Chapter 18

"Ivory!" Zoey entered the office, Ivory instantly relaxed. "You didn't tell me that you moved to the fourth floor! I literally searched the previous three floors and might have been severely rude to some people." She started babbling instantly, Ivory was amused until she remembered that Raiden was also in the same room. He cleared his throat to bring the females' attention to him.
Zoey, who had already made herself exceeding comfortable at Ivory's desk cocked her head to the side to look at him.

"Hello." she directed at him. Ivory was beginning to get nervous again, she knew how particular Raiden was about his workspace and he particularly didn't care for distractions.
He nodded his acknowledgment to her and continued working. Zoey had turned her attention back towards Ivory for a split second only to return her gaze to Raiden.

"And you are?" she questioned. Ivory's fingers immediately reached over the table to grasp Zoey's hand, but it was too late.

"My name is Raiden De Ville." He responded politely. "And may I know who you are?"
Zoey eased her lips open and Ivory knew a snarky comment was imminent.

"Ah, forgive me for being rude." Ivory giggled nervously, "Mr. De Ville, this is my friend Zoey Blackwood, Zoey may I introduce you to my *boss*, Mr. De Ville." Ivory gave Zoey a lingering gaze.

"It's a pleasure to meet a friend of Ms. Remington. Please be at ease and speak freely." He gave them his most charming smile and Ivory's insides turned to mush. Raiden eased off his chair and exited the room, Ivory's eyes following his every step, her gaze lingering after he exited the room. She was so focused on Raiden that she hadn't realized Zoey's eyes on her.

"Crush on the boss, huh?" Zoey leaned back into the chair, folding her arms across her chest and decorating her face with a smug smile.

"What?" Ivory immediately became defensive. She hadn't told Zoey about her relationship of choice with Raiden and part of her didn't want to for fear that she be talked out of it or be convinced it was a bad idea.

"You have liked worse people," Zoey commented. " And I need to add that man is a piece of art. What I wouldn't give to have a gorgeous boss sitting beside me day in and day out. "

"We're sleeping together." Ivory admitted, hanging her head in shame.

"I knew it!" Zoey's energy had sky-rocketed. Ivory knew, from the time Zoey began ranting about Raiden that she knew something was amiss.

"Such forced professionalism, I could sense it!" Zoey looked at Ivory her expression clear. She needed answers.

"It's not what you think. We aren't in a relationship." Ivory said, hoping that would be enough.

"So it's a fling?" Zoey questioned incredulously.

"Uh, I hate that word." Ivory cringed. "I prefer physical relationship."

"It's still a fling." Zoey countered but quickly recovered following Ivory's eye roll. "Are you certain you can handle no strings attached?" Zoey was genuinely concerned.

"Well, it's the first time I'm doing something like this, so I am learning how to handle it." Ivory responded, but truthfully she wasn't sure.

"It's very difficult to draw that line between sex and emotions." Zoey pointed out.

"I know, But I am in no danger here. I came into this knowing fully well that it's meant to be nothing but temporary. " Ivory smiled a smile that hurt her lips.

"I don't want to see you get hurt." Zoey enclosed Ivory's hands in hers. She feared her friend had already fallen too deep. Ivory may not want to admit it but Zoey could tell that emotions were something that she would no longer be able to keep separate when it comes to Raiden De Ville.

As Zoey exited the office, her heart felt heavy. Her eyes connected with the secretary, he smiled at her. Zoey rolled her eyes and turned away from him.

"So, your friend and my boss, huh?" Felix drawled, the words were intended to prompt a conversation.
Zoey turned to face him, her eyes widened in horror. "You knew?" The elevator dinged and parted to allow her entrance but she’d forsaken it, scampering over to the man.

"I had suspicions, but thank you for confirming it," Felix responded. His mind whirling at the information.

"You idiot!" Zoey was instantly annoyed, especially at herself. "Don't go spreading any rumours, if I hear one bad thing about Ivory I will destroy you." she used her most menacing voice and matching demeanour. Felix had to admit that she did in fact scare him.

"I won't ever do that to Ivory," he responded seriously. He was loyal to his friends and Ivory was no exception. Zoey nodded, her anger dissipating. She didn't know why but she believed him.

"Their relationship is confusing isn't it?" Felix questioned rhetorically.

"I don't know what to do with the information," Zoey admitted.

"Wanna grab dinner tonight and talk about it?" Felix gazed at her, his body going into survivor mood as he awaited her response.

"I can't do tonight," Zoey responded, heading back for the elevator.

"Oh." Felix exhaled, his body chilled. Zoey entered the elevator, "I'm free tomorrow night. You can ask Ivory for my contact info." She said. Felix immediately gazed at her, catching sight of the slight smile as the elevator doors closed.

***

"You're telling me Zoey, my Zoey, wanted me to give you her contact information?" Ivory questioned again. This had to be a hoax. Her friend wasn't the type to accept dates with complete strangers. It was very uncharacteristic.

"Why would I lie?" Felix was growing impatient, his tone bordering on whiny.

"I am not saying that you're lying, I just find it hard to believe. Also, if it isn't true she'd kill me for giving out her number." Ivory turned contemplative, could Zoey really find Felix attractive? This question plagued her. Felix was handsome, quick-witted, funny, and overall a catch, but she was worried about Zoey's temperament. Could her outwardly cold, distant friend be finally ready for a romantic entanglement? Deciding to throw caution to the wind on account of her love for the two people in question and hoping that their characters complement each other, Ivory scribbled Zoey's contact details on a loose piece of paper and handed it to Felix.

His face brightened instantly, his excitement infectious. Ivory smiled back at him. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" he squealed in excitement, his arms coming around Ivory in an unexpected embrace.

"You are the absolute best!" He proclaimed in unbridled excitement. "I promise to name our first child after you." he pulled away, placing his hands on both Ivory's shoulders.

"Yeah, perhaps don't mention that you have already planned your entire life with her just yet." Ivory advised.
They were both alerted by the sound of Raiden clearing his throat. They both turned their attention to him, he had just walked into the door.

"Am I interrupting?" he bared his fangs, voice low and dangerous. Felix immediately removed his hands from Ivory's shoulder and excused himself, otherwise oblivious to Raiden's temper.
Raiden couldn't understand the rush of annoyance that coursed through his veins. Nor did he want to read too much into it.

" Has the appointment with Vera been made?" he questioned as he made his way to his desk.

"He will be here at 4:30 to discuss publication," she responded, trying to keep her tone light and professional despite the fact that she had seen and felt every inch of him unclothed. It came as no surprise that he didn't respond after receiving the information he required.

"Mr. De Ville?" she attempted to draw his attention to her, her throat instantly drying out.

"HMM?" he barely responded.

"I-I." she inhaled deeply. "Thank you for being accommodating towards Zoey." Raiden paused, he took the time to gaze at her.

"That's not necessary," he responded. "She is important to you, of course, I will make the attempt to be civil." he had already lost interest in the conversation, his mind back at work on his computer.

Ivory couldn't contain the smile that spread wildly across her features. Raiden slyly gazed back at her, her smiling features causing the corner of his lips to quirk in replication. He felt content and relieved.

***
Braylen decided to try his luck with Ivory again. She’d been avoiding him the past week and a half and he had let her. He was sure after that much time alone she would now be willing to listen to him and be more open to any excuses he may render. He knocked on the door to her apartment and waited. He heard the door unlock, plastering the most charming smile, he waited for her to see him. Instead, Braylen was assaulted with the view of a very familiar face, not a female one, as was expected. Braylen took a step back, looked at the number on the door to ensure he was in the right place.

"What are you doing here?" Braylen's relaxed demeanour was now severely challenged.

Raiden gazed at Braylen in annoyance. "I could ask you the same thing," Raiden responded.