Chapter 5

Despite her initial reluctant, Ivory was having the best time of her life, so far, at the club. "Fun, isn't it?" Emma asked as they sipped on their drinks and vibe to the jam of Opal Heights. Ivory nodded her head. "It is." Her expression fell a bit. "I can't believe I gave this up for..." She didn't allow his name leave her lips. It was now considered a forbidden name. A name belonging to the man who had caused her so much pain, caused her to sacrifice so much, yet, felt zero remorse for his actions. Although painful, Ivory was now sure that getting a divorce had been the right decision. Sensing the cloud of sadness that was beginning to gather above her friends head, Emma quickly spoke up. "Enough seating and drinking," She collected the drinks and placed them one side on the table. "It's time to go out there and mingle and best of all," She raised her hand and called over a host. "It's time to get those men." Ivory laughed softly and Emma took that as her green light to go ahead. "Ten of your finest bachelors! Put the bill on this card." She said, placing Gadreel's black card on the table. As the host nodded and swiped the card, Ivory made a mental note to send the card back to Gadreel, or better yet, burn it, after tonight, after all, she wanted nothing doing with him or his belongings, ever! The host was back before Emma and Ivory knew it. Along with him came ten men, all models in their own rights. "Would you like me to clear a space on the dance floor?" Emma grinned. "That would be wonderful." Ivory felt a blush creep its way up her neck. The men were definitely not her type- in standards of Gadreel's looks that is-but that didn't mean they weren't attractive and she wouldn't feel a bit shy from the way they looked at her like she was a pot of honey. "Pretty Ms.," One of the bachelors stepped forward and took her hand, placing a kiss on the back. "What name shall I give the pretty face?" Ivory shared a look with Emma, before she answered. "Ivy," "A pretty name for temptress such as yourself. I am Khalid, pleasure to be at your service." His words, although a tad bit exaggerated, made her feel happy, and she smiled. "Shall we?" He asked, leading her to the dance floor, whilst the rest of the men followed behind. The dance floor was less crowded, cleared to say, just as Emma had requested. And the DJ, without a hitch, began playing the perfect jam for a night of dancing. Ivory didn't hesitate. She and Khalid began dancing, followed by the rest of the men. She wasn't sure how long it had been, or how many songs had passed, but before she knew it, she was having the time of her life. But it was suddenly interrupted when someone rudely took her wrist from behind. The action startled her a bit. She turned around, about to tell off the person rude enough to take her by the wrist, but the words died in her throat the moment she saw it was Gadreel. Everything seemed to freeze for a moment and her heart, seemed to have done the same. What...what was he doing here? A piece of her wanted to know, but another piece, the bigger piece, reminded her that it was none of her business. Things between she and Gadreel was soon going to be over. Feigning ignorance, she tried to pry her wrist away and go back to dancing, but the moment she attempted it, he tightened his hold. It didn't hurt, but it was strong enough to convey a warning. "Let go," She said, her voice stern, a far cry from the one that was previously used to speak with the guys around her. But Gadreel ignored her. "You, let's talk." Without waiting for her response, he dragged her off. From behind, Emma chased after them. "Gadreel, you bastard! Get your hands off Ivy!" She called, running after them. But one look and a few words from Gadreel had her halting, almost as if she had run into an invisible wall. "Don't come any closer, or I'll make you regret it." His words, despite sounding calm and unthreatening, was enough to have Emma frozen and unable to move and she could only but watch as he walked out with Ivory. Behind her, Asher narrowed his eyes at the scene that was happening, confused at first, but then, realization smacked him hard in the face. His eyes widened and he exclaimed. "Wait, that beauty is Ivory?!" ~•~ Gadreel dragged her to the back of Opal Heights and without so much as a care in the world, shoved her against the wall. Ivory winched at the force used to chuck her at the wall, her back stung, but at the moment, she paid little to no attention to the pain and instead, focused on the man in front of her. "What's the meaning of this?" Gadreel didn't bother hiding the disgust and glare in his eyes. They shone bright as day in his blue eyes. Ivory however, did not allow those emotion affect her. The previous night, she had promised herself to never cry or feel hurt because of Gadreel. He wasn't Worth it. "What's the meaning of this?" Her voice took on that challenging tone that didn't go down all to well with Gadreel. His eyes darkened. "I should be the one asking that Question, Gadreel Ødegaar, what gives you the audacity to drag me out like this?" "I have every right to do that." Gadreel asserted. "Because only a madman would sit by ideally and watch his wife-" "Ex wife!" She sternly interrupted, folding her hands across her chest which seemed more voluminous than Gadreel recalled. Perhaps it was because of the dress she wore. It was exposing quite a lot. Not only was it showing her slender legs that were usually hidden, but it hugged her curves, dispelling every thought one had of seeing Ivory as a lady with a petite form. Her body, it was anything but petite. Especially when it was all exposed by the dress she was wearing. Gadreel’s jaws unconsciously clenched at this. But he willed himself to pay more attention to the words that were being said, rather than what was in front of him.. "Have you forgotten,” Ivory reminded. “I sent divorce papers to you. I told you I don't want this marriage anymore. So technically, I'm no longer your wife." "Technically," Gadreel began, mocking her words. "A divorce agreement is only finalized after signed by two people and sent to the court house for approval and last I checked," Ivory was caught off guard, to the point that she flinched, when he suddenly placed his hand on the wall beside her and leaned in. "I haven't signed shit. So you, Ivory Ødegaar, are my still wife." He hadn't signed the divorce papers? The new information had Ivory feeling curious, but at the same time, annoyed. "Are you kidding me," She began. "So rather than signing those papers, you're out here, stopping me from having my fun. Tell me this, Gadreel, do you not see me as a woman?" He frowned, but remained silent and Ivory carried on. "Do you think I don't have sexual needs to be met. Needs that you obviously can't fulfill. So why keep me tied down in a sexless marriage?" The more she spoke, the more anger seemed to fill Gadreel's eyes. He scoffed, mockingly so. "So you think by Whoring around, you'll get me to fuck you?" The rawness of his words and the look in his eyes, had Ivory flinching. "Sorry to break it to you, but I only have eyes for one person and I don't plan on fucking anyone," His eyes raked over her in a way that made Ivory feel demeaned. She was glad the darkness concealed the redness in her cheeks. "Least of all, the likes of you." It felt as if her heart was just crushed. The words, although she had been anticipating them, were still painful. She bit back her tears and glared at Gadreel. The nerves he had, talking shit to her. "You-" "Huh, Reel?" The voice that cut through her, overshadowing and swallowing her like always, had Ivory freezing. It sounded pleasant, like that of an angel. Ivory would have been fooled, had it not been for the fact that she recognized the voice. And just like her heart had told her, when she looked to the side, she saw Evangeline, ever looking like the beauty doll she was born to be approaching them. All at once, Gadreel's presence in Front of her disappeared and instantly, he was in front of Evangeline, looking down at her with a fondness that made Ivory's heart ache. "Eva, what are you doing out here?" His voice was tender, something Ivory had never heard directed at her. "Asher told me you came out here so I came to find you, but," Her eyes flew from Gadreel to the lady behind him. "Who's she?" Ivory was silent for a few seconds. She bit back a painful laughter from how Ironic this whole thing was. The very woman who had destroyed her life, couldn't ever recognize her. Well, that wasn't much of a surprise, after all, Evangeline had never looked her in the eyes. Ever since they were little, ever since her father introduced her as her 'new sister', Evangeline had always looked at her like she was a nobody, like she was below her. Never once had she looked Ivory in the eyes as an equal. Yet, she had so easily ruined the marriage she worked so hard to build. Biting the inside of her mouth, Ivory calmed herself down and at the same time, decided it was time to leave. She'd much rather walk away now than watch these two act like a crown prince and saintess of some holy empire! As she began walking away, Evangeline watched her every move. She didn't know someone as beautiful as this existed in Paris. And seeing as she had been with Gadreel, Evangeline couldn't help but feel a bit... insecure. So she asked again. "Reel, who is she?" This time, thankfully, Asher, along with his gang had stepped out and the extrovert more than happily answered that question. "She's your sister, Eva. She's Ivory." Evangeline blinked in confusion for a few seconds then gasped. "Ivy, is that really you?" "Just as surprised huh?" Asher started. "I thought she was some big shot celebrity when I saw her." He laughed, but it was clear in his eyes that he was amused, impressed even. "Yeah," Daniel agreed, eyes roaming her body in a way that disgusted Ivory. "I didn't realize that an ugly pig could become so beautiful overnight." "I agree," Mickey said. "If I knew you were this beautiful Ivy, I would have gone after you myself." Everyone else in the group agreed, save for Gadreel who could only but frown at the attention his wife was getting and Evangeline who didn't like not being the center of attention. Her jaw clenched and she spoke without thinking. "You impress me, big sis!" Her words, although not at all offensive looking, carried the usual venom Ivory recognized. "If Asher didn't let me know, I never would have guessed that it was you. But, could you really blame me, everyone here knows how ugly you are." Laughter echoed in their group, all but two people laughed. "And," Evangeline approached. Standing in front of Ivory, she allowed her smile to fade. "What's with your dress style, is this your attempt at copying me?" Ivory opened her mouth to deny it, but immediately shut it. She knew better than to argue with someone like Evangeline. Especially with everyone here backing her and honestly, she wasn't in the mood for much drama. She would have left had it not been for Asher suddenly showing up. "Well even if you are, I won't complain." Evangeline continued. "After all, I heard you and Reel are getting divorced, so obviously, you'll need to find someone to support you, right?" That got a reaction out of Ivory. She frowned. "What?" "Isn't that why you're here?" Evangeline took a step back and smiled, increasing her voice as she said her next words. "To find someone who'd support your lifestyle in exchange for your body, right?" Voice began flying in their small group again, all but two people murmuring about what Evangeline had just said. Asher with an uninterested look and Gadreel with a dark look in his eyes. A small smile broke out on Evangeline's face, feeling like things were going in the direction she wanted. Ivory had tried becoming beautiful, she had tried forgetting her place and position, so, it was only natural that she reminded her of who the real Remington was. Of who Gadreel and everyone's attention truly belonged to! The smile on Evangeline's face, however, only lasted a few seconds, before it was wiped off her face with a clean slap, stunning everyone who was present.