Hook or crook

Joshua stood up suddenly, his eyes glowering at Ivy. The sudden change in his behavior startled her as she looked at him stupefied. "Ivy, I am a very patient man. But my patience has a limit. Don't try to test it because I am sure you will not like it. I am trying to help you to keep you safe from the danger you are unaware of. Don't provoke me, Ivy, because you may not be able to bear with if I lose my cool."

Ivy gaped at him mortified. This was the first time he was behaving this way in front of her. Gone was the man who was flirting and making jokes at their every meeting. His eyes were intimidatingly tyrannical making Ivy shiver in fear. Never had she expected herself to be afraid of him nor had she expected him to have such a terrifying side.