Ivy's POV

Breathe Ivy, breathe.

I parted my lips to make my breathing much easier as my chest fell and rose as I tired to keep it together.

This wasn't happening. It isn't real.

I told myself.

Dad and mum wouldn't do this to me. They weren't the kind of parents to force me to get married.

...or so I thought.

What the heck is going on.

"...Ivy..." I heard a voice but it was so distant.

"...Ivy" I was snapped out of my reverie

I looked up at my parents and froze.

It's all real.

It's happening for real.

My parents wants me to get married.

"Honey, are you alright?" Mum asked concerned

I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat.

"Ivy, are you alright?" Dave sat forward in his chair and looked at me with worry

I got up slowly not facing anyone of them

"You can all stop the act" I said quietly "The only thing you're all worried about is getting me married"

"Munch...?"

"No dad!" I snapped looking up at him with tears blurring my vision "You don't get to call me that again. I can't say No to you but clearly you can" I paused "You're not just shattering my dream, dad, you're ruining my life" I walked out of his office, well more like ran

"Ivy...?!" They all called after me as I ran out of dad's office

I snatched my car keys from the key holder and ran outside and into my car.

"Ivy!" Dave burst through the doors as I drove away crying so hard I almost couldn't see the road.

I calmed myself down enough to drive to my destination.

I arrived there ten minutes later with my throat feeling soo sore from the heavy lump there. I got out of the car holding it together as I walked towards the door.

I knocked.

My breathing had become heavy. The door finally opened.

"Sweetheart wha...?" I looked up at gramps "Ivy, what happened?"

The tears came rushing as I hugged him
"Gran'pa" I cried into his shoulder as his arms sent round me, protective-ly

"Thomas who's...?" She paused "Ivy? Oh My God, what happened?"

I pulled away from gramps and hugged grams

"Lets get you inside" she said as she pulled me into the house and made me sit as she went to get a glass of water.

"Here. Drink this" she said, band by me the glass

I drank all of it and placed the glass on the table top

"Now tell us what happened sweetheart" Gramps said

I sighed inwardly.
"Dad wants me to get married" I blurted out

"What?!" They both exclaimed

"Next week" I said

They were both shocked

"To Dave" I dropped the final bomb, not technically the final one

Their eyes were almost popping out of their sockets

"Your dad wouldn't do that" Grams said

"I thought so too, but clearly I was wrong...so wrong" I almost started crying again "It wasn't enough that I can't be C.E.O. cause my future 'husband' is C.E.O. They had to tell me I'm getting married" I shook my head

"Thompson's Publishing had a C.E.O. already?" Gramps asked looking like he couldn't believe anything I said

I nodded
"I was also surprised, Gramps" I said "Dave has been running the company since dad stepped down and today he tells me Dave is C.E.O."

"Dave?" Grams asked "Dave Connor, the same Dave that's giving you problem?" She asked

I nodded.

"The same boy from yesterday. The one you were all over" Gramps stated

"Gee, thanks Gramps" I said sarcastically

"I thought you two were alright" Grams asked

"I thought so too. But he had other plans." I said painfully as everything flashed back

"I never meant what I said" he said "I was avoiding you that's why I never went to the office. I didn't want you to know that. I regret ever saying those cruel words to you. I admit I was a jerk."

A smile formed on my lips
"I never said you were a jerk"

He smiled
"You probably thought it"

I chuckled lightly before I sobered up
"What does this mean?" I asked

"I don't know" he said "But for now, let's just enjoy the moment. We'll worry about the rest later"

After all those words and kisses and lingering looks and touches. He went behind me and stabbed me. Stealing everything that I've ever wanted.

C.E.O. and my Freedom.

Now he had me in his court.

What else does he plan on doing asides killing me with his bare hands?

I mean this alone tore me into bits.

Why did I ever let my guard down?

All my life I avoided him, why couldn't I do so for a few more hours to see the real man behind the mask instead of believing those words he said and have my trust and heart broken.

I thought yesterday was a new beginning for both of us, I put myself all the way in. Guess I still felt the same way I felt for him in High school, if not more.

"I'm gonna have a talk with Ceaser" Gramps said

"No gran'pa" I stopped him "Don't...I'll do what dad wants me to do. Parents are always right" I said

Oh but they weren't 'always' right. In this case, they weren't.

I would have just decided to let it go and handle it like a grown up if they had taken my dream of being C.E.O. from me.

But they had to propose a marriage to Dave.

I smiled.

As from this moment. My feelings for the so called Dave Connor doesn't exist anymore.

I was out for one thing and one thing only.

Being C.E.O.

I wouldn't steal it from him...I'll earn it like Luke had said.

I'll work my way up there and dad would have no choice but to make me C.E.O.

As much as I disliked dad right now. I hated Dave Connor for putting me in this position. For making me feel like I don't belong.

He wanted a marriage.

I'll give him a marriage.

I smirked.

He'll beg me for a divorce when all this is over.

Oh I wouldn't mess with him, I definitely wouldn't touch him, or be touched by him.

He's gonna have to stay celibate for the rest of his married life and I won't take it lightly if my 'husband' cheats on me.

A marriage he wants, a marriage he shall get.

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J.L.