Ivan's frustration grew as he pondered over Evelyn's apparent interest in him. He couldn't comprehend why she would be drawn to someone like him, who had no special talents or remarkable qualities. He couldn't help but bring up Lucy's words from earlier, reminding Evelyn of his joblessness and his dependence on her for shelter and sustenance. He questioned her, seeking an explanation for her interest."Why are you so interested in me? I have nothing to offer, no special qualities. Didn't you hear what Lucy said? I'm unemployed, living in her house, dependent on her for everything. Were you not listening?" Ivan asked, his agitation evident.Evelyn saw Ivan's question as a test, a way to gauge her true feelings for him. She deliberated whether to reveal that she knew his secret identity, unsure if it would strengthen their connection or shatter it. After careful consideration, she made up her mind, her expression turning resolute."No, I don't believe what Lucy said. She wanted to tarni
"So, all the chasing and stubbornness was just because you thought that I am rich but just pretending? But what made you arrive at that conclusion?" Ivan asked, his voice filled with doubt.Evelyn did not want to tell him that she found out from her parents. Actually, her parents were just lucky to see the man that Ivan looked like.His father was just working as a janitor in a big company then, coincidentally the man came into the company the day he started working there. And because of how enthusiastic those big people were in front of the man, Evelyn's dad concluded that he must be a very important figure.Evelyn would never forget the look on her father's face then, so she became determined to get together with Ivan, who she heard had slight similarities to the mysterious man."With your good looks and genius mind, of course. Moreover, you never invited us to your house, no matter how much we begged. So, it made me confirm that you definitely did not want us to see how wealthy you
"I can't provide for myself, and I even have to depend on Lucy to eat. My life is a complete mess, and it cannot change unless I get a job. But no company is willing to accept me. So, do you want to be with a man who has a completely messed up life and a bleak future? Do you? Can you do it?""I'm a useless and good-for-nothing man, just like you've heard today. Even an ordinary maid can ridicule me. For you to know how useless I am, I do not deserve you, and it's not the other way around."Evelyn's eyes dilated in complete shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. But when she saw the solemn look on Ivan's face, she knew that she had not heard wrong at all.The unexpected news sent an electrifying jolt through her body, leaving her speechless.Her hand unconsciously grasped her chest as her body tensed up, as though attempting to shield itself from the effect of the news.You could essentially see the wheels turning in her mind as she attempted to deal with what she had just heard.
Ivan walked away without looking back, seeking some fresh air to ease the blow he had received tonight. However, as he moved forward, he still felt suffocated and choked.The jeers and derision echoed in his head like a broken record, reminding him of how he had become the laughing stock among his classmates.Nobody cared about his feelings because he lacked the financial means to make his presence known. People only paid attention when money was involved, and Ivan, lacking that, could only endure the insults.With his head slightly bowed, shoulders drooping forward, and hands deep in his pockets, Ivan's eyes remained downcast, avoiding any immediate contact with others. The weight of self-deprecation and shame was evident in the wrinkles on his forehead and the slight trembling of his lips.His body language spoke volumes, revealing a lack of confidence as if he was trying to make himself smaller, almost invisible. Every step he took seemed burdened by a heavy weight, perhaps represe
Ivan stared at his phone screen in irritation, reading the message that appeared. "You can sleep outside today. I've implemented a curfew and you arrived too late. Also, stop knocking like a hooligan. You're disturbing my rest. I have a guest, so just get away from my house for a while." He read the message aloud, his voice lowering as he did.He immediately dialed Lucy's number, but she only answered on the fourth ring, her voice sounding shrill. "Why are you calling me? Didn't you read my message? I said, don't disturb me, I'm busy," she said, her voice coming out in pants. Ivan frowned."Lucy, please open the door. There's nowhere for me to sleep here. It's cold, and I'm not dressed warmly," Ivan pleaded with desperation, abandoning his pride."So? How is that my concern? You might as well freeze to death and stop disturbing my peace of mind. I own the house, and I make all the decisions. I don't want you here, so respect yourself and leave," she said again."Evelyn, please, listen
"Get your stinky ass away from my baby," the fat man said and raised his leg to kick Ivan. Fortunately, Ivan seemed to have seen it coming as he quickly shifted before standing straight.With a straight back and steady breathing, you wouldn't have known that he had just gone through immense pain, except for his pale face and slightly feeble posture.The obese man pursed his lips slightly when he saw Ivan's physique. He stared at his own jiggling fat and became very dissatisfied, making him detest Ivan even more.He couldn't help but wonder why an ordinary servant in Lucy's house could be so good-looking and even have a good physique. He was very jealous."I just wanted to rest my back on it. I did not do any damage to it. I did not even rest on it with all my weight," Ivan said truthfully. Apart from the fact that he lay on the ground to sleep because he was uncomfortable, he also did it because he did not want to cause any damage, not even a small scratch on the car because he could
Ivan sat on the cold floor for a while before standing up. He walked towards the bathroom to ease himself and shower.When he entered the bathroom, he removed his dirty outfit and turned on the shower using the switch.Ivan ventured into the shower, feeling the heaviness of the day on his shoulders. As the warm water began to stream, he could feel the strain gradually melting away.The droplets tenderly massaged his skin, causing a relieving sensation. He shut his eyes, allowing the water to wash away the pressure and stresses that had been sticking to him.As time passed, he felt lighter, as though the water wasn't just purging his body but also his mind. The steam filled the air, creating a soothing environment as he took full breaths, breathing in the freshness.The sound of the water hitting the tiles created a rhythmic tune, almost like a children's lullaby, lulling him into a state of tranquility and serenity.At that moment, underneath the shower's embrace, he found comfort and
"We? You think too highly of yourself. The boss is coming here to meet the madam's parents," Jasmine said without looking at Ivan, causing him to stop in his tracks.'Boss is coming?''Which boss is she talking about?''And why does he want to meet Lucy's parents?''Could it be that Lucy's parents are here just to see the so-called boss? Could it be Charles?''Even so, why does he want to see Lucy's parents specifically?'"Which boss are you talking about?" Ivan asked curiously, eager to know the person Jasmine was referring to.Jasmine gave him a sidelong glance before continuing her work."You don't have the right to know. You will see the boss when he arrives," Jasmine said expressionlessly, making Ivan uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he joined her.Together, they finished everything quickly, with Ivan's help speeding up the process.Then, they began serving the food. Ivan had abandoned his pride, realizing he had no choice. He simply did as he was told, making sure not to overstep an
After they finally found a dress that they would wear for the ball, they sent all the designers packing, and the house seemed empty. Isabel and Rachel were both immensely tired.“I'm stressed; I need to go to a spa.”“Well, you can add that to the list of what we have to do tomorrow,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“I really do not like being stressed out. It messes with my brain,” Isabel complained.“I wonder how your husband is coping. To be very honest, you're lazy. You can't even do any hard work for like three hours straight.”“Now, why would I want to do hard work for three hours? I was not made for stress; it's why I have my very loving husband that understands me,” Isabel said, and Rachel laughed.“Well, that's good because if your husband was not Ivan, I wonder what you'd have shown him. The people around you need to be very patient people,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“That's why I have you, Chelsea, Elijah, and Richard. You all love me so much that it's suffocating,”
“I'm so stressed out. Let's quickly get today over with,” Isabel moaned as she sat down.“We have only just begun; have you forgotten that we are going to shop for the dresses that we will wear to the ball?” She asked her.“Oh, I totally forgot about that, darn.”“Good that you're here. That's how you'd have forgotten about it. It's important, you know,” Rachel told her.“I'm sorry, I've just been so stressed out, and now you're putting me through a hardcore workout,” she told him.“You need these every morning, you know, so you'll have a clear mind,” Rachel told her.“Clear mind how? I'm so stressed right now, and I can barely think, so please, there's no way I'm having a clear mind with this torture,” she groaned, and Rachel just laughed.“Now come on, it's important to keep fit. Go and take your bath,” Rachel told her, and she nodded.“You don't even have to tell me twice. Can't we just tell the designers to come here?”“Well, my house is too cramped up, right?”“My house? Let's go
“I've done a number on him,” Isabel muttered as she plopped down onto Rachel's bed.“Why do you say that?” Rachel asked as she removed her makeup.“He's now acting like a baby around me, like he's scared what might happen if he does some certain things with me. Ivan used to be so confident; he asked if he could hold me earlier after the panic attack,” she told her, and be nodded.“I understand that bit; you just need to be there for him. He needs you this time; make sure you don't let anything happen to him. It's the time to be there for him,” she told her, and Isabel nodded.“I know, I know. I just hope he gets better soon. The panic attack was so deadly to watch; I've never seen him have one. The way he clawed at his throat, Rachel, I don't think I want to see that again. It seemed like he wanted to die, and it drove me insane. I can't bear to see him die, you know,” Isabel told her, and she nodded.“I understand; don't worry. You guys have each other, and you're strong together, so
“Where the heck have you been, Isabel?” Elijah screamed at her on her way back to the office. Everybody stared at them due to how loud his voice was.“Don't you ever shout at me like that again,” Isabel warned him, and he still looked panicked.“I'm sorry, but everybody has been looking for you.”“Why? I was in Rachel's office; you know that's where I go most of the time.”“Darn it, it's Ivan,” Elijah said as they both got into the elevator.“What's wrong with him?” She asked hurriedly.“He's having those panic attacks again; it's worse this time around. I'm not comfortable leaving him but I was about to go to the announcement room and call your names through the speakers,” Elijah told her, and her own heart dropped.Why was he having these panic attacks? The elevator was not going fast enough; she kept staring at the numbers. She was burning inside, and when the elevator finally opened, she ran out. The people on the floor looked at her, but she didn't care.The man she loved was in
The moment Rachel got to the office, she was greeted by different people, and they complimented her dress. She smiled and felt happy; she liked dressing nicely and being complimented by people. It made her feel good. She quickly made her way to her office to start her work for the day. She had a lot of things to do, and because she didn't come to work yesterday, she knew she had to catch up on a lot of things today.She remembered her night with Dante and smiled as she entered her office. Maybe things were finally starting to be okay for her and Dante. Maybe they could do this after all, but she still didn't know what would happen. She knew that his father was so against the idea, so even if her own parents agreed, she wasn't sure his own father would allow it. She didn't know what to do, and she didn't want to think about it, so she resumed work immediately. She needed to catch up on things. They had a meeting tomorrow where she would have to give her briefing, so she wanted everythi
She opened her eyes but quickly closed them again. She didn't want to leave the bed; it was too comfortable for her. So, she closed her eyes, intending to go back to sleep. She didn't want to think about anything; she just wanted to continue being in the arms of the man she loved. She burrowed into his arms, but it felt empty. She immediately opened her eyes and looked beside her, only to find an empty space."Dante?" she called out, met with eerie silence. She sighed in disappointment, realizing that he was gone. She had expected him to still be there, and perhaps they could have talked some more. But she kept forgetting that he was a busy man and didn't always have time for what she wanted to do. Although she knew that if she told him she wanted him to stay, he would do so without hesitation, without thinking twice. And she loved him for that.She finally admitted to herself that she was in love with him. She thought as she plopped back down on the bed. She should probably have toda
After her conversation with her mom, she plopped down on the bed, contemplating her life and what to do next. She had achieved a lot at her age, and living in a cramped house was simply her choice. She could have easily afforded a penthouse for herself, given her hard work and the trust fund that would set her up for life. However, she wasn't lazy; she wanted to work hard and establish a trust fund for her future children as well. She had already started planning and saving for the children she would have, and the amount of money involved was not insignificant. She had clear goals that she wanted to achieve. For now, she knew that she simply wanted children. She didn't desire much more, just like her parents. Whether they came as twins or individually, she wanted kids. As for a husband, she couldn't envision herself with anyone other than Dante. She thought about it constantly, and he was the only person she could imagine being with. It was a strange feeling, but she just knew it. You
“Mom, come on, tell me. I'm itching to hear about her,” Rachel urged her mother.“Andrea, I don't want to spill your brother's secrets,” she told her, and she pouted.“But he knows all of mine,” she told her, and her mother glared at her.“Mommy.” She gave her that look that she couldn't resist.“Okay, okay.”“Thanks, mommy.”“I'll tell you, but you don't get to use it against him or I'll kill you personally,” her mother told her, and she knew that she took that threat seriously.“So, after you left, you know how your father changes maids in the house every year, except Nora?”“Yes.”“Serena came in as the next batch of maid for the year. It was only supposed to be a year actually. She was assigned to Andre, your brother's chambers. You know the typical boss falls for the maid, whatever. That was exactly what happened, but Serena didn't like him then. She gave him a hard time and she really messed with your brother's mind. He almost went crazy. Anytime they had an argument, he's alway
It was the weekend again and Ivan and Isabel had to sleep in the same bed in the same house, their children were growing rapidly and their wits were also growing with them, those children were smart and they got it from their father probably. Isabel wasn't a nerd so she wasn't exactly smart all the way, but their father was everything so of course, they were smart.They just finished dinner now and Ivan and Isabel just tucked their children to sleep after singing for them. It felt nice to do all these once again, Ivan liked it and Isabel didn't want it to end actually. That was how he wanted things to continue to go, smooth.They were finally back in their room and they both laid down, they have never cuddled after everything that happened then.“Let's talk,” Isabel told him and he pulled his perfect eyebrows together.“About what?” He asked.“About us.”“Okay….” He said carefully not knowing when this will end, he had no idea what she wanted to talk about and it drove him crazy. He w