The Lilies Club

CHAPTER 3

( The Next Day )

" What took you so long? I got drunk and got into this mess because of you! " Ivy said, fuming.

" Babe relax, I'm sorry I didn't know we would eventually leave for his house plus I was drunk as well" Emily said, trying to defend herself.

Ivy sighed and sat down on the nearby couch. " I'm sorry for yelling, I'm just worried this might get out to the press plus I don't even know him, how the heck did I sleep with someone I don't know.......wait a minute, what if he tries to blackmail me? " Ivy asked, her heart pounding.

" Relax, have you forgotten your best friend is an attorney? I've got your back " Emily said, as she gave her a reassuring smile.

That was true, there was no way he could blackmail her when she had one of the top attorneys beside her. Ivy's pounding heart died down and she finally smiled.

" So.....how was it? "

" How was what? " she asked with a raised eyebrow.

" You know......did you enjoy it? And don't tell me you didn't, cos I know you did " Emily teased.

" Well......I did, gosh It felt like I was on cloud 9 and ......I didn't want him to stop and damn did he look so fine " She blurted.

Intimacy with Ethan had always felt like a chore to her and her passion was long lost or so she thought until she met him.

" Girl..... I've not seen you get excited over a guy for years now. Now I wish you guys had met platonically I'm sure you would have hit it off but hey you might still meet again "

" I'd really love that but I fear I might die of embarrassment if I see him " She burst out laughing as she remembered how she had tiptoed out of the hotel room while he was still asleep.

Ivy and Emily laughed cheerfully until they parted ways and Ivy headed straight to her company. She sat in her office reviewing documents but her thoughts were all over the place, images from the previous night with Mr Stranger flooded her mind and she sighed out of frustration when Mary ,her personal assistant walked in.

" Ma'am" she said, bowing slightly.

" Yes, what is it? she asked not breaking her concentration from the documents.

" I just got an email from the Lilies Club about your request to join "

Ivy looked up almost immediately. She had been expecting that email for weeks now.

" And...... " Ivy asked anxiously.

" They rejected your request Ma'am " Mary said, disappointment written all over her face.

" What?........but.....but why? We've met all their requirements haven't we? We make over $50 million every 2 months , we've been featured on the front page of the TYB Magazine and for God's sake I'm the second most successful Female CEO in this country, what else do they want ?! " she spoke, almost yelling.

Mary seemed to hesitate before she finally spoke

" You are a divorcee, they said you have to be married to get in "

" What the actual heck?! Since when was that part of their requirements? " she asked, her face twisted in rage.

" Sorry ma'am, it seems they just updated that "

Her chest heaved heavily with different emotions. She had been trying to get a hold on the biggest investor in the country to no avail, and had recently heard that he was in town but only attended to those in popular business clubs.

Lilies Club was the only female club in the country, where all top female CEOs come together and they had very strict rules. The club was supposed to be a stepping stone to meeting the investor and now they had rejected her due to her marital status.

" Thank you Mary, you can go "

Mary walked out of the room and Ivy sunk in her seat deep in thought, She had to think of a way to get the investor into her company as fast as she could. She had been eyeing the top spot for years now and the only thing standing between her and the top spot was the Lilies Club. She sighed as she grabbed her bag and bolted out of the room.

..................................

In the dimly lit bar, Ivy sat at the counter, swirling her drink, her mind heavy with the sting of rejection from the exclusive club. The clinking of glasses and distant chatter provided a backdrop to her thoughts.

Just as she was lost in her contemplation, a familiar figure entered the bar. It was Wilson, her best friend's brother, a person she hadn't seen in years. Their eyes met across the room, and something flickered in Ivy's eyes as she watched him approach.

As Wilson drew closer, Ivy's heart raced, wondering what this chance encounter might bring to her evening. Wilson settled onto the barstool next to Ivy, he greeted her with a warm smile.

"Ivy, it's been ages! What brings you to this side of town?" he inquired, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Ivy returned the smile, though a hint of weariness lingered in her eyes.

"Just needed a breather, Wilson. Tough day at the office, when did you get back?" she asked, taking a sip of her drink.

Wilson's expression softened as he observed Ivy.

"Not quite long, You look like you could use a break. Want to talk about it?" he offered, a comforting tone in his voice.

Ivy hesitated for a moment before deciding to share.

"I got rejected from that club I've been eyeing. They said being divorced didn't fit their image," she confessed.

Wilson's eyes narrowed slightly at the injustice.

"That's ridiculous. You're a powerhouse, Ivy. Don't let their narrow-mindedness get to you," he encouraged, his words carrying a sense of unwavering support.

Their conversation flowed, weaving through memories of the past and dreams for the future, creating a bond that felt both familiar and new. In that moment, amidst the clinks of glasses and hum of conversations in the bar, Ivy found solace in Wilson's unexpected presence and the genuine connection they shared.

She had a crush on him back in the days but didn't speak up out of fear he wouldn't feel the same about her and so she had kept it to herself.

Wilson suddenly cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence.

" What if you get married ,that way you'll be accepted " he pointed.

"Wilson, wait, you're suggesting I actually get married to join the Lilies Club?"

"It's just a thought. If you're serious about this investor, marriage might be the way in. Think about it."

"Marriage for a club membership? That's extreme, Wilson. I need to find another way, a real solution.....I can't afford to marry a stranger and go through what I went through with Ethan all over "

"But what if you don't marry a stranger? "