LOGINIVYMy dad looked like someone who had just been slapped, while my mum seemed completely frozen. I, on the other hand, didn't even know what to do.I looked at the culprit, and he seemed to be enjoying the whole drama.After what felt like an entire decade, Zander cleared his throat.Oh God.I just hoped he wasn't going to add fuel to the fire."Mr and Mrs Ellis, Ivy and I are sorry that this happened. We didn't mean for you to find out this way." He said, holding my hand in a fake show of affection.I honestly just wanted to strangle this man."What do you mean married?" My dad finally spoke, his voice dangerously calm.My mum looked between us, her eyes wide with disbelief."Ivy?" she whispered. "Please tell me this isn't true."My chest tightened."We made things official today. It was my idea. I convinced her to do this," Zander continued smoothly.My father's face darkened."You convinced her?" he repeated."Yes, sir."Of all the things that could go wrong today. I couldn't focus
ZANDER. I knew she wouldn't go down without a fight. And that was why I had my driver waiting with another copy of the contract. A slightly more refined one. She still didn't seem satisfied, but I knew she'd budge. And she did. After she signed the contract, I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. “Congratulations, Mrs Stone,” I said, with the grin still on my face. She didn't know what she just signed up for. She just gave me liberty to carry out my plan. I couldn't wait to start. On the other hand, she looked horrified. Like she couldn't believe what was happening. She fixed her glare on the plate in front of her. If looks could kill. I was honestly enjoying this. I called the waiter over to order dessert and asked her if she wanted any. She looked like I had just brought her back from whatever world she was in. I waved the waiter off. “Sorry, I zoned out,” she apologized as she regained her composure. “It's fine. I just wanted to know if you wanted dessert.” Immedia
IVY.He strolled in like he owned the place. For some reason, that annoyed me. He spotted me and strode to where I was. I was thinking what to order, but I lost my train of thought immediately when I saw him. I forgot how overwhelming his presence could be. He took his seat facing me and barely acknowledged my presence. Other than the nod that I'm not sure was directed to me, because soon the waiter was beside us. I didn't call him. I looked through the menu trying to decide what to order but he didn't even glance at his. He placed his order from the top of his head. He was probably a regular here. My face turned red. So much for impressing him. I placed my order and the waiter left to prepare our orders.“Ivy.” He nodded at me. Oh, so now he can acknowledge me. Gosh this man is rude. I didn't know we were on a first name basis.“Mr Stone.” I said, refusing to call his first name.He smirked when he noticed. The waiter came just then placed our orders in front of us.I dug in immed
IVY.I woke up with a splitting headache. I didn't even know how I got home. My driver probably came back for me. I tried to sit up and I groaned.This was one of the reasons I hate drinking. The hangover isn't worth the few hours of escaping reality, but I'd take it. Apart from the hangover, this was the first time I slept through the night fully. I felt refreshed for a bit, then the memories of yesterday came rushing back. I screamed into my pillow. I dragged myself to get ready for the day. I took some pills for my hangover and felt considerably better. I took a long shower and got dressed in one of my favorite outfits. A simple white dress that falls just below the knee, with a small slit. One of the reasons I love the dress is because it's cinched at the waist, it also comes with a simple belt. I paired the dress with nude pumps and I was ready to go. I looked in the mirror and I looked like someone who had everything under control, which was why I picked this dress. To contrast
Chapter SevenZanderI'm irritated.She looked at the contract for what felt like the tenth time, refusing to touch it for some reason. Still she hadn't signed. I was giving her all she needed and she was throwing it in my face? She was beginning to get on my nerves.Her voice brought me out of my annoyance.“Mr Stone…,” she started.“Call me Zander,” I cut her off without remorse.She continued without agreeing to my correction. This woman.She asked to review her contract with her legal counsel. I refused immediately. This was a lifeline I was offering. Time is of the essence!!She refused to sign and stood up, walking out of my office without sparing me a second glance.The silence in my office after she walked out was louder than the little disagreement we had.For a moment, I simply stared at the closed door, half expecting her to walk back in and apologize.She didn’t.I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and leaned back in my chair.She had refused.After everything.
IVY.I knew I had to make a decision. I had 72 hours to save my father's company. He gave me ten minutes.I couldn't make such a huge decision in ten minutes. I had little time, but I couldn't throw my life away just like that. I had to think this through and explore other options.“Mr Stone, I..”“Call me Zander.” He cut me off without any apology.I was irritated but decided to not let it show. He seemed to intentionally try to rile me up. I wouldn't let him see how affected I was.“I cannot sign this in ten minutes. I have to properly review this with my lawyer's counsel.” I continued, refusing to call him Zander.I knew I'd most likely not review the contract. There was no way I'd get married to this man.He seemed to think it through.“No.” He said and I raised my brow before I could stop myself.“The contract is not open to legal scrutiny.” He said like someone who had something to hide.“Well, I'm also not open to getting married under unclear terms.” I said as I stood up and m
IVY.I've been getting by just fine. I get through the day without having to use Xanax and my panic attacks have reduced to the barest minimum. I've also been able to sleep for days without nightmares and having to use my sleeping pills.That's what being fine sounds like. Nia, my therapist, won't
IVY.“Marry me.” He said those words again.Like it was totally normal to propose marriage to a stranger. I still didn't understand what was going on.He went on and on about leaving on a clean slate after two years.“Why marriage?” “Why not another option?” “You could loan us the money.” I started
IVY.After I got home , I ate dinner alone. I knew it was pointless trying to get both my parents down. I just had to find a way to fix this. I did my night routine and then it was time for the emergency session I booked with Nia.We talked, well, she tried to get me to talk about what has been go
ZANDER.I recognized her almost immediately, when the elevator doors opened. She looked slightly different from the pictures I saw from that night.It was almost unnoticeable, but I saw the way she hesitated before entering the elevator. She almost squeezed the life of the innocent stress ball she







