LOVE OR LUST?

chapter 1(The meeting)

              She walked hurriedly towards the black Jeep in front of the huge beautifully decorated hall. Immediately two hefty men came out of the Jeep and were undoubtedly bodyguards . She stopped abruptly and turned her head backward realizing she was still being trailed.
            Her gaze turned back to the Jeep and saw a tall man in suit coming down.
His dressing showed confidence and instantly an idea stuck her.
        As the man closed the door,she quickly ran to him, holding his arm firmly.'hey,ma'am!you can't do that.' One of the bodyguards said. 'Darling,I'm so sorry for delaying you. I could not get a cab on time.' She said to the unknown man whose face she couldn't even see in the dark. She wondered if her so called smart plan could save her from those thugs.                                                                                        ' Darling ?but i........ Before he completed his sentence,she stood on her toes and gave the man an unexpected kiss. The bodyguards seeing they needed privacy moved away from them. She looked behind the man who she had held in her magical kiss and saw that the men trailing her has left thinking that was her lover or fiance.
    She released the surprised but confused man and turned not in the mood to answer questions.'Hey! Who are you?' The Man asked. 'I'm so sorry mister, but that was required ,I  have to go now'. She replied and took a step forward but he held her right hand tightly.  ' who sent you here?who are you?'.
  Seeing the turns of event,his bodyguards ran back to them.  'If  you  are so desperate to.......    ' please,I needed that, just let me go!'
She screamed angrily and at the same time,tears falling from her eyes. She snatched her hand from him and ran off, sobbing.
   ' No,stop.We came here for a very important event not chasing an insane woman'. He said as his bodyguards wanted to follow the lady. They nodded and he took a last look at the lady as she took a curve and then,they walked into the bubbling building with his alert bodyguards.
     
   

  ' And the award goes to miss Ivy Ashby!' He proclaimed and clapping of hands filled the air. A lady stood up, beaming as she walked up the stage with an aura of confidence. He gazed at the lady and studied her dressing. She wore a blue crystal gown which showed her fair back,her blonde hair was rolled up in  a bun. Her back was turned to the audience as walked up the platform.
  He received a tap on his shoulder and turned his head to the side immediately.' Mr jones wants to have a private chat with you boss.' His PA said.' Where is he?' He asked.
' At the terrace outside' He replied and his boss stood up,his guards followed him as he walked outside.
    Ivy could not believe her eyes. This was always what she ever wanted,to be appreciated and loved by everyone. Her dreams came true and she thanked God in her mind silently. She collected the precious award from the director and the audience clapped again, hailing her. Ivy controller her emotions and held the microphone firmly,many eyes looked at her in admiration and some with envy. Finally,she cleared her throat and opened her mouth.
      ' All my thanks and appreciation goes to the Almighty first,cause without him I would never have gotten to this stage in my life. Secondly, my thanks also goes to my wonderful fans, friends and my supporters as well as well-wishers ' She said confidently and there was continuous applause.'  This award here is not for me but for my fans because they stood by me and supported me,once again Thank you'
    ' That was a very wonderful speech from you,Miss Ashby or should I say best model of the year? ' The director said and Ivy smiled lightly. ' It time for the judges and our VIP members to take pictures with the best of the year model!' He added and soon,she took pictures with with the reputable people and the real party began.
     As they continued taking snaps,the director brought Richard in,both walked up to the stage and Richard beamed at the reputable people standing together.' Come stand here, beside miss Ivy.' The director said nicely and Richard obeyed not looking at the lady beside him and many cameras clicked at them continuously.
     After much pictures taken, Richard finally turned to the award given lady and shook her hands . Suddenly he stood speechless for some seconds as the beautiful lady grinned at him sweetly.
      ' I am Ivy Ashby and you are, I guess mr Richard. Right?'. She asked politely. He flipped through his memory for that familiar face,he had seen her before..... she.....she was the one.......on 6th of September.....yes! This lady had kissed him on that cold night!
     ' Mr Richard?are you okay?' She asked seeing his lost expression ' well,yes. Do you by any chance seen me before?' She chuckled softly' Who doesn't know you? Although I have never seen you real life except now,I have only seen few of your pictures on magazines and tv interviews '. She said as a matter of fact. Richard smiled inwardly thinking she was trying to avoid him because of her award.  '. But I ........
        'I'm sorry Mr Richard,I have to go now. I can't bear it if those reporters surround me, I must leave. See you soon.' She interrupted, waking away through the back majestic door with graceful strides. That was how she ran away from him years ago! No,he won't let her escape like that.
        He followed her quickly and realized she had been surrounded by the reporters. He tried to push his way in and he heard Ivy said ' Hey! That Mr Richard.' They sight him and turned their phones and microphone to his face. Richard watched as the best model of the year entered her car and immediately the car drove off.
        Richard felt dissatisfied,why is she always running away from him?' Mr Richard, what is your opinion on Miss Ashby award?' A lady asked.' I think,I think she deserves it. She is the best'. He replied not sure of his answer. His bodyguards came out of nowhere and walked him to his Jeep, the reporters chasing him with cameras and questions. He entered his Jeep followed by his bodyguards and the Jeep zoomed off leaving the curious reporters not surprised.
   

        He had slept late and woke up late in the morning. He sat up staring at himself in the mirror opposite his bed. He remembered the lady yesterday and pushed his long hair backward. Ivy sure looked different when she kissed him on that particular night to the award giving event. Did she remember him or is she just pretending not to remember? He remembered her look in the past. Her hair was short and she was clad in a long black skirt and white shirt,she looked rough and helpless on that day but now? Now she is the most beautiful and talented lady in the all of the cities in america.
      Of course, he had heard that popular name Ashby Ivy very well but didn't pay attention to the spotlight lady. He pondered if he was right and took his phone.' Morning John, come to my room now and tell jane to prepare my breakfast okay?' He dropped his phone and up, heading to the bathroom. After he freshen up,he emerged from the bathroom all wet from head to toe,a white fluffy towel tied around his waist. He sights john then sat on the bed.
           ' Good morning,boss.' ' Morning John,I actually called you here to get information about Ashby Ivy.' He replied drying his hair . ' Everything about her?' The Man asked curiously.' Everything' He said and the man went out. After clad in a crazy Jean and denim shirt, he went to the dining room and found his food on the table covered with mary beside it.
     ' Good morning sir.' '. Morning Jane, how was your night?' He asked the lady who smiled at him lightly. ' fine sir, yours?' She asked politely.' Cool, thanks. You can leave now.' She nodded and left.
      He ate the well prepared breakfast and was about to stand up when John came to him. ' I have gathered the information about her sir.' ' Go on.' He replied settling down on the chair comfortably.
          ' She has been once married but no one knows what happened to her marriage that made them separated,she believes in God and has no relatives..... ' What? No relatives as how?' ' I was also suprised, she owns many boutiques, and few salons.' Richard stared at the table. 'Hmm, interesting. What else?' He asked in clear curiosity. ' She is one of the top ten richest young women,very successful and beautiful' He added and Richard looked at him in a disapproval way. ' Her sudden rise?' ' She is into modeling for maybe four years.' John replied.' That's what I needed, you can go.' He said going through his phone, his eyes caught a picture of Ivy,a personal picture when she wore a short red gown with majestic designs on it before she was given award. She looked very pretty and calm. This same lady had kissed him deliberately once and he must find out her reason for doing that.