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mrs-pennylane · 7 years

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Fanfiction: Ever Present Past - Niko Kovac (Chapter 10)

Author’s note: yeah, I’m alive lol

yeah, the story is alive as well. Sorry for the loooooooong hiatus and I’m sorry for playing with your heart but here it’s a new chapter!

Any typos are my fault and my fault only! Full work can be found here.

Chapter 10

Eva was stretching her arms while sat in bed next to Niko, who was checking his phone. Her shoulders were hurting and she was feeling strangely tired. They had just finished packing his suit and a few stuffs to spend his next day in Russia, and while they were doing that, Eva couldn't stop thinking about the last message David sent her: “I really really miss you and I'd love to hear your voice again. Can I call you sometime?”. She didn’t know if she should tell Niko that or just let it be. “I talked to Katarina and Lara…” Niko began talking and Eva looked at him. “…and I think we are going to NY this Christmas!” “Ahh, great!” Eva exclaimed. Well, now she would have to tell him about David since she was going to visit the guy’s son, so it’s better to talk about this before they even put their feet in USA. “I gotta tell you something.” “Shoot.” “Remember I told you about that ex-boyfriend who married another woman?” “The idiot who trade you for another woman?” “Yeah, him.” “What’s the matter?” “He contacted me on facebook.” As soon as Eva said that, Niko’s expression changed completely. He became serious, his eyebrows arched. “And”, Eva continued. “You know, I’ve got a good relationship with his son, Peter, in fact I’m his godmother.” “So it means you’re going to his house when we go to New York.” Niko completed her whole speech for her. “Yes, exactly.” She answered expectantly. “And you want me to be okay with that?” “It would be good, you know.” “But I’m not.” Niko said dryly. “I know this guy only talked to you because he’s probably single and wants you.” “Look, he’s single indeed. His marriage didn’t work out and yes, I know he contacted me only because he sees an opportunity right now. However, let’s just remember I’m in love with you?” “I knew it! I told you he didn’t marry for love but for convenience, now he’s thinking maybe he has a chance with you.” “It doesn’t matter what he thinks, Niko, I’m only going to visit my godson.” “It matters to me.” Eva looked at him in disbelief. “Are you playing the jealous boyfriend? I don’t remember you being jealous.” “I am jealous and I’m not comfortable with this situation.” “Come on Niko, I’m the first one to be bothered by the whole thing! I’m always everybody’s second choice when their first doesn’t work out!” “Are you referring to me as well?” Niko raised his voice a little. “Niko, if you raise your voice again…” Eva had a steady voice. “I’m going to murder you. Yes, I’m referring to everybody who has ever had the chance to date me.” “You know what you are saying is completely bullshit, don’t you?!” “Oh yeah? Prove me wrong.” “I didn’t run after you, Eva. It happened again when I was single but I’ve been single for 2 years. If you were my ‘second choice’, I would have run after you in USA to win your heart but noooo, I didn’t. Gosh, sometimes you say some things about yourself that are awful.” Eva lost the argument, she knew it. As much as she wanted to keep arguing, she decided to stay quiet and remained like that while Niko looked at her, questioningly. “Now you won’t say a thing, huh?” Niko dared her but she remained silent since she couldn’t defend herself. “I keep my opinion: I’m jealous and I don’t want you near that guy… but it’s your choice, your godson.” “Will you be angry with me if I go and see my godson? Come on, it’s a child.” She pleaded. “I’m not going to get angry with you but I’m not going to be happy about it. I’m not your boss or your owner, Eva but I do feel uncomfortable about it, so the only thing I can do is understand you.” “I’m not used to see you this jealous.” Eva crawled to him and kissed his lips. “I thought you knew how much I’m crazy about you.” “Of course I’m jealous.” Niko grabbed her waist and kissed her back, biting her lower lip. “I swear if I meet him, I’m going to kiss you very hard in front of him so he can see what he lost.” “Wow, I kinda like you jealous.” Eva whispered against his lips and kissed him again. “And I like kissing you so you can kiss me in front of David anytime.” “Ok, so I’ll do it then.” Niko chuckled and kissed her cheek. “I have to sleep, come here lay down with me.” Eva snuggled on his arms and pulled the blankets to cover them. “I could spend a lifetime with you like this.” Niko whispered looking directly in her eyes. “Kissing you…” Niko caressed her hair slowly. “Hugging you…” He kissed the top of her head, smelling her hair. Then, much to Niko’s disappointment, Eva’s phone started to ring. “Wait a second…” she whispered. “Ahhh come on, let it ring. It’s Sunday night!” he protested, holding her by the hand. “Let me see who it is…” Eva checked the phone’s screen and it was her boss. “It’s my boss, Niko.” “Let it ring, please…” he pleaded one last time but Eva ignored him, answering the phone. “Good night, sir.” Niko huffed and turned to the other side. “Yeah, I’m free to talk.” At the end of her conversation with her boss, Eva breathed heavily in frustration: he wanted her at the office very early in the morning to give her reports on her research about the case. He had made her stay until late on Friday and he called her too on Saturday, now he was calling her on a Sunday night. “Niko…” Eva called him. “I’m not going to interfere with how you work but don’t you think Sunday is that day to at least rest a bit?” he turned around to face her again. “Ah, Niko… You see, I’m not an actual lawyer here in Germany.” “I don’t understand.” He asked, his forehead furrowed. “I’m an international lawyer here, I do help building the cases when it’s something concerning US law but I didn’t take the state’s exam. I was working with business contracts before and it was a lot easier and less work but I guess my boss had other plans.” “Can’t you just ask him to have your weekends off?” “It’s not that easy… I feel like…. I don’t know how to say it but I feel like I’m treated less, you know? Because I’m not a German trained lawyer. So I don’t even have the courage to contest anything, let alone ask to work less. The only thing I asked was a salary increase and it was partially granted.” “I understand. Do you feel happy with your work?” “Honestly? No.” Eva shrugged uncomfortably. Niko caressed her arm, encouraging her to talk. “Ah, I don’t want to spill all over you my problems concerning my choices.” “If you don’t talk to me, who are you going to talk to, then?” Eva breathed heavily. “I thought that… I thought that it would be less hard here. I have a master’s degree in German Law and in Human Rights, I thought that maybe I would have a chance to have a good job but I ended up working in the same shit that almost got me killed, working for more hours and getting paid less. If I think I should have stayed in US? Yes, I do. I worked at Wall Street, Niko. I was getting filthy rich but things were getting out of control in my personal life.” Eva started to feel a tear appearing on the corner of her eyes. “I sound confusing, don’t I?” “Why don’t you go from the beginning, huh? Tell me everything that bothers you.” “Ok… Ahhh” she started searching her memory for the exact point where shit started to happen to her. “I’ve been always a bit of a workaholic but when I got my position at the Barnes & Anderson Office, I would literally spend nights and nights there working. I was extremely competitive and I was great, to be honest. As of result, I ended up becoming one of their associates and that made get into Manhattan’s high society and all of that. I knew something was starting to happen to me… psychologically, but I just refrained and kept going until I was attacked. Suddenly everything started to fall down on my shoulders. I was diagnosed with PTSD and GAD, you know, the generalized anxiety disorder. I’m sorry, I don’t know why…” “Keep going, love. I wanna hear.” Niko said. “Uhhh, I did some therapy and I was feeling a little better. That’s was when I decided to come back to Germany, do something else, take care of myself a bit but it took me a year to actually do it and it was after my father felt sick. So here I am, unsatisfied with my current job and feeling like I am about to lose control again.” Eva was feeling slightly ashamed and uncomfortable for opening up to him like that. She felt exposed and fragile for a minute before Niko hugged her tightly. It was so unexpected that she didn’t have a proper reaction and after a few seconds she hugged him back. “You can always count on me to talk about your problems. What I think you should do is: take your time to think about what makes you happy. I’m here to support you if you decide to quit your job and look for something else, really. If you want to move to Croatia or anywhere else, work with something else… There’s no problem. I’ll support you no matter what you choose and I know we’ll both make it work.” Now it was Eva’s turn to hug him tightly, kissing his cheek. Niko kissed her cheek as well and cuddled her. The natural smell of him – of Niko –, his warmness and his soothing words made her calm and comfortable enough to sleep peacefully that night. When she woke up on the next day, she was disappointed to find the space beside her empty. She rubbed her eyes and checked her watch: 6 am. She got up and went to Lara’s bedroom to wake her up, who was shrunken under her sheets. “Good morning.” Eva murmured to Lara, who blinked a few times and tried to sleep again. “No, no, you have to go to school.” “Can I stay, please? I won’t tell dad.” She begged. “You know I can’t do that, honey. Come on, I can make some pancakes!” Eva tried to cheer her up and it worked a bit. Eva went downstairs to make them some pancakes and while she was cooking, she caught herself thinking about David. She couldn’t just lie to herself saying that he didn’t bother her in some way and that she didn’t feel hurt about whatever happened between them. Yes, she accepted letting him go to take care of his son. Yes, it was a dumb move. No, she didn’t want him back. But it kinda hurt her in the wrong way: Niko was right, he was only talking to her because his marriage was over. A second choice, someone to run when nothing else worked. “Are you going to let it burn?” Eva heard Lara’s voice and snapped back to reality. She turned off the stove quickly. “I’m sorry, I was distracted.” Eva apologized. “No problem, let me help you?” Lara offered. “There’s no need. Are your stuff in order for school?” “Yes, I only need to have breakfast and get dressed.” When Lara was ready, Eva took her to school and went to the office. The day was boring and she almost prayed for it to end so she could spend time with Lara. Eva had planned to take her to play bowling. “So, let me ask you this…” Lara started saying while they were entering the bowling center. “You and my father dated when you two were in your twenties.” “”Umm, yup.” Eva agreed. “He never mentioned your name…” Lara threw the ball, hitting three pins. “Of course he didn’t…” Eva started, throwing the ball. “He was married to your mother. It would sound strange to even mention my name next to her.” “Yeah, you’re right…” Lara assented. “Speaking of which, how was it to you?” The divorce.” Eva watched Lara throw the ball for the second time, missing the pins. Hmm, she got lucky on the first time, Eva thought to herself. “It’s a bit difficult. I know something strange was happening to them, I just didn’t know exactly what. I still can’t understand what happened.” “Well, sometimes things go wrong and it’s better to end it before everything gets worse. Relationships are quite difficult, ya know. I saw my mom and dad getting divorced when I was 22 years old and I only understood it years later. You can love someone very much but it’s not enough to sustain a life together. I’m sure your father loved your mother very much.” “That doesn’t bother you?” “What?” “The years my father spent with my mom.” Eva grabbed one of the balls, a dark green one, and threw it, hitting all of the pins. Strike! She hadn’t thought about it, to be honest. She wasn’t particularly threatened by Katarina, not at all, especially since they weren’t together anymore had 2 years. “No, it doesn’t. His past doesn’t bother me and if he hadn’t fell in love with your mother, you wouldn’t be here with me today.” Lara smiled and threw another ball, hitting one pin. “My father told me about you when I came back from vacation. He was happy and saying how much he wanted us to meet. Of course, I thought I was going to hate you.” “But you didn’t. Or you did and you’re planning to kill me?” “I didn’t.” Lara answered, laughing softly. “I don’t want and I don’t intend to replace your mother. She’s the one who gave birth to you and I don’t even want to pretend I’m like her, but I want to be someone you like and that you’re comfortable with. I thought it was too early to meet you but…” “I think it was ok to meet you that day. My father has never had a girlfriend since he and my mom split so this is the first time we have someone with us. I like it.” Eva smiled, heart-warmed. She stayed quiet a moment, holding her ball and aiming where she was going to throw. “So, how about you?” She cleared her throat. “Do you have any boyfriend at school?” Lara immediately became shy and her cheeks turned red. “Umm, there is a boy…” she began. “We just kissed once, you know, but he’s so cute!” Eva smiled at Lara’s enthusiasm. “Is he from your classroom?” “No, he’s a little bit older.” “Does your father know about him?” “No!” Lara answered, panicking. “Daddy can’t know about it, ahhh.” “And why is that? He doesn’t approve?” “Dad says I’ll only be able to date anyone when I turn 30 years old.” “Nonsense!” Eva laughed. “My father used to say the exact same thing to me but when I started dating your father around my 20s, he loved the idea.” “Nah, I bet my father will honor his words, I’m his only child and he’s kinda jealous.” “I’m sure when you get to a certain age, your dad won’t be able to stop you from dating. Relax, all fathers say that.” Eva and Lara spent the rest of the night playing bowling and eating hot dogs. Being there with Lara, having a good night playing bowling like she used to do in NY made her anxious to take her and Niko to her favorite restaurants in NY, to where she used to have fun. They arrived home and Lara gave her a good night hug. Eva slept alone on that big bed and felt a little bit sad for not having Niko there sleeping with her. -------------------------

In the beginning of the week of Niko’s birthday, Eva was worried about what she was going to do for him. Take him out for dinner? Buy something nice? Throw a surprise party? She had been so much time away from him that she didn’t know anymore what he liked and what he didn’t. Then she decided to call Robert and see if he had any ideas but the call went to voicemail. “Shit.” Eva whispered when she heard a woman’s voice telling her to leave a message. “What am I going to do??” By midday, she went to have lunch still without any good ideas of what would please Niko. She couldn’t remember if he liked surprise parties and Robert wouldn’t answer his phone. “What is bothering you so much?” Paula was looking at her questioningly across the table. “Niko’s birthday. I don’t know what I’m going to do for him…” Eva complained. “You could make him a surprise in bed…” Paula winked and Eva snorted feeling a tad ashamed. “I don’t need a special date to do something special.” Eva joked remembering the night before.

“Fuck.” Niko moaned, squeezing her butt. “You look damn sexy in those stockings.”

“That’s what you like?” she teased. In return, she received a hard spank on the left side of her butt. “Ah god.”, she moaned in pleasure, feeling her skin burning.

Eva coughed and smiled ashamed. Paula gave her a surprised look and changed the tone of the conversation. “You could maybe buy him a nice present and cook dinner, something he loves?” she suggested. Eva stopped to think for a minute that it was actually a good idea. She spent her lunch time thinking the dishes she knew he liked and what type of present could she give him but by the time the dawn arouse, she started to get desperate again. As if he prays were answered, her phone rang and Robert’s name appeared on the screen. “Hey Robbie!” “Hello Eva, how is everything going? I saw you called me but I’m sorry I couldn’t call you back earlier. I actually wanted to talk to you anyway so I’m glad you called.” “Please tell me we are going to talk about Niko’s birthday.” “Yes, we are. I’m planning a surprise party for him at Valy’s and of course I wanted you there.” “On Wednesday?” “Yeah… Is it bad for you?” Eva was going to miss a day of work again and she knew it was getting too much. She was so fucking unhappy with her work that she was actually not diving a damn, so she told Robert it was okay for her and they decided that she would arrive early in Croatia to help them prepare everything. After Robert’s call, Eva went back to work and busied herself with her reports. She ended up losing track of time and only realized how late it was when she saw and upcoming call from Niko. “Hey, love.” She answered. “Are you still at work?” his voice sounded worried. “Yes, I was doing my reports and I just lost track of time.” “I was worried because you didn’t call or anything.” “I’m so sorry, Niko. What time is it?” “It’s nearly 11pm.” “Shit” Eva whispered. “Do you want me to pick you up?” “There’s no need, my car is here.” “Ok. Please, be careful and drive safely. I’ll be waiting for you.” Eva arrived at his house almost an hour later and Niko was still awake waiting for her with a hot cup of tea. “Oh my God, you should have gone to sleep.” She said as soon as he greeted her by the door. He gave her a warm kiss on the lips. “Now I can sleep since you’re safe. I was worried because it’s too late and dangerous.” “The building has security…” “Still… Here, a cup of tea to warm your body.” He gave her the cup while he gathered her suitcase. Eva took off her jacket and sat down at the couch. She sipped her tea and hummed in pleasure. “Are you like that after the marriage?” she joked. “Are you going to marry me?” Niko joked back and Eva snorted. “Perhaps.” “Then yes, I am like that after the marriage.” “You are just saying that to please me.” “Nope, ask Katarina. I like to be a good husband especially now that the woman I wish to take as my wife is a devoted lawyer.” Eva laughed and playfully punched his chest. Niko grabbed her hand softly and held her gaze so intensely she blushed. They kept looking at each other without breaking the contact for at least one minute until Niko smiled a bit. “Relax, Eva. I’m not going to ask you to marry me today.” Eva laughed and took another sip of her tea. “I’m not scared of marrying you.” “I know you’re not.” Niko caressed her arm gently. “Shall we get to sleep?” Eva finished her tea and they both went to sleep. Niko adjusted her to his body so he was comfortably spooning her. It didn’t take her too long to drift off. Before she fell completely asleep, she thought about possibly marrying Niko. The idea itself didn’t scare her at all but she was afraid of doing it too soon. She knew pretty well that if it wasn’t for her insecurity, he would have proposed it already because in his head, this was a continuation of their previous relationship. In her head, this was just a new beginning, hardly a continuation. She had changed very much and she was afraid that Niko had changed so much that maybe he wasn’t the same she had fallen in love before, or maybe that she had changed so much. She was willing to cope with his differences and his new habits or new ideas but not as a marriage. She also needed time to adjust to his qualities and defects (?) again before they thought about putting a ring in their fingers. Maybe Niko knew that and he was just paying to see where they would go or maybe he wasn’t noticing that. Either way, he decided to respect her and she was thankful for that.

----------------------------- On November 15th, Eva took the plane to Croatia in the early hours of the morning. She had told Niko she was going to work until late so that’s why she wasn’t able to be with him on his birthday and he got quite mad at her and left to Croatia one day before his birthday, so her plan was going pretty well. Robbie told her that he and Niko had planned to have a cozy dinner at Vally’s for his birthday and when Niko arrived, they would be there. Robbie also told her that Niko had called and said he was hurt because she wasn’t even caring about his birthday The plan was for her to arrive in Croatia and go straight to Robert’s house, so they could leave to the restaurant from there. Eva helped Robert pick up what kind of food they were going to serve, Niko’s favorite wine and his cake, which had a picture of his face – Robert’s idea – and she found it hilarious. Robert set the appointment for 7pm to the guests and 8pm to Niko, so they had plenty of time to arrange how they were going to surprise him. Between the guests, Eva saw someone she thought it was very familiar to her and approached carefully. “Bosko Balaban?” she asked to the man, who turned to her. He kept looking at her for a few seconds before his face lighted in a smile. “Eva Strauss?” he asked and she nodded. “Are you kidding me? Long time no see!” they hugged each other smiling. “Yes, it has been a long time indeed. How are you doing, Bosko?” “I’m great and you? God, time made you even more gorgeous!” he complimented. “Thank you.” She laughed. “I’m great as well.” “Are you and Niko…?” “Yes, exactly.” She grinned, confirming. “Well, that’s what I call destiny, huh? He was always very crazy about you, y’know. Always talking about you.” “I’ve heard things haven’t changed nowadays.” She joked remembering what Davor had said to her. “He’s coming!” Robert interrupted them and grabbed Eva to stand beside him near the entrance. When Niko came into the restaurant, they all screamed “happy birthday!” together. He put his hand on his face, laughing and nodding his head as if saying “unbelievable”. Niko looked at her smiling and whispered in her ear “And I thought you weren’t giving a damn… thank you.” She smiled back and whispered to him “It was Robert’s idea… but I was going to do something for you too.”. Niko kissed her mouth and heard people cheering them, and immediately Eva became shy, hiding her face on his shoulder. “Robbie, Robbie.” Niko said, separating from Eva’s embrace. “Always my beloved baby brother.” And he gave him a kiss on the cheek followed by a tight hug. Eva absolutely loved the way they were close and how much they loved each other. Niko went on to greet everyone at the party while Eva started eating finger foods and getting a glass of wine. The party was going very well until she heard a woman’s voice talking to the receptionist. “My name is Cecilia, I came for Niko Kovac.” Eva heard the woman saying and felt her blood getting hot. She noticed Niko saw Cecilia and was serious heading towards her but Eva was faster and grabbed Niko’s arm. “Let me talk to her, Niko.” Eva said. Cecilia looked at them and shouted. “Ahhh Niko, my love!” Was she drunk? She sounded drunk. “I’ll talk to her.” Niko said and tried to get away but Eva gripped his arm even harder. “No, I’ll do it.” And she walked towards Cecilia, who was looking questioningly at Niko stand there looking livid. He was beyond pissed, he was fucking angry at Cecilia for not respecting him and his relationship. For not respecting Eva. And then he was angry because he knew Eva was playing cool so she wouldn’t show how much that made her pissed. Niko was just praying that his night didn’t end in a fight.

#niko kovac #ever present past #fanfiction #eva strauss

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