Filming was wrapped up for the day, and Ivy was taking a short break before she would retire home. She had no idea where Zack had ordered Louis to take her for the night, nor had she received any message from him since morning.
After changing back into her clothes, Joan passed her a bottle of water as usual, but this time Ivy was hesitant to drink it. She remembered how she felt after drinking one from the set the other day.
“Aren’t you thirsty?” Joan asked after noticing her hesitation.
Before Ivy could reply, another bottle of water was passed to her by one of the bodyguards she didn’t realize was standing behind her. “Here ma’am.”
Joan’s gaze shifted to the man who appeared out of nowhere, giving Ivy a bottle of water. This was a repetition of what Edmond did back then, and now it was being done by someone she didn’t recognize.
Ivy took the bottle without hesitating, which caused a frown to settle on Joan’s face. “But… I…”
Ivy didn’t let her finish speaking before she interrupted, sensing she felt bad about what she did. “I’m sorry, Joan, he is my new bodyguard, and I’m restricted from drinking water from the set.”
Joan smiled tersely before nodding, still curious as to why she would need a new bodyguard, and Edmond, who she knew as her bodyguard, was nowhere to be seen. “What happened? I mean, is someone trying to harm you or something?”
Ivy predicted Joan would ask such a question since she was just her personal assistant and had no close relationship, so she decided to settle with a brief response. “It’s a long story.”
Joan understood it wasn’t a story to be shared with her or discussed further. “Okay. But where is Edmond? I haven’t seen him around since I returned.”
“He is on holiday.” Ivy responded, and Joan nodded.
“Oh. That’s why.” Then she excused herself. “I want to use the restroom; be back in a minute.”
She left, grabbing her phone from her purse. When she got to a quiet corridor, away from the crew disassembling their equipment and other bustling activities, she typed on her phone, sending a text.
“I know you said I shouldn’t text, but I’ve got news. She has a new bodyguard, and I think a whole lot of them, and the former one is on holiday.”
A few seconds later, she got a reply. “Keep me informed.”
She locked her phone and left the area, returning to Ivy.
When Ivy saw her walking over to her, she then remembered she wanted to inquire about her trip, as she told her it was family issues. “Joan, how was your trip? I hope everything is good now.”
“Yeah, everything is great. Thanks,” she replied and asked after wondering why they hadn’t left the set yet. “Aren’t we leaving now?”
“I think you should leave without me,” Ivy told her, as she hadn’t been informed about her accommodation yet. It was almost nighttime, and if she was to return home, she would arrive at midnight.
“Okay then, bye.” After Joan left the set, she received a phone call from Zack.
“I’m on my way to pick you up,” he said, and immediately, the call disconnected.
Ivy stared at her phone, taken aback by his terse message and abrupt end to the call.
“Why didn’t he just text me instead of giving me a call?” she muttered, a small smile playing on her lips as she found Zack’s behavior slightly amusing.
A few minutes later, he arrived and informed her he was at the premises. Ivy left the building to meet him outside; her eyes landed on the gray Lamborghini parked ahead. She squinted, checking to confirm the driver, but the window rolled down, revealing who was seated in the backseat.
The door to the driver’s seat clicked open, Bryan got out and helped her open the backseat door.
“You changed cars. I thought you only had eyes for Rolls-Royce,” Ivy commented as she sat beside him.
Zack’s gaze lingered on her, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Not a fan of new wheels, or do you have a soft spot for black beauties?”
Ivy’s shoulders rose in a careless shrug. “Any color is fine with me. So how was your day? You left so early this morning.”
Zack’s chuckle was low and smooth, “Did you miss me?”
Her lips curved up in a wry smile. “No.”
“Are you sure wifey?”
“Okay, now you want to tease me,” she snapped, slightly irritated, but the wry smile on her face betrayed her annoyance.
Zack chuckled again; the irritation in her voice amused him. “Yes, ’cause I enjoy watching you blush when I tease you.”
Ivy let out a sigh in defeat and looked out the window. He always won in such arguments, and she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her helpless against his taunts.
While her eyes were solely fixed on the moving scenery from the window, she noticed the signs and route they drove past, which didn’t seem like the exact way to the estate they lived in. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way home.”
Zack responded, “You’ll know when we get there.”
In less than an hour, they stopped at a classy penthouse.
“This is where we’ll be staying until you complete your shoot,” Zack announced. “It’s for your comfort and safety.”
Ivy gave a slight nod, but her eyebrow quirked when she fully comprehended his words. “We? Isn’t this city far from the company? Won’t it be exhausting for you to journey to and fro the office?”
Zack’s eyes narrowed, displeased. “Do you perhaps want some space?”
“You know that’s not what I meant,” Ivy quickly responded after sensing his discontent. “And stop being a drama queen.” She shot him a glare and descended from the car.
When they reached the top floor, Ivy was welcomed with a glamorous view of the city skyline from the panoramic and transparent glass window. The glittering city lights danced before her eyes, adding to the inviting splendor of the residence.
Zack observed her eyes darting around the whole place. He leaned in closer to her, his nose inches from her ear. “You’re gawking.”
The wry smile on Ivy’s face immediately faded, replaced by slight irritation, but she couldn’t resist his alluring yet taunting tone of voice.
“Teasing me has become a habit.”
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as his nose brushed her skin. “Just like the way the sound of your voice has become more enticing.”
Ivy was caught off guard by his flirtatious undertone. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body like flying sparks while her mind raced as she tried to process the sudden intimacy. “Zack… um…” Her voice was instantly cut off when she felt Zack’s hands sliding around her waist. In a swift motion, he gently pivoted her to face him.
Ivy’s lips parted in a silent gasp as their eyes locked, their lips barely touching. Her heart began beating a staccato beat, emitting a flutter in her chest.
Her eyes wandered all over him as her body seemed to freeze in place, unable to resist his charm as she felt enchanted to never look away nor pull away from his grasp.
Her mind was mainly drawn to his captivating features as her eyes lingered on those inviting lips, threatening to collapse on hers any second.
“Ivy…” Zack pulled her in, closing the distance between them as his voice added another layer to his irresistible charm.
Ivy’s subconscious self hummed in response as her gaze never faltered from him.
Zack hesitated, torn on whether to say what he felt at the moment or express it instead.
“I…..
The abrupt chime of the doorbell shattered their moment of intimacy as Ivy quickly dislodged from his virile grip.