I sat on the sofa in the lobby, fidgeting with my fingers, waiting till Ian comes down. Today he'd be visiting Mr. Barnes to get the papers signed again but I have a bad feeling that it won't go well. So if Mr. Barnes needs an apology before he signs it I would give it to him. It was my fault after all.

Just then the elevator doors opened and Ian strode out with Daniel beside him. I vaulted to my feet.

"Ian" I called and he turned.

His eyes widened. "Hailey, what are you doing here?"

"You're going to see Mr. Barnes right? I just umm..." I swallowed. "I want to come with you"

Ian's eyes softened. "You don't have to"

"Please" I begged

Ian stared at me for a long moment then slowly gave a nod. "Fine you can come"

We drove to Granville and I moved to open the car door but Ian suddenly gripped my hand. I turned to him. "The people in Granville might act hostile toward us after yesterday so don't be surprised of it"

My throat bobbed. "O-okay"

Ian gave my hand a gentle squeeze and climbed out of the car. The receptionist informed of our arrival to Mr. Barnes and after a short while his secretary appeared with a scowl etched on his face. "Why did you come here again Mr. Kingston? Is threatening us yesterday not enough?"

Daniel's lips curled. "You may talk to him with respect"

The secretary scoffed and glanced back at Ian. "Why exactly are you here Mr. Kingston?"

Daniel slowly looked at me first as if contemplating something then at Ian. Ian shook his head in silent warning and Daniel gave a short nod before forcefully dragging the secretary away, out of my earshot.

I inhaled sharply, understanding what the silent warning was. Ian didn't want me to get depressed hearing last night's events once again but it was too late. The guilt was already tearing me apart.

I watched the secretary -- how his face turned comical as he listened to Daniel. And I knew things would get far worse. For Ian, because of me. The secretary guided us to a top floor to Mr. Barnes's room and he told us to wait outside till he explained the reasons of our visit to his boss.

We waited for a few minutes before the door opened again. As we stepped in, the first person to greet us was a young woman, who could only be Chairman's PA. She gave us a sneer and turned her gaze to a man behind a desk, who looked to be in his early fifties.

His lips twisted into a smirk. "Well well well, I thought we wouldn't meet again Mr. Kingston. Yet here you are"

Ian's face hardened but he silently walked over to the table and took a seat across Mr. Barnes.

Daniel placed a file on the desk and moved to stand behind Ian. He slightly turned his head and gestured me to sit next to Ian. I was hesitant for a moment but did as he told.

Ian spoke first. "Our deal is already done Mr. Barnes. Just sign the papers again"

Mr. Barnes let out a laugh. "Your attitude never changes, does it Mr. Kingston? Even though you're the one who's in a desperate position"

Ian didn't show any emotion and said. "Just sign it"

Mr. Barnes gave a malicious smile and leaned back, twirling a pen between his fingers. "Well Mr. Ian Kingston" He clicked his tongue. "Tell me, where's all the fun if I just sign it?"

A muscle twitched in Ian's jaw, his hands balling into fists.

Mr. Barnes's eyes gleamed in delight, knowing he has control over Ian. "I've never known you to be such careless person Mr. Kingston, to ruin important documents like that. Such a shame if word gets out"

Ian tensed and I swallowed, having a hard time controlling my own emotions.

"What do you want Mr. Barnes?" Ian hissed.

Mr. Barnes's lips twitched into a wide grin. "That's the question I've been wanting you to ask Mr. Kingston"

Ian didn't reply so Mr. Barnes leaned forward in his seat, a malicious smirk playing in his lips. "Beg"

My eyes widened.

"What?" Ian asked incredulously.

"Beg. Lower your head and beg"

Ian's eyes darkened with rage, his fists clenching so hard that his knuckles turned white.

Mr. Barnes let out a bitter laugh. "Please Mr. Kingston, now don't tell me you're going to loose such an important deal because of your stubbornness. Didn't you push me for years over this? Are you going to let go of all that hard work because of your attitude? Isn't that a bit foolish? Even for you"

I couldn't bear it. I couldn't. If I have to get on my knees to make him sign it, I would.

I moved to stand up but Ian suddenly clasped my wrists, pulling me back down.

Mr. Barnes's gaze flickered to me. "Oh isn't this the infamous future Mrs. Kingston. Would you like to beg instead of your fiancé?"

"No" Ian snapped. "I'll do it"

My eyes widened and I looked at him in disbelief.

Mr. Barnes's lips curled into a lop sided grin and his secretary and PA were also grinning beside him. I inhaled sharply. They were laughing at him, they were humiliating him, they were mocking him.

I glanced at Ian again and saw him slowly lowering his head.

No no no

My eyes burned.

My throat constricted.

I can't bear this. I can't. I can't watch this. I need to go. I did this. I did all of this.

I suddenly lurched to my feet and Ian's gaze went to me, eyes wide with shock. But I ignored him. "Ex-excuse me" Then I sprinted out the door.

I ran and ran until I found a bathroom at the end of the hall. There was no one inside so I closed the door and quickly braced my hands on the sink as my body shuddered with sobs.

I did this. I hired Emma. I threw her at him. I didn't fire her either on the day she slapped him. I just watched her hurt him. I just watched! And now I caused him humiliation. I made him a laughing stock.

Hot tears slid down my eyes as my heart shattered in agony. Unbearable pain tore right through me till I felt like I couldn't breath anymore.

I did this. I did all of this. I hurt him. I humiliated him.

"Hailey" I heard a panic voice called out to me but I shut it out.

I was the worst of all. I was just like how Ian described me on the first day he called me to his office room. Selfish, arrogant and inconsiderate. I was just that.

The door suddenly threw open and Ian stood outside, his eyes wide with panic, breathing ragged.

His gaze fell upon me, on my tear stained face. "Hailey are you- are you crying?" His voice cracked.

I looked away from him, unable to meet his worried gaze.

He quickly came to me and pulled me to his chest. "Oh Hailey please don't cry. Please don't cry" He begged. "Please don't" But I couldn't stop it, I continued to cry to his chest, holding on to him for dear life.

"I'm sorry Ian. I'm sorry"

"Shh it's alright. It's alright" He pressed a kiss to my head. "You didn't do anything"

"I did" I pulled back to look at him. "I hired her"

His eyes faltered. "I'm the one who pushed you to bring another woman Hailey. I gave you that option. Then it's my fault too"

"No" I shook my head. "It's my fault"

Ian gave another kiss to my forehead and pulled me to him again. "You didn't do anything. You didn't"

...

Ian opened the door to our bedroom and I slowly walked in. It was late evening and the sky outside had darkened, clouds heavy and grey, warning of a rain yet to come.

Ian turned the lights on and strode over to the dressing table, removing his coat and his watch while I sat down on the couch, staring at the city below.

The city was a constellation of lights, bright and beautiful. Under the dark sky it uncurled a heavenly beauty with it's glowing lights and it's raging life.

I felt Ian's eyes on me. "Hailey"

I turned as he called me.

He stared at me for a long moment in silence then came to sit next to me.

"Come here" He pulled me to his lap and cradled me in his arms. "You okay now?" He asked softly and I nodded.

After Granville Ian had spent the rest of his day calming me down and I felt bad for him. He'd taken me to an ice cream parlor and bought me the mint chocolate chip. He even took me for a stroll in the central park and sat with me on a bench till the sun had set. And honestly, it really helped.

"I'm alright"

"You sure?"

I smiled faintly. "Yes"

Ian stared at me for a while, his eyes searching mine for reassurance. Then he sighed and gently stroked my cheek with his thumb. "Hailey don't cry again. I don't want to see you cry"

"I won't"

"Promise?"

My lips tugged up. "Are happy tears an exception?"

Ian chuckled. "There she is" He tapped my nose. "And yes happy tears are an exception"

"Well then but I have to consider before making such a big promise"

"How is it a big promise?"

"Because I tend to bawl my eyes out when a favourite book character dies. Those are sad tears"

Ian rolled his eyes. "Please"

I chuckled and Ian beamed. "Don't cry again" He softly murmured and leaned forward, covering my mouth with his. At first his lips moved in a slow passion, afraid that I would run away or cry again but as I started kissing him back, reassuring that none happen again, his kisses grew more hungry and demanding.

His hand grasped my throat and he tipped my head back, moving his lips down on my neck. He sucked my tender skin ferociously, his hunger that of a beast. He applied more pressure around my throat and suddenly a loud moan escaped my lips. Ian stopped himself for a brief second but then I felt him slowly smile against my skin. A playful and a knowing smile that was. His tongue darted out and he gently licked the area he just nibbled with his teeth, his tongue moving in a seductive manner, imitating an action that aroused me instantly. My heart started racing as I felt the temperature in the room rise.

Outside it had started raining but inside it was getting tenser and tenser.

Ian slowly pulled back and looked up at me.

Colour rose in my cheeks. Shit.

He cocked his head to the side, a smirk playing on his lips.

I blushed harder and Ian's smirk widened.

He slowly turned his gaze to the rain outside and sighed. "What a nice weather for a good particular thing"

My body shook with laughter. I knew what he meant but I couldn't help teasing back.

"What particular thing?"

His lips tugged up. "You know what it is sweetheart"

I bit the inside of my cheek to hide my grin. "Ahh that. You always joke about it but never do it. Are you afraid Kingston?"

Ian's eyes widened in amusement and he leaned forward. "Are you underestimating me Evans?"

"Mmm maybe"

Ian smirked and slowly trailed a finger down my midline to my naval. I sucked in my breath. "I don't think it's a very good idea to underestimate me sweetheart"

"And why is that?"

"Because I can show it to you and prove you otherwise"

This time I couldn't hide the smile in my lips. I knew we were playing a dangerous game but I didn't feel like stopping it. I didn't want to stop it. "Really? But you sure you can handle it?"

A growl vibrated from his chest. "I'm feeling very offended sweetheart"

I grinned. "And what are you gonna do about it?"

His eyes gleamed with wicked delight. "Want me to show you?"

I bit my lip and Ian noticed it. He smirked and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my jaw. "Want me to show you sweetheart? I'm very serious right now"

I gasped as he trailed his tongue further down. "Ask better"

I felt him smile against my skin. "Do you want me Hailey?" He purred.

My toes curled at his husky voice, my breaths turning ragged. I wanted him so badly. I yearned for him. Emma was gone and there were no more barriers between us. And to be with him, to be whole with him, I loved it with every single part of me. My heart leaped at the very thought. To be with Ian, the most sweetest man I've ever met, the man that makes my heart pound in my chest, the man that gives butterflies in my stomach, the man that makes me feel like the most happiest and the luckiest woman ever.

But Ian was a virgin and I needed to confirm whether he really wanted it.

"Ian" My face turned serious and I pulled back. "Do you want to?"

Ian understood what I meant and he smiled. "If you're ready, then hell yes"

I grinned and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Then take me to bed Mr. Kingston"

Next update:- 6/8/21