CHAPTER 2: (GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH)

IVAN

“What are you waiting for? Get out!” I ordered loudly.

“I promise this won’t happen again sir.” she pleaded.

“See that it doesn’t, now get out,” I growled, pointing towards the door.

I watched her shaky figure hurry out of the dining room, closing the door behind her. The room became quiet as it was before her entrance.

Still fuming, I tried wheeling myself out of the messy dining area. But the damn wheelchair wasn't cooperating as fast as I wanted it to.

“F**k!” I yelled, looking at my useless legs, willing them to somehow magically move.

Gripping the sides of the wheel chair, I tried to raise my torso. The pain came in quickly, sweeping through my muscles in sharp waves.

“F**k me!” My voice came out in a whimper, like a wounded dog. “That damn truck driver… I hope he rots in jail.”

“Mr Ivan.”

“What?” I barked loudly, anger rushing through my veins. Turning my head in the direction of the voice, I saw Mia, my PA trying not to look flustered as she stood at a short distance from me. “What is it Mia?” I asked, this time my voice was steady, more controlled.

“Mrs. Clarkson called. She wants you to know that she'll be visiting in summer, which is exactly in five weeks.” Her voice came out in that clear, professional manner as she scrolled through the tablet she always carried about with her.

“Call her back and let her know I won't be receiving any visitors.” 

Great timing. My mother's presence never ceased to remind me about my inability to walk. Her idea of checking up on me only resulted in tears, a pity party I wasn't looking forward to.

“Tell her it's a recommendation from my doctor.” I quickly added, giving her one of my hard long stares.

She nodded. Knowing the topic was over.

“Anything else Mia?”

“Besides the latest proposal being moved around the board of directors, nothing for now.”

“Good. That'll be all, I do not want to be disturbed.”

“Yes sir.” Her heels clicked against the shining marble floor as she retreated from the dining area.

I exhaled, the pain was a dull ache now. My mind drifted off to the good old times when I didn't have to sit in a chair and wait for someone to feed me second hand information or wipe my ass after taking a shit.

DANICA

The events of the morning clung to my mind like a second skin as I rushed back to the hospital, during my short late afternoon break. Valerie’s test results were out, but instead of answers, the doctors had asked for additional tests.

Costly ones.

Even with six months' worth of savings, I wouldn’t be able to afford them. The thought of rent being due in a week haunted me as well. I'd barely covered Valerie’s medication–which had already eaten deep into my budget. 

The strong scent of rain hung heavily in the air outside by the time I got Valerie discharged. Not wanting a repeat of the morning incident, I dressed her into something soft and warm, tucked her stuffed bunny Ella under my arm, and left for the mansion. I still had unfinished work there, and I also wasn’t about to risk my job again.

“Hello, Miss Danica,” a familiar cheerful voice greeted me as we stepped into the mansion’s wide foyer.

It was none other than Mia Diego—Ivan's poised assistant, approaching in a blue, knee-length dress, her long black hair flowing behind her and dimples showing on both sides of her cheeks as she smiled.

“Hi, Mia,” I replied, returning the smile with one of my own, and a wave, wondering if Ivan had reported me to her already.

“This must be Valerie right?” Mia tilted her head trying to meet Valerie's gaze but all she did was to hide further behind me shyly. 

“What an adorable little sweetheart. It's so nice to finally meet her, after all the time you've talked about her,” her gaze diverted back to me, “how's the progress with her health and treatments now? Any reason for the reoccurrence?”

“No, nothing yet. The hospital is asking for more tests to be carried out,” I mentioned, “and she’s a little under the weather today, that's why I brought her along. I hope that’s okay?”

“Oh, absolutely! Poor thing,” Mia’s smile dimmed with concern, “she looks like a fighter. I’m sure she’ll be fine in no time.”

“I hope so.” I raised an eyebrow, “Is Joe his caregiver still around?”

“He should be somewhere within. The last time I saw him, he was assisting Mr. Ivan with some errands.” She leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief, “Mr. Ivan seems to be in a mood. I think you should be careful not to upset him.”

“Really?” I asked, becoming more curious, “Did he say anything?”

“Nope. Just asked not to be disturbed, but since it's you, I'm sure he wouldn't mind,” she shrugged her shoulders. 

Was it just the incident that happened between us or did someone else put him in this mood?

“Thanks for the heads-up.” I flashed a smile across before kneeling down on the cold floor beside Valerie, “sweetheart, why don’t you take Ella with Miss Mia to see the house? If you get sleepy, she'll take you to the guest room.”

“Me and Ella want to play hide-and-seek,” Valerie murmured, squeezing her stuffed bunny at the same time tugging at my long sleeve.

“Of course!” Mia beamed, she understood I was looking for a way to distract Valerie so I could work, “once we’re done with our little tour, you two can play as much as you want,” she added.

Loud thunderclaps boomed outside, followed by heavy rainfall. Valerie’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Can we go now?” she asked impatiently.

The duo wandered off into the mansion’s vast space, though within earshot. I could hear their voices in the kitchen. A contented smile slowly formed on my face, Valerie was probably asking Mia a thousand questions all at once.

Perfect! Mia hadn't mentioned anything about the incident with our boss, which meant only one thing to me—my job was safe, for now.

“Phew!” I exhaled deeply, “time to get back to work.”  

After what happened that morning, I wasn’t so sure how things would go with this massage session.

“What's that noise?” I wondered, as a strange noise pulled me from my thoughts. I turned my head scanning around for the source of the sound.

Though it was faint, my ears caught it again. With each step I took weaving through empty corridors, the sound grew louder. I found myself heading towards the other wing, now it was clear where the noise was coming from. I halted inches from Ivan's door, unsure of how he'd react. 

The sound came again, but this time it sounded like groans from someone deep in pain. Damning the consequences, I yanked open the heavy door.

“What are you doing here?” he growled. 

A pair of red-grey eyes shone in the dim room, startling me. My stomach twisted. 

“Are you deaf? What are you doing here?” he repeated.

“Mr. Ivan?”

“I asked….” he growled, flicking on the table lamp close to him, struggling to stand upright, “what in God's name are you doing here? I had left clear instructions with Mia not to be disturbed!” 

I stood in shock, watching the man–my crippled boss for over three months, who now seemed so clearly obsessed over standing up.

The room was fully lit now. I noticed he was shirtless, his smooth skin visible, with strands of curled hair scattered across his bare chest. The fluorescence of the lamp casted its glow, flattering his jawline and lips. He had only a black fitting short on him unlike most times I was around during the day. 

Focus, Danica. Focus.

My eyes moved further upwards, locking eyes with him, there was something unusual about those eyes. The answer came to me almost immediately, he was drunk.

“What are you looking at?” he barked at me.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Ivan,” I finally found my voice. “I heard some noise coming from this direction, it sounded like someone was in pain, so… I didn't mean to barge into your room. It's good to see you’re alright.” 

“Good? You must be enjoying the view,” he sneered with a grimace on his face that couldn't be called a smile on any other planet, “you think it's good to see me like this?”

“N-no! That's not what I meant.” The manner in which his eyes widened with anger disturbed me. 

I quickly averted my gaze, noticing the empty bottles of wine on the floor. He obviously wasn’t just drunk, he was hurting from something.

“You like being a therapist to a crippled CEO?” he spat, slurring slightly as he wobbled, every nerve and vein in his perfectly shaped hands shooting up, “or were you hoping I'd die soon, so you wouldn't have to put up with me anymore, just like Amy didn't want to?”

Amy? 

The name bounced in my ears. 

“Mr. Ivan,” I began, "I know you're not in the best of circumstances right now but that...”

“You women are all the same,” he gritted his teeth. “You make a man fall in love, then punish him for it. But don’t get it twisted McKellar, you work for me. I own you and everyone who works for me. You're nothing to me!”

Something in me cracked. “That’s enough, Mr. Ivan!” The words came out sharper than intended. “It was a mistake leaving my sick daughter to check on you. I see you are doing fine on your own. I'll be heading out now. Goodnight sir”.

For the first time that night, his grey eyes showed concern, softening.

"Wait, don't go y-yet," he slurred, his voice laced with desperation as the alcohol dulled the harshness in his tone.

"Help me to the bed, please." 

Slowly, I crossed the room, cautious of receiving another dirty slap as I helped him up, the pungent smell of alcohol assaulting my senses. 

“You've had enough for tonight." I advised, my voice firm but gentle. “Was it Joe who brought in the wine for you? If so, he's going to get an earful from me.”

“Leave Joe alone. Besides the last time I checked, you both work for me.” He tried to sound tough but the fast working alcohol betrayed him.

Supporting his weight with mine, we stumbled on the bed. I could feel the warmth of his body as his eyes moved aimlessly before locking on mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. 

Unsure of what to do, I hurriedly brought out a cold bottled water from the small-fancy refrigerator close to the bedside, handing it over to him.

“Thank you,” he muttered, gulping down a small quantity, “sit down, McKellar,” he tapped a spot on the bed not so far from him.

I obliged. A little too quickly.

“You know, I used to have a fiancée. Amy. Loved her with every fiber of my being,” his eyes clouded with pain, "but I was blinded by love. She stole from me and ran off with the enemy… a rival of my company, guess I had it coming." Tears glistened in the corner of his eyelids, threatening to fall but he blinked them back.

For a moment, I forgot who I was sitting beside. The hard, cold exterior he always wore had cracked a little and what peeked through wasn’t my arrogant boss, but a man who’d been deeply wounded.

“No one deserves that kind of betrayal,” I murmured. I didn’t even know why I said it but I meant it. Somehow, my heart ached for the same man who’d been cruel to me just hours ago. “Good riddance to bad rubbish, I guess. You deserve better.”

“You think so, McKellar?” he asked, shifting, leaving little space between us.

“Yes I do.” 

“I think you can ease some of my pain, McKellar,” Ivan's voice grew hoarse, his eyes raw and tired as he leaned closer. 

“Help take my burden away, even if it's just for this night alone.”