Ever since that day, Ian Harrison of Harrison Media Company has never been the same. Though the years have helped him come by, nothing can heal his inner unease. Ian is a broken man yet to be fixed. He has chosen to flee and ignore things completely… The dreadful ending of the girl he's supposed to marry, the person he has run over, his non-existent family, or the impending troubles the overseas coalition dawns.
Perhaps, that's also the reason why he chose to stay in France.
"So, how's your nephew? He's what? Already six or seven?" Scott abruptly asked, bringing Ian back to reality.
The latter's perusing haze shifts to his friend. He chugged his beer first before answering, "He's going seven. The boy's a damn clone of my brother."
After his brother died, Chan, his brother's only child, was left in his care. He didn't know how to approach or get along with Chan at first. The boy was traumatized at an early age that it was too hard for Ian to form a bond with him. That's partially the reason why Ian sent the little kid over to Italy exactly two years ago.
"How did he react when he saw you?"
Ian let out a bitter laugh. "Well, it's the same. He's a big bag of trouble. He makes his teacher's life miserable, his tutors quit upon a day of lecture, he has no friends, and… He still hates me, but I gotta give it to him. I completely understand why."
Scott just shrugged his friend's troubles like good-old times. Ian had been his long-time buddy, and they had been through the worst of times. He knew that Ian blamed himself for his brother's accident, that he had been too distant from the grandeur and beauty of life and had been buried with his responsibilities and work. The man is also a stubborn piece of rubber who refuse to express how he really feels deep inside, so oftentimes, Scott will choose to keep silent because that's how they make their peculiar brotherhood work.
"I know. Seems like you've been spoiling Chan, though," Scott commented and Ian sighed heavily. "Am I? I don't know what I'm doing most of the time. I hadn't babysat a child in my life, lest to take care of one."
Nonetheless, it was the truth. Chan Harrison, the little spawn of the devil had been spoiled so much as Ian never really corrected the young lad for his bizarre display of fear-mongering behavior. In addition to that, Ian could only keep in touch with Chan online since they lived apart because he was managing an entire business empire by himself.
But it's not like Ian was in France just for the kick of it. He also had another reason. While spending his time in the overseas branch, Ian had learned that his brother's accident was not really an accident, but was perpetuated by some sick-minded psychopath who staged the whole thing up.
For now, that person was still at large, but Ian was determined to do anything just to find out the truth and bring justice. The two talked more, and after hastily avoiding the subject for years, Ian finally got the courage to ask something quite important.
"By the way, do you have any news about the woman I ran into six years ago?"
A slither of cold wind blew past the room. Scott's relaxed expression changed immediately to a galling sneer. "Don't worry about it, bro. She's doing fine."
The man even shifted his head to the side that Ian was left nodding as a response. A part of him wanted to meet that person, but he also felt like he wasn't ready. On the other hand, Scott just wanted to avoid that topic completely. Actually, he was involved in this issue much deeper than one might think.
The day Ian ran over that person, since he needed to take care of more important things, Scott stepped in and took the blame, all from his family, the media, and the injured woman. He became the face of the incident, and he was livid because even though his father hated his guts for doing such a reckless thing, a positive result came out of it. He met Marzia, the girl he'd be using for the following years to come.
…
Hours has passed, and as the night deepened and the morning approaches, Scott was totally hammered. Whereas, Ian just escorted him towards the parking lot with Romeo. "Make sure you drive this bastard home properly. He may not look like it, but he's important. Just take a taxi home later," Ian told Romeo with a sly smirk.
"Yes, boss! I'll make sure of that," Romeo replied. He had alcohol in his system himself, but he was much more clear-headed than Scott. The two then stuffed Scott in the back seat, and Romeo drove off with him in the next seconds, leaving Ian alone. Since he was fine, he knew he could drive himself. And so, Ian went inside the hotel to rest for a while and take a shower. He planned on going to the company straight from here.
…
The sky was already bright by the time Ian had returned to the business suite. He had entirely forgotten that there was a passed out woman lying on his bed. He tossed his suit on the edge of the sofa. Just as he laid comfortably on the bed, his arm suddenly touched something soft from underneath the blanket.
Quickly sitting up from the bed, Ian was speechless for a while.
Marzia's sleeping posture looked extremely awkward. Her entire head was buried under the blanket. It was almost impossible to notice that she was right there lying on the bed.
Ian watched in awe for a moment and found himself chuckling blissfully. After removing his tie, he just got up and made his way toward the bathroom.
…
Marzia slept so blissfully that she didn't even dream.When she finally woke up, besides the heaviness on her forehead, her stomach also felt a sharp pain. Opening her eyes, Marzia looked around strangely. She then realized that this was neither the villa she shared with Scott nor was it Deniece's place. 'Then, where the hell am I? What is this place?' she thought in her confusion.
Marzia instantly jolted and sat up from the big bed.
She was completely dumbfounded when her gaze fell on the topless man wearing nothing but a pair of black slacks standing on the side as he looked out the window that reached from the floor to the ceiling. Although the man's silhouette seemed quite familiar, she wasn't really sure if it was Scott or not.
As expected, Marzia couldn't help but scream in her confusion. Upon hearing the scream behind him, Ian frowned and turned around, the cup of coffee mildly dancing in his palm.
The woman immediately panicked when she saw Ian's face and randomly shouted, "You!"
"What about me?" Ian smiled as he asked, seemingly teasing her.
Marzia promptly tucked the blanket under her arms to supposedly cover her chest. Only then did she realize that her clothes were still intact and untouched.
Putting down the blanket, Marzia pulled at her messy collar and asked, "You—Did we—Last night… Did we do that? Did something happen?"
Ian had a tranquil expression on his face as he replied, "Uhh…" He looked around as if trying to recall everything. "I think so. Yeah..." He then stared at the visible pain and confusion on her face and commented with a playful expression. "It was quite strange, though. I really can't bring myself to be interested in a woman who is completely drunk and passed out."
Marzia's face instantly turned pale. Her eyebrows knit in confusion. "Y—You asshole! Just because I'm indebted to you doesn't give you the right to do anything to me! I'm going to call the cops! You freaking…" She threw a pillow at him, adding, "Imbecile." Then, she kept throwing all the things she could get a hold of that Ian realized he had struck a nerve. He successfully evaded all her attacks put down his coffee while approaching her.
"W—Whait! I was just—"
"Don't come near me, you disgusting rapist!" Marzia screamed and was about to hit him with the alarm clock by the side table.
Thankfully, Ian reached her in time and held her wrist with a heave. "Let go of m—"
"I was just kidding! I'm sorry. It was distasteful, I know… I didn't do anything to you, I promise! Now, please, calm down…" he pleased with an apologetic expression.
Marzia glared at him before she let out a sigh of relief and got up from the bed. She wordlessly fixed herself, the frown still plastered on her face. Then, she picked up her coat from the ground, smoothed her long hair with her fingers, and said, "That's not funny. If we were in another country, you would've been charged. You know that?"
"Yeah. Sorry. I was just trying to pull your nerves," Ian said with a shrug.
Marzia rolled her eyes. "Okay. Apology accepted. I'll be going now." She walked past him in a hurry, but before she could even open the door, Ian's voice blared.
"Hold on," he said, and the woman pursed her lips. She looked back at him confidently. "What?"
"Ha… Just because you have the upperhand right now doesn't mean I've forgot. Miss, didn't you say you'd call me back or something about your debt?"
Marzia kept her stance cool, even though the man pinpointed her exact reason for trying to avoid him. She didn't dare to look into Ian's eyes. "I—I still don't have money. You're rich, anyway. So, just wait for it."
Ian nodded, but then he added, "Actually, Ms. Marzia, I asked someone to investigate you. I heard that you are a teacher?"
Marzia carefully looked at him. "Okay, wow! Creepy, but yes, I have a degree in education. What does it have to do with you?" she said passively.
Ian pursed his lips. His gaze just happened to fall on Marzia's chest since her collar still hadn't been properly fastened. Her loose clothes accidentally revealed her porcelain skin and cleavage underneath. Marzia noticed where his gaze traveled to and immediately tightened her collar. She then glared at him with a guarded expression and exclaimed, "Stop looking, pervert!"
Ian smiled. His deep eyes seemed to be exceptionally beautiful. He then offered, "Look who's talking. If only you knew what shit you were spouting last night…" he jested.
Marzia felt that this person was unreasonable. However, she felt guilty as well. She picked up her handbag and turned around, both in embarrassment and desire to escape. "Whatever. I'll reach out to you later…"
"I have a nephew. His name is Chan. I hope you can be his tutor."
She stood there, quite stunned. A moment later, she worded, "My fee is very expensive."
"I can afford you," he confidently replied.