Ivy marched into her room and bolted the door carefully behind her. She threw her bag on the bed, and the Cartier wristwatch and diamond ne slipped out and fell on the floor.


    What was wrong with her? Why couldn''t she just control her emotions? And why the hell was Ss nonchnt about hugging Aaliyah Salvatore?


    Ivy didn''t have answers, but she was dying for them. She moved to the contents on the floor and picked them. She then ced them on the table.


    She was taking off her shoes when there was a knock at the door.


    "Yes?" she called, moving closer.


    "It''s Monica. Mr. Stone wants to see you in his room. He says it''s urgent," Monica said from the other side.


    "Alright, I''ming," she replied, and waited until she heard Monica shuffle away.


    What was Ss up to now? She didn''t know, but she was curious. She wore her furry slippers and made her way to his room.


    She was about to knock when Ss called. "Come in."


    She stepped inside and her breath caught. Ss was shirtless, bent over his table. His muscles glistened, golden, hard and defined. When he turned to face her, she found herself licking her lips, admiring him.


    "Sorry to call you like that. I know you''re tired," he said, unaware of the tension in her heart and the heat between her legs. "But something important came up."


    Despite the seriousness in his tone and the frown creased on his forehead, Ivy couldn''t stop herself from blushing.


    “Yes... uh...” she stuttered, unable topose herself.


    Ss left the table and walked to his bed. "Mason Hunter is suing you."


    The statement hit her like a ton of bricks. "What?... Why?" she stuttered again, this time out of shock.


    Ss peeled off his shoes one after the other. "He ims you assaulted his mother. He''s suing for twenty million dors."


    Ivy gasped. "That bastard!"


    "I know," Ss said calmly. "That''s why I wanted to tell you before you found it on the news."


    Ivy could feel the anger stir in her chest. "That bastard," she repeated. "He won''t pay my money, yet he''s suing me for the exact amount?"


    Ss tilted his head. "I didn''t know he was that bold."


    "He''s insane!" she snapped, and began to pace back and forth.


    "Hey," Ss walked up to her, gently holding her in ce. "I don''t want you to worry. I have it under control."


    Ivy shivered at his touch, but avoided his eyes. "What''s the n?"


    Ss dropped his hand and stepped back. "You have an interview scheduled for tomorrow initially, I think we''ll just address it all together."


    Ivy pressed her lips together, trying to contain her frustration. She touched her forehead. "I can''t believe Mason would do this."


    "And he''s wrong." Ss said assuringly, returning to his bed.


    She frowned. "What do you mean?"


    "Mason''s im is false. He says you hurt his mother, but we both know Monica did," he exined.


    Relief ran through Ivy temporarily, but it was quickly reced by worry. "What would happen to Monica? What would he do to her?"


    11:54 AM


    "Hey, hey," Ss said softly, approaching her again. "Monica is safe. Mason is not after her." His voice was soothing, and when he held her arms, Ivy calmed down.


    She stared in his hazel eyes and watched as they glimmered with something that both intrigued and terrified her. Ss pulled her closer, and when her stomach touched the bulge in his trousers, she flinched out of his embrace.


    "Thank... thank you for looking out," she said, trying to regain control of the situation.


    Ss didn''t reply. Instead, he stepped forward, his eyes burning with desire. "Dear Ivy," he called softly.


    His seductive tone made her cheeks burn.


    For a moment, she let him hold her. For a moment, she let his lips brush her forehead. For a moment, she rested her head on his bare chest, tracing his muscles with the tip of her finger.


    God, it was tempting to pretend that this was something-he was tempting!


    But Ivy knew better than to be carried away by wishful thinking and hopeless desires.


    She slipped out of his sp, watching as the light in his eyes faded off. "Uhmm, we have a long day ahead tomorrow."


    Ss paused, then he nodded. "Yes, yes." His tone carried an unconcealed disappointment.


    Ivy felt pity at his expression, but before she gave into it, she turned towards the door. "See you tomorrow."


    "Goodnight," he muttered sadly.


    Ivy sighed once she was in the hallway. Her heart tugged with desire, yetmon sense cautioned her. She knew what Ss wanted, but right now, it was diluted with several other things-and people.


    She remembered the way he''d touched Aaliyah and that was enough to propel


    her to her room. She bolted the door, took a quick bath, and settled in bed.


    She waited hours for sleep, her mind filled with images of Aaliyah nestled in Ss''s arms and then Ss-hot, shirtless and tempting.


    Next thing she knew, it was morning and she didn''t remember sleeping. Though when she woke up, she realized she''d slept well. It was when she dressed up and went downstairs did she know it waste morning.


    Ss was seated in the living room, his eyes fixed on theptop in front of him. He


    nced up as she entered.


    "Hey," he greeted. "How are you?"


    "Good," she replied. "What time is it?"


    Ss squinted at his screen. "Ten minutes past twelve."


    "I had no idea it was thiste," she said.


    "I didn''t want to disturb you," he confessed. "Figured you needed the rest after yesterday."


    The way he said ''yesterday'' made her cheeks heat. She nodded. "Thank you."


    "You''re wee," he smiled. "Go meet Bethany for breakfast-brunch, then we''ll get ready, Cool?"


    She nodded again. "Cool."


    Ivy made her way to the kitchen as directed by a maid. She found Bethany who served her a quick bowl of smoothie. Ivy devoured her te and got fully dressed. Ss was waiting for her at the base of the stairs when she descended. "Looking beautiful as always," he teased.


    She blushed. "Thank you."


    "Ready?" he asked, helping her down.


    The car was ready when they got outside, and the ride to the venue was silent


    and quick. When Victor entered the gated premise, Ss turned to face her.


    11:54 AM


    "My team would prepare you for the interview, so you have nothing to worry about," he told her.


    "Alright," Ivy nodded her understanding.


    Then his expression turned serious. "Aaliyah is still in charge of your outfit for today," he said. Before she could protest, he added. "There''s nothing going on between us. She needs this job. I hope you can understand that."


    Ivy''s argument died on her lips as she nodded slowly. There was something in his tone when he spoke about Aaliyah, something protective, and it made her jealous. "You''ve got this," he smiled at her as he pushed the door open.


    Ivy stepped out, a lump formed in her throat as tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Why was Aaliyah here again? Why was Ss so protective of her?


    Theck of answers stung, and as she made her way into the building, she was


    determined to find answers.