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❝The world is a stage and the
play is badly cast. ❞

•••

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

IF A DAY GOES BY, WITHOUT ANYTHING HORRIBLE or, upsetting happening it wouldn't my life. It would just be a day for me one that, I would forget easily. Perhaps, that's the reason I'm always in search of something, unable to comprehend, anything yet, still sometimes it is just overwhelming to deal with everything. I used to think, that I would never be like my mother; make the mistake she made, that I would be in control of my own life, but it's not easy. It is hard and it's bothering me.

"It is not your fault, Ms Ivy," my eyes turned to stare at Mister Lee, he was standing in front of me with his face darkening with an uneasy expression. My heart, startled when I witnessed the rage, the look of fear building up in his overly expressive eyes, he was two feet taller than me, that it made it  impossible for me to remain in my place.

Gulping I stepped back, and stared at the marble floor. Damn——I didn't even realize when I stopped walking. My head was a mess right now, I don't know why but loosing, Hara was something that I never pictured.

Looking up I tried to smile, but it was hard, especially when the man standing in front of me was staring at me with a determined gaze, his eyes were sharp enough to threaten my composure.

"I am fine. I don't know why are you doing this, but I'm not in need of your comfort, Mr Lee."

His eyes brightened slightly as he chuckles, taking a step back, as I raise my brow.

         "I know you are going to be. You're a very strong woman, Ms Ivy. You know how to hold yourself up at times like this," he began to speak in a mundane, yet beaming voice as I nod continuing to follow behind him, as he gets into the elevator, turning to glancing he asks, "Which floor?"

"The ninth floor,"pausing I draw in a huge breath and wonder; whether it was wise to say this or not, but I'll probably feel a little relieved if I just did, "How much did you hear?"

"Now you're speaking informally to me?" Lee Taeyong questions in an hysteric tone, as I watch in bewilderment and, speechleness to find amusement, lighting up his usually sharp and, cold eyes.

"It is not good to eavesdrop. I hope you're aware of that."

I murmured back, switching back to the formal tone that for some reason made me him laugh once again, feeling a bit stuffy I glance at the elevator, why is it taking so long? Drawing some space between us, he sighs turning to stand in front of me once again, his back was facing towards the door and his eyes they were focused upon me. It was as if he was reading me, out and open. Trying to unpuzzle all his puzzlement.

      "Do you find me irritating?" Now, he's using an informal tone, but instead of being offended I find, Lee Taeyong rather comforting, talking to him in a manner, that was not formal was far better. His tone of voice was warm, it didn't feel like he was pestering, like it did at first, it's just how he is, maybe this is why I find it easy to answer back to him.

"You do have an interesting character. But, for some I don't find you irritating at all, in fact you're quite honest and, straightforward,"My words seem to him by surprise, as he blinks with his eyes dropping to the floor with a boyish glint of joy.

  As when I doesn't say anything, I straighten up knowing that we are about to reach our floor soon, but before one could think of, the floor beneath us shook with an intensity that knocked me off my feet, I gasp stumbling with a force. Mr Lee, yelps ready to give me support, but his balance fails him, as he stumbles forwards, his whole body collapsing against mine.

My head throbs with pain, as I wince when my head crashes against the metal wall. My vision turns blurry, with tears, when I fall back yet still struggling to remain conscious.

"Are you—" just when I was about to speak the elevator gives another jerk, but this time I don't collide against the wall, Mr Lee was shielding me, his arms were around in a sec he was holding me tight against his own body, as his hands cushion my head.

           When all was calm and, stable we pull away from each other, but don't stand. Sitting beside each other on the floor, I sighed leaning on to the wall, and straightening my legs. Lee Taeyong, takes off his coat, shrugging his head in an ignorant manner as he places it over my exposed thighs. I scoff turning to look the other way.

"Looks like we're stuck," He says, in a dull tone, that made my blood boil. Turning around, I glare looking at his face.

      "Thanking you for telling me, I didn't know that," My words were sarcastic, but my tone was not all friendly, worst it sounded as if I was throwing a tantrum. Maybe I was, but after everything that happened today, this was last thing I wanted to happen today.

Yet, none of it is his fault. As a matter of fact, all that he's being since he came here was to brighten my mood.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to say it. I just feel like, we should've taken the stairs then—" he cuts me off.

     "No. Again it's not your fault, I understand you've had a rough day," He says it so simply, like it was not a deal, like my words didn't bother him. Sighing, I offer him smile and lean back feeling all the tension leave my weary bones.

"You have a forgiving nature. I wish I was like that."

      Sighing, he shakes his head, "No. I think you're more forgiving than I am. You're wise, and yet you are respectful you never want to shame people intentionally, but I don't think that is benefitting you. May be you should abstain from pleasing others, and do what you truly desire. Step out of those boundaries, and accept your daring and unapologetic nature."

"Unapologetic nature?" I asked back, as a laugh erupts from my throat, and I find myself staring up at the man sitting beside me with a serene gaze. His nods, tapping his fingers over his trousers pants as if he was playing a tune, as I  draw in a breath, stretching my left palm in midair, unknowing staring at the ring that occupied my finger.

What was I doing? Chatting with another guy, while I'm all alone stuck in an elevator. It felt so wrong, yet I couldn't find any fault in it. We weren't doing anything, even our talk consisted of appropriate words. But, why do I feel guilty, and distressed?

       “The way you handled Ms Hara was outstandingly remarkable. I am amazed how you made it look so normal, not over dramatic or, too blunt,"He has spoken again, and managed to divert my mind from those uncountable thoughts, that were making me feel dizzy. It was better to just not concrete on any thoughts right now.

"No. I should've not brought up our personal issues, and just informed her  professionally about her transfer."

"She was never a friend to you. But you still up held your dignity, and didn't fire her," He murmured, hoarsely. His face, hard and firm, yet his stare was comforting and never judgemental.

As confusing and, bizarre I find our current situation, I can't help but feel uncertain, though at the same time, I do not mind his company, nor do I feel uncomfortable. He makes, everything look so easy, the there is no need for discomfort, his manner of speaking, to his watchful gaze all it, that should make me feel anxious and, nervous it make me instead at ease. His words have managed to turn my sour mood to a bright one, and all the weariness of my heart has vanished. I don't find it necessary to say anything pleasing for him, to think before speaking.

As a smile form upon my lips, glancing at Lee Taeyong I start to understand why, I felt guilty earlier. It was precisely, the reason for this damn, stupid smile of mine. I know now why I was guilty, I felt happy. I felt happy around Mr Lee, and somehow that shattered everything inside my heart.

A heart that belonged to a man, I vowed to love, the man I love. Why am I like this?

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note:

Hi, it's been really long. I hope you all are doing well, and enjoying the changing weather. Its getting colder and I love the feeling of it. I hope next year would be a good year. Just try  enjoying your holidays, as much as you can.

What do you think, should Ivy feel guilty?

Stay precious as you are to me. And remember to smile, stay at home.
Stay safe. 💜

Thanks for reading<3

Love,
shafaq-Shapel heart♥