Marrying my father's friend, in love with my best friend

An hour later, she was ready to head to the company. Her straight black hair was left fallen on her shoulder, reaching her chest. She wore a straight plaid skirt which reached her knees with a brown top. She fell a beige long coat on her shoulder. She paired it with a dark beige hand bag. With a last appreciate look of her reflection she left her room.

"I'm going," she shouted by the stairs to her mother. Not wanting to reach for her in the living room and have her talk once again about Liam.

She took her decision. She would decide as things come. Not the perfect plan but the best compromise between her two desires. If at the end, it results with her giving up on Liam, she would reluctantly accept the ugly reality.

Outside the house, down the front stairs, was her car waiting for her. Her driver, dressed in black was waiting by the car door. He opened the door for her and closed it behind him.

"To the company," she instructed looking through the window. Eyes blank, lost in her thoughts.

Stone enterprise. It has been in the Stone family for years. Every chef, when going to retirement get to decide his successor who needed to be approved by the staff of directors as capable of such a responsibility.

At early age, she already saw herself taking her father position. After she took the decision to go into business she became her father's shadow. Following him everywhere to learn from him. He thought her with the intention of her being next to him but no one else saw it like he did.

No one in the family supported his choice, making it difficult for Ivy to ever sit on his chair. Though having a company on her name, that dreamed of hers never left her heart. She would fight for what was hers till her last breathe.

They soon arrived. The car parked in front of the building. All the possession of the Stone enterprise. Stepping out of the car, she took the overall look of the building.

Three years. It had been three years when she last putted a step in. Nostalgia filled her as she entered. Her entering in the lobby, she didn't go unnoticed. It may had been three years but none of them could fail to recognize the young Miss of the Stone family.

The staff rapidly aligned in front of her. On her both side, " Welcome back Miss Stone," they said in unison. A light bow to accompany their greetings.

The respect she got after only working in the company for three months didn't get forgotten. Three months before she decided to leave the country, she resigned of her position beside Liam and came working with her father. She was assigned a project which she successfully managed to complete. Gaining millions for the company. Her achievement, at her age were profoundly respected by everyone. It changed the look they had of her. From simply being the boss daughter. She made a name for herself.

Looking at the crowd in front of her, she smirked. If she didn't know better, she would have thought it was her father doing but it wasn't. It made it even more delightful.

"Miss Stone, we are happy to have you back in the company. Your presence has been missed," added a woman standing next to her. The first on the line on her right.

Ivy smile, recognizing the person, "Tracy!" she called gaining a shock look from the latter. She never would have thought she remembered of her.

"Miss remember of me?" she asked maintaining her head low. Age didn't count at the moment, only status and she was a the lowest end of it.

"Of course. I don't forget competent people." Ivy said.

Everyone was insects in Ivy's eyes. Low people. Futile. Yet, one could change its status by showing signs of competence. Differentiation. Not in a particular field, every thing was acceptable as long as you stand out from the lousy crowd. That earned her recognition and uplift your status in her eyes.

Tracy did that. She showed her talent when they worked together during her three months of work. Gaining Ivy respect forever.

"That's reminds me, I should talk to the CEO about you."

Tracy face lighted up. Having Ivy speak in your favor was a direct ticket for promotion. A words from her could be a sentence or a grace.

"Thank you Miss," she said with a bow.

"Thank me later. I should first verify your records for the last year's," Tracy nodded in understanding.

Her smile didn't leave her face because she knew her records was perfect. She had nothing to worry about except which promotion she was getting.

"Miss Stone, you're glowing today," another girl Said, standing a few steps away from her.

Ivy gaze swept on her for a second. Someone was trying to gain her favor with useless compliment. She somehow missed it. People getting close to her because of interest.

She dismissed the staff, letting them go back to their work. Every minute they go without working was a loss to the company.

The staff dispersed letting the way for Ivy. She was walking to the CEO private elevator when she heard her name been called,

"Ivy!" a petite woman shouted running to her documents securely held in her arms.

The used of her second name made everyone turn to the source of the voice. Who dare to use such familiarity with her? As much as they respected Ivy, layer of fear rested in their hearts. Her stay in the company haven't been only rose, thorns were present as well.

Upon seeing whom the person was, they turned the other way. Uninterested. Of course, who else could dare to call her like in such a manner other than the person she took under her wings?

Even though in heels, she couldn't reached Ivy shoulders. The differences in height and figure may miss lead most but she was way older than Ivy. Standing in front of Ivy she had to stretch her neck to meet her gaze.

"Already back to work? You came just yesterday!" Dianna exclaimed.

She knew about Ivy love of work but never thought it was to such an extent. She was present yesterday at her welcome party but didn't expect to see her at work so soon.

"I'm not here to work just to visit," Ivy explained as the made their way to the elevator. Diana swapped her card for the elevator to open.

As Karl's secretary, she had access to his private elevator. Ivy didn't need her help to use it since she possessed her own cards.

"Dad gave me positive feedback concerning you. You didn't dishonored me at least,"

Diana was about to get fired after another error when Ivy intervened. She convinced her dad to give her another chance, which he gave. Ivy spent time to teach her to perfection.

"I wouldn't have dare. Even though Leila isn't making things anyway easy," she complained.

Leila, Karl personal assistant, the very person Ivy wanted to see. At the thought of the woman, she smiled.

"What has she been doing?" she asked as the elevator opened. The stepped out. It gave directly to her bureau. A distance away from her father's office.

"Well, she is always on my back," she started putting the documents she has been carrying on her bureau. A deep sigh leaving her lips.

"Always on my neck, not letting me breath for a second. Waiting for a single mistake of mine to fire me,"

"Hopefully you make none!" she stated.

"I'm just human," Diana defended herself pitifully. Errors she made, but not strong enough to be a purpose to fire her.

"Diana…," she sighed not pressing on the topic. It was already a miracle she was able to maintain her job.

"Anyway, I don't know why she hates me like that," she mourned, leaning on her bureau.

Ivy, on the contrary had a idea on to why she was on her back. It was Leila way to get her. Since she couldn't attain her immediately, she decided to put it on her friends. It seems she had to remind someone who the real boss was.

"Diana!" The calling of her name had her straight up.

Speaking of the devil… Ivy thought.

Ignoring Ivy. Not even sending a glance her way, Leila putted her focus all on Diana.

"We don't pay you to do nothing," she started, folding her arm.

Leila, a beautiful woman in her latest thirty whom could still pass as someone in it latest twenty. She was a tall woman with vibrant blonde long hair she dressed into a bun. Her slim figure, firm and tone skin made her look younger. Her curvy body, fully displayed by her straight skirt was what turned every men head. She was a intelligent as pretty. A true beauty with brain.

"Where are the documents I asked for?"

"Already on your office. And the resume of the last meeting is also on your table," Diana answered with calm. Already used to her overbearing attitude.

Leila paused, thinking of what to say. Wasn't expecting her to be done by none.

"And the report?" she rapidly said.

Diana fetched it from the pile of documents on her table and hang it to her. Leila snatched, went through with speed and closed it, seeing no noticeable error.

She frowned, "Its still not a reason to lazy around and gossip with your friends," she said in between her gritted teeth.

"Well, that's not how I told you to speak Leila." Ivy spoke from her ignored corner.

Leila slowly turned her head, recognizing the voice. She had ignored the person talking with Diana, assuming it was just another employee. Why would someone important speak to her in such a way? It turned out to be her worst enemy. Someone she couldn't ignore nor dare to offend.

"Ivy…" she thrilled. She knew about her arrival in the country never thought she would have come to the company the next day. If so, she would have prepared herself.

"Miss Stone for you," Ivy corrected her.

Standing, her head high. She couldn't stop smiling seeing the older women confidence crumpled at her sight.

Leila, her father personal assistant. She have known her for practically her whole life and used to be closed but it all ended when she had the brilliant idea to seduce Karl. It was a break deal which step up to forever enemies.

"I see you still have my little gift," she gestured to her neck.

Beneath the neckerchief she wrapped around her neck was an ugly burn scar who went from her neck to up her lower jaw. It reduces nothing from her beauty but it did reduce her value for some.

It was a gift Ivy personally gave her after she refused to give up on her plan. An acid burn. It was a warning, of what she could do to her.

"Of course. How could I lost it?" Leila managed to say with her heart burning with hatred.

Diana, as the out looker innocently thought they were talking about the neckerchief and was wondering since went the two became close friends. Little did she know of the horrible truth going on.

"Miss Stone, already back to work?" she asked weary. Hoping against hope she wasn't going to work in the company now she was back.

"No work for me here. I have a company on my own remember," Ivy said.

Her answer bringing relief for Leila and stress for Diana. She was hoping to get some relief from Leila overbearing attitude alas, it seems not to arrive so soon

"I'm here on the demand of my father and I wanted to talk to you. Follow me," she said walking in the direction of her father's office.

"Talk later Diana," Diana happily nodded.

"You can't –" Leila was stopped before she could finish

"What? Were you about to forbidden me from entering his office in his absence?" Ivy asked in disbelief.

"How could I? Was meant to ask if you wanted some coffee," Leila lied.

She was going to do exactly what Ivy said but she forgot something important. Rules didn't applies to Ivy.

"I'm good. Since we are at it, I want Tracy record for the past years," she instructed.

"Tracy?" Leila asked confused.

"The financial director assistant," Ivy precise.

"I want her records," she repeated before disappearing in her father office.

"Witch," she mumbled beneath her breathe. The hate she felt for her was only equal to her fear. The solemn reason she still remain loyal to them.

"Just a reminder. What I said can't reach her ears," she warned Diana who obediently nodded.