∆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∆"Unbelievable? If I’m not like this, how can I handle that hammerhead nephew of yours?" I huffed, crossing my arms, being proud of myself.Patting my head like I was some puppy, Alexander chuckled. "That’s great, I’m so proud of you, but don’t hide things from me again, I'm worried about you." "I shouldn’t hide, but you do," I muttered under my breath slightly glancing at him, narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What did I even hide from you?" I bit my lip, feeling dramatic, "About your boyfriend," I thought to myself but didn’t dare to say it aloud since it's his personal matter. Instead, I blinked my eyes at him suspiciously.He, however, had the audacity to pull my cheeks like I was a five-year-old. "Since you want to take responsibility for me, get ready, I'll be taking you to a place." Is he taking me on a picnic or something? Why is he acting like father coaxing his child? What does he even think of me? A kindergarten student?"A place?" I raised an eyebrow.He nodded, lo
∆NO POV∆"What would we even do in an auction event?" Ivory scratched her head with an innocent face.Alexander smiled, sighing inwardly, "What kind of adorable expression is that? Does she even know how hard it is for me to control myself when she looks at me like this?" Ivory, completely unaware of the effect she had on him, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What exactly are we going to do in an auction event?" Holding her hand, Alexander pulled her along with him. "You'll know soon, but for now, let's go."As they entered the grand venue, attendants handed out elegant masks. Alexander took one and effortlessly placed it over his face before handing another to Ivory.She checked the sparkling mask carefully with a confused face. "Wait… is this a masquerade ball or something? Why do we need to wear these?"Alexander smirked, adjusting his cufflinks. "Because people don’t like their identities revealed during the auction, for confidentiality purposes, in elite auction events, they use
∆NO POV∆"Is he going to stay silent throughout the ride?" Ivory thought to herself while stealing glances in between awkward silence.Alexander sighed inwardly, "Only if she knew what she meant to me, things might be different in between us." The drive back to the hotel was quieter than usual, the tension lingering between Alexander and Ivory like an unspoken agreement of mutual understanding."A billion-dollar worth contract deal," Alexander said casually, as if he was discussing the weather, "I already discussed everything with them. They’re so eager to meet you, but since you went missing, I had to delay it." He shot a serious glance at her, "While I was worried about you and your deal, you were out here enjoying yourself with your friend and male strippers." Ivory immediately lowered her head, out of guilt, and mumbled in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kingston."Alexander couldn't stay angry with her anymore, and he raised his hand gently to pat on her head, as she looked like
∆NO POV∆"Can you stop this nonsense of yours Pearl?" Ivory sighed at Pearl's dramatic words, while she herself was overwhelmed by the gifts Alexander is giving to her.She is in a situation where she couldn't say yes to those gifts, at the same time not ready to say no to him because of his threatening her they'll be nothing to each other if she were to decline his gifts.Pearl leaned back on the headrest of the bed, scrolling through her phone with a sly grin while Ivory was busy staring at her own mobile.The mood in the room was calm, until Pearl gasped dramatically."Well, well, well… look what we have here." She turned her phone toward Ivory, showing her the screen clearly. "Mr. Alexander Kingston and his boyfriend on a romantic dinner date in the city of London!"Ivory blinked hard, staring at the article in surprise.Pearl couldn't help but to be surprised just like Ivory, "I thought he was here for you, isn't he here for you?"Ivory didn’t respond immediately. Her expression
∆NO POV∆"OH. MY. GOD."Pearl's eyes widened in shock when she refreshed the news feed.Ivory looked up from her sulking. "What now? What did you find out now?" Pearl turned her phone around, and showed the latest update to Ivory."EXCLUSIVE: Mr. Alexander Kingston confirms his romance with a longtime lover! Tomorrow, they are to be engaged in London officially." Ivory’s stomach dropped. "Wait, what?!"Pearl scrolled down, showing the pictures of Alexander and Eric looking suspiciously too comfortable, with Eric dramatically clutching Alexander’s arm and Alexander grinning like an idiot.Ivory clenched her jaw, forcing a neutral expression to hide her real feelings. "That’s a bit much… but they look good together, if he has found his true love, whether it’s a boy or a girl, then I’m happy for him." Pearl smirked, leaning in closer to her face. "Still not disappointed?" Ivory rolled her eyes before grabbing a pillow and tossing it at Pearl’s face. Pearl burst into laughter. "Ohh
∆ALEXANDER∆"Eric is right," I thought to myself, remembering our conversation from earlier. "Man, thanks to you, she'll misunderstand me even more," I signed running my hand through hair out of frustration, as I knew our conversation with media will be telecasted and Ivory will see it, if she were to see it, I couldn't even imagine what might happen to me! What will she think of me? What if she also misunderstands me just like everyone? We are already struggling to understand what we are to each other, and now this guy made it worse for me."No misunderstanding dude, I just helped you," Eric had countered confidently with that fish head of his."How exactly?" I frowned leaning back in my car seat."These girls are complicated Alex," he had said, waving his hand like some wise sage who is more experienced in understanding girls, "Unless you provoke them, they'll never admit the truth, with what we did today, if she has even the slightest feelings for you, she’ll react for sure, thi
∆IVORY POV∆"Pearl... Stop hugging me, you're so heavy," I groaned in my sleep, rubbing my eyes I woke up feeling warm and cozy. I blinked, realizing something soft wrapped around my waist like a snake.Wait.My heart stopped.Alexander’s hand.So, from the last night, he didn't move at all, even now his hand wrapped against my waist, and I'm also hugging him.Oh god! I must've gone crazy!Panic passed through me as I groaned inwardly, "This man, did he think of me as his comforting pillow or what? If not why did he even hug me that tightly to sleep? Arghh, never thought I would become a human pillow one day!"No matter what I can't argue or fight with him, after all he is my boss, and also a husband, I should respect him for sure, so let's just ignore this incident as if it never happened.Slowly, very slowly, I tried to move away without waking him.I barely shifted an inch before a deep, groggy voice mumbled, "Where do you think you’re going?"I froze. "Uh…"He slightly opened an
∆IVORY POV∆"Damn Ivory," I almost slapped my mouth for being loose, immediately I stepped back trying to be away from Alexander, "Ummm... Nothing, I'm not worried about anything, why would I even be worried? Why should I?" Alexander crossed his arms, "That's my question too, why should you be worried? Did you do anything?" "Not... Nothing," I knew both my body and voice were trembling, it almost came as if in urgency, but there's nothing I could do seriously, it's not my fault but the fault of the man in front of me."I see," he smiled, I can see a wicked grin on his face, this man is quiet dangerous for innocent people like me.The room still had the soft glow of candles, the scent of roses lingering in the air. Everything screamed romance, but my situation with Alexander was… complicated, to call it romance, it won't be lying in my bed but I'm coffin with roses decorated on me, because he is Alexander Kingston.His gaze shifted around the room before landing on me. His lips twi
∆IVORY POV∆"I know it's hard to believe," Eric winked at Alexander, "But whatever that old man saying, everything is true." Old Master Kingston raised his cane, "Who is old man here? You and your father are old man, not me." "Yes... Yes, we are only old," Eric chuckled, "You're just an youngster, who crossed teenage years." Alexander joined Eric in teasing Old Master Kingston, "Too bad, he still thinks he is just a teenager." "You brats, both of you are seriously annoying," Old Master Kingston sighed, "I don't understand how I raised these both ungrateful brats all these years!" Eric and Alexander laughed hearing to his words, looking in my direction, Old Master Kingston said with a warm voice, "I know it's like one plus one offer, but if you're in a relationship with Alex, Eric will be a third wheel always, they've been best buddies for so long, handling them might be hard, so I'm giving you full permission, you can discipline them in any way you wants, none will question you o
∆IVORY POV∆"Old Master Kingston isn't scary at all," I couldn't help but to remember how kind and sweet he was earlier, I expected him to lash out on us, I thought he would insult me for becoming the wife of his precious son on whom he doted on very much.The family affairs of Kingston's family is quite dynamic, Old Master Kingston is always distant from his eldest son and only grandson, but loves Alexander a lot, that's why the majority of the Kingston family belongs to Alexander.Even after being fiancee of Jacob for so long, I never got to know about Alexander much, maybe it's because I was into only Jacob, and never cared much about others, even now I don't think I would ever know the secrets of this family, as I'm just a contract wife to Alexander Kingston.I was looking at the gifts they sent to the room, seriously I never expected a bride price, and this is too huge.Just as I was caressing the heirloom box, I heard a knock on the door, and a middle aged woman who earlier guid
∆PEARL POV∆"So beautiful!" Looks like it's not exaggerating when they said that the flowers found in Kingston family garden can't be found anywhere.The garden was glowing under golden sunlight, the gentle fragrance of roses, jasmine, and lilacs filling the air as I walked in between those flowers.It was one of those rare peaceful moments where I could simply admire nature without any distractions. The vibrant petals were dancing in the light breeze, and for the first time in a while, I felt a sense of calm which I never felt before.That was until I heard his voice."You look like one of these flowers, you know, pretty but probably hiding thorns."I sighed before turning around, Eric Lawrence stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, with an usual smirk on his face.The sunlight made his sharp features even more strikingly attractive, and I hated how effortlessly charismatic he was when people struggling hard just to look attractive, but look at him no need to worry about anyt
∆NO POV∆"I'm not angry with you," Old Master Kingston said, his deep voice filled the living room, "Why would I even angry with you, my dear? In fact, I couldn't bring myself to be angry with you, because you did nothing wrong." Ivory, who had been sitting in a stiffened position finally took a deep breath in relief.For some reason, those words brought an odd sense of relief, as if she had unknowingly been waiting for his approval."I'm actually quite pleased," the old man continued, a rare smile formed up on his face unlike his stern expression like always.His sharp eyes shifted to Alexander, and his smile turned into something smug. "Finally, this aloof and clueless son of mine has managed to marry someone sweet and kind like you, I can be rest assured now thinking my dumb son is in safe hands." Ivory blinked in surprise, while Alexander jusr rolled his eyes.Eric, standing beside Alexander let out an exaggerated gasp before bursting into laughter."Did you just call your own
∆NO POV∆"I'm scared," Ivory whispered the moment she stepped out of the car. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress as her stomach twisted in knots, just as standing in front of a huge mansion, which is intimidating as a hell made Ivory to think about running away without even turning around.She hadn't even taken a step forward, yet she was already regretting coming here.Pulling Alexander's sleeve, Ivory mumbled, "Is it okay to leave?" Eric, ever the bully, snickered beside her. "You can leave if you want, but take your husband with you because that old man is definitely going to kick him out."Ivory swallowed hard, turning to Alexander with pleading eyes. "Maybe we should just...." Before she could finish, Alexander smacked Eric on the back of his head, making him yelp. "Shut up before I bury you in the garden, idiot." Eric rubbed his head with a glare. "Why are you hitting me? I'm just speaking the truth! I'm sure your father is gonna explode when he hears about this ma
∆NO POV∆"What'll happen?" "Old Master is so furious, this time young lady can't escape!" "I never expected long lost daughter of Collins family would be this promiscuous!""Though an adopted daughter, young lady Ivory is very elegant and matured!" The servants of Collins mansion whispered among themselves watching the scene in front of them, the mansion had never felt so suffocating as today.The grand living room was silent except for the sound of Jacob Kingston and Jessica Collins kneeling before the wrath of Old Master Collins.The old man sat on the couch gripping his cane so tightly as if he was controlling his frustration.His aged face, twisted in rage eager to discipline two people kneeling infront of him.His granddaughter, his own flesh and blood, had humiliated their family in the worst possible way, he tried his best to hide everything till now, but things got out of control in the wedding."You ungrateful disgrace!" His voice roared through the room like a violent sto
∆NO POV∆"Yours?" Ivory asked, her voice sounding almost a whisper. "Are you claiming ownership on me?"Alexander didn't even hesitate, with a proud smile, he nodded, "Yes, any objection?" The priest cleared his throat and announced, "You may kiss the bride."Ivory’s heart jumped to her throat. "Oh no, the kiss! It's not like the first time we are kissing each other, but... But, that and this are different, what am I supposed to do now?" She braced herself, cheeks already burning, mentally preparing for the inevitable. "Is he really going to kiss me in front of everyone? Right here, right now?" The entire hall was silent, holding its breath, watching with anticipation.Just as she thought he would lean in and claim her lips, Alexander did something completely unexpected, he pressed a warm, and gentle kiss on her forehead instead.The crowd gasped. Even Ivory’s breath caught in her throat in surprise."I love keeping things private," Alexander whispered in her ear, "Whether a kiss