chapter 6

I woke up in the morning feeling completely relaxed. It felt like he was still inside of me. I blushed at my own silly thought. The room was empty, so that means he must've left already. Just as I expected. I got up and put my dress back on. Memories of last night flashed before my eyes and my heart skipped a bit. He truly was a stallion in bed. Maybe I was too hasty to make that deal with him. Too late now. I'll just pretend like it was a beautiful wet dream and move on with my life.

I saw a note next to the lamp so I picked it up.

You looked quite peaceful this morning so I didn't want to wake you. See you at work tomorrow.

__Ivan, the note said.

I hoped seeing him every day so close to me isn't going to be too awkward. You are strong Ariel, you can do this! I told myself in my head. It was just sex. I got up and left the hotel room.

In the next few days, we pretended like nothing ever happened between us. Like, we never shared a steamy, sexy night inside a candlelit hotel room. He was back to his cold, bossy demeanor and me as his loyal assistant. He kept his promise and never mentioned anything or tried anything else with me. But, why do I miss his flirtatious behavior though?

After a month or so, I found some flowers sitting on my desk.

Oh? Is the boss breaking his promise and trying to woo me again? I thought to myself.

Please, can we talk? I want to at least see you once.

Love, Mark

Ugh...not this again. Mark has been calling and texting constantly trying to get me to talk to him but I kept giving him the cold shoulders. I decided to call him and tell him off. Everyone at the office stopped talking all of a sudden so I looked up. Ivan was standing right there in front of me, staring at the flowers in my hand.

"From an admirer?" he asked and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Um...yes?" I said hesitantly.

"I'd like to see you in my office, Ariel," he said and left.

Oh boy, what did I do now?

I went inside and he motioned me to have a seat.

"Who sent you flowers?" he asked as I was sitting down.

I wanted to tell him it was none of his business but decided against it. No reason to poke the tiger right now.

"My ex-boyfriend Mark. He wants to meet me to apologize I guess," I said.

"You aren't planning on meeting him, are you? I suggest you don't," he said.

I wasn't in the beginning but now I am not sure. Who was he to tell me who I should or shouldn't meet?

"I haven't decided yet. But even if I do, it is none of your concern," I said firmly.

He stood up abruptly and strode toward me. "It is my concern, Ariel. He hurt you. Just because you made me make a deal with you doesn't mean I haven't been watching over you. I haven't given up on you, I am merely waiting for you to change your mind about becoming my woman. But if you are going to go back to that dickless loser then I am afraid I'll have to interfere," he said and stared at me with heated eyes.

This man is unbelievable. Here I thought he was a decent human being who kept his word, but now he was telling me he only pretended to agree with me? The audacity!

"You don't own me, Ivan! I don't care if you pretended to make a deal with me because I was being serious. I don't want to be with you, or anyone else at the moment, now if you will excuse me," I said and stormed out of the office.

How insane can a man be to keep quiet about his feelings for an entire month? How long was he planning to wait for me? Well, I am not giving myself to him that easily. I had a feeling he was the type of man who wanted a woman to make her his possession, not out of love.

I decided to meet with Mark. I could at least hear him out.

I gave him a time and a place then headed there. I wonder if he was still with Sharon, not that I cared either way.

"Ariel! Thank you so much for agreeing to meet me," Mark said and smiled.

"What is it Mark, if its forgiveness you want then you are forgiven. But, I still don't want anything to do with you," I said.

"Please baby, don't be like this. I never stopped loving you. I made a huge mistake by sleeping with Sharon," he pleaded.

"You are joking, right? That was no mistake. You knew what you were doing," I said.

"Look, I was lonely and frustrated because you weren't around. She came by and told me that she had always been in love with me. She caught me at my vulnerable stage which is why I was confused. But I know now that you are the only one I want. Believe me," he said.

I opened my mouth to say something but stopped as a hand grabbed my shoulder all of a sudden, startling me to my core. Ivan was standing there and glaring at Mark with fire in his eyes.

"She is with me now," he said.

Mark was startled as well. He hesitated for a second then spoke.

"I am sorry, who are you?" he asked.

"Ivan Adams, I suggest you leave Ariel alone or there will be consequences," his icy grey eyes showed so much contempt that I was scared for Mark.

"Ivan Adams? Your boss? Have you been fucking your boss behind my back?" Mark cried.

"Excuse me? Wait a minute.." I protested. "Don't be throwing accusations at me now. You are the one in the wrong here. I did not sleep with him when we were together. I never cheated on you," I said.

"Then why is he..." Mark started to say.

"Because he is crazy," I turned to Ivan. "What do you think you are doing here? This is none of your business!"

"Your well being is my business Miss Young, you are mine after all," Ivan said.

"Ariel, why is he saying that?" Mark asked.

Uuuuggh....these people are going to drive me insane!