Chapter Twelve

"I won't be so nice next time. Ivy is my woman and I won't take anyone plotting against her. Do you understand me?" He stared right at Mr. Leo meaningfully.

"Yes. I understand. I will take care of it." He answered with his eyes lowered. He dared not look into Chris's eyes. He could understand the underlying meaning behind his words.

"Good. I expect to see results immediately. Don't make me come back." Chris said and pulled Ivy up.

"No! I won't go anywhere! I won't give up just because of this bitch!" Shayla shouted and cursed angrily. She would rather die than give up on Chris.

"Jeez... You sound like you are having a mental problem. Get a life and stop chasing a man who doesn't want you." Ivy spoke to Shayla for the first time since they met.

"Are you talking to me? You dare open that mouth of yours to talk to me!?" Shayla asked while pointing at herself.

"Who else would I be talking to? Your pervert of a father? No... I'd rather not waste my time on him. But come to think of it, you both are the same." Ivy said looking from father to daughter. She has noticed the sneak peeks the man had been giving her since he took his seat and she could very well tell his thoughts from his expressions. "Chris darling!... Can we leave? They are both making me feel uncomfortable" She spoke coyly to Chris while pulling into his sleeves.

"Sure. Anything for you. I can even help you pluck out their eyes. Would that be okay?" Chris spoke with a smile but was looking straight at Mr. Leo. If Ivy could notice his stare then how could he not? He knew what kind of person the state secretary was. A big load of shit. That's what he is. "Let's get out of here. The air stinks." He stood up and helped Ivy up as well.

"You both are not moving an inch away from here! I will not accept it." Shayla rushed to block their path and continued. "I called your mother before coming here. She should be here any minute. She would never accept this bitch"

Chris could feel Ivy's body stiffen up at the mention of his mother. He held onto her hand and squeezed a little to tell her that he would not allow anyone to bully her. "Okay then, it will be better to settle it once and for all." He spoke to Shayla then looked at Ivy. "Kitten... Trust me. Okay?" He spoke while looking into her eyes.

Ivy didn't want to stay. They had only known each other for a few days. She wasn't ready to meet any member of his family yet. She looked into his eyes and could see the promise. He was telling her that everything would be fine and somehow, she believed him. She knew with him around, all would be well. How she trusted him so much is a mystery to her but, she was willing to trust him. "Okay." She spoke out one word and could feel her whole body relax.

Chris let out a smile and led her back to her seat. He helped her sit first and then sat down next. Seeing them both take their seats, Shayla felt scared but happy. At least, he had agreed to wait. She felt that once his mother appeared and made her stand clear, Ivy would have no other choice but to scram.

Mr. Leo on the other hand felt scared. His daughter might not know what Chris was capable of but he does. The man was not to be crossed. He is ruthless in his dealings. He doesn't take it easy with people who got on his wrong side and he could feel that he and his daughter are already on that page. Why couldn't Shayla just wait for him to handle it all? He could have quietly made Ivy disappear from Chris's line of sight. Shayla sat down beside him and he couldn't help but whisper to her. "You just made it all worse. Now, there is no going back"

"Don't worry Dad, everything will be handled today." She replied hauntingly.

Meanwhile, Ivy was still nervous but seeing how scared Shayla's father was, she knew things would not turn out badly, but she was still nervous. "Chris... I am not ready to meet your mom yet. We don't even know if this relationship will last more than a month." She whispered.

"It makes no difference if you meet her now or later in the future. The outcome will still be the same." He replied her while using his finger to draw circles on the back of her hand that was placed on her thighs.

"And what is that outcome?" Ivy asked him.

"You will still be the woman I want as my wife. The only woman I want to have anything with. The only woman who makes me want to have a forever with her." He answered loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

Slowly... Very slowly... Ivy started to blush, she felt her whole body heat up at his words. She even forgot about the others on the table and could only see the man who was sitting beside her. Maybe, she had gotten involved with someone a little too early but, he might be worth it. She thought within. She looked into his eyes and knew that he meant every word he said. "Okay. I trust you then." She spoke after a while.

A smile broke out on Chris's face. A real genuine smile. He could feel the change in her response to him. He had never wanted to be with any woman in all his 27 years on Earth. She is the first and he planned to make her the only one. Before she could tell her what he was thinking, the sound of footsteps could be heard. He turned to look and saw his parents. His father and mother. Very good. ' It's good that they both came together.' he thought with a lopsided grin.