iveystorm@g*******m

Chapter 9

Mark and Maria followed us back to Jason’s apartment and helped us unpack the vans. They were so sweet about everything and it made me feel worst. I was bringing them so much pain and discomfort. They all kept telling me I would be fine and to take care of myself.

Before they left Mark approached me on the balcony.

“Hey I know this is being really hard on you, so do me a favour and stay out of sight and away from work for a few days.”

I knew it was only because he cared.

“Mark I can’t do that, the google project is coming up and Jason and I need to finish it and we still have interviews to do.”

He sighed.

“Ok I understand so lets compromise and work from here, I don’t want you in any danger and as Jason says Toni is a danger right now ok hun?”

“Ok I will, I promise.”

I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek because he has really been like a dad to me.

As I pulled away he pulled me back in and whispered.

“Ivey I don’t know what really is going on between you and Jason but do me a favour and be careful, you both are a great asset to me and I don’t want to have to fire him because you are a daughter to me and Maria as well. Understood?”

I was shocked but it was expected.

“Don’t worry dad, he and I are just work partners and he is looking out for me.”

I know he didn’t believe me but he took it.

“Alright, you and Jason can work from here and please I’m begging to take care of yourself.”

We walked back into the living area and found Jason helping Maria into her jacket. When he looked over my heart skipped a beat. The more time we spent together, the more I became convinced that this isn’t just a crush to him or a nut opportunity for him and it as opening my heart to him without any consultation to my heart.

We all said or goodbyes and Mark promised to check in later down the week. I felt so loved to have these people around me that cared.

After they left Jason and I spent around two hours sorting through my stuff. The mood was lightened, we laughed and joked as we went through my stuff and packed them away properly so they didn’t take up too much space in the apartment. Then his phone rang, it was Detective Campbell letting us know that Toni was now officially roaming the streets.

I was a bit stressed knowing that he might lose it when he gets home and realize I took my stuff but as everyone said I needed to take care of myself and stop worrying about his reaction. Jason tried to make the mood happy again but I just wasn’t up for it.

It was around 7 p.m. when Jason took the television remote from me and told me to go get ready for dinner.

“I’m not sure if I should go out Jase, lets order in.”

I saw the disappointment and gave in.

“Fine, where are we going.”

He was so cute when he gave me that big smile, he knew how to win with me.

“Don’t worry about that Sweets just put on something nice, and those sexy red bottoms I saw you in the first day we met.”

I had to blush, that fact that he remembered what I was wearing when we first met just made me feel so special.

I didn’t respond, I just ran up the stairs to his guest room which I took over to take a shower and get ready. After my shower I turned some music on my iPod and began going through my stuff and decided to wear my mauve peplum low cut back dress, I knew it was a little revealing especially since I can’t wear a bra but I didn’t care.

After lotioning up and squeezing into the dress dancing around and singing completely forgetting where I was I headed to the bathroom the fix my make up. I chose my dark red lipstick with black eyeliner and dark grey eye shadow to draw. I looked in the mirror and decided to add more face powder to hide the bruises. Seeing them just pulled me back a bit but I decided to push back. I turned my iPod up a bit more and chose Destiny’s Child Survivor, grabbed my red bottoms and danced up a storm.

I heard a snicker and jumped around, Jason was standing in the doorway smiling. He looked so delicious, he was wearing a beautifully tailored black suit with a grey undershirt with black shoes it was mouth dropping. He walked in with a smile that melted me. When he got in front of me he bent his head gave me the softest kiss ever. He then held up his right hand and there was a dark purple tie.

“I see we have the same taste Sweets.”

His smile was sneaky but I smiled back.

“I guess we do Mr. Highland, do you need some help.”

He handed me the tie and stepped closer. It felt so natural as we’ve been doing this forever. After fixing his tie I grabbed my black purse and we left the apartment.

The ride to the restaurant was funny, we played guess the destination. I got it wrong every time, eventually, I gave up and just stared out the window. I watched as the city passed by. I felt like my worries were fading away. Was it because I was with Jason or was I moving past that stage in my life.

Within minutes we pulled up in front of  La Sirene, it was a very expensive but well renowned french restaurant. I was a bit nervous but I was ready to have some fun.

Jason helped me out of his car, handed his keys to the valet and escorted me in. the restaurant was so alive and despite it being a long weekend it was packed. It looked so elegant with all the chandeliers and separations. Jason told the slim skimpy dressed hostess his name, she smiled at him but as soon as he pulled me closer to his side her smile disappeared. It felt good knowing that women were jealous but Jase wasn’t mine to covet.

Our table was in a very private and isolated section of the restaurant. Our waiter came over before we even had a chance to say a word to each other. His name was Franco and he was the sweetest. He gave us our menus and got us some champagne.

“This is really nice Jason.”

His smile was smug but cute.

“I’m glad you like it Sweets. It's not usually my style but I thought you would like it.”

“Why?”

“I believe you like this kind of stuff….from what I see from you and what you’ve told me.”

I was intrigued by this.

“What else have you noticed?”

“Well your favourite colour is purple, you are a control freak, claustrophobic and you are a serious romantic.”

“hhhmmm not bad but how did you guess all of those?”

“Well no matter what you wear there is always something purple involved and you have a lot of purple underwear, your office, home and car are extremely organized and clean compared to other people plus you always have processes following, you always tap your feet in the elevator and have your windows down on the car and you believe in love a lot more than most people.”

I was so shocked that he picked all that up in just four weeks.

“I must say you are very talented Mr. Highland.”

He laughed and it was so real, deep and touched my soul.

“Thank you.”

When Franco returned the chatter stopped and we took our time listening to his recommendations and reviewing the menu. After we gave our order I excused myself to the ladies room. I just needed to freshen up my make-up and make sure no bruises were showing.

While in the washroom I ran into the wife of Toni’s Boss Cassidy.

“Hey Ivey how are you? Is Toni here? You should join us.”

She always talked a million miles an hour but what do you expect from a 22-year-old who married a 52-year-old multi-millionaire.

“I’m wonderful Cassidy, and no, Jason isn’t here. I’m just out with a friend.”

She gave me a pointed look and I knew the wheel in here tiny brain was turning and making wild assumptions.

“Oh I see, tell him hi for me, you guys should come over to the house next weekend.”

“I’ll definitely consider it, but if you could excuse me I have to run.  It was great seeing you, tell Victor hi for me.”

I wasn’t trying to be mean but I had to escape her before she pried for information I wasn’t at liberty to discuss with anyone especially not her.

I got back to our table at record time but by the time I sat down Cassidy being the nosy b***h she was right behind me and saw where we were sitting.

“Jason can we get our meal to go, I just ran into Toni’s boss wife and I don’t want anything getting back to him.”

He was so calm.

“Hey relax this is a public place and I doubt they would call him, remember he is supposed to be in the Hampton’s.”

I tried to relax and see it how he did but the fact that I knew Cassidy so well and she made it her hobby to mess around in peoples lives just had me on edge.

After our entrée, I began to relax. Jason and I talked about everything, his work back home, his moms and how he handled having two moms and an absent dad, then we ended back up to work. It was great having someone to talk to.

When our dessert arrived I was especially excited it was a chocolate fudge volcano cake and I had talk Jason into sharing it with me. Before I even had the chance to dip in there was a huge commotion at the front of the restaurant.

“Get out of my way, where is that little b***h!!!”

I instantly froze I would know that voice anywhere and right now things were about to get real bad. When I looked over at Jason I knew that he knew what was coming next.

“Grab your bag and let's go now!”

his voice was menacing but I did as I was told.

We almost made it out of the restaurant avoiding Toni thanks to the help of Franco but as we hit the doors and was waiting for the car to be brought around someone grabbed me from behind by me hair. I was so shocked I couldn’t even scream.

“So this is the ass your leaving me for huh?”

He has his hands around my neck and when he spoke, Jason turned around. I saw the fire raise in his eyes and I knew hell was about to turn over.

I heard someone scream behind us. Then I heard Victor say

“Toni what are you doing? Let Ivey go are you crazy?”

“Shut up Vic, if you knew the trouble this b***h gave me you would want to kill her too.”

Jason spoke next.

“Antonio listen to your boss, you’re out on bail this won’t look good for you and trust me the cops are on their way from the looks on the hostesses face.”

“You don’t talk to me, I bet you have been f*****g her from the moment you met. She likes f*****g men in power you know.”

He was angry and I felt it he kept tightening his arm around my throat.

“Toni baby please calm down Jason and I are not sleeping together. I love you only you.”

I was hoping that what I was saying was convincing because I’m close to blacking out.

I was wrong he pushed me to the ground and began kicking and screaming at me.

“Shut up you stupid b***h I’m going to kill you like you planned on doing to my life.”

I don’t know who pulled him back or how many times he kicked me but I blacked out. I was in so much pain when I woke up. It took a while for me to get my bearing but when I did I was in the hospital with Mark, Maria and Anna standing in a corner talking.

“Guys what happened? Where is Jason?”

Maria walked over and took my hand.

“Ivey hunny calm down, do you know what happened?”

“Uhm Jason and I were at a restaurant at Toni showed up, things got bad and he was beating on me until I passed out I guess, where am I?”

Anna spoke next.

“Ivey you’re in the hospital, Toni kicked and punched you until you passed out and then he and Jason got into it at the restaurant. Its bad Ivey, Jason did a real number on him.

“Oh my God, where is he? Is he ok?”

Mark was fighting back his anger.

“The cops showed up and arrested them both Ivey, then called the ambulance for you. You’ve been out for hours. Anna was down at the station everything is fine he’ll be here soon.”

I began crying I can’t believe this is happening all because of me.

“Ivey calm down everything will be ok the aren’t charging him because witness testimony states he was protecting you. He’ll be ok.”

That was all I needed to here, this all needed to stop. I need Toni out of my life.

“Anna I want to press charges against Toni and I want a restraining order for him and his parents. I’m ready this all needs to stops. I want my life back.”