As they made their way to their destination, Ivy couldn't stop asking herself the same question. Was it worth it? Was it needed for her to go? Was she doing the right thing? To all the questions, her heart answered in a heart bit. No! She had no desire to go, to meet other men but her brain won't let her take such a stupid decision.
While her head was in turmoil, fighting a battle no one would ever know, they arrived. The driver parked the car in front of the restaurants. At the sight of the small restaurant, with no stars, no catching look, her mind wondered on another topic.
'Was he poor?' She asked herself.
Poor? Though it's wasn't a high level restaurant, it wasn't a place a low income person could dare to dine in.
The driver opened the door for her, helping her stepping out.
She took a moment, admiring the restaurants settings. Located at the city center, she recognized it value. She wondered while he chooses it for their date. One thing she was sure of was he was wealthy. Her grandparents could never match her up with some who wasn't at least at their level in terms of wealth. It made her think of the second opinion, he was a humble man. Relishing in simplicity. If it was true, he already picked her interest and got a point from her.
She enjoyed her luxuries but appreciated simplicity as well. If the man shared that trait with her, it wasn't a complete waste she came.
When she entered, the scene in front of her had her please. The restaurant was beautifully designed, with appealing colored pattern. She loved it.
A waiter came her, before she reached the reception. He bowed, "Miss Stone?" Ivy nodded.
"This way please," he said guiding her away from the crowd.
Another point for the unknown man. He was insightful enough to have booked a private room for them. Ivy nodded to herself, he was only getting positive points.
The waiter left her after she made herself comfortable. Left alone, with her date absent. She didn't mind it. It gave her time to correctly think about what she was doing.
How should she behaves? Indifferently? She should give him a chance? From now, he only gave her positive feelings, perhaps, it won't hurt to give him a chance and see where it would lead them. Taking her decision, she relaxed in her seat. She was going to give him a chance.
The thought went through the window the moment her date came in. She changed her mind, it would hurt to give him a chance. Standing in front of her was Jane Smith. Son of the man she admired but who, unlike his father, she hated him.
Her relaxed expression was replaced by a deep frown. She regretted even more agreeing to the date.
"I'm also happy to see you Ivy," he said observing her rapid change of expression the moment she saw him. He was without ignoring, her strong dislike for him.
"I guess your mother didn't tell you whom was your date," he said taking his seat across hers.
Jane Smith, a handsome young man of the same age. Their similarity didn't end on their age, even their look were overlapping. Same black hair, who unlike her he kept short. Same brown eyes, big and deep. Same full lips. They look alike in so many ways but yet didn't resemble the other. It was disturbing to see the together but one thing for sure, they look good standing side by side.
"How else would I be here, with you, on a date?" if she knew, she would have never agreed. Jane Smith was the perfect combination of all she hates.
"Maybe you had a change in heart?" it was what he presumed since she agreed to his date. He didn't have his hope high but to his surprise, she accepted. He was so happy but of course, it was because she didn't know he was her date. It hurts.
"Never would," she leaned in her sit, exasperated. She couldn't even get angry with her mother because the latter ignore her animosity with the man.
"Why do you hate me so much? You won't even try to think about my proposition but immediately rejected me,"
Jane already asked Ivy out but the latter said no. Every single time without even a second to think about it. It was a hard call for a man who was used to have women all over him. His earlier infatuation turned into love the more he pursuit her. The more he learned about her but on her side, her feelings never changed. It even worsened with time.
"Why don't you give me a chance? Only one. I won't disappoint you," he would have never thought he would be in such a position but here he was. Yet, he felt no shame about it. As long as she accepted him.
"For the last time, No! I'm not interested in you, never was and never will," Ivy deadpanned.
It was with a great deal of force he was able to maintain his smile on. To appeared not crushed down by her declaration.
"Why? Why are you so categorical?" he had everything for himself, look, money, status, brain. There were not a single reason for her to say no.
Ivy sighed, massaging her template. Tired of the conversation. All she wished was to get in her bed, her day was already long like that, he didn't has to add further stress.
"You are an arrogant, masochist, self-centered person who thinks himself as superior to everyone and putting money in front of everything," she said in a monotone voice. Looking straight in his eyes.
They first time they made, two years ago, she had a good impression of him. He was her idol son, of course she was eager to meet him. They shared the podium as the business men of the year. They rapidly bonded but he had to ruin everything by hitting on her. It was a turn off for her. After much insistence, she accepted to go on a date with him.
It was a catastrophe. First, he arranged it in one of the most expensive restaurant in the region, showcasing his money and status. Secondly, it was all about him they were talking about, worse came when he kept on talking about women with an superiority tone. She had enough. He even dare to try to kiss and touch her. She forever put a cross on him. He later apologized but what was done was done, there were no turning back.
Now that she thinks about it, it maybe the reason he chooses this setting. To correct his error of two years ago.
"You are exactly the same," Jane deadpanned.
Ivy opened her mouth to protested but immediately shut up. True, she was the same except the masochist part. Everyone was inferior to her, not a specific gender.
"Maybe but I at least have things to back up my arrogance with," she stubbornly argued.
"As if I was worthless," he muttered. Useless wasn't a term to be ever use to describe him. Playboy, maybe. Narcissistic? Possible but useless? No, he wasn't. Even Ivy had to admit it.
"I don't think I'm superior because I have money but because I'm better. That's the difference between us," she remarked.
"At the end of the day, you say no just because you can," he said. Finding no other reason.
"And it's not a good reason?"
"Anyway, I have no time for this," she grabbed her bag, sitting on her side and stood up.
"Wait!" he held her wrist, "let us eat at least. You look vanished," he pointed out.
True, she wasn't able to stomach anything with Shirley and Liam being all lovey together. Her stomach was empty. Thinking about free food, she sat back.
"I stay but there is no talking about romance," she warned.
"Fine," he let go of her hand, " let's talk about work instead," he agreed. It was better than her leaving. At least, he still had her company.
"Great, let's order," she said pleased with what she heard.
Ivy and Jane were business partner. Better to say, was still in the process of becoming one. Her company were new in the country and to hit hard they aimed to collaborate with a big company like KAIZEN, Alexander Smith company which was now managed by Jane. Collaborating with them would be the burst needed for their growth.
She could go through less trouble if she went to Liam's or Andy's, even her father's company would have done the deal but people would talk. Saying without her connection she was nothing, she couldn't let such a false accusation fall on her.
The project was still being examined by their part and they would give their decision in the on coming days.
The lunch continued with an unhappy Jane who saw his perfect dinner turned into a business meeting. They talked about business and every time he tried to deviate in a more private topic, she always brought it back on business. They discussed about the contract and the courant inflation in the company, the economy… it was more a business meeting than a date.
During this period Ivy was impressed by Jane knowledge. They had the same age and level of experience but she thought with his reputation he was lacking in that part, she was even worried about signing a contract with them but it was all brushed off by him. His knew how business worked. It was nothing surprising knowing who his father was. Alexander taught well his son, it was showing.
"Excuse me," she said taking her phone out of bag. It was her assistant. Remaining on her seat, she answered the call. A brief conversation of few minutes was all it needed. It was clue to leave.
"It seem our date went to an end, I need to go," she said standing on her feet.
"What?" he exclaimed, watching her standing in horror. The universe was definitely against him
"It haven't been an hour yet," he said unhappy. He won't even call it a date but he enjoyed her company and didn't want her to leave so soon.
"Yeah but business is calling me, you should understand that more than anyone," she took her bag.
Globally, she enjoyed it. It wasn't a complete waste of time.
"Okay, but it means you owe me a date," Jane decided.
'And if I don't want to can I refuse?' she cried in but she just smile and left without saying anything.
She couldn't afford offending him now they were going to be partners. As much as she wanted to sent him to hell, she had to keep her company interest in mind. Their collaboration was needed, she couldn't let her personal feelings come in the way. What if he takes it personal and jeopardized their work? She couldn't let that happen. Her resentment for him go to the second position of priorities.