Chapter 3
That early morning Cynthia woke up happy. She had the best night of her life after being handled well by Alex. She smiled as she sniffed his bedsheets again. Her smile dropped when, “ you're still here? Get up, leave.” Alex said harshly “I, I-I thought” “You thought what, just because we fucked a couple of times doesn't mean I want you around me, Cynthia leave” Cynthia leaves the room with hot tears dropping from her eyes. She wondered why he treated her that way when the sex was that good. There was a connection, couldn't he see it? She was determined to help him see it. Back at the New York School of Art, the orientation just ended. “Hey, excuse me.” Cynthia called out, students had begun to disperse. Tim and Ivy turned around. “Hi, I didn't get your name” “I didn't give it” Tim said rudely “It's Tim,Tim Rumble I am Ivy.” Ivy replied after feeling guilty for Tim's actions. “Tim Rumble, you mean Rumble as in the Rumble” Cynthia furrowed her brows as I nod. “Come on let's go” Tim said “Wait no” we stopped on our tracks. “I have a small gathering like a party tonight at my penthouse. You both should come. I'll get your contact information so I could send you the address. It's not everyday one gets to see someone stand up to me. Truthfully, I don't even want to be here” Ivy chuckled as she gave Cynthia her contact. “She seems nice” “ Yeah right, come on I'm starving.” After dinner, Ivy and Tim stayed up to watch a movie. “ We should go Tim” “Naahhh” “I didn't go to prom or any of the high school parties. I have missed out a lot on many things. You were never around.” Tim looked at Ivy, they stared into each other's eyes for a while “ okay let's go” “Yayyyyy” Ivy made her way to the door. “Where are you going?” Tim questioned. Ivy stunned “to the party, where else” “Hell no, dressed like that” Tim looked at Ivy slowly from her head to toes. “You need to change” “What is wrong with what I am wearing” “Everything, you were invited by a model to a party. A party where all her model friends and celebrities will be. You are not going like that with me in baggy jeans and an oversized hoodie, go change.” Ivy stumped into her room. She changed into a white turtle neck body con gown with long sleeves, she packed her hair into a messy bun. It fit her perfectly. She looked at herself in the mirror , she grew scared. It's not that she didn't have any fashion sense but Ivy knew, she had always been heavily curvy like a Barbie doll. Thin waist, robust buttom, heavy breast, she was too curvy so, she hid it from the world. Ivy said out loud to herself, “This is it, this is why I came here. To start afresh, to be confident in me, in my body, I can do this." Unknowing to Ivy, Tim had stepped in, She turned shocked to see him. “Tim?” He gaped at her perfect body. “So this is what you have been hiding in all those clothes” Tim of course knew Ivy was endowed. She sent him pictures whenever she could. He had seen traces through her baggy clothes but he wasn't expecting this much of an endowment. They both got to the penthouse and he could swear everyone kept looking at Ivy's ass which he didn't like at all. He stayed glued to her all night until Cynthia spotted them. “Hey guys you made it here” not giving Ivy a look “Tim come I have to introduce you to someone” Cynthia locks arm with Tim while dragging him. Tim gave a look to Ivy “ will you be okay” Ivy nodded “it's fine” A waiter offered Ivy champagne which she slipped slowly. She knew no one here, everything felt sophisticated. Ivy felt a gaze on her, she looked up and around but found no one staring at her. She recognised some actresses and actors in here, she didn't have the courage to talk to anyone. Alex got tired of people trying to mingle with him. He had no idea why he came to the party other than he needed to cool his head. The Mexicans were really getting on his nerves and he really wanted to avoid starting a war but if that's what they want, they'll get it. He noticed Cynthia had a new guy, She introduced him to almost everyone in the party thinking it would make Alex jealous, it made him happy at least he got her off his back for a while. He glanced through the crowd in the party, Alex knew everyone in here, rather everyone knew him. There was this particular blonde haired girl in white, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. Unlike everyone who was either flashing their boobs or legs, she was all covered up yet so alluring. She looked innocent and ripe for taking, it made him erect. He could envision her under him. —--- Ivy could not stand the intense gaze that was on her, she made her way down the hall as she did not know where the restroom was. She got distracted by the paintings hanging on the walls. She heard noises coming from a room. It sounded like someone was in pain at first, as she got closer, she realized the noise was moans. She moved close to see the door slightly ajar, she saw a woman she did not know and a man in a black suit but his trousers were at his feet. She gasped and strolled farther down the hall. They were having sex, ‘they did not even bother to close the door' thought Ivy. She took some turns to find an exact painting of the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci which she stared at scrunching her nose. “It was a gift” startled, Ivy turned to look at the man who owned the voice. She had to bend her neck upward as he was quite taller than her. “It's fake” Ivy replied, “Hm, I know that was why I gifted Cynthia. She knows nothing about paintings, though she graduated from a school of art.” “She did? you live here?” Alex grinned, “No, what's your name sweet” the way Alex looked at Ivy made her conscious of herself, he didn't for once look elsewhere on her body. Alex stared at Ivy in the eyes, like he was looking for something. “Ivy” Alex waited for her to continue “Ivy” Ivy liked the way her name rolled out of his tongue. It made the name sound heavenly “Yes, just Ivy” “Okay ‘just’ Ivy, how did you know it's a fake” “ The Mona Lisa had been painted years ago, this looks new, the artist's detailing is crazy, every stroke is” she paused. “perfect” 'hm, smart’ thought Alex “just like you” Alex said under his breath which Ivy didn't catch. “I'll see you later 'just’ Ivy” Alex left. He turned his back to her as he left, his back looked exactly like the back of the guy she saw through the door earlier before. Alex had caught a glimpse of Ivy through the door, he abruptly stopped without finishing off. He was horny, but it wasn't for the girl that had thrown himself at him. It was for the blonde in white, He wore his trousers “leave” the brunette he was fucking looked at him devastated “what?” “Are you deaf or what?” He left the room to follow Ivy. As he watched her for a while he wanted to pounce on her to give her the best night of her life but something in him wanted to protect her at the same time. He wanted to cage her and keep her only for himself.Chapter 4 “Mr Queen, I offer ten percent profit of all the goods that go through Harlem with an upfront cash of five million dollars'' Ryan opens a suitcase filled with cash. Alex sat across from Mr Queen, who was in charge of every business deal that directly or indirectly involved Harlem. The Mexicans that resided in Harlem took it upon themselves to stop every shipment involving the American syndicate. “The disrespect, I am disappointed Mr Donatello, five million dollars. What do you take me for” “I do not understand you are American why would you side with the Mexicans” “You have Mexican roots, Alex, why do you rule America?” “It seems you have done some background check on me” Alex grinned. “I would love you to know that Isabella, Isabella tastes nice, smells so good, and screams so loud. Isn't that right boys.” The men around Alex laughed. Mr Queen had been having an affair with his secretary, Isabella. “You disgusting piece of shit” Alex signaled Ryan, Ryan pulled out
Chapter 5"Ivy," Tim said."Hey Tim," Ivy replied."When did you get back?""This morning. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up.""It's okay. You want me to make you breakfast?""I ate at the airport. I couldn't stomach any more classes; I need a high CGPA.""Sure, anything I could do to help.""Go get dressed; we're late already."After a long day, Ivy and Tim decided to grab dinner at one of the campus canteens. Today's classes were boring, according to Ivy, but the truth was, she was just exhausted. She didn't find joy in the things that brought her joy. Life seemed to be moving fast, and no one truly cared."What are you going to do about the company?" Tim asked."I sold it.""You're going to sell it? Dang! Your father must have really loved it. Don't worry, once I graduate, I'll make a lot of money and buy it for you." Ivy chuckled, which made Tim smile; it felt like ages since she last smiled."No, I already sold it. I took care of it before coming; I didn't want to be there anym
Chapter 6"Where the hell have you been, Ivy? Where's your phone? I called you like a million times already," Tim blurted."Chillax, Tim. I was somewhere," Ivy replied."Where?""What exactly do you want from me? I need to get to class." Ivy took her leave.Ivy didn't have much to do. She went from restaurants to libraries to retail centers looking for a part-time job, but all to no avail. After a long day of being rejected by everyone, her eyes caught sight of a post: "Need Quick Cash - Call 1403." Ivy knew this was risky; nothing good truly came from quick cash. But right now, who cares? She really needed the cash. Maybe if it was consistent enough, she could pay off her debts. Where was she supposed to get 18 million from? Gosh, this was frustrating.She gave the number a call. "Uhmm, hi. I saw a poster about quick cash. First of all, I'd like to make inquiries about it. Anything illegal or prostitution, count me out.""Gurrrlll, don't play with me," a woman replied, chewing gum au
Chapter 7“I want her.” Ryan demanded“It’s good to see you again here, Sir Ryan.”“Yeah, yeah, I said I want her.”“Who? Let me go get Betty for you,” Mama replied.“No!! Her,” Ryan pointed. “The new girl.”“The new girl, you say?” she asked, as if shocked.“Oh, you’re serious. Well, would you look at that? I guess it’s her lucky day.”“Yes, I am, Mama. What’s her name?”“Natasha. She'll meet you in there in a minute.”“Tasha, get off that stage! Come with me!” Mama called, breaking Natasha off the trance she was in while dancing. Surprisingly, Ivy loved it. Ivy loved being Natasha. She had never felt so wanted and adored the way they wanted her tonight. This made her scared—scared that she would love it too much and wouldn't be able to leave.“There’s a very important man in the VIP section waiting for you. You have to be good, okay?” Mama warned.“B-but I thought you said n
Chapter 8 Mama makes her way to the girls' dressing room as soon as possible. Mr. Donatello is not someone anyone wants to annoy. Most people don't know it, but he owns the nightclub—hell, he owns the whole city. “Where is Natasha?” Everyone looks around for a bit, but it's clear she isn't here. “Pundy, I need Natasha right this moment.” “I have to get home, Mama. Natasha left minutes ago; she's probably home by now. What do you need Natasha for? I can help with it.” “I said I need Natasha! Look for her right now! Call her! If she's halfway home, tell her to turn back right this instant!” The girls look at each other, questioning what is going on. They had never seen Mama this frantic over any girl before. “She isn't picking up, Mama. What should I do?” “She must be around. Look for her.” “Okay, Mama.” Pundy lazily stands up to look for Ivy.
Chapter 9 “A faceless woman? Would you look at that! And who do you think this woman is?” the professor asks, glancing at Tim. “Tell me what you feel, Miss Ivy.” “Uhmm...” Ivy, instead of defending her supposed painting, found herself staring at the painting beside her, which was Tim's. From afar, it looked like just a portrait of her, but closer inspection revealed the deep sadness in her eyes. How he was able to capture such intricate emotion in a painting was unbeknownst to her. Half of her face was smiling, while the other half was sad. It reminded her of herself. Side by side were the two paintings created by Tim; something told Ivy that the women in the paintings were her. Of course, the paintings were about her. “A faceless woman,” Ivy begins. “I painted this because I do—I—” “Did you paint this, Ivy?” “Of course I did.” “Then tell me about it.” “It's a woman who doesn't have a face because she doesn't know who she is. At night, she puts on one face, and by day, a
Chapter 10 “Welcome, Natasha. I've been waiting,” Ryan said. “What happened to your pink hair?” Ryan, who was also wearing a mask, asked. “It's a wig. I'm feeling brunette is better tonight,” Ivy replied. “I'll spend an hour with you. I want to dance on stage tonight.” “Why? I paid exclusively for you.” “You paid for me without asking me if I exclusively wanted to dance for you.” “I'll double the payment,” Ryan countered. “I don't want it.” Sighing heavily, Ivy felt she might be stepping on his toes, but like Mama said, I get whatever I allow. “What can I do to stop you from dancing on that stage? I'll pay you—name your price.” “I can't be bought. That's what you don't get, do you?” He violently stood up and held Ivy by the neck, making her gasp. She expected to be choking by now, but she wasn't. His hands were stern, unmoving on her neck, yet soft—not in a way that could hinder her from breathing. “Please, call me Ryan.” “I want a lap dance, Ivy,” he coarsely
Chapter 11“What restaurant do you work at? I should come over once in a while. Do they sell good food?” Tim asked.“No, they don't. You would distract me; I don't need you there.”“Okay, whatever you say, your highness. Please tell me I'm not the only one getting weird messages from this Bella girl.”“You too? She has been blowing my phone up, saying we should come for this exhibition thing that will gain us more credits for this course.”“Hmmm. Ivy, you're doing it all wrong. She's going to know the last drawing isn't your work if you draw like that.”“Well then, Mr. Perfect, you should probably do my homework for me again. This time, come up with a different concept.”“Don't patronize me! I wasn't the one who slept off when I should be doing my assignment.”“Shut up and let me focus, Tim.” “What are we doing? We are always at each other's necks almost every day. This isn't how it used to be.”
Chapter 23“Gosh, I'm in love with your life right now,” Bella said as they both soaked themselves in the warm bath in Ivy's bathroom. They had decided to give themselves a little spa treatment.“I wouldn't say that,” Ivy replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.“I think I'll be visiting you very often now. What about your apartment, the one you share with Tim?”“What about it?”“I don't know. What are you going to do with it?”“It will be reassigned to someone else next semester. I guess I just worry about Tim.”“Tim? You haven't told him?”Ivy nodded, her expression serious.“Oh Lord, dang girl!”“Promise me you won't say a thing. I want to tell him myself. He's been avoiding me these days.”“Sure, your secret is safe with me.”“I won't call it a secret, Bella.”Bella was fixing her makeup and hair when Eliza knocked.“Ivy, are you in there?”
Chapter 22Ivy laid her head on the soft pillows of the bed, but she couldn't sleep. She turned from side to side, feeling restless. After a few minutes, she felt the need to drink water. Deciding to quench it, she slipped out of bed and padded quietly to the kitchen. The house was eerily silent; it seemed everyone had already gone to bed. As she opened the fridge, her eyes landed on a half-full bottle of red wine. Instead of pouring a glass of water, she grabbed the bottle and took a huge swig. The rich, velvety liquid flowed down her throat, bringing a momentary sense of warmth.Suddenly, a voice from behind her made her jump. “Couldn't sleep?” It was Alex, standing shirtless in the doorway. “Alex!” she exclaimed, quickly dropping the bottle and slamming the fridge door shut, as if she had been caught stealing candy. “I couldn't sleep either,” he replied, moving closer. He opened the fridge, pulled out the wine, and took a swig himself. Ivy couldn't help but admire the view—his
Chapter 21Ivy used her time to take in the breathtaking view from Alex's office. The expansive windows offered a view of the entire city, sparkling and alive beneath the late afternoon sun. It was beautiful, utterly mesmerizing.“You like the view?” Alex asked, his voice startling her. She hadn’t noticed him come in, so engrossed was she in the scene before her.Ivy smiled as she turned back to him. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” “Not as beautiful as the person standing in front of me,” he replied, his gaze piercing. Ivy felt a warmth creeping to her cheeks, a blush that she hoped he wouldn’t notice.“You ready to go?” he asked, breaking her reverie. Ivy nodded, her heart racing slightly. “I need to grab a few things at my apartment first, if you don’t mind,” she said, trying to sound casual.“Like what?” he inquired, raising an eyebrow.“Clothes, you know, basic stuff,” she replied, a little defensive.“You don’t need them. Everything you need is already at home,” he said, the word '
Chapter 20Ivy didn’t know what to feel about Alex’s interference. He had no right to meddle in her studies like that. Now, everyone was going to think she needed to be treated differently. He was going to get a piece of her mind—that was for sure.A sleek black Lexus pulled up right in front of her, and a man emerged from the passenger side. “Miss Ivy?” he called.“Uh, yes?” she replied, a bit taken aback.“I am Jerry, your personal bodyguard, and that is Tom, your personal driver.” He pointed to the man in the driver’s seat, though Ivy couldn’t see him through the tinted windows.Ivy giggled. “Like Tom and Jerry,” she said, hoping for a chuckle, but Jerry didn’t budge. Maybe he didn’t get the joke.“And you think I’m just going to get into a car with total strangers?” Ivy said, taking a step back. She could hear Jerry, now a distance away, trying to call someone—maybe Alex. After what had happened a few days ago, she wasn’t trusting anyone right now.She walked a bit further to rea
Chapter 19“What's your name?” “Cindy,” she said as he grinned widely.“Have you ever gone to school, Cindy?” “I stopped when I was seven, sir.”“Call me Anthony.” Cindy nodded. “As of today, you will be homeschooled. Everything you need will be provided by me. Do you like that?” he asked.Cindy nodded. “If you would like to further your education, I will pay for it, but it depends solely on you. Right now, all you need to do is focus on your studies.”Cindy then received an education. She felt indebted to Anthony; she grew up under his care. She had never received compassion like she did from Anthony anywhere else. She did everything and anything to make him proud.Years later, Cindy grew into a fine woman. She chose not to further her education but to go into business with Anthony, her helper, and she did her job well. You may be wondering what led our dear Cindy—who was starting to do well—into the world of stripping. Anthony, who was the head of the Mexican mafia, needed a
Chapter 18Alex placed Ivy on her bed and handed her a towel to dry off the excess water. She was already shivering at this point.“I told you it was cold,” Ivy said, covering her body with the towel.Alex took her hands and rubbed them with his to create heat. “You should change.”Ivy nodded. “Ivy.”“Hm? Will there be any space for you to love me after what—” Ivy waited for him to finish.“Uhn?”“Never mind,” Alex said as he left the room for her to change.---Cindy and Ryan were able to locate the dump site.“Hell no!” Ryan exclaimed.In front of them were acres of heaps and heaps of rubbish. There was no way they would find the wallet in this trash; even if they searched for a whole year, they wouldn't find it.Cindy dropped her bag and started to search through the trash.“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.“What do you think?”“You would never find the wallet.”“My aunt died because of the wallet. I will find it. Watch me.”“Hey, what are you two kids doing there?” a man in unifo
Chapter 17Cindy headed out to the store, determined to find the wallet and uncover its secrets. Unbeknownst to Cindy, she had dropped the receipt she squeezed between her hands.---Ryan looked at the picture in his hands; it was of a little girl named Cindy, a girl he had met years ago. He couldn't believe he didn't recognize her at all. How could one person change that much? She looked so different now—she was an adult.Years back, when Alex and Ryan were still in their teens, there was a civil war going on in the American syndicate about who would take over after old Mr. Donatello. Alex found out there was evidence or information somewhere that could help him lay total, undoubted claim to the throne.Alex, who had been friends with Ryan from way back, instructed Ryan to find it for him on the condition that he would be the second in command after Alex took the throne. Young Ryan got intel on the escapades of one of old Mr. Donatello's associates, who was in support of the Mexican
Chapter 16TRIGGER WARNINGCindy had spent a few days at her aunt's place, and she wasn't a fool to know what her aunt did for a living. Men, one after another, would come looking for Aunt Madeline. Madeline fed her, but Cindy knew she couldn't stay there for too long. She didn't like the look those men gave her; she had learned her lesson with her stepfather, and she wouldn't make the same mistake twice.On a fateful Sunday, Madeline had gone grocery shopping. A man came looking for her. Cindy heard a knock on the door; she knew not to open it if it was her aunt - her aunt wouldn't knock. The knock was persistent."Who is it?" she called out, but there was no response."Who is it?" she said again. It must be a crook. Should she call for help or the police?"Who is it?""Madeline, I know you're in there. Open the door and give me my fucking money!""Aunt Madeline isn't home," Cindy said through the locked d
Chapter 15 TRIGGER WARNINGThe door creaked as Paul let himself into Cindy's room. He was drunk to a stupor. "Are you awaaakk-eee, Cin... Cindy?" he asked. Cindy was lying on her bed, pretending to be asleep, but she was wide awake.He held her cheek as he lay beside her. "Why can't your mother be this peaceful and beautiful, you witch?" He caressed her neck, going down to her bosom. Nothing was obstructing him; all Cindy wore was a baggy top and shorts.He reached her breasts, playing with her nipples. "I know you are awake, Cindy. You are a slut, just like your mother. You like what I do to you, don't you?"Cindy opened her eyes, looking at him. "Raise your head," he ordered. She did, and he lifted her top off her body. She was young, but she could see the lust in his eyes. Somehow, she got off of the feeling. She always felt she was not pretty enough for men; she had low self-esteem. Her mother broke her confidence.