Chapter 14

Felix ran into the office frantically, Ivory's eyes followed him, somewhat amused, as he slumped down into the chair opposite Raiden's desk. "Is there some sort of emergency? A fire perhaps?" Raiden mocked.

"Worse." Felix dramatized and for a split second Raiden's face hardened with concern. "Naomi Bradford is here."

"Is that what got you in this fit?" Raiden questioned harshly, clearly, today was packed with fake emergencies.

"The she-devil is here. I am pretty sure that's cause for concern." Felix threw his arms in the air as he stood up. Ivory stifled a laugh remembering when she called Raiden a devil. If she hadn't been aware of the woman's true character she would think them an apt couple. However, as much as Raiden was cold she knew he deserved better.

" Should I tell her you aren't in?" Felix questioned presumptuously.

"Send her in." Raiden corrected him, turning his attention to his laptop screen.

Ivory kept her head down. She didn't know how Raiden had the self-control to be civil to a past lover especially one he'd hoped to spend the rest of his life with. Especially when he had been betrayed.
Naomi sauntered into the office, momentarily pausing at Ivory's desk and then moved on. Raiden stood as she approached his desk. He extended his arm. "Mrs. Bradford, to what do I owe this pleasure?" he questioned casually as she took his hand.

"We have a business proposition for you." She said, taking a seat.

"I see. I currently have my hands full with my current ventures, I am not certain I can be of much assistance." Raiden responded. Naomi's behaviour the last time he saw her made it clear to him that they couldn't maintain the personas of business partners and, thus, he had no interest in forming any partnership with her or her husband.

"I'll leave the proposal with you. Read it, consider it, and then make your decision." She slid a folder across the desk.

"Thank you for the offer," he responded, hoping she would then leave he stood to signal her time was up.
Naomi gazed around the room feigning ignorance at his hint. "You don't mind sharing your personal space?" she hinted at Ivory's presence, he instinctively gazed at Ivory, she was pretending not to hear every word as she picked up her water and brought it to her mouth.

"Not when my roommate is compatible with me," he responded slyly, grinning as Ivory began coughing at his comment.
Naomi's face hardened. This time she rose from her seat but instead of trying to make her way out she walked around Raiden’s desk and came to stand next to him.

"I remember us being very compatible." She whispered so that only he could hear her. “Particularly, in the bedroom.”

"What is it that you want, Naomi?" he was growing annoyed.

"Isn't it obvious? I want you." the words came out louder than she expected but she had forgotten about Ivory's presence. She attempted to place a well-manicured hand on his cheek. Raiden caught her hand in his, his anger skyrocketing. He was about to give her a taste of his temper, the words burning his tongue but they were alerted to a loud bang resonating throughout the room. He dropped Naomi's hand and they both stared at the source of the interruption; Ivory.

A stack of folders lay haphazardly at the foot of her desk. She smiled at Raiden nervously and attempted to walk around her desk to assemble the files. Raiden moved past Naomi and moved towards Ivory. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet as he bent and assembled the files and placed them on her desk.

"Accident or intentional?" He questioned, his voice low. Ivory didn't answer she just smiled at him. He found this interesting and flattering. He turned his attention to Naomi.

"I shall consider the business arrangement. Felix will see you out." he said and watched as she walked out of his office.

"When Felix returns have him send this to Emery." he dropped a folder on her desk.

"I can do it." Ivory volunteered, she needed to be away from him in case he questioned her impulse decision to interrupt his conversation with Naomi. To be honest even Ivory didn't know what possessed her.

"Are you sure?" He questioned, he didn't want her to be taken advantage of again.

"Yeah it's just in and out," she assured him. She walked out of his office and made her way to Emery's office. She gave two quick knocks and pushed open the door. She immediately looked away. The sound of Emery's gasped reaching her ear.

"I'm sorry." Ivory said trying to get the image of some man's head buried in Emery's neck out of her mind.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned hostilely. Ivory's remorse faded immediately she raised her eyes and recognition hit her. A familiar pair of eyes were staring back at her.

"Mr. De Ville asked me to bring this to you." she handed the file to Emery and exited, avoiding all contact with Braylen.

***
There had been no time nor awareness of mind that allowed Ivory to think for just a second. She was inside of Raiden's office before she could form the thought or mentally command her limbs to do the same. She found herself behind her desk, her mind racing. Since she heard of Braylen's relationship she hadn't shed a single tear but now she could feel the familiar sting in her eyes accompanied by the blurry vision.

"Ivory?" Raiden was by her side now, ignoring the sound of his office phone ringing. He noticed the way in which she re-entered, hastily, and absentminded. He instantly worried about whether she was advantaged by Emery. She lowered her head further, raising a hand to her forehead in an attempt to block her from his view.

"Is there anything you need, Mr. De Ville?" her voice came of muffled and shaky. On instinct he reached over and pulled her face within his view, she resisted but he had abandoned any sense of propriety. Her eyes were red, avoiding his direct gaze. His eyes traced a runaway tear falling from her eyes and flowing down her cheek. His jaws clenched instantly.
He parted his lips to speak but the sound of his office phone ringing non-stop hampered his concentration. He briskly returned to his desk and picked up the call, his eyes never leaving her.

"There better be a fire," he spoke into the phone, every inch of him agitated.

"Actually, Mr. Adams is insisting that he see Ms. Remington," Felix spoke cautiously. Raiden could tell that even Felix felt this request a bit strange.

"He wants to see Ms. Remington?" Raiden repeated as he considered the request.

"No." Ivory's voice rang out in the silence. Raiden's attention was drawn back towards her. "I don't want to see him, please." another tear broke free.

"Let Mr. Adams know that Ivory has left on her lunch break," Raiden advised Felix who did as he was told. A few seconds passed and Felix related that Braylen had departed.

"He's gone." Raiden used his most soothing voice. He had never been in a position where he had to comfort someone, a position he had taken great pains to avoid, but his every instinct was to calm her.

"Thank you." she breathed, pulling her cell into her hands and dialled. "Zoey, can I crash at your place tonight?" she conversed and Raiden grew more intrigued. After she hung up the call, he wasted no time.

"What happened?"

"I am so sorry, again." she breathed. "I keep putting you in these awkward situations." she completely avoided his question. The tears in her eyes were still fresh. They showed no signs of dissipation.

"I am more concerned about what has affected you so." he tried to steer the conversation back to where he wanted.
She just shook her head, the tears flowing freely now, her chest heaving as she continued her attempt at holding back. Raiden walked around her desk, his hand encircling her arm pulling her off her chair and into his arms. Her face buried in his chest and her hands resting similarly.
He held her steadily. "If you need to cry, then cry. I'll keep you company." he breathed the words in her hair. He felt her body tremble and she surrendered to her emotions. Raiden felt something in him stir. He hadn't thought it possible for himself to feel-- no he stopped himself. He couldn't confuse his sympathy for something more dangerous.

"You can take the rest of the day," he said as he stroked her hair, her sobs were weakening and her heart rate was returning to normal again. "I have a feeling you will be sought after again once the hour has passed," he said truthfully. Although she hadn't said many words to Raiden the bits he understood were enough to make him realize that her attachment to Braylen had taken a beating. Braylen's true nature had been exposed, yet Raiden would never have guessed it would happen at the company. His mind curious as to whom, he made a mental note to ask Felix to investigate.

Ivory pulled her body away from his, wiping her tear-stained cheeks. Her gaze catching his eyes, he had been reluctant to release her. "I can't leave, I have things to finish." she turned her attention to her desk. Raiden guided her gaze towards him again.

"They will be there tomorrow. Besides, I won't be able of making any further excuses once your lunch hour ends," he advised. She didn't answer and he knew she was torn.

"Come, my driver will take you home." he walked her to the door.

"I'm not going home tonight. I'm staying at a friend's." she corrected.

"Well, he can wait for you to pack your necessities and then drop you off wherever you need."

"I don't need to pack. I have clothes at her house, hell I even have a key." she attempted a laugh but it came off weak and forced.