Chapter 6 Six.

Ivy.

I did originally set out to look for a job, but when everywhere I was applying to didn't have any openings and no one was hiring, I decided to go shopping instead. I boarded a taxi to the most expensive mall I could find and spent hours perusing stores, buying a lot of extravagant things-whether or not I needed them.

Though a part of me felt guilty for being so wasteful, it didn't take long for me to ignore that feeling and focus on the adrenaline rush buying things always gave me. I spent a pretty penny on newer clothes, even going as far as getting lingerie, latex, and finally, sex toys. Satisfied with the amount of things I had gotten, I packed all my bags and headed home.

My mother was around the moment I arrived. One look at the sheer amount of shopping bags I was holding, and she immediately started fuming. She didn't even let me enter the house before she began yelling at me.

"How dare you spend so recklessly!" she screeched, all in my face. "Julian gives you his card out of the goodness of his heart and you do this?!"

I scoffed, and she hit my face before pulling at my hair, making me wince. "Let me go!" I gritted through my teeth, trying to dislodge her grip. It took a while, but I finally managed to get rid of it.

"Need I remind you, it was Julian who gave me his card? I didn't ask for it. I'm sure he must have seen all of my transactions. If he didn't have a problem with it, why are you so concerned?!" I snapped at her, and her eyes widened.

She tried to raise her hand at me again, but I caught it mid-air. "You wench! Don't think I don't know what you're doing! You better not come between me and Julian, or else-!"

"Or else what?" I yelled at her, cutting her off. Throwing her hand away, I let out a delirious chuckle. "You'll ship me off to Russia? Oh please, at this point, I think I'll appreciate it." Taking a couple of steps toward her, I stared her down. "Unlike you, I have nothing to lose. I'm not the one with a dirty money-laundering secret disguised as charity and more scandalous pasts!"

Running a hand through her well-made hair, I gripped her chin, watching as her eyes flared with anger and something that looked suspiciously like fear. "So, if you don't want me screaming to the press about your ugly past, just keep your mouth shut and enjoy the show."

Clarissa paled, opening her mouth to speak, but no words would come out, so she snapped it shut. Exactly what I wanted. I bit back the smile budding on my face-now isn't the time yet. "I will return the card to Julian when he asks for it," I murmured, letting every distaste I felt for her seep into my voice. Pulling my hand away, I picked up the shopping bags and headed straight to my room.

I dumped them on the ground, locked the door behind me, and started arranging everything I had gotten. Then brought out the lingerie set and dildo I had purchased, walked straight to the mirror, and placed the clothing on my body, assessing it. A devious smile appeared on my lips.

Time for the real show to begin.

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.

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Dinner that night was tense, with everyone glancing furtive looks at each other, unspoken questions hovering like a cloud. I ignored everything, focusing on the meal before me. Finally, Julian cleared his throat.

"How was your job hunt?" he asked with a deep voice, his gaze fixed on me. I took a bite from my mashed potatoes, then glanced at him.

"Uneventful," I muttered as I swallowed. Dabbing my mouth clean with a tissue, I leaned back in my seat. "No one was hiring."

"Better luck next time," he said, and I nodded, going back to my meal. Clarissa exchanged glances between us, a look of confusion on her face. Then, in an attempt to bring the attention back to her, she scooted close to Julian, interlinking her arms with his.

"Babe..." she murmured in a sultry voice, giving him a saccharine smile. He glanced at her, still chewing.

"Hmm?"

"Have you thought of our wedding date yet?" she asked, leaning her chin. I saw him stiffen subtly, but he managed a grave smile.

"Whatever day you feel is comfortable is fine with me. I'm not in a rush."

Clarissa didn't look too pleased with the answer he gave her, but she tried to hide it with a smile-and to be honest, I almost chuckled. She looked like a spoiled kid who always wanted to be the center of attention all the time. I finished my meal and dropped the spoon with a decisive sound.

"I'm tired. I would like to go and rest," I announced, pulling back my chair. Julian watched me as I stood to my feet.

"Okay. Have a good night," he murmured. I lingered for a bit, hoping he would ask for his card back, but when he didn't say anything, I started to leave.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" my mother's voice suddenly broke through, and I stopped, turning my head to face her.

"Am I?"

She glared at me, narrowing her eyes. "Oh... Right! Your card!" I announced in a stunned manner, rushing back to the dining table.

"By the way, thank you for lending me your card, Sir Ashford. I'm sure you must have seen it, but I did some shopping with it. I hope you don't mind. I'll pay you back," I said, pulling the card from my shirt, where it was tucked inside my bra, and slapping it on the table.

My mother's mouth fell open in shock, and Julian looked stunned. He stared at the card, pressing his lips into a thin line, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"Keep it," he growled, his voice uncharacteristically low.

"Really?" I perked up like an excited kid, my hands already curling around the card.

"Yes," he muttered, his voice tight, briefly holding my gaze.

"Okay... Thank you!" I announced and happily skipped to my room, leaving my mother dumbstruck. Yeah, that's how you do it.

I waited for my mother to confront me afterward just like she did in the morning, but when it didn't happen, I moved on to the next phase. After having a quick shower, I dried off the water from my body and spent a great deal of time priming my skin. Satisfied with the way I looked, I brought out a lingerie set and put it on. A quick assessment in the mirror, and I took a couple of sultry and seductive pictures with it.

After confirming that Julian had indeed retired to his room, I started texting him.

I: Hey. Want to see the things I bought?

Clicking send, I lay on the bed, waiting for his response.He'd better respond... because if he didn't, this whole act would crumble into embarrassment. It took a while, but the typing notification soon popped up.

J: I thought I told you not to contact me again!? Also, what was that stunt you pulled in the dining room this evening?!

If Julian could send emojis, I probably would be receiving a ton of them right now.

I: I'm sorry about that. I wanted to keep your card safe. My mother fought with me for it.

J: Really?

I: Yes. Anyway, do you want to see the things I bought? I took pictures.

J: No, I don't want to.

I sent him the pictures of me posing in the lingerie anyway and grinned when the marker indicated he had viewed them.

I: Like it? I thought of you when picking them.

J: Ivy, stop this.

I: I got some more things too.

There was a delay in his response, but soon enough, he began to type.

J: What else did you get?

I: A dildo.

I sent him a picture of that too.

I: I like to think it's the same size as you-though I can't be too sure. My memory of that night is hazy. It was rather erotic purchasing it with your money. I'll be thinking about you when I use it tonight. Have a good night.

Then I sent kissing emojis and dropped the phone, smiling to myself.

I'd already dropped the bait.

Let's see if he'll catch it.