Chapter 14

“Good morning Ivy” Eman said, joining Ivy in the coffee room. 

Ivy glanced up, her gaze brief. “Good morning Eman.” She turned back to her coffee, but Eman's presence lingered. 

He grabs a cup from the tray and rests his weight on the ceramic counter in front of them. Their daily encounters had become so predictable, almost like he has got surveillance on her to always know the exact time she would be going for her coffee. And for what it's worth, it unsettled her. Eman always made it a point to start a conversation out of nothing when all she wanted was some peace and quiet before getting on with the rest of her day. 

Ivy had tried countless times to show disinterest in his small talks but for some strange reason, he never seemed to get it. 

“Ivy, it’s been a month since you started working here, right?” He asked, his tone friendly but intrusive. 

Ivy nodded. “How are you finding the job?” he persisted. 

Ivy's hands paused, coffee cup mid-air, as Eman's question hung in the air. She didn't want to encourage any conversation but Eman's expectant gaze made it even harder to ignore him. 

She hesitated momentarily, then replied “Everything's fine, thanks.” Her curt response aimed to discourage any further inquiry.

She moved away from the table to the opposite side where the snacks were displayed. “You know, we are having a team dinner tonight to welcome all new employees. You should come.” Eman's smile stretched across his face. “It'll be a great chance to get to meet and bond with co-workers from the other departments.” his gaze rested on her.

Ivy shrugged, her gaze flickering to Eman and back to the snack in her hand. “I appreciate the invitation Eman, but I have other plans for tonight.” She lied, not wanting to prolong the conversation.

“Oh,” Eman's voice dipped, a hint of disappointment in his tone. “Well then, I guess next time I'll just have to inform you much sooner.” He forced a laugh, making Ivy's skin crawl. She returned his fake amusement, her smile tight.

“Anyway, I have to go now.” Ivy said, swiftly grabbing her coffee and a chocolate bar, heading for the exit.

“Have a great day.” Eman replied, his smile lingering. 

Ivy hurried back to her office and just as she was about to settle in, the intercom blared and Carlos's voice came to life as she took the receiver to her ear. “Come to my office.”

Ivy's breath caught in her throat as she wondered what he could possibly need her for. ‘What if he wants to talk about what happened over the weekend? And if that happens to be the reason for his call, do I act like I've got no idea what he's talking about or do I just keep up with what I'd started?’

Ivy smoothed her dress, checking her reflection in her compact mirror one last time. Satisfied with her perfect appearance, she snapped it shut and took in a deep breath to compose herself before heading over to respond to Carlos's call. 

As she approached the door, a gentle knock followed, announcing her presence. Carlos’s voice laced with anticipation beckoned on her to enter. Ivy twisted the handle and stepped in, her eyes adjusting to the familiar decor of the office.

“You called for me, sir.” Ivy said, her voice low and cautious as she stared at him from across the table.

Carlos appeared to be engrossed in some documents on his desk but at the sound of her voice, his gaze diverted to her, setting aside the documents he was working on. Ivy tried her hardest to steal a glance without being noticed but all she could make out was the word ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ written in bold letters. 

“I cannot find the documents for Mr. Jones.” Carlos started, his voice was surprisingly low and calm without any trace of harshness that Ivy was used to receiving. “I believe I had you print out those documents. Why can't I find them?” 

A brief silence followed Carlos's question. Ivy knew exactly what it was he spoke of but it puzzled her that he wasn't enraged by all that he had just said. She cleared her throat, and then replied, “I left them on your desk as instructed. But if you would rather I reprint them, then I'll get right to it, sir.”

“Help me find them.” Carlos replied, a hint of ulterior motive lingered in his voice. 

Ivy blinked repeatedly, confusion creeping in her mind but she dare not question him. “Okay sir.”

A fleeting smile played on Carlos's lips the moment Ivy had her back turned to him from the shelf where she stood, searching for the document. She could feel the intensity of his gaze on her skin and it unsettled her but she could do nothing about it.

She wondered if Carlos was using the document as an excuse to get closer to her. If that was the case, then it means her little stunt at the club worked. Still, that didn't make this any less creepy.

Ivy's heart skipped a beat as Carlos appeared unexpectedly beside her. She turned, her gaze locked onto his as they stood shoulder to shoulder, scanning through the shelves. 

A nervous smile flickered on her lips, and Carlos's eyes squinted as he returned the gesture. “I found it!” Ivy suddenly exclaimed, holding a file in her hand.

Carlos's smile lingered, his eyes never leaving Ivy's as he extended his hand to receive it. But instead of closing his fingers around it, he deliberately let it slip, watching as the content spilled on the ground.

A sly, sinister grin momentarily appeared on his face, indicating his purposeful intent. Ivy was speechless, with no idea what was going on in Carlos's mind. Without waiting to be told, she crouched down, assembling the papers back into the file.

As she made to get up, a pair of strong hands grabbed her suddenly by the waist, raising her to her feet, her eyes widening in shock. “Wha…what are you doing sir?” She stuttered, trying to not lose grip on the papers she had gathered.

“Why are you acting surprised?” Carlos's voice was husky and dark with desire. “You come here dressed in this beautiful red dress accentuating your curves and still pretend to not know what you're asking for?” His words slithered in her ears, sending chills down her spine.

“You weren't so innocent at the club. There's no need to play dumb. It's just us here.” he spun her around to face him, his hot breath fanning across her face.

Ivy gulped, uncertain how to react. Carlos's reaction was exactly what she hoped for, still, it caught her off guard. For a fleeting moment, Ivy saw something flicker in Carlos's eyes. A glimmer of anger, repulsion, desire or something else entirely. She couldn't tell.  

Without prior warning, Carlos pulled away, his back turned to her as he walked back to his seat. “Let me have the documents.” His voice turned cold, adding a mystery to his demeanor.

Ivy's feet carried her to the table and she turned in the document. The loud silence echoed in her ears as she studied his face, waiting for his reaction, something to put her at ease. To tell her that she hadn't messed up her plans because of a momentary indecisiveness.

“That will be all.” His glacial tone broke through the silence. “You may leave now.” 

Regret lurked in the corners of her heart for not seizing the moment. With a defeated sigh, she pushed open the office door, heading for her office.

*

The intercom beeped, recalling Ivy's attention from her computer. “Miss Waters, you have a visitor.” The front desk lady said, her tone crisp and friendly.

She wasn't expecting anyone and could not think of anyone that would want to visit her at her place of work. Ivy had no friends or family aside from Juan she knew was away on a trip.

“Who is it?” Ivy asked.

“Mr Cassano from the pastry shop.” Replied the receptionist.

Ivy's mind made a quick flashback to the incident with the man she had saved weeks ago. “It can't be.” She muttered, curiosity getting the better of her.

“Have him wait at the lobby. I'll be down shortly.” She said, keeping in check the tension rising within her.

The call dropped and Ivy took a moment to pull her thoughts together. Acknowledging that she could be making a wrong guess, Ivy swiftly

shut down her computer, anxious to meet her guest.