IVY'S WORLD

______________Author's Pov_________

It was a bright, sunny morning, and the day promised to be perfect. Ivy stood in front of the mirror, smiling at her reflection. Her big day was only a Four days away, and today was dedicated to some final touches: accessory shopping, and a celebratory brunch with her bridesmaids. She felt a rush of excitement as she thought about walking down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Cas

As she put on a simple floral dress and tied her hair into a loose bun, she thought about how much she had been looking forward to this. The past few days had been a whirlwind of planning, Emma had told her she would be fitting her dress today and was amazed by how fast she worked on the dress. She had also said she got something for the bridesmaids and now everything was finally coming together. She took a moment to gaze at the delicate engagement ring on her finger, a symbol of the beautiful future that awaited her.



Ivy met her friends, Ella, Scar, and Grace, at a quaint little café downtown. They greeted each other with excited hugs, immediately jumping into chatter about the wedding plans. The girls sipped on iced coffees and nibbled on pastries while they discussed flowers, guest lists, and other things they think they have missed. They have been meeting in her house where her parents and cas' parents sit together for the wedding plans. Everyone had been helping and they are almost done with the plan. After a while, they decided to head to Emma's where Ivy's wedding dress was waiting for her fitting.

Emma has been busy with the gown and she said she needs to "wind up" in her words. According to how she has planned her day, she wants to get a wedding gift for her sister-in-law, so they would all go to the mall after the fitting

Ivy really don't know who to ask to be her maid of honor so she should just settle for asked all to just be her maids of honor. Ivy thought to herself. 

She also need to get a gift for Cas but What do you get for someone that already has everything. Don't worry she has already thought of a just perfect gift. 

After much persuasion, Cas allowed her to drive herself to the cafe but as usual Mario is driving just behind her in a good distance.

This time She has to joined the girls in their own car as there's no reason to drive separately. The car would be picked by Mario who surly is following her discreetly or one of his boys.

However she sent him a text on her decision to join the girls and to pick the car as well.

They got to Emma's and the place was bustling, filled with other customers and those that came to check out her brand. It has grown over the months since she launched it, their laughter, and the rustling of delicate fabrics fills the air. Ivy felt a flutter in her chest when she saw her dress, so beautiful, As she tried it on, she couldn't help but twirl around, making her friends cheer and clap. The moment felt magical, like something out of a dream.

Wow they all look in amazement.

Emma this is beautiful, Ivy gushed over her dress.

I'm glad you love it, Emma replied.

Emma brought the bridesmaids dresses and they all tried it and gushed over how talented Emma is.

Emma thanked them for the opportunity and for trusting her. And with this she thinks she's ready to expand into bridals and launch it soon.

After the fitting, the group decided to drive to a nearby mall to pick out jewelries.

Ivy couldn't shake off the feeling of being watch or followed. She quickly called Mario and asked where he was and he replied right behind you ma'am.

She relaxed a bit knowing that but still her mind wasn't fully at ease.

She knows she's being followed by Mario and his men but she feels an unwanted eyes is on her and that makes her uncomfortable. Nevertheless she pushed it at the back of her mind and decided to just enjoy her day with the girls.

They moved from one counter to the other browsing through to make a perfect pick.

"Be right back, girls," Ivy said, excusing herself to the restroom. She has gone to calm her nerves and not allow her worries to spoil her day. She was about heading back towards the group when she felt a hand grab her wrist, yanking her around. She barely had time to react before she was dragged into a secluded hallway. Before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she felt something cold and metallic press against her back.

"Shh, don't make a sound," a voice whispered into her ear. Her heart froze when she recognized it. It was Andy

"Andy, what are you—" she tried to speak, but he tightened his grip, cutting her off. "Don't talk, just come with me." don't you dare make it obvious or my men will shoot your little friends he warned.

Obeying his order, in fear that her friends would be in danger if she tries to alert others or the securities...

He dragged her towards a back exit of the mall, where his car was waiting. Ivy's mind raced, but her body felt paralyzed. She couldn't believe this was happening. She tried to fight him off, but Andy was stronger, and his grip was relentless. As they reached the car, he shoved her into the back seat, tying her hands with a rough piece of rope. "Stay quiet, or I'll make you," he threatened, his eyes wild and unrecognizable. You know what? He brought out a handkerchief and before she could process what he's doing he made her inhale the content and she passed out.

Meanwhile, the girls were still browsing, unaware that their friend had disappeared. After a few minutes, they started to wonder what was taking her so long. "I'll go check on her," Scar said, heading towards the restroom. But when she got there, it was empty. Panic began to set in as they realized Ivy was nowhere to be found. They found her purse and phone dropped on the floor. Emma called her brother immediately to inform him.

On the other hand. Mario had followed her when she was going to the restroom but stopped at the male side waiting. He had gotten a call and was on the call when Ivy disappeared.

He couldn't believe this happened under his watch. He alerted other men with him but they missed them as Andy left through the back door with Ivy. 

When Ivy regained consciousness, she was in a dark, unfamiliar room. Her head throbbed, and her wrists ached from the tight bindings. She tried to move, but her hands were tied behind her back, and her legs were bound together. Panic surged through her as she looked around, trying to figure out where she was. It looked like a basement but she couldn't be sure, with bare walls and a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

The door creaked open, and Andy stepped inside. He looked at her with a twisted smile, as if this was all normal, as if everything was going according to plan. "Welcome home, Ivy," he said, his voice calm and eerily gentle.

Ivy struggled against the bindings, trying to scream through the tape covering her mouth. Andy walked over to her, crouching down so their faces were inches apart. "I know you're scared, but you don't have to be. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want us to be together, like we used to be."

Ivy's eyes burned with anger and fear as she tried to speak, but the tape muffled her words. Andy reached out and gently removed it, letting her catch her breath. "Andy, please," she pleaded, her voice shaking. "You can't do this. Let me go! You need help."

But he just shook his head, as if she didn't understand. "No, Ivy. I don't need help. I need you. You were the one who left, and I've been lost without you. But now, we can start over. We can be happy again."

No you can't do this, Andy's idea of love is twisted and suddenly she was feeling nauseous and claustrophobic. The place became so small and she felt herself in the past she's running away from. She passed out again.

______________________________________

Caspian arrived at the mall with Brandon like a speed of thunder. He cleared the whole mall of every living soul. Nick later joined them as the started accessing the security cameras in the whole area, both in and outside the mall. Caspian has activated the demon side of him and he's ready to kill.

He told Emma to take the girls home and stay with them.

They had found out how Ivy was taken. He had nearly shot Mario dead for losing his bride that was kept under his watch.

Nick tracked the black seden but the car had been abandoned halfway along the road. 

Brandon suggested they go back to the house and think.

Over the next few hours, Ivy's's world became a dark, twisted nightmare. Andy kept her locked in the room, bringing her food and water, and trying to talk to her as if nothing was wrong. He would sit with her for hours, reminiscing about their past, talking about the good times, as if they were still a couple. Ivy tried to reason with him, to convince him to let her go, but every time she mentioned Cas or the wedding, Andy's demeanor would change. His eyes would harden, and his voice would grow cold.

"You don't love him, Leah. You just think you do. I know you better than anyone, and I know you still love me."

Do you even know who Caspian Luciano Asher is? That man is not who you think he is.

He had lied to you and kept you in the dark. He doesn't love you. Andy barked.

He's got fed up with trying to convince her gently.

Every time she tried to argue, he would tighten his grip on her, both physically and mentally. He told her that no one was coming for her, that everyone had forgotten about her. He said it was just the two of them, like it was always meant to be. Ivy wanted to believe that Cas was looking for her, that her friends and family wouldn't give up, but with each passing day, her hope began to fade. She doesn't even know how long she has been here.

Tomorrow we are getting married and leaving this place to a far away land, where no one would find us.

Then I would make love to you like we have done in the past. Our wedding night would be very special and memorable. Andy said.

Ivy has wondered why he had not touched her sexually but now she knows better. He was planning a grand adventure. She prayed in her mind that Cas saves her already as she's getting tired. But she needs to be strong .

Ivy observed that outside this door, they are not alone. There seems to be more people in the building but who are they?

What Andy had said to her kept running through her mind. She felt there's something she doesn't know but Andy seems to know about it, and it has to do with Caspian.

Andy has left Ivy locked in the room but there seems to be change of plans from what he had agreed with the Dimitri the Russian Don.

They had agreed to use Ivy to get to the Asher. According to Dimitri, his family was killed because of the Asher but Andy's only concern about Ivy. Yes, he had wished to kill Cas many times but as soon as he got hold of Ivy, his only plan is to take her and leave this place.

Andy went up to Dimitri and told him he would be leaving tomorrow.

Not happening. Dimitri barked. Did you forget the plan? I'm going to use that woman to get to the bastard that murdered my family, and if you think you're backing out because you have gotten what you want. I will kill you right here and now. 

Andy decided to scheme up a plan inside their plan quietly. He would pretend to still follow through with with plan but will escape with Ivy later. He went outside and called someone to arrange a ticket for two as soon as possible. If things goes well they leave tonight during the raid.

Dimitri had asked one of his men to keep an eye over Andy. He called two of his men and told them, that there's a slight Change of plans. He told them what to do.

One of them went into the room where Ivy was and moved her to the underground room. She kept looking around to see if there's a way to escape but as they down the ground floor, her hope vanished.

By now she has no strength as she has cried herself to sleep many times. All she knew is that darkness has come and gone so she counted it a new day but as they went down the ground she start shaking, feeling so little again.

He pushed her into a room and locked the door. This time the place smells, and looks very dirty.

She started throwing up immediately but no one is around to attend to her. She felt sick and helpless. Here there's no bed but a single chair that looks like a rocking chair. She has no option but to sit on it, coiling herself she began crying again.

Andy returned after his calls and couldn't find Ivy, he stormed up to meet Dimitri but was held by some his boys. They kicked him and beat him up. Andy has his own strength but it's no match for the mafias.

Dimitri came out and warned him not to try anything stupid or he dies.

He had thought, he could use the mafia as he wants but the truth is that they have been the one using him.

Dimitri is someone that uses anyone to get what he wants, so when Andy approach him with his plan, he pretended to have accepted him to the clan. Andy has been the one getting all the information he needs through his spy in the other family.

So many times he could have been killed, it was Andy that alerted him about it, but what he can't stand is someone ruining his plan because of a mere woman. He wondered how one woman held so much power over the great don of Italian-American family.

He could burn the whole world for her just as he's doing right now. He's been combing all the hideouts of the previous don searching for his play thing.

Same woman has another idiot wrap around her fingers.

Dimitri already know he's going to kill both the woman and Andy but he wants to have a feast in front of Morreti.