IVAN’S POV

I clenched my fists in anger as I watched the constant ringing of my phone. The shrill, annoying sound definitely succeeded in ruining my mood further. Tired of the sound, I switched off the phone and threw it on the table harshly. Christian came in at that moment.

“We have taken the news down but it has already spread wild. Everyone now thinks you are a cheating bastard.” Christian snickered.

A hard glare was what he got in response but it didn't scare him a bit. Anyone else would have pissed in their pants, but not Christian. After all, he was my best friend.

“Who was the journalist that released it?” I asked, trying to stay rational and ease the bloodlust brewing in me. The realization that all my carefully thought-out plans were ruined overnight did nothing to alleviate the wrath I feel about the situation.

“A pretty lady called Reign Abbot.” Christian replied, making the most of the situation to piss me off. “Don't be pissed at her though. It definitely looked like you were kissing someone else from whatever angle she took the picture from. She is a skilled photographer, I must say.”

“Do you want to die?” I growled.

Christian laughed. “Come on, this will pass in a while. You just have to give them something new to gossip about.”

I messaged my forehead and sighed. I have not had a single moment of rest since that news broke out in the morning. I had just finished my workout routine and showered when my phone started ringing incessantly and I was hit with the dumbest news ever.

I was caught kissing a woman, while engaged to another.

It was laughable, really. People must assume I had a lot of time on my mind to entertain not one woman but several. I had more pressing issues to worry about. I had a damn cage to get out of.

That damn reporter! I sneered

“Has Melanie said anything?” Christian asked, taking a seat, since he seemed like he would be here for a while.

“I've not heard from her.” I shrugged. “She should be logical enough to know it's not true though. I barely have time for her, where then could I have found the time to go frolic with someone else?” I said, convincing myself. She would understand. She had to understand.

“Well, she could think you don't have time for her because you are with someone else.” Christian smirked. I wanted nothing more than to beat it out of his face.

“I am more worried about the stocks right now.”

“Don't worry too much. It's stable at the moment but you have the shareholders meeting in 10 minutes, I think you should worry more about that instead.” Christian said, scrolling through the tablet in his hand.

“Those old geezers are gonna milk the fuck out of this situation.” I groaned. “What about my father?”

“No word from him yet.”

My eyebrows raised in question. That was really weird and out of character for him. Usually ,he would be screaming my head down, reminding me of how incompetent I was. I already had a lot to worry about so I pushed it to the side. I ran my hand through my dark locks, irritated that everything seemed to be out of my control.

I stood up and grabbed my suit from the hanger and my phone. “Let's go.”

Christian nodded and trudged behind me. The clacks of our shoes rhythmic as we walked down the corridor to the conference room. My hands slipped into my pocket, embracing the nonchalant facade that I was known for. Not even a crack could be seen betraying the turmoil that I felt inside.

The conference room was full when I arrived and I almost laughed at how punctual they were. They all stood up when I walked in and it made me feel powerful, gradually easing all the tension in me.

That's right. I am Ivan Hamilton. It would not be that easy to bring me down.

I sat down and waited for them to settle down as well and start firing unnecessary opinions and they did just that.

“Mr Hamilton, the news about your infidelity has spread everywhere. Public opinion is not on our side right now,” one of them said.

“I would not blame you for cheating, Mr Hamilton, after all, it is in a man's nature to cheat. The only thing you did wrong here was to get caught.” Another one added.

That caught my attention and my eyes landed on the geezer that had said that. For someone with a gradually balding palate and overweight build, he sure has a lot of confidence.

“Interesting,” I smirked, “you must cheat on your wife a lot then.”

“I–” He started.

“Just because you are rotten inside out does not mean the rest of us also disrespect our spouse.” I snarled, resisting the urge to snatch him up from where he was sitting and pummel him to the ground till his member would never rise for any other woman aside from his wife.

“There is evidence that you are the same,” he refuted, his face red, either from anger or shame.

“Listen to me. To avoid more stupid opinions like that, I would only say this once.” I said, making eye contact with as many of them as I could. “I, Ivan Hamilton, have never cheated, not that day, not today and not ever.”

I held up my hand when some of them opened their mouths to speak. “I would not be interrupted.” I warned, glaring darkly at them. I hummed in satisfaction when they glanced at each other in terror.

“This was just a case of bad reporting and I would sort it out, like I always do while you all sit your ass at home, like you always do too. Understood?” I declared. I stood up and left without waiting to confirm if they did or not.

“Well, that was shorter than expected.” Christian mumbled.

“Let's go get my fiance.” I said, heading for the elevator instead of the office. “Her silence is bothering me.” That of my father too but I did not say it out loud. “Any idea where she is?”

“According to her schedule that you had me get instead of just asking her about her whereabouts like a normal person, she should be in Platinum Palace right now.” Christian said.

I ignored his jab. “What room number?”

“Room 1155.”

*********************************************************

I rasped my knuckles three times on the other before returning it to its place in my pocket. I did not have to wait too long as the door opened and the familiar figure of Melanie appeared.

She was dressed in a simple sundress that accentuated her small waist. Her feet were bare, making her look really homey. She was a beautiful woman but that was where my appreciation ended. She did not cause stirs in my loins or my heart. I was my usual self with her. Calm and collected. However, I needed her and couldn't let her go.

“Hi.” She greeted me, lightly twirling whatever was in the flute she was holding.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure, it's not like we can speak at the door anyways.” she replied, pulling the door wider for me to step in.

“It is a surprise to see you but then again, it is not considering the rumors flying around.” Melanie said, as we made our way to the couch. “I can't even remember the last time I saw you.”

“Well, yeah.” I murmured, wondering where to start. I hardly remember us having any conversations, at least deep ones. “You know the rumors are not true, right?”

She chuckled and took her sweet time drinking before replying. “I am not sure what to think. It doesn't really matter whether it's true or not.”

“It's not true.”

She hummed and stood up. “Do you want a drink?”

I nodded and watched her trudge to the kitchen to get an additional glass. She joined me once again and filled it with champagne before stretching it out to me. I thanked her and accepted the flute.

“Your answers are quite vague. I don't know what to make out of it.” I took a sip of my drink.

“Well, I am glad you came to find me before I could. You know the circumstances surrounding our engagement so I am not surprised you would do something like this.” she shrugged.

“I said I did not.” I growled.

She laughed. “No need to get so defensive. I won't beat around the bush anymore. Let's break our engagement.”

*********************************************************

I pulled the door open and stalked out, not caring about the loud bang it gave as it closed. I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to drive them against the wall and make it collapse like all my expectations.

I could feel the walls closing around me once again, trapping me in and making me feel powerless. No. I won't go down that easily. I pulled my phone out of my suit pockets and called Christian. He had stayed downstairs when I came up.

“What's up, man? Did she understand?” Christian asked.

“I don't care how you do it but book me a room in this hotel and get that damn reporter here.”