Chapter Fourteen
Harry was not at his desk in the lobby when Aliannah walked in. It was unusual but not uncommon. He could be out in the back office on a break or helping another resident. Harry was always on hand regardless of the hour. She made a mental note to buy him some baked goods as a sign of her appreciation for everything he does for the building.
As she stepped out of the elevator on her floor, she felt a change in the air. There was something different about the atmosphere tonight. Unsure of what was about to happen, she got her pepper spray and keys out of her bag and walked slowly in the direction of her apartment. The hairs on the back of her neck were on end. She regretted not inviting Michelle up for the night, but she was also relieved she had not invited her. If shit was about to go down, she was glad to keep Michelle out of it. She rounded the final corner of the corridor and saw him. He was leaning against the wall beside her door with his foot propped up behind him. She dropped the pepper spray as he looked at her. Aliannah gasped.
“Hello Darling”
Ivan.
Ivan was here. Ivan was at her door holding a single peony. His black shirt was rolled back to his elbows. She shouldn’t be attracted to him right now, but she was.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Ivan?” she said sternly. She did not want him near her. Especially after last night, “And how the fuck did you get past Harry? Where is he? Did you do something to him?” Aliannah hissed through her teeth. She began to cancel her plan of baked goods for Harry after this.
“Darling, please relax. Harry is fine. He is in his back office enjoying a nice break.” This did not reassure Aliannah at all. For all she knew, Harry was tied up back there by the SUV goons. “Here, this is for you,” Ivan handed her the peony.
Aliannah took it and threw it to the ground with such force that the petals scattered across the floor. “I don’t want your stupid flowers, Ivan. I told you to leave me alone,” she said, pushing past him to open her door. She was about to slam it shut behind her when Ivan stopped it with his foot. “Ivan, I am serious. Leave!”
Ivan pushed the door open with his hand and held it there. “Darling, we need to talk,” Aliannah ignored him and walked into her kitchen. If he wants to be an ass, fine. It didn’t mean she had to entertain his games. She heard the door close as she busied herself making coffee. She knew he would not be on the outside of that door; there was no way he would have left so easily. If anything, Ivan thrived on being challenged.
Ivan slowly walked towards the kitchen, taking in her apartment. Sure, he knew where she lived and had seen the listings for neighbouring apartments online, but this was her. This was Aliannah. Her touch was here. It was everywhere.
“Ivan, I told you to go. You took it way too far last night,” Aliannah said, not turning around to him. She didn’t know if she would scream, cry or pass out from her anxiety.
He leaned against the counter opposite her. “I’m sorry, Darling. Forgive me. I did not know you were in the car with him,” he paused. He needs to keep his hands to himself; you are mine, baby, no one else’s.”
Aliannah spun around. “YOURS?!? Do you even hear yourself, Ivan?! You sound deranged!” she gripped the edge of the counter to steady herself. “You almost killed me last night, and you have the audacity to say this?”
Ivan looked Aliannah in the eyes. “Another man touched you. He needed to be taught not to mess with what doesn’t belong to him.”
Her knuckles were turning white from how tight she held the counter. “So now I belong to you? Bullshit Ivan. Bull-fucking-shit! After what you did on the boat, I don’t mean shit to you!”
Silence. Ivan looked as confused as ever.
“Darling, what are you talking about? I came to find you only to discover you had packed and left without so much as a goodbye. Why did you leave?”
Aliannah rolled her eyes and pinched her brow. “Why did I leave? You can’t be serious?” Ivan nodded. “Milena?!”
Ivan bunched his brows. “Who’s Milena?” He now gripped the counter tightly.
“Oh, you do know who she is, Ivan, very well, in fact,” Aliannah hissed. He shook his head and held up his hands in defeat. “Yes, you do! The busty brunette stewardess you were balls deep in, in your office the night I left!” Tears lined her eyes. She clenched her teeth to try to stop them from falling. She did not want to cry right now. She was too angry to cry right now.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Darling. I was never in my office that night. I was on the back deck waiting for you to come to dinner.” Ivan said in disbelief.
Aliannah saw red. Ivan had just blatantly lied to her face. She was furious. In one swift movement, Aliannah stepped forward and slapped Ivan. She slapped him so hard it echoed around the kitchen. Ivan touched his cheek.
“Don’t you fucking dare lie to me, Ivan! I know what I saw. Now get the fuck out of my apartment before I call the cops on your lying piece of shit ass.” She stormed out of the kitchen and into her room. She cursed herself for hitting him so hard. Her hand was stinging from the impact.
Ivan knocked on her bedroom door. Aliannah threw her head back onto the bed. Will he ever quit?!? She thought to herself. “Go away, Ivan!” Ivan opened the door and immediately ducked as Aliannah launched a pillow at him. He picked it up and put it on the chair beside her makeup desk.
“Aliannah, I don’t know who you saw in the office, but it was not me.” He sounded serious but defeated at the same time. He looked at her with darkness in his eyes. “You need to stay away from Jasper. He is not good for you!”
Aliannah scoffed. “You don’t get a say in my life anymore. You lost that privilege.”
Ivan ran his hand through his hair. “I’m trying to warn you, Darling. Jasper is not who you think he is. He is not a good man” He sat on the edge of her bed and reached for her hand. Aliannah pulled away.
“Ivan, you are not a good man. I can see whoever I want. It is my life. I will live it as I see fit. Mr Billionaire, ‘I hired a P.I.’ does not get to dictate what I do. Now please leave. I want to be alone.” Aliannah sobbed.
Ivan stood up. “I only want to keep you safe, Darling.” Aliannah pointed to the door. Ivan paused at the doorway to look back at her before shaking his head and walking out. He did not want to leave her like this, but he knew she needed some space. Aliannah did not release her breath until she heard her front door click shut. She rushed to the door to deadbolt it before sliding to the floor in tears. How could he lie like that? She saw him with Milena.