Chapter 4 In His Arms Again

Denise POV

Hastily, I grabbed something to wear in the wardrobe. It was a robe and once I was done making sure I wasn't naked, I spurred the door open and ran out.

My heart raced as I was tensed, hoping to come across him because I could tell he was annoyed with me.

It seems he was gone because I couldn't find a trace of him. The large mansion was confusing, but I managed to find the stairs.

I had taken a turn around the balcony only to hear a loud thud. Once, that made me cringe.

It was replaced by a grunt.

I was startled as that sound drew me in. Curiously, I stroll down in the direction of the sound.

It was around the lobby and I gasped at what I saw.

The blood left in me dried up. It was Lucas, cussing at Ivan and punching him in the face for ruining his night over a false alarm.

I couldn't bear it, to see that Ivan was holding back his pain after the heartbreak of earlier.

He doesn't deserve this. He kept apologizing as Lucas hit him more.

"Stop! Please!" I yelled, boiling with rage. Horror wears me as I shake with anger.

I was just an inch close, my heart bleeding watching Lucas.

My eyes locked with Ivan, his sullen face had cuts from Lucas' hits. I cried in silence.

Lucas paused and dropped his hand. He slowly threw his gaze at me and heaved deeply.

Blood drooled from Ivan's nose and I felt miserable.

"How can you be so heartless!" I barked, glaring at Lucas, who scoffed unbelievably at me.

"How dare you question me!" Lucas brawled with a daring glare. Cold flushed down my spine.

I gasped, unable to breathe or scream as he was terrified. My heart pounded as I could tell he intended to hit me too.

"Boss please, your behavior might be watched" Ivan interrupted, his fists clenched and Lucas tugged his hands into his pockets.

Lucas leaned his lips closer to me and said:

"He keeps saving you...but not for too long"

I flinched where I stood, taken aback by what he said as he walked past me and purposely brushed my shoulders.

I nervously took a glimpse at Lucas, my breath short and deliberate until he was out of sight.

I exhaled deeply and shoved his face towards where Ivan was meant to be, but it turns out he was walking away again.

I won't let him go this time.

My feet hastened after me as I grabbed his wrist and caused him to face me.

He snapped my hand away, and I gulped hard, feeling empty and lonely.

"You're hurt Ivan, I can't let you go", I petitioned as he was a distance away from me.

He stopped walking. I could hear his hassle breath as he swiveled around to face me.

His lips trembled, and I could tell he didn't want to see me because of my actions. I had goosebumps with the way he stared like I was a plague.

Ivan wiped his nose with his arm and all we did was stare at each other with tears in our eyes.

"Are you trying to say this is the end?" I questioned as tears brewed up in my eyes.

His eyes said everything and he couldn't even spit out a word. If he's angry with me, he should speak. His silence was killing me and I might take my life at this rate.

He gave me no response and suddenly began to pace closer to me. Before I could roll out another word, he held my lips.

His hand was behind my hair as his muffled breath poured on me. I felt hot, startled by his kiss.

I threw my arms around his back. I just wanted him to take out Lucas' taste with his ardent kiss.

His hot tongue devoured mine as he took my breath away.

We groan in each other's mouths, missing every moment we've shared together.

We terminated the kiss and I embraced him.

I just didn't want this moment to end. My muscles softened as I felt safe, warm and fulfilled in his arms.

My head lazily rested on his chest as I sniffed, all that filled my mind was him.

"I'm sorry, Ivan" I whispered as I tightened my grip around his back.

His hand struck my back. My face tilted upwards, my lips parting slightly as I felt the gentle pressure of his chest against me.

I fluttered my eyes close to become fully immersed in the sensation of his embrace.

"I couldn't stand him with you" he confessed, squeezing me mildly in his arms.

His head rested on my shoulder as I stroked his hair.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you about it..."

"It's alright Denise, I understand" he responded and refrained from the embrace.

We stared at each other passionately as he inserted my stranded hair between my ears and let out a wry smile.

I smiled back, my heart flustered, but my worries heightened because of the bruises on his face.

Ivan placed his palms on my cheeks. His soft gaze, which seemed burdened with anguish, made me distressed.

"Let's get you treated first" I said, breaking the silence between us, but Ivan refused, claiming he'd get himself treated. Besides, Lucas might be out soon.

I closed my eyes as the thought of Lucas was like a thorn in my flesh.

It was just our first day together and his attitude was beguiling. I can't believe I'm married to a monster.

The memories of him trying to have his way on me were traumatizing already. How would I survive this man?

Lucas was so unavoidable, like a leech stuck on me.

"You hate him just like I do" Lucas whispered as he licked his lower lips.

I nodded, fighting so hard to control my tears from dropping.

"Then, let's kill Denise... it's the only way we can be together."

***