Chapter Seven: Ellen's Scent

Ellen was admitted to a private ward, still unconscious. Sarah stayed by her side, gently wiping her face and feet as she watched her worriedly.

Ivan entered the ward and looked at the unconscious Ellen.

“How is she?”

“She is still unconscious,” Sarah replied.

Ivan stared at Ellen for a moment before turning away.

“Take care of her.”

He left the ward and went straight to the director’s office.

He kicked the door open with a loud bang before walking in and sitting down as if he owned the place.

The young man inside looked up in surprise.

He placed the documents he was reading on the table and pushed his glasses up when he realized who had entered.

“Who is she?” Liam asked. “The lady Sarah brought. Your new plaything?”

Ivan stared at him coldly. 

In defense, Liam chuckled nervously and raised his hands.

“Okay, okay. My bad.”

“She is different. Take care of her.” 

Liam stared hard at him as if trying to find any flaws in his words but Ivan's expression remained completely serious. 

“You are really serious about her, hmm?”

Ivan ignored him and went out of his office without giving him another glance.

Liam seems used to his coldness. He simply shrugged and returned to his documents.

Ivan went to the private room where Ellen was admitted.

He walked to her bedside and gently caressed her unconscious face before turning to Sarah.

“Make sure she takes her medicine and call me when she wakes up.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ivan left the ward and returned to the office.

He sat down and massaged his aching temple. He picked up a document that needed his signature, but before he could sign it, a sultry voice came from behind him.

“Boss.”

Grace placed the document on his desk before leaning toward him seductively.

“Grace.”

Ivan’s eyes dimmed as he looked at her.

“Yes, Boss.”

She smiled and sat on his lap, rubbing his shoulders.

Ivan stared at her for a moment, remembering what had happened at the mansion the previous night.

“Fuck.”

Grace smiled, thinking she knew exactly what was going through his mind.

She slowly reached for his shirt, attempting to unbotton them while giving him seductive glances. She traced downwards and before she could get to the bulging area, Ivan caught her hand.

“Boss?”

Grace smiled awkwardly.

Ivan looked at her coldly. “Grace, let today be the last time you come into my office dressed this way.”

Her smile faltered.

“If you don’t want to be thrown into a pond of Pinhara, do what I told you.”

“Okay, Boss.” Grace nodded and still smiled sweetly, looking pleased. She assumed Ivan simply preferred conservative women.

Ivan saw the thought written all over her face.

“No. I don't need you anymore.”

Her smile disappeared.

“And you need to knock before entering my office.”

Grace stared at him in disbelief.

Ivan stood up and walked into his restroom, wanting to wash away her scent.

As he stood beneath the running water, his thoughts returned to Ellen.

When had he started refusing a woman's touch? 

He frowned.

No. It must be Grace's scent.

He remembered Ellen's natural scent.

She doesn't smell like Grace.

Before Ellen, he had never cared about the difference.

Now, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

Ivan's expression darkened.

He needed to prove to himself that Ellen had not changed anything and so, he decided to visit the usual pub.

***

Flower House.

A sexy woman in black gown came out of a private section swaying her hips. Every move of hers was sultry and several men turned to look at her. She gave them a seductive smile as she walked past them. They became excited as they looked at her. She was clearly used to the attention and swatted off in her heels.

But when she noticed Ivan, her expression changed.

“Mr. Vladimir.” Asher called out admiringly.

“Hmm.” Ivan’s cold voice sounded without him even looking her way.

Asher watched him closely.

She had fallen in love with this cold man five years ago, when he first came to her pub.

Since then, she had kept her feelings hidden.

Everyone knew Ivan's ruthless nature, and she was too afraid to risk confessing her love and losing even the small chance she had of seeing him.

Yet every time he came to Flower House, her heart still reacted the same way. She stared at his cold figure, her heart filled with longing. 

“As usual.” 

Ivan's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

“Be ready Rosa, Mr. Vladimir is here.” Asher clenched her fist as she looked at the young girl in front of her.

“Yes, Madam Asher.”

She knew his taste well. He liked them fresh and innocent with a little experience.

She lowered her voice. “Remember to serve him well. You will be paid handsomely.”

Rosa nodded and walked toward Ivan's private room.

Asher watched her go before entering the room herself.

“Mr. Vladimir, she is here.”

She turned to look at Rosa signaling to her about what she had said before she came in. The girl in return nodded her head in understanding. Seeing this, Asher left the room.

As if on cue, Rosa pushed her chest out and immediately went over to him.

“Mr. Vladimir, let me pour you wine.”

Ivan glanced at her.

She was young, curvy, and attractive. The kind of woman who usually caught the attention of men without trying.

“Come here.” Ivan called out.

Rosa walked towards him and sat on his lap as she clung her hands around his neck. She leaned on him, feeling his temperature and pressed her boobs on his chest.

Ivan looked at her, but his mind drifted somewhere else.

Ellen.

He frowned.

He didn't understand why her face kept appearing in his mind.

He wanted to push the thought away.

He wanted to prove that nothing had changed. 

The room fell silent for a while before the door closed behind them.

Outside, Asher stood in the hallway.

She heard enough to know that Ivan was with Rosa.

Tears gathered in her eyes at the sounds that came behind the door.

“Why can't it be me?”

Her voice cracked.

“Why?”

She hit the wall beside her before wiping her tears away.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was filled with pleasure but Ivan's thoughts remained restless.

Even as he tried to lose himself in the moment, Ellen's face kept appearing in his mind.

He clenched his jaw.

Why was he thinking about her?

His phone rang disrupting the atmosphere.

He reached out for it and answered the call.

“Master,” Sarah's voice sounded urgent. “Miss is awake.”

Ivan's expression changed slightly.

“Okay.”

Sarah hesitated.

“Master…”

“What?”

Her voice trembled.

"Miss is… missing.”

Ivan's eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean, missing?”

But the line went silent for a moment.

He stood up immediately.

Rose saw him entering the bathroom, she called out seductively.

“Mr. Vladimir.”

“Put on your clothes, we are done.”

He walked out without another word.

For the first time that day, his calm expression disappeared.

Ellen was awake.

And she was gone.