DATING WITH NEW MAN (NINETEEN)

Author Pov

After a long night of sadness and all the laughter that filled the entire back garden, this morning Ivy had returned to her cheerful self. It was as if all her sorrow from yesterday had evaporated in the air and nothing had happened.

Ivy woke up early and opened her wardrobe wide. She chose navy trousers and a navy blazer as her office look today. Then she went to the dressing table and put some light, natural makeup on her face. She felt her aura was better today. There were no dark circles under her eyes. Last night she slept very well. Thank goodness, Ivy thought happily. Last night she had decided to throw away her sadness because she knew that it was all a waste of time. Images of her crying hysterically on Jayde's shoulder, while Axel was fine at home and busy fattening his account, haunted Ivy all night. She then realized that she had done something really stupid for a goddamn guy like Axel Krueger.

"Ms. Ivy, it's time for breakfast."

"Ok. I'll be down in five minutes."

Ivy quickly grabbed her handbag and moved to the shoe rack to choose heels. Today she won't wear heels that are too high because she will probably drive herself. Who knows. Jayde shouldn't be able to work full time today because he's going on a date with Rachel.

Five minutes later Ivy came into the dining room with a more cheerful vibes. Her dad was already seated at the dining table and was reading the electronic newspaper from his tablet. Yeah, thanks for a very sophisticated digital era. Now her dad doesn't need to subscribe to newspapers anymore and his maids don't have to throw away piles of old newspapers every month.

"Good morning Dad."

"Morning. I'm glad to see you're upbeat this morning and ready to go to work."

Ivy just smiled faintly in response to her dad's words while spreading chocolate jam on the surface of her bread. This morning she decided to only have bread for breakfast because she had plans to go to Danise Parker's convenience store.

Last night she had decided to herself not to complicate things too much and just to get on with her life before her wedding day. It's sick if she keeps thinking about her future fate with Axel that is not clear. All of that will actually hurt her and stress her out, while she still has a lot of things to do.

"I don't think I need to be sad for too long. Won't that affect your decision to marry me to Axel, right?"

"He's the only good guy for you."

"Yeah, I hope so too," Ivy replied nonchalantly.

Abraham just stared at his daughter in silence and returned to his breakfast. He knew what was best for his daughter, so he didn't have to listen to any protests that escaped Ivy's lips.

"Today come to Axel's house. You should thank them for all the kindness they give. Jonathan has called me this morning that your wedding plans are postponed."

"Did Axel say something to you?"

"No. He didn't tell me anything. It was Jonathan who told me that your wedding would be postponed. Is there any problem?"

"Don't worry. There's no problem between us. I only begged for a postponement of the wedding because I wasn't ready. Luckily Jonathan Krueger granted my wish. Doesn't he understand me better than my own dad?"

Abraham growled softly at his daughter's impolite words. The first time Ivy had said that to him. Ivy had always been his sweet little girl, and she had never contradicted him one bit.

"What do you mean by saying that, Ivy?"

"Isn't it obvious, dad?"

Ivy put the piece of bread in her mouth and chewed it slowly. She also added a sweet smile to her dad who was looking at her with a frown.

"Be nice to Axel's parents. So far they have been very good to you. Bring Lindsay some flowers when you visit her house this afternoon. Lindsay loves orchids."

"Noted. I will buy the most beautiful orchids for my future mother-in-law."

Inwardly Ivy sighed lazily. Why would she buy flowers for Lindsay Krueger who was so clearly not on her side? Better she save her money to give food to the beggars she often meets along the way to her office.

When Ivy was getting lazy to eat her half of her bread, the corner of her eye suddenly caught Jayde's figure walking through the dining room. She then put down her bread and decided to head to the office right away. Better not to be trapped at the dining table with her daddy any longer. She felt she couldn't act in front of her daddy for too long, as if she was happy with his plans to marry Axel Krueger.

"Dad, I have to go to the office now. There's some paperwork I need to finish this morning before I hand it over to Adam Morrison. You don't mind if I go now right?"

"Of course not. But from now on you have to limit your closeness with Jayde."

Ivy narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Her dad had never been like this before.

"Why should I stay away from Jayde? I mean, how come? Isn't Jayde my driver?"

"I know. Be reasonable when you are with Jayde. Don't get too close to him."

"Dad, you're funny. After you arranged my marriage to Axel, do you now also regulate who can and can't be close to me?"

"Just take my word for it. It's for your own good. You have to protect Axel's feelings as your future husband."

Ivy growled inside. Again because of Axel. She didn't know what the man had done to make her dad so infatuated with him. Maybe Axel had put a spell on her dad's voodoo doll so that her dad would only submit to him.

"Okay. I understand."

Ivy didn't want to prolong this morning's argument with her dad. She quickly kissed her dad on the cheek and walked away following Jayde who was waiting for her at the front door.

"Hey, why the rush?"

"I can't stand sitting with my dad for long."

"You haven't even finished your breakfast," Jayde muttered under his breath as Ivy pulled his hand towards the car.

"Don't say much anymore, Jayde. Let's go. You drive me over to work."

"Shouldn't I usually take you to work?" Jayde raised his eyebrows in confusion."

"I was thinking about driving myself to work because you were going on a date with Rachel. But now my mood is ruined because of my dad. I'm too lazy to drive myself to work."

"I have no problem driving you to work. Are you sure you're going to the office so early?"

"We'll stop by Danise's convenience store before going to work."

"So you're serious about your plan to approach that guy?" Jayde fastened his seat belt and glanced at Ivy in the rearview mirror.

"Didn't you agree last night with my plan to approach Danise?"

"Yes, but isn't it too soon? I mean you haven't even thought of your strategy."

"You are wrong. I've been thinking about everything last night. I'm so ready to carry out my plans. Come on, don't ask too many questions. I was upset this morning."

"Tsk, you really are terrible. Earlier I even saw you shining so brightly when walking down the stairs. And now the cheerful aura on your body has turned somber."

"How could I not be annoyed? Dad told me to come to Axel's parents' house and bring Lindsay Krueger her favorite orchid."

"Then what's the problem?" Jayde asked indifferently. The traffic light in front of him turned red, Jayde stopped the car and looked back to see Ivy who was folding her arms over her chest.

"The problem is that I have to pretend to be nice in front of them, and I don't want to. Pretending to be nice is really tiring, you know?"

"Yes it is. But you have to do it, right? For your dad's sake. And your future."

Jayde grimaced seeing Ivy's shabby face. At least he had given Ivy a good reason to go to Axel's parents' house.

"Now I'm getting sick of the excuses. For my dad's sake? Tsk, even my dad never thought about me. Hurry up Jayde, the driver behind you started honking."

Jayde wanted to say something, but the sound of the horn behind him grew louder and louder. There was no other choice but to lock his lips tightly and save the question for later.

For the rest of the trip none of Jayde and Ivy spoke. Jayde, realizing Ivy's annoyance at her dad's decision. This time he let Ivy think about her own problems, and he didn't interfere as usual because he wanted Ivy to be more resilient in dealing with her problems. Lately Ivy has become more spoiled by him after they agreed to be friends. He didn't want Ivy to continue to depend on him, and their life would soon not be the same as it used to be. Ivy would, of course, be living with Axel after the wedding, and he would still be in the main house with Rachel.

He already had his own plans after Ivy got married because he was automatically no longer needed in the house as a driver. He would probably marry Rachel and move out of Abraham Milano's house to set up his own business. He has savings from the money Ivy gives him every month for his salary. Gradually he will think about what business suits him so he will not be a driver forever.

"Why are you silent? You never let this car get quiet."

Ivy finally spoke after they had been stuck in silence for quite a while. Jayde glanced at Ivy's face through the rearview mirror, and shrugged nonchalantly in response.

"Just didn't want to bother you when you're upset."

"Yeah, I'm really pissed off right now. And I'm getting annoyed because you just silent since earlier. Do something to cheer me up."

"Something like what? Dancing in a clown costume in front of you?"

"Try it now, I'd love to see you and laugh till my stomach hurts," Ivy said sarcastically.

"Hey, why are you so angry? I'm not the one who pissed you off. You shouldn't take your frustrations out on me."

"Yeah, but you're annoying. So I deserve to vent my anger on you."

"Stop being so childish. You're grown up now. You will marry and be a wife."

"Shut up! Don't ever say that in front of me again."

Ivy glared fiercely through the rearview mirror, knowing that Jayde was also looking at her while suppressing the laughter that was about to burst out of his mouth.

"We have arrived, Princess. Please meet your new prince candidate."

"I will gladly meet him."

Ivy slammed her car door hard because she was annoyed by all the annoying innuendos Jayde was throwing at her. All of her positive aura left her body because of Jayde. Even though she had suggested herself before breakfast so that she would not be affected by any bad things she encountered today. But unfortunately she failed to maintain her positive aura.

"Hi good morning."

"You? Ohh hi.." Danise answered Ivy's greeting awkwardly. He immediately stood up from behind the cash register to greet Ivy who smiled very sweetly at him.

"Sorry, I was just surprised you came here so early."

"I want to buy something. By the way this store is very clean and tidy, did you come early in the morning to clean everything up?"

"It's just part of the habit."

Danise scratched the back of her neck that didn't itch with a shy face. Ivy had no idea that a man could blush so cutely like Danise. It made her want to pinch Danise's cheeks right now. Unfortunately she couldn't do that.

"By the way what can I do for you?"

"Well, I'd like an iced americano and some snacks."

"Your iced americano will be ready in a few minutes. My uncle will make it for you. You can choose your favorite snacks on the shelves there."

"Where are you going?" Ivy looked at Danise in confusion from head to toe.

"It's my first day working at Star Corp."

"Is that true? Waahh.. congratulations to you. I'm pleased to hear it."

Ivy pretended to be happy and congratulated Danise. In fact, she had known from the start that Danise would work for her dad's company. She was really stupid earlier because she had forgotten that this was Danise's first day working in her office.

"Thank you, I also did not expect to be accepted at that company. This is my dream."

"We can go to the office together. I happen to have a car. It will get you to the office quicker and you won't have to jostle with people on the subway." Ivy tries to convince Danise who looks reluctant with her offer.

"Okay. Wait a moment, I'll ask my uncle to make your order."

Ivy smiled contentedly. She had successfully executed the first step. It only takes a few more steps to get Danise into her plan to annul her marriage to Axel.

"Here's your coffee. Sorry for making you wait so long."

"It's ok. I've already picked out some snacks."

To be honest Ivy didn't intend to buy anything. She just caught random snacks arranged on a shelf near the counter and paid for the snacks with his coffee.

"Good. Shall we go now?"

"Of course. Did you drive yourself?"

"Not. I'm with my driver. What is it?"

"Nope. Maybe I can drive if you drive yourself. I can't let a woman drive to work while I'm hitching a ride."

Ivy suddenly felt her heart melt. Never before had she met a man who thought of her condition and was willing to switch places with her. This was a very good indication of the progress of her plans. Danise is the true gentleman that she has been looking for all this time.

"Come in. You will meet my driver."

Jayde frowned when Ivy suddenly put a man in her car. Of course he was surprised because Ivy had never done this before. Forcing a man into her car, that's not Ivy's style.

"He is Jayde, my driver."

Jayde glanced at Ivy briefly, intending to ask her for an explanation. But Ivy just ignored him and acted as if nothing had happened between them.

Shit, she didn't replied to me.

"I'm Danise Parker, nice to meet you."

"Yes, so do I."

"Jayde, we're leaving now. We're too late."

Ivy arrogantly told Jayde to drive them to work. Ivy didn't look at him in the rearview mirror when he spoke to her. It seems Ivy is still mad at him for not being able to help her out of her troubles.