The Christmas Scandal

Chapter 2

Ivy

My legs wobbled beneath me, my mind spinning from how strangely familiar the voice sounded. I steadied myself and slowly lifted my gaze… only to freeze when I saw Quentin marching towards us, Ashley right beside him, her arm wrapped tightly around his.

My heart thundered in my chest, and despite the cold night air, a wave of heat rushed through me as they approached us.

What could they be up to this time?

“Well, well, well…” Quentin drawled as they drew closer. “Looks like she's found herself a cheap callboy to keep her company tonight.”

They both laughed, a smug grin painted across their faces. 

But the grin quickly disappeared from Quentin's face the moment his gaze landed on the man beside me. 

“Mr Hawthorne?” He breathed, unable to hold back his shock.

The man gave a cold, tight smile, tightening his grip gently on my hand.

“Quentin.” He replied in a clipped tone.

My breath caught in my throat.

They knew each other?

While I was still trying to process it, Ashley stepped forward, and stopped right in front of us. 

She threw me a frosty glare before shifting her eyes to the man by my side.

“Winston,” she said quietly, her voice laced with disdain. “Who's this… thing beside you? And what exactly are you doing with her?”

The man glanced down at me, then tightened his hold around my waist protectively.

“She's my fianceé.” He replied. “Do you have a problem with that?”

Ashley scoffed. “Fianceé? Wow, you must have been really desperate to stoop so low… for someone as pathetic as this?”

Her words hit me like a slap, and my heart sank, a sharp sting of tears burning at the corners of my eyes.

But the man brushed my shoulder gently, drawing me even closer to himself.

“Ashley, that's none of your business.” His voice thundered, and for the first time that night, I saw anger flash between his eyes. “Now, if you don't mind, I'll like to take my leave.”

He turned without a word, my hand still locked in his, and began to walk away.

The car waited a short distance ahead, and as soon as we got in, I quickly slipped my hand free from his, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

I couldn't afford to let myself fall for his sweet talk. He was undeniably attractive… but Quentin's cruel words still echoed painfully in my chest, and I wasn't ready to risk another heartbreak.

Ashley wasn't wrong either… I was nothing compared to him. Maybe we were never meant to cross paths in the first place.

“Thank you for stepping in back there, sir.” I murmured, keeping my eyes down. “But I don't think I deserve to sit beside someone like you.”

“I should get going now.” I added, already reaching for the door when his hand brushed against mine, stopping me.

“Hey, come on. You can't just walk away like that.” He said softly, gently pulling me back from the door. “Who says you don't deserve a better life like everyone else?”

His words struck something deep inside me, and without meaning to, I sank back into the seat, folding my hands nervously between my thighs.

I sat stiffly beside him, fully aware of his intense gaze… until my phone buzzed in my bag, startling us both.

I picked it out with shaky hands and my heart almost gave out when Don Valentino's name flashed across the screen. He was a ruthless mafia billionaire who had loaned my father a huge sum before his death.

There was no doubt in my mind why he was calling. He wanted his money. 

But I didn't have it.

My fingers trembled as the name danced on the screen, hitting me like a silent threat.

Bracing myself, I swiped to answer, only to hear a voice I never expected.

“Ivy…” My mother's voice trembled on the other end. “Please do whatever it takes to get the money. If you don't, I'll be…” 

“Listen carefully, Ivy.” A deep, hoarse voice cut in, cold and sharp as a blade. “You heard her. If the money isn't ready by dusk tomorrow, be prepared to say goodbye to your pathetic mother. Merry Christmas.”

The line went dead before I could utter a single word.

My whole being went numb at his words, the threat slamming into me like a thunderstorm. 

My mother’s life was at stake now, and I had to save her. But how could I possibly raise a hundred thousand dollars in less than twenty four hours?

“Is something wrong?” the man beside me asked, his eyes fixed on mine like he could pull the truth straight from my lips with his gaze.

I quickly shook my head, forcing a faint smile. “No, no… I’m fine.”

“You sure about that?” he pressed, one brow arched in quiet suspicion.

I nodded again, wearing the same strained smile… but from the look in his eyes, he clearly wasn’t buying it.

But he didn't press further either.

He simply kept his gaze fixed ahead and ordered the driver to move.

Neither of us said a word for the rest of the ride… until the car finally rolled to a stop in front of a towering, luxurious building. 

He stepped out swiftly, circled to my side, and opened the door with a soft pull. Then he gently took my hand and helped me out, leading me towards the grand building ahead.

My breath caught the moment I saw the bold inscription at the center of the building, “Winston Hawthorne Homes.”

I froze.

It was him. He owned the building.

My jaw dropped as we stepped inside, my eyes darting around in disbelief, soaking in the sheer luxury and elegance of it all.

He noticed the look on my face but said nothing. He just tightened his hold on my hand as we walked through the entrance and across the lavish reception.

We took the elevator to the top floor, and he led me down a quiet hallway to a large room at the end.

“This is where we'll be spending the night.” He said, closing the door behind us. “Since you're here now, I'm supposed to stay in the room down the left wing, but it's currently under renovation… so this is the only available option.”

I nodded quietly, still in awe as my eyes wandered around the spacious room. When I caught sight of the king-sized bed, they widened even more.

This felt like paradise.

I never imagined the man who casually approached me at a restaurant could be this wealthy. How could someone be so rich yet so kind and reserved?

“You should freshen up.” His voice cut through the silence, snapping me back to reality. He turned to the door before I could respond. “I'll use the visitor's bathroom. Ring the telecom if you need anything.”

He left without another word, closing the door softly behind him.

I slipped into the bathroom as soon as he left, my mind still spinning with the weight of Valentino’s threats.

I took a quick shower and… in less than ten minutes, I stepped out of the bathroom and slipped on the soft nightgown he had provided.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on me now. The stress of the day finally caught up with me, and the moment I hit the bed, sleep gradually claimed me. My eyes drifted shut before I could stop them.

~

I jolted awake, my head throbbing with a dull ache. I turned to the other side of the bed, and I froze in place when I saw him lying next to me, fast asleep.

Clutching the nightdress tightly around me, I slowly slid out of bed. But the movement must have awakened him, because his voice echoed behind me just as I reached for my phone.

"Awake already?" he murmured, rubbing a hand over his face as he sat up. "Merry Christmas."

I turned slowly, my heart still racing. "Merry Christmas, sir," I whispered, my voice rushed. I grabbed my phone, and the moment I saw the time, my stomach dropped.

“I have to go… my mom needs me,” I added quickly, reaching for my dress.

But just then, a loud notification beep echoed from both our phones, stopping me cold.

I picked up my phone and began to scroll, and my breath stopped the moment my gaze landed on the bold headline flashing across the screen.

"Billionaire mogul Mr. Hawthorne spotted in bed with a mystery woman after allegedly hiding her from his longtime girlfriend."

The headline slammed into me like a punch. 

My fingers trembled as I scrolled further… and my stomach dropped the moment my eyes fell on something even worse.

My eyes widened.

It can't be.