Page 29 of Revenge
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, I didn’t catch that.”
“Nothing. I’ll have the mushroom risotto, a side of your seasonal veggies and bread.”
“You, Sir?”
“Nothing,” Oliver says.
“Oliver, you have to eat something. I won’t eat alone.”
“I’ll have a medium rare steak with a side of your seasonal vegetables.”
“Right away.” Our server is nervous.
“Can you be less Manarch? You’re scaring the poor guy,” I say as the server leaves.
“Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine. To more pressing matters. Why didn’t you say something?”
“You know why. Besides, it’s for the best.” Before I can continue, the server brings our water and shares an update on our meal.
“Thank you,” Oliver responds with an angry glare at the server. “Don’t return unless it’s to bring our food.”
“Oliver,” I snap.
“What?” He asks as the server leaves.
“Uncalled for.”
“We need to talk, and he keeps interrupting,” Oliver says, as if this explanation excuses his behavior. I shake my head. “Continue,” he says.
“I found out shortly after I left. We both know if he learned about the baby…” I touch my belly. “… he would have come for me.”
“It wasn’t your call to make.”
“It was, and it is. This is my baby, and I won’t let him or her get caught in the middle of the Manarch family drama. I have to think about what is best for my baby.”
“It’s his child too.”
“That might be so, but I won’t take any chances.”
“How are you? Do you need anything?” His tone is gentler, more like him.
“I’m good. I should know the sex pretty soon.” I find myself sharing. “I don’t need anything. Your brother saw to that.” I’m still bitter about the one hundred thousand dollars deposited in my account.
“Then why are you working? You shouldn’t be working.”
“I love working. If I don’t, I’ll go crazy.” The server returns with our food, fear written all over him. I feel bad for the man.
“Thank you,” I say with a smile.
“Eat,” Oliver orders.
“I don’t take orders. I’m going to eat because I’m starving, not because you’re ordering me to.” He laughs, and I roll my eyes.
We eat and talk about everything but Viktor for the next thirty minutes. I’m not sure if it’s deliberate. But it’s for the best, and I’m grateful. I don’t need that can of worms opened.
“Oliver, how did you find me?” I ask the burning question in the back of my mind.
“With great effort. To be honest, I was pissed when I learned you were just a few miles on the other side of town. Smart, hiding in plain sight.” He sounds proud.
