The Billionaire And The Ice Queen (A Fantasy Romance)

#11 Ethan

I studied the office, if you could call it that, hoping to find space big enough to do a quick workout, to rid myself of the built-up frustration. An impossibility in this box room. My walk-in-wardrobe in my flat was bigger.

I couldn’t even sit on the chair, there was no room between the table and the wall for me to pull it back. In the end, I had to shove the table at an angle, so I could sit on the most uncomfortable chair I had the misfortune to sit on, without feeling I was being squeezed to death.

When I finally got myself sorted and ready to start work, I got the urge to stalk into Ivy’s office and drag her in here. Ignoring the desire, I gritted my teeth and pounded away at the computer, hoping this would occupy my mind for at least a few hours.

I had only been at it for a few minutes when a website for paternity testing popped up. This was not the weirdest thing I have come across; employers would prefer paternity testing compared to p**n or gambling.

One of the women must have cheated on her spouse, if she was willing to risk researching it here. I wondered if it was Sonia. She was the only one I could think of that had the balls to do such a thing. Curiosity got the better of me and I checked to see who’s account it came from.

Ivy.

My mouth dropped open. It couldn’t be. I double checked, not only did it come from the terminal in her office, but it was under her sign in account. Who could the father be? Surely not Merek. I felt sick at the thought of her pregnant with Merek’s child. It must be his, she was devastated when Merek introduced Crystal. Was he the one asking for a paternity test? But Merek never mentioned anything, unless she hadn’t mentioned anything to him yet. And why would she need a paternity test if she knew he was the father?

Jealousy, like I have never felt before squeezed my chest tightly. I gripped the table and tried to control my erratic breathing. I abruptly stood up, intending to charge into her office, demanding to know who the child belonged to.

I ran my hand through my hair and let out a long breath. I haven’t been long here and I am already acting psychotic.

I loathed the unborn child. An unfair thought, I know, after all it couldn’t help who its parents were. It was not the child I hated, but the fact it belonged to Merek.

I sat there for what felt like hours but must have been only a few minutes. Once I got myself under control, I thought about it rationally. Why did she pick a foreign company when she had many from England to choose from? Something was not right, and I was going to find out what.

I sat theira contemplating ways of killing Crystal, the next time I saw her. I wouldn’t be losing control if it wasn’t for her. This was not just Merek’s fault, that conniving witch had a hand in it to.

“A detective is here to see you.” Sonia’s voice brought me out of my unpleasant thoughts. Why would a detective be here?

“Private detective.” A deep voice corrected. “I made an appointment with your secretary yesterday.”

“Yes, I’m expecting you. Please take a seat.” Heavy footsteps made their way further into the room. “Thank you, Sonia, that will be all.”

I leaned back, listening to the conversation. I didn’t even have to strain my ears; their voices were that clear. It’s not my fault I could overhear everything that’s been said, the room was suited more for storage than an office.

“How can I help you Mr Sinclair?”

“I have a few questions regarding one of your ex-employees.”

Silence. Barbie was back. She had me worried for a while.

I relaxed further into the chair and wondered what this David had done for a private detective to investigate.

“Forgive me if I sound ignorant but why was he selling information about your company? You are nothing compared to the big boys.”

I sat up. Why haven’t I heard about this? Yes, her company was insignificant compared to others, but I knew when firms, no matter their size, we’re hacked into or information leaked. I’ll have to ask Merek about this David guy, maybe he had heard something.

I listened further; their conversation had piqued my curiosity.

“How did you find out he was selling information, and do you know what data he leaked?”

I strained my ears. This was great, I’m getting information without having to ask. I felt a tinge of guilt for eavesdropping, but quickly shook it off. I couldn’t pass this opportunity to clear her from my list of suspects.

Picking up the broken pencil, I started to jot things down, on a paper I found amongst what I hoped were scraps. As the interrogation progressed, I realised the detective had her as a suspect.

Was she capable of murder? She had a motive and it wouldn’t have been difficult for her to slip the drugs in his food or drink.

I ran my hand through my hair, praying she didn’t commit the deed. Unfortunately, I didn’t know her well enough, not like Merek. My brain kept rejecting the thought of her being a murderer.

“…… Maybe after I finish this investigation, you can have coffee with me.” The detectives voice penetrated my thoughts and my body went rigid.

“Does that mean you think I’m innocent?”

My mouth dropped open. Why had she not told him where to go? Was she contemplating his suggestion? The pencil in my hand snapped. Over my dead body will she meet up with him.

“Nope. Should you remember anything give me a call.”

My blood pressure soared, and I was about to burst a blood vessel. No matter what I did I couldn’t calm down.

Ping.

The alert from my mobile snapped me out of the demonic hold I was under. My muscle was stiff from being tense for so long.

Ping.

Lily’s name popped up on the screen. I had no energy to talk to her, it’s taking all my will power not to do anything stupid here.

Rap-a-tap-tap.

The door opened and Ivy walked in.

“Mr Westfield-“

“Ethan please. Mr Westfield makes me sound ancient.”

“Sonia would disagree.” She replied with a straight face.

She’s teasing me. I tried not to let my mouth drop open.

“I pity any man who ends up with her.” I finally replied.

“Maybe they’ll love her just the way she is.”

I gave her a look that said you must be joking. And for my efforts she gave me a smile.

Finally, I was getting somewhere.

“I forgot to tell, when I first showed you around that you could use the Kitchenette. But since I’m going to make tea for myself, would you like anything?”

“Coffee please.” She nodded her head and made the coffee and heated up a bowl of food. My mouth watered as the aroma of lemon, coriander and roasted garlic reached me. I didn’t know which one had me salivating more, the food or Ivy.

“Are you hungry?”

I was starving, but she might not have enough for the both of us. I wouldn’t mind sharing “No, thank you.” My stomach protested by giving an embarrassing growl.

She gave me another smile and put another bowl on the tray with the coffee and brought it over to the table. I took my mug and put half a teaspoon of sugar and a dash of milk. I wanted it to resemble and taste like coffee and less like tar. I took a tentative sip and I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t go into a coughing fit or grimaced.

“If you need anything give me a shout.” She took her mug of tea and bowl of food and headed towards the door.

She couldn’t leave yet. “Ivy.” My voice, thank god, was neutral.

Her body stiffened. Did she think she could get away from me that easily? She didn’t know me like I knew her. I’ll just have to teach her, and the first step was that when I called, I expected to be answered or payed attention too. I didn’t have to wait long before she pivoted slowly giving me a 360 degree of her alluring figure.

“Mr Westfield?”

God, we were back to this again.

“Ethan.”

Ping.

I gave my mobile a quick glance. Lily. Ignoring the text message, I turned my attention back to Ivy.

“`Ethan?”

I loved it when she said my name, especially when she whispered it. It felt like she was trailing her finger down my back. I held the shudder of pleasure that ran down my spine.

“We need to talk.” Before she could say more, I added, “It’ll not take long.”

Sighing, she walked back to the table and laid herd mug and plate down.

Ping.

Ivy glanced at my mobile before she gazed around the room, when she didn’t find anything to sit on, she parked her butt on the desk, and my blood pressure went through the roof.

Ping.

I am going to end up killing Lily, if she doesn’t stop texting me.

Not that I thought about her for very long with Ivy so close. “I’m sorry about Merek. What he did yesterday surprised everyone including me.” That was not the subject I wanted to start with but with the way my body was reacting to Ivy’s closeness I decided that Merek would be a better topic to start with.

“Your brother and I are only friends.” She stated.

I gazed at her longer than people found comfortable, before turning my gaze to my coffee fearing she might read the jealousy I felt for my brother.

“Did Merek mention anything about Crystal?” A stupid question if her face was anything to go by.

“No.”

“Well it seems you’re not the only one he left in the dark.”

Ping.

She glanced at my mobile. “I’ll let you get that. It sounds urgent.” She stood up, picking her mug of tea.

“It’s my sister.” She gazed at me. “I’ll have to leave early. Family issues.”

“That’s fine. Family is more important than work.”

The paternity test popped in my head and I soured at the thought. Ivy didn’t notice; she’d already turned to leave.

Why does she want to run away from me? I gripped my mug tightly, cracking it in the processes. I placed it on the tray as it slowly leaked.

Ivy,” I growled. Losing patience with her.

She stiffened but this time she didn’t turn to face me. “There is nothing to talk about Ethan.” She turned her head towards me. “Your brother doesn’t owe me anything.” Her beautiful blue eyes locked onto mine. “I also want to thank you for what you did yesterday.”

Yesterday? What did I do yesterday?

“For stepping in front of me when the glass shattered. I hope you weren’t injured. I looked for you, but I couldn’t find you. Kara said you were with your brother.”

Ping.

I had forgotten about Kara. A pang of guilt hit me. How could I like someone who had been cruel to her?

“You upset her.”

She sighed and rubbed her head. “I was abrupt with her.” When she saw the look on my face she quickly added. “I apologised for the way I spoke to her before I left.”

As if this would make everything better. “She can’t help her stuttering.”

She frowned. “I never said she did, and I was not abrupt with her because of her stuttering or for anything she had done. As I said I apologised for my behaviour towards her.” A cold breeze cools my overheated body.

“You didn’t say anything else to her?”

The longer she gazed at me the more turbulent her eyes became. “I am not a cruel person Mr Westfield. No matter what people may think about me.”

Well done Ethan, you should give yourself a pat on the back, you’ve upset her. Even the temperature in the room seemed to have followed her mood.

I sat up straighter. No, it couldn’t be. I stood up and strode to her. Her eyes grew round and she backed away from me. I grabbed her shoulder and shook her.

“You fool!”

She looked at me with a mixture of fear and confusion. “Let me go!”

“What you did yesterday was dangerous. You could’ve gotten someone killed.

She laid her palms on my chest and tried to shove me away from her with no avail. A chill seeped from her hand through my shirt to my skin. It was icy and even a little painful. I have heard pain and pleasure go hand in hand, yet never understood how pain could be pleasurable until then. A shudder ran through my body and she felt it. She tried to yank her hand away, but I pulled her closer, trapping her hands between us.

The temperature in the room dropped dramatically, and my breath condensed as I breathed out air.

“Stop it.” I growled in her ear.

She turned her head slightly until our noses were inches apart and I had a close up of her stormy blue eyes that was encircled by a dark blue ring. They were eyes I could drown in.

A fire burnt brightly behind those alluring eyes, until pain flashed across them, dimming the light, before it was extinguished all together. And she collapsed in my arm.

Way to go Ethan. I think you killed her.