Undressed By His Arrogance

A few minutes till five, the receptionist called to inform Ivy that Mrs Kane was on her way up. Ivy shot to her feet.

Ivy pushed open the door to Winn’s office. "Mr. Kane," she blurted, "your mum is on her way up."

Winn looked up from the file in his hands. "What? Why?" He raked a hand through his hair.

Ivy shrugged, her lips pressing into a thin line. She couldn’t help the sarcastic tilt of her brow. How am I supposed to know? she thought.

"I’ll send her in," Ivy said instead. She paused to calm herself with a deep breath before stepping back into the open floor.

Mrs. Kane was already approaching, her entrance commanding. Anna Kane wore elegance: a blouse the color of ivory cream, pearls that whispered old money, and a pencil skirt. The faintest scent of Chanel trailed in her wake, making Ivy feel suddenly underdressed despite her carefully pressed work attire.

"Mrs. Kane, it’s nice to see you again," Ivy greeted warmly, masking the nerves in her tone. She clasped her hands in front of her.

At that moment, Lydia emerged from Joey’s office across the hall, her tablet tucked under her arm. She caught sight of Anna and hurriedly adjusted her blouse before dipping her head respectfully. "Good evening, Mrs. Kane," she said with a polite smile.

Anna returned Lydia’s greeting with the smallest of smiles before turning her full attention on Ivy. "I told you to stop calling me Mrs. Kane," she said. "Call me Anna. You are to be my daughter-in-law."

Lydia gasped audibly, her hand flying to her chest. She glanced at Ivy, then back at Anna. "What?"

"You haven’t informed anyone yet?" Anna asked.

Ivy swallowed hard, her cheeks heating. She darted a nervous glance at Lydia. Ivy forced a small smile, her lips trembling at the edges. "No," she admitted softly. "We were waiting for the engagement party."

With tentative courage, Ivy reached out and held the older woman’s hand.

"Oh, I’m sorry. Guess I let the cat out of the bag too soon, uhn."

"Mr. Kane will see you now," Ivy said automatically, her professional tone faltering just slightly. Anna brushed it off with a flick of her hand.

"I didn’t come to see him. Lord knows I have to beg before I see my own son. I came to see you. Winn told me you need help with the engagement party."

Ivy’s stomach knotted. For the hundredth time, she asked herself why she was marrying Winn. Sure, the sex was great—Winn knew how to touch her. But what else? Was she really going to trap herself in a marriage built on boardroom strategies and bedroom games, just to help him impress investors?

Tom’s voice echoed in her head. What’s in it for you? He was right, damn him. Maybe she should start asking the tough questions.

Anna’s eyes narrowed, catching the storm that flickered across Ivy’s face. "Are you having second thoughts?" The older woman raised a brow.

"What? No. No... I was just... I mean... never mind." Ivy laughed nervously, a weak sound, and fiddled with the hem of her blouse.

Anna tilted her head. "What has he done?"

"Nothing. He didn’t do anything."

Anna sighed softly,. "You know what. I will see him now." She straightened and marched into Winn’s office.

Ivy trailed behind.

"Anna, he didn’t do anything," Ivy reiterated.

The door swung open. Winn rose smoothly from behind his desk. He crossed the room toward his mother.

"Hey, Mum."

Anna didn’t return his smile. Her necklace gleamed as she leveled her chin at him. "Apologise to her right now!"

Winn blinked. "Why?" He sounded genuinely bewildered.

"I don’t care why," Anna snapped. "I am finally glad you are getting married. I am not going to let you mess it up. Apologise."

"Mum, I didn’t..."

"Apologise!!!"

Winn turned, his gaze finally landing on Ivy. Her arms were akimbo, her chin tilted in defiance, and there was a glint in her eyes that dared him to make it sincere.

"Sorry?"

"Good," Anna announced triumphantly. She turned back to Ivy. "I came here to invite you to lunch tomorrow, so we can hold the engagement this weekend."

"This... this weekend?" Ivy stammered, blinking rapidly. Her heart lurched. This particular weekend? Already? Her brain tripped over the suddenness—was she ready?

"Yes, honey. We don’t want to wait any longer," Anna said warmly, reaching out to squeeze Ivy’s hand. The older woman’s palm was cool but steady, grounding, and Ivy forced a smile she wasn’t sure was hers.

"Mum, you didn’t have to come all the way. You could have called," Winn muttered.

"Nonsense," Anna dismissed with a flick of her wrist. "I was in the neighborhood. I thought to stop by and see my new daughter. Tomorrow, twelve, okay?" She turned fully to Ivy, ignoring her son.

"Of course. If my boss will be able to spare me for an hour." Ivy answered, tilting her chin toward Winn.

"Sure. Take all the time you need," Winn said smoothly.

"Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye, baby." Anna’s voice softened unexpectedly as she leaned in, hugging Winn tightly. She pulled back, and before Ivy could brace herself, Anna swept her into her arms as well, enveloping her in a surprising embrace.

"Oh... okay," Ivy gasped, stiffening for a beat before allowing herself to be held. The hug was unexpected.

Anna waved once more and swept out of the office as regally as she had arrived.

Ivy turned to follow, needing to escape the charged air, but Winn’s voice stopped her. "Ivy?"

"Yes, sir."

"You know I had to ask the hard questions."

"Those weren’t hard questions." She crossed her arms, her blouse straining against her breasts with the movement. "Those were accusatory questions."

"Same thing," Winn argued, raising a brow.

"As my boss, yes...You had every right to question me, to accuse me even. But as a man I am supposed to be marrying in a few weeks—you should give me a little more credit."

"What... what do you mean supposed?"

"It means I am not so sure why I am doing this." Her throat tightened but she forced herself to hold his gaze, refusing to look away from the storm in his eyes. "Why am I marrying you, Winn?"

"This marriage..." she whispered, "...what is it for me? There is clearly no love between us."

"Isn’t there? So why did you say you love me?" Winn asked. His eyes searched her face.

"That..." Ivy’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. "...that was a mistake. It was excitement of the moment."

"A mistake?" Winn repeated. His shoulders stiffened, his entire body coiled.

"I have to get back to work," Ivy said finally. Without waiting for permission, she turned and walked out of the office.

The door closed behind her with a soft thud, leaving Winn in silence. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging roughly at the strands, and sighed so deeply it echoed in his chest. What did he do that was so wrong? To him, trust was fragile glass—once cracked, it could never be mended.

If she wasn’t careless with her sign-in details, there would have been no breach. And yet, somewhere deep down, a quiet whisper accused him.

*****

Ivy arrived home late that night, shoulders aching from the weight of the day. She slipped out of her heels, toes curling into the soft carpet, but her relief was short-lived. She went through her phone and saw messages from Anna with catalogue of engagement dresses.

How did the woman even get her number? Of course, Winn.

With a weary sigh, Ivy padded into her room. She opened the nightstand drawer and there it was: the engagement ring, gleaming under the soft lamplight. She hadn’t worn it since the night Winn proposed, sweeping her onto the rooftop with the city beneath them.

For a moment then, she had felt swept up in the fantasy, kissed dizzy, fucked silly. But now... everything just felt like it was moving too fast.

She lifted the ring, weighing it in her palm. The diamond caught the light, dazzling, expensive, perfect. Everything Winn liked to present to the world. But it felt cold against her skin.

She dropped onto the edge of her bed, sighing as she looked through the pictures again. She thought maybe—just maybe—if she found the right dress, it might soften the edge of doubt slicing through her chest. Something that would feel right with the ring.

She was still browsing, when her phone buzzed. A message popped up on the screen.

Boss: Where are you?

Ivy sighed, sinking back against her pillows. She really didn’t feel like dealing with him right now.

Me: I’m home.

Her thumbs tapped reluctantly.

The reply came instantly, as if he’d been waiting.

Boss: Come outside. Need to show you something.

She stared at the words for a long beat, her brows furrowed. Of course he does. Because the world must revolve on his schedule, not mine. With a frustrated exhale, she slid the ring back into the drawer.