∆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
∆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∆"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∆"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 s
∆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
∆ALEXANDER∆"Looks like you're so happy tonight?" Kavin grinned while driving the car, and I'm so busy with tracing a finger on my lips where her lips touched earlier.Glancing at Kavin, I said, "Maybe, I should thank you for that," Kavin chuckled keeping his steady gaze at the road, "So, I think I deserve some bonus for my hardwork, right?" Opening my mobile, I sent money to him immediately, "Done!" "Thanks boss," He adjusted the front mirror, "I'll try my best for you from now onwards." I laughed at his words, and stared out of the window, passing cars and corners of roads, but none of these are in mind, the only thing that's running in my mind is her smile and innocent expression of her's, how could I even forget that memorable moment?"The house, just as you said, it was sold for a very low price not even half the original price," Kavin informed me about the house I arranged for Ivory, and I totally forgot about that until he mentioned it now, I smiled, "That's good, as long as
∆IVORY∆"Yes," I responded, feeling the heat pass to my cheeks, even I'm not sure why I'm blushing furiously but I knew it's all because of that teasing smirk on his face as if he is enjoying this situation, his lips curled into a sly smile, "I like it." "Huh?" I blinked being puzzled by his sudden statement not understanding what he meant by he like it, whether the smell or him being the first one to have it!"The scent," he clarified, holding up the bottle and taking another sniff. "I like the smell, it reminds me of you, elegant and bold." I couldn't help but to let out a small smile, but my mind was stuck in a loop, replaying that accidental kiss over and over, the warmth of his lips on mine that's still fresh and raw, I never thought a man's lips could be this soft until his lips touched mine.Every time I tried to push that thoughts of mine, the memory kept coming back in like a whisper I couldn’t ignore anymore, "How it would've felt if it's not a peck but a deep kiss? Doe
∆IVORY∆"Regret?" I let out a sarcastic laugh showing her words doesn't show any kind of effect on me. "The only regret I have is wasting my time listening to you and your nonsense, now, get out of my house." Jessica clenched her jaw while glaring at me, "You think you can stop me? I know how to take what I want." I narrowed my eyes at her bluffing, "And I know how to protect what’s mine, I don’t hold on to trash, Jessica, I let it go to make room for treasure." She knows very well who is the trash I'm talking about, her face flushed with anger."Enjoy it while it lasts, Ivory, success is fickle, and when it slips away, don’t say I didn’t warn you." Turning around, she stomped her foot in frustration before storming out, slamming the door behind her."What the hell? Whose house is this?" I sighed while checking the door, "This is my house, which I brought with my own money, how can she slam my door like this? If it breaks, I'll sue her!"I took a breath in relief that my door is
∆IVORY∆"Beep"The sound when money is credited to my account, it's always enlightening, I checked my bank balance only to be surprised while smiling like a fool, being independent like this feels truly like a dream come true."Yes, I made it.... I finally made it!" That proud feeling made me to forget the hardships, struggles, inner fear, conflicts, the past few months felt like a whirlwind, a mix of heartbreak, loneliness, achievements, fame and success, everything, a pain that made me shred tears, the same pain turned into happiness bringing a smile on my face.I'm living a life free from shadows once pulled me into darkness, no longer needed to be obedient or submissive to anyone, I'm living for myself, no need to impress anyone, this spotlight came with its own share of doubts and challenges but made me stronger than ever.I've been living in Pearl's house till now, but now I've enough money to buy my own house, so it's time for me to settle down in a house brought with my own m
∆NO POV∆"Ms. Ivory, the rising star of the city," The voice coming out of the television, without thinking twice, Jacob threw the flower vase towards television breaking it being enraged after hearing Ivory's name.His frustration was evident as he kicked the magazines and newspapers scattered on the floor. Each one has a common theme, Ivory’s name, her accomplishments, her rising status with her new start-up."Ivory... Ivory," he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. "Why is she everywhere? Why should her name be on everyone’s lips?" The loud commotion made Robert and Valeria to rush into the living room."Oh my God!" Valeria gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "What on earth have you done, Jacob? Look at this mess!"She stared at the broken television, the imported vases reduced to shards, and the chaos Jacob had unleashed.Jacob stomped on the magazine with the photo of Ivory, "She.... She is the reason mom, that smile on her face as if she is mocking me!" Robert sighed a
∆IVORY∆"Ahhh!" I stumbled, as my heels betrayed me at the worst possible moment, and the cold glass floor invited me to its embrace."Am I going to fall?" The thought screamed in my mind as I closed my eyes in dear, but the answer came quickly.No, I didn’t. I was surprised as my body didn't touch the glass floor, instead, I landed in protective arms, and a gentle embrace kept me safe with the similar fragrance of cologne."You're safe," That husky voice made me open my eyes, and it was him, Alexander Kingston. The man I had been trying so hard to keep my composure around.The disappointment I had moments ago because of his absence now replaced with happiness in his presence, my heart was beating so fast, half from the near-fall accident and half from the realization that I'm still in his embrace.I could feel the weight of the moment, the camera flashes from the press capturing what was probably the most embarrassing yet oddly romantic scene of my life.No, I can't let it happen! I