of flowers, same with the railing at the stairs and balcony in the room. Huge chandeliers were hanging at the ceiling, shining beautiful light towards every corner.

Soft music was heard in the background together with the mumbling and whispering of the guest that had already arrived, which were quite a few. I heard Nicholas mentioning something about arriving at the Ball a bit later so everybody could see our entrance. We indeed made quite an entrance. All eyes were on us. My husband was not faced with any of this. He adjusted his grip on my waist and put a handsome smile on his face. Nicholas guided us through the crowd, nodded his head to great certain people, and quickly shook hands with important people, I guess. He never stopped, however, he kept a steady pace until we were in a quiet space in the grand Ballroom.

When we had chosen our temporal place to be for the night, I took another look to see where my brother and Evelyn went. I saw how they were catching up with friends or acquaintances, I think…

As Nicholas and I stood next to each other, like the married couple we were, a waiter came by with champagne. My husband took a glass and asked for water for me.

I did not mind. I never like the idea of drinking alcohol and besides, I was too young to drink. Only I think if I would drink tonight nobody would think anything of it.

The Ball went on quite smoothly. A couple of people had spoken to us, well mainly to Nicholas. He guided the conversations and I spoke when I needed to. Many seemed to believe us. My husband made all kinds of gestures and said words like a true husband did to his wife.

But, we had only spoken to friends of the mafia. Nicholas had warned me that the worst had yet to come. Right as I was wondering when a so-called enemy of Nicholas’ mafia would come to us a man with a sinister smile and two women on his each side was approaching us.

‘Nicholas, brother! Long-time no see. Where have you been you old lad?’ The man yelled about the talking and music. ‘I haven’t seen you at any clubs lately.’ The man had not once looked at me and made no intention to greet Nicholas properly as all the others did with shaking hands or kind words.

Nicholas tensed at the words that were spoken but remained calm nevertheless. ‘Victor, you always know how to make an entrance.’

‘Well someone has to. You and your so-called wife did practically nothing! And wasn’t this Ball held to convince everybody you two are truly wedded? You disappoint me, Nico.’ Nicholas grunted at the given nickname. Probably not liking it. ‘SO, this is your wife. What’s your name?’

I opened my mouth to answer but closed it as this Victor interrupted me. ‘No never mind I already know. It’s Ava. Everyone knows you, sweetheart. You’re quite the celebrity around here. But that is not why we are here, to talk only about you. It’s about the two of you. So, tell me, Ava, are you married to each other?’

Victor, if you will, please don’t be rude to my wife. She is still adjusting to all of this.’ I was glad Nicholas stood up for me. I needed a moment to collect myself. I clung a bit more on Nicholas’ arm as I said, ‘It’s is true, we are married, mister…’

Victor laughed. ‘You are a funny one. The name is just Victor, is easier for people to remember.’ He ended his sentence in a dark and sinister tone. It caused a shiver to run down my spine. I knew this man was going to be trouble. A lot of trouble.

Victor clapped his hands.

‘Then it’s settled then and we can go all home now… Oh, wait, before I forget, where is the proof?’

I heard Nicholas sighed next to me. ‘We have the legal documents that say we are indeed married.’

‘Brother we all know how easy it is to forge them. Look, see it from our perspective. You saved the girl from the Lex guy, you had a small wedding and there were only rumours going around about it. And only now have you hosted a Ball to celebrate your marriage.’

Victor then went silent and turned around to the women. He whispered something and within a second they were gone.

He then turned around and lowered his voice.

‘Nicholas be smart. Your family is neutral territory, it is still now and it has always been. You won’t benefit from the girl as we would, you know the real mafia. Just hand the girl over and I will remember it greatly.’

I tugged at Nicholas’ arm, feeling the dread that was coming. A small whimper escaped from my lips.

A small kiss was placed on my forehead to calm me down. ‘Ava is a human being Victor and my wife. Not a price to claim to show you have won the game. And if you don’t mind I would like to talk about something other than my private matters. We have talked about this for far too long.’ Nicholas said sternly.

‘I beg to differ, Nicholas. We both know what kind of status you can claim with her on your side. So I can only think of one thing as proof.’ Victor did not finish his sentence, waiting for us to spell it out.

When neither of us said anything, Victor continued, ‘An heir. But I just can’t believe you have had sex with her.’

The moment he mentioned ‘It’ I grimaced and tensed. Of course, this alarmed Victor, and I cursed at myself. ‘Ah, the Cat is out of the Bag. You know dear Nico, even according to our American law, if a marriage is not consummated you are not truly married and can be ‘Divorced’ easily. Meaning the girl is free to Claim.’

CHAPTER 31

Meaning the girl is free to Claim. No, no not this again. Why can’t these people let me be? I hated father after everything he did to me, but I now truly understood why he kept me away from these men. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

My body started to shake. With my two hands, I had to grip Nicholas’ arm to steady myself. I could not believe this was happening again. Again! I wanted to go home and hide from the world.

To run away as far as possible.

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Nicholas hissed. ‘She is my wife not some whore to be passed around.’ Victor seemed not to be faced by the words Nicholas said. He only laughed and smiled.

‘Well if you are not giving her hand away I will tell your lovely guests that the two of you are not fully married yet,’ Victor said with no care in the world. I could not believe how he could be so calm while discussing such a horrible topic. Talking about someone else’s life like it was nothing at all.

‘Oh I dare, you know that. But if you fuck behind one of those doors the problem would be fixed, just like that.’ That comment set Nicholas off.

He broke away from my tight grip and grabbed Victor by his collar.

In an instant, all the bodyguards in the room came into action.

I gasped, not being able to grasp what was happening. I had not let Victor’s word sink in, Yet there was already so much happening. Everybody was alert, well the bodyguards were. Some of the guests were too busy conversing with one another to notice what was going on. And the music helped to cover quite a bit of the commotion that was created.

‘Ah tatata, Let’s not blow this out of proportion Nicholas. I have more bodyguards around here than you can imagine, and I have not even included my close men.’

Nicholas then let go of Victor. ‘I am sorry, that was maybe a bit too barbaric of me to say.’ Barbaric it was indeed. His comment triggered some horrifying memories of me and Edric. My heartbeat speeded up and my breathing became shallow. I got dizzy and again grabbed Nicholas’ arm for support. I needed to get out of here.

‘You think?’ Nicholas asked angrily.

‘Yes, a bit. But I will not let this go Nico and because of the Good man I am, I am willing to make a deal with you two.’ Victor proposed.

‘And what is the deal you are speaking of?’ Nicholas asked through his gritted teeth.

‘I will give the two of you, let’s say… nine months to get pregnant. That will be proof enough, I think. In the meantime, because I am so incredibly patient, you will give me two warehouses and you will share you dock with me. And if you do not succeed I will spread the word around you are not fully married. You know how much influence I have in our world Nicholas. So, think wisely.’ I could not believe what Victor said. I did not know how to get out of this, but I knew we could not accept this deal. I did not plan to stay married to Nicholas for much longer than needed and I definitely did not want to be pregnant again after last time.

Nicholas looked at me and then at Victor.

‘Nicholas,’ I whispered desperately. Hoping he understood that this was not something worthy of accepting. My husband only put his hand over mine. ‘Nine months you say? And you will not speak of this? To anyone?’ I stood there flabbergasted. Did Nicholas really think seriously about Victor’s proposal?

‘I promise, you will have my word.’ Victor smiled.

‘Your word?’

‘Well if you don’t trust me, which I don’t take personally, I can set something up on paper. I’ll send my lawyer to you.’ After Victor’s words, it remained quiet for some time between the three of us. I could see the battle in Nicholas’ hazel eyes. I did hope he would make the right decision.

Nicholas sighed. ‘I’ll expect your lawyer then.’ Victor clapped his hands. ‘Good choice Nico.’ And with that, he walked away. When he was out of our eyesight I turned to my so-called husband.

‘Nicholas? What have you done?’ I hissed. ‘Ava, please,’ Nicholas begged.

‘No, I am done with you.’ I walked away from him, in search of my brother. I wanted to home. Now. I had to push my way through the crowd that seemed bigger than before. It took me ten minutes to find my brother and Evelyn.

‘Ava, What’s wrong? And where is Nicholas?’ Xavier was flustered by my sudden presence, and so Evelyn. ‘Dear, are you alright?’ It was now Evelyn who asked. I did not know what to say. I was in shock. Once again my future was filled with unsettling uncertainties. I could not go through this again, not again. Tears started to form in my eyes. The only thing I could say was, ‘Home….Home..’

‘It’s alright darling. We will take you home. Xavier, get the Limo upfront.’ Evelyn directed all of us toward the exit of the hotel. She had put her arm around me and guided me. I felt safe in her arms. And for a short moment, I got myself to calm down.

When we were waiting for the car, I heard Nicholas behind us. He was speaking with Xavier, what about, I did not know. I only did not want him to be near me. ‘Evelyn, Nicholas can’t come with us,’ I whispered.

‘Why?’ She started.

‘Just…Just don’t let him.’ I pleaded.

‘Alright.’ She turned around and spread the news to the men. There was an objection from my brother, but Nicholas agreed to my request.

The Limo arrived in front of us and Evelyn and I entered. Xavier did not follow, only I did not bother to think why. I snuggled against Evelyn’s side to seek some warmth and safety. ‘Poor thing. You are shaking. What happened Ava?’ I shook my head, not being able to answer her question.

Once we were home Evelyn helped me to get to bed. She tucked me in and wished me a good night. Sleep did not get to me. I lay awake for a long time. I could only think about the bad things that were about to come. How desperately I would fight to stop it, but would not work anyway. I never had any luck in that department.

There was shouting downstairs. Mostly between Evelyn and Nicholas. I hated they fought about me, but I was too exhausted to go downstairs and make an end to it. Time passed on and I saw how stars made a place for the sun in the sky. I heard the birds waking up and smelled how breakfast was being made.

I was the first at breakfast. Not that I was interested in any of the food. I was simply done with laying down in my bed. I was enjoying the view of the garden with the flowers I planted when I was disturbed by a voice. A voice I did not want to hear. ‘AVA? Can we talk?’

I kept my back facing Nicholas. ‘No,’ I said sternly.

‘Ava please, let me explain.’ He pleaded.

‘There is nothing to be explained. You are just as worse, as evil as anybody else.’ My voice wavered. I tried to sound stern, but the betrayal I felt from Nicholas made me upset.

‘I’m sorry you feel that way Ava, I really am. But I did not accept the deal for the reasons you think I did.’

‘Really?’ Tears were now rolling down my cheeks. I could not believe the audacity he had.

‘Really. I do not plan to get you pregnant. I only accepted Victor’s deal to buy us some time.’

It was then I turned around. ‘But how are we supposed to get out of this Nicholas? How?’ I screamed. I felt utterly hopeless about the whole ordeal. ‘I can’t do this anymore. Enough is enough.’

Nicholas looked at me with pity. He made his way to me and engulfed me in a hug where I cried my heart out…..