Entangled in Ivy- Interracial Fiction (BWWM)

Entangled in Ivy- Chapter 2

"Everything looks just beautiful in here," said Maria Stork, complimenting the elegantly decorated ballroom. Ivy had spent months planning the charity auction at the wealthy philanthropist's request.

The event was being held to raise money for Cancer Research, a cause that drew in the city's most elite and prominent citizens. For the better part of a month, Ivy worked sixteen hour days preparing for the event. After losing her own mother to breast cancer, Ivy felt particularly invested in the success of the event.

"Thank you Mrs. Stork. The staff did a great job bringing my whole vision to life and we were able to get some wonderful items donated to the auction," Ivy said proudly.

"Rita Jeffries said that you were good, but this is phenomenal," Mrs. Stock said referring to one of her former clients who recommended Ivy for the event.

"This event is very important to me. I lost my mother to cancer when I was in College, and I will do all that I can tonight to make sure that the event goes perfectly," Ivy reassured her.

"I have no doubt that tonight will be amazing. I'm going off to the salon. I will see you in the evening," Mrs. Stork said before leaving the ballroom.

***

"Stand on the mark for the photographers, then my assistant Georgia over there will escort you into the event," Ivy said as she directed one of the guests through the press area and into the party.

Ivy looked elegant in a classic black gown with a lace overlay that added a unique and feminine touch. The high cut neckline and quarter sleeves of the long mermaid style dress were conservative, but the back of the garment was unexpectedly sexy as it bared a nearly scandalous amount of her golden brown skin. Ivy's bright green Jimmy Choo pumps were a surprise pop of color for the otherwise black outfit. Ivy's simple gold bracelet and drop earrings were clearly expensive without being flashy. Ivy knew from years of experience how to toe that line very well.

The world that she worked in was tough to navigate. Although she did well for herself, the wealth of her clients was at a staggering level. She worked with politicians, business moguls, and celebrities on a regular basis, but Ivy knew she lived on the outside of their world. At the end if the day as glamorous as she looked, she was acutely aware that she would never be invited in to the inner-sanctum of Chicago's Elite if she was not working for them.

Ivy was not bitter about this. In fact, she felt happy to stand out amongst the clients she served. With the meltdowns, scandals, and backstabbing she witness in her work, Ivy preferred the comfort of her small and eclectic group of friends. Her best friends were Zach, an artist and pottery maker, and Deanna, a burgeoning fashion designer who treated Ivy as her personal dress-form since they were roommates in college.

Ivy kept the reception line moving quickly as the socialites and celebrities posed for the camera, hoping to have their photographs spread across the society pages.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, I need you to keep the line moving," Ivy said to the woman who was holding up the line with her back turned to where she was directing. When the woman turned and Ivy saw who her companion was, she felt her heart begin to race. It was Brady and his wife Rebecca. She gripped her clipboard tightly to hide her shaking hands and she didn't dare lock eyes with Brady.

"I apologize. I have my head in the clouds," Rebecca said turning and moving to where Ivy was directing her. The woman looked her up and down, but her eyes gave away no hint of recognition or malice, "Your dress is absolutely lovely."

"Thank you. My friend Deanna designed it for me. She owns Anna Lee Designs near Humboldt Park," Ivy said, doing her best to be as friendly as she could to the woman. Rebecca Isaacson was a stunning woman in her mid-forties, but she could pass for a woman in her thirties. She had beautiful olive skin and dark wavy hair with one streak of gray near her temple. Ivy felt herself immediately drawn to the woman's warm smile and sparkling hazel eyes. She felt a guilt and a shame wash over her as the woman chatted with her and complimented her while waiting to move to the press area. Ivy knew what she'd been doing with the woman's husband was wrong in her mind, but staring into the kind, beautiful face of a woman she betrayed made her feel terrible.