《Dangerously Yours Till Eternity》 Chapter 1 Before the Wedding ¡°My wedding is tomorrow. What the hell am I doing here?!¡± Ivy swung her head from one side to another, allowing her long tinted purple hair to sway at her back, as her body moved to the fast rhythm of the almost deafening music. She took a sip from the ss of wine in her hand, then winked at the bartender, who in response, immediately shed her a flirtatious smile. A light chuckle escaped her lips, before she drank thest of the wine and staggered to the busy dance floor. This was a bad idea! She knew it but she was too far gone to stop now. Tomorrow, she would be getting married to a man she had never met before in her life, just to pay off her father¡¯s huge business debt. Goodness, she didn¡¯t even know this man¡¯s name! Alright, to be honest, that was because she had been too stunned and angry with the news to ask. Her father had told her of this sudden wedding only three days ago and upon hearing the news, she had stormed out angrily without asking any questions. How much debt could apany as big as her father¡¯s be owing, that would need selling her off to pay it?! Anyways, who cared! Tonight was herst night of freedom and she definitely wouldn¡¯t spend this time mopping around about how unfortunate her life was. The wedding, technically, sounded like her father was selling her off. Which, indeed, he was. There wasn¡¯t any other way to look at the pathetic arrangement! She wouldn¡¯t spend the night grieving the lose of her freedom either. That would take up her time, destroy her wless make-up and mess her her expensive mascara. Nah. Not doing that. Instead, she would spend her time enjoying thisst freedom night. She would enjoy it to the fullest- do something wild, something she had never done before. Immediately she got to the dance floor, men came flocking around her, offering to be her dance partner. They looked nothing like what she would be willing to go to an hotel room with, not like she had ever done that before. She finally settled for one. Despite how drunk she was, she was able to get to a quick conclusion that her dance partner was terrible at dancing. His moves were sloppy, and he seemed too stunned by her beauty to move any closer. While she thought of how to politely excuse herself from this pathetic waste of time, her friend, Elsa, stumbled to her. Elsa was in a short shinning red dress and she had a rather buffy partner by her side. ¡°I¡¯m leaving!¡± Elsa yelled barely above the music. ¡°Leaving with Nathan!¡± Ivy nodded her head. At least one of them was having it good. ¡°Alright then, see you at the wedding, Princess!¡± She blew Ivy kisses as she went out of the club with her partner. Ivy checked her phone. 11:32. Arrgh! This patner of hers was no fun, he was just an absolute waste of time! ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have to leave now and look for another patner that is quite my speed. You are not just doing it for me.¡± ¡°Whaaaat?!¡± The man half yelled. All he had heard was ¡°sorry.¡± Ivy shook her hand, she wasn¡¯t too keen on wasting anymore of her precious time on this sorry excuse of a man. ¡°Nevermind.¡± With that, she skillfully molded into the crowd in search of a better patner to spend herst night of rebellion with. A one night stand was that thing she had never done before. Nightclubs, wine nights and all other fun things, were Ivy¡¯s world. After tonight, she knew it wouldn¡¯t be anymore. She moved deeper into the club, looking at some men as she passed by them. They threw her suggestive nces, even though some had dancing partners already. Sheughed in her head. She often had that effect on men, she knew she was a beauty to behold. Soon, she stumbled to a side. By now, she knew she had wandered a little too deep. There was a group of five men, dressed in ck jackets and jeans at a round table. They all sat there, discussing something in low tones. Immediately they sensed her presence, they stopped and they all looked at her. There wasn¡¯t one that wasn¡¯t handsome, in fact, they checked all the boxes. Why weren¡¯t these handsome beings on the dancefloor? How dare they deprive the club of their spell binding nature?! They should be sued! Anyways, it was a good thing she found them.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. She pointed her finger at one and she smiled at him. ¡°Mine.¡± Everyone at the table stilled. For a moment, it was like no one was going to say anything. The guy she pointed at smirked. He sat back in his seat, a leg crossed over the other, while he spread his hands across the head of the chairs so she could see his clothed chest. A way of expressing¡­ dominance? ¡°Is that so?¡± His voice was deep and soothing. She folded her hands in front of her and smiled. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be mine for the night then what about your friend over there?¡± She turned to the man next to him who quickly shed her a suggestive smile. She heard a light growle from the man that she had been talking to before and she chuckled, her eyes back on him. He took a swung from the ss and set it on the table before standing up. ¡°Yours.¡± Ivy almost gasped in shock. He was taller than she had calcted him to be and as he moved she realized that he was slightly broad. His eyes were brown, his jaw sharp, his lips were thin and red. His brown hair was also in a messy bun. Arge hand slip to her back, guiding her along with him. ¡°Shall we?¡± She was flustered. He knew. He often had that effect on people. She was a beauty herself, definitely the most beautiful woman he had today. The ck knee-length dress she wore was definitely set to wreak havoc and what a great job it was doing. Her purple hair slid to her back effortlessly and her heels clicked against the floor. Handsome Man, as she called him in her mind, knew his way around the club, even more than she did. He showed the people by the door a card and soon they were in an elevator, moving to the VIP floor. Ivy was starting to get a little scared. Her card could do that too though, it could take her to the VIP floor but not without some questions. Handsome Man¡¯s card was taking him ces without questions! In fact, it looked like people intentionally stood out of his way like they scared of him or something. When they finally got to room, he swiped his card across the door and the door slide open. He hurriedly pulled her into the room. The door shut tight after that, the light flickered on and her eyes feasted on the beautiful room. She could see the colorfully breathtaking city from up here, through therge windows. How high up were they? She didn¡¯t get enough time to marvel at the wonder through, because soon Handsome Man was right behind her, his hot hands slipping quickly underneath her dress making her feel way too many things, at the same time. She turned, grabbing his jacket, yanking it away before her clumsy fingers proceeded to the buttons of his shirt. His skin was taut against her and he was a little¡­ cold? Or maybe it was just the sequence she had on her dress. Wait, her dress?! Why did she still have that on?! He turned her towards him, took her mouth in a fierce kiss while he hoisted her up against him. She circled her legs tightly around him quickly, straddling him. Everything was happening so fast, so rough, she almost couldn¡¯t keep up. They stumbled to the bed, the only thing that stood between them were their clothes they still hadn¡¯t gotten the chance to yank off yet, but soon, those were gone too, finally allowing the full rough tango of pleasure to begin. She couldn¡¯t remember how many times he took her or how many times she had grabbed the sheets in toe curling ecstasy, but finally it was all over. She could still feel the aftermath of the pleasure lingering in her veins. Oh, what tingling beautiful feeling. She felt him slide a finger underneath her chin, so that she was looking up at him, as he was stillying naked beside her. ¡°Yours.¡± Something about that word and the way he said it sent tingles across her body and she gulped. He pressed wet lingering kisses down the crock of her neck, but she was too sleepy, tired and spent, that despite the renewed pleasure that was slowly surging through her veins, she found herself falling asleep. Hearing that word again, as it faded away. ¡°Yours.¡± Chapter 2 A Different Kind of Groom Morning, already?! Ivy almost flew right out of bed but then she discovered that she was naked. It took her a moment to remember what had happenedst night and her heart skipped a beat. Wait, why was she alone? Handsome Man must have gone for some important meetings. That must have been how he got all his money and power- runningpanies. Something shot into her mind at the thought of pany¡¯. Today was her wedding day! She skillfully wrapped the nket around her and reached for her phone, that was right next to her dress on the floor. 33 missed calls! All from her parents, Elsa and some random unknown numbers. Not just that but a lot of messages too! They must have discovered that she wasn¡¯t in her room- where she should be! She checked through some messages, all were asking her where she was. ¡°6:43 am? Oh my goodness.¡± She rushed up to her feet, pulling on her gown as quickly as she could. In no time, she was out of the room. She had found the card quite easily, d he hadn¡¯t used something like fingerprint. That would have been rather difficult. While she rushed to the elevator, she called her driver who immediately listened to her instructions and didn¡¯t ask for stories. Davies was just like that, a man who minded his own business. She got outside the building quickly, she was sure she looked, at least, alright. Although she was sure her hair still needed a touch and it wouldn¡¯t be hard for anyone to guess why she had rushed out of the building looking like that. But, anyways she had tried to fix herself as much as she could while in the elevator. And her pills? Yes, she had also taken those! She tapped on her phone again to see that her mother was calling, as she was about to pick it up, a ck car screeched to an halt in front of her. A tall bald man in ck suit who was wearing ck sunsses, stepped out immediately and greeted her with a stern face. He eyed the building behind, before looking back at her again, obvious disdain etched into his face. ¡°Are you the bride?¡± Ivy bite her lips, not too proud to be caught in this situation but she shrugged nonchntly nevertheless. ¡°Yes, my driver will be¨C¡± ¡°Get in.¡± He opened the car, guiding her in, although she was stiffened with shock. So Davies ratted out her location to her father? Interesting. She wasn¡¯t mad, just disappointed considering that she had been praising him in her head just a while ago. The car door mmed shut as the man settled next to her. Since he was closer now, she noticed the scar on his cheek, it went all the way to his right ear. Something suddenly felt dangerous and off-putting about the whole situation, even the driver was awfully quiet. In fact, these men didn¡¯t look anything like the men that worked for her father!T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The groom hates waiting.¡± The man beside her said in an almost snarl, the driver nodded then he hit the wheels. So, it wasn¡¯t her father that sent the men, it was the groom! *** Before she knew it, they were right in front of the Church. The Church?! She had thought they would first take her home to get her wedding gown. There was no way she was going to have her wedding in this state, even if the wedding wasn¡¯t something she fancied, she definitely had to rock it. Rocking her wedding dress would help in the future while rting with the family, she believed. Then there was her parents. They couldn¡¯t see her like this! ¡°I need my dress¨C¡± The sound of the door opening cut her off. There was woman at the door, equally suited up like the men that hade to pick her. Her ck hair was in small bun, from the looks of it, she must be in her early thirties. ¡°The Bride?¡± She eyed Ivy, directing her question to the grumpy man beside her. He nodded and she grimaced, a look of disdain on her face. Ivy folded her arms across her. Was it that obvious about where she had been to the night before? What she had done? ¡°Follow me.¡± The woman said, then turned away. Not wanting to spend any more moments with this grumpy men, Ivy hopped out of the car and followed the woman, not like she looked like she would be of a betterpany. Anyways, beggers ¨C wait, no- brides caught in the type of situation she was caught in, couldn¡¯t be choosers. There were flowers on either sides of the pathway, a water fountain made from a statue of a horse, on the right. Goosebumpsced Ivy¡¯s skin as cool creeped over her. Or was it? They were starting to get closer and closer to therge church doors and Ivy was sure that if she had to step in and get married like this, she would definitely die of embarrassment. They didn¡¯t go into the church though, they went around it into a room. There were varieties of wedding gowns to choose from and differentdies to help her get ready. ¡°The bathroom is that way.¡± One of them pointed at a door at one corner of the room, with a straight face. Ivy¡¯s phone started ringing again. Before she could pick it up, the woman who lead her here yanked it away from her. ¡°Get to the bathroom already, you are dying the Master.¡± She gritted and Ivy frowned. What is wrong with all these people?! ¡°I need to speak to my parents, they don¡¯t know I am here yet, that is why they are still ringing me.¡± She shot a challenging eyebrow at the woman who gave her a tight smile in return. ¡°Nevermind that,¡± the woman started walking away. ¡°I am sure Girald has informed your parents of your presence already.¡± ¡°But they are the ones¨C¡± The woman turned back to her abruptly. ¡°You have so much guts to arrive here looking like that, knowing how much this wedding means to both Houses. To all of us.¡± Ivy gulped. Then she step closer and her voice dropped to a threateningly low tone. ¡°Woman to woman, I advise that you don¡¯t try to escape into the arms of whatever you spent the night with. If the Master finds out, things will not go well for both of you.¡± The woman stepped back, her face grim once again. With no further words said, she left the room, leaving Ivy stunned for a moment before she was quickly ushered to the bathroom. When she had seen thedies, she had thought that they were just there to ensure that she picked out a good dress within a really limited time, what she didn¡¯t know was that they were here to help her with everything, and by everything, she meant ¡®everything¡¯. This was ridiculous! She couldn¡¯t remember whenst someone helped her in the bath without it being a part of forey. This was just in insanity! This made her even more curious about who her groom was? She had suspected that he would be rich and powerful but seeing that her suspicion was actually right made her even more curious. He was different from all the types of grooms she had ever heard of. What type of groom was this? Or better still, who was he? Chapter 3 Strangest Wedding Ever! Chris returned to his room, a displeased look on his face. There were always matters arising of the House that he had to attend to. Being a leader was tiring. He swiped his card across the door and it opened with a ding. As he had suspected, his one night stand was gone. He checked his drawers only to see that his gold wristwatch was still there. He frowned. She didn¡¯t take it? But why didn¡¯t she? Most of the woman he had brought up to his apartment had always stolen something from him. It was his way to trap them. He would always leave something of value at different ces, and when they take it, he would track them down and have them do whatever bidding he nned. He shut the drawers. Then someone stepped in and he looked up to see that it was his best friend. ¡°She is gone?¡± Jett asked, unlike Chris, he was already dressed in his ck suit. ¡°What do you think?¡± Jett smiled. ¡°I was hoping to catch her, considering the fact that she had also boldy shown interest in me yesterday night.¡± ¡°Because she thought I didn¡¯t want her.¡± Chris stated tly and Jett shrugged, then he stepped forward putting his suit by the side of the bed. ¡°Get ready, they are waiting.¡± Chris fell to the bed, sighing, then he stood up abruptly. ¡°I must find her.¡± ¡°What?! She took something form you? She hadn¡¯t seemed like the type.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t.¡± Jett frowned. ¡°Then just leave her alone. She didn¡¯t take anything from you, she doesn¡¯t deserve to be punished. Focus on the wedding instead, you know how important it is to all the Houses, to all of us.¡± Chris chuckled, then added sarcastically. ¡°Of course, the Houses. I keep forgetting that.¡± Jett shook his head and smiled. ¡°Just hurry up, okay?¡± With that, he left. Chris picked up the suit, a small smile on his face as he looked out through the window. From up here, he could see almost everything. Then, he looked down, some distance close to the club. There was a ck car packed some distance away from the club, a man was outside the car, a phone pressed to his ears as he looked around in observation, like as if he was searching for someone. Chris shook his head. These types of scenes were endless here. Anyways that was none of his business, his only business right now was the wedding. And oh, how he wished it wasn¡¯t. *** The walk down the aisle felt like the longest moments of Ivy¡¯s life, it dragged on and on till she finally got to the alter. While she did her walk, she had tried to look at both sides to find her parents but the church was huge and there were too many people. Ivy took sce in the fact that her dress was amazing, her make up was wless and the church was quite morous. Whoseover her groom was, he was bathing in money. She had noticed though that not a single member of the crowd had a smile on their faces. She couldn¡¯t me them, maybe they already knew the reason for the wedding. Maybe someone here, in the crowd, was a jealous ex, overprotective family or worse, a crazy ex wife! She wouldn¡¯t even know. This ¡®rich groom¡¯ of hers better have enough bodyguards to protect her from all of those. Running on heels, while avoiding bullets and sharp knives didn¡¯t really form a good picture in her mind, nor one that she was keen on recreating. Nah! Anyways, she was finally at the alter and all she had to say was ¡®I do¡¯. Well, if she would be getting married to all these wealth, then maybe getting married wasn¡¯t so bad after all. Whoseover he turned out to be, she would use the money as apensation. As long as he wasn¡¯t a old grandpa. That was when she noticed something though. Where was the groom? Where the groom should be standing, there was no one there. The man with the scar on his face, Girald? That should be his name. That annoying woman had referred to him as Girald, so he should be Girald. Girald and some other suited fellows that were behind him, came up to the alter. Was her groom Girald? She chuckled in her head. Impossible. Girald said something to the priest and he nodded. Then Girald stepped away, bringing back with him, aptop. The Priest cleared his throat. ¡°The groom is here, let the ceremony begin.¡± Groom where? Groom who? What Groom?! Ivy squinted her eyes to see who the groom was but the screen of theptop was just an automatic in profile image. This was absolutely ridiculous! Was her groom trying to get married through a call?!N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. And not just that, a voice call! What type of wedding was this?! Chapter 4 The Wrong What?! No one objected against this method of marriage, not even the crowd or the bald priest who was too focus on getting this wedding moving. She heard no murmurings of any sort. Was this normal? She really should have spoken to her father about the type of groom she was about to get married to instead of walking out on him, going to a club and having a one night stand. A One Night Stand! She smirked slightly underneath her veil. The one night stand was not that bad though, so she didn¡¯t regret it too much. ¡°I do.¡± She heard a deep and authoritative voice from theptop, snapping her back to reality and her smirk disappeared. The Priest said out loud the vows to her, they sounded a little different but the state her mind was in, didn¡¯t let her fully process the words. Instead she replied, ¡°I do.¡± Instead of the ring exchange, Ivy was headed a goblet. Seriously? She eyed it suspiciously before giving the priest a weary look. He looked at her, almost annoyed at the oblivion she was trying to put forward. ¡°You know the rules. Drink.¡± Did she though? Had handing over goblets taken over ring exchanges now? Was this thetest trend? She wanted to ask but she could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on her and she immediately felt out of it. Arrgh! If only she had just taken her time to make her research about weddings nowadays, she wouldn¡¯t be so confused right now! She took in a deep breath, then drank from the goblet in a gulp. It wasn¡¯t until she had entirely drank from the goblet did she realize something, her eyes grew wide and she stared at the priest in shock. ¡°Is that b-blood?!¡± She yelled. The crowd immediately hissed back at her, baring their teeth at her like animals. Her heart raced as she looked around in confusion. What kind of people were this?! The Priest held his up hand and silence reigned. ¡°Have you drank it, Master?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The voice boomed from theptop again, this time, deeper. Someone collected the goblet from here, then the Priest raised his hands up in the air. ¡°I now pronounce you husband and wife!¡± The crowd stood up at once then cheered, it seemed fake though but that was none of Ivy¡¯s business. All she wanted right now, was to get the hell out of here! These people were insane! No kidding! Immediately, Girald closed theptop and along with some of the grumpy bodyguards, he led her back to the car. Making her sit between him and another hunk of a suited bodyguard. That way, she wouldn¡¯t be able to escape by ¡®flying¡¯ out of the ¡®closed¡¯ window. Not that she could but¡­ protocols? Ivy scoffed. These people were ridiculous! She must have a word with her parents immediately. How dare they make her get married into a family of lunatics like this?! She would definitely pay them back for this nonsense! ¡°I need to see my parents.¡± She pressed the minute they got into the car but Girald who was sitting to her left, paid her no attention. ¡°Step on it.¡± He ordered the driver who immediately hit the road. ¡°What the hell is going on?! I need to¨C¡± ¡°We need to take you to the Vi immediately, Mistress.¡± ¡°Mistress? Just call me Ivy.¡± ¡°Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, but if you do otherwise, we might have to use force, ¡®Mistress¡¯.¡± ¡°What are you now? Policemen?¡± ¡°Bodyguards.¡± Girald corrected matter of fact, looking a bit offended, the sarcasmpletely flying over his head. ¡°And those were the Master¡¯s orders.¡± ¡°I would never have guessed.¡± She muttered underneath her breath, her chest raising and falling as she felt the car swirl to a bend and sped up. ¡°My phone, please?¡± ¡°Not until you are safe and sound in the Vi, Mistress.¡± She nodded in defeat, knowing that there was nothing she could say or do that would make them stray from the rules they had already been given. They wouldn¡¯t hurt her. Whosoever their Master was wanted his ¡®wife¡¯ safe. Whatever next move she would have to make will just have to wait till they get to this so called vi. She didn¡¯t even know what that move was. But she was sure she would know what next to do after giving her parents a nicely cut out piece of her angry mind. ***N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Wealth! That was the first word Ivy thought of when they drove into the vi but she was in no mood to ess the scenery, all she wanted was her phone. Girald immediately guided her into the masion where maids were already waiting downstairs for them. They bowed in respect to her and she spared them a smile before turning to Girald. ¡°My phone now, I¡¯m safe.¡± She tugged at her wedding gown aggressively. This borate luxurious white gown was starting to really get on her nerves. ¡°You are dismissed.¡± Girald motioned to the servants and they rushed off to whatever it was they should be doing. ¡°My ph¨C¡± ¡°Please follow me, Mistress.¡± Girald started walking up the stairs. She followed, two bodyguards following immediately after her. Then they got to a door, Girald opened the door and led her in. ¡°My phone.¡± She pressed, trying as hard as she could to look in control. ¡°Colin.¡± Girald signalled to one of the bodyguards. The one who should be Colin stepped forward and handed her phone to Girald. ¡°All clear, Boss. No tracking devices.¡± Ivy was starting to get afraid now. What were they so careful about? Had she just married into problem? Was her life in danger now? Then Girald handed the phone to her and she quickly grabbed it, holding onto it like as if her life depended on it. ¡°Your ring.¡± He offered. So, there would be ring after all. What was it about the goblet sharing then? She quickly collected it and slid it around her finger. ¡°If you need anything, click on the green gem.¡± He signalled to the ring and she nodded. She hadn¡¯t seen thating but she needed them to get out already, so she could make her call. ¡°Alright. Can I have some privacy, now? I really need to freshen up.¡± Girald eyes squinted. ¡°The vi is highly guarded against pration from outside and within.¡± He nodded lightly after that, then left with the bodyguards. Immediately the door click shut, she started dailing away on her phone but a news headline popped up, interrupting her. It read: ¡®Shame of the Century: Lorenzo Richerman, the 72 years old owner of Richer Men Foundation, a multi Internationalpany, got stood up on his wedding day.¡± She swiped the headline aside and continued dailing away on her phone. Lorenzo Richerman¡¯s wedding was none of her business. Her business right now was to give her parents a piece of her angry mind. She ced the phone against her ear. She started pacing around the room while it rang, angry words ranging in her heart, as she yanked her veil off, stripping out of her wedding gown angrily, leaving her in her white underwear gown. Finally someone answered the call. ¡°How¨C¡± ¡°Oh, so now you are returning the calls, huh?¡± Came Elsa¡¯s sarcastic response. ¡°Elsa, I need to talk to¨C¡± ¡°Is that Ivy?¡± She heard her mother ask distantly. ¡°Ivy Romina Rominnez,¡± came her mother¡¯s angry voice. ¡°Did you forget that today is your wedding day?! We have been here for hours waiting for you. Do you know what huge mess your father is in now because of you, the mess the whole family is in now. The business is on a huge cklist. How dare you betray us like this?¡± ¡°Wh¨C¡± ¡°Speak!¡± ¡°This joke is not funny,¡± she chuckled humourlessly. ¡°I was at the wedding, tried looking for everyone but they didn¡¯t let me, I got married to thisptop guy¨C¡± ¡°Ivy, will you stop lying to me?¡± Her mother sounded heartbroken and angry. ¡°We all just arrived from the church, you were not there and your groom left in anger. So, just please stop lying to your mother and get down here right now so we can fix this mess.¡± Ivy¡¯s heart raised with panic as a realization crashed on her. Had she been a bride at the wrong wedding? Chapter 5 Die Looking Beautiful At that moment, Girald busted in, looking a little tense for the first time. ¡°Hellooo?¡± She threw her free hand in the air dramatically, gesturing to her half naked state. ¡°Knock kno¨C¡± ¡°You are not Viky Laridga.¡± He stated tly, his eyes brewing with anger. ¡°Obvio¨C.¡± ¡°Cease her.¡± Bodyguards immediately rushed in, snatching the phone away from her while trapping her hand painfully behind her back. ¡°What is the meaning of this?! Do you know who I am?! Mywyers will be seeing yourwyers in court because of this!¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Girald took a step forward. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Ivy Romina Rominnez.¡± She answered threateningly, a bit of sassiness in her tone. ¡°Search it up.¡± ¡°Wrong answer.¡± ¡°W-what?!¡± Girald titled his d head to a side, signalling to the bodyguards who still had her confined in their painful grips. Next thing she knew, a mask was thrown over her head, they dragged her out of the room, down the stairs, into another room. By the time they pulled the mask off, she was staring into blinding white light, in an almost empty room, chained up to one of the wall with turtore equipments littered all over. ¡°Woohooho. I¡¯ll cooperate. I swear, I¡¯ll cooperate.¡± The words quickly tumbled out of her mouth. The thought of losing any of her body parts to their insanity that was going on right now, didn¡¯t seem like a good picture. Even the metallic smell of this ce, just like torture! Nah! ¡°Good. I will ask again, who are you?¡± Tears rushed down her face and she sobbed loudly. ¡°I already told you. Ivy Ro¨C¡± ¡°Are you a spy for one of the Houses?¡± Girald asked, moving closer, a knife in his hand. She started breathing heavily, her eyes on the sharp de. ¡°This has got to be some sort of mistake! I¡¯m no spy. Look at me, do I even look like I¡¯m capable?¡± Girald stopped, took a quick look at her and a sought of doubt shed in his eyes. ¡°Exactly¨C¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look it, makes you even all the more capable.¡± ¡°Oh my God, this cannot be happening to me.¡± She muttered underneath her breath. ¡°Who. Are. You.?¡± Girald asked tightly, inching the knife towards her. ¡°No! No! No!¡± She tried to move her head away as far as possible. ¡°Not the face! Please, getting rid of scarring will cost me and I¡¯m not that affluent right now.¡± ¡°Your life is the one at stake here, intruder, set your priorities right.¡± ¡°I have my priorities right!¡± Girald leveled the knife against her throat and she stilled. ¡°You think you¡¯ll go scott free with killing me. They will find you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother about that. We will be sending your packaged ughtered body to them ourselves.¡± Something about the way he said it made her realize that he meant every word. Her heart dropped, her facade started crumbling as she realized how much mess she was in. If only she hadn¡¯t gone for that one night stand?! Then she would have gone home on time, married the right groom. Although, sadly, she would have missed out on the ecstatic experience with Handsome Man but whatever it was that would have been waiting for her would certainly be better than this. Why did she have to get caught up in their mess? She wasn¡¯t even a bad person! ¡°H-how about we¡­ just all calm down and talk about this huh, we¨C¡± she paused, suddenly remembering the conversation she had been having with her mother before they busted in. ¡°Oh my God!¡± She gasped. ¡°Ready to talk?¡± ¡°I am not the bride for your Master.¡± ¡°Obviously.¡± Girald replied, the knife still leveled against her throat. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand. My wedding was also today but there was a mix up and it¡¯s your fault.¡± ¡°The bride we were supposed to pick, was logged into the hotel next to the club we found you standing in front of. We asked if you were the bride and you said you were. You came willing to the Temple¡­¡± ¡°Willingly?¡± She scoffed but Girald continued like she hadn¡¯t spoken.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Because you are a spy and it was all part of the n of the House you are working for. A stupid n, if I might say, because how on earth do you think we wouldn¡¯t find out?¡± ¡°Maybe because this is not a n but a mistake.¡± ¡°So maybe this is simply a distraction while the House you are working for, perform some treacherous activities against the Master.¡± ¡°House that I¡¯m working¨C? Can you just search up my name online or something? Can you just let me go, this is all a mis¨C¡± ¡°Now tell me, what House are you working for and what are their ns?¡± Girald replied, not buying into her exnation as he pressed the knife further up against her neck. ¡°Fang? Fur? Wings? Speak!¡± She felt blood run down her neck and she started shouting. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me! DON¡¯T KILL ME, PLEASE! I had a wedding today and there was a mix up¨C¡± The door flung open at that moment, with his eyes still trained on her, Girald said. ¡°Colin?¡± ¡°The report reaching me is that there are no suspicious activities ongoing from any of the Houses right now.¡± ¡°And on this intruder?¡± ¡°She is telling the truth, Boss. She was supposed to be in another wedding today. The one filling the headlines.¡± Girald eyes widened a little in surprise and Ivy¡¯s heart raced. So she was the Lorenzo¡¯s bride? The news headline was her business after all. Screweddd! ¡°We made a mistake, Boss, we picked up the wrong bride.¡± ¡°You see¡­¡± She said between choked tears as he withdrew the knife away from her neck. ¡°Can you just please let me go?¡± Girald immediately gestured to the bodyguards who came to her aid, freeing her from the chains, attending to the small cut on her neck, while helping her into a big jacket to cover up herself. ¡°Well, this mistake might cost us our lives. You all have 30 seconds to make your peace.¡± He announced. Immediately, the bodyguards started dailing away on their phones, calling their loved ones. ¡°Can I just go back home now? I promise, I won¡¯t press any charges, my lips are sealed. We should be able to dissolve this marriage somehow¨C¡± ¡°Time¡¯s up!¡± Girald announced and they all put their phones away. He walked over to aptop by the table, one she hadn¡¯t even noticed before and flipped it open. The whole room was silent while the now familiar voice boom from theptop once again. Unlike while they were in the church though, his voice still sounded just as authoritative but with a sought of threateningly anger rumbling beneath it. ¡°I heard I married the wrong bride.¡± There was a click, the voice of a man begging for his life then a gunshot. Ivy almost jumped in her seat, terrified by the bang. She looked around to see fear in all their eyes. Even Girald looked terrified. This didn¡¯t look good. There was silence before the her ¡®husband¡¯s¡¯ voice boomed from theptop again. ¡°Tell me, Girald, how did that even happen?¡± Chapter 6 Terms and Conditions ¡°Master, I¡ª¡± The voice of another person rambling for her life, then a bang of a gun interrupted him. ¡°I¡¯m too busy for any situation going on over there right now.¡± There was a ding from theptop, signifying the arrival of a mail. ¡°Fix it.¡± The line went dead and immediately Girald turned to her, walking intently with theptop in his hand. Ivy started scurrying away, almost falling from the chair. ¡°I won¡¯t press charges, I already said I wouldn¡¯t. There will be a peaceful annulment, I won¡¯t ask for anything, I swear. Please don¡¯t kill me.¡± Unlike before, she wasn¡¯t worried about her face. The cut on her neck still hurt terribly, and she didn¡¯t want to imagine how badly it would hurt, if he decided to carve arger cut. ¡°I will not kill you.¡± He sat down on a chair in front of her. ¡°Yet.¡± He added and she gulped.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Whatever you want me to do, I¡¯ll do it. Just let me go.¡± ¡°Desperate? Good.¡± He turned theptop towards her so that she was staring at the screen. ¡°The Master has sent a contract for you to sign. Do read it carefully, going against the contract in any form might cost not just your life.¡± He moved the censor tapping a picture. ¡°But the lives of those precious to you.¡± The pictures of her family popped up on the screen, then Elsa¡¯s. Ivy let out a frightened gasp. ¡°I already promised that I¡¯ll cooperate, please don¡¯t hurt them. I¡¯m begging¨C¡± Another thing popped up the screen. It was a document, containing the contract. It was only two pages though. ¡°I need time to read through¨C¡± ¡°You have five minutes.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t en¨C¡± ¡°Make do with it. Your time started 31 seconds ago.¡± ¡°Are you kidding me!¡± ¡°35.¡± She immediately pulled theptop closer, reading through the pages as fast as she could. ¡°This is under duress. It will not hold in court, mywyers will¨C¡± ¡°Three more minutes.¡± ¡°No!¡± She blurted out. ¡°I deserve more time. I said I¡¯ll cooperate, didn¡¯t I? I only have some questions to ask. Once I¡¯m done, you can go back to being a Count Down Timer!¡± He stared at her for a while amd stared back. Seriously, if after all these staring, he just replies her by telling her how much time she had left, then she was sure she wouldmit murder. Right here and now! She had the moves all nned out in her head. ¡°What are your questions, Intruder?¡± Relief! Because those moves had ever only worked out in her head. ¡°It says here that there will bepensation for the inconvenience today has caused me, ho¨C¡± ¡°Your father¡¯spany¡¯s debt will be paid in full once you sign this. Also some funds will be sent to him to refund his business. Your expenses for a whole year will also be taken care of.¡± ¡°Are you sure about that? Cause, not to brag but, I¡¯m a material girl.¡± He looked away and looked at his wrist watch. She quickly said, ¡°It says here that I have to return home and live a normal ¡®unmarried¡¯ life? What is th¨C¡± ¡°You will have to exit the Vi, Intruder.¡± ¡°Once again, my name is Ivy.¡± ¡°Also you may be with anyone of your chosing.¡± That kind of hurt her pride. Ivy believed she was drop dead gorgeous. How could this Master be willing to give her away like that? He probably had seen her picture and thought to himself that he was undeserving, because the problem couldn¡¯t be her. It had to be him. It also couldn¡¯t be because he was in love with the real bride because if that was it, he wouldn¡¯t have made a mistake and married the wrong one in the first ce. Seemed like an arranged marriage, worse than hers even. Because in her case, she was the only one that didn¡¯t know the groom but in his, they all didn¡¯t know the bride. ¡°You mean¡­ a rtionship? Even when it gets¡­ intimate? You know normal marriages¨C?¡± ¡°Anymore questions?¡± ¡°There is also a secrecy use here. I can¡¯t tell anyone I¡¯m married.¡± ¡°Self exnatory.¡± ¡°I already told my Ma. Besides, What do I tell my parents when they ask me why I missed¨C¡± ¡°All that will be taken care of once you sign.¡± ¡°You never let me finish! Then the next condition is that I must be ready to return to the Vi anytime my presence is requested for.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bit inconvenient. What¨C¡± ¡°A minute more.¡± ¡°Will any conditioms be addedter on?¡± ¡°If the Master pleases¡­¡± ¡°Then what is even the point of¨C¡± ¡°30 seconds.¡± ¡°The penalty for breach is death, what-?!¡± ¡°10 seconds.¡± ¡°Arrgh..¡± she quickly drew her signature and handed over theptop. He took it from her carefully, handing it to the bodyguard next to him before he signalled to another one and she walked away. ¡°Can I go now?¡± She asked, her fear creeping to the surface again. ¡°Immediately after your parents call.¡± ¡°My¡ª¡± A call came in at that moment, they handed her phone to her and as he had said, it was indeed her mum. ¡°Hey mum¨C¡± ¡°Ayyi, my Romito.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes at the nickname her mother called her anytime she was silly happy. Her father had onceined that the nickname was that of a guy but her mother was an adamant woman who did whatever she liked. Wait? ¡®That¡¯ was the name her mother called her anytime she was ¡®silly happy¡¯? What happened? ¡°Mum, what happ¨C¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell us you were pulling strings for the debt and extra funds? Why didn¡¯t you tell us that the important meetings took ce this morning? Now I understand why you missed the wedding. You should have told me, Romito, I would have never be mad at you.¡± Dumbfounded, she looked up at Girald who nodded lightly. ¡°Your dad wants to speak to you. You better be damn right grateful to your daughter, Maxwell. Sitting through all those long boring meetings because of you was definitely no easy task.¡± ¡°Rominnez.¡± Her father started. He only called her by her surname when he was super serious. It reminded her of the fight they had four days ago when he had told her that she would he getting married. ¡°Yes, Pa.¡± ¡°You answer my question with either ¡®Yes¡¯ or ¡®No¡¯, do you hear me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Are you alone?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Do you need us to find you?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Are you safe?¡± She thought of everything that had happened within thest hour before replying, ¡°yes.¡± There was a pause before she heard his voice. ¡°Will you being home?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then I will neither eat, drink nor sleep till you do.¡± Then the phone went dead and she handed it back to Girald. ¡°Colin will be driving you. Drop the ring here,¡± She did, the ring nking lowly as it hit the te. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to abide by the contract.¡± ¡°It is my new breathing, I can¡¯t for¨C¡± ¡°Here is a copy of the signed contract.¡± She took the hardcopy, looking it over, only now noticing the intricate signature of the one they referred to as Master. ¡°If you leave now, your father will be able to eat Lunch and have his usual Sunday 6 o¡¯clock naps.¡± Nah, these people were dangerous! ¡°It was nice doing b-business with you?¡± She stammered, awkwardly extending an handshake which grew heavier and heavier in the air as Girald walked away, brushing her off. While she rode in the car with Colin with the contract tucked in her hand, now in a lovely green dress. She looked back at the Vi and once again wondered the groom she had ¡®married¡¯ to. Whoseover he was, he was rich and powerful, most likely in his prime too. He didn¡¯t sound like an old man from all the calls. Besides, if he had opted for this instead of a divorce, it must be because he was a public person. An important public person¡­ Or someone that wanted to stay hidden. Was he a Minister? A mafia? A CEO of some multi Internationalpany? Or¡­ maybe the President of MoonCity?! She chuckled. How ridiculous. Anyways, no matter how curious she was to know the type of man thatmanded this kind of power, she would never know. This contract she had in her hand signified that she would never meet him and considering how Girald and everyone else seemed to fear him, maybe that was a good thing. Chapter 7 Next Up? Sexy Greek gods! Just like that, they were in front of her masion. She hadn¡¯t given Colin her address or anything, but he had dropped her off right in front of her mansion, and now she was walking into therge gates. Honestly, after seeing the Vi, she really didn¡¯t think big and the house she lived in, could be rightly used in the same sentence anymore. Why? Well, she had seen bigger. ¡°Romito¨C¡± she heard her mother call out to her, well she half ran half walked. Her mother weed her home with open arms and just as Girald had said, she was right in time for lunch and hopefully, her father would be able to take get his usual 6pm nap. She didn¡¯t spend too much time with her parents though, she quickly excused herself and went up to her room. Giving an excuse that the meetings had been tedious and she needed all the rest in the world. Her mother had not suspected anything and if her father had, his mouth stuffed with food didn¡¯t let him say anything about it. Once the door was closed, her facade evaporated in a sh. She crumbled to the floor, her back against the door, shivering from terror. Her hands crawled to her sides as her mind went through all that she had gone through in thest hours. The fact that she had almost lost her life, the marriage and all the secrecy. Her life had been normal so far, then today decided to be different. Tears ran down her cheeks. All while she had been at the Vi she had used her quirkiness and smart mouth as a coping and defense mechanism, while in truth, she had been terrified to her very bones. ¡°Princess.¡± She heard someone knocking at her door. ¡°Your royal Highness, are you in there?¡± That was Elsa. She used to call her those names in the past to annoy her in reference to how her parents were always spoiling her with attention. Elsa had it hard in the past. When she was barely six, her forever busy and extremely wealthy parents had dropped her off at her aunt¡¯s with a promise that they would be back for her after the holiday. Well, it¡¯s been more than ten years now. Maybe the holiday never ended on their side. Elsa had been so hurt by this experience, with the conclusion that her parents didn¡¯t want her, she took out her anger on someone she believed had it all. That person was Ivy. Elsa was a bully but as the years rolled by, they grew closer and closer, they came to understand each other and just like that, the names lost their angry touch. Instead, they now sounded like endearing and teasing words between best friends. Ivy quickly wiped her tears away and stood up. When she open the door, Elsa looked back in shock while she stepped in. ¡°I knew the meeting were bad but I didn¡¯t know that it was this bad. Enough to make you break down!¡± ¡°How did you¨C¡± ¡°Your Mum was so happy, she told my aunt and my aunt almost talked my ears off about it.¡± Ivy said nothing, instead pulled her into an embrace which Elsa immediately responded too by patting her lightly on her back. This wasn¡¯t the first time she would often take up the act of an elder sister. Strange because out of the two, Elsa was the younger one, by two years. ¡°You must have been so afraid, bailing on your wedding, risking it all on some meeting you weren¡¯t even sure would work. I¡¯m so sorry that I sounded so mad at you over the phone when you called. It was just that, I was losing my mind, thinking that you might be in danger or something.¡± She paused. ¡°You should have called me. I would have kept your secret secret. I almost ran crazy, Ivy.¡± She pulled away to look at her face. Her own eyes now a little misty. ¡°Don¡¯t do that to me again.¡± Ivy nodded, her throat choked with tears that she couldn¡¯t speak. ¡°Ever.¡± Elsa emphasis and Ivy chuckled. ¡°Ever.¡± She grasped her hand. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. You are safe, you are here and it all worked out at the end.¡± Her voice dropped to a gossiping tone. ¡°Besides did you see Lorenzo Richerman? So not your type.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes. ¡°I know right.¡± The twodies busted intoughter before they headed over and sat on the bed, while Elsa dropped the bottle of wine she was holding. ¡°I thought you might be in the mood to celebrate but maybeter.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Ok then, tell meeee.¡± ¡°About what?¡± Ivy¡¯s heart started racing. Did she know about the wedding? ¡°You know you can¡¯t keep secrets from me. Spill already, details please.¡± Her heart almost exploded. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Was the sex that good?¡± Then her face turned horrified. ¡°Oh my goodness, was it terrible?!¡± ¡°Oh, the one night stand.¡± ¡°Shush! You don¡¯t want anyone hearing the craziest thing you¡¯ve ever done.¡± Well Elsa was right about that, as long as this morning was out of consideration. ¡°Soe on, tell me!¡± ¡°It was¡­ wild.¡± Elsa arched her eyebrows, her face between her palms. ¡°Anddd?¡± Ivy gulped. She hadn¡¯t had time to think about it yet but now that she did, her heart was racing quite differently. The night shed in her mind and she felt a strange tug in her chest. She went into details, dreamy eyes and all, then ending it with ¡°Really hot. He was everything, Elsa. Everything.¡± ¡°Good for you. Mine was a waste of my time.¡± ¡°That bad?¡± ¡°Kind of.¡± ¡°He hadn¡¯t seem like it.¡± ¡°They never seem like it.¡± There was silence for a slight second before Elsa started talking excitedly again. ¡°Ivy. Do you believe that there are men structured like wless greek gods strolling the earth with their sexy presence.¡± ¡°Yes, like my one night stand.¡± She replied, grabbing the chance to go into details on how perfect he was once again. ¡°Are you in love with your one night stand?¡± Elsa asked when she was done. ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Elsa tsked. ¡°Problems of an amateur. You are thinking way too much about your one night stand, your royal highness. It¡¯s unhealthy.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes. ¡°You were saying?¡± ¡°Of course. About the Sexy greek gods? I met one this morning, while looking for you at the club. He is crazily handsome, young, I bet he is terrific in bed, and he looks really wealthy. I might just string him along for his money or looks or¡­¡± she screamed, pressing a pillow to her mouth. ¡°His everything! ¡± ¡°Oh my, do you have a picture?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t. I have also searched online and no, his pictures are not online.¡± ¡°He sounds like a serial killer.¡± ¡°Or a really private person that is really wealthy and powerful.¡± ¡°And a serial killer.¡± After everything she had been through, she was prepared to think the worse of every situation. ¡°Come on, Ivy.¡± ¡°You have allowed yourself to be blinded by whatever beauty you im he has.¡± ¡°im? I bet he is handsome more than your ¡®Handsome Man¡¯.¡± ¡°In your dreams.¡± Elsa tsked again. ¡°Unhealthy, unhealthy.¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± ¡°At least, you are admitting it. The earlier you admit it, the earlier you get rid of it. Anyways, I got a card of my greek god.¡± She slipped a card out of her bag, heading it over to Ivy. The card was ck, hard and had just a name, two phone numbers and an email. ¡°Christopher DeCastle.¡± Ivy read it. ¡°Yes.¡± She replied dreamily. ¡°He said he is a business man and guess what? We will be meeting again today.¡± Ivy handed the card back to her.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Will you like toe with me? See if we might see your ¡®Handsome man¡¯ in the process andpare the beauty to see who has better taste. The answer is me obviously but still¡­¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll be sleeping in.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because that Greek god of yours still sounds like a serial killer.¡± Elsa chuckled. ¡°That boring meeting really has you saying the craziest things.¡± She kissed her cheek before heading to the door. ¡°I must not miss seeing him tonight. One can never be too sure. He might just be the one.¡± ¡°The ONE Serial Killer!¡± Ivy shouted along. Chapter 8 Handsome Man is Everywhere Arge warm hand slidding down her thigh, lower and lower, pushing her baby blue silky nightgown slowly off her. Her fists tightened around the sheets as she threw her head back in pleasure, her eyes shut tight, toes curling, sweat glittering across her forehead despite the open window and the heavy rainy and the wind that threw her red curtains up. She could feel the warm breath of someone across her bare neck, the warm hard on her inner thigh, now griping a little tighter. She arched her back, wanting desperately to shove herself into whoseover that was. She could feel the cold lips, nt lingering kisses along the crook of her neck. A low moan slide out of her mouth as she felt pointed teeth graze her ear lobe, her breathing became rasp, desire lit through her veins. Then she saw the farmiliar face, the same face she had seen yesterday night ¨C Handsome man? He looked just as breathtaking as she remembered. She let go of the sheets, reaching out to his bare chest, only to be stopped by a deafening bang of a gun. She looked to her side only to see an openptop, with that same automatic profile disy, and a painfully farmr voice booming from it. Suddenly, she wasn¡¯t in bed anymore but with Girald, chained to the walls with a knife to her neck. Her heart started racing with fear and terror. No this again. Not. This. Again. She heard the earsplitting bang of the gun again and she jumped. Sitting up immediately, looking around in fear only to see her dark room, hear the thunder pping loudly outside and the curtains pping high in the air. It was just a nightmare and it was raining. That¡¯s it! She had better make time to see her therapist this week or these dreams would finally end her for good. She closed the windows, said a prayer and went back to bed. Then she remembered the dream she had about Handsome man and Elsa¡¯s warning rang in her head. ¡°Unhealthy, unhealthy.¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Elsa was right, it was unhealthy to keep thinking of him like this. Besides she would never meet him again and he was just a night stand. It should end there! Nkt proceeding to her having wet dreams about him. The moment she closed her eyes, his face shed before her eyes again. She growled, throwing her pillow across the room in anger and frustration. ¡°Will you stop shing in my mind and let me sleep in peace!¡± *** Just like that, a week had passed. Elsa had been visiting the club a lottely, saying that she was meeting with her wealthy greek god, Christopher. ¡°Young, wealthy and sexy.¡± She had counter on her fingers. ¡°They are rare to find. I was told, there are only five left on earth. Yesterday, one got married, another got engaged. Three left.¡± She had raised three fingers up for emphasis. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to take my chances and risk letting this go.¡± That and many more, were always her excuses of meeting up with someone that although Ivy was now convinced he wasn¡¯t a serial killer, still she wasn¡¯t entirely convinced he was safe to be hanging around with. ¡°Come with me today, your Royal Highness. I¡¯m sure the King and Queen will not stop you, not after you save their asses from the abyss of shame.¡± She would say with a giggle. ¡°No, I¡¯m really tired tonight.¡± That and other lies were the excuse Ivy would give to stay behind. ¡°But you might just get a chance to meet Handsome Man again. Rumours said, he is part of those five left on earth.¡± Ivy would roll her eyes and act like she was entirely unbothered. But she was, she truly was. Her wet dreams about Handsome Man had not stop since that night. Every night she would dream of the night she spent with him over and over again, the way he had held her and the things he had made her feel like it was all happening again. It was just as Elsa had warned her, it was unhealthy but she just couldn¡¯t stop herself no matter how much she tried. So, indeed, she wanted so much to see him again, despite how unhealthy Elsa had said it was. ¡°You never go out these days! You¡¯re now such a wet nket!¡± Elsa would say grumpily while pouring them a ss of wine which Ivy will willing take from her because if there was something she wanted so badly asides getting Handsome Man, then it was to get drunk and forget her wedding day. Yep! The very one no one knew about! Just like her wet dreams, her nightmare was just as consistent. Her horrors of her wedding day, the bang of the gun and the conditions that were given to her at knife point. She still hadthat contract hidden away somewhere nobody could find it. Sometimes, even her couldn¡¯t find it. Yeah, she kept it that safe. The memories of that day woulde like a nightmare, crashing whatever dreams of pleasure she was having with Handsome Man. That had been the reason her outings had reduced drastically. She believed they were watching her every move, and she wanted to stay hidden as much as she could. The fact that she couldn¡¯t tell anyone was also affecting her, so she picked hiding as her coping mechanism. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about me, let¡¯s talk about you and Christopher.¡± ¡°Oh, Chris.¡± Elsa would swing the wine ss, her eyes dreamy. ¡°Do you know that he is a great dancer, he lifted me on the dance floor.¡± She would giggle and talk on and on about his body, his wealth, his body again, then how he always paid for her expensive orders all while taking guesses at his age. ¡°Probably 25.¡± She would say then continue. From what Ivy had gathered, they had done a lot of things together but she hadn¡¯te around toying him yet. If she had, she was sure Elsa would have talked her ears off about it while giving graphic details. Unlike Ivy, Elsa wasn¡¯t shy at all when it came to things like that. ¡°Someone so young, sexy and wealthy. He must be mine.¡± She would say with determined yet dreamy eyes. ¡°You are in love with him?¡± ¡°You mean his wealth and bodyyy.¡± She would thrown her hands up dramatically. ¡°Yesssss!¡± And after that they would talk of other things. It had been two weeks now and Ivy had mastered the patterns of destroying Elsa¡¯s forceful offers of getting her to the club. For more than fourteen days, she had been saved then today happened. Her birthday. Although Ivy had convinced her parents not to throw a big party for her, and they had unwilling agreed since it ditched her Mother¡¯s secret n of finding her potential matches and her father had to settle for a cake with one candle and a birthday song at 12 o¡¯clock. She hadn¡¯t been sessful with Elsa. ¡°Big 22, Princess! We must celebrate it. We have reasons to because by some miracle, you are still in the market tond yourself a rich greek god, if you follow my advice.¡± She winked. ¡°I¡¯ll¨C¡± ¡°It is a dinner at ssic¡­¡± That was one of the most expensive rexturant in town. She had been there before and the restaurant had every damn right to be as expensive as it was. Knowing that fighting against what Elsa wanted will lead to no where, they had gone to the restaurant together. It wasn¡¯t until she got there that she realized that she made reservations for four. Four! ¡°We are expecting two more people?¡± She asked as she took her seat. Too bothered to appreciate therge see through ss wall right intb ¡°Yes. I was serious aboutnding you a greek god, you know. History mustn¡¯t repeat itself.¡± ¡°You mean your Chris ising?¡± ¡°Yes, my Chris and his friend.¡± She smiled. ¡°They are both totally handsomeee.¡± Before she could even say anything further, Elsa¡¯s phone started ringing. She stood up immediately with a smile. ¡°They are here. I¡¯ll be back.¡± She said, then left. While she sat there wondering about what next to do. She turned around just in time to see Elsa pulling someone into a rather tight embrace, like as she was about to dissolve right into him, while she simply waved at the one. The one she hugged must be the Chris she hadn¡¯t ceased talking about. He was handsome honestly, just that she couldn¡¯t see his face. Something about his friend looked familiar though. Where had she¨C Her thoughts screeched to an halt immediately. Waiiit a second. Chris was Handsome Man?! Chapter 9 Let the Hiding Pro Max Begin! Duck! This mustn¡¯t be happening right now. She saw them approaching quickly but she knew she was not ready to face Handso-Chris or even the situation that her and her best friend might just have fancied the same man! ¡°Hi, umh, where is the exit?¡± The waiter immediately eyed her table, seeing the wine and wondering if she was trying to run from ¡®a bill gone wrong¡¯ situation. ¡°I don¡¯t know if this is right but I have to get out of here fast.¡± Ivy flipped opened her purse and handed her some bills. ¡°For the wine. So now, where is the exit?¡± The waiter eyes lit up immediately. ¡°Ex situation.¡± She mumbled underneath her breath. ¡°Quickly, it¡¯s around here.¡± He said, leading her outside in no time. She yed along, telling him how her non existent ex had some stalker tendencies and temper issues. Non existent because Ivy wasn¡¯t one to believe that there was anything such as an ex. A man could either be yours or not, it didn¡¯t matter if he was in the past. So no one was her ex and she wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s ex. ¡°Thank you.¡± She said to the waiter, shoving some bills into his hand again. ¡°A tip for the good service.¡± She winked and he smiled in return before they parted ways. She had already called Davies earlier, so two minutes after she made it out if the restaurant, he had already been there to pick her up. Barely a moment after she stepped in, Elsa¡¯s call came in. ¡°Yoh oh, Princess. You disappeared?!¡± ¡°Elsa, hey ehm¨C¡± ¡°Where are you? I came to the table to see that you were gone. Is everything okay?¡± ¡°No.¡± An idea immediately flew right into her head. ¡°No! Mum called. Said there is a problem I needed to fix rting to the business and the meeting I had.¡± ¡°The meeting you had like when? More than two weeks ago?! How doesn¡¯t my aunt know about this? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?!¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t that bad.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I can fix it.¡± ¡°Why does this have to happen on your birthday? I nned out so much for today. I also don¡¯t think Jett is too pleased about third wheeling. Are you sure everything is alright, Princess?¡± Her grip tightened on the phone. For a moment there, she had absolutely forgotten about the Hand-Chris situation. She thought of her life and the messed up wedding situation she was neck-deep in. The way she couldn¡¯t tell anyone what she was passing through, the fear she slept in every night knowing that she had gotten herself into a dirty business with people who could end others life with a flick of their fingers. The bang of the gun still rang in her mind. Her fingers ran over the cut she had been hiding with make up and tears ran down her cheeks. She wasn¡¯t alright. She was afraid, every waking moment she was terrified that she would do something contradictory to the contract and find all the people she loved, dead. ¡°You there, Ivy? Princess?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She answered quietly. ¡°Will you stop worrying about me and enjoy your dinner? I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve waited a lot to get him toe to dinner with you.¡± She had talked about Chris been a busy man to pull, so she must have done a lot of work for him to be attending this dinner with her. ¡°Yes.¡± She giggled. ¡°Maybe we might even have that steamy moment today.¡± Something stung her heart at that, her stomach twisted in knots and her throat went dry. ¡°Yes. Enjoy.¡± She replied and hung up immediately, scared that she might just say something she would regret. She had only met Chris once and she had been hug up on him ever since. Elsa had met him a lot, she liked him and it looked like he liked her too. Ivy nodded to herself as she reached a conclusion. She didn¡¯t know if it was just her overwhelming mind but she was determined to stay away from him and hide from him as much as possible. She wasn¡¯t about to lose her best friend over some guy. Even if he was wickedly handsome, nicely packed with bed actions and the only guy she had ever been so hug up on like this. Damn! No, Ivy. Just no. Besides how do one react when meeting a one night stand in a ce that wasn¡¯t so one-night-standy? She groaned in frustration, dragging her palms across her face. This just couldn¡¯t be happening to her. *** But it was and every passing of that week, she had thought about it.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. It was like as if seeing him made her even think more about him. Before, he was renting her mind,ing and going. Now? Oh-oh-oh! Permanent residence. So she did something to upy herself. She started working in one of her Father¡¯s restaurant, assisting the manager. After resuming for work, as she usually did every morning for five days, she got a call from Elsa who had been just as busy all week. Busy meeting up with Chris, no doubt. Argh¡­ Could she just not think of him like ever. ¡°Elsa, finally¨C¡± ¡°He stood me up!¡± She fired. ¡°Who?¡± She asked, trying to convince her mind that she hadn¡¯t been thinking about the same person. ¡°Who else? Chris, of course.¡± ¡°Oh my God.¡± ¡°This is the thrid time in this week. If he keeps not appearing, we will never get our steamy moment and move this talking stage thing to the next level.¡± Next stage? Elsa had never been one for rtionships. Was she nning to¡­ date Chris? Why is everywhere suddenly hot? Why was her heart racing so fast? So much heat! Damn, this Ac was definitely not working! ¡°You don¡¯t sound too angry. You know, since he stood you up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not. He sent flowers and chocte and wine as a ¡®I¡¯m so sorry. Business came up¡¯ package. Isn¡¯t he so sweet?¡± That was it! Elsa was in love with this guy no matter the part of him she imed she was in love with. Elsa would never take been stood up from anyone. ¡°Wow, so¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m mad at you though.¡± ¡°Me? I didn¡¯t even do anything.¡± Ivy said walking around the restaurant, passing by a table of men and women in jackets and jeans. ¡°You are working now? How dare you work? What are you working for? People like us shouldn¡¯t work. We don¡¯t need it. All we have to do is look pretty and spend money. I thought we agreed on this.¡± ¡°Well, I did, until I discovered I needed to work to retain my sanity.¡± ¡°You betrayed the pact. You will pay dearly for this, Princess. I¡¯m just around the restaurant. See you in a bit.¡± ¡°Yes, your Royal Highness.¡± ¡°Hey, that is my line.¡± Ivy chuckled, then hug up. She looked around the restaurant to the reserved table again. That table was really expensive, they must be wealthy business man to be able to afford it. Wonder what kind of business they were doing. ¡°Have you sent our special menu to them yet?¡± She asked one of the waiters. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± She nodded with a smile, then walked away. At that moment someone stood up from the expensive table beforeing over to the receptionist. There meeting must be already over. They¡¯ve been there for over an hour. There was ding on her phone at that moment and Ivy started typing away, declining an invite to a party from one of her friends. ¡°Hello, I¡¯ll like to make another reservation for the same time tomorrow.¡± ¡°Just wait a moment for the reception¨C¡± Her voice trailed off when she saw the person standing in front of her. ¡°Well, hello there.¡± She hadn¡¯t even had the chance to say anything back before she saw Elsa slipping right into the restaurant too. Well well well, wasn¡¯t she doomed? Chapter 10 Kiss, Don’t Tell. ¡°You won¡¯t believe what happened on my way here. So many choctes and flowers are still in the car but¨C¡± she paused, giving her a one over, ¡°A receptionist?! Are you kidding m¨CChris!¡± She flung her arms around him and he held her in a warm embrace. ¡°Hello, Amryelsa.¡± Ivy¡¯s eyes widened at that. He calls her full name?! Wow! A lot of wows. These two must really be an item and if not, then they were probably really close to it by a few steps. Ivy felt like an absolute unneeded piece in this lovey-dovey moment. Could she just disappear? ¡°What are you doing here? I thought you said you had a meeting.¡± Elsa said, sounding the most caring and careful that Ivy had every heard her sound before. That meant that she cared about how he viewed her and Elsa had never really given a damn about that before. Once again, could she just disappear? ¡°I just finished the meeting.¡± He guestutered over to the table some distance away. ¡°I was just standing here to make a reservation for tomorrow. Matters are not fully settled yet.¡± His voice rumbled, husky low, reminding Ivy about how his pleasure groans had rumbled close to her ears and how that had sent tingles through her body. For the third time, could she just DISAPPEAR?! ¡°Oh, that reminds me, where are my manners?¡± Elsa chuckled, hiding her face behind her small hand almost making Ivy scoff back. Was she trying to sound like a posh and sane person right now? Goodness! It almost felt like Elsa was apletely different person. ¡°This is my friend, Ivy. The one who had to bail on us that day because her mum called. Remember, Christopher?¡± Elsa signalled to her and Chris turned back his attention on Ivy, his peaceful brown eyes made something in her ignite. What are you doing Ivy? Say something. Stop being so obvious! He chuckled darkly, not looking away, like as if he knew how hot his gaze made her. How bothered she absolutely was. ¡°We¡¯ve already met.¡± Her heart dropped. What was he doing? ¡°Haven¡¯t we, Ivy?¡± Her throat suddenly went dry, her heart racing yet his gaze didn¡¯t move away from hers. Was he crazy?! What was he doing?! ¡°You¡¯ve met already?¡± Elsa¡¯s curious voice snapped her out of whatever trance or spell Christopher¡¯s gaze held her under. She had never felt so transfixed by someone¡¯s eyes before, so much that looking away had taken all the strength in her. What was this? ¡°Yes.¡± She replied, her voiceing out a little raspy from how fast her heart was racing, although her voice still sounded firm. She looked back at Chris, there was this grin on his face, like as if he knew every single thought going on in her mind, every feeling crossing through her veins and he was ready to mess with them. ¡°Where? How is it that you haven¡¯t told me?¡± ¡°There was really nothing to tell.¡± Ivy chuckled dismissively. ¡°Is that so?¡± Chris arched at her a cocky. ¡°Yeah, it is so. I met hin- well, theye here for meetings a lot and that is how we met. Through the meetings, nothing private or intimate. So yes¨C¡± she looked up at him now, daring to stare into his prating gaze just to make her point. Although now, he had a little frown on his face. ¡°There is nothing to tell.¡± What did he expect? That she would say he was her one night stand?! This guy was impossible. ¡°Chris, we are runningte on¨C oh, you?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve met his friend, Jett, too?¡± ¡°You are the ¡®Mine¡¯ girl.¡± This just kept getting worse and worse. ¡°Mine girl?¡± ¡°Was a joke I said one day.¡± Sheughed forcefully. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard this joke before, how is that even¨C¡± Elsa started to ask. ¡°It was lovely meeting youdies, we need to go now. Amryelsa.¡± He nodded to her and she immediately threw her arms around him. ¡°Thanks for the chocte.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I couldn¡¯t make it.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± She stepped back with a shy smile. This was ridiculous. ¡°Ivy.¡± He said and she nodded. ¡°See you around for your meetings.¡± She grinned, to cover her nervousness. He smiled subtly and she blinked away before she would trapped in again. Was his gaze affecting only her? He tucked his hands deep into his pocket. ¡°See you around, Ivy.¡± He left then, meeting his business patners at the door. Why had that sounded like a promise? ¡°Sexy greek god, isn¡¯t he?¡± Elsa giggled. ¡°Amryelsa.¡± She smiled, mimicking the way he called her name. ¡°Now campare, out of your Handsome man and my Christopher, who is better?¡± Ivy slowly sat down tiredly, feeling like her legs were too weak and her tongue was too stubborn. ¡°Defeat can be hard to admit.¡± ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°What was what?¡± ¡°The acting.¡± ¡°Whaaat? You can¡¯t me me. Did you listen to the way he speaks.¡± ¡°And the fake shyness?¡± ¡°I will do whatever I must.¡± There was silence for a while. The receptionist arrived and Ivy told her to reserve table 7, same time, same people, tomorrow. ¡°For the business people that made reservation today?¡± ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± While they went up to have dinner, Elsa kept talking about how wonderful Christopher was, while Ivy just couldn¡¯t get his voice or his gaze out of her head. He had said he would being around, that they would talking again. Those words made her terrified and excited at the same time. Was she falling for Chris?N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Should she tell Elsa the truth about how she met him and who she knew him to be? What would hurt her the most, the truth or hiding it from her? They finally settled down to eat and Elsa paused for a while. ¡°You know what, I was scared when he said he knew you?¡± ¡°W-why?¡± Elsa shurgged and for the first time in a long time she saw fear flicker in her eyes. ¡°I like him a lot, Ivy. I¡¯ve never liked anyone as much as I like him. I think I want to be with him, you know, date him. A real serious rtionship.¡± ¡°That is¡­¡± She said, picking her words. ¡°good.¡± ¡°I know right. So, I was so scared when he said he knew you because if he had been one of your ex¡¯s or someone important to you. I know how you consider exes but still.¡± Ahs sighed, obviously worked up about whatever she was thinking. Another rare sight. ¡°I was scared that we might have liked the same guy.¡± Did she just¨C?! ¡°Liked the same guy?¡± She asked, dumbfounded. Thank God for good mouth grip unless this wine would have been everywhere on the table. ¡°Why would you even think that?¡± ¡°I met him at the same club we were looking for you on that wedding day. Remember?¡± With a slow nod from Ivy, she continued. ¡°I realize there might be a possibility that Handsome man was Chris or one his friends. I was really praying that it would be Jett or someone else. Anybody else but him.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She said cutting into her meat slowly, although at this point, her mind wasn¡¯t focused on the dinner at all. ¡°I¡¯m so d that your Handsome man is apletely different person. You don¡¯t know how much this means to me. How happy I am. I haven¡¯t been this happy in a very long time.¡± Ivy¡¯s heart clenched, she dropped her cutlery, stretched her hand across the table then grasped Elsa¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m happy that you are happy.¡± Tears glimmered in her eyes. ¡°We should celebrate. Wine?¡± With that they poured the wine and cheered. To Elsa, Ivy¡¯s misty eyes tears meant that she was very happy for her but they were for a totally different reason. Ivy had made a decision that she knew would hurt her dearly. She had decided to keep the truth a secret, along with standing away from Chris. She could do this. She would do this. Anything for her best friend. Anything for her Elsa. It couldn¡¯t be so hard now, could it? Chapter 11 Secrets Might Tell Themselves Christopher had taken the ¡®see you around¡¯ promise really seriously. He had meetings in the restaurant everyday! Plus a dinner or Lunch with Elsa here and there. She was stuck with having to see him everyday, his gaze doing things to her, her wet dreams about him increasing just as the nightmares about her mysterious groom. It was all overwhelming, which was why she took a day off. Her father had been a little worried, and he had chipped in a question or two about her state of health, while intently observing the bags underneath her eyes and her back-breaking, neck-snapping posture on the sofa. ¡°Are you sure you are okay? I¡¯ve been observing you. I¡¯m d that you are bing more responsible but¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯m good, Pa.¡± His hand tightened around his briefcase. ¡°Are you entirely¨C¡± ¡°Romito is fine. Will you stop worrying for nothing?¡± Her mother stepped into the sitting room in her loose blue shirt and ck baggy pants, ts, and her branded handbag. She could be a century old and she would still look like as if she was in her 30s with that bob. Forever young! She gave her husband a one over, observing his baggy blue jeans, before moving close to him, making it obvious that he was an inch shorter, brushing off invisible dirt from his yellow T-shirt, thenbing the only surprisingly surviving strands of curly hair on his head. ¡°Perfect.¡± She mouthed and he rolled his eyes in response. Secretly? He enjoyed her way of loving him. ¡°You are not turning in today?¡± Her mother said when she finally noticed her on the couch. ¡°Realized working isn¡¯t for you already? I have some hot guys that you might¡ª¡± Arrghhhh! Not this again! ¡°I¡¯m just tired today, Ma. I¡¯ll get back to work tomorrow.¡± ¡°Anyways, my Romito.¡± She walked over to the couch and pinched her cheeks. ¡°The offer is always opened.¡± Then she headed to the door before shouting back at her husband. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Let¡¯s go!¡± Her father hurried after her but not before checking her temperature again to ensure that she wasn¡¯t burning. *** Ivy stayed like that all day, watching movies, telling herself ¡®just one more episode and I¡¯ll stop¡¯ till it was finally in the evening. It was then that Elsa¡¯s call came in. ¡°Yo, Princess! Are you sick or something? Can¡¯t find you anywhere here. Or¡­¡± She drawled. ¡°Did you finally give up on this work thing? Back to just looking pretty and spending money as we should!¡± ¡°I¡¯m a little sick today.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness, tell me you are calling from the hospital!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that bad.¡± She rubbed her hand against her creased forehead, all these shouting over the phone was starting to give her a headache.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Of course, you¡¯ll say that. You hate medicine. I¡¯ming to drive you to a hospital myself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you have a date tonight? The one that you have been trying to get your Christopher to go with you all week.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ yes.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to miss that. You really worked hard for that date, you know.¡± There was a silence, Elsa was probably weighing her options. If it was anyone else, Ivy knew Elsa would be standing that person up real fast but it was Chris and Ivy was banking on that. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay. If you die while I¡¯m out here on a date¨C¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Ivy chuckled. ¡°Promise?¡± ¡°Promise. Now go and enjoy your date.¡± ¡°And wish me best of luck, I hope to getid at the end of it.¡± ¡°Best of¨C¡± she hung up quickly, finding it suddenly unbearable toplete that. It was like a dagger was being twisted in her heart as the imagery of Elsa and Chris together took shape in her mind. Tears glimmered in her eyes and she clutched her chest. Strange! Strange! Strange! What was wrong with her? Why was this affecting her so much?! This definately wasn¡¯t normal. It was just a one night stand, Ivy. Stop it, for goodness sake! She took in a deep breath and smiled, the room changing the lightening as a result of the movie ying on the TV. This was fine. Nothing was wrong. Everything was normal. It wasn¡¯t like as if she was fantasizing every night about the same man her best friend was crazily attracted to. Her heart clenched even harder at that, it got so bad that she almost called Davies to drive her to the restaurant so she could ruin Elsa¡¯s date and see Chris once again. That was it! She needed help! Immediately, she had her phone pressed to her ear. As the phone beeped, she was silently hoping that the call wouldn¡¯t be answered. She really didn¡¯t want to see her therapist despite knowing she needed her help, but she needed to do this. If the call doesn¡¯t get answered then, that way she would be able to convince herself that she tri¨C¡± ¡°A call from my sweet Ivy?¡± Well, wasn¡¯t she just the luckiest person in the world? ¡°To what do I owe this honour?¡± ¡°To the fact that I¡¯m losing my sanity and logical reasoning is slowly evaporating out of my body?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to be busy tomorrow afternoon.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ soon?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to keep my favorite human waiting.¡± ¡°I¨CI¡ª really don¡¯t mind w-waiting.¡± Sheughed nervously. ¡°See you tomorrow, Sweet Pea.¡± Well, there was no escaping this one. ¡°See you tomorrow, Mrs Angelica.¡± Then, she hung up. Next, she got herself busy with preparing for Elsa¡¯s birthday which was a week and some days away. Anything to keep herself really upied. Besides, there was really nothing wrong with being extra prepared, right? Finally, it was 11 o¡¯clock. She took a deep breath then fell back on the couch. She did it! She resisted the urge to go to the restaurant. Go, Ivy! At 11:37, the door bell rang, which was weird because earlier, her parents called that they went on a business trip and they were noting back until a week. That was what they had said but business was a needy lover, they might have to stay longer than that. The doorbell rang again but before Ivy could race to the door, Elsa stepped in, keys dangling in one hand. ¡°A little tipsy. Took some time to get it out of my purse.¡± She grinned at her, wobbling on her heels as she covered up the distance between them and threw her arms around her. ¡°Princessssss.¡± She drawled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be logged into an hotel having the time of your life right now or something?¡± ¡°About that¡­¡± She pulled away, staggering to the kitchen while Ivy followed after. She poured herself a ss of water then gulped it down before mming the ss back on the kitchen counter. ¡°He had business to do. Everything was going fine. We even almost kissed, till something very strange and annoying popped up.¡± ¡°His business?¡± Ivy said, washing the cup then putting it back in its ce. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You said something annoying popped up. So I guess, it¡¯s his business.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, that.¡± Ivy shook her head, Elsa almost look like a ghost with her hair all over the ce. But before she could ask about why she looked so¡­ like this, Elsa had already grabbed a bottle of wine and she was pouring herself a ss. ¡°So you¡¯ve been here all day, Princess?¡± ¡°You are drunk. No more drinking for you.¡± Ivy said, taking the ss and the bottle away from her. Once in a while, she yed ¡®mum¡¯ or logical best friend. Usually, this was Elsa¡¯s role. ¡°What are you now? My mum?¡± She bursted into a drunkughter. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even know how mums behaved. I¡¯m not a princess like you, I don¡¯t have everything.¡± Ivy frowned, her heart twisting with bitterness. She had thought that phase was already over between them, that they were way pass it. When she spoke again, her voice was dead serious and filled with worry. ¡°What happened on that date, Elsa?¡± ¡°None of your fucking business!¡± She mmed her fists against the counter. Anger brewing in her eyes, her chest raising and falling rapidly. ¡°How do you always manage to ruin everything?¡± Ivy¡¯s throat went dry immediately and her heart thudded painfully. Did she¡­ know? Chapter 12 Let the Birthday Night Begin! ¡°I don¡¯t understand, Elsa. What did I ruin?¡± Even she was surprised by how firm and controlled her voice was but she kept going, despite her thundering heart. ¡°Is this about your birthday?¡± Elsa looked at her dead in the eyes and there was silence for a while before Ivy continued again. This didn¡¯t look good. This didn¡¯t look good at all! ¡°Elsa, I might have not being talking about it but you mean a lot to me. I have ns for you. I did not forget your birthday.¡± Something had glimmered in Elsa¡¯s eyes, at that point where Ivy had said she meant a lot to her. She staggered forward, clumsily falling into her embrace. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry that I was being cranky. Yes, it was about my birthday.¡± Ivy let out a breath of relief, she patted her back lightly, yet she couldn¡¯t help but worry. Had that really been it? It had seem like it was more than that. But Elsa had always taken her birthday super seriously, so it wasn¡¯t out of character. She felt Elsa squeeze her tightly to herself before she cooed, ¡°you mean a lot to me too, Princess.¡± Ivy smiled. That sounded more like it. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed one bit, Birthday Girl.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me that yet,¡± she pulled away and winked. ¡°We still have a week and some days.¡± ¡°Like as if you weren¡¯t just throwing a tantrum about that a while ago.¡± They chuckled. ¡°So, tell me. What ns do you have?¡± She asked as they started walking up the stairs to Ivy¡¯s room. Her heels in one hand while she leaned heavily against Ivy for support. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise.¡± ¡°Does it go along the line of partyyyy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a surprise.¡± ¡°Okay, okay. I don¡¯t want any parties though.¡± Well, it¡¯s a good thing that wasn¡¯t EXACTLY what she had spent most of her day nning. She would have to cancel a lot of orders once they get to the room. Just thinking about it was already giving her a headache. They kept on talking about different things, till they got to the room and Elsa eventually fell asleep. Ivy also got to work but still she couldn¡¯t shake that feeling away, like Elsa wasn¡¯t telling her something. Or maybe she was just overthinking it. She thought as she flicked off the light. She tended to overthink most of the time, anyways. *** There were movies, the beach, gifts and almost everything Elsa had always wanted for her big 20 yet, she didn¡¯t stop talking about how perfectly she wanted the dinnerter in the night to go. It was almost as if she couldn¡¯t enjoy any of the activities Ivy had nned, nor did she pay much mind to the gifts because all that was on her mind was the dinner. ¡°What color do you think Christopher will kill for? Red or baby blue?¡± She asked, strolling through her phone in the car on their way back home. They were in the backseat and Davies was driving. ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°I think Baby blue will be good. He likes the innocent prim and proper look. Red might just seem too wild for him.¡± Too¡­ wild? Ivy bit her lips, painful enough to shut the inflow of her wild memories with Chris that suddenly started flooding her mind.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Was what she was doing right? Keeping this secret, acting this part? She had continuously asked herself and her answer had always been, ¡®maybe¡¯. Her best friend was so happy and that was all that mattered. No matter how much all these was tearing her, she would keep her mouth sealed. She had even been toying with the idea of traveling out of the country and staying abroad till she could get Chris out of her head. Even thought of the lie to tell Elsa. But then, there was the contract with an invisible control on her. That damn piece of paper! She felt like a dog on a lease! Arrghhhh! Why was her life so messed up?! ¡°Baby blue or maybe even white. Pure innocence and a sense of submission.¡± ¡°Red is your colour, Elsa. You look stunning in red.¡± ¡°Yo, I look absolutely fabulous in white too.¡± She chuckled, pretending to be offended. ¡°I know but it just seems like you changing all of you just to go on this date.¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing this for Chris to pick me.¡± She looked away from her phone and up at her, determined. ¡°Pick you?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, I just want to be what he wants. He is already what I want.¡± ¡°He knows you are not all white innocence and I¡¯ve seen that he cares about you.¡± ¡°Seen him once.¡± ¡°It was enough to judge.¡± Elsa sneered before she quickly covered it up with a chuckle. ¡°Well, you might have to fix your opinionter tonight, when I dress all pearly white.¡± Davies pressed down the horn and it was only then they realized that had gotten home. ¡°Have you told your aunt about your night out?¡± Elsa rolled her eyes. ¡°What does it matter? She is busy with one of her many lovers, she wouldn¡¯t even notice that I¡¯m gone.¡± ¡°She had a fight with Uncle again?¡± ¡°Yup! Huge one. I¡¯m sure they are out there somewhere getting their ass drunk while they bang. Other people asides each other, of course. Or it could be each other, I really don¡¯t get them. Those Drunks forgot my birthday.¡± She giggled. ¡°Anything from your Ma and Pa?¡± Ivy asked as they stepped out and walking into the house. Elsa subconsciously checked her phone. ¡°They are busy today. Just like every other day.¡± ¡°Elsa¨C¡± ¡°No, no, no. Pity? Oh please, Princess, don¡¯t go there. Whose money do you think I used to get all those dresses and expensive gifts? Certainly not mine.¡± She swung the door of Ivy¡¯s room open, then fell on the bed like a log of wood. ¡°You ordered dresses!¡± Ivy closed the door. ¡°Yes.¡± She sat up. ¡°I owned no white.¡± Ivy squinted her eyes then Elsa shrugged. ¡°No decent white.¡± Before Ivy would have anything to say back, Elsa jumped to her feet and went to Ivy¡¯s closet, trying to find her a dress. After some minute, the doorbell rang. Delivery was here. Ivy went downstairs to get it. By the time she got up again, Elsa had already picked her a dress. A red dress. ¡°What do you think?¡± Elsa squealed, waving the dress in her face as Ivy put down thest of the boxes. ¡°A stunning partly revealing red dress?¡± She took it from her. ¡°I don¡¯t remember being the Birthday Girl.¡± ¡°Well, as the Birthday Girl, I give you the permission to look faaaabulous!¡± ¡°Oh, my. I suddenly feel a headache. Might lead to death if I have to meet other people. Rain check?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t. You. Dare.¡± Well, if Elsa was right about what Chris liked, with this red dress she would be invisible and that is a good thing. Right? Soon, they were done dressing. Elsa was rocking a glittering white, long sleeve, ankle length gown. She even had gloves on. White gloves, to be specific. Ivy had never seen her like this before. It was, well, refreshing. They got into the car and Davies started driving them to the restaurant. DeTaste, which was the same restaurant Ivy worked in, was where they were headed tonight. Elsa was busy with clicking pictures, Ivy was pretty sure Elsa had never seen even her own self like this before. While she spent her time taking more and more selfies of herself, while speaking more and more about how much Chris would love her look. Ivy just sat down there, taking deep breaths in and out, as her therapist had adviced, while she mentally prepared herself to see Chris again. Tonight was either going to be good or bad, but either way, it would be. Chapter 13 Red Wines and Dangerous Talks Finally, DeTaste. They got down from the car at the packing lot that was right in front of the restaurant. Just then Chris and Jett came out to greet them. ¡°You look really beautiful tonight, Amryelsa.¡± Chris said, helping her out of the car. ¡°Thank you. You look stunning yourself.¡± Jett stepped forward and helped Ivy. ¡°Red,¡± Chrismented, looking straight at Ivy. ¡°Is there anything you wouldn¡¯t look breathtaking in?¡± ¡°For someone who has only seen me in my formal office wear, that¡¯s a bold statement.¡± Ivy chuckled nervously. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Dinner!¡± Jett dered, breaking off the awkwardness. ¡°I¡¯m hungry and Chris has handed me with a lot of business to do after this so. Shall me¨C¡± Elsa hurriedly stepped forward at that moment, almost tripping over the stairs but Chris caught her just in time. ¡°Elsa, are you okay?¡± Ivy rushed from the other side of the car over to her. Elsa didn¡¯t answer, instead she held on firmly to Chris¡¯s arms that had being her rescue. ¡°Are you alright, Amryelsa?¡± ¡°Yes, just missed a step but I¡¯m not sure I can go all the way up the stairs by myself.¡± They were just threw steps but Elsa was Elsa. Although something about what was going on right now didn¡¯t seem much like her. Was Elsa ying the damsel in distress right now? Ivy caught a subtle wink from her and her inside recoiled in something that felt like sharp pins digging against the walls of her stomach. That was a subtle hint they would give each other anytime they wanted the other to y along with a particr situation. ¡°Maybe we should go to a hospital and cancel this dinner date. We need to get that ankle checked immediately.¡± Chris said and Jett hummed in agreement, while typing away on his phone. He was probably checking for the nearest hospital or something. ¡°Maybe two of you will go. I will stay for the food.¡± Jett finally looked up from his phone. Maybe he never even was checking for an hospital! ¡°I¡¯m okay, seriously, I just need someone to help me up the stairs.¡± Aggressive wink. Ivy really wanted to be selfless and help her but for some reasons, her body just wasn¡¯t taking orders from her right now. It felt like as if her tongue had decided to stay rooted to the roof of her mouth despite her numerous attempts to speak up. What exactly was wrong with her?! ¡°Amryelsa.¡± ¡°Today is her birthday,¡± she finally broke away, taking control. ¡°¡­ and she has been looking forward to this dinner all day. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s fine. She said it¡¯s fine, so it should be fine. We¡¯ll just get some ice and we¡¯ll be good. Will you please hold my purse and my heels¨C¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± Chris asked, looking down at the purse and heels she had stretched to him. ¡°I¡¯ll carry her up. There are just three steps or something. I can¡¯t be dead by the end of it.¡± ¡°Okay, hand me those heels and purse.¡± Jett pushed away from the car he was leaning against. ¡°Only helping cause you are the ¡®Yours Girl¡¯.¡± Then eh collected the purse and heels from her before looking back at his phone. What was he doing on that anyways? ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± ¡°Nevermind.¡± Chris said, lifting Elsa up in his arms before Ivy could reach her. Jett nodded handing Ivy back her things. Then he walked ahead of them so that he could help with opening the door. ¡°Oh, you areally didn¡¯t have to.¡± Elsa saidas bashfully as she could, before mouthed a ¡®Thank you¡¯ to Ivy who was following behind. Ivy¡¯s heart hurt like as if a dagger was been driven through it then twisted over and over again. Tonight was going to be one hell of a long night. *** ¡°So Ivy, tell us about how drawing went for you?¡± Chris asked. ¡°She was totally terrible.¡± Elsaughed as she gulped down her third ss of wine. The table had a certain vibe, it felt awkward and almost forced. Jett was focused on his phone while he typed away, eating once in a while and taking long gulps of red wine from the bottle they had brought with them to the restaurant. The wine Bottle had on it the name ¡°WineRed¡±. What a name. Elsa must be really happy that Chris came for this dinner, because every now and then, she was falling over him while taking more and more of her wine. Getting drunk. Ivy wouldn¡¯t have noticed if this simple action of hers wasn¡¯t causing her heart to clench painfully everytime. Why was she constantly feeling like this? It was just a one night stand, Ivy. Get over it! Chris wasn¡¯t helping matters at all though, he kept involving her in conversations. ¡°Tell him, Ivy.¡± Elsa looked sideways at her, her head leaning lightly on Chris¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We should talk about other things. Likeeee¡­ Elsa¡¯s wonderful singing skills!¡± ¡°Oh, really. I didn¡¯t know you could sing.¡± Chris said. ¡°Nice.¡± Jett hummed, just to make them know that he was alive and present, probably. ¡°She sang at World¡¯s Voice, won thepetition three times in a row, got a wonderful offer but she turned it down.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Ivy grasped Elsa¡¯s left hand softly, and she looked up at Chris who looked really interested in finding out whatever that reason was. Damn, those brown beautiful eyes of his! ¡°I was going through a life crisis, I needed her and she dropped everything else to be with me.¡± That wasn¡¯t the whole story though. At that time, Ivy had also gotten overwhelmed with the fame, started leaning into taking drugs too. She had needed someone by her side at that time too. They had helped each other but that part of the story wasn¡¯t something she wanted to tell. Chris had a subtle smile on his face and his gaze was once again trapping her in. She blinked, her heart racing, her gaze moving to Elsa as quickly as possible, before smiling yet again. ¡°Elsa is just wonderful. I don¡¯t deserve her, yet I have her. I feel really lucky.¡± ¡°I love you.¡± Elsa slurred. ¡°Nah. Away from me with all that muchiness.¡± Ivy chuckled. ¡°Look who¡¯s talking.¡± ¡°Bet you have some muchiness of your own too. More than you¡¯ve already disyed.¡± Chris said.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Ivy shook her head, suppressing a smile. ¡°Then maybe it isn¡¯t muchiness.¡± He leaned forward, so that despite the fact that she was sitting to his left and Elsa was in-between them, it made her feel like as if he was freaking close. ¡°Maybe something wild.¡± Ivy wanted to move away, but her fingers twirled around her wine ss instead. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything.¡± ¡°I bet you do. You just need someone quite your speed to ignite it. She gulped. Memories. Her heart raced at them before she suddenly frown. Was Chris flirting with her right now? Or was she just overthinking it? Overthinking it. Definitely, overthinking it! She really needed to stay away from this man! ¡°My goodness, I jussst s-spilled wine on your dress, l¡¯m s¨C¡± Elsa slurred in apology. Ivy stood up immediately. Great, a opportunity sent by the heavens. ¡°Is there a way I can help with that?¡± Chris asked, already standing up. It was just a wine spill. Why so dramatic? ¡°I¡¯ll fix it.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go¨C¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Ivy pushed her gently back on her seat. ¡°You stay here, I¡¯ll fix it.¡± ¡°Will you be fine alone?¡± Chris asked again. ¡°Hello, Bodyguard.¡± Jett teased, his gaze still fixed on his phone, taking a gulp from his wine ss once again. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Thanks.¡± Ivy said walking away hurriedly. This was starting to get awkward. She found her way to the Ladies room. Good thing she was wearing red, she was able to get the stain under control. Along with repeating to herself as she looked into the mirror. ¡°Chris makes Elsa happy. Chris is for Elsa. Elsa is happy and so you are happy.¡± When she was done, she stered a smile on her face and walked out of the Ladies Room. While she was walking back to her table, she bumped into someone and whispered a quick apology. She continued walking but then she suddenly stopped, her heart racing, her hands sweaty. While she had bumped into that woman, she had caught a reflection of someone in one of the small beautiful mirrors that were hung on the wall. She looked back immediately to see if she had been right but he was gone. Nevertheless, she could have sworn she had seen Girald. Chapter 14 Oops! Ivy continued walking. She knew that hadn¡¯t been just a figment of her imagination. They were watching her, she had known that for a long time. This had only just confirmed it. Act normal, Ivy. Nothing about this was strange at all. Nothing. By the time she got back to the table, Elsa was wearing Chris¡¯s jacket, leaving Chris in his light blue shirt. ¡°He is such a gentleman.¡± She said patting his shoulder lightly. ¡°Yeah.¡± Ivy replied, taking her seat. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about your drawings again.¡± Chris said with a slight smile. ¡°Elsa¡¯s singing inst¨C¡± ¡°It was when she was 16.¡± Elsa mmed her wine ss on the table and everyone at the table looked at her, even Jett as he cursed inaudibly under his breath. ¡°Oops, sorry.¡± She giggled, her eyes twinkling with drunken happiness. ¡°Water, Elsa?¡± ¡°No. As I was saying, it started with her first love. She was so cheesy.¡± Elsaughed, throwing her head back while Ivy¡¯s hand tightened around her wine ss, embarrassed. ¡°She confessed her feelings to him with her drawing and he rejected her. in t out rejection. The funny thing is, she had spent months learning how to draw to confess her feelings. When he saw it, he was horrified. If you had seen it, you¡¯d be horrified too.¡± Jett chuckled lowly. ¡°You do have some muchiness in you then.¡± Ivy shrugged. Well, everyone had an embarrassing past one time or the other in their lives. No big deal. She could feel Chris¡¯s gaze on her but she refused to acknowledge it. ¡°How are you even listening? Aren¡¯t you engrossed in work?¡± She slurred, taking another gulp from her ss. ¡°I heard ¡®confessed feelings¡¯ and¨C¡± ¡°Ohhhh, I¡¯ve got one more. The wedding!¡± Ivy¡¯s eyes flew wide so fast, she almost choked on air. ¡°You n-need water.¡± ¡°No.¡± She protested, pushing the bottle away. ¡°The wedding was so crazy!¡± This Elsa was going to ruin her. Elsa didn¡¯t know about what had truly happened that day but Ivy didn¡¯t want anyone knowing that she was ever about to get married. Besides, she had made Elsa promise that she wouldn¡¯t talk about it to anyone. Had the wedding eventually happened, it would have still stayed a secret. That had been the n from the beginning. The only reason it had made headlines was because she had been absent. Besides, after the debt had been settled, by some miracle ¨C or more urately, her mysterious husband¡¯s power ¨C the news had disappearedpletely from the inte. ¡°You were both guests, right?¡± Chris asked, pouring himself the WineRed drink for the first time. ¡°Oh-oh-oh.¡± Elsaughed. ¡°You should know about thi¨C¡± ¡°Shoot!¡± Jett dered, standing up. ¡°There is an emergency, we have to run.¡± Elsa groaned in annoyance. ¡°Work, againnn?¡± But the news filled Ivy with utmost happiness. Luck must be finding her irresistible today. Red dress, thank you. ¡°Sorry Ladies.¡± Chris stood up too. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to make it up to you.¡± ¡°Wait, I need to tell you about her we¨C¡± she slurred before she yawned again, slowly losing her battle against sleep. Ivy stood up to pick Elsa up but she was having some difficulties. Chris came over again and picked her up easily in his arms. Davies had close for the night, so Ivy would have to drive. While Chris helped Elsa into the backseat of the car, Ivy said a ¡®thank you¡¯ and rushed into the driver¡¯s seat. She had to get far away from this man as much as possible, with all these heightened emotions that came with him being around. His hand stopped the door before she could m it shut. Wo-oh! He was fast! ¡°Let me drive youdies home.¡± ¡°I thought you said you had an erme¨C¡± ¡°Jett will handle it. I have to make sure that you are safe.¡± He said, his gaze pretty intentional. She couldn¡¯t help but observe his brown eyes yet again. ¡°Both of you, of course. You must know how much I love taking precautions.¡± He added with a chuckle.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. The condom. She wasn¡¯t exactly sure why that had been the first thought that shed through her mind but it had been it. That night, he hadid her on the bed, pulled a condom from his drawers while he whispered the words ¡®precautions, precautions¡¯, trailing kisses down the crook of her neck. She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach and she knew that with the dark light in the parking lot, she was only a moment away from pulling him into the car, all consequences be damm! The surge of something risky shed in her eyes, her hands tightened around the wheels. His smile turned into a knowing smirk, like as if he could read every single thought, see every single picture that shed into her mind. Yet he looked so calm and in control, like she was the one overthinking everything. Like all of the double meanings of his words were things her mind just came up with and he hadn¡¯t meant any of it. Elsa murmured gibberish in her sleep and whatever spell she was under broke instantly. How dare she think that about the person Elsa was pursuing? Her stomach twisted in unpleasant painful knots. ¡°No.¡± She mmed the door shut immediately but she didn¡¯t drive away yet and he didn¡¯t leave either. She was a bundle of nerves. Why was she finding it so hard to control herself? Then slowly, she whined down the car¡¯s tinted window. ¡°Sorry about that. Just that we are runningte and all. We had a great time. Elsa will text you in the morning.¡± The words rushed out of her mouth. With that, she drove off, restraining herself from looking back at him through her side mirror. He wasn¡¯t flirting with her. He was interested in Elsa and Elsa was interested in him. He was just a one night stand! She was even certain that what happened between them meant no big deal to him. She groaned, tightening her hands around the wheels again, as she rolled down the window more, so the breeze could help her cool down, also so that Elsa wouldn¡¯t feel nauseated in her sleep. When they got home, she helped Elsa to her bed. She tried to feed her a ss of water but Elsa was too drunk and she was dead asleep. Ivy washed up, then settled in bed next to Elsa, thinking about how today had gone. ¡°The movies are the ones I enjoyed the most, then the beach. The restaurant wasn¡¯t that bad too except for the time when you got drunk and started spilling all my secrets.¡± Ivy said, tucking the strands of hair that had fallen over Elsa¡¯s face behind her ear. ¡°You must have had too much to drink tonight. You¡¯ve never done that before.¡± She said thoughtfully as she pulled the nket over her. ¡°I kind of like the fact that you are drunk and asleep since that mean you wouldn¡¯t be talking my ears off about your Sexy greek god.¡± Ivy paused and Elsa¡¯s light breathing filled the silence. Ivy sighed, falling back on the bed. ¡°You almost told them about my wedding, Elsa. You promised you¡¯d never do that.¡± Goosebumpsced her skin at the memories of the strangest wedding ever, which unfortunately, had been her own. Thenshe thought about what had happened in the parking lot. She let out a frustrated sound, facepalming. ¡°Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! What is wrong with you, Ivy?! I¡¯m legit not going to be able to sleep today because I¡¯ll keep thinking about this all through the night. And when I¡¯m 50 and I¡¯m stinky rich, while I¡¯m on one of my many private yatchs, I¡¯d still remember this night. It will ruin all the beauty sleeps and naps I¡¯ll ever have.¡± Her heart weighed down with sadnessthen, ¡°I hate keeping secrets from you. I know you love Chris so much but I wish you¡¯ll stop inviting me to go to ces with you when he is there. I¡¯ll do anything for your happiness, Elsa, but when you do that inviting thing and I see him, it¡¯s really hard for me too.¡± She paused, listening to Elsa¡¯s light breathing again before she continued. ¡°I have feelings for him, you know. I¡¯m trying my best to get over it because it is so wrong and it is such an obstacle.¡± Her heart ached terribly and suddenly she felt like, if she could just say it right now, maybe the secret wouldn¡¯t weigh so heavily on her any longer. After all, Elsa was asleep. ¡°Your Chris is¡­¡± She paused, fighting an internal battle before she finally gave in. ¡°My Handsome Man.¡± There was silence for some moments. What a relief. But all that relief turned into sheer terror real quick, when Ivy turned to her side, only to see Elsa, very awake and staring right at her. Chapter 15 Didn’t See That Coming ¡°Wwwhat?¡± She slurred after a while of silence and Ivy froze, not breathing in nor out. Then Elsa¡¯s eyelids slid shut again. Till she started snoring lightly, indicating that she had fallen back asleep. For Ivy, silence reigned through the room except for her pondering heart and Elsa¡¯s light snoring. Had Elsa heard what she had said? How long had she been awake? What if she woke up in the morning and remembered? Elsa wasn¡¯t one to forget things that she did while she was drunk nor the words spoken to her! Had she just ruined it all for her best friend? What about their rtionship? Would it stay the same after this? Intact or forever broken? Ivy immediately picked up her phone, tears streaming down her face, as she imagined how shattered Elsa would be in the morning. Her sight blurry as she went from one site to another, checking through expensive dresses and gifts that she might use as an apologye daybreak. She made her orders, her mind racing, her hands trembling as the thought of hurting her best friend fiddled with her brain. Once she was done making the panic order, she crumbled to one side of room and cried. Elsa would be wreaked in the morning, their rtionship dented, years of friendship down the drain and it would all be her fault. She cried and cried,ying on the sofa in her room till she fell asleep. *** When she woke up the next morning, she was no longer on the sofa but alone and tucked in her bed. Wait¡­ alone?! Elsa! She jumped with a start. ¡°Finally awake, Princess.¡± She heard Elsa scowl behind her. Her heart ached and she turned around slowly. Elsa was no longer in her white dress but in a pair of baggy pants and sleeveless red top. She looked refreshed, beautiful as ever and¡­ very angry. ¡°Elsa¨C¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think we have something to talk about?¡± She remembered! Oh goodness, she remembered! Ivy knew this would happen, yet it painfully tore through her that it did. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to keep it from you.¡± ¡°Like it was anything that could be hidden in the first ce.¡± Ivy¡¯s heart dropped at that. Had she been that obvious? Despite all her efforts?! ¡°Do you know how many times I had to picked up my phone and tell the guy at the gate toe in with the plenty things you orderedst night?! How drunk were you?!¡± ¡°Last¨C¡± Wait. She didn¡¯t remember? That was strange. As in, she was absolutely happy that Elsa didn¡¯t remember but still, it was really strange. Was Luck finding her irresistible once again, even with her morning face? Wow. She¡¯d better not mess up this time. ¡°I bought you your gifts¡­ Happy birthday!¡± Sheughed nervously, raising her hands in the air. ¡°I knew the dinner didn¡¯t go as nned for you, so¡­¡± Elsa shrugged, suppressing a smile as she leaned against the white wall. ¡°And so, you took it upon yourself to further stress the Birthday Girl just to give her gifts. My wrists are hurting from how many times I had to pick up your phone, to answer deliveries and give directions. Anyways, Birthday Girl will ept your little piece offering.¡± ¡°Littleeee?¡± ¡°It is whatever I say it is.¡± Ivy giggled, though still nervous and very observant. ¡°Yes, Mum.¡± ¡°That reminds me, your mum called to say that they were extending the business trip. My aunt is over there with them. This trip had better be bringing us billions. If not, we¡¯ll lock then out.¡± ¡°Take possession of everything and banish them?¡± ¡°Your words, Princess. And oh, how much I love obeying your orders.¡± Elsa giggled and Ivy joined in. This still felt too good to be true though. ¡°What is it with you anyways?¡± Ivy asked, tossing Ivy¡¯s phone on the bed next to her. ¡°Why did you sleep on the floor?¡± ¡°Couch.¡± ¡°Same suffering.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°Do you know how hard it was to carry you? You are such a Princess, I know.¡± She went to the door and opened it. ¡°But give your loyal servant a break. I¡¯m a Birthday Girl and I didn¡¯t deserve any of that stress.¡± Sha didn¡¯t wait for any reply before she mmed the door shut and hurried down the stairs. Funny. She had been panicking for nothing the whole night. She heard a ding on her phone, then checked it to see that Elsa had sent her a message. ¡®Thank you for the birthday gifts, for always showering me with so much love, for always chosing me first. I love you.¡¯ She pressed the phone to her chest and blinked her tears away. This was precious to her. Valuable than anything else. This, she couldn¡¯t risk losing! She stood up from her bed and frowned, realizing something. She had been so worried about her rtionship with Elsa that she hadn¡¯t had her usual wet dreams and nightmares. Interesting. Maybe if she kept on worrying about Elsa like that or find something to really think about, she would stop dreaming about Chris. Everything about it was absolutely wrong, no matter how right her body tried to make it and she knew it! *** After that day, they had both been wrapped up in their own worlds, too busy to spare anytime. During the time Ivy would force herself to spare, Elsa would say she was busy with this, that or with meeting up with Chris. From what Elsa had been saying, her and Chris were spending a lot of time together. Also, Elsa was practically living with Ivy now and their house was always filled with gifts from Chris. Once, when they had finally made time to send together, by eating popcorn while watching a movie, her phone kept buzzing with messages from Chris. Chris had also stoppeding to the restaurant, most likely to spend more time with Elsa in all the wonderful ces that Elsa would constantly send Ivy pictures of. They were happy which meant that she was happy even, if she wasn¡¯t. It doesn¡¯t matter that she had constantly deprived herself of sleep just to get the pesky wet dreams and nightmares out of her head. Once, Elsa had even caught her while she was forcing herself to stay awake. ¡°Still having those dreams with Handsome Man?¡± She had said, taking a bottle of water from the fridge. Her phone was buzzing from the inflow of messages and Ivy had caught a glimpse of a message she certainly wasn¡¯t supposed to see. Something about what he nned to do with her the next time they would meet. Ivy pulled her purple silky robe around her and looked away, sitting on one of the kitchen stools. ¡°No.¡± ¡°You should give up on lying, you are terrible at it.¡± Of course, she knew. ¡°You need a good d. i. c. k to f. u. c. k it out of your system.¡± Then she turned away and walked up the stairs. ¡°Goodnight, Princess. Please don¡¯t disturb this loyal servant tonight because her hands are about to get busy.¡± She giggled, giving her a suggestive wink before disappearing up the stairs.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Anger and frustration flooded through her veins. So she went up to her room, picked a sexually provocative dress and drove down to a club. Just as she got there, she remembered something. That she was married, then yet again, one of the rules of her weird marriage was that she could live a single life. After all, since she had signed the contract, they hadn¡¯te for her or any of her family. She must be doing it all right. So, she went into the club. She would have been here with Elsa but Elsa had been scared that she mighte across Chris and seeing her in a ce like that, having fun, might ruin the angelic image that Chris now had of her. This time around, Ivy had told her that he met her at a club and he hadn¡¯t hated her then. ¡°¡­ In fact, he had even shown interest in you.¡± ¡°He met me while we were looking for you. Not while I was dancing all wild and¨C I¡¯m not going.¡± Ivy had given up the fight then went to the club anyways. Gotten herself a guy, got drunk, gotid (with precautions, of course), went back home, fell asleep. Then, boom! Wet dreams and nightmares. They just wouldn¡¯t go away. All of these had happened yesterday night. This sunny afternoon, she was at work once again, tired, angry and frustrated on her chair, as her search result stared back at her from herptop screen. ¡®There is nothing you can do to stop having wet dreams.¡¯ Well, wasn¡¯t that just fantastic! Her phone rang at that moment, thousands of messages from Elsa. Strange. Elsa hardly ever texted or called these days. She was constantly busy with Chris. Now, she was calling and texting at the same time? Did she order a pearly white gown and get a red? Or did theyix up her mascara order? Ivy answered call, using her earphones. Something she instantly regretted. ¡°He asked me!¡± Ouch. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He asked meeeee!¡± Chapter 16 Never Yours To Begin With ¡°Ciao Princess, I¡¯m officially the girlfriend of a greek god.¡± Ivy¡¯s heart exploded with happiness. Finally, her best friend was with the man she was in ¡®love¡¯ with. Then her heart dropped almost instantly. He was the same guy she couldn¡¯t get out of her head. ¡°I am so happy for you, Elsa. Congrattions, you got your man.¡± ¡°You make it sound like we are already getting married. Maybe we will. Anyways, I need to go now, Princess.¡± She hung up, the line going dead, then a ding. A notification.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Elsa posted a picture of her hand and someone¡¯s, definitely Christopher¡¯s, interlocked. She even updated her status to ¡®In a Rtionship.¡¯ Tears welled up in her eyes looking at the pictures. She put the phone away, mumbling to herself over and over again. ¡°Elsa is happy which means you are happy.¡± *** If Ivy had thought that the events ofst week was torture, than she certainly hadn¡¯t been ready for this one. Pictures! Pictures of interlock hands, legs, hands, shadows and tbe difference ces the happy couples stole away to. They would all constantly flood her phone and just so she could convince herself that she was happy for them, she had to interact with each and everyone of them. ¡°Go couples! That is such a beautiful ce and I¡¯m sure both of you made it even super beautiful just by being there.¡± ¡°I know right.¡± Elsa answered back breathless, her face taking up most of Ivy¡¯s phone screen. Today, after sending all those pictures, Elsa decided to do a video call. It didn¡¯t matter that Ivy was in the office, she didn¡¯t have much to do anyways. Besides, this is another way to convince herself that she was totally happy for them. Not bothered at all. Perfect. ¡°Can¡¯t wait for a knight in shining amour toe and rescue you from that self built prison you call an office.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need that.¡± ¡°Silly me. Of course, you want a prince, you spoilt brat. What was I thinking?¡± ¡°Go on, keep telling yourself that I¡¯m the spoilt one here, just so you wouldn¡¯t feel bad. Answer this question, who is the one travelling around MoonCity and having the time of her life right now?¡± ¡°Moi! You know what, maybe you need Handsome man.¡± Her stomach twisted in painful knots. She sat up in the chair, casting the AC a quick nce to confirm that it was working, because why was it all suddenly so hot? ¡°Please, just stop with that. It was only one night. Don¡¯t you think all these is even weird?¡± ¡°Victory! Atst, our princess has broken away from the spell the mysterious wizard ced on her.¡± Elsa apanied her words with dramatic acting faces. Ivy chuckled. ¡°Hold on.¡± Elsa said, ¡°I have something to show you.¡± Ding. ¡°Great, another picture of you enjoying with your partner while I ve away.¡± It was a picture of them wearing matching clothes, although all she could see were their legs and expensive white sneakers. She knew that brand, they were the standard. ¡°Would send his full picture but he wouldn¡¯t even let me take it. He takes all these good pictures of me yet he is terrified of the camera.¡± Ivy chuckled lowly. She could have never in a billion years think Chris to be camera shy. It was funny to imagine of though. She heard a man¡¯s voice in the background, as he approached Elsa. ¡°I have to go now. Bye love.¡± ¡°You too. Enjoy.¡± The screen went ck with the words ¡®Video Call Ended¡¯ across it. *** The whole day was agonizing but she immersed herself more in work. That distracting technique had been workingtely. When she got home, she went straight to bed. She had done a lot of work today and she was so tired. The minute sheid down, she started dowsing off but her phone pinged. She wouldn¡¯t have been bothered to check the message but it was Elsa and she had sent her a picture. ¡°Make sure you are alone.¡± Another message came in. Ivy chuckled. How misleading that would have been if someone else had sent it. What could it be? A silly face? Elsa treasured looking picture perfect that a picture of her doing a silly face would require utmost privacy of her trusted ones, and by her trusted ones, that would be Ivy. She downloaded the picture and her mood soured immediately. It was a video of her underwear and a man¡¯s littered across a tiled floor. There was a picture of Elsa looking happy tired alright but it was caption ¡®Sex Face¡¯. Ivy sucked in a deep breath before exhaling. You are alright, Ivy. You are okay. He is none of your business. Elsa is happy, you are happy. She assured herself once again. Then there was another video. Elsa was in bed, a white nket covering her chest all the way down, or at least to the end of the phone¡¯s screen. She looked tired but the happiness twinkling in her eyes surpassed her fatigue. ¡®I finally gotid by the Greek god. Can¡¯t wait to fill you in on the details.¡¯ she whispered and just at that moment, arge hand sneaked from behind Elsa, pulling her back into the nket. Ivy blinked before she fired a text back. ¡®Yikes, woman! Keep this to yourself.¡¯ There was a ding almost instantly. Ivy hadn¡¯t expected he to reply that fast. ¡®I refuse. My best friend must hear it all.¡¯ ¡®Well, I don¡¯t want to hear this one. It is private.¡¯ ¡®You told me all about yokes¡¯ ¡®You¡¯d¡¯ ¡®*Yours* Damn autocorrect!¡¯ ¡®Well, I¡¯m freeing you from the obligation of returning the favour. n Love you. Goodnight. Work was hectic today and I am still not done. Have to wake up early tomorrow.¡¯ ¡®Just resignnnnnnn. You don¡¯t even need the job.¡¯ Ivy smiled slightly, it was almost as if she could hear Eksa¡¯s frustrated groan in her head. ¡®I don¡¯t want to. Goodnight.¡¯ She put the phone down, hoping it would be the end. Carrying on the conversation was starting to be really unbearable for her. But no! Luck wasn¡¯t finding her irresistible tonight. Her phone pinged again. ¡®I think we are going another round.¡¯ Nah! She did not need to know that. This time, she didn¡¯t reply. She just stood up calmly and put the dressing table at the other side of the room before returning to bed. She looked up at the ceiling, the way it changed its soft colours due to the light. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. When she was done, she could still feel her how heavy her heart had grown but maybe this was what she needed to finally get over it. To know that Elsa finally had him now and there would never be a chance for her. She stood up, picked up her phone and texted her back. ¡®Go a hundred rounds if you like. Just keep it all to yourself. Help me respect your privacy.¡¯ There was no reply. As expected. Chapter 17 Sensually Trapped That and the two nights that followed, she had no crazy dreams of him nor nightmares of her marriage. She went to work as usual the next day, feeling refreshed and happy with herself. She scrolled through her phone to see if there are any movies she could see as a way to reward herself, maybe even go to a beach, a vacation or something. She was in the mood to meet new people. Then her phone rang. Elsa again. ¡°Hello, Spoilt Brat.¡± ¡°That is my line, you Dirty Thief.¡± Elsa snapped back over that phone, Ivy let out a dramatic exasperated sigh. ¡°I thought I was a Princess.¡± ¡°Forget that. It¡¯s been two days since ourst conversation. How are you even breathing without hearing from me?¡± ¡°Honestly,¡± Ivy took in a deep breath, nodding lightly. ¡°I think the air has been a little crazy.¡± ¡°Good because I don¡¯t understand how you can live without me for two whole days. You love me, remember?¡± ¡°I know, I know. You know what, I¡¯m also wondering the same thing about you.¡± ¡°Oh, me? I¡¯ve just¨C¡± ¡°Been busy, I understand.¡± Theyughed. ¡°You know what, I know we haven¡¯t been able to spend so much time as usual anymore. How about we go to a Beach House and have fun.¡± ¡°Hmmm, gentle reminder, I have a job.¡± ¡°How much do you get paid? I¡¯ll pay you for your time off.¡± ¡°What if I get fired?¡± She asked, toying with a pen between her fingers. ¡°Now that is just ridiculous. Your dad can¡¯t fire you. Also that position you are holding was created mainly for you. It¡¯s not like you even need the money.¡± ¡°Fineeeee, I¡¯ll go.¡± Yay. And that was how she found herself at the Beach house. Elsa had gotten there before here though. So while she was out taking a swim, enjoying the Beach and the sun, Ivy had to stay behind and unpack. Wrapped in a towel, with her choice bikini on the bed, she stared into the mirror, packing her hair. ¡°Whosever you are, please leave. I won¡¯t be requiring such services, thank you.¡± Someone said from the door and she turned, ready tosh back at the intruder for his insinuating words but her words died on her tongue when she discovered who it was. ¡°Christopher?¡± Oh, no. Had she just ran right into that one person she had been trying to avoid all these weeks. ¡°Ivy? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°That is a question for you.¡± ¡°Me. This is my room.¡± ¡°What?¡± He chuckled lowly. She could already feeling all her discipline tjatvsge had been working so hard on evaporating from her body. Damn those beautiful brown eyes. She could already feel them trap her in again. She blinked, looking away immediately. ¡°That is not possible, Elsa said¨C¡± ¡°Oh, Amryelsa. You came here with Amryelsa.¡± Of course, he would know his girlfriend¡¯s name even if it was just said in passing in a conversation. All she wanted to do was get out of here. How does someone react in front of the preson they had been trying to get out of their head for some long? Even had really wet dreams and a one night stand too at at. This was already awkward as it was. Many people had one night stands in the world and Ivy was sure that for most, it had been that.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Period. Done right there and then. Why does the Universe have to keep punishing her like this? ¡°She said she wanted to borrow it for the weekend.¡± He muttered under his breath, although he was audible enough that she could hear. ¡°She did say she would bring you along.¡± Great! So she wasn¡¯t here to make up the time the had spent apart. She was going to be third wheeling the happy couple. What a terrific vacation this would be. Then he said to her, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, you can have the room.¡± ¡°No. It is yours. I¡¯ll be leaving. I¡¯m sure Elsa will like to stay here too.¡± These couples were frustrating. It was obvious that they would like to stay in the same room or something. Why had Elsa moved into another room? Why had they not concluded on the room they wanted to stay? Why did she have to suffer like this? She starting packing up her bag, she snatched up her bikini that was spread out on the bed, hurriedly dumping it into her bag. But it was only just that, she had putid out her under wears on the bed, matched them together with their colours. She trapped them quickly, dumping them into her bag too. She would need to spoil herself with a big present to forget this embarrassmentter. She was sure she wouldn¡¯t be able to forget it easily though. Maybe in two years time, in her yatch that she already had ns to buy, she would remember and suddenly her afternoon beauty sleep would be ruined. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Handsome man! ¡°You can have the room. You¡¯ve settled in already.¡± He stepped closer in an attempt to stop her from packing. ¡°I¡¯ll pack up.¡± She moved away quickly, pulling a luggage bag she had already through on top of the one of the tall shelves. Remembering how hard she had worked to get it there made it really painful for her that she was already pulling it down again. Too high! She couldn¡¯t reach it. She needed a stool but she didn¡¯t have time to start looking around for that now when she wanted to do was DISAPPEAR from his sight as soon as she could. She hopped on the door of the wardrobe, pulling it aside, tugging at the handle of the luggage case. She slipped. Immediately a sound track filled her head, the background music that was usually yed in movies when a character was about to die. How sad, she hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to write a will. Anyways, Elsa could have everything. Maybe it was good like this, this way she would be free from that ridiculous contract anytime. But there was so much she wanted to do in the world, expensive ces to see, dresses to try on and more interesting people to meet. What about the present she had promised herself just moments ago. No, it couldn¡¯t end like this! Instead of hernding on the floor, Chris¡¯s strong hands were around her, pulling her to himself. Her eyes flickered opened to realize she hadn¡¯t fallen to her death. Her chest still raising and falling from the short moment of fear, her veins filled with adrenaline. Well Death, not today then! She would still be able to get herself that big present. Then suddenly she felt the warmness and chill behind her and a person breathing against the croak of her neck. ¡°You should be more careful,¡± came his low raspy voice. Startled and realizing how close she was to him, she wanted to jump out of his arms but his arms around her only tightened. Then she jacked him with her elbow somewhere around his ribcage. She looked back at him with frown to see that he already had a light one on his face. ¡°I don¡¯t think I deserve that.¡± ¡°Well then, let me go!¡± He tossed her out of his hands, only to pull her back, throwing her to the bed and him above her. Chapter 18 This is Wrong Before she could protest again, she heard the shelve crashing to the floor and saw it falling above him, so that they were trapped between the shelf and the bed. ¡°Oh my¨C oh my¡ª your back!¡± ¡°Are you alright?¡± He asked, his face a little strained, all his focus on her. She nodded vigorously. ¡°We should be worried about you.¡± ¡°Me?¡± He asked, like as if that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. ¡°The shelf is on your back!¡± ¡°Oh. Yes. It is quite painful.¡± Quite? How could he even forget he was carrying that king of heavy piece of wood, except if¡­ Oh, goodness, he was dying, that is why he couldn¡¯t feel his back. If he eventually ends up dying then Elsa would kill her for it. The first guy she had ever liked and she had gone and done a mistake and killed him. Oh goodness, let Chris survive this. If there was any God up there. Please! ¡°Don¡¯t forget to breathe,¡± she said, her eyes on Chris. She needed to do her best to at least savage the situation. ¡°In and out, in and out.¡± Chris arched her a questioning eyebrow, if there was anyone that needed breathing lessons right now, it definitely wasn¡¯t him. ¡°Why are you doing that?¡± ¡°What? I can¡¯t have you die on me.¡± ¡°True.¡± A mischievous glint shed in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m literally ¡®on¡¯ you.¡± They share a look at his statement, she being the one to quickly look away first. ¡°If only I could just reach for my phone.¡± She said, stretching her hand on the bed, tapping her hand around, trying to reach for her phone so that she could dial a couple of numbers and call for help. ¡°Do you think you can move a little?¡± He moved and she stifled a gasp at feeling something that was quiet familiar pressed against her. Chris stiffened too, observing her reaction and knowing why. ¡°It has a mind of its own,¡± he provided in a sought of apology. ¡°I wish it didn¡¯t and it just had the mind of its owner.¡± ¡°Seriously?¡± Chris chuckled, warmly. It made her heart flutter somehow. Focus, Ivy. Focus! Although she really had to give herself some credit. She had been this close to him for a couple of minutes now and she had been sessfully distracting herself from the thoughts of him. From how close he was. How fully pressed up his slightly cold body was against her, and the fact that all she on her was just a towel. She was practically naked. Focus! Ivy, don¡¯t get lost. Right! She mentally shook off the invading thoughts. ¡°I don¡¯t think there will be any difference,¡± he added. Damn! Her distraction technique was quickly slipping away at his statement. She was getting aware of him all over again. She needed to get him off her as soon as possible. Then after that, she would pack her bags and relocate to another country. Ah-ha! Finally, she found her phone. She dialed in the Beach House emergency number but her grip on her phone wasn¡¯t tight enough, so it slipped right out of her hand to the floor. She tried to reach for it again but she couldn¡¯t. Frustrated, she gave up. Suddenly her heart was racing really fast. Maybe it was because she realized how dangerous the situation they were in really was, maybe because of how trapped she felt or the high possibility of Chris dying, or maybe it was the fact that this shelf could end up crushing both of them to death. She didn¡¯t know but her heart was racing faster than her normal logical thinking could take. Her thoughts were scattered everywhere in her head and filled with fear. ¡°No one ising. We¡¯ll die here. Elsa will kill me, my Pa, oh my Pa. What about Ma? I¡¯m so dead.¡± ¡°Ivy?¡± ¡°I¨C I¡ª¡± ¡°Look at me.¡± She did and that only increased her fear. All she could see was the huge shelf against his back and all she could think about was the fact that it wasn¡¯t crushing her to death only because he was the one dealing with all the weight. ¡°That shelf is crushing your back. You must be bleeding. You must be dying.¡± ¡°Ivy,¡± he said, his voice way too calm for someone that was in the type of danger that he was in. ¡°Help!!! Help!!!¡± She screamed, looking in the direction of the slightly opened door. They didn¡¯t hear her, they must all be the way down at the beach, enjoying, tanning, ying under the sun and enjoying the water while not knowing that two people were dying here, just some distance from them. She screamed for help once again but the only response she got was silence. Looked like the Universe was really against her getting that huge gift for herself.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. If she survived this though, she promised herself something bigger, just to show off in front of the annoying luck she had today. She started breathing heavily again. ¡°I¡¯m going to die in a small space. Die in a¨C I¡ª¡± ¡°Ivy! Look at me, in and out¡ª breathe.¡± She looked at him, trying to follow his instructions but she just couldn¡¯t. It was like as if her body was suddenly doing its own thing, totally disobeying her. ¡°Elsa will kill, I¨CI¡ª am gonna di¨C¡± The words were swept cleanly out of her mouth immediately. His lips molded against hers and her mind went nk, finding it hard to process what was going on. For a moment sheid still before her lips moved along with his in its own vition. This was nothing like the night they had together. It was gentle, calm, assuring. Then he pulled away, slowly. Heat rushed over her and she quickly looked away from him, blinking, realizing what had happened, what he had done and why he had done it. Not just that but the fact that being who he was to Elsa, she felt absolutely conflicted about the kiss. ¡°Arrgh,¡± he groan and she quickly looked back at him, forgetting all about her embarrassment and her conflicting feelings. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I think¨C,¡± he peered his eyes open and when he saw that she was now looking back at him, his feigned looking pain disappeared. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m find now.¡± He smiled and she smiled too, getting lost on those brown peaceful eyes again. The moment would havested longer of a scream hadn¡¯t scattered it. ¡°Somebody get in here! Help!¡± The person screamed again. ¡°Elsa. It¡¯s Elsa.¡± Ivy chanted in relief. ¡°Elsa?!¡± ¡°Oh, my goodness. My Princess is trapped! Are you alright?¡± Ivy could hear footsteps now, there were now more people in the room. ¡°I¡¯m breathing. I¡¯m worried for Chris though.¡± ¡°Chris is there?! Lift people, lift!¡± ¡°Someone should call the ambnce,¡± another said. Chris was started to breath heavily, while they tried to lift the shelf. Soon the shelf was off. The person that Ivy had seen was Elsa looking back at them, a displeased look she couldn¡¯t suppress in her eyes. It was only then that Ivy mind took in the very misleading position that were in right now. Her in her mid thigh towel with Chris on top of her. Chapter 19 Lure Me in Slowly It had been a little bit of a rushing mess after the shelf had been lifted off Chris back¡¯s. There was an ambnce, people running around to help and boom, the hospital. ¡°All clear.¡± The doctor say to her, tucking one hand into herb coat. ¡°You can go home this evening.¡± ¡°It a whole fucking shelf, Doctor. I mean, you should have seen the shelf. Fucking huge!¡± Elsa turned to the doctor, her hand grazing Ivy¡¯s own affectionately. ¡°Is it alright if we stay for longer, just to ensure that everything is really fine.¡± The Doctor looked back at Elsa, a tired look on her face, like as if she was tired of life and everything in it. ¡°I feel fine,¡± Ivy chirped in, noticing the tension. ¡°You are the injured one here, Princess, you don¡¯t get to judge.¡± Then she looked back at the doctor. ¡°So, can we? This is an expensive private hospital after all. Whatever the bill, we¡¯ll pay it.¡± Then her voice dropped to a low sympathy seeking tone. ¡°I¡¯m just so worried for my friend.¡± The doctor let out a sigh, walking out of the ward already. ¡°Fine, fine. Whatever.¡± The door to the ward shut close. ¡°I really feel fine though, like as if nothing happened,¡± Ivy said, adjusting slightly on the hospital bed sheid in. Since they had arrived at the hospital, Elsa had done some unexpected things. Like deciding to stay with her instead of checking on her boyfriend abd spending a lot of time with him, also she hadn¡¯t asked about why she had caught them in that misleading position. It was like as if it didn¡¯t matter. That must be a good thing though. It means she trusted her and her boyfriend not to be going behind her back and doing things they shouldn¡¯t be doing. Then she remembered the kiss and it made her feel somehow all over again. ¡®It is just like a person drowning, Ivy. He saved you from your anxiety attack. The kiss was nothing but a first aid kit,¡¯ she thought to herself over and over again, trying to get rid of the guilt that just wouldn¡¯t leave her. Elsa¡¯s palms were warm against her face as she checked her all over again to ensure that she was okay. ¡°Are you sure you are alright? When I saw the shelf I thought¨C¡± she ced a hand over her mouth quietly, silencing her tears. ¡°I¡¯m here, I¡¯m alive.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I would have been able to live without you.¡± ¡°Well, you are in the luck. This Princess is not dying anytime soon,¡± Ivy said with a wink and Elsa chuckled, using a tissue to dab away her tears. ¡°Better enjoy this moment. I don¡¯t intend to be so touchy feelings and ruin my expensive mascara like this anytime soon.¡± ¡°But I like you like this. Will you do it again of I keep on recing your mascara?¡± ¡°You are such a spoilt brat.¡± They chuckled. ¡°You should check on your boyfriend.¡± ¡°I checked on him a while ago.¡± ¡°I think you should check again. He mostly had to deal with the weight of the shelf.¡± Ivy sat up, her face creased with worry. ¡°How is his back? I hope he has no broken bones or¨C¡± The door swung open and they turned to see who it was. There was Jett in a brown t-shirt with a ck jacket and a ck pair of trousers, his eyes fixed on his phone as he typed leisurely. ¡°Okay. I heard there was a shelf situation,¡± he started to say, his fingers till busy and his eyes on his phone. ¡°I hope someone died or is in a majora because that would be the only justifiable reason for me to have been dragged out of my work, just to fly down here, all the way from Utia.¡± No one spoke, so he looked away from his phone and at them. ¡°Who is ina? Please don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s the Yours girl.¡± Just at that moment, his gazended on Ivy. He titled his head sideways, visibly relieved. ¡°Not the Yours girl then. Could it be her alcoholic of a friend?¡± Elsa reached out for one of the pillows on the bed and tossed it at him, although she missed him. He looked down at the pillow, her failed attempt, then up at her. ¡°Oh, there you are. Then who died?!¡± ¡°No one,¡± Elsa gritted. He suppressed a grunt. ¡°Back to Utia, then,¡± he said walking away. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Elsa asked, stunned. ¡°Did you even know what happened.¡± ¡°Nobody died, so it doesn¡¯t matter. Stay safe children. I don¡¯t want to have to start flying¨C¡± he reached for the doorknob but just at that moment, his phone started ringing. ¡°What does he want this time,¡± he muttered underneath his breath before answering the call. ¡°I just arrived,¡± he said to the person on the line, then he looked back, his eyes on Ivy. ¡°Chris wants to know if you are alright.¡± ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± she croaked out. Why had her voice sounded like that? ¡°Good. Back to Utia.¡± With that he stepped out of the ward. Elsa yelled after him, ¡°you arrogant piece of shit!¡± Something about how he acted always made her so mad. Her phone dinged at that moment and she picked it up. It was an Email. From Jett. How did he even get her email address? It read; ¡°That is such a foulnguage to be spoken within the walls of an hospital. A child might have heard you.¡± Elsa scoffed, eyeing the mail like as if it was the most senseless she had ever seen. Was he serious right now? *** They got discharged from the hospital that same day and guess who had to drive them back. ¡°I thought you said you¡¯d be going back to Utia?¡± Elsa wasted no chance at stating the obvious, as she settled in the backseat of the car, right next to Ivy. ¡°A certain somebody cancelled my flight and imed that I was needed,¡± he said, his hand tight on the wheels. Everyone in the car knew he was talking about the person seating next to him, Chris. His phone dinged. An email. Without a change in his expression he read wat it was. ¡°Name the certain someone, YOU SHITTY COWARD. There! No hospital walls, no children.¡± He cleared his throat lowly when his eyes passed over the words ¡®you shitty coward¡¯. He could feel Elsa¡¯s eyes on him and so to give her a better view, he tilted his phone more to the right before hitting spam. Elsa was too shocked by it that a low gasp slipped through her lips, before she quickly covered it up with a cough. Hearing that, Jett smiled with a sense of victory. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Ivy asked. Her eyes on been on Chris and his bandaged hand since she they had gone to help him out of his ward, up to this moment. Till she heard Elsa coughing over and over again next to her. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m FINE.¡± She would kill him. She would definitely kill him. Spam? Her? A whole Elsa Stone! Heiress to the Heirloom Chains of Hotels! This man certainly didn¡¯t know who he was dealing with. ¡°An email from work?¡± Chris asked, watching Jett tuck the phone away into his pocket. ¡°No but it is a useless one nevertheless.¡± Nah. She would definitely kill him. *** It had been a couple of days since they got bank from the hospital. Jett had been glued to his phone and hisptop. Whatever he was doing on it, they didn¡¯t know but it sure took a lot of his time. Chris had not been able to enjoy the beach because of his hand and Ivy had been keeping to her disciplined routine of staying away from him, which involved leaving the Beach house very early in the morning anding backte at night. Elsa had not been able to go with her most times because, she would stay back and take care of Chris. Ivy met a lot of people at the beach and had fun but in all honesty, nothing was really enjoyable. She was worried about Chris and she hadn¡¯t been able to thank him properly since that day, since she feared that seeing again might start making her feel things she wasn¡¯t supposed to feel. Keeping her distance was a favour she was doing to everyone. She believed. Today, Ivy decided to stay in her room all day. Onlying out at night to enjoy the pool.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Their were dim colourful lights everywhere. Elsa had told her that the pool was great. How wise Elsa was. This was great! ¡°I can¡¯t sleep,¡± she heard that voice that she had been trying to avoid for some days now. She turned around, the water rippling. There he was, sitting at the edge of the pool with his legs in the water. He had a loose shirt on, covering away his bandaged hand. Well, there was no running away now. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Everywhere aches. Guess my body is finding it hard to forget about the whole shelf situation.¡± He chuckled and her heart fluttered. Her eyes locked with his while she swaying lightly in the water. Like as if she was being controlled by a force greater than her, she found herself gliding through the water, towards him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just haven¡¯t been able to¡­¡± Finally she was right in front of him, one hand holding the edge of the pool. Whatever spell he held her in, seemed to have ignited, bing even more impossible to shake off. Damn those beautiful brown eyes! ¡°¡­ thank you. I know it sounds somehow but I¡¯ve been really busy,¡± she concluded. ¡°Thank me for what?¡± ¡°For saving me from the shelf.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the white knight for many things.¡± He leaned closer, his voice lower, enticing. What else will you like to thank me for?¡± ¡°L-like wh-what? I don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Like the kiss?¡± Chapter 20 Crazy Midnight Cravings She looked down at his lips instinctively, to see that they had been drawn up in a smirk. Memories flooded her brain at how they had felt against hers on two different asions. Calm and assuring. Demanding and devouring. She pressed her lips together, her hand slipping off the edge of the pool as she pushed back slightly from him, swimming an inch away. ¡°Thank you for that too. It must have been really inappropriate and ufortable for you. I¡¯m sure you did it only because you had no other choice.¡± ¡°Ufortable? Maybe. The shelf was reallyfortable. I can think of other confort¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking about Elsa. I don¡¯t think she has to know.¡± He furrowed his brows, ¡°of course, she doesn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Then she swam to forward, further away from him, pulling herself out if the water. ¡°Goodnight.¡± *** The avoiding continued but it was getting harder and harder as time went on. Chris was getting better, so they all went to the Beach now and then. Although Jett was always on his phone, Elsa found a way to carry them all along with her time. This afternoon, Elsa suggested that they yed a game. In this game, they needed to partner up with someone. This wasn¡¯t the first time Elsa had suggested they payed this game though. Ivy always quickly picked Jett as a partner, although that meant she would have to do all the work, she didn¡¯t mind. Anything to ensure that Chris wasn¡¯t the one would be done. Then there were times that Elsa would pick Jett. On days like that, she would feign a headache or something. She was hoping today wouldn¡¯t be one of those days though. The sun was out and nice, there were people surfing and swimming,ughter, children building sand castles, and she was here with her friends, on a beach chair, in her red strap one piece bikini, with a big umbre over their heads. Beautiful. Fun. ¡°So I pick Jett. That means you and Chris will have to work together this time,¡± Elsa squealed before she leaned towards Jett, discussing their secret code and telling him to put the phone down. Perfect! Maybe she could ensure it this time. Chris crouched next to her. ¡°Don¡¯t be frightened, I¡¯m a good game nner and something tells me we will make for a great patner.¡± She stared at him, not saying a word, allowing her eyes to roamed down to his greatly defined jaw and amazon neckline instead. Don¡¯t look, Ivy! Don¡¯t let your eyes continue your roaming business, Ivy! Don¡¯t you dare! She saw him lean closer and she gulped, ¡°what should we chose as our secret code?¡± His low voice made here to a decision really quickly. She couldn¡¯t do this. ¡°I have a headache.¡± ¡°You what?¡± Elsa asked from behind. ¡°You¡¯re sure we don¡¯t have to go back to the hospital, Princess?¡± ¡°No,¡± she stood up, making sure not to make a mistake of ncing towards his direction. ¡°I¡¯ll just sleep it off. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± It was hard walking away, not only because she couldn¡¯t get the dumbfounded look that seeped into Chris¡¯s brown eyes out of her mind but also because of how hard it was to walk on the beach sand. A task! Elsa caught up with her quickly. ¡°Should Ie with you? Prepare you tea or something?¡± ¡°No, stay and have fun with your boyfriend.¡± ¡°Thanks your, Royal Highness for discharging me from my duties today,¡± she gave a dramatic bow and Ivy smiled. It even looked funnier because of the white skirted bikini she wore. ¡°Hey,¡± she bumped Ivy¡¯s shoulder yfully. ¡°What do you think of Jett.¡± ¡°Anything else asides from the fact that he is obviously in love with his phone andptop?¡± ¡°I think he might himself in love with a girl if he finds the right one. Like I found Chris.¡± Yeah, about that. It had been a while now, yet some how, Ivy had never caught them acting really lovey dovey in public. They must really hate PDA or maybe they really wanted to keep their rtionship secret. Good thing there were no secret between her and Elsa, if not, with how things had been of recent, she would even have been able to guess that they were together. Dangerous, because she would have allowed herself to fall in love with him, not knowing the consequences. Did it make any difference though? Here she was, running away from a game because he was her partner. Uhhhhh. She was tired of this. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare set me up with Jett. I won¡¯t forgive you.¡± ¡°Fine, fine,¡± she raised hand in the air in a surrender, then dropped them. ¡°I won¡¯t y matchmaker. I just really want you to find someone too. Someone you can be with, like the way I¡¯m with Chris.¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. I¡¯m fine like this,¡± she lied through her teeth. **** Midnight cravings were crazy. They were like demons possessing their victims, making them lose all sense of logicality, till their thirst was fully satisfied, their hunger satiated. Only then, would they leave, watching their victims stare in awe at the empty wrappers of devouring destruction they had caused. Enemies of dieting. Those crazy spirits! Anyways, Ivy was possessed and she knew it, because why else would she be going through the kitchen, looking for choctes at 2:07 am? Possessed by the Midnight Crave Spirit! She grabbed the chocte from tbe refrigerator, opening the wrapper when she heard someone step in. Chris? There really was no running from this guy. ¡°Hi, bye and goodnight,¡± she said, hurriedly trying to slip through the small space between him and the door. ¡°You are avoiding me?¡± She stepped back, feeling attacked. He was right but still. ¡°Me? Avoid you?¡± She chuckled. ¡°Why would I? It is such a childish move.¡± He was buying that though and she knew it because he kept moving closer, making her move back too, wanting to put some distance between them. ¡°Is this about the kiss? Does it make you feel that ufortable?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve kissed a lot of people.¡± There was no lying about that. ¡°Had sex with many.¡± Well, that was lie and then, it depends on much people believed ¡®many¡¯ was. ¡°Just so you¡¯d know.¡± ¡°Could it be that then? The sex we had.¡± Memories. She blinked looking away. Oh, no! That would make it look like he was right. So she looked right back at him. ¡°It was just a one night stand.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± he moved closer again and she took a step back. Could he just stop doing that?! ¡°So you have a rule against getting involved with your one night stands.¡± He stopped then he leaned lower, towards her voice, his voice a bit intimate, ¡°Or maybe you have something against knights in shinning armours.¡± He raised his hand towards her shoulder de, his cold finger against her skin as he flicked her long purple hair off her shoulder. She was feeling it again. That crazy illogical feeling that always took hold of her whenever he was close. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what I¡¯m against.¡± ¡°It does for me,¡± his hand slipped underneath her chin. What was he doing?! What if someone walked in on them like this?! What would the person think? What if the person was El¨C She lost track of her thought, when he warm breath fanned her upper lip. His lips were just an hair¡¯s breadth away, hovering above hers. What was it about him that was always making her like this,pelled to a spot and longing for him. Her hands curled into fists by her sides, squashing the chocte in its wrapper. His cologne was calm in a way and it filled her brain, yet she was still fighting it, until hisrge hand curved against her waist and pulled her to him. That paralyzed all her senses of logicality. His lips moved against hers and hers against his in response. She moaned lowly against his lips, and he hoisted her up, making her sit on top of the counter she hadn¡¯t know she had been backing all the way to since he stepped in. He pulled away, but before she could recover from the kiss, his hand was on her neck, his thumb titling her chin up, so she could arch her neck to him. Then he starting trailing kisses along her neck. She threw her head back, the now squashed chocte bar slipping out of her hand right to the floor so that she could grip unto the edges of the counter in overwhelming pleasure. Today¡¯s midnight cravings might have just gotten a little crazy. Chapter 21 Spicy in a Confused Mix Pleasure. It was all she could feel, all her dazed mind could think about. Her silky red nightgown was all the way up her thighs, with him standing in-between her legs that were hooked by the ankles, around him. One hand was under her nightgown, caressing her arched bare back, while her fingers were driving through his already lose his messy bun. She felt her nightgown slip down her shoulders a little, then his lips trailing kisses against the soft upper molds of her breasts. She threw her head back in pleasure, her purple hair dangling down her back, her grip against the counter¡¯s edge tightening, soft moans slipping through her lips. It wasn¡¯t until she felt his hand going up her inner thigh did shee to her senses. What was she doing?! Her eye lids flew open like a bold of lighting, her hands dropped from his hair and rested on his chest instead as she pushed him away from her as much as her strength could. Seeing this, he took a step back while asking if he had done something wrong. She got down from the counter, quickly adjusting her nightgown, her breathing ragged, while sloppily searching around for something she knew she had a while earlier. She just couldn¡¯t remember what that something was right now! Her brain was exactly thinking straight. Frustrated, she gave up, then turned to leave.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. He held her hand, stopping her and she responded bynding a quick p on his lean cheek. ¡°You are terrible,¡± she gritted, facing him squarely. ¡°You are in a rtionship with my friend and you are doing all these to her.¡± She folded a hand in front of her, then a palm against her face in shame. ¡°I¡¯m even worse, I let you.¡± She sighed, turning away from him then resting a hand against the counter. When she turned back to him, her face was filled with rage and disappointment, mostly disappointment in herself and rage that was directed to both of them. ¡°You disgusting piece of shit! You don¡¯t deserve Elsa and I¡¯m even worse. She¡¯d never do this to me. I need to leave, I¡¯m nevering back.¡± ¡°Rtionship?¡± He called out slowly, like as if the word was foreign. ¡°Yes! You, cheat! I¡¯m such a terrible friend. The penalty of what I have done should be death,¡± she sighed, filled with guilt as she banged her palm against her forehead repeatedly, ¡°terrible! Terrible! Terri¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯m not in a rtionship with anyone,¡± he said, not taking his eyes off her. She stopped then scoffed, rolling her eyes in frustrated annoyance. ¡°Will you stop lying? I¡¯m talking about your Amryelsa.¡± ¡°I heard you loud and clear,¡± his voice was firm and his expression, tight. ¡°Amryelsa is not mine, neither am I hers?¡± Sha blinked, resting her hand against the counter once again. ¡°What are you even saying? She said that you were together.¡± Then she added for exnatory emphasis, ¡°in a rtionship.¡± He stared at her for a moment, leaning against the cab behind him in deep thinking, before he chuckled. Ivy frowned. Was he ying with her? Was this all a big joke to him?! ¡°There must have been some misunderstanding. I¡¯m sure that isn¡¯t what she said. You must have misinterpreted it.¡± ¡°Misinter¨C,¡± she scoffed again, now pissed than disappointed. ¡°Are you doing this because you want your rtionship to stay a secret?¡± Something glinted in his eyes and she nodded. ¡°It is disappointing that you have to lie about it. My friend is epitome of all the great qualities in a woman and she deserves to be unted not hidden,¡± she let out a frustrated breath, then ce a hand against her forehead, the memory of what she had just been doing earlier fighting against her conscience. ¡°I¡¯m so disappointed in myself, how can I do this to her?¡± she muttered underneath her breath as she hurried to the door. She needed to get out of here right now! m! She had walked right into him. Wasn¡¯t he just behind her a while ago? How was he so fast? Or maybe it was just her mind? It had to be because she was so upied with running out that she hadn¡¯t noticed him move. Besides, he had longe legs. When she looked up at him, there was a light frown on his face. ¡°If I was in a rtionship with someone, Ivy, I would know.¡± ¡°She said¨C¡± ¡°¡­ and I said there must be some misunderstanding.¡± Ivy frowned, ¡°Elsa doesn¡¯t lie to me.¡± ¡°I know that you have a tight rtionship and that is what why I suggested that there is a misunderstanding.¡± He heaved a sigh, a hand running through his brown messy hair, pushing it back. ¡°I really didn¡¯t want to do this but when I met you again at the restaurant, you pricked my interest. I wanted us to get to know each other and I starteding to the restaurant more and more but you wouldn¡¯t give me attention.¡± This had got to be leading somewhere. ¡°Simce I and Amryelsa were already friends, I decided to seek her help so I could be close to you.¡± Ivy folded her arms across her and looked away. Something about this story wasn¡¯t clicking at all. ¡°She agreed to help me. Many instances when we¡¯ve crossed path, I was only there because Amryelsa said you would be there.¡± He paused looking at her nk face, then he took a step forward. ¡°Amryelsa understands this, there is no way she could have been confused about the whole situation. So this misunderstanding must havee from you. You assumed this.¡± She blinked, looking around away from him, her mind in deep thoughts. He was too close and that illogical feeling was slowing seeping through her veins again. She tightened her folded arms across her, channeling strength into her resistance. ¡°I like you a lot, Ivy.¡± He stepped closer, closing up the space between them, his fingers sneaking underneath her chin, raising her face to his, that was hovering right above her by a hair¡¯s breadth. Chapter 22 Let’s Come Clean Just as his lips were about to collide with hers, she looked away, stepped back and gulped. Nah, not this time again. Absolutely not! She shook her head, looked back at him with doubt, seething rage and growing disappointed in her eyes. ¡°Ivy?¡± He asked then he smiled, like as of he was just realizing something. ¡°You like me but you need sometime to admit it to yourself,¡± he chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s okay, take all the time you need. I¡¯m not in a hurry.¡± ¡°You are lying,¡± she finally whispered. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°You are lying!¡± With that, she bolted out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs. She saw Jett on her way up but she knew she didn¡¯t have to worry about him knowing anything that happened in the kitchen or even being concerned about anything that was going on. He had his earphones plugged in, with his eyes trained on theptop he had in front of him. A mere argument in the kitchen couldn¡¯t shake his attention. Even if the world was ending, volcanoes erupting, hurricanes and tsunamis, Jett would still be busy on hisptop. She heard Chrise after her but once she took the stairs, she didn¡¯t hear him follow her anymore. She hadn¡¯t gone to her room though, she had gone to Elsa¡¯s, who was already in bed, sleeping. She looked down at her, she was sleeping in an oversized shirt that was most definitely Chris¡¯s. With her back against the door, she leaned her head backwards against it. One of them was lying. She knew it! The problem was that they both sounded convincing about it. Yet she knew that Elsa would be never lie to her, so it had to be Chris. How dare he?! How dare he lure her into kissing him when he already had Elsa? Was that the type of person he was? A yboy? Elsa deserved better! Tears ran down her face as she thought of how terribly her actions must have hurt her too. Not only was she keeping the secret of how she had truly known Chris from her but now, just moments ago, she had let him kiss her and she had kissed him back. Kissed him back! She was just as terrible as Chris. No. She was worse. Her heart clenched and she ced her hand over her chest where her heart was beating beneath, that did nothing to ease the pain though. ¡°Is the Princess having nightmares,¡± she heard Elsa¡¯s sleepy voice call out to her. Ivy turned. She had a smile on her face while she stretched a hand to her and patting a side on the bed, inviting her over Ivy nodded, before taking her hand and settling next to her on the bed. Then she started crying. ¡°Was it that bad?¡± Her voice was low, although she still sounded very sleepy, her worry was in. ¡°V-very,¡± she huped. ¡°Do you want to tell me?¡± She shook her head, ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°That is alright,¡± she pulled her into a warm side hug. ¡°I¡¯ll be your mummy tonight.¡± Ivy frowned at the thought, as she leaned against her shoulder. That would be wrong. Her mother didn¡¯t have time for this. ¡°No. Just be Elsa.¡± ¡°Alright then. Sob it all out, Cry Baby. I bet you dreamt about your car being soiled with paint. Such a spoilt brat.¡± Ivy chuckled, leaning more into her embrace as Elsa brushed her hand slowly over her hair. ¡°Better.¡± Elsa chuckled too. The sound of herughter rumbled lowly throughout her chest. Ivy loved this. Anything that made Elsa happy, she loved it. She thought and thought about the next step to take that would maintain this happiness. She heard Elsa snoring lightly once again. She looked up at her sleepy face and smiled. It was at that moment that she came to a decision. *** ¡°Ivy. About yesterday night¡ª¡± ¡°You should absolutely partner with Elsa,¡± she giggled, quickly moving away from Chris. ¡°Ivy, you can¡¯t keep doing this. We need to talk.¡± He said after as she attempted to run off, his hand around her wrist wasn¡¯t letting that happen though. They were on the beach once again and as usual, it was bustling all around them. ¡°Are you leaving because of that?¡± Last night, Ivy had packed up her bags and this morning she had dered that she was leaving to the people at home at that time. She hadn¡¯t had the chance to tell Elsa though. Up till now, she still didn¡¯t know where she had been this morning too. ¡°No! Of course not,¡± she replied defensively. ¡°My father needs me back at the restaurant¡­¡± But the feeling of disappointed and rage from yesterday quickly took over her, breaking away her facade. ¡°¡­ and I hate liars. How dare you do that to Elsa?¡± He frowned. ¡°How about you stop assuming things and just ask her.¡± She scoffed, ¡°I don¡¯t have to.¡± ¡°You should. That way you will see that you are the one that misunderstood the whole situation.¡± How could she had? Elsa had given her enough prove to show that she didn¡¯t assume anything. Why was he still even holding her? That wasn¡¯t helping anything. Neither was the fact that he was shirtless and had only a pair of blue shorts on. ¡°There is no misunderstanding,¡± she said, attempting to shake her wrist away from his hold. How was he even so bold to be holding her like this? Right here, right now. At that moment, Jett waltzed in between them, shoving aptop in front of him.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Whatever it was must have been important because he let her hand go then. Presented with the opportunity to escape, she took it, until Elsa stopped her. ¡°Yo, Princess! You and my boyfriend having problems?¡± ¡°Nooooo. Absolutely not. Why would you think that?¡± She replied nervously. ¡°I¡¯ve been an audience to the little¡ª¡± ¡°You tinted your hair purple?¡± Elsa reached out for her hair, surprised. ¡°Yeah, now we are twinnies!¡± For some reasons, Ivy wasn¡¯t really enthusiastic about this change, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were such a fan of purple, o-or tinting your¡ª¡± she paused, ¡°when did you do this?¡± ¡°This morning,¡± she beamed. ¡°Right,¡± Ivy replied tly. ¡°Back to topic, I thought about it and my guess is that you and Chris are nning a surprise for me! Oh my goodness, is Jett in on this too?¡± She gasped again, covering her open mouth. ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to know. Have I ruined the surprise by knowing.¡± Elsa kept on rambling about her assumed surprise. There was a surprise alright, but it was certainly not something she would like. Ivy sighed. Maybe it would be wise to finally let her know the truth. Everything. ¡°¡­ make it expensive. Whatever it is. You know the type of things I like anyway so, spoil me, Princess!¡± ¡°Elsa,¡± she paused gathering courage. ¡°It is about you.¡± Chapter 23 Friend with Enemy Vibes She squealed, ¡°I knew it! He loves me!¡± She ended, curling tbe tip of her hair around her fingers. ¡°¡­ and I love him even more,¡± she added quickly. ¡°Elsa. You and Chris are in a rtionship, right?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she said in a ¡®doh¡¯ tone. Ivy puffed out air from her mouth, nervous and not knowing how best to approach this. She wasn¡¯t trying to take herself out of me, she just wanted to say it in a way that exined everything in the most concise way she could. This was already starting to get unbearably hurtful and she hadn¡¯t even started yet. She took Elsa¡¯s hands in hers. ¡®Well, here goes nothing.¡¯ ¡°He is not good for you. I¡¯m not trying to break you up but I really love you and I need you to know. He is a yboy.¡± She pulled her hand away from her almost immediately, ¡°how are you supposed to know that?¡± ¡°You know that I will never intentionally try to hurt you, right?¡± Elsaughed, taking a step back, ¡°What is going on?¡± ¡°I and Chris¡­¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her face changed, what was left there now was a shadow of the smile that was there before, ¡°No.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t keep on lying to you, Elsa,¡± her voice was shaky, tears already in her eyes. ¡°Something lead to another yesterday and we kissed.¡± Wham! A p. ¡°You kissed my boyfriend?!¡± ¡°It was a m-mistake,¡± she stepped forward, wanting to close the ever growing space between them. It wasn¡¯t only about that though, it was about the fact that with each step Elsa took away from her, it felt like their friendship was ripping apart. ¡°You slutty brat!¡± ¡°Elsa, please listen to me?¡± She couldn¡¯t stop her tears now, they were pouring. ¡°How dare you?!¡± ¡°It was¡­ a mis-mistake. I regret it, I¨CI do,¡± she choked out through tears. ¡°Jett told me you are leaving. Is that why you are running away, uhn?¡± Elsa¡¯s eyes were filled with unrestrained rage. Ivy had never seen her like this before. What broke her the most though was that look of hurt that shone in her eyes. She knew Elsa trusted that she would be thest person to ever hurt her in the world. They both trusted each other like that, and the fact that she had hurt her, whether it being in her control or not, intentionally or not, broke her more than anything. ¡°Because you did the deed with my boyfriend. So after having a one night stand with him, that wasn¡¯t enough. You went ahead and kissed him behind my back!¡± She yelled, pping her hands then throwing them dramatically in the air. ¡°I¨C wait, you knew? When? How?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t that drunk,¡± she said in reference to the night Ivy had told her everything. Ivy mouth fell open. She hadn¡¯t expected that. ¡°I know everything, Ivy. You know, I really tried for us,¡± Elsa could no longer hide her tears now, they flowed down her cheeks. By now, there was a crowd forming slowly around them. ¡°Just to make sure our friendship stays unaffected, I turned a blind eye to that fact. Believing that if there was a rtionship, you wouldn¡¯t dare. But what a fool I was. You managed to ruin everything!¡± Ivy couldn¡¯t reply, she was still trying to process how Elsa had hidden her knowledge about everything. If there had been so clues along the line that she had missed. ¡°You¡¯ve always had everything you wanted. It had always been you, you, you, having everything, never me,¡± for everytime she referred to Ivy, she would point at her and whenever she was referring to herself, she would point at herself, all for emphasis. ¡°For the first time, I had something I wanted, someone I loved. You could have just left him for me and everything would have been fine. But nooooo,¡± sheughed hysterical, tears glimmering in her eyes. Her next words were almost quiet and they pushed through her teeth, ¡°You went ahead and seduced him, just because of some fleeting feelings you have for him. All because of some purely sexual nonsense. Like as if my love for him doesn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Elsa, it is not like that,¡± Ivy looked around at the crowd, then back at Elsa with her blurry tears-filled eyes. She was shaking slightly on her feet, she was losing her she knew it but that wasn¡¯t what she wanted. This wasn¡¯t the way she wanted it all to go down. This was terrible but then she had been terrible too. What a darling Karma was. ¡°Please let¡¯s talk about this calm¡ª¡± But Elsa wasn¡¯t having any of that. ¡°You know what? You are such an entitled bitch! To think I called you my best friends. Even friends don¡¯t do this to each other.¡± That hit, way too deeply, it silenced her. ¡°Ladies, what is going on?¡± Chris asked, pushing through the small crowd that had now formed around them. While Jett walked around, telling people not to record them and threatening them with aw suit. It could be because of their fear for him or thewsuit, but somehow, they all started getting rid of the videos. Elsa had hit a tough spot but she wasn¡¯t done though. She was so angry, she didn¡¯t even notice the crowd that had formed around them and if she had, by now she hadpletely forgotten about them. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve done, the sacrifices I¡¯ve made so that we would never shed, the reality I tried to build! Even when I tried to make you believe that we were in a rtionship, you still went after him.¡± ¡°Elsa¡­¡± She started, wanting to exin that she hadn¡¯t gone after him. Although she wasn¡¯t trying to push the me entirely away from herself, she didn¡¯t want Elsa to get the situation mixed up. She wasn¡¯t the only guilty one, they were both guilty and both of them were supposed to face the short end of the stick. Not just her. ¡°I didn¡¯t go after¨C¡± she paused, her mind suddenly catching to something she had somehow missed. ¡°Did you just say that you tried to make me believe that you were in a rtionship?¡± She took a step forward, her sight now clear from tears. ¡°Elsa, you lied to me?¡± Chapter 24 A Claim to Remember Elsa eyes widened slighty in shock. That had unintentionally slipped. She looked around quickly at the murmuring crowd, then her gazended on that one person. ¡°Chris!¡± Chris didn¡¯t look happy, at all. He had stopped in his tracks when he heard her say that. ¡°You lied to her? Amryelsa, you promised you¡¯ll help me.¡± ¡°This is all just a misunderstanding,¡± sheughed nervously. ¡°We are just ying, around. Scripts, acting and all for¡­ a role? Right, Ivy?¡± She turned to Ivy for rescue but she wasn¡¯t having any of that. ¡°You lied to me. I was beating myself up for hurting you, everytime. I was working so hard to make you happy and you¡­¡± she paused, looking right at her. ¡°You yed me. You made us all your pawns and you yed us.¡± ¡°I did for us. For peace. Can¡¯t you see?¡± ¡°You lied to me, Elsa. You USED me!¡± ¡°And you KEPT SECRETS from me!¡± She tackled right back. ¡°To protect you!¡± She threw a hand forward, pointing it to her. ¡°All my life I¡¯ve always done things, deprived myself of things for you! How could you do this to me. You knew how much I wanted him, you knew everything and you used me.¡± Her voice dropped, hand hand crawled up to her chest.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her heart hurt so much. When she spoke again, her voice as weak, beaten down with emotion. ¡°This is selfish and cruel.¡± ¡°I wanted him too. What? I¡¯m the bad one now?¡± Elsaughed, just as hurt. She walked up to her closing the distance between them really quickly. ¡°We are going to forget that you kissed my Chris even though you knew he was my boyfriend!¡± She pushed Ivy roughly to the floor and she fell with a thud. She didn¡¯t even make any attempt to stand up. This was just all so unbelievable. ¡°I¡¯m not your boyfriend,¡± Chris rified instantly. Jett looked around him. He had sessfully been able to push the crowd back but they still stayed down distance away, watching. Well he could do nothing about that. They had a right to be on the beach too. If only these three could take their business inside then it would have been better but they all seemed to angry toe to an agreement that having the argument here was unwise. He sighed. This was just more work for him. Chris would have him pull down any video or news that would sneak to the inte about this. Considering their status in the society, it would not be good for them or their business. He turned away, typing away on his phone. He had better got to work. Elsa scoffed at the situation she had found herself in, looking around to see that many were against her, especially Chris. Her face was dropped before it red up in rage. ¡°You know what? We are over!¡± She pped, taking dramatic steps back. ¡°I never want to see you or talk to you again. I¡¯m blocking you on all social medias. You can keep him and ride his dick to eternity for all I care.¡± Then she turned around, shouting to the crowd. ¡°Just so you all know, she has wet dreams about her one night stand, the very first one she had ever had in her life.¡± Her gaze unintentionallynded on Chris and bit her tongue, like as realizing that she had shot herself in the leg with that statement. But then she shrugged, looking away. She had already dug this pit, she might as well die in it. ¡°Had another one night stand to get rid of it but it still didn¡¯t work.¡± Then she turned to Ivy who was still on the floor, stunned beyond imagination by the disy. ¡°Pathetic!¡± After the scene she had caused, she left. Ivy stood up immediately. Chris reached out a hand to help her but she looked away, turning to the beach house instead without saying a word to him. *** Ivy couldn¡¯t return home that day. Elsa had performed a work of art on her car. She had punched the tires, broken her windscreen, her mirrors and she had, in bold hazardous paint, written the word ¡°BITCH¡± on her car. She topped all these by blocking her on all social medias. She discovered that Elsa had done this because she had tried tomunicate with her, hoping that when she had blower off some steam, she would be in the right frame of mind to understand things and they would sought it all out. They hade too far to fall out now and all because of a man. But no, blocked she was! Ivy didn¡¯t talk to anyone, she wasn¡¯t in the mood to. She had went into the secluded movie room and stayed there, watching movies she wasn¡¯t actually paying any attention to. She just had so much to think about. She picked up the remote, changing the channel, although she was still very distracted by her thoughts. Then she finally settled on one. They began. She poured herself a third ss of wine and watched the big screen. Slowly, her sight became blurry with tears for the umpteenth time this evening. ¡°I could have sworn it was aedy,¡± she heard a voice from behind her. Chris settled next to her on the long sofa. Now consciously aware of her wet face, she wiped away her tears that had unknowingly welled up in her eyes. ¡°It is.¡± The sound of theughter from the big screen drifted through her ears once again and she took another sip from her wine ss. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for calling you a liar.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no biggie. I understand.¡± She picked up her phone, swiping it open before she locked it back and put it down. ¡°Does your hand still hurt?¡± ¡°It will heal.¡± There was silence between them, although it wasn¡¯t an ufortable one. ¡°So all those gifts and flowers that you always sent to her while she had stayed with me¨C¡± she paused, her gaze fixed on the moving images on the screen although all she could see were the memories reying in her head. ¡°It was never you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How about all the dates and the pictures of both of you she sent?¡± ¡°Certainly not me. Maybe she got someone to act the part.¡± ¡°And the video call? About the time you had gone with her to an hotel?¡± ¡°Nope!¡± He replied sounding offended. ¡°If there is anyone I want toy, it is you over and over again.¡± She ignored that, although her body didn¡¯t. ¡°And what about the time you had disappeared. She said you went on trips together.¡± He chuckled. That sound. She had to restrain herself from looking away from the screen and at him. She didn¡¯t want to be distracted in any form whatsoever. ¡°Those times I wasn¡¯t having meetings in the restaurant, I was handling business. I came for the the birthday dinner because she told me that you would be there. I let her have this Beach House for the vacation because she promised she would convince you toe.¡± ¡°That is why you are always flirting with me.¡± ¡°I know what I want,¡± he shrugged. ¡°And I¡¯m d that you weren¡¯t avoiding me because you found me not attractive. It would have been terrible if you had.¡± ¡°Why?¡± This time she couldn¡¯t help but look at him. The look in his eyes stunned. There was a possessiveness she just couldn¡¯t wrap her head around. ¡°You imed me, remember?¡± Chapter 25 Hot with Spice ¡°What is that even supposed to mean? Just because I said you called you ¡®Mine¡¯? People im things all the time. Besides, it was a club. What were you expecting.¡± His hand tightened lightly against the sofa, he arched a eyebrow lowly at her, like as if there was something he was deliberating not saying. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything,¡± she assured herself, dismissing how the question was indeed bugging her mind. ¡°Is that so?¡± He drawled. With a finger underneath her chin, he tilted her head up towards him. ¡°I heard you had fulfilling dreams about a certain one night stand. I have reasons to believe that lucky person is me.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¨C¡± she stopped when she felt his hand slip in-between her thighs. ¡°It wasn¡¯t you,¡± her voice hitched. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anyone else,¡± he said against her neck, his lips brushing lighting against it. His hand was now holding a part of her inner thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her eyelids slowly fell shut from the sizzling electrifying feeling growing little by little in her veins. ¡°How are you so sure?¡± Then she felt his hand against the thinfabric of her panties. Her eyes flew wide open, she looked down at his hand, the one that was making her body jerk forward slightly, as his fingers got busy against her, the fact that she still had her panties on, not stopping him. She gripped against the edge of her seat, her breathing fast, her lips parted but she stifled her moans, feeling him breath down on her. She was still fighting him. This was crazy! Her and Elsa just had a big fight and he was a major reason. There was no way she would have sex with him tonight. She was determined to fight. It was hard though, because not only was she fighting him, she was fighting against the betraying pleasure that was slowly taking over her whole body. Then out of no where, she found herself moving against him, she could no longer contain the pleasure anymore. ¡°You body is telling me all I need to know,¡± She heard him whisper, his breath hot against her neck, then he pulled away from her. She looked up at him as he pulled away his shirt, revealing his lean and artistically structured torso. ¡°I can¡¯t do this!¡± She blurted out. ¡°Why not?¡± He asked, going down on her, a knee by one side while a free leg at the other, camping her to where she was. One hand slip underneath her dress, unsping her bra before cupping a breast and caressing her hardened nipple. All without breaking off their gaze. She pressed her lips together, trying to summon a refusal to any further steps be nned to take. But as his hands reached for her other breast and repeated the action, she knew that all these stopping wasn¡¯t what she wanted. Her hands shot up, pressing him closer to her. Yet their clothes served as an unwanted obstruction. She hated it. He pulled down her zip, allowing her gown to slip down to her waist. He stopped for a brief moment, his eyes feasting on beautiful naked body and he whispered underneath his breath. ¡°By the Blood.¡± Then he moved closer, close enough that she could feel him but still not exactly touching. ¡°Do want you me too?¡± He asked, his voice low, breathy, dark and filled with lust. She didn¡¯t answer. Instead she closed up the distance between them, crashing her lips against his, her hands moving fast, unbuckling his belt, then helping him get rid of his jeans, while he helped herpletely out of her own dress. Once all the clothes had beenpletely gotten rid of, they attacked each other, questing to satisfy their hungry needs in a rough tango. It started with a fierce kiss, her nails digging lightly against his chest, him trailing kisses and love bites down her neck, her hand yanking against his hair in toe curling pleasure, his rumbling groans as her hand circled around and rubbed against his length, making him jerked forward, then their loud uneven breathing and moans that filled the room as he thrusted deeply into her, filling her up, as their body rocked against each other in a fast rhythm, switching positions to reach new pecks of pleasure. Warm bodies bonded as one, their moans louder with each thrust, just like their whispers of each other¡¯s names in pleasure, till they finally reached the climax together and she copsed on him, breathing heavily. ¡°Yours, Ivy.¡± He said, rubbing his hand up and down her bare back, as she shook lightly against him from the aftermath of the waves and waves of pleasure that still lingered in her veins, ¡°Yours.¡± **** Ivy had woken up to the lovely aroma of food and to the softness of thefy bed that she was tucked in. She sat up immediately when she remembered what happened between them yesterday. She had been a little tipsy but she knew deep in her heart that the wine had no me. It was all and this strange feeling that she couldn¡¯t understand that had taken over her. He had been with her only because she had allowed it.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She looked around, in search for her clothes. How did she even get here? He must have carried her. She peeped into nket and relief washed over her. She was still in her loose nightgown. She picked up her phone and ordered a ride quickly. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How dare she have sex with him?! A call came in. It was her ride. She would have to get out without him seeing her. She couldn¡¯t face him or the consequences of what they had done. What she had allowed to happen. Everything was crashing on her, the fact that she had just lost a very important person because of a man. Of all things, a man, Ivy! How pathetic! She could have never imagined that this would happen. There was something about Chris though, something that always made her feel¡­ so different. But that was no excuse at all! She remembered her fight with Elsa once again. It sadden her greatly and no matter how angry she was, her sadness topped it more. With her phone, she tiptoed down the stairs, catching a glimpse of how Chris, who was moving around in the kitchen, cooking. That was the reasons her and Elsa had gotten into a huge fight. Which meant only one thing, he had to go. There was no way she would have him in her life. Chapter 26 Breakups are Tough She kept on silently walking away. She wasn¡¯t worried about running into Jett, he was definitely busy doing something, somewhere. Finally she made it outside and slipped into the car. She would have just called Davies but it would have taken him too long to get a car here for her and by then the damage would have been done. After about thirty minutes since the ride began, her phone started ringing. She reached for it quickly. Could that be Els¨C My Christopher? She didn¡¯t remember saving his number that way. She didn¡¯t remember saving his number at all or even requesting for it to begin with. She watched it ring till the call ended. She really didn¡¯t want to speak to him. Her phone dinged right after. A text message. It was from Chris and it read; ¡°I know things are rocky between us¡­¡± Us? That was bold. ¡°But I need to know that you ran away and not that you were kidnapped.¡± What a wierd question. Before she could even stop herself, she fired him back a text. ¡°Smartly avoided confrontation.¡± Her phone dinged. A reply. ¡°You can¡¯t keep running forever, Ivy.¡± She swiped it locked. She wasn¡¯t going to reply to that. She could almost hear his angry and frustrated voice in her head as she had read the text. What was wrong with her? A ding. Another message from Christopher. She deliberated on leaving it unread but curiousity got the best of her. ¡°I¡¯ll give you space for now but after that, we need to talk.¡± She fired back. ¡°We are not talking, Chris! I don¡¯t want to have anything to do with you. All that matters to me right now is Elsa and how I¡¯ll get her back. To do that, I can¡¯t be with you.¡± Ding! A reply. ¡°It¡¯s toote for that already. Besides, are you not the one supposed to be mad. Amryelsa is the one in the wrong here, she doesn¡¯t deserve you.¡± She huffed in anger. How dare he try to lecture her on who deserved to be in her life. Like as if he was certain he had a ce in her life to begin with. She sent a reply. ¡°I will be the judge of that. Just know that there is nothing in between us.¡± The reply was fast, like a bolt if lightning. ¡°Andst night?¡± Her heart pounded in her chest, with her shaky fingers, she fired back a text. ¡°It was a mistake.¡± There was no reply and she dropped her phone next to her, feeling like absolute shit. Why was she feeling this way? She started trying to trick herself into believing she was alright then she heard a ding. A reply¡­ from Chris! She opened the message quicker than she had opened a message. ¡°Nice try, lol.¡± There was another message. ¡°If you had waited, you would have had this in bed.¡± Attached with the message was a picture of an absolutely tempting tray of food. She looked away from the phone, conflicted about her whole situation. She should block his contact, it was the wise and right thing to do. She unlocked her phone, clicked on the options on the top corner of the chat, then she click on the ¡°Block¡± options. A confirmation message popped up. ¡®Are you sure you want to block My Christopher?¡¯ Honestly, no. She wasn¡¯t sure and because of that she didn¡¯t. Something was definitely really wrong with her. Never had she felt so conflicted in her life. Shs closed the check and opened Elsa¡¯s to see if there was any change to her blocked status. Nope. Still there. Ivy sighed tiredly, leaning further into her seat. At least it was good that Elsa wasn¡¯t trying to ruin her reputation on all social medias. Elsa could be very crazy when she was angry. She continued scrolling through the phone, trying to distract herself throughout the ride home. *** Ivy didn¡¯t want to care about whose fault this situation was. All she knew was that there was a conflict of interest. They could fix this. She knew it was an entirely crazy assumption but they had to fix it. They were too close to just split like that over a man. Immediately she got back, she had Davies drive her here. Elsa¡¯s house. She took a step forward and clicked on the door bell which rang for the sixth time. The gate keeper came out and after a couple of words that passed between them, Ivy confirmed that Elsa wasn¡¯t truly home. ¡°Who is there? Ken, who is there, a guest for me?¡± Ivy heard Elsa¡¯s aunt voice from inside thepound. ¡°No, ma.¡± The gatekeeper replied. ¡°Then who¨C Ivy?¡± A woman by the gate said. She was a tall, curvy and slightly plump woman, with a yellowrge hat over her head, and long re yellow gown to match. Her face molded with excessive makeup, her lips painted with bright red lipstick and different jeweleries around her neck and wrist,Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Hello, Aunt Alice. You are back.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not like your parents. My work is there to serve me, not the other way around. Let¡¯s talk about you. Whu are you here, when you should be all the way in Kosha with Elsa. She left yesterday day.¡± ¡°Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten?¡± Ivy forced a smile, trying to hide that anything was wrong. If not, Aunt Alice would find a way to rope her into giving her detailed exnation of how everything happened and the next thing, her parents would hear about everything. Nah, no way she was letting that happen. Aunt Alice smiled, ¡°I thought as much since you do everything together.¡± ¡°Well, not anymore,¡± she muttered inaudibly underneath her breath. Then she bid Aunt Alice a goodbye, although she was too busy instructing Ken to lie to her husband when he arrived at night that she hadn¡¯t return home. As Ivy slipped into the backseat of her car and Davies started driving them back home. She thought about everything. Elsa went to Kosha without her?! That was a ce they always visited together. How dare she go against their best friend pact. The alone trip was Elsa¡¯s way of saying she didn¡¯t want to have anything to do with her again. Ever! Although she might have been blinded to the red of the signs of this, this one was one she couldn¡¯t ignore. That was it. An official friendship breakup. Damn! Nothing hurts more. Chapter 27 Calling…. Danger… It had taken a while but it finally hit her. They were no longer friends. Workout thinking, she had all the locks changed.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Elsa had the keys to the old one and something about that didn¡¯t feel so right anymore. She was angry, pissed beyond imagination. How dare she?! She should be the one trying to meet her halfway in all these, not push the me totally on her. Besides, she had been the one to trick everyone to begin with. How could she have been so blind. Elsa had been very selfish and maniptive. Now that she thought about, she had always been like that. The real spoilt brat here was her! She picked up a bag and started going around the house, dumping everything that was Elsa, or that reminded her of Elsa into the stic bag. ¡°You are the real devil! I hate you! I pray that whenever you order they get your orders mixed up, and that they sprinkle peanuts all over your donuts, and may you never be able to draw a perfect eyebrow ever again!¡± She yelled as she got rid of anything and everything rted to Elsa. Dowe with that, she moved up to her room. She had to ensure she got rid of all everything! Childhood pictures in frames? Bye! The piece of art they got together on one of their vacations? Farewell! The drawing set Elsa gifted her on one of her birthdays? So long! This little frame that had an art of someone singing drawn on it? Not rted to Elsa but it did remind her of Elsa, so¡­ Cancelled! The bag got heavier and heavier, why were there so many things. She even had to get another stic bag, then another. After that was done with that, she looked around at her room. It looked different, almost empty. With the three heavy bags, she went down to the basement and dumped them there. Good radiance. She went back up, falling into the nearest chair, drained. But it wasn¡¯t over yet. It was time to get rid of those voice notes and text messages she had sent to Elsa in desperate pleadings for them to fix things. She rolled her eyes, annoyed at her sound of her own apologetic voice and her apology text. Pathetic! Her, a whole Ivy Romina Rominnez! This mustn¡¯t leak to the press, she could lose her credit. She got rid of the pictures, videos and everything else she couldy her hands on her phone, even deleted her number. Elsa wasn¡¯t the only one that knew how to be angry. She could be mad too! Once all that was done, she took in a deep breath, stering a smile on her face. Shee got herself a bottle of champagne and a ss of wine. Then she settled back on the chair and called her dad. He picked up almost instantly. ¡°Been trying to reach you all day¨C¡± She busted straight away into tears. ¡°What happened?¡± Her father sounded so worried. ¡°Is that Romito?¡± She heard her Mother¡¯s voice, distantly. ¡°Yes and she is crying.¡± ¡°Handle it, I¡¯ll deal with the investors.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡± Her Father told her over and over again, trying to calm her down. When she finally felt a little better, she stopped crying. ¡°Elsa and I,¡± she said, stiffling her tears, ¡°we, had a huge fight, she blocked me on all social medias.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Just some random reason,¡± she said, her voice still sounding teary. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to tell me.¡± ¡°She blocked me on all social medias and went to Kosha without me!¡± Well, that sounded materialistic. Maybe she was indeed a spoilt brat after all. ¡°Should Ie back home right now?¡± ¡°What for?¡± She asked wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. ¡°So that we can go to Kosha together. We can start the friendship pact. The catch here is, I won¡¯t block you on all social medias,¡± his voice sounded cheerful. ¡°You are not even on most of them.¡± ¡°Well, I won¡¯t block you on the ones I¡¯m on.¡± She chuckled, throwing her head back with the light-heartedughter. Her Father hadn¡¯t stopped there. He had some pretty funny experience had to share with her and he did. Describing it all to her while sheughed her heart out, forgetting all her worries for that moment. ¡°That is absolutely ridiculous.¡± ¡°Hey, if you believe it enough, there is nothing that can be done.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do anything crazy, Pa.¡± ¡°I certainly won¡¯t, Crazy isn¡¯t my nature.¡± Heughed and she joined him. Then there was silence. ¡°Thank you, Pa. I feel so much better,¡± a smile yed on her lips. ¡°Goodnight.¡± ¡°And good morning to too. It¡¯s 3am here.¡± ¡°Why are you still awake?¡± ¡°Because of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. I feel lucky that you called me. I love you, Ivy.¡± ¡°Is that mushiness I sense? No way I¡¯m taking part in it. Nah.¡± They chuckled and she hung up. She took in a deep breath in relief. Her father always did that, made her feel so much better. That was why when he had told her she would be getting married to pay his Company¡¯s debt, she had been so mad at him. She could expect that from anyone but not him,ter on, she had discovered that her mother had put him up to it. She switched on the TV, and switched to aedy channel. While theyughed and made jokes, she sipped her champagne, slowly getting drunk. **** Her Father¡¯s call had worked for only that night. The two days that followed, she upied herself with work and the nights that followed, nights that followed, she watchededy, with every moment the fight remained unresolved, she got angrier and angrier at Elsa. It was like as if she could suddenly see clearly about how terribly Elsa had twisted the whole situation to her advantage. Chris hadn¡¯t tried to reach out to her too and for that, she was most grateful. She needed an alone time. Besides, she felt guilty for how she had behaved to him, he had down nothing wrong. It wasn¡¯t his fault that he was a whole package. She watching heredy once again, when her phone rang. Arrgh. She really hoped it wasn¡¯t an acquaintance who thought of themselves as friends, trying to invite her to another party or gathering of any form. She had already said enough ¡°no¡¯s¡± today tost her a lifetime. What if it was Chris? She really hoped not. She wasn¡¯t ready to talk to him yet. What if¡ª Her thoughts slowed down at what she was looking at. It was a just a couple of numbers disyed on her screen. A couple of numbers she knew by heart. Elsa¡¯s. Oh-oh, she had a loooooot to say to her. She answered the call and went full tiger on her. ¡°So you¡¯re calling now, huh?! You better have an exnation for everything you did because I won¡¯t ept a sorry! I can even sue to court for emotional damage.¡± ¡°A friend of Elsa¡¯s?¡± The voice she heard was that of a man. Certainly not Elsa¡¯s. ¡°Ye¨C wait, who are you?¡± She fired back, anger still rushing in her veins. ¡°She put you up to taking the shouting on her behalf? Give her phone ri¡ª¡± ¡°Ivy!¡± She heard Elsa shouting distantly and her grip around her phone tightened, her heart racing. Then a scream! Elsa¡¯s scream! ¡°What are you doing to her?!¡± Her voice hitched with panic. ¡°How much do you want. We¡¯ll pay you.¡± There was silence for a moment, then the voice spoke again. ¡°If you want to safe your friend, you will do exactly as I say.¡± Chapter 28 Hello, Danger Speaking. Ivy stilled to where was petrified, theughter from theedy she was watching a while ago now fading away into a distant noise. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°Tell Chrslistopher toe and get his human.¡± Just after that, she could hear Elsa shouting again. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to these crazy Fuckers, Ivy! They are not hu¡ª¡± her voice cut short. Silence. Ivy¡¯s grip tightened around her phone, her breath hitched, her eyes watering with tears. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have much time,¡± the voice that had been speaking to her earlier said again, then line went dead. No, no, no, no, no! He didn¡¯t give her any information! She quickly tried to call back the number but it was impossible. Then she got a message. It was them. There was the address of where Elsa was, hopefully, and a warning for her not to tell anyone except Christopher. Then there was the time Elsa had left, ticking away. 30 mins. *** Ivy¡¯s shaky hands held the steering wheel in a death grip. She looked straight at the map on her phone, her eyes watery and blurry with tears. She didn¡¯t even know when she had dialed Christopher¡¯s number and told him everything, as she had hurried out of the house and down to her car. She hadn¡¯t told Davies anything, although it was strange that she wanted to drive herself, Davies didn¡¯t ask any questions. He was one to always mind his business and he wasn¡¯t so much against having time off from his work either. The voice of the man on the phone reyed in her head once again. Something about it sounded farmr but this wasn¡¯t the time to figure it out. Sweat dripped down her forehead, her hands slipped down the steering wheel as she watched the screen of her phone, waiting for it to bring the result of the address she had searched up on the electronic map. She was breathing fast. She knew that even when the result would arrive, she would in too much shock and fear to even be able to drive. Elsa could be dying right now, why was this search taking forever?! She banged her hands against the steering wheel, trying to stop them from vibrating as she cursed underneath her breath. The result came and her world crashed even more around her. It would take an hour to get there?! And that was even without traffic! Her heart tore apart when she saw that she now had only 25 mins, no longer 30.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. She turned the key in the ignition, her body bumping with adrenaline but as if Fate was against her, the car refused to start. ¡°No, no, no, no, NO! Please, don¡¯t do this!¡± There was call at that moment. The name ¡°My Christopher¡± disyed on the screen. She picked it up quickly. ¡°It won¡¯t start. The car won¡¯t start!¡± ¡°I¡¯m outside. Hurry up.¡± Outside?! How did he¨C not now. She ran outside, slipped into the frontseat of his car. ¡°Just start driving. We only have a little above 20 mins,¡± ¡°Seatbelt?¡± She obeyed, quickly. Then the car roared to life and sped off. Never in Ivy¡¯s life, had she been in a car that went at such risky speed. Everything at either sides of the road seemed like a blur, who knew that sped had it own powerful voice. Although Elsa was a reckless and fast driver, she had never driven like this, only a person who was certain that they had another life stored somewhere could drive like this. Ivy stared straight ahead, determined. If she died tonight trying to save Elsa, it would be worth it. Except that, he just took a wrong turn! ¡°What are you doing?! We were supposed to take the left. Turn around!¡± ¡°Read the address backwards,¡± he replied calmly, still driving insanely fast. ¡°Blood Street? That is ten minutes away but¨C¡± she paused. That made sense. ¡°How did you know that is where we are supposed to go?¡± ¡°They told you to tell me for a reason.¡± Soon enough the car screeched to a halt, and she jerked forward, the seatbelt pulling her firmly and safely back. It was quiet for only a second before a ck van, sped out from a corner, almost crashing into them, save for Chris skillfully swirling them away. The van went down the street, fading quickly into the ckness. They didn¡¯t go after the van, instead they got down, searching for Elsa. The street was dark, safe for the dim streetlights that lit up the road, also the buildings here seem to be deste. The one in front of them though, seemed like a warehouse and the door was widely openly. The yellow bulb in the room showed that there was a woman on the floor, wearing a sleeveless green gown, her bare back turned to them¡­ and that ridiculous purple hair! She would recognize it anywhere! ¡°Elsa!¡± Ivy ran straight inside, dropping to her kneels right next to her. Her hands went around Elsa¡¯s, flinching slightly from how cold she was, as she turned her over before a frightened gasp escaped her lips. ¡°Elsa.¡± Elsa was bleeding, her hand was pressed firmly against the lower left side of her stomach, while arge circr red color filled that part of her gown. There was blood sipping out through the lines of her pressed fingers, dripping down the back of her palm and around it. ¡°I¨Cvy,¡± she whispered, smiling weakly up at her. Ivy jumped right into action, although she couldn¡¯t say that she knew what she was doing. Everything was happening so fast. She was looking for her phone. She had call an ambnce but she just couldn¡¯t find it! ¡°Amryelsa,¡± Chris fell to one kneel by her side too. ¡°S-save me,¡± she choked out, her eyes pleading desperately. He had this deep and serious look on his face as he studied her. He reached out for her bloodied hand and pulled it away gently. There was deep long scratch, like as if a wild beast had wed her. It was messy. ¡°I d-don¡¯t w-want¡­. to die. T-they¡ª said,¡± she said in-between pants, coughing, then she gulped, fighting tears and pain, holding onto Chris¡¯s hand, staining his shirt with her blood along the process. ¡°¡­ you can.¡± The blood was too much, Ivy could see her slowly fading away, her vision bing distant. Ivy bent down, trying to carry Elsa. ¡°We need to get her to the hospital right now!¡± He stood up, looked Elsa over once again, then he sighed, a deep frown still on his face. ¡°We are toote.¡± Chapter 29 Let the Complications Begin! ¡°What do you mean we are toote,¡± Ivy dropped Elsa gently on the floor. She knew that what he said had a high chance of being true but there was no way she could ept that. ¡°Why are you not calling the ambnce yet? Your phone is right there with you. In your hands!¡± Then she started looking around. ¡°Where is my phone? Where is that freaking little box?!¡± Then she found it,ying just right there on the floor. She must have dropped it while she had ran in earlier. She picked it up, dialing the emergency numbers immediately. ¡°It¡¯s toote,¡± his voice was calm. It angered her. How could he be calm about all this? Was it because of what Elsa did? Or because he had no real connection to her? This was a life or death situation. None of that should matter! She snapped her gaze towards him, the phone pressed to her ear. ¡°She is still breathing,¡± the words pushed through her teeth as she pointed to her friend who was stillying weakly on the floor. ¡°Very faintly,¡± he replied, unfazed. ¡°She is still breathing, damnit!¡± She yelled, her lips vibrating, her whole body shaking, tears running down her face. ¡°Not for long.¡± She opened her mouth to say something back but words failed her. ¡°Hello¡­¡± She heard a voice over the phone and she turned away from Chris, speaking quickly to the receiver. ¡°¡­ y-yes, pleasee quickly,¡± with that she ended the call. She wanted to tuck the phone away, it was only then she discovered that all she had on was her nightgown which had no pockets. A chill ran over. Cold. She went to knee next to Elsa, holding her hand while she assured her that help wasing. Elsa¡¯s breathing was faint now and her eyes had already fluttered close. She felt a jacket been ced over her back, then Chris kneeling by her side. ¡°We should have never fought, this would have never happened,¡± she cried. ¡°Look at me.¡± She did, that deep and serious look was still on his face, one that spelt deadly risks. ¡°Do you really want her to live no matter what?¡± ¡°Of course! Elsa means everything to me.¡± ¡°Do you think she will want the same, to live no matter what it would cost her?¡± She nodded frantically. Just like that, Chris picked her up from the floor like she weighed nothing, he rushed to the car, cing her in the backseat. Ivy caught up with them, slipping into the front seat, while Chris took his ce by the steering wheel. ¡°The ambnce might be here any moment.¡± ¡°Elsa doesn¡¯t have that kind of time.¡± Ivy quickly started checking online for the nearest hospital that was still receiving patients. It was 1:12am. The sirens she heard told her to look no further though. ¡°The ambnce!¡± She peeked out through the window, seeing the approaching colorful lights that lit the street. The ambnce were here. But just as that moment, Chris turned the key in the ignition and drove off, speeding back the way they came, away from the ambnce. ¡°What are you doing? They are here. It will be faster for them to get her to the hospital.¡± He took a turn, his attention focused on the road. ¡°I asked, what are you doing?!¡± She shouted over the wind. ¡°Saving her.¡± ¡°How? You just drove us away from the ambnce!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± She looked back at the Elsa, who was lying at the backseat. Her heart ached. Elsa looked almost lifeless. ¡°Don¡¯t die, Elsa. Please, don¡¯t die.¡± Her heart racing, knowing who she stood to lose, she turned away and continued her search for any nearby hospital. *** Whatever Chris meant by ¡®she¡¯ll see¡¯, she certainly was confused about it, because except she was dreaming, this was no hospital. It was a mansion, almost as big as the vi of her mysterious husband. Almost. ¡°Where is this?¡± ¡°My house,¡± he said, stepping out if the car. ¡°Oh, you have a 24/7 private doctor,¡± sheughed nervously, stepping out the car too, before following him around as he carried Elsa in his arms and out of the car. ¡°Is that why we are here? Because you have a 24/7 private doctor, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the doctor she needs,¡± he said walking towards the house. ¡°You are a doctor?! Why didn¡¯t you¨C¡± At that moment, some people rushed out of the house, taking Elsa from him. ¡°Prepare for the turning,¡± he said to them and they nodding, disappearing into the house. ¡°Turning? What are you¨C¡± Her voice was drowned out by the noise of a huge fan above them. Was that an helicopternding some distance away from them? The noise was almost deafening. After thending, out stepped Jett, with his phone in his hand, although his attention wasn¡¯t on it this time around. He ran to them, while the helicopter flew up in the air once again. Together they all walked into the house, getting away from the noise as fast as possible. ¡°Once again, the Yours Girl is safe!¡± He yelled. ¡°What is gouing on?!¡± Ivy shouted, but seen they were now a reasonable distance from the helicopter which had now taken off in the air, her voice sounded too loud. ¡°There was an attack on Amryelsa,¡± Chris said to Jett. ¡°Find out the House that did this.¡± ¡°Yes, Sire.¡± Jett bowed lightly then turned away. Ivy blinked. Sire? Did she just hear him call Chris Sire? What was this? The ancient times?! There were too many confusing words flying around. It was like as if she had suddenly being thrown into the past. But she wasn¡¯t concerned about that right now. ¡°Is your doctor already attending to Elsa? Is she feeling better? Has she opened her eyes?¡± ¡°Ivy, if you want your friend alive, you¡¯ll have to ask your questionster.¡± He stepped forward, pulling her into a quick embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I have it all under control,¡± then he pulled away from her. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± Just like that, he disappeared down the stairs.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. She blinked, vehemently. She must have hit her heard against something. Hit it really hard. Because she definitely did not just see Chris run at an impossible speed down the stairs, causing the breeze to blow strongly behind him. Nah, absolutely not. That was impossible so¡­ she definitely hit her head against something. Chapter 30 Another Word(s) for Strange ¡°Tea might help.¡± She heard a voice from behind and she jumped up in fear, her hand raised to her chest like as if to stop her heart from exploding out of her chest from how fast it was racing. She turned to see that there was a dark, tall man behind her, dressed like a butler. His eyes were warm, they had a glint of a brilliant red in them and they seemed to twinkle. How was it that she hadn¡¯t heard himing? He stretched out a teacup to her. ¡°It is warm,¡± shemented, nervously, taking the teacup from him with shaky hands. Something about his stare was absolutely unsettling. ¡°The Sire is an expert at what he does,¡± he spoke, his voice sounding like someone who had seen too much of the world. ¡°Your friend is safe.¡± Safe, that sounded like a really interesting word because right now, she was starting to worry a lot about her whole safety. Then just as silently as the butler had appeared from nowhere, he disappeared. Wait, was this house hunted? She gasped, looking down at the teacup that was still in her hand. Or was the butler a ghost?! She felt suddenly weak, and she want into the nearest chair, still focused on the teacup and wondering if what had happened earlier was indeed real. After sometime, she looked up and saw Chris emerging from the stairs, he still had a blue shirt on but it was no longer stained with blood, he had probably changed. She stood up to her feet and rushed up to him. ¡°How is Elsa?¡± ¡°She is fine,¡± he stopped in front of her. ¡°She¡¯ll get better soon, hopefully.¡± She squinted her eyes, looking at him. ¡°Are those the words of your private doctor?¡± ¡°I already told you, I¡¯m the doctor she needs.¡± ¡°I have to see her,¡± she attempted to move away from him and towards the stairs he had beening from, but his hands on her arms stopped her immediately. ¡°You can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind?!¡± She suddenly felt really angry. ¡°You can¡¯t stop me from seeing my friend! If you stand in my way again, I¡¯ll call the police,¡± she threatened, tucking her hand into the pocket of his oversized ck, that he had given to her, in a quick search of her phone. He looked at her like that was the dumbest threat he had ever heard. Her breath hitched and she dropped her phone right back in the jacket pocket, never seeding in bringing it out in the first ce. That look. Girald had given her that same look when she threatened him to let her go. Her heart raced with fear and she took a frightened step back, her breath shaky. ¡°How much do you want? What contract do you want me to sign? I¡¯ll sign it. Non-disclosure, whatever, I sign it. Please just release my friend, let us go. We won¡¯t sue, our lips are sealed, I promise!¡± The words tumbled quickly out of her mouth, her breathing dangerously fast. She was having it again, anxiety attack. She watched his eyes widen in rm, then she felt his hand on either sides of her face, making her look up at him and only him. ¡°Ivy, Ivy, shhhh,¡± his voice was calm and reassuring, like that time he had a shelf on his back while protecting her. The sense of security she had felt then, slowly seeped into her, making her feel at ease, little by little. ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you. I can¡¯t hurt you. You are way too precious to me, Ivy. The only reason I¡¯m doing all these is because of you.¡± She nodded, her breathing was slowly easing to normal. ¡°And you can be damn sure that I won¡¯t let anyone or anything happen to you,¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. She looked straight at him, squinting her eyes, trying to make sense of what he had just said. For a moment right there, something about him had seem¡­ dangerously possessive. Doubt glimmered in her eyes and as if he sensed it, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll let you see her. Follow me.¡± They went down the stairs, till they got to a door and he pushed it open. It was a room lit with the white light, bright enough to see but not to hurt the eyes. It felt like ab, just not so modern in a way. Then she turned to a side and there was Elsa,ying peacefully on the bed, some distance away from them. She had different wires plugged around her and a mask over her nose. It was like, that ce was a ward. ¡°Elsa,¡± she went forward, wanting to go to her only to be stopped as a result of an invisible obstructive device that was in front of her. ss. ¡°Elsa,¡± she whispered, her eyes on her, as she longed to be closer to her in order to confirm if she was truly alright. This just wasn¡¯t enough. ¡°She can¡¯t hear you,¡± she heard Chris say lowly from behind her. ¡°So, she is in aa?¡± She asked without looking back, her eyes still on Elsa. ¡°Sought of.¡± That was it. Tears rushed down her cheeks as she sobbed. ¡°This is all my fault,¡± she said between her tears, blinking her eyes quickly so that her sight of Elsa wouldn¡¯t get blurry. ¡°If only we hadn¡¯t had that fight, then she wouldn¡¯t have left. If I had never gone to that club in the first ce. If I hadn¡¯t¡ª¡± her voice trailed off. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t met me,¡± hepleted, his voice pained. She just couldn¡¯t understand why he sounded terribly hurt by that. They had been nothing serious going on between them. Sure they had gotten quite personal a couple of times but that had been that. That thought reminded her of the talk he said they would have and the fact that they still hadn¡¯t had it yet. ¡°Well I¡¯m sure you wish the same,¡± she could feel him move closer to her, his eyes on her. Determined, she didn¡¯t turn to meet his gaze, instead she went on. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be in this mess if you had never met me. Maybe you and Elsa woul¨C¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± he was close enough now, close enough for her to know that she was trapped between him and the ss. ¡°Somehow, someway, it still would have been you.¡± She felt tuck her hair behind her right ear, before he leaned closer and said, ¡°It¡¯s fate.¡± She close her eyes, taking in a sharp breath before opening them once again. He was too close. Yet she was determined to fight against this strange feeling that seemed to always seemed to ignite in veins whenever he was close. ¡°I don¡¯t know what makes you so sure of that except the fact that you are delusional.¡± ¡°The same thing that made you keep having all those dreams about me.¡± Her palms ttened against the ss as her jaws tightened at the inflow of memories. Fighting this was starting to be unbearably hard. Like as if he knew, he said, ¡°The sooner you stop fighting your feelings for me, Ivy, the better it will be for the both of us.¡± Chapter 31 – Voice Notes She heard someone clearing their throat some distance behind them and Chris stepped away, looking back at whoseover that was. She looked back too, grateful for the interruption. For a moment there, she was scared things would go out of hand. It was Jett and it looked like he had something really urgent to say. ¡°You were right, Sire. It is him.¡± Chris frowned, looking back at Elsa, his frown deepening by the second. ¡°I knew it. A trap!¡± Then he looked back at Jett, ¡°he has been finding a way for me to be indebted to him since forever. By the Blood, he is a Bastard!¡± He paced, shaking his clenched fist in quick jerks. ¡°I wished there was a way to get rid of him already.¡± Ivy flinched. She had never seen Chris this angry before. ¡°That is not all, Sire.¡± Jett stepped closer to Chris. He seemed rather calm but his voice showed that he was just as angry as Chris was. ¡°There is a meeting tonight.¡± Chris stopped right in his track, clenching and unclenching his fists slowly. ¡°Making a move already, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°He knows,¡± Jett reported. ¡°You bet, he does. He nned it! Ready the helicopter, we should be in the air.¡± ¡°Where are you going?¡± She asked before she could even stop herself. She couldn¡¯t exined it, but it suddenly felt like him leaving her was the most dangerous thing ever. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said, pulling her into an unexpected embrace before pressing a kiss against her forehead. He felt cold. Why was he always cold? Was the AC on? Her body warmed up to him though. Something about having him hold her like this made her feel calm and safe. She, no, her body liked it. Shs felt a tug against her chest like she didn¡¯t want him to leave, like she wanted him to be stay here with her forever. Strange. ¡°When I get back, we¡¯ll finally have that talk, we have a lot of catching up to do. Especially you.¡± Catching up? Before she could ask him what that meant, he was off. She blinked. This hallucination from exhaustion was really getting out of hand, because she just saw it again, him and Jett moving at an impossible speed. Ah, she really needed to get sleep, if not she would start hallucinating about the walls talking. She turned back, only to be startled by the butler¡¯s voice. Again. Why was he moving around like that?! ¡°My goodness, you scared me!¡± He only smiled calmly in return, ¡°Let me lead you to your room.¡± He lead her up to her room and she followed quietly. Something about this butler guy was really creeping her out. She earlier she got to that room, the quicker she would be able to get away from him. Finally, they got to a room, he opened the door and she stepped in. They exchanged awkward goodnight greetings and after a while, the butler was gone and she was in bed. She picked up her phone. There were a lot of messages but the only one she was concerned about were the voice notes from her Father. She clicked on the y button. ¡°Long day with the investors,¡± her Father¡¯s voice seeped out of her phone speakers and a light smile yed on her lips. ¡°From the looks of things, the restaurant might soon have an extension branch here in CurDavo. You like the ce, remember?¡± She nodded, letting the memory of the ce y in her head. ¡°The sea is great,¡± she heard her Mother¡¯s distant voice, crashing into her Father¡¯s voice note, her voice sounding closer till it was clear. She must have moved closer to the phone. Somehow she could imagine how they were acting while recording this, like she was watching a movie. ¡°There are lot of important people and their marriage eligible sons at the beach. Need to get you married as soon as possible, Romito. You¡¯ll like it.¡± Ivy¡¯s face creased up in a light smile. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to see you running off yet. Besides, I¡¯ll never do what I did to you again,¡± her Father countered. She heard her Mother tsk, ¡°Just pray the business doesn¡¯t run into any debt, if not,¡± her voice started getting distant again, likely because she was moving away from the phone, ¡®I¡¯ll auction you, then it¡¯ll be ¡®Happy Married Life¡¯ to you and the highest bidder.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes at that. ¡°She loves you, just know that,¡± her Father said in an attempt to redeem his wife, she could almost hear a smile in his voice. ¡°I love you too. Goodnight. Text me when you can.¡± ¡°Get a husband!¡± ¡°Also Halma is freaking out. Elsa hadn¡¯t picked up all day. If you don¡¯t call Halma right now, or leave a message to us or her, she¡¯ll make sure Elsa has no home toe back to. Ever. Those were Halma¡¯s words, not mine.¡± The voice note came to an end. Ivy smiled. Shs knew he was right. Halma was what her parents called Aunt Alice. Aunt Alice emotions were like this, absolute worry ¨C total unreasonable rage ¨C illogical outburst. She had better send a reassuring message about Elsa to them as soon as possible. Somehow Ivy just felt that they shouldn¡¯t know about what really happened. Ahhh.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She was thinking and acting strangely tonight. What was wrong with her? Shs scrolled up to discover that there was another voice note at the bottom, and she clicked on the y button. ¡°I almost forgot,¡± it was her Father speaking again. ¡°Pam¡¯s Ma told me Pam invited you to her uing birthday party and you told her you¡¯ll be unavable.¡± Right, that was one of the many outing invitations she turned down while her and Elsa were fighting. Were they still fighting? She couldn¡¯t tell. Too many things had happened already. ¡°Well, she told me to try and convince you to show up, that it would mean so much to Pam.¡± Ivy scoffed. Pam wasn¡¯t even really her friend. Well, this wasn¡¯t new anyways. Considering her status and Elsa¡¯s, there were many people who wanted to be friends with her. Yes, they weren¡¯t ¡®wealthyyyyy¡¯ but they were still wealthy, had a name in the business world and the society, plus a fantastic reputation. ¡°Also there is John and Silvia and Mufasa and the list goes on and on. I told them I couldn¡¯t do anything but they made me promise I¡¯ll try. So this is me, trying.¡± Sheughed. It was a good thing they always came to her Father though, because all he would do was just tell. If it was her Mother, her Mother would do more, like set up dates or even a whole freaking wedding. She heard her Father yawned before he spoke again, he sounded sleepy and really tired, in fact the only reason he was still talking had to be because he was very determined to talk to her, ¡°I hope you¡¯ve resolved the fight you are having with Elsa. You might have to talk things out and it might take time, so don¡¯t rush it and don¡¯t let it beat you down too much. Instead, try tomunicate with her. Remember,munication is key.¡± There was a pause. Then light snores. Ivy giggled. Did he just doze off? ¡°My offer foring down there so that we can go to Kosha together still stands. I feel terribly sleepy, so goodnight,¡± a yawn. ¡°I love you.¡± Then the voice note came to an end. Chapter 32 – Hi, It’s Danger Again. She scrolled up but that was thest one. Ivy blinked her tears away. She really felt lucky to have a Father like him, same with her Mother. They loved her, she knew. Their ways might be different or difficult, respectively, but they did love her. Just like Elsa did. She loved her differently but it was still love nevertheless. Elsa never really knew the best way to express love, she didn¡¯t have a lot of people that did the same to her while growing up, because of that, most of time, Elsa¡¯s ways of taking one for the team were always greatly wed and sometimes, selfish. She pulled the pillow closer, remembering that her friend was down there fighting for her life. ¡°Please, survive this.¡± She knew that her situation with Chris was still mixed up and in a way he was already initiating that they were together, but she wasn¡¯t going to think about that. ¡°We have to go to CorDavo together. I bet there are sexy greek gods there too. This time around, we won¡¯t pick the same guy.¡± Then she went through her gallery recycle bin, retrieving as many pictures as she could. She found one of the recent pictures her and Elsa had taken together on one of those many nights she would spend at Ivy¡¯s parents house. She sent it to her father, with a voice note along with it. ¡°Busy day at the restaurant. Elsa is here with me, we aremunicating and things will be back to normal soon. Can you please tell Aunt Alice that Elsa is back from Kosha, she lost her phone that is why she hadn¡¯t been picking up. d about the new possible branch in CorDavo, I think Elsa and I mighte visit soon. Mum, if you are listening, I don¡¯t want a husband yet. Give it a break.¡± She chuckled, then added, ¡°Goodnight¡­ and to that ¡®I love you?¡¯, all I have to say is ¡®nah¡¯. Mushiness isn¡¯t allowed in here.¡± Sheughed before ending the recording, which got sent to them automatically. She pulled off Chris¡¯s jacket so she could only sleep in her nightgown, but in no time, she was pulling it back on again. Why was she acting so strange? Hah! Sleep would fix it. She had better get some. She let of a breath of exhaustion and strange relief as sheid down in bed. She could hear the blew blowing strongly outside. It was going to rain. **** It had been two day and Chris wasn¡¯t back yet. The Butler had been around a lot and no matter how Ivy tried to shake it off, she couldn¡¯t help but feel that something was really strange about him. She had also gotten a text from Chris telling her not to leave the house and that although he didn¡¯t know when he would be back, it was safe for her and Elsa to stay there and wait for him. He had also told her that if she needed to check on Elsa, she had to go with the Butler. All of these were really strange. Was the Butler a doctor too? Was he the one taking care of Elsa now since Chris was away? ¡°Tea?¡± She jumped in her skin at the voice, even though for two days and a night, she had been faced with this torture. The Butler always sneaking up on her with a teacup in his hand. She took the teacup and he immediately ced a nket over her shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s cold.¡± Feeling the warmness of the tea against her palm and the nket over her shoulders, she realized that it was indeed cold. The breeze had been quite on the cold side since the night they arrived, like as if it would rain but it hadn¡¯t up till now. How long had she been here, lost in her thoughts and staring at the Fountain that reminded her so much of the fountain in front of the Church that she had gotten married to her mystery husband? She didn¡¯t know. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, looking up at him and rubbing her thumb against the teacup in her hand, but not taking a sip. It wasn¡¯t because she was scared of being poisoned,e on, she had spent two days here already and she definitely ate and drank water within that time. What it was, was that unsettling feeling that every single person she had seen in this mansion, (they are like three people, the others must have suddenly disappeared or rushed off to somewhere like Chris and Jett) seem to give her. Ivy had, by now, had a lot of time to think. These people were really weird and whatever Chris was into, it was obvious that he was the reason Elsa had gotten kidnapped. The kidnappers had, after all, specifically mentioned that she should inform him toe and get Elsa. Also all that conversation he had with Jett before they went rushing off, further proved everything. Once Elsa became stable and Ivy was able to figure out some things as to how this mansion worked, Ivy had a n to bust them both out of this ce. The earlier that happened, the better for both of them. She bade her goodnight to the Butler but he followed her up to her room, even waited till she was tucked into bed, before he left. Weird! She pretended to be asleep, till she was really asleep. Suddenly, she woke up. The Butler was no longer in her room. She must have been asleep for a while. She checked her phone for the time. It was barely past midnight. Damn it! She got up, snuck out of the room and went downstairs. She just felt this inexplicable desperate urge to see Elsa. Surprisingly the door was left slightly open and the Butler was in the room, his shadow casted on the walls as he moved around. What was he doing to Elsa? Was this why he ensured that she was asleep before he left. Suddenly, he stepped away and went to one side of the wall. She couldn¡¯t really see what he was doing, his back was covering it and he had his phone pressed to his ear. He was talking to someone, but she couldn¡¯t hear what he was saying. What caught her attention next was the door that slid open suddenly, to a sought of room which the Butler then, stepped into. Ivy gasped, her breathing fast. What if these people were actually serial killers, with fetish! It made no sense, but then nothing was making sense right now! Or maybe they wanted to use Elsa for scientific experiments, turn her into some sought ofb rat or extract her organs to sell. Maybe those were the people the Butler had been talking to. Potential buyers! Ivy could feel herself shaking with fear. This wasn¡¯t even a hospital! How could she allow them to have gone this far?! How could she have been so blind and stupid! Her heart raced even further when she realized that no one knew her and Elsa actually were. She could already see her and Elsa making the ¡°Missing¡± and ¡°Body Found¡± headlines. Breathe, Ivy. Breathe. She tried to calm herself down to think logically and handle the urgent task at hand.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. She had to get them out of here. Now! Chapter 33 – Something is Wrong with Bestie She went into the room immediately. Trying to make sure that creepy Butler doesn¡¯t sneak up on her as usual. But what she saw made her heart race with fear and shock. The bed. It was empty! Where was Elsa?! Damn that Butler! Where had he taken her friend?! But her thought screech to an halt, when she heard the door, the one linking to the ssroom Elsa had been, pushed open suddenly. ¡°I¨Cvy?¡± A frail voice called out to her. Ivy turned around to see that it was Elsa. She was leaning heavily by the door, looking absolutely drained and the wires attached to her body were already yanked out. She was no longer in a dress but a blue gown that looked like the ones patient wore in a hospital. Damn! They had really put so much efforts into fooling her. That made her feel lesser of a fool, but a fool still! ¡°Elsa? Oh my goodness, Elsa!¡± She ran over to her, pulling her closer, making Elsa lean against her instead. ¡°You are alive! Alive!¡± She dered in a contained whisper. ¡°What¡­ is¡­ go-ing on? I can¡¯t rem¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything but first, we need to get you out of here and get you to a hospital,¡± Ivy exined as she swung Elsa¡¯s hand over her shoulder, leaning her out of the room slowly, ¡°while I call the police in case these crazy peoplee after¡ª¡± she paused. Elsa was saying something but her voice was really low, so she listened attentively to hear what it was, this didn¡¯t stop their walking though. ¡°A¡­ coff¨C¡± she stopped for breath. ¡°What?¡± Ivy asked, still leading them towards the door. She wished they could go faster. What if the Butler wasing back already! Today better be one of her lucky days, or else¡­ ¡°I came out from a coffin.¡± Ivy stopped instantly, blinking as she looked up at her friend, dumbfounded. Damn! She must have hit her head against something really hard. She had better get her to an hospital quickly. ¡°The real doctors will fix you soon, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Where¨C¡± her voice trailed off in weakness. ¡°I¡¯m so thirsty.¡± Well, that was a logical statement. ¡°I¡¯ll get you water once we get out of¨C¡± Elsa crashed down to the floor, her hands wrapped around her throat, in a sought of desperation. Like as if she would die right this instant if her thirst wasn¡¯t quenched. ¡°Thirsty¡­¡± she called, breathing heavily, ¡°Thirsty!¡± She snapped, her voice sounding faint, yet hoarse.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Ivy looked back at the door the Butler had disappeared into to make sure thismotion hadn¡¯t called his attention. Still closed? Good. Then she looking around for water, there were weird looking equipments everyw¨C There it was! A sealed bottle of water on the table that was just a couple of steps away from them. The Butler must have brought it down here with him earlier. She checked it thoroughly though to ensure that this wasn¡¯t chemical. Then she grabbed the bottle cap she had ced on the table in a rush, one of the equipments on the table shing her palm as a result. A hiss of pains slipped through her lips. Thank goodness she still had that non-scaring cream at home. Another thank goodness that it wasn¡¯t her face. She rushed over to Elsa who was till seated on tbe floor and handed her the bottle. ¡°Drink,¡± she offered. Elsa reached for the bottle but got distracted by the cut on her palm, confusion and worry in on her face. ¡°You are injured,¡± she said quietly. That was the most stable that Ivy had heard Elsa¡¯s voice since she had woken up. Instead of taking the bottle of water, Elsa wrapped her hand around Ivy¡¯s wrist, further inspecting the cut on her palm. This wasn¡¯t strange. Asides the times that Elsa had made selfish moves, she was really motherly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. You should drink and get rid of that thirst so we can move. We need to just get out of here¨C ouch!¡± She almost yelled but she caught herself right in time for her voice to decline right back into a whisper. ¡°That hurts. Your grip is too tight, Elsa. I know you are thinking of beating up who did this to me but I did it to myself and we really have to mo¨C¡± Her voice trailed off when she felt Elsa¡¯s cold and wet tongue against her slightly open flesh, licking away the blood. Ivy¡¯s grip on the bottle tightened slightly, then she spoke, in-between nervousughter, ¡°It¡¯s really weird that you are¨C¡± The eyes that looked up at her, made her go still right on that spot. Elsa¡¯s eyes were glowing red, the earlier confusion and worry now reced with a sought of desperate hunger she had never seen before. The bottle dropped out of her hand as cold strong fingers gripped her neck and yanked her down to the floor, while cold lips and pointed teeth proceeded to graze her skin. All in a sh. Just as instantly, a forced pulled Elsa immediately away from her. Then the loud sound of something crashing heavily filled the room. Ivy scrambled up to her feet, her hands around her neck to ensure she was okay, while her heart pounded so fast, it felt like it would burst right out of her chest. She didn¡¯t know what was happening right now but there was one thing she was sure of, she was in danger. Her gaze flew up to Elsa who was standing up, raising from the crashed wall she had been thrown against. Or maybe this wasn¡¯t Elsa, maybe she had been toote and these crazy people had sessfully carried out a scientific experiment on her and now, she was no longer the person she used to be, or even a person at all! Because standing on the opposite side of the room, was a monster she had never seen before. This monster had elogated ws, bright long white fangs that sneaked from the corners of her lips, a death intent in her glowing red eyes and the face of her best friend. She stood threateningly, like as if she was a predator, looking at a prey. Ivy let out a silent fearful gasp, her thoughts bing more and more disoriented. She was the prey. She took a slow step back, her leging in contact with the table. With her hands, she searched the table for anything to defend herself with. She found one and she wrapped her hand around it but it shed her palm again and dropped it immediately with a painful hiss. A gush of wind rushed over her as Elsa with unimaginable speed was right in front of her¡­ she never made it to seizing her though, for a force had tossed her right back. ¡°You should go to the kitchen and get tea,¡± The Butler said soothingly, as he pushed her out of the door like as if the strangest thing wasn¡¯t happening right now. How had she even gotten to the door? Last she remembered, she was by the table. She look back to ask about what was going on with her best friend but her question died right on her tongue. The Butler¡¯s eyes, they shed red too. Whatever Elsa was. He was too. He wasn¡¯t normal. They weren¡¯t normal. ¡°I do¨C need tea,¡± she managed to stammer, before she took off. She hadn¡¯t rushed up to her room to get her phone. She wasn¡¯t stupid, she had watched too many horror movies to know that was a bad move. She rushed to where the car keys were hung and grabbed a bunch, then to the garage. It was a full blown rain outside, thunder, lightening, heavy rain and the breeze. Why did it have to be tonight? Damn! This wasn¡¯t a horror movie! After two clumsy tries, a key fitted. Luck must be finding her irresistible once again. Great! She hit the wheels, driving roughly out of the garage and hoping to reach the gates soon. She had ns of knocking it down. Hopefully that would work because she couldn¡¯t even think of any other n to exit this premises right now. She didn¡¯t get far though, before someone crashed onto her car¡¯s hood, in front of her windscreen. The shock made her jam on the brakes, resulting in the car screeching to a rough halt. Lightening shed and she caught a glimpse of Elsa¡¯s red eye, through her purple wet hair that had fallen all over her face. It was like as if she was staring right into her soul. ¡°Thirsty.¡± Chapter 34 – BloodSuckers? BloodSuckers! Nah, absolutely not. Ivy hit the wheels again, swirling the car around to get Elsa off the hood. Finally she crashed into a pole of what could be said to be a sought of street light, making Elsa jump off while she jerked forward in the seat, the seat belt pulling her right back. She didn¡¯t give herself time enough to recover from the crash, she knew she was injured, she could feel it but this wasn¡¯t the time to assess the injury and check to what extent she had been hurt. She turned the key in the ignition but the car refused to start. Her heart raced. She banged her hands on the wheels. Not now, NOT NOW! Her hands were extremely shaky as she tried to start the car again, as she looked around quickly trying to see if Elsa had recovered from the crash and was nowing for her. She didn¡¯t have much time to get out of here and she knew it. Suddenly her car door got yanked away and she was snatched right out the car, those cold wet fingers once again around her neck while those fangs starting digging a little too deep beneath the surface of her skin. In that second, Ivy felt the totality of pain. Till she didn¡¯t feel it again. Elsa had pushed her out of her grip. She staggered back, opening her eyes instantly to see what miracle had saved her. The lightening shed once again as the rain poured down on them and Ivy discovered it was no miracle that hade to save her, it was Chris. How¨C? The question disappeared instantly when she realized that Elsa mouth was mped around Chris¡¯s hand, sucking his blood. Was he¨C giving up his life for her?! Instinctively, she surged forward in a ridiculous attempt to save him but a strong arm came around her, stopping her instead. ¡°We must go,¡± She heard Jett say as he pulled her away from the scene. ¡°Elsa is¨C elsa¡ª¡± she stuttered from cold and fear. She turned back as Jett continued to pull her away, her gaze held Chris¡¯s for only a moment, then she quickly turned back to Jett. ¡°He is going to die!¡± Jett didn¡¯t reply, instead he picked her up and the next things she knew, she was hit by a wave of dizzinness. Then, in some seconds, he dropped her. But the thing was that, she was right in front of her room. Shs blinked, trying to process what had happened. Then a silent gasp escaped her lips. It had been true then, all of that. She hadn¡¯t hit her head. She stepped away from Jett quickly, looking up at him with alram in her eyes. ¡°You are one of them,¡± shs said quickly and Jett looked back at her, his face nk. ¡°Is Chris one of those things too?¡± She asked in fear and absolute worry. ¡°I must go back, Your¡¯s Girl. Stay in your room, keep the door locked. Try to be safe.¡± With that said, he disappeared down the hallway. Ivy went into the room immediately, turning the lock before proceeding to lock all the windows. Oh, no! She hadn¡¯t checked the room first to ensure it was safe. She did that quickly. Then she came back to the bed and picked up her phone, deliberating on whether to call the police already. Chris must be the same as them too. A monster, a blood sucking creature. Still she was oddly worried about him, as she thought of what Elsa was doing to him again.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Maybe he wasn¡¯t going to die because he was one of them. Or maybe he was going to! She had to call the police, she had to do it right now. She inputted her password, unlocking her phone only to realize that she had missed a lot of calls and there were many new messages, all from Chris. He had sent them some minutes after midnight, which was also the same time she had gone downstairs to see Elsa. They read; ¡°I know you might be asleep already but I really wanted to tell you that meeting¡¯s over, I¡¯ll be returning tonight. We can finally have that talk. There are some things I¡¯ll have to exin to you. Please, be understanding.¡± Then some secondster. ¡°I totally understand if you¡¯ll need time to process it.¡± Maybe he wanted to tell her that he was a monster, like the same one that had now taken over her best friend. Or maybe it was something else, she couldn¡¯t tell. She couldn¡¯t even think straight or logically anymore. Then after some minutes. There were a lot of calls. ¡°Stay put in that room, Ivy! The room is specially made, she can¡¯t prate that easily. I¡¯ll be there before anything goes south!¡± Then there was an inflow of texts, all filled with worry and fear. By her calctions, that was the time that the Butler had told her to go and get tea while he handled Elsa. Now that she was thinking about it, where was Butler? Had Elsa¡­ killed him?! And the next message she read didn¡¯t help her worry at all. ¡°Try your best to stay away from Elsa. She is really dangerous right now.¡± That made her even more worried about him. What if Elsa was a kind of superior monster and Chris was the lesser one and she was killing him. Her stomach twisted in painful knots as she read over the next messages that barely had a second interval between them. ¡°My Butler is down, don¡¯t go out of that room.¡± ¡°Are you alright?!¡± ¡°Pick up the phone, Ivy!¡± ¡°Please!¡± ¡°Please.¡± ¡°I need to know you are alive.¡± Then thest one. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say a single word. Let me just hear you breath.¡± She clutched the phone hard to her chest, tears in her eyes, feeling a sense of huge lose already, her mind ying over and over again what must be happening to Chris right now. ¡°He is going to die,¡± she said between shaky pants. ¡°Ivy?¡± She jumped up immediately, turning around to see Chris by the door, a key in his hand while he rushed up to her,checking her neck, hands and everywhere to ensure that she hadn¡¯t been bitten. Then he pulled her into an embrace, tight like as if to ensure that she just wasn¡¯t a figment of his imagination. She was d he did that though. It made her realize that he wasn¡¯t a figment of her imagination too. ¡°You are alive?¡± She said slowly as he pulled away, her gaze darting to that ce she had been very sure she had seen Elsa sucking against. He smiled, ¡°That wasn¡¯t the thank you I was expecting but I¡¯ll take it.¡± ¡°How are you not dead?¡± She asked, her face now serious. If the Butler was dead, then why wasn¡¯t he? ¡°I don¡¯t know how best to say this,¡± he paused, ¡°I¡¯m a vampire.¡± Chapter 35 – Something Right out of a Book! ¡°I must look very stupid to you. A vampire? Really?¡± Sheughed hysterically, standing up from the bed, passing by him, to dramatically pace around the room. ¡°Not a failed scientific experiment, or¨C even a sessful one but a creature right out of a fantasy book?!¡± Shs pped in sarcasm before she shot him a re. ¡°I absolutely believe you.¡± Then she stopped and looked right at him, his face was serious and his lips were pressed together tightly. ¡°Do you even know that those things are not real?¡± ¡°Will you say that everything you had gone through tonight isn¡¯t real?¡± ¡°Well, that still doesn¡¯t¨C vampire? That is just ridiculous.¡± Then her voice dropped low, ¡°they are not real.¡± ¡°We are real, Ivy,¡± he came close to her, slowly so as not to intimidate her, but she took a step back and he stopped immediately, ¡°and not Amryelsa is one of us.¡± Elsa. Ivy blinked, looking around quickly. She had only heard of them in fantasy books and seen them in movies. But with everything she had seen tonight, how Elsa had been very unlike herself, the Butler who she still wasn¡¯t sure if he was dead or not, the impossible speed that Jett had used to bring her here and the fact that Chris was still alive.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her gaze snapped up at him and those brown eyes that usually stilled her to a spot, like as if she had been trapped in a spell, while her heart raced with a feeling she could not exin, made her shrink to herself in fear instead. Here he was, professing to be a being right out of a book. She didn¡¯t know how to feel. She was still processing it. He watched her in silence, allowing her to take the information in. She seem to have gone frozen and the wait for a reply was starting to get endless. ¡°Oh my goodness! I¡¯m a walking breathing Blood Bag!¡± She blurted out suddenly. ¡°I¨Cvy?¡± He asked as she passed by him, sitting back on the bed, her feet nted to the floor. He hadn¡¯t that reply. ¡°I know you might need time¨C¡± ¡°A Breathing Food!¡± ¡°We can¡ª¡± ¡°The wine!¡± She gasped, covering her widened mouth as she remembered something. ¡°THE WINE!¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°The wine you brought to Elsa¡¯s birthday dinner. It was blood, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He pressed his lips together, watching her breaths quicken like it had that day the shelf incident had happened. ¡°Ivy, you are¨C¡± She stood up quickly, walking away to lean against the wall. She just felt this sudden need to put as much distance as the room could afford between them. ¡°You think I¡¯ll take the risk of having a panic attack when you are near?¡± She chuckled like as if she was in full control of herself, which she very much wasn¡¯t. ¡°I handled myself quite well throughout this evening and I have seen things. Scary things. A lot of them.¡± ¡°Ivy¨C¡± he called out, his voiceced with worry. She leaned against the wall suddenly. Too fast. Everything was moving too fast. She was in potential danger, surrouned by predators and she was the only likely prey. Even her best friend had been changed to be one of them. This was all too much. ¡°Ivy¡ª¡± ¡°How¨C dare you?!¡± She yelled walking around, leaning on the wall for strength. ¡°You need to breathe,¡± he walked closed to her and she turned around swiftly to him before leaning against the wall again. ¡°How dare¡­ you do¡­ t-that to Elsa! You changed h-her!¡±she gasped, trying to take in as much breath as possible. ¡°Breathe,¡± he tried to hold her but she snapped her hand away from him quickly. He took immediate steps back, giving her space as he chanted to her. ¡°You are safe, you are okay. Breathe.¡± He did that over and over again, till she listened to his voice and soon, it was over. When he saw that she was back to normal, he called her name again she titled her head slightly to the side, looked up at him from her bowed state. When she spoke, her voice sounded really broken and choked with tears. ¡°Go away.¡± She didn¡¯t look up exactly at him to see how he had taken that, but his next words were calm, understanding yet pained. ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll be a text away,¡± then she heard him walk to the door before he spoke again. ¡°A call too.¡± Then she heard him leaving as the door closed She slipped to the floor, crying. What had she done? Maybe if she had never met Chris, this would have never happened to Elsa. If only she hadn¡¯t gone to the nightclub. If only she had just stayed home and gone to her wedding the next morning, things wouldn¡¯t have been soplicated. She med herself for everything. Now Elsa was a Being she might hate for the rest of her life, no matter how long or short that would be. As for her, she was stuck with this mysterious contract husband. Things just kept getting worse and worse and it was all her fault. She sighed, her eyes aching from all the tears she had shed as she rested her back against the wooden furniture of the bed. If only¡­ *** Ivy had called but it hadn¡¯t been to see Chris but instead Elsa. That was a really stupid move because she didn¡¯t even know if Elsa was alright yet or even normal enough to be logical. Too bad, she had only thought about that when Elsa was knocking by the door. There was an aura around her that made Ivy shrink back in fear and like as if she could sense this, Elsa stood by the door, not stepping closer, but there was a bottle and two champagne sses in her hands. Ivy looked at the bottle, quickly observing that the content was red. ¡°Is that b-blood?¡± ¡°No. Absolutely not. It is wine. I just thought that we would¡ª¡± her voice trailed off and she set the bottle and sses on the floor while she muttered to herself. ¡°Chris said bringing this was a bad idea.¡± Then she turned back to Ivy. ¡°You can m the door shut anytime,¡± she had said, staying a good distance away from her in the hallway, while Ivy poked her head through the door, her hand on the doorknob to shut it close anytime. Chris had after all said that this room was hard to prate, so this was safe, right? Ivy got down to her questions immediately. ¡°How do you feel?¡± She asked. ¡°Powerful,¡± she grinned. ¡°You have no idea the things I am now strong enough to do. I can hear how fast your heart is racing right now. This tool mighte in handy in future.¡± Ivy looked at her in doubt as she continued talking about all the powerful things she could now do, her hands tightening around the doorknob. Ivy couldn¡¯t believe this was really happening but it was and she couldn¡¯t keep on lying to herself that it wasn¡¯t. When Elsa was done, Ivy asked that question she had been thinking about, the one that would determine the next move she would make. ¡°Are you happy?¡± Chapter 36 – Beating Heart to Heart ¡°I prefer this than being dead,¡± then she added on a light tone. ¡°Besides, do you have any idea how powerful I am now.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes. Not this talk of power again. ¡°I could even snap you into two for stealing my boyfriend.¡± Ivy¡¯s grip around the doorknob tightened immediately, her shoulders tensed. ¡°I didn¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°I know. I was only joking.¡± She took a step forward and Ivy¡¯s eyes widened in alert, she must have observed that because she immediately retracted her step back to where she had been standing before. Seeing this, Ivy¡¯s grip on doorknob loosened, although her hand still held it. ¡°I owe you an apology. It was wrong for me to have tricked you like that. To have used you, used everyone. I¡¯m so sorry that I lied to you. I know this might need some making up to. I¡¯m ready to do anything. I also know that my outburst was terrible and uncalled for. You are my best friend. Best friends don¡¯t treat their best friends that way. Please, forgive me. Losing you is going to hurt me fore¨C¡± ¡°I have already forgiven you.¡± Elsa paused, looking up at her with surprise in her eyes. ¡°I just¡ª I¡ª,¡± Ivy paused before she finally said, ¡°I should have been more patient, maybe this wouldn¡¯t have happened to you, maybe we would have been able to talk things out.¡± ¡°Why are you always doing this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m older, I should have found a way to calm you down.¡± ¡°You always do this,¡± Elsa snapped. ¡°I¡¯m the one clearly at fault yet you always me yourself. Why?¡± ¡°Look at you,¡± she said, suppressing tears. ¡°Look at what I have done to you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that, I¡¯m okay.¡± But the overwhelming feeling that was seeping through Ivy¡¯s veins was too consuming and she hadn¡¯t heart her. ¡°What I have done to you,¡± she repeated. ¡°You have done nothing to me,¡± her voice was low, convincing and firm. ¡°If anyone should be me for what happened to me, then it will be no other person but myself. I did this to me. I was the one trying to forcefully get involved with Chris,¡± she chuckled dryly. ¡°They must have thought I was someone of really high importance to him and that is why they had gotten back at him for something I don¡¯t really understand yet, through me.¡± ¡°You are important,¡± she said tofort her, realizing only after she had said it that, she shouldn¡¯t have. ¡°Maybe now I am, he is my Sire after all and it the duty of the Sire to care for those they sires.¡± Elsa moved from the wall with silent and graceful ease and Ivy caught on that. It reminded her of how she had stood up from the crash in theboratory downstairs and more about what had happened down hours ago. Elsa continued talking about how although all these was different for her, she felt a little nervous about the new world awaiting but she loved the power but Ivy wasn¡¯t really listening, instead she was thinking of something else. ¡°Did you kill him?¡± She asked, silently but somehow, Elsa had heard her and stopped talking immediately. ¡°Kill who?¡± ¡°The Butler.¡± ¡°No,¡± sheughed. ¡°He is very much alive.¡± Then she paused, ¡°not literally in that sense but you get what I mean.¡± Ivy¡¯s gaze snapped up at her immediately, the fact that her friend was already dead finally crashing on her.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. She had been battling with the thought that Elsa was a different Being, a dangerous creature, a vampire but she hadn¡¯t given what that actually meant, asides from living on blood. A living dead. This was all too much for her. She frowned, looking at Elsa who was fighting back augh most likely about the joke she had just said about the Butler. This didn¡¯t make sense! None of it did! In fact, none of this was funny! How was she the one thinking logically in this situation? She needed to fix it all right now. ¡°I¡¯ll fix you.¡± ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get you to the best hospital, and have the finest doctors in MoonCity fix you. In no time, you¡¯ll be back to normal.¡± The words blurted right out of her mouth without thinking. She didn¡¯t even know if it was logical or not, she just felt this really desperate need to help her friend, even though she seemed like she didn¡¯t need it. Ivy knew better, Elsa needed help. ¡°Alive.¡± She ended on that note and Elsa blinked. ¡°And how do you n to get me to the hospital?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe tie your hands and put a muzzle around your mouth? I¨C I don¡¯t know! I just have to get you out of here, you need help and I know it.¡± Elsa sighed shortly in frustration before she spoke again, ¡°Don¡¯t you you get it Ivy. I¡¯m no longer alive. And if I leave with you now without knowing how to control myself, I¡¯m a danger to you and everyone.¡± The she paused. Were those words hurting her too? ¡°Remember what happened? It still kills me that I allowed that to happen. I¡¯ll never be able to forgive myself, if I ever do something to you because of my bloodlust ever again.¡± A silence passed between them. Heavy. ¡°Elsa,¡± she called her name, blinking her tears away. Her grip on the doorknob once again tight, although not from fear this time but from pain, lose and grieve. ¡°I was a monster to you. I don¡¯t want to ever be that again,¡± Elsa face was hard as she clenched and unclenched her fists by her sides. Then she let out a breath and continued. ¡°I understand that you need to go back home but you will have to return without me. ¡°And what will I tell Aunt Alice?¡± Ivy forced out. Tears were choking her throat. At this point, it even hurt to talk. ¡°It¡¯s you,¡± Elsa chuckled, although her eyes were glimmering with unshed tears. ¡°You¡¯ll know what to say,¡± she shrugged. ¡°You are right,¡± Ivy tried to force augh to lighten up the mood but she just couldn¡¯t. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t me yourself for this again.¡± ¡°Elsa,¡± she said, looking down at the floor, her eyes blurry with tears she was trying to restrain. ¡°Just¡­ please promise me.¡± She looked up, nodding. ¡°I do, I promise you.¡± Ivy could control it no more and the tears flowed. ¡°Won¡¯t you even let me hug you?¡± Her hands tightened around the doorknob. That was a risk she wasn¡¯t willing to take. Her body was still shaky from the fear of thest time she had been close to her. She looked up at her, pained to say the words but knowing that it was necessary still. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± Elsa nodded in understanding, tears now flowing down her face. It was like as if that reg was the one thatst straw. ¡°I love you.¡± She said, then she picked up the bottle of wine she had brought along with her, popped it and poured it into one of the wine sses she had ced gently on the floor a while ago. After that, she drank all the wine in the wine ss in one gulp. ¡°Know it,¡± she ended and left, leaving the rest of the wine in the wine bottle and the other wine ss behind. Ivy gave the wine bottle and the the ss a quick nce before closing the door, locking it, her hand still on the doorknob, her forehead pressed to the door as she sobbed quietly. Just one night and everything had changed. Chapter 37 – It’s “Move Onâ€� O’clock… or not. She pulled herself up from the floor and walked to the bed, picked up her phone and called her Father, her phone pressed to her ear while it ranged lowly. ¡°Hello, Pa.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that my one and only lovely daughter?¡± His voice answered through the phone and immediately she heard her Mother¡¯s own, from a distance as usual. ¡°Isn¡¯t that my one and only daughter,¡± she mimicked him sarcastically. ¡°If you were half as passionate for the investors meeting we had today, how good that would have gone.¡± ¡°I could say the same about you in some other things,¡± he teased. ¡°When ites to our daughter, I¡¯m doing the work for the both of us, Sweetheart.¡± ¡°What?! No. Rominto and I are as close as we are supposed to be,¡± then her voice started getting really distant than it had started out to be, Ivy could hear some background noises like as if her Father was sneaking away, then she heard a door close silently. That confirmed it. ¡°I have escaped for now but she wille for me soon to make her point. Let us quickly make the best of this moment before she finds me,¡± He said hurriedly and she suppressed aughter that was bubbling in her throat. She hadn¡¯t even told him anything yet and he was already making her feel better. ¡°Okay. All good?¡± ¡°Yes. I just missed you. That is why I called.¡± ¡°Missed me?¡± her Father repeated in a suspicious tone. ¡°Ivy, do you need me to fly back home right now? It might take me an hour or two but you know I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°No, no! Of course not.¡± ¡°Then what should I do?¡± He asked, his voiceced with worry. ¡°I feel like all isn¡¯t well. Are you still having troubles with Elsa?¡± ¡°No.¡± She quickly stopped him from making further guesses. The more worried his questions came through, the more she was starting to feel like just telling him the whole truth. There was no rules against it. Not one that Chris or Elsa had told her, she just really felt that she shouldn¡¯t say anything about it. She wouldn¡¯t want anything happening to her parents as a result of a mere knowledge about a particr thing or anyone harming them because of it. She didn¡¯t want what had happened to Elsa to happen to them. ¡°A good joke will really go a long way right now.¡± ¡°What a coincidence. I¡¯m just got ride of my work mood and put on the ¡®Telling Jokes Mood¡¯ on about some minutes ago.¡± She chuckled, ¡°what can I say? I¡¯m the lucky one.¡± She signed with relief that he wasn¡¯t pushing. That was her father though, he knew how to be patient and he knew when to let things go¡­. even if it was for that moment and he would be bringing it up some other time. ¡°So there was this woman, she said to her doctor¡ª¡± her started, telling her jokes and jokes, some she hadughed to and others she had questioned, telling him it wasn¡¯t funny. Her Father had replied that it was, and that the only problem was that she didn¡¯t have high enough humour IQ to have gotten the joke. ¡°So different jokeses with different humour IQs and can only be appreciated by those with the adequate or exceeding humour IQs.¡± ¡°There are exceptions but that is mainly the general rule.¡± ¡°Oh no,¡± sheughed, her hand over her mouth, her cheeks aching from how many times they had rose up as she threw her head back in fullughter while on the phone with her Father. Then slowly, theughter died down, the mood light-hearted. ¡°You know you can always tell me anything, don¡¯t you?¡± Her Father asked, this time his voice was not filled with worry but that of assurance. ¡°No matter how ridiculous and cringy it may sound, I¡¯ll always take your word for it.¡± He added on a lighter note. ¡°I know,¡± she whispered. Tears welling up in her eyes once again. She was lucky to have him, she knew it. ¡°Goodnight, I love you.¡± She bit down on her lips, holding back her tears waiting for a couple of seconds till she was alright to talk normally, before she said, ¡°I love you too, Pa. You and Ma, I love you both very much.¡± There was silence for a merely a second. Then he call her name out in worry once again, ¡°Ivy¨C¡± His voice was quickly interrupted by her Mother¡¯s voice. ¡°There you are! I¡¯ll have you know that my rtionship with my daughter is splendid. I am the fun parent.¡± ¡°All you do is work.¡± ¡°And look for a suitable husband for her. Someone has to do it. I¡¯m trying my best as a Mother with responsibilities and she knows it.¡± Ivy bursted intoughter.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. It must have been so loud because the next thing, her mother was requesting for the phone. ¡°Is she still on the phone?¡± ¡°She is tired for tonight,¡± he said, his voice light and cheery. ¡°Give the phone to me.¡± ¡°No way I¡¯m letting you stop my daughter from having her full eight hours sleep because you want to prove a point.¡± Instantly, the line went dead. Her Father had hung up. She put her fist against her stomach,ughing once again, the tears that had welled up in her eyes rolling down her cheeks. She was indeed, really lucky. Then therea ding. A messge. Was it from her mo¨C it was Elsa. She opened the message, wondering what it might be, considering how they had left this off this evening. ¡°I totally forgot we had to agree on a lie. Before you tell my Aunt anything, please run it by me. I won¡¯t like us to have different stories. She hadn¡¯t been blowing up my phone yet, so believe you had already told her a couple of lies to cover up my sudden absence from home. Don¡¯t forget to text me what it is. Our stories have to be the same. I love you.¡± She put down the phone, suddenly feeling to drained to reply. When sheid back in bed this time, she only looked up at the ceiling, not trying to will her body or mind to do anything. While everything stayed nk for that moment, before returning back to normal. She came to a decision then. Come tomorrow, she would be making her necessary move. *** She had called Chris the next day but what she had to tell him had definitely not been something that he was pleased with. She wanted to go back home. He had tried to stop her, telling her that still hadn¡¯t had that talk yet, but she had fired back, point nk, that she had nothing to say to him. Surprisingly, after that, he had let her go. Even arranged a ride for her. Maybe it was because he thought that she needed time to process everything. She had tried to say goodbye to Elsa too but Chris had said she was busy. Something that Ivy didn¡¯t believe in but she hadn¡¯t argued with. Instead, she slipped into the car and Jett had driven her home. Immediately she got back home, she locked the doors had a long bath, fall on her bed and slept off. The next thing that woke her up was the doorbell and¡­ police car sirens? Chapter 38 – Curious Cat They must have gotten the wrong house because everything was alright here or¡­ could this be about Elsa, did the government know about them? What would they do to them? What about her? She a criminal now? Different questions ran through her mind as she turned the key in the keyhole, then pushed the door slightly. ¡°Yes, I have every reason to believe that my daughter has been kidnapped for some days now.¡± She heard her Father¡¯s voice filter in. Wait, her Father?! How was he back?! Last time she had spoken to him, he was in CarDavo. ¡°Also all the locks have been changed,¡± that was her Mother¡¯s voice, firm and clear against the sirens that were ring loudly in the background. What was she¨C? ¡°Whenst did you speak to your daughter, ma¡¯am?¡± That was a strange voice, most likely belonging to a police officer. Now she understood what was going on. For some reasons that she couldn¡¯t quite point out, her parents had thought she had been kidnapped and had taken the first flight down here to rescue her. The fact that she had changed all the locks when she had a fight with Elsa hadn¡¯t helped matters. She decided to pushed the door open ande out to them. Her head was still in a state of a blur, she couldn¡¯t quite follow the turn of event after that. All she knew was that she was pressed into hugs, then her mother had handled the police while her Father led her back inside. He barely had the chance to bombard her with questions, when her Mother stepped in. ¡°Well, that has been handled,¡± she said, her gazending on Ivy. ¡°Your Father made us take the first flight home. What happened? You are sick? You need a husband?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Ma.¡± ¡°There are many bachelors at the beach,¡± she continued. ¡°We can fly back in a couple of hours. Heard you and Elsa¡¯s are having a fight. Get her to fly back with us, she¡¯ll find a husband too and all will be alright.¡± Ivy let out a frustrated sigh, sitting back on the sofa, her gaze on her parents, ¡°what made you even think that I wasn¡¯t fine?¡± ¡°I said I love you and you said ¡®I love you too¡¯,¡± her Father stated point nk, like as if that statement justified everything. Then he continued, ¡°you said ¡®I love you too instead of ¡®nah¡¯ or ¡®there is no room for that muchiness in here¡¯. I thought it was like a cue, a cry for help you created on the spot because you were been threatened to pretend you were okay.¡± ¡°I d-didn¡¯t notice that.¡± Her Father held her hands, pulling her up before resting his palms on her shoulders, checking her all over with his eyes. ¡°Are you sure you are fine?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Pa.¡± Then her mother came over and pulled her into an embrace. ¡°Ah Romito,¡± she patted her head. ¡°I missed an Investors¡¯ meeting because of you. The things I do for you sometimes.¡± Then she let her and went to the kitchen. ¡°Ma missed an Investor¡¯s meeting?¡± Ivy asked, surprised.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Her Father shrugged, his lips stretching in a mischievous grin. ¡°I told her you might be in grave danger.¡± Ivy chuckled. ¡°You should have just asked me.¡± ¡°I did but you always said nothing was wrong, and I felt like something was, so I decided to be very observant.¡± Ivy stepped forward, holding her Father¡¯s hands in gratitude, ¡°thank you foring back.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. So I don¡¯t deserved to be thanked foring back?¡± She asked, using a teaspoon to stir the tea in the small teacup in her hand. ¡°No, don¡¯t get it wrong. I¡¯m not jealous. I am above that. Goodnight.¡± Then she turned up the stairs to her room, but she continued mumbling, loud enough for them to hear. ¡°I was stuck in the ne, missing my meeting, worried sick, yet no thank you for me? Can you imagine that?¡± ¡°Thank you, Ma,¡± Ivy shouted after her, suppressing augh. ¡°Keep your ¡®thank you¡¯, Romito. I don¡¯t want it.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not going to take it back.¡± She said something back but she was too far gone up the stairs for Ivy to hear. ¡°You are sure everything is alright with Elsa?¡± ¡°Yes, Pa.¡± ¡°Good, good.¡± He nodded. ¡°We might have to leave back to CarDavo in three days. We still have unfinished business.¡± Then he pulled her into an embrace again. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to be back. I have missed you.¡± She smiled. Shs had missed them too. *** It had been over a week now and things have been as normal as they could be. Elsa was back and she wasn¡¯t at the same time. The thing was that, she came home once to give a believable excuse to Aunt Alice as to why she wouldn¡¯t be home for a while. The truth was that she was staying with Chris, learning how to control her instincts while her need for blood was been attended to. Where were they even getting it from?! Was it human blood? An animal¡¯s? Ivy had thought about it a couple of times but she had quickly stopped herself because she kept going round and round in her thoughts and instead of a conclusion, all she got was a headache. Talking of Chris, he had been sending her a lot of messages. Trying to convince her to agree to meeting up with him so that they could talk. Although it was slightly annoying that ¡°My Christopher¡± kept popping up on her phone in ces that she wished it didn¡¯t.She caught a couple of sly nces her way at the bar, they were most likely thinking she was here to cheat on her boyfriend. A boyfriend she didn¡¯t even have! She could block his contact, she knew but somehow she didn¡¯t want to. Asides that, she had a feeling that if she did, he would still find a way to try andmunicate with her again. All her efforts would go down the drain. Of all the messages he had sent to her, the ones that baffled her the most were those about a im. Hadn¡¯t that been settled already? Why did he keep bringing it up? She had eventually convinced herself that he was just making it all up. But it had been seven days now and she has had the time to go to the club to wash it all out of her system while she got used to the fact that her best friend was a vampire and every other new event in her life. So as sheid on the sofa this sunny Saturday afternoon, she typed the word ¡®vampire¡¯ on her phone and clicked on ¡®search¡¯. It was said that curiousity killed the cat, thank goodness that she was no cat. This wouldn¡¯t kill her¡­ hopefully. Chapter 39 – Monthly Punishment Served Fantasy. Myth. Doesn¡¯t exist. Those and more were the words that confronted her during her search. She had chuckled in her head at them. If only they knew. She had also found some things about the way the vampires were. Some she had remembered a time or two that she could have noticed, and others she immediately knew weren¡¯t true. The search results said that they were cold-blooded, couldn¡¯t walk under sunlight because it would burn them down to ashes, and many other things that even she knew couldn¡¯t possibly be true. The cold-blooded one though, she believed. She had been close to Chris on many asions and he had felt cold against her skin. Silly of her, she had given it many reasonable excuses in the past. But then again, how was she supposed to have reasoned that he was just the cold one? Then what about the time she had tried to help Elsa out of the room immediately when she had woken up? Could it because she was hun-thirsty? Ahhhh. She sighed in her head, scrolling down and reading more. With what she was reading, it if they were thirsty or not, they were like that, everytime. Cold-blooded. Then she read the next search result. The Turning. It was about turning someone into a vampire and she had read something about using a coffin. Ivy¡¯s eyebrows shot up in realization. Elsa had said she hade out of a coffin, and she had thought that she was only saying that because she had hit her head against something or was losing her mind. Arrgh. If she had paid close enough attention, and known of all these, then she would have known to run earlier. Thinking back, she felt like a fool. ¡°Well, things happen,¡± she shrugged as she muttered underneath her breath to herself. She scrolled up, reading more of the search result when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in the lower part of her stomach. She ced a hand tightly over it quickly, leaning forward, breathing heavily like as if her whole life had just shed right before her eyes. It didn¡¯t take long before the pain doubled and soon she was rolling on the floor. She quickly dialed in Elsa¡¯s number, pressing the phone to her ear. The voice that rang through the phone sounded slightly unlike Elsa, although the yfulness was still dominating, Ivy could just feel it that something was different. It seems like the more she stayed in Chris¡¯s home, the more different she got. ¡°Heyyyyyyy, Princess!¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying,¡± shs said lowly, closing her eyes in pain. ¡°What?!¡± Ivy chuckled at her shock and fear, she could even picture her widened eyes in her mind, then almost immediately, herughter got stifled ny pain. It was so good to hear her go lose like that. She had missed it. ¡°My menstrual flow is KILLING me. It is a whole World War III Infinity in here. Can you get over here and take care of me like you use to. Ahhh, I miss you.¡± The line wemt dead for a while, it almost felt like she had hang up and left her talking. ¡°Elsa? Ahh¡ª are you still there?¡± Just when she was about to check the phone¡¯s screen to ensure that she was still there, Elsa¡¯s voice seeped through the phone once again, only that this time, it sounded a lot darker and inhumanly. ¡°Did you just say¡­ blood?¡± ¡°Oh shit!¡± She hung up in a sh, and although her stomach was still hurting like hell, she ran to the door and locked it. Then she called the gate keeper to ensure that nobody gets in. Just to free her conscience, she told him to stay as far away from the gate as he could and try to be safe.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. He had said he would, sounding absolutely confused but that wasn¡¯t the point. The point was that if anything happened to him, she would know she did her best and wouldn¡¯t feel guilty. The menstrual battle got worse quickly. She was down on the floor once again, crawling to the kitchen to try and get herself a ss of warm water. Why must she suffer like this all because she didn¡¯t get pregnant? Was having a vagina a crime? Why must she go through all these pain just because she had decided not to make use of some eggs? Her lips trembled in tears. Thest time she had such painful menstrual experience was about a year ago. In fact she was getting her period today earlier than usual. ¡°Once I survive this, I¡¯ll just get pregnant and avoid this for a couple of months. Got to tell my ma that.¡± That wasn¡¯t any better either. There would a baby at the end of it, waht about childbirth. Ahhh Forget it. ¡°Got to get pregnant! Got to call Ma!¡± ¡°Why your Mum, you can just tell me and we will have it arranged.¡± She heard a voice from a distance behind her. She turned around, her gazending on Chris. He was putting on a brown T-shirt and a pair of ck jeans. His face fell slightly as he muttered something under his breath. She couldn¡¯t hear everything but she had heard him say something along the line of ¡®ossible¡¯. What did that even mean? Whatever he had said wasn¡¯t her business though, she was sure of that, she had questions! ¡°Wait¨Cwhen? How?!¡± ¡°How did I get in? It was easy.¡± He walked up to her, stretching his hands out to help her off the floor. Her heart raced at a thought. Instead of taking his hands, she asked, ¡°did Elsae with you!¡± Chris frowned lightly, looking a little confused. ¡°No.¡± She sighed in relief but it was short-lived. Chris hade to her. The very Chris she had been trying not to talk to was standing right in front of her. She wasn¡¯t ready for any confrontation yet! ¡°You can go back, I was doing fine on¨C Ahhh¨C I w-wasn¡¯t doing fine. I¡¯m not doing fine! Help me, please.¡± He readily wrapped his arms around her, carrying her off the floor to the sofa, while she continued talking quickly from pain and urgency. ¡°The kitchen, warm water. The pain. Killing me.¡± ¡°Rest,¡± he said,ying her on the sofa, a small smile on his face like as if he knew exactly what he was doing and didn¡¯t need to be told anything. ¡°Let me take care of you.¡± Chapter 40 – Talk it Out. He did just that, he took care of her. Feeling better after a while, sheid on the sofa, sipping from her mug of warm ginger tea that Chris had prepared for her, while he finished up in the kitchen. When she saw hime back from the kitchen, she asked him the question that had been bothering her a while ago, while he was taking care of her. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it affect you, the blood, because, you know¡­.¡± He chuckled softly, ¡°No.¡± Then he settled next to her on the chair, ¡°feeling better.¡± ¡°Huh-uh,¡± she nodded. ¡°Thanks to you.¡± Silence settled between them, the voices from the TV fading away into the distance of her mind, before she finally spoke up, bringing up the heavy questions that she had been trying to convince herself for so long that they didn¡¯t matter. But they did, she knew, and she had to ask them now. ¡°You said I imed you. Did I¡­?¡± Her voice paused as she ced the now empty mug on the side table, then she leaned back into the sofa. ¡°Does this have anything to do with your entire destiny being bonded to the person? I¡¯m really confused.¡± ¡°You have been reading a lot of things online.¡± She wasn¡¯t looking at him but she could picture that intrigued look on his face. ¡°I just want to know,¡± she said, her gaze fixed on the TV but not actually looking at it. ¡°You deserve to know. Some of what you¡¯ve read are true. Like the obvious fact that we need blood to survive. We aare super fast.¡± She nodded along, still looking at the TV, while he listed their supernatural abilities, and the times when they had disyed them no matter how subtle or slight yed in her mind. ¡°iming does have to do one¡¯s entire destiny being bonded to another.¡± He finished lightly. ¡°What?!¡± Her gaze turned to him immediately, her eyes widened in shock. ¡°Am I that bad?¡± He chuckled, a little hurt. ¡°No¡ª I¡ª I¡¯m¡­ How does it work?¡± ¡°Well iming is like marriage, just far stronger and more real.¡± Her heart did a little leap at the word ¡®marriage¡¯ for a reason she was too bothered to think about right now. ¡°When two Vampires im each other, they make a verbal deration and make an imprint on each other. For humans, it is the same, only that the process is more time lenient. The verbal iminges first, then the imprint mighte at atter date when the human is ready.¡± ¡°Ready for what exactly? What is the whole imprinting thing about?¡± He turned fully to her, leaning closer, as his fangs slid out slowly from the corners of his lips. ¡°This,¡± he pointed to his fangs, ¡°sank into that,¡± he pointed to one side of her neck, ¡°an imprint. It finalizes it all. A point of no return.¡± She instinctively drew her covers closer in protection. That was the first time she had ever seen him up close with his fangs out. His peaceful and yful demeanour seemed dangerous immediately. Also his words weren¡¯t soforting at the moment. It felt overwhelming. She sat up slowly and the fangs snaked slowly back out of sight. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± But she was and she couldn¡¯t hid it. When she spoke again, the words tumbled out of her mouth, shaky and fast with a sense of desperate urgency. ¡°You could have just rejected it. Why didn¡¯t you?! If you knew all these things I was getting into? Why? I don¡¯t understand. I just¡ª I wanna understand you but I don¡¯t! I don¡¯t get all these!¡± He leaned away from her immediately, seeing how his closeness was affecting her negatively. ¡°Ivy, listen to me please.¡± She kept quiet, trying to catch her breath. ¡°I would never do anything to hurt you,¡± he stated, an emphasis on every word. ¡°You are safe with me. Always.¡± She nodded, taking in then letting an out a long breath. She was thinking about all the things that had happened that night, suddenly all the signs that they were different became obvious in her mind. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you reject it? I read it somewhere that you could.¡± He chuckled, looking anywhere but her, ¡°these sites are quite informative. Might have to pull them down. They already know too much for my liking.¡± His dismissiveness didn¡¯t faze her though. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you reject my im?¡± ¡°No woman like you had ever imed me before.¡± Woman like h¨C? Was he using the flirting game on her right now?! She wanted to tell him that it wasme and hadn¡¯t expected it from him but she had more pressing questions. ¡°We had sex right after. Does that have any effect?¡± He stared right at her at that and she felt even more vulnerable with how intense his gaze had gotten. ¡°It does, very much.¡± ¡°But it was just sex,¡± she said quietly, like as if she was trying to convince herself that was what it had been but it wasn¡¯t working. She had heard him say the word ¡°Yours¡± a couple of times that night and she had counted no meaning to it. How was she to have though? ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t just sex. It was sex that came after a Verbal iming, which is mostly a step towards Imprinting.¡± Her hand flew to a side of her neck, ¡°Oh my goodness, did you¡­¡± ¡°No!¡± Then his voice became apologetically low. ¡°I didn¡¯t. I¡¯m a gentleman, I wouldn¡¯t do such a thing without your consent.¡± ¡°You mean gentle Vamp,¡± she chuckled despite herself. His gaze turned to that of amusement, ¡°how you always manage to find everything funny is beyond me.¡± ¡°It is how I cope,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I understand that this might be so much for you to process at once, I can wait and we can continue thister.¡± He said, sincerely. ¡°Anytter time that you arefortable with, of course.¡± ¡°No. Now is good.¡± She looked at the TV again before looking back at him. ¡°So you didn¡¯t imprint on me because you are a gentleman?¡± ¡°That and some other reasons,¡± he said with finality but the look of expectancy in her eyes made him go on. ¡°Because you didn¡¯t know what you were getting into and there were, still are, otherplications to it.¡± Her forehead furrowed in confusion. ¡°What other¨C¡± she paused. He had said no woman like her had ever imed him before. Remembering what she had read in one of those articles, she might have misinterpreted that statement. She asked her next question carefully. If it was as important as the article had made it sound, then this would determine everything. ¡°Christopher, am I your soulmate?¡± The air in the room seem to have grown heavy.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°No.¡± Chapter 41 – Terms and Tangos ¡°Vampires don¡¯t have soulmates?¡± ¡°They do,¡± he said then added after a small pause. ¡°They used to.¡± She rolled her eyes, getting really frustrated. ¡°You had better start speaking to me in English and I mean ¡°simple english¡¯ not all these ¡®hiding secrets here and there English¡¯.¡± He sighed, ¡°Fine. We used to have soulmates, in the past but as time went on, we just didn¡¯t anymore.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. It just happened. My guess is that probably because we got more mixed up with humans and¨C I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± she leaned back in her seat, not from fear this time but in slight rxation and mighty thinking. ¡°So you no longer have soulmates?¡± His shoulders tensed up lightly and she was afraid that asking the question again might have hit a hard spot. ¡°It¡¯s okay if¡ª¡± she started to say but he cut her off quickly with an exnation. ¡°Thest time any vampire found a soulmate was over a century ago, and that vampire was a Pureblood.¡± ¡°Are you a Pureblood?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°So is there a possibility that your will find your soulmate?¡± He shifted ufortably in his seat and when he spoke his voice was hard, ¡°no.¡± A slow realization drew on her, from the observation of his body reaction. How hadn¡¯t she notice that before? ¡°For how long have you waited?¡± He rested his elbows against hisps, his fingers interlocked tightly, his cold gaze trained on the floor. ¡°Too long.¡± ¡°How old are you?¡± Something ticked in his jaws, he wasn¡¯t looking at her but from the side view she had of his, she could see how hard his face had be. This topic was definitely a sensitive one. She would have to tell whoseover created the rule of never asking a woman of her age to add vampires to the list. Although that would take a lot of convincing, considering the fact that she would have to first convince that the person first that vampires even existed to begin with. Although his recttion had pricked her interest in trying to find out how old he really was, she knew she had to drop it, and so she did. Some other time, she would ask, but not now. ¡°Nevermind that,¡± she chuckled nervously. ¡°So this iming thing can happen between vampires and vampires with just random¡­ humans?¡± It felt odd referring to people as humans but whatever. ¡°Yes.¡± She stuck her tongue to a side of her mouth and scoffed, staring straight at the TV trying to ignore the sudden pang of hurt in her heart. ¡°So, I¡¯m just some random human.¡± ¡°You are not just a random human, Ivy.¡± ¡°Then what am I?¡± She looked right at him only to realized that he was already looking at her, his gaze no longer cold but intense. ¡°You are my Potential,¡± he said with a tone of finality, like that should provide enough answers to all her questions, including those that she hadn¡¯t even asked yet. ¡°And,¡± she drawled, ¡°what is that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°Something close to a Soulmate but not as strong. The difference is that for a Soulmate, there is only one but for a Potential, there is more,¡± his voice was low, and somehow between his exnation, he had drawn closer to her. He had one knee in-between her thighs, the other one on the outside, his elbow resting on the top of the sofa, but his face was a good distance from hers, like he was trying toy it all low and not scare her. ¡°But they are also rare to find, sometimes it even feels impossible.¡± ¡°So, I¡¯m only your Potential, not like a potential for every other, like, vampire, like¨C I¡¯m trying to wrap my head around this, I didn¡¯t see anything about it during my research. It¡¯s a different term, I¨C¡± She stopped, feeling like she was rambling unnecessarily. ¡°Yes,¡± he nodded. ¡°Only mine.¡± Only his? Something shifted in her stomach at that deration. Her heart was starting to race. Not now. She needed to think, she still had questions. ¡°Is that why I feel,¡± she paused in search for better words but just couldn¡¯t find them, her overwhelmed brain not helping, so she continued, ¡°the things I feel for you?¡± His eyes glinted, something about his whole aura changed, and he leaned in, closing up the space between them a little. ¡°What do you feel for you?¡± ¡°Hmmm,¡± she blinked, a feeling slowly seeping through her veins. It felt hot all of a sudden. ¡°Tell me, Ivy,¡± he asked running a knuckle slightly over her throat. ¡°What is that feeling that you feel for me?¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. It felt more powerful now, that feeling. Warm, consuming, from the depth of her stomcah, spreading slowly. ¡°Just intense attraction,¡± she managed to say without ttering. ¡°Intense attraction,¡± he was closer again, she could feel his warm breath fanning her face. ¡°The types that make you have wet dreams?¡± ¡°I¨C¡± her speech screeched to an halt and her breath hitched, when she felt the top of his cold nose brush against the right side of her neck. ¡°You smell so good,¡± his husky voice seeped straight into her right ear. Her hands turned into slow fists on the sofa. ¡°Do you,¡± she gulped, feeling his arm snake around her waist, ¡± do you want my blood?¡± His hand around her waist tightened for a brief moment before his hold on her loosened, and he pulled away to look at her face, his eyes glimmering red with lust. ¡°I want you, Ivy, All of you,¡± his gaze burned at her lips before they moved to her eyes. ¡°Body, blood and soul.¡± Instead of fear, all she could feel was that need that she had been depriving herself of, consuming her with reckless abandon. She reached out for him in a sh, her hands curled against his chest, his shirt in her tight grip, while she sealed her lips against his in a desperate and fierce kiss. She had missed him, so much it was all she could think about. His response was instant. A sound rumpled from within his chest, his hand tightened around her waist as he lean further against her, so she was pressed against him. A muffled moan escaped her lips in response, her hold on his shirt tightened and she opened herself more to him. Surrendering. Oh, how foolish of her to have deprived herself of him for so long. Chapter 42 – Crossroads and T-junctions They pulled apart to breathe. Her grip on his shirt loosened then her forehead creased in a frown, observing something. ¡°Your heart.¡± ¡°What about it?¡± She reach out and levelled a finger slightly underneath his nostrils. ¡°You are bre-breathing?! I thought¨C¡± ¡°Oh, that.¡± He nodded lightly in understanding.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°Is is because you are a Pureblood? That¡¯s why you can do all that?¡± ¡°No,¡± he chuckled lightly. ¡°It¡¯s an illusion.¡± ¡°Illusion,¡± she repeated tly. ¡°Yes,¡± he took her hand pressing it against a part of his chest where his heart should be beating beneath. Her eyes widened in awe. She couldn¡¯t feel anything this time. She ced a finger underneath his nostrils as she had done before. Nothing. ¡°Oh my goodness.¡± Then it returned back to normal. An illusion! ¡°So every vampire can do this?¡± ¡°Yes, it is the way we live undetected in the human society.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you do the same illusion thing with your cold skin?¡± ¡°There are limits to how far we can go. That is one of the limits.¡± She nodded in understanding, taking the information in and burning it to her memory. It felt like everything was done now and she could feel that whatever next question he wanted to ask wasn¡¯t something she was ready to give an answer to yet. Shs could detect it from how serious those brown beautiful eyes of his had gotten. ¡°Ivy?¡± He started and she tensed up. ¡°Uh?¡± She wasn¡¯t ready for this, she so wasn¡¯t ready for this! Thankfully, his phone started ringing at that moment and she looked down instinctively to the direction it was ringing from, somewhere tucked away in one of his pockets. ¡°Your phone is blowing up.¡± ¡°I know,¡± he replied, not making any attempt to reach for it. ¡°We are not done ye¨C¡± ¡°You should answer it,¡± she fired back instantly. He frowned a little before he eased off her, and answer the call. Soon he walked away to one side of the sitting room, out of Ivy¡¯s hearing range, she could still see him though. See how he was pacing around, digging his hand into his pocket then pulling it out, before clenching and unclenching his fist, and once again, a repeat. Then he started walking back to her, the frown no longer on his face but she could sense that whatever it was that he had spoken about on the phone, it was really urgent and it didn¡¯t look like as if he was pleased with it one bit. ¡°That was Jett. I must go.¡± Then he added quickly, ¡°important business matters.¡± He turn,bing the room with his eyes to ensure he wasn¡¯t forgetting something. Worried, she asked before she could stop herself, ¡°Will you be fine?¡± ¡°I¡¯m always fine,¡± he smiled, walking over to her then pressing a kiss against her forehead. ¡°I really wanted to tell you all these from the very beginning, but I was thinking it was going to be too much. So, I thought I should try and make you fall in love with me first the human way, before I tell you, but then there was this thought that kept bothering me. I felt like taking things that way might feel. luje maniption?¡±He said, in a small voice, like as if he was scared of her thinking that way. She chuckled despite herself, looking up at him. ¡°It is maniption.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Then he added, his next words were heavy, his face hard, like as if he didn¡¯t want to say them but they had to be said. ¡°I want you to know that you have a choice.¡± She squinted her eyes at him in confusion. ¡°No imprinting has been done yet.¡± A free hand wandered to a side of her neck, caressing it, then he stopped, pulling his hand away. ¡°You can still leave me if you want and I¡¯ll understand. My world is very different from yours and it has its own risks,¡± he took in a deep breath then exhaled. ¡°We are not the same and if you will be with me, I want you to do that because you want to, not because you feel like you have to.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that going to have any effect?¡± ¡°On you?¡± His hands cupped her face and arge smile crossed his lips, his eyes a little ssy. ¡°You¡¯ll miss me terribly, but you will be fine. I¡¯ll make sure that you are by staying away, as far as possible for as long as possible.¡± Then he added with a dismissive chuckled, ¡°maybe throughout your lifetime?¡± She gulped, a lump suddenly forming in her throat. She could almost feel like a part of her was leaving her. ¡°I was talking about me.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± He smiled again, ¡°while you decide this, worry only about yourself.¡± She frowned, her mind working fast. What would leaving him do to him? ¡°I want to tell you that I have all the time in the world to wait for your answer, but things are happening and they are happening fast. I don¡¯t have so much time to wait anymore.¡± Her heart was racing with worry now. ¡°What¡ª?¡± ¡°In three days from now, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at a restaurant of which I¡¯ll be sending the addresster.¡± ¡°What are yo¨C¡± His phone was ringing again and he quickly started talking, ignoring it. ¡°If you want to be with me,e there and let¡¯s have dinner. If you don¡¯t¨C,¡±he paused, then continue, ¡°if you don¡¯t, stand me up.¡± ¡°Christopher, I¨C¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll never appear in front of you again.¡± A look of longing flickered in his eyes and he pressed his forehead against hers. Shs would have settled for this form of goodbye but the fact that she might never see him again after this, crossed her mind and in no time, she was kissing and he was kissing her back. This time around, when he pulled away from her, in a blink he was gone. She reached for her phone on the side table. There was a message notification. Had he sent the address already?! It wasn¡¯t him though. It was Elsa. The message read, ¡°I was only messing with you scaredy-cat. I¡¯m not on my way to grab you or something, but there is someone on his way though. You know who. This is me doing my best friend duties.¡± She had ended the message with a wink emoji. A warning about something that had already happened. urate timing. She chuckled. A ding. Three messages, all from Chris. The first was an address of the restaurant. The second read, ¡°Ginger tea is in kitchen cab, in case you need more. Take care and see you soon.¡± Her eyes misted as she read thest. ¡°Hopefully.¡± Chapter 43 – Advice? Stay Vampire Clean! Knowing what she was to him and knowing that she now had a choice must have done it. Knowing that whatever step she would take, would determine the totality of her life ced a heavy weight on her mind. She was thinking of what would happen if she decided to be with him and what would happen if she decided not to. Her marriage with her mysterious husband didn¡¯t bother her at all while thinking about the decision to go along with. It was already stated in the contract that she should live a single life, which meant being unbothered about any unnecessarymitment towards Mr. Mystery. What she was truly bothered about was if she was ready to get roped into a supernatural world for the rest of her life. Was she ready to leave this world that she already knew? Was she ready to give it up? He had talked about the supernatural world having its risks too, was she ready to face that? Was she ready for her problems to switch from the thoughts of parties, cars and fashion to whatever it was that the supernaturals thought about? Considering that this was a all or nothing situation, these thoughts bothered her so much! For three days straight, this had been what upied her mind. It was finally the night they were supposed to meet and the clock was ticking nearer and nearer to 9pm, yet she hadn¡¯t made a choice yet. She sighed, looking back at herself in the mirror, the red gown she had picked for the night fitted against her skin perfectly. She was a beauty to behold, she knew. Then she looked back at her phone, her gaze once again on the opened message of the address that she had been staring at for God knows how long. Her rm rang at 8:30pm, and she snoozed it immediately. 15 more minutes and it would ring again. She had been doing this for more than two hours now, fooling herself that she was only trying to buy more time to ensure that she was making the right move. Her phone started ringing again. It wasn¡¯t an rm this time, but a call from her Father. The conversation had been the usual things they would always talk about. Him checking in on her, while her mother grumbled about something he did during the meeting they had earlier in the day, before joining the call, and her smiling while she enjoyed the conversation and wondered how she got so lucky to have them. The call ended about 10 mins after, there wasn¡¯t much to talk about today, her parents were really exhausted from the day¡¯s activities, and she bade them goodbye quickly before her Father would realize something was off with her and they would fly down here again. Crazy!Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She chuckled as she dropped the phone on the dressing table, thinking of how that had turned outst time. Then slowly, her smile faded away and her brows furrowed in deep thinking. Chris had said that while making this decision, she had to think only of herself but that was something she couldn¡¯t do. She had a family and she must think about them too. She wanted to tell herself that there was a way she could keep them out of it but that thought was immediately countered by the memory of what they did to Elsa became of Chris. Her rm rang again and she snoozed it, then leaned back into her thoughts. Whoseover did that to Elsa was definitely from Chris¡¯s world and if she chose to be with him, it meant that she would be putting everything on the line, being an enemy to his enemies. She would be risking everything, including her family! A chill ran over her and her frown deepened. She couldn¡¯t do that. Even she wasn¡¯t ready to go down that hole herself. She wiped off her make up, stood up, turned off the lights and locked the door before she proceeded to strip off her gown to slip into her nightgown. She settled into bed, drawing the covers over herself, as she stared nkly into space. The rm rang again. It was 9pm. Her hands tightened on the pillow, her face hard till the ringing was over, then tears rolled silently down her cheeks and she closed her eyes. Throughout the night she stayed wide awake, asking herself if her decision was right, while she nced in the direction of her phone every once in a while. Chris did not call neither did he send a message. He did exactly as he had promised. As it gotter andter into the night and the silence began to take over, she knew this was it, the end of the road for both of them. *** That had been two weeks ago and ever since then it had all been hell. Chris had been right when he had told her that she would miss him terribly. It felt like a vital part of her had rip out of her and now she was walking around with a void, iplete. She had chosen this path though and so she was willing to deal with the consequences. Besides, Elsa had fortunately been free a lot these days. They had been able to go out together and have fun, it felt good that Elsa was the one initiating all their outings. It almost felt like she made herself free just to catch up and go out with Ivy. Even today they had been out attending all those parties that Ivy would have normally turned down. It had been a long day of fighting her feelings as usual while trying to upy her mind as much as possible. Exhausted and in her nightgown, she sat next to Elsa on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the TV screen with the colorful moving figures. ¡°She is the killer, I¡¯m sure of it.¡± Ivy said, her wordsing out in a drunken slur. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want us to dump this for a romance?¡± Elsa asked for the hundredth time. ¡°Murder mysteries unsettles me.¡± ¡°You?¡± ¡°Especially when they are still unresolved,¡± Elsa added pointedly. ¡°How ironical,¡± Ivy chuckled lowly then she stopped abruptly, looking up quickly at Elsa, then away. She didn¡¯t know why she was thinking about this only now but it just suddenly shed in her mind. Ever since Elsa fought with the Butler, she had never seen him again. Could it be that¡­ Shs looked up at Elsa again then quickly away. No way. Her heart started racing as subtle fear seeped into her veins, considering that she was also now slightly drunk, standing up to get another ss of champagne didn¡¯t go well. She staggered, almost crashing to the floor. Elsa had caught her before that though. A loud sound of something crashing against the floor rang through the room. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ yes?¡± She said standing up to her feet, her gaze on the broken champagne bottle that had dug slightly into her palm. That had happened so fast. She felt Elsa¡¯s hand around her wrist at that moment and the next words she heard sent her into a spiral of fear. ¡°You are bleeding.¡± Chapter 44 – Back and Forth with the Fangs It was foolish to fall for the same trick twice! Or down the same rabbit ho¡ª forget that, willplete itter. Ivy didn¡¯t think twice or at all before she pulled her hand away in a quick jerk. The next thing she knew, she was locking the doors, yelling to the gatekeeper to escape for his life in breath-deprived warnings, and just like that, she was in her car, driving out of thepound and hitting the road. Then, with a final a screech, she was in front of a hotel. Quickly she lodged in, and in no time, she was in her assigned room. As sheid on the bed, after ensuring the the doors and windows were securely locked, she thought to herself. ¡®Not today, Death. Not today.¡¯ *** She had been tempted many times that night to call Elsa, in order to find out of if it was safe enough for her toe home now, but then the thoughts that she might lie to get her there and eventually drain her blood, sent chills down her spine. So, she didn¡¯t. Another temptation she had to resist was calling Chris. She wanted to tell him that Elsa needed help to go back to being normal, although Ivy hadn¡¯t seen her go all vampire on her when she ran away, but that could have just been because she hadn¡¯t waited enough for that to happen. Or could it be that Elsa was already better with control and she hadn¡¯t even go any level of vampire at all? 3:32 am, yet she hadn¡¯t been able to sleep a wink. She just couldn¡¯t stop worrying! What if Elsa broke out of the room and hurt people? What if she had hurt the Gatekeeper or even killed him? What if she was already out hurting people? Or what if her parents took one of their unexpected flights back and Elsa was hurting them right?! She jumped up to her feet and grabbed her keys. She had better go back before she would lose her mind. She rushed back downstairs, while she called her parents over the phone. She got into the car in no time but they still hadn¡¯t picked up and by now, she was really going crazy. Before she hit the road again though, her Father finally picked up. Never had she felt so relieved. They were fine and they were still at CarDavo. Good. She dropped the phone and hit the road. Having in mind that if anything weng wrong or she got home to meet a disaster, she would call Chris. He was the only one that she had in mind a d despite everything that was going on right now He seemed like the best shot. She must have driven so fast because in no time, she was back in thepound. From the looks of things, everything seemed to be fine, there wasn¡¯t blood everywhere and the gatekeeper had seem fine, he even offered her a sympathetic look when locking the gate. Whatever that was for. She went into the house and everything seemed fine. The locks were still intact, but what surprised her the most was the fact that Elsa was still on the sofa when she stepped into the sitting room. She moved closer carefully, her finger barely am inch above Chris¡¯s contact on her phone, in case of emergency, all she had to do was click. But when she finally came around and stood in front of Elsa, her heart slowly felt cold. There were many alcohol bottles littered over the table. ¡°I just discovered something terrible about being a vampire,¡± Elsa said, raising a ss to get lips. ¡°you just can¡¯t get drunk, ¡°then she let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back against the sofa, ¡°no matter how hard you try.¡± Ivy wanted to take a step closer but Elsa¡¯s voice stopped her quickly. ¡°Careful, I haven¡¯t been able to clean the bottles yet. Mood issues.¡± ¡°What is going on?¡± Ivy asked,pletely lost. ¡°I¡¯m trying to get drunk,¡± Elsa looked straight at her, her eyes quite ssy with azy smile on her face. ¡°I thought¨C you¡¯d be¨C¡± ¡°Going after you for your blood? Come on, I learnt control from the best. My Sire is unmatched,¡± she ended with a wink. ¡°Hmmm,¡± Ivy looked away at the thought of Chris, her grip still tight around her phone. Then Elsa left and came back with materials to clear up the broken bottle pieces before disappearing back to the kitchen to dispose them properly. When she came back, Ivy didn¡¯t join Elsa on the sofa, instead she sat on the opposite one, her finger still lightly over Chris contact disyed on her phone¡¯s screen. One could never be too careful. ¡°I like this, you know. I like being fast and strong, and beautiful, of course. This enteral youth thing going on,¡¯ she sat up, her stance a little yful. ¡°Do you know how much I would have spent on my skin in future if I hadn¡¯t be this,¡± sheughed hysterically. ¡°Probably all my fortune, because I love to look goodddd.¡± This conversation felt absolutely unsettling. Elsa¡¯s smile slowly dwindled, ¡°But I also get to have ws, crace blood, have fangs, my skin is fucking cold all the fucking time, and I know my heart isn¡¯t beating even if I can fool everyone that it is,¡± she paused, then added, ¡°I know I¡¯m not breathing.¡± Ivy looked away, blinking away the tears that was slowly welling up in her eyes.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°And the most annoying thing is I can¡¯t get drunk. I mean, normally, it¡¯s hard for me to and now, it¡¯s just impossible,¡± Elsa chuckled again, but Ivy didn¡¯t join in. This wasn¡¯t funny. Herughter stopped abruptly and she exhaled, silence surrounding them. ¡°But then it¡¯s all my fault.¡± She pured herself another ss and gulped it down. ¡°I always said handsome men would be my doom, I didn¡¯t know they would actually be the death of me,¡± her lips dipped at the corners and she shrugged. ¡°Crazy, right?¡± ¡°I thought you were happy,¡± Ivy said quietly, observing the look in Elsa¡¯s eyes. ¡°I prefer this to bring dead. I mean I¡¯d but¨C you know what I mean.¡± Ivy frowned, realizing something, ¡°you are not happy.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t kn¨C¡± her voice faded abruptly, choked with tears. ¡°This is too much for me, it happened so fast and I¡¯m grateful for everyone, don¡¯t get me wrong, I really am. I¡¯m not mad that I was saved or at the cost, I¡¯m sure about that. But being happy, I haven¡¯t thought about it. I didn¡¯t want to.¡± She paused. ¡°I wanted to pretend everything was back to normal and I¡¯ve managed to fool myself that it was, until tonight, I saw that fear in your eyes again, how you ran away from me.¡± ¡°Elsa.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, I¡¯m dangerous. It¡¯s just you¡¯ve never looked at me like that. But then, I was never a life threatening monster until now.¡± She signaled to Ivy¡¯s hand on her phone screen. Ivy bit her lip feeling a little uneasy but she still kept her hand there. ¡°You are not a monster,¡± she said Instead, but her words were not convincing enough, even to her own self. ¡°I am. The only nice thing about it, is that Ie in a sexy disguise,¡± shs said dismissively, then added in a serious pleading voice, ¡°Can you just trust me a little bit, that I¡¯ll never hurt you.¡± ¡°That is going to take a lot of work. I still remember how¨C you know what? It¡¯s going to take all the work in the world.¡± ¡°Well,¡± she stood up. ¡°I better start doing all the work in the world then. Have to start by clearing this bottles.¡± She picked them up and left. Ivy¡¯s tight grip around her phone loosened, and she stared in the direction of the Kitchen where Elsa had disappeared to. She was still dealing with the consequences of having to make a life changing decision only a week ago and now, here was another one. Arrgh! She needed a break! Chapter 45 – Not Suspicious At All! As promised, Elsa was doing all the work in the world for them to get back to how they used to be, and they were getting there, slowly and steady but it was still progress. Elsa spent a lot of time around but she was always having to leave in-between conversations to answer her phone calls, send back emails or text back messages. Ivy assumed that whatever work Jett was always doing, some had now been shifted on her best friend and that was what she always had to do on the phone, so to Ivy, this was absolutely normal. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that,¡± Elsa said setting her phone back on the table before leaning back in the sofa. Today was different, instead of going out to party, they both decided to stay in watch a Ro. Ivy could not be more grateful that her job wasn¡¯t a real job ¨C no, it was real! She couldn¡¯t be more grateful that her job was created majorly for her and her sudden disappearance from the workce wouldn¡¯t affect anyone, also she would go unpenalized. That sounded spoiled, right after she thought about it, but it was true. If she had indeed had a job at this moment of her life and she wasn¡¯t who she was, she would be battling with a really difficult situation of asking her boss for an ¡°Emergency Heartbreak Leave¡± that would only expire once she felt her heart was whole again. A Emergency Heartbreak Leave? Did that even exist? Would they understand?Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Ahhh. She doubted it. How lucky it was to be her. Maybe Elsa was right, she was indeed, a spoilt princess. But seriously, heartbreak sucked. It felt¨C it felt so¨C aaargh! There was no word to desire this non-physical pain. It felt so painful. ¡°What did I miss?¡± Elsa¡¯s voice snapped her right out of her thoughts. She tsked, ¡°nothing much.¡± Then titling her head towards the phone set face down on the table, she asked, ¡°Online work?¡± Elsa said with a smile, ¡°Hmmm, something like that.¡± ¡°We are watching horror next,¡± Ivy said, her gaze on the moving figures on the TV. ¡°Absolutely not. I¡¯m not in the mood for all that scary nonsense.¡± Ivy¡¯s gaze flew to her immediately, ¡°scary non¨C do you think you have a right to say that?!¡± Elsa shrugged, ¡°why not?¡± Ivy sat up quickly, really to debate this to the end. ¡°A vampire¡¯s world is just as scary as a horror movie.¡± Elsa busted intoughter, throwing her head back before fighting it, in order to stopughing. ¡°Come on, Princess. It¡¯s totally different.¡± ¡°How?¡± Ivy¡¯s eyes twinkled with curiousity. Maybe this would be her chance to know more about them once again. She would dly take it. ¡°Well,¡± Elsa started, the Ro forgotten. ¡°The vampire world is just like the human world, it¡¯s not like a movie. There arews, the way things are and there is even a bigger world,¡± her voice pitched with excitement as she dramatized howrge it was with her hands. ¡°There are Houses and so many¡ª¡± her words stopped abruptly. ¡°And? Go on.¡± She shook her head, folding her arms across her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t tell you.¡± Ivy frowned, ¡°You might have forgotten about this huge detail but I¡¯ll remind you, we are best friends. We tell each other everything!¡± Her mind immediately shed to that one secret she was keeping from Elsa but she shook it off immediately. ¡°I know,¡± she started, her voice apologetic. ¡°But my Sire doesn¡¯t want me telling you about us.¡± Ivy observed the use of ¡®us¡¯ but made noment about it. Elsa was really adapting to all these fast. She was happy for her best friend. What seemed to bug her mind though was the mention of Chris. ¡°And you are going to obey him?¡± ¡°I must, he is my Sire.¡± Then she added, ¡°besides, he is good. It makes obeying him¡­ good.¡± Must be strange for Elsa. She wasn¡¯t really a type to strictly obey. ¡°You¡¯ve changed,¡± Ivy said quietly. ¡°Because I now suck blood!¡± Elsa giggled, dramatizing. ¡°You blood sucker!¡± Ivy joined in the joke, dramatically trying to get away from her. The moment of fun died down in a few seconds and they were back to where they started. Breathing heavily, Ivy nodding before she chuckled lowly and said, ¡°so a day woulde when someone would tell you to keep something from me and you¡¯ll actually do that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Elsa wrapped her arms around her. ¡°How do I make it up to you?¡± ¡°You could order pizza¡­¡± Elsa let her go, reaching for her phone, ¡°just that?¡± ¡°And ice cream.¡± ¡°Just that?¡± ¡°Well, since you are asking, you can also buy me a. Having a to my name will really soothe my pain.¡± ¡°Ah, Princess! You drive a hard bargain but I¡¯ll agree on your terms.¡± That sent Ivy crackling withughter once again and Elsa joined in. While Elsa returned back to making the order, Ivy¡¯s gaze turned to the TV but her mind was far away. The mention of Chris earlier had got her thinking of him for the umpteenth time today. How was it that he had easily moved on from her? For her, moving on from him was hard. These past few days, she had gotten drunk, cried to Elsa about it, became really unproductive, had to stop turning in for work. She was a mess! How was he having it so easy while, it was the other way around for her! How could he easily just not appear to her. How dare he stay away from her. How dare he so as he had promised! She missed him. But how dare she wish for the result of a choice she had turned down. How dare she be so confused! How dare she still want him despite knowing the risk. How dare the Universe make her life soplicated?! She could feel her eyes ache as they turned ssy with tears. She had been crying way too muchtely. This was back for her beauty care. Thank goodness she wasn¡¯t wearing makeup. Another thank goodness that Elsa was sitting behind her, which didn¡¯t allow her to see that she was tearing up again. She just didn¡¯t want to bother Elsa with a repeated narration about how hard she was having all these, she also didn¡¯t feel like talking, it would only make it worse. Talking would make her think about him even more and she would cry even more. ¡°Okay,¡± she felt Elsa standing up from the Sofa. ¡°Delivery is here, I¡¯ll be back in a sec.¡± Ivy nodded, not turning around. She heard the door close shut and she waited. A second turned into more seconds then five minutes. The phone on the table was vibrating from notifications. Ivy picked it up. If it was another party invitation, or date, she was ready to turned it down. Respectfully, of course. As respectfully as her sad state could allow. But it wasn¡¯t those, in fact these messages weren¡¯t for her because this wasn¡¯t her phone! Elsa must have identally taken Ivy¡¯s phone along with her. She was ready to drop it right back on the table in order to receive a good pat on the back from the god of Privacy, but the next message that popped up changed that immediately. Then there was an inflow of messages, popping up on the screen, messages she definitely shouldn¡¯t have seen. Chapter 46 – Send That Risky Text May Elsa forgive her for this. She inputted the password as fast as she could, opening the chat and scrolling up till it finally stopped midway, allowing her to read the message. ¡°How is she?¡± That had been a message from Chris. ording to the timeline indicated below the message, he had sent this some days ago. ¡°She is drunk,¡± was Elsa¡¯s reply within seconds. There were a couple of voice notes sent back and forth before another message from Chris. ¡°You are at a Club! I mean that is alright, she is free to do whatever she wants. Just make sure she doesn¡¯t end up with an abusive guy, a useless drunk or some yer that is only after her money or some useless dude.¡± Ivy¡¯s eyes misted with tears as she read through the characteristics of the guy that he wanted Elsa to make sure she left the club with and that was if she really wanted to. Then he ended the list with a ¡°she is free to be with whosoever she wants though. Just make sure that person has all these characteristics. I don¡¯t want her to get hurt or anything.¡± ¡°Yes, Sire.¡± Then there had been another message from him after five minutes. Like as if he had read the list and thought that it was a little too interfering. ¡°SHE IS FREE TO BE WITH ANYONE. ANYONE OF HER CHOSING.¡± She scrolled up again, wondering when Elsa giving reports about her to Chris had started. The first message had been from Chris, as she read it, the words made her heart terribly. It was almost like as if she could hear his voice in her head, saying those words. ¡°I will not be seeing Ivy again. Please take the month off and be with her. It is going to rough and tough for us. So please, take good care of her for me.¡± Then he had sent after some minutes ¡°There is Ginger tea in the kitchen cab. She is on her period and might need it for her cramps.¡± This must have been the day the he had surprised her with a visit while she was dealing with her cramps. Her eyes became blurry with tears, she scrolled through the messages quickly, arriving at thestest one, that was the one that had been sent some minutes ago. ¡°Do you think she is fine? Like truly fine?¡± Ivy wiped her tears off with her nket, her throat was already getting choked with tears. But before she could process her thoughts properly and thoroughly, another message popped up the screen. It wasn¡¯t from Chris this time, instead it was from a group chat named, Blood House¡¯s VIV. What kind of name was that? She had wanted to ignore the message, her intruding was enough, but her eyes caught a few words and she knew immediately that this chat was also about her. ¡°By the Blood, I wish I could strangle him! He had been so disoriented, the work is killing me. I¡¯ve never hated being his second inmand so much. He is still lock up in¡­.¡± That must have been Jett. Since she was reading it from the pop up without fully opening the group chat, she couldn¡¯t read the full message. Then from another, ¡°Why, with your sanity still very much with you, would you let go of a Potential?¡± Jett again, ¡°His inconsistent feeding is starting to baffle me.¡± ¡°This just means more work for me. I want to say I don¡¯t get paid enough for this but I do.¡± Then there was a message from Chris, not part of the group chat. ¡°I need a reply, is she alri¨C¡± ¡°Snooping around!¡± The phone got snatched away from her. She looked up with her teary eyes to see a blurry view of Elsa standing right in front of her. She wiped her tears away quickly, shaking her head apologetically. ¡°That¡¯s private,¡± Elsa frowned, dropping the box of pizza and ice cream on the table while she quickly went through her phone, her fingers firing be quick responses. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¨C¡± ¡°How much did you see?¡± She looked up, putting the phone away. They both knew they had been caught in something very awkward but no one was ready to address it. Elsa had been caught giving back reports about her to Chris. She wasn¡¯t angry about it though. Instead it made her feel better to know that he was having it hard, just as she was. Then the messages had made her feel bad for the same reason. Arggh! She had also been caught snooping around too. There were no innocent parties here. ¡°Not enough to change my decision,¡± Ivy forced a smile. ¡°O-kay,¡± Elsa said in an almost disappointed tone, returning Ivy¡¯s phone that she had identally taken along with her a while ago. Ivy excused herself after that, running up the stairs and straight to her room. That statement had been a full blown lie. She shut the door firmly, then paced around the room, her heart beating wildly in her chest. He had been worried about her? Worried just as much as she had been worried about him. He hadn¡¯t even fed. Fear surged through her veins at that thought. Oh goodness! He hadn¡¯t fed! Wasn¡¯t starving himself going to have adverse effect on him. Her eyes widened at an idea. She could fix that.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. She grabbed her phone, clicking away on it, as she set up a date at hourter in the night, reserving VIP sears at her parents¡¯ restaurant. After that, she took in a deep breath and clicked on Chris contact, before she starting a message. ¡°Let¡¯s meet.¡± Along with the text, she tagged an address. Then she paused for only a moment, her finger hovering over the ¡°send¡± button. This was stupid. Not just stupid. Risky and stupid! She knew. But did she care? No. Her decision was hurting them both and she was done ying pretend. With a tap, she knew it was done. Risky Text? Sent. Chapter 47 – Worth the Risk? Risky texts were called risky for a reason and that was because they were indeed risky. Sneaking away from Elsa hd been very easy. She had told her that she wanted to go out alone to get Pa¡¯s restaurant and Elsa had nodded in agreement, walking over to a mirror to style her hair, that was now getting more ck than purple as time went by. Something Ivy was thankful for because Elsa¡¯s purple hair always reminded her of their fight, which she really hated to remember. Elsa had turned around, telling her that she also had somewhere to be. They had both left the house after that, leaving in their cars to two different directions. That had been more than going to two hours ago. Ivy was certain that Elsa didn¡¯t follow her here or used where she had to as a cover up. to stalk her. Elsa had called about some minutes ago and Ivy had heard Jett¡¯s voice in the background, along with someone she wasn¡¯t sure she knew. ¡°So how is your dinner date going?¡± ¡°I said it isn¡¯t a date,¡± Ivy had mumbled on the phone. ¡°Whatever you say. Enjoy it, Princess!¡± With that she had hung up. Ivy rubbed her palms over her bare shoulders, looking out through the window as the low and soft music ying in the restaurant filled her ears. The light at the table she was seated was a dim blue. The table was also set at corner, offering some privacy from the rest of the restaurant. She had asked for this table to be reserved because she had thought the vip qualities would be of great use. She had been right about that, although the qualities came in handy in a way she hadn¡¯t wanted. Ivy took another sip from her wine ss, her hundredth sip in thest two hours, looking down at the moving vehicles and the clourful street light. She remembered that when she had arrived here in her purple dinner gown, it hadn¡¯t been so dark in the sky and the road hadn¡¯t been so colourul. She looked into the restaurant, around her, just in time to see a couple standing up and kissing each other good bye before going to the door. That was the fifth couple she was watching leave the restaurant, funny she had been seated here when they had arrived about over an hour ago. She frowned, suppressing the tears that were burning at the back of her eyes. She shouldn¡¯t havee here. She shouldn¡¯t have sent him that text. What was she thinking? How foolish of her to have thought that after saying no, and seeing that the ¡®No life¡¯ wax unbearable, she could pull a fast one on him, say yes and he would just happily hop on the train like nothing happened. Even if it did seem like he had wanted the same tbing. She swiped her phone open, to see if there was anything from him. Nothing. No calls, no texts, just absolutely nothing. It had been over 2 hours now, in a couple of minutes, it would be three. Another thing about risky texts was that once you make that first dig by sending the first one, you just somehow, keep digging yourself a grave by sending more and more messages that would never get a reply, more and more calls that would never get answered. All shame lost, all caution thrown to the wind as you dig a graverge enough to bury the broken pieces of your heart once suddenly realize how unnecessarily far you¡¯ve gone. That was what had happened to Ivy and right now, she was starting to regret. She had called him 20 times within thest three hours. What was she? A maniac?! Nah, that was absolutely ¡®simp behavior¡¯ and she was no simp. How had she even endured to wait for so long while creating excuses for him in her head. She frowned. What nonsense. Chris could go to hell for all she cared. She never wanted to see him again. It was a good thing he didn¡¯te. Why had she even set up this date? She felt warm liquid run down her cheek and she wiped it off aggressively. Tears? How pathetic! To think that she had used her really expensive mascara tonight. Nah, she wasn¡¯t doing this. She stood up, pulling her bag over her shoulder. She would go out right now and go to a club or something. All she needed was a few shots and probably a good dick and she would be fine. She knew she was lying to herself, but could she be med? She had got to try to pretend like this wasn¡¯t breaking her to her very bones. She turned to leave, but she caught a glimpse of someone almost running through the restaurant like if he waste for a meeting here. She scoffed. Must be a Chris. It wasn¡¯t until the man was in front at her table did she realize that he wasn¡¯t just ¡®a¡¯ but ¡®her¡¯ Chris. She froze momentarily. He came? ¡°I¡¯mte,¡± he said sounding a little breathless which was very unlike him. An illusion, she quickly reminded herself. ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop thinking,¡± he went around the table, till he was standing right next to her, he turned her to him gently, ¡°if it was wise toe. I promised you that I will stay away, that I will make it easy for you.¡± Then he slowly pushed her back to her seat, going on one knee in front of her. ¡°I should have known you will regress, by the Blood, I should have blocked your number, anything to help you with this. I knew it would be tedious and I should have shut down every way for you to reach back to me, but then I just couldn¡¯t. When I saw your messages, voice notes and your calls, I knew I should¡¯ve ignored them but I missed your voice so much¡­¡± His voice trailed off and he held her hands. ¡°I miss you.¡± He looked up at her again, his eyes a little ssy, a subtle smile on his face. ¡°I couldn¡¯te here looking all pale and¨C well Jett told me that I looked ¡ª I wanted toe running here but¨C¡± he looked around the restaurant and back. ¡°I don¡¯t think I will be a good sight, so I had to feed and that took time too, plus the fact that I had to rethink everything and¨C¡± he let out a sigh of frustration, caressing her hand again. ¡°I really missed you.¡± He looked up expectantly but she said nothing in return. ¡°Ivy?¡± The tears that had welled up in her eyes finally dropped, she dropped to her kneels, pulling him into a tight embrace. ¡°You came.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Chapter 48 : A Storm is Promised He stood up slowly, pulling her to her feet along with him. ¡°I did,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°How could I not?¡± That was another thing about risky text, some are just worth the risk. After that, they settled down and they had dinner, talking about how their rtionship that had finally began would proceed from there on. Chris was very intentional about about how human he wanted it, and how that was how it would have been if she hadn¡¯t found out so quickly. He didn¡¯t want to rush her into another world that she might not be fully prepared for, and she understood, appreciating the fact that he cared. She was kind of intrigued though and interested at what his way and his world would be like, but she was still trying to get use to everything and like he had said, maybe it was best bit to rush it. This also meant that for now, he would be keeping her away from the meeting, the Houses she had heard snippets about and most things about the vampires. This once again, he said, was for the best. Once they were done, they headed to the door. Just as they they stepped out, Jett was right in front of them, looking absolutely stressed, his eyes scrutinizing and calcting. Then he nodded like as if he had reached a conclusion, saying quickly, ¡°Nice night, fights resolved, love blossomed again, absolutely good.¡± ¡°Good evening, Jett.¡± Ivy greeted with a smile. ¡°Good evening. As much as I wouldn¡¯t like to ruin this, I have to take Chris back to the meeting he ditched toe here.¡± ¡°You were in a meeting?¡± Ivy asked, turning to him. That exined how his phone had been blowing up earlier before he jammed on the power button and switched it off. ¡°It wasn¡¯t important,¡± Chris shrugged. ¡°It was,¡± Jett fired back, ¡°and it still is. We have to get back.¡± ¡°Just a few more minutes, you can take care of them for just a¨C¡± ¡°I can not, Sire. If I wasn¡¯t already dead, they would have killed me. We must go back right now!¡± Chris red at him, a low growl rumbling from his chest. ¡°Sire,¡± Jett quickly added, although it didn¡¯t look like he was terrified to his bones. ¡°You have to get back,¡± Ivy said and Chris turned to her, the re immediately reced with a look of longing. ¡°I will drive home and we will see tomorrow.¡± ¡°Really? Tomorrow seem so far. I can have Jett drive you to my house and we can¨C¡± ¡°No, let¡¯s see tomorrow.¡± Ivy said gently, her eyes glinting with happiness as she tried to hold back a chuckle. She had caught a glimpse of Jett¡¯s face when Chris had made that offer and that could easily be the funniest frustrated look she had ever seen. Chris¡¯s cold lips sealed against hers, snapping her out of her thoughts. Her hands went around his neck, pulling him closer, letting him deepen the kiss. They seem to be lost in the moment till Jett frustrated sigh brought them back. ¡°The meeting, please!¡± ¡°Fine, fine.¡± They pulled apart and despite Jett¡¯s persistent reminder, Chris still ensured that he walked Ivy to her car. When Ivy got back home, Elsa¡¯s was no where to be found. She was most likely at the meeting too. She took a bath, refreshed and now in her nightgown, she snuck into her nkets. At that moment, her phone dinged with a notification. It was an email. From Jett? It read: ¡°Words alone cannot express my gratitude for finally deciding to be with my Sire, Yours Girl. I owe you plenty.¡± She chuckled, texting back a reply. ¡°I think I¡¯m the one that owes you plenty. Thank you for taking care of him for me.¡± The reply was within seconds. ¡°Acknowledged, please do not send another reply concerning this, or I might be forced to add you to my spam list. Best regards.¡± Well, on that note, a silent goodnight to him. The breeze would convey it. Then she called her parents. She was so happy that even her Mother noticed and asked if she had finally found someone on her own, so that she could start immediately nning the wedding and get her out of their house. She said no. One of the things her and Chris had agreed on was that she wouldn¡¯t introduce him to her parents. They still had a lot of things to process and that move might be one that was too quick. Also if they weren¡¯t careful enough, they believed it had the potential of putting their lives at stake and ruining everything. Her mother had wanted to press further but her Father had helped her avoid that situation, although he seemed to be curious about why she was so happy too, he didn¡¯t push. He only told her he was happy, she was happy. ¡°Tell me it is what I think it is. Tell me me now!¡± Elsa begged, the words tumbling out of her mouth. Right after she had dropped her parents call, Elsa¡¯s call came in. I¡¯m fact, her call had beening in while she was till on the phone with her parents and it had been one of the reasons she had ended up saying goodnight to her Father and ending the call early. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Well, with the way Chris was smiling throughout the meeting, you two are finally officially together.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she blushed, barely allowing her toplete her sentence. She had been dying to tell someone already. Elsa squealed over the phone, so loudly that Ivy had to distance it from her ear so fast. ¡°By the Blood, this is good! You have to tell me everything.¡± ¡°We did not have sex,¡± Ivy stated point nk.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Goodness no, I wasn¡¯t asking about that. You think I want to listen to how my Sire had sex with my best friend. Gross.¡± Ivy chuckled, ¡°you didn¡¯t seem to mind the first time I told you about that.¡± ¡°Things have changed, Prince¨C¡± Elsa¡¯s voice cut off, like she was talking to some people in the background. Ivy could faintly hear Jett¡¯s voice and one more voice, like the one she had heard earlier. Even now, she still couldn¡¯t figure out who that was. Anyways, not important. ¡°Sorry about that, I¡¯m back but I have to go now.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°But I still want to hear the whole story when I see you tomorrow. Just keep it PG, okay.¡± ¡°Keep it PG? Nothing I do is rated 18, mum. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡± ¡°I would be worried if nothing you so is rated 18,¡± she replied between chuckled and they bothughed about that. Ivy hung out and the put the phone away. Then she turned off the lights, closing her eyes, forcing herself to stop creatinging up with different scenarios in her head. The ringing of her phone after a while didn¡¯t help though, neither did the person on the phone. My Christopher. They talkedte into the night about nothing and everything. Somewhere along the line, during the call, she fell asleep, one thought on her mind, that he made her feel so wonderful, she would keep it. To the list of all the crazy things she had done in her life, here was one more to add to it, and she had a feeling, this was only the beginning. Chapter 49 : If Only They Knew It¡¯s been what now? A week, two weeks? Three? A month?! Ivy couldn¡¯t urately tell but she knew that time had gone by quickly since her and Chris got into a rtionship. They¡¯ve been to different ces together on dates, gone to see the movies, the park, restaurants, gone on walks. They¡¯ve done different little things. Chris schedule had been tight ever since that night in the restaurant and that had really been affecting all their dates but nevertheless, it had been great. Also, her parents came back like a week ago. They didn¡¯t mind her going out all the time, she had always been like that with Elsa. So they didn¡¯t suspect a thing. Although, they, her mother specifically, wished that she was hanging out with someone else, someone that could end up being a groom and a husband. Could her daughter just find a man already and get married. Her phone buzzed with a text and Ivy had to stop applying her makeup to pick it up. Disyed on her screen was a name that brought a smile to her face, just as it had been doing for the past few weeks now. My Christopher. Some weeks ago, she had found that really annoying but not anymore. She inputted her password to open the message. It read; ¡°We are waiting outside for you, my love.¡± We, meaning, he, Elsa and Jett. She quickly applied the finishing touches to her makeup, pulled her purple mini gown down a little, while the patted her hair that was in a messy bun. Then she rushed down the stairs, her heels clinking loudly against the floor. ¡°Ma, Pa! I¡¯m going out. Don¡¯t wait up.¡± ¡°Romito!¡± Her hand still around the doorknob at that, she walked off to the kitchen, not making the mistake of allowing her mother to call her once again. She just hoped this wasn¡¯t about her mother wanting her to stay for dinner. Her mother hadn¡¯t cooked in a long time and she was cooking today, in fact, it wasn¡¯t any small meal, because Father was helping too. Normally, the only person that usually cooked in this house was her Father. So what was different about tonight? What could be the asion? Wait, was today their wedding anniversary?! But her reminder hadn¡¯t reminded her of that at 12am today. So it most likely wasn¡¯t¡­ but what if it was. Ivy¡¯s heart raced at the thought. Oh no. ¡°What, Ma?¡± Ivy asked, her voice a little shaky. ¡°Did you see the pictures?¡± Her mother asked, her focus on what she was slicing by the counter. ¡°What pictures?¡± Ivy asked, looking at her Father who was tending to a bowl of something Ivy couldn¡¯t see, for help. He only shrugged, a light smile on his face. Okay, he didn¡¯t looked tensed, so it wasn¡¯t their anniversary then. But what could it be? ¡°The pictures of your potential husbands.¡± Ivy pulled out her phone, scrolling and tapping, then her eyes went wide and she was hitting delete repeatedly. Was her mother trying to render her single? Chris would lose his mind if he were to see any of these. Although she didn¡¯t think this was enough to snap what they had but still¡­ ¡°You can¡¯t just send me pictures of half naked guys, Ma?! Pa, tell her.¡± ¡°They are rich and handsome, billionaires, ceos, name your pick,¡± her mother listed, dropping the knife on the cutting board. She turned confidently to Ivy who was still standing by the kitchen door, ¡°Just your type.¡± ¡°How are you sure of that?¡± Shs folded her hands across her, ready to argue this out. ¡°What if my type is a creature that sucks blood and never gets old.¡± Her mother¡¯s confident stance dropped down to horrified so quickly. ¡°There is a creature like that?!¡± Her gaze snapped to her husband, ¡°that¡¯s horrifying.¡± Satisfied with the reaction she was getting, Ivy added, ¡°They are called vampires,¡± ¡°Vampires?!¡± She could hear her Father chip in at that, but she zoned them out. As much as Ivy was enjoying this, she could feel her phone vibrating with endless messages. She quickly checked it, reading thestest message. ¡°Yo princess! Get your ass down here, we are waiting.¡± Ivy smiled. It was wonderful that Elsa (sometimes) still stayed herself despite everything. She could hear her Father¡¯s voice again, trying to convince her Mother of something, trying to put her at ease. ¡°She is only joking, sweetheart, they don¡¯t exist.¡± Ivy scoffed internally. If only he knew. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± he asked, walking over to his wife, and wrapping her in a warm embrace from behind, ¡°Give my wife a heart attack?¡± Even without her Mother wearing heels, he still looked a little shorter. ¡°We can always sue her for emotional damage, Sweetheart. Send her all the pictures you want.¡± ¡°Pa, don¡¯t encourage her. Why are you so much on her side tonight? You used to support me.¡± ¡°My hands are tied, you will understand when you grow up.¡± ¡°Grown up? No, I think I¡¯ll just remain five. Thank you.¡± An evil grin crossed her mother¡¯s lips and she looked away from her husband to her daughter. ¡°Well, on that note, you will be getting more of those pictures, until you finally settle down with one. I have to get rid of you.¡± ¡°You know you can be sued for that that though,¡± she said with a smug look on her face. ¡°I¡¯m only five.¡± ¡°Then maybe you should go back to your room. You are five, you shouldn¡¯t be going out thiste. I¡¯m sure you have homeworks and things to do. We will get a new nanny to help you out¡ª¡± That had started out as a joke but her Mother¡¯s voice was starting to make it sound really serious and she knew how crazy her mother was. She could do anything.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. A-n-y-t-h-i-n-g ¡°I¡¯m not five, Ma!¡± ¡°Good,¡± her evil grin widened. ¡°You will be getting more of those pictures. You have to leave my house.¡± ¡°Ain¡¯t you going to say anything, Pa?¡± ¡°I love you but my hands are really tied.¡± ¡°Ouch,¡± she dered dramatically, ¡°my heart will never recover from this.¡± Feeling that she had been dismissed, she turned to leave. ¡°How long will you be staying out?¡± Her mother¡¯s question stopped her. ¡°Just the night.¡± ¡°Pity.¡± ¡°Make sure you call,¡± her Father held after her. ¡°I want to make sure my angel is okay.¡± ¡°Awwn, trying to buy me back just after you broke my heart? You will have to work harder, Pa.¡± ¡°Will you call?¡± He insisted. ¡°I will,¡± she replied but before she shut the door, she could hear her mother saying. ¡°I have a feeling one of these days she is going to get into someone¡¯s bed and get hooked for life. I hope the person will be rich enough to¨C¡± The door close shut as Ivy witnessed another moment of ¡°if only they knew¡±. She chuckled and strolled out of the gate. Chris was waiting. Chapter 50 : Steamy Memories It wasn¡¯t hard to find them at all, because there was Elsa, her head poked out of the car¡¯s backseat window while she yelled. ¡°Finally. I thought you needed a royal summon or something, Princess!¡± Ivy opened the car and settled in next to Chris who immediately nted a kiss on her lips, then started driving. ¡°Sorry for keeping you all waiting. My mum just wants me to get married and she sent some really spicy pictures to convince me.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Chris asked. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I will have to find a way to send some of my pictures to her, then tell her I¡¯m with her daughter. If she is anything like you say she is, that should be enough to make her start nning a wedding.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± She said amidst a chuckle. Wow, he hadn¡¯t lost his mind. This guy was just a different breed. Asides from fact that he was vampire¡­ Wait. Ivy turned back, looking at Elsa who was looking into Jett¡¯sptop as he said something to her about something on the screen. Everyone in this car was a vampire, asides her. Shs was the only prey here! She say back in her seat, rxed. The level of trust she had for this vampires was starting to scare her. ¡°Hi, Yours Girl,¡± Jett said. By now everyone in the car already knew how he came about that name. He must be done with what they had been doing a while ago by now, to be acknowledging her presence. From the front mirror, Ivy could see that they were now sitting apart. Elsa was on her phone and Jett was still on hisptop. ¡°She has a name, Grumpy.¡± Elsa replied. ¡°I have a name too, Newbie, but I can¡¯t remember thest time you used it.¡± The argument ceased before it even started, Chris and Ivy were talking in low tones andughing, while the Elsa and Jett were talking about something. Then suddenly, Elsa said loudly. ¡°You put me in Spam again, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t entertain unnecessary emails, Newbie. You know that.¡± ¡°Oh oh oh. You will be hearing from mywyers.¡± ¡°And what will be the case, because I don¡¯t see one.¡± ¡°You are not awyer, how are you supposed to know? I¡¯m sure mywyers will find something.¡± ¡°Yourwyers better be good because I know my rights,¡± he shrugged. Elsa had something to fire right back but Chris spoke before her, his eyes still on the road. Even though an ident will do nothing to him, there was Ivy and the rest of the humans using this road to be worried about. ¡°I don¡¯t think what you need is a court session.¡± Chris smiled, holding Ivy and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. ¡°Maybe a date,¡± she added. ¡°Goodness, no.¡± Elsa refused instantly. ¡°Will you stop trying to y cupid, Princess. You are terrible, you and your boyfriend.¡± Jett rolled his eyes, not making ament, instead still focused on his work. The drive continued, with Chris and Ivy shipping them and Elsa destroying the ship while Jettpletely ignored everything.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Soon enough they got to the nightclub. For Ivy, it felt so good to be here again. Here was where it had all began. It was the same as she remembered. Although her feelings were different and her knowledge, now vast. Now she knew that Chris owned the ce, had knowledge about what they were, although still really little about how they ran things. Chris had said he had been keeping her away from his world to protect her, Elsa said the same and Ivy hadn¡¯t fought against it. Elsa was a prove of how dangerous they were. Ivy had learnt though that they had a sought of organization called the House and they had rules guiding them, that was why they hadn¡¯t caught vampires sucking people¡¯s blood in the dark corners of the street. The very reason people didn¡¯t know of their existence. Ivy didn¡¯t try to push for more information. After all, it was said that, ignorance was bliss. After a couple of dance and shots, Chris lead her up to his room. It was like as if that night was ying all over again. The door opened with a ding and they stepped in. Everything was still in ce. It¡¯s been three months or maybe even more and it seemed like as if everything had happened only yesterday. ¡°This room. Memories.¡± ¡°Oh yes. Love.¡± Chris said from behind her, his cold arms going around her. She flinched slightly. His constant coldness was something she was still trying to get used to. ¡°So many memories,¡± he whispered, his lips brushing against her neck. The next thing she heard was the sound of her ziping loose. She held her breath, her mind buzzing with thoughts that sent tingles through her veins. Letting it go once again, because it suddenly felt too much. He hadn¡¯t even done anything to her yet and she was already like this. Crazy. Maybe it had to do with the fact that since they decided to be officially together, they hadn¡¯t been together. Or could it be as a result of the thing they shared? Their connection? He pulled the gown over her shoulders, and she rxed onto him, making it drop down to her feet, along with her bra. She hadn¡¯t even noticed when he unsp that. His hands were on her breasts, fondling them, cold against her hardened nipples. They didn¡¯t stay cold for long though, his touch sent fire through her veins, his voice making her body ignite with need, so much that she threw her head back against him, her hand holding his thighs for support while she grinded herself against him. ¡°Ivy,¡± he groaned and the next thing she knew, she was on the bed with him above her. She felt slightly dizzy from how quickly he had moved them but his hand against her clit jolted her back to the moment before sending her brain buzzing with pleasure. ¡°Let¡¯s create some more memories, what do you say?¡± Chapter 51 – He Knows Something He Shouldn’t Before she even had the chance to give him an answer, his lips were on hers, sweeping her breath cleanly away with a demanding and urgent kiss, his fingers against her core were no longer moving at a slow teasing pace but a quickened one. Her hands drew the sheets in tight fists, the pleasure surging through her with speed, making her arch her back and push herself further into him. More. She wanted more! Moans slipped through her lips, immediately muffled by the kiss. She really needed to breathe, to pull away and catch her breath, but her body just wasn¡¯t letting her, even though it was starting to feel like she was floating. Chris pulled away at that moment, and she sucked in a deep breath, her chest raising and falling, her heart racing wildly. She felt Chris¡¯s cold forehead pressed against hers while she tried to steady her breathing. ¡°Call me yours again.¡± ¡°Call you w-what?¡± She asked in a breathless whisper, blinking, trying hard to shake the daze feeling away enough to be able to hear and understand him. Her brain just wasn¡¯t thinking straight at the moment, every logicality fogged with her mounting need for pleasure. ¡°im me, Ivy.¡± She forced herself to open her eyes at that. Staring back into his brown beautiful eyes, those eyes were always doing something to her, something unexinable. She nodded slowly, realizing what he was asking for. Her hands crawled across his chest, before going around his neck to pull him closer to her so that she whispered against his lips. ¡°Mine.¡± A groan rumbled from deep within his chest at that, as he closed his eyes briefly from pleasure and content, ¡°Yours, Ivy.¡± In no time, he was kissing her again. Two fingers deep inside her, moving fast. ¡°Yours.¡± She bit her lips, her eyelids closing shut as she tried to stay quiet. It took her a couple of seconds before she realized that she just couldn¡¯t no matter how hard she tried. ¡°Oh my¨C Chris¨C Ah¡ª please not so fa¨C¡± then her voice went higher, begging ¡°Yes, yes, yes, yes! Ah¡ª Chrisssss¡± her voice trailed off on a trembling note. Too much. Her fingers scratched against his back, as she pulled him closer to her. Why did it feel like no matter how much she pulled him closer, he just couldn¡¯t be close enough? She wanted to press herself against him. She needed more of him than he was giving. Her eyes rolled back. Panting, she threw her head back to the pillow, a long moan escaping her lips as she felt herself mounting more and more into pleasure. ¡°Fas-ter¡± she begged between breathless gasps, and his response was instant. Her voice hitched, another moan slipping through her lips, her hold on him tightening painfully. She was getting there, the peak, that bliss. Then he stopped. He stopped?! Why had he stopped?! Her eyes flew wide open immediately, her chest still raising and falling from the pleasure surging though veins, threatening to make her body quiver. She stared back into his eyes, eyes that were no longer that beautiful shade of seductive brown, but instead dazed glowing red. She made herself not bold away from him, instead she asked, ¡°W-why-why did y-you¨C¡± ¡°Your phone,¡± he answeredborious. ¡°It¡¯s being buzzing for a while now.¡± Buzzing? She hadn¡¯t heard it buzzing. What does it even matter if it had been buzzing? ¡°I don¡¯t care, just¡ª¡± ¡°It could be an emergency.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not an emergency. I can feel it in my bones that it is not an emergency,¡± the words rushed out of her mouth. She just needed him to continue. She had been so close. ¡°Ivy,¡± he said pressing his forehead to hers again. ¡°It¡¯s buzzing again. I just can¡¯t continue until I know it¡¯s nothing important.¡± She wanted to say something to dismiss the buzzing issue so that they could go back to what they were doing but with how firm his voice sounded and his persistence, she knew that it was best for her to just go through the phone and put it out of the way. She groaned, using her elbow to support herself to a slight sitting position in order to reach for her phone that was on the side table. She couldn¡¯t even remember when she had put it there. She quickly looked through it, it was her mother again, with twice as pictures this time. She texted back a quick ¡°STOP.¡± Then tossed it away to wherever. She didn¡¯t care. ¡°It¡¯s nothing important.¡± With a smile on her face, she moved to kiss him but he moved away quickly. Oh, no. Had he seen the pictures? Was he mad? ¡°Chr¡ª¡± ¡°We need to talk.¡± What followed next was the unwanted emptiness she felt as he pulled his fingers away from inside her. Her eyebrows shot up. Was this a joke? ¡°You had better get your fingers back in me right now.¡± She held his hand, pulling it to her but he withdrew from her immediately. ¡°Are you being serious right now?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What?! Some other time, please. Let¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m too bothered to go on,¡± he eased himself off his elbow, so that he was no longerying above her, instead he was now sitting by her side on the bed. Arrghhhh! Her Mother had finally done it. Argh.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Now of all moments?! Why now? Since they had decided to be official, her and Chris had never had an issue like this before. ¡°The pictures mean nothing, I¡¯m going to talk to my mum and she will stop , I promise.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t the pictures.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t the pictures? Then what is it?¡± Whatever it was better not be happening right now. This just wasn¡¯t a good time. ¡°You said your mother wanted to get you married.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± moving closer to him, she continued, ¡°C-can we do this some other time, please. I need¨C¡± ¡°No, we have to do it now.¡± The coldness in his voice made her flinch and she stopped. Now that she observed it, he had a frown on his face. She gulped in worry. Oh no, this was serious. ¡°That night we were together¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Her heart was hammering with worry and a sought of fear. This was definitely not how she had nned her night. ¡°Ivy, when were you going to tell me about your wedding?¡± Ivy froze. Oh, no. Chapter 52 – Risky Tango All The Way ¡°A w-wedding?¡± She stuttered, her throat going dry immediately. This was trouble. Asides from the fact that Chris knowing about her wedding could destroy everything between them, there was also the fact that another person knowing about the wedding, was against the terms of her contract. She didn¡¯t know her mystery husband yet but she knew that he was capable of dangerous. He might not be able to hurt Chris because was a vampire but about her family, what about her? Although it had been written that in a year¡¯s time, the agreement would be off. It hadn¡¯t been up to a year yet, and she felt that his threats were things that would definitelye to pass at a single snap of his fingers. She really hoped no one would be dying because of her. She really hoped she wouldn¡¯t be losing her life because of this. Why was the Universe still trying to punish her. Wait¨C what if she told him? So that, maybe, he could protect her fa¨C No! Her mind immediately shut the thought down. The contract said she mustn¡¯t. Why call trouble if she could just avoid it. She had to deny. Deny, deny, deny! ¡°I mean, what wedding are you talking about?¡± ¡°Your wedding,¡± he answered. ¡°The one with the rich old dude that got stood up.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± she sighed in relief. A odd ease creeped over her but she weed it. That could have gone bad, really bad. ¡°Oh?¡± He pointed out, his voice raising with a sought of panic, ¡°What, you had another wedding?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± sheughed it off nervously. She did had another wedding, one that actually took ce, and she was so d that the contract had said she mustn¡¯t say anything about to anyone, because if not, keeping the secret from Chris would be tearing at her heart right now. It felt good to have something holding one back from what they normally wouldn¡¯t have done, just to have that one thing as an excuse. Liberating. She hated thinking about her wedding though. It made her feel like a dog on a lease. She couldn¡¯t wait for a year to be over so that she could finally be free. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I should have told you,¡± she started to say, in a sincere apologetic voice. She really hadn¡¯t intended to keep the wedding that never happened a secret away from him, just that some where along the line, it had lost its importance and she had forgotten about it. In fact, it felt like the wedding never existed to begin with. ¡°The whole n from the beginning was to keep it a secret. Even if the wedding had pushed through, it still would have been a secret. The only reason why that had been on the inte was because of what had happened. Mr Lorenzo was really angry too that it had slipped. You know reputation and all, but everything was sorted almost immediately.¡± She smiled, ¡°he even gotpensated.¡± ¡°Compensated by who? With what? I found out that the reason why the wedding was agreed upon in the first ce was to pay off debts.¡± ¡°Ha, yes, the debts.¡± She said, thinking fast. ¡°I don¡¯t know how my Father did it but he and Mr Lorenzo kind of reached an¡­ agreement?¡± Then she squinted her eyes at him. ¡°How did you even know about all these? The news was wiped off the inte and nobody except for the close parties involved knew about the debts.¡± ¡°How wouldn¡¯t I?¡± He shrugged, ying off a pained look. ¡°You are my Potential, of course, I¡¯ll try to find out everything about you even if you don¡¯t tell.¡± ¡°Well that is cre-e-py,¡± she folded her hands over her chest. Now that she was no longer losing her mind with worry, she was more aware about her exposed breasts, ¡°¡­ but I know you are not normal, so I¡¯m just going to pretend that it is romantic.¡± ¡°Not normal, uhn?¡± He asked, a mischievous glint in his brown eyes as he pushed her back to the bed. ¡°That is very offensive to the Vampiremunity. You are vampirephobic and it shows.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness,¡± she whispered, ying along. ¡°That is so truth and so not good. I¡¯m most certainly not naked under one right now and letting him touch my¡ª oh goodness!¡± ¡°You smell so good,¡± he said, his lips brushing against the crock of her next, as he settled himself in-between her legs, teasing her with his throbbing bulge. Feeling his erect member against her core, yet not entirely been able to feel him because of the piece of clothing that stood in the way, drove her crazy. She felt the pleasure of before surging through her veins, wilder this time, far more consuming. She could even feel her pant dampen at that part as a result. She wanted to form replies but she just couldn¡¯t. Instead her hand grabbed a fistful of his hair, the other stretching across the bed in search of nothing, her legse around him, interlocking at her ankles, as she pressed him down to her. ¡°Oh, Chris!¡± She moaned. ¡°By the Blood, you sound so good,¡± he groaned in pleasure.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She could feel him throbbing against her, and in no time she was begging that he pulled his pants off and let her do the same to hers, but Chris was more intent on taking his time with teasing her. So despite the fact that he really wanted to bury himself deep inside her, he restrained himself, instead he proceeded to nt kisses on her neck, leaving hickeys behind like he was marking his territory. Ivy was breathless with pleasure. Knowing that he was intentionally keeping her on this edge and he intended to drive her nuts with waiting, she started grinding against him. ¡°Please, let me¨C Ah¡ª I need¡ª¡± She felt his cold hands wrap around her wrists, pulling her busy hands away from his pants and putting them above her head. She groaned, his kisses against her neck were starting to feel a little painful. Then she felt something sharp grazed slightly against her neck. Wait¨C were those his fangs? Chapter 53 – Let’s Tango Her eyes flew wide open and she pulled away from him, her hand sped against that side of her neck that she had felt it. ¡°No! I¡¯m not ready yet,¡± she dered with fear, looking at his eyes that were now once again dazed glowing red. What held her attention the most weren¡¯t his eyes though, but his fangs that were peeking out from the corners of his lips. ¡°I don¡¯t want an imprinting yet,¡± she shook her head. The fangs seem to slowly withdraw back and she couldn¡¯t see them anymore. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to,¡± he said lowly. ¡°Good because it¡¯s going to be he painful and I have to be ready,¡± she chuckled, still a little nervous. When he spoke again, he didn¡¯t sound pained, instead he sounded understanding. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be painful.¡± Ivy arched her brows at him. Was he kidding? He smiled, pulling her hand gently away from her neck, ¡°Okay, maybe just a little bit, but it won¡¯t be too much. I have heard some vampires¡­¡± Then he added after a little pause, ¡°and people, say it is very pleasurable.¡± That could be true, but the fact still remained that Ivy wasn¡¯t ready to test it out. ¡°I¡¯m not ready yet.¡± Chris nodded lightly, a small forced smile crossing his lips. It made her worried. It suddenly felt like something heavy had settled into the pit of her stomach. She had to ask. ¡°Does it affect you? The fact that you cannot imprint on me yet.¡± He didn¡¯t answer, instead, he stretched his hand forward, caressing her neck, his gaze burning into that part of her neck. She watched him lick his lips slowly and her stomach flustered with what seemed like butterflies. ¡°I crave to be able to imprint my mark on you. Right from the moment Iid my eyes on you, right from the moment I knew that I could be yours.¡± A sincere smile crossed his lips at that, although the look of longing still remained in his eyes, he pulled his hand away and looked up at her face. ¡°I am a very patient man, it is something I have learnt very well and mastered. I can wait.¡± He took her hands, caressing them while he held her gaze. ¡°I won¡¯t do anything until you are ready.¡± Then he dropped her hands, cupping her face in them instead, as he leaned closer and kissed her. Gentle, slow. ¡°im me,¡± he said between the kiss. ¡°I love to hear you do it.¡± She pulled away from him, a smiled on her face, her eyes dancing with plesure. ¡°Mine.¡± When he pulled her closer this time, her hand found its way down on his bare chest, pulling him closer with her hands around his neck, while their lips sealed back in a slow kiss. Her hands slipping lower down his chest, to his waist line, tracing his belt. His hand tightened around her as he felt her fingernails scratch lightly against his abs, her hands undoing his belt, then his zip. Then her hand drove deeper. And deeper. Till it was firmly around his hard and erect member. She really hoped nothin would interrupt them this time, if not, she would really lose her mind. His head fell against the crock of her neck, a groan resonated from deep within his chest, rumbling, as her hand moved up and down his length slowly. She felt his cold tongue against her neck, his fangs once again grazing that spot lightly. Before she had time to react though or flinch away as she had donest time, her back was against the bed, her panties now no where to be found, while his now clothelss self settled in between her legs, his dick teasing her entrance, and his lips sealed against hers in a kiss that seemed more devouring than gentle. The need returned, taunting, a tortore that was stretching out for far too long it almost felt painful. Her clit throbbed with need. It was getting unbearable for him to continue with his teasing too. The fact that her smell was thick in the air didn¡¯t help things. It drove his senses wild.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. So when he felt her lock her legs at her ankles and pull him closer, he did not fight it. He thrusted into her as gently and slowly as his lustfull need could allow. Asides from that, there was this need for her blood that kept raising in him, and once again his face fell into the crook of her neck, groans rumbling from his chest, as his thrust quicken, resulting into high feverish moans from her. Her nails dug into his back, her lips trembling, her head titled to a side, Chris cold nostrils against it, her eyes shut tight as pleasure rushed quickly through her veins, taking over her mind. ¡°Yes¡­ oh my¨C ah, oh my goodness, faster please, fas¨C¡± her voice trailed off into a long moan, as her body jerked into him, in feverish jerks, before his body copsed against hers. Ivy couldn¡¯t tell how many rounds they went after that, she wasn¡¯t counting. But finally, theyid side by side, both still naked underneath the nket, his arms around her, while he pulled her against his cold body. ¡°I¡¯m so lucky you didn¡¯t get married, Ivy.¡± He said lowly, in an almost whisper, his voice seeping into her ear. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine some one else having you. I¡¯d lose my mind.¡± She smiled weakly, letting out a low chuckle. ¡°And what if I had?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of taking and ceasing,¡± he chuckled before his voice became thoughtful, ¡°I think I would have resulted to seducing you and trust me, I know my way around that.¡± She nodded lightly, her gaze fixed on the side table. ¡°Alright, Cupid.¡± She nudged him with her shoulder and his hold tightened around her while they smiled. ¡°How about this? What if you had me sessfully seduce but my supposed ¡°husband¡± wouldn¡¯t let me go.¡± There was a moment of silence, indicating that he was thinking. Deeply. ¡°Then I will be left with no choice but to take you.¡± ¡°But you said¨C¡± ¡°You are an exception, Ivy.¡± He said, nting small kisses against the crook of her neck, she closed her eyes, a smile on her face, allowing his voice to fill her mind. ¡°For many things in my life, you are an exception.¡± Chapter 54 – “Notâ€� Hiccups Chris had gotten extremely busy after that night. In fact, it had been a week since they had been able to have any real conversation. He sad it had to with the House and some other things, which she understood might require a lot of attention, although up till now, they still hadn¡¯t gotten to that needed part in their rtionship where she would know fully about the House. So he hadn¡¯t gone into details and she understood that to be because he was still trying to shield her from his world. Ivy had returned back to work and as usual, her parents were once again out of the country. Elsa was also busy and Jett was his usual busy self. Busy was now everyone¡¯s personality. She just hoped that whatever it was that they were dealing with wasn¡¯t something too bad¡­ or serious. She was really starting to get worried. A week had now turned into two. Anytime he was on the phone with her, he would end up talking about how the House was been really stressful and how what was happening right now needed all his attention in order not to go out of hand and as nned. Many times, she had wanted to ask him what ¡°the thing that was happening right now¡± was. In fact, a couple of times, she had actually asked and his response had been the same. ¡°Just personal House stuff.¡± The first time he had given her that response was the first time she had asked, and that was when his ¡°always busy¡± state started. She had replied with, ¡°so, I¡¯m like a stranger to you now. Because this work load thing is killing you and really affecting us, but you won¡¯t tell me what it is about.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already dead though,¡± he had chuckled and she had shifted ufortably in her bed, a frown on her face. ¡°That is not funny,¡± she had replied, her voice hard. He had apologized, exining to her that he couldn¡¯t discuss the things that were going on right now to her even if he so much wanted to. ¡°They are really important, Ivy, and you have no ideas how much I want to be able to tell you about this but your are not yet a part of us,¡± he had said, his voice sounding pained. ¡°You are still human and if you want to be part of us, it is either you are a Vampire or you carry the imprint of one.¡± Her hand had subconsciously moved to her neck, and she had drawn her nkets over her, her phone in a tight grip, pressed to her ear. Her heart raced at the thought of having something sharp sink deep into her neck. She gulped, a bead of sweat streaming down her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m not ready yet.¡± ¡°And I can wait but while I wait, some things won¡¯t be the way they are supposed to be.¡± He had sighed, one that sounded a little like frustration yet reassuring. ¡°You have no idea how badly I wish it were. But, as I have told you many times, I can wait.¡± ¡°Bit if I let you imprint on me¡­¡± ¡°Yesssss¡­.¡± He had replied slowly, in a way that showed that there was eagerness and an optimistic believe lingering by his prompt response, that he was trying really hard to hide. ¡°What will I be?¡± ¡°What will you be?¡± He had asked over the phone. ¡°Yes. To you and to your¡­ House?¡± ¡°Our House,¡± he corrected and she could almost hear a smile in his voice. ¡°You will be The Sire¡¯s Woman¡± ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°Basically, a Queen.¡± ¡°What is this, the ancient time?¡± she chuckled, although all she could think of was the amount of responsibility that sounded like. He chuckled back. ¡°There are some things we do that you might consider old fashioned and being The Sire¡¯s woman, my woman, is a lot of responsibility. That is the reason why I am willing to wait for you. I don¡¯t want you to be forced to carry a burden that you are not sure of yet.¡± He paused, when he spoke up once again, his voice carried more emphasis. ¡°You¡¯ll have to stand by us, as a second leader, fight for us if need be. For things like these, you must be sure.¡± And that had been the first conversation that took ce before others became short ¡°how are you¡¯s and ¡°how was your day¡±. Ivy couldn¡¯t believe she was drowning herself in work once again in order not to think Chris. Although, this time around, it was for a different reason. Another day of work had been done, it was now time to spoil herself with Ro. Ivy walked up the stairs, saying a quick ¡°Thank you and enjoy the rest of your night¡± to Davies before she slipped into the house. She dropped her bag on the sofa, then headed straight to the kitchen. At that moment, her phone started ringing. She just hoped that it wasn¡¯t her Mother with those pictures again. Yes, she till hadn¡¯t stopped, despite Ivy pleading with her to. Her Mother¡¯s response, in a seriously concerned voice, had been, ¡°I can¡¯t, Romito. With how you are going, you might end up single for the rest of your life. As a Mother, it is my responsibility to make sure that doesn¡¯t happen.¡± That had a really strange response for her Mother but it wasn¡¯t new to Ivy. Sometimes, she acted like apletely different person. The one thing that had happened after that conversation though, was the reduce in the number of pictures sent. Ivy also hoped the call wasn¡¯t for an invitation to a¨C She caught a glimpse of ¡°My Christopher¡± disyed on th screen and she answered the call quickly.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She had words for this ma¨Cvampire! ¡°I called you all day and you didn¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was stuck in a meeting.¡± ¡°All day?!¡± ¡°More or less. I stepped out to fe¨C nevermind that. See, Ivy, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m sure was important.¡± She poured herself a ss of water and gulped it down. Her throat was very thankful for that. ¡°Soooo do you want to talk about the House again or¨C¡± she went to the sitting room and flopped down on the sofa, her eyes on the TV, the remote in her hand, while she scrolled through her avable options in search of what might interest her. ¡°No. Certainly not.¡± ¡°No?¡± She asked, surprised. ¡°But that is all you ever do those days.¡± ¡°I know and that is why I n to make it up to you.¡± ¡°Make it up to me,¡± she nodded, smiling. ¡°I like the sound of that.¡± ¡°How do you like the sound of us going to Small Paradise for week to make it up to you.¡± Small Paradise?! That ce had earned its name. It had a lot of wonderful sights, some people save up for years to go there. Although for Ivy, it definitely wouldn¡¯t take her that much time of saving up, but she would still be spending too much than she could handlefortably, to be there. It had been one of the ces on hers and Elsa¡¯s bucket list. People considered it as wonderful ce of love too. People on their Honeymoons, anniversaries and all sought, would mostly go there. ¡°I like the sound of that even better.¡± She pushed the bowl of ice cream she had brought along with her, peeling it open. ¡°Then get downstairs in 15 mins, we are going tonight.¡± What?! Chapter 55 – Missing Chris? They had gotten to Small Paradise that night, and as promised, Chris had indeed made it up to her in many ways. Many ways. Today was their third day at Small Paradise, and they had decided to spend their time together at the Amusement Park. It had been fun so far. Their first day here, they had gone on Floating balloons, yesterday they went hiking, and right now they were in the Amusement Park, heading towards the roller coaster for a ride. The park was filled with sound ofughter, voices blending together under the gentle rays of the sun. It was a splendid afternoon. But there was a problem though, a queue. A really long queue. ¡°Do you still want to go on the ride?¡± Chris asked as they moved closer, walking pass some couples while some ran pass them to join the queue.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°The queue is really long.¡± Ivy could see that, but being here had really been fun and there was no way she was going tolet a simple queue make her miss out on how much more fun she could still get. ¡°I thought you were a patient man.¡± She giggled, tucking her hands into the pocket of her baggy jeans and looking straight ahead. Chris smiled softly at her reference. When they got to the queue, Chris was fast to pay two random people to stay on the queue in ce of him and Ivy. So that while their spaces were secured, they could enjoy the other things the park had to provide. He also left a number for them to call once it was their turn. The strangers were pleased with the pay he offered, and they were more than happy to stand on the queue in their ce. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just buy the whole queue?¡± Ivy asked as they turned away from the queue, walking towards a ce that had a couple of stalls side by side. ¡°I just feel like they must have had dreams about getting on that ride with their loved ones and I didn¡¯t want to snatch that away from them, you know,¡± he shrugged casually. ¡°Considerate, kind and sweet. How did I ever get so lucky?¡± He stopped and she did the same, wondering why he had stopped. Then he stared intently at her face with a slow smile ying on his lips, like as if he was seeing her for the very first time and he was really pleased with what he was seeing. Then, he tucked her hair behind her ears, moving it away from either sides of her face, pushing them behind her. ¡°By the Blood, I¡¯m the lucky one.¡± He said with his ever pleasant and soft smile. Mischief glinted in her eyes and she casually tucked her hair behind her ears. ¡°I know right,¡± she rolled her eyes yfully and he faked a short gasp of shock in response. ¡°You hit a real jackpot with me, Mr Seductive Brown Eyes,¡± she winked yfully, then started walking towards the Ice cream stand. He followed after her, his stride matching her own. ¡°Seductive Brown Eyes? Is that what you call me in your mind.¡± She shrugged, ¡°you have no idea how many things I call you in my mind.¡± ¡°Hmmm, that makes me so curious. Will you tell me?¡± ¡°I n to keep them all a secret, so you can only ask for one.¡± ¡°Hmmm,¡± he hummed, like as if he was about to take a decision that had the tendency of stopping world hunger. They were right at the ice cream stand now and the Seller was taking their orders. ¡°This,¡± she pointed at the list filled with pictures, that was pasted at one side of the stand. ¡°In Chocte vour, please.¡± ¡°Same,¡± Chris said. They got their ice cream and headed to the sitting area. Each table had arge umbre tucked in between them. The air smelt wonderful, like baking, and there were not many customers here. They easily found an empty seats and sat down. ¡°A velvet cake will really hit right now,¡± Ivy said, making herselffortable. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve decided on my question.¡± ¡°Fiiinahlly,¡± she managed to say as she took in a spoon of ice cream, the melting chocte voured cold cream, momentarily freezing her teeth. ¡°What did you call me before you knew my name?¡± He leaned coward, his eyes suggestive, satisfied with the questions he had finally decided to ask. Ivy leaned further towards him, reaching one hand forward, trailing her fingers down one side of his face. ¡°Mr Handsome.¡± ¡°That is not cheesy at all.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Wwwhat? You are Handsome.¡± ¡°I am, ain¡¯t I?¡± He cocked her a yful eyebrow. ¡°How humble,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°You are the one to tal¡ª¡± His phone started ringing, interrupting them. He picked it up, swiping left, ending the call. ¡°Work?¡± Ivy asked. ¡°Uhm uhn.¡± Then he looked up at her from his phone. ¡°Jett can take care of it.¡± Ivy smiled, as selfish as that might sound, knowing the workload, she didn¡¯t want Chris leaving. Jett would be alright. He would survive it all, he was capable. ¡°So we are still going to the club, tonight?¡± ¡°Definitely.¡± ¡°Do you thi¡ª¡± The phone was ringing once again. ¡°Maybe you should pick up. Jett normally doesn¡¯t do this, it might be an em¨C¡± Before shepleted that, Chris staggered up immediately, his face drawn up into a light frown. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Ivy looked up at him, her face filled with absolute worry. Chris nodded, tucking his phone into his pocket, dropping a much smaller one on the table. ¡°They will call on this phone when ites to our turn to ride the roller coaster.¡± ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°I will be back before you know it.¡± Contrary to his promise, she knew it, and still he wasn¡¯t back. It been over an hour ago since he left her at the sitting area. At first she had been worried about what would happen to their hard earned secured spaces,ter she wasn¡¯t worried about that anymore, but about Chris. Where had he disappeared to? The people who were on the queue in their ce had called, and Ivy had been left with no choice but to pay them the other half of the money they were left to be paid. She picked up her phone and called him again. Was this the tenth time, the 15th, 20th? She couldn¡¯t tell but she knew she had called him severally, that was for sure. She walked around, looking for him. She started walking off to the car park. She just hoped that he was still there with his car, or maybe his car was there or¡­ in fact, she really didn¡¯t know. She just wanted to find him. When she got there, his car space was upied, not with his car though, but another¡¯s. Chris car was no where to be found. Her stomach dropped. She had ran back to the queue and ice cream sitting area, hoping that he would be there, waiting for her. She could already feel herself losing her mind. He hadn¡¯t answered any of her calls nor responded to her numerous texts. She got worried and started looking for him. The fact that he was a vampire hadn¡¯t skipped her mind, but remembering what had happened to Elsa a while back didn¡¯t put her at ease either. Chris clearly had enemies and they were no doubt people like him. What if they could hurt him?! What if he needed help right now and she didn¡¯t know. Her heart raced and she called him once again but this time around, it didn¡¯t even ring. His phone was switched off. Chapter 56 – Smells A Little Fishy It sounded like sex in background. Rough sex. Pants. Heavy breathing. But that was none of Ivy¡¯s business. ¡°Yoh, Princess! Shouldn¡¯t you be busy with Mr Hand¨C¡± ¡°Chris is missing,¡± Ivy said quickly, cutting her off over the phone. Elsa chuckled, going on a longughter before she finally said, ¡°that is impossible, Ivy.¡± Then she added, ¡°a whole Sire of a House can¡¯t go ¡°missing¡±.¡± Ivy pushed her hair aside, fighting against the wind that insisted on blowing it to her face over and over again. ¡°I know what I¡¯m saying. His car is not here, his phone is switched off and he hasn¡¯t even returned any of my calls nor responded to any of my text. Thest time I saw him was almost two hours ago.¡± Before Elsa had a chance to response to that, a voice behind her put all the problems at bay. ¡°Ivy?¡± She turned around quickly, looking squarely at Chris who looked very fine. Unscratched, in fact. ¡°Chris!¡± She eximed. ¡°I¡¯ll cal¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just go back to training now. Bye Princess,¡± Elsa hung up quickly. Ivy tucked her phone away. ¡°Where have you been?¡± She asked, anger seeping into her voice. ¡°Getting you this.¡± He raised a package in the air and she eyed it with disregard. ¡°It¡¯s a velvet cake, you said you wanted it. It is kind of hard to get around here, and I didn¡¯t know the time has been far spent while I searched for it.¡± She sighed. ¡°I was worried about you. I called, severally amd texted and¨C this has to do with the call you got, right?¡± ¡®Not the velvet cake¡¯ she had implied.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. He pushed his hand behind him, rubbing the back of his neck, dropping his other hand slowly. ¡°Yes. The call had to do with the House but it was nothing serious. I intended to return your calls but my phone is dead so¡­¡± She nodded, not knowing what else to say. She started walking away. ¡°Let¡¯s just go back to the hotel.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He turned around, his strides matching hers. ¡°Don¡¯t you want us to go for the ride anymore? You don¡¯t want the velvet cake?¡± Shs snatched the package from him. ¡°Ivyyy,¡± he drawled, pleading. But her pace increased. Without warning, he pulled her into a hug, making her stop in her tracks. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay. I truly am.¡± He said sincerely, against her hair. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be worried, considering what I am.¡± She rolled her eyes, resting into his embrace, surrendering. ¡°Don¡¯t do this next time.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t, I promise.¡± Feeling that the issue had been settled, they pulled away from each other. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s check out that ride.¡± The sun was already setting by now, and when they got to the roller coaster, there was yet again another queue. Ivy had hinted at the fact that he should buy it but Chris refused, standing on his morales, as she had expected. They concluded that they would juste back tomorrow. Although they already had a nned activity for tomorrow, which was shopping, Chris convinced her that they could fit it in there somewhere. So they headed to the car and drove off to the hotel. *** Nothing went as nned the next day. Chris had decided to stay in, insisting that he had some work to deal with on hisptop, something concerning the House once again. He hadn¡¯t gone into much detail. He had apologized that things were not going how they had nned, but then he had promised thate tomorrow, they would be back on track with fun. Ivy had been understanding and she hadn¡¯t make a fuss about it. She had hopped into the ride he had ordered for her, and enjoyed her ride down to the Clothing Store. There were different Clothing Stores here with the most exquisite dresses that Ivy had ever seen. She hadn¡¯t done by her shopping alone though, she had done it with Elsa over the phone with a video call. ¡°How about this?¡± She asked, holding a ck gown to the screen. ¡°It¡¯s giving ¡®ssic¡¯. You should try it on.¡± And that was how she bought a lot of dresses that filled several trolleys that she might need help with, taking them back to the hotel after they get backed in the packaging bags. She dug her hand into her bag to pull out her card and pay, but she had pulled out a ck card one instead. That wasn¡¯t for her. She stared at it quizzically. Whose was it? It took her some moments for it to click. This was the card her Mystery Husband had given her to cover expenses, while she lived within the terms of their contract, for a year. She tapped her long blue polished nails on the surface, her face drawn into a frown. Sometimes, she forgot the fact that she was married and everything that came along with it. She handed the card to the cashier, putting in the pin. It was a good thing she had read the contract, the pin had been there somewhere in those documents, and the first time she had read it, it had stuck. Maybe because it had to do with money. While they helped her pack her dresses into the bags, she looked around the clothing store, at the ss walls and how skillfully they had been made. Then she caught a glimpse of something, rather someone, on the road, through the transparent wall. Her face lit up with a smile. That was Chris in his car. He was waiting at a red light signal. He must have been done with his work by now. Maybe he was here to do his own shopping too. Why hadn¡¯t he called her though? Anyways, she was lucky that he was here. She might not even have to order a ride after all. Shs quickly dailed up his number. She watched him picked up the call, her smile widening. ¡°I¡¯m taking you are done with the work for the House.¡± ¡°No,¡± his voice seeped lowly throughout the phone¡¯s speaker, ¡°just taking a break.¡± Shs nodded in agreement, but his next words sent her into an abyss of confusion. ¡°I¡¯m just in the kitchen right now, thinking of what to make for the both of us.¡± ¡°You are in the kitchen?¡± She asked slowly, her gaze fixed on his car, watching him tap against the steering wheel leisurely. ¡°Yes. What would you like to eat when you get back.¡± She didn¡¯t response, instead moved closer to the wall, ignoring the cashier that was politely trying to call her attention. Snap. She took a picture. ¡°¡ªwith chicken? Ivy, I¡¯ve given three options already. You are not responding. Are you alright?¡± ¡°Come up with anything, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s going to taste great.¡± She watched the car moved slowly away. His low chuckle filled her ears, and the rattle of something that sounded like a pan but she was sure that it wasn¡¯t. ¡°Alright then. I miss you, hurry back to me.¡± She nodded, clenching her fist by her side. ¡°I will.¡± Something was wrong. Very wrong. Chapter 57 – Trouble In Paradise When Ivy got back to the hotel, Chris was in the kitchen, cooking. She had greeted him with a smile and he had pulled her into a tight embrace, asking how her day went and apologizing that he couldn¡¯t go out shopping with her today. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Love. Let¡¯s fix it to tomorrow, yah?¡± He added at the end, helping her put away her numerous bags, his red apron still tied around his neck.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. In a sh, he had hurried to the room with the bags, and just as quickly, he was back with none. He hurried over to the pot on fire, turning over what he was frying to prevent it from burning. Ivy took in a deep breath, leaning against one of the kitchen cab while drumming her fingers on her forehead. The air was filled with a delicious aroma, in fact, there was no doubt that Chris was a good chef. She wondered how many years he had practiced for, which also made her have a fleeting thought about something else. Did vampires even need to eat food? She stood up straight, no longer leaning against the cab, as she stood on her tippy toes to catch a quick nce of what was on fire. ¡°That looks super tasty.¡± Chris turned from where he was standing and shed her a smile. He was in front of her in a sh, pressing a light kiss on her lips. ¡°I can¡¯t believe in the next three days we will have to go back to our normal lives and not all of these.¡± He said, cupping her face in-between his palms. His voice dropped to a low whisper as it thickened with longing. ¡°We can be like this all the time.¡± When he said the next words, he sounded pained. ¡°Only if I didn¡¯t have so many things to fix before bringing you totally into my world, and the other fact that¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not ready for marriage,¡± she ended it for him. This wasn¡¯t the first time he would be staying that, neither would it be thest. She didn¡¯t find it annoying, although his statement about ¡®his world¡¯ had made her remember what she had seen this afternoon, and the difference thoughts that had filled her mind earlier came creeping back to the surfaces, disorganizing her mental state. ¡°Were you in all day?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he said without hesitation, his gaze holding hers, his face filled with that tender smile. His answer had been so firm that she started doubting if he had been the one she had seen. ¡°Just a sec,¡± he excused himself, hurrying over to the cooker, taking out what was on fire and putting back raw sliced potato. The action was immediately followed by the sound of sizzling hot oil. Without warning, he started ushering her into the sitting room. ¡°Lunch will be done in a minute, all you have to do is wait.¡± He said, cing a chaste kiss on her lips as she sat down on the sofa, then he hurried back into the kitchen. Ivy pulled out her phone from her handbag, scrolling through the screenshots quickly. A frown filled her face, deepening fast. This had been no dream. That was definitely Chris. Her Christopher! Why was he lying to her? Wait. Could it be that he was nning a surprise for her? There was the possibility of that. Besides, something about what was happening seemed to be leading towards the ¡®Big Surprise¡¯ne. But somehow, she could feel that a surprise for her wasn¡¯t what was happening. ¡°And Lunch¨C¡± she heard Chris¡¯s voice and she subtly tucked away the phone right back in her bag, ¡°is served.¡± A te of chicken and fries was ced on the side table for her, but that was a lot, so the food was probably for both of them. ¡°Thank you,¡± she smiled at him and he hummed in response, sitting on the sofa on the other side of the side table, taking a handful of fries, while he slide open hisptop, his gaze focused on it immediately. There was silence as they got down to eat. Ivy was focused on the pictures she had taken, intently observing every lighting, angle and expression as hard as it was to see. Maybe she was thinking too much into it. Maybe he was indeed trying to surprise her. He had after all said he would make it all up to her. Maybe that was what he was doing. If she was the one using her paranoid thoughts to destroy what they had, that would really hurt. It¡¯s nothing, Ivy. You are think way too much about nothing, Ivy. Maybe¡­ Her thoughts trailed slowly to an halt when she realized there was something in the picture that she hadn¡¯t seen before. There was a reflection against the window. It wasn¡¯t all that clear but she was able to pick out what it was. There was someone in the car. Her heart thundered, her throat became hot and dry. Her hold around the phone tightened. Who could that be? Who was Chris meeting? She had to deal with some rtionships in the past and being cheated on had ended a couple of them, including one that she had thought wouldst forever. They had these signs too, could it be¨C No way. She should ask him. She should ask him right now to clear this up. But would he tell her the truth. Would presenting him with proof not make him lie to her and make him hide it all the more from her? Should she¨C ¡°Are you alright?¡± Chris¡¯s gentle voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts. ¡°Uhn?¡± She asked, a little daze, pulling herself out of her train of thoughts. ¡°Why did you ask?¡± With his gaze still focused on hisptop, he answered. ¡°Your heart is racing.¡± Instinctively, her hand dashed up, resting against the upper part of her chest where her heart was racing beneath. Of course, he could heard that. Dating a supernatural being doese with it¡¯s ¡°perks¡±. ¡°Uhn uhn, of course,¡± she said, her voice sounding a little excited, a small smile forming on her lips as a idea crossed her mind. ¡°I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m just having trouble navigating through something with my phone.¡± ¡°Is it something I can help you with?¡± He looked up at her from hisptop, his full brown eyebrows creased lightly in worry. ¡°With all the work you have going on? Nah,¡± she chuckled dismissively. ¡°I¡¯ll try to see how I can fix it on my own. I might need your phone though, my phone is giving me attitude.¡± He stretched it over to her and she took it from him. ¡°your pass¨C¡± She started to ask but the phone clicked open at her touch. ¡°You have no password?¡± She asked, genuinely surprised. ¡°It recognizes your prints,¡± Chris said, his voiceced with something that seemed like mischief. ¡°That¡¯s imp¨C When did you do that?!¡± ¡°When I saved my number. My Christopher, remember?¡± He winked at her and she smiled, her attention more on what she was doing on his phone. As she was handling it back to him, his phone started ringing. Before she could catch a glimpse of the name disyed on the screen, he had already snatched his phone out of her grip and in no time he was off to the room, answering the call behind closed doors. Although his voice sounded muffled, she could still hear how serious he sounded. Ivy frowned. That wasn¡¯t suspicious ¡®at all¡¯. Her frown deepened. Chris was hiding something from her, and she could feel it in her bones that whatever it was, it wasn¡¯t pleasant. Chapter 58 – Sneaky Links? That callsted for hours. Ivy had waited to try out her gowns for him but seeing that he wouldn¡¯t be getting off the call anytime soon, she had given up on the idea. Instead, she called her parents, having her usually fun filled conversation with her Father and hardly two dialogue exchange with her Mother who had been increasingly busy these days. The way her mother still found time to send her those pictures was beyond her. When she retired to bed, Chris was in bed too. Thankfully, he was no longer on the call but he was still on hisptop, working. ¡°You should rest.¡± She said, settling herselffortably in bed. Without looking away from theptop, he pulled the nket over her, tucking her in. ¡°I will, once I¡¯m done with this.¡± ¡°Are we still going to the Amusement Park tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sure thing. Goodnight.¡± He said, cing a chaste kiss on her lips. It took her a couple of moments to fall asleep. When she woke up once again, the room was simply lit and it was a little cold, just as it had been for a couple of days she had been here. But tonight, there was something ringly different about everything, and that was the empty and cold bed space beside her. ¡°Chris?¡± She called out, pushing the nket aside and stepping out of the room. After a short search, she quickly discovered that Chris had left. To where?! She didn¡¯t know, but it was certain that he wasn¡¯t here. She went back into the rooms, checking frantically to see if there had been any sighs of struggle, but there was nothing. Then she quickly got her phone and dialed up his number, calling him. It rang and rang but an answer never came. Left with no other choice she had to check what she had inputted in his phone this afternoon. A map appeared on her screen, apanied by a blinking green light. That blinking green light indicated Chris¡¯s location. Specially, it indicated his phone¡¯s location but since he was with his phone, that was most likely where he was. In about a minute or two, she was settling into the ride that she had ordered to take her to where the blinking green light was. Everything was easy here. Including getting a ride to take you to wherever at 2:46am. This ce wasn¡¯t called Small Paradise for no reason. When she finally got to the location, she was surprised at where the ce was. She even had to double check her GPS to ensure she was at the right ce. San Pce. This was a hotel. The lights were bright and beautiful, the fences, low and see through. She could see the car park from where they were parked at the other side of the road. Now, it was time to wait. She could go in if she wanted to, but the thought of what she might find out terrified her. There was also the thought that she might just be the one overthinking everything. Although this didn¡¯t look good, things weren¡¯t always what they they seemed after all. Maybe he hade here for business. Besides, Chris wasn¡¯t like the other men she had dated in the past. He was different. In every sense. Just as she was thinking that, she saw someoneing out from the hotel. It took her a while to recognize who that was and when she finally did, all she felt was absolute relief It was Jett. Whew! He certainly came here for Jett. It was certainly Business. Then terror, unwanted images filling her mind and she froze. What if it wasn¡¯t business? She looked back quickly to see Jett stepping into his car but he didn¡¯t zoom off, instead, it seemed like he was waiting for something. Her breath hitched. What if she had been right. What if he was cheating on her with Jett?! Her head became a volcano. What if Chris was bisexual. Her heart clenched. They hadn¡¯t seemed like the type. Tears threatened to stream down her face, but she blinked it away. To think that she had thought he would be different. He was different alright! The first man to ever cheat on her with a man. ¡°Miss¡­¡± ¡°Just a little longer. I¡¯ll pay for the time even if it takes all morning.¡± ¡°Handkerchief?¡± ¡°It will smudge my mascara,¡± she replied in default, before remembering that she had no mascara on. She hadn¡¯t even had time to make up. ¡°These? They are not tears. I just like bringing out water from my eyes sometimes.¡± The Driver looked at her quizzically, before taking back his handkerchief, looking the absolutely baffled. ¡°Thank you,¡± she sniffled. ¡°You are wee?¡± Before she could say anything more, ornguish in the awkwardness that settled in the car after, she saw a woman step out of the hotel, looking a little bubbly. She slipped into Jett¡¯s car and he zoomed off after. After that was a long wait. She was picking everything together in her mind, waiting patiently to see if what she feared was what was going on. After about 30 mins, Chris came out of the hotel, and slipped into his car. A ding. Chris just sent her a message. It was a text apologizing that he had some really urgent matter of the House that he had to attend to. Ivy didn¡¯t respond to that. He had just confirmed it all.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Jett hadn¡¯t been the one Chris had been cheating on her with, thankfully. But unfortunately, he was still cheating and she didn¡¯t even know what was worse. Jett had been the one to arrange a woman for him. He had brought the woman to him and taken her back when he was down with her. Her stomach clenched painfully with betrayal. Her and Jett weren¡¯t the best of friends but this still hurt like a bitch. The person¡¯s action that hurt her the most though, remained Chris. She watched his car zoom off. After his car was long gone, her blurry tears-filled gaze still remained on the spot that had now been filled with another car. What looked away, taking a deep breath and sitting back in her seat. She had two options, wine or ice cream. For what she was about to do, she needed be really calm and logical to carry it out effectively. Besides, one could be never go wrong with ice cream. So, she told the driver to take her to the Ice cream shop. Then she sat back in her seat, closed her eyes, allowing the breeze to fan her face gently as she got down to plotting her revenge. Chapter 59 – Damn Vampire Boyfriend! ¡°By the Blood, Ivy! Where have you been?¡± Chris asked the minute she stepped into their hotel sitting room. ¡°Why weren¡¯t you answering my calls? I was starting to worry. I thought¨C¡± his voice lowered with fear and terror as he pulled her into an embrace, sniffing her in, barely allowing her to shut the doorpletely. ¡°I thought they did something to you.¡± They? He must be referring to those people that hurt Elsa. Ivy wondered how powerful those people- those beings ¨C were to cause him so much fear. Upon closer observation, she noticed that he still hadn¡¯t changed from the clothes she had seen him in earlier, although now he looked a bit disheveled. From Ivy¡¯s calction, he must have gotten home about 20 minutes ago. She hadn¡¯t spent so long at the ice cream shop. In fact, she had hardly ordered anything or even sat down before she sprinted out of the ice cream shop, to the car and told the cab driver to drive her back to the hotel. So, contrary to everything she had thought about while she was on her way to the Ice cream shop, she hade here without a n ¨C came back to him, angry, vulnerable and still very much hurt. Was this wise? Well, her brain wasn¡¯t thinking straight enough to answer that right now. She refused to respond by wrapping her arms around him and pretending that everything was fine. In fact, right now she could feel the cold emitting from him getting to her than it usually did. Almost numbing her. ¡°How old are you?¡± She asked and he slowly pulled away from her. His face puzzled, her expression stoic, like his answer was of such gravity that it could make or mar the universe. He stared at her through squinted eyes. He looked absolutely focused, she suspected that he was observing her more than he normally would. He was probably listening to her heart beat right now. So much for dating a vampire. ¡®Stay calm, Ivy. Stay calm.¡¯ she repeated to herself in her head. ¡°25.¡± He answered finally. A shadow of a smile crossed her lips, and she walked away from him, flopping down on the nearest sofa, mentally and physically exhausted. She would have to reward herself with a ss -no two- nah that wouldn¡¯t do! She would have to reward herself with a whole bottle of champagne after this. She just knew that by the time she was done with this whole confrontation thing that was popping up in her head right now, she would be needing her brainpletely alcohol dazed not to feel the pain or sadness. ¡°Your real age, Christopher?¡± She looked up at him, her expression still carefree. Chris hadn¡¯t moved from where he was standing a while ago, in fact, it almost looked like as if he had gone still with confusion. ¡°Let me guess. A hundred?¡± She snapped her fingers dramatically in the air and tilted her head to either sides at each of her guesses. ¡°No, two hundred? 500?¡± ¡°What is going on?¡± ¡°You know, I was just wondering, at what age can a person outgrown a certain¡­ habit?¡± She said with a high pitched voice, dripping of sarcasm. ¡°You are acting weird. Where were you?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like to know.¡± He crouched down beside the sofa she was sitting on, closing up the distance between them, making her look down at him. Before he had a chance to say anything though, she spoke. ¡°I woke up this morning and you were gone. Where. were. you?¡± She redirected the question with emphasis on each word. ¡°It was urgent. I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t tell you. It had to deal with the House and¡ª¡± ¡°Seriously, how old are you?¡± Sheughed, although her voice wasn¡¯t as carefree as it was before. This time around, she couldn¡¯t really hide the pain. ¡°I stopped counting some times ago. Besides, knowing how old I am wouldn¡¯t really keep this rtionship as human as possible.¡± ¡°Speaking of ¡®human¡¯, I¡¯d like to inform you that we¡¯ve already crossed that line. We have a sought of not very human connection that is bounding us together, yes? That is what started this whole thing.¡± ¡°You are my Potential,¡± Chris replied firmly. Not having an idea where any of this was leading to. ¡°How important is a Potential to your kind?¡± His frown deepened. When he spoke this time, he seemed to be getting it but she wasn¡¯t quite sure. Chris was so good at answering her questions with a firm voice, that he usually almost made her doubt even her own self. ¡°Ivy¨C¡± ¡°Because I think that is just a fancy word without any real meaning to you! If it had any meaning, you wouldn¡¯t be out there cheating on me and making your friend arrange thosedies for you. You are even worse than all my exes, goodness!¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Forgetter. She needed that bottle of champagne now! In no time she was in the kitchen, reaching into the cab for a bottle of wine, then pouring it into a ss that she had grabbed in haste, before gulping it all down at a go. ¡°I will never cheat on you, Ivy. It¡¯s impossible.¡± She chuckled. ¡°You are not different. You are just like the rest of them.¡± She paused before she fired, ¡°the day I was at the Shopping Mall, where were you?¡± ¡°Here,¡± he answered without skipping a bit. Arrghhhh! This was frustrating! ¡°How can you be so good at lying?¡± She walked pass him to get her phone in the sitting room, then she handed it to him before going back to the counter where her bottle of wine and wine ss were. ¡°That is you, that is Jett and your one-time whore.¡± She chuckled at the words ¡®one-time whore¡¯ as a bitter idea hit her. ¡°She seemed really happy. What did you tell her? That she is your Potential. My goodness, is that what you tell us all?¡± She poured herself another ss quickly, and gulped it down. ¡°Is this a game to you? Oh my goodness, is this what you always do? Did you dump someone to be with me, then you will repeat the cycle with me and¨C¡± she stopped to catch her breath before gritting out with raw hate and regret. ¡°You are a sick psycho, Christopher DeCastle.¡± ¡°Please, stop assuming things.¡± He said quietly, his voice calm and collected. ¡°I can exin.¡± She tsked. ¡°That is a very overused line.¡± ¡°I really can and it isn¡¯t what you think it is neither is it what it looks like.¡± ¡°Another round of overused lines.¡± She titled her half filled ss of wine from one side to another. ¡°All my exes said this at one time or the other.¡± My goodness, why are you making me remember them. You are making me go against my rule. I¡¯m nobody¡¯s ex, nobody is my ex.¡± Then she smiled like as if everything was well and absolutely nothing was wrong. ¡°From now on, Christopher DeCastle. I don¡¯t know you.¡± Chapter 60 – Intoxicate Me ¡°No! Absolutely not.¡± He stopped her within a sh, standing before her right at the door, blocking her passage out of the kitchen. Why did he have to be so damn fast! Now she couldn¡¯t run into the bedroom and locked the door, while she cried and ordered a ride to get a hell out of this ce. All these was hurting her way too much and she was scared that if she stayed here for too long, her tough guy facade woulde crumbling down in seconds. ¡®Hang on, Ivy. Just a little longer. You have to get out of this as a bad bitch and that wout happen if he sees that this is hurting you!¡¯ she mentally noted to herself. ¡°We are not kids, Ivy. We are not going to let a minor misunderstanding drive a wedge between us, when we can just talk it out and get it over with.¡± He sighed, getting frustrated. ¡°By the Blood, I¡¯m too old for this. We are talking things damn straight right now!¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Now you want to talk things ¡®damn straight¡¯, uhn?¡± She scoffed. ¡°Alright then, what do you have to say, Ancient one?¡± The tension in his shoulders lessened and he nodded lightly. ¡°I¡¯m a vampire, Ivy.¡± He stated, like as if that piece of information was something she had no knowledge of before. ¡°¡­ and I have cravings. Needs.¡± She scoffed again, raising an eyebrow at him in annoyance. ¡°So you have cravings to have sex with numerous partners? Honestly, an open rtionship is alright, I¡¯m just not down for that right now. Maybe you can find someone else who is.¡± ¡°What¨Cno? Ivy, just let me talk.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you have anything useful to say to me,¡± she said, grunting as she started making futile attempts to push him out of her way. ¡°If you did, you would have said it by¨C¡± ¡°I have a serious craving for your blood,¡± he cut her off, his cold voice seeping right into her ear. She took a step away from him immediately, feeling absolutely stunned. ¡°It¡¯s getting serious everytime,¡± he continued, determined to let it all out. Keeping it a secret had been nothing but trouble anyways. ¡°Almost uncontroble.¡± She gulped, finding herself frozen to a spot. ¡°For how long?¡± She managed to ask. Even she was surprised by how firm her question sounded. Right now, she was feeling anything but firm. He raised his fingers to his forehead, massaging his temples. ¡°Since the first time I saw you and knew that you could be mine, but those days it wasn¡¯t on the raise like this.¡± She took in a deep breath, trying to steady herself and clear her mind. It was an absolute necessity to be logical right now, she couldn¡¯t risk being otherwise. When she was done, she said, ¡°I still don¡¯t see how that is rted to,¡± she paused, trying to find an appropriate word before giving up and just going with, ¡°everything!¡± ¡°You know I said I wanted to keep this rtionship as human as possible,¡± he said slowly, his voice firm and serious. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Well,¡± his burning gaze shifted from her face, down to her neck. Intent, unwavering. ¡°It made me skip some things that my kind would normally do.¡± Ivy could not help the fear that pumped into her veins at that statement. Her hands flew to get neck, covering that spot where his gaze had decided to fix itself upon, in a sought of protection as different thoughts ran through her mind. What was that thing that his Kind normally did that he skipped. There were many things that she could think of. He hadn¡¯t imprinted on her yet, that was one. What if it was something she wasn¡¯t really paying attention to. Oh, no. Without thinking, she blurted out, ¡°Killing me won¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°By the Blood, no!¡± He shook a step forward and she took an immediate step back, making him stop immediately. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you, Ivy. Pease, stop making these ridiculous assumptions.¡± That was ridiculous, even she knew it, but her mind was a jumbled mess at the moment and she couldn¡¯t control how paranoid it was getting by the second. So she shrugged, dropping her hand from her neck. ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°You are my Potential,¡± he said with a low intimate voice, moving closer to her. ¡± It means I crave you in every way.¡± This wasn¡¯t the first time he was telling her that, but somehow, him telling her this once again made her feel one kind of way. Ivy didn¡¯t move, she stared back at him, telling herself mentally that it was Chris and he couldn¡¯t hurt her. She was his Potential. So when he finally stood right in front of her, she didn¡¯t step away, all she did was look right up at him. ¡°I crave for your soul,¡± His hand raised slowly to a side of her face. A tingling feeling crossed through her veins at his cold touch. She clenched her hands by her sides, standing her ground firmly. She wasn¡¯t about to just forgive him without an exnation just because he touched her face. She was stronger than that. ¡°I crave for you body.¡± ws glided down slowly to one side of her neck, grazing lightly, ensuring not to draw blood or hurt her in the slightest. She gulped, her hands aching already as she tightened them into fists again. Her lips parting lightly in a silent gasp, as she forced her eyes to remain open. He was doing something to her, she couldn¡¯t tell what, but she found herself getting lost in it. It must be the bond they share, driving her senses and turning her to mush. It wasn¡¯t helping that she was staring into those brown beautiful eyes of his that always held her at his mercy. She wanted to look away, to regain the control that she could feel was slipping fast through her fingers but she just couldn¡¯t. ¡°I crave for your blood,¡± he said in a near whisper. His hand dropped from her neck and she whined internally at the loss of his touch, but she didn¡¯t have to miss him for too long because in the next moment, he was burying his nose at the crock of her neck, breathing her in, before raising up to look into her twinkling dazed eyes. ¡°You intoxicate me.¡± Chapter 61 – Consuming Desire Seeing a sh of red in his eyes, she shook her head quickly, taking control of herself and taking a good step away from him. She was trying tomunicate right now, not getid. If she continued along the path that Chris was leading this conversation into, she knew what would happen would definitely be thetter. ¡°That is nice to know but I¡¯m yet to get my exnation.¡± She snapped and he visibly flinched, before recollecting himself. ¡°Yeah, yeah, fine.¡± He took a couple of steps away from her too, giving her room, no longer fearing that she would bolt out through the door before he was done. Although he knew that she couldn¡¯t outrun him even if she did. ¡°When I brought you here, I wanted to just survive on RedWine.¡± Ivy ears perked at that. That was the name they called packaged blood. She had heard it a lot in passing while talking to Elsa, also she had been lucky to observe the bottle of wine they brought into the restaurant on Elsa¡¯s birthday. ¡°But being so close to you all the time, makes the craving so much more than I had expected, more than I thought I could endure.¡± He paused momentarily. ¡°I needed a life source if I was to stay in control, so I told Jett to get me one as a substitution.¡± Substitution? For what? Her blood? She tapped her fingers against the counter head, making a clicking sound in the process. Wow, she got it now. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°The day at that park, I left you to go and meet Jett who had arranged a life source for me.¡± ¡°I see.¡± She said, piecing the information together in her head. ¡°And this morning,¡± his gaze turned heavy and cold, his voice filled with pain and frustration.¡±I almost fed from you in your sleep, Ivy. My thirst was maddening, I almost lost control.¡± She understood the look in his eyes now. It was fear. A cold feeling creeped over her and all the fight left her. It must have been killing him, having to deal with all these alone and but on a front for her to believe in. ¡°I had to leave the hotel without telling you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I totally forgot about the fact that you had to feed.¡± She walked towards him and held his hand in hers, feeling sorry for him. She couldn¡¯t just imagine someone telling her not to eat properly for days and pretend that all was well. That was way too much to ask from a person. ¡°I should have observed that you were not feeding. I should have sensed that something was wrong. I know you are trying to do this rtionship thing by the human standard, so as not to scare me and all but you really shouldn¡¯t starve yourself.¡± She raised her hand to his cheek, patting him lightly. ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you heard me right.¡± He pulled her hand away from his cheeks, holding it instead, and she frowned.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°What now?¡± ¡°I said I almost lost control and devoured you in your sleep and you are apologizing. Apologizing for what?¡± A smirk crossed her lips and mischief twinkled in her eyes. ¡°Devoured, uhn? That¡¯s a nice word right there.¡± He sighed, not ying along. ¡°Ivy, please.¡± She shrugged dismissively. When she spoke again, her voice sounded thoughtful. ¡°If you wanted my blood so bad, why didn¡¯t you just ask me?¡± His eyebrows knitted together, his face creasing into a frown. ¡°You would have allowed me to feed from you?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she answered like that was the most obvious answer ever. ¡°You didn¡¯t want me imprinting on you, I just thought you wouldn¡¯t want anything to do with my fangs¡­ yet. ¡± he said thest word with something that sounded like hope. ¡°Hmmm, so how should we do this?¡± She pulled him towards the sink, then turned to the wine ss that was now empty, picking it up and settling it on the table at the other side of the kitchen, along with a small kitchen knife had taken along with her. All while pulling him along with her. He didn¡¯t resist, instead he allowed her to guide her. ¡°All you need is blood, right? How about I cut my skin and allow a few drops into this cup so that you can drink it or something.¡± She ended with a broad smile and he chuckled, shaking his head in disagreement. ¡°Thanks for the kind offer, my love, but a few drops might just add to my thirst.¡± He pushed the cup away, pulling the knife away from her and dropping it at a distance, before turning to her with a serious expression. ¡°I¡¯m not cheating on you, Ivy. I will never do that.¡± Although it felt like as if they were done with that topic, he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to hammer the fact in. ¡°I know now. I just wish you¡¯d be in with me.¡± ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry. I just didn¡¯t want you finding out that I was feeding on other people. I didn¡¯t want you feeling somehow, considering how the whole feeding thing works.¡± ¡°How does it work? What do you mean?¡± ¡°Uhmm¡­¡± He said, lifting her up to sit at the edge of the table, while he stood between her legs. His jeans brushing against her own. ¡°There is a feeling the feeding gives to humans.¡± Her oblivious look gave her ignorance away and he frowned. ¡°I thought you knew about it,¡± he said more to himself than to her. ¡°What feeling?¡± ¡°Something like orgasm, they said. Highly pleasurable.¡± Volcanoes! Ivy could feel the smoke of rage emitting from her head. She dug her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie, holding his gaze while trying to look unfazed. ¡°That is very interesting.¡± She managed to say but all she could think about was the bubbly girl that hade down from the hotel and stepped into Jett¡¯s car. A feeling like orgasms, uhn? Fantastic. ¡°It is just a different kind of pleasure.¡± Chris went on, ¡°There is, of course, the intial n but the people that give themselves off as Life Sources do it because of the unexinable pleasure they experience while we feed.¡± Why did he have to keep repeating the pleasure part? Was he doing this intentionally. ¡°Wow.¡± She said for theck of anything less dramatic to say. ¡°So you have sex with your life Sources?¡± She asked, her voice dripping with jealousy which Chris sensed this time. ¡°I didn¡¯t have sex with thosedies.¡± ¡°In the past, before me met.¡± ¡°Yes, I did.¡± She nodded, what was she expecting. She had had sex with quite a number of people herself and she wasn¡¯t even as old as he was, whatever age he truly was. ¡°Whatever we take from them at that moment is always better. Lasts longer. And the pleasure is twice as much for the humans.¡± With how pleasant his voice sounded while he was saying it, it did sound like they enjoy feeding at that moment too. Like it was something he also really enjoyed. Then it clicked. She understood it now. What he meant about the thing his Kind normally did that he hadn¡¯t been doing. Being that she was his Potential, he was supposed to be feeding from her. She pulled out her hand from the pocket of her hoodie, no longer feeling jealousy but curiousity, a longing to to know, to experience. ¡°How pleasurable will it be to feed from one¡¯s Potential?¡± His gaze darted to her neck fast. Burning. Fixed. ¡°Ivy,¡± he warned. ¡°How pleasureble?¡± She moved her hands towards him, trailing them up his chest and around his neck, tugging him closer to her. He didn¡¯t resist, but he didn¡¯t meet her halfway with her efforts by leaning down towards her either. ¡°Very,¡± he answered, his voice filled with extreme longing and consuming desire. Chapter 62 – A Give and Take Pleasure ¡°For both parties?¡± ¡°Yes. It would be absolutely pleasurable for both parties.¡± Like a spell, he found himself pulling herself closer, his arms around her, his nose buried in the croak of her neck, kissing, nibbling.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Her hand slipped into his hair, her eyelids fluttering close, a warm tingling feeling slowly sipping through her veins, her skin filled with goosebumps as the heat that had grown at the pit of her stomach and spread to the rest of her body started to get unbearable. Hot. She really had to get rid of this hoodie. Suddenly he pulled away from her, his eyes were glowing red, his white fangs peaking out from the corners of his lips. He looked wild. She gulped but she still clung to him, her hold on his hair even more firm. ¡°Let go. I have to leave,¡± he said, his filled with urgency. ¡°To feed again?¡± She asked, her voice a little breathy. ¡°Yes.¡± Was his craving for her blood taking over once again? ¡°But you only just¨C¡± She was interrupted by how fast he moved her to the wall, pushing her into it. Something made a scratching sound just above her head, towards her right, and her grip on him tightened. Was he wing the wall right now? She tried to turn and look but he was burying his face in the crock of her neck once again, pulling her closer so that she was pressed to him. ¡°Ivy,¡± his voice sounded strained. ¡°You can feed without imprinting, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± His answer sounded muffled as he draw small parts of her flesh between his teeth, biting and sucking. She bit her lips, a small moan slipping through her lips before she could stop herself. Hearing that, Chris jerked away from her immediately, but she clung on to him desperately like he was her lifeline. ¡°Ivy, let go. Now. I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡± His voice was deadly serious now but she knew that he couldn¡¯t hurt her. She was safe with him. She was his Potential. He loved her. ¡°Even if you feed from another life source, your cravings for me won¡¯t be stopped. It is just like you are caging the hunger, I know you are going to snap one day,¡± she ended in a shaky voice. ¡°Now is not the time,¡± he said pulling away from her. She noticed that he hadn¡¯t denied her statement, which meant that she what she said was true. Also, he was far more powerful than her. If he really wanted to leave, he would have pulled her away a long time ago. Except¡­ if he was struggling with his thirst for her blood and his long self deprivation had made him too weak to fight against the piling thirst. ¡°We are only dying it, making the thirst get worse.¡± ¡°Let. Go.¡± His eyes were full red now and his fangs were peaking more visibly from the corners of his mouth. She could feel his arms around her tighten, he was ready to yank her away with everything he had and she couldn¡¯t let that happen. ¡°Feed from me,¡± the words tumbled right out of her mouth and she felt his hold on her go ck before, he grumbled something underneath his breath, and his grip tightened slightly again. ¡°I want you to.¡± She still had her hand in his hair, so it was easy for her to start pulling his head down to her neck just as she had read about a couple of times. What ever nonsense that was going through her head earlier with wanting to drain herself into a wine ss for him to drink. Stupid. ¡°What?¡± Chris stiffened. Raising his head to look straight at her. His eyes were still red, his bloodlust still very much present. ¡°I¡¯m your Potential. Imagine how pleasurable this will be.¡± She smiled, banishing all her fears. Besides, the thought of Chris been with anyone else and giving that unexinable plesure to that person drove her to the very edge of rage with jealousy. She wanted him to be only hers, in all ways possible. ¡°Take from me and give me pleasure.¡± Chris looked at her for a moment, not moving an inch closer, like as if he was waiting for her to be certain, but in the next second, his lips were sealed against her own, sweeping her breath cleanly away with a deep kiss, his fangs grazing against her lips lightly during the quick motion, while he away from her while he raised her against him and breezed out of the kitchen, straight to the room. Contrary to Ivy¡¯s thought, her jeans and hoodie had been easy to get rid off, in fact, she didn¡¯t know when he got rid of everything she had on. She found them littered on the floor together with his clothing too. Just when she was starting to look around in a search for him, wondering where he had gone to, she felt him behind her. Naked, cold hard body against her warm own, his hand firmly around her neck as he pulled her to himself so that she could feel his hard erection, jam-packed between his stomach and her butt cheek. A feeling jolted within her and she felt a need to clench her tights together from the sensation that took hold of her, from been close to him like this. Am ache sprung within her and her her core hardened with need. His face was once again buried in the crock of her neck as he sucked a part of her skin, his teeth nibbling at it. Before she had time to react to the pain, his hand had slide down her, her wetness making his finger easily slither through her folds and tease her entrance. Her hands curled into fists and clenched against his thighs, before she stretched adove it, grabbing him instead, making her nails dig into his skin, her lips slightly parted as a moan slipped pass them. ¡°Please¡­¡± She begged, looking back at him, while she pressed herself into him. His eyes were a pool of red, his thirst mighty, her arousal thick in the air flooding his senses, making his dick twitch. He rubbed his finger over her clit and she shrugged forward with ajerk but he pressed her right back to himself. She fell lower to her kneels, and he followed. Then she spread her legs to give him a better assess, an opportunity he immediately took and exploited. She looked down at his hand that was buried away within her thighs, her eyes a little dazed, as she started moving back and forth a little against his dick that was still erect against her butt, rubbing her butt up and down his thighs as a result. She suddenly looked up at him with a sense of urgency. ¡°Put your fingers in¨C uh!''¡± her voice trailed into a gasp, feeling two fingers slide into her, then another quickly jointing the party, thrusting in and out. Chapter 63 – So Fucking Good She threw her head back at him in pleasure, resting against his chest, pushing herself further against his dick again, earning a groan from him. Her gaze was fixed on him, but his gaze were fixed on her breasts with longing. She looked down at herself, at her raising and falling chest, full breasts and hardened nipples as she let out short breathy pants. She bite her lips, resting back against him, losing herself in the pleasure of what his hands and gaze were doing to her. One cold hand moved over her hardened nipple and she flinched when his finger twisted one, her eyes flying open quickly. ¡°Fucking wet,¡± she heard him groan, his low moans slipping through her ears, spiking her arousal, making her walls clenched around his fast moving fingers. ¡°Can you feel how hard I am for you?¡± ¡°Hmm hmm,¡± she managed a sloppy nod. His fingers moved deep inside her, one part of his palm jamming v her clit in the process with each thrust, her arousal making the process slick and smooth. Her head buzzed with plesure. Her whole body trembling slightly, she rocked against his hand. She could feel herself getting there, that peak, that sensation that was about to shake her whole being. Then he stopped. What?! He stopped, abruptly pulling out his hand from her. Before she could protest, or whine at the loss, he was pulling her up and settling her above his dick, moving her slightly, guiding her till he was buried deep inside her. He was big, but this wasn¡¯t the first time, so she took it in, biting her lips to suppress a gasp, giving her body a second to readjust to this pleasurable new presence. Then, she moved herself up and down his length, her walls clenching right around his dick, her breasts bouncing slightly. He moved along with her too, one hand on a breast, pulling her closer to him, the other back down on her clit, rubbing it ferociously. ¡°im me, Ivy,¡± he said with urgency. She could feel his dick twitching in her, throbbing. ¡°Mmm¨C mi¨C mine,¡± she stuttered through trembling lips, her body quivering. The fact that she could still even understand what he was saying was a wonder. She was near. She could feel her orgasm taking slow control, like a web waiting to be fully connected before it all shattered. Her whole body growing taut with anticipation. ¡°Y-yours,¡± Chris moaned into her ears and that alluring sound from him sent a tingling fire right down to her core that was already being assaulted by his fingers. She slid down on him, losing her fight against the pleasure that suddenly took strength away from her legs, leaving her to no longer able to stay on her kneels and ride him, his dick buryingpletely into her as a result, hitting a spot. Her eyes rolled shut, and she felt back into him, her hands clenching against his thighs, her lips parted wide open to moan into the night but she felt a sharp pain that immediately stiffled the sound. Fangs sank into her neck. Pain. Then barely a secondter. Please. Utmost pleasure.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. It was several times more than anything she had ever felt. She shook above him uncontrobly, her body witnessing something she had never felt before, as the pleasure jerked in different ways, forward mostly. He pulled her firmly back to himself with the hand he still had firmly holding a full breast, seeming not to able to get enough. Her blood. It was everything he had imagined and more. It tasted like ecstasy, exploding on his taste buds, quenching his thirst that felt like he had for centuries. A thirst he didn¡¯t even know existed. Apanied by her arousal that was thick in the air, and his lust for her that had nowpletely taken over, his bloodlust was growing. The only thing he wanted now was more. More of her blood. More of her body. MORE. So he took it. He could hear small feverish moans from her lips as he thrusted into her through her orgasm, not stopping, his finger rubbling against her wet core, ambushing her in all ways, making her wriggle desperately. Was she begging for more or telling him to stop? He didn¡¯t know. His lust grew even more and he knew he had to control his bloodlust now. Anymore and he might just kill her. She wouldn¡¯t even know if she was dying right now, she would be too high on orgasms to know. Fear rushed down his lungs at the possibility that he could kill her. He had to stop. He had to stop right now! He had wanted this first moment of him feeding from her to be about her, to give her immerse pleasure while he didn¡¯t take too much. But this bond that they shared¡­ He must stop! Despite being a Pureblood vampire who has had many years to master control, it wasn¡¯t easy to stop himself. But he quickly did, retracting his fangs, then quickly licking the holes he had punctured into her neck, wiping the blood away and sealing back her skin. Completely healing her. Then he felt his body jolt. He could no longer hold back. More small feverish moans slipped through her lips, before her mouth was wide open again, as she moaned into the night. Too many things were happening. She could feel Chris cold tongue against her neck, then she felt warm liquid filled her up, she quivered, trembling against him as she shrugged forward from the aftermath of her orgasm that had now been heightened ten times by him feeding from her and cumming in her. She rocked back and forth against him, and he pulled her closer, feeling her with every bit of his seed. Finally, she was able to regain her voice, audible pants made it out of her lips, her chest raising and falling as she copsed and trembled above him. ¡°That was good, my love.¡± She could hear Chris praising her as her body fell into a strange weakness, making her limp in his tight embrace. ¡°So fucking good.¡± Chapter 64 – Pills of Problems The next time Ivy opened her eyes, she flung right out of bed with a nket wrapped around her tightly. She felt sought of refreshed, energized. A sought of energy she couldn¡¯t describe. Her footings weren¡¯t exactly steady though, she had to leaned against the wall for a while before she could steady herself on her feet. Her bag. She needed her bag right now. She found it soon,ying carelessly on the sofa. She grabbed the bag and went through it, searching for her pills. She just hoped she wasn¡¯t doing this a little toote. They were emergency contraceptives though, so she definitely wasn¡¯t. She took the pills in one gulp, putting the ss firmly on the grey and resting a hand on it in relief. Then a thought crossed her mind, followed by many troubling thoughts. What if her pills couldn¡¯t fight against Chris sperm in her system because he was different and his sperm was like super strong. What if¨C oh no. Her hand tightened around the ss cup on the kitchen b. What if the pills wouldn¡¯t work?! What if¡ª ¡°What are you doing?¡± She startled visibly, the cup shaking in her hand before she let it go and turned to him. ¡°Chris, oh my goodness! You scared me.¡± ¡°My bad,¡± he said, walking closer to her in his blue boxer shorts. ¡°You are not the one who had to watch your girlfriend going around and searching for something like a crazy woman.¡± He pulled her into an embrace. Being closer to him now, she could see how fuller and glowy his face looked.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Ah, he must have been really starving. ¡°Last night was wonderful,¡± he said. ¡°Hmm,¡± she hummed. ¡°You fell asleep before I could even ask. How was it? Are you feeling okay? I didn¡¯t hurt you right?¡± ¡°No, I feel wonderful and it was perfect.¡± Hiw eyes twinkled with delight and he nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°So, what were you doing before I stepped in?¡± She looked back at the ss cup on the b and shrugged dismissively. ¡°Taking my pills.¡± He hummed shortly in response. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to get pregnant and I don¡¯t think you,¡± she stabbed her fingers on his chest repeatedly, ¡°are in the mood to be a Father.¡± Chris¡¯s hands ckened around her and he pulled away, his eyes no longer filled with the twinkling light of delight. ¡°You don¡¯t need them.¡± ¡°What?¡± Was he saying her pills were useless? Wow, could it be because he could mind control his sperm towards pleasure or reproduction it he wanted to? Or was he saying the pills were useless because his sperm was too strong as suspected. Oh no. This couldn¡¯t be true. Why wasn¡¯t he talking already?! ¡°Why?¡± She asked hurriedly. His next words sent her thoughts to a full stop. ¡°I can¡¯t have children.¡± Her brain took that in slowly, it felt like the time paused. ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± She said, watching him move away from her, to the other side of the kitchen. He pulled the fridge door opened and poured himself a cold ss of water. ¡°Please, let¡¯s do this some other time.¡± ¡°Ohhhh, it¡¯s some medical thing. I didn¡¯t know.¡± she mumbled to herself underneath her breath, it was almost inaudible to even her, but Chris had heard. ¡°It¡¯s not what you are thinking,¡± he said and she jumped slightly, startled that he had heard her before she rxed almost immediately. ¡°Why can¡¯t you have kids?¡± There was no use for mumbling anyways, he would still hear her even if she did. So why not just ask him straight to his face? ¡°Because you don¡¯t want to?¡± She moved closer to him, cing a hand on his arm, her voice filled with absolute understanding. ¡°Oh my God, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± She shrugged. ¡°I like kids though, not much, just one or two. Maybe we can walk through it. Therapy and¨C¡± her voice trailed off, not knowing what else to say. Noticing that she had pushed this too far despite him asking that it should be discussed some other time, she backed off. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Let¡¯s talk about this some other time. See you in the morning.¡± She moved behind him, cing a kiss on the cheek then headed for the door. ¡°I love kids.¡± His voice stopped her, it soundedborious, troubled. ¡°Really, Chris. I can wait.¡± ¡°I have always wanted to have my own children.¡± He turned to her, his eyes were hard and cold and she let her hand slip away from tbe doorknob. She nodded, signaling that she was listening. He sighed, frustrated. ¡°Vampires can¡¯t have kids.¡± She nodded involuntarily, her mouth forming a silent ¡®oh¡¯. ¡°Not even with their Potentials. Except with their soulmates.¡± She felt a dull pang in her chest at that. ¡°So you¡¯ve had Potentials in the past which you tried to have kids with?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve met Potentials in the past, a couple of them. Potentials are very rare but I never imprinted on them and I never established a rtionship with them too. I just left, they didn¡¯t even know I existed.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because they weren¡¯t what I was looking for.¡± That dull pang again. ¡°You were looking for a soulmate, so you could have kids with her.¡± He nodded. ¡°But I am not your Soulmate, just a Potential,¡± she said slowly. Why was everything suddenly looking so blurry. ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s true.¡± She looked up at him, wiping away the tears that streamed down her face. When did she be such an emotional wreak? Nonsense. ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t say it like that. You make it sound like you are not important and I don¡¯t like it.¡± He was no longer by the fridge, but a couple of steps closer to her. Seeing that she was crying, he reached out a hand for her but moved away, standing up straight so that he couldn¡¯t reach her. ¡°Why did you decide to do things differently with me? Why did you decide not to treat me the way you treated the other Potentials. Why didn¡¯t you act like I was invisible?¡± His hand grew in the air and he dropped it by his side. ¡°You are different.¡± That was an overused line and he had better start exining fully now. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± His voice deepened with even more frustration. ¡°I can¡¯t exin it.¡± Or he could just have been tired of waiting for so long, and decided to give up on everything. That type of frustration was something she could understand, although not from experience. She stepped closer to him, tucked a strand of his disheveled hair behind his ear, and held his face in-between her palms. ¡°Tell me honestly, are you disappointed.¡± He arched an eyebrow at her in question. Ivy gulped, her question was hurting her but she had to know. ¡°Are you disappointed that you ended up with me?¡± His face creased into a frown and he shook his head, pulling her into an embrace, making her face rest against his naked chest. His hold around her tightened, like he was scared that if he let go, he would lose her. ¡°I love you, Ivy. You are what I need.¡± She nodded against him, tears streaming down her eyes again. No matter howforting his words were, she couldn¡¯t help but observed that he hadn¡¯t answered her question. Chapter 65 – A Deadly Arrival ¡°And this?¡± Ivy stepped out of the dressing room, and twirled around in her sleeveless white dinner gown. Stopping in front of Chris who was seated on the edge of the bed, in his yellow T-shirt and pair of ck jeans. They had gone out today to the Amusement pack finally, then they went to a restaurant after. Right now, they back at home, Ivy was trying out the dresses she bought on the day she had seen Chris in the car, while Chris was grading the dresses.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I think you are starting to get me hot and bothered.¡± Ivy leaned forward towards him, a smile stretching across her lips, her right thigh making it out of the slit of her dress, as she knelt on the bed in-between his open legs. ¡°What happened to all the numbers you were giving before?¡± She whispered in his ear, while tracing something invisible. When she moved away from his ear and looked at his face, his eyes were glowing red. Was he going to feed from her again? Something warm tingled across her skin at the thought of how pleasureble him feeding from her had been thest time. Oh goodness, she couldn¡¯t wait! He ced a hand on her bare back, moving it up and down, then his lips sealed against hers in a kiss. She ced a hands by the side of his neck, kissing him back. When they pulled away, her voice was breathing and her chest was raising and falling from how breathless she was. ¡°I¡¯m not done trying out all my dresses yet,¡± she whispered, pressing her forehead against his, her eyes closed. ¡°Then I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t might me helping you out of this one.¡± His fingers drew circles on her bare bare and she gasped, her hands slipped around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Then his phone started ringing, she looked back at it, picking it from the table behind her and handing it over to him. ¡°It¡¯s Jett. You should tell him you don¡¯t need those Life Sources anymore.¡± He beamed, taking the call as she withdrew from him to search for the next dress to try on. ¡°What?!¡± Chris flung up to his feet immediately. ¡°No way!¡± Ivy frowned looking back, the brown dress she nned on trying on still in her hands. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± ¡°What is wrong?¡± He didn¡¯t answer, instead he started moving around, picking a thing or two then adjusting his cloth, like as if he was leaving. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± ¡°It is, you don¡¯t have to worry. I can deal with it.¡± Then he held her wrist, pulling her towards the door. ¡°We have to get going now.¡± ¡°We are leaving? How about my dresses? What is going on?!¡± ¡°Nothing. You don¡¯t have to bother yourself. Everything is fine.¡± In a sh, they were on the rooftop. Ivy felt dizzy as Chris helped to steady her to her feet. Then they got to an open rooftop. It was cold here and she hugged herself, rubbing her hands against her shoulders from the cold. Looking around at the sky and the other tall buildings around them, that now looked a little shorter, she asked, ¡°what are we doing here, Chris?¡± ¡°We are waiting for Jett and the rest.¡± ¡°Why?¡± This was starting to really annoy her. ¡°You have to exin things to me. I¡¯m so confused.¡± He was pacing around, looking up at the sky in expectation. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he is back,¡± he muttered angrily to himself as he passed by Ivy and she caught that. ¡°Who is back?¡± ¡°What?¡± He turned to her, being brought out from his train of thoughts. ¡°You said someone is back.¡± He sighed, nodding. ¡°You look so disoriented. What is going on?¡± She demanded firmly this time around. ¡°My brother is back.¡± ¡°And what is bad about that?¡± Whatever Chris said next was drowned out by the sound of a descending helicopter, thatnded safely on the roof. The light felt almost blinding. Soon after, someone stepped down from the helicopter. ¡°He is back.¡± Jett said looking a bit ttered for a second. ¡°Hey, Yours Girl.¡± ¡°Can someone just tell me why that is bad?¡± ¡°Nothing for you to worry about,¡± Chris assured her once again as he walked away with Jett to a side. Well, she might be minding the ¡®whole keeping secrets for her own good¡¯ thing now. She wanted to eavesdrop by following them but someone stood in front of her, blocking her path. She looked up quickly, shocked at who she saw. It was the Butler! The very one she had thought to be dead all these while. ¡°You?¡± ¡°Good evening, Sire¡¯s Woman.¡± ¡°I¡­ thought you were dead.¡± ¡°I am,¡± he said nkly. ¡°No, I mean. I thought Elsa finished you off.¡± Well, that sounded weird, so she quickly added. ¡°Not that I want her to, just that I didn¡¯t see you around and I thought¡­¡± Her voice trailed off and she was quiet for a couple of seconds, bit making an attempt to say anything more. Only then, did he speak. ¡°I understand. Newly turned aren¡¯t usually strong. It¡¯s an exception that she was strong enough to knock me out.¡± ¡°Maybe, it was a coincidence. Maybe you were just¡­ weak?¡± She whined internally at that when she saw his eyes glinting red. She really shouldn¡¯t have said thatst part, but she knew she safe. No harm coulde upon her, Chris was near by. ¡°Coincidence? It doesn¡¯t exist. There is always a reason. Vague or obvious but it¡¯s always there.¡± She nodded. ¡°I never got a chance to say this. Thank you for saving my life.¡± ¡°You are most weed.¡± Then he brought his folded hands in front of him. There was a jug in one hand and tea cup in the other. ¡°Tea?¡± What?! Did he take that with him everywhere? On the helicopter too?! This butler was really strange. ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°Princess!¡± Elsa rushed out to her, pulling her into an embrace and Ivy hugged her tightly in response. She hadn¡¯t changed so much, just that her hair was now fully ck and she was wearing a ck leather jumpsuit. Jumpsuits weren¡¯t usually her style. Ah, she had really missed her. ¡°Look at you, dying from how much you¡¯ve missed me.¡± ¡°Elsa!¡± Jett called from a distance, waving his hand in the air, showing her his wrist watch. That was signal for her to hurry up. She nodded in response then looked back at Ivy. ¡°I want to spend so much time with you because of how much I have really missed you, but I have to go.¡± Ivy quickly held her hand before she could even made the attempt to move away. ¡°Where are you going? Where is everywhere rushing to?¡± ¡°There will be a meeting. I¡¯m not supposed to tell you this but¡­¡± She grunted, her veins showing by her neck, like as if she was in pain. ¡°Someone just arrived, the Sire¡¯s brother and the meeting has something to do with something they have been trying to put off for a long time, a newly turned that is¨Cah!¡± ¡°Elsa, are you okay?¡± ¡°I just have to be there bec¨C¡± she crashed to her feet, holding her throat in pain, her eyes turning red. ¡°Oh my goodness! Elsa what is wrong?!¡± Ivy¡¯s heart raced with fear and she looked around for help. Then Chris appeared out of nowhere, his hand around her wrist as he yanked her up to her feet, his eyes glowing red, his fangs peeping out from the corners of his lips. ¡°I warned you!¡± Chapter 66 – A Surprise at Home ¡°I told her nothing, Sire.¡± Ivy had never heard Elsa¡¯s voice tremble with so much fear in her life, except for the time when they had found her bleeding to death. Immediately, Elsa seemed to havee back to herself. She was no longer grunting in pain, she seemed normal now. ¡°We have to go,¡± Chris said to Ivy. When he turned to her, he no longer looked wild. He pressed a kiss against her lips, sending tingles down her veins, goosebumpscing her skin. He pulled away, resting his forehead against her¡¯s, before he finally let her go. He turned to the Butler that was now by her side once again. He wasn¡¯t there before, he must have used his vampire speed. ¡°Keep her save for me. Koel.¡± ¡°Yes, Sire.¡± Without another word, he started walking towards Jett, towards the helicopter. This didn¡¯t feel good at all. It felt like somest goodbye scene right out of a movie and she didn¡¯t like it one bit. ¡°See you soon, Princess.¡± Elsa managed to give Ivy her signature carefree smile, but Ivy knew her too well and she knew that her best friend, right now, was afarid.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. So while they all went into the helicopter and disappeared into the sky, Koel started leading her down the stairs, back into the hotel. Different thoughts filled Ivy¡¯s mind and bugged her. Why was the brother¡¯s arrival making everyone like this? What did it have to do with Elsa? Was Elsa safe? What were they nning to do with her best friend?! *** Ivy had gotten her dress from the room. The next thing she knew, she was in the car with Koel, who was driving her home. The ride back home was quiet and no one said a thing till they finally arrived at her house. ¡°Thanks for dropping me home,¡± Ivy said, then she came out of the car, bags in her hand while she struggled to shut the door respectfully. Koel stepped in, helping her shut the door while he took the bags from her like as if they weighed nothing. They must weigh nothing to him anyways. ¡°I¡¯ll help.¡± She nodded in gratitude. When they got into thepound though, she met the shock of her life. Her parents car was in thepound. Then she saw Davies, who was on his way out, retiring for the night. That was strange. It must be some minutes to 11. He usually retired for the day earlier than that, especially because hadn¡¯t been at home as ofte. ¡°Good evening, Davies. I can see my parents car here, are they back?¡± She asked as quickly as she could. She needed answers and she needed them right now. ¡°Good evening, Miss Rominnez.¡± He answered, folding his hands behind him. ¡°Yes, Mr and Mrs. Rominnez are back.¡± What was¡ª why hadn¡¯t they told her?! She had to ask him again, specifically when they returned because she knew that he would never give an answer to a question he wasn¡¯t directly asked, even if the question had been implied. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Tonight, only about 33 minutes and 12 seconds ago. 15 now.¡± ¡°Fantastic.¡± Davies didn¡¯t say anything back, he only stared back at her. ¡°May I take my leave now, Miss Rominnez?¡± ¡°Wait, did they look like they were nervous or look strange when they got back?¡± Davies stared back at her nkly. ¡°I didn¡¯t observe, Miss Rominnez. I didn¡¯t think it was necessary to.¡± She used to like him because he minded his business. Now she wished he was a bit nosy. ¡°But you are the one who drove them back from tbe airport. How can you not know?¡± Now, there was no way for her to get an hint of why her parents had returned so suddenly. Even her Father hadn¡¯t told her of their arrival. Some minutes of silence passed between them before Davies spoke up. ¡°My apologies but it not my job to know. Miss. Rominnez, may I take my leave now?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She smiled to him tightly. She definitely hated him now. ¡°Thank you.¡± He nodded curtly then took his leave, not evengiving Koel as much as a nce. Ivy grabbed her bags from Koel, smiling warmly at him. ¡°I can take it from here.¡± She turned around, struggling as she walked closer to the door, getting closer to the stairs. Then she stopped and turned around. ¡°Why are you following me?¡± ¡°The Sire wants me to keep you save.¡± ¡°I know, you¡¯ve done your best.¡± She started walking but still, he followed. She stopped abruptly. ¡°You really have to leave now. It is not like you nned to spend the night in my ce in the name of protecting me anyways.¡± He stared back at her, his stance unttering. ¡°You did?!¡± ¡°The Sire didn¡¯t want me hanging around like I didst time.¡± ¡°Last time? Whatst time?¡± ¡°The night you knew our identity.¡± ¡°Great. I really have to talk to Chris about boundaries.¡± She muttered underneath her breath as she huffed. She knew he heard her though. ¡°You still have to go though.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t. The Sire believes I must stay with you in the house to offer a greater protection.¡± She nodded, although not in agreement, as she took in deep breaths. ¡°You hung aroundst time and I didn¡¯t notice you. Hang around again.¡± She started walking away, certain that she had dismissed the situation, but then the moving shadow behind her said otherwise. ¡°Are you serious right now?!¡± ¡°No, Sire¡¯s Woman, I cannot hang around. It is against the orders that I received.¡± Chris was really getting on her nerves now. ¡°Orders, h h h. I get it. But what do you expect me to tell my parents when I bring you in?¡± He stared back at her nkly, not attempting to give a response. ¡°I know I have a reputation but no! I can¡¯t say I¡¯m bringing a guy home and all. My mum will n the wedding! We¡¯ll Mr and Mrs before Sunrise.¡± He shrugged, not concerned in the least. ¡°I make great tea.¡± ¡°How does that help anything?!¡± Colour her frustrated. It felt like as if she was talking to a stubborn child. She really couldn¡¯t deal with this right now. She still had worried thoughts about Elsa¡¯s wellbeing filling her brain, then there was the houghts of why her parents were back. Had they just dropped by as they usually did Her eyes widened as a thought crossed her mind. Or¨C oh no! Had any of Chris¡¯s enemies discovered her parents and done something to them? Suddenly all her worries became unimportant, and she raced towards the door. Chapter 67 – Wrongly Meet The Parents Whatever Ivy had seen when she got in definitely wasn¡¯t what she had expected. The light was on in the sitting room and everything seemed peaceful. Then a loud rattling from the kitchen. Ivy tensed up as she tiptoed closer to the kitchen, her heart thundering in her chest. ¡®Let my parents be alright, let my parents be alright.¡¯ She mumbled continually to herself till she came to the open door. ¡°Careful, Maxwell. It¡¯s still hot.¡± She heard her mother snap with urgency but she sounded nothing like she was in some sought of grave danger. ¡°Ayyy, Romito. I was wondering when you¡¯ll get home.¡± Her mother said, looking straight at her.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She looked as firm as always, just that this time she had a pan in her hands, an apron on, and she seemed almost bubbly. Even now, she still looked like Ivy¡¯s elder sister by a couple of years and not her mum. She would have to find out the secret of eternal youth from her, it mighte in handy some day. ¡°There you are,¡± her Father said, turning away from the kitchen b. There was a knife in his hand, he must have been chopping something. Maybe vegetables. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for your arrival.¡± ¡°So good to see you Pa and Ma,¡± Ivy said nervously. Everything seemed to be alright but they hadn¡¯t spoken about rushing down for a business break or something in the line of business yet. In fact, they didn¡¯t look it. What was going on? ¡°So¡ª¡± She started to say, joining them in the kitchen, helping out with the pans and anything she could chip in with. ¡°You should be apologizing foringte.¡± Her mother cut her off. ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± Her gaze followed her mother as she walked around the kitchen. Why was she supposed to apologize? Was today a special day or somethi¨C She caught a nce of her father, making inaudible sounds to her while swinging his hand quickly in a dramatic way in the air. Her eyes grew wide when she finally understood what he was saying. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Ma. I wanted toe back home immediately but I got lost in a dinner date.¡± Thanks to her dress, that lie was smooth. ¡°A dinner date uhn?¡± Her mother turned to her after putting in a baking pan filled with cake mix in the oven, a glint of something in her eyes. ¡°Interesting.¡± Ivy beamed nervously, mouthing a ¡°thank you¡± to her Father when her Mother¡¯s gaze turned away from her, back to what she was preparing. ¡°What¡¯s his name.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Ivy shrugged dismissively, passing a tray to her Father. ¡°Happy anniversary, Ma and Pa!¡± She announced before her Mother would force her to give more information about her fake date. Her Mother suppressed a mile and her Father beamed. ¡°Thank you, Sweetheart. We love you too.¡± Her Father pressed her into a side hug and she pulled away almost instantly, mischief twinkling in her eyes. ¡°Get that mushiness away from me.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯m done waiting. Where is my gift?¡± Her Mother said, twirling a kinfe on the kitchen b, her gaze fixed on Ivy. ¡°Y-your gift?¡± Her mother arched her a questioning eyebrow, her eyes growing growing suspicious. ¡°You did not forget ny gift, did you Romito?¡± Oh goodness, this wasn¡¯t good. If her Mother was to find out that she had forgotten, she¡¯d be doomed. Her Mother looked back at her Father that was now behind her, with squinted eyes, then back at her. ¡°Did you even truly remember that today was your parents wedding anniversary? Ivy Romina Rominnez, now that I think about it, I don¡¯t remember you calling me or leaving a text to wish me today.¡± Great. This would be a right time to start digging a grave because that would be where she would be sleeping tonight¡­ and every other nights, from now on, till forever. Just as Ivy wase up with some not-throughly thought out lies to save herself, she heard a voice from behind her. Koel? Goodness, she had totally forgotten about him! ¡°Happy anniversary, Mr and Mrs. Rominnez. Sorry for stepping inte, I had to go back to get your gift in the car.¡± He stepped forward handing her parents two different separate bags. ¡°Ahh, how could I have forgotten? Thank you, Koel.¡± That was a save she appreciated but seeing the way her parents liked whatever it was that was in those bags, she knew a bigger problem wasing. After thanking him and Ivy, her mother was quick to ask, with a small smile stretching across her lips. ¡°You are Ivy¡¯s date, ain¡¯t you?¡± And there it was. She gave it five minutes before her Mother would start talking about what wedding dress would fit with the asion. Then how the invitation cards should be designed. Ahhh. She really didn¡¯t have the strength for this tonight. ¡°Ivy has never brought home a guy for us before. She must be taking you seriously.¡± Her Father said and Ivy shook her head immediately. ¡°Pa!¡± ¡°What?¡± He shrugged dismissively, ¡°it¡¯s the truth.¡± ¡°I believe there must have been some sought of misunderstanding. I¡¯m not her date, I¡¯m a friend.¡± ¡°A friendddd?¡± Her mother asked, putting her bags carefully away. Okay, she had to put an end to this right now but Koel was fast. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m merely here to apany the Sire¡¯s Woman.¡± Ivy¡¯s head rang bells. Sire¡¯s Woman? Seriously?! Whenst had he been made tomunicate with humans? Could he just shut up and let her handle this. ¡°Sire¡¯s Woman?¡± Her father asked, looking from him to her. ¡°That is the pet name he calls me as friends.¡± Ivy chuckled nervously. ¡°Koel, I¡¯ve told you to stop calling me that. People are going to get the wrong impression. We are just friends.¡± ¡°Pet name, hmmm.¡± Her parents hummed definitely not buying her lie. Well, she couldn¡¯t tell them the truth so she would just have to butter up her lie even more. Her parents had been very hospitable, leading Koel to the dinning table while they served him refreshments. Before they went back to the kitchen, pulling their daughter along to have a word with her. If only Koel had been Chris then she would know that this stress was worth it. But no! Ahhh. The questioning began. ¡°He definitely looks our age but age is just a number when ites to love,¡± her Father started, sounding as supportive as ever. ¡°And contract marriages too, I guess.¡± A strain crossed her Mother¡¯s face at that and she quickly shook it off. ¡°Don¡¯t try to change the subject.¡± It took Ivy 30 whole mins to convince her parents that he was just a friend that needed a ce to crash. They didn¡¯t believe that either but on getting back to the dinning table, Koel¡¯s tea had really helped in calming down the situation, as her parents strangely let it slid and started talking about tea vours with Koel instead. Her father wasn¡¯t pestering her with questions about this man she had never mention to him before and her Mother wasn¡¯t already nning a wedding. A miracle! Maybe Koel¡¯s tea wasn¡¯t that bad after all. They all had dinner now and they were all in their rooms, except for Koel who wasn¡¯t in the guest room but in hers. Using the same excuse once again. She really hoped her parents wouldn¡¯te upstairs because she didn¡¯t know how she would exin to them why he decided to sleep in her room on the floor, when they gave him a whole to to crash for the night. She put her phone down finally. Shs really had to stop calling Elsa and texting Chris so much. But she couldn¡¯t help but be paranoid. There had been no response from them whatsoever and that only increased the feeling of an impending doom looming over her head. She just hoped they were okay. She sunk further into bed, looking up at the ceiling. If only she had an idea of what was going on¡­ If only¡­ Chapter 68 – For Example ¡°There are no unwanted presence in the house, I did a quick check beforeing down to the kitchen.¡± Koel¡¯s voice snapped her out of her train of thoughts. He was seating by her dressing table, his arms folded across his chest. The light was still on, so she could see him perfectly. ¡°Nice. That is very normal. When did you get the gifts?¡± ¡°On our way here. The Sire had told me to.¡± Ivy found herself smiling at that. Chris was always so thoughtful. She couldn¡¯t wait to get this contract holding her hostage to expire so that she could marry him. Then she remembered theplications of his world and she sighed. ¡°More tea?¡± She looked towards Koel who was already ready to pour her a cup of tea, and she sighed tiredly. ¡°You are going to drown me in tea.¡± He stopped, then set back the jug on the table. ¡°If you don¡¯t want more tea, then is there something I can help you with? I have studied humans a lot. I cane in assistance.¡± She sat up at the opportunity. ¡°Who is Chris¡¯s brother and why is everyone afraid of him?¡± ¡°Afraid?¡± Koel asked, his expression tight. ¡°Yes,¡± she blurted. ¡°No one said anything about that but I could sense it.¡± He hummed. ¡°I cannot tell you that, Sire¡¯s Woman. I have orders not to.¡± Ivy tsked, falling back into bed. ¡°Worth the shot.¡± ¡°Is there anything else I might assist you with?¡± ¡°Yeah, in fact, there is.¡± She was sitting up once again. ¡°So let me get this straight. You are not attracted to human women, yeah?¡± ¡°That is a bold assumption.¡± His hand was already curling around his ceramic jug handle again. ¡°Tea?¡± ¡°Argh, stop with you tea. I¡¯m trying to figure out why Chris is sofortable with this whole arrangement. Aren¡¯t Vampires supposed to be possessive of their Potentials or something?¡± ¡°Sire¡¯s Woman, if you haven¡¯t observed¨C¡± ¡°Argh, stop with your Sire¡¯s Woman too. It makes me feel old. Just call me Ivy.¡± He looked her dead in the eyes and said, ¡°I can¡¯t call you that.¡± ¡°Why, is that another order?¡± ¡°No but I think it¡¯s implied. Back to your question. Sire¡¯s Woman¡­¡± Ivy rolled her eyes at his stubborness. She probably would just have to get used to it. ¡°¡­ if you haven¡¯t observed it yet, the Sire has a control on us. We obey him, it is how we are.¡± ¡°Because he is your Sire.¡± He nodded. ¡°He turned us and we willy down the rest of us, dead or not, for him.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°What if you went against him?¡± She asked, thinking back to what had happened to Elsa on the rooftop. ¡°We can¡¯t. It is against our very being to go against our Sire. It is torture, for us.¡± Ivy gulped, she suddenly felt a tingle of fear cross through her veins. ¡°Can he sense it if you try?¡± He nodded. Then poured a cup of tea¡­ Oh no¡ª For himself, thank goodness. But on a second thought, that might be because this conversation was making him uneasy. An idea popped up in her mind and she asked. ¡°Have you ever tried?¡± ¡°Never.¡± He set the cup back on the saucer, making it click against that ss. It was still a wonder how he carried that whole set around without breaking any. Carrying it around in itself was enough wonder to her. Did he never get tired? ¡°So he isfortable because he is sure that you won¡¯t go against his orders, because he is your Sire.¡± ¡°Also because I had a Potential in the past.¡± Wow. Had ¨C keyword. She mentally noted to herself. ¡°Oh, what happened?¡± ¡°She was human, one that wanted to stay human.¡± He poured the tea for himself again, his eyes glimmered with tears, his smile never ttering but it was obvious he wasn¡¯t going to say more. Like it was a happy sad memory. The mood in the room had grown solemn. ¡°How many years ago was that?¡± ¡°A century? More? I have lost count of the years but everytime, it feels like it had all happened yesterday. Like she is still there.¡± There was silence. ¡°Potentials are precious. They are the closest we will ever get to a soulmate. They are what humans call true love and sometimes we find love where we shouldn¡¯t.¡± Ivy blinked, her mouth slightly parted in a gasp. That made her think of Chris. How they were so different. He said she was the only Potential he had ever wanted to be different with. If she was this important, why had he been willing to let her go when he thought she didn¡¯t want to be with him. He loved her. Loved her so much that he didn¡¯t want her to be forced to anything, even if her decision might hurt him. ¡°Can¡¯t you just find another one? Humans can.¡± ¡°It is harder for us. As long as we are still attached to a Potential, we can¡¯t find another one. Even for dead hearts like ours, it takes time for us to move on. Sometimes it takes all the time we will ever have. Immortal as we are.¡± Goodness. Could that be why Chris had stayed away from the few Potentials he found in the past? Could it be that being attached to a Potential, crippled the ability of finding one¡¯s Soulmate too? She felt Koel standing up and looking towards her. ¡°I must fed.¡± He said before stepping closer to her. Hold up! No way. A smile stretched across his lips as he looked away and pull up a ck bag from the floor. He zipped it open, then pull out some things that looked like juice boxes before sitting back down. Ah, he was just messing with her. What a relief. ¡°It had been so long since I have been jealous of a person with a beating heart,¡± he said passively, then he started drinking. Which reminded her of Chris drinking from her. How different their rtionship was. And how Koel might be their future, what they ended up being. Her, dead and him, living on with these memories. Her heart grew heavy at the thought. If she wanted their story to be different, she would have to be a Vampire. She gulped, her mind filling with different thoughts. She definitely wouldn¡¯t be sleeping tonight. This time around, when Koel handed her a cup of tea, she epted it, sipping the small sweet smelling warm liquid. They drank their tea in silence. She didn¡¯t want to be a Vampire. What would happen to her parents? Won¡¯t that just make her have more dangerous enemies, like Chris already did. She wondered why Chris never brought this up, surely, he must have thought about it. Maybe because he already knew her answer. That despite the fact that she no longer considered them as monsters, she still didn¡¯t want to be one herself. Ping! A text. She checked her phone and it was ¡°My Christopher¡± ¡°Sleep tight, my Love. Missed your calls, can¡¯t talk right now. I¡¯m so sorry about everything. Elsa is fine, we are all fine. Sorry we had to cut our fun time short, I¡¯ll make it up to you soon, I promise.¡± She smiled, putting the phone away to resist the urge to call and hear his voice. Then she started feeling dizzy and Koel took the cup away, tucking her back in bed. Why was she so sleepy all of a sudden? Just as she started fading away, she could hear the voice of someone sobbing quietly behind her. Koel. He must be thinking about his Potential. Ivy¡¯s heart squeezed with an impending loss. A foreign grieve that was quickly getting too farmr. Was this Chris future, ying right in front of her? Was this really a foreshadowing of whatid ahead of them? Chapter 69 – Ignorance is Bliss Flowers again. It¡¯s been three days after that whole incident. Things had been rtively back to normal, Koel had left the morning after, and this was the third time in a row that Chris was sending flowers to apologize. He said he would keep doing that till he was able to get off the House duties, thene to her and make all the lost moments up to her in a grand style. Today¡¯s bouquet of flowers was abundant. Red roses. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want toe with us to Ubia?¡± Her Mother asked, rushing around the room. Her parents were going on a trip once again, only that this time it wasn¡¯t majorly for business. They nned to have fun along the way. Ivy was happy about that. ¡°Take this to the car,¡± her Mother said to one of the helpers. ¡°I¡¯m sure. I have things to do here.¡± Ivy set the flowers aside and flopped on the sofa. ¡°Like what? Not go to work? Invite more men over who make great tea and call them ¡®just friends¡¯? Get this unending roses delivered to your doorstep?¡± Well, she would never hear the end of this. ¡°Not that I¡¯mining, if all these will get you married soon.¡± ¡°I have a job, Ma.¡± ¡°What job?¡± ¡°At the restaurant.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even have a real posi¨C get this luggages too. Take the two boxes, okay. Maxwell,e and talk down senses into her.¡± ¡°Coming, Hon!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to Ubia with you.¡± ¡°Why? I have to introduce you to some Investors¡¯ sons. You¡¯ve seen their bodies, this time around you¡¯ll hear them talk and decide if they have a brain.¡± ¡°Who¡¯s home?¡± A high pitched voice called from the door. Aunt Alice in her signature outlook. An overflowing dress to kill, an hatrge enough to shield the whole world from the sun, a face caked with make up, and jewelries everywhere. And yes, her dark sunsses. Not to forget, her ever growing confidence. Ah, Aunt Alice was just a mix of different things. Good and bad. ¡°There you are, Halma. I was thinking you¡¯dete,¡± then her mother added, giving her a pointed look, ¡°as usual.¡± ¡°To Ubia? Are you kidding me!¡± Aunt Alice hugged Ivy¡¯s father briefly in greeting, he returned the quick embarce. Ivy hugged Aunt Alice in greeting, who then went to kiss Ivy¡¯s Mother on her cheek, she was quick to pull away, not a fan of these type of action. Aunt Alice knew this and she had done that purposely to tick her off. She considered it fun. ¡°Do you know how many hot guys I could find on the beach? How many sugar boys I could be the mummy to. No way, I¡¯m missing that, Luisa.¡± Ivy looked up from where she was once again seated on the sofa at the mention of that name. That name was a kind of inside joke for them. Ivy had tried to hack the joke for years but she never got it. ¡°You fought with him again, didn¡¯t you?¡± Aunt Alice scoffed. ¡°Pablo is a useless man. It¡¯s been 15 years, yet he is still asking for kids, he knows I can¡¯t have kids, he knows that he can¡¯t have kids too. We are perfect for each other but that useless prick won¡¯t let me have peace.¡± She paced around, careful with her steps despite how mad she was. ¡°Has hospitality died or something? Why haven¡¯t I been offered a drink yet?¡± Maxwell nodded. ¡°Sorry about that. Tequ?¡± ¡°Perfecto!¡± She winked at him. ¡°Coming right up.¡± Then he disappeared into the kitchen and soon he was back. ¡°Pablo is a very useless man.¡± It wasn¡¯t anything new to hear Aunt Alice go against her husband like this. They were both in a love-hate rtionship. One minute they were together and in love, the next they were with other people and hating each other. Ivy had no idea why they were still together or how they did it but they did it anyways. Ivy was sure if something though. They needed help. ¡°The argument was heated. Thank you, Maxy.¡± She collected the ss cup from him, taking her tequ in a gulp, then setting it down on the side table, the ice cubes in the cup, clicking together. ¡°Is this thest box? Take them all out, right to the car. Did you bring your car, Halma?¡± She shook her head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t get the keys, Pablo hid them.¡± Her Mother sighed. ¡°Take Halma¡¯s things to the car too.¡± She directed the helpers. ¡°I hate him. He is out with some whore and I¡¯m not going to stay inside thatrge prison and cry my eyes out.¡± A wide smile stered across her face. ¡°I need to take the D from some legal young blood, you get me?¡± Ivy¡¯s parents had advicedAunt Alice and her husband to go for therapy several times, they refused. In fact, her Father had once drove them there himself, d throughout the ride that he had been able to convince them to take this step. They left him in the car, went into the building then took the back door, ordered a ride and went to two different ces where they imed they were needed. Her poor Father discovered hourster that he had been tricked. He still offered to drive them back dayster. He had a heart of gold. Too much gold. ¡°You are just shameless,¡± her mother tsked. ¡°Shamelessly rich and sexy. Woohoo!¡± ¡°The mirror is not your friend,¡± her mother tackled. Her Father said nothing, he didn¡¯t fancy getting into these types of conversations between Halma and his wife. They continued brickering till the helpers came by and told them they were set to leave. Her parents turned to her to say goodbye, surprising Aunt Alice who had thought she would being along. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to Ubia?¡± Aunt Alice asked Ivy, who was stillying on the sofa. We might spend a month or so.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°You girls nning on doing something?¡± Her voice was filled with curiousity. ¡°Elsa said no too.¡± ¡°She did?¡± Ivy¡¯s Father asked. Aunt Alice nodded, her voice growing distant as they headed to the car hurriedly not to miss their flight. Yeah, Elsa was back too. As usual she hadn¡¯t told Ivy about what happened at the meeting but from her actions, Ivy deduced that things hadn¡¯t gone bad. She wondered why Chris was not yet back though. A car door mmed shut, snapping her out of her thoughts. She waved them goodbye, heading back into the house but Aunt Alice¡¯s voice filtered to her ears even as they started driving away. ¡°She never turns down an offer to go to Ubia. The reason was what I found the strangest. She said she wanted to get a job.¡± Damn! That woman¡¯s voice could wake up the dead. Soon enough, the gates were shut. They were gone and she went back inside.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. If only Ivy knew what was awaiting her that night, she would have just followed her parents to Ubia. But she didn¡¯t and ignorance was bliss. Or was it? Chapter 70 – Who is Her Husband? It all began that night. It was raining, really heavily. There was the thunder and lightening, the noise, the peace. Feeling unusually sleepy, Ivy had gone up early, had her bath and changed into her thick nightgown to help her stay warm. She had also ensured that the windows and doors were locked, the curtains pulled down. The room still felt a little cold but she like it. She hadn¡¯t settled into her bed though, instead she had eased into her dressing chair, texting back polite replies to her piling inbox. Then she heard it. A noise by her window. It was so silent, she could have missed it. At first she had just thought it was the wind but her mind went to what had happened to Elsa and she grew tensed. What if someone was out there, climbing up her window. What if the person was one of Chris¡¯s enemies and they had finally been able to get to her? What if they were here to kill her. Her throat choked with fear, it was getting rather difficult to breath now. With her hands hovering over her keypad, she texted a ¡°Danger¡± to the first two people she had on speed dial. ¡°My Christopher¡± ¡°Elsa¡± She felt a chill run down her spine as she felt cold breeze seep through her curtains into the room. Her bodyced with goosebumps. The person had already opened the window. What if they weren¡¯t one? What if they were more? Her hands reached for the first thing that she could grabbed. It was a mini scissors. Well, that was better than nothing. If only she had just gone to Ubia. These people must have known that she was alone and would be easy to attack. She was certain that they weren¡¯t normal. Goodness, she would die today! Whatever they did, she just hoped they wouldn¡¯t mar her face, she would like to keep her beauty even in death. Good thing her parents weren¡¯t at home. Wherever they were, she was sure that they were save. She just hoped the killer would leave the room neat, she wouldn¡¯t want to break her parents heart with her mangled body. Mangled¡ª Her heart pounded in her ears the more she felt the cold seeped into the room. Lightening shed. She gulped, her hands tightening around the scissors. Mangled body. Her mind reminded her. It was like as if her body had decided to remain immobile and her brain had gone nk, except those words. Oh goodness, she was going to die, while beingpletely ignorant of the reason why. She didn¡¯t even know anything about the House! Wait. MANGLED BODY?! No way! She had seen enough to know not to ever go down without a fight. She would be the one doing the mangling alright! Hopefully¡­.? She stood up immediately, turning her attention forward, holding her scissors with the pointed edge forward. This was her territory, she had to defend it. Besides, she had a gwaning feeling they wouldn¡¯t be leaving her face untouched. The thought of her unpleasant face being thest memory she would leave with people made her skin crawled. If after all these, her mangled face would still be it, then she would know that she had given it a good fight. Why weren¡¯t Elsa or Christopher or both of them here already? ¡°I can bite too, you know! And my teeth are really sharp. Don¡¯t dare underestimate these babies.¡± That sounded so dumb. Right after she said it. But her voice had been confident, maybe that would do it.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°And I thought I was the only one doing the biting in this rtionship.¡± The curtain moved to one side and in came Chris with a ck raincoat, as he eased into the room smoothly like as if he had done this a thousand times. ¡°My Goodness, Chris! Why didn¡¯t you just call?¡± She walked pass him, shutting the windows and adjusting the curtain. Although her heart was still racing. He pulled off his raincoat, taking off his shoes and putting it at a corner of the room not to wet the floor. ¡°Didn¡¯t want to disturb you.¡± ¡°So you thought a heart attack was better than a phone ringing?¡± ¡°I thought you¡¯d be asleep. Besides, you didn¡¯t seem to be freaking out that much.¡± ¡°So you didn¡¯t hear my heart spiraling out of my chest.¡± ¡°Hear.¡± He blocked his ears dramatically, raising his eyebrow at her. ¡°How could I have heard that? I¡¯m no vampire or something.¡± Great. He was messing with her for fun. She tsked at him, suppressing a chuckle. Then she went over to her phone only to see that the messages she thought she had sent, never got delivered because she never hit the send button to begin with. ¡®Nice one, Ivy. You really know how to work under pressure.¡¯ She looked at Chris who was taking in the beauty of her room. He seemed impressed and she patted herself mentally for having such wonderful taste. ¡°So, when did you arrive?¡± ¡°Some hours ago. I came immediately I was free.¡± Then he signalled to the edge of her bed, holding her gaze. ¡°May I?¡± ¡°Sit on my bed?¡± She chuckled. ¡°We¡¯ve already crossed that line.¡± Yet he stood. ¡°Fine, sit.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± She was quick to sit next to him. ¡°Are you going to tell me what is going on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not important.¡± His hands came around her and he leaned in for a kiss but she pulled away immediately. He let go. ¡°I have to do this to keep you safe. If you know nothing, then it is good. Matters of the Houses aren¡¯t things I want you to be concerned about.¡± ¡°The Houses?¡± She had always thought it was one. How many Houses were there in fact? Goodness! She remembered something. Something that seemed to have been hurried deep, deep in her memory. A female¡¯s word. Her wedding! The woman that scolded her had said something along the line of ¡°you know how important this is to the *Houses*¡± How about Girald? When he had suspected her of being a spy, he had asked which House she belonged to and made a list. Something along the line of Fang¡ª Oh goodness. ¡°¨Cand we can go to anywhere you want.¡± Chris concluded whatever it was that he was saying. ¡°Yes. Please don¡¯t let this cause a rift between is¨C¡± ¡°The night after our one night stand¨C¡± ¡°That feels very random.¡± He said, his hand brushing lighting again her shoulder de, pushing herrobe further down to expose even more of her skin. His gaze hot again that naked part, while he licked his lips slowly. He was hungry. Her body¡¯s shivered at the thought of the pleasure he could give her but she remained strong. She needed her question answered first. ¡°Did you have to attend a wedding the next day?¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± He gave her a half focused answer. His lips grazed her skin and she instinctively raised her hands to his shirt, curling her fists against it. ¡°Was it by chance, yours?¡± Chapter 71 – Accidentally Addicted ¡°I am not married, Ivy. Just like you.¡± He murmured against her skin, making her tremble slightly. Just like her? What was that supposed to mean? His kisses around on her neck was starting to be a little painful as she felt his fangs graze lightly against it, she gasped, before she felt his cold tongue flick over it, relieving her pain immediately. Her body tensed at the memory of pleasure, her yearning mounted with each passing moment. He pulled her robe further down her shoulder, leaving the soft buds of her breast slightly expose. The knelt in front of her, cing his harsh kiss like an arch over it leaving hickeys behind. She snaked her hand into his hair, holding tightly unto it, pulling with each tortoise kiss, while she looked down at him through eyelids that slips ose anytime his lips made contact with her skin. She could feel herself go wet with anticipation, feeling pleasure cross through her veins, her pussy pulsate with long wanting, knowing that he could give more if only she allowed it. Buts he still had questions to ask about the wedding and they were arelly important she needed them to be answered. Feeling him was away from get, she found the strength to tear her eye lids open. Only for her gaze to fall upon his as he ced punishing on the other, marking it like an arch. ¡°I still have¨C quest¡ª I¨C stop¨C I have¡­.¡± Was her poor attempt to bring out her questions. The pleasure was crossing through her like fore, going directly to her brain. Her nipples grew hard and taunt and she pulled at his hair against anc he gronaed throatily, letting hi if that part of the ber skin that he was sucking. ¡°Chris¡­¡± She called our between pants. She hadn¡¯t had sex since he had been gone, she was just as horny. He looked up at her with red glowing eyestaht was filled with absolute wanting abc kust, his fangs still leaking a potty at the corner of his lips.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ask your questions,¡± his vigce woundec a little dazed, as he spoke against her skin. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± She never made it to ask her waustions though because as she parted her lips to, his lips capute a nipple and his tongue flicked over it, while his hand fondled with the other. Her eautuon turned into moans, her body taunton with pleasure that seemed punishing because he seemed to be staying away purposely from just the ce she beedecbim to be. Ash leg to of gishayr, grabbing the bed shtts instead, inching get tghigs apart for him. She could feel the growing easier at her clit. Why wasn¡¯t he touching fed already. Slowly he pulled away, allowing fed nipple to slipp out over his teeth as he pull away. That sent a strange sensation through her, she held the bedsheet tightly in her grip, biting down at her lips not to make too much noise. Before she could recollect he¡¯d thinking that was all over the lips, he lips took in the other, flicking tongues over it, biting, giving pain and pleasure. ¡°Fkkkk¡­,¡± She stiffled her moan once against with a hand over her mouth. ¡°Hmmm.¡± The rain was still heavy outside, the lightening shing and the thunder pping but all the cold she had been telling a while ago was now coletely gone. Slowly, he let her nipple slip out if his mouth once again then he pulled the only tie that was holding the whole robe together, letting it fall easily off her. Then he started kissing from her neck, in between her chest, lower to the base of her two breast then back to the line, And lower and lower. Ivy lips¡¯s quivered in audoble pleads, her tights shaking slightly the further down he went. He kiss her her down there, then his tongue flicked again her clit and she pushed forward, wanting more but he pulled away, his hands hdmi hef firmly by her waits to a ce, then he looked up at her, bringing his hand into hair and pulling his forehead against her. Shs wans panting, writhing with the taste of pleasure fabf was barely enough. It was tortore fit him to have even give. Her, bef whole bodyced with goosebumps if wants. ¡°Ivy¡­¡± He calls her name name and her eyelids slid open. ¡°Pl-please¡± The yearning in her eyes was uneven, wild, it made his body tingle, his cocj gard and erect. She turned him on in more ways than one. She moved slightly forth and back with her raggard breathing and with his forehead against hers he followed her. ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± He stated back into her eyes. ¡°Will you let me feed?¡± His fangs were poking out a little more than they had before. She nodded, her lips quivering and he pulled her closed for a kiss. It she ached her be k to him I strad and he just couldn¡¯t resist the pull, his nose buried feel in the cross k and he groaned. Ivy body spiked at his groan, her kdyti glee with excylitnto know they were bother biting this. She reached for his hand, putting it between her tights, skidding through her wet folds, right on her throbbing clit. Shs threw her head to the side instead of ba k as she fixed to. There was a fear that she might disturb and tahf wouldn¡¯t let him suck from her. When he hesitated, his hand still on inseatd of running, she ran a hand over his, pushing it, guiding it, her eyes suck tightly and she irrsser her neck against his mouth ¡°Please¡­. fed¡­. Take¡­. Give me¡­ p-pleasure¡­. Uhhh¡­ Chris¡­ Fuck¡­.¡± Chris watcbed her and all he could tbikk about was how he was utterly fucked asides from his growing need to thrust himself deep. imside and taste her blood explode over his tongue. He had identally gotten her addicted. Fuck. Chapter 72 – Insatiable An insatiable hunger. A need that heated her up to her very core. The emptiness in her almost made her weep. Her inside walls clenching around thin air was starting to ache badly, needing something more. Something thick, big and long, to go deep and fill her up. This hunger was strange, this hunger was good, this hunger was immerse, overpowering and weed. Back arched, and toes curling, she mumbled incoherent words to herself. This lustful need for him was taking over her and she was surrending fast, not fighting it at all, surrendingpletely. He was like a drug that she was totally addicted to. Hating his stillness, she moved up and down his hand, feeling it go slick and smooth against her heat, making her brain feel tiny shocks that felt electric. Fuck, she needed him! She suddenly felt like she was in a daze, then she felt her back being pressed against the bed with him over her, her lips sealed against him in a hungry kiss, her hands around his neck as her tongue explored his mouth before his tongue twirled against her own, then he was exploring her own. Muffled moans. Lightening sh. Thunder pping. Rain beating. Different sounds crashed into the night, filling up her room. Then he pulled away and she immediately ced her hand at his back, her nails digging lightly into his skin and she pressed him down on her, his in chest hitting against her naked own. Her legs inched even further apart for him but he pulled away from her despite her whimpering, positioned himself better.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You are addicted,¡± he said, putting his cock¡¯s head through her wet sleeky folds, pulling it up to her clit, holding it there for a moment, pressing it against her, then down slightly over her drenched hole in a punishing tease. Her hands stretched across the bedsheets, holding the one her hand could grasp in her death grip, while also catching some of the fabric in-between her teeth as she moaned into it, in a voice that sounded like a throaty cry. With each stroke against her pussy, the torture mounted, her muscles stretching taut, her legs thrashing against the sheets yet his body holding her firmly in ce to continue his assault. Just as she parted her lips to beg him, he thrusted his dick right into her hitting a spot that sent all her senses lost and her pleadings into silent moans. Her bodyced with strange goosebumps of joy. She just couldn¡¯t exin it. Her inside walls stretched around the pulsating intruder that was weed into her absolutely pouring arousal, as it drove deep in her, her clit hitting the base of his cock with each thrust. He moved faster. And faster. And faster. Adding to the sound of the room, wet flesh pping against each other. ¡°I did this to you.¡± He said, his thrusts in her not slowing down. ¡°Fuck, I did this to you.¡± The words not holding any meaning to her with her pleasure driven brain, she forced her eyes open to look at him just to understand what he was saying but all she could see through her eyelids that almost immediately fluttered close, was a dark broad chest. Giving up quickly, her eyelids fluttered shut. She couldn¡¯t even hear him, it felt like his voice was miles away, talkless of understanding him. Well fuck, words. She didn¡¯t need them. Fuck, understanding. She didn¡¯t need that too. He moved up and down, and she could feel him hitting her sweet spot over and over again. She knew she was starting to get close now, she arched, pushing her back away from the bed and mming herself against his chest instead, her breasts rubbing against his muscles chest the faster he moved, her nipples hardening from the friction, his moans in her ears sending her to overdrive. ¡°Blood¡­ Fed¡­ Fuck¡­ Please¡­.¡± The memory of his teeth sanking deep into a side of her neck, flooded her mind, bringing along the full rememberance of how overpowering the pleasure was. The Absolutely shattering oragsm it gave her. She wanted to cum while he had her flesh between his teeth and he feasted on her blood. As if possessed, she let go of the sheet she had happened to be holding tightly once again, sliding her hand by his face instead and guiding him to the croak of her neck which she had already left exposed and arched for him. ¡°Not yet.¡± she heard him grunt but she pushed his face down her neck, making him sniff her in. Knowing how hungry he was, she was confident that he wouldn¡¯t be able to resist and she would get what she wanted. She was right. His teeth sank into her and a pain she had seem to have forgotten existed along with this, passed through her veins for barely a second. Her body shot forward, mming into his but he pressed his body down on hers and she sank into the bed. Her body shooting forward once again, now at the pleasure she originally yearned for. Her eyes welled up with happy tears as she hit her orgasm and her body wringled under him. Then she felt herself going a little limp, like she was floating. Dreamily, she felt hot lqiud shoot into her and her body jerked slightly, her hands pressing against his shoulders that she held unto as he licked her neck, closing back the holes he had punctured in her veins and healing her. Then the next thing she felt was him stiffen in her and on top of her, as his muscles stretched taut underneath her palms, as he reached his peak. It all seemed like a daze, while the warm liquid shot into her, filling her up. When he pulled away, she could feel his cum, drip slowly out of her down to the bedsheet, smearing it. She felt absolutely drained and weak, filled with euphoria, yet not wanting to move from how spent she felt. Despite that, she still opened her eyes and smiled to him. ¡°So fucking go¡ª¡± The dizziness that took over her was fast. One minute she was speaking and the next she wasn¡¯t. The unconsciousness that dragged her into the darkness was swift. She was floating. Wonderfully, floating. What she could hear was faint frantic words of Chris, as his cold hand held her body and doing whatever it was that he was doing. She was floating. Wonderfully floating. Ah, she could die like this and be content. Chapter 73 – Possible Danger She¡¯s was dozing off way too fast. Her eye lids that had long fluttered close, going still and stiff. ¡°Fuck. Fuck!¡± He cursed, holding her almost limp cold body in his arms as he attempted toy her on the bed. He knew he should have stopped, he knew he should have stopped himself a long time ago. He had taken too much. The smile on her face was a in show of the euphoria he had given her while feeding from her. There was no possible way she would have know that she was dying. She wouldn¡¯t even be able to sense it. He was quick to have her back against the soft bed and a part of his palm that he dugged his ws in pressed to her mouth, so that his blood trickled through her parted lips, into her mouth, and down her throat. She gulped almost too weakly, but that was adequate. His blood would find its way into her system and that should be enough. Hopefully. Then he pulled back, his w pulling out of his palm, his skin sealing up, his blood drying up. His whole body tensed, his gaze fixed on her as he watched her body go faintly still. ¡°Come on, my Love.¡± He pulled his hair back, waiting torturously. Trying to stop himself from digging his fangs into her neck and turning her once and for all, from the fear of losing her. But he had to be patient, he had to ensure that, that was the only solution left, he had to ensure that he wasn¡¯t doing it due to that small selfish part of him that had been worrying about the short span of her human life and what he would have to do when she was finally gone if she decided to stay human. He had to wait. But waiting was starting to be almost way too painful. He held her hand and pressed a thumb on her wrist to feel her pulse. It was faint. His fangs slowly poked out from his swollen gums, past his lips at ready to dig and do other deadly piercing things if need be. That wasn¡¯t wise. He should give her more of his blood not turn her, but he really wanted to turn her. But then again, he knew that he still had time to wait and if he didn¡¯t, Ivy would never forgive him when she found out. By the Blood, this battle was strong. Like a force that he couldn¡¯t fight, he found himself bringing her naked body up to his nude one, so that she was in a slight sitting position. Her hand dropped down by her sides to the bed, her eyes still shut tight, her body stiff. He titled her head to the side and headed to her exposed neck. The smell of her blood that hit him made his body stir, the sight of his hickeys all over her skin, he buried his nose there, allowing her scent to flood his senses. His hold tightened around her. By the Blood, he was just as addicted. With force he pulled himself out of the invisible spell her blood had over him and his fangs pushed out. Completely. He had waited enough. He would have to turn her now. Like a jolt from his readiness, he heard her draw in a long ragged breath and he stiffened immediately, his fangs pulling back slowly into his gums. His eyes twinkled with an imbnce of happiness and let down. A part of him had really wanted to turn her and no matter how selfish that had been, he had hoped that would be the result. He put her back to bed, watching as her chest rose and fell with each ragged breath she took. She was alive. Good. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, pulled a nket over her, wore his brief, picked up the night robe she had on earlier that had now fallen to the ground, and pulled it over her. She mumbled something in her sleep, words he could hear clearly but had no meaning when they were connected together as a sentence.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I need to stop myself.¡± He said, sitting next to her, holding her hand. ¡°I need to wane myself of you. I don¡¯t want go end up killing you, my love.¡± The ringing of his phone interrupted him, but he knew what the call would be about. It was certainly Jett again. Ever since his brother had arrived, nothing had been going as nned with the House and every member of different Houses had been nothing but relentlessly tensed and afraid. Even he was, no matter how bad he wanted to hid it. He was terrified that anytime soon, they would all go into full action and shit would hit the fan, not the way it had been doing for many years now. His brother was bad news and he wished he had just stayed away from them a little longer, at least till his n with the House and the other things he had nned to do had been taken care of. He wished he had already been able to ingrain Ivy into the House already. But considering that he was now here, he would have to keep Ivy a secret from him. He must not know that he had found a Potential that he was now willing to go to the Moon and back for. If he did, the result would be something more perilous, something far more damaging than anything he could ever imagine. Why did his brother evere back? He could hear his phone ringing over and over again but all he could think about was his Potential, his love for her and how much danger their bond could possibly put her into now. He would have to protect her more than he had been doing before. By the Blood, having some of his vampires hanging around every night at this house and wherever she was, ever since he knew her, might no longer be enough protection. He might have to do more. He must do more. Chapter 74 – I Want You Terribly Ivy woke up feeling just as ecstatic had she felt when she fell asleep. Everything was perfect except for two things. It was morning now, around 8am. Also, Chris was not by her side when she woke up. She hadn¡¯t even known when he left. ¡°I had some matters of the House to attend to,¡± his voice seeped out through the phone speaker that was pressed to her ears, as she prepared warm tea. ¡°I stayed throughout the night though. Only left like an hour ago. Are you sure you are feeling okay, my love?¡± ¡°Ecstatic. ¡®Matters of the House, okay, okay.¡¯ You sound so ancient.¡± She chuckled and could almost hear him do the same. The spoon she stirred in her tea clicked against the inside of the mug, and she took a sip. ¡°So when are we doing that again?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Yeah, oh you have no idea how much I wish you were feeding from me right now. It just makes me feel so good.¡± She took another sip, the warmness of the tea going through her on this cold morning, but she knew that wasn¡¯t the only reason she was feeling hot. She could almost feel his lips against her neck, his fangs dug into skin. The memory of the hickeys she found littered across her skin this morning flooded her memory. Ahh. She really wanted to feel everything again. No, she didn¡¯t want it, she needed it. ¡°Yeah, about that?¡± His voice snapped her out of her train of thoughts and convincing words tumbled out of her mouth at the doubt she sensed from him. ¡°I know you are busy today, so I¡¯ll try to survive. But tomorrow? Please.¡± She set the mug back on the counter. ¡°Ivy, I¡¯m not going to be feeding from you anytime soon.¡± ¡°What? Why?¡± Her hold around the mug tightened. ¡°My blood doesn¡¯t taste good? I thought you said it tasted like ecstasy.¡± ¡°It does.¡± He said with a longing groan. ¡°It does. And that is the exact reason I need to stop. I almost killed youst night.¡± She rolled her eyes at his excuse. ¡°Well, I feel very alive.¡± ¡°That is because I gave you my blood.¡± ¡°I see no problem then, whenever you feed from me, just give me your blood. It¡¯s solved.¡± She shrugged dismissively. ¡°No, that is not a solution. It shouldn¡¯t even be on the list.¡± He sounded absolutely worried now. ¡°That is too risky, I hate putting you around risk.¡± ¡°Being with you is already a risk. You can¡¯t just not feed from me. How do you expect me to survive.¡± She snapped, the mug in her hand going squash, shattering to pieces all around the counter and digging into her palm, as the warm spill down to the sink. ¡°Oh my God.¡± She stepped back, her eyes wide with surprise as the broken pieces stained with her blood fell from the inside of her palms. ¡°What happened? Ivy, what happened?!¡± ¡°I broke a mug. With my hand. How can I¨Cmy goodness, I¡¯m healing. That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s not possible, I¡¯m seeing things. Chris, I¡¯m insane.¡± Then, she paused. Her brows furrowing with rage, her heart racing at a possibility. She felt different, in fact now that she paid attention, she could hear things more clearly, feel things more than she used to, observe things far more than usually would. What was going on. Her breathing became fast and her heart was racing. Wait, her heart?This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Maybe that was good. But what if she was feeling her heart merely from the illusion that Chris had talked about. What if her heart was truly dead? Stopped and stilled inside her forever? ¡°Did you turn me?¡± Her voice was filled with a seething rage she had never heard herself speak with before. She was far from angry. How could he do this to her without her consent? She didn¡¯t want this. ¡°Chris did you turn me into a vampire?¡± ¡°No, my Love, I did not.¡± He said each word with emphasis and something that sounded a little like fear. ¡°I did not turn you.¡± She sighed in relief, a smile crossing her face instinctively. ¡°Good. I was scared. It¡¯s not like I think vampires are bad or anything. I just,¡± she sighed. ¡°I¡­¡± Her voice trailed off in search of the appropriate words to sum up the whole situation but she just couldn¡¯t find it. ¡°I understand.¡± He provided, hesitating for a moment before he spoke again. ¡°I should have told you this earlier, but now is also good.¡± With her paranoid mind running all over the ce, she was afraid yet again. ¡°Told me what?¡± ¡°These things you are feeling are the effect of having my blood. I fed it to youst night because of what happened. For a while, you¡¯ll feel a little stronger than usual and your healing will be quite heightened.¡± ¡°Oh, I get it now.¡± She moved the kitchen towel over the counter, cleaning the tea and sweeping the broken pieces of the mug to a spot. ¡°I should have thought about that first. You mentioned it in passing earlier.¡± Receiving noment from him, she continued. ¡°So just healing and strength?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± He replied, sounding burdened. Was this because of how she had reacted to being turned? ¡°And my increasing need for you to feed from me? Does your blood in my system have anything to do with that?¡± ¡°No but it is still entirely my fault. I fed from you without taking precautions. Without training you and taking it slow. I let it out a full st on you the first time I fed because of how hungry and deprived of you I had been, and now,¡± he sighed, frustrated. ¡°you are addicted.¡± ¡°I like what I¡¯m addicted to.¡± She chuckled suggestively and he breath out aughter. ¡°Oh, Ivy.¡± She chuckled at his implied frustration. ¡°This is not good,¡± she finally said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you are not the only one caught up in this mess. I find myself addicted to your blood too, that¡¯s why what happened yesterday happened.¡± ¡°What are we going to do, Chris?¡± Chapter 75 – Groom With The Mystery ¡°We need to take a break, and I¡¯ll reintroduce the feeding but slowly this time around, I¡¯ll have to control myself too. That will be take a lot of control and discipline. Also, we preferably shouldn¡¯t do it during sex for now, it might help.¡± ¡°Ahhh,¡± she groaned, not able to hide how clearly displeased she was at the turn the situation had now taken. ¡°I was hoping that would still remain.¡± ¡°Once the training is over, we can do it anytime.¡± He offered in an attempted constion to himself and her. She disposed the broken mug pieces and went back to the counter, contemting on whether or not to prepare another cup of tea, but she was already drained out of all her excitement for the morning, something a cup of warm tea could no longer fix, so she turned away and headed to the sitting room instead, flopping down on the nearest sofa. She just felt suddenly drained of all her energy. So drained. Chris was right, she was addicted. If the mention of him no longer feeding from her for a while got her like this, then going on with the feeding without any training definitely would have worse in store for her. ¡°So, will you have to go back to feeding from other Life Sources then?¡± As much as she wanted to hide it, jealousy was thick in her voice. ¡°No.¡± Heughed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± She smiled instinctively, but wasn¡¯t that just selfish? ¡°But RedWine is not enough. It can¡¯t hold you for long. You said that yourself.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just have to drink a lot of it and hopefully I won¡¯t have to wait that¨C¡± he stopped abruptly, mumbling something to someone who was with him at the other end. Ivy had thought that he was alone until now. She could hear the person grumbled something back to him in the background. Something along the line of ¡°sick lovers¡±. That was definitely Jett. ¡°Something just came up. I have to go.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Does it have to do with your brother?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he replied with an heavy breath and she decided to drop the topic. She had no aim of pursuing it anyway. ¡°Alright. Be safe. Call me backter in day and let¡¯s start this training as soon as possible. Just knowing that you won¡¯t feed from me makes me feel like I¡¯m gonna die.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± A muffled chuckle. ¡°Trust me.¡± ¡°I do.¡± A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke up again. ¡°Chris¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Thank you for my parents¡¯ gift. It means a lot to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee, My Love. If all goes well soon, I will finally be able to meet them.¡± ¡°Not until the year is over.¡± That was when the contract of her marriage woulde off. The contract didn¡¯t explicitly state that she couldn¡¯t get married but it wasmon logic to know that as long as that marriage with her mysterious husband was still valid, she couldn¡¯t have another. She was determined to wisely wait it out. The first time she had told Chris that he wouldn¡¯t be able to meet her parents until the year was over, the only question he asked was ¡°why?¡±. She had partly lied to him that she it was because she wanted to be sure about their rtionship before taking it to the next level and he had readily agreed after that. Promising to also introduce her to his House fully when that time came. Although, Chris had already exined to her that he was orphan in a sense that he had moved away from his parents for so long. If they were alive or dead, he didn¡¯t know. Back then he had spoken like he had no family and all he had was Jett as a long time friend and some other vampires. It was only recently Ivy had discovered that he even had a brother. An elder brother at that. That made her wonder what other many secrets she was supposed to know that he was keeping from her. Anyways they were already in the seventh month of the contract and soon, all these waiting would be over for good. She would finally stop feeling left out of things all the time. ¡°I love you,¡± she said. ¡°Love you too.¡± The a beep as the line we y dead. In no time, she was speaking to her parents. After a conversation with her them to ensure all was going well, she tried to distract herself by getting minor chores done, then freshening up. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn¡¯t help how her mind drifted to the question she had thought of yesterday before Chris kisses on her neck was able to rid of the need to even find an answer to it. But now, thinking of all the possible secrets Chris could be keeping from her made her think of it again. Was there a chance that Chris was her husband? He did say that he was unmarried but he had said he was unmarried ¡®like her¡¯, and considering the fact that he knew of her marriage that was cancelled because she didn¡¯t show up, could it be that he was referring to his situation as just the same- because his real bride hadn¡¯t showed up and he ended up with a fake one. Her heart picked up the pace as her fingers moved fast over her screen with vigour. Maybe she didn¡¯t need to wait the year to get her answers. Maybe she could get them right now! After the search, she came up with a clearer perspective of the whole situation. Although there was barely anything on the inte about Chris, Jett or even Girald, but that had even confirmed the great possiblity that she was headed in the right path. There was no question about whether her Christopher was rich and powerful enough to be the husband she remembered to be married to. He was all of that and more, that had already been made clear. Although, she couldn¡¯t see him in the dangerous light she had viewed him that day, from how he had acted over the call, she thought to herself that he could just be hiding that side of him from her. Another problem solved. Her hands grew sweaty the more she casted her mind back and tried to reconstruct how things might have really yed out, right from her wedding day, mentally putting Chris in the ce of her mysterious groom. The clearly abnormal vow they had exchanged, had unknowingly heightened the bond they shared but didn¡¯t know of yet. It could be one of reasons she started having those numerous wet dreams about him to begin with. The marriage had solely been something of responsibility that had immediately lost its value once it was discovered that the Bride was the wrong one. Having no use for her, he didn¡¯t even attempt to find out who she was, and since their were two people handling these information, Girald for the dirty work and Jett for the clean one, there was zero chance of him finding out. He had concentrated on ways to get rid of her as soon as possible. Hence, the contract. But Chris had a good heart, and ensured the contract had a lot of freedom. Also, he might have wanted to drag out his miraculous singleness, hence dragging the period of the contract for a year. A shiver ran down her spine, as her husband¡¯s voice iming to be too busy to attend to his wrong bride situation, ran through her memory. It had sounded nothing like Chris. Maybe because he had used some voice changing app. She sighed, already exhausted with all her brain storming, she was even hungry now, but she had to go on. For someone like Chris, a Potential was more important than a wife he never wanted. Although after finding out that he had a Potential, he would want to bring the contract with his so called wife toe to an abrupt end, but he was a man that respected agreements. So, he didn¡¯t. She gasped. Wow, it had all finally clicked in her head now. Chris was her husband and he waiting for the contract to expire just as she was too! Chapter 76 – Before It All Goes Boom! With each passing moment after that, Ivy was able to convince herself more that Chris was her husband. But there was a problem still. As much as her conviction felt real, there was a small part of her that grew at the same pace of her ¡®truth¡¯, a part that doubted the whole situation. A part that believed she was seeing things the way she was seeing them merely because she had been over thinking them. So the more her conviction grew, the more her doubt. It was a battle she found herself constantly at the middle of. She could have just easily asked Chris about the whole situation, but what if that other part was right? Asking Chris then, would go against the contract and she would suffer the repercussions. As much as she wanted to confirm things and set it all straight, the contract had terms too threatening for her to just risk it all. There were lives connected to this. Lives of the people she loved. She would just have to wait, and hope that an opportunity to clear the whole situation up would simply present itself to her soon. For now she would worry about the Valentine¡¯s day that wasing up in a week and what to get for him as a present. Earlier she had a call with her father who asked her for options on the things to get her Mother for Valentine. He must have asked her and she must have given him her ssic answer of ¡°anything¡±. Her mother just loved acting that way, like as if she was above receiving gifts and it didn¡¯t matter much to her because she was too engrossed in her job. That was a lie. Not the too engrossed in her job part but the part where she would act like as if the gifts didn¡¯t matter. They had always mattered and they would continue to matter. The person who really didn¡¯t care about the gifts and considered small acts of love to be the totality of it here, was actually her Father. They had both hit her up regarding what she thought was best for the other, just as they had done every year before this. Her Mother had sent her a detailed text message of all the options she had thought would work out and wanted her to pick one, while her Father had called her andmunicated his jumbled thought. She had helped them out, as usual, ensuring that they wouldn¡¯t get each other the same gifts they had gottenst year, while convincing them to take a couple of days off and enjoy. It was harder to convince her mum to do that. Something that was also the usual. Ah, some things never changed. Ivy felt herself sway lightly as the car took a turn. She nced away from the phone to the road and back at it, looking at the name on the screen of her phone. ¡°My Christopher¡±. Once everything was confirmed, he wouldn¡¯t want to get rid of her anymore. The contract would be gotten rid of instead, as the obstacle that it was and she would have to change his contact to ¡°My husband¡±. Or maybe she should just go with ¡°husband¡±. After her borate wedding of course, she would have to take pictures for memory. She smiled to herself. Or maybe just ¡°my Christopher¡± is enough. He had saved it on her phone like that so maybe she should leave it for memory. ¡®Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± the doubting part of her heart snapped at her. ¡°You are just thinking yourself into stupidity.¡± The smile on her face faded away and she thought of Elsa who was supposed to be out here on this shopping with her today, so that after she got something for Chris, they would be able to go out on their friend date that Elsa had promised her since forever. Elsa was just so busy this days. ¡°¡­ matters of the house,¡± she had given as an excuse. Arrgh! This was so annoying. She missed her a lot. She had heard from Elsa that she was spending a lot of time training with the Butler.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Koel. ¡°He is a great teacher¡± she had said a couple of times. ¡°I¡¯m learning quite some things from him.¡± ¡°Like what?¡± ¡°Like resistance.¡± ¡°Of blood?¡± Elsa made dramatic noises over the phone, before sheughed. ¡°And some other things,¡± she finally replied. ¡°Like orders?¡± ¡°You ask so many questions.¡± ¡°I just want to know.¡± ¡°The Sire doesn¡¯t want you to¡­ yet. It¡¯s for your own good and when the time is right, he will tell you himself.¡± Whenever she talked like that, it felt like they grew a distance apart and a wall of difference was thrown right in their middle. ¡°But you are my best friend,¡± she had replied, as she always did, to bring back the closeness, bridging that gap that felt like it was constantly building in-between them. ¡°You should be able to tell me some things. ¡°I want to be your loyal servant like back in the days, Princess, but I have a Sire now and disobeying him might kill me.¡± She had said with a serious tone that scared Ivy, some how. Remembering what had happened when she tried to tell her something on the rooftop had not helped at all. The pain she had seemed to be going through and how Chris had snapped at her. It was a terrifying memory. The thought of Elsa hurting. The pping of someone in the distance, in the background snapped her right out of her thoughts. ¡°Time for lesson. Get your tea before you start and say Hello to the Sire¡¯s woman for me.¡± ¡°Hi Koel,¡± Ivy said with a wavering smile. He was the one stealing her best friend¡¯s time these days, killing him would be nice. But that was impossible so she would justfort herself with the thought of yanking his head off in her mind. ¡°Have to go now, bye Princess.¡± With that, there had been a bleep and the line had gone dead. Ivy had sighed and tucker away her phone. Well, there wasn¡¯t anything much she could do, this was her life now. But once her search was over and she coulde up with concrete evidence, things would just have to change. She just couldn¡¯t wait. In every sense of the word. Chapter 77 – Is Murder A Good Idea? There were only a few ces that Ivy would step into and consider expensive. m Shopping Mall was one of those few. The whole design of this ce screamed exorbitant, even the air smelt sweetly pricy. Breathing too much of it in, might reflect on her bank ount in a way that she wouldn¡¯t like. Small breaths in. Small breaths out. One could never be too careful. Sheughed in her head at that. That was certainly a bit of an exaggeration but although this ce demanded a lot of money but that was alright, they only sold the best anyways. Ivy couldn¡¯t remember thest time she had been here. It had been a while¡­ a really long while. In fact, the only reason she had decided to shop here today was because she loved Chris¡­ also because she wasn¡¯t the one making most of the money she spent, but that was a reason for many of her expenses anyways, so the real reason she was taking it up a notch today was because she was in love. The guards that greeted her at the door were weing. She wondered why Chris hadn¡¯t taken her to a ce like this yet, not a shopping mall but somewhere grand and expensive. Her vacation to Small Paradise popped into her mind but she couldn¡¯t help but feel that there was still something missing. She just hadn¡¯t been consistently getting the wealthy multimillionaire vibes that she got from most of those crazy rich novels, from him. Chris was just too humble. She liked it, but sometimes she wished he wasn¡¯t. It would be such a nice thing to be spoilt in an unrestrictive way. Maybe she would do it sometime in future when she started making her own billions, if by then Chris hadn¡¯t influenced her to think about money the way he does. Also with how dependant she was, there was a possibility of that time being far in future, so that could most likely happen. The receptionist weed her, just as kindly as the guards earlier, and thedy who was already by her side requesting to hold her bag for her. Look at them, all after her money. She mentally chuckled again as she responded to them sweetly. Nah, they were just nice. The music was serene and in no time she was making her way to a aisle that caught her attention. There was nothing for her here, only male¡¯s clothing. Once she was done, she would get herself ice cream and do whatever her mood would tell her to do next.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°What about this?¡± The woman by the aisle pulled out a piece of suit, then went into detail about the fabric, the texture and anything else to ensure she saw the value of the orange suit. Ivy didn¡¯t bother checking the price tag, she had saved up for a weeks, she could handle it. ¡°And this?¡± A brown suit. She shook her head again, just not feeling it. Ivy had never really seen Chris in a suit, he was always wearing jackets and T-shirts and she was hoping he would like this one. Also, she believed men in suit were really sexy. Chris was sexy already, now imagine if he was wearing a suit. Sexy overload. And that was why she had taken the pain of collecting all his measurements for today. She would be picking the perfect piece. ¡°What about¨C¡± Ivy¡¯s mind roamed somewhere else at the woman¡¯s mention of another suit that wasn¡¯t just catching her attention. Then her gazended on a fine grey suit by the cashier¡¯s counter, it was almost like as if she hadn¡¯t seen that shade of grey in her life. It wasn¡¯t until she got there that she realized that there was a man in a suitright in front of the counter, and the cashier¡¯s seat was empty. He must be a customer waiting to be attended to and certainly the future owner of this exquisite piece of suit. She would have to ask him then, hopefully she would be able to get his attention, although the ear plugs he had on promised otherwise. ¡°Hi, Mr¡ª¡± Without paying her any attention, he lifted up his hand, covered in leather gloves, to show her the green gem ring around his ring finger. ¡°Married.¡± He said curtly. She was stunned for a moment before she had a quick recovery. ¡°I¡ª I¡ª wasn¡¯t trying to hit on you. I just wanted to ask you about this suit and¨C He turned a little to her, casting her a quick irritated nce before looking away. Next thing she knew, he was writing her a cheque. ¡°I don¡¯t want you in my bed, ma¡¯am.¡± Her head rang bells. She was too stunned to notice the fashion adviser that hade after her and was now trying hard to politely call her attention. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°Take this cheaque and kindly get lost.¡± He slid to cheque on the counter, over to her, casually tucking back his pen into his suit¡¯s pocket square. ¡°That should be more than enough to buy you a man of your standard, this one is far above it and he is already taken.¡± Wo-ho-ho! So he thought because he was suited up, had some weird ck curly low cut, and a ring on his finger, he was some hot shot and everydy wanted to jump into his bed? He wasn¡¯t even her type. Overly huge and unnecessarily tall, with ice cold ck eyes and a facial expression as hard as rock. So nd. Also, who wears leather gloves these days? He was most likely a criminal. Crimes didn¡¯t attract her. She hated unnecessary trouble. And to think that he must think himself a hunk. It was a favour to the world that he was taken. Her only pity was for the woman that took him. She scoffed loud enough for him to hear. He was nothingpared to her Christopher. Trying topare both of them should be a crime, because her Christopher was literally all the hunkiness that would ever exist in the world. He sighed, taking out his cheque book again. ¡°For an absolute stranger, you are proving a bit pesky.¡± He slid the next cheque to her, tucking back his pen as he had done before. ¡°Now get lost. Respectfully.¡± Oh-oh-oh. Someone had better stop her right now, or she would ending up in jail for murder. Her hands flew over the counter quickly. She picked up the cheque, ripping it to shreds and throwing it up his face. She didn¡¯t stop there, her fingers went straight across his face in a resounding p. Chapter 78 – Color Her Doomed Gasps all around her. ¡°You are such an ass!¡± His hand grazed lightly over the side of his face her hand had swept across, casually running over his low ck beards, before he fixed the ck framed sses he had on, that she hadn¡¯t noticed up till now. Then his hands went lower and he fixed his ck tie, not giving her a response. What was he? Some coolheaded robot? Her hand hurt like a bitch and he didn¡¯t even look shaken. Violence wasn¡¯t Ivy¡¯snguage but when it came to someone disrespecting her like this, she spoke manynguages. If she had been the one offering and he had turned her down, that would be apletely difference case but he had just in t out insulted her for reasons that he simply assumed. What nonsense! ¡°I pity the woman that has to call you husband.¡± ¡°Keep your pity.¡± He said, tucking his phone cleanly away into one of his suit pant pocket. His voice as calm as when he had started talking to her, just the same tone, yet it managed to sound threatening, it chilled her to her bones despite how much she tried to shrug it off with dismissiveness. ¡°You¡¯ll be needing it.¡± ¡°Oh my God! Ma¡¯am, you can¡¯t¡ª¡± she could hear the Cashier approaching and she turned to him immediately. ¡°There you are. Finally. This gentleman¡¯s bills right here is on me.¡± She said too sweetly, sarcasm dripping out of every word. Who did he think he was? Handing her cheques like she was some girl that wanted to jump into his bed or money. Nonsense! She didn¡¯t even want to get into his bed. E. A married man. Another e for his terrible manners. ¡°But ma¡¯am¡­¡± The Cashier started to say on an uneasy note but she raised a dismissive hand up in the air, as she looked around for her bag. He didn¡¯t shut up though, she could hear him apologizing ceaselessly to the annoying man beside her, even the woman that had rushed back to give her bag to her was apologizing. Great, he had yed the victim, now he had their pity. Look who was using ¡®pity¡¯ power now. Anyways she didn¡¯t need pity, she had power and she would show him. She searched through her purse and her fingers clicked around her card. She smiled, pulling it out and dropping it on the counter. ¡°Put the¨C¡± she paused and tsked. ¡°Wait, I need this suit in¡ª¡± ¡°I got it right here, ma¡¯am.¡± Thedy next to her already had the suit she hade here for in Chris¡¯s measurement. She had been the one advising her on the suit to pick earlier so she knew the measurements Ivy was working with. ¡°Good.¡± Then she stretched her hand to the counter. It wasn¡¯t until the cashier had collected the card from her did she realized that the card wasn¡¯t hers. It was the ck card Girald had given her, the day of her contract. She looked up at the screen on the monitor in front of her and her stomach turned in a not so pleasant way. That price was far more than she had saved for. In fact, she was wondering if the ck card had up to that. It suddenly felt like the moment was stretching far too long. The man had only gotten there suits, she, on the other hand had gotten, one and with every number added to the screen, Ivy felt her kneels go weak from this potential debt.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. How could a pair of suits cost this much? Goodness! She might have to call her Pa but then there was no way her Pa would foot this bill without her Ma¡¯s knowledge. She would know she was getting a suit for a man, take it that she was in a serious rtionship and boom, a wedding for sure. She really didn¡¯t want her parents finding out anything yet. Now that she noticed, the man hadn¡¯t put up a fight to having his bill paid for him as the power move she had thought it would be. Or was this a n? What if he was a con man and this was how he tricked people to pay for his expenses. By pissing them off! Fuck! She was screwed. She heard the ding and the relief that rushed through her was immerse, but by the time she looked around to give the annoying man a look of victory, he was already stepping out, some bodyguards by his side as he stepped out. Maybe he wasn¡¯t a con man. Nah, he must just be really good at his scam business. Right now, she had other things to worry about. ¡°Thank you for shopping with m! We hope to see you next time.¡± *** ¡°Keep your pity, you¡¯ll be needing it.¡± No matter how she looked at it and how many times she had tried to tell herself not to be concern about it because he was just a con artist, she couldn¡¯t help but be worried, not about the potential that he had sessfully scammed her of her money¨C her contract husband¡¯s money, but that he might have the capability to hurt her for her p. What if he was as powerful as he put himself forward. Then again, there was the ck card. What if she had exceeded the limit from the card¡ª no, if they didn¡¯t want her touching that kind of money, then it wouldn¡¯t have been avable for her to dispense in the first ce. The cold eyes of the man she had met at m keeping on shing in her mind again. His calmness was really baffling. She felt hot from fear and even the AC in the car wasn¡¯t helping. She sighed, pushing the gift bag away a little and grabbing her phone, deliberating on whether she should call her love ones to check on them or not. ¡®You are just being paranoid, Ivy. Calm down.¡¯ But it wasn¡¯t easy to calm down. Well, her parents were definitely going to stay in Ubia for a couple of months, and they might not be dropping by so often this time around. Thepany¡¯s extension at CarDavo was doing pretty well. It was a slow start but it would be alright. Elsa would definitely be training and the rest could take care of himself. Christopher? Well, he was untouchable. Despite all these thoughts, she still make quick calls and sent some texts. By the time she was done, they were home. She stepped out of the car, taking her gift bag along with her. They were all fine, they had said they were. But somehow, she still felt like something was wrong. Chapter 79 – Strip Me Rise and shine, it was a new day! First off, she had to be d that she was alive, her face still as wless, her hair still as purple and her body without an alter by guns and knives. Time for a follow up call while she told them different excuses as to why she was strangely ringing them up and texting them. She couldn¡¯t possibly tell them that she might had crossed the path of a dangerous criminal who might be out to get them because of her. Nah. That was only going to make things worse. First person she called was her dad and when her mum was the one to pick it up, she knew they were busy. It was probablyte at night in Ubia. ¡°Yeah, Maxwell is a little under the weather. You know how your Pa gets sometimes.¡± But her Father wasn¡¯t ready to be made out like a sick log over the phone, so he spoke up. ¡°Luisa, is that my sweetheart?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s our Romito.¡± ¡°I want to talk to her.¡± ¡°You are sick.¡± ¡°Come on, honey.¡± Her dad spoke to her on the phone after that, she found out he just had a light fever and he would be fine. Alright, that meant ¡®no problem¡¯. Her Father didn¡¯t suspect anything though, it was nothing new for her to ring him endlessly. The next person was Elsa. She was training yet again with Koel. Christopher hadn¡¯t picked up but before she could be worried, he left a voice message that he had something urgent to attend to, something about his brother. He promised to call back at night and help her with their training. Also telling her that he was holding up quite alright with WineRed. Christopher was the sweetest¡­. And ahhhh, she missed him. So much. Jett had replied her email almost immediately. ¡®Vani, my favorite ice cream vor. You¡¯re acting suspicious, Yours Girl. If you have any problem, please ring Chris. I¡¯m single for a reason. Sincerely, Jett.¡¯ Ivy rolled her eyes. He was single for a reason alright. What was up with his attachment to emails? She wondered how old he was and chuckled. She probably shouldn¡¯t. The next call she made however was the one she wished she had blocked her ears for. ¡°Good morning, Aunty Halma I¡ª¡± ¡°Fcck, yes, Pablo!¡± Ivy froze, willing her entire body to take the phone off her ear and moved it far away from her. ¡°I¡¯ll never leave you. I¡¯ll ne.. ver leave you, PABLO!¡± ¡°Ah¡­ my sweet Peperenpe! By the time I¡¯m done with you, you won¡¯t want those little boys anymore, ah.¡± That was Uncle Pablo, her husband. ¡°Oh, my goodness, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± The words finally tumbled out of her mouth. ¡°Wait¡­ don¡¯t hang up¡­. Ivy dear¡ª tell me, what is it? Why are you¡ª hmm¨C talk.¡± ¡°I just wanted to¡ª¡± ¡°Fuck, just a little lower. Little lower. Slower. Lick it. Yesssss.¡± She ended the call in a sh. Her eyes were filled with horror as she tossed the small device far away on her dressing table, the screen brightening and dimming as Aunt Alice call came in again. There was no way she was going to answer that call. For what she had already heard, holy water was urgently needed. In fact, she needed a whole submerging into holy water to cleanse it all. With that thought in her mind, she rushed to the bathroom to take her dyed bath.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. *** ¡°Happy Valentine, my love¡± Ivy said, pushing back in her chair. She hade to work today, as she had been doing for the past four days. Honestly, it was such a good thing to have a position that was made specially for you. Breaks could be taken at anytime and work could be done at anytime too. No questions asked. ¡°In advance, of course.¡± ¡°Does that even exist?¡± Chris asked, chuckling softly. ¡°Well, it does from now on.¡± Her brows knitted as she packed up herptop and put it safely away. ¡°You are calling and you are always busy at this times like this. Am I in for a surprise?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m in the restaurant.¡± Her heart raced, and she stood up immediately, brushing her hand over her ck slightly above the kneel skirt. ¡°Really? I¡¯ming now!¡± In no time, she was out then, she was bringing him, locking the door behind him. Oh, she had missed him, his face, his scent, his everything. Chris was in a blue T-shirt, and a pair of ck pants. He would really like her gift on Valentine. Her hands wrapped around him and she looked up at his sexy brown eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you. I wish I could be your work so you would have as much time for me, as you do it, nowadays.¡± ¡°My work gives me headache. I love you like this.¡± She missed a lot about him, she missed the sex and him feeding from her. Most especially him feeding from her. She stared at his lips longingly and he sealed his them again hers in a kiss, she quickly opened her mouth to him, savoring the taste of lips. She needed more than just a kiss. Quickly she was pushing him against her almost empty neatly arranged table, her hands holding his shoulder in tight grip while she stood between his leg. They drew apart, mostly for Ivy¡¯s benefit, for her to catch her breath. His lips were cold against her neck in no time, and she flinched slightly before she pressed that part of her skin further against his lips, waiting for his fangs to sink into her, once again forgetting the pain that came with that, remembering and wanting only the pleasure it brought. She had been deprived of this for about five days now. It felt like she had been deprived of air, although the training had been helping, maybe that was why she was still even alive without him draining her blood. The training. Her hands drove down to his belt, her body hot, she could already feel herself going wet down there. She definitely wasn¡¯t thinking anymore. ¡°Chris?¡± ¡°Hmmm?¡± ¡°Stripe me.¡± Chapter 80 – Deep Inside Me She whispered, her hand slipping up into his hair. ¡°There are no cameras here,¡± she breathed. ¡°Ivy.¡± She knew what he wanted to say. They shouldn¡¯t have sex while he fed, they should wait for the training week to beplete before that. But what if she dies, before then. Not like she was nning to buy die but what if. Just what if? Ah. She wanted him. Needed him. And she certainly wasn¡¯t having any of those annoying training rules that kept him away from her. She was quick to undo his belt, and making him bury his nose at the crock of her neck. Knowing that they were both consumed by this addiction of each other, was a knowledge she had exploited fully to her favour. Her scent rushed into his lungs, fogged his brain, wreaked his thinking, left him helpless and at her mercy. Her hands slip over his boxer brief, enclosing around his thrubbing dick, running her hand up and down his length. ¡°I¨Cvy, I came here for us to talk. We are not supposed to do this for a week.¡± His hands were curled into fists against the surface of the table, his eyes looking a little dazed. He should be able to fight her, except that he was just as starved, addicted, helpless, and a part of him wanted this, wanted her closer, and hated the fact that his boxer briefs was standing in the way. Why did he even have any of this clothes on, he wanted her warm hand wrapped around his hard cock, that warm skin against his naked sensitive own. What he wanted the most was to be be inside her while he fed. The taste of her. The feel of her tight around him. By the blood, the ecstasy! He shouldn¡¯t. He knew he shouldn¡¯t. He had stop this. He had to be the more logical one here and stop this. ¡°My love, stop.¡± He was starting to stand up and she needed to move fast. She pulled his briefs off, enough for his erect dick to pop out as her hands finally wrapped around his length. ¡°Fuck.¡± He moaned from the feel of her warm fingers, her pussy clenched with anticipation from his lustful gasp, and she bit her lips. This would be so good. Her movement was slow, up to the top, down to the base, letting the side of her palm graze over his balls. His eyes was starting to turn glowing red. His hunger really got him bad. Good. Her crave for him was just as aching. She smiled, moving forward, arching her back, pushing her breasts into him, as she leaned closer towards his ear. ¡°I want your dick at the back of my throat.¡± His hand shot up to her lower back, to stop her, but instead his fingers made a move to sneak into her shirt and unsp her bra. Thankfully, he had quickly stopped himself but that was more than enough to encourage Ivy to keep going. She dropped to her kneels, and pulled him by the band of his trousers to stand, so that his dick was in a face. A majestic view. Always impressive. ¡°This is going to fuck up our progress. You don¡¯t want to do this.¡± ¡°I want to.¡± Her fingers were wrapped around him again, her lips pressing kisses against the base of his dick. He had never seen her like this before. Didn¡¯t even know this side of her existed. It was the addiction, and that same addiction was defeating him too. Because why couldn¡¯t he stop her? ¡°It¡¯s the¡­ fuck¡­ stop¡­ It¡¯s the addicti¨C ahhh¡± his words dissolve into a moan, and he threw his head back, as her warm lips went around the tip of his cock then down his length. Hearing her choke on him sent his body forth with a pleasurable jerk. Control had never been so damn hard. But then again, he had never had to struggle with his Potential. He just loved been in her mouth. Addicted? She knew. For goodness sake she knew she wasn¡¯t acting like herself, but she just needed him so much it didn¡¯t matter. Besides, why should they keep themselves retrained by stupid rules? If he didn¡¯t fuck and feed from her today, she would die from how deprived she had now be. She just knew it. She sucked diligently, his moans filling her ears, his grunts and a jumbled of words about how she had to stop, filling the room. Words she boldly paid no mind to, words she ignored like as if they were never spoken in the first ce. He ought to be fighting this but like he had been possessed, he found himself snaking his fingers into her hair, as he pushed himself further into her. She didn¡¯t fight him, instead she rxed into his guidance and kept going, till she gagged again, and she pushed a little away, her tongue licking his thrubbing cock to the tip. By the time she finally let him go, precum was seeping out of his cock, saliva all over it. She looked up at him, at his dazed eyes, and his poking fangs.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Finally, there they were. She stood up, kissing his neck, putting a little distance between them so that his dick wasn¡¯t pushing against her in it¡¯s desperate need for pleasurable release. A silent punishment for how stubborn he had been. ¡°This is just so fuckingggg wrong. We are going to have to start again, I could kill you.¡± he said tightly, cupping her face in his hand, so that she was looking right at him. She had him right where she needed him. Her hand moved up his lips, over a fang and she pressed her finger against it, allowing her blood to drop down into his mouth. His eyes went full red and she took that opportunity to lean against him, pressing herself fully to him as she whispered breathlessly. ¡°I want y-your fangs¡­ your dick¡­ buried deep inside me.¡± Chapter 81 – Promises, Promises He swung her around, pushing her into against the edge of the table he had been leaning against a moment ago, her hands went up to the sides of his cheek in an instant, drawing his face downwards towards her. ¡°Yes.¡± She wiggled with irrepressible excitement, wrapping her legs around his thighs, feeling her skirt hitch higher and his dick push against her dampened panties. ¡°Ahhh, Take meeee.¡± ¡°Why are you doing this, my love? I could kill you.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t, you¡¯ll give me your blood,¡± her hand was tugging against his hair, pushing his lips to the crock of her neck as she had done a while ago, his fangs grazing against her skin this time. Her inside bubbled with anticipation. ¡°Taste my blood.¡± Her hand went around his hand that was resting against the surface of the desk and pulled it over a breast instead. He had already tasted her blood, why wasn¡¯t he ravishing her yet? Ah, his control was just too much for her own good. For both of them. ¡°Fuck me, Chris. Drain me.¡± She was grinding against him, her head thrown back as she bit back a moan. So good. ¡°I could kill you,¡± he whispered in frustration. That was thest thing she heard from him. The next, was a gush of air, and the clicking of keys by the door. Her eyes peeled open. Her breath raspy with shock as a frown covered her features. Shit. He was gone? Ivy pulled down her skirt, dashed towards the bathroom to fix herself before she went out of the office to ask the receptionist if she had seen any man walk out of the restaurant. She hadn¡¯t. Chris had bolted off that fast. No one had seen him but the receptionist and some other people had been fixing a stash of paper they said was blowed away by a strong wind while they checked the windows only to shockingly discover that they had been locked all this while. She went back into the office, and picked up her phone. The first ring. He didn¡¯t answer it. The second. Same. The third. Arrghhhh! Why was Chris doing this to her? The thought that he might be feeding from someone else washed all the horniness away. She was left with rage and hurt as she paced around the office. She tossed her phone away deciding not to call him again. The she settled in her chair, rearrange her desk and went back to work. Only that she didn¡¯t. She just couldn¡¯t concentrate. Instead, her gaze was fixed into space, as the imagery of many heart breaking scenes formed in her mind. The ringing of her phone seeped into her ears and she picked it up immediately. ¡®My Christopher¡¯ She swiped right, answering the call. ¡°You left.¡± The words bolted right out of her mouth, her anger and frustration in enough for him to sense it. ¡°Ivy.¡± He sounded down himself, but her question had to be answered first. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you just left me like that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°So hot and bothered till I was filled with rage. If was a guy, I¡¯d be left with blue balls.¡± He sighed. She could imagine his tired face with that. His brown eyes looking a little dim by whatever it was that was worrying him. ¡°Do you want me to help you get off?¡± He asked with a little enthusiasm, trying to cover up how down he was. ¡°I can do it over the phone.¡± As wonderful as that sounded, she had her priorities straight. ¡°Why did you leave?¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°It was dangerous. The training is not yetplete and¡­ By the blood, Ivy, I could have killed you.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± She rested her elbow against the surface of the desk, mindlessly ying with the pen in her hand. When Chris blood was still in her veins, she would have easily snapped it but the effect had wane so much she felt very much like herself again. Very human. ¡°You would have just fed me your blood after, and we will be fine.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to get addicted to that too. Having my blood in your veins all the time is not good.¡± She let out a shaky breath. He hadn¡¯t told her that the first time she spoke about it. ¡°So, where did you feed?¡± ¡°From the WineRed, I have in the car. I had to drink a lot of it.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Will you pleasee back? I¡¯m sorry for trying to lure you into¨C¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to be. I know it¡¯s the addiction, I should have stopped you before we got so far.¡± ¡°So are you going toe back?¡± I won¡¯t do anything.¡± There was a trace of hope in her voice. She really had no ns to do anything but she wasn¡¯t sure how things might turn out when she would actually see him again. She would just have to really control herself this time. ¡°I promise, I won¡¯t. I just miss you so much.¡± ¡°I miss you too, that was the exact reason I hade to see you. I shouldn¡¯t have tried to feed from you. I just thought you¡¯d be ready.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry ¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not ming you. I¡¯m the Sire and I¡¯m pretty addictive.¡± He ended in a cocky tone and she chuckled. They chuckled. ¡°So are youing back?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m travelling.¡± The pen in her hand bent. Not snapped but it would have gotten there if she held it longer and had not toss it across the office in shock and rage. ¡°Christopher?!¡± ¡°Christopher? I can¡¯t be in trouble that fast.¡± ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Out of the city.¡± ¡°Out of the city, where?¡± ¡°SunnyCity.¡± ¡°My goodness!¡± She put her hand over her mouth, stopping herself from making a strangling sound. In fact, at this moment she was feeling exactly that. Like as if she was being strangled. ¡°For how long?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, it depends on how things will turn out.¡± She could feel tears well up in her eyes. This training was useless. What if he stayed away for a month. Goodness, they should have just broken the rules, it was most likely that they would be apart for a while anyways. ¡°I will try to make it for Valentine.¡± Oh goodness, she had totally forgotten about that for a second. Valentine was in two days. ¡°This is¡ª you should have just fucked me.¡± ¡°Oh, Ivy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. You just didn¡¯t want to kill me, that¡¯s understandable.¡± ¡°I will make it up to you, I promise.¡± ¡°Fine. Call me when you get there.¡± ¡°I will. I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± With hope, she replied. ¡°See you on Valentine.¡± If only they knew what was toe next¡­ If only. Chapter 82 – Happy Valentine ¡°Happy Valentine.¡± Ivy said with a smile, her phone pressed to her ears as she did a few touches to her make up, her eyes skimming over the reflection of the dazzling ck thigh-lenght dress she had on. ¡°So, I¡¯ll meet you at DeTaste and we can spend the rest of our time as the feelings lead. Oh, I can¡¯t wait to give you your gift.¡± Although, as at yesterday, Chris still wasn¡¯t back from SunnyCity but he had promised that he would fly back this morning. Flying was something Chris did all the time. So, Ivy was certain that the only reason he was calling her was most likely to tell to get ready for their date. She knew he would want to offer to pick her up but she would just prefer to meet him there. He sighed over the phone, and her hand stilled on her purse that was on the dressing table, which she had been fitting things in. ¡°Did something happen? Are you even back?¡± ¡°We won¡¯t be able to go on our valentine date this morning.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± she clicked her purse shut, sitting back into the dressing chair, her brows furrowed in worry. ¡°Something happened, right?¡± ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle.¡± Someone, that didn¡¯t make her feel any better. ¡°Does this have to do with your brother who just arrived?¡± ¡°No¡ª I mean, it does but, you don¡¯t have to worry about it. Everything is fine. This will get fixed in no time.¡± His tone picked up, sounding a little cheerful. ¡°How about we shift our ns to tonight. I¡¯ll make it just as grand, I promise.¡± Her lips dipped at the corners with displeasure. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± She had to resist the urge of yanking out her fixed eyeshes. She still hadn¡¯t taken pictures yet and no matter how hurt she was by this change of ns, this make up was good just too good, to not go down in her Galleryne. Besides, she would send him the pictures. She might not have the strength to look this made up in the evening, he would just have to excuse that and know that it was all his fault. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll send you pictures, so you know what you are missing.¡± He groaned, ending in a breathy chuckle. ¡°I want to say no because that is turtore but I really love to see you.¡± She smacked her lips together in victory. ¡°Sounds like the perfect punishment then.¡± He chuckled and she smiled. She was just happy that he was alright. The sound of the doorbell ringing seeped through her ears, and she stared quizzically at her reflection in the mirror. ¡°There¡¯s someone at the door. I have to go and get it.¡± ¡°That must be my gifts to you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes, just hold on them, till I can be there with you. I love you.¡±N?velDrama.Org is the owner. She could hardly contain her excited squeal. ¡°I love you too.¡± Chocte, flowers, expensive make up, a big teddy with a note, ¡°Hold only in my absence, I don¡¯t want to get jealous of a stuffed bear,¡± and a ne. She quickly signed the delivery check, and the delivery person left, while one of the helpers helped her get the gifts inside. ¡°This is so, so, wonderful. My mascara is really getting threatened right now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so d you like it.¡± ¡°Ok want you to get your gift too. Send me your address and¨C well.¡± She said, shutting the door. ¡°In a moment. I¡¯m giddy with excitement.¡± ¡°Awwn, such a good boy.¡± ¡°Ahhhhh, Ivy. You are really tempting me to fly down there, leave all this work and let the consequences be damned.¡± ¡°You had me agreeing till ¡®consequences¡¯¡­ Don¡¯t worry. Evening ns sounds just perfect. Take care, I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget the address.¡± ¡°Sent.¡± Ding. ¡°Bye.¡± Quickly, she started making the order. It would take about six hours to get her gift delivered to Chris, also, it was more expensive because of the season and the fact that they would have to pick the gift up from her doorstep. Very pricey in fact. But she was unfazed. By the power of her mysterious husband¡¯s ck card, no price could stand in her way. *** After taking the pictures and sending them to Chris, her dad¡¯s call came in. ¡°Hello Sweetheart. Happy Valentine in arrears. Was busy all yesterday.¡± Yes. Ubia was many hours faster. ¡°Hello, Pa. It¡¯s just the morning of Valentine¡¯s day over here. How was it?¡± He proceeded to talk about how wonderful their valentine had been while her mother, somewhere along the line started talking about how if she had someone in her life, she wouldn¡¯t be so lonely on valentine. Her mother¡¯s obsession with finding her a husband was starting to be reallyughable. They ended the call, thanking her about how their day had gone. Ivy was her parents¡¯ private date nner. They were allowing her to live on them, so yeah, she was getting generously paid. There was no better job than this. Ivy spent the whole morning, reading a book. She really wasn¡¯t in the mood to go out, so in the afternoon, she just watched Ro, her eyes darting to the wall clock everytime. Time was really slow today. Why was the clock going so damn slow today?! Then suddenly, it was 5:15pm. Her phone dinged and she quickly picked it up. It wasn¡¯t Chris as she had expected though, but Elsa. She had sent pictures of her and the Butler training. With a text below. ¡®Combat for Valentine.¡¯ Ivy chuckled, replying with, ¡®#couplegoals.¡¯ Elsa¡¯s reply was instant. ¡®That is the wrong hashtag. This is a student teacher rtionship.¡¯ ¡®Doesn¡¯t mean couple goals can¡¯t be brought out of it. Besides, I see no minors here.¡¯ ¡®You are not a very good cupid. You ship me with everybody.¡¯ she sent aughing emoji. ¡®Well, it¡¯s my turn to rx. Goodnight, Princess.¡¯ ¡®Goodnight you. Don¡¯t do anything I wouldn¡¯t do.¡¯ ¡®Knowing you, Ivy, no.¡¯ After that, she ate and she found herself on the couch again. She was waiting for Chris¡¯s call, and somewhere along the line, she started dozing off. Till the ringing of her phone, snapped her awake. It was Chris but what he said was the exact thing she had been dreading to hear. Chapter 83 – Body Explorer ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°It just happened now. I got the message and I have to fly down to MoonCity.¡± ¡°That is quite a distance.¡± She said said, trying to rid her voice of the pain and annoyance the news had brought her, instead reflecting the bigger worry. ¡°Are you sure everything is alright?¡± ¡°Yes, trust me.¡± ¡°Fine. Alright then. So when do we get to see each other again?¡± ¡°I really want to say tomorrow but¨C¡± ¡°Just tell me the truth. I can take it. I¡¯m a big girl.¡± She added thest one in a slight chuckling fit. ¡°In a week, maybe, but here is the good news. We might not have to wait for as long as I had suspected before. Things seem to be going as nned, maybe we wouldn¡¯t even need a year to get to know your parents.¡± That made her happy but until the year was over, she would still be married. ¡°What about my condition?¡± ¡°I thought you were already adapting to the life just fine, but anyways, you know me, my love. I can wait.¡± She smiled, leaning further into the sofa.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Did you get my gift?¡± ¡°Yes. You have such a great taste. Although suit isn¡¯t really my thing. I feel like it might be a little¡­ restraining?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Her brows furrowed a light frown as she imagined that. ¡°Really? I thought it might spice up your aesthetic.¡± ¡°I thought you love me and my aesthetic just fine.¡± He groaned, as if he was utterly displeased andpletely devasted. How dramatic. It was a struggle to not let her grin stretch in a wider smile. ¡°Of course, I like it.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t say you love,¡± he mumbled loud enough for her to hear. ¡°I wonder why.¡± Her back slowly hit the sofa, ¡°arrrgh, Chris. I love your aesthetic. I love you.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Of course, you do. You know what, I¡¯ll try it.¡± When he spoke again, his voice sounded a little distant. ¡°I once liked it in the past anyways. I might just be able to roll with it again.¡± ¡°What past?¡± She asked, her gaze fixed on the hem of the nket she was twirling between her fingers. ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°If you give me one more nothing as a response, I will start nning to do the same. I wonder who¡¯ll get tired first¡± ¡°Don¡¯t, fine.¡± He let out an exasperated breath. ¡°I once was close with my brother. He was into looking formal and all, he was quite powerful, still is. He used to be the only one I looked up to and I wanted to impress him by living like him.¡± Ivy nodded slowly, taking in the information. ¡°Are you still close with your brother?¡± ¡°Not in a good way. Now, he is just that scary one that needs to be gotten rid of.¡± He ended in a dismissive tone. Ivy¡¯s head rang bells. That had better not be what she thought it was. ¡°You want to kill your brother?!¡± ¡°By the Blood, no! You see, that is why I like saying ¡®nothing¡¯ instead. There are just some things that are done differently.¡± Well that was good. Her racing heart could stop racing wildly now. ¡°Is your brother like you, a vampire too?¡± ¡°We are different in many ways. Can we please drop this topic?¡± His voice sounded a little strained. ¡°I don¡¯t like talking about him.¡± ¡°Sure, sure. I¡¯m sorry if I was pushing.¡± ¡°No, you should know. I just don¡¯t find itfortable, that¡¯s all. I¡¯m working on it.¡± ¡°When you are done and ready to share, just know that I¡¯ll be here to listen.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Andddd¡­¡± She raised her finger up on the air, like he was in front her and she was stopping him from going on. ¡°If I discover it¡¯s a lot of baggage, I¡¯m taking you down to my therapist.¡± ¡°By the Blood, Ivy.¡± ¡°She does a good job, trust me.¡± Heughed again. ¡°Oh, I love talking to you.¡± ¡°And I love touching you, as cold as you are.¡± ¡°You are really tempting me right now,¡± he said with a suppressed groan. ¡°The suit is good. How about I wear it for our next date?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to wear the suit¨C¡± ¡°No, I want to. I want to look good for you.¡± ¡°You look good to me everytime.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°Oh goodness, stop! My ears.¡± That voice wasn¡¯t Chris¡¯s. She could hear some noise in the background, then Chris¡¯ voice again but distant this time. ¡°Give it back, Jett.¡± ¡°Hi, Yours Girl. Happy Valentine¡¯s day. I will never understand why we have to celebrate all these humans¡¯ celebration. Don¡¯t you think couples are just the most annoying. I¡¯m stuck with one here and he as been burning my ears all evening with all these mushy talks with his girlfriend. My ears are in pain. Like real pain.¡± ¡°Maybe you deserve it, since you never use my name.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°Ouch. If I had a heart it would be broken by your words.¡± He said in a t voice, before he scoffed. ¡°Lucky me, right?¡± ¡°Hand me back.¡± Yank! ¡°Had to use my break some way.¡± Jett was protesting in the background. She heard a door m shut next. ¡°Hey love. Pay Jett no mind, he is being unusually grumpy today.¡± When she had just meant him, he was always busy, but somewhere along the line, grumpy became Jett¡¯s new personality. Ivy had heard Elsa say in passing that it could be as a result of staying mateless for so long. ¡°That¡¯s alright. I¡¯m d you¡¯re back.¡± ¡°Sadly, I have to leave now.¡± She groaned. ¡°Alright. Goodnight. I love you.¡± ¡°I love you the most.¡± ¡°Have a great time at the hotel.¡± ¡°Ah, nah. I have a vi here. That is where we¡¯ll be staying when we get to MoonCity.¡± Ivy blinked, sitting up straight immediately Did he just say Vi? Chris was definitely her husband. Her lips stretched into a smile, while she out the phone down on the nearest side table. Maybe Chris¡¯s n would work ording to hers. If only there was a way for her to prove that he was her husband without risking anything. She would have done it without a second thought. She went up the stairs, straight to her room. Then she freshened up and slide under of her bed covers. Sleep time. Just that, after many toss and turns, she realized she couldn¡¯t sleep. A surge of hunger had been hitting her for a while now. She still felt a need to be fed from by Chris, also there was the sexual cliff that he had ced her on and she still was on. The least he could have done that day was allow her to have an orgasm! He did offer to get her off on the phone but she had been too angry to ept it. She raised her hand up at the reminder, slipping it into her silk blue nightgown, her body stiffening with anticipation, till she finally cup her breast, a finger resting on her hardened nipple. ¡°Ahhh.¡± She let out a silent gasp at thefort, as she fondled her breast. It had been so long since she touched herself. So long since she felt a need to. She should touch herself tonight, explore her body and imagine Chris all the way. Chapter 84 – Take You For A Ride She drove her hand through her hair, looking up at the ceiling, feeling tingling warmth gather at her heat. ¡°Ah.¡± She breathed, gulping. Chris didn¡¯t say anything about her touching herself putting things in halt, or disrupting the training process. So this should have absolutely no consequences. She pulled out her hand from her hair and moved it lower, and lower and lower. Imagining it to be Chris¡¯s. Imagining it being cold, a little calloused, firm, and longer. Her back arched and she let out a breath when her fingers finally moved on her exposed throbbing clit. She was wet already. Very horny. Too horny. Two fingers drove into her pussy, her wet walls clenching desperately around it while she thrusted deep and fast, wanting them longer to reach more depth, while her thumb rubbed her clit. Her breath came out in pants, her back arching, her body tensing, a ecstatic pleasure building. She could feel something cold grazing her neck, something piercing, like fangs. Her blood draining.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Oh fuck, Chris,¡± she said through feverish lips. Having imagined him to a point that she could feel him, her body was shaking with the orgasm that was quickly building. Then ringing! Loud ringing right next to her ear. Deafening! She jumped up, her heart pounding, her eyes wide open, her fingers no longer buried in her wet pussy, her sexual urge still very much unsatisfied. The ringing. She could hear it again. It was her phone. An unknown number? It must be someone that wasn¡¯t important to her life on the other side. Besides, she was too horny to have a conversation right now. So sheid back in bed and tried to reach that peak she had been aiming for, but instead of ecstasy, all she got was fading desire and increasing worry. The damn phone just kept ringing! This was supposed to be the number only important people in her life had. If this person wasn¡¯t one them, the person had better be ready to see her in court for this interruption. ¡°Who are you and what do you want?!¡± She asked, her voice a little horse. ¡°Hello Miss Rominnez. This is Girald speaking.¡± The lust wiped away from her eyes. Completely. Gid? ¡°I didn¡¯t vite any of the contract¡¯s terms.¡± The words rushed out of her mouth without a second thought. ¡°This call is for you to perform one of the contract terms not to call you to order, ma¡¯am.¡± Pulling her night robe closer, feeling a little vulnerable as exposed as she presently was, although she very much knew she couldn¡¯t be seem , she asked, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°The Master will soon be at the Vi and it is requested that you will be there when he arrives, ma¡¯am.¡± A smile stretched across her lips. Finally. This was it. A way to prove that Chris was her husband without running into any stupid risks. It would all get resolved. Hurray! ¡°Fine.¡± she ran her fingers through her hair, thinking fast. ¡°I¡¯ll just order a cab, you can send me the adress-¡± ¡°That will not be necessary, ma¡¯am. Your ride is already waiting for you right opposite your gate. Please, ensure you would be down in thirsty mins.¡± ¡°That is not enough for me to pack my¨C¡± Beep. Great. That was Gid. He never let her finish whatever she had to ask. What she was most happy about though was the fact that soon her and Chris would be together without all these secrets in the way. First she had to get out of this dress and wear something appropriate. Also, a quick bath would be just fine. She wouldn¡¯t want to appear to Girald the way she had, the first day they met. She felt like that hadn¡¯t left a very good impression. She chuckled, finally standing up. Nah, that hadn¡¯t left a good impression at all. *** ¡°Six months?¡± She asked, controlling her voice into a whisper. The car¡¯s windows were opened and she loved how it blew her hair softly earlier, but now the breeze was getting too much that even though she was stuck between two heafty Bodyguards, like the day they had driven her to the vi, the wordsing from the speaker of her phone seemed to be flying in air. She could easily just tell them to wind up, but the AC had been on before and she had specially requested for the window instead. Something along the line of her ¡®missing the fresh air¡¯. In truth, she was just a bundle of nerves. She wanted the secret to be out already, for Chris to know that she was his bride¨C wife. Wow! Anyways, so that she would no longer have to wait for one year and he would no longer have to keep the matters of the house secret from her. But at the same time, there was just this off feeling at the pit of her stomach towards everything. ¡°I¨C what?¡± Suddenly her dad¡¯s voice that was seeping out of the speakers became clearer. The windows had been wound up. Good. ¡°You will be in Ubia for six months, you say?¡± ¡°Yes. Are you sure you will be alright all on you own? You don¡¯t want me to arrange a flight for you and El¨C¡± ¡°This is not the first time I¡¯ll be here all by myself for months, Pa. You worry too much.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help it, sweetheart. Take good care of yourself and enjoy your night at the club. Tell Elsa to ensure you don¡¯t drink too much. Have fun, both of you.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I will.¡± She was not going to the club but her Father must have picked up on the background noise and concluded that was where she was headed to. Knowing the kind of daughter he had, that wasn¡¯t a far-fetched opinion. After that, there was a call from Elsa, telling her that she would have to travel to MoonCity for a while. Ivy felt very uneasy suddenly. If all well as Chris had said, why were they all heading there? Chapter 85 – Into The Villa Anyways she would asked him when she would finally see him tonight, see him the very first time as her husband. He would have no need to hide because he would then realize that she was already in his world. A wide smile spread across her lips and she leaned back in her seat with relief. Just the imagination of how that would go down made her feel like everything was right with the world. Like nothing could ever go wrong again. The ride took more than an hour, but after a while, they arrived at the Vi.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Somehow this ce managed to be grander and more luxurious than she remembered, maybe it was because of the lights that made it such a masterpiece at night. Damn. Wealth! Also, the fountain didn¡¯t seem to just be bringing out water but with a brilliantbination of colors glowing in it. Wonderful. She could get used to this kind of life. Some of these things were things her parents could afford, but her mother was a sought of economist. She hated unnessarily spending, the fact that their main ount was a joint ount with her Father¡¯s didn¡¯t really help matters. Ivy was surprised though. Chris had seemed like someone who was careful with his money too. Or maybe that was just one of the personality he liked to put forward? How many personalities did he even have? Was he alright? ¡°So, is the Master home yet?¡± Considering that he took a flight, he should be. Except if he had some things to look into along the way. ¡°No.¡± Girald said, his voice cold and formal. Just like she remembered. In fact, he hadn¡¯t changed at all. He was still the bald, suited man with a cold and stern look that she had seen on her ¡®wedding¡¯ day. She followed him up the stairs, remembering the room she had been guided to the first time she had being brought here. She had been right, it was that exact room that had been prepared for her again. She had, although, a moment ago, entertained the thought that they might have prepared another room, considering the fact that they had prepared that room when they thought she was the right bride, but there were many rooms at their disposal, this one would certainly not affect them. ¡°The walls are made¨C¡± ¡°I have no ns to escape.¡± ¡®Take that! How did it feel to be interrupted midway now, ehn, Girald?¡¯ She felt so proud of herself, she wanted to pat herself on the back for that sessfuleback. ¡°Good.¡± Girald nodded, stiffly, turning away. ¡°Have a lovely night, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°When will the Master be returning?¡± Girald turned to her, clearly unsettled by her questioning. Ivy threw a quick nce at the prepared room, her long, red painted nails clicking against the back of her phone. ¡°Tonight?¡± She arched him an eyebrow. ¡°Yes. Now, please, no further questions¨C¡± ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Twice in a row. Woh! This felt good. Damn, was she lucky! His arms tightened across his chest, his voice still firm and controlled when he spoke. ¡°Then please,e down for dinner when you are ready. Whatever you want will be served.¡± With a gesture, he pointed to one side of the room, where a small table was. ¡°There is a map, to help you navigate the vi, ma¡¯am. Also, the left hallway is not to trespassed.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes. What in the Beauty and the Beast. ¡°Belongs to the Master?¡± She asked in a sing song tone. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse¨C¡± ¡°You¡¯re excused.¡± The door went m immediately, but Ivy was lucky enough to catch a quick look of Girald¡¯s tightly pressed lips in restrained anger. Ah, that felt absolutely ecstatic. She should shut him up more. With no hesitation, sheid on the bed, tossing her bag to a side on the floor. She wanted to tell Elsa about this but she had to stop herself, she would be seeing her soon anyways, she could wait till then. Good thingse to those who wait. Just like Elsa¡¯s call. Her phone was ringing, with Elsa¡¯s name disyed on the screen. She wondered why she was calling again but was also overjoyed that she could hear her voice again. Elsa was still with Koel. They had arrived at MoonCity since a while ago. ¡°We are in a hotel.¡± Ivy sat up immediately, folding her legs beneath her. ¡°Tell me it has one bed,¡± she squealed. ¡°It does.¡± ¡°No.¡± Her eyes widened in surprise andughter bubbled from her throat. ¡°Don¡¯t sleep on the floor, don¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Ah, by the Blood, Ivy. It was a just joke. We are taking separate rooms¡­ annnnd separate beds.¡± Her vibe remained though. ¡°You can¡¯t argue you¡¯ve been spending a lot of time with himtely.¡± ¡°He¡¯s my teacher. The Sire ced me in his care. Jett would have been the one to do this but you know him. He¡¯s busy and we don¡¯t get along so well.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that was it.¡± She leaned back in bed, moving her legs upwards yfully, brown gown slipping down to her waist. ¡°I thought it was giving a hate to love vibe.¡± ¡°Yeah, because I¡¯m one of your Ros.¡± She said with a chuckle that quickly wane out. ¡°I have to go now. It seems I¡¯m going to have a long day tomorrow. Also, I still have to train tonight.¡± ¡°Amryelsa¨C¡± that was a voice in the background. Ivy¡¯s eyes grew wide with surprise, not by the person but what the person had said. ¡°Koel just called you Amryelsa.¡± ¡°My Sire used to call me that too.¡± ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I mean.¡± ¡°You know what, no funny ideas and goodnight. Also, nothing is going to happen between Koel and I.¡± ¡°Yes, Mummy.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Princess.¡± The line went dead and Ivy out down the phone on the phone, reaching for the map on the side table. How big was this ce, it needed an entire map to navigate it. The first ce she had searched for on the map, was the dinning hall. It seemed like somewhere she could get to on her own. She dropped the map with a huff, thinking about Elsa. Up till thest moment she had dropped that call, she had taken shipping them together as a joke but what if it wasn¡¯t. She would have to warn her best friend to avoid Koel because he already had a Potential in the past. The problem though, was his fixation on her. He was sti wrapped up in his grief and he didn¡¯t seem to want a rescue. She would have to warn Elsa in order to ensure her friend wouldn¡¯t get hurt. One of the things Ivy could never sessfully cheat on was her demanding appetite. It was that very demanding appetite that had pushed her right down to the dinning hall, but what she saw was nothing to fill her up. At least not in the way she had thought she needed. Chapter 86 – Master’s Hallway There were maids in their grey uniform, with something like a white apron attached to it, running around the whole ce and fixing things. It wasn¡¯t rowdy, they moved orderly, but something felt a little off right from when she had stepped in. When she started taking to the chef about her dinner, she realized thay the reason for this was that the Master was home. Without saying a word, she snuck out of the kitchen and headed right to the hallway that she had been told not to go. Chris would be so d to see her. Ah, also the training period was over. Tonight could really get a little steamy. Or a lot steamy. Which ever way. She wanted it to be a lot though but as long as it was steamy, she was good. ___ For a ce that should be forbidden, why was it so damn easy to navigate? All she had at the map, was a nce and boom, here she was. She found the door to the Master¡¯s room without much stress. The lock on her door was the same as his, so it was way too easy for her to slip in after punching in the passwords. It was almost as if the Universe was begging her to step in. She was certain once he saw her, that marriage contract would hold forever. She would be Mrs DeCastle. She wondered how she would have to break the news to her parents. Her Mother would surely be happy but she couldn¡¯t be certain about if they would both be mad at her for keeping the secret for so long. Her Father might not be mad though, maybe hurt. Certainly hurt. Anyways, when she got to that bridge, she would cross it. Besides, she hadn¡¯t even talked to Chris yet, why was she worrying about that now. She should do thatter. The moment she stepped in, the felt a little dazed with how overly clean the room was. She hadn¡¯t taken Chris for a perfectionist like this? At this point, did she even know her husband? Why was he so different from the person he had showed her, right now? The sound of water rushing in the bathroom made her feel at ease that she knew where he was. All she had to do was wait for him to be done. She was tempted to step into the bathroom and surprise him there but she decided against it. In here would be better. Besides she had to prepare herself for what to say and, also there was a room waiting to be admired. The walls of the room were white, but not blinding white, it was obvious that the painters had gotten a little creative and mixed it with blue. They splitted the whole wall into two, the lower part full grey and the upper part the mixture, then again, Ivy couldn¡¯t be sure those colors were even correct, because of the blue small lights in the ceiling. That was a whole aesthetic on it¡¯s own. The ceiling. Brilliant night sky with twinkling stars filled it, one part of the wall was unpainted and had a realistic gushing waterfall there, the water moved down to the¨C goodness oh, the floor! It looked like it was a body of moving water ubcdernearg her, although it wasn¡¯t moving at all. None of it was real, but this artistic beauty had a realistic feel to it. She loved it. In fact, now that she was here, and had seen this, she doubted if she would want to go back to the room assigned to her again¨C as if Chris would even let that happen. She knew that the moment he wouldy his gaze on her tonight, they would certainly get busy. The only kind of busy she liked. The room wasrge, four of her own bedroom could fit in this. Why did a bedroom have to be this big? There were different things in the room though, like the changing room and some other useful corners. The four walled ce, felt like it¡¯s own world, having in it everything needed. She walked over to the bed and admired it gigantic size, she hoped it felt as good as it looked. A smile stretched across her lips, catching the sight of the suit she had bought for him as a valentine gift. It wasid across the bed.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. She wondered where he could possibly be headed to minutes after his flight. Probably one of those meetings again. Did he never rest? Her hand moved over the suit to pull it over and sniff it in but the click from the bathroom door made her drop it, her legs moving fast to the bathroom¡¯s door. ¡°Surprise!¡± Without thinking twice, she hopped on the broad back still dripping with water, her hands held him tightly to herself while her legs curled around his waist, although her hands couldn¡¯t quite make it around him like they used to. ¡°It¡¯s wifey.¡± She said in a loud cheerful tone, her eyes shut tight. The hand that grabbed her had no mercy. It tossed her away immediately, pushing her to the front so she could face him. She was half happy that he wasn¡¯t entertaining any attention in that manner, and sad because he hadn¡¯t know that it was her. Couldn¡¯t he smell her? She thought vampires could do that. ¡°It¡¯s me, Iv¨C¡± Her gaze darted up to face him squarely and challenge him, but her gaze stopped stilled below his waist and the words died in her throat. When he had tossed her aside, his towel hade loose and dropped around his feet. Yes, she was staring at his dick. Thatid cock looked nothing like Chris¡¯s. She would know her boyfriend¡¯s dick anywhere. She just knew that she would, and thatid member she was staring at, wasn¡¯t it. Her gaze snapped upwards immediately and she sucked in a sharp breath. That face wasn¡¯t Chris! In fact the whole body belong to someone she, unfortunately, knew. ¡°You!¡± The word pushed through her teeth, the anger she had brewing in her, in in that one deration. The cold eyes on her had no emotions, just like the day at m Shopping Mall. Of all ces to meet the man that she had pped and had left her a threat, it just had to be in her husband¡¯s room. Goodness, he must be here to execute his threat on her. Well, well, well. Wasn¡¯t she in trouble? Chapter 87 – Pick Up Your Damn Towel! ¡°Stalker!¡± ¡°Stalker?¡± The man asked and she wondered if the fact that he wasn¡¯t wearing his sses made her look like nothing but a blur to him. That was none of her business though, she didn¡¯t ask to walk into her room ¨C well, it wasn¡¯t her room yet but soon it would be- anyways, she didn¡¯t ask to step into this room and stare at a butt naked stranger- who she was very sure was a stalker! ¡°Yes. You are breaking so manyws right now, just in case you don¡¯t know.¡± She took a step back, looking around for any sharp object she could use to attack him, or rather defend herself from him, in case he made any move that seemed threatening in the slightest. She was starting to really hate the dim light now, the cozy and cool ambiance wasn¡¯t appropriate for the situation she had just found herself in. Also, although she could still see, her sight wasn¡¯t as clear as it would be, if the lights didn¡¯t have that blue tint to it. Wait¨C why was this stranger looking so calm and at home? Oh goodness, that must be because he was very dangerous and confident in his strength. What if he wasn¡¯t alone? How many of them could have invaded the Vi? Was invading the Vi even that possible? No matter what, it would be wise not to take her eyes off him. The man took a step forward and she grimaced. Could he put something on already? Where was her phone, so she could call the cops on his ass. She wondered if she screamed, would Girald hear her? Goodness, she really hated the presence of this stranger in her husband¡¯s room. If and when Chris finds out about this, he would be so mad. Where was her phone?! Ah, there is was! All the way there on Christopher¡¯s king size bed. If she wanted to get it, she would have to walk pass him, and it was stupid to turn her back to the enemy. Another option she had was to crawl on the bed, and get to the other side in order to be able to get her phone but that was such a vulnerable position to be in and vulnerable wasn¡¯t what she wanted to be right now. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± The man¡¯s cold voice cut through the silence of the room, his face giving nothing away of whatever stupid thing it was that must be cooking up in his head. ¡°I see where this is going.¡± Strangely, she didn¡¯t feel like she was in danger. Her brain must be faulty, her adrenalines were supposed to be popping and running wild in her veins right now, but up till now, nothing. Nothing! Fantastic. ¡°Yeah and you¡¯ll be needing yourwyers to see better, because there is jail waiting for you in fu¨C¡± ¡°I know I am very wealthy, ma¡¯am. So, if you think you will seduce me like this to get my money¨C¡± Ivy scoffed. He obviously hadn¡¯t learnt his lesson the first time. He definitely needed another p, that firm cheek looked like it was begging her to wipe her hand quickly across it with force. ¡°I don¡¯t deal with married men! I have my own.¡± She rubbed her two fingers on her forehead. This guy was nothing but pure, unfiltered headache. ¡°Who even let you in? My husband will be back soon and you¡¯ll be in serious trouble. Aren¡¯t you ashamed?!¡± Her gaze moved below his waist again and she looked away with grimace. She could get why he was so confident in his body but this wasn¡¯t supposed to be a sight for her eyes. ¡°Pick up your damn towel!¡± She snapped her fingers in anger. ¡°Girald!¡± He picked up his towel and Ivy smirked.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it, pick it up and run back the way you came, because this people are dangerous. They are protecting me and you will be toast onc¨C,¡± She sensed someone stepping in and she made the mistake to look, going against her principal of not turning her back to her enemy. Who she saw made her feel at ease though, so it was a win-win. ¡°Girald, thank goodness you are here. Can you get this st¨C¡± ¡°Master.¡± Girald said, bowing his head lightly, with his hands folded behind him. ¡°Mas¨C¡± Sheughed, looking in-between Girald and the man that now had his towel wrapped around this waist. ¡°He is not your Master, you are making a mista¨C¡± The look Girald gave her was enough to shut make her shut up and think. Heat. She felt ite over her, pulling her under. ¡°Who is this mad woman?¡± The man asked, his voice still firm and controlled and that was when it clicked. It was the same. How could she have missed it? That was the same voice she had heard over theptop on the day of her wedding. Her throat felt really dry all of sudden and she gulped, frowning while she licked her lips. Although the dress she wore was light, it felt really hot, and her heart finally starting racing, the adrenaline popping in her veins. ¡°Your Wi¨CBride, Master.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± he stepped forward now and she was the one to stagger back. With him barely a step away from her and his eyes staring right down at hers, she leaned backwards, trying to create a distance, yet not finding the strength to move any backwards. He stared at her quizzically, studying her like she was some pesky project he wanted to be done with then finally get rid of. Her eyes were fixed on him. Suddenly the fact that he was not Chris made her feel really scared, all the rumours she had heard about him, known that he was capable of erasing her like the way he had done to the people he shot on her wedding day, and nothing was stopping it because he wasn¡¯t Chris that had her as a Potential, it was all really terrifying. ¡°The wrong bride.¡± Every feature of his face spelt fear. Well, this already wasn¡¯t looking good for her. Chapter 88 – Call Me Master She chuckled nervously. ¡°Hey, I know we got up on a wrong foot but¨C¡± ¡°Out.¡± He turned away sharply, very uninterested in whatever she had to say next. ¡°What?¡± The way her heart had been racing, like it would burst out of her chest, did not let her catch what he said. ¡°Get out.¡± ¡°Of course, of course.¡± She nodded, heading out already before she remembered something and she turned. She really needed to apologize and she wouldn¡¯t want him making her life here miserable because of something she could have just fixed so easily with an apology. ¡°And about the suit¡­ and the whole boutique situation, and the fact that I got you¨C¡± He looked back at her and she froze. Maybe she shouldn¡¯t have said that. Without taking his eyes off her, he said to Girald. She huffed. ¡°I¡¯d like to grab my¨C¡± ¡°Girald, If she stays there for five more seconds, kill her.¡± Without another word, he turned away. ¡°4¡± Well, that was it. Before Girald ended his countdown. She was out. ** She must have ran really fast because how did she get into her room so quickly. Ivy closed the door shut behind her, then fell on the bed with relief. It wasn¡¯t absolute but it would do for now. Ah. How could her husband not have been Chris? Her evidence about the whole situation was so fool proof. Ah! How was she going to face this now? She was too exhausted right now. She would think about thatter. Ivy switched on the TV opposite her bed and the first thing she heard was moans. Well, she was in no need to watch this right now. Some good Ro would be alright. Someughs, and tension relief here and there would be perfect, but she felt too tired to even pick up the remote and change the channel. Hopefully, this sex scene would be over soon and she could actually watch the movie and it would distract her from her misery. So with her eyescking interest, her mind filled with worry, my mental state absolutely stressed and wreaked, she kept watching the two people on the screen go at each other. The man pounding into her from behind and the woman¡¯s face filled with absolute delight. Great. Someone was getting it and she wasn¡¯t. It didn¡¯t matter that that was just an actress and nothin on the screen was real. This disy before her had been her n for Chris tonight, instead here she was, wreaked and wreaked.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Everything was ruined. She heard the woman moan anger and she focused on the screen with anger and that was when she noticed it. Something felt really off about this. It had been only a couple of seconds but¡­ what was wrong with the camera quality? Why were they taking the video from a really distant angle? Was this a detective scene of ying a tape taken from a crime scene¡¯s secret camera? And that room? Why did it look so damn farmr? What was going on? In what movie had she seen the room before? It must be a poprly used setting. Right, that had to be it. But still no matter how good this looked, there was just something off with how this had been filmed. She could just feel it. Also, it looked kind of blur. Then suddenly the male actor was staring right into the camara that he was so far from, she couldn¡¯t see his face. He picked up something from beside him and directed it at the camera. Just like that the TV went nk. Well, that felt almost realistic. Anyways, she was half the scene was over. All she had to do now was wait for the next. And so she waited. And waited. And waited. But the screen remained pitch ck and it finally hit her. That and felt so realistic because it was, in fact, real! No fucking way. Did she just spend about twenty seconds watchinhg the Master bang someone? *** Pornography. That was pure porn! To stop herself frompletely losing her sanity, Ivy¡¯s next stop had been at the kitchen. It was empty but she found her way to the fridge, right after bumping her pinky hard against the kitchen counter. She could still feel it throbbing with pain and all she had to me for her immediate difort at the moment was the darkness of the kitchen. She should just search for the switch and put on the light but she felt that would call attention and she had already had enough of that for tonight. Anymore unwanted focus on her, and her facade might actuallye crumbling to the ground and she would just pass out. Her hand wrapped around the cold handle of the fridge and she threw the door open, the soft light that met her gaze, a saving grace. Without a second thought, Ivyshed into a desperate search for chocte. Soon enough she found one. She wasted no time in unwrapping and devouring it. The voices, the images, she just really needed to get them all out of her mind! So stress eating, she was. Till the kitchen light came on and she froze, turning slowly to the door. Ah. Great. An unwanted focus from the very master of the house himself and he was no longer naked, but in a pair of cotton ck pants and white Tee shirt. Did he know that she had been watching him? Was he here to question her? Punish her? Why was her life just moving from one trainwreak to another tonight? Oh she wished Chris was here to take her away from all this nonsense. All she wanted to do was be in bed and have a great time. Not this! ¡°I appreciate your co-operation so far, madam. You¡¯ve been taking the contract very seriously,¡± he took a step in, stopping when he was right in front of her, then putting something by her side. Ivy pulled back, not liking how close he hade, her gaze on what he was dropping on the counter. It was her phone. Thank goodness. ¡°Especially the infidelity part.¡± Ivy looked up at him, a grin crossing her lips at the thought of Chris. ¡°You are wee.¡± She spoke too fast. ¡°You are doing the same thing to¨C ha, ha, I mean, that¨C you know inks and papers, you gotta go along with them to the letter. Dots of the Is and crosses of the Ts. If you understand me.¡± Her heart was racing wildly. He still hadn¡¯t moved away. What? Was he not expecting her to take a signed contract seriously? If this was all a stupid test, she would get her hand real bloody, real fast. She could fight¡­ in her head. ¡°Don¡¯t want the consequences.¡± She ended and she really wished she hadn¡¯t said that. In fact, she should have stopped talking since. ¡°Good.¡± He stepped back a considerable distance, taking a bottle of water from ten fridge along with him, and she grabbed her phone immediately. ¡°Getting rid of you should be easy.¡± Ivy blinked. What was that? ¡°You mean like in a bloodless way, right?¡± Talking a swing from the bottle, he replied. ¡°That can also be arranged.¡± He must be fucking kidding her. ¡°I don¡¯t n to die, Mr¡­,¡± she paused. ¡°What is your name?¡± ¡°Just call me Master.¡± ¡°Master.¡± She said without thinking and he looked at her immediately, before he looked away in a second, and emptied his bottle. ¡°Good enough. For now.¡± Chapter 89 – Deeper In An Unwanted Mess ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to get to this.¡± He said, folding his arms across him. The shirt he wore was quite strained by the action, his cloth hugging his arms tightly.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Could she just disappear from all of this. Feeling thirsty, she turned around, and picked out a bottle of water from the fridge. She poured the water into a ss cup and raised it up to her lips. As she drank, she couldn¡¯t help but deliberate on if throwing this ss cup in her hand to smash the head of the stranger¨C Master, behind her would he justified. She was angry for many reasons. Christopher was not her husband instead it was a guy she had met in the boutique and hated. Also, tonight wasn¡¯t going the way she had nned it at all. She feltpletely stressed about that. Her grip tightened around the cup. She should kill him. None of this was his fault but she felt that she should. There has to be a way to fix this mess. She mmed the cup down on the tip of the counter, frowning into the dim space ahead. ¡°But The Houses.¡± She frowned, turning to look at him. Did he just say¡­ Houses? Was she standing in front of another leader of the House. Goodness? What was he? A vampire? Something else?! If only Christopher had told her about the Houses and how they were. Now she didn¡¯t know if they were all were all vampires or different. ¡°I have enemies and they will try to attack you to get to me. The only way to protect you, madam, is to keep you close.¡± Although his tone had been t, andcking any real sense of urgency to the suituation he just described, it made her feel unsettled still. Also, the way he was calling her ¡°madam¡± made her feel weird, she wanted to say something about it but quickly realized that she didn¡¯t want him calling her Ivy either. It was best they stayed as strangers, till the marriage was over and long after¡­ till forever. She just so hated him, she couldn¡¯t describe it. He had done nothing tonight, except that he existed. Why did he even exist? Ivy hoped that this man hadn¡¯t taken a liking to her, it would make thingsplicated and she would be getting brought into the supernatural world in the wrong way. The only person she wanted to do that with was Christopher. Although, a part of her believed that this wasn¡¯t anything that her Christopher couldn¡¯t handle, in case this Waste Of Space tried to do anything funny. Also, there was his brother. As much as hechad said his brother wasn¡¯t on good terms with him, Ivy felt that he would protect his brother against any threat, which included threats to his Brother¡¯s Potential and protection extension to them also. ¡°Why? Because you are not human?¡± Stern. Cold. Did this man have any other emotions. He felt like a block of ice, a sculpture, a fine one but a dead one too. He just seemed very unalive. Was he even breathing? Was he a vampire too? What was he?! Why wasn¡¯t he answering her questions already?! ¡°Till I get a witch that can wipe your memories without damaging anything, you will have to live with that information.¡± So, she was right. She hide her unsettlement with a light scoff, and a finishing chuckled. ¡°Yeah, I like my memories intact. Thank you, Mr¨C¡± his eyes were unmoving on her, this guy was creepy why was he looking at her like that?! ¡°Master.¡± He face features rxed in sight approval. What the fuck? Did he have some master kink? Ew. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you like.¡± His gaze moved to the door and she did too, but she stared at it for a moment and no one appeared, so she looked back at him, puzzled. Just when she was starting to think that he must be insane, Ivy heard the voice of ady that wasing behind him. ¡°Master.¡± She purred and Ivy jumped in her skin, startled. That made her sound like she was a dog! Almost too real. Oh goodness, what was she? ¡°Are you well rested.¡± Thedy¡¯s cheek visibly went red, as she walked pass Ivy not paying her attention for even a second. ¡°Yes, Master.¡± She moved closer and tried to touch him but he pped her hand aside and she folded it quickly behind her, bowing her head slowly. His fingers, tucked in his leather gloves, skimmed past a side of her cheek that was visibly going red, not touching. She let out a gasp, obviously finding this pleasurable. Then he brought his finger to her chin, lifting it up so that she was looking up at him. From where Ivy was standing she could see her eyes were zed over. Okay. She didn¡¯t sign up to watch porn and whatever this is. ¡°Good, girl.¡± He dropped his hand from her, his casual demeanour unmoving. What was this man? ¡°Bring the documents to my office, tomorrow?¡± Wow. She was a double. Working for him in his office during the day while he had her in his vi during the night, he could get it at any time. Wow! ¡°Yes, Master.¡± She turned around and that was the first time Ivy could see her clearly. She was a tall, slender, woman, with small perky breasts worth the envy and those facial features, sharp andmanding. With the red shirt she had tucked into her leather mid thigh skirt, and those ck long heels, Ivy knew that if they didn¡¯t meet in this circumstance, they would be good friends. At the same time, it didn¡¯t seem like it. Her lips were painted glossy ck, and her hair white and long. Ivy was like Elsa and Elsa was a party girl, the woman in front of Ivy had this professional and dangerous aura about her, almost like the ice sculpture behind. Great. ¡°Excuse me.¡± She said to Ivy, eyeing her like she was nothing, her voice a little sultry, as she turned away, back to the Master. ¡°How about the one with the Bahas? Have you checked that document?¡± ¡°Everything done as you wish you, Master.¡± ¡°I fancy you, Little wolf.¡± He said with a light smirk and she purred again. Ivy heaved a sigh. Why was she here? ¡°Do I get a reward?¡± Cringe. ¡°What kind of reward do you desire?¡± ¡°The Valentine make up gift.¡± He stepped away for a while, folding his arms across his chest, watching her. ¡°We begin tomorrow.¡± ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She squealed, almost wrapping her arms around him before he stepped back with a frown, and she put her hands behind her like she had been burnt but the glimmer of happiness in her eyes meant it all. What a toxic rtionship. Ivy should get some pop corn to watch this but she thought about it toote and the woman had already left. ¡°I apologize for that.¡± The stranger said, then he left, switching off the light and leaving her in darkness. It was only when she was alone again, could she move her legs. It was like a force had held her there to watch. Highlypelling. What was that? Chapter 90 – Potential Cage Of A Villa The next morning, as soon as she had the chance, Ivy starting making calls. First she called her parents. They were still in Ubia.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Her mother had called her Romito and her Father had been his usual self, calling her ¡®Sweetheart¡¯ every chance he got. Ivy couldn¡¯t decide if this bubbling and sweet personality of her parents was as a result of the splendid valentine they had together, and whether it would fade away soon or of this was how they would continue to be from now on. It didn¡¯t matter anyway. They both sounded really happy and she was happy they were. She wanted to call the rest of her loved ones but she felt a little drained and decided to call them after some time. So, for now, she would have to find something to positively upy herself with. She had no ns if overthinking today. While trying to select the activity that would he worthy of her time, Ivy had no worries about running into the Master or his Lady. Girald had told her earlier this morning that the Master and his Female had gone on a vacation. Female? It was urate but it sounded so weird to refer to someone like that. Why couldn¡¯t he just say girlfriend? He reminded her so much of Koel who always refered to her as Sire¡¯s Woman. Weird people. That must be the Valentine¡¯s gift he had been talking to his girlfriend about yesterday. He did say that they would start today. Whatever it was, Ivy found their absence an utter relief and nothing short of fantastic. Knowing her hus-yuck, no! Knowing the Master¨C even that didn¡¯t feel appropriate, but anyways¡ª Knowing the Master wasn¡¯t who she had thought he would be, Ivy could suddenly feel the weight of the wedding now, once again, feeling the marriage like a leash around her neck, a cage keeping her restrained. Ah, why couldn¡¯t he had just been Christopher? How hard could it had been for Christopher be her husband?! Ah! So frustrating! Well, once again, she couldn¡¯t help but appreciate their absence in the Vi. She had eagerly asked Girald how long they would be gone, and he had responded curtly. ¡°A week, ma¡¯am.¡± She had better make the best use of it then. Hopefully, they would extend their vacation. After what she had watched yesterday, she wasn¡¯t really keen on seeing them and being put through all that turtore ofbeibg an audience to whatever toxic rtionship they were in. Yuck! Everything had gone so well that morning. Ivy had toured the vi and avoided the left hallway like a gue. Girald hadn¡¯t said anything to her about what she had donest night, her tant disobedience despite his warning, and that made her feel a little on edge. His silence was unsettling and she would take him cutting her off misstatement, as annoying as it was, anytime than this. Touring the vi took a lot of her strength, in fact, she wasn¡¯t done before she went down to the dinning and had her lunch. Asides from the fact that she had woken up reallyte, the vi was big and she had gotten lost a couple of times, even with the map in her hand guiding her. Following maps wasn¡¯t really her thing, that wasn¡¯t a thing she was proud of. Ivy had encounter some Bodyguards along the way too. This vi was in no way empty, never running out of bodyguards and servants walking around purposefully. It made her feel like she was stuck in the ancient times as a pce princess. If Elsa saw this, she would say she had always known that she was a princess and that was why she had always called her that. Ah, she really wished she could tell her what was going on with her right now. She wished she could tell someone, especially her dad. She wasn¡¯t used to keeping big secrets like this from him. This one in particr was going on for so long now, it was starting to weigh her heart down with burdensome thoughts. She could have asked from the Bodyguards or servants about directions, but she didn¡¯t want to look like a fool, not with the map in her hands. So, intend she had taken the pain of walking around, lying that she wanted to be farmr with vi whenever someone asked to help, before she was finally able to get back on track. The only surprising thing she had noticed here though, was a training room. Not a gym but a training room that had different weapons huge on the wall. It made her wonder what the Master was once again. Dinner time was quiet. Ivy was the only one at the long dinning table. She had asked for noodles only for it to be served with sauce on the side that was garnished with small meats and vegetables. She wasn¡¯tining though. At least, they were taking good care of her here. It wasn¡¯t until that night did she realize that she would have to cook up a reasonable lie for her family and close ones to believe, since she might have to be absent from home for a while. Waiting for them to ask and lying would seem suspicious. This would have to be nned to work out. So immediately after dinner and while walking up to her room, she called Elsa. ¡°You went to where again?¡± Elsa said, obviously busy with training, as Ivy could hear the sounds of her hitting a punching bag in the background. Ah, her friend would definitelye back from this trip buff. Ivy couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the mental image. This felt so strange. Elsa was never a gym person. How people change, rather, how things changed people. ¡°Away. What happened in the meeting?¡± Elsa¡¯s engaged mind didn¡¯t let her realize that Ivy had left her question unaddressed. ¡°Some questions about me. Issues surrounding me. I¡¯m just so tired.¡± Ivy frowned, closing the door and settling into bed. Elsa wasn¡¯t always confessing to weakness like that. This actually made her really worried quickly. Chapter 91 – Trouble In Paradise? ¡°Elsa¨C¡± ¡°Turning me has caused¡ª¡± her voice trailed off, sounding a little strained. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡± She ended in a devasted sigh. Ivy sat up in bed, remembering what had happened to her on the roof when she had wanted to tell her something Chris hadn¡¯t want her to know. ¡°Then text me.¡± ¡°It will hurt just the same.¡± Ivy had never heard Elsa sound so¡­ restricted. She was starting to get desperate now. ¡°Get someone else to so it.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Moments of silence passed between them, the words settling into their hearts and holding different meanings to each. ¡°I¡¯m here for you,¡± Ivy spoke up, breaking the silence, ¡°no matter what it is.¡± ¡°I feel very lucky to have you.¡± Elsa let out a sigh, the rustling of something in the background apaning her voice. ¡°You have no idea.¡± Ivy¡¯s felt her heart squeezed with a foreign sadness. Elsa was unhappy and couldn¡¯t tell her why. It made her really angry at Chris. This wasn¡¯t how their friendship was before he came. Him and the consequences of being with him. ¡°Get some rest.¡± ¡°Thanks. I guess I need time to clear my head anyways. Goodnight.¡± Ivy was quick to call Chris the moment she dropped the call. ¡°My lov¨C¡± ¡°What happened in the meeting?¡± She cut him off with her question, not allowing him the chance of swaying her with his voice that always found hard to resist. ¡°Ivy.¡± He said and even with how carefree and humourous Chris always sounded, she had sensed it right there that things hadn¡¯t gone well. ¡°Tell me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s something about the House.¡± Then he added, on an intentional lighter tone, dismissing it. ¡°Everything is okay.¡± ¡°Everything is not okay.¡± She stood up from bed, pacing around. ¡°Elsa is not okay and she can¡¯t tell me why. My best friend can¡¯t open up to me, you¡¯d better start telling me what happened.¡± ¡°Ivy, this is about the House.¡± ¡°And why can¡¯t you tell me?¡± She begged, already getting frustrated. ¡°You are not a part of my world,¡± he snapped, his voice hard, ¡°you can¡¯t understand!¡± Her hand stiffened on the phone, her eyes wide with shock and she dropped to the bed, hurt. ¡°By the Blood, Ivy, I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said hurriedly, fully apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m just so frustrated.¡± She nodded, blinking away the tears that welled up in her eyes, refusing to let it run down her cheeks. ¡°I took a trip.¡± ¡°What? To where? When? The Bodyguards didn¡¯t tell me anything¨C¡± ¡°Because they didn¡¯t know.¡± She crossed her arms across her chest, shrugging. ¡°It¡¯s a very special kind of trip.¡± That made her nervous though. Did Girald do something to them? How dangerous were these people ¨C no¡ª creatures that she was in this Vi with. What were they? ¡°Where are you? I need to know, please. I feel very unsettled not knowing where you are.¡± The words of worry seeped out through the phone speakers. ¡°Because of what happened in the meeting?¡± She scoffed, rolling her eyes. She felt more anger than hurt now. ¡°You should tell me. Oh yes, you don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Ivy, where are you?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t understand. You are not part of my world.¡± ¡°By the Blood¡ªI¡¯m sorry, okay. I apologize. I was out of line, I know. Please, forgive me.¡± ¡°Then tell me already. Just this once please, and I won¡¯t ask again.¡± ¡°Where are you?¡± Hissing, she hung up, tossing the phone aside on the bed. It dinged immediately. A message. ¡®Jett couldn¡¯t trace the call, so tell please me where you are. I don¡¯t have a good feeling about this.¡¯ She ignored it, calling her parents instead. Her mum was d she went on the trip. ¡°Get pregnant! Make sure he is rich and has a good life ahead of him. I¡¯m tired of sponsoring all your expenses!¡± Great. At least now she had her answer. The sweetness was not a permanent thing. Well, she would survive as she always did. ¡°I am a brilliantdy and I can get money myself.¡± She said before exploding into an unprovoked chuckle. ¡°But you don¡¯t. That is the point, Romito, you don¡¯t. You prefer to be spoiled, you have a office and you always call in sick. You don¡¯t go to work.¡± Her mum was right. She preferred to be spoilt. Being an independentdy was tempting but the burden was back wreaking for the time she had tried it. So, if she could have someone else do it for her, why not? ¡°I¡¯m not getting pregnant.¡± Not now, not ever. Her and Chris could never have kids of their own, but maybe they would adopt¡­ or not, she really couldn¡¯t tell after their fight tonight. She was still filled with rage. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me, Sweetheart?¡± ¡°Pa.¡± Her father had taken the phone from her mother, his voice filled with worry. ¡°What was the reason for this trip?¡± Lying to her Father was always rather difficult than lying to her Mother. ¡°I¨C¡± ¡°Answer yes or no to questions after this. Do you need me toe and get you?¡± Her lips stretched into a smile as she remembered he had done the exact thing after her wedding, when she had been brought to the vi. Her heart felt warm at the thought. His love for her was long standing, unchanging. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Pa.¡± ¡°I told you yes or no.¡± He said his voice, light with humor. ¡°No.¡± She chuckled and they bursted out inughter. ¡°If you need me, just give me a call. I¡¯ll be there.¡± ¡°The flight might take an hour or so to even get here.¡± ¡°Never said I was going to take a flight.¡± ¡°Then what?¡± He sighed, like he was about to reveal a grave secret. ¡°I have superpowers.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sheughed again, her cheeks aching. He gave a dramatic sigh. ¡°Yes, I can fly and I have speed.¡± ¡°You have a super name?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t decided on it yet.¡± ¡°Damn. I¡¯ll definitely tell Ma about this.¡± ¡°She already knows.¡± Ivy let out an exaggerated, shocked gasp. ¡°I never wanted you to find out this way. I¡¯m so sorry, sweetheart.¡± Chapter 92 – Rollercoaster Night She could heard her mother chuckling, before a distantin. ¡°Oh, so I¡¯mte to the family secret? Does Ma have superpowers too?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a secret.¡± ¡°Well, not anymore, thankfully.¡± She cried dramatically. ¡°Do I even have superpowers?¡± He took some moments of silence to reply, breaking to her in the saddest voice he could muster. ¡°Sorry, Sweetheart. Take care and remember that¡­¡± ¡°If I need you, all I have to do is call.¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll be there.¡± They both bursted intoughter again, till it died and they tried to catch their breath how how long and loud they hadughed. How lucky she was to have him, he always made her feel better. ¡°Goodnight Pa.¡± ¡°I love y¨C¡± he paused and she could hear her mother whisper something to him, before he continued, with a soft chuckle. ¡°We love you.¡± Her parents were so happy. She wished she could be there with them, but urge to do ording to the contract to the end so that they could be alive and happy together like this was strong. ¡°Me too.¡± Sayiny I love you to her parents was a little hard, unlike how easy it was with Chris. Ah. That reminded. She was fighting with him. She tossed her phone to a side of the table, noticing the glimmering green thin on it. Oh, the wedding ring. Somehow, that even made her more angry. It was time for her to have her bath. Maybe it would even help her to feel better. Her phone buzz again and it was Chris. A call. She rolled her eyes, filling more of that anger raising in her like bile. He had been calling all throughrajbthroi her conversation with her parents too. A message came in from Elsa and she checked it. ¡®Ivy, what are you doing?¡¯ followed by a quick, ¡®Can you please just answer his call?¡± She grabbed her phone l, quickly firing back a text. It wasn¡¯t her business if he was throwing tantrums wherever he was. He wasn¡¯t going to y that emotional game on her. No way. She wasn¡¯t a fool! ¡®No. I¡¯m mad. Goodnight.¡¯ Then she moved into the bathroom to finally have that quick shower and that was the moment everything started going wrong. ____ A bath was wonderful. Warm baths. Fantastic. Cold bath. Depends. She did sincerely think of it as good too, but cold things mostly reminded of Chris and she was really angry angry at him right now, it was like the anger had been piling up and it just finally decided to break like a dam. She had used the warm water. With the warm droplets beating down her skin, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder, why. Why? Why did he have to make it so difficult? He could have just answered her just this once and she wouldn¡¯t have asked again but he had decided to stay to his words and keep the secret. The warm water dripped down her skin, and she closed her eyes breathing in the heat, feeling it seep into her, into her hair, slip through it and wash over her sp. When she finally felt better, she reached out for the big white towel and wrapped it around herself. Then she opened the door and stepped into the room. If her room had been designed as the Master¡¯s, it would be giving a really nice ambiance right now. And she really needed that nice ambiance. Ah. She was drying her hair with a small white hair towel from the bathroom, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror which she couldn¡¯t really see because of how upied her mind was. Although Chris had stopped calling, she knew she couldn¡¯t avoid his calls forever, soon enough she would have to give him a response and that response was what she was thinking about. Her hand froze suddenly on her hair, her eyes widening a little with fear. Behind her, in the mirror, was the reflection of the part of the room the mirror was facing, filled with emptiness, yet she could feel a presence in her room. Then she saw it. A hand slipping behind her, a tall figure she couldn¡¯t make out in the dark. The scream that was crawling through throat never made it out. It was muffled. She moved around in a vehement struggle, hitting the the person behind with her elbow but the person didn¡¯t bulge. She was carried like she weighed nothing and the figure was quickly carrying her to the window and then realization dawn on her. The figure was trying to throw out her the window. The wind crashed against her skin, her legs dangling in space, and for that moment, Ivy saw her life shed before her eyes, but not all of it, because a voice interrupted it all. ¡°Stop!¡± A voice said and the figure stopped. ¡°Let her go.¡± The figure pulled her back into the room, and toss her to the floor, shended with a thud, thankfully now out of the figure¡¯s grip. Ivy¡¯s eyes were quick tond on the person that had given the order. As much as her heart was racing, she was determined not to show fear. Focusing on that had always helped her, while she subtly searched for her phone. ¡°Looking for this?¡± The female said, with a crackle. There was a phone in her hand. Ivy¡¯s phone. Now that she observed it, there were people in her room. More than just themander and the figure. They were up to eight! Goodness what was going on?! What were these people doing in her new found prison and what did they want from her? Girald had said this room was hard to get into, or escape from, so how did these people get in?! Except if there was someone in this vi who had nned their harmless entrance and had also nned their harmless exit.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. They seemed so rxed. So sure. Goodness, no. These people must be powerful, maybe even supernatural creatures themselves. Could they be part of the Master¡¯s enemies that he was trying to protect her from? Why was tonight been like this? She really needed a break. Chapter 93 – Fur Bastards She noticed thedy had on a white fur jacket. Beneath all that, it seemed like she was a small woman, even her facial features made her look like a teenager. A tall one. How old was she? Her boots jammed against the floor as she moved closer to her, the sound of little metals nking against one another with each step. Ivy stood up, taking steps backwards till her leg finally hit the small table by her bedside. ¡°You should stop moving now,¡± she finally said. ¡°There is no where left for me to go.¡± The woman blinked, taken aback. ¡°What?¡± Ivy took in a breath, as if preparing herself to exin something obvious to a toddler. ¡°All that is left after this small table is the wall. Do you want me to move into that?¡± Ivy asked, her voice cocky. There was a window a few steps away though, the very one the figure had wanted to throw her through earlier, but she had carefully ensured not to mention that. Ivy frowned, taking a step closer to thedy too. Thedy chuckled. ¡°Bet it was this crazy boldness that made you take my ce. I should have been the Bride, I should have been his wife!¡± Her hand swept cleanly across her face, ws leaving scratches behind. ¡°You fucking bitch!¡± Without a second thought, Ivynded her own counter strike. ¡°My face is expensive.¡± Thedy stared back at her and something about the way her eyes widened showed that she wasn¡¯t in pain at all but she was shocked. Utterly shocked. The hands that grapped Ivy and pushed her the ground were more than a pair. And the force? Bone wreaking. Maybe she had really outdone herself with pping Miss Stranger. Why was she always so quick to violence? If she still had Chris¡¯s blood in her veins, she would me it but by now, she knew that had long faded away. So, this was all her. Goodness, she was really in trouble. ¡°How dare you p my niece?!¡± One of the men that had stayed behind while Miss Stranger confronted her, said. He looked older, about 50 maybe. His long ck beards were braided and he looked rtively huge, brown fur jacket over his shoulders. His face was t, like the features on it had been drawn on him, but what she found funny the most were his beards. Despite the trouble she was already in, it took her everything she had not to burst out inughter. It was so funny, especially how it moved whenever he talked. ¡°And on my watch?!¡± ¡°Uncle.¡± The Lady whined, moving closer to her Uncle who quickly pulled her into a side hug, and started patting her back. ¡°She pped me.¡± She cried even more. From this angle, Ivy could tell that even though she had originally looked like a teenager, she was far older, maybe even by five years. Definitely in her mid twenties. Wow, maybe they would have been friends if they met in a different situation, but Ivy doubted that. She gave off mini mafia vibes with all these ambushing and attacking in fur jackets. Why would she, in her sober state of mind or even when drunk, willing associate with someone as dangerous. No and no again! While she stillined to her Uncle and the Uncle keptforting her, Ivy was practically forgotten. She used the opportunity to reach for the ring that she had caught sight of before stepping into the bathroom a while ago, there was just this need to hold unto something that was consuming her at the moment. Holding the ring in her hand, and feeling the corners of the small green gemstone dig into her palm, helped her feel at ease for reasons she couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°¡­ Sorry, my sweet little, little baby.¡± She could hear the Uncle say in a small high pitched voice. Why was he doing that? He wasn¡¯t talking to a baby, so why?! It was so annoying! ¡°Thank you, Uncle.¡± She replied in a baby voice. Wow, this must be some kind of sickness. Ivy hoped that she wouldn¡¯t catch it. She¡¯d be doomed to even hear herself talking like that. ¡°All these years,¡± she sniffled, although she didn¡¯t sound one bit like she was crying. It all sounded forced, really. This had got to be someedy. It was ridiculous. ¡°¡­ all these years,¡± she continued, ¡°that I have acted the part of the sweet, deserving one to be chosen as a Bride. Do you remember when you told me that the Master would pick from our House.¡± ¡°Yes, my sweet potato.¡± He sounded disheartened, apaning it by a heavy sigh. Nah, could they just stop. There was no way she was getting a front seat to all this drama. ¡°You trained so much to be nothing but submissive. The most submissive and innocent of all the wolves.¡± Wolves? Whattt? ¡°And I was chosen.¡± She snapped her gaze to Ivy and while she addressed her, her baby voice didn¡¯t sound so babyish anymore. The rage was turbulent, the anger that fired up in her ears and the promise of threat get aura passed off was in no way innocent. Ivy squinted her eyes, seriously observing her. Sheep in a wolf¡¯s clothing, is tahr you? ¡°You ruined it just by getting a one nightstand.¡± Ivy cleared her throat. ¡°Trust me. I hate myself for that too, not for the one nightstand though, that was glorious but the wedding¡ª¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Ah!¡± She screeched, stomping her foot against the floor, the broads she had on jef head, dangling from the keg to the right with her exaggerated movements. ¡°Shut up, shut up, shut up!¡± Shemanded, panting. ¡°Uncle,¡± she turned to her Uncle, her baby voice back on. Wow. Acting at its peak. It took her leads than a second to switch. ¡°I want her head already.¡± Ivy tilted her head to a side. She must not be hearing that right. ¡°You are not the only one that offended us.¡± The Uncle said to her, while one hand was patting the back of his sulking niece. ¡°You see thepensation the Master paid us for this mistake situation, it¡¯s just not enough. We don¡¯t want the money, we want the power and if we are not getting what we want, he is not getting what he wants.¡± Oh goodness, she heard it right! They really wanted to kill her! Chapter 94 – This Wasn’t A Part Of The Contract! She had better set some things straight or she¡¯d be headless in a jiffy. ¡°Wait! I promise you. I don¡¯t matter to him. He doesn¡¯t love me.¡± Time to spice things up and redirect attention. Her sincerest apologies to the Master¡¯s girlfriend. ¡°He has a lover though¨C¡± ¡°We know and you are wrong. You are important. Imagine the stain it would cost his power for the other Houses to know that his wife was killed in his very own vi.¡± Asides from the weirdness of having other people call her ¡®his wife¡¯, the implication of everything had just hit Ivy. She was important to him, whether she liked it or not. And now she was about to die because of soemthing she didn¡¯t even want in the first ce, something she hated right from the moment she had found out. Something she had no control over! ¡°The Master doesn¡¯t care about anyone except power.¡± The man walked closer, his niece moving along with him while she still rested on his shoulder. ¡°Your death will do a number to that.¡± Despite herself, Ivy found herself smirking. There was no way she would give them the satisfaction of watching her in fear. Her hand tightened into fists behind her as she waited for the pain that now seemed inevitable. ¡°Yeah, right. One against, let¡¯s see.¡¯ she looked quickly behind her. ¡°About like ten. How fair.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. The Uncle¡¯s lips twisted in a scorn. ¡°What do you want, my sweet little potato?¡± ¡°Her heart, Uncle.¡± She pped, with a squeal. ¡°I want to rip it out myself. No fucking way. After that, everything was a blur. Blood had never rained so fast. So thick. So red. Bones breaking and snapping, furs sprouting, growls rocking the room, breathing paint against the floor, the walls. It was a bloody mess, with bones and skull flying all over the room. But there was one thing though. The blood wasn¡¯t Ivy¡¯s, neither were the bones. Shocked, she blinked and looked at the center of the danger, in the midst of what looked like wolves that had been ripped apart on the floor was Girald, blood dripping from his fingers. How? There was blood all over ck suut shirt, making it glow unnaturally. It wasn¡¯t just only him, but some other bodyguards too. They stood there for a second before they all suddenly fell to the floor on one kneel and Ivy looked up to whoseover it was that had just stepped in. Of course, who else but the Master. His shirt white and unstained, his gaze nk, his tie tailored, his sleeves rolled up and his sses unscratched. His hair looked a little messy. A walking perfection in the midst of chaos. It felt unnatural. Then he stopped in front of her, essing her with a stern gaze. She held her head up, standing straight under his intense gaze. Without a word, he pulled off his jacket, pulling it over her. ¡°Are you alright, madam?¡± Was she alright? She had almost experienced something near death, a supernatural creature had almost wed out her heart, she had only just discovered and confirmed that Vampires were not the only supernatural, that there were werewolves too. Werewolves that had almost killed her. She had watched them all get killed. Still with their wolves¡¯ bodies, theyid on the floor, their dead eyes void of life, now a constant image at the back of her mind. Was she alright? No. No, she wasn¡¯t. This must be one of the people Chris wanted to protect her from. If these creatures in front of her had easily taken them down, then what were they? Were they not even worse? Was she even safe? She felt a lump in her throat, her mouth dry and too numb to be moved, so instead, she nodded. He frowned, his gaze darting to the small cut she had by her shoulder de. Soemthing she didn¡¯t even notice until he pointed it out with his gaze. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± He asked again, more firmly. ¡°I¨Cjust a scrach.¡± He cocked an eyebrow at her and she wanted to disappear from here, from all of this. If only she had Chris with her right now. ¡°They will pay for that. I will not look ipetent.¡± She had said it. He worried about his reputation. Of course, it wasn¡¯t really about her as a person to the both sides. The sides that had attacked and the ones who had ¡®saved¡¯ her. For how long would they even safe her? For as long as they considered her useful to them, of course. A scream cut across the room. Ivy blinked. She knew that voice. He turned away with a devilish grin. ¡°There you are, my little fire.¡± Then he walked back into the middle of the dead werewolves, yanking out the head of one without a care in the world. This would definitely give Ivy nightmares. The Master stretched his hand in his girlfriend¡¯s direction, and she walked into the pool, being careful not to step om any of the bodies. Her eyes were glimmering with tears. Did she know them? What kind of sick twisted game was ying right now. Ivy could feel her heart thundering, an unwanted warmth spreading through her veins. She didn¡¯t like this. He pulled the ripped head by the hair, putting it in front if his girlfriend. She sucked in a quick breath, petrified. ¡°The leader of the Fur House sent me guests,¡± his hand tightened even more around the hair, making it dangle, blood dripping out of the severed head, ¡°but they forgot to be polite.¡± He tossed the head away in annoyance, making her jump. The head rolled on the floor till it stop right at another lifeless body. Ivy was sure she was going to be sick after this, right after the shock of this whole situation had passed. With his hands that were tucked into gloves, gloves that were smeared with blood, he traced a line on her cheeks, cupping them. ¡°Little Fire. Your brother did this.¡± Sick, sick, sick, rtionship! This was the sickest rtionship Ivy would ever see. Tested streamed down down his girlfriend¡¯s face, and she sucked in her lower lip between her teeth, her hands trembling slightly beside her. ¡°Tell me now. How did they know I won¡¯t be here tonight.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°Did you tell your brother about our little vacation.¡± She nodded stiffly. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t do that¡ªhe would do, he knows he can¡¯t.¡± This felt a little unsettling for Ivy. His girlfriend had earlier seemed like one who couldn¡¯t be broken, and now, she looked beyond broken. What was this Master? She was trembling, blinking very now and then, her chest raising and falling, contrary to Ivy who stood still because her body always worked with situation like this by putting on a facade. She would break downter, just not now. ¡°They had your passcode.¡± Her lips partly slightly, her chest raising and falling quickly as her eyes darted to the floor, over the bodies that were quickly growing cold. Ivy didn¡¯t want to be in her ce right now. ¡°They are traitors!¡± She finally found her voice as her eyes widened. ¡°I told you about them, the bride¡¯s family and how they escaped from the pack to seek revenge. They are rogues. My brother doesn¡¯t know anything about them. Please, don¡¯t hurt him.¡± He dropped his hands from her face, adjusting his leather gloves. ¡°I fancy you, little wolf and that is why I will not be seeking vengence on you this. My floor has an unnatural color and my walls are now in urgent need of a repaint.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so-so so¨Crry a¨Cbout this.¡± ¡°You did nothing wrong, Zinej.¡± His lips grazed hers, kissing her. Her eye lids fell shut and her hands raised to hold him but they stopped midair immediately, before they dropped by her side. Ivy blinked, wanting to look away from this toxic mess, but he pulled away from her at that moment and there was no longer any need for that. Goodness, could they just travel back to wherever it was they had corn from and could they just let her go back home. Chris bodyguards were better. She had never been attacked like this before. ¡°Clean this up.¡± He said and some of them dashed out. It was about time. All the blood and bones were starting to make sick. ¡°I apologize for this inconvenience but we must return. My vacation with my Little Fire isn¡¯t over.¡± His gaze lingered for a second longer, like he was waiting for her to do something? What was she supposed to do? Cheer them on? She needed therapy to forget all this. How would she talk about this to her therapist without sounding crazy, while she still kept to the secrecy term of the contract intact. This was insane. ¡°Okay?¡± ¡°Well, madam. Grab a bag or something, I¡¯m not leaving you behind.¡± No. Just no. Whatever nonsense that was happening right now wasn¡¯t a part of the contract. Chapter 95 – Loud With Moans Lying can sometimes be real. If what she had been on before wasn¡¯t something worthy of the name ¡¯emergency trip¡¯, well, this certainly was. Hah. Who could have thought that when she was calling all her loved ones and telling them lies about her unavability, she wasn¡¯t actually telling them lies but foretelling the future. Wow. Maybe that was her ability. Foretelling? Being with supernaturals must have rubbed off on her and made her special too. Hah. She wished! It had all happened so fast. One moment she was in her room, in the bathroom¡¯s towel, looking at all the dead bodies littered on the floor and Master¡¯s shoes prints across it the spilled blood. Then the next, she was in a first ss hotel in Ubia, next to the Master and his girlfriend as they checked into the hotel, having servants behind them carrying all their luggages while his girlfriend smiled and smiled like an idiot. Maybe she was still going through shock. It looked strange. As for Ivy, well, she third wheeled. Third wheeled! A whole Ivy Romina Rominez third wheeling. Not just that she third wheeled, but she THIRD WHEELED, third wheeled in more ways that she could ever imagine. She was forced to lodge into the same room as they were. It was a reserved room, so there was only one bed. Fortunately, the room wasrge enough and the sofa was heaven. There was only one problem though. The MOANS. So loud! Every whisper, every smack, every single cry, every grunt, every single sound, seeped into her ears no matter how much she tried to block them with her hands. Ivy missed her phone, she had lost it in the whole werewolf battle and by the time one of the Bodyguards who had cleaned up, had handed it to her, it was an unredeemable mess. Better for her to just get another. Well, it was good she had called her family and told them that she was unavable, but Chris! Goodness! If he tried to reach her and she was totally unavable, he would freak out. She didn¡¯t want to talk to him for now because she was angry but the idea of the means being totally ripped from her was different from the idea of her being the one to deny it. She really hated this. She had better get a new phone tomorrow and¨C ¡°Yes! Please, Master. More!¡± ¡°No. Touching.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Master. I so sorry, sir. I won¡¯t do that again.¡± Ivy rolled her eyes, sinking deeper into the sofa. She really didn¡¯t ask for this. She already knew about their crazy rtionship, why must she have an in on their sex life too? Oh, no. She shut her eyes, ying mindlessly with the ring with the gem that the Master had now told her to wear all the time. Another moan slipped into her ears and she let out a sigh of frustration, like the weight of the world had been ced on her chest and suddenly she couldn¡¯t breathe and at the same time she could, but the amount of breathing she was doing wasn¡¯t just enough to be considered breathing. Could she just die? She was already one step close, she could just go all the way. When she heard them wanting to go another round, she couldn¡¯t hold it anymore. Despite her fear from seeing how crazy he and whatever his kind were, words ranged out from th depth of her throat as she voiced out her displeasure, backing it up by her request to get another room. An intention she had made clear before she had been forced to share this room with them in the first ce. An excuse she was sure wouldn¡¯t work but in this type of situation, what could a poor girl like her do? This hotel was a level of rich that she couldn¡¯t afford and the ck card she had with her, was the Master¡¯s. He wouldn¡¯t let her use that. ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡± There it was, that annoying voice. She wished she could wrap her hands around his neck and strangle him. ¡°I apologize for this little inconvenience.¡± Little inconvenience?! ¡°I understand how ufortable you might feel.¡± The sudden urge to peek from above the sofa she was burying herself into, and catch a glimpse of the position he was saying this, just to see how understanding he was, jumped at her.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. But something told her whatever she would see would be something that would make her much more ufortable than she was right now. So, she resisted the urge. ¡°But I can¡¯t keep you out of my sight. Although it had been confirmed that you were the only one attacked in my House and no other shady activities is in sight for now, I am in no mood to take any more risks.¡± Wow, he ended that firmly. His voice was calm and clear, it almost convinced that he had nothing to do with all the sex noises she had been hearing. His girlfriend moans seeped into her ears again. Ivy folded her arms across her. Wow, so they were really going another round and she was doomed, just like the first time, to be an audience to this insane intimate disy. They must have zero knowledge on privacy. His girlfriend moaned again and Ivy heaved a sign of defeat, taking another shot of the alcohol. Hopefully, she would get drunk enough and pass out. Ah, This had to be a Punishment. A way the Universe was punishing her for something she had probably done in the past. That was most likely it because why would she have to experience this?! ¡°Who has been a bad girl?¡± Could he just shut up, his voice was echoing in her drunk brain. ¡°I have. I have, Master. Please, punish me.¡± Now they were just being sick. ¡°I am, Master. I am.¡± A growl, like he was some beast. Maybe he was. Oh goodness, maybe he was. Was she even safe? Another shot. ¡®Pass out Ivy, please just pass out.¡¯ But luck wasn¡¯t finding her attractive tonight, and she stayed as sober as anyone who was drinking this much alcohol could ever be. ¡°I deserved to be punished. Yes, punish me. Punish¨C¡°her voice became muffled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Zinej. I going to give you all the punishment you deserve. You won¡¯t misbehave again.¡± That was it. They should just kill her after this because what could possibly be worse than what had befallen her tonight? Chapter 96 – Annoying Table Well, Ivy discovered what worse could thing could befall her because her misery didn¡¯t end. Instead it followed her into the next day. The got up quiet early, which meant she had to do the same, her head aching a little from bringing over. After breakfast, they got into the car and the third wheeling spree continued. Ivy was lucky she felt better, in fact, she felt it was lucky for them that she was better. Being in a moving car while been hung over always made her feel really sick. So, yes, they were lucky she wasn¡¯t. There wasn¡¯t a ce they went together that she wasn¡¯t forced to tag along. Did they treat her like she was invisible? Absolutely. They did everything they wanted to do even if she was there. Shopping sprees with him helping her with the dress zippers? Definitely. Not just that, but many more things. It was as if she didn¡¯t even exist. Thankfully, there was no overly sexual or intimate activity like she had witnessed in the hotel room. The Master must not be big on PDA. Well, that was a relief. At least she wouldn¡¯t be facing the turtore she facedst night as long as they were in a public space. Except that her relief wasn¡¯tplete. There was one thing Ivy was absolutely woruied about. The ce. This was Ubia, the country her parents had flew to and were presently in. She wouldn¡¯t have been worried at all, but this parts was where her parents had recently opened a couple of restaurants. There was nothing the as terrifying as fearing that she would run into her parents. Yes, it was more terrifying than all what she had experienced yesterday joined together. What would she tell them? So, therefore, while they had been at the shopping mall, she had also shopped for some things too. A purple scarf. Sunsses and a nose mask. She could have bought a couple of ck gloves to go along with the purple sweatshirt and ck jeans but that would look to suspicious. What if the Master asked her who she was hiding from? He was dangerous and she didn¡¯t want to start discussi g her life and the people in it with him. Hopefully he didn¡¯t know them, just like he didn¡¯t know her until Girald had introduced them. She also hoped that the fact that she dressing in a way that wasn¡¯t quite her style would be enough not to call the attention of her parents. All day, Christopher had been on her mind and several times she had wanted to call him but she still didn¡¯t have a functional phone and so she couldn¡¯t. The car finally came to an halt, and Ivy¡¯s eyes went wide at where the car had stopped. De Taste. No fucking way. It was one of the new restaurants! Ivy couldn¡¯t tell when she had stepped out of the car and into the restaurant, she ensured to walk boldly though, at the same time ensuring that she didn¡¯t call attention. What if her parents were inside paying all their establishments that random visit they always paid them? Surprisingly, the restaurant was empty, except for the staff. It turned out the Master had booked the whole restaurant for the whole day. Christopher would never do that. He would say that it was careless spending. Contrary to what she thought, she had to sit at the same table with them. Well of all things she was forced into enduring today, this wasn¡¯t all that bad. The food was good, the wine helped her zone them out and since the Master wasn¡¯t really into PDA, she didn¡¯t have to deal with some privacy inconvenience that could happen at a table. ¡°Stop it.¡± The Master¡¯s made her jump lightly. She had been lost in thought. Stop what? ¡°But I really want to¨C¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Zinej. You know I don¡¯t do public spaces.¡± Her hand move from underneath the table and she pressed them t on the round table. It made Ivy wonder where that hand had been a moment ago. ¡°But, Master, how about the trill of getting caught?¡± ¡°Keep quiet.¡± His knife sunk into the fried piece of chicken on his te. ¡°You are making our guest ufortable.¡± Wow, how considerate. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind me. After everything I have seen, this is nothing. And the moans I have heard. This is nothing.¡± Ivy shed them an overly wide grin, ignoring the shiver that went down her spine when the Master looked at her through those nk eyes of his. She took another drink from the ss, the red color of the wine reminding her even more of Chris.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. She staggered up to her feet, chuckling. Thank Goodness. She was finally getting drunk. This was the kind of thing she needed yesterday, but right now was still good. She could ept it. ¡°Bathroom break.¡± She giggled, walking off, but the sound of boots after her made her stop abruptly. Yes, the Master hade along with a couple of his bodyguards. ¡°Stop!¡± She gestured with her hand before her gaze found the Master quickly. ¡°It¡¯s a female¡¯s bathroom. Hello?¡± ¡°Zinej, please apany her.¡± The chair moved against the floor as the elegantdy stood up. ¡°Do I get a reward after this?¡± Her long red nails clicked against the table as she smiled suggestively. Goodness, there was red everywhere. Reminded her so much of Christopher. Strangely her need for him sexually had seem to reduce or maybe she just missed him so much that it seemed insignificantpared to how her whole heart ached with his absence. Ah, She missed him. Missed him so much. She was still angry but that didn¡¯t stop her from missing him. ¡°Anything you want.¡± Zinej gave a suppressed squeal, like that was the greatest thing anyone could ever offer her in the world. With quick steps, she passed by Ivy, leading her to the bathroom like she was a kid that couldn¡¯t figure out her left from her right. Ivy huffed in annoyance. How much of this madness could she endure before her body would just refuse to take it anymore and copse? Anytime soon would be nice. Chapter 97 – Bathroom Break Ivy pushed the door of the bathroom and stepped in, looking straight at her image in the bathroom¡¯s mirror, as she pulled off her nose mask. Something must be wrong with that reflecting surface. She didn¡¯t look as stressed out as she had imagined herself looking. The door went shut behind her but she didn¡¯t bother to turn. She knew who it was and the mirror had helped her to confirm it, but the fingers that went for her hair wasn¡¯t something she had suspected would happen to her. ¡°I can see how you are looking at the Master. Back off, he is mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did I just go back in time to the High school periods.¡± The female snarling at her looked confused, and Ivy was quick to use that opportunity. She tapped her hand against the one in her hair, like she was reprimanding a child to let go of something they shouldn¡¯t be touching. ¡°For a woman of your status, I expected much more.¡± Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment and she let her hair go, her eyebrows knitting with a frown before she shrugged and crossed her arms. ¡°The Master loves me.¡± She clicked her nails against her cheek as they slowly turned to ws. Ivy frowned. Was she being threatened over a man right now? This was ridiculous. If Elsa was here, Ivy was sure she would have decked her and made her face a rainbow logo just from her fists. What nonsense. ¡°That ring on your hand, doesn¡¯t give you any value. You are just a ce holder for him, once the things in the house dies down, you¡¯ll be out of the picture and I¡¯ll take my rightful ce by his side. Don¡¯t grow at attitude, okay?¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Ivy didn¡¯t say anything, instead she turned towards the mirror and started brushing her hair with her fingers. There were words in her mouth, burning in her throat but she refused to speak. Her face was her top priority right now and even if she knew the Master wouldn¡¯t allow anything to happen to her life just yet, right not with his toxic girlfriend, her face wasn¡¯t quite as safe. ¡°He gives me everything. Money, clothes, different rides, whatever I need. Sex too.¡± Her voice lowered and she stared at Ivy, holding her gaze in the mirror momentarily. ¡°You have heard the moans. I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t even have to tell you.¡± she smiled, pretending to be shy. The smile that Ivy had been trying to hold to bubbled out of her throat and she turned. This wasn¡¯t how she had nned to use her bathroom break. She had wanted some silence, privacy and a breath of fresh air. Not some jealous creature breathing down her neck and threatening her, just because she thought she was after her psychotic boyfriend. Crazy pair. ¡°What¡¯s so funny? His jade ring is the only important thing and he had not given it to you. He will give it to me. Once the contract is over. Don¡¯t be a glutton and stick around.¡± Ivy frowned. Zinej¡¯s hand had reached for her hair again during that insecure outburst. Alright, she was reaching. ¡°Don¡¯t even think of trying to whore yourself out to get to his bed, the Master is quite selective of his women.¡± Ivy wanted to p her but something told her that wouldn¡¯t end well, so she went for a calm reply instead. ¡°All that scrutiny and he chose you. What a waste.¡± Zinej¡¯s eyes bulged with anger. ¡°Look. I get it. You are insecure and you can¡¯t seek assurance from him so you are doing whatever this is to me, just to patch up for the things that arecking in your rtionship.¡± ¡°You should be careful how you speak to me.¡± Ignoring the words she had said, she went on. ¡°I don¡¯t want your psychopathic boyfriend. Your toxic self can keep him, it will be a good to the society if only you have to bear the woe for us all.¡± Something about this situation somehow reminded her of the time she had met him in the Supermarket and had told him that she pitied his wife, not knowing that ¡®wife¡¯ was her. Good thing she wasn¡¯t really his wife in the real sense, good thing all this would soon be over. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°What? Can¡¯t you see that he is a Lunatic? And you are sick. You guys are sick, you fit each other.¡± Zinej scoffed, pain flicking in her eyes before it was quickly buried again. Ivy had expected her to be strong, from the persona she had, Ivy had expected much more. Or maybe she was strong, not just strong when it came to rtionships and how to handle things like this. Either ways, it was a pity. ¡°You can say whatever you want, Mistake Bride. You only see it that way because there is no way you can handle the heat or match the pace of the master.¡± She gave her a one over then chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I was even worried, you are not his type.¡± A chuckle made it¡¯s way into her sentence. ¡°A masquerade like you could never pull him. You are nothing.¡± Nothing?! Now that was where she crossed the line. Ivy didn¡¯t want to do this before but this seemed to be thenguage her type of person would understand. Telling her that she had a partner. ¡°What is wrong with you. I have a boy¨C¡± The door mmed shut. ¡°Insane toxic idiot! So rude. What kind of mess is this? When Ivy returned to the table, Zinej was her usual calm self and Ivy didn¡¯t say a word about what had happened in the bathroom. For a couple of minutes longer she had to endure their sick presence. Till they left the restaurant. Ivy nned to say something about the room in the car but she never was really able to get the words out of her mouth. Thankfully, she didn¡¯t even have to say a word before things changed and went ording to n. They had not driven back to the hotel, they had driven to the helicopter that was waiting to take them back to the vi. A night without other people¡¯s moans. Thank goodness! Lucky her, or so she thought. Chapter 98 – He Is Messing With His Little Fire Zinej¡¯s giddiness was boundless. It made up for the Master¡¯s icy attitude and Ivy¡¯s gloominess, in the light of the fact that she had to third wheel them for this dinner in the Vi too. As if she had not already suffered enough. The nks of the fork against the ceramic dish was loud and that was Ivy¡¯s fault. She was nning to eat as quickly as possible to get off this table. She was just sick of the forceful third wheeling, and tired of their presence already. ¡°Careful, ma¡¯am or you might choke.¡± It was odd that the Master always addressed her like that. It made her feel like his mother or an elderlydy around him. She liked the fact that he addressed her in a way that made it seem like nothing could happen between them, like there was a border that he was very unwilling to cross and make a breach of it. Addressing her in such a formal tone was perfect. It gave her sense of safety that she couldn¡¯t just pinpoint on how much she appreciated it. It felt wierd too, at the same time in a way she couldn¡¯t exin. She had ns to table the fact that her phone had spoilt and¨C wait, she really needed her phone!N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Why wasn¡¯t she saying anything on it yet?! She missed Christopher and she really wanted to talk to him. Then there was her family, she wanted to talk to Elsa too. ¡°Mr¡­.¡± She paused for a while. Calling him Master like the rest of the house felt off, he wasn¡¯t her master. But mistakes had been made in past to. out her into this ufortable situation, and well, it was what it was. ¡°Mr Master.¡± It had a nice ring to it. No. It didn¡¯t. It seriously didn¡¯t. ¡°I need a phone because I lost mine in your little¡ª¡± Her heart was drumming loudly in her ears now and she hoped that he would just interrupt her, but instead his gaze felt more intense as he listened to her with rapt attention that shimmered in his hooded eyes. ¡°That little bedroom battle disrupted my phone. It is now drenched in blood. I need a new one.¡± The Master¡¯s lips tugged upwards at the mention of ¡®bedroom battle¡¯ and something about that reminded her of another bedroom battle she had been forced to be an audience of, and her stomach churned with disgust. Ivy did not try to look at Zinej. She certainly wouldn¡¯t be looking at her with the most pleasing eyes. Or maybe she might. She always tried to act in control of her emotions whenever the Master was involved. Physically, of course. Zinej was way too easy to read and it was a shame. Ivy had expected her to be moreplex and even ced her on a high pedestal. Right now, she was no fun. ¡°I will need to go out tomorrow and get one.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to, ma¡¯am. Colin will get you one. Certain recent urrence will make me have to put you under more protection. Please, forgive the inconveniences.¡± Ivy nodded on instinct. At least she got that one out. She stood up, muttering goodnight. ¡°You won¡¯t be joining us for dessert?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°Sit.¡± Ivy blinked at themand, frowning. What was wrong with him? Didn¡¯t he have his girlfriend for his power y role y already. Thismand tone on her was something she wouldn¡¯t like. That was for sure. ¡°Your presence for the dessert will be very much appreciated. I want to present my little Fire with a gift and I will like for you to see it.¡± Ivy couldn¡¯t understand why her presence was needed for him to give a gift to his girlfriend. How much of an exhibitionist was he? Sha had a lost of things to say against him but she knew to be wiser also, she didn¡¯t want him tomand her again. That would do a number on her ego. Ivy caught the smile that was on Zinej¡¯s lips and how her eyes had darted to the jaded ring on Master¡¯s ring finger, a green dim light around the ck leather glove he had on. His gaze caught hers and for a moment a glint appeared in his eyes as he stared at Zinej. Maybe they did love each other. As toxic as it was, it was their love not hers. ¡°Bring in dessert, Girald.¡± Girald nodded, stepping into the kitchen and in the next minute, the kitchen staff was wheeling in a trolley as Girald followed behind them. What was this dessert made of? Gold? ¡°Ah.¡± Despite that not being want she wanted, Zinej¡¯s excitement did not die. ¡°Desert before the big gift. Right, Master?¡± He hummed but it didn¡¯t seem like the type one would give when in agreement to something. It seemed like a neutral ¡®hmm¡¯. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± There was a hint of promise in there that Ivy didn¡¯t like. She had an odd feeling about this whole dessert thing. She missed Chris, missed Elsa, missed her parents She wanted to go back home. She wanted Chris to talk to her, wanted them to hold hands, for their lips to meet, for their bodies to collide for his fangs to be in her neck, for his dick to be buried on her. Fuvk. She was still so horny. She would have to pleasure herself tonight and hope that it would be enough till she would be able to see him ag¡ª She stilled, looking towards the Master who was casting her a quick nce, before moving this icy nce away from her. Ivy gulped. Could he smell it? How horny she was. She moved ufortably on the chair, gritting her teeth. Maybe he could hear too. She would just do nothing tonight then. Keep her mind off thinking of Chris and keep her hands off her body. The dessert was ced carefully on the table. That was arge dessert. The light in the dinning room reflected softly on the golden steel te, that covered another. Zinej hands moved over her fork and knife, her eyes glimmering at the dessert. ¡°It smells good.¡± ¡°Not farmr?¡± ¡°No, Master.¡± ¡°The fire must have done a number on it. I¡¯m impressed. You should thank the chef.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± She apanied that with arge grin. Wow, so much for feeling like a bystander. Why did he even need her here? Was he in with the petty games his girlfriend had yed with her in the bathroom. So immature. The te was move over and Zinej froze, staring at the head that had more bones to it than flesh. Next thing Ivy knew, she was all furs and canines. A wolf out for blood. Chapter 99 – Dinner Issues Ivy staggered back, her chair falling backwards and hitting the floor with a thud while she held a hand over her bleeding arm, her face constrained with pain. The table was a mess. The tes were on the floor, broken ceremic pieces everywhere.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Everyone had jumped into action too, the cooks were putting off the burning table cloth that the wolf had set aze, Girald was in a defensive stance while the Master had the wolf pinned by her neck against the wall. Ivy had been offered her fair share of Werewolf sightseeing so far, yet this was different,rger than any she had so far had the opportunity to see. She had white furs from the head to to in-between her sharp ws, eyes zing orange with fury and pain, the growl ringing from the depth of her throat loud, while shetched out more mes against the Master from her mouth. What was she?! A fire breathing werewolf? Of did this have another name? Ivy couldn¡¯t figure it out. She stared ahead in horror of the sight before her, wondering if the Master was going to turn too, if any of them were going to shift into apletely different being as Zinej had done. Her heart was pondering. If that should happen, she would certainly be doomed. What if theycked their logicality when they turned. She had nothing to turn into herself, she was human, and they would definitely have zeroed her down to nothin by the time they were back to themselves. She just hoped that they had control. ¡°Shift.¡± The Master¡¯s voice cut Zinej¡¯s growl halfway. Somehow hismand managed to overpower the beastly sound. Ivy didn¡¯t notice it at first but soon enough, Zinej had switched back to herself, only that she was naked. The light above glimmered against her fair slender skin, her chest raising have falling, her gaze nted on the head that was still on the table. That sight was still horrifying to Ivy and she seriously hoped that it wasn¡¯t real. She didn¡¯t know who it was, but she hoped the Master would just burst out inughter and term this a joke. It would be an expensive one but she would prefer it. Ivy really wasn¡¯t in tbe mood for any horrifying nighmares tonight. All she wanted were wet dreams¡ª Aargh! This was getting out of hand. Her mind always just went to sex no matter the situation. Maybe because her training with Chris was done and still, he hadn¡¯t feed from her yet. It was like she was been deprived of a drug that was keeping her alive. This was so not fair. Zinej¡¯s heart wreathing sob made it¡¯s way to Ivy¡¯s ears and her face fell when she realized what a sobbing mess the prefect girlfriend had now be. It was real then. The burnt head and whoseover this person was, must have meant a lot to her. Ivy felt sick to her stomach. What barbaric practice was this? Her mouth fell open in a silent gasp and she curled her hands by her side, holding unto her facade of being okay for as long as she could. If she were to slip, she would break down right here and now and it would take too long for her to recover. She had to dy it till she was alone. What disaster was this that she had found herself caught in between? ¡°He means so much to me. He meant so much to me.¡± ¡°I understand, family rtionships can be veryplicated.¡± His grip on her neck loosened, and she slipped to the floor with a thud. The next thing, the Master pulled off his jacket, covering her up, while he held a hand for her to hold, so she could raise on her feet, instead ofying helplessly on the door. Her hand moved over her face, brushing her tears away, while words slipped past her lips. ¡°He didn¡¯t do anything.¡± Her voice cracked and Ivy felt tears pulling in the depth of her throat. ¡°My brother didn¡¯t do anything.¡± The Master dug his hands into his pockets casually, then walked back to the table while the cook cleaned up the mess. Zinej moved the jacket further over herself, walked towards the dinning table and took her seat, her gaze still fixed on the head. ¡°He didn¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°My attackers were from his House.¡± ¡°He had already banished them. He didn¡¯t deserve to¡ª¡± her voice cut off in her throat when she caught the icy look the Master gave her and she sniffled loudly, putting her hand over her mouth again, as tears ran down her reddened cheeks. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t have let them live. He should have killed them. He died because he didn¡¯t do the right thing at the right time. Your House is favoured, they don¡¯t deserve a weak leader like he was. Now they have you to make better of everything he has being doing wrong.¡± Zinej eyes no longer had tears in them at the end of that, but her gaze was fixed on the head, then she blinked and picked up her fork, watching the chocte cake that had been ced on the table some moments ago. Ivy stared on in confusion, taking her seat too but not attempting to touch the cake. She was too repulsed by everything to just move on like nothing happened. ¡°I will have to return back to my House to retain order.¡± Zinej voice was formal and casual too now. The she stood up. ¡°Thank you for the gift, Master. I really liked it.¡± But her eyes screamed otherwise. ¡°Forgive me for the disrupt.¡± The Master smirked. ¡°You know that I fancy you. Of course, I will forgive you.¡± With a light permission from the Master, she left the table. A few moments after she left, the Master beckoned to Girald. ¡°Did you see her eyes, Girald?¡± Girald nodded. ¡°Eliminate her.¡± Ivy froze. What?! ¡°I will not allow you budding opponents to grow.¡± Girald nodded again, then the next moment he was gone and after a moment that seemed like the longest moment of Ivy¡¯s life, he is as back with evidence of a job well done. The Master jacket that Zinej had been wearing when she left was in his hand, with blood and fur over it. The Master nodded with satisfaction than he turned to Ivy. ¡°Please, enjoy your dessert.¡± She stared back at him wide eyed, then she flew up and ran. Ran like her life depended on it, ran and didn¡¯t look back, not even one. The Master was insane and she was in trouble. Big trouble! Chapter 100 – Pictures Are Gossips Would dinner happen the next day like nothing happened? Yes. And when Ivy had gotten the invitation she hadn¡¯t found that surprising at all. Ivy had still not been able to make the calls that she needed, there was no exnation that she could possibly note for the reason of her hesitantuom but something was definitely stopoping her. Rethinking, perhaps? Gross uncertainty of safety? Or maybe it was just the thought that not making that call was keeping her loved ones away from the danger that the Master was? She really couldn¡¯t figure out what she was doing and why. Or maybe she was still in shock? Maybe it was the confrontation that would great her wee after her sudden disappearance that was terrifying. Argh, fuck this! Once the dinner was over, she would make the call. Insert her sim and speak to the people she had to. It was only then she remembered why she was avoiding making those calls in the first ce. The phone she had been given would certainly have a recording device and even if she knew the Master had a way if getting his information, she didn¡¯t want to be one of those ways. She would have to find another way to speak to her family, hopefully soon or she might just lose her mind. The low voices from the Tv seeped into her ears, the reporter talking about some high ranking people who had been mysteriously found dead in their homes. They had oddly been stripped naked too by the evil perpetrators. Somehow, Ivy felt that this must be connected to the Master and the death he had recently orchestrated. Her heart felt heavy at the thoughts of Zinej, her death was finally settling it. They had no real rtionship but it was still a bitter pill to swallow that she was truly gone. How cruel. ¡°For you, Master.¡± Girald¡¯s vice snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked up just in time to see him handing the Master a letter. ¡°Finally, took them long enough.¡± His tone was formal and he rolled up his sleeves just to take the letter and open it. Ivy found herself watching him to see if his expression would give away whatever the letter held in it. If the Houses had any rules they should punish him for what he had done. They should take him out immediately before he would kill all of them. Something glimmered in his cold eyes and her stomach twisted in different knots. He seemed at eased and she hated that.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. It could only mean that everything was going ording to his n. Whatever twisted n it was that was forming in his head. ¡°A letter of summon. Interesting.¡± He hummed, setting the letter aside, a smirk tugging at his lips, his eyes shing with silent rage. ¡°Summon? They must have forgotten their ce. I will do well to remind them.¡± His gaze moved up to her from across the table, and she sucked in a quick breath. ¡°Are you enjoying your dinner, Ma¡¯am?¡± ¡°I¡¯m too petrified to.¡± Her voice was nd,cking any vour or attempt to make any of this sound better than it was. If she could have it her way, she was ready to exaggerate the whole situation. But was that even possible? This was already far too terrible. He smirked. ¡°You¡¯ll be alright.¡± When he spoke again, his words weren¡¯t directed at her. ¡°Is that all, Girald?¡± ¡°Another, Master.¡± Girald handed him the next one. ¡°A threat,¡± he sounded a little annoyed this time. ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°Your Brother, Master.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± A smile broke across his lips. Utterly pleased. What kind of rtionship did he have with his brother? It made her remember Chris and his own brother. Sickening. ¡°My blood enemy. Didn¡¯t get any message preaching futile righteousness from him in two days and I already miss him.¡± He put the letter aside and Ivy slurped the soup, the sound startling her a little. It was tiring to feel like she was part of something in the background in these dinners but she would take that anytime, any day, than having any unwanted attention and ending up like Zinej. Goodness, she missed Chris, missed her parents, missed Elsa, everyone. ¡°Are they still nning that ploy against me?¡± ¡°Every House is nning a ploy against you, Master. Even your own.¡± How terrible could a person be to be hated even by his own kind? Wild. Ivy wanted to say a word about that but she bit her tongue. Not now, trouble. ¡°That¡¯s the fun.¡± Ivy felt a pair of eyes on her and she instinctively looked in thar direction. For some reasons Girald seem to have an apologetic glint in his eyes but it had been so quick that she might have just hallucinated it. ¡°There are some pictures I think might interest you, Master.¡± He had handed him some pictures and in less than a second, the smile on the Master¡¯s face was nowhere to be found. His eyes looking more intense as he studied the photographs. What could it possibly contain? When he looked up at her, she froze, the spoon bumping against her lips and shing over them. She pushed backwards, reaching for the napkin but the Master was faster, dabbing away the soup, his eyes focused on the movement of his hands. She caught a glimpse of the pictures at that moment. They were of her and Chris. Of course, Girald was following her. ¡°Stalking is not as attractive as you think it looks, you know.¡± ¡°Just some necessary measures, please ignore them, ma¡¯am.¡± He said with a dismissive time before going back to his seat. Ivy stood up. ¡°Yeah, I will. Goodnight.¡± ¡°Not before you tell me what your rtionship is with the leader of the Fang house.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Leader of the Fang House?¡± Her voice betrayed her terribly in feigning ignorance but she wasmitted to this lie and she would rather die than get swayed from it. ¡°Yes. What is your rtionship with Christopher?¡± Chapter 101 – Meet The Houses Ivy didn¡¯t realize that she had gone silent until she heard the Master speak again. ¡°Sealed lips, I see. That makes it even more fun.¡± He said, standing up as Ivy¡¯s gaze followed him. She hated the guts of this man. ¡°How about we find out, uhn? Ma¡¯am, what do you say?¡± There were so many things that she wanted to say to him, amongst them some really colourful words of insult but she kept her mouth sealed, remembering what he had done to Zinej and how easily he could do the same to her if he considers her more of a disturbance than an advantage that he could use. Ivy wasn¡¯t anywhere eager to end up as a dinner casualty. Not tonight, not ever. Although, she wondered why he even had to ask. Wasn¡¯t there a way he could find out things without asking her directly, like the ways he always used. Except if Chris had pulled down any evidence of their rtionship from the ces he would usually look and that was causing a little bit of doubt for the Master. The way things were turning out tonight, it looked like Ivy wouldn¡¯t be able to get the opportunity toe up with some excuses to go out alone and call Chris in a booth or something.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Argh! Everything just kept gettingplicated. They should have never had that fight, although it was unavoidable with all the secrets, still it was unwise she had the fight with him when she was off in a stranger¡¯s vi. Go, Ivy! Smart Ivy. Ridiculous. But how was she to know that it would unintentionally go on this long? That things would turn out this way. ¡°The stubborn ones. Always fun.¡± She could have sworn his ck eyes glinted with excitement at her statement but the headache that struck her made her shake her head. The very presence of the Master was a headache in itself. She couldn¡¯t wait toy on her bed and slip away into bliss of ignorance for a few hours. She was so done with this dinner. ¡°Get dressed.¡± ¡°What for?¡± ¡°You should be used to it by now, ma¡¯am. You go everywhere with me.¡± ¡°What do you take me for? Your little pet?¡± This time she was angry and somehow, she just couldn¡¯t hide it. ¡°We will be flying in an hour.¡± His voice was calm and unaffected. Just like that, he was gone. Argh! This madness really had to stop. ___ They did not fly. Instead they took a ride, and that could just be the longest ride Ivy had ever been on since she knew what the word ¡°ride¡± meant. It seemed to stretch on and on, and the time was so damn slow for no good reason! It was like the whole universe had nned to punish her for some crime that she had forgotten shemitted. The Master didn¡¯t try to start a conversation with her and Girald, as usual, was silent. Ivy was d about that, not that it wasn¡¯t the usual thing but she was d it was happening pretty normally. The only thing that bothered her was that, if where they were heading to was the meeting as she heard from some of the bodyguards then she might meet Chris. She wanted to speak to Chris about everything before she would actually meet him. Meeting him there without saying a word to him first was definitely something she didn¡¯t want to happen. Well, Ivy would just have to hope that they were heading somewhere else, somewhere, perhaps less burdensome for her. She had been going through a lot these past few days. The car moved into a slow halt. Finally, the location. It¡¯s been forever! She heard the door at her left go open and the Master stepping out of the car, she followed him, the cold breeze hitting her bare arms, the short purple gown she wore not helping in the slightest. That gown was part of the few things she had packed in the hurry and she had a different thing in mind when she had packed it. Why couldn¡¯t things just go as nned for her. Even her hair was looking darker than it used to, she needed to dye it purple again. She could do that when¨C Thefort that swept through her was weing. She closed her eyes sharply as the coat moved over her shoulders. ¡°Once we return, Girald will take you shopping.¡± That didn¡¯t sound nice. ¡°How long do you n to keep me?¡± If he wanted her to go out shopping, does that mean she would have to hang around him more often. That would be turtore. ¡°Only for as long as necessary.¡± He smoothly interlocked her hand with his elbow and just like that he was leading her into a ce that she didn¡¯t know she would ever go. Luxury mixed with old fashion. That was the way the interior design of this ce was. A ssic, that was what things like this were called, right? Ivy didn¡¯t know how but after all their walking up the stairs, they ended up at a ce that looked like a balcony but it was inside the building and there were seats below them, filled with people. Was this like a VIP section? ¡°Please sit, you must be tired.¡± Ivy sat down on the chair further back the small balcony. If possible, she would prefer to be invisible. ¡°How long will this take?¡± ¡°Depends.¡± He smirked, his word promising something more. Then he departed from her and step towards the silver railings. When he spoke, the whole ce fell silent and his power seem to shake the ground, his voice booming against the walls. ¡°Houses of Tend, why have you summoned your King?!¡± Ivy¡¯s breath caught in her throat, as she watched the back of the man that had just dered himself what she had not even thought he would be. This lunatic was the King? No fucking way. Didn¡¯t this just mean that she was doomed? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!