Chapter 101: Only One Night

Silas felt eagerness to show Ivy her gifts. He had added a Teda Harald jewelry set to the collection, a designer bag, and some photography equipment. He knew she would go crazy for them.

Ivy had not returned. He took his phone and dialed her number.

"I don't have all day, Face," he said when she picked up.

"I’m on my way, Si," she replied before hanging up.

Silas stood up from his desk and walked to the window. For the first time in a long time, looking down didn't calm his anxiety. He wanted Ivy to feel better, and it was way more than just about sex. It was the change in her behavior. She was happier, confident, and… free.

He chuckled. It was the best sex he had ever had, so good that he had confessed his feelings. He loved her, he had told her. But he was too ashamed to say it again, or talk about it, so he let it slide.

"Mr. Stone."

Silas turned away from the window and faced Rachel. "Hey," he said. "What's the emergency?"

Rachel had texted that there was an emergency at the office, which was the only reason he was there. Otherwise, he would be home making love to his wife.

Rachel walked closer, a dangerous, unfamiliar look in her eyes.

A little terrified, Silas asked, "What is it?"

Instead of answering, she walked over and kissed his lips. Silas pushed her away immediately, anger rising in his chest. "What the fuck are you doing?"

She stepped back and began to undress. "I know your marriage isn’t real, and that you must be sex starved. I'm here to help you."

Silas’s stomach churned with disgust as he looked away from her bare breasts and began to pack all of Ivy's gifts. As he was about to leave his desk, she blocked him—her bare breasts dangling.

"Please, Silas," she said urgently. "Just touch me. I told Debbie—all the girls—that… we are—"

Silas’s disgust deepened as he nudged her away. "Pack your shit and never come here again."

"I’m sorry, Mr. Stone," she cried.

Without looking at her, he snapped, "You’re fired, Rachel!"

Silas marched to his car, his heart plunging with surprise and disgust. What gave Rachel the guts to strip in front of him? Did she think he was that cheap?

"Ready to go, sir?" Victor asked, breaking through his thoughts.

"Yes, yes," he replied.

He settled in the car seat, the shock of the situation still getting to him. He brought out his phone and called Ivy, but she didn’t pick it up, so he texted her.

"Can you believe Rachel made a move on me?"

He waited for her response, but got none.

Silas sighed as he wondered if Ivy was still busy with the work in her new office, and then his mind drifted to her earlier request. Because he wanted to take his mind off Rachel’s actions and also help Ivy, he scrolled through his phone contacts and found a number.

"Hello, Detective Spence," he said when the phone was answered.

The older man sounded surprised to hear from him. "Silas Stone. Long time no see."

"Same here, man. How have you been?"

"Good. Great. And you? Congratulations on the wedding," David Spence said.

"Thank you," Silas smiled. "How’s the business? Are you still into investigations?"

David laughed. "I don’t have any other job, Silas."

Chapter 101: Only One Night

"Ah, good. I just wanted to confirm. I need your services soon," he told him.

"Awesome. I will be waiting for your call," David replied.

"Great. Bye," Silas said before hanging up.

He leaned back on the chair and scrolled through his phone, hoping Ivy had responded, but there was still no reply from her. Silas racked his brain, trying his hardest to think of something else other than Rachel’s actions, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake it off.

He felt deeply betrayed by her actions. He had trusted her, taken her in like a friend, and yet she had pulled such a stunt. "Time to get a new stall," he muttered. On the bright side, he could be looking for one while he helped Ivy with hers.

"We’re home, sir," Victor said.

"Alright," he replied, stepping out of the car with all of Ivy’s gifts. Maybe today, he would tell her again just how he felt about her.

As he made his way in, he noticed her car was parked in the premises. Why then didn’t she pick up her call? He wondered, but pushed it aside and went upstairs.

"Ivy?" he called as he opened the door.

She was seated on the bed, her head in her palm. Silas laid all the gifts on the table and walked to her.

"Hey," he said, moving closer. "I called and texted you, but you didn’t reply."

She lifted her head, her expression unreadable. "Kim is around."

He blinked. "What?"

"Kim is in your room," she replied.

His chest tightened with fear as he straightened up. "Is this a joke?"

She shook her head, her eyes serious. "No."

He didn’t believe her, but out of curiosity, he went down to his room. His door was always unlocked because he knew none of his staff dared to enter his room.

As he opened the door, he smelled her perfume—lavender and jasmine—and his stomach clenched with discomfort. "Kim?"

Silas saw a figure stir on his bed before sitting upright. It was her! She was here!

"Silas!" she cheered as she stood up from the bed.

He stepped back, looking her over. She was in a leg cast, looking skinny with bruises all over her face. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

"I came to see you," she said cheerfully, as if that was supposed to make him happy.

He closed his eyes to the pain in his chest. "You have to leave."

Kim limped to him, her eyes shining with fear. "I can’t go back, Si. You have to help me."

The plea in her voice got to him. "What happened?"

"It’s Pedro," she said looking away. "I went back to him for help, and he…" she trailed off.

Silas groaned, his stomach knotting. Pedro was her abusive father, and he knew exactly what he was capable of. "Why go back, Kim?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "You know that man can kill you."

"I know," she sniffed. "But I didn’t have any other choice."

Silas shook his head, his eyes darting all over her body. This was the worst state he had ever seen her in.

"Help me, Silas. Please," Kim pleaded, limping over to him.

The sound of her leg cast dragging across the floor made his stomach twist with pity.

"Just for the time being," she added. "Till I can get my shit together."

He had so many questions. He knew he shouldn’t even allow her anywhere close to him after her affair, but he wasn't heartless. He couldn’t possibly send her away when she looked like this.

"Did he do this?" he asked, unable to stop himself.

"Yes," she replied. "He ruptured my right leg, and I think I lost a rib or two," she chuckled wistfully, the sound so strange coming from her. "It will only be for a while, Silas. Please, I beg you. I don’t want to go back there."

Her plea got to him, his pity intensifying, and before he could control himself, he said, "Fine. But just for a night. Only one night."