"I repeat, your boss is an absolute lunatic," Ivy said as he settled in the mansion. "Who would actually send half of his security team to look after one person?"

"Ivy, please calm down. You chose this place," Teo reminded as he carried the remaining suitcases inside the mansion. "So Noah has arranged more guards to come as part of the security team."

​​

"Stop talking like Thomas," she grumbled as she grabbed a pillow from the couch and held it tightly. "You know what I mean. Did he have to send so many men? Anyone would think I'm a celebrity"

"Considering the number of guards Thomas had suggested, this is a small amount in comparison. You have a lot of people that care about you and want to keep you safe," Teo replied. He walked to the small kitchen, poured a cup of freshly brewed tea for himself and Ivy. "Besides, if there were only a few guards and Anna found you, we could be in even more trouble. Best to be safe than sorry. Your whereabouts could be easily tracked."

A new guard Ivy hadn't met before who had been listening quietly, came around the sitting area and joined Teo. "Teo is right. As for the number of guards, it could be limited if Thomas came with us but since you requested him to join Noah, he had no choice but to send more guards for your protection."

Ivy looked away guiltily. "I did say I wanted to come here but I didn't think so many preparations needed to be done, the mansion is very well secluded. Plus, I'm almost recovered so there isn't any need for Dr Stewart's team to come with us."

"Ivy please the after-effects of poisoning is serious. That is why Dr Stewart and his team will be on standby should we need them. You'll have to undergo tests daily," Teo said.

"But Dr Stewart said I am making excellent progress in my recovery. Even he is surprised that I could recover so quickly with little to no nerve damage," Ivy argued. She shivered a little, mainly due to the cold but also the thoughts of what could have happened.

The new guard stood up and grabbed a fleece blanket from the bed. "We were lucky that Thomas noticed the symptoms immediately after you were poisoned and took you to hospital. The poison was flushed out quickly, minimizing the after-effects."

Bundling herself in the fleece blanket, Ivy stared at the plush white carpet. "Thanks and I know. I am very grateful," she mumbled.

"No, we should have realized it sooner," Teo said regretfully. He bowed, prompting the new guard to do the same. "If only we weren't so careless, you wouldn't be poisoned."

"Blame it on my foolishness as well. I should have known something wasn't right when James said the drinks were from Noah. I bet Noah had to leave some multi-million-dollar business deal because I was poisoned." She huffed.

"The boss was extremely displeased. You were in so much danger that Dr Stewart nearly lost you on the operating table." The quietness in Teo's voice told Ivy that he had most probably witnessed one of Noah's scariest moments. He sympathized with Teo and Thomas for she knew just how intimidating her lover could be when he was furious.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "It's all my fault… Did Noah give you any hassle about it?"

"No," Teo replied.

Ivy scanned the guard. He was more expressive than Thomas so it was easier to check if he was lying. Since Teo didn't show any signs of strain or distress, she assumed that he was telling the truth.

"Ivy?" Teo asked.

"Yeah?" Ivy looked up and replied.

"Why did you ask Thomas san to go with Noah?" Teo was curious.

Flashback

"Wait, listen to me! If you're facing Anna, I have a request." Said Ivy.

Noah's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Let's hear it."

Ivy pushed her clingy lover away, she then adjusted the sheets of her bed before looking at Noah. "I want Thomas to go with you."

"It is unnecessary." Noah flatly refused.

"It is," Ivy insisted stubbornly. "You're entering the enemy's territory alone!"

Noah cupped Ivy's chin. "I have Aiden with me."

Ivy slapped the hand away. "Compared to the hundreds of men Anna may have, you need more help." Ivy could be just as stubborn as Noah.

Ivy knew Noah could probably handle Anna but if she was as cunning as Aiden had told her, she wouldn't want to risk Noah's safety.

"Why now I am insulted," Noah said, gripping Ivy's chin. He planted a rough kiss on her lips before continuing, "I've seen and handled worst. There is no need for Thomas to come with me. You need more protection than I do."

"I have an army of your guards following me," Ivy said sarcastically before pulling Noah's hand away from her chin again. She guided Noah's hands to his lap, rested her own hand on her lover's. "Take Thomas with you. I rather have him with you than me."

This time Noah's eyes narrowed. "You should know Keiko is mobilizing all her men looking for you. You're in more danger than you think. Pushing Thomas to me isn't wise."

Damn it. Ivy knew Noah wouldn't be easily persuaded. Biting her lower lip, she thought hard. Her lover was stubborn and unless Ivy used certain tactics, it wouldn't work. Slowly, she climbed onto Noah's lap, taking care not to drag the medical tubes with her or she would risk ripping the needle from the back of her hand.

She embraced Noah's neck and pulled him close before kissing him. "Please babe, I promised I'll cooperate with Teo. I'll not escape."

The trick seemed to work for Noah's lips actually curved into a sweet smile.

"You're desperate enough to sit on my lap willingly," he said, wrapping his hand around Ivy's small waist. "All right, I will get Aiden to arrange for Thomas to go with me."

Ivy beamed in response "Thanks, babe." She rested her head on Noah's shoulder. "You know, I hate being romantic but don't go dying on me. I'll be so pissed if you do because I haven't tortured you enough in this lifetime."

End of flashback

"Ivy?" Teo responded.

Ivy snapped out from her thoughts and looked at Teo, who was still waiting for an answer to his question.

I'm worried about Noah's safety. But she wasn't going to admit that in front of Teo. Instead, she gave a smile and told her guards, "—because it's easier to escape from you than Thomas."

"Ivy!"