Chapter 2: His Flaws

Lilico’s nod sent shivers down Ivana’s spine, draining the color from her face. 

Ivana blinked once, twice, then tilted her head as if trying to grasp the whole thing. 

Suddenly, it clicked in head, her eyes widened in shock as she raised a finger and pointed at Lilico. “You’re Ice Face’s younger sister? The adopted child?” she exclaimed.

Ivana couldn’t believe she was sitting across from the only daughter of the Brooklyns. A well-known U.S business tycoon. 

Lilico was their adopted daughter, showered with love even after patriarch Grey Brooklyn’s death. Her cold, ice-faced elder brother, Tardrain, had left abroad to run his own company, leaving Lilico and his mother in charge of the family business.

Lilico scoffed, a cold smirk twisting her lips. “I hate that word ‘adopted’!” she hissed, slamming another  cash onto the table. “Make him fall hard for you, then kill him. He took what’s mine. Now I’ll take everything from him.” Venom dripped from every word of her mouth.

Ivana’s heart pounded. How could they expect her to target such a man? She’d never crossed paths with Tardrain, but the stories about him were terrifying.

Was it his godlike arrogance? That unnaturally perfect face masking a beast? 

Ivana recalled the viral video of him coldly firing an employee for sneezing too loudly; another for daring to sip water in his presence.

All without a flicker of remorse. Or the countless tales of him crushing the less privileged, or news of his contempt for women who failed to grovel at his feet.

‘They’re throwing me into the fire. With his reputation, Tardrain will kill me first,’ Ivana thought, clenching her sweating hands tighter. 

She’d never been so terrified.

“This is suicide,” Ivana protested, the words sour on her tongue. She couldn’t hide her dread, because it was clearly showing all over her.

Lilico scoffed, rolling her eyes, visibly irritated. This wasn’t what she’d bargained for. “I’m paying you for it,” she snapped.

“But he’s your brother.” Ivana’s voice cracked. “Why hurt him?” Concern laced her words. 

She couldn’t grasp what drove such cruelty toward the family that had raised Lilico since birth. “What did he do to deserve death? No one has the right—”

Lilico’s curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes, cutting her off. “I’m paying you! No mistakes. Do a clean job,” she purred, utterly remorseless.

Ivana stared, jaw slack, as Lilico stood abruptly and tossed two more stacks of cash onto the table.

“Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up to meet your future in-laws,” Lilico sneered sarcastically, waving dismissively at Davis before sauntering out. Her heels clicked like a countdown to Ivana’s doom.

Ivana gathered the money and stormed into her room. She sat on the bed, chewed her thumbnail, then threw herself back with a groan, grappling with what she’d agreed to.

‘Is this even enough to buy my soul?’ She thought, casting a glance at the stacks of cash beside her.

The door creaked open. Davis leaned against the frame, swirling a glass of amber liquid. “Mrs. Brooklyn, your drink,” he teased, offering it.

A bitter chuckle escaped Ivana as she sat up. “Crazy, isn’t it?” She glared, snatching the glass. The sweet liquor did nothing to ease her dread.

“Doesn’t matter. You’ve earned it,” Davis grinned, his face alight with excitement like he’d hit the jackpot. Finally, Ivana was his gateway to wealth.

Ivana studied him, baffled by his ease, his eagerness to send her to her death, to let her seduce another man.

Shouldn't he be jealous? Enraged? Shouldn’t he fear losing her? The questions tangled in her mind.

Davis’s weight dipped the bed as he sat beside her. Ivana lowered her head, avoiding his gaze as she swirled her drink. 

He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What’s wrong, babe?” he asked softly.

She jerked away. “What if I fail? What if he sees through me? What if—”

“No what-ifs,” Davis interrupted, cupping her face. “Ivana, you’re beautiful. Kind. Jovial. Fearless. You could make Satan himself fall for you.” His thumb brushed her lips. “I trust you.” He pulled her into a hug, and she melted into his arms.

“Won’t you be jealous, seeing me with another man?” she mumbled softly, voicing her fear.

Davis shook his head. “My Ivana loves me. That’s why I won’t be jealous. It’s all an act. We’re doing it for the money.” He smiled, confident he knew her heart and her capabilities.

Ivana hugged him even tighter, this anchor calming her terrified heartbeat. She didn’t know the danger ahead, but having him felt like enough.

Suddenly, she jerked back, catching him off guard. Without hesitation, she crushed her lips to his. The taste of citrus mingled with desperation as she pushed him down, hovering over him, kissing harder, as if she could erase the day, the deal, the dread.

Davis couldn’t match her aggression; it felt like she’d rip his mouth apart. He yanked away, gripping her shoulders. When she tried to kiss him again, he slid off the bed and gently pushed her down.

“Baby… I want you,” she whined, tugging his shirt, needing release from the tension.

Davis planted a soft kiss on her head. “You need sleep for tomorrow,” he said calmly. “No sex, you maniac!” he teased, darting out. They both burst into laughter.

“You made me this way!” she yelled, hurling a pillow as the door slammed shut.

Ivana exhaled loudly, shutting her eyes. She pushed the chaos aside, letting sleep drag her under.

******

The Next Morning

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Davis whispered, tapping her arm, before leaving the room.

Ivana stirred, muscles aching as yesterday’s horrors flooded back. She forced a smile, but didn't let it bother her.

“Good morning, babe.” She opened her eyes, and she saw the red dress laid out on the bed, and her lips curved upward.

She got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. To her surprise, the bathtub was filled with soapy water. 

‘I’m so lucky,’ she giggled softly.

After bathing and drying off, Ivana wrapped herself in a towel and walked to her dressing table. She began applying body lotion but froze at the buzz of a phone. Scanning the room, she spotted Davis’s phone beside her red dress.

She ignored the first buzz, but the second one demanded attention. Walking to the bed, she picked it up. Surprise hit her. Lilico’s missed call, and the phone was unlocked.

Her jaws dropped, because Davis had always guarded his passcode fiercely, claiming ‘privacy,’despite knowing every detail of her life.

A notification chimed. 

Video saved successfully.

Instantly, the video thumbnail made her blood boil over in rage.

It showed her showering. Her nakedness.

Curiosity warred with dread as her hands trembled. Memories of him freely invading her phone crushed her hesitation. 

She opened his gallery. Shivers ran down her spine.

Dozens of her nude photos. Videos of her bathing. Even sex tapes.

Her trembling hands played one video. Her moaning, Davis thrusting into her, sucking her breasts.

‘What the bloody hell is this?’

“Davis!” she roared, pacing the room, waiting for him.

Davis rushed in, holding a breakfast tray. “Any Problem?” he asked, eyebrows furrowed. His gaze snapped to his phone in her hand, and his heart sank into his stomach.

‘How could I be this careless?’ His thoughts raced.

She thrust the phone in his direction. “Explain this!” Her chest heaved with rapid breaths as she fought her rage.

Davis dropped the tray on the bed and snatched his phone, checking what she’d seen. 

To Ivana’s horror, he scoffed and shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

“These are naked videos of me!” Ivana raged, equally stunned and furious by his nonchalance.

“Come on, babe. It’s just for memories. You’re my girlfriend,” Davis added, draping an arm over her shoulders. 

Seeing the fury in her eyes, he pulled her closer. He couldn’t let her back out now. “You know I love you. I did it because I’ll miss you too much.” The lie slipped out smoothly, calming her.

Though his affection warmed her, discomfort prickled. Her nakedness, her intimacy was stored on his phone?

But she swallowed down the unease.

‘He’s my boyfriend, not a stranger.’ Ivana managed to convince herself and forced a smile.

Davis’s shoulders slumped in relief. ‘Thank goodness she didn’t realize those weren’t taken with my phone, but with hidden cameras, all over the house.’ He thought again.

If Ivana had figured that out, hell would break loose. She’d tear the place apart. He needed to be more careful.

A sharp knock echoed on the door. They both turned. “Lilico’s here,” Davis said, meeting Ivana’s eyes. “As planned.”

‘Finally, the dreaded moment has come…’ Ivana’s heart pounded.