Chapter 105: Ivy''s Secret.


    "Hello mm? A youngdy approachedly as she stepped into her


    bulding


    "Hey" Ivy answered her with a smile. Her eyes darted around the room, as she tried to block out the he


    and the loud pounding "How are you?"


    "Good, mm Mr New said he''ll be runningte today, but I''m here if you need anything. My name is Lynn" she said. stretching her hand


    "Hey, Lynn It''s nice to meet you" Ivy said, shaking her


    "So, what do you think? Lynn gestured


    Ivy looked around. Though it wasn''t finished yet, she could see the vision. Her heart swelled when the saw the newly installed ss windows, and the bright green celing and lights. They were beautiful and chic She had to give it to Tim-he was excellent at his job.


    "I''m impressed,” she admitted "I can see where it''s going and I love it."


    Lynn giggled with excitement. Im so happy to hear that"


    Her eyesnded on a ck mahogany door in theer of the room. "What room is this?"


    "Your office, ma''am. But it''s not ready Lynn replied.


    "Oh Ivy said, her heart pounding with excitement. "Nice"


    "We''re almost done, though. By tomorrow, hopefully, it just be finishing touches," Lynn added


    "Cool" Ivy nodded, and then she remembered she still had to find staff and order equipment. Don''t let me disturb you, you can get back to work."


    "Alright ma''am," Lynn said.


    "Take care,” she said with a smile before leaving the building.


    Excitement coursed through her as she made her way into the car.


    On the car seat was the envelope containing the list of candidates Ss had given her. Her thoughts drifted to him and ariger clouded her chest as she remembered Kim''s disys and Ss''s reaction to them.


    She felt so foolish. She couldn''t believe that despite all her anger, she had ended up reacting to his touch. Even now, as she thought about his hands on her breasts, heat rose between her legs.


    "Where are we going, ma''am?" Bud asked, pulling her out of thoughts.


    She groaned when she realized she might need to go home to work, and honestly, she didn''t want to. "Let''s find a good restaurant so I can grab breakfast and work," she told him.


    "Alright ma''am, Bud said, starting the car


    Ivy leaned back on the couch and took the envelope. She was trying to do everything not to think of Kim or Ss. Thankfully, she remembered Ss had found a detective, so she brought out her phone from her bag and texted Ss When she unlocked her phone, she noticed he had already texted her. She ignored his message about dinner and requested the detective''s number instead.


    She waited for his response, but got none.


    "Here''s one restaurant, ma''am, Bud informed her.


    She lifted her head and took in her surroundings. The ce looked serene, with only fewer cars in the parking lot. "This would do. Thanks Bud," she replied and he drove in.


    Ivy gathered her bag and the envelope and made her way inside. The restaurant was almost empty, and it smelt like fresh coffee which made her stomach groan. She walked down theidor, picked the table closer to the window, while Bud sat nearby.


    A waitress approached. "Hello ma''am, Wee to Lulu''s. Here''s our menu," she smiled, handing Ivy the brown par Ivy smiled and collected it. Thanks. I''ll have a cup of coffee first."


    "Alright ma''am, the waitress said and left.


    Once alone, Ivy went through the menu and chose burgers and fries. She turned to Bud. "You can get something too"


    "Thanks, ma''am," Bud replied.


    While waiting for her coffee, she took the envelope and went through the lists. Ss had named them ording to their roles; Photographers, Personal assistant, Studio manager, Editor, Sales specialist, Receptionist/Client coordinator, Technician, ountant, Legal advisor. Under each role were at least five names.


    "Here you go, ma''am," The waitress returned with her hot coffee. "Have you decided on your order?"


    "Yes," she said. Til have a burger and fries. Also, find out what he would have." She gestured towards Bud


    The waitress nodded and went over to Bud''s table. As Ivy sipped her coffee, she returned to the list.


    She checked each candidate, judging them by their experiences and qualifications: She concluded that she will pick three candidates from each category and conduct a one-on-one interview


    As she flipped another page, her phone rang disrupting her. She picked it and


    saw it was Theresa calling


    "Hey Tr Ivy greeted cheerfully.


    "Hey, Ivy How are you?" Theresa was equally happy to talk to her.


    Tim great and you?"


    "Awesome." Theresa replied. “Sorry I didn''t call you back as nned, I already left."


    "Oh, I didn''t know. When did you leave?" Ivy asked.


    "This morning. Wilson and I left together Theresa said with a giggle.


    "Yay Ivy teased.


    Theresaughed. "I know, I know. Well, we had a talk. When I told him I wanted us to go hiking so we could bond, he felt bad. At least he realized I was trying to fix us, and he met me hallway."


    "I am so happy. Wills is such a gentleman," Ivy said, her heart pounding with relief.


    "He''s the best!" Theresa admitted.


    "I''m so happy for you."


    "Thank you so much, Ivy Theresa said. Thank you for the kind words and support"


    "You''re wee, I''m so d it worked out."


    "Yeah. Don''t worry I owe you lunch when next I''m around," Theresa said.


    "No problem dear," Ivy replied. "Send my regards to Wills."


    “Sure. Take care love," Theresa said ending the call.


    Ivy smiled and resumed her work, d that Theresa''s marriage wasn''t failing.


    The waitress returned with her food and ced it on the table. “Here ma''am.”


    "Thank you," Ivy said.


    "Would that be all?" The waitress asked.


    "Yes, thanks," Ivy said and the waitress left.


    Ivy turned to the juicy burger and finished it all. After eating, she went back to the lists. She picked three candidates from each category and informed them by email for the interview.


    After that, she set up her newptop and began to order all the equipment she would be needing. By the time she was done, she nced at her wristwatch-she had spent three hours in the restaurant, and Ss still hadn''t replied to her message about the detective.


    Knowing she still wasn''t ready to go home, Ivy racked her brain for her next destination. Then she thought of Rita.


    She stood and walked over to Bud, who was pressing his phone.


    He looked up and tugged the device into his front pocket. "All done, ma''am?"


    "Yes," she replied. "We''re going to Mill Valley."


    It was now or never-she had to get to the bottom of Rita''s issues.


    Bud nodded, and after she paid for their meal, they headed to the car. The drive to


    Mill Valley was long, giving her plenty of time to think about how to approach Rita.


    "We''re here, ma''am," Bud announced.


    "Alright, thank you." She stepped out of the car, adjusted her dress and walked toward Rita''s house.


    She had no idea how Rita would react today, and that unsettled her slightly. Reaching the door, Ivy knocked. "Rita?"


    She heard the door unlock, and Rita stepped outside, a frown on her face. "What


    do you want now?"


    "I just want to talk, Ivy said. "Please"


    Rita shook her head, pouting her mouth. "No, Ivy. I can''t have a chronic drunk


    around my child." Ivy blinked. "What are you talking about?"


    citeart


    “Oh, I read all about you in the news, Rita said, crossing her hands. "Your secret


    is all over the headlines"


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