ARE YOU SERIOUS?

∆IVORY∆

"What kind of work are you talking about?" I knew it was a stupid question yet, I asked, as I looked at him, all I could see was his playful smirk, "What kind of work do you want to do apart from working by my side in the company?"

I sat stiffly in the car listening to him, his words truly left me embarrassed.

"I guess you’re talking about a role in your company?” I had said, trying to keep my voice steady hiding the awkwardness.

Leaning slightly toward me, Alexander rested his hand on the armrest between us, and I can see his sharp gaze fixed on me, while teasing me, "If not that, what else did you think I meant?"

I stammered as my cheeks turned red out of embarrassment, "Nothing!" I adjusted my hair, avoiding his intense gaze.

Alexander chuckled, leaning back in the seat, "Well, Ms. Ivory, what’s your answer?"

Taking a deep breath, I met his eyes with a determined look, "I'll do it, but not for revenge, just to prove my worth, I let go of the past already."

He passed a satisfied smile, "Good, let’s discuss the details over dinner tonight."

"Dinner?" I repeated, caught off guard by a sudden invitation to dinner.

"Yes, I’ll send someone to pick you up, don't worry dinner is at a restaurant not at a bar " 

Before I could say anything, we arrived at my apartment. He dropped me off with a polite nod and a lingering smirk.

I wish I could dig a hole and bury myself,  this cunning man, he is indirectly teasing me about the incident from that night in that bar, "argh, Ivory, you're doomed!"

Stomping my foot on the ground, I walked to the house, just as I entered inside I saw Pearl lying on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

She looked up as I entered, her face lit up with curiosity, "I thought you won't be back till the night, why are you here this early? Did anything happen?"

I dropped onto the couch beside her, with a groan, "You won’t believe it!"

"Go ahead!"

I told everything about the incident that happened in the party, how I was targeted and was about to get bullied, that's when cringing at a memory, I said, "Do you remember the man I kissed at the bar?"

"Yes....yes, that mysterious hot stranger?" Pearl prompted, leaning closer to my face.

I sighed with a small nod, "Yes, it's him, he is none other than, Alexander Kingston, Jacob’s uncle."

Pearl froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Oh my goodness! Are you kidding?

"I wish it was a joke," I sighed, covering my face with my hands.

"Oh, Ivory, this is so hilarious, you kissed Alexander Kingston? The ruthless business tycoon? The man everyone in the corporate world fears?" She held her stomach, laughing harder, "Not only that, the final twist is he is your ex-fiance's uncle, I never heard something hilarious than this."

"Stop it!" I rolled my eyes.

Pearl wiped her eyes, still chuckling, "This is too good, so, what now? Is he suing you for harassment or something?"

"No," I said, placing my hand on the back of the couch, "he actually offered me a job to prove my worth in front of the people who looked down on me."

Pearl’s laughter instantly turned into seriousness, "Wait, he wants you to team up with him?"

"Exactly," I said with a huff.

Pearl smirked at me, "Well, this will be interesting!"

I went back to my room for a short nap, only to be woken up by Pearl after sometime, "Ivory, someone came for you."

"For me?" I asked in a lazy tone, she nodded, getting up from the bed, I went out to see a black shining car waiting outside, and a chauffeur stepped out, holding a garment bag. "Ms. Ivory, this is from Mr. Kingston, he asked me to deliver this to you."

He was so polite, I took the bag, feeling a mix of nervousness and confusion, as I opened the bag, there's a stunning frock, elegant and beautiful, but far more luxurious than anything I owned, "Woah!"

As I went inside with the bag, Pearl screamed in excitement looking at the dress, "Wow, he really has a good taste, looks like someone is trying to impress you."

"Pearl!" I sighed, holding the dress.

As I changed into the dress sent by Alexander, Pearl took charge of styling my hair and makeup, once it was done, she stepped back with a bright smile, "You look so gorgeous. Honestly, if Alexander Kingston weren’t, you know..."

"Interested in men?" I finished for her, narrowing my eyes.

There's a rumour surrounding him for years that the great Alexander Kingston is into men and has a secret boyfriend in the abroad for whom he decided to stay forever in overseas, even being willing to give up on everything here, just for the man he loves, what a great and selfless love!

Pearl sighed dramatically. "He is too handsome to ignore, I can't see him getting taken away by another man rather than a beautiful girl, however love is love."

"Stop being dramatic," I said, grabbing my clutch. "I’m leaving now."

"Go have fun with your future boss!" She laughed waving her hand.

The car ride to the restaurant was so relaxing in such a luxurious car, finally when I arrived at the restaurant, a valet opened the door for me, I stepped out nervously because of the overwhelming situation around me.

The restaurant was so luxurious, all expensive crystal chandeliers and polished marble floor, in which I can see my own reflection, afterall from an eight start restaurant what else we can expect apart from perfection!

Just as I made my way inside following the waiter who escorted me into a private area, a huge table was placed and Alexander was already waiting for me.

When he saw me, his expression softened, just for a moment, before he regained his usual composure. "You look stunning, Ms. Ivory."

"Thank you, Mr. Kingston," I said, sitting down across from him.

The waiter brought the menu, but Alexander waved it away. "I’ve already ordered for us."

Of course, he had, a huge bunch of varieties were placed in front of us, but aren't we only two? How can we eat all these? Can we even complete it?Maybe this is how rich people live!

As we started eating, Alexander leaned back, studying my face. "You've been so active in Jacob's company working day and night by his side taking company to the next level within a few years you joined the company, that's such a praiseworthy job, Ms. Ivory, I don't know whether it's out of passion for the work or out of love for him, I'm not interested in knowing it either, but I was so curious about you and your ambition, so, tell me, Ms. Ivory, do you have any dreams or ambitions?"

The question was quite foreign to me because none ever thought of asking me this question, my adopted parents expected me to live as they wanted, my ex-fiance wanted me to work for him just to ease off some of his burden in work.

Here this man, asking me out my ambition which I buried in my heart with my own hands.

I hesitated before answering, "I used to dream of starting my own perfumery brand. It was something I was passionate about when I was young."

He looked more curious, "then?"

I shrugged. "It feels like a childish dream now, I'm no longer a child, so being an adult, I decided to work which suits me well."

"Which Suits you well or which was forced on you by others?" Alexander frowned slightly. "A dream is a dream, age or situation when you had it, doesn't matter, if it’s something you’re passionate about, you should pursue it."

I laughed softly. "It's not as easy as you said, Mr. Kingston."

The man who was born with a golden spoon can say anything but I'm someone who is aware of my place and situation, so I don't dream high and satisfied as long as I don't get starved or drowned in debt.

He leaned forward, that intense gaze was not leaving me, "I believe in your capability, Ms. Ivory, as long as you're passionate about it, if you want to make this dream of yours into reality, I’ll support you."

I was stunned hearing to him, my eyes searched his face to see any signs of joking, but he doesn't seem to be joking, "Are you serious?"