Ivy's POV
As I finished freshening up in the bathroom, I jumped on my bed, eager and ready to dive straight into sleep, but an image kept popping into my head whenever I closed my eyes. The image of Sebastian Cain keeps taunting me yet in a good way.
I could still feel his cold touch on my skin as I snuggled up on my bed.
"Sabastian Cain," I whispered as I slowly fell asleep.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It's a new day, and I wake up in a bustling mood as usual. But something about today feels different.
"Probably the weather," I thought to myself.
But it wasn't, it was something else. It was desperation. I remember my father's will and my need to find a husband before it's too late. I knew it was going to be a hard task, but it was something I also knew I had to do, for if I failed to get married before the looming deadline, my inheritance would go to charity.
I needed whatever it was my father had placed for me to inherit because my life was going downhill. Despite being the second and last child of an art billionaire, I had some financial troubles. My eldest sister received almost all of our dad's assets because she was always his favorite, while I was kind of the hot-headed one.
As I got ready to go to the Museum to complete my work, I couldn't help but think about how to find a husband. I got ready and booked a ride to the Museum, my car was still parked at the Museum.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
The cab pulls up at the entrance of the Museum and I'm welcomed by my elder sister.
"Ivy... Thank goodness you're here," She said as she ran down to hug me.
"Oh wait... wait. What's going on? Of course I'm here, I was going to be here," I said as I hugged her back.
"I found your car parked and the tires were busted. I know you always go home very late at night, so I was worried something happened to you," She said.
"I'm fine, Lila."
"I was just about to call you," She hugged me again. "I am so happy you're okay."
"Yes. You don't have to keep treating me like a baby, you know," I said as I slipped away from her grasp. "I need to get back to my work."
"Sure, of course."
We walked together into the Museum, as we walked passed the entrance, we turned to our separate directions. But as I turned to go to my workshop, she called me.
"Ivy," She called.
"Yes, Lila," I responded.
"I was looking at the security videos from last night, and I saw you speaking to someone but the camera couldn't capture who it was. I'm guessing that place is a blind spot, and we need to fix the cameras to cover that angle," She said.
"Lila, I can't tell if you're asking me about who I was talking to, or if you're asking me to fix the blind spot," I replied.
"I'm asking about who you were speaking with," She said.
"Well, he just wanted to see some artwork. Besides, you left the doors unlocked. So don't blame me for that incident," I said as I turned my back to leave.
"I'm sure I locked the doors before I left," She said, catching me off guard.
"Well, maybe he already walked in before you left, who knows? But at least he's not here now, is he? And nothing is missing, right?" I shrugged. "So, please, can I go to my workshop now? I have a lot of stuff to do."
"Yeah. You can go."
"Thank you... Boss."
I reached the door of my workshop, and as I reached into my bag to get my keys, I remembered the events of last night. The strange man that had appeared in the museum and escorted me home. As hard as it was to forget his face last night, it didn't last long, cause my sister asking about him has made me to remember him, once more.
---
A few hours later, I'm completely worn out. I had just completed restoring a lot of artwork. I was hungry and needed something to eat, but deep down I wondered if Sabastian would ever come back to the museum again.
A knock on my door brings me to reality. As I turned to the door, Lila walked in.
"Wanna join me for lunch?" She asked, looking at the artwork I just finished restoring.
"I'm starving. Of course, I'll join you," I smiled. "Let me just grab my bag and I'll be with you in a minute."
We walked out of the museum and to the parking lot, where my car was still parked, gathering dust.
"You should do something about that car," She said.
"I will. I'll call someone over to get a spare tire for me, so it can be changed," I replied as I got into my sister's car.
"Fine," She enters the car and turns on the engine. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Chinese... No, Mexican."
"You are not serious right now. We're going Italian today. I need some chicken parmesan," She added.
"Well, you asked me what I wanted. But I guess I can eat some creamy pasta," I said.
We drove out of the museum and to the nearest Italian bistro, where we sat for lunch.
"Ivy... I've been meaning to talk to you about Daddy's will and his request for you to get married," She said, breaking the silence.
"Lila. I know, I've been thinking about it too. I don't want to lose my inheritance, so I'm worried, okay?" I said.
"Don't you think you need to accept Fred's proposal?" She asked.
"Freddie? Do you mean weird creepy Fred? Come on sister, I'm desperate but not that desperate," I said as my face went from excited to disgusted real quick.
"Give him a chance. He's had a crush on you since 6th grade. And he's never stopped loving you," She added.
"Well. There's no connection between us. I can't force myself to be with a man I don't love," I said.
"But-"
"But nothing. No one forced you to marry someone you didn't want, so don't force me to marry someone I don't love. Please," I said as I cut her off. "Can we just enjoy lunch in peace?"
"Fine."