CHAPTER 67 - Not Healthy

IVORY’S POV

After the tension between Luca and me yesterday, I am surprised that he comes to my apartment to pick me up for the meeting today. We ride in his car to the company together with Victor and Baron, and, of course, in total silence. The tension still lingers, with none of us talking to each other. We step out of the car and walk to the elevator. It takes us up to the floor where the meeting is supposed to be held. As it dings to a stop and we step out, Luca instructs my bodyguards.

“We wouldn’t want them to feel intimidated and flare their judgment when they see you both. Stand outside and wait for us to finish. If there’s any problem and we need your help, you’ll be promptly notified.”

They both nod in acknowledgment.

Pushing the door to the meeting room open and realizing no one is inside, my eyes squint. I turn to look at Luca. “There’s no one here.”

He walks past me and ventures into the room. “They probably have delays. Let’s wait for them.”

Following him inside, I shut the door. “Okay.”

Luca and I sit beside each other at the long rectangular table. The tension between us is palpable as I fidget uncomfortably in my chair. I hate this awkwardness.

A few minutes into our time in the boardroom, his phone suddenly starts ringing. He looks at the screen and silences it. Then it rings again, and he silences it once more. Who is calling him, and why doesn’t he want to pick up in my presence?

“Aren’t you going to pick it up? It might be urgent.” My curiosity gets the best of me.

“No.” He groans as he slides the phone back into his pocket. “She’s just a bother.”

She. I note.

We wait for a few more minutes, but none of the investors come. I begin to feel concerned and, at the same time, irritated.

I call Mr. Charles. He picks up immediately. “Hello, good morning, Ms. Hastings.”

“Good morning, Mr. Charles,” I greet, sighing. “I think I might have the wrong room, or perhaps I got the time wrong. None of the investors are here.”

“You didn’t see it?” He sounds surprised.

“See what?”

“I sent you a text message late last night. I would’ve called, but I thought you might be sleeping, so I didn’t want to disturb you,” he says. “The meeting was canceled. I’m sorry. I thought you would’ve checked your phone this morning and seen it.”

I didn’t check my phone at all. I’m not the type of person who routinely checks it. Sometimes, I even forget I have a phone until a call comes in or I have to call someone.

“Okay, thank you,” I say and end the call.

Over thirty minutes of our lives have just been wasted.

I turn to look at Luca. “The meeting was canceled. I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

A frown masks his face. “Any particular reason why?”

“I don’t know.” I never wanted the meeting to happen anyway, so I didn’t bother asking Mr. Charles. “Thank you for coming, anyway. I have to get back to work.”

He doesn’t respond, and I stand up and walk out of the boardroom. Baron and Victor join me immediately, trailing behind.

“How was it?” Victor asks.

“It didn’t hold,” Luca answers, and that is when I realize he is also walking behind me. Why is he following me?

Coming to a stop in front of my office, I push the door open. Luca slips in right after me and closes the door before Baron and Victor can gain entrance.

I raise a questioning brow at him without saying anything.

He scratches the back of his neck, blowing out a sharp breath. “Are things going to remain like this between us?”

Folding my arms across my chest, I raise my brow. “Like how?”

I know exactly what he is talking about. He got jealous about Bryant yesterday and walked out. If he wants things to go back to being normal, fine. I’d like that too because I really enjoy his company. But I am not going to feed his ego by lying that I have gotten over Bryant just to have him around because I clearly haven’t. I am still very much into Bryant, even though I like Luca too.

“I don’t want us to continue with this back and forth. It’s not healthy,” he says, blowing out a breath.

“But you were the one who walked out yesterday. And you also walked out of my life until you reappeared that yesterday.” I retort.

“But you asked me to leave. You practically chased me away,” he points out.

I know, I know.

I roll my eyes. “You should’ve known that I was talking out of emotion, and I didn’t really mean it.”

Confusion crosses his features. “Even when my dad kidnapped you and threatened you to leave me for your life?”

“Your dad, not you. I’m not sorry, but your dad is just a shitty person, and you are not.” I press my lips into a thin line. “Besides, I trust you to protect me from him. We don’t have to bow down to his threats. I really like you. I want you around me. You know that.”

My face immediately reddens with mortification. I can’t believe I just confessed my feelings to him.

“I like you too.” His face softens, a hint of sadness in his eyes as he closes the distance between us. He holds my hand, looking directly into my eyes. “But I’m sorry I have to stay away from you. I can’t stand seeing you every day, chatting with you, laughing with you, knowing that…” He trails off, hesitation clouding his expression.

“Knowing that what?” I quickly demand.

“If I tell you, you’ll never forgive me. You’ll hate me till eternity.”

That only piques my curiosity. “Try me.”

He suddenly releases my hands and turns away from me, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Damn it. I’m not even supposed to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

He snaps his gaze at me, remorse clouding his eyes. “That my father killed your father.”

I blink as I process the information. What the hell?