∆ALEXANDER∆"Yes, you're!" I teased her with a smile, she laughed, brushing off my words, clearly focused on her own playful thoughts and actions.The way she leaves bites and smooches on my neck makes it hard for me to resist reacting, but what else can I do besides suffer this sweet torture in silence? Finally, when we reached the hotel, I carried her straight to the room prepared for me, I never thought an unpredictable night could be a part of my life like this.Inside the room, I gently laid her on the bed, and said in a calm tone despite knowing very well about the crazy brat in front of me, "Stay here quietly," "You're going back on your words, how can a grown up man do this?" She questioned me with that tipsy voice of her's, I'm trying my best to pin her down on the bed, "I don't remember any words, so sleep now." "But you promised to show your body and dance for me," Ivory pouted, her eyes sparkling with mischief while scanning my body, I sighed, "Ivory, you don't understa
∆IVORY∆"Arghh!" I groaned, clutching my head as a sharp pain passed through my skull. "Why is it so painful?"Who the hell smashed a brick on my head last night? Maybe I should quit drinking, it's something suitable for me unlike that heavy drunkard Pearl!Just then, my phone rang, that loud tone made me more annoyed, without even opening my eyes to check the caller ID, I blindly grabbed it and pressed it to my ear. "Hello... who is it?" "Did you wake up? Are you okay?" Pearl's voice came from the other side, "Nothing happened to you right?" I sighed at her annoying questions early in the morning while I'm dying with pain in my head. "Why are you calling me from the same room? Are you crazy?"A pause.While I was thinking the call was hung and about to throw the mobile aside, but urgency in her voice made me to stop doing that, "Because we aren't in the same room, dumbass, wake up and look at your surroundings, you're with Alexander Kingston." My breath hitched.My headache? Gone.
∆IVORY∆"Ivory?"When his warm voice reached my ear, that hot breath sent shivers down my spine. I jerked when my eyes opened wide, and before I knew it, I shoved him away with all my strength."You did more already," I huffed, pulling the blanket up to cover myself. "I don't think I need to take any responsibility.""More?" Alexander raised an eyebrow leaning closer to my face, that moving lips of his, reminding the passionate kiss we shared last night."Yeah," Turning my face, I grumbled, and tightened my grip on the blanket. "First, you hurt me in the hospital. Then, I was just having fun with my friend, and instead of letting me enjoy my life, you dragged me back here even though you knew I was drunk." I sighed dramatically trying my best to keep blame on him rather than me solely being a culprit. "As I said, mistakes do happen when we are drunk, and besides, it's not like you’re a girl, so you don’t have to suffer anything!"Alexander crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly
∆IVORY∆"Miss, is there anyone here to accompany you?" The voice of the nurse broke my chain of thoughts, pulling me back to reality, I lifted my head to look at her, forcing a faint smile to hide the bitterness in my chest. "No, I came alone," I replied softly, with my voice being barely above a whisper, as I sat there in silence, with the IV drip in my hand the only thing keeping me from collapsing entirely, though my body felt weak, while my heart is more weaker being alone at times likes this.She frowned, with a concerned face. "You're too weak to leave alone, please call someone to take you home." I nodded, though deep down, I already knew who I would call. As the nurse walked away, I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly, and I dialed Jacob’s number, I clung to the hope that he’d answer, that maybe, for once, he’d be there when I needed him. The call rang once, then twice before it abruptly ended. A message popped up on my screen, "I’m busy, don’t disturb me.
∆IVORY∆"I’ll think about it," I texted back, though I didn’t want to go. The last thing I needed was to see more people who probably pitied me. But deep inside, I felt that maybe going out to do something, anything, to take my mind off the growing void in my chest.Sitting on my bed, I looked out the window, only to see a dark sky with nothing, just like my current life.Tears threatened to spill, but I swallowed them back. I had cried enough for Jacob, enough for the family who never truly saw me.I shut my eyes closely to sleep, despite knowing it's hard to sleep, the soft sunrays on my face woke me up, stretching my arms, I woke up and walked out of my room only to see the entire house filled with silence.That made me realise Jacob has left for a business trip without even a single word, I’d been trying to convince myself it was just a rough patch. Maybe he needed time and space. But no matter how many excuses I made for him, the void in my chest can't be filled. My bestfriend
∆IVORY∆"Then let’s mingle," I said, crashing my lips onto his before he could say another word, I can feel him stiffened for a minute, probably shocked out of his mind, once he got into it, he didn't waste a minute to deepen the kiss, turning if from a peck to passionate one, making my legs wobble.Gently breaking the kiss, he placed his hands on my shoulders. "You," he said, with a smooth and amused tone, "You’re drunk." "You? Do I look like a thing to you?" I scoffed, pushing him back with an irritated look, as the way he called me, 'you' reminded me of the memories of how Jacob used to refer to me, instead of using my name, "Call me Ivory, or better yet, call me the woman who’s about to forget all about a certain jerk named Jacob, don't I appear like a human with a name?" He chuckled, with a low yet sexy tone, "Ivory, sounds interesting, well, I don’t know what jerk did to you, but he must’ve been an idiot to let go of someone like you." "Exactly!" Pearl shouted from behind
∆IVORY∆"You ungrateful bitch!" My mother's voice followed me as I walked away closing the door with a loud thud.I didn’t turn back, no matter how hard she shouted. I couldn’t either, if I did, I knew I might break, and I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. For a moment, I stood in the empty streets, staring ahead with a blank face, clutching the straps of my bag tightly, I'm controlling myself not to be weak enough to end up in tears.I wasn’t just walking out of their house, I was walking out of their lives, their control, and all the heartbreak they had caused me over years.I went to the flat of Jacob and mine, but it had always been more mine than his. He didn’t like living with me, always finding excuses to stay in his own place. "I’ll come back tomorrow," that's all he said from the day I graduated and moved to live with him, but that tomorrow never seemed to arrive till now. This flat was just another reminder of the emptiness I’d felt for so long
∆IVORY∆"Is this how we always meet eachother?" He whispered in my ear, I stood frozen, as I'm still unable to come out of the shock."How come…?" I finally managed to mutter, of all people to show up here, why is this man?The same man I had kissed in a drunken state at that bar weeks ago, and now he was standing in front of me, smirking like he owned the world, I totally forgot about that embarrassing incident thanks to my family, and my efforts to find a job.Noticing my silence, he leaned closer, "Don’t tell me you’re pretending not to recognize me, Ms. Ivory." Heat flooded my cheeks as I instinctively took a step back, keeping the distance in between us, but his teasing smirk only deepened looking at my embarrassed state.Before I could respond, Jessica’s friend sneered, "Shameless woman, always ready to seduce men, someone like you deserves to be taught a lesson."She grabbed a glass of drink from the table and raised it toward me. I almost expected the drink to be spoiled on
∆IVORY∆"Ivory?"When his warm voice reached my ear, that hot breath sent shivers down my spine. I jerked when my eyes opened wide, and before I knew it, I shoved him away with all my strength."You did more already," I huffed, pulling the blanket up to cover myself. "I don't think I need to take any responsibility.""More?" Alexander raised an eyebrow leaning closer to my face, that moving lips of his, reminding the passionate kiss we shared last night."Yeah," Turning my face, I grumbled, and tightened my grip on the blanket. "First, you hurt me in the hospital. Then, I was just having fun with my friend, and instead of letting me enjoy my life, you dragged me back here even though you knew I was drunk." I sighed dramatically trying my best to keep blame on him rather than me solely being a culprit. "As I said, mistakes do happen when we are drunk, and besides, it's not like you’re a girl, so you don’t have to suffer anything!"Alexander crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly
∆IVORY∆"Arghh!" I groaned, clutching my head as a sharp pain passed through my skull. "Why is it so painful?"Who the hell smashed a brick on my head last night? Maybe I should quit drinking, it's something suitable for me unlike that heavy drunkard Pearl!Just then, my phone rang, that loud tone made me more annoyed, without even opening my eyes to check the caller ID, I blindly grabbed it and pressed it to my ear. "Hello... who is it?" "Did you wake up? Are you okay?" Pearl's voice came from the other side, "Nothing happened to you right?" I sighed at her annoying questions early in the morning while I'm dying with pain in my head. "Why are you calling me from the same room? Are you crazy?"A pause.While I was thinking the call was hung and about to throw the mobile aside, but urgency in her voice made me to stop doing that, "Because we aren't in the same room, dumbass, wake up and look at your surroundings, you're with Alexander Kingston." My breath hitched.My headache? Gone.
∆ALEXANDER∆"Yes, you're!" I teased her with a smile, she laughed, brushing off my words, clearly focused on her own playful thoughts and actions.The way she leaves bites and smooches on my neck makes it hard for me to resist reacting, but what else can I do besides suffer this sweet torture in silence? Finally, when we reached the hotel, I carried her straight to the room prepared for me, I never thought an unpredictable night could be a part of my life like this.Inside the room, I gently laid her on the bed, and said in a calm tone despite knowing very well about the crazy brat in front of me, "Stay here quietly," "You're going back on your words, how can a grown up man do this?" She questioned me with that tipsy voice of her's, I'm trying my best to pin her down on the bed, "I don't remember any words, so sleep now." "But you promised to show your body and dance for me," Ivory pouted, her eyes sparkling with mischief while scanning my body, I sighed, "Ivory, you don't understa
∆ALEXANDER∆"Ivory," I frowned gripping my mobile tightly, "Why are you testing my patience like this?" I couldn’t understand why Ivory wasn’t answering my calls or messages. It had been nearly a week of silence, no messages, no calls, no explanation, nothing. My frustration was increasing with each passing day, Berlin informed me, it's Ivory who paid my hospital bill before leaving the hospital, I thought at least the day I got discharged, she'll come to see but she didn't.I couldn't help but to recall our previous conversation in my head, wondering where things had gone wrong. The reason why I spoke like that is different, how am I supposed to say that I'm jealous because of her meeting with Jacob? She didn't even mention about meeting him, out of frustration, I said something like that, in the end she disappeared like this, leaving me both hurt and infuriated.Then, out of nowhere, Berlin showed up in front of me, "Sir, Ms. Ivory is in France." France? I was totally surprised
∆NO POV∆"Ivory, get up, we need to go for an outing," Pearl's voice made Ivory to get up from the deep sleep, "Morning already?" Pearl brought the mobile closer to Ivory's face, "Yes, if you wake up any later it'll be afternoon." Rubbing her eyes, Ivory glanced at the screen only to be stunned after realising she overslept like a pig, immediately Ivory sat up on the bed with a sigh, she was tired by the long flight, Pearl didn't even give a chance for her to pack the bag, and they rushed to the airport, then landed in France before they could even realise they flew all the way from US to France.Even after sleeping for hours, the tiredness didn't leave her, however getting up from the bed, she was forced to take a shower.After a long shower, Samantha finally managed to get rid of her sleepiness, and dressed up in a perfect way for an outing, Pearl was excited to go out and roam around throughout the day as she made many plans.The sun cast a golden glow over the city of Paris as I
∆IVORY∆"All men are the same, none truly understands or appreciates the efforts of women," I let out a frustrated sigh, staring blankly out of the cab window as the city lights are blurring as a sign of night, "It's my fault expecting him to be different from others." My earlier conversation with Alexander is still heavy on my mind. His words, his tone, everything about that discussion had left me with a strange mix of irritation and confusion."You're too emotional about this, Ivory.""Emotional?" I had scoffed, gripping my mobile tightly, "It's not like working day and night is enough, just after hearing about his condition, ran like a mad person straight to the hospital only to hear from him that I'm being emotional over nothing." "What did he even say?" I had laughed bitterly. "What am I to you Ivory? Why would you come for me? Can't he understand atleast after seeing me there worried for me? If I didn’t care about him, if he meant nothing to me, why would I rush to the hospit
∆IVORY∆"Alexander," I cried out, at the sight of Alexander sitting on the hospital bed, bandages wrapped around his chest, head and arm, made my heart drop in pain.My legs shivered but they made their way to him, before my mind could realise what I'm doing, and within seconds, I was standing beside him."What the hell is this?" I snapped, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and worry. "Do you even... Even know how serious your injuries are? What exactly happened to you? How exactly did it happen to you?" He finally glanced at me, his calm demeanor only fueling my frustration. "Ivory, I'm fine, it’s not as bad as it looks.""Not as bad?" I scoffed, gesturing toward the bandages. "You’re sitting here wrapped up like a mummy, and you’re telling me it’s not bad? Are you out of your mind or do you take of me as a fool?"He sighed, with a faint smile on his face, "Calm down, Ivory, it's just a few minor injuries, you don't have to worry about this." "Minor?" My voice cracked, and bef
∆IVORY∆"Beep.... Beep.... Beep!"My alarm has been ringing continuously as if it is begging me to wake up, "Ahhh.... I'm waking up!"With a sigh, I turned it off and checked my mobile, not to check time, but to check someone's message, what a disappointement! Forget about reply, message didn't even get delivered, "Is he really that busy? It's never been like this!"I can't help but to frown, the morning sunlight passing through the windows, getting up from the bed, I finished my morning routine, and started getting ready.Though I'm slightly disappointed, my heart is still pounding with excitement because today was the day my hard work would finally bear fruit, "Come on Ivory, this is your day, and be confident, a little excitement even within disappointment won't make you lose anything." I tried my best to cheer myself up, my new store was opening, and for the first time, I felt like I was standing on my own two feet, not in anyone's shadow, it's a big day for me and I want to be p
∆ALEXANDER∆"I'm apologizing for everything, Uncle," Jacob began, with a tone almost convincing me, "For the way I spoke with you that day and for insulting Ivory, I'm extremely sorry uncle." I nearly laughed after hearing to an apology from my nephew. Jacob apologizing? To anyone, let alone me? It was unheard of till today, I don't remember even his parents recieving an apology from him, what kind of surprising moment is this?Well I'm not that easy to be convinced, I'm sure he wasn't here out of remorse, he had a hidden agenda, and I had no intention of making this easy for him."Apologies are just words, Jacob," I said coldly, leaning back in my chair. "What do you really want?"Jacob tried his best to put on an act, "Uncle, are you suspecting me? Don't you trust me?""Jacob, I've seen you for years, I'm your uncle, do you think I really can't see through this facade of yours?' I crossed my arms, "So, put down that act of yours and speak the truth." His smile faltered for a seco