Ivy had a date with this guy who barely knew her. Ivy looked at the mirror. She put on a frown while holding her hair up. She sighed and walked towards the bathroom. Thirty five minutes later, she stood again at the mirror stand. This time, admiring herself and wearing a smile. She took a red bag from the table and walked out briskly.
Steve was already waiting for her by the door. She had spent way more than the time she gave him but he didn't bother. He knew reminding her would only rile her up. She was always this way but he was never going to get used to it. Finally! he said under his breath as she came out.
Is everything ready? Ivy asked, sizing him up with her eyes. Y. Yes he replied with a slight stutter. He felt uncomfortable with the gaze. You know what you are supposed to do right? Ivy asked. Don't mess this up she added. Of course madam, I know just what to do. Everything has already been prepared just as you said. Good, Ivy replied and began walking towards the elevator.
Steve followed closely behind. It was a going to be a long night for him. He knew just what Ivy had up her sleeves. They both entered the elevator and headed for the ground floor where the driver was waiting. Steve stood beside Ivy in the elevator. He could see the top of her head as he was roughly 6 foot and 4 inches. He estimated her height to be about five inches. He had a build (not too thin and with a bit of muscles though he rarely hit the gym) that made everything he wore look good on him. Standing beside Ivy, he looked quite a dominant male. Well, stature was not what determined societal status.
He knew the day he displayed insurbordination, Ivy would not hesitate in drawing the axe. Insurbordination?
Steve scoffed. Ivy looked at him for a second. He didn't dare think of that. He had become rich just by serving Ivy. He knew he was probably the only one that earned that much as a secretary. Even the big boss' secretary didn't earn as much as he did. Giving that he always cleaned up after her and the amount of mess he could be in anytime, earning such an amount was justified.
Despite what Ivy turned out to be, he was prepared to serve her till the day he died. Why wouldn't he when she saved his life. Before meeting Ivy, he had a wife he couldn't properly take care of. Things got worse when his wife was diagnosed with skin cancer and she had to undergo chemotherapy. His menial job that was barely enough to feed the family couldn't foot the bills. His love for his wife made him seek after other means to get the money. He got introduced to a notorious mafia boss who was prepared to lend him money but at an unreasonable interest rate.
Steve knew paying up the money and interest within the stipulated time frame was impossible. Regardless, he signed the agreement. As the deadline drew close, he was asked to pay up the interest first and make the payment for the capital before the deadline. Steve had neither the capital nor the interest. In fact, he needed more money to continue with the treatment. Emilia his wife was responding slowly to treatment. Having his wife's condition and the loan to deal with made him depressed.
The mafia group turned up the pressure when the deadline elapsed. He was accosted and harassed multiple times. The hospital stopped his wife's treatment since he could not pay up. Buying the prescribed drugs was also an issue. Indeed, he was in a quagmire. Well, there was no better time to meet with Ivy than when he did.
Just like the biblical Jesus, she saved him. He had been kidnapped by the mafia group and had been badly beaten. He couldn't even walk properly. In fact, the only reason the punches stopped was because of an important guest. Ivy had come to employ the services of the group.
Who is he? he could hear a feminine voice ask. Just someone we need to teach a lesson the mafia boss replied in a voice that sounded like a Toad's. Steve raised his head but could not see the person that asked about him. He was so badly beat and his eyes were swollen. He doubted he would ever see properly again. For some reason, Ivy picked an interest in his case and inquired further. Release him! Ivy said authoritatively. Steve wondered if she was trying to make his situation worse.
She wasn't pleading on his behalf but just demanded his freedom. The mafia boss looked bewildered. He had known and worked for Ivy. He knew she wasn't one to pity or was he wrong?
Em..Ehh if I release him, you know what it would mean right? he asked. Ivy folded her arms across her chest. She looked irritated. She took back the papers that were on the table. She pointed her index finger at Steve. He just became part of our deal she said. You would making 20 times more what he owes you. So why keep torturing him when you know he doesn't have the money nor the means to get it. I want you to forget everything about your deal with him if you want ours to stand she said.
The mafia boss bit his lower lip. He stared daggers at Steve. Ivy's deal was quite a lucrative one. It was enormously more than the usual deal. He sighed and signalled his boys. Steve didn't know what was happening till.he was untied. Two guys got him in a car. Finally, he was going home he thought. It tuned out Ivy had given the instruction to have him treated.
What are we doing here? he asked. Just shut your mouth and follow us one said. We are going to have you treated at this hospital the other much nicer one replied. Afterwards, he got to officially meet Ivy. She offered him a chance to really live. She paid up his bills ( his wife's medical bills and all) and offered him a huge salary if he worked for her. It was an opportunity he couldn't reject. That was how he found himself serving Ivy till this day.
At the sight of Ivy, the driver immediately started the car. Steve took this seat at the front while Ivy sat at the back. Occasionally, he looked at the mirror to find out what Ivy was up to. He wondered what she was thinking. She wasn't tense at all. In about twenty minutes, the car stopped. Before Steve could open the door for Ivy, she was already down. With the wave of her left finger, she dismissed both Steve and the driver.
A guy on brown suit and tie waited for the Ivy at the entrance of the restaurant. He took what seemed like giant steps towards her and in no time, he held her hand. He placed a kiss on it. "Buenos notches senora" he said in Spanish. His breath had the smell of cigarette and mint, his teeth matched his suit and his lips were chapped. He also had a earring on both ears which was atypical of an African businessman ( she had studied African culture and had encountered enough businessmen from Africa and Nigeria in particular to know this). For someone who wanted her to believe ran multiple multinationals, he was quite dumb.
Ivy rolled her eyes. She took out an handkerchief and wiped off the spot he placed the kiss. You can't be serious he said with a smirk