Chapter 231: Hook or crook

Joshua stood up suddenly, his eyes glowering at Ivy. The sudden change in his behavior startled her as she looked at him stupefied. "Ivy, I am a very patient man. But my patience has a limit. Don't try to test it because I am sure you will not like it. I am trying to help you to keep you safe from the danger you are unaware of. Don't provoke me, Ivy, because you may not be able to bear with if I lose my cool."

Ivy gaped at him mortified. This was the first time he was behaving this way in front of her. Gone was the man who was flirting and making jokes at their every meeting. His eyes were intimidatingly tyrannical making Ivy shiver in fear. Never had she expected herself to be afraid of him nor had she expected him to have such a terrifying side.

Noticing Ivy's stare at him dumbfounded and the small hint of fear in her eyes, Joshua realized what he had done. He had momentarily lost his composure when she had declined to come with him. He never wanted her to see this side to him, one which was well known in the Underworld and the one which made him the Master. He had to ease the situation before it became uncontrollable.

Joshua started laughing all of a sudden, shocking her more. Now he seemed more creepy and Ivy was not sure how she wanted to handle this man. She was all the more scared of him. Her heart was accelerating at a speed she was unable to comprehend or control. The man was daunting and she was having a feeling that whatever she knew about him till then was just how he portrayed himself to the world. He had a side to himself which was completely hidden and different from his usual charming style.

"This is so funny. Your face looks hilarious Ivy." He laughed, holding his stomach trying to make it as genuine as possible. He had seen her look of fear which he never wanted in return, especially from her. He did not know why but he did not want her to be afraid of him, to fear him. "Did I scare you successfully? Was my acting a success?"

Ivy glared at him, anger curing through her veins for scaring her. But somewhere in her mind, she had a notion that he was not acting and that was him which she did not know about. It was as though he was trying to mask his true self before her.

"Ivy look. I know you might be uncomfortable with this setup. But think about it. What is the best possible solution in this situation? You can choose to stay with Noah or me. Your choice."

Though Joshua had given her a choice to choose between him and Noah, he hoped her to choose him. Firstly, there was her father who was staying at Noah's house. And second, he did not want her to stay with another man even if he was going to be her brother-in-law in the future.

"Why are you doing this? Can't I stay here?"

"No. This is something that Noah and I have decided. We do know that you are bold and you can take down a man if any harm comes your way. But Tim is not someone who fits in that category. He has blood on his hands and he will not hesitate to kill more if needed. I hope you think through it and make the best decision. I'll be right here and just for the record, I am not going to leave without you. I am going to take you with me by hook or crook The choice is yours."

Joshua crossed his legs and leaned back, his face returning to normal. But his eyes were still calculative and daunting. Just one look at him and many would either run for their lives and fall at his feet.

Ivy was too busy to notice his strong gaze. She was thinking about the words he had said and she found him to be right in a way she could not deny. If Tim was truly as dangerous as Joshua claimed him to be, then it was better for her to be cautious. She did not want to die young as she had a lot of things to do. She had not even had sex for god's sake and that was one thing she was looking forward to as she was waiting for the perfect man for her.

Joshua's idea was not bad, but she was not sure of it. Ivy had the feeling that staying with him would only create more problems for her. But that was something she would think about in the future. Now, she had to take her decision as Joshua was still waiting for her to speak. Seeing the man hellbent on taking her with him, she had no choice but to give in. She could stay with Noah too but he had not offered her to come and stay in his house and she would definitely not take the initiative to bring up the topic. It would be extremely awkward. So, Joshua was it.

Seeing the gears turn in her head, Joshua knew that Ivy was considering his advice seriously this time and he smirked. If she did not relent to his wishes, he knew how to convince her. He had come here to make sure that by the end of the day she would be in his house. He had all the time in the world as he had cleared his schedule just for her. So, he waited patiently when suddenly Ivy lifted her face and stared right through him.

He raised his eyebrows anticipating her answer which he wished to be positive. "So?"

"Fine. I agree to be your roommate. But I have certain conditions."

"And what might they be?" Joshua asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"You will not forbid me from doing things which I usually do."

"I that case, I can forbid you to do things that you usually don't do."

"I did not mean that." Ivy realized the loophole in her condition after hearing him.

"Then, what did you mean? Please enlighten me."

"You will not stop me from doing my work. Are you okay with that?"

"Sure. Anything else?" He asked still smiling making Ivy roll her eyes.

"Not that I can think of any right now. I'll add to list when it comes to my mind." Ivy stated giving him no room for objection which he did not have either.

"Sure. Now come on. Let's start packing. I'll help you."

Ivy stood up with a sigh. She wondered how things had turned out this way? She absent-mindedly started walking towards her room with Joshua tailing her. When he went inside, he was stunned to see her room. Ivy was brought out of her stupor when he exclaimed loudly behind her, "Oh my God."