IVAN’S POVI enjoyed the startled look on her face. Far too much than I would like to admit. That was what she gets for keeping me waiting. Nothing no one has ever done or can afford to do. Yet this woman, with lips that were too pink for her own good and was currently staring at me with fear in her eyes, dared to do so. It was rather unsettling.“ Pretending to be a statue won't make me forget your actions. ” I said, when she still didn't move after all.“ Really? It was worth a try though. ” She sassed before walking towards the seat next to mine and sitting down.She smelt of vanilla and coconuts. While I noticed it was beyond me but as she passed by me, I unconsciously inhaled her scent and let it fill me.What the hell was I doing?“ I was late because your dare fiancée kept me busy. ” She muttered, almost in an accusatory tone. “ She's pretty persuasive. ”“ Those shopping bags–” I started.“....are her handworks. ” Reign completed for me. “ She just wouldn't stop and before I k
REIGN'S POV I hummed as I successfully got the board and myself through the front door. I locked eyes with Ivan as I shrugged off my coat. I swear this man appears and disappears. He was nowhere to be found when I had left home earlier.Home? Did I just refer to this prison as a home? I must be hungry, very hungry.“ Where are you coming from? ” Ivan demanded, glancing down at whatever he was doing. I realized he was working on his laptop when I moved closer and there was a plus….he was wearing glasses! It was crazy how attractive Ivan looked and it was crazier how attracted I was to him despite how rude and mean he was to me. My taste in men was questionable. Ivan looked up again when I took so long in replying. I cleared my throat and looked away before he realized that I had been staring. I would hate for a repeat of what happened in the kitchen yesterday.“ Does living here mean my movements are monitored too? ” I scowled, resting half of my weight on the board.“ Well you are n
Chapter 11REIGN'S POV Satisfied with what I have come up with, I placed the board in the corner of my room so I don't collide with it and so it is the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning. It would make me get up fast and get me started on my day.To completely get started on my plan, I needed to learn everything I can from Ivan about Melanie. Even if they were not close, I am sure he would know a few important pieces of information about her. It would also be an opportunity for me to test just how on the surface their relationship was. If he could give me substantial information, then there was hope but if I got nothing, then my work was really cut out for me.I grabbed my phone from the bed and trudged out of the room. I whistled happily as I walked down the stairs, excited that everything was going according to plan. Hopefully Ivan was still in the kitchen. I would hate to have to go to his room. I was not even sure which of the rooms belonged to him. We have never bum
REIGN'S POV The address Mel gave me was a cozy looking cafe. Just looking at it alone made me feel good. There was almost a skip in my steps as I entered the cafe. The chime of the bell signalling my entrance. The cafe was not too big so spotting Mel was not an issue.As usual, she was dressed impeccably. I wondered how she managed to look good and still not go over the top. I plastered a smile on my face and walked towards her. The click of my heels had her looking up. My chest warmed as her lips widened into a smile when she spotted me.No one had ever been that excited to see me.“ Hi. ” I said shyly, and took the seat opposite her. I was nervous, way more nervous than I had been in front of my first crush. She unnerved me in a way.“ Hello. ” She replied enthusiastically, almost shooting out of her seat. She grabbed her head at the extreme movement, massaging her scalp gently.“ Are you okay? ” I asked, wondering what was going on.“ Yeah, I'm good. I just had a really crazy nigh
IVAN'S POV I wiped the towel down my face as I shut the gym door and made my way back to the sitting room. I wondered if Reign was in the kitchen whipping up something. I almost could not see the kitchen without her in it anymore.I placed the towel on my shoulder ready to go to the kitchen to see Reign when the woman in question suddenly appeared in front of me, startling me. Thankfully, I didn't have a reaction too big. I had already embarrassed myself enough with what happened yesterday.“ Are you cosplaying a ghost today too? ” My eyebrows raised in question.“ Pull off your shirt. ”“ What? ”“ Pull off your shirt, ” She repeated.She was serious? Was she okay? “ Don't you think I need some sort of explanation as to why I need to pull off my shirt? ” I folded my arms.“ I need to confirm something. ” She replied, folding her arms as well.Wrong move.I can't believe I let my guard down yesterday and got caught ogling her boobs. She was doing the same thing again. Raising them u
REIGN'S POV The life of a jobless broke woman was really monotonous. My routine now consisted of waking up, eating, and seeing Mel. I wondered how I was going to live after this whole thing was over. It was more than glaring that I had lost my job at Everlight publications. The thought of Bethany getting the position I had worked hard for made my stomach clench in sadness and something else akin to anger.“ Are you okay? ”“ Uh, what? ” I said, remembering my surroundings. I was in a mall with Mel. She had suddenly invited me out for breakfast that morning. She was exactly the person I wanted to see so I didn't waste time in going to see her after that weird moment with Ivan.“ Is everything fine? You have been staring at your cup for over five minutes. ” Mel said, twirling her latte with a straw.“ Yeah, everything is fine. I just feel a bit nostalgic. “ I smiled.“ Oh, I understand that feeling. Missing moments that are long gone and wishing they would happen again. I know it all t
REIGN'S POV I woke up the next day with a heavy heart and a heavy body, everything seemed to hurt and it took all my willpower to get me out of bed. I finally stood up and stretched, enjoying the cracks that ran through me. With my eyes still half closed, I trudged to the bathroom realizing how monotonous my life has gotten.My life was not particularly interesting before but there was always a twinge of surprise or something exciting attached to my day which I had to cover. It was a huge contrast to how it is now.I sighed as I put the paste on my toothbrush, raising my head to look at the mirror. I gasped and the toothbrush fell from my hand and landed in the sink, the paste smearing it.My neck was bruised and purple. My hand went to it and I flinched at the tender skin. It hurts. I glanced at my arms as well, seeing similar bruises. Just how hard did he hold me?I exhaled, wondering how I was going to face him. If he had any conscience at all, he would not show his face to me aga
Chapter 16IVAN'S POV I did not want to be in this godforsaken place. Anywhere else would be preferable. Maybe the office or the kitchen of my home….with Reign in it. I sighed, remembering how cold she was to me this morning. I deserved it after all. I shoved my hands in my pants trousers and snatched up a flute of champagne from a passing waitress. I downed it one go before giving up and moving to the bar. I wanted to get drunk and forget everything and everybody.My father Melanie Reign.The hurt from my father's words had faded and in its place was the need to do better. To release myself from the shackles that were holding me down. What then was the reason for my bad mood? I was irritated and pissed off.Maybe it has something to do with a redhead who has green eyes, a voice in my head said, startling me. That had never happened to me before. I glanced at the empty flute in my hand and sighed.I sat down at the bar and nodded at the bartender who immediately put another glass
REIGN'S POV I was out of the house as soon as the doctor checked on me. Just as I thought, it was not serious and there was no need for a doctor. The doctor who introduced himself as Charles, just checked my temperature then prescribed some drugs. Mel had invited me to her home and no sickness in the world would have made me miss it. All of our meetings had always been outside so I was really excited. It was everything I never got to experience as a kid, I was experiencing them now. Having a friend, visiting each other's house, sleepovers and so on were like a myth to me.Mel's family house was a freaking mansion. I did not have any words to describe it. My mouth dropped open as I stood in front of the huge door that would lead me inside.Was I even worthy of stepping into this epitome of opulence? What if I accidentally touched something I was not supposed to touch?“ Reign! You're here. ” Mel exclaimed as she stepped out of the door.“ Yes. ” I replied awkwardly, clutching the cro
IVAN’S POV I sighed as I stared at the array of files on my desk. That's what I get for working from home frequently. I slipped my glasses on and immediately got sucked in my workspace. My mind was usually clear when I was working but this time, a certain redhead invaded my thoughts. I leaned back and sighed, remembering her extreme reaction to getting carried yesterday.I could not make sense of what happened exactly.Did I carry her roughly? No, I was sure I was gentle. Then what was the problem? I was extremely tempted to put her down when she started crying but she was too ill to walk by herself. When she suddenly swayed and I caught her, I panicked. It almost felt like she was dying. She looked pale and tired. I wondered why I did not notice her sickly appearance.Christian pushed the door open and stepped in, jolting me back to the present. I pulled off my glasses and leaned back in my seat.“ Here is the document for the land project with Davidson Corporation. ” Christian sa
REIGN'S POV I had no idea when it started. Was it when I was 12 and was sick and a male teacher carried me and dropped me immediately with the excuse that I was too heavy? Or was it when the boy I was crushing on tried to lift me and could not even lift my arm, the embarrassment causing me to never show my face to him again? There were too much cases to remember so I had no idea which one exactly made me scared and terrified. Scared of being carried. The thought of being in the air and in my someone's arms made my head faint.Was it a phobia or just fear that was deeply rooted in me? You're too big to be carried.You're too big to be carried. Your weight can crush whoever is carrying you. Your nickname is matter, isn't it?It has always been what I heard and what I believed in solely. I would never let anyone lift me in their arms. Not even if I had it in control. I'd rather spare myself and the person the hassle“ No no, please. Put me down. ” I cried. I was too scared, too panicke
REIGN'S POV A gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it. My hand came up to muffle it but it was too late. Ivan already noticed my outburst. He turned back to look at me, his eyes clouding in realization. I had seen the scars on his back and they were not just any kind. They were whip marks, cigarette burns and others that I could place where he got them from. Just as I imagined several times, he had tattoos on his back but they were not enough to cover the gruesomeness on his back.Who did that to him?Ivan’s whole demeanor was clouded in regret and I knew if he could wipe my memory, he would.Realizing my continuous presence was a time ticking bomb, I turned back to the door, in a hurry to leave his sight. He had not said anything but I knew venom was just at the tip of his tongue and I'd rather spare myself from any verbal abuse.“ Halt.” Ivan said, or rather commanded and I found myself stopping like a soldier listening to his superior’s instructions. “ Are you satisfied? ”
IVAN’S POV I sighed in bliss as I snuggled into my mum's embrace. I knew mum was still going to be there when I woke up. Mum would never leave me. She was just joking when she said she was going on a journey.Mum's embrace was as warm and loving as always. I mumbled as I wrapped my hands tighter around her. It was weird though. Mum was frail the last time I had seen her but now, Mum was fuller and bigger. Mum was healthy—My eyes shot wide open, the sunlight from the window, a startling brightness. I closed my eyes again, before opening them slowly, adjusting to the unwanted brightness.I sighed as I remembered the content of my dream. Could it even be called a dream when they are my memories? Something I had to live through.I placed my right arm over my eyes, the brightness annoying me. For some reason, I could not move my other arm. I glanced to my left and my soul almost left my body when I saw Reign's beautiful face.I would just ignore the adjective I unconsciously used to desc
IVAN’S POVTwenty five years ago.I laughed as I ran after the ball, excitement making my pace faster. I grinned when I was finally able to catch it. I turned back and waved at my mum. Her smile had me running back to her with my prize tucked under my arm.“ Mum, again. ” I grinned, wanting to continue the game of throw and catch where she would throw the ball while I run after it to catch it.“ Aren't you tired? ” She asked, caressing my sweat-dampened hair. Lately, mum looked more and more frail and I asked what was wrong with her but she just smiled and told me not to worry but I worry. I shook my head. “ No, it's the first time you have played with me in a while. ”“ But your dad will soon be back. You know he won't like to see you doing something so childish. ”The smile on my face disappeared at the mention of my father. I hated him. He was too strict and liked shouting at mum. He always told me to be a man and avoid childish things but I do not understand. I was a child, there
REIGN'S POV I jumped, dropping my book as I heard the door shut tightly downstairs. It was startling hearing such a loud noise in a house that was usually quiet. I sat up when I heard feet stomping and groaning. Ivan must be back from the banquet.It was really weird though. It was hard to tell whether Ivan was around or not because he never made noises going out or coming in. However, he was alerting everybody within a five-mile radius that he was back. I wondered if he was drunk again. I do not want to be in the presence of drunk Ivan ever again. He was brutal, unfeeling and had no bottom line.I plopped down on my head, ignoring all the ruckus he was making. I had no idea if it was on purpose or if he was too out of it to caution himself but I wanted no interaction with him. I picked up the book I was reading and drowned out all other noises. The book I was reading had the enemies to lovers trope and so far, it was really interesting. The male lead was just as mean as Ivan but th
MELANIE’S POVHe was really standing in front of me. The man I must have thought about a million times. The one I wished to meet again more times than I could count. My wish finally came true but I had no idea how to act. How was I supposed to act in front of my ex fiancé’s personal assistant and closest friend who I had slept with? The strings of relationships had my head hurting.“ Have you never seen her before? Why do you look so startled? ” Ivan asked, reminding me of where I was but I could not look away from him. I did not want to look away.Ivan called out my name and said something but I was too focused on the man in front of me to care. I was being too obvious, I was sure but I couldn't help myself. I watched as he argued with Ivan about taking him home while I silently prayed that he stayed.I wanted to see him longer, talk to him longer. Maybe I had finally found the one, and to think he had been beside Ivan all along. How could I have never noticed?Finally Ivan left, lea
Chapter 16IVAN'S POV I did not want to be in this godforsaken place. Anywhere else would be preferable. Maybe the office or the kitchen of my home….with Reign in it. I sighed, remembering how cold she was to me this morning. I deserved it after all. I shoved my hands in my pants trousers and snatched up a flute of champagne from a passing waitress. I downed it one go before giving up and moving to the bar. I wanted to get drunk and forget everything and everybody.My father Melanie Reign.The hurt from my father's words had faded and in its place was the need to do better. To release myself from the shackles that were holding me down. What then was the reason for my bad mood? I was irritated and pissed off.Maybe it has something to do with a redhead who has green eyes, a voice in my head said, startling me. That had never happened to me before. I glanced at the empty flute in my hand and sighed.I sat down at the bar and nodded at the bartender who immediately put another glass