Bought my Life

13. …The Storm

***Her***Hasleton Villa*** Saturday

“Marcus, I haven’t seen you in three days…” I say. “Ivy, my love, right now I can’t spend time with you… there is a problem taking all my attention” he answers. “Can you make it for dinner tonight?” I ask. “I don’t think so…” he replies in a dryer tone than he meant. I walked out of Marcus’ office. I missed my soft loving husband… Where was he? Why was Marcus so busy?

***Him***Hastleton Villa*** Saturday

For days, I have been hearing the saddest music played by Ivy on her violin; I felt like I was losing it. My businesses were being sabotaged very likely related to imprisoning Ivy’s father… Now with the increased security the profits would be minimal. I lost a lot of money from contaminated products and I didn’t know the extent of the loss yet but I had to restructure five of my eight businesses. I was ashamed and I didn’t want to tell Ivy; spending time with her had become painful as I was reminded of how I was failing her as a husband.

***Narrator***Hastleton Villa***Thursday

She made her way to Marcus’ office. It has now been ten days since we spent any quality time together, and she missed him. She knocks on the door, “Yes,” Marcus says dryly. She walks in the office; Marcus looks awfully tired and stressed out. She walks towards his desk and his face lights up, “Ivy, is everything ok’” he asks. “I should be asking you that…” she answers. “I am swamped, I have to go to town tomorrow, there is a problem at the brewery…” Marcus says. “I am coming with you,” she tells him. “My love, it is two hours away… I will be staying at the cottage for two days,” he replies. “Marcus, I have barely seen you in ten days, and yes, I am counting the days. If I get to sit with you for two hours as we travel then I will take it; even if I still don’t see you while we are there,” she says, holding back her tears. “Oh Ivy, I have not been good to you lately… I am sorry my love; I don’t want to worry you with the details but there is a lot going on. I would prefer if you stayed home but if you insist, I will take you with me to town.” He tells me. “Marcus, I cannot be away from you any longer…” she says as she starts crying softly. Marcus had not realized that he neglected her that much… he got up and took her in his arms, “Soon, my love, I will give you all of my time.”

***Narrator***Hastleton Town*** Friday

Marcus would ride in the back with Ivy; he wanted to hold her against him. Eric would drive and William was seated in the front passenger seat. Two other vehicles would be following them, he was taking nine of his guards, William and Lara. Someone was sabotaging his businesses and his agents had a hard time tracking who was responsible… He was going to the brewery to increase security and evaluate the loss. He didn’t want Ivy to see him fail, he didn’t want her involved in his problems and he didn’t want her to feel responsible. “Are you ready my love?” He asks Ivy… “As I ever will be,” she answers.

The two-hour drive seemed like 10 minutes in his arms. “I don’t like sleeping alone in our bed every night… What is going on? We went from spending every day and night together to not seeing each other for days. Are you unhappy with me? Why are you sleeping in your office?” She whispers to Marcus. “Ivy, I love you, but this work is important, and it cannot wait, it is time sensitive… I promise you this is unusual and temporary. I sleep in my office because I cannot afford to be distracted; I also don’t want to disturb your sleep; I am getting emails and phone calls throughout the night. I will always make time for you; I am happy with you, Ivy. I will join you to bed tonight,” he responds then kisses her head.

That night, Marcus comes back from his visit at the brewery completely drunk, he enters the master bedroom where Ivy was resting. “I have been waiting for you… I was worried. Is everything ok?” Ivy asks. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Marcus was slurring his words. “You have been drinking, my love?” Ivy inquires. “I have, and I am upset… things are very bad right now and I don’t want to talk,” Marcus replies. “Let me hold you in my arms,” she asks. Marcus rejects Ivy’s embrace, he didn’t feel like he deserved her.

“I am going for a walk, when I come back you will be sound asleep and will join you in our bed…and we will sleep together,” Ivy says as she grabs her coat and makes her way to the door. Marcus stumbles to catch her, “Marcus, let me go… I will be back. Lay down you will fall asleep… you are so drunk,” Ivy says “You always walk away, Mary… Don’t bother coming back,” Marcus slurs loudly as he lets her go aggressively. Ivy leaves the cottage and starts walking off… one of the guards decides to follow her down the trail, Lord Marcus had been clear about making sure his wife was safe.

Ivy is fuming he thought she was Mary… He was so wasted, she doesn’t remember ever seeing him drunk; something was troubling her husband and he refused to share his burden with her. She was mad but she loved him very much and she felt his distress. Ivy was clueless on how to help her husband overcome his troubled mind. She was walking fast aimlessly down the main road on the market, right into a trap… she was lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice the eight men until they had circled her.

He woke up with a headache from hell… where is Ivy? She wasn’t by his side, and it seemed like she never slept on her side of the bed. He was trying to remember what happened last night… His visit at the brewery was a disaster; an entire batch had been contaminated with chlorine. He had thrown out over a million-dollar worth of beer... creating a shortage and having to cancel some contracts. He was furious, one of his employees was responsible; there was a traitor amongst them. The building is secure, and no stranger entered; so, his agents are reviewing the cameras. He started drinking early that afternoon while watching the camera footage. He was wasted when he got back; he remembers Ivy getting upset and she left… but did she ever come back?

The maid had already brought us breakfast and Ivy’s plate was untouched. He didn’t remember everything, but he was sure that he owed her an apology. He drank a glass of water and left his room to inquire about Ivy. No one had seen her come back. Did she leave him? What had he said to Ivy last night? “My Lord, the guard, Simon, is missing, no one has seen him since last night and...” William says. “Has anyone seen Ivy?” He interrupts. “No, we all thought she was with you in your room,” William replies. Ivy never came back, his adrenaline was pumping… “Get all the guards to search for her, she cannot be too far,” he says as he goes to his room to get dressed and eat a few bites simultaneously. “William and Eric, you two stay at the cottage in case she comes back,” he says. None of the vehicles were missing so she must be on foot, he had to find her.

She was waking up feeling nauseous… her father was sitting in front of her in the car, she was tied up firmly… He was taking me away… No, Marcus, will think she ran away. “I see you are waking up, Ivy,” her so-called father says. “Where are you taking me? I thought you were imprisoned,” she asks. “I am taking you home; it is crazy how money can get you out of any problems,” he says, mocking her. “You wanted me dead and now you are taking me home?” She wonders. “You didn’t have any value back then… Now Marcus Hastleton is crazy about you; he will do anything to get you back. Now you are a valuable negotiation tool,” he says. “I didn’t believe Marcus when he said you were cold but now... I see it,” she says. Thomas smiles, “you have no idea,” he replies.

“My husband always finds me”, she tells him. “I am counting on that,” Thomas said. “I can’t believe I am just a pond to you; I always thought of you as a loving father… I thought it was outrageous when Marcus told me you wanted me dead; but now...” She replies without any emotion. She looks at her restraints, “I got used to these, don’t you worry, I spent two months being tied up because of your failed plan to kill me; until my husband bought me at an auction. I was kept like an animal, left dirty and fed on the floor. I was beaten for trying to escape and I was kept naked as a punishment… I am not the Ivy that you knew; I can take it and you will see when my husband finds me,” she says confidently. “You better shut up or I will gag you,” Thomas shouts. She knew by the look on his face that she had destabilized him, “the road is going to be long if we are silent…” she replied.