Ivory's eyes fluttered open. Everything felt fuzzy, and she couldn't remember where she was. She blinked a few times until her vision cleared. She saw she was in her room, lying on her bed, with a drip in her hand. Her mind felt blank; she couldn't piece together what had happened.
The door opened. Her parents came in.
"Oh my God, she's awake!" her mum cried, hurrying to her side and hugging her. After the hug, her mum helped her sit up.
Ivory looked at them, confused. "What happened, Mum? Why are you and Dad here?" she asked, still trying to figure things out.
"You fainted last night," her dad said. "Fred called us. Since you don't like hospitals, we had the doctor come here like always. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling good," Ivory replied. Then she remembered trying to answer her parents' call before everything went dark. "I remember now. What's wrong with me?" she asked.
Her mum squeezed her hand. "The doctor didn't find anything serious. He thinks it might be stress. We just hoped you'd wake up."
Ivory glanced around. "What time is it?"
"It's just 9 am," her mum said, as the doctor walked in.
"Ah, she's awake. I told you there was nothing to worry about," the doctor said as he walked over. He checked Ivory, then took out the drip. "She's fine," he announced, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll be on my way. If anything changes, call me. Make sure she takes her medicine," he said, pointing at the drugs on the table.
"Thanks, Doc," Ivory said. He smiled and left. Two nurses came in, cleared away the equipment, and soon it was just Ivory and her parents.
"Mom, Dad, I'm glad you're here," Ivory said, and they all hugged.
Her mum laughed. "We know you'd rather be alone. Freshen up and meet us downstairs." Ivory nodded, and they left the room.
Ivory got out of bed and went to the bathroom. She looked in the mirror - her long blonde hair, clear skin, and brown eyes looked fine. She brushed her teeth, still thinking about why she fainted. It had never happened before.
Ivory was an only child. Her parents, Mr. Julian Garcia and Mrs. Olivia Garcia, were in their late forties. Ivory worked at Ravenna Couture, where her parents were the biggest shareholders and board members. They didn't own their own company but had shares in many top companies in the country and abroad.
Ivory was the MD of the design department at Ravenna Couture. She handled designs, sketches, and managed her team's work. But she also had a secret - her own fashion company, "Petal Glim," known only to her and Fred, her butler.
She started Petel Glim from scratch. It was tough, but Fred helped her a lot. Now, the company is one of the top fashion brands, though not as big as Ravenna Couture yet. Most of Ivory's money actually comes from Petal Glim.
Fred managed everything at Petal Glim while Ivory worked at Ravenna Couture. Ivory was well-known across the country because she had modeled designs for Ravenna Couture. Her face appeared in magazines, on billboards, and in fashion books, but she still kept her personal life private.
After brushing her teeth, she took a bath and got dressed in smart work clothes. She went downstairs to the dining room, where her parents were laughing and talking. As soon as she sat down, a healthy breakfast was served.
"We won't ask why you left the engagement party without telling us," her mum said.
"I'm sorry, Dad, Mum. Yesterday was one year since Emily died, and I had to visit her grave," Ivory replied.
"We understand, honey. Mr. Thomas, your chauffeur, told us what he saw at the graveyard. He wasn't sure what happened to you. Can you tell us?" her dad asked.
"Nothing much. I said a few words to Emily. It started raining as I was leaving, and I slipped and fell. That's why my clothes were dirty. Mr. Thomas came to help me," Ivory explained.
Her dad nodded. "I see."
Her mum reached over. "Sorry, honey. We know it's tough."
"I'm fine," Ivory said.
Her mum smiled gently. "You always say that, even when you're hurting inside."
Ivory took a sip of tea. "In all things, I'll give thanks to God."
"When did you get engaged without telling us?" her mum suddenly asked.
"Mum, if you're talking about Lucas, forget it. He's getting married, and I'm not interested. Why would you think I'm engaged?" Ivory said, laughing awkwardly.
"Oh, I'm not talking about Lucas. Why is there a ring on your finger?" her mum pressed.
Ivory glanced at her hand, suddenly remembering the ring. "Here we go," she muttered.
"It's just fashion, nothing more," Ivory said.
"We thought you didn't like rings as fashion. You always said the only ring you'd wear would be an engagement or wedding ring," her dad said.
"I changed my mind. I like them now," Ivory replied.
"Just like that?" her mum asked.
"There's a first time for everything," Ivory said, hoping they'd let it go.
Her dad frowned. "We've known you all your life. You don't just change like that. Is there something you're not telling us?"
Ivory felt trapped. "A minute can change anything. Maybe you don't know me as well as you think."
"Really?" her mum said.
"Mum, Dad, please drop it. It's just fashion," Ivory insisted.
Her dad wasn't convinced. "You didn't have that ring before the engagement party. The only place you went was the graveyard, then you came home and fainted."
"Mum…" Ivory started, but Fred walked in and interrupted.
"I bought it for her," Fred said, and everyone turned to look at him.
"Yes, she asked me to buy it. When she got back, I gave it to her and she put it on. Here are the rest," Fred said, holding up a box filled with rings.
"See?" Ivory said, looking relieved.
Her parents both said, "Hmm, okay."
"I wouldn't lie to you," Ivory added.
"We hear you," her dad replied, and Fred left the room.
"Ivory Petal Garcia," someone called, and Ivory turned, accidentally spitting her tea back into her cup in shock.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?" she asked, gritting her teeth.
"We invited him. We told him what happened, and he insisted on coming," her mum explained.
"You thought that was a good idea?" Ivory said as Lucas sat down across from her.
"The best idea. See you later, call us if anything happens," her mum said, kissing Ivory on the head. Her dad did the same, and they both left.
As they walked out, her dad called someone and said, "Find out what happened to my daughter yesterday at the graveyard," then hung up and left the house.
Lucas and Ivory sat together, Ivory glaring at him. Lucas had that classic model look; handsome, charming, basically every girl's dream.
"You look well," Lucas said.
"I am. Can you leave? You're not welcome here," Ivory replied.
"Why so bitter? Did you think I wouldn't find someone else?" Lucas asked.
"If it's someone as pathetic as you, then no," Ivory shot back.
"You humiliated me, made me a joke. You rejected me, and now I'll make you pay. I'm the CEO of Ravenna Couture now, and you'll see what revenge feels like," Lucas said.
Ivory scoffed. "I won't underestimate you, but all I see is fear and emptiness behind your threats. Using wealth to hide your loneliness. Revenge is for the weak, and that says everything about you."
"How dare you?" Lucas said, standing up.
"Yes, I dare you," Ivory replied.
"I'll deal with you," Lucas snapped, turning to leave, but Ivory grabbed his hand.
"Not until you deal with your pride and ego. Real strength is in humility; that's true power," Ivory said, locking eyes with him.