Elara's POV
I perched in my office, anticipation coursing through me as I awaited her arrival. Ivy was nothing short of a tempest—a fiery spirit that intrigued me while simultaneously sending a shiver of caution down my spine. Everything within me screamed to maintain my distance, yet my heart whispered otherwise. My thoughts danced around the complexities of this dynamic when the door swung open without so much as a knock.
"You really must knock before entering, Ivy," I chided lightly, though a part of me relished her boldness. She slid into the chair across from me, an insouciant smile playing on her lips. "Miss Elara, why did you call me into your office?" she asked, her tone flat yet laced with an undercurrent of curiosity.
"The truth is, your father, an old friend of mine, has entrusted me with your care," I replied, attempting to maintain a semblance of authority. Her response was almost dismissive. "Oh, did he? Thanks," she quipped nonchalantly, a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes. Each nonchalant word she spoke tested my patience, a challenge I found oddly exhilarating.
I rose from my seat, moving closer to her. With her poised in that chair, I could easily overshadow her. Close enough to feel the warmth radiating between us, I leaned in slightly, our faces only inches apart. "Stop being such a brat, Ivy. I might have no choice but to punish you," I warned, watching her swallow hard yet hold onto that trademark fire. A wicked thought flickered through my mind—how I longed to capture those lips in a kiss.
Trying to keep my demeanor professional, I squeezed her shoulder gently, adding a warning weight to my tone. "Be careful of me, Ivy," I said, reclaiming my space as I returned to my chair, the tension seemingly thickening in the air.
"I'm planning to organize a private session for you on weekends at my place," I proposed, my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions beneath. "Just shoot me a text with the times that work for you." She nodded, a mixture of intrigue and defiance in her gaze, and I felt an unwelcome thrill at the prospect of our upcoming encounters.
"Now, you may leave," I instructed, watching as she gracefully stood and made her way to the door. Once the door clicked shut behind her, I cursed myself under my breath for the way she stirred something deep within me. I gathered my belongings, determination flooding my thoughts as I departed for home, pushing aside the intoxicating thoughts of Ivy that lingered in my mind.