Iva's POV :

My wounds healed but the dreadful memory will stick in my mind forever. I told Mom everything and she couldn't help but cry all day.

"I am so sorry baby. I can't believe my child had gone through this trauma." I hugged her. "It's not in our hands Mom. But you know what? I am fine. I am strong like you right? And we'll go through it together."

She nodded in agreement.

"I'll make you a fresh cup of tea." She said while wiping her tears. She went to the kitchen and I followed her.

Mom served me tea with cookies and I started relishing it. Just then I heard a knock on the door. I watched the time and it was 5 p.m. Mom opened the door.

"Yes please come in." Mom held the door wide open and I was shocked to see the man enterinh our home. It was Ady. I stood up and immediately ran upstairs. I wore my glasses and the retainers. I made my hair into a bun and ran down again. I cannot let him see the real me. But what is he doing here?

"Hey." Adreano said. He seemed humbled.

"Hi." I said. Still figuring out what is he doing at my place.

"Here. Please have it." Mom said while placing a cup of coffee and cookies on the table in front of Ady.

"Thank you." He said politely.

He was wearing a neat blue suit with white shirt inside. Hairs placed neatly together. The stubble on his jaw gave him a rugged yet sharp look. He took a sip of coffee while looking at me.

My heart was melting in his gaze.

"Iva why don't you join him?" Mom said breaking the silence.

"Yes." I took my tea and plate of cookies and sat on the adjacent chair to Ady.

"Care for an introduction?" My mom asked.

"Oh sorry!" I said immediately. "Mr. Stryker this is my Mom. Mom this is Mr. Adreano Stryker."

"Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jones." Ady said while doing the handshake with my Mom. "Same here." Mom responded with a smile.

"Oh I forgot! I have to go to meet your Aunt. She's been calling me since morning." Mom said looking at her phone and at me.

"Should I go?" Mom asked me.

"Yes Mom you go. I'll be fine." I responded.

"Okay. I'll be back soon. It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Stryker." Mom said while prepping to leave.

"Same here. Take care Mrs. Jones." Ady said and seated back in his seat.

I sipped my tea and he almost finished his coffee. I watched him intently. The stubble fell perfectly on this jawline. He looked rough and rugged but cool and humble at the same time.

"So what are you doing here Mr. Stryker?" I asked.

"I was just passing by the neighborhood and I saw your home so I thought of visiting you." He paused, "How are you."

"Yes. I am fine." I smiled, "You knew I live here?"

"Yes. James once told me you live here." He said sipping his coffee.

James gave him my address? Doesn't he knows I am private with my life and where I live? I should talk to him about it.

"So...um.... how's your work going?" He asked.

"Good. The business is great as the Christmas is approaching."

"That's good." He said. "I think I should leave now." He stood up to leave.

I didn't know what to say. It was already awkward that Adreano came to my home. I mean, I understood his concern regarding the Max's incident but coming all the way long to see me was a bit confusing. No but he said he was just passing by this neighborhood.

Yes he'll not just come to see me. We aren't friends. Our world's are different and we never had a sane meeting. We both were together always at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I am glad he came.

"Yes. Thank you for stopping by Mr. Stryker." I said following him as he approached the door.

"Umm...Iva..you can call me Ady."

Well I already called him Ady just not front of him. I didn't knew what to say so I just nodded.

Ady left. I felt relieved as the awkwardness and silence finally went along with him. I closed the door and walked around the living and it came to my notice that there was a bouquet of red roses and a bunch of chocolate resting on the couch. I picked up the bouquet and a mini card fell on the ground. Hope you like the roses and the chocolate. Take care Iva.

My heart skipped a beat. It was really sweet of him. His face crossed my mind. He actually came to see me! These roses and chocolate explains it. I felt tingling all over my body and I shrugged myself to get over with it.

Am I really watching this other side of Ady? I know he's bossy, arrogant, a little spoiled but this side of Adreano is something I have never thought existed in him. Well you can never know a person completely.

Adreano's POV :

It has been almost two weeks I haven't seen Iva. I was hoping she was okay. I demanded my secretary to find out Iva's address. It would have been easy for me if I had asked Ana or James but I didn't wanted to give them a chance to raise any questions and mostly because if they enquire out of curiosity I don't have any answers. Even I don't know why I want to see her. I am not a friend of Iva. We have hardly met. Our encounters have always been unusual. But everytime something brought me closer to her. Maybe it was her clear eyes which were hooded by the eyeglasses, or maybe it was her simplicity.

I feel some emotion, some energy whenever I meet her. And why is that? I too want to find out.

"No girl have crossed my mind so much than Iva. I mean I am totally into curvaceous girls and models. But Iva, she seemed elegant and different in her own way. The only girl who never tried to impress me in any way, unlike others." I said to Luke.

"Maybe you like her. That's why." Luke responded.

I almost choked my coffee on hearing Luke. "No, I don't!" I asserted.

Luke is one of the financial advisor of our company and a good friend of mine. He was been working here since ten years just a year before I started taking responsibility of Dad's business venture. We became good friends over a period of time. He is smart, works hard, believer of God and a great advisor, not only in the financial sector but also in personal advices. He often shared about his personal life and the girl he still loves who left him for a 60 year old billionaire. I don't understand why he is still into her? I have asked a thousand times to him to which he replies, "Love is a powerful thing Adreano. It over power you and your soul."

That is why I don't want to be in love. I don't want anyone or anything control me. Why everyone wants to be a slave of it?

I heard a knock on the door. After my approval my secretary came in and handed me piece of paper with Iva's address on it and left.

"Why are you smiling?" And what's that?" Luke asked.

"Iva's address." I said sternly trying not to be bothered by Iva's thoughts.

I saw Luke grinning. I knew what he was thinking. I wanted to prove him wrong but the address in my hand seemed to be in his favor. Damn it!

I was on my way to Queens. I took roses and a box of chocolates for Iva. I wished she was at home. I really didn't know why I was doing it. Driving all the way from New York to Queens just to see her, talk to her, make sure that's she's fine and holding up well. Is Luke right? Am I attracted to Iva? A big part of me agreed with Luke but my brain rejected it.

I reached near Iva's home. It was a mondaine home in a coveted neighborhood of Jackson Avenue. The street was lined by trees and almost every home had built a looming small gardens in front of their home.

If Iva was living here then why did she have to work instead of studying? I scanned the place. It was a two story house with four windows and a door which was lined by strong wood painted in white. The roof seemed okay but The exterior of Iva's home seemed as if it had been not taken care of for a long time. The colors were dull and faded unlike her neighboring homes.

I parked my car and headed towards her home. I took a deep sigh and rang the doorbell. In a few moments, a lady opened the door. She looked just like Iva but older and with brunette hair. I realized it was Iva's mom.

I introduced myself and she let me in with a bright smile and a confused look. She was puzzeled as I introduced myself as her friend but I was looking more like Iva's date, holding a bucmnch of red roses and chocolate box.

As I entered I heard a creaking voice of wood and thumping on the stairs. I saw a glance of Iva running up the stairs probably to her room.

"Please have a seat." Iva's mom said. I sat on the sofa.

"Would you like to have tea or coffee." She asked while making her way to the kitchen.

"It's okay. I'll be leaving now." I said looking at the door upstairs. Why did she ran away? She didn't liked me coming at her place? Have I made a mistake? I just wanted to check on her if she was okay.

My thoughts were interrupted with the aroma of coffee. Iva's mom had place a cup of coffee and biscuits on the table in front of me.

"Thank you Mrs. Jones." I said. I really needed a coffee as my head was bursting. Just then I heard the creaking voice again. It was Iva. She was wearing a mint colored pajama and top. Her hair seemed messy as she tugged in a bun and smiled at me.

Beautiful.

Iva's mom left after a while and it was me and Iva alone at her place. She was biting her lips. She always does it when she's nervous. But she doesn't realize how tempting it makes me feel. I tried to concentrate more on the coffee.

With my corner of my eyes I could see her watching me. She asked me why I came at her place and so I lied that James told me her address.

She still seemed confused. Before she could ask me more I stood up to leave.

I was driving back to home. I couldn't stop but think about her. I am contented that she's okay. She is a strong willed girl. A toughie.

I recalled the way she stood while introducing me and her mom. Just like a kid in front of a teacher in a parents teacher meet.Messed up hair, glasses and a baggy top and pajama, she looked perfect and innocent.

I paused my car on the road near the beach. I came out and leaned on the car while watching the sunsent. Iva's face flashed before me.

Luke was right.

I like her.

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