Burn

Chapter Six

Brianna:

"Is that any way to talk to your mother, sweetheart?"

I haven't seen this b***h in f*****g ages, and she only slithered out of whatever hole she was living in when she needed money.

Yes, I kicked her out of the house after I found out that my father left me everything, only leaving her twenty thousand dollars to her name. More than generous if you ask me.

She threatened all sorts of legal action against me, since I'm now the inheritor of his estate, but she didn't have enough money to get a good lawyer, and she has been black listed by the rest, courtesy of Mr. Davis, my father's lawyer.

Of course she's blown through that twenty thousand and every couple of months, she comes to me to beg for more money.

I don't give it to her, of course, but it doesn't stop her from coming.

"You haven't been a mother to me for a long time, remember? What the f**k do you want?" I asked harshly.

"I need some money...." As soon as she said that I put my hand up to stop her. I really did not want to hear anymore.

"You already know that I'm not going to give you any money so I don't understand why you keep asking me."

"Please, Brianna. I need your help. I've finally decided that I want to turn my life around and I need your help to do it." The fake tears began and I could help the laugh that escaped me.

"You really think I'm that stupid? If you truly wanted to turn your life around, you'd stop drinking so much and actually get a damn job. You know, if I believed that you actually wanted to make a change and I saw that you were putting some effort towards it and not just jumping from man to man, I would have no problem giving you the money, but I'm not about to feed into your alcohol addiction, so you can take your leave now or I can get security to escort you out."

Her tears magically dried up and I could see the venom plainly in her eyes now.

"You little b***h. That is not even your f*****g money. It was my husband's!" Her voice rose a few octaves and I felt my jaw tighten.

"And there it is, the mask has finally come off. I was wondering when the poisonous b***h I know you to be would come out. I would remind you to keep your f*****g voice down because you are in the office that my father left for me. Maybe if you weren't such a bad wife who spread her legs for the entire f*****g town and actually paid attention to what was going on in her family, you wouldn't be in this f*****g mess." I responded calmly.

"You ungrateful spoilt little brat! I ought to-"

"You ought to what?" My head spun around quickly and I saw Viktor standing behind me, and I felt my face flush.

God, this is embarrassing.

"Viktor...."

"No no, Brianna, let her finish. You ought to what?" He directed the last part at my mother and I could see her shrink back from the scrutiny he had her under.

He was extremely intimidating, that's for sure.

"I- I don't know who you are, but this is a private family matter that doesn't concern you." Her voice wobbled a little, even as she held her chin high in an act of confidence.

"I'm making it concern me now. If I remember correctly, Brianna's father left this business, among his many other assets, to her. Meaning that you have no claim here and I can have you escorted out of this building in the matter of seconds, especially since it seems like you were about to make threats towards her." Viktor said, while I silently watched her.

"A-Are you going to allow him to talk to your mother like this, Brianna?" She gasped in outrage and I rolled my eyes.

"Save the theatrics for someone that gives a f**k. But yes, I'm going to allow him to speak to you like that because you're not supposed to be anywhere close to this building and you know it. Now leave, or I will be calling security."

I stepped away from the door where I've been standing for majority of the conversation, making way for her to pass.

"This isn't over." She muttered lowly as she walked past me.

I let out a huge breath when she walked out, going to sit at my desk. I heard Viktor come in, closing the door behind him.

"Are you okay? I already called security when I overheard her shouting so they should be escorting her out." He said, and I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you Viktor."

He walked around the desk, leaning right next to me on it.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, but I shook my head.

"No, I'm sorry. My mother is a very sore topic for me." I murmured and he nodded.

"I understand. I have a Skype meeting with one of my employees now, so I'll be busy for the next hour. Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Don't forget that we're meeting the realtor at eleven."

"I know. I'll be in the office if you need anything, alright?"

I nodded my head and he surprised me by bending to kiss the top of my head. When I heard the door shut, I let out a groan, placing my head on the desk.

God, she just came and ruined the perfect start to my day. I decided to shoot Blake a text, because he always knew how to cheer me up.

Me ~9:00 AM-~

Hey babe, I know our day has barely started, but mine has already gone to s**t. My mom showed up here, AGAIN. She wanted money from me, but I just can't bring myself to give it to her because I know she's going to blow through it all.

I placed my phone on my desk, settling myself to get sone paperwork done.

I don't know how long I was sitting therefore, but I heard the door open and looked up to see Viktor there.

"My meeting just finished, are you ready to leave?"

I checked the time on my watch and saw that it was close to 11.

"Yeah, I'm ready if you are, let me just make a quick call and I'll meet you by the elevator." I responded.

"Alright, take your time." He left, closing the door behind him, and I took my phone up,

I called Blake, seeing as he hadn't responded to my message, but my call went directly to voicemail. I frowned, trying once again, but I got the same result.

I chalked it up to him being busy, even though I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, and just picked up my handbag, going to meet Viktor at the lift.

"Everything alright? You look a little upset."

"Everything is fine." I muttered as the doors opened.

"It doesn't seem like it. Talk to me."

"I'd rather not talk about it right now. Thanks though."

He looked like he wanted to push the issue, but thankfully he didn't.

The elevator ride down was spent in silence, leaving me alone with my thoughts for a moment.

I know this sounds stupid, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there is more going on with Blake than he lets on.

Everything always boils down to work, and I know he gets busy, but nobody can be that busy for almost six months straight, that they're not able to take one night off to spend with their girlfriend?

Hell, I'm busy too but the difference is that at least I made the effort to spend time with him.

"Brianna..... Brianna." My head snapped up when I heard Viktor call my name and he gestured for me to walk out of the elevator in front of him.

"Oh, sorry." I smiled sheepishly, walking ahead of him.

I slid into the backseat of the SUV, making room for Viktor to climb in beside me.

"Do you have the address of the first place we're supposed to go?" He asked, and I nodded, giving him the directions.

He relayed them to the driver and we kept the conversation light as we made the thirty minute drive to the first location.

Viktor was really pleasant to talk to, when he wasn't flirting of course. He had this way of just sucking you in and mesmerizing you with his charming, yet intense personality.

We pulled up to a farm that was on the outskirts of the city and I cursed when I remembered that I left my sneakers back at the office. I hopped out of the vehicle and I cringed a little as my heels sank into the mud where we parked.

"Are you okay, little kitten?" He asked, and I felt my eyebrows shoot up.

"I'm fine. It's just that we're in mud and I'm wearing heels. I forgot my sneakers back at the office."

"Oh. Stay there." He came up to me and I squealed as he picked me up, holding me in his arms bridal style.

"Viktor!"

"Yes, little kitten?" He answered and I felt my face flush as he made his way towards Kimberly, our realtor.

"What's with the pet names? And put me down!" I hissed, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Well, you're tiny compared to me and I could tell you have claws, like a kitten. As for me putting you down, I'll put you down when we're on solid ground so you won't ruin your heels."

I could feel my heart melt a tiny a bit and I couldn't help the tiny smile that stretched across my face.

He put me down on the stone platform that led up to the doors and I used his broad, muscular shoulders to steady myself.

"Thank you." I murmured, looking up at him through my lashes.

"Anything for you, princess." His deep, silky baritone slid over me like a caress and it made goosebumps appear on my skin.

I bit my lip and looked away from his intense scrutiny, turning away from him to go greet Kimberly who had been observing us with a tiny smile on her face.

"Ms. De Luca, lovely to see you again." She held her hand out for me to shake and I took it even though I was sure that my face resembled a tomato.

"Nice to see you again as well Kimberly, how have you been?" I asked as Viktor came up beside me.

"I'm doing good." She said and I smiled.

"Great. This is Viktor Markov. He's sort of my mentor now." I said and she nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Markov." She held her hand out for him to shake and he took it.

"Likewise."

"So, are you ready to see the place?" She asked.

"Of course."

~.~

Five hours later and three more places seen, I was exhausted. So far, I haven't found any place that I liked. It frustrated me a little because it meant another day out of the office when I had things to do.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" I turned my head away from the window when I heard Viktor speak and I sighed.

"I'm just a little frustrated. That's all." I muttered.

"It's okay Bri. This is only a minor setback, we'll find a place soon."

"I know, but this particular project was more personal to me. Dad always had a special love for the vineyard that he opened in New Jersey, and I know that he'd be really proud to know that the business is doing well enough that we can open a second one. Out of all the projects that he has completed, the vineyard is his favorite." I looked away from him, staring out the window when I felt my throat clog at the thought of my dad.

Three years and the pain is still raw like the first one.

"And we're still opening it, princess. Like I said, this only a minor setback and we'll find a place soon. C'mere."

I shuffled across the seat and he wrapped his arms around me right, making me lay my head on his chest.

'Brianna, what the f**k are you doing??? You're still in a relationship!' My conscience screamed at me in my head.

With that thought, I pulled away from Viktor hastily, a blush rising on my cheeks.

"Thank you, I needed that." I murmured, and he smiled.

"I know you did."

It was after 5 by the time we reached back to the office, and I needed to get home to start dinner for my date night with Blake.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" Viktor asked as he leaned against the door of the SUV.

"Um, yes... My boyfriend and I are having a date night." I said, and I saw his jaw clench a little.

"Alright, well I'll see you in the office in the morning. Enjoy your night." I gave him a small nod of thanks with a tiny smile, before climbing into my car. With a wave, I drove out of the underground parking lot and into the busy streets of New York.