Chapter Seven: When The Past Breaks In
1091 Words
Ivy stepped out of her room after sliding her legs into simple footwear then went downstairs to the lobby. Hotel Bonnet was a famous and highly secure hotel for celebrities and people with influence.
As she got downstairs, she saw a kid pointing at her. He was held by his mother and his father and immediately they saw her and they came forward.
“Hi..you must be Ashby Ivy? Right?” The mother asked curiously.
Ivy beamed sweetly. “Yes, I am.”
“It is nice to meet you. My daughter is a fan of yours and I'm even surprised she could recognise you in person. Could we take a picture of you and her, just a quick selfie?” She replied warmly.
Ivy turned her gaze to the excited kid. “You can take all the pictures you want.”
“Yayyy!” The child said and ran to Ivy’s side.
Ivy and the child formed hearts with their hands and the mother took pictures of them. After snapping the child turned to Ivy and stretched forward the teddy bear in her hands.
“You want to give me your toy?”
The child nodded.
Ivy shook her head. “No. I can't possibly take your toy from you. It is yours, keep it.”
“But…I want you to have it.” The kid said in her tiny voice. “I still have more at home. Mom said we should give flowers to people we cherish and love, I don't flower here so I want to give you my teddy.”
“Awwn. Thank you.” Ivy retorted as she took the teddy then hugged the child gently. “I am having a meet and greet next month. Make sure you show up, okay? I have a gift to give you too.”
“Alright!” The kid said then walked to his mother’s side.
“Thank you for the opportunity, ma’am. We will surely show up at the meet and greet.” She proclaimed.
“I will be expecting,” Ivy replied, and watched as they walked away while she waved at the child happily. The child waved back.
All of a sudden, reporters rushed in, with their cameras clicking. Even the security could not stop them and before Ivy could react, they were onto her.
“Hi…Ivy! It is nice to meet you here!” A female reporter declared.
Ivy only smiled and tried to leave but they had surrounded her. She summoned courage and looked around to see if she could find her assistant or make-up artist but none were around.
“Is it true you're shooting the new movie of Stewart in this hotel?” Another male reporter inquired, shoving his phone forward.
“Yes, that is true and I know we are all excited to see it,” Ivy answered calmly. How did they know she was in the hotel? She thought the hotel was highly secured and reversed…who could have tipped the reporters off?
“Was Henry Smart your husband?”
The question landed a blow in her face as she froze.
“We heard about his murder. Did you witness his murder?”
Ivy’s heart pounded in her chest. For years, she had hidden this secret. Why now? Could she have dug up her past? Her firm had done everything to keep that murder a secret…
“Say something, Ivy!”
“I…i..I don’t know what you're talking about.” Ivy let out as she tried to make her way out but it was impossible.
“Do you care about sharing even just a little information about him?”
Ivy’s breathing became erratic. The teddy in her hands fell on the floor and for some seconds everywhere blanked. The questions they asked kept repeating in her head and she held her hands over her ears immediately.
“Stop it.”
The baritone voice commanded and security guards rushed forward. They separated the reporters from Ivy and made a way for Richard to pass through.
His expression was deadly and the reporters kept quiet but they kept on clicking pictures. Richard reached Ivy then grabbed her hand.
“She does not have to explain anything to you. Now, leave.” He warned then pulled Ivy away from them. Ivy followed, tears falling from her eyes as they headed to her room.
Richard opened the door and dragged her in then closed the door. Ivy walked to her bed and then sat down, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
“I’ll just leave you alone,” Richard said and then left the room. As he closed the door, Eva walked up to him.
“So…is it still possible?”
“I don't think so,” Richard replied and then went back to the lobby. The reporters had been chased out by the guards while Eva rushed after him. “I saw David’s car in the parking lot when we arrived. I hope he's still there.”
“I will wait in the car sir,” Eva answered back as they walked out of the building.
Richard saw David’s car reversing from the parking lot but he waved his hand and he halted as he saw him from inside the car. Richard reached the side of the car and watched as David lowered the windows.
“Hey. What's going on?” David inquired curiously.
“They came to attack her….I need to know everything.”
David furrowed his brows. “What are you talking about, man?”
“Reporters! They swarmed in. I'm still going to speak to the management but I need to talk to you first.”
“They must have swarmed in to take pictures of…wait, did you say attack?”
“Yes. If I had not arrived earlier, Ivy would have broken down.”
David widened his eyes. “I need to speak to her…
“There is no need. She wants to ... .spend some time alone but I have to talk to you. Why are they on her neck asking her about a murder case? If the model I want to use is involved in a murder case….it is going to ruin everything I've worked hard for.” Richard snapped angrily.
David hesitated then turned down the engine of his car.
“Hop in. Let's talk.”
Richard opened the door and then slid into the passenger seat. “Speak.”
“I really don't know where to start.” He confessed then shifted his gaze to Richard.
- Writer
