"What nonsense is this?" Ian snarled at his father, pure hatred flashing across his eyes.

"I'm the chairman and your father Ian. You better watch that tone"

"You don't deserve both titles" Ian hissed. "And I won't let you fire an employee of mine and bring another who is not even qualified to that position"

Chairman cocked his head to the side and gave a malicious smile. "All I have to do is gather the board members to remove you Ian, don't provoke me"

Molten rage sheared through Ian, his eyes blazing, fists clenching turning his knuckles white as he tried to control his temper. But I could see him failing and failing in that. He was on edge. I thought he would punch chairman in the face but instead Ian shot up to his feet and stormed out of the room, his heavy steps echoing in the hallway.

"Well" Chairman turned back to us with a broad smile. "Sorry about the fuss. My son will soon get over it. Anyways, back to the topic. I already found a new VP for the marketing department and this is her" He said gesturing to the woman standing at the door. "I think you might already know her" He gave out a laugh but none of us dared to even smile. "But let's start over shall we?"

He didn't wait for our response as he motioned Lauren to come over.

Lauren stood before us in a black suit contrasting to her almost white blond hair and pale skin. She gave us a half smile. "Hello everyone. I'm Lauren White, your new VP. I belive marketing is a team effort so I look forward to working with all of you"

VP snorted. "What do you know about marketing? What qualifications do you have?"

"Ms. Randall" Chairman gave her a warning look. "I insist you to be more polite"

"Why?" She arrogantly folded her arms across her chest. "Why should I listen to you? You're not my boss anymore. I'll talk however I want"

Everyone sucked in their breaths at her boldness.

Chairman was speechless. "Well true Ms. Randall. But I hope you pack your things and leave today, as soon as possible"

"Of course I was planning on doing that Chairman" She sneered and stood up, her face stoic and chin raised. "Hope you choke on your shriveled dick and die" Then she strode out of the room, leaving us gaping at her.

Damn woman!

Anger flashed in chairman's eyes at the disrespect but he quickly composed himself back. "What a vulgar woman. I guess good riddance then"

No one spoke.

"Lauren will start working with you tomorrow. Continue the campaign with her, use her ideas. And don't disappoint me. I think I said everything I needed to" He smiled. "You're dismissed" Then he stood up and strode out the door.

But still no one moved, no one even breathed as Lauren stood surveying us, one by one. From the corner of my eye I saw her gaze lingering on me more than the others and when I glanced up, she smirked. "See you all tomorrow" Then she followed chairman out the door.

As she went out everyone exhaled a long breath in relief, slumping back in their chairs.

"God, that was so tense" One groaned.

"That old geezer, he barely even comes here. How dare he attack our department?"

"Shut up dude. Do you want to get fired?"

"Hailey" Alan called me. "Can't you do something?"

I scowled. "What can I do?"

"You're a future Kingston"

I rolled my eyes and stood up, Lexi and Brian following me as we walked back to our tables.

Our VP was furiously packing her stuff into a box and no matter what she did to us, I felt bad, really bad.

"I can't believe I waited till she get fired to know her real name" Brian sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Louisa Randall"

"I don't want to work with that Lauren White" Lexi gagged at the name. "She's a homewrecker"

Lexi and Brian talked and talked but my focus was on Ian. He didn't look well when his father threatened him in front of our whole department.

I let out a heavy sigh in exhaustion and collapsed into my chair, closing my eyes.

...

I waited and waited, pacing back and forth in the room but Ian still didn't come home. It was past ten and no sign of him, not even a call. Earlier I thought of giving him space but I can't do that anymore. What if something bad had happened to him? His phone is even turned off.

No no don't think such things Hailey.

Finally mustering up all the courage I had, I gave a call to Daniel.

He picked up.

"Hello Daniel..." My voice trailed off as I heard loud music from the other end. "Daniel, can you hear me?"

"Yes Miss Evans. I can hear you" His voice was muffled by the music.

"Is Ian with you?"

"Yes, Sir is with me"

I let out breath in relief before asking again. "Where are you?"

"We're in a club"

"A club??" I asked in shock. "What's Ian doing there- No, I mean, can you tell me which club it is?"

As Daniel told me I quickly picked up the car keys and ran to the parking. I managed to drive without exceeding the speed limit as worry overwhelmed me. Upon reaching there, I swung open the doors to the club.

Loud music blared through the speakers and disco lights flashed in my eyes almost blinding me. The floor was packed with people grinding against each other, their scent of sweat wafting up my nostrils, making me cringe.

I steered my way through the dancing crowd and spotted Ian sitting on a stool at the bar, holding a glass. Daniel was seated in front of him, worry lines appeared on his forehead.

"Ian" I called and his head turned in my direction.

"Oh you" He gave a lazy smile. "What you doing here? It's not safe for you. There are lot of perverts. Come, I'll protect you" He motioned me to come and I did.

Ian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer, until I was standing in between his legs. He smiled again. "My fiancé is beautiful as always" His words slurred. "So beautiful"

"Are you drunk?" I asked in worry and he shook his head.

"I'm not drunk. I'm perfectly fine" He grinned.

I turned to Daniel and he gave me an apologetic look.

"How long has he been drinking?"

"For hours now"

My eyes widened. "Why didn't you call me?"

"Sir told me not to"

I sighed and turned back to Ian but he leaned his head against my chest and murmured. "How dare he control me? How dare he threaten me? He did the same to Nathan. He controlled him like a-" Ian let out a bitter laugh. "Like a puppet. I don't want to be that person Hailey. I don't"

I ran a hand through his hair, caressing it tenderly, pulling at his soft strands and Ian purred against my chest.

"Ian, can we go home?" I asked softly.

Ian pulled back. "Home?" He asked in amusement, a small smile curling up his lips. "You said home"

"Mmm I said home"

He grinned. "I like it when you say that"

"I'll call it home more often then" I stroked his chin. "Let's go now"

Ian nodded and Daniel helped me to take him to the Prescott's. We carried him to the elevator then Daniel said his good-byes before I went up, Ian's arm over my shoulder and mine around his waist as I held him tightly.

I barely managed to open the door to his penthouse as his entire weight was leaning against me.

"Hailey" Emma came running and I winced.

I had been avoiding her since the slap incident, contemplating whether to give her a second chance or not. But I barely put any thought to it. I just allowed her to work here as a maid and paid her a monthly salary, even gave extra many times and also paid her rent with my own salary but didn't think anything further. Didn't have time to think anything further.

"Let me help him"

"No I can-"

"Just allow me" She then came to other side of Ian and swung his arm around her shoulder, pulling his weight to her.

She brushed a strand of hair off his face and suddenly my chest tightened at the sight of another woman touching him. But I quickly shook off the thought and followed Emma up the stairs to Ian's room.

She carefully laid him down on the bed and her hands reached out to unbutton his shirt but I stopped her.

"Don't"

She glanced up in puzzlement.

"I'll do it" I said.

"Let me do it Hailey"

"No" I shook my head. "I'll do it. You can go"

But she didn't move, she stayed rooted to her spot. "Don't you get what you're doing Hailey?" She asked in a frustrated tone. "You're interrupting my job. Let me do it. Let me take care of him"

My temper sparked. "I'm the one who hired you Emma. Get out of here!" Then I winced realising it came out harsher than I intended to.

But one quick glance at her told me she knew not to mess with me at the moment. And without another word she swiftly moved around the bed and walked past me.

As I heard the front door shut, I walked over to the bed and sat down, removing Ian's shoes and belt first then his tie and unbuttoned his shirt before pulling the covers over him.

"Hailey" He murmured.

"Mmm"

He slowly opened his eyes and a faint smile played in his lips. "You're beautiful"

I smiled. "Go to sleep"

"Alright" He nodded and closed his eyes again.

I stared at him, those thick lashes, those chiseled features, the soft hair and the deep blue eyes beneath those eye lids.

It would kill me if something happened to him.

It would kill me if I see him in anymore pain.

The way his father toys with him, the way he blames himself for his brother's death and Alice's suffering. It kills me.

I just don't want to see him like this.

If I could flung my arms around him and protect him, I would.

I sighed and laid a hand on his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart.

This worry, this care, this urge to see him happy,

Am I falling for you Ian Kingston?