“Get her out of there! That shit better not go live!” Silas shouted, charging toward the director seated in a black chair.
The director raised a hand, pulling his headset from his ear to his neck. “It’s live, sir. We can’t just stop mid–production.”
“I don’t care!” Silas snapped.
He knew Rita Stanford was a conniving woman, but he hadn’t expected such a stunt–right during a live broadcast.
“Silas, Silas,” Sharon Wells called, almost running after him. She was the news producer and a good friend of his.
He spun around, anger rising in his chest. “What, Sharon? Stop that broadcast now,” he demanded before she could speak.
Sharon held his arms, guiding him gently away from the cameras. “Take it easy, Silas.”
“No, I won’t,” he said firmly, though he wasn’t shouting anymore.
“See, she’s doing just fine,” Sharon said, gesturing towards Ivy.
Despite his anger, Silas turned to watch Ivy. Her expression was now steady, she was looking composed as she calmly answered questions. He could see the stunned look on Rita’s face and hear the quaver in Luke’s voice.
Yes, Ivy was handling it well–but still.
He turned to Sharon, who was staring at Ivy and smiling genuinely. His jaw tightened. “I don’t appreciate Rita’s diversion.”
“I understand,” Sharon nodded, taking her eyes off Ivy. “Rita can be a bit… too much, but she’s the best at what she does. This was unplanned and I must say quite unprofessional.”
“Very unprofessional,” Silas added.
“But,” Sharon continued. “She knows how to keep everybody talking.”
Silas arched his brow. “What do you mean by that?”
Sharon snapped her fingers, and a young lady ran up to her with a tablet. She scrolled on it, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Here,” she said, handing him the tablet.
Silas’s confusion intensified. “What am I looking at?”
“We have almost eight million viewers tuned in right now, watching your wife,” Sharon stated confidently, her voice brimming with pride. “That’s three times the number we pull on Entertainment Today. It’s our biggest viewership ever.”
Silas still wasn’t impressed as he returned the tablet without another glance. “Doesn’t change the fact that Rita ambushed her. She put my wife on the spot, I don’t like that.”
Sharon turned to him, and lightly tapped his shoulder. “You’ve always been a stubborn man, Silas Stone, but I apologize. I’m sorry Rita put your wife in that position.”
Silas felt his anger ease at Sharon’s apology. He turned towards the podium where Ivy was now smiling, Luke was asking a question and Rita still looked unsettled.
He zoned out of the ongoing discussion as Aaliyah waved at him. He walked over to her, noticing she’d already packed her stuff. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes,” she smiled. “Thank you again, Silas. For the job–for everything.”
“You’re most welcome.” He smiled back at her.
Aaliyah nodded, her eyes shifting to Ivy. “You’ve got one hell of a woman there.”
“Yeah,” Silas smirked, feeling pride warming his heart. Ivy had handled that interview better than he had expected, and he couldn’t help but be proud of her.
“Stop smirking.” Aaliyah laughed, jerking him playfully.
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11:54 AM
Chapter 47
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He laughed, just as Sharon approached them. Her eyes glimmered with something dangerous, and her mouth twisted in displeasure.
“What is she doing here?” Sharon demanded, gesturing to Aaliyah.
Silas noticed Aaliyah stiffened. He held a hand up. “She’s with me.”
“I can’t have her on my set. Strict orders.” Sharon’s voice was sharp.
Silas’s eyes narrowed. “Whose?”
“Mr Salvatore’s,” Sharon said, folding her arms.
Aaliyah gasped. “I have to go, Silas.”
“Wait,” Silas said, trying to stop her, but it was too late. Aaliyah had already dashed out of the studio. He turned to Sharon, anger in his eyes. “I don’t like how you spoke to my friend.”
Sharon shrugged, looking unfazed. “Just following orders.” Then, her tone changed. “Ms. Stone. So lovely for you to join us.”
Silas turned towards Ivy.
Her green eyes met his, calm but curious. “Nice to meet you too,” she said calmly to Sharon.
“I am Sharon Wells, the producer in charge. Your interview was great!” Sharon exclaimed. “Well done.”
Ivy nodded. “Thank you,” she turned to Silas. “What happened? Are you okay?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” he nodded and managed a small smile. “You were awesome.”
“Thank you,” she repeated, though she looked like she wasn’t fully convinced.
“Ms Stone,” Rita Stanford called, walking over to them.
Before she reached them, Ivy touched Silas’s arm lightly. “Can we leave?”
“Of course.” Without hesitation, Silas led her out of the studio.
“We’ll talk, Silas,” Sharon called after them.
Once they entered the car, Ivy sighed, slipping out of her heels.
“That was intense. I never want to do that again,” she murmured, leaning into the seat.
“And you won’t,” Silas assured her, his hand brushing her thigh gently.
She stiffened at his touch, clearing her throat. “Thanks.”
Silas smiled faintly and looked away. He was pleased his touch still drove her crazy.
“Why didn’t Rita stick to the questions written?” Ivy asked after a moment.
“She’s just being a reporter,” Silas replied with a shrug. “They are messy like that, don’t worry–I’ll handle her.”
Ivy bit her lip and nodded. “I think I saw…. Aaliyah leave.”
The hitch in her tone made him oddly pleased. It wasn’t that he enjoyed her being jealousy, but it revealed a sort of emotion–one she was probably not ready to admit.
“Sharon didn’t want her on set,” he answered, feeling his anger return. He was mad at Sharon and Mr Salvatore for their decisions.
“Oh,” Ivy murmured.
“She’s going through a tough time, but she’ll overcome it,” he added. Assuring her, assuring himself.
The rest of the ride was quiet, except for small talks. When they got home, he helped her out of the car.
“We have dinner at Thomas’s house by 8,” he informed her as they walked inside.
2/3
11:54 AM
Chapter 47
“Alright,” Ivy smiled.
He nodded and headed to his bedroom. He didn’t watch her leave; he knew if he did, he might lose control, knew he might just follow her to her room and do nasty things to her.
He remembered her touch, the shivers it sent, and then the pain of rejection when she left. He shook his head as he entered his room, hoping to push the thoughts away.
As he sat behind his table, he sent Rachel a text message, expecting feedback on the interview, and arranging a meeting with Sharon to discuss Rita’s unprofessionalism. If they were going to continue working together, everybody had to follow the rules.
Afterward, he showered and dressed for dinner. He was waiting by the stairs when Ivy descended.
She looked angelic in a baby–blue gown, and his stomach immediately knotted,
“So beautiful,” he murmured, watching her blush.
“Thank you,” she replied softly.
“Ready?” He asked and she nodded.
He led the way outside, where Victor had the car’s engine running. Inside the car, he tried his best to keep a healthy distance between them, even though every part of him longed to touch her.
When they arrived at Thomas’s house, Silas helped her out of the car and, without thinking, planted a kiss on her lips.
Her eyes lit with surprise, her cheeks turned red.
“I couldn’t help it,” he chuckled, helping her inside.
When he opened Thomas’s door, he found Rosie seated on the couch, her eyes red with tears.
Silas’s heart plummeted. “What’s wrong, Rosie?”
Rosie rushed into his arms, sobbing. “I lost the baby again.”
Again?
Sila’s heart pounded. He didn’t know his brother was trying for a baby.
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