"Let go," I whisper-yell as Ian sauntered toward us with his gaze fixed on Liam, his beautiful ocean blue eyes were raging with indescribable anger.

"Mr. Longwood," Liam murmurs looking at Ian whose attention was now focused on my hand, he closed his eyes clenching his jaws for a few seconds.

He ripped my hand off Liam's hold and stood protectively in front of me shielding me from Liam.

The way Liam's eye crinkled was the proof that Ian was deliberately applying pressure on Liam's wrist.

"Mr. Roberts, the next time think twice before letting your shadow touch her, and let alone you," Ian warned lowering his voice dangerously taking a few steps towards Liam that made him look all the more intimidating and scary.

Liam's face revealed pure shock and astonishment looking back and forth between me and Ian, it took a few seconds for him to compose himself before decides to answer.

"Mr. Longwood, Ashley, and I were just having a casual talk." Liam lied, he is definitely not the person to whom I lost my heart. My Liam was kind, mischievous, and caring, not the beast standing in front of me.

Ian puts forward his hand stopping him, "The tears on her eyes that I hate to see, plainly tells me otherwise." He grits, pointing his finger towards me, all the veins around his neck were standing up with his shoulder rigid.

I know Ian was controlling his anger, I have to stop him before he would end up doing something we'd regret.

I swallowed hard before opening my mouth, "Mr. Longwood, please calm down," I grumble with my voice quivering pulling him back holding on to his wrist and his shoulder loosened instantly.

He turns over taking hold of my hand examining it for a few seconds before returning his gaze to me.

"Hurts?" He asked, I shook my head lightly with my unshed tears fogging my view.

He pulled out a handkerchief wrapping it around my finger as delicately as possible, I flinched hard when the fabric rubs against my wound. The tears that pooled all this while drops down.

He released my hand cupping my face and brushed off the tears with the pad of his thumb.

"Don't," He says firmly glimpsing at the tears that were escaping shaking his head in disapproval.

"Come," He mumbles softly encircling one of his hands around my shoulder and the other one holding my palm gently caging me into him.

Ian throws one last glare toward Liam and moved forward tugging me along. I lift my head looking at Ian who's gaze was fixed right ahead of us and then back at Liam.

Everything that happened today made me realize one thing.

I'm getting used to Ian, I'm leaning on him for support.

He starts driving at a maddening speed tightening his hold on the steering wheel. I took a deep breath calming myself.

"Slow down," He ignored my words continuing to do what he was doing. I pretty much had an idea as to where he was taking me.

Hospital.

"Mr. Longwood, in fine. There's no need for us to go to the hospital." He ignored me once again and kept his eyes fixed on the road.

"What about Bianca?"

"She's safe." That was all he said.

I was indeed right as the car halted in front of the hospital. He unfastened himself and got down first and came towards my side opening the door.

"I told yo-"

"Jesus, women. Get down, will you?" He snapped glaring at me.

Here comes the jerk.

I let out a sigh getting down, I'm wasting my time arguing with him.

I silently walked beside him, we were directly led to the doctor's cabin.

Perks of having him as my boss.

"Hello, Mr. Longwood." A man in his mid-twenties greets Ian and then me.

"Let's get you treated now," The doctor said, removing his handkerchief from my hand, he examined it for a few seconds before looking at me and I look away.

"Ahh..slow down, please." I cry out in pain snatching my hand when he starts removing the damaged ring.

"Relax," The doctor said, I took hold of Ian's hand who was seated next to me, pressing it firmly clenching my eyes.

"Shh...relax," Ian said, blowing cold air on my finger easing the pain to some extent, after which he himself starts removing it. I clamp my lips together to stop myself from yelling out.

I let out a sigh when he finally pulled the ring out, and the doctor starts treating my hand.

The ring that I once used to adore was now destroyed and the reason for my pain.

The ring that Liam put on my finger was now peeled off by Ian, I felt like a part of me was ripped out.

My hand felt empty.

The day started perfectly only to be ended with a fractured bone. I sighed when the doctor finally secured the finger splint around my finger.

***

"You better take good care of her," I warned placing Kiara on Lilly's bed.

"Bitch, feel lucky. I, Lilly Ripperton took a day off just to take of my baby." She said, I chuckle at her dramatic attitude running a hand over Kiara's head.

"I'll miss you,"

"Then don't go." She says, becoming dead serious all of a sudden.

"Trust me, Ted, I too don't want to. But Mrs. Longwood personally invited me and insisted to attend their anniversary."

"Whatever," She waved off lamely. "But where are you going?"

"I don't know, they said it's a hill station. Anyways, I'll be going with Ian, as others already left."

She stared blankly at me for a few seconds, "I wish, I could take your place." She said, out of blue, I almost choked myself.

"Wh-what?"

"Nothing," She shook her head "now get out of my house or you will be late and get screwed by your handsome boss." She said, wiggling her brows pulling me out, but I moved back to give a peck to Kiara.

"Bye, Ted. Take care." I gave her a goodbye hug.

"Bye, Bri. Take care of your hand and pass on a hello to my Ian" The possessiveness in her voice was unmistakable.

"I'll get going, take care of her." Saying this I walked out half-heartedly towards my apartment with Lilly's words ringing against my ear.

Hailing a cab, I reached my apartment and threw everything that I will need into my bag, as on cue my phone buzzes.

Shit.

"Come down." Came his voice from the other end.

"Two minutes, Mr. Longwood." I wore my flip-flops and pulled my bag along with me hurriedly not having enough time to change, so I decided to keep my off-shoulder crop and ripped jeans.

Jacob, Ian's driver walked out assisting with my bag. "Thank you,"

"Pleasure, Miss. Ashton." He says opening the door.

I scrunch down getting inside and took a seat bedside Ian who lifts his gaze from his phone.

I still couldn't understand what's so interesting, that he keeps staring at it all time.

"Evening, sir." I smile sweetly, he ran his gaze up and down weirdly.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He asked, frowning deeply.

"Clothes Mr. Longwood, cute isn't it?" I let out a nervous laugh in an attempt to lighten the situation.

But in return, he bestowed one of his coldest glare, "Wanna freeze yourself to death?" He asked sarcastically.

I exhaled heavily, he is the one responsible for everything as he reached my place earlier than I expected.

"I'll go get my trench coat," I mumble absent-mindedly opening the door.

"Wait, we'll pick one on the way." He said and instructed something to Jacob.

"Okay," I mutter looking out.

True to his words, he took me to an expensive-looking place.

"Ma'am, this would look good on you," The saleswoman suggested a navy blue trench coat, but my eyes were fixed on someone else, a woman in the billing section couldn't keep her eyes off Ian, and I wanted to pop her eyes out.

I pulled out a beige color coat hurriedly and moved towards him, "Done sir, let's go." I said, grabbing Ian's attention, and as usual, he gives a nod.

We walked toward the billing section, Ian pulled out a card from his wallet sliding it towards the woman who was busy ogling at him.

I know him way too much that I didn't stop him from paying my bill, I know he'll shut me up using delightful words, I've experienced it many times.

I scoffed grabbing her attention sending her a death glare, she understands me quicker than I expected and puts her head down immediately handing over the bag.

But I stood rooted glaring at her not until a hand starts pulling me.

"Stop glaring at her," Ian said, pulling me along with him with a stupid smirk plastered on his face.

"I wasn't," I answered grumpily, frowning for some unknown reason, he shook his head hearing me.

With this, we start our journey to an unknown place with me trusting him blindly.

The view outside was incredibly beautiful pleasant and dark, droplets of water were covering the glass window and fog surrounding us.

Any other person in my place would name this situation to be insanely romantic, with an insanely handsome looking men sitting beside, but I know better not to.

I lay my head lowering the window lost in my world of thoughts, listening to the sound of wind rustling.

I felt my eyes getting heavy.

"Umm.." I frown shutting my eyes tightly, I felt like someone was jerking me vigorously.

But I snuggle my head further into the thing that was keeping me warm and smelt really nice with a smile. I inhale the heavenly smell for some time hugging it tightly.

I gasped clapping one of my palm on my mouth when I plop my eyes open.

All this while I was sleeping on Ian's shoulder, or more like his chest.

Thank God he was looking outside, I slowly moved back removing my head, though it did feel very nice.

But obviously, this caught his interest and he turns towards me.

"Slept well?" He asked lamely tilting his head.

Oh no.