CHAPTER 3: SEDUCTION AND DECISION
1680 Words
Life owes you nothing; it doesn't give you what you want.
You have to take it by force, but in all your doings.
Never sell your respect, morals, and dignity.
In exchange for wealth, fame, or power.
Dream big, and the universe will make it happen, my dear child.
Those last words of her late mother on her dying bed kept on echoing in her head. She paced back and forth but, deep in thought, could this be a mind game?
What does he really want from her? Why pick her?
"She finds him annoyingly attractive," she confesses, and narrows her brows. "But that doesn't mean she's willing to be anyone's s*x toy."
She pursed her lips. "But this could be her getaway from poverty and her life-changing deal. She wouldn't have to struggle anymore," she thought to herself.
Quickly, she pinched herself and slapped her cheek furiously. "Get that silly thought out," she yelled at herself.
She turned to face her bedside mirror. "I'm not desperate for money and won't be insulted in such a way," she clenched her fists. "He was such an asshole."
"I can't believe it, I almost gave in to this stupid offer of his," she snapped.
"I'm not interested." She slammed her hand against the wall.
Ivy was about to leave for the bathroom when her phone started ringing.
Ivy answered the call in a low tone. "Hello,"
"Hi, Ivy," Gina giggled.
Ivy heaved out a sigh of relief. "You gave me an invitation and went missing in action."
"I'm so sorry, that's why I'm calling you."
"So what happened?" Ivy probed.
"Official duty called, and I had to answer. I'm currently in Australia," Gina mumbled.
"It's fine. I've got something juicy to tell you," Ivy blurted out.
"Oh! Please, shoot."
"I sold out all my paintings," Ivy blabbed.
Gina screamed, "What! This is great news! Congratulations, girl."
Ivy grinned. "Thanks, babe."
"So, when will you be back?"
Gina raised her brows. "I should be rounding off next week."
"OK, that's cool. I can't wait to have you back."
"I know, right. Ivy, I will talk to you later."
"Bye, girl."
The sun smiled through her window while Ivy whistled into her kitchen to fix a quick breakfast.
Her doorbell jingled, she quickly went to the door.
"Good morning, Ma'am," the delivery man murmured. "A package for you."
He handed her the logbook. "Please sign it here."
She signed and handed the logbook back to him.
"Thank you, ma'am; enjoy the rest of your day."
She opened the package, and her eyes fell on a love-shaped box knotted with red lace. It sent shivers down her spine.
She untied the knots and opened the box slowly. A beautiful emerald green necklace glittered onto her face, revealing its gorgeousness. She was awed by its beauty.
"This was indeed the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen, and it must have cost a fortune," she murmured.
She reached for the jewel to see if it had a name, and that's when her eyes fell on a note inscribed with a spot of black ink: Mr. J.
She took a step backward, for some weird reasons. His name sent chills all over her body.
There was a note inside, and she reached for it,
Diamond reminds me of how beautiful you are.
You shine bright and awaken all of my hunger for you.
I see the fire in you and can't wait to get burned in it.
She staggered, looking confused, and quickly shoved the box inside her drawer. Never to be seen again.
Ivy cuddled in her hammock while going through her journal. She relaxed and closed her eyes, slowly drifting off when she heard her doorbell buzz. Ivy raised her brows. She wasn't expecting anyone.
She went to open the door and saw no one. But something on the floor caught her attention.
A double velvet envelope in the hue of pink and purple.
There was a note inside. She opened it,
"Ivy, to hear you moan and scream out my name in pure ecstasy is my greatest desire."
Heat started pooling low in her stomach. She swallowed hard.
There lies a beautiful bracelet inside. Simple, elegant, and radiant.
His words were as compelling as his appearance. "Such an arrogant man," she fumed.
She dashed his gifts to the floor and quickly ran to her room. But Mr. J's intimate words followed her, leaving her feeling vulnerable.
Mr. J was slowly trapping her with his words, spinning them around her like a spider web. He was trying to break her.
"f**k!"
She slammed her forehead. "She had foolishly fallen into his trap."
The next day. Ivy decided to go for a morning jog around her neighborhood. She felt stiff around her joints, and it had been a while since she had done morning exercises.
She left her home at about 7am, jogging so fast as if she were trying to get away from something or someone. But Mr. J's intimate words kept replaying its soundtrack in her head.
"What a bully!" She arched her brow.
She had jogged for almost an hour without success, trying to get his thoughts out of her head.
She still felt the same emotions rushing through her veins and bloodstream.
She decided to get some groceries at the supermarket before heading home.
When she got to her door, there was a lilac flower bouquet with a note stuck on it.
"Oh! Not again!" she grumbled.
She picked up the bouquet. "I'm not reading this note," and she was walking toward her trash can to dispose of it.
She got to the trash can, but instead of throwing it in, she impulsively opened the note.
"I can't wait to be entangled in a hot, sizzling, passionate encounter with you. Enjoy your day, my pretty bunny."
Her knees felt weak, and she quickly reached for the trashcan to steady her balance.
She looked around to see if she was being watched but saw no one.
She drew the flowers close to her nose and sniffed them.
"Damn! Its scent is so good and intoxicating."
Immediately, it hit her like a blow - reality check! "What in God's name is wrong with you, Ivy?" she clenched her jaw and glared at the bouquet as she tossed it into the trash can. She hurriedly walked into her apartment.
Ivy bit her lip; every warning in her mind yelled no, but her body wanted something strangely different.
She imagined his hands. Strong, magical, and commanding in her skin. The thought sent a subtle thrill in her stomach.
She suddenly felt icy, and at this point, her vulnerability had gotten the best of her. She couldn't help but fear for herself.
At about 2am, her phone buzzing cuts across the silence of the walls of her room, rudely ending her sleep. "Who could be calling at such an awkward hour?" Ivy makes a fuss.
"Hello," Ivy answered the call.
"Ivy McDonald, my bunny!"
Her breath hitched. "You shouldn't have called me."
"I shouldn't be doing a lot of things," he mused.
Ivy froze, and stuttered. "What do you want?"
A low chuckle roamed along the line. "I want you."
Ivy exhaled slowly and she closed her eyes. "I can't."
"You can!" His voice dropped a hushed, compelling tone. "Some temptations are not meant to be resisted, my bunny."
"I'm offering you a life of luxury and pleasure," he chuckled softly. "Isn't that the dream of every girl on the street?"
"I'm not every girl, and I'm also not on the street," Ivy snapped back.
His voice was so seductive and drooling, piercing through her soul.
He was trying to break her, but she kept fighting headstrong for control.
He whispered, "What are you afraid of? Are you scared that you will lose control when my hands graze your soft skin? Or that you will enjoy it when I kiss your luscious lips, Ivy?"
The way he called her name made her feel more uncomfortable. She should bang the phone on him, and end this damn call. But instead, she stood still. Hands tightly around her phone, holding it too firm for her ears.
"I want you."
Ivy's heart pounding heavily.
"I want to make you feel seen."
"I want to worship your bodily temple."
"I want to explore you, make you moan and explode in ways you haven't before."
"I want to make you feel like a complete woman, my own special woman."
"Accept my offer," he commanded. "I will make every experience with me heavenly."
She lost control and couldn't handle it anymore. She clicked the accept button on her sss.
"Good girl, beautiful choice," he softly spoke. "My driver will come get you in fifteen minutes. Get ready."
Ivy was shaking, this was a mistake. She had just agreed to a dance with the daredevil.
In about fifteen minutes, her doorbell rang. "That must be his driver."
She quickly changed from her pajamas into a little black dress, packed her hair into a ponytail. She wore a pair of gold heels, and applied some gloss to her lips. She came out of her apartment.
"Hello Ma'am. Mr. J sent me to bring you to his penthouse."
Ivy nodded, her whole body was on fire. She was so intense she couldn't speak.
He directed her towards a black, tinted SUV, but before he opened the car door for her, he spoke again.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I must blindfold you before we head out."
She nodded again.
The ride to his penthouse was quiet. It was a cool night, and the night breeze warmed her soft skin.
In about fifteen minutes, the SUV stopped. The car door was opened, and the driver held her hand and guided her inside the penthouse.
"Ma'am, you can remove your blinds now." He left immediately.
Her palms were sweaty, and her pulse was pounding so hard. She slowly removed her blinds with trembling hands, but her eyes remained closed.
When she opened her eyes, her jaw dropped.
"Oh! My God!"
- Writer
