The Billionaire's Obsession

Chapter 5

Elizabeth woke with a sharp gasp, her chest tight, breath shallow, her shirt clung to her back damp with sweat.She sat up listening, only the quiet hum of the house and the distant morning traffic.No dream lingered, just a feeling that something had reached for her in the dark.She pressed a hand on her chest,

“Calm down” she whispered “You're fine”

Before her breathing settled, her mother's voice called from the living room.

“Beth?”

“Yes, mom”

“There's someone here to see you”

Her stomach tightened, no one ever came looking for her.

By the time she reached the living room, her heart was already racing then she saw her.The woman standing near the window was unsettling, not because she looked dangerous but because she looked familiar, she had Ivan's features, not exactly, but enough.The same sharp lines, the same calm eyes softened lighter as if the weight had been removed.Elizabeth's chest tightened again, her parents stood nearby politely with confused smiles.

“Good morning”The woman said gently

“You must be Elizabeth” Elizabeth nodded “Yes”

“I'm Ivanka”She said “Ivan's mother”

The word mother landed quietly but hard.This wasn't what Elizabeth expected, Ivanka looked young almost unreal, like someone who belonged in sunlight and not shadows.

“I hope I'm not intruding”Ivanka added

“May we talk somewhere private?”

After a moment, Elizabeth nodded, they left together.

The restaurant Ivanka chose was small and quiet, no luxury, no pressure, just soft music and clean tables.

Ivanka didn't waste time,

“I won't defend my son”she said “And I won't pressure you”Elizabeth stiffened,

“I know what Ivan did to you”Ivanka continued

“And I know what he's been his whole life”

“Then why are you here?” Elizabeth asked

“Because I'm the one hiring you”Ivanka said

“Not him”

Elizabeth blinked“ Hiring me”

“You will work under my department, you won't report to Ivan, you won't be forced into his space”

“How do you even know about me?”Elizabeth asked

Ivanka's expression softened“Mother knows when her child finally breaks”

Then quietly “I'm sorry for everything he did, no excuses ”

The apology hit harder than any threat.Elizabeth wanted to say no but Ivanka wasn't manipulative or desperate, just calm, respectful.

“I don't wanna see him”Elizabeth said

“And you won't”Ivanka replied

“And if that changes, you can leave, no consequences”

Elizabeth agreed out of need and something she couldn't quite name.She told herself she was working for Ivanka, not Ivan”

The next day, she started the job.She avoided Ivan as much as she could, different floors, different hours, different entrances, sometime she felt him nearby, like a presence she refused to look at, but they never spoke.Then one day, one afternoon, Elizabeth was crossing the lobby with a stack of files pressed to her chest when she saw him, he was standing near the glass wall with a small group of shareholders, well dressed, confident, laughing lightly at something he had said.He looked composed, powerful, untouched.Her heart slammed, ‘no, it couldn't be, she froze mid-step, her eyes locked in him.The sight of him sent heat rushing through her body, sharp and immediate.Her first instinct was to run and so she did.She turned quickly, lowering her head, weaving through staff and guests, her breathing coming faster with every step.She didn't stop until she reached the hallway leading to the offices, she paused chest rising and falling, she glanced back, the space was empty.

No Ivan, no shareholders, no nothing.Relief crashed into her so hard, her knees almost buckled she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes finally letting out the breath she had been holding. A presence moved behind her, before she could turn, a familiar voice spoke quietly, close enough to feel.

“How long do you plan avoiding me?”

Elizabeth gasped, her body jerking forward like she had been shocked.For a moment, she genuinely forgot to breathe.Ivan stood behind her, his gaze fixed on her face, unreadable and intense.

“I ”her voice failed

Without raising his voice, without touching her roughly, Ivan took her arm and guided her to the nearest office.He opened the door, ushered her inside and shut it firmly behind them.

The sound echoed, Elizabeth's hands were trembling.“I don't work for you”She said quickly.

Ivan replied almost immediately

“This is still my company”The words weren't a threat, they were a fact.Ivan leaned against his desk studying her as if she was something unfamiliar, something unstable.Elizabeth's heart wouldn't slow down, it was beating so fast, too loud.‘Is this fear’ she wondered.

“What are you thinking?”Ivan asked suddenly.She opened her mouth to answer, nothing came out.Ivan stepped closer, Elizabeth stepped back, he moved again, she moved again till her back hit the edge of the desk.Ivan stopped moving, the space between them stayed open, deliberate. He watched her the way someone watches the storm they don't fully understand yet.Elizabeth's back pressed lightly against the desk, her breathing was uneven, quiet but fast.

“What do you think of me?”He asked again

As Elizabeth opened her mouth to answer, a sharp knock hit the door.Elizabeth froze, the knock came again.

“Sir” A voice called from the outside.“The shareholders are waiting ”

Ivan exhaled slowly, like someone being pulled back from the edge of something he hadn't planned.He stepped away from her.

“We're not done”He said already turning towards the door.He opened it and left without another look.

Elizabeth remained where she was, her heart still racing, her hands cold, the question stayed ‘What do you think of me?’ And for the first time since meeting Ivan, she realized the answer might matter more thank she was ready to admit.