IVAN’S POV
I clenched my fists in anger as I watched the constant ringing of my phone. The shrill, annoying sound definitely succeeded in ruining my mood further. Tired of the sound, I switched off the phone and threw it on the table harshly. Christian came in at that moment. “ We have taken the news down but it has already spread wild. Everyone now thinks you are a cheating bastard. It took a while because of the traffic on the post. All broadcast stations have also been notified not to post anything, well except the one that already posted. “ Christian snickered. A hard glare was what he got in response but it didn't scare him a bit. Anyone else would have pissed in their pants, but not Christian. After all, he was my best friend. “ Who was the journalist that released it? ” I asked, trying to stay rational and ease the bloodlust brewing in me. The realization that all my carefully thought-out plan was ruined overnight did nothing to alleviate the wrath I felt about the situation. “ A pretty lady called Reign Abbot. ” Christian replied, making the most of the situation to piss me off. “ Don't be pissed at her though. It definitely looked like you were kissing someone else from whatever angle she took the picture from. She is a skilled photographer, I must say. ” “ Do you want to die? ” I growled. Christian laughed. “ Come on, this will pass in a while. You just have to give them something new to gossip about. ” I messaged my forehead and sighed. I have not had a single moment of rest since that news broke out in the morning. I had just finished my workout routine and showered when my phone started ringing incessantly and I was hit with the dumbest news ever. I was caught kissing a woman, while engaged to another. It was laughable, really. People must assume I had a lot of time on my mind to entertain not one woman but several. I had more pressing issues to worry about. I had a damn cage to get out of. That damn reporter! I sneered “ Has Melanie said anything? ” Christian asked, taking a seat, since he seemed like he would be here for a while. “ I've not heard from her. ” I shrugged. “ She should be logical enough to know it's not true though. I barely have time for her, where then could I have found the time to go frolic with someone else? ” I said, convincing myself. She would understand. She had to understand. “ Well, she could think you don't have time for her because you are with someone else. ” Christian smirked. I wanted nothing more than to beat it out of his face. “ I am more worried about the stocks right now.” “ Don't worry too much. It's stable at the moment but you have the shareholders meeting in 10 minutes, I think you should worry more about that instead. ” Christian said, scrolling through the tablet in his hand. “ Those old geezers are gonna milk the fuck out of this situation. ” I groaned. “ What about my father? ” “ No word from him yet. ” My eyebrows raised in question. That was really weird and out of character for him. Usually ,he would be screaming my head down, reminding me of how incompetent I was. I already had a lot to worry about so I pushed it to the side. I ran my hand through my dark locks, irritated that everything seemed to be out of my control. I stood up and grabbed my suit from the hanger and my phone. “ Let's go. ” Christian nodded and trudged behind me. The clacks of our shoes rhythmic as we walked down the corridor to the conference room. My hands slipped into my pocket, embracing the nonchalant facade that I was known for. Not even a crack could be seen betraying the turmoil that I felt inside. The conference room was full when I arrived and I almost laughed at how punctual they were. They all stood up when I walked in and it made me feel powerful, gradually easing all the tension in me. That's right. I am Ivan Hamilton. It would not be that easy to bring me down. I sat down and waited for them to settle down as well and start firing unnecessary opinions and they did just that. “ Mr Hamilton, the news about your infidelity has spread everywhere. Public opinion is not on our side right now, ” one of them said. “ I would not blame you for cheating, Mr Hamilton, after all, it is in a man's nature to cheat. The only thing you did wrong here was to get caught. ” Another one added. That caught my attention and my eyes landed on the geezer that had said that. For someone with a gradually balding palate and an overweight build, he sure had a lot of confidence. “ Interesting, ” I smirked, “ you must cheat on your wife a lot then. ” “ I– ” He started. “ Just because you are rotten inside out does not mean the rest of us also disrespect our spouse. ” I snarled, resisting the urge to snatch him up from where he was sitting and pummel him to the ground till his member would never rise for any other woman aside from his wife. “ There is evidence that you are the same, ” he refuted, his face red, either from anger or shame. “ Listen to me. To avoid more stupid opinions like that, I would only say this once. ” I said, making eye contact with as many of them as I could. “ I, Ivan Hamilton, have never cheated on my fiancee, not that day, not today and not ever. ” I held up my hand when some of them opened their mouths to speak. “ I would not be interrupted. ” I warned, glaring darkly at them. I hummed in satisfaction when they glanced at each other in terror. “ This was just a case of bad reporting and I would sort it out, like I always do while you all sit your ass at home, like you always do too. Understood? ” I declared. I stood up and left without waiting to confirm if they did or not. “ Well, that was shorter than expected. ” Christian mumbled. “ Let's go get my fiance. ” I said, heading for the elevator instead of the office. “ Her silence is bothering me. ” That of my father too but I did not say it out loud. “ Any idea where she is? ” “ According to her schedule that you had me get instead of just asking her about her whereabouts like a normal person, she should be at Platinum Palace right now. ” Christian said. I ignored his jab. “ What room number? ” “ Room 1155. ” ********************************************************* I rasped my knuckles three times on the other before returning it to its place in my pocket. I did not have to wait too long as the door opened and the familiar figure of Melanie appeared. She was dressed in a simple sundress that accentuated her small waist. Her feet were bare, making her look really homey. She was a beautiful woman but that was where my appreciation ended. She did not cause stirs in my loins or my heart. I was my usual self with her. Calm and collected. However, I needed her and couldn't let her go and that was why this situation bothered me. It could ruin things for me. “ Hi. ” She greeted me, lightly twirling whatever was in the flute she was holding. “ Can I come in? ” “ Sure, it's not like we can speak at the door anyways. ” she replied, pulling the door open wider for me to step in. “ It is a surprise to see you but then again, it is not considering the rumors flying around. ” Melanie said, as we made our way to the couch. “ I can't even remember the last time I saw you. ” “ Well, yeah. ” I murmured, wondering where to start. I hardly remember us having any conversations, at least deep ones. “ You know the rumors are not true, right? ” She chuckled and took her sweet time drinking before replying. “ I am not sure what to think. It doesn't really matter whether it's true or not. ” “ It's not true. ” She hummed and stood up. “ Do you want a drink? ” I nodded and watched her trudge to the kitchen to get an additional glass. She joined me once again and filled it with champagne before stretching it out to me. I thanked her and accepted the flute. “ Your answers are quite vague. I don't know what to make out of them. ” I took a sip of my drink. “ Well, I am glad you came to find me before I could. You know the circumstances surrounding our engagement so I am not surprised you would do something like this. ” she shrugged. “ I said I did not. ” I growled. She laughed. “ No need to get so defensive. I won't beat around the bush anymore. Let's break our engagement. ” ********************************************************* I pulled the door open and stalked out, not caring about the loud bang it gave as it closed. I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to drive them against the wall and make it collapse like all my expectations. I could feel the walls closing around me once again, trapping me in and making me feel powerless. No. I won't go down that easily. I pulled my phone out of my suit pockets and called Christian. He had stayed downstairs when I came up. “ What's up, man? Did she understand? ” Christian asked. “ I don't care how you do it but book me a room in this hotel and get that damn reporter here. ”REIGN'S POV I groaned as I grabbed the side of my head. It felt like the whole world placed a heavy load on my head. I turned groggily before sitting up, my hazel eyes blinking rapidly to get rid of the fog. My eyes met a chandelier that obviously cost more than anything I'd ever make and I was on a sofa. ImThen, all the memories hit me. I was kidnapped in the parking lot. I gasped and searched my body before sighing in relief when I sensed no sign of assault. Where am I? I thought, feeling fear envelop me. It looked like I was in a fancy hotel room. Whoever kidnapped me should know no one would look for me. “ I thought you were going to sleep forever. " The deepest voice I had ever heard reverberated from across the room or closer, I was too dizzy to pinpoint where exactly. My head snapped up before clashing with grey eyes that looked bored but sinister. I moved back in fear, my back hitting the back of the couch. There was nowhere for me to run. Recognition finally dawned on
REIGN’S POV Fate must be playing a huge joke on me. This must be some sort of attempt at easing the boredom that marked every facet of my monotonous life. If that was it, then this is the right moment for whoever is in charge to cut the damn camera and tell me it was a prank. Fiancee back in 30 days? How the fuck was I supposed to do that? “ What do you mean? ” I choked out. “ I believe my words were clear enough. Why? You don't want to do it? ” he asked, a smirk taking over his features. The more he made me disgruntled, the more satisfied he looked. I was starting to think he was a sadist. “ How am I supposed to do that? ” I resisted the urge to scream. “ If you can't convince her to take you back, then what could I possibly do? This is like an impossible task. ” “ Everything you are worried about right now— ” he paused before continuing, “--is really none of my business. I gave you options. You are free to choose whichever one you think is convenient. ” I wanted to cry so bad
REIGN’S POVI mumbled incoherent words as I snuggled more into the soft pillow I was clutching in my arms. It was the softest I had ever had, a huge contrast to the hard lump of complexity that my life had become. The realization had me pushing the pillow away and sitting up, looking around the beige themed room. I felt the same awe I had felt when I had stepped into it for the first time, when someone, a maid i presume, kindly helped me to my room. Something Ivan was not gentlemanly enough to do.I pushed the duvet away from my laps and stood up before stretching and humming in satisfaction at the ‘pop’ sound I received. I resisted the urge to grimace at the sight of my bed nest hair and the obvious drool on my cheek as I passed the mirror on my way to the bathroom. I did my business in a hurry, eager to get a headstart on the day. I had a job that determines my life or death. Twenty minutes later, I was out of my bedroom, dressed in jeans and a simple T-shirt, and jogged down the s
REIGN'S POVMelanie’s first stop for the day was at a spa, which looked more like a mall to be honest. I parked a few feet away from them and gaped at the building. How was I supposed to enter this place? I watched with a heavy heart as Mel got down from her car, nodded at the valet and disappeared into the building. I immediately got into action, I can't afford to lose her. I got down and walked towards the building but was stopped by a man dressed in a black suit.“ Ma'am, your key. ” He demanded, without any emotion.My key? Oh, the valet.I handed him the key and watched as his eyes widened when he saw the car the key belonged to. I smiled sheepishly when he turned back to look at me. Of course, my beat down car would look like a sore thumb anywhere.Realizing that I had wasted too much time, I jogged into the building, stopping only for a few minutes to admire my surroundings. Wealthy people live in another world entirely. I spotted Mel again talking to someone in the lobby and
REIGN'S POV What should I do? Should I laugh and just run away? No, she would just run after me and catch me easily? Should I say I was a fan? That was more feasible. Or should I just say the truth? That Ivan had me do this? Ivan never told me if I was allowed to do that though.I groaned. What a rollercoaster my life has become!“ I…I was just…you know….” I stammered, looking around the mall like a way out was going to suddenly appear.“ I don't know anything. All I know is a creepy woman has been following me in a beat up car all day. ” Mel said, venom coating her face and her voice. My poor car. I am sorry you are taking the brunt of my actions.“ The thing is…” I started, ready to throw Ivan under the bus to redeem the image of my car.“ Oh, it's you. ” Melanie suddenly exclaimed, startling me. What was going on? Have we met before? “ Do you know me? ” I asked, reluctantly.“ Of course. Aren't you the reporter who posted the first article about Ivan's affair? ” She asked, the i
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 I was stuck in a dilemma. Ivan’s shirt didn't fit. I mean it did, but half of my ass was out. Going out wearing this means giving a free show to Ivan. I sighed and put my short tights back on. I thought I could pull it off without it. I stopped in front of the mirror and twirled my body left and right to see if I looked weird. It actually didn't, I almost looked…..hot. I was surprised Ivan’s shirt actually fit me and was still not snug on my body, I guess all of those muscles took a lot of space. I took a deep breath, trying to ease the nervousness I felt at having to go out like this. I was covered appropriately but I was still showing some skin, like my thighs. It didn't help either that the shirt smelled exactly like him. It almost felt like he was the one wrapped around me instead. I wish I had something else to wear.“Beggars can't be choosers, Reign.” I mumbled to myself. A knock on the door startled me and it opened before I could even form a thought. My eyes wide
REIGN’S POV No way. There was no way in hell. Ivan and I glanced at each other in disbelief. I was just joking. It was just fun remembering all the books I have read. The fact that it was happening as I said it was really creepy. Or maybe the receptionist was mistaken.I laughed. “Come on, that was funny. Are you trying to go along with my joke?”The receptionist shook her head. “I am serious, ma'am. All of our rooms are really booked except one.”Ivan glared accusingly at me. “You jinxed it.”I spluttered. “I had no idea. I was just saying. How could I have known things like this really happen?”“Throw your books in the damn river, lady.” Ivan scoffed and gently massaged his forehead. I scowled. “Leave my books out of this. What do we do now?”“We're taking it, do we have a choice?” Ivan rolled his eyes and nodded at the receptionist in confirmation.“What? How can we sleep in the same room together?” I gasped. “I would never do that.”“It's a suite, Reign.” Ivan said in a duh tone
IVAN’S POVI was pissed, fuming, infuriated, annoyed and every other word synonymous to angry. First it was that thing that referred to herself as the better Anderson sister when she can't even hold a flame to a strand of Melanie's hair, yapping her mouth and irritating me.Then it was that overly happy Henry who can't take a hint, talking to Reign when it was obvious we had somewhere to be. That was why I was upset. I wanted to go home already but they had me stand there for minutes while they talked about useless things. He wanted to get to know her better? Doesn't he have any pending work that needs his attention? At least Reign knew better than to take him up on his offer.And what? We were just acquaintances? We were more than that. We were housemates, we were business partners, if we consider the fact that we signed a contract together, regardless of the content. How dare she reduce us to mere acquaintances?Reign sneezed beside me. “Damn, who is cursing me in their head?”I res
REIGN'S POV Ivan didn't stop, despite how much I called for him until we got to where the valet parked his car. He was really pissed this time. I was jogging while he was just walking but I still didn't manage to catch up to him. “Hey, it's not nice letting me run after you in heels.” I scowled. I sighed and bit my lips, wondering how to apologize to him. “Look, I'm so sorry this turned out to be such a disaster but I promise you if we go back in there, I'm going to sit right beside you so you can have peace for the rest of the dinner.”“No. Get in the car, let's go home.” He said, opening his car. I pushed it close and rested on it, unintentionally getting in his space. Unlike what I expected, Ivan didn't move an inch, not caring that we were almost pressed together. “Come on, let's give it another try. It would be rude to leave just like that.”“Like I give a fuck. And don't lecture me on rudeness when you've been letting that thing get away with the words she was throwing at you
REIGN'S POV I gasped as I saw the floor getting closer, however I was able to grab a hold of the door handle before my face met the ground, thanks to quick reflexes. I took a deep breath before whipping my head back to see who had pushed me. My face cracked in disbelief when I saw Matilda hugging Ivan like her life depended on it. Ivan looked frozen like he was still processing what was going on.Was she serious? Was she not aware of the kind of person Ivan was? Why did she have to push me away so violently? I was not even standing that close to him.As expected, when Ivan finally realized what was going on, he pushed her away, so hard that she staggered back and fell on her butt.I gasped and gripped the door knob tighter. Everything was going wrong right from the very beginning and shel was to blame for all of these. Who goes to hug a stranger like they were best friends?I glared at Ivan as he moved closer to me and whispered to him. “What the hell are you doing? You're ruining ev
REIGN'S POV I peeked inside the kitchen and sighed in relief when I saw Ivan sitting at the counter and working. I took a deep breath and said a short prayer. “I can do this. I can do this.” I chanted like a mantra. I adjusted my dress and finally walked into the kitchen, trying to look nonchalant like I didn't come here for him. I leaned against the counter and tapped my fingers against it while looking at Ivan through side eyes to see if he noticed me. I deflated when he didn't even look up. What do I do to grab his attention?I took the seat directly opposite him and placed my forearms on the table. I plastered a smile on my face and focused all my attention on him. The last time I was in this position was when I was interviewing for a job at Everlight publications. The situations were not much different from each other. I was willing to do anything to please my interviewer, just to get what I wanted and right now I was about to do the same with Ivan.“Care to explain why you're
REIGN’S POV I hummed happily as I waited in front of Mel's door. The week had gone by rather slowly and I was glad I was finally done with it. It was crazy I had to face that every month. I had missed Mel immensely and we had chatted often but it was nothing like seeing each other in person.I knocked again when I didn't hear a response. I started getting jittery. What if Mel was not home? I didn't tell her I was coming so it would be a surprise but it looked like I came in vain instead. I sighed and turned around to leave when I heard the door crack open. I turned back with a smile on my face but it slipped when I noticed the state of Mel who was standing by the door. Her eyes were red rimmed and her mascara was smudged down her cheeks. “Mel, what's going on?” I asked, quietly and moved closer to her. As if she had been waiting for someone to ask, Mel sagged in my arms and burst into tears. I sighed and held her in my arms, patting her back gently. I led her into the house without
MELANIE’S POV I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel anxiously as I waited for the black sedan that Christian drove to come within sight. It was crazy what he had reduced me to.A scorned woman stalking the man that does not want her.I wanted to give up, I wanted to let him go but I was unable to. I spent every waking moment thinking about him, wishing things were different than what it was. If this was what love was all about, then I was not sure I liked it very much. I hated that my mood now depended on someone else.If I had these feelings for Ivan, my life would be easier.I gasped when his car finally appeared and ducked. I only realized my silliness when I remembered my car had tinted glasses. “ Right, he can't see me. "I murmured. I pulled my sunglasses from the compartment and put them on. I waited for Christian to enter his apartment complex before alighting and jogging after him.“ Miss. ” A woman I had not noticed called out when I dashed after Christian who was about
IVAN’S POVI tapped my pen on the table lightly while Henry's assistant explained the structure of the building we were collaborating on. It was supposed to be a refuge for abused women and children. Totally nonprofit at all. I was surprised Henry was willing to do this with me. He didn't seem like the type to do things like this but I knew better than to judge people by their appearance.“ I would like it if we tone down the exuberance a bit. ” I inputted, leaning forward. “ It's supposed to be a place where they can recuperate and face life head on once again. I don't see anyone being comfortable enough to do that here, honestly. ”Henry tapped his jaw in thought. “ I think I see what you mean. I'd have team work on something new. ”“ Please contact my design team as well for any assistance that you need. ” I offered.“ Of course. ” Henry grinned. The meeting was over and he was back to his happy go lucky self. It almost hurts to see all that smiling. What was he so happy about? I