Diehard Desire

Birthday Part-I

The morning sun shone brightly on her face, making her hide it into her warm pillow. Warm Pillow? Ivannah opened her eyes confused to find herself practically buried in Mr Salvatore's side. Hades. She reminded herself as a smile greeted her face.

It was the best sleep she had in years, she found herself admitting in her head. She was always cold as she slept but last night, Hades's body provided the perfect warmth for her.

Ivannah watched him sleep for a while as the memories from last night came rushing back. She couldn't help herself as she touched the five o'clock shadow on his chin. He signed deeply in his sleep and tightened his arm around her waist making her smile widen a tenfold.

After watching him for what felt like years but were merely a few minutes Ivannah finally tried to get out of his hold without disturbing him. After a little struggle she got rid of his arm and almost ran to the washroom.

She spent a long time pampering herself by shaving her arms and legs, exfoliating her skin before she finally took a shower.

When Ivannah finally looked at herself in the mirror after the long and tiring process, she found a completely different girl staring at her. The hope she had lost over the years seemed to shine bright through her sapphire eyes. Her cheeks were slightly tainted with happiness instead of embarrassment for what felt like the first time in years. Her smile was genuine and not a mask to hide her sadness. She seemed like a new girl.

Ivannah went into her walk-in closet through the door in the washroom not daring to enter the bedroom incase he was awake. She picked out a white flowy dress that reached slightly above her knees and put it on quickly before drying and running her fingers through her messy hair to make it look mildly presentable.

After she was done. She finally tried to calm her thudding heart and will herself into walking into the bedroom. I have to see him eventually. She reminded herself.

Ivannah walked into her bedroom only to find her bed empty. She couldn't help the faint disappointment she felt in her heart at the sight of the empty mattress. A frown took over her face as she turned to walk over to her dressing table.

But she stopped in her way as she saw a man standing in the balcony talking on a phone. His back was turned towards her but she could recognise his profile from anywhere. He didn't leave. The smile made it's way back onto her face just as Hades turned around.

When Hades woke up to an empty bed and no Ivannah his mind went into momentary state of panic. But when he heard the sound of running water from the washroom he took a sigh of relief.

He left her room to take a quick shower hoping he got back before her so that she wouldn't feel like he abandoned her after yesterday.

As he stood talking on his phone he felt someone staring at him so he turned around only to have his mind blown away momentarily. Ivannah wore a plain white dress with her hair down but there was something about her today that made him completely speechless for a second. She appeared truly happy. And she had never looked more beautiful in his eyes.

Without wasting another moment Hades made his way back inside the room and sneaked an arm around her waist. He mouthed 'Good Morning' to her and was rewarded with a shy smile and a good morning in answer. He made haste with the call so that he could spend some time with his girl.

After placing a kiss on her forehead and pecking her lips he guided he towards the breakfast he had the maid bring to her room. He sat her down in a couch and sat down opposite to her so that he could enjoy her sight freely.

He had to restrain himself from pouncing on her as he watched her devour a chocolate covered strawberry from the intensive breakfast table. Hades took deep calming breath and tried to adjust his b***r in his pants so that she wouldn't notice. But she did. And rewarded him with another blush.

After completing her breakfast Ivannah looked at Hades and smiled shyly. He seemed to be deep in thought but smiled back at her almost without thought.

"So what would you like as a gift?" He asked her to start up a conversation.

"I don't really have anything in mind." Ivannah answered with a small smile.

"Why?" Hades asked with a raised eyebrow before taking her hand from across the table, "Tell me. Whatever you ask for will be yours." He said earnestly.

Ivannah bit her bottom lip as she tried to think of something to ask for. She had everything right here in the house. And now when Hades was starting to notice her existence she couldn't think of anything to ask for. Suddenly an idea entered her mind. She gasped and looked up at Hades.

"I can see your little brain has thought of something." Hades said with a throaty chuckle before releasing her hand and relaxing back in his chair.

"You remember that orphanage? The one where you found me?" Ivannah started making Hades's smile turn into a frown, "I want to do something for the kids living there." She finished hesitantly, certain by the frown on his face that he would refuse.

She squirmed in her chair when he didn't say anything. Just kept looking at her with a blank face and tilted head. She had no idea what she did to offend him now. His temperament was like an ocean. Calm and serene one second and raging the other. She waited as he shaked his head before taking a deep breath.

"You are one of a kind, aren't you?" Hades said with a smile before getting off his seat and coming to kneel beside her chair, "I told you to ask for something for yourself, instead you want me to help some orphan kids." He said before putting a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I'm an orphan." Ivannah said thinning her lips in annoyance not liking the way he said the word.

"Forgive me, my love. I did not mean to offend you." Hades apologised with sincerity in his eyes making her forgive him immediately. "Now, I did promise to give you anything you desired and I'll keep my word. I'll have my men visit the orphanage with something for all the kids and I'll also make a donation for at the place in your name." Hades said before placing a kiss on her hand in her lap.

"If your really want to do this for me then don't make a donation in my name. Let it be anonymous." Ivannah said quietly and waited for him to be annoyed by her demands and rebuff her but instead Hades smiled at her.

"Anything you want."

After placing a firm kiss on her forehead he got off the floor before giving her his hand like a gentleman. Ivannah took his hand and stood up with him and placed a soft kiss on his right cheek to show her appreciation. The disappointment in his eyes was visible but fortunately he didn't say anything.

Ivannah still needed time to think about everything the happened first. What was she to him? Was he serious about her or was she just a plaything to pass some time with? The thought of not being anything to him was hurtful but she still needed to protect her feelings. She couldn't bear any more hurt and pain.

"I have a few important meetings so I'll be in my office but I'll see you in a few hours." Hades said as he walked towards the door, sensing the dilemma behind her sparkling eyes.

"Okay."

"And I almost forgot," Hades said suddenly when he was standing on the threshold of her room, "Your friend was looking for you to wish a happy birthday. She is not very happy that she couldn't see you at midnight because of me. So I'll meet her if I were you." Ivannah giggled softly as he made a horrified face at Iris's reaction. She grinned up at him before nodding her head.

"I'll was going to meet everyone anyway, Hades." Ivannah said with a smile.

Hades's felt a weird sensation in his abdomen and almost jumped in happiness upon hearing her speak his name. He couldn't help himself as he bend down and placed a light kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"I love it when you say my name." He whispered seductively in her ear and with a breathtaking smile he left her to think about all that had taken place in the last few hours.

Ivannah appeared to be in a trance as she mechanically walked down the stairs towards the bustling dining room. A grin immediately took over his face as Iris came barrelling towards her from the sea of people. She gave Ivy a bone crushing hug before looking at her face worridely.

"You have no idea how worried we all were for you." Iris began after taking a big breath and Ivy knew that she was no going to stop fussing anytime soon, "I told maa that I didn't care about his order not to disturb you both but dad just wouldn't listen to me. He is still angry about that night. I don't even understand what the big deal is."

"Will you stop already? It's Ivy's birthday and all you are doing is whining." Elena scolded Iris making Ivy stifle a laughter, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IVY." She shouted alerting everyone in the room of her presence before hugging her waist tightly.

The wishes came pouring in towards her from all around the room. Ivannah couldn't help the grin on her face as she was passed on from arm to arm, from one smiling face to another. Until she finally reached Frank and Grace.

They both took turns wishing and hugging her. Iris whispered her apology and wished her beside her making Ivy laugh and hug her again.

From her peripheral she saw Frank taking out something from her his pocket and immediately started making her protests. Grace took Ivy's hand in her own before looking into her eyes.

"It's just a small gift, dear."

"I understand Grace but you both don't have to give me anything. You have already done enough for me." Ivannah said praying that they would let it go. But she was wrong.

"Can't we give our daughter a gift without her feeling like we are doing her a favour?" Frank stared putting a hand on her head, "We gave a similar pendant to Iris when she turned 18 a few months ago. Take it." He finished pushing the velvet box into her hand.

Ivannah would have protested more if her eyes weren't filled with tears. All the thoughts of the rejection letter went out of her mind as she looked at her family. She was only starting to realise how lucky she was. The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.

Ivannah thought as she opened the box and looked at a simple but elegant pendant with a beautiful rose locket.

"It's not much..." Frank stated with embarrassment clear in his voice only to have Ivannah hug him tightly.

"Thank you. I love it so much." She whispered as she tried to keep her tears at bay. Frank chuckled with relief and placed a kiss on Ivy's forehead making her smile. Grace fastened the pendant around Ivy's neck before leaving both her daughters to talk.

Ivannah and Iris went to her study room to have some privacy and Ivy was well aware what was coming. She knew Iris's curiosity and tried to think about an excuse fast. Just like she thought, right after closing the door behind her Iris fired up her questions.

"He was in your room the whole night?" Iris asked with her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Ivy was suddenly very interested in the pattern of the rug and fumbled with her dress for a second before answering.

"Yeah, he wanted to wish me happy birthday." Ivy lied and prayed to the goddess of lies that she was believable.

"Oh, Really?", Iris said making Ivy realise how badly she had failed, "Did he just want to wish you a happy birthday or perhaps he wanted to give you a gift?" Iris lowered her voice an octave at gift making Ivy blush in embarrassment. But she made no move to rebuff her claims making Iris realise quickly that something was going on.

"I was just upset about not getting in Riverdale. He was helping me calm down." Yeah, that sounds believable and it true, to some extent.

"And did he use some special techniques to help you calm down, if you know what I mean." Iris said making both of them break into fits of laughter.

After talking for a couple of hours Iris convinced Ivy to go out shopping for her birthday. Ivy realised that she was going to be bored alone in the house anyways so she relented.

She quickly went into her room and changed into some comfortable denim jeans and a white spaghetti strap top before putting on a black jacket over it. They met downstairs in thirty minutes before going to the kitchen to inform Grace of their plan.

"You need to go and ask for Mr Salvatore's permission, Ivy." Grace reminded her when she informed her of their plan.

"But he said he would be busy." Ivy said hesitantly as she tried to look at Iris for help only to have her smirk at her. I do not like this.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing you."

Iris said before making kissing faces behind her mother's back. If Ivy thought she blushed so far in her life then it was nothing infront of what her face looked like at that moment. She resembled a ripe tomato with her cheeks and ear inflamed.

Grace reassured her a few times that the order from noone to disturb him didn't apply on her for her to take even a step towards his office.

By the time she was outside his office door she was bursting with anxiety. She took a few deep breaths before knocking on his door. The sound resonated in the eerily quite hallway. She held her breath as a rough 'come in' came from behind the door.

As soon as she stepped inside the office her eyes landed on him behind his chair on his desk. He seemed to straighten as soon as he saw his intruder. Ivannah waved at him shyly before her eyes landed on the other figure in the room.

A man sat in the chair infront of Hades and looked at her from over his shoulder. His curly hair was a dark shade of brown and styled in a messy way on top of his head. He stood up from his chair respectfully upon seeing her standing at the door. He was well over 6 feet and Ivy only just realised how very attractive the stranger really was.

He had an angular face with a straight, aristocratic nose and strong jaws. His lips were a little pouty in shape but they only seemed to enhance his overall masculine appearance. His eyes were a brilliant hazel that gave them the appearance that they were made of liquid gold and were framed with thick long lashes.

Ivy blushed as the man ran his eyes over her figure in return and it didn't help much that he was currently smiling at her. She didn't know if she should apologise for her intrusion or leave altogether.

But Hades saved her from any further embarrassment as he took large steps towards her until he was finally standing before her. His eyebrows furrowed in worry as he cupped her face gently.

"Ivannah, is everything alright, my love?" He asked while staring into her eyes in worry. Ivannah tried to stop herself from rolling her eyes in exaggeration. It's not like something happened to her everyday.

"Yes, Everything is alright." Ivannah said quietly as she stared at the buttons on his white linen shirt. "I just came here to ask for permission to go for some shopping with Iris." She whispered hoping the stranger couldn't hear her.

"Of course, angel. But make sure to take some guards with you. And stay close to them at all times." Hades warned before placing a kiss on her forehead for the tenth time that day. A cough broke apart their embrace. And Hades looked behind him in annoyance.

"I have to introduce you to someone first, my love." Hades said before guiding her to the man standing in the centre of the room with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Ivannah, meet Raphael Volkov. My very good, childhood friend." The man, Raphael gave her a warm smile before taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"Pleasure meeting you." He said with a charming smile, "And a very Happy Birthday." He added and noted the warm blush on her face with amusement as she thanked him. He has found himself a treasure.

"Back off." Hades said playfully with narrowed eyes but Raphael just raised his hand in fake surrender and laughed.

Hades shaked his head with a fond smile on his face before taking out his personal card from his wallet. He gave it to Ivannah making her look at him in confusion.

"Take it. Buy something nice for yourself from me." 

She wanted to protest but one hard look from him made her take the card obediently. She gave him a strained smile before waving goodbye to him and Raphael.

"I'll see you tonight." Raphael said with a gentle smile.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Ivannah questioned the friendly man.

Raphael's eyes immediately snapped to his friend only to have a glare thrown his way. He tried to stifle his laughter but failed miserably before grinning at the confusion on Ivannah's face.

"Yes, you can say that."

_________________

"I'm going to go over there and pick out some dresses for myself." Iris told Ivy pointing over to the other side of the luxurious shop. Ivy frowned at the direction she was pointing at before glaring at her.

"You already bought 5 dresses, Iris." She scolded in in exaggeration.

"C'mon, A person can never have enough clothes. And why do we have to worry about the money when we have the magical card with us." Ivy opened her mouth to argue but Iris shut her up with a wave of her hand.

"Knowing you, you would have already forgiven Mr Rochester/Heathercliff," Ivy giggled at Iris's description of him, "But I'm not letting him get off so easily. He is going to have to pay for every bit of pain and disappointment he caused you."

And with a dramatic flip of her hair she marched towards the beautiful dresses. Ivannah smiled fondly at the back of Iris's head and said a silent prayer to the heavens above and her parents for bringing Iris to her. I don't know how I would survive without this crazy girl.

Ivannah turned towards the dress she was previously looking at before being interrupted by Iris. Her eyes landed on the guard that came with them through the glass door of the shop. He seemed to be deep in conversation with a beautiful brunette and oblivious to his surrounding.

A thought suddenly entered Ivy's head and she bit her lip as she contemplated if it was a good idea or not. I just turned 18, for God's sake. I can have that much freedom. With that thought she looked at Iris from over her shoulders to find her completely immersed in her precious fashion.

I can do this. It's not a big deal.

Ivannah thought as she quickly made her way outside of the shop. The guard, Mark was still talking to the same woman. Ivannah watched him carefully as he threw his head back and laughed at something the woman said as she turned around the corner.

A huge grin took over her face and she almost jumped in happiness. My first taste of complete freedom. And with that happy thought she walked and looked around at her surrounding simultaneously. The street was busy as she took in the sight of people enjoying the pleasure of shopping.

After she had walked for more than 10 minutes she came across a cute little cafe and thought of graping herself a beverage and something to eat.

She immediately liked the small, homely interior as soon as she set her foot inside the place.

She went towards the counter and scanned her eyes over the menu once before smiling brightly up at the boy behind the counter. The boy had a bad case of acne on his face and blushed as soon as his eyes landed on Ivy before trying to straighten his messy hair.

Not wanting to embarrass the him in any way Ivy quickly placed an order of one cream latte and one blueberry muffin. Ivy found herself an empty seat by the window overlooking the busy street and sat down.

She watched the people pass by her window and sat enthralled. Different women shopping in groups, laughing, giggling among each other. Small kids talking animatedly to their parents making them smile and laugh. Rowdy teenagers pushing each other around.

The scrapping of a chair on the hardwood floor made Ivy snap out of revere and look beside her. A very tall man with broad shoulders and dressed in an impeccable black suit with Ray bans hiding his eyes stood beside her. His hair was cropped short in military haircut and he had slight growth on his face. His lips were outstretched in a friendly smile as he looked down at Ivannah. 

"May I?" He asked her politely and waited for her answer like a gentleman.

Ivy did a quick scan of the small cafe to find it filled with people. So not having any choice left she said a quick agreement before scooting a little closer to window to keep some distance between her and the stranger. She heard rather than saw him sitting down and felt his eyes on the side of her face.

"Are you new in town?" He questioned making Ivannah's eyes snap towards him, "I haven't seen you around." He clarified and removed the dark glasses from his face.

Ivannah looked at the man's large green eyes and felt a weird kind of familiarity. She couldn't put her finger on where she had seen the man before or if she had seen him at all but he somehow gave her the feeling that she knew him.

"Not really." Ivannah answered shortly before looking away from his questioning gaze.

"It's a nice place, isn't it? This cafe, I mean." He tried to hold a conversation again only to have Ivannah nod her head with a tight smile not taking his bait. Stranger Danger. She reminded herself.

Something about the man made her feet uncomfortable. The way his eyes didn't leave her face even for a second made her feel like spiders were crawling up her back.

"My name is Blake, and you?" He tried for a third time but fortunately the waiter came to her table at that precise moment helping her avoid answering him.

Ivannah quickly started munching on her muffin and drinking her latte so that the man wouldn't disturb her again. To her great relief, he didn't ask her name again. Just sat their watching her eat, not even ordering anything for himself. Creep.

Ivannah finished her beverage and muffin in recorded time and quickly put a small bill on the table not wanting to stay any longer to wait for the bill. But to her discomfort the man spoke again.

"Have another latte." He ordered while pointing towards her seat.

Ivannah felt sudden anger inflamed inside her and stood up with her purse anyway. She gave the man a tight-lipped smile as she clutched her bag.

"No, thank you." She said politely and tried to get around him only to have him repeat his words in a tight tone. Ivannah got a little nervous at this point and looked around the room for help. Everyone seemed to be busy in their own world and Ivannah's mind worked at a quick pace thinking of a way to get out of there.

"We wouldn't want to create a scene now, would we?" Blaze, if that was his real name, smiled cruelly at Ivannah and pointed to his hand with his eyes.

And to Ivannah's utter horror, she saw a black metal object encased in his hand under the table. Her moved the gun in his hand a little threateningly. Oh my god! He has a gun. Ivannah's conscience screamed the obvious.

"Now, why don't you take a seat so we can talk calmly." He said with a malicious grin making Ivannah gulp in fear.