Fourty five

I woke up the next morning feeling anything but refreshed. Sleep had eluded me despite my best efforts. I'd tried everything short of drinking myself into oblivion, but even the thought of that was unappealing. Ivy had been practically glued to me all night, and for once, I didn't even feel inclined to seek solace in alcohol. There was something about the way she clung to me that made me reluctant to disturb the fragile tranquility of her sleep.

We had to return to the mansion around noon today, but before that, I needed to ensure Ivy was well enough to make the journey. My mind was also preoccupied with the matter of whoever had dared to pull that stunt last night. Kai had managed to gather some preliminary information from his team; it turned out the culprit was a resort staff member, one foolish enough to believe I wouldn't find out. It was evident that this person wasn't acting alone, though their motives remained frustratingly obscure.

Determined to check on Ivy once again, I found myself standing in the doorway of my room. The sight of the ruffled sheets told me she had left the bed recently. The warmth of the fabric under my fingers confirmed it. The faint sound of running water from the bathroom caught my attention, and I walked over to the door, which was slightly ajar. I could see her back through the narrow gap.

"Ivy?" I called out.

The sound of her thoughts processing was almost audible as she turned around. My gaze lingered on her as she faced me. Her brown hair was a chaotic mess, reminiscent of a bird's nest, and her eyelids were slightly swollen, though still carrying a certain charm. Her lips, no longer as pale as they had been the previous night, added a hint of color to her otherwise weary appearance. I found a strange sense of satisfaction in seeing her looking less fragile, more vibrant.

Her eyes, wide and a bit sheepish, met mine. "I… um, I didn't mean to… you know, take over your bed like that," she stammered. The tips of her ears peeked out from her disheveled hair, flushed a deep red. Her embarrassment was palpable, and I couldn't suppress the hint of amusement in my eyes.

"Take over my bed?" I asked, my brows furrowing in feigned confusion. I found myself enjoying this interaction more than I should have. 

Her gaze darted toward the door as if plotting her escape. "I'll just go now—thanks for, uh, everything."

I felt an unexpected urge to reassure her, perhaps to ease my own discomfort as well. "Ivy, relax. It's fine. You were feverish," I said, my tone softer than I had intended. I noticed her eyes widening in disbelief, and I struggled to contain the smirk that threatened to appear.

"Seriously, you don't have to run away." I gestured toward the bed. "I just came back to check on you."

"Well, I'm better now," she muttered, taking a step toward the door. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, giving her an almost comical appearance.

"Good to know. But seriously, you don't need to feel embarrassed. We've all had rough nights." I had my own share of nightmares and sleepless nights, but I didn't see any point in bringing that up.

"Not like this," she said, her eyes locking onto mine. "Well, I'm better now," she repeated, her voice firmer this time.

I followed her movements as she tried to leave the room. "Ivy, it's fine. You don't need to make a scene out of this. You were unwell. It's not exactly an ideal situation for anyone."

"I just didn't expect to wake up to you standing in the bathroom doorway," she admitted, her voice carrying a note of apology. "I'm not exactly good with… you know, these kinds of situations."

"I understand. It's not something I'm particularly experienced with either," I confessed. "But it's done. You're feeling better, and that's what matters."

She managed a weak smile, looking slightly more at ease. "Thanks, Alex. I'll, um, get out of your way now."

As she moved toward the door, I cleared my throat, trying to alleviate the awkwardness. "Ivy, just so you know—there's no need to avoid me. It's not like you intentionally put me in an awkward position."

"I appreciate that," she replied, her tone almost apologetic. "I'll try not to make a habit of this."

I nodded, offering a curt smile that likely looked more alien than reassuring. "Good. And if you need anything else, just let me know."

She nodded quickly and made a hasty exit, her movements almost frantic as she dashed out of the room. Watching her flee like that was both perplexing and oddly endearing. She was a peculiar individual, that much was certain.