Chapter 5

Christopher’s POV

I put the empty bottle of  wine on the dining table. The effects of its content, already making me a little light headed. I was alone in our house because Ivyrose was waiting for me at Foxworth mansion, taking care of last minute details for her father’s 60th birthday party. The party of the year, the magazines and newspapers called it. 

I looked at myself in my full length mirror and almost didn’t recognize the man I’ve become. I used to be so simple and poor, yet the man in front of me was wearing a black armani suit. I looked great although it was a little tight around my biceps considering everytime my mind stressed over that night, I went to my gym and punished myself —Forcing extreme pain to push the morbid thoughts out of my head, and forgeting my conscience with too much exhaustion. I also went to see a shrink once or twice a week and it helped a bit to vaguely talk about my secrets. For the past two months, I found a way to say it, disguising it as troublesome dreams. 

Ivyrose on the other hand, changed in a great way. She was more vulgar with her feelings for me and kept telling me she loves me; Only me. But there was a night when we were having sex, she asked to be tied up and blindfolded again. I had to use all my strength not to cry. Luckily for me, I managed to focus and made her scream with pleasure over and over again. Once, I told my therapists that “all my fears evaporate the moment Ivyrose kisses me. The moment she shows me she loves the way I touch every part of her body. The moment I’m inside her and we are but one; body and soul. But once the euphoria vaporizes, all the bad dreams come flooding back and so I follow her in the shower and fuck her again.” The good doctor Brown took a few minutes to respond to that. 

The beeping of the car horn made me realize the light had turned green. I stepped on the gas and sighed. I have to find a way to make this work. I have to find a way to forget all I did. I have to find a way to forgive myself. I looked up at the people on the streets as I passed by the city and they all seemed so carefree. What I'd give to be that way with Ivyrose forever.

Bright lights could be seen miles away from the Foxworth mansion as I entered the gates. There were expensive sports cars and limousines  in front and behind me; It's owners all  waiting to be part of the event of the year and to be pictured along the likes of the Foxworths. Flashes of lights from the media’s cameras greeted me as I came out of my car. 

“Mr. Stanford over here! Smile, please!” 

“Mr. Stanford, how does it feel to be the boyfriend of New York’s richest heiress?” 

“Christopher! Give us an interview! How does it feel that your company has been the top one earner in tech these past two months?” 

They all shouted my name despite the other real hollywood celebrities present there. All the reporters shouted questions I didn’t want to think about let alone answer. I ignored all of them and went inside the mansion. 

Two big greek columns guarded the entrance to Foxworth mansion. The white marbled floors led me to the great hall where a lot of the guests were standing, dancing and talking. Ivyrose saw me and smiled. My heart almost stopped at the sight of her. She was definitely the most stylish, most beautiful and most graceful woman at the party. 

“Hi, babe. What took you so long?” she said, kissing my cheek.

“Hey. Sorry. I had to finish reading a few contracts. Where’s your dad? I wanna greet him.”

“Uhm I think I last saw him over there with mom. Go to them and then in a few minutes you’ll see me up there, okay?” She said pointing at the stage at a corner of the huge ball room. The orchestra was playing a classic love song. I nodded and she turned to leave me when I pulled her back and into my arms, and then suddenly kissed her.

“You look too beautiful to be real, Rose.” 

“Aww you’re so cheesy, Chris. But yes, I should be beautiful if I am to dance with the most handsome man tonight.” she wiped the lipstick from my lips.

“Your dad?”

“No, you of course, silly!” she said and chuckled, leaving me grinning like a teenager. My heart pounded in my ears as I watched her walk away. 

I found her parents minutes after talking to some people I’ve never met, but have seen in magazines before. The others I’ve seen in movies.

“Hi. Happy birthday, Rex.” I said to Ivyrose’s dad who hugged me. “Mrs. Foxworth, you look absolutely beautiful.” I added as I kissed her mother’s hand.

“How many times have I told you to call me, Ivanna? Mrs. Foxworth sounds so old, Christoper.”

“Right. Sorry, Ivana.”

“Everyone, this is Christopher Stanford, my daughter’s boyfriend. You might have seen him on the cover of Forbes last year as the youngest self made millionaire.”

“Oh yes, I thought I recognized you. Well done, son. However, did you do it?” said an old man, who I was sure was an actor but forgot what his name was.

“Thank you, sir. I’m just lucky, I guess.” The other guests in our circle said some congratulatory comments and how lucky I was indeed to be loved by the Foxworths.

“HELLO, EVERYONE. MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?” Ivyrose’s voice boomed throughout the ballroom. “If you all could head on outside, to the garden? Please? So we can start my daddy’s 60th birthday party. Thanks, everyone.”

All the guests started moving toward the side doors leading to the gigantic lawn where in the middle stood another stage with another orchestra. “Oh Ivanna, how I wished your daughter and my son Jasper made it work out.” I heard a woman, who linked arms with Ivyrose’s mom, say. They were walking  in front of me. Her mom laughed and said, “Well, I guess two spoiled brats would never get along, dear. Besides, although I adore Jasper, I couldn't ask for more from Christoper. He’s without doubt the best man for our Ivyrose. 

That’s right, Ivanna. Tell that rich snob bitch.  I said to myself and chuckled when Ivanna looked back and winked at me. 

I was about to go out through the door, when I saw him. The fucking blackmailer. I stopped on my tracks and looked again at the hallway leading to restrooms. No one was there. 

Stop thinking about that guy. You did your research about them and you’re ready if he tries anything else. But they’re gone. You have the contracts and they stuck to the deal. He didn’t exist. It didn’t happen. It was just a nightmare.   These words became my mantra since that night. I stopped on my tracks halfway down the hall when I heard someone call my name. 

“Hey, Chris. Sit with us.” Kyle, one of my business partners, called out to me before going out to the garden. I followed him and heard Ivyrose talking again. 

“Okay. Hi, again, everyone. First of all I want to thank you all for coming here and celebrating with my family tonight. Now, you all know the man of the hour, but I want to tell you something none of you knows. Rex Foxworth might be the meanest, baddest, strictest tycoon in New York, but I’ll tell you a secret. He is actually the sweetest, kindest, most honest, loving, human being I know…”

All of us noticed how she stopped talking as if she was looking for someone in the crowd. Then after a long pause, she finally gained back her focus.

“Sorry about that.” She chuckled before she continued. “And he is the love of my life. Happy birthday, daddy!” 

The orchestra played and everyone sang happy birthday. Rex, along with Ivanna, went up the stage and after closing his eyes, blew the candles on his cakes. 

“Speech! Speech!” the crowd chanted. 

“Thank you, darling. You and your mom are the love of my life. And there’s nothing in the world that I could ever ask for but to see the two of you healthy and happy. Thank you everyone for making all this fuss about an old man’s birthday. Eat, drink, dance and talkBut don't talk business! Let’s have a great time, everybody.” 

Everyone clapped and started moving about again when Rex tapped the microphone and called their attention once more. 

“Excuse me. Oh I really am old already. Where is he?” Rex said, looking around at the crowd. “Christopher! Where are you, son? Come up here a sec.” I put my drink down and came up to the stage, kissing Ivyrose on the cheeks.  I have an announcement to make. A few months from now, maybe in June?” he asked Ivyrose and me, and we nodded. “I would like to invite you all to my daughter’s wedding to Christoper Stanford; Forbes magazine’s man of the year." 

Everyone applauded and some cheered. I kissed Ivyrose and the crowd cheered some more. “Lucky bastard!” Lucas Payne, an old single tycoon slash playboy shouted and everyone laughed. 

The orchestra started playing wonderful tonight by Eric Clapton and Ivyrose and I started dancing. A few minutes after the chorus her dad cut in and I danced with her mom, Ivanna.

“Handsome, delicious cook, genius, kind hearted…the list just goes on with you, huh Chris?” Ivanna said as we swayed to the music. 

“You’re too sweet Mrs., I mean Ivanna.” I said, my stomach churning. In my mind the picture of the bloody sheets flashed again. “I’m the lucky one to be so loved by your daughter.”

“True. But there’s really something I see in you, Chris. I can definitely tell you’re a good guy. And I’m not just saying that because I’ve read Rex’s thorough background check reports on you.” she laughed and that was it for me— I wanted to puke my dinner out. Luckily, the music ended and I thanked her again, and then excused myself to get us a drink. 

Loosening my collar, the bartender gave me a shot of vodka from the open bar and I instead asked for the bottle, drinking straight from it. After another sip, I managed to control my thoughts and decided to find Ivy. I looked around on the dance floor and found her with her back to me. It was then that my soul left my body. The man she and her dad were talking to, was the man who fucked her that night.