Chapter 13

Ivory felt idle. She couldn't come to terms with how absent-minded she was, especially towards Braylen. The man who invited her into his life was having a hard time and so was his mother, she felt selfish not attempting or offering to do more. She immediately made the conscious decision to alter her route. She was a five-minute walk away from her home when she popped into the pharmacy and got a few things that could be beneficial for Braylen's mother. She heralded a taxi and dived in, her destination predetermined.

The taxi dropped Ivory off in front of Braylen's mother's home. Her heart echoed in her ears. She never did things like this, mostly because she never thought that anyone really enjoyed her presence but she made a point to suck up her insecurities. The world didn't revolve around her fears and she had to accept that she was a part of Braylen's life and he had made her feel wanted.
She rang the doorbell, she expected Braylen to be on the other side of the door as it was pulled open, but it was his mother.

"Ivory!" she exclaimed, wrapping her into a bear hug. Ivory was dumbstruck. Her brain and limbs unable to fully function and before she knew it she was pulled inside and seated with Braylen's mother.

"I am so thrilled you came by to visit. I always say you needn't only come with Braylen." She gushed.
Ivory laughed nervously, Braylen was nowhere in sight. What's more of a surprise was how lively and energetic Braylen's mother was.

"I-uh- I bought you a care package. I was under the impression you weren't feeling well." Ivory handed the basket to her.

"Thank you, dear, this is beyond thoughtful! But I am not ill, not in the slightest." she divulged.

OH?

Ivory was beginning to feel uneasy. "Whatever gave you that impression?' she questioned.

"Oh, I -Braylen mentioned you recently and I swore I heard he said you were under the weather but in hindsight, I probably got it wrong, the connection was choppy." she brushed the questioned off, his mother, Ivory knew, was an unsuspecting character.

"I see. Braylen has always been worried about me living alone. It's been a bit over-bearing, to be honest." she confided in Ivory, her smile growing brighter as she talked about her only son.

Ivory laughed half-heartedly in response. Her mind baffled as to why Braylen lied to her, she was disappointed. She thought she meant more to him, she thought he trusted her.

"But my hopes have been answered, since he began dating again he has loosened his grip on me." his mother giggled, the sound fading as Ivory heard the word dating replaying over and over in her head.

"Yes, he has been very preoccupied." Ivory faked the lightness in her voice.

"Oh, I have been mistaking the both of you as a couple for so long and now he comes and finds a romantic interest and I was genuinely shocked." His mother didn't know the effect her words were having on Ivory and Ivory herself was unsure of how to feel.

"Yes, it was a ridiculous thought." she giggled. "Thinking Braylen and I was--" she couldn't finish the sentence that represented her hopes for the past two years.
She stayed with his mother for another hour. Ivory used the time to tuck her emotions aside. She felt somewhat humiliated. Here she thought they were working towards a solid, trustful, and healthy relationship but it was too good to be true. Yet, if he hadn't thought he was doing anything wrong, if he truly believed that they were just friends then why was he so adamant on keeping her in the dark? She wasn't sure what upset her the most- the fact that she was replaced in the blink of an eye or that he lied to her.

Ivory returned home, begging his mother not to mention the visit to him. She was too exhausted to think of anything else. Her brain had retired for the night and nothing was capable of drawing it out of its slumber, not even the thought that she had been utterly deceived by one of the few persons she had the utmost trust in. She very much didn't want Zoey to be right, but it didn't come as too much of a surprise.

***
Ivory could no longer bear the sound of her phone vibrating. Braylen had been texting and calling since the weekend and she ignored every attempt at communication. She had no desire to speak to him or see him. He was now in a relationship and this was her respecting that. If she had answered and allowed him to continue his lie then where would that put her? It was time to cut her losses, she wasn't interested in being any man's play toy.

She decided to place him on her block list. She didn't want to know if he called or messaged and she hoped that he would soon get the hint or at least stop trying. She inhaled and got back to work. Raiden had been distant this past week, it was as if the intimate moment and conversation had never happened. Ivory smiled as the kiss replayed in her mind. Two years with one man and she had never been kissed or touched. In hindsight, she had been naive, she believed their relationship was pure, unburdened, and not blinded by lust.

*Boy, was she wrong!*

She had to have been stupid to think any man could have that much control. She didn't think herself any sort of treasure especially when the majority of men she encountered had no appreciation for her physique, but if he had really wanted her, then he would have at least kissed her right? The thoughts of kisses brought the one she shared with Raiden to the fore. Now that was a kiss. Her brain whirled.

***
Raiden noted the sly smile playing across Ivory's lips as her fingers danced along the keyboard. He would have given anything to know the thoughts running through her mind, more so if he had something to do with that smile. His office cell rang, breaking his concentration. He prided himself in being a patient man but her presence was haunting. He noted that she recently put more thought into her appearance and found himself worrying that the extra effort had more to do with another man.

"This is Raiden De Ville." he answered absent-mindedly, his eyes glued to Ivory.

"This is Braylen." Raiden did a double-take. Braylen had no reason to be contacting him today. Unless his tasks were falling through that is…A thought that poked Raiden in the gut in the most bothersome manner.

"Is there some irreconcilable issue?" Raiden questioned harshly. He paid Braylen for his ability and it would prove futile if he couldn't handle problems effectively on his own.

"Actually no." He replied cautiously, pausing before saying anything further.

"Then are you resigned to waste my time?" Raiden growled, he growing annoyed.

"Is Ivory there?" Braylen's question came as a shock to Raiden. He was almost rendered speechless but his interest was piqued. His eyes wandered to Ivory cluelessly working.

"Is there a reason you are inquiring after *my* assistant?" Raiden questioned, feeling the onset of a migraine. He didn't want to be privy to their personal relationship,
it caused his blood to boil.

"She hasn't been answering my calls." his voice lowered. Raiden gazed at Ivory, a satisfied smirk curling his lips.

"I would hope not she is extremely busy and as you know work is a priority around here," Raiden reminded Braylen in a causally dismissive manner.

"Yes, I understand," Braylen responded, inhaling to give himself breath to continue his line of questioning.

"I have another call." Raiden dismissed him and ended the call before Braylen could respond.
Raiden eased back on his chair and stood up making his way to Ivory's desk. "Is there anything amiss recently?" He asked as her eyes meshed with his.
Ivory seemed to seriously consider this question. "No." her expression was full of genuine confusion.

"Braylen called for you." he studied her, craving a reaction but she was expressionless. Providing little for Raiden to measure the state of things.

"He called you—” Ivory pointed at Raiden, “for me?" Ivory directed her finger to herself now. It was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. It was bad enough
that he was treating her like a fool but to involve her boss was maddening.

"I'm sorry that happened." She lowered her gaze, she felt embarrassed.
His fingers reached over and nudged her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet him. Her heart thumped rhythmically at the mere presence of him so it was no surprise that his touch had rendered her heart dead.

"You are always in the habit of taking the blame for others.” He whispered, “Pity, I had hoped I was special," he smirked and released her. "It's not my way to involve myself in your personal life. I won't ask any questions about your relationship with Braylen," he assured her, turning his attention to making his way back to his desk.

"There is no relationship," she said softly to his back. Raiden paused his steps at the recognition of her words, another smile spreading across his face before he resumed his journey to his desk.