The Billionaire's Obsession

Ivan was born broken or at least that was what people believed.From childhood, something in him was missing.He didn't cry when he fell, he didn't laugh when other's laughed, he didn't flinch at pain or loss. His face stayed still, empty like a room with no furniture.Doctors called it a psychological disorder,people called him insane, students avoided him in school, teachers watched him closely, whispers followed him down hallways. Ivan noticed everything. Once a student was bullied endlessly for being overweight.Jokes, cruel laughter, crueler silence. Then one morning, the principal announced that the boy had died, choked on diet food when desperately trying to lose weight. It was so funny to Ivan, the school mourned, tears flowed , heads bowed but Ivan smiled, he tried to stop it, he really did, but the smile stretched wider and then the laughter came sharp loud and uncontrollable.It echoed through the hallway loud enough to be heard outside the classroom. Every head turned towards him, horror replaced sympathy.Another time during a biology practical,the class was asked to dissect a rat, most students were disgusted.Ivan was calm, too calm. That evening after everyone had left, Ivan returned to the lab and asked teacher if he could do it again “It gives me a cool chill”he said plainly “I feel happy when I kill something” The teacher reported him immediately. At home, Ivan's father could barely look at him.He didn't hate his son but deep down, he believed he had given birth to a monster.Shame lived in his eyes, only Ivan's mother tried to understand.She protected him fiercely, excused everything, softened every sharp edge the world threw towards him.She loved him enough for two parents, maybe too much. Ivan grew up handsome, tall, well built.Girls noticed him everywhere he went.He became popular for his looks, but not for his soul.Because Ivan couldn't love.He didn't trust people, he didn't care too.He grew cold, mischievous, dangerous in quiet ways. He learned how to provoke reactions in others even if he couldn't feel them himself. Elizabeth was nothing like Ivan, she was plain, ordinary, no nonsense, short tempered and proud. She grew up with her parents, no tragedy, no mystery, just life. After finishing school, reality hit her hard.No job, no opportunity.She tried part time work, small hustles, anything but it wasn't enough. Slowly she began to feel like a burden in her own home.So when a friend mentioned a job opening at a well known luxury hotel, Elizabeth decided to try one last time. She applied, she got in.The salary wasn't great but it was better than nothing.She accepted immediately. Her first shift was a night shift. Unluckily for her, it was also the night the hotel hosted a VIP party.The hall was loud and expensive, suffocating, alcohol, smoke, power. Ivan Sat at the edge of the room like a king without a throne surrounded by women clinging to him.Laughing too hard, touching him freely.He watched everything with bored eyes. Elizabeth was working with two senior staff, Ana and Sasha.She tried to learn quickly, obeying orders, keeping her head down. Sasha did not like her. Elizabeth was pretty in a quiet way. Flat chest, small frame, but a face that turned heads without effort. Sasha noticed the glances from men and decided Elizabeth needed to be humbled. she sent her into Ivan's section.The other workers went silent, everyone feared that corner. Elizabeth walked in unaware.The room smelled of drugs and alcohol, she covered her nose slightly. An older man notice her immediately and called her over.As she poured his drink, his hand brushed her chest.Elizabeth froze. “What are you doing?” she asked The man leaned closer whispering that she should calm down.His hand moved again, that was enough.Elizabeth pushed him away.The man stumbled fat, drunk, unstable and fell.Tables crashed,bottles shattered.The room erupted, Ivan had been watching, he slammed his hand on the table. “Silence” His eyes locked onto Elizabeth. “Who allowed a beggar inside here?”he asked calmly Elizabeth stood frozen “You should be at home sleeping”He continued “Or taking care of your parents” Ivan gave her a once over.He looked her over slowly with a scoff and asked “So puberty completed or pending?” Only then did Elizabeth realize he was mocking, her size, her age, her body.Body shaming her, reducing her to nothing.Ivan smiled, “Look around”he said “Do you see anyone your age here?” “That's why you can't even handle a touch” Elizabeth dropped the tray “I'm done”She said and turned to leave. Ivan's voice followed her. “I bet your parents are as shameless as you are” Something snapped.Elizabeth turned back, grabbed her hand bag and flung it with all her strength.It hit Ivan's head, the room went dead silent.Ivan's brain temporarily left his body. The pain stung more than he had ever known.For the first time in his life, Ivan did not understand what he was feeling.