Chapter 9: Love For Ivor

Maybe being like Elie really worked.

Right. I could not deny that I tried to be like Elie after that crazy dream.

It was obviously just a dream.

Things seemed smoother, I felt my relationship with Ivor was better; my male colleagues did not bother me. I also heard that Mr. Johnson, the man who sexually harassed me, was charged with a series of tax evasion and money laundering charges. More particularly, Ivor was less with Elie at night because he became busy solving a few personal problems, although I was not well aware of the problem he was having.

One day, Ivor needed to go to an elite party, and I was with him as his assistant.

Ivor was interested in a server at the party. As always, he gestured to me about the girls he wanted, and jealousy took over my mind.

I ignored his request. I made excuses to leave the conversation with his partner and secretly met that server at the liquor store.

As soon as I looked at her closely, I realized she had many of the same characteristics as Elie. Innocent and glittering eyes, gentle gestures, a girl with the beauty of an 80s muse.

“What do you need?” The girl asked in a soft voice.

I looked at her coldly, took a bank card from my wallet, and gave it to her.

“Stay away from him,” I said.

The girl stared at me. I clenched my teeth, realizing she probably did not know Ivor was interested in her either.

I took out her phone, showed her a picture of Ivor. I said,

“Him. Please stay away from him, I do not want to see you near him.”

The girl was surprised, and by that time, I quickly stuffed my bank card and a piece of paper with her password, and left immediately.

When I got back, Ivor asked about the girl, and I lied that she did not want to be with him. Ivor asked no more questions, and I was relieved.

When the party was over, an Ivor mistress who I came across at the party and questioned me about Ivor and the mistress contract held me.

It took me thirty minutes to get everything done.

“Shit, Ivor and his lovers always drive me crazy,” I thought.

When I arrived at the spot where Ivor’s driver was parked, I saw Ivor talking to a girl; I didn’t see her face clearly, but jealousy still came to me as usual.

I hurried toward them, thinking of how to break them. And then, as I approached them, I was amazed to find that the girl was the one I had given her the money to so she could stay away from Ivor.

She quickly noticed my presence.

“Lady,” she called shyly, then ran quickly toward me, handing me the bank card that I had solemnly put in her hand.

“Your stuff, sorry, I can’t take it,” she said sincerely.

But I could not care less about her when I looked at Ivor staring at us and frowning.

“Me, didn’t I tell you to stand by that man?” I clenched my teeth, my voice small enough for me and that girl to be the only ones who heard.

The girl looked at me with a look of affection.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d see him,” she said.

I took a deep breath, trying not to make things worse. I insisted on not taking back the bank card I gave her.

“Is there anything else you need to do?” I whispered to her.

“No, I’m going home,” she said and then left immediately. It was just me and Ivor.

Ivor leaned against the car door, staring at me, eyebrows raised. I understood that he needed an explanation.

My hands clenched, and I pursed my lips. I didn’t know how to explain it, but only then, when I faced Ivor, did I realize how unnecessary I was.

I have wronged his request, which I should have done as Ivor’s assistant.

I may face demobilization, even immediate dismissal.

But I don’t regret my actions. If I were chosen again, I would still ask that girl to stay away from Ivor more wisely.

I knew I had been dominated by love for Ivor because I have acknowledged its existence.

My love for Ivor was a drug. To me, it was a lot scarier than any other opium. Because I only know it was potentially addictive after having “enjoyed” it.

And now, I needed more to satisfy myself.

Not only to work with Ivor, to be Ivor’s assistant, but to be loved by him, to be his lover, even to be called Mrs. Mitchell.

“I have little time for you to waste,” Ivor said. “Tell me! What was the reason for what just happened?”

“I…,” I hesitated, not wanting to say why.

Ivor looked at me with frustrated eyes, he stepped into the car.

I hurried after him. I try to save everything, “Sir, I’m sorry, I…”

“I don’t want to hear your cliché apologies. She ended up screwing up and couldn’t even say a convincing reason. I doubt you,” Ivor said. “Lia, you’ve always done everything I asked of you, I’ve trusted you.”

His words dumbfounded me.

So what about now?

I’d like to ask that, but I did not dare. My reason could no longer analyze the reasons for my emotions, because my emotions had completely dominated it.

“I'm sorry,” I said.

That was the only thing I could say to Ivor at the time.Ivor said nothing, looking at me with cold eyes, which was a sign that he was angry and frustrated.“That's all, Lia? What happened to her lately? I don't want to pay you salary for your lack of professionalism," Ivor shouted. 

I lowered my head, not daring to refute. When Ivor calmed down, he said, "Driver, go to Lia's house, then take me to Elie's mansion."