Ivy's POV
I woke up abruptly to the sound of my phone ringing, the familiar ringtone piercing through the early morning quiet. Blinking against the light streaming through the curtains, I fumbled for the device on my nightstand. It was Lila.
"Hello?" I croaked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"Ivy! You need to get to the office, like, right now," She said, her voice laced with urgency.
I sat up straighter, instantly alert. "What's going on? Is everything okay?"
"The lawyer is back. He wants to see both of us. It's important!"
Her words sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. I knew how vital this meeting was, especially with everything hanging in the balance. "Okay, I'm on my way. What time are we meeting?"
"We need to be there in thirty minutes. Just hurry, okay? I'll explain more when you get here."
I hastily threw on clothes, my mind racing with the possible implications of the lawyer's return. I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue. Today felt pivotal, and I couldn't afford to waste a single moment. Whatever news the lawyer had, it would definitely change everything.
As I pulled up to the museum, my heart raced with urgency. The imposing structure loomed ahead, its grand façade a stark reminder of the weight of the day ahead. I found a spot in the crowded parking lot and quickly turned off the engine, glancing at the clock on my dashboard. Just one minute past the hour. Not too bad, considering the frantic morning I'd had.
I hopped out of the car, my bag slung over my shoulder, and rushed towards the entrance. The familiar path felt almost surreal; the vibrant exhibits along the way were a stark contrast to the anxiety swirling in my mind. I pushed through the double doors and made a beeline for Lila's office, excitement and dread battling for dominance within me.
I burst into the office, and there he was, the lawyer, seated comfortably at the table, his expression unreadable as he flipped through a file. Lila was pacing at the far end of the room, her eyes darting between the lawyer and the door as if willing me to arrive sooner.
"You're here!" She exclaimed, relief washing over her. The lawyer looked up, his demeanor professional yet slightly stern.
"I'm sorry I'm late," I said, catching my breath. "What did I miss?"
He gestured for me to take a seat, his tone shifting slightly as he began to speak. "Not much. I was just discussing some essential details regarding the case."
Lila met my gaze, her eyes wide with anticipation, this was it. The moment that could change everything. I settled into the chair, ready to absorb whatever information would follow.
"Ms. Ivy, I've come to check on your progress of getting married," The lawyer said.
"Sir," Lila said, cutting in before me. "We were just talking about her husband-to-be."
"Oh, is that so?" He asked, turning towards me.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself as the lawyer's eyes locked onto mine. There was a tense moment as he assessed my demeanor.
"Ms. Ivy, I want to ensure you're still on track for the marriage. The deadline is fast approaching, and we can't afford any missteps if you want to collect your share of the inheritance," He said, his tone firm but professional.
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I understand. I'm on it. I have someone lined up. We're making plans as we speak."
The lawyer raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his expression. "And you're certain this is someone you want to marry? It's important that you're committed; any hesitation could jeopardize everything."
"Absolutely," I said, my voice steady. "I know what's at stake, and I wouldn't be this invested if I wasn't sure. This person means a lot to me, and we're ready to move forward."
Lila shifted in her seat, her anticipation palpable. The lawyer continued, "Have you set a date yet? You need to be proactive about this. Time is not on our side."
"We're working on a timeline," I replied. "We're aiming to finalize everything very soon. I can assure you, I'll be coming to collect what's rightfully mine without any delay."
He nodded slowly, his demeanor softening just a touch. "That's good to hear. Just remember, there's no room for mistakes. I'll need you to keep me updated with the progress. It's crucial that we meet the deadline."
"I will," I promised, feeling a surge of confidence. "I'll make sure you're kept in the loop. This is my top priority."
"Good. I'll be waiting for that confirmation," He said, leaning back in his chair but still eyeing me closely. "You have the drive, Ivy. Just keep that focus."
With a grateful nod, I felt the tension in the room ease ever so slightly. "Thank you for your guidance. I won't let you down."
As the lawyer gathered his documents and stood to leave, a wave of relief washed over me. The tension that had filled the room seemed to dissipate with his departure. I watched as he gave a brief nod to Lila before heading out, the soft click of the door echoing behind him.
Now, it was just Lila and me, the weight of our conversation hanging heavily in the air. She leaned back in her chair, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Ivy," She called, breaking the silence and drawing my attention. "Have you truly found someone?"
I hesitated for just a moment, glancing down at my hands before meeting her gaze. "Not yet," I admitted, "but I have someone in mind."
Lila's brows furrowed slightly, and she leaned in closer. "Is it Sebastian?"
"Yeah," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension at the mention of his name.
Her expression shifted, a mixture of hope and skepticism washing over her features. "But is that what you really want?"
I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I considered her question. "We'll know very soon," I said, my voice steady as I stood up. With that, I turned and walked out of her office, leaving the uncertainty behind but carrying the promise of what was to come.