She walked inside not hesitating for a moment, she didn't care about what might have happened. She decided to embrace life's taunts, get it over with, move on, or live on with her misery. She went straight to the bar and bought drinks with all the money she had left. The bartender just looked at her as she moved on from one bottle to another without slowing down.
"Hey, slow down." The bartender was worried she might choke on her drink.She ignored him and carried on, finding solace in alcohol, drinking away her sorrow. She was intoxicated with alcohol that she didn't notice she drank all four bottles. She lifted the last bottle and placed it upside down, and nothing came out. She groaned and faced the bartender."More... drinks... I need more drinks.""I'm sorry, you're too drunk to have more." Not that he wasn't allowed to sell more, he was just concerned for the pretty lady."GIVE ME! I said GIVE ME!" she was running mad."GIVE! Give... give me..." She rested her head, the shout from before took a lot of her energy. Others turned to look at the drunk Ivy playing with the bartender's tie, twisting and squeezing it as if she found a new toy."Hey, do your job and leave the pretty ladies to customers, got that." A man with a big belly snatched Ivy away, giving the bartender a dead stare.He dragged Ivy all the way to the dance floor. "Dance baby, have some fun."The drunk Ivy did a silly dance, lifting her legs and showing off her beautiful thigh. The man licked his lips, wondering how tasty she would be. He held her waist while striking her butt as he watched them bounce and it rhymed with his protruding hard members.He kissed her neck while stroking her thigh. Ivy tried pushing him away but she was too weak to make him flinch."LEAVE ME!" Her scream caught the attention of another man who was close by. He pushed the man away and brought Ivy closer to himself."Leave her or I'll crush you." He threatened.The big belly man turned around and went his way; the other guy's body frame really matched his word. Indeed, he could crush him. He was far bigger and more muscular than him with well-refined muscles."Hey beautiful, are you alright?" Ivy nodded too drunk to speak."Come here, you are going to pay me for what I did, um. Come here, let me see how well those breasts bounce." He squeezed her breast and she moaned, trying to loosen his grip on her peaches."Ah.""Shh... enjoy the pleasure, huh.""Take your hands off me." She bit his hands, and he gripped her neck, holding her in place.He dragged her upstairs; she was in big trouble tonight, those were areas to satisfy their needs. He happened to be one of the VIPs. Ivy struggled all the way to the room. With no progress of getting him to let go, he threw her on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt, ready for the onslaught.Ivy was too exhausted to get up, she relaxed on the bed as she watched him take off his pants. He pressed his body on hers and started taking off her clothes, and she was too weak to do anything. He was about to press his lips on her lips when someone gripped his neck so tight that he gasped for air. Ivy saw everything before she blacked out.******She yawned and grabbed the glass of water beside the bedside table. She was very thirsty as she gulped everything in one go."Haaaaah." She touched her head and massaged it; they were hurting like hell. She fully opened her eyes, then she realized her surroundings, then she gasped."Holy sh*t, where am I?" She looked around but didn't recognize the room. She was in someone else's bedroom, the room exquisite and well-furnished, which begs the question, how did she get in here? She looked for her purse but didn't find it, slowly memories came flooding in. The pain she endured and how she got drunk using up all her money, then how a man snatched her away from the bartender, took her to the dance floor taking advantage of her, then how another man came to rescue her with ill intentions, not really saving her but also snatching her to have his way with her.She almost got raped, she covered her face berating her carelessness. She scratched her head as another memory came in. He was already in the process before something else happened. She got up from the bed as she tried to remember the details. Someone stopped him before he could continue, but who? Why? Did he also take advantage of her? Those were the thoughts lingering in her mind.Walking around, she admired the room. The color, style, everything was truly amazing; she felt like she had walked right into a fantasy. She saw a door leading outside the room; she really wanted to find out how the other interior and exterior was like. She descended down the staircase while scanning the place to find out who lives in the villa but couldn't find a single soul.Her mouth formed a 'woah' when she saw the living room."Where am I?" She was really amazed. She got to the dining room, and what she saw made her realize she was starving. Her stomach growled loudly as she saw different dishes arranged on the dining table.She took a seat and ate to her heart's content, she didn't care if she was in a stranger's home eating without permission; she just wanted to satisfy her hunger.After consuming the meal, she remained seated to relax and think of her next course of action. While she was still lost in her thoughts, unknowingly to her, someone appeared behind, scrutinizing her closely."Excuse me."Ivy jumped out of her seat in shock, clutching her chest; her heart pounded in her chest."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." The middle-aged woman apologized."Who are you?" Ivy asked."Well, that's the same question I was about to ask you." She replied, still observing her. "You look familiar.""She is a guest, and she will be leaving soon." Someone's voice interrupted them.Ivy saw who it was, and his face wasn't ringing any bells."Are you the one who brought me here?""No, the boss did." The man replied, he wore a formal attire, and he was 5'7 feet tall with wide eyes."Who's 'the boss'? And he wants me to leave now?" Ivy had no home, where was she going to stay?"It's his orders; when you've had enough rest, you should leave," he replied, preparing to walk away."Wait, can I speak to him?" Ivy asked, and the man replied with a 'no'."Please," she insisted.The man sighed, "he will be back in the evening, if he is free.""Okay, I'll wait." She wasn't going to leave a comfort zone to go where? The street? So the betrayers could rejoice in her misery."Now I know you, you were once famous," the maid finally remembered how she knew her.Ivy waited the whole day, but the boss didn't return. The long day was boring as she was told to only roam around the living area and her room. She accepted the hospitality, as it was a lot better than roaming the streets with no place to stay.She was about to sleep when the butler knocked on the door. "Miss, could you please come outside.""Sure," Ivy replied as she came out of the room."Well um…," he hesitated before letting it loose. "He said you should leave before he comes back.""But I want to thank him," she explained."I'm sorry, miss, you have to go," he ushered her out of the room."Please let me stay, I have nowhere to go, please," she pleaded."Miss, let me show you to the door," the butler insisted."Let me spend the night; in the morning, I'll leave. Please," she rubbed her hands together, pleading."You have to understand, I don't own this place; I am only following orders," he said apologetically."Plead with him," Ivy still insisted on staying."Miss, please this wa
Zack looked at her in disbelief, no woman would dare say that to him for as much as they wanted to. But this one woman standing in front of him showed no hesitation. Her gaze was completely fixed on him, she even smiled. He sat down on his bed and took a good look at her before replying."You said what?""Let's get married," she repeated, and this time she made it clear she was serious."You want to marry a stranger, how desperate are you?" He said, giving her a profound look. His cold stare didn't faze her as she kept a serious face eager for a positive response, in hope he agrees to her proposition. Her attitude was frightening for her demeanor, and Zack took his time to consider her initial request and her current proposition, which he never expected her to come up with. She seemed hopeless, as she has been pleading with him to let her stay, and he refused before she took his earlier conversation she overheard to her advantage. After all, no one forced him to help her in the first
A wedding suite was reserved personally for her, Zack managed to arrange all of that within a day, he was being considerate even though she would be all by herself. Tossing her phone on the exquisite bed and taking off her high heels, she intended to get a nice siesta before her phone rang. After she saw the caller's ID, she frowned and tossed it back to the bed, there was no way she was picking the call. The caller was persistent, as her phone kept ringing, she was tempted to smash her phone to make sure she never saw the caller's name, but as much as she wanted to, she refrained. There were better things to do than that, no matter how she tried to run away from her past, it will keep haunting her unless she takes action to deal with it so it never bothers her again. Her eyes caught a glimpse of something at the corner of the bed, very close to her phone. She didn't notice this before as she was too eager to rest. A black card was placed on the nightstand and she had an idea who it
The shop assistant made her decision to sell the dress to Kate. She took her card to proceed with the sale but Ivy's next reaction stunned Kate. Opening her mouth wide to spit out words of insult, but nothing came out. In fact, she was trapped in a stupor looking at the deed performed by Ivy. She flung her card to the side without hesitation and placed hers on the counter, smiling at the shop assistant who was staring at her incredulously. If she was really who Kate said she was, then her attitude was frightening for her demeanor."What... what's... the meaning of this? You..." Having recovered from the initial shock, she struggled to get her words straight.Ivy was pleased with the expression on her face. It was flushed red from anger, twitching her nose. "You are annoyed? Why are you annoyed when you started it..." Ivy smirked and turned to face the shop assistant."Let me make myself clear, I... will... be... paying... for this... dress. Understood." She emphasized her words, looki
To make Kate bankrupt was Ivy's plan all along. Kate was not wealthy in any way; she thought too highly of herself, so Ivy decided to teach her a lesson.Kate being the best friend of her sister, Ivy knew she couldn't afford to pay a dress worth $2 million without going bankrupt. Especially now that no 'Mr. Rich' was backing her. Back when they were all still in college, she dated rich guys and exchanged her body for money to survive through college. Her mother was a stripper who never spent a penny on her feeding, let alone education. Kate just had her ways of making provisions for herself. After she broke up with a rich heir a month ago, she had been single and hadn't met anyone who was up to her standard. She knew because she usually followed her on social media; if she changes her profile picture from a guy to her own photo, it is understood that they might have broken up. Just to show how arrogant she was, she foolishly squandered money with no plans for the future. She was proba
Ivy arrived at the same apartment that brought so many memories. She didn't come to cherish them or dwell in the past; she was only there to end it and move on totally."I did what you asked, ma'am.""Good, let's go then," Ivy responded, averting her eyes away from the apartment she and Dave lived. She got rid of the only thing that reminds her of his fake promises, fake affection, those bullshits about inconvenient exposure of their relationship because of her career, sacrificing what she worked hard for to please him.She vividly remembered his exact words when he proposed to her. It was her twenty-third birthday; he didn't arrange for a big party, it was just an indoor celebration. All she cared for was to be with him, in his arms. He gifted her the ring as a reminder of his love. He said 'he will love her forever, grow old together.' What a joke. She was still in her twenties so where is he now? He said those words so many times that it became a poem in her ears; that was the main
The video of her crying on the road has gone viral. That fateful day, she was too driven by distress to the point that she didn't care how she appeared in public. She was too in pain to care about her actions. The vivid location where she was found was precise. Judging by the angle it was taken, her tears and pain were exposed to the public in a matter of a few days. Most of the comments were sympathetic towards her, while others were derisive. She was back in the entertainment news. "Poor thing, what happened to her?" "Was it a heartbreak? I don't remember any news about her having any relationships." "She is so pathetic, it seems like life hasn't been good to her since she left the industry." "So miserable, I'm sure it's a heartbreak..." "Maybe she lost someone..." "How could she cry like that on the road?" "It's clearly her, it's been a long time since we heard from her. I wonder what she's into now..." Tired of all the comments, she put her phone away. She was sure that i
Ivy decided to meet up with Irene at the restaurant. She instructed her driver to drop her a good distance away from the restaurant to avoid giving away too much information that would be saved for later, but right now, she needed to make Irene believe in her own assumptions.Irene really thought Ivy would be nothing without Dave......Ivy saw her seated at a table for two with a waitress by her side. "Over here....." Irene waved."What is it? Why do you want to see me?" Ivy said as she sat down, gazing at her facial expression."You know, in your present situation, you should learn to speak a little nicer. You never know who might help you..." Irene curled up with a sneer.Ivy didn't respond to her disdain, nor showed her any emotions that she wanted to see."I would like to have the same food she ordered." Ivy told the waitress who was standing beside Irene. The profound look given to Ivy from the waitress made Irene chuckle. "Do as she says." The waitress bowed before leaving to br
Susan's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly nodded and signaled to the host that Ivy was ready to continue. Ivy took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress and pasting a bright smile on her face. She was determined to get through this, no matter what.As she walked back onto the stage, the audience applauded again, and Ivy waved, her smile never wavering. The host greeted her warmly and introduced the next segment of the show. Meanwhile, Ivy's eyes scanned the audience, her gaze locking onto her father and aunt, who were still sitting in the front row.Instantly, Ivy's anger and resentment simmered again, but she took a deep breath, determined to keep her cool. She was going to get through this, and she was going to make sure that her father and aunt didn't ruin it for her. They really had guts showing up here; whatever the reason, it didn't seem good.With a newfound sense of determination, Ivy refocused on the show, answering the host's questions with poise and confidence. She
Two days flew by in a whirlwind of preparations for the talk show. Ivy's days were filled with rehearsals, interviews, and wardrobe fittings. Susan was a constant presence, guiding Ivy through the process. Zack, on the other hand, kept a low profile, but Ivy could sense his eyes on her, watching her every move. It was as though he was scrutinizingly waiting for any mishap.As the day of the talk show approached, Ivy's nerves began to fray. She had always been comfortable in the spotlight, but this time felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that facing an audience was a terrible idea. It wasn't supposed to be the case, but with everything that had happened lately, she needed time to heal. The nightmare and recollection had been haunting her; it worsened, and it was taking a toll on her appearance.Her eyes were always moist from crying late in the night despite her resolve not to shed tears. She couldn't brush off the pain, grief, and guilt that was eating her up.With thought
Zack shot out of bed and made his way to the door. Meanwhile, as Ivy watched him go, she felt a sense of trepidation. Who could be visiting her now?As Zack opened the door, he spoke in a low tone to Xavier. Ivy couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but she could tell that Zack was not happy.After a moment, Zack turned and walked back into the room, his expression grim as he locked eyes with Ivy."It's your manager."*****Meanwhile, Susan had already made herself at home in the living room, sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of water that Xavier had offered her.As Zack entered the room, Susan stood up, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Zack," she said, extending a manicured hand. "It's so good to see you."Zack's expression remained grim, and he ignored Susan's outstretched hand. "What are you doing here, Susan?" he asked bluntly.Susan's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I came to see Ivy, of course," she said matter-of-factly. "I've been tr
Zack and Ivy exchanged glances, wondering who it could be. But then Ivy began to have a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I can take a rough guess," she said, slumping back on the bed and mouthing, "Judy." Zack's expression hardened, and he quickly got up from the bed and strode out of the room. "Let her in," he instructed Xavier, and Xavier nodded and hastened down the stairs. Zack followed suit. Judy was allowed in shortly meanwhile Zack had already taken a seat in the living room, his expression twisted in annoyance as he locked eyes with her. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice flat, as if bored by her presence. Judy's eyes were soft and gentle, scanning the whole room, expecting to see Ivy, but there was no sign of her. "Where is she?" Judy asked, her voice slightly trembling, her eyes scanning the room again as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Ivy. Zack's expression remained impassive, his arms crossed over his chest. "She's not available to see you right now,"
Zack's arms wrapped tightly around Ivy, holding her close as she sobbed uncontrollably. He knew a storm was raging within her. He had somewhat expected she would feel broken, but this—it was way more than he had anticipated. She wasn't just broken; she was shattered. The pain and anguish that ravaged her face was evident.Zack held her close, trying to absorb some of the pain that seemed to be tearing her apart. The truth behind her emotions seemed to be consuming her.Ivy's sobs slowly began to subside, and she pulled back from Zack, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked up at him, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent understanding."Ivy," Zack whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry about your mom. Irene told me everything."Ivy's eyes searched Zack's face for a moment before she wiped her tears. "She did?"Zack nodded and took her hands in his, his eyes locked on hers. "Whatever happened was devastating, and I'm extremely worried about you." He hesitated
Ivy tossed and turned relentlessly in her bed, her eyes fluttering open to a scene that felt all too real. She was standing in her living room, but it wasn't the warm and cozy space she knew. It was cold and tense, with police officers looming over her dad."Mr. Steve, I'm afraid with the evidence we found, we need to take you in for questioning," one of the officers said, his voice firm but polite.Steve's face was pale with shock, his eyes wide with fear. "What evidence?" he demanded, his voice trembling.The officer hesitated, his expression unreadable. "We can't disclose that right now. But we do have enough to arrest you on suspicion of murder."Steve repeated, his voice shaking, "Murder? No... I didn't kill anyone."The officer's expression remained stern. "Steve, please turn around and put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest."Ivy watched in horror as the officers handcuffed her dad and led him away. She tried to scream, but her voice was frozen in her throat.She
Irene stepped into her house, closing the door behind her as if trying to shut out the world. She stood still for a moment, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings as if seeing them for the first time.Everything around felt hollow. If she knew recollection of the past would cause her this emptiness, she wouldn't have done it. Now she felt like she had traveled back to the past experiences she wanted to shut out for so long."Hey, why are you back so late? It's midnight," Dave sprang up from the couch, but then he noticed the distant look in Irene's eyes. "Irene?"Irene didn't respond. She just walked past him, her feet carrying her on autopilot to the bedroom. Dave's eyes followed her, concern etched on his face."Irene, what's wrong?" he asked, getting up from the couch to follow her.Irene stopped in front of the bedroom door, her hand on the doorknob. She turned to face Dave, her eyes empty and haunted."Nothing," she said flatly, "just tired."With that, she slammed the door
Fifteen-year-old Ivy's feet wobbled, drained from all the running, as she pushed through the door of her home. She panted heavily, catching her breath and meeting the stunned silence in the house.It was odd; she had expected to see her mother standing in the doorway, ready to scold her for running off like that, or perhaps to be welcomed by her sister's taunts, but there was nothing.She raised her head only to find the living room empty."Mum? Irene?" she called, scanning the room, but then someone else emerged—someone she didn't expect to see."Dad? Dad!" She kicked off her shoes and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "I've been looking for you, Dad. Where were you?"Steve pulled away, his expression somber. "I, um..." he began, his gaze on Ivy's face faltering. Ivy noticed the way his voice quaked; her eyes scanned his face, and she caught his hand trembling at his side."Dad, why the face?" Ivy asked, concern etched on her face.Steve looked away without responding; his eyes seeme
"Where could she have gone?" Zack muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration and fear."Xavier!" he called, massaging his temples. To be honest, he was lost on where to find Ivy."Sir." Xavier raced down the stairs, his movements hurried as he could sense something was off with his master."Was Ivy here?" Zack asked, his eyes wide with hope, but Xavier's response shattered it to pieces.He massaged his temples again, thinking just maybe... maybe she's okay, maybe she's just ignoring me, maybe she's... no, no, no, think, Zack, think... where would she go? Who would she turn to? Irene? No, she was just with Irene, and Irene said she left... left where? Left to go where? His mind was a jumbled mess, thoughts racing in every direction, none of them making sense... Ivy, where are you?Suddenly, his eyes flashed with realization. Judy! Her aunt Judy! Ivy had always been close to her aunt, and it seemed Judy was one of the few people who truly understood her, even though he