Chapter 6 So I'm A Commodity

• I was about to push open the door to my mom's room when I overheard a conversation. At first, I intended to mind my own business, but when I heard them mention my name, curiosity got the better of me. I decided to see who they were and what they were saying.
• "Oh, my dear. I understand you're upset," Mrs. Carlos said as she stood behind the woman I had seen earlier, gently playing with her hair. "But don’t worry. Ivan’s heart truly belongs to you. Forget the internet; they just want something to gossip about. That girl isn’t worth it."
• I peered at them through the small gap in the door. The woman had a satisfied smile on her face, one that made me want to wipe it off right then and there.
• "Why is she here anyway? I wish we could just kick her out of this mansion," Isabel complained, her voice dripping with frustration.
• Mrs. Carlos moved from her position behind Isabel and sat beside her. "Ever since the video was released to the public, Ivan’s career has skyrocketed from grass to grace. It’s brought millions into our accounts. So, I had to bring that brat here to keep the money flowing as she accompanies Ivan to interviews and events."
• Mrs. Carlos brushed a strand of Isabel’s hair behind her ear and gave her a sweet smile. "Oh, Isabel, have patience. She’s nothing around here. She and her lowlife mother."
• Isabel’s eyes widened, and she smirked. "She’s just a commodity."
• "Yes, my dear," Mrs. Carlos agreed, her voice cold and calculating.
• The anger within me erupted like a volcano. My immediate plan was to find my mom and leave the Carlos mansion as soon as possible. But as I rounded the corner, someone lifted me off my feet and threw me over their shoulder. The familiar scent told me exactly who it was—no one other than Ivan Carlos.
• "What are you doing? Let me go!" I hissed, trying to keep calm, but he didn’t stop until he got to his room and placed me on the bed.
• "What do you think you’re doing?" I demanded as I stood up and headed for the door, but he quickly closed it and blocked my path.
• "What does it look like I’m doing?" he said calmly. "I was waiting for you, and you didn’t show up."
• "That’s because I’m not staying in the same room as you," I shot back. "This is just a marriage of pretense, so we can’t stay together."
• He smirked. "It might be a pretense to you, but to me, it’s more." His eyes locked onto mine as he stepped closer.
• "I know you planned all this, and I need to know the truth, Ivan," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Why did you do all this? The video, the proposal, everything… Why me?"
• Ivan’s expression grew serious as he reached out to take my hand, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Because you’re the only one who’s ever made me feel alive, Veronica," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know it sounds crazy, but when I’m with you, everything makes sense. I didn’t plan for it to happen like this, but after that night when I took your virginity, I realized you’re all I need."
• I searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but all I saw was sincerity. It was as if he was baring his soul to me, and I wasn’t sure how to react. I wanted to believe him, to trust that his feelings were real, but the thought of Isabel suddenly crossed my mind—the fact that she claimed to be engaged to him and even showed me the ring. The memory made me roll my eyes.
• “Why do you want me when you're already engaged to another, Isabel?” I asked staring at him while I wait for a response.
• He sighed rubbing his hand against his forehead. “That's because she's my mother's choice not mine.“
• "I’ve heard better lies than this," I said, stepping away from him, but he moved closer.
• "You think I’m lying? What would I gain from lying to you?" he asked, taking another step toward me. I took two steps back until my back was pressed against the wall next to his bed. "It’s obvious you’re trying to hide how you feel about me."
• "How I feel?" I scoffed. "I want to get the hell out of this and live my normal life."
• "Normal?" he laughed. "Dancing with guys in clubs and taking shots with those girls who wouldn’t mind getting fifty million dollars to set you up with me."
• "You’re lying!" I shook my head, my voice rising. "Don’t you dare drag them into this. They’re my friends for life."
• "Well, I don’t give a damn. Your choice of friends sucks, but I want you." He ran a finger along my jawline, then traced it to my lips.
• My heart started pounding rapidly with the way he touched me, his eyes boring into mine, causing my skin to burn. His warm breath against my face sent shivers down my spine. I didn’t know what I was feeling at that moment, but all I wanted was for it to continue.
• And then, in a split second, he kissed me. His lips moved tenderly against mine, and I closed my eyes, letting myself get lost in the moment. "Please don’t stop," the words left my mouth as he reached down to unbutton my shirt.
• "I won’t," he whispered in my ear as he kissed along my neckline, then moved back up to my lips. "Just like this, you ignite a fire in me that can never be quenched."
• He lifted me off my feet and carried me over to the bed, laying me down gently. I kept my eyes closed, but I could tell he was taking off his shirt. When I opened my eyes, I saw his perfectly sculpted chest and the pleasure
• in his eyes, and I swear, I liked the way he looked at me.