Thomas opened his door and then ran around the front of the car to her side and opened her door. The bright lights flashed and blinded Ivy as the cameras flashed. She stepped out of the car and it was almost as if time stood still and she was back two years ago. When she had pretended to be anything her father wanted, now she only wanted to stand on her own two feet.

Though a lot had changed she had started this restaurant with her best friend, she had invested in properties with Tony and she no longer listened to others opinions and criticism. She lived freely with the man she loved.

​​

Then she saw Jamie in a prominent place in the crowd of paparazzi and gave him a knowing smile.

She had every man in the room captivated by her beauty. Her long curly hair danced as she walked into the restaurant. Her dress accentuated her sexy curves to show a celestial yet poisonous aura.

The phrase willingly die under the peony came to many peoples minds when they saw her.*

She looked up at the sign above the restaurant.

'The Ivy'

Who told Pierce to name it after her, she would kill him after the restaurant opening. It was too late to change the name now she thought.

Thomas walked by her side after the paparazzi had finished their photos. It wouldn't be good to be in the news as Ivy's boyfriend, he shuddered at the thought, his boss would surely kill him.

"Nice name," Thomas whispered in her ear.

"I'm going to kill him."

Ivy gave a smile to Thomas that showed she had bad intentions towards her best friend.

"Oh."

Thomas smiled at that, she would surely beat up her best friend tonight. She never wanted the spotlight on her but him instead and Thomas had realised that Pierce felt the same way.

Thomas stood back to take in the room to look for possible dangers and any people with ill intentions, his boss had given him a death glare that would freeze hell earlier and told him to take care of Ivy.

A waiter passed by and Ivy took the offered champagne and took a sip as she walked around the room. She swayed as she walked greeting the necessary people and making small talk with her business contacts. She finished her champagne and took another glass as the waiter passed by again and giving him her empty glass. She turned her head and saw Cole.

"Ughh."

She rolled her eyes and made a quick turn to quickly walk the other way.

"Ivy... Ivy... wait."

Ivy turned and gave him an indifferent smile knowing he would see her insincerity.

"Evening and welcome to The Ivy I hope you enjoy your evening. I just have a few guests to greet, so please excuse me."

With her reply being distant and polite Cole frowned, why does she put so much distance between them he wondered.

"Ivy you are stunning tonight, give me one more chance."

"Go back to Lauren, she doesn't mind your philandering with random women as long as you give her pretty clothes and jewellery."

"Ivy I am sorry about Lauren. Since I got with Lauren after you... I confess I have been with other women but they mean nothing in comparison to you."

Ivy smiled smugly, he's a dog she thought.

"Yes your right none of them have my business acumen or financial capital and most importantly none of them will tell you to go fuck yourself you useless dog in heat."

"IVY."

Cole was furious at Ivy's name-calling and he also hated her for being right. He chased after her breath-taking body.

She wished to escape and walked through the crowd draining her champagne and taking another from a waiter.

"Ivy."

Ivy turned and saw her dad. She returned his smile, after being with her grandparents she felt more enthusiastic about family. Her dad after all has always been loving and loyal to his wife. He just had some bad habits, but who doesn't.

"Hi, Dad."

Victor looked confused but smiled even wider he was happy she seemed sincere in her greeting towards him. Maybe she had forgiven him.

"Congratulations on your restaurant, you opened it with your friend right? I will let my business associates know and come here often to support."

"Thanks, Dad, that would be great. I'm glad you like the place so much."

Victor froze at her words, he hoped their relationship was on the mend. His hand slightly shook as he raised it to rub her shoulder. Unlike before she didn't flinch instead, she leaned in and hugged him and he froze again before he embraced his daughter back.

Ivy hugged her dad which she hadn't done since before her mother passed. She had grown up and her resentment for him had faded. After visiting her grandparents and facing a near-death experience had made her heart soften towards her dad. They pulled away from each other and she saw a genuine smile on her fathers face.

"It was your birthday not long ago, I am sorry I missed it. I have a gift for you... if you would come back home I'd like to do dinner together?"

Ivy nodded in agreement, she would ask Noah to go with her.

"Yes, whenever we have time."

"Okay, go ill not hold you up from greeting your guests."

"Sure thank you,"

She then walked away and bumped into Thomas who looked shifty.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, where are you going?"

"Bathroom, why?"

"Nothing, all good, go."

Ivy thought he was being sus but she ignored her thoughts and walked to the bathroom.

*The phrase willingly dies under the peony is a saying based on a myth. The peony is tied to a nymph named Paeonia. Paeonia is beautiful and attracts the attention of Apollo, who begins to flirt with her. Apollo was caught being a bit naughty and flirting with the nymph named Paeonia, behind Aphrodite's back. Of course, Aphrodite got a little bit upset by this and turned the nymph into a peony.