"I'm giving him a chance." Her soft, delicate voice spoke the words that I never thought I would despise.
She gave him a chance.
He doesn't deserve a chance. No one deserves a chance, but she's too caring and lovely to care. I don't even know who he is, but I hate him.
I hate him with a passion that's fueled by my infatuation with her.
"She gave him a damn chance." I curse under my breath as I straighten my tie and dust off my suit jacket before my side door opens.
I step out of the black limousine as the bright flashes from the photographers' blind my eyes as the warm breeze flows against my skin, and security guides me to the door of the elegant building that holds the event.
Everything was elegant, sophisticated, and graceful from the white marbled floor to the tall, sky light ceiling that held lights that illuminated the room gold.
There were tables closer towards the stage that hand a bouquet in the middle of each table, while further to back of the room there's more space for the bar and mingling.
I greet others, welcoming them and thanking them for coming, until I see three figures secluded in their own group farthest from everyone.
I excuse myself making my way towards them, but was met half way as she wraps her arms around my torso.
"Carter, it's been a while." She smiles stepping out of the hug.
"Nice to see you, Rosa." I greet, mirroring her smile.
Rosa was just a nickname based off her middle name, Rose, but her real name is Devin.
"Come on, these two insist on being away from everyone." Devin said grabbing my wrist and leading me to the other two, "Standing in the corner trynna act mysterious and shit." She mutters under her breath causing a chuckle to leave me.
The closer we get to the pair the more I'm more aware of the glare trained on our connected wrist and hand, and before I spoke my brother did.
Alessandro claps Marco's shoulder, "Relax, Marco, mio fratello, isn't interested in your fiancé beyond friendship. My older brother has this huge crush on a beautiful veterinarian that refuses to acknow—"
"Stai zitto." I glare at my brother in annoyance.
[Shut up]
Alessandro and I have known Marco since we were young, though he holds a grudge against me for sleeping with the girl he ghosted for four years, it's complicated; though we didn't feeling anything romantic for each other.
Even as he wraps his arms around Devin's waist as she smiles combing his hair back, I'm not bothered plus my mind was other places.
Why did she give him a chance?
She told me she didn't date. I was content for whatever reason when she didn't date, but she's probably on her way right now with him.
Why? Because he's nice, sweet, and charming? That has to be one of the most boring descriptions I've ever heard. Anyone can be nice, sweet, and charming. I can be nice, sweet, and charming.
"Carter!" Marco shoves my shoulder and the surge of annoyance was evident on my face.
"What?" I snap, my brows furrowed in aggravation.
"Rose was asking you something." He narrows his eyes at me. I ignore it.
I turn to Devin, "I apologize, what were you saying?"
"I was asking who the lucky lady is." She said.
"There is no lucky lady, Rosa, my brother is just talking nonsense." I grumble running my hands over my face, "I'm getting a drink." I mutter.
"I'mma go to the dessert bar." Devin says kissing Marco's cheek.
I turn away from the trio and was going to start my way to the bar, but my shoulders tense, my jaw locks, and my entire body goes still as the air expels from my lungs.
She looked breathtaking.
Her curls flowed down her back as she wore a heart wrenching smile on her red painted lips, and her light green dress gracefully flowed down her body, draping over her curves, to the floor. The gold hoop earrings peaking from her curls and the gold necklace complimented her glowing skin that puts any treasure to shame.
She was here, enchanting and tantalizing as every time I saw her.
It was when I had noticed the figure standing beside her grabbing a hold of her hand and clasping them together.
He said something to her with smile, and which she lets out a light laugh.
I believe it was a fake. I have to believe it was a fake laugh or else I'd be irrationally upset that the woman I've been nothing but rude to is on date with someone else.
She faked a laugh because I don't care if she's on date with someone else.
She faked a laugh because I don't think she looks completely stunning.
She faked a laugh because she's not really interested in the man who is standing beside her with her hand in his.
Her laugh was fake, but I be damned I had wish it was real. I relish in moments when I hear her voice, her laugh, and when her contagious smile takes over her lips that they hypnotize mine to do nothing but the same.
I need a drink.
Ivy's POV
I couldn't help but stare at everything in awe as the whole room seemed to glow, but my favorite part was the décor bouquet of sunflowers in the center of each table.
"This place is beautiful." I voice with a smile pulling my eyes away from the decor and to Brandon.
He glances around use then looking back down at me, "As much as I would like to take credit, Mr. Moretti orchestrated this whole event with cause and this place."
The mentioned of Carter made my back straighten and my eyes slightly widen, "And the little bouquets?"
He glanced towards the tables, "I heard he paid someone to decorate, but he was persistent about the flowers or something." He shrugs dismissively.
A fuzzy feeling pumps through my chest because maybe in some dimension Carter chose the flowers in thought of me, and that made my heart want to burst.
My eyes scan the ballroom and land on Carter's brother Alessandro. I turn to Brandon with a smile, "Can you get me a water and meet me at our table? I want to say hello to someone."
He nods smiling, "Sure thing."
I glance at his leaving figure before I made my way across the room to Alessandro with a small smile, and I only noticed the man standing next to him till I was a few feet away from them.
"If it isn't the special lady." Alessandro says with a dimple featured smile holding his hand out for mine.
"Special?" I smile in question placing my hand in his.
"The woman who secretly has my brother wrapped around her finger." He specifies softly kissing the back of my hand, "Te ves hermosa esta noche."
[You look beautiful tonight]
I smile at his compliment, "Gracias guapo."
[Thank you handsome]
"Careful. Mi hermano might think we're flirting." He whispers teasingly.
"He doesn't know Spanish, remember?" I wink and he chuckles.
"Ivy, this is Marco, he's of friend of Carter and I. Marco, this is Ivy, my brother's future girlfriend." He introduces us.
A set of butterflies spark within my stomach at the introduction and I couldn't bring myself to correct, even when the guilt followed right after knowing I'm here with someone else.
Further into the conversation a women trudges over to Marco with disappointment painted over her face.
She had beautiful, brown skin that glowed even without good lighting, box braids that fell over her shoulders, and she was wearing a dark blue satin dress that hugged her curves with nude heels.
Her outfit was also accompanied by a silver ring on her right thumb along with a pear cut sapphire diamond ring on her left ring finger.
She's engaged. Or married.
"Sunshine you'll never believe this. I looked, searched, even scouted the desert table, and there was not even one sprinkle. Can you believe that?" She mutters dropping her hands to her side.
Marco looks down at her with admiration and love as soft smile takes over his face, "I'm sorry to hear that gorgeous, but I brought back up." He pulls out a small container of colorful sprinkles out of his suit pocket, and softly places it into her hand.
"You're the best." She gasps standing on her tippy toes and giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
My heart warmed at the gesture.
She was about to run off again, but Marco's hands on her waist stops her and he whispers something in her ear; her eyes snaps to mine.
"Ivy? It's been so long, how have you been." Her arms envelopes me into a hug.
"Devin, it's been a year." I smile.
"Still a longtime. We should hangout this week." She suggest with a bright smile.
"I would love that. I was having a girls night with my sister and friend tomorrow and I would love it if you'd come." I said.
"Of course!" She exclaims in relief, "Anything to get away from this man." She whispers subtly gesturing towards Marco.
"Is that the one who..." I trail off my question and she nods.
"Yeah, and he still trying to get my forgiveness." She said loud enough for him to hear and I can see he narrows his eyes at her.
"Y'all are engaged?" I ask looking down at the ring on her finger.
"Yeah, but he ghosted me for four years I'm making him work for it." She said before whispering, "He hasn't had an orgasm in..." She turns to her fiancé, "How many months has it been, Sunshine?"
He runs a hand down his face, "Rose you don't need to tell her about our—"
"How many months?" She asked again.
"Four." He mutters begrudgingly.
She snaps her fingers, "That's right! Four months." She mutters, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I'mma go back to dessert bar, but I'll see you later, Ivy." She was about to walk away before
Marco stops her.
"Aht aht." He licks his thumb and wiping it along the side of neck; revealing purple splotches that was covered by make up.
"That's better." Marco smirks as Devin rolls her eyes with a huff.
"Might as well tattoo your name on my forehead." She complains.
"I love you too." Marco kiss her forehead as she grumbles reciprocating his words before walking back to what I think is the desert table.
As Devin left, in the corner of my eye I saw a figure that made my stomach turn anxiously, but I kept my eyes straight ahead watching as Marco and Alessandro share a glance looking from me to the man looming over me.
I let out a small breath before turning around to face him and I was gonna greet him or something, but as I stare at the handsome man before my mind was completely empty, besides all the thoughts that I wish weren't thoughts but reality.
He stood tall, daunting, dressed in a classic white and black suit, his hazel eyes burning into mine and I couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling, and it bugged me.
Looking into his eyes I wanted to do nothing more than caress my hand over his jaw, I wanted to run my fingers through his hair, I wanted to kiss his lips, I wanted to do a lot of things.
My lips parted to say something, anything, but I couldn't. Not when we were interrupted.
"Ivy, There you are! I got you your water." Brandon smiles holding out the water bottle for me.
I snapped out of whatever daze I was in turning to Brandon with a faltering smile, "Thank you."
"No problem." He smiles as I take the water from his hand before he turns to Carter, "Mr. Moretti." He greets his boss.
Carter did nothing but stared at my date with a blank expression, "Brandon." He saids stiffly glancing over to me before walking away.
••••••
"And I'm glad to say we have reached our goal for the Animal Wellness cause thanks to you all, and I'm greatly appreciative." Carter spoke professionally into the microphone standing under the spotlight on stage.
"Ivy, can I ask you a question?" Brandon takes my attention away from Carter on stage.
My brows furrow, "Sure."
"What's going on between you and Mr. Moretti?" He asked, "When I came back with your water I noticed you guys were having a moment." He said, and I all I could do was stare at him, baffled.
"I— Uh. I don't really know, it's kind of unspoken and complicated." I answer.
He hums nodding his head, "I see."
I step back from my chair, "Excuse me for a moment."
I got out of my chair walking down a random hallway and releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding.
After five minutes I have decided that I would hide out here until the night was over.
"What are doing?"
I gasp in surprise as my heart jumps at the sudden voice, "Damn, you scared me." I said placing my hand over my heart.
"Why did you give him a chance?" Carter asked walking closer.
"What?" My brows furrow as I slightly tilt my head in confusion.
"Brandon. You said you were giving him a chance, why?" He rephrased the question.
"Why is it important? If I didn't know any better it almost sounds like you like me." I smile trying to lighten the mood or change the subject.
He looked startled before the expression fell from his face, being replaced with a glare as he scoffed. Suddenly serious, "I would never be infatuated with someone like you."
"And what's that's suppose mean?" I ask, the smile fading from lip.
"You are annoying, overbearing, to the point where I can not fucking stand the sound of your voice. It is like nails on a chalkboard." The words flew off his tongue slapping me in face as I stood there mirroring his look of disdain.
Stepping closer I look him in the eye despite the height difference, "You absolutely blow my mind." I huff a laugh, "We were fine. Thought we could joke with each other. You would think we could be civil, friends even based on the amount of time we spent with each other, but maybe I was just being overbearing and it was one-sided. I don't know why all the sudden you're acting like this, but—"
"Like what?" He cuts me off stepping closer. His eyes dark and conflicted.
"Like you're a spiteful person that has something against, as if I hurt you so badly that the only you can do is hate me. But I have no idea what I did, so do enlighten me." The words fell off my tongue and it wasn't until I was done I had noticed how close we were.
Are chest inches away from each other and if I focused hard enough I could feel the air leaving his parted breath fanning mine. It was light, like a feather against my skin and I could smell the whiskey in the air.
The contrast between our gazes caught my attention. While I was glaring at him the disdain faded from his hazel irises as they soften before they harden again shielded with a glare, and my oxygen mingled with his before dissipating in between.
"I can not stand you. It is as if you exist just to irk me, making every thought confined by your whole being, Ivy, so yes I am going to act like an asshole when I am fucking ruined by your existence." He seethed. He was fuming.
My glare remained unfazed, "I ruined you?" I scoff taking a step back, "What does that even— You know what? I don't care. If you're gonna act like this then I genuinely don't wanna be around you, Carter." My eyes scanned his facial features that were put perfectly together.
I wanted to know what he was thinking— feeling— just so I could understand, but I couldn't.
I wasn't an empath or a telepath, those were fictional. I turned around and began walking away, even though I knew I didn't want to, but I did.
"Damn it, girasole." A small gasp escapes from my lips as a hand grasped my arm pulling me back, and turned me around until I was met with a pair lips on mine.
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