Chapter 1977
Balfour was pretty sure why Ivy was acting so off today. With a hint of mischief, he asked, ‘Are you angry about me being linked with other women in the tabloids?”
She stuttered, her cheeks turning the color of autumn leaves, “I…I… of course no, Balfour, don’t overthink it. I…I couldn’t care less!”
“Really?” Balfour clearly didn’t buy her flimsy denial but didn’t call her out on it.
Ivy’s eyes darted about, unable to hide her inner panic. “I just think that during our agreement, you should be on your best behavior. You shouldn’t be seen at hotels with other women! How am I supposed to explain that to your grandparents if you do so?”
Balfour fell silent for a moment, then confessed, “Giselle got hurt on set today. She didn’t have anyone with her, so I just made sure she got to the hotel safely. That’s all.”
Ivy was surprised that he’d explain himself to her. She met his gaze, pretending to cough, “Why are you telling me this? I didn’t even ask!”
“Giselle and I go way back; we’ve been friends since we were kids. You just can’t turn back on when your and I’ve already had Quinton squash those baseless stories,” he explained calmly and
tends in need. Don’t get it wrong. The media loves to spi
candidly.
The straightforwardness in his eyes made it impossible for Ivy not to believe him.
Was that so?
Ivy pursed her lips, suddenly feeling a weight lift off her chest. She averted her gaze, feeling awkward. “Alright, I get it! Can you get up now? You’re squashing me. I can barely breathe!”
“I can’t,” Balfour said bluntly, offering no explanation.
With her face burning up, Ivy tried to control her racing heart. “This is such an awkward position. If we need to talk, this isn’t the way! Stop messing around, get up!”
“Awkward?” Balfour slowly lowered his head, “Ivy, have you forgotten? We’re married.”
Ivy’s heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat, but she just couldn’t muster the strength to push Balfour away.
This position might be normal for a real couple but they weren’t!
Feeling helpless, Ivy locked eyes with Balfour. His face was inching closer and closer to
She felt trapped and closed her eyes Instinctively.
In the expected his lips to meet hers, there was nothing.
moment of silence Balfour’s light chuckle filled her ears.
Realizing she’d been had, Ivy’s eyes snapped open to find Balfour looking at her teasingly.
It dawned on Ivy that she’d been tricked. “Balfour!”
“Mhm, what is it?” The culprit responded innocently, his face showing no sign of guilt as if the recent antics had nothing to do with him.
Flustered and embarrassed, Ivy gathered all her strength and shoved Balfour away, sitting up to fix her hair. “Balfour, that was too much.
cavour
“Have I done something wrong?” Balfour sat up too. “Ivy, why did you close your eyes? Were you expecting something?”
“L…” Ivy was mortified. Certainly she couldn’t admit that she thought he was about to kiss her.
And when she closed her eyes, she had actually decided to accept it!
Damn it! She couldn’t even accept her own wishful thinking from moments ago. Now she just wished she could disappear into thin air.
“I… My eyes were just irritated! Can’t someone have irritated eyes?”
Balfour, of course, didn’t take in her poor excuse. But he let it be, heading to the balcony to light a cigarette.
Something between them had changed. As if a thin, translucent sheet was ready to be ripped apart at the slightest touch.
