Taming the Beast In Him

Ivan couldn't resist the tears that rolled down her eyes as she shivered under the cold atmosphere.

"Why should I suffer like this?- I thought it would be over, but it seems worse". She said inwardly as she continued with the dishes she was washing.

Ivan is a smart lady who lost her parents at a young age, only for her to find out she has a stepmother and sister who is two years older than her.

She has lived all her life in pain and suffering inflicted on her by her stepmother.

"Ivan!" Ivan immediately walked into the living room as she heard Else scream out her name.

"Mother..."

"And who is your silly mother!?" She asked with rage as her slap landed on Ivy's face.

"Did you think I was the foolish woman who you killed or your father?". She asked with a frown.

Yes, Ivan was the cause of her parent's death, they got into an accident on their way from the cartoon cinema which she persuaded them even though they refused.

Summoning some courage, she speaks out. "And so? Are you any better than that woman whom you so much despite? Are you not ashamed that your daughter is a bastard!?"

Elisa clenched her teeth as she walked closer to Ivan and punched her in the face.

Ivan gently cleaned the blood stain on her lip as she chuckled.

"Elisa! Am no longer a teen. I'm no more that girl that used to cry in the closet... Not anymore!"

Ivan stared at Else for some moment with hatred in her dark eyes."I will never live this way anymore!"

"And what way can you live?". A voice asked.

That is the voice of Nora, the popular actress in the Hollywood world.

"Best known to me..." She paused, staring at them.

She knows they are going to send her packing just as they always do, but it seems she is ready to leave and get herself a new life, rather than hurting herself this way.

"Mother! Why not let her..."

With her mind already made up, she walked in and picked up her luggage before storming out. "Nora, I am about to do that so take your chill pill".

"Ivan... It is not going to end well with you. I will make sure you come begging me and my mother".

~~~~LUCA MANSION~~~LATER IN THE DAY*

"Nora how could you? Why did you?". Luca asked as he walked into his bedroom, only to meet his wife to be in a month's time with another man.

Bawling his fist, he gritted his teeth with his angry eyes staring at both Nora and his friend.

"Luca- I can explain''. She said as she leaned against the wall with the duvet wrapped around her chest.

In a rage, he yelled at her. "Nora! Explain what!?"

"And you Gideon- I did not expect you to have the guts to backstab me". He said as he held back the tears that clustered in his eyes.

"I'm... I don't know what came over me. Please forgive me. I swear it will never happen". She pleaded as she tried to come closer to him.

"Leave my house now!" He instructed without giving her a listening ear.

"L..."

"If you don't leave this minute... Then be ready to see my wrath". With that, he walked out.

Seeing the face he is putting on and the anger building up in him, she has no choice rather than to leave the mansion immediately.

«STAR BAR»

Luca walked up to his friends who were chatting and having a good moment.

"Luca... Why is your face like this?". Greg asked, staring at Luca's reddened eyes.

"Nora," he mouthed as tears rolled down from his eyes.

Staring at Luca's face with pity, Grey asked. "What happened to her?".

"She__she cheated on me". He replied with a heartbreaking voice.

"You must be joking right?". Gabriel asked.

He still finds it hard to believe Nora cheated on him, but he saw it, with his two eyes! "No, I am not. I still find it hard to believe this, and I have to get married in a month's time before I can take over my mother's company".

"But I warned you. I hate ladies ever since Lydia cheated on the day of our wedding". Greg said with a chuckle.

"I love her. I gave her all she needed; money, car, attention, care, and career support, but instead she betrayed me". He sobbed.

"Ladies are like that. They are only after what you have and bid you farewell after they achieve it". Gabriel said.

"Yeah, that's why I don't give a f&&k about any lady 'cause all I care for is pussy". Grey echoed.

"Man, I am going through hell, like I can't live without her". He said as he gulped down a cup of drink.

"Chill guy. Don't harm yourself over a lady, okay?".

"I'm already harmed".

~~~~~~

"I can't believe I have nowhere to stay... No house and food to feed myself". She said inwardly as she grumbled.

"Young lady. Why are you walking around this street by this time of the day?". A man asked.

"Nothing". She replied, still walking.

"Just speak up, maybe I can help". He said.

She raised her head and stared dangerously at him with irritation before uttering her words. "And who are you to help me? Some kinda sort of god?".

"Young lady, we can help each other... No matter who we are". The man's words made her chuckle because his words reminded her of her father.

"Can I rely on you?". She asked, trying to be sure if she could trust him.

"Sure. I might be of help". He echoed.

"Okay, here it goes. I can't bear the harsh treatment from my stepmom, so I have to walk out of the house since the treatment is unbearable".

"That is why I am roaming around__ I have nowhere to go, no family apart from them". She said as tears rolled down from her little hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry about that but eat this before we continue our conversation because I will love to know more about you". He said as he stretched a sealed noodle to her.

"Thank you". She smiled as she received the noodles with gratitude.

"I think she is suitable for the job". He thought.

CHAPTER TWO

~~~~ELISA HOUSE~~~~

"Mother!" Nora screamed out as she searched everywhere for her mother but she was not in the house.

"Nora, What happened?". Her mother who rushed from the garden up to her asked.

"I am no longer getting married to him. He break-up". She said with tears rolling down her pale face.

"Why will he do that? What happened?". She asked as she walked up to Nora.

"I... I cheated..."

Nora couldn't finish up her statement when a slap reached across her face.

"How dare you! Did you want us to go back to those old days when we had to live like perverts? Uh!?" She yelled.

"Mother! Lower your voice or it will bring down this building". Nora muttered.

"And so!? Do I look like I care about this damn building!?"

"All I need is your answer! Do you not like the way he treats us?". She asked as she placed her hand on her b**b staring at her daughter with disgust.

"You caused this sh!t and now you expect me to clean the mess?".

***

After she finished her food, she began to introduce herself to the strange man who seemed like a long-time friend to her.

"I am Ivan, I am a twin but I lost her in a car accident and my stepmom has to take care of me".

"She treated me harshly but I have to be strong cause I promise to make my father proud". She paused.

"Proud? Every child will surely want to do that". Mr. Lucian interrupted.

"Yeah but mine is different because it is a must for me- I have to become an actress by all means because that is what my parents have always wanted me and my sister to become. Yeah, they used to be top scriptwriters". She said with tears rolling down from her hazel eyes.

"It's alright dear. I guess all your long-term wait is over as I will introduce you to the acting world". He said, making her chuckle.

"Why the chuckles?". He asked.

"Cause you are pulling my leg- Do I look like a fool to you?". She asked, staring at him.

"No, besides I haven't introduced myself. I'm Lucs Lucian of Lucs groups". His intro made her jerk off.

Her cheeks immediately flushed red as her heart skipped at who sat beside him. "A... Are you the almighty president of the Lucs? The major shareholder of the starlight movie industry?"

"Yes. It looks like you know much about the acting world".

With a cruel smirk on the corner of his lip, he uttered. "Now you see that I can help you".

"She is too desperate just as I am". Lucian said inwardly.

"Please help me, I will do anything just to become an actress". She pleaded as she went on her knees.

"Will you do anything?". He asked, staring at her.

"Yes, for sure". She replied with happiness in her voice.

"You have to go on a long-term mission which will be in a contract form between both of us". He said.

"Contracts?". She asked herself.

"Okay, sir but can I know what mission?". She asked with desperation in her voice.

"You will get married to my stepson... walk up to him, lure him, tame him, make him fall in love with you, make him get obsessed and break his heart! That's the mission" he echoed.

"I... Can't". She stuttered as her lip shivered in fright.

"You are going to be acting in the major role of Arrow and Heart, 3 million dollars for your upkeep". His words made her eyes flinch rapidly.

"Did you just say I will be acting the major role of Arrow and Heart? And 3 million dollars for upkeep?". She asked with her heart skimming at each word with her mouth wide open.

"Yeah, and you will be acting more if you cooperate".

"I will sir". She summoned some courage to speak up.

She has no choice but to accept it because if she doesn't, she will never get this sort of opportunity again.

"Failure to do as I instruct you will lead to your death. Take and spend your night there". He stretched a card over to her and walked towards his car.

"Should I be happy or sad?". Ivan asked herself as she took in the card.

"Why not allow me to give you a ride or you don't take rides from strangers?". He asked, pissing her off.

"I do. In as much as I won't get chopped, why not?". She chuckled and walked into the car.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Luca, why the hell are you doing this to yourself? Don't you know you are hurting?". Grey who managed to bring him home muttered.

"Isn't it worth the pain? Uh!"

"Guy you aren't like this. Pull yourself together".

"I want her back___ So badly". He groaned as he gulped down a full cup of alcohol.

"There are millions of ladies out there, why bother yourself over her when you can get any lady at your feet". Grey spat rudely.

"But I have to get married in 30 days. Which lady will ever love me in between 30 days?". He asked as he paced the room weirdly.

In anger, Grey yelled before walking him into his room. "You are drunk!"

"Why is he acting this way?" Ivan, who just walked into the mansion, asked.

"His fiancee gave him a hot blow". Lucian said with a smirk.

"Uh!?". She gave him a confused look.

"She cheated on him with his best friend".

"Woah! It looks like I came at the right time-best timing." A cruel smile made its way to her face.

Can't believe she changed from a calm, pitiful and caring lady to a lady who doesn't care about anyone's feelings.

"Familiarise yourself here and introduce yourself to him as my guess and try to get close to him."

"Okay, what next?" She asked with concern even if she despised what she was doing.

"On that screen is what he likes and dislikes, as well as his taste in dress and favourite meal." He said.

"Okay -I think I have to start working." She said and sat gently on the couch.

"I will bring you the sexiest dress in this city first thing tomorrow morning so be awake..."

CHAPTER THREE

Yawning lazily, Ivan quickly stood up from the soft bed which she passed the night on and walked up to the door.

She held the doorknob and turned it, making the door open.

"You must be Ms. Ivan". A gentleman dressed in an old thorn dress echoed.

"Yes, I'm". She replied.

"Here is the order made by Lucian to you". Stretching over the package to her, a creepy smile made its way to her face.

She stared at the package for a while before muttering, "Okay" after she took the package.

"Sign here". The delivery man said and stretched over a handle to her.

After signing it, she walked back inside and took her bathrobe.

She immediately heated the water due to the cold weather and winds blowing towards the window which she forgot to lock.

***

"Grey did you sl-"

"Yes, I did. You got drunk and started to mess around". He said as he stood up and walked up to the mirror.

"I'm sorry I stressed you out ''. Luca apologised calmly as he picked up his towel which he wrapped around his towel and walked into the bathroom afterward.

"Luca you better be snappy 'cause I have an appointment to catch up with and I can't go with my hair shattered and my skin roughed". He mouthed.

"I will". Luca replied from the bathroom.

***

Walking out of the bathroom, she immediately picked up the dress bought for her.

Scanning through the dress, her eyes caught up with a short pink gown that fit in her skin and black buckle heels that matched her hair.

"Ivan, you look so cute". She muttered as she picked up the tabloid given to her earlier.

Picking up the tabloid, she searched through the recipe for Luca's favourite food which she seems not to be familiar with.

"What is spicy fried chicken? Half-cook assorted rice?". She asked herself.

All she knows how to do is fast food for her family, meals like rice, beans and other grains which they enjoy a lot.

"Chicken. Spicy. Vegetable oil. Vegetables. Minerals". She read out the recipe aloud.

"Ivan you can do this". She mouthed before walking into the kitchen.

"Woah". Her mouth pouted at the view of the kitchen as she walked in.

It is just like the one she does see in the movie, with the cooker looking beautiful on the wall, the freezer beside the refresher and the utensils box closer to the washing basin.

The kitchen is much bigger than their usual room and it is half of their building.

"Ivan snapped out of this stupidity of yours". She hit her head before she walked up to the cooker.

It looks weird to her as she hasn't seen a cooker like that in her life.

She immediately picked up the tabloid and took a photograph of the cooker and sent it to Lucian.

Few moments later, a video of how to use the cooker was sent to her.

After watching the video, she smiled and chopped the vegetable before turning on the cooker.

She poured the vegetable oil into the fire and waited patiently for some minutes before pouring the chicken which she had already mixed with the spicy.

After stirring them together she walked to the seat at the corner and placed her head on the table.

"Can't wait for him to taste my delicious meal" . She found herself saying that.

***

"Can't you rest today cause you might be tired after yesterday's Incident". Grey said, knotting his tie with his suitcase beside him.

"And you expect me to do as you say? Don't you know I have to be at the location of Arrow and Heart?". He asked as he applied the oily lotion on his skin.

"You can cancel it and take a rest cause you might still see that ugly face of hers there". Grey muttered.

Putting on his shirt, he echoed. "Not like I care about her. All I want is to make sure everything is in place".

"Okay". Grey took his suitcase about to go when a sudden smell struck him.

"Did you not perceive the smell?". Grey asked as he stared at Luca.

"I did but I can't wrap my head around where the smell is coming from".

"I think we are the only ones here or did you have a guest?". He asked.

"No."

"Let go and check it out before we get roast up". He spat after putting on his shorts.

They both walked out of the room and headed to the direction where the smell was coming from.

"Kitchen?". They both chorused, staring at each other.

After a long silence and stare, they walked inside only to find the kitchen filled with the aroma of the dish on the cooker and a lady sleeping on the table with her hand clutching her tabloid.

"Let's turn off this cooker before we think about what to do with this bitch!" Luca mouthed with anger in his voice as he walked up to the cooker and turned it off.

"Hey!" His thunderous voice made her jerked off.

Standing up lazily, her hand made its way to his shirt as she relied on him to stand upright but unfortunate for her, he took off her hand making her slip and fall to the ground.

"How dare you! How dare you walk into my house and cause damage!?" He asked with his reddened eyes staring at her.

"Can't you talk!?". Grey asked, staring disgustedly at her.

"Why can't I talk?". She asked herself as she finds it difficult to talk, the more she wants to talk the harder it becomes for her.

With her tongue tied, she stood up and walked up to him.

"I'm sorry, I slept off and got my breakfast burnt". She finally replied with sweat beads on her face as her body went wet due to the fright.

"Who are you!?" He asked with his hand on her neck strangling her.

"I..." She stuttered.

"Maybe you will talk when you are dead!" A cruel smirk made its way to his lip as he added more pressure.

"Stop!" A thunderous voice from the door echoed.

Turning towards the direction where he heard the voice... His mouth went agape.

"..."