Chapter 44: 42

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Thanks for your patience. Before you continue, I'd like to inform you that I have written a prologue chapter for this book, and it has been attached with the first chapter. If you want to read it, you can remove and add the book to your libraries again, so you'd be able to see the new changes I made.

PLEASE guys, your comments gives me the zeal to write more! Don't hold back your thoughts on each chapter!

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42

Ivy's pov

"Shine and rise, sleepy head." An high pitched voice I recognized as my Mom's said, and the next thing I felt was the sharp ray of sun, hitting my closed eye lids.

I groaned softly, squeezing my eyes and rubbing it from the burn as I made an attempt to sit up.

She jumped on my bed, pulling my body to hers. "I've missed you so much sweetheart." She said.

I managed to peel my eyes open, frowning when I saw her. "Mom?"

"Who else where you expecting baby?" She asked, smoothing the bed nest I have of a hair.

My brain still wasn't functioning properly, and I knew something important had happened the day before, but I couldn't remember. "When did you get back?" I said, sitting up properly.

"Last night... We didn't want to wake you honey." She said.

I looked around to find myself in my room. How did I get here? I was with Ethan-

My eyes snapped open fully.

Ethan... Where is Ethan?

"What's wrong?" My mom asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Whe-where is-"

"Trevor?" She filled in.

"Yeah... Him, where is he?" I asked, pulling the covers off my body.

"Relax, Ivy. He's outside with your Dad, working on his bike."

I furrowed my brows. "What? He's outside?"

"Yes? Is anything wrong with that?" She asked. "Did you two have a fight? Did you send him out, Ivy? You know you can't do that right? If you send him out, he wouldn't have anywhere-"

"Mom mom, I didn't send him out. I just- you wouldn't understand... I need to see him." I said, jumping out of bed.

"Not so fast young lady. You'll only go down stairs when you get ready."

"Ready? For what?" I asked, scanning the grin on her face.

"You and I are going on a shopping spree. It's going to be fabulous, we'll get our hair done, our nails done, we'll shop till our feets hurt."

I was confused by this.

Yes, my Mom can really be a girl sometimes, but she preferred to be a girl with her friends, not with me. I mean, it's not like she never wanted me to tag along before, infact, she asked me everytime, but I usually said no... Cause, I didn't have the passion for those things. And yeah, it can get tiring.

"Why?" I asked.

She smiled, taking few steps closer to me. "It's a Saturday morning Ivy. And, what's more to do with our Saturday than shopping? Besides, I'd love to know how you spent a whole week with Trevor... What you guys did, talked about... You know, the normal stuff."

"I know." I nodded. "But I still don't get the why?"

She sighed. "Your father and I took a detour to Hawaii, and- in Hawaii, we attended a conference program where they told us that no matter what we do in life, we shouldn't let our work detach us from our kids. We were supposed to stay a few more days, but after that seminar, your Dad and I thought it was time to create a schedule for you in the bunch of events we have to attend to. You're not an event to us Ivy, you're our only child, and I don't want you to start thinking that we don't care about you. Everything we do, the business travels, the seminars, late night meetings, it's for you to have the perfect future."

I smiled. "I understand Mom. And I know you both love me. Even if you travel always, I know I'm still number one in your hearts. And I'm glad you both are back." I said, pulling her into a hug. "I missed you." I said.

After a short while, we pulled apart. "Are you sure? You did have someone to keep you company eh?"

I smiled.

Someone who is going to explain to me how and what the hell happened last night.

"Now, go and take a shower... We are going to explore Brooklyn."

_

My shower didn't take long because I was too eager to see Ethan. My brain was still trying to rebuild that memory, that awful sick memory.

But I was sure it wasn't a memory.

Cause in that memory, He died. He died and no matter what I said, he didn't even blink.

It was only a dream.

I knew it was only a dream because- well- how else would he be downstairs, working on his bike with my dad. It had to be a dream.

A really scary nightmare.

I had adorned myself with a blue skinny jean, coupled with a grey T shirt. My hair had been pulled into a really high ponytail, which I was sure would get ruined the moment I enter the salon.

Rushing downstairs, I almost lost my footing, but I didn't let that derail me from bolting straight into the garage where I found only my Dad, crouched down, working on a machine.

"Dad?"

He looked up immediately, as a bright smile overshadowed his face.

He got up to his full height and I couldn't help but engulf him in a tight hug. "I missed you so much."

"Me too honey. We got back yesterday, but Trevor told us not to wake you seeing as you had a pretty rough day yesterday." He said. "Are you okay?"

I pulled away with a smile. "Yeah I am. Fridays can be really harsh."

He smiled. "Well I'm glad you're okay, and it's also relieving to have someone like Trevor around. He really cares about you."

"Um... Where is Trevor by the way? I haven't seen him all morning."

My dad grinned. "I used to have that same look you have on now. Seeing your Mom everyday is just like a daily dose of refreshments."

"I've heard that a thousand and one times. Now making it a thousand and two." I said.

He laughed. "Trevor's in the second garage, working on my car."

I furrowed my brows. "What happened to your car?"

"Nothing really, there is a problem with the brakes and this has been happening frequently with my cars and the ones at the automobile companies. Trevor had a good idea on how to solve it so, I'm letting him do his thing." He said. "We started at this since five in the morning, and I'm telling you Ivy, that kid's got talent."

I smiled. "I'm sure he does. I'll go check up on him now."

_

The second garage was empty when I got in. Panic rose in my chest, and it only made me wonder why my parents would lie to me about Ethan being here.

"Ethan?" I called out softly, scared that I wouldn't get a reply.

Yes, I didn't get a reply, but the sound of tools being thrown out from under the car, pulled my attention.

Ethan rolled out from under the car, getting up from the creeper, before his eyes met mine. "Sup." He said, scanning me from head to toe. "Going out?"

All I could do was stare as he took off his glove.

He was okay. He was standing right in front of me... This means- this means it had all been a dream? His was fine.

My feets pulled me forward as I ran towards him, engulfing him in a really tight hug.

His warmth seeped through me and it only made me pull him closer.

"Whoa," he said, putting his arms around me. "Someone is extremely happy to see me today." There was a playful tone to his voice as he tried to pull away, but I held him in place. "ok-maybe I was wrong... You're trying to kill me." He wheezed out.

Immediately I pulled away.

The word 'kill' was something I didn't want to hear right now.

"I'm sorry." I said, my eyes looking all over his body. "You're okay... You're fine."

He looked confused, as he looked down at himself. "Was I supposed to be hurt?" He asked.

I shook my head furiously. "No- it's just, I had the weirdest dream. You- you died and I couldn't do anything about it, Roman and Fiona were here and it was all so confusing."

He smiled. "Well, as you can see... I'm pretty much okay."  He said.

"It was so real-"

"I'm fine, Ponytail. You said it was just a dream... And besides, considering how yesterday went... It's not surprising."

"What?"

"You don't remember that too? You going to my sector? That was a stupid move, Ivy."

I sighed, looking down. "You have every right to be angry."

He pulled my chin up so I could face him again. "I do, but- I can't stay angry at you, no matter what I do, I just can't. So, that's why I have a proposition."

My brows pulled down in a confused frown. "A proposition?"

He nodded. "Not really like a preposition but- I know what can make this all better."

"What?"

"If we start over? Forget everything that happened... The betrayal, the harsh words, everything. I want you to drop everything you have of my Inc. you can't save anyone if you die before making a movement. I don't want you to carry that on your shoulders. I love that you care about me and everyone, but you can't save everyone. It's impossible."

"It's not-"

"Ivy. Promise me. Promise me you'll drop all this. Promise me you'll stop throwing yourself into fire all because of me, I should be the one taking the risk, not you-"

"You're not taking the risk because you're scared of them. I am taking the risk because I'm not, because I know that they're bad people, and if we keep on watching, they'd do worse. It might not seem like so now... But Ethan, the time is coming when no where would be safe. I want to prevent that from happening."

"But you can't- do you know how many have tried? Do you know how many have died because they tried to try. Do you?"

"They're not me." I said.

He shook his head. "No they're not, but I care about you too much to watch you end up like them."

"And I care about you too much to watch them play with your life, and those people."

"Ivy listen to me." He said, cupping my face with both hands. "You can't save everyone. Drop it."

I remained quiet.

"Ivy-"

I groaned. "Fine. I'll drop it."

"You promise?" He asked. "I'm not being measly with this. Do you promise me Ivy, from your heart."

I sighed. "I promise. I won't involve myself with the Inc anymore." And I meant it. If he wants me to drop it, I will. I will, in hopes that someone else who isn't me would bring that dimension to the ground before it takes us all under.

"That's better." He said. "I know it means a great deal to you, but it's for your safety."

I nodded.

"Did you mean what you said last night? When you said from now on everything between us-"

"Everything I said last night, I said out of anger. So I didn't mean it. That's in the past."

"It happened yesterday." I said.

"That's why it's called the past." He smiled.

I returned the smile with a small one, taking him my surprise, as I wrapped my arms around him, placing my head against his chest. "I just wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to see your real family again. It's not fair, no one should be separated from their families. It's horrible."

He sighed, holding me. "Thank you for trying. No one has ever done that for me."

I smiled against his chest. "Don't thank me."

"Yeah, but I have to... You made me realize that I really do have a family that cares, and even though we aren't related by blood, yesterday I discovered that I actually had people who cared about me. You included."

I pulled away, looking up at him. "What are you talking about?"

"It wasn't a dream Ivy. Roman and Fiona were here when I woke up. I don't know what happened to me, but I really wasn't here yesterday."

I took a step back. "You mean-"

He nodded, knowing what I was asking even when I didn't complete my sentence.

"How? What happened?"

He looked down. "I shouldn't tell you this- but, I can't help myself." He pulled his gaze up again. "They're manipulating me... Toying with my emotions. They're messing with me."

"Your Inc?" Anger flared in my voice.

"Who else has half the control over me aside from you?"

"Why are they doing that? Why would they do that to you?"

He shrugged. "Who knows? They do things because they want to. But it's fine. I know I'll be fine."

I shook my head. "This is sick. They are sick."

"I know. And I also know they don't want me dead. Not now, not ever. And even if they want to kill me for whatever reason they have. I'll fight them off." He said, taking my hand from beside me, intertwining our fingers. "And you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I don't just have me to live for. I have you now, and I can't let anything happen to you, no matter what happens Ivy... You come first to me."

Knots after knots tied in my stomach. My heart was going to explode if I didn't tell him how I was feeling right now. "Ethan, there's something you need to know."

"What's that?" He asked urgently, indicating that he was really interested in whatever I wanted to say.

"Yesterday, when I thought I lost you- I- I realized that this isn't some-"

"Ivy! There you are." My Mom's voice resounded from the entrance of the garage, I looked around. "Come on, we're late for our spa appointment." She said, rushing out.

I sighed, looking back at Ethan. "Well, till I get back from hell."

He laughed. "Go do your thing. I'll finish up here with your Dad."

"Yeah. See you." I said, untangling my hand from his.

The warmth left me immediately.

"Go on." He said. "Shoo... I have work to do."

I smiled widely. "Bye."

_

I was just about tired to even look at one more dress, as I mindlessly examined the pink dresses on the shop hanger, flicking from dress to dress. we had bought so many that I had lost count.

The first place we went to was the spa, where we had our nails and toes done.

My hair had been long detached from the ponytail, and my once brown straight hair was now tinted a dark blond at the tip and the top, blessed with wavy curls and I had to say, I looked really different.

My mom thought it would be great to have the same hairstyles and a bit change to our looks.

It was a great idea, and I also had fun too. Spending time with her was something I definitely wanted to do again... It wasn't boring, it was actually quite fun.

It made me forget that I still had one particular problem to deal with... Fiona.

She had seen everything yesterday. How the hell do I explain everything to her? How was I supposed to explain the fact that she saw him dead just yesterday,  and now he's back up... Alive. That doesn't happen everyday.

"You should pick that one." A smooth voice said from beside me.

I blinked, glancing to my side to find a really young and beautiful woman. Her strawberry blonde hair was styled like those curled 90's hairstyle, her crimson colored lips was etched up in a calculated smile and her blue eyes held so many things. Just one look at this woman, you could get lost.

Also, there was something familiar about her eyes.

I cleared my throat, looking back at the dress I was currently touching. "You think?" I asked, glancing towards her direction again.

"I know, dear." She said. "It goes with your skin tone and your eyes." Her voice was as slick as honey.

"Oh... Thank you." I said, unsure of the reply to give.

She smiled. "You're welcome."

I gulped, taking the dress from the hanger.

"I just moved into town." She said, starting a conversation.

"Oh, that's nice. A lot of people move in here everyday." I said. "This is a side to Brooklyn that's actually great, I'm sure you'd like it." I said with a polite smile. "I'm Ivy Fisher." I said, extending my hand for a hand shake.

She gladly extended a gloved hand towards me, shaking my hand. "Glory Curt."

"Nice to meet you, Glory."

"Same." She said, taking her hand back to her side.

I smiled. "I'm actually here with my Mom, she's probably somewhere trying out dresses after dresses."

Glory Chuckled. "My daughter would have never come shopping with me. She was so passive about things like this."

I frowned.

Why was she using past tense?

"Where is she now? Your daughter?"

"Gone." She said with a sad smile.

My heart broke for her, that was horrible. "I'm so sorry, Glory."

She smiled. "Gone doesn't mean she's dead Ivy. I sent her away."

"Oh- if you don't mind me asking, why did you do that?"

Glory sighed. "Lacy was- Lacy was unstable. I sent her away to get help."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." I said. "I'm sure she'll get better."

"Thank you, Ivy."

I smiled in return.

"Oh shoot... I have to go, there are still somethings I need to take care of." She said.

"Yeah sure."

She smiled. "I'll be seeing you around, Ivy."

"Yeah, you will." I said.

She gave a small nod, walking away.

I looked back at her retreating figure. Her steps were calculated, slow but steady. There was just something about her that I couldn't place my fingers on.

Lacy.

That's the name of Ethan's- whatever the dark haired girl meant to him. The familiarity of Glory's blue eyes had a resemblance to the striking blue of Lacy's.

But Lacy had jet black hair, so- there's no way-

What am I thinking.

Drop it Ivy! Stop suspecting every little thing.

Glory is a nice human woman who is no way connected to that evil inc.

Not everything is related to the inc.

I blinked, shaking my head off the thought.

I need to distract myself from all this... If I really want to stop myself from thinking too much about the Inc, I needed a really good distraction.

"Ivy, I found the perfect dress." My Mom said, sticking her head from the corner.

I sighed.

If shopping endlessly with my Mom would do the trick, then I have no problem with that.

Shopping it is.

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Vote and Comment:-)

So, the world is currently on lockdown, lol. I just wanted to know how everyone is dealing with the virus now. In my country, we've had some new cases, and it's beginning to create panic, but I'm going to remain calm and stick to my home. That's actually the safest spot now.

My school has been closed indefinitely and I'm gonna be home for like- I don't know, sometime?

How is the case in your country?

I want everyone to stay safe and positive. This thing will pass, and nothing will harm anyone of us, or our loved ones. Let's continue to maintain good hygiene.

:-)

With all that said, What do you think of this chapter?

Do you think Ivy really meant her promise this time?

What do you think of Ethan's feelings towards Ivy?

Glory Curt? What do you think of her?

Enjoy the next few cool chapters, because after that, well- the story really begins.

What do you think of the new cover?

Till next update!

Bye beauties!

Nora.