Lahat ng Kabanata ng Corrupt Temptation: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

IVY.The constant stream of sunlight coming in through the windows of my bedroom did little to lift my grim mood.My spirit felt as battered as though Sloan had really used me as a punching bag and my body continued to ache from a dull lingering exhaustion. Wrapped in a cozy if somewhat faded pink I spent the entire day holed up in my room a self-imposed exile. I sat cross-legged on my bed and tried to lose myself in a Nora Roberts book. A decent romance book would typically be my go-to escape because it offers a world of endearing heroes and happily-ever-afters that contrasts sharply with my present circumstance. However even Nora’s dazzling prose was unable to completely divert my attention today and the nauseating sensation of being completely used were all replayed in my head. But my gut didnt seem to notice my emotional distress. It rumbled. loudly. A succession of adamant unromantic growls reverberated throughout the silent room. In an attempt to calm the hungry beast inside

IVY. Sloan’s icy emotionless growl could still be heard in my ears. He had just been standing there looming over me his eyes promising a hell I didnt even want to think about his grip on my arm like a vice. Then with a rage that verged on pure unadulterated madness, he had just let go of me pivoted on his heel and left me shaking. I detested his haughtiness, his casual brutality and his complete lack of compassion. He appeared to be a stone statue wearing pricey suits and I was his preferred target for emotional abuse. After he left I stood in the hallway for a while my body trembling from the impact of our encounter my arm still tingling from his touch. I balled my hands in a fist. I wanted to yell burst something maybe locate that absurd vase once more and kick it to pieces. However I was stuck so what was the point? No way out of this golden cage no phone no connection to the outside world. My own furious outrage was my only company. I sank onto the closest marble step of the g

IVY. The ride on the bicycle with Arthur had been a brief blissful escape a taste of freedom that felt almost forbidden in this cage of gold. My hair was blowing in the wind as we pedaled through the hidden gardens and I felt a strong sense of normalcy descend upon me as laughter reverberated through the trees. Anyways, everything good must end particularly in a mansion owned by a control-crazy billionaire. I felt surprisingly refreshed completely exhausted and based on the moisture clinging to my pink overall spectacularly sweaty after we said our goodbyes and agreed to meet again on a secret mission soon. Unaccustomed to such strenuous activity my legs ached with a pleasant exhaustion but Arthurs easy humor and the momentary release from the constant tension of the mansion lifted my heart. With my inner stealth-o-meter set to maximum I crept past the grand staircase. So far so good. No threatening maids no uncles who are always frowning and—above all—no Sloan. I took a deep brea

SLOAN. The sharp metallic smell of desperation, the acrid tang of cheap cigarettes and the stale sickly sweet aroma of marijuana made up a familiar concoction as my car slipped into the site, it's headlights piercing into the night. The tumultuous East Sector, the citys underbelly was a far cry from my mansions gleaming marble and quiet hallways. Tonight I was on this site. My territory. In the dim sickening light of far-off neon the asphalt glistened mirroring the suffering and deterioration etched into each collapsing façade. In sharp contrast to the sterile perfection, I fostered the very air tasted of broken dreams and unfulfilled promises. I had absolute power here ruled by whispered agreements and shadows. The balance was harsh but necessary. Only the soft hum of the engine and the steady tick of my own heartbeat disturbed the deep silence inside the cae. My shoes crunched softly on broken glass as I got out of the car. I was enveloped by the night air which was heavy with t

IVY. That enigmatic legendary being. Apparently it had made the decision to completely avoid my room. The opulent bed became more and more uncomfortable as I tossed and turned. The silk sheets which usually soothed me into a sound sleep felt like a maze of nervousness. My mind a never-ending hamster wheel of ideas would not stop. Amid the uneasiness that had become ingrained in my bones every creak of the mansion and every distant hum of its antiquated machinery seemed to whisper secrets. At last I gave up the pointless fight against sleeplessness. I pushed the blankets away with an agitated shove and sat up with a frustrated groan that sounded suspiciously like a badgers annoyance. The darkness engulfed the room concealing invisible things and feeling oppressive and heavier than usual. When I reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on a gentle yellow glow filled the room. The sigh that came out of me was deep an epic theatrical sigh. The mansion. A huge gilded mystery box was