Love or Lust?

Chapter Two: Fame is a Cage

His eyes fluttered open as the sunlight peeped into his face but he shut them back. A throbbing headache hit him as he sat up gently.

He had slept late designing a particular suit for a client last night.

As he stood there, he combed his hair with his head then headed to the bathroom. As he showered, only thoughts of Ivy Ahsby filled his mind.

She mentioned something about someone wanting to kill her if he did not leave her years back but he took no notice of it because of the event he attended.

He was even more interested in her now than before.

The state in which he saw her years back wasn't fit for a model...she wore a pale shirt and a long skirt. Her hair was brownish in color and she had a cut on her cheek.

She was so rough and helpless looking that day compared to yesterday.

He had heard about her frequently but he had not once looked her up.

After she had kissed him that night, he pondered if she wanted to infect him with an illness and after he went for a check-up, there was nothing wrong with him and he was healthy.

After taking his shower, he tied his thick towel around his waist and picked up his phone from the table. After dialing a particular contact, he pressed the phone to his ear and paused.

"Good morning boss." A male voice said from the other end.

"Morning John. I need your help."

"What is it, sir?"

"Need you to gather information about Ivy Ashby. Every tiny detail about her."

"Alright, sir. I'll get back to you in twenty minutes." The voice replied from the other end and Richard ended the call.

After changing into casual outfit, he went downstairs to the dining room. He stumbled upon Jane, his chef already arranging his meals on the table.

"Good morning sir." She said politely as she placed the jug in her hand on the table.

"Morning Jane." He answered back, gazing at the delicacies on the table. "You have done it again. You may go."

"Enjoy your meal, sir." She retorted and then walked outquietly.

Richard had the breakfast Jane had prepared for him in silence. After eating, he poured the fruit juice from the jug and as he was about to drink it, his phone rang.

He shifted his gaze to the screen and put the cup of juice on the table carefully as he answered the call.

"Have you gotten anything?"

"She began modelling six years ago and there are some shady sources that claim she has been married once and no one knows the reason why she and her husband are separated. Even her husband could not be verified, I guess her firm had taken everything about her past life down. She has no relatives...

"How true is that?" Richard cut in as he picked up the cup.

"Hundred percent true. She owns many enterprises and she's one of the top ten richest women in the world." John answered back from the other end.

"I see. That's all I need."

He ended the call and then drank the juice. He then placed the cup on the table and scrolled through his screen. Moving to his search bar, he typed Ivy Ashby and the result brought pictures of Ivy.

His eyes caught a particular picture of her in a short gown and a red crown. She must have worked her way to the top darkly and mysteriously, Richard thought.

She was very much prettier than that night and he became determined to find out the reason for her using him as a romantic shield from whoever or whatever.

~~~~~~~~~~~

She smiled excitedly as she walked on the sidewalk freely. Since she had decided to work hard for her dreams, her freedom and other things have been taken away from her. felt nice and somehow free on the busy street. Even if she had to go and get something at the supermarket, one of the guards whom her firm had assigned to her must escort her.

It is so frustrating.

Clad in a straight dress with short sleeves, she had used a vintage scarf she bought at an auction last week to cover her head. The disguise was perfect, to her and she hoped she could enjoy her day in peace.

For the first time in weeks, no black cars followed her.

No cameras clicked on her.

No hovering men in suits with strict expressions around her.

Just the flow of the city and the way cars blared continuously. People minded their businesses, each focused on their destinations as they walked past her.

Los Angeles was actually a beautiful place.

If not for the story that was offered to her three weeks ago, she would not be here today. She would still be stuck with busy schedules and shootings. She exhaled as she took each step carefully.

Even though she had sneaked out, she knew she would get reprimanded but she didn't care.

She gasped and halted as she arrived at a restaurant. It was the best restaurant in town. She had heard on social media that they were known for their refined and delicious treats.

Ivy smiled to herself as she took a step forward but bumped into a young woman coming out of the restaurant. The lady's purse fell and the contents spilled on the floor.

"I am so sorry." Ivy let out as both of them bent to pick up the contents. After making sure the content had been put inside the purse, she handed it to the young woman gently. "I am so sorry."

"No...

The woman's gaze met her and Ivy looked away immediately but it was too late.

"I saw you ok tv last night. You are the one, aren't you?" She inquired curiously.

Ivy smiled, if she pretended, it might attract attention.

"I....

"Hey, guys. It is Ivy Ashby!"

Ivy's heart sank.

When she thought her day was going fine.