Ivy glided to the dining table, attempting to pour herself a glass of wine, but her hand hovered over the glass bottle, her fingers hesitating like a bird poised for flight. She sighed, her breath escaping with a sharp whoosh as she laid her hand down on the table.
“How can I bring myself to eat or drink anything after what happened?”
Zack glanced at her, rising to his feet, his gaze softening as he approached her. His comforting hand stroked her shoulders while he tilted his head toward her ear. “It will be over soon. Finally, we found a lead; it will be only a matter of time before the mastermind is revealed.”
Ivy exhaled, her eyes rolling incredulously. “I doubt that…” She shrugged his hands off her shoulders, twisting around to face him. “She might be the lead, but she won’t spill any information…”
Zack cupped her cheek to calm the raging tension building within her. “Ivy….”
“Didn’t you hear what she said?” She interrupted him, her voice breaking slightly. “She won’t talk… I’m sure of it… whoever sent her is… is…”
“Ivy…” Zack cut her off, his gaze never faltering. “This issue is slowly getting to you… you are usually calm, but now you’re getting riled up.”
Ivy’s lips trembled, wanting to speak but being short of words to respond. Zack noticed her eyes were welling up, a tear threatening to escape from her confinement of self-restraint. On the brink of streaming down her face, she blinked back, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re right; my emotions are spilling,” she replied, shaking her head. “Maybe I should rest for a bit…”
A smile curled up on Zack’s lips as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Let me be your pillow…”
Ivy nodded, a small smile plastered on her face. “Of course…”
Zack guided her out of the living room, his touch calming the tension brewing within her. As they stepped into the garden, Ivy’s eyes fell on the vibrant daffodils scattered all over the lush greenery; her eyes glimmered with a sense of serenity.
As they settled on a cool spot in the garden, the fresh fragrance of flowers wafted into their noses, creating a soothing ambiance. They both lay on their backs, their faces mere inches apart as they stared into each other’s eyes, neither willing to look away.
Zack nestled deeper and closer, leaving no distance between them, his nose nuzzling against hers in a warm caress. Ivy responded fairly quickly, her hand crawling over to his neck, their lips poised, leaving a trail of flutter spreading all over their bodies.
Ivy gently gripped his hair, closing the tiny distance, her lips brushing against his, tantalizing as a smirk curved up her cheek.
Zack watched her facial expression in silence, letting her do as she pleased until his body spoke volumes, triggering a reaction. “Teasing me has become more fun, huh…”
Ivy let out a chuckle, her tone smooth and alluring, adding more layers to the trigger. “I want to make it a habit, just like you.”
“Okay, I’ve had enough of your teasing,” he said, taking the lead. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing her chest against his. His lips fully collided with hers, sparing no space between them.
Cradling her, his tongue skillfully played inside her mouth while his hand crept underneath her thin clothing.
Ivy’s eyes shot open, quickly pulling away from him. “We are outside, Hubby…” she whispered, her eyes widening.
Zack’s eyes darted, a frown etching his face. “And so… this is our personal space.”
Ivy tsked and sat up on the ground. She inclined her head toward him, her elbow supporting her head. “Even if, Hubby, get some self-control… um…”
“Oh, so you want me to have self-control while you tease me?” Zack replied defensively, his hand still crawling toward her exposed thigh.
When she saw the stern look on Ivy’s face, he mellowed down, obediently pulling his hand back. “Okay… then fine…”
Ivy’s expression turned more serious, her gaze flickering with curiosity. “You were on your way to the office; why did you return?”
“I forgot my phone. Luckily, if not, I don’t know what would have happened to you…” he replied, his gaze fixed on her as he noticed her eyes were filled with unspoken desire. He instantly understood the underlying wish she wanted to convey.
Ivy remained silent for quite some time before speaking up. “Zack, I will go with my plan if the present investigation ends up futile.”
A rough and sharp exhale tore from his breath. Just as he thought she was still adamant even after he talked her out of it. “Ivy, I know you’re desperate, but I can’t allow you…”
“Zack, I’m not asking for your permission but your support…” She cut him off, her hand cradling his palm resting on the greenery. “Please, I can’t continue like this.”
“So can’t I,” he snapped, his face darkening. “But that shouldn’t let us make rash decisions, Ivy…”
Ivy plunked her palm on the ground, her rising anger palpable. “I can’t live like this anymore, Zack,” she said, her voice trembling. “I can no longer control my emotions; it’s getting the better of me…”
Zack opened his mouth to protest, but Ivy cut him off abruptly.
“Just look at me; have you ever seen me lose control before, huh? I am usually good at keeping my emotions under wraps, but now I’m finding it so difficult to think straight.”
Zack remained silent, speechless about how to respond. He had to admit the situation was changing her; it had shifted her from a calm and collected state to a more ferocious being, burning with indignation.
“Okay, I get it; you’re tired and fed up, so am I, but don’t do this to me, please,” he said, his voice turning to a whisper. “I can’t let you confront them…”
Ivy sighed exasperatedly, her fist clenching as she looked away. She shut her eyes for a brief second before opening them with a fierce gaze. “I’m sorry, Zack; I’ll do this without you.”
With that said, she climbed to her feet, walking away from the garden.
“Ivy… Ivy…” Zack called after her, but she ignored him, picking up her pace. He ran after her, still calling to her with a pleading tone. “Ivy, please wait…”
Ivy halted, her chest heaving, fighting the urge to express the emotions tearing her apart. “If you want to talk me out of this, please don’t, because I won’t listen,” she said without turning around to face him.
Zack drew nearer, sensing her anger had subsided. His hand caressed her shoulder, twisting her body around to see her scrunched-up face.
“I didn’t know you could be such a badass.” He leaned in closer, his finger pinching her cheek. “Well, you acted like one a while ago, but not to this extreme. You’re way worse than I perceived.”
Ivy’s face contorted the more he spoke, not planning to yield to him but upholding the resolve blazing within her.
And it was too palpable for Zack to ignore. He let out a long sigh, slowly surrendering to her obstinacy. “Fine, I’ll be with you every step of the way; even if we have to burn in the flames, I’ll hold your hand…….. You have my unwavering support…” A soft smile plastered on his face, matching his tender gaze.
Ivy’s face softened, a sense of respite washing over her as her heart thudded beyond the normal affection swirling inside. “Thanks….. Hubby..”