Chapter 2 Two

Ivy

I woke up the next morning with a queasy stomach and a pounding headache. Squinting my eyes hard against the blinding sunlight shining against it, I pulled up the covers, trying to bury myself underneath the sheets, settling deeper into sleep. A wave of awareness washed over me and my eyes snapped open. I was in bed. How did I get here?

Ignoring the throbbing in my skull, I pulled myself into a seating position, running my hands through my hair in attempt to smooth it and looked around. I was definitely in an hotel room, my clothes had been stripped off me and there was no one in sight. I checked my body for any signs of violation and discovered to my relief that I didn't feel that peculiar sensation of being used.

Memories of the night before began to flash through me and I grimaced, my cheeks heating up. I had fled my mom's fundraising event, gotten drunk and a stranger had brought me here. Though I had tried to seduce him into bedding me, he had strongly refused, unwilling to take advantage of me in that vulnerable state. That was also surprising. Most men would have given in an instant.

Stifling a yawn, stretching my stiff muscles and slipped out of bed. Even my bag and phone had been neatly placed on the bedside table and I found a note tucked underneath it. Curious, I picked it up and read it.

"Sleep well -J" It said and my lips twitched, not quite forming a smile. He didn't even bother to leave his full name. I checked my phone, unsurprised at the number of missed calls I had gotten from my mother. Rolling my eyes, I called her, keeping the phone far away from my ears as I waited for her to pick up. She answered after the second ring and immediately began yelling into the phone.

"Where have you been!? I've been calling you for ages! Get yourself back into the house right now if you don't want...!" I ended the call, dropping the phone onto the bed. I rubbed my eyelids, groaning.

I needed a shower.

.

.

.

After spending an ungodly amount of time in the bathroom washing up, I eventually stepped out with a towel wrapped around my waist and hair. Checking the hotel wardrobe, I was pleased to find some clean dresses, mostly brand new ones as they still had tags on them. I immediately slipped into one, as I combed out my hair, waiting for it to air dry, I ordered my breakfast.

The meal soon arrived and I wolfed it down, mindless scrolling through my phone as I ignored my mom's calls. I didn't know why she was being so persistent this morning. She never used to care enough to call me in the past. Once I was through eating, I packed up all my things and hot ready to leave. Keeping a note in my bag, I stepped out of the room and made way to the receptionist's table. I offered to pay for my stay in the hotel but she informed me that the gentleman who had checked me in had paid for my time in the hotel.

"Oh.... " I mumbled, trailing off. That's... Rather thoughtful of him. "Did he leave a name? Something I can contact him on, perhaps?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Only the inital, J." She answered, smiling at me. Just like in the letter. Awkwardly thanking her, I turned around and left the building. Calling on a cab, I felt my phone ring again. I let out a deep sigh and picked it up.

"Ivy!" She yelled the instant it went through. "How dare you hang up the phone on me!? Where did you go? " She screeched as a taxi stopped in front of me. I opened the back door, slipping into the car.

"I'm on my way home just like you requested. Why are you still bothering me!?" I muttered, giving instructions to the driver.

"You have 30 minutes to show up at this house or you won't like what I'll do to you." She threatened and I rolled my eyes. To hell with that. The driver began to move and I ended the call.

"Take your time, please." I said as I leaned back on the seat, closing my eyes.

I finally got home an hour later to meet my mother pacing restlessly at the grand porch. She stopped when she saw the taxi drive into the building, her face contorting into an ugly scowl when she saw who it was. Paying the driver his fare, I made my way into the house but I was immediately double crossed by my mother.

"And where do you think you're coming from, young lady?" She seethed, glaring at me.

"None of your business. I left your party when I saw I wasn't invited."

Clarissa raised her hand to hit me but instantly stopped herself, rethinking her decisions. "You'd better warn yourself. I swear if you appear on the news again, I won't take it lightly with you." She growled, erasing the distance between us as she stepped closer. I looked down at her, cocking my head to the side.

"Is your fiance coming over? Is that why you have your knickers in a twist?" I asked. She opened her mouth but no words came out. I hissed. "I'm going to my room. I need to rest. Let me know when he arrives." I muttered, side stepping her.

Grabbing a snack from the kitchen, I headed straight to my room and plopped into my bed. Even if he arrived, I had no intention of seeing who it was. They could all go to hell.

Hours passed and soon enough, there was a knock on my door. The door opened and a maid peeked in. "Miss, your mother calls for you downstairs."

"I'm not interested... " I murmured, not looking up from my phone.

"Please miss, she says it's important. I'm not allowed to leave here unless you're following me." The maid said in a respectful yet pleading tone. I sighed, but ultimately stood to my feet. Ru

"Okay, fine." I said, running a hand through my hair as I followed the maid downstairs. I met my mother in the living room, flashing a full-toothed smile at a tall man beside her. The moment I stepped into the room, I froze. My gaze locked on his.

"Oh... There's my daughter I was talking about. Her name is ivy. Ivy meet Julian, my fiancé," My mother introduced me, but I barely paid her any attention as I stared at the tall, heavily built man.

Why did he feel so familiar? Composing himself first, he walked towards me, stretching his hands for a shake.

"Nice to meet you... Ivy" He muttered, in that rich velvety voice of him and I felt a shudder go through me.

I caught a whiff of that rich sandalwoood and citrus scent from last night and gasped softly, all the blood draining from my face, my heart skipping multiple beats. It was the same scent that had clung to me when I woke up this morning. The one that had filled the hotel room.

No.

No. This isn't happening. My skin burned like it remembered him before my mind could. I kissed this man. I touched him. I begged him... And now he's hers?

He's my mother's fiancé!?