A Promised Fate

by Cat Mann

  Chapter 30

  The Gala

  The weekend of the House to Home Fundraiser had arrived. Ava had been working tirelessly on the event for nearly a year. She had gone above and beyond my father’s expectations by organizing a charity dinner to be held at a prominent gallery in L.A. She persuaded several distinguished photographers to donate some of their work for a silent auction. She had raffle prizes that included a hot air balloon ride, dinner for six at one of L.A.’s hottest new restaurants, and a five thousand dollar shopping spree at baio. The list, it seemed, was endless. She booked an MC, a string quartet and also a DJ for later in the evening. The guest list Ava was able to comprise was quite impressive and included socialites, actors, musicians and politicians.

  House to Home was founded by Ava’s grandfather, Perry Baio, and designed by him to focus on inner-city youth. The charity's resources, both man hours and money, are used for working with the community to provide education and cultural upbringing for kids who are in danger of turning to gangs, prostitution and drug abuse. The center works hard at fixing a severely broken system, removing kids from dangerous settings and putting them into safer, more enriching and stable environments. The night was sure to be entertaining and I was looking forward to going just as much, if not more, than Ava was.

  Ava walked down the stairs in our home and a low whistle pushed from my lungs and through my lips.

  “You are absolutely stunning.”

  A simple black cocktail dress clung expertly to her every smooth and perfect curve. Her waves were pinned back and tucked away from her lovely face and bounced down the bend of her spine. Her baby bump was full, round and right there for all to see. There was no hiding the fact that she was very pregnant and due any day.

  Ava beamed up at me. “Are you sure this dress is ok?” She moved her hands down to the hem. “It’s not too short?”

  My gaze eased down her smooth, tan legs. Despite her pregnancy, Ava paired the dress with tall and sleek Christian Louboutins. I wanted nothing more than to rip everything except for those shoes off her body and spend the rest of the evening locked away in our bedroom.

  Closing my eyes, I swallowed and smiled. “Of course I am sure. You are beautiful, Ava. How many times do I need to tell you before you believe me?”

  She held up the Harry Winston pendant necklace I had given her. “Will you?”

  “I’d be honored.” I motioned with my finger for her to turn around and I clasped the necklace around her slender neck. Not able to resist, I made a trail of kisses from her ear down to the dip in her shoulder. My fingers cruised down her left arm, taking her hand in mine, I turned her back around and kissed her softly on the lips.

  Ava let out an unsteady breath from between her cheeks. “Are you ready to go?” She straightened the knot in my tie and ran the palms of her hands down my chest, smoothing my vest and dinner jacket.

  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Max sat at the dining room table with Lauren and Luke. He pushed asparagus around on his plate with his fork.

  Ava kissed the top of his head. “Goodbye sweet boy, I love you.”

  Max crossed his arms over his chest with a humph. He was upset to see us go.

  “Lauren,” Ava started. “He gets one thirty-minute cartoon, nothing more. Read him as many books as he’d like. No sugar and only water after seven, but make sure he potties twice before bed…”

  “Okay, Ava, chill. I've already read your booklet on the dos and don’ts of babysitting Max. And I've watched him all summer long; I think Luke and I can handle a couple of hours alone with a two year old. We’ve got this.”

  “He’s three, Lauren.” Ava rolled her eyes at my sister.

  “Same difference.”

  “No parties and do not allow anyone into our home, even if you know the person – no one gets in. Not tonight. Don’t let the cat in the house – Ari’s allergic – and don’t allow Max out by the pool by himself,” Ava warned.

  “Whatever, we won’t.”

  “And don’t make out with each other in our bedroom or I will kill you,” I added.

  “AH! You are so embarrassing!! Just leave already, Ari. You are so incredibly gross ... ignore my brother, Luke, he’s an idiot.”

  Luke's cheeks had turned pink and he shoved his hands deeply into his pockets.

  “Seriously though, Luke, we have cameras everywhere and if I catch you doing anything below the belt with my little sister, I will freaking kill you. Got it?”

  “Uh, yeah. I think I’ve got it.”

  “Good.” I slapped his shoulder. “Have fun.”

  Ava fiddled with a curl in her hair. She was nervous about leaving Max for the evening. She worried about him falling asleep and having a nightmare. She didn’t want him to wake up and not have either of us there to comfort him.

  “Please call me, Lauren, if he screams,” Ava’s tone was somber and serious.

  “I will, I promise, Ava.”

  I kissed Max goodbye and ushered Ava out of the door before she could change her mind about leaving him.

  Cruising smoothing through town and onto the highway, I reached across the center console to take her hand and linked Ava’s fingers with my own. Bringing our hands to my mouth, I kissed each of her fingertips. Ava was quiet on our drive up to Los Angeles. She was nervous. With her gaze fixed on the blurred lines and colors outside the window, she was lost somewhere deep in the webbing of her intricate mind.

  “Tell me what you are thinking.” I squeezed her palm.

  “Nothing really.”

  “Don’t shut me out, Ava.”

  “I’m thinking about Greece. I’m nervous about leaving.” She started to pick at the polish from her fresh manicure and I stopped her from chipping away at the pretty, light pink color.

  “I understand being nervous but don’t be. Leaving is safer than staying here. You aren’t doing anything alone – we'll be together.”

  “Maybe we should leave now. We can skip the gala, pick up Max and head out tonight. If it is safer to leave, then I think we should go right away.”

  “I would, but it’s a seventeen-hour flight to Athens and you are nine months pregnant, Ava. No one will let you get on a plane right now. It’s not a safe move for the baby. I know we're still two weeks out, but you can go into labor at any time. You need to be by the hospital and by your doctor.”

  “When we will be able to leave?”

  “I don’t think you will get a release for travel from your doctor until the baby is a few weeks old at least.”

  She sighed. She was worried.

  “We have enough security at home now that I think we'll be okay until then. Once we have the baby, we can say quiet goodbyes to family without them knowing and we can slip out one night. We won’t need to take much with us. I will move some money around and wire funds to a bank overseas. We can use the cash in the safety boxes. There's about thirty thousand stashed away and I can remove it without anyone’s knowledge. The cash will get us where we need to go, and get us settled.”

  “They’ll look for us. With all that's happened in the last few months, your parents will call the police. We can’t leave them with that much worry. We owe them so much more than that.”

  “I’ll tell my dad, then. He'll understand and he can tell my mother once we're gone. They won’t look for us; they’ll want to protect our children just as much as we do.”

  “Okay. As long as we're together.”

  “Always.”

  I edged the car towards the entry doors of the gallery and we were promptly greeted by valet. “Remember to breathe. Forget about everything for a while. Tonight is for fun. You’re going to raise a ton of cash for House to Home and we can leave whenever you like, or we can shut this place down. It’s your call. Just promise to save one dance for me.”

  “Deal.”

  Our car doors opened without a moment’s hesitation and we climbed out onto the path leading
to the gallery doors.

  Ava’s event was much classier than the fashion show I had dragged her to a couple of months prior. No press gauntlet, blinding flashes, or noisy interviews. There were two hired cameramen in black tuxes positioned at the front entrance, one camera for the society pages for The Times and a second man taking photos for keepsakes that would be given to each couple in a thank you card.

  We entered and smiled warmly. Ava took in a shaky breath and I re-linked her fingers with mine. “I promise not to let go of this hand all night.” I squeezed her fingers tight. “Let’s have fun.”

  “Ava!” My father grinned from ear to ear. He was obviously pleased with the outcome for the evening. “I can’t believe what you’ve done here. Truly, you amaze me.” He was with my mother and Margaux. Each of them kissed Ava’s cheek and squeezed her free hand lovingly. My father refused to meet my eye. He hadn’t taken any of my calls all week and when I dropped by the house, he was in his study – too busy to talk.

  Throughout the past months, Ava had shared all of the details of this event with me, right down to the tableware. One look at the gallery full of round tables covered with white linen cloths, immaculate centerpieces, champaign flutes, and elegant table settings told me that Ava’s extreme attention to detail had certainly paid off big time. The space, usually pristine white walls and stone floors, had been completely transformed into a sophisticated and stylish area marked by crystal, soft candle light and smooth white calla lillies.

  The gallery was already filled with people mingling and sipping champaign and more supporters trickled steadily through the doorway every few seconds. Members of the string quartet were warming up on their instruments and servers bobbed about the room with platters of hors-d’oeuvres.

  “Would you like to look at the photos?” Ava suggested.

  “Actually, yes, I would love to.”

  “You’ll never guess what I was able to score for the evening.” Ava talked excitedly as she walked towards a wall with a stunning black-and-white photo of an oak tree.

  “Is that a…”

  “Ansel Adams, yes it is.” Ava beamed with twinkling eyes at the rare and beautiful photo. “An art collector in San Francisco is friends with Margaux and he donated the original print for the auction!”

  “Wow, Ava. That is fantastic.”

  “Hmmm,” she mused proudly. “I think your dad has his eye on it as a gift for your mother.”

  “Would you like it?”

  She immediately grasped the meaning of my question. “Ari, don’t you dare get into a bidding war with your father. Let them have it.”

  “We’ll see.”

  We continued to walk along the wall and admire the various photographs up for auction. At last, we came to the wall displaying the work from my mother. My mother's photography generally focuses on people. She enjoys catching her subjects un-posed and in the moment, believing that smiles are more genuine when people don’t know a camera is on them. I couldn’t agree with her more. In this grouping of photos, she chose some of her favorite candid prints of the Greeks in our lives. On display, right before my eyes, was a superb assemblage of my family tree.

  “Do you know anyone in these photos?” Ava asked and she pointed to the wall.

  “Yes, all of them.”

  “Really?”

  “Mmm.” I shook my head and pointed to a magnificent close up shot of my beloved grandmother. “This is my Yaya Elodie, my father’s mother, the picture was taken only a few weeks before she passed away.” Her skin was tanned and full of deep lined creases. Her eyes were large and midnight brown and her smile was bright and happy.

  “I like the name Elodie… we still need a girl name.”

  “Yes, it is a beautiful name, but my sister will have our heads on a stake in our front yard if we name the baby after Elodie. Lauren called dibs on the name years ago for her own child.”

  Ava frowned in disappointment.

  “This photo, here, is my mother’s great aunt Gigi. She used to smoke cigars with the men on Sundays and would drink an entire bottle of Ouzo by herself, then she would pass out drunk on a pool floatie on the deck.”

  “Gigi?” Ava suppressed a giggle.

  “Yes, Gigi, let’s not even consider naming our baby after her.”

  “Deal.”

  “This here is Julia’s mother, Hera, and her father, Troy, before they moved to Europe. This is Elodie’s mother, Koren and her mother’s sister, Leoni. These men here,” I pointed to a photo near the top of the wall, “are Basil and Dirke, my great uncles on my father’s side.”

  I came to the photo of my paternal grandfather. “This is my Papus. This is Cal.”

  Ava stared wide eyed at the photo, “Oh, Ari! I’ve never seen a photo of him before! He was so handsome. You look just like him – it’s unbelievable how closely you resemble one another.”

  “I was incredibly close with Cal. My grandfather was truly an inspiring man. Family always came first to him. He opened his home up to anyone in need, anyone who had a hardship or needed help finding a path in life – he was there for all of them. His love was powerful and always unconditional.”

  “He sounds just like you. How old were you when he passed away?”

  “Thirteen.” My fingers fidgeted with the leather strap on my watch. “It happened a few months after Julia moved in with us. She took to Cal immediately and found comfort with him, just as everyone did. He had this sort of magnetism that is hard to explain. When he and Elodie died, Julia was devastated, completely grief-stricken. Everything was still so raw for her – and then Cal was gone. My dad didn’t speak to anyone for a number of weeks. I remember feeling so much hate. I had never felt hate before until that day. Cal's passing was a very dark time for our family.”

  “That’s so sad. How did he die?”

  “The Kakos. They got them both.”

  Ava sucked in a breath at my words. “What do you mean? Why would they have come for Cal and Elodie?”

  “Elodie and Cal were the ones who took your father in and raised him. They also took in Troy, Julia’s father. The wound of your father’s death was still very raw to them and then after Julia’s parents were murdered, Cal was blind with anger. He was so infuriated with The Kakos' evil that he tried to kill one of them out of rage for what they had done. He loved your dad and Troy as he loved his own sons. Cal was unsuccessful at killing a Kakos, of course and eventually, the man caught up to him and ended both my Papus and Yaya’s lives. Their home was set on fire, and they were both trapped inside, they weren’t able to escape. Their bodies were reduced to ash. Very few of their possessions remained.” I gestured to my watch. “This is all I have of him.”

  Ava cuffed her palm over her mouth and closed her eyes. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry.”

  “My father has never been the same since. First your dad, then Troy and Hera were murdered right in front of Julia and then his own parents were taken from him, from us all. There was so much loss and sadness and anger. It was after their death that he really started his search for you. Finding you meant a lot to my dad, it meant everything. You consumed him. I used to be so jealous of you, Ava, so resentful of Baby, I probably even hated you – I know Lauren did. My dad loved you so much more than he loved me, or so I felt. I don’t think you will ever understand how important you are to us. To my father, finding you was the only thing that mattered to him. And now to me, keeping you safe is all that matters.”

  I pulled Ava to my chest as a sob broke from her lips.

  The sounds of violins, a viola, and a cello rose artfully in the background and the gallery had completely filled up with men in dinner suits and woman in elegant gowns. Everyone wanted a moment of Ava’s time and she held my hand firmly while she exchanged pleasantries and thanked each and every person for attending the gala.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen,” the MC spoke. “If you would kindly take this moment to locate your seats, we would like to ma
ke a few announcements before the night’s festivities begin.”

  Ava led me to a table at the front of the room. We sat together, hands still clasped, beside Margaux, my father and mother, and my uncle Thais and my aunt Gianna.

  Rory, Nick, August and Collin were all seated together at a table directly behind us.

  “The members of the House to Home organization would like to start by saying how very thankful they are to have you with them this evening.” The MC spoke smoothly from the podium. “Please enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes before you and remember first to drink up and then give from your heart.” The man paused and people laughed. “All of the artwork you see here will be auctioned off at a silent auction this evening. Your bidding number is located on the back of your place card. We also have some truly fantastic raffle prizes, including a romantic hot air balloon ride for two, a private whale watching party aboard the lovely catamaran Calliope, owned by the one and only Andy Alexander, and a fabulous shopping spree right here in sunny California at the always fashionable baio. All of the centerpieces at the tables are available for auction as well as the…”

  The MC talked on and Ava leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Why didn’t you tell me all this beforehand? How come I never knew about your grandparents? Or your father?”

  “It’s not an easy subject for me. I should have told you, but finding the words is a struggle. That was the first time I think I have ever verbalized what had happened and how I felt about the situation.”

  “I’m sorry, Ari.”

  “You killed the man responsible, Ava. It was No. 5.” I stroked the slanted, inky line on her tally-marked wrist. You gave him the same fate that he gave them, you don’t need to be sorry, Baby. My world is good as long as I have you.”

  The crowd applauded as the MC announced Margaux and our attention was pulled back in to the evening’s affairs. She stood up from the table. She smoothed her long satin gown and then glided up to the podium.

  “Good evening. I would just like to say a few short words before the night gets away from me. My husband, Perry, was the love of my life. He came to me over twenty-five years ago with the idea for House to Home and he spent the rest of his life dedicating his time, his passion and his love to the cause of helping children. After Perry passed away, I was…devastated, not only for my own loss but also for House to Home’s loss. I truly did not believe that the center would be able to go on without Perry’s devotion. As I stand here tonight and I look out at this room full of eager and enthusiastic supporters, I can happily admit to you that I was wrong. When I look into my granddaughter, Ava’s eyes, I can see Perry living on through her. It is because of Ava that hope of a better life is igniting in the hearts and souls of more and more inner-city youths each day. On behalf of those children, we thank you, Ava, for your tireless dedication to the cause.” Margaux directed her eyes away from the crowd and focused solely on my girl. “I know that Perry is smiling down on you. It is because of you, Ava, that many of us are able to sit here this evening, and on behalf of those people and myself, we thank you.”

  Margaux’s eyes were moist when she walked down from the podium. The entire room applauded and Ava squeezed my hand with as much strength as she could muster. Leaning in towards her, I wiped an errant tear from her cheek and kissed her temple. My father, who was seated next to Ava, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  Once Margaux was seated, wait staff began to file into the room holding plates of zucchini bread with lavender cream cheese followed by stuffed avocado, layered with rosemary rub and smoked salmon, then a seafood medley on asparagus with ravioli and pesto. The food was savory and exquisite. Wine glasses never had a chance to fully empty and desert followed quickly after the meal with a simple plate of raspberry sorbet on top of a rich and decadent chocolate brownie. The plates were cleared from the tables and the MC announced that the silent auction and the bar were both open and reminded people once again to give from their hearts.

  “This baby is treating my bladder like a trampoline,” Ava said to me as we all stood up from the table. My dad overheard her and let out a roaring laugh.

  “Is he kicking?” My dad asked. He believed with absolute certainty that the baby was a boy.

  “Yes, that brownie woke him up and really got him dancing,” Ava giggled.

  My dad’s eyes lit up – he was the only one in the family who hadn't felt the baby kick yet.

  “Go ahead.” Ava smiled indulgently, knowing that Andy was too polite to ask if he could touch her belly. He jumped at the opportunity to feel his grandbaby move about and placed both of his hands on either side of Ava’s bump. Ava un-locked our fingers and put her palms on top of his hands. “Right here!” she said adjusting his position on her belly, “Do you feel it?”

  Andy grinned with joy. “Aggie, you’ve gotta feel this.” And my mom joined in on the action, followed shortly after by Margaux, turning Ava into something of an animal at a petting zoo.

  “Okay, okay.” Ava wiggled away from their touch. “I’m in need the ladies' room.” She turned to me and wrapped her fingers back around mine and I walked with her to the corridor that housed the restrooms. Aside from a couple of partygoers talking on their cell phones, the hall was quiet.

  “I’ll be just a minute. Will you wait for me?”

  I shook my head incredulously at Ava. “You know I will wait right here for you, or… I could even join you. We could make use of a locked door and create a fun memory.” I winked.

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Ava,” I said patiently. “Seeing you in those shoes is killing me, I would jump at an opportunity to have you all to myself behind a locked door, so don’t tempt me anymore than you already are.”

  “Maybe later – I really have to pee! Here, hold my clutch?” She pressed her small clutch into my hand and disappeared into the restroom.

  Excited, murmured conversation trickled in echoes down the hall from the gallery. A faint but steady click of high heels started in the distance and grew louder as someone approached. I turned to see who was coming my way.

  “Hey, Boss! Enjoying yourself?”

  “Fauna!”

  She came up to me holding a glass of wine.

  “Hey there! I was hoping to get a chance to talk with you. I was happy to see your name on the guest list, Fauna. How are you doing?”

  “Better now.”

  My eyebrow rose upward at her and she smiled a bit too lasciviously.

  “Are you interested in any of the pieces tonight?” I asked in a quick change of subject.

  “I have my eye on something.” Fauna took a drink of her wine.

  “Me too.” I thought of Ava.

  “I like this tux.” Fauna placed her palm on my lapel and I casually took a step back, out of her reach. She took a step forward leaving me trapped with my back to the wall.

  “Thank you, Ava hand-picked it herself.”

  “Lucky girl. Does she lay all your clothes out for you?”

  I took the glass of wine from Fauna’s hand. “I think you may have had a bit too much to drink tonight. Ava will be out in just a moment, we can walk you back to the bar and grab a water.”

  She laughed, moved her hand to my upper arm, and squeezed. Fauna pushed up on her toes to my eye level. “When are you going to figure things out, Ari?” She purred her question in my ear.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You married the wrong woman. Everyone knows that. Why don’t you?”

  “You are entirely out of line, Fauna.” I warned.

  “Figure out who I am, Ari, and we will see which one of us is out of line. A promise is a promise for all of eternity. It is my turn.”

  I froze.

  She pressed her finger to my lips. “This mouth is mine.” Her finger slid quickly down my neck all the way to my groin. I smashed my back into the stone wall and she only came in closer. “This i
s mine.” She cupped her palm around me and squeezed me through my suit pants. “Not hers.”

  “There is no Persephone.” I whispered.

  “Wrong, Adonis.” She sang, then smiled and cupped me harder. Her hot breath was on my check, the smell of merlot was heavy on her tongue.

  “It’s not true. You can’t exist – I know that.”

  “What did you tell her before … a spark? More like a flame, actually. I am a phoenix and I have risen from the ash and I am here to collect what was promised to me.”

  “It’s too late, I can’t keep that promise, I won’t. My past does not define me.”

  “Wrong again. I’m the boss now and I’ll be coming for you…”

  The faucet from the ladies' room turned on and in just a moment Ava would find me with another woman pressed to my body, her hands on my pants.

  “You. It’s you. You’ve been listening to us. You broke into our house. You had the fucking key code, you deceitful bitch. God, you knew everything. I trusted you, Fauna.”

  The lock turned with a heavy thunk.

  “That was one of your many mistakes. You are mine, Ari – you know that now, and if you run from me, I will kill her. She will bleed a lot more than that stupid cat.” She let me go, released her hands from my body, turned around and walked away, her heels clicking with each step, echoing down the hall like a time bomb ready to detonate.

  “Ready?”

  I turned to Ava’s bright smiling face.

  “Uh, hold on a second.” I had to tell her.

  “You ok?” Ava asked, her voice so kind, soft and warm.

  “Um…”

  “Oh, my God! Ari!” She nearly screamed.

  “What, what is it?” I yelled back, the panic in me flowing so hot and fast I could not breathe.

  Ava cupped her arm under her belly.

  “It’s the baby.”