Since she was young, Marcus never spoke to her unless it was necessary, and she thought he didn't want her.
She didn't even know she was adopted till the day she sneakily got a DNA test done with Marcus' DNA after her cousin's harsh words and provocation, without anyone knowing.
She began to wonder if she was a bastard child Marcus only tolerated because of her mother. a gnawing feeling hit her whenever she was with her family since she got the test results and decided to shift out.
Michael had noticed her discomfort and bugged her until she gave in and confessed everything.
It was then she was told how she was found and had been adopted. Michael told the family about everything and blamed Marcus for the cause.
On the day of the revelation to the family, Marcus found about Ivy's decision to go to a faraway university as he overheard her conversation.
He helped her in doing so without anyone knowing but Ivy found out a month after she got to university.
She took it that he doesn't want her around and bought an apartment in her sophomore year so she wouldn't be a bother when Marcus suddenly showed up at her dorm and confronted her.
They had gotten, surprisingly, quite an understanding of each other but didn't know how to show their care in the open.
All the while the man in a navy-blue suit was just looking at the family from where he stood, not making a sound.
His assistant who was a couple steps behind him, was a little irritated at the lack of attention for his boss.
Suddenly, Michael exclaimed, "This young man here is Nyx. He will be joining us for dinner."
"wasn't it supposed to be family dinner?"
Nyx's assistant cursed her in his mind for trying to make his boss feel out of place.
'What does this young lady think of herself?'
'Boss is here, and she dares to disrespect him?!'
'She should know not to say such word.'
'IMUDENT!'
He glanced at his boss nervously while glaring at Ivy, hoping his boss does lash out.
At the same time, Cristian pinched Ivy on the waist.
Ivy glared at him before continuing with her train of thoughts.
'He looks just like the weirdo from the mall. Except his eyes are blue right now and not the grey from then. Could it be his twin or something? Or maybe he just uses lenses.'
She didn't care about it one bit; he won't be seeing her again anyway.
"Come, come. Let's start dinner." Michael jovial voice broke through the tension.
"I want to see the gifts first," Cristian complained.
Cristian was a ruthless mafia boss. He had taken over the business a year after Ivy left for college since he got really bored without her and missed her badly.
He was also a cold businessman. If anyone saw this childish side of his, they were bound to puke blood at the shock it would give them.
"Sure, lil brother," Ivy teased.
she handed over the gift bags to the respective owners. She strode towards the man with the bakery items as she handed them with an indifferent face.
"I didn't know the gender of the 'guest' so just brought these."
She glanced at the assistant and continued, "I didn't know you there'd be another visitor in the mansion tonight or I would have brought something for you too," she smiled.
"It's completely okay ma'am," the assistant was flabbergasted.
'The last time I had accompanied sir to a business dinner, I was called a servant by the mistress who couldn't even keep her hands to herself,' he thought back to the time.
"Gold is my driver."
His eyes popped at his boss's words.
"I am sorry Mr. Driver. Perhaps I could treat you to a meal some weekend?" Ivy smiled innocently.
Gold was left flabbergasted and looked at his boss, who was already looking at him. His eyes saying, 'I dare you.'
"N-no ma'am, I am a nobody."
"But you aren't. You are Gold." Ivy walked towards him.
Every one of her family members except Marcus were surprised by her behavior. Cristian pinched Michael's thigh while Isobel elbowed Marcus who shrugged.
Michael was about to get up when Ivy spoke again.
"You wouldn't mind me taking Gold out, would you?" she glanced at Nyx.
Nyx was feeling a mixture of emotions.
He had remembered her from the mall and cursed himself for being a dork. He also regretted not looking at her picture when his Willian, his half-sister had given it to him a week prior to today.
He was on the 7th cloud receiving the gift from her which he had been staring at longingly at the mall but when Ivy acknowledged his assistant, he fell directly to the ground.
He didn't like Gold getting Ivy's attention and wanted him gone.
"He has a date tonight."
'When did I get a girlfriend? This freak doesn't let me off work!' Gold was once again flabbergasted at his boss's words and threatening gaze which conveyed the words, 'dare deny.'
'This young lady wants boss to kill me!' he cried without tears.
'But boss doesn't let me off work, this is my chance,' he was overjoyed when he felt a bucket of cold water fall on him.
"Then what is he doing here?" Ivy retorted.
"We are going to the movies at 9." Gold answered the first thing he could think of, so his boss doesn't utter more nonsense.
"It's 8:30 already, aren't you getting late?"
"I-I am," he stuttered.
"How about I join you?"
'Just kill me already. Dear Lord!' he cried imaginary blood tears.
"You will leave this old man alone among these beasts?" a voice spoke behind the trio.
'Thank you so much grandpa! You are my savior!" Gold was overjoyed.
"I will leave," Gold bowed as he took his leave.
"You can take my car; it will be faster than any cab." Ivy's statement stopped him in his tracks.
"Take mine." Nyx threw his car keys which Gold caught with shaky hands.
"Th-thank you, boss," he bowed and left.
*Nyx's POV*
Finally! He's gone.
"Let's head over for dinner, shall we? From how sis is, she must not have eaten anything after my call."
Cristian voiced his thoughts teasingly as Ivy glared at him.
She does look to slim and is so tiny. She barely reaches my chest. We must work on that.
I heard a roar of satisfaction in my mind.
We headed to the dining table, and everyone took their seats.
Marcus was at the head of the table, Isobel on his right and Cristian on the left. Michael sat beside Cristian. That left me and Ivy.
Ivy pulled a chair beside Michael and gestured for me to sit as she went and sat beside Isobel.
I was the one supposed to do that! She was being the gentleman here.
'Another slipup and you are dead.' A roar broke in head with flames.
'you'd die with me,' I replied but was answered by silence.
Everyone looked as though struck by lightning. Seemed like she doesn't usually do this.
"Lucky man." I heard Michael whisper to me.