"I'll handle her. How dare she insult me? I was just trying to avoid trouble, and she took me for a fool," Leo seethed, his fists clenched with frustration.
Outside the nightclub, Ivy's car pulled up, the music pulsing loudly from inside. Leo followed suit, his mind swirling with anger and confusion as he entered the crowded club, desperately searching for Ivy amidst the sea of faces.
"Since I'm already here, might as well drown my sorrows," Leo muttered to himself bitterly, ordering a drink and downing it in one swift motion. The alcohol burned his throat, but he welcomed the numbing sensation it brought.
Meanwhile, Ivy sat alone at a corner table, her gaze fixed on the swirling liquid in her glass. Each sip brought a mix of anticipation and dread. "Let's make the most of tonight as a free woman. Tomorrow, I'll be marrying a man I don't love. Strange, isn't it? But I'll deal with it when the time comes," she thought bitterly, forcing herself to stand and join the pulsing crowd on the dance floor.
---
In the morning, soft light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across Ivy's face as she slowly stirred awake. Opening her eyes, she froze, her heart skipping a beat at the sight before her.
"What on earth! What is he doing here?" Ivy muttered aloud, her shock palpable. Reality hit her like a tidal wave. Today was her wedding day, and yet she had spent the previous night with a stranger, a man whose name she didn't even know. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to dress, her hands trembling.
As Ivy hastily attempted to leave the room, Leo's voice cut through the silence. "Hey, where do you think you're going? I haven't settled the payment yet!" His tone was sharp, laced with a hint of amusement.
"It's a misunderstanding. I'm not who you think I am. We were both drunk," Ivy explained, her voice trembling with apprehension as she struggled to hold back tears of shame and confusion.
"I knew it all along. You're nothing but a... woman of the night. But hey, I enjoyed last night," Leo remarked casually, nonchalantly dressing as he prepared to leave. Before he walked out the door, he tossed some cash at Ivy, the crumpled bills landing at her feet with a mocking finality.
Ivy's entire body tensed with indignation, her voice piercing through the air as she turned to face him. "Stop right there! I said I'm not that person! Take your money!" Her words were sharp, filled with a mixture of anger and hurt pride as she thrust the cash back at Leo, her eyes blazing with defiance before she stormed out of the room, her heart heavy with shame and regret.
"She's bold. I think I like this," Leo mumbled to himself, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his lips despite the chaos of emotions swirling within him.
Outside the hotel, Ivy's phone buzzed incessantly with missed calls and frantic messages. Cynthia's voice cut through the noise, her tone frantic and urgent. "Where are you? Don't you realize you're getting married today?"
"I'm on my way," Ivy replied tersely, her voice hollow as she gripped the steering wheel tightly. Fear crept in, twisting her stomach into knots.
"Oh no! Why did this have to happen on my wedding day? This is a nightmare! I hope it's not a trap," Ivy muttered to herself, tears stinging her eyes as she navigated the familiar streets, her mind racing with regret and uncertainty.
Upon arriving at the hotel they had reserved for her, Ivy was greeted warmly by the hotel staff. They escorted her to a lavish suite where she was treated to a relaxing bath, dressed in an exquisite gown, and had her makeup applied with meticulous care. As the makeup artist put on the final touches, she smiled warmly at Ivy.
"Open your eyes, you look absolutely stunning," the makeup artist praised, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. Ivy managed a fragile smile as she reluctantly met her own gaze in the mirror. Her heart fluttered with a mix of nervousness and apprehension. Despite knowing her fiancé's notorious reputation, she couldn't deny the moments of genuine affection he had shown her. Yet, the memory of last night's events weighed heavily on her mind, filling her with dread at the thought of him discovering the truth. She knew all too well that his reaction could be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
Summoning a more composed expression before the mirror, Ivy's phone beeped, signaling an incoming message. With a polite nod to the makeup artist, she dismissed her and quickly answered the call.
"Hello, love, I'm almost ready. See you soon," Ivy said softly into the phone, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty, before ending the call.
Alone in the quiet of the suite, Ivy took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn't shake the guilt of her indiscretion from the night before, a moment of weakness fueled by alcohol and loneliness. Despite her reservations about the marriage, she knew the importance of the alliance it would cement for her family and her fiancé's influential status.
As she stood before the mirror, examining her reflection, Ivy felt a pang of regret. The carefully applied makeup couldn't conceal the turmoil in her eyes, nor could the elegant dress mask the turmoil in her heart. She was torn between duty and desire, between the facade she presented to the world and the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.
Outside the suite, the bustling sounds of the hotel continued unabated, oblivious to Ivy's inner turmoil. The minutes ticked by slowly, each passing second bringing her closer to the moment of truth. She knew she had to steel herself for whatever awaited her at the ceremony.
With a resigned sigh, Ivy forced herself to push aside her doubts and fears. She straightened her posture, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in her gown. Steeling herself with resolve, she gathered her belongings and made her way out of the suite, ready to face the day ahead.