The next few weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Ivy and Justin seemed to have an unspoken agreement that they'd both try harder to be nicer to each other. It seemed to be working so far and even though Ivy rather enjoyed the...truce, she sort of missed getting mad at him. She figured it would happen in time though, it always did.
What really bugged her though was that things were going too well. Something had to give. And it did, just not in the way that she had expected.
Another day of interviews and going over details of what would and wouldn't be said left Ivy bone tired. She loved her work, but it drained her, quick and without remorse. Surprisingly enough, she finished early today and decided to go home and actually cook dinner. She still had to talk to Nelson and a home-cooked meal was a good way to pave the way for the seriousness of the discussion.
Leaving the office quickly, Ivy stopped at the grocery store before heading back to the apartment. She'd picked up everything to make one of Nelson's favorite dishes, a crab and rice primavera. Ivy wasn't an exceptional cook, but she could follow a recipe and she'd made this dish often enough that she hadn't needed a list at the grocery store.
Pulling into the parking lot, she shut off the engine and grabbed the sack of groceries from the seat beside her. Ivy walked in the main door and up one flight of stairs, reaching into her pocket to get her keys as she neared the door to the apartment. She unlocked it and stepped inside, hooking her foot on the door to close it behind her. When she looked up, a gasp escaped her lips and the sack dropped from her arm, forgotten.
Gone.
It was all gone. The furniture, the tv in the once-crowded living room, the appliances that used to sit on the small counter in the kitchen.... it was all gone. Ivy stood there, her wide eyes taking everything in. Robbed was the first thought that came to her mind, but as her gaze took in more and more, it just didn't seem to.... fit.
Yeah, the stuff was gone, but it didn't look as if someone had ransacked the place or had been in any type of hurry. In fact, it looked like it did when they first moved in, save for the few pictures that were left hanging on the walls and the little odds and ends strewn about. Taking one step and then another, eventually Ivy moved through the entire apartment, glancing in closets and cabinets, wondering what the hell had happened.
When she reached the bedroom, it was the same. Almost. The bed was gone and so was the oak chest that Nelson's clothes were usually in. Her dresser was still there though. Odd. The walk-in closet revealed the same mystery. Nelson's clothes were gone, but hers remained.
Of course, Ivy had already figured out what was going on, but her mind wouldn't accept it, looking for a different answer. Walking through the apartment again, she knew that Nelson was gone. And the bastard had taken everything with him.
~*~
"Ivy? What're you doing here?" Steph had been ready to settle in with one of her favorite movies and an ice cold beer when the doorbell rang. She'd opened it to find Ivy. A very pissed off Ivy. "What happened?"
"The son of a bitch took it all. He took everything. I can't believe it....gone...it's all gone."
"Whoa," Steph said, backing up to let Ivy storm into her apartment, "slow down, hon. Start from the beginning."
Steph led Ivy to the kitchen and sat her down at the table. She got another beer out of the fridge. From the looks of things, Ivy really needed it. Ivy took the bottle and cradled it in her hands, staring at it. She lifted it and took a long drink, wincing only slightly at the burn as it went down her throat.
Then, she started talking. She told Steph everything. From how indifferent Nelson had been acting lately clear up to the moment she knocked on her door. Through it all, Steph sat quietly. When Ivy finally finished, Steph just let out a low whistle. Ivy nodded.
"I've got to leave in two days," Ivy stated, blandly, "...we're starting the interviews and photo shoots and....I just don't have time for this shit." Ivy slammed the bottle down on the table, making Steph jump. Steph had seen Ivy mad before, but never this mad. Okay...yeah, she had good reason though. For once, Steph kept her mouth shut. She'd been telling Ivy that he wasn't any good from the beginning.
"You know you can stay here," Steph offered, "For as long as you need to."
"I know, but...." Ivy sighed.
"No buts. You're staying here until you get shit sorted out."
Ivy just nodded. She had no idea how she was going to sort this out. She'd tried calling Nelson at work and on his cell phone, but all she got were his voicemails. She just couldn't believe this had happened. She was leaving in two fucking days and he had to pull something like this. When Ivy finally crawled into bed, she curled into a ball, shivering, even though she wasn't cold. Exhaustion took over and before she knew it, she was asleep.
~*~
Filtering through the blinds, the sunlight hit Ivy's face in strips of brightness. She blinked her eyes, pulling herself from the dark recesses of sleep. She stretched, her body giving small cracks and pops from the previous night's tension.
She knew it was still early. Her body was internally set to get up at six, which pissed her off on the days she didn't have to work, but today she had plenty to do. Scrambling to get out of bed, she stood, stretching again and yawning widely. She could see that the day was going to be nice, sunny and clear, but she wasn't going to get to enjoy it.
Stumbling to the bathroom, Ivy decided that the first thing she needed to do was head back to her apartment and pack what she would need for the trip. She figured that Nelson had probably taken the suitcases too, so she'd need to borrow a couple from Steph. After that, she'd head to the office. She didn't really know what else to do at the moment.
Ivy could hear Steph moving about and after she finished in the bathroom, she went to the kitchen looking for her. Steph always looked rough in the morning. Her hair stuck out every which way and her face was flushed from sleep. Ivy smiled at her cautiously and took a seat at the same table she'd sat at the night before.
"Coffee?" Ivy nodded and watched as Steph measured out enough for the both of them and turned the coffee pot on. She knew Steph wouldn't be able to stay quiet for long and she was rewarded when Steph turned and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest. "So, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know really." Ivy said. And she didn't. This was still too new. She kept hoping that it was all just a bad dream and she'd go back to the apartment and everything would be as it was. But she knew it wouldn't. "Right now, I just honestly can't deal with this. We leave for New York tomorrow morning. It'll just have to wait until I get back."
"Yeah, but...." Steph paused, biting her lip. "Are you gonna be okay?"
"I don't know. I'll figure that out later."
"Tell you what, why don't I get us something completely sinful for dinner tonight and we can just veg out and eat and bash men?"
The hopeful grin that appeared on Steph's face had Ivy shaking her head and smiling. The coffee pot clicked off and Steph poured them both a mug, handing Ivy's to her before picking up her own. Ivy knew it didn't matter what she answered. Steph was already planning a 'girl's' evening. Instead of saying anything she drank her coffee, barely even noticing when it burned her tongue.
The coffee was gone way too soon and Ivy knew she had to get going, even though she dreaded the day ahead of her. She knew that Justin was coming in to go over last minute details and she just wasn't in the mood for whatever he'd probably do or say. Sighing, she pushed away from the table and stood.
"I've got to get to work," she said, "but I'll be back about six. I have to stop at the apartment and get some things. Which reminds me, do you have any suitcases?"
Steph nodded and got up. Ivy followed her into the bedroom and waited while she got two large bags from her closet. Steph set them down on the floor and Ivy plopped down on the unmade bed. She felt the bed dip and then Steph's arms encircled her, pulling her close. She willed herself not to cry. She couldn't break down now. Tonight. Tonight when she was alone and no one could see. Then she could let everything out.
When Ivy got to work later that morning, she pretty much secluded herself in her office. She didn't want to see or deal with anyone if she could help it. She just wanted to get through the day and then go back to Steph's place where her friend would let her cry and vent and yell about everything. It didn't look like that was going to happen though.
"Hey, Ivy!"
Ivy cringed at Justin's tone. He was in one of his annoying moods. Great. She looked up and he was leaning against the doorframe, a smirk pulling one corner of his lips up.
"What now, Justin?"
"I just wanted to make sure you didn't need my help with anything."
"Your help?" Ivy snorted and stared at him, amused. "What makes you think I would need your help?"
"Well," he said, "you've been holed up in here all day. I just figured that I should be nice and offer my services."
"Justin, go away."
"Why?"
"Because you bother me."
"But..." Ivy watched as he stuck his bottom lip out, pouting. He made the lip tremble, like he'd just had his favorite toy taken away. She lowered her head, shaking it. Jesus, he was too much.
"You know that shit doesn't work with me, right?"
"But, I just wanted to help."
"And what could you possibly help me with?"
"You know..." He trailed off and he grinned up at her. Oh, hell no, she thought and she pointed towards the door.
"Out," she said. "You take your services elsewhere. Besides, I'm too old for you."
"Too old? Wait.... what did you think I meant?" His face was a mask of confusion now and Ivy felt herself growing warm. Was he serious? Had she misunderstood what he'd meant?
"You know damn well what you meant."
Justin's eyes went wide and he gazed at her in shock.
"I think you're the one with the problem," he said. "I came in here to see if there was anything I could do and you think that I'm offering to..." His voice dropped to a near-whisper, "...have sex with you? That's just.... wrong. I think you've got some issues."
"That's it. Get out of my office now, Justin." Ivy stood up and came around her desk, furious now. The little shit had set her up for that. She practically shoved him out of her office and shut the door, muffling his laughter as he ran down the hallway. Turning back to her desk, Ivy closed her eyes, mentally counting to ten. Then twenty. Screw it. She was going home.