What were the odds of it all being a dream? Ivory woke to the sound of her alarm, the night's events plaguing her very soul. She hadn't the heart to even respond to Braylen's text. Worse she didn't know how she was going to face Raiden. The only thought plaguing her mind was 'how was she going to face him?' She contemplated calling in sick, it was already Friday and that would give her two extra days to work up the courage to face him. This thought was quickly disregarded. She couldn't run from her problems, she knew that but how does one approach their employer after having kissed them? She felt utterly embarrassed, Raiden was probably finding her a great source of amusement. She placed her face in her palms and groaned. Better sooner than later, the faster they got the awkward meeting over with the sooner they can forget any of it ever happened.
Ivory arrived at the office faster than she would have hoped, the little nerve she had dissipating with every step clo
Ivory could no longer bear the sound of her phone vibrating. Braylen had been texting and calling since the weekend and she ignored every attempt at communication. She had no desire to speak to him nor see him. He was now in a relationship and this was her respecting that. If she had answered and allowed him to continue his lie then where would that put her? It was time to cut her losses, she wasn't interested in being any man's play toy.She decided to place him on her block list. She didn't want to know if he called or messaged and she hoped that he would soon get the hint or at least stop trying. She inhaled and got back to work. Raiden had been distant this past week, it was as if the intimate moment and conversation had never happened. Ivory smiled as the kiss replayed in her mind. Two years with one man and she had never been kissed or touched. In hindsight she had been naive, she believed their relationship was pure, unburdened, and not blinded by lust.
There had been no time nor awareness of mind that allowed Ivory to think for just a second. She was inside of Raiden's office before she could form the thought or mentally command her limbs to do the same. She found herself behind her desk, her mind racing. Since she heard of Braylen's relationship she hadn't shed a single tear but now she could feel the familiar sting in her eyes accompanied by the blurry vision."Ivory?" Raiden was by her side now, ignoring the sound of his office phone ringing. He noticed the way in which she re-entered, hastily, and absentminded. He instantly worried about whether she was advantaged by Emery. She lowered her head further, raising a hand to block her from his view."Is there anything you need, Mr. De Ville?" her voice came of muffled and shaky. On instinct he reached over and pulled her face within his view, she resisted but he had abandoned any sense of propriety. Her eyes were red, avoiding his direct
Ivory fell head first down onto the sofa. She hadn't the mental energy to get dressed following her shower, she had slid on her robe and mindlessly flopped down, her left leg hanging off the sofa. It was at times like this that she was glad she lived alone, she wished no one ever had the misfortune to see her like this. Her hair was a messy pile at the top of her head and so it would remain until the morning. She let out an irritated groan as she dragged herself off the sofa, rolling on the floor and then picking herself back up at the sound of her doorbell. It could only be Zoey and her best friend had seen her in worst circumstances courtesy of them sharing an apartment while in college.She unlocked the door and dragged it open. "You could have used your key --" she paused mid-sentence."You haven't given one to me just yet." the domineering male presence rebutted casually."Mr. De Ville." the words a breathless whisper. She had momentarily
Sleep had dulled the senses and momentarily erased the previous night's memories. Ivory forced her eyes to pry open, her entire body aching. Her eyes widened, her body instantly shutting down at the sight of a male body sprawled on her bed next to her, his arm resting along her stomach. She blinked numerous times until recollection swarmed over her. She attempted to raise his arm slightly so that she could give herself some space between her, her bed, and the man in it. Ivory slid her body from under him, stumbling to the floor in the process, as a result of her legs getting tangled in the sheets."Damn it!" she mouthed, grasping her shin until the pain subsided and praying the thud wasn't enough to wake Raiden. She stumbled to her feet and limped the rest of the way to the shower. She finally felt herself breathe as the water cascaded over her body. She had no experience with 'just sex' relationships and while she could never regret the night she had with R
Felix laid back into his chair, plugged in his earphones, and closed his eyes for some well-deserved relaxation, notwithstanding the fact that he was at work. Yet he decided to take the risk and just lay back, after all for the past few days he noted Raiden's demanding temper had been taken down a notch or two for some unconfirmed reason, of which Felix had his suspicions.Felix instantly rotated forward as his earphones were ripped from his earlobes, his feet meeting the floor awkwardly, barely able to balance him. Annoyed golden orbs stared blatantly at him. He couldn't register the fact that this woman was angry at him, not when his entire body ceased to function. His eyes perused every inch of her, from her charcoal hair that was screaming to be re-united with her shoulders, although her neck would have no complaints to her bare fingers. He breathed a sigh of relief, no ring."Is it natural for you to be slacking off while at work?" she demanded, almost
"You're telling me Zoey, my Zoey, wanted me to give you her contact information?" Ivory questioned again. This had to be a hoax. Her friend wasn't the type to accept dates with complete strangers. It was very uncharacteristic."Why would I lie?" Felix was growing impatient, his tone bordering on whiny."I am not saying that you're lying, I just find it hard to believe. Also, if it isn't true she'd kill me for giving out her number." Ivory turned contemplative, could Zoey really find Felix attractive? This question plagued her. Felix was handsome, quick-witted, funny, and overall a catch, but she was worried about Zoey's temperament. Could her outwardly cold distant friend be finally ready for a romantic entanglement? Deciding to throw caution to the wind on account of her love for the two people in question and hoping that their characters complement each other, Ivory scribbled Zoey's contact details on a loose piece of paper and handed it to Felix.
Felix felt a slight tug in his chest as he punched in the seven digits and pressed the call button. His throat suddenly dry, his headlight, his hands shaking. The call was answered on the third ring."Hello?" her voice was smooth and recognizable."Zoey Blackwood?" his voice didn't sound like his. He cleared his throat instantly."Speaking," she responded."This is Felix." he hoped his voice was steadier than it felt."I am sorry, I don't recall knowing a Felix." She was straightforward, his heart did a nervous flip again. He worried that he would come off as desperate to her, a sight he knew women found scornful."We met through Ivory. You gave me permission to seek out your contact?" he felt weird just explaining the connection."Oh!" recognition had enlightened her. "I apologize. I am terrible with names. Felix was it?" She questioned."Yes. I am actually calling to take you up on your promise to join
Ivory couldn't bring herself to sit. She stood awkwardly amidst her mother and Raiden her mind wondering how to break this situation apart."Oh for heaven's sake, sit down Ivory. It's very rude to be standing about in that manner while you have company." Her mother chastised.Ivory gazed at Raiden who gave her a small smile and patted the seat next to him. She hesitated, surrendering as the weight of their stares forced her to sink down into a seat."So who exactly are you?" her mother directed the question at Raiden. He parted his lips to respond but Ivory beat him to it."He just told you, mother," she responded defensively. Her heart rate increasing.Her mother rolled her eyes at Ivory. "Let me rephrase, how do you know my daughter?"Ivory was ready to respond, but Raiden placed a hand on hers and squeezed gently, reminding her that she didn't have to worry with him around. She knew however that her mother noticed
A year and a half later."Congratulations! I need to see the ring."The four bodies crammed into Ivory's office space were blissful in the news. The two men chatted over matters of the best man and Ivory and Zoey stood admiring the engagement ring."It's so beautiful!" Ivory commented as if it were the first time seeing the ring. She had long been involved in the proposal plan and the news today came as no shock. Every cell in her body exploded with happiness, the joy and contentment on Zoey's face were infectious! They all felt it.Zoey chatted for a bit and then returned to work at the end of the lunch hour, Felix accompanying her, leaving Ivory and Raiden alone."You know that could have been us, announcing our marriage to our friends but you had to reject me." Raiden lamented, walking around her desk and sitting in her chair proudly, gifting her a teasing smile. Ivory blushed a trait that has accompanied her for the past year and
Ivory groaned at the notification sound on her phone, it could be nothing else but an email. She logged in, the email from Raiden's office. Her heart did a miniature somersault, the disappoint setting in as she realized that it was sent by Felix. She inhaled to quiet the whining sounds of her heart and read the email. Ivory couldn't believe her eyes, she had read the email a total of three times to ensure she wasn't seeing wrongly. She knew it had to behisdoing. As much as she wanted to run out of her office and into his to express her gratitude, she hadn't the nerve. It was clear that he didn't want to see her. Yet the fact that he was giving her the opportunity to further work on her novel and have it published was her entire dream and he made it happen.She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She was incandescently happy, but she was undoubtedly reminded of their nights together. The fact that he was now a mere ghost in her past disturb
Zoey hadn't before experienced such anticipation. What began as a one time surprise had now manifested into a routine. She found herself counting down the minutes until her lunch break, at half twelve there was a knock at her door."Come in." She responded, her level of expectation overflowing. She wasn't disappointed. Felix peaked in."Still busy?" he questioned. Zoey shook her head, pulling her laptop down as he fulling entered her office. She had gotten attached to the idea of seeing him and relying on him."I brought lunch." he raised his arms, allowing her the view of his engaged hands."Can you tell Felix I need him to send out some emails for me?" Raiden directed at Ivory, his mind incapable of comprehending anything other than what he was working on. "He's not answering his phone."Ivory surveyed Raiden's conduct. Fingers fast-paced across the keyboard, eyes focused. "It's half 12. I am sure Felix has t
Raiden parked outside the barely familiar house. He hadn't been home in decades, nor had he ever thought he would be about to take another step inside. He eased out of his car and walked up the pathway, not a single happy memory surfacing. The door opened almost as soon as he rang the doorbell and he made his way into the living room, his eyes perusing the staged family photos. He cringed. His entire life had been about pretenses, saving face, and betrayal.His mother entered, her features bright with excitement, despite having seen him a few hours before. "I have dreamed of the day you would return to visit us. Stay for dinner, your father will be back by then." she pulled him to a seat beside her."And where is father?" Raiden questioned, poking at the thinly veiled illusion. His mother's face momentarily collapsed in distraught, recovering just as quickly."What brings you by?" she directed the conversation else to distract herself from the fact that he
Ivory gazed at the photo on her desk, her mouth as dry as the desert. She didn't know how to react or even if she should. She couldn't help but feel something, something she didn't want to explore. It was Raiden, on the cover of a tabloid, clearly having dinner with Naomi Bradford and his mother. This news stirred up numerous controversies, setting Raiden in an unfavorable light, especially since Naomi Bradford was recently widowed.Ivory inhaled, she had been staring at the picture for ten minutes and while her rational mind urged her to dispose of it, her eyes were glued. Her mind was so transfixed by the photo that she hadn't noticed Felix storming into the office. He immediately grabbed the paper from her sight, crumbling the material in his hands."Don't look at that." he urged, suddenly serious. Ivory plastered on a smile as if she hadn't the slightest idea what he was referring to."Why not?" she questioned, her cheeks hurting."You'll just u
Ivory was determined to catch him off-guard, for that reason she had taken the elevator to the floor below her's and used the stairs for the remainder of the journey. Her eyes spotted Felix, tapping his pen against the counter dreamily, she laughed silently, taking light slow steps until she was close enough to him."Good Morning!" she exclaimed with such enthusiasm that Felix, being utterly caught off-guard slid down from his chair in reaction. Ivory couldn't contain the laughter swelling up from her belly. Her left hand reaching to her chest, it had a while she had laughed that hard."Did I anger you?" Felix questioned as he rose from the floor, dusting his clothes off."No, in fact, you have made me happy." She responded. Felix's eyes widened exceptionally."Then why do you punish me?" He demanded dramatically."Oh stop whining," she responded, handing him a cup of coffee and some donuts she had picked up from the bakery.
Ivory couldn't bring herself to sit. She stood awkwardly amidst her mother and Raiden her mind wondering how to break this situation apart."Oh for heaven's sake, sit down Ivory. It's very rude to be standing about in that manner while you have company." Her mother chastised.Ivory gazed at Raiden who gave her a small smile and patted the seat next to him. She hesitated, surrendering as the weight of their stares forced her to sink down into a seat."So who exactly are you?" her mother directed the question at Raiden. He parted his lips to respond but Ivory beat him to it."He just told you, mother," she responded defensively. Her heart rate increasing.Her mother rolled her eyes at Ivory. "Let me rephrase, how do you know my daughter?"Ivory was ready to respond, but Raiden placed a hand on hers and squeezed gently, reminding her that she didn't have to worry with him around. She knew however that her mother noticed
Felix felt a slight tug in his chest as he punched in the seven digits and pressed the call button. His throat suddenly dry, his headlight, his hands shaking. The call was answered on the third ring."Hello?" her voice was smooth and recognizable."Zoey Blackwood?" his voice didn't sound like his. He cleared his throat instantly."Speaking," she responded."This is Felix." he hoped his voice was steadier than it felt."I am sorry, I don't recall knowing a Felix." She was straightforward, his heart did a nervous flip again. He worried that he would come off as desperate to her, a sight he knew women found scornful."We met through Ivory. You gave me permission to seek out your contact?" he felt weird just explaining the connection."Oh!" recognition had enlightened her. "I apologize. I am terrible with names. Felix was it?" She questioned."Yes. I am actually calling to take you up on your promise to join
"You're telling me Zoey, my Zoey, wanted me to give you her contact information?" Ivory questioned again. This had to be a hoax. Her friend wasn't the type to accept dates with complete strangers. It was very uncharacteristic."Why would I lie?" Felix was growing impatient, his tone bordering on whiny."I am not saying that you're lying, I just find it hard to believe. Also, if it isn't true she'd kill me for giving out her number." Ivory turned contemplative, could Zoey really find Felix attractive? This question plagued her. Felix was handsome, quick-witted, funny, and overall a catch, but she was worried about Zoey's temperament. Could her outwardly cold distant friend be finally ready for a romantic entanglement? Deciding to throw caution to the wind on account of her love for the two people in question and hoping that their characters complement each other, Ivory scribbled Zoey's contact details on a loose piece of paper and handed it to Felix.