Chapter 3

Ivy, Present time...

Impossible!

What in the name of unicorns and rainbows was going on here?

I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I had accidentally consumed some hallucinogenic mushrooms. Was this truly Aidan Blackwood standing before me? Or was it an imposter masquerading as him?

But no, it was just Aidan Blackwood standing there with his smug grin and perfectly coiffed hair.

"Cat got your tongue?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I said nothing and kept staring at him as my heart hammered against my ribcage.

Aidan leaned down and stared into my eyes. "Ivy Williams. Wow, you are all grown up," he said. I shivered as I heard his mocking tone.

Memories of him bullying me flashed before my eyes. I had suppressed those memories all these times, but now they were coming back and making me angry all over again.

"Aidan," I croaked out. "Wha...how?"

He gave a sly smile, looking amused to see me in such a state. "Still mumbling like a mouse, Ivy. Some things never change," he quipped.

I felt my blood boiling at his condescending tone. Aidan was still the same arrogant jerk from high school!

"Fuck off, Aidan. You have no right to speak to me like this! I am not sixteen anymore, so you can't push me around," I snapped.

"Ah, is that right? Well, too bad I got the upper hand here," Aidan said.

I couldn't argue with that fact, considering I was tied up in a chair, looking like a pathetic hostage in a B-movie.

"Untie me right now," I demanded.

Aidan let out a low, sinister chuckle. "I don't think so, princess. We're just getting started."

He began to slowly circle around me like a vulture stalking its prey. I craned my neck trying to keep him in view, my heart pounding wildly.

"Surprised to see me?" he asked. "I bet you thought you'd never have to deal with me again after high school."

I said nothing, clenching my jaw defiantly. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing my fear.

"We have a lot of catching up to do, you and me," Aidan continued. "See, I've been keeping an eye on you, Ivy. Watching you become Little Miss Successful CEO of Daddy's company."

He leaned in close, his breath hot on my cheek. "It really grinds my gears seeing you living the good life after you ruined mine."

Ruined his life? What was he talking about? I racked my brain, trying to make sense of his words. Aidan had always been the popular one. What could plain old Ivy Williams have possibly done to ruin his charmed life?

My confusion must have shown on my face because Aidan let out a harsh laugh.

"Oh come on, don't play innocent," he snarled. "You know exactly what you did."

I met his icy stare. "I honestly have no idea what you mean," I said evenly. "But whatever issues you had with me back then, just get over it. We are not in high school anymore."

Aidan slammed his fist on the table beside me, making me jump.

"So easy for you, huh?" he sneered. But whatever, I guess you are right. We need to deal with the present issue now—you useless father and his debt."

"Whatever he owes you, I will double it," I offered.

Aidan let out a harsh laugh at my offer. "Oh Ivy, always trying to solve problems by throwing money at them. But we are beyond that now. Your dad messed with the wrong Mafia."

"You disgust me, Aidan. Selling your soul to the Mafia, like some cheap commodity," I spat, my voice dripping with contempt.

Aidan's hand shot out and grabbed my face, squeezing my cheeks so hard it felt like they would burst. With a cruel force, he yanked my face towards his until our eyes were inches apart.

"Don't you dare judge me, Ivy. You have no idea what I've been through," he snarled, his breath hot against my skin.

"Leh...let go...you are hurting me," I managed to say. His fingers were digging into my skin, making my eyes water.

Aidan's voice dripped with contempt as he scoffed, "Rich bitches like you never understand what it's like to struggle. You just sit inside your towering skyscraper and pretend the world is at your feet." I could feel his anger radiating off of him in waves.

My heart raced as I tried to reason with him, "Aidan, I haven't done anything to you. My father may owe you money, but I'm willing to pay double. What more do you want from me?"

The air was tense and heavy with unspoken threats as we stared at each other. My hands trembled as I wondered what he was capable of doing to get what he wanted.

His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made me uneasy. His lips curved into a cruel smile as he leaned in close. "Money can't buy everything, sweetheart," he whispered. "But there are other ways for you to repay your debts." A shiver ran down my spine as his words hung menacingly in the air.

"What do you mean?" I whispered.

His eyes, dark and hungry, traveled up and down my body, making me squirm in my seat. The air around us was thick with tension, my skin prickling with unease as his gaze lingered on me like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.

Aidan's lips curled into a sly grin. "I think you know, Ivy. You may look innocent, but I know you've changed since we last saw each other," he purred in a low and seductive tone.

My heart raced as I shook my head, denying his accusations. But his hand reached out to trace a finger along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine.

"Oh, don't play coy with me, Miss Williams. Instead of offering me money, why not offer me your body?" Aidan's words were like fire on my skin.

I blinked in shock. "What?" I stammered, struggling to comprehend what he was suggesting.

With a smirk, Aidan brushed strands of hair away from my face. "You heard me. Be my whore," he whispered against my ear.

My stomach churned as anger and disgust flooded through me. "How dare you!" I snapped.