24. VIP
VIP
DIARY ENTRY
I’ve messaged Karson countless times over the weeks, but he never answers. The bubbles appeared a couple of times, then vanished.
I know I messed up.
Looking back, there were signs Miki wanted more. If only I’d known about her true feelings sooner, I could have made it clear they weren’t reciprocated.
She’s over it now, she’s dating a girl she met out one night. She passed her exam, so in a few weeks she’s leaving Sizzling Hot to open her own business.
Dan made me full-time at Sizzling Hot a while ago, the extra money meant I could move back in with the girls. It’s hard to feel totally happy right now, but it’s amazing being back with them all. They’ve been spoiling me rotten.
It might not be for long, though! Sass’s older sister, Ally, works for a modeling agency in Sydney, and they’re hiring. After Sass told her about my situation, Ally promised to give me an interview.
It would mean moving… but at least I’d be closer to Dad. I’m going to go for it, though I don’t want to get too invested in case it doesn’t work out. Besides, if I don’t try, I think Sass will kill me!
It feels good to get another chance to follow my dreams… like finding some missing piece of myself.
Things could have been perfect—IF that night had NEVER happened.
But it did.
And I don’t know if I can ever stop loving him. But I do know I need to move forward. Maybe sometimes love just isn’t enough.
But no more looking back. Time to close this chapter. I’ve promised myself…
Ivy x
KARSON
Dyson walked into the kitchen and pressed the double-shot button on the espresso machine—which looked more like a mini space station. It whirred and buzzed angrily before grinding to a halt.
“Hey, what’d you do to the machine to piss it off so bad?” I grinned, feeling upbeat now that I had a plan.
His eyes narrowed as he grabbed the two cups. “Careful, or yours might end up in the sink.”
I held my hands up in surrender. We strolled outside onto the deck, settling back on the oversized lounge chairs shaded by an oasis of fully grown magnolia trees.
“How’s Operation Ivy coming along?” Dyson asked.
“Nothing.” I stared into my cup. “I’ve been messaging and calling, but she won’t pick up or reply. She’s given up on me.”
Dyson raised an eyebrow. “She probably thought you were dead and moved on, seeing as she didn’t hear from you for an eternity.”
“That’s valid.”
“You fell hard, didn’t you, bro? Don’t give up. Find a way to show her how you feel. Explain why you lost your shit. Tell her you picked up the phone, that you wanted to talk, but things were caving in.”
I looked at him silently.
“She’ll probably understand that you had baggage to unpack. You just need to figure out a way to connect with her. Simple enough, right?” He shrugged and chugged his coffee.
I laughed. If only.
I dug around in my pocket for my phone. “I’ll try her again.”
KARSON: Ivy, I’m so sorry. I should have messaged you sooner. I know I was an idiot. Can we talk?
I slid my phone back into my pocket, wondering if she’d ever reply as I stared out over the endless blue ocean. A moment later, it vibrated.
Punching the air in excitement, I reached into my pocket—but dropped it on the floor as I pulled it out. I scrambled for it frantically, then unlocked it.
IVY: It’s too hard, Karson. I need to move on. Don’t hate me. I hope everything works out for you x
“Fuck!”
I threw my phone across the deck and kicked the railing.
“FUCK!”
“Whoa!” Dyson glared at me. “What’s up, bro?”
I looked out over the railing to where my phone lay on the grass. “It’s too late. She’s moved on. And I get it,” I said, frustration rising.
“Chill,” he said calmly. “This is just round one. There’s still the gala. Make it count.”
I glanced at him, then out over the ocean. “Alright. I might have an idea,” I replied.
Dyson nodded absentmindedly, but his eyes were glued to his phone.
My mind drifted back to Karlos. The thought of him being safe and sound in the Caribbean weighed on me more than I wanted to admit.
The fallout with Ivy was on me—I let my own unresolved issues cloud my judgment.
But none of this would’ve happened if Karlos had stayed out of my fucking business. He’d destroyed everything…
SolStar was under federal investigation. All assets had been seized—the offices, the houses, the cars, his helicopter, and the ski chalet.
All of it. Except the house in Bronte.
Another thing the sneaky bastard had put in my name without my knowledge (which I discovered during the asset seizure).
He probably did it to give himself a fallback if everything came unstuck with the web of lies he’d used to run the company. It cut me to the core knowing all the SolStar employees were now out of a job.
“Karson,” Dyson said with a lopsided grin, “I have to tell you something.”
“Shoot,” I said, still staring at my phone on the grass.
“I was going to tell you later, but now is… well, it’s the perfect time,” he continued. “It might even take your mind off things for a bit.” He jumped down off the deck, scooped up my phone, then tossed it to me.
“Thanks,” I said as I caught it in my outstretched hand. “So, what is it?”
He cast a glance over the top of his sunglasses at me. “Archie from school has offered us a big win.”
“Oh yeah,” I said, half-listening.
“He’s given us tickets to the Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. It’s in a few days.”
“Oh yeah,” I said robotically. But my mind was churning through ways I might convince Ivy to come to the gala.
“Hello?” He clapped his hands. “You listening? Archie’s racing. For McLaren.” He clapped again, and my head snapped up. “Bro, Archie’s racing at Yas Marina Circuit.”
“Archie?” I stared at him, eyes wide. “He gave us tickets? For real?”
“Fact.” He nodded. “It’s the championship decider. And he’s given us VIP tickets,” he said, punching the air triumphantly.
“VIP tickets to the championship.”
“Now I’ve got your attention,” Dyson said, rubbing his hands together.
“Shit. That’s a win.”
“Right? VIPs, baby.” He beamed. “Fun is just the remedy you need right now, my friend.”
Maybe Dyson’s right… I’ve been living in my head too long. This could be just the reset I need. “You might be on to something.”
“Of course I am.” He scoffed. “That’s why I’ve already booked the flights. We leave the day after tomorrow. I’m glad you’re into it, otherwise, it’d be a giant pain in the butt getting you on the plane against your will.”
I laughed as a spark of excitement grew inside me. “You’re relentless.”
He shrugged.
“Even during a nuclear fallout, you’d be planning a rave in the bunker.”
“You know my mission in life is enjoyment,” he explained, making a doof-doof sound as his head bobbed up and down to the beat.
As we cracked up laughing, the tightness in my chest melted away.
“So, here’s the plan,” Dyson started, pointing his index finger at me.
“Oh, I can’t wait for this.”
“Let me paint the picture for you. We start by getting some beauty sleep on the flight to Dubai.”
“Solid start.” I nodded with a chuckle.
“Smart-ass. And then when we arrive at the airport,” he said excitedly, “we’ll step into the McLaren Archie’s organized for us and drive in style to Abu Dhabi. I hear there’s going to be an epic afterparty too. Most of the drivers are going.”
“Whoa—”
“Wait, I’m just getting started.” His eyes widened by the second. “After Abu Dhabi, we’ll head back to Dubai and take some cars for a spin. Yeah, baby, five miles of uninterrupted raceway to sink our teeth into. And we both know I’ll kick your ass.”
I rolled my eyes dramatically. “What are we driving?”
“There’s a Lambo with your name on it. You know I’m a Ferrari man… that’s how I roll. You in?” He held his hands out wide and stared at me.
“Bro, you had me at VIP tickets.” I whooped with joy. “I’m all in. Thanks, man. Seriously.”
“Nice,” he replied. “Now I won’t have to kidnap you. Makes things a lot easier at the airport.” We broke into laughter like we were two kids clowning around in school again.
“I can’t wait to see Archie race,” Dyson said, taking a swig of coffee. “He’s going to kill it.”
“He does have serious skills. I won’t be surprised if he gets a podium finish.”
And when I get back, it’ll be time to kick my plan into action… I just hope she hasn’t moved on.
After being held hostage by my father’s demands and threats for so long, this trip was just what I needed.
The sweet taste of freedom pulsed through my veins.