"Why aren't you saying anything?" Tears welled up in Sharmaine's eyes—there was no exact reason why she did, but she knew herself that she wouldn't be able to face him.
He let out a laugh. "You should've seen your face!"
"Geez, Ivan! What the heck?!" Sharmaine exclaimed. She was all nervous and weak for nothing, so she fell on the bed, sighing.
Ivan's laugh dissipated. "Well, it was hilarious."
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny." Sarcasm covered her words.
He sat beside her. "No, I haven't said anything just yet, but maybe I will if you escape."
"Are you blackmailing me?"
"I guess you would say that." He examined her features: lady-like, seamless, beautiful even though she had cuts—what else could he say?
He stared at her chest. "How did you even hide those huge watermelons from Denzel anyway?"
Sharmaine launched herself upwards. "Bandages. And they're not watermelons. They're just melons, I guess?"
"And you aren't weirded out by that question?"
"I am. But my gut says you meant no harm."
Intriguing, that's what he thought of her because she was unlike any other woman. He shifted closer, moving his head towards her. "Does this seem like I still meant no harm?"
Sharmaine formed a cringing face. "Not really, would you like me to demonstrate you how confident I am?" She leaned her face even closer to his—about an inch away from him—with a cunning smirk.
Ivan pulled away. "I am the face of the manipulative business. You can't guarantee that I'll molest you for my own satisfaction."
"Well if you did, you shouldn't have told me that your nanny changed my clothes."
She has a point; he should've teased her a bit. "Well, at least you owe your life and beauty to me."
"Huh?!" It was an unbelievable statement that came from a man of the black business.
"If not for me, you would've been killed by that b*tch in the other room."
"B*tch? You mean Shaine?"
He nodded.
"Ahh, yeah. I have to deal with that woman too." She sighed at the thought that she was injured before the interrogation even started. Worst of all, Denzel did not even save her. It wasn't new, but she expected more from him.
He smirked. "Deal? What, did she owe you money or something?"
"Something like that."
Sharmaine used her remaining strength to stand up again. She felt pain from her several blisters and scratches, wobbled and almost fell down, making Ivan sigh. He stood up, and without a word, he launched her to the air.
"Hey!"
"Calm down, I'm helping you."
She stared at his eyes. Frankly, the menace disappeared because—well, because of what exactly? He carried her to the modern living room and sat her gently on the couch.
"I thought you're going to bring me to Shaine's room."
"Heck no! I don't wanna be your shield."
Sharmaine paused and stared at the fuzzy carpet. "Then, I'll go in by myself." Her legs felt weak; it was shivering as it took small strides toward the black door. She nearly tripped but was luckily caught up by Ivan.
He sighed again. "I'll help you."