Sorry this update has taken ages and ages to get up- I've moved back up to University for my second year and it's taken a long time to get enough free time to write anything. Bear with me for a little while please :) Please Review x
Ivy had made fairly good friends with a girl who lived a few floors below in Escala. Rebecca was 22 and lived with her family in one of the apartments, she was French and the pair dipped seamlessly between French and English when they spoke.
Ivy was nearly healed fully and spent the last few days before her 18th birthday out in Seattle with Rebecca.
It was one of these days when Ivy was out with Rebecca that Christian was sat in his study on the Sunday, sorting emails and files out when Carrick knocked on his door with Taylor beside him.
'Christian, can I ask you something?' he looked surprised but nodded 'you came down here to ask me something?'. Carrick looked a little awkward 'yeah...it's about Ivy's mother...I have a feeling she's going to try and contact her once she's turned 18, and I gather that you wouldn't want that'
Christian looked confused 'Her mother has made it clear she's not exactly a good parent, why would she want to get in contact?'.
Carrick glanced at Taylor who blinked 'Sir, have you read Barney's file on Ivy's mother?'. 'No, he only sent it over an hour ago'. Carrick exhaled deeply and Taylor filled in the gaps
'Her name is Zara Viljoen, she's from South Africa originally. She lived over here on and off for several years before meeting Lewis, after getting pregnant she married him- probably for his family's money more than anything. When Ivy was born Zara abandoned her in the hospital for two weeks, eventually turning up again and going back to Lewis. Over the next few years she was very much in an out of her daughters life, though she didn't take much of an interest. Not until Ivy's grandfather died when she was ten years old'.
Christian cocked his head to one side 'why?'. Taylor continued 'Simon Van Rensberg had four children including Lewis but only one Grandchild- Ivy. He left 50% of his fortune to Ivy, the other half was split between his siblings, children and the company'.
Christian thought for a few minutes 'how much money was she left?'. Carrick answered him 'it was put into an account that she can't access until she's 18, she was also left 30% of the company in shares, all that money is in the same account- adjusting for interest it's probably wortharound $90 million, and Zara Viljoen might be a nasty piece of work but she's also having serious money issues, which could easily be solved by a portion of her daughters money'.
Christian sighed, running a hand through his hair '90 million, Jesus Christ, so the company is doing well then?'. Taylor nodded, 'Welch got a copy of the accounts, they've got a monopoly on the Asia and African markets, they're seeing huge profits at the moment. Zara Viljoen has recently divorced her husband, and it looks like she's not getting much of a payout, judging by how she's treated her eldest child for the last 18 years I'd say she's probably going to try and contact Ivy again'.
There was a noise from the doorway and they all looked up. Ivy was wearing distressed style grey skinny jeans, a white lace top, her hair was in a messy bun and her fringe down, her eyes were dark and she looked furious.
'Talking about my family behind my back? Brilliant. Who left me money and how much is frankly none of your business, as wether my mother contacts me is also none of your business. If you want to talk about me behind my back at least do it when I can't walk in on it'.
Christian paled and Carrick shook his head 'we were only-' Ivy held up a hand to stop him '-don't bother'. As she turned to storm out Christian promptly followed his sister out 'Ivy-Ivy stop'. She turned back, looking livid still 'Christian just fucking leave it, I'm going down to see Becca, I can't be dealing with you right now'.
Christian was torn, follow her or stay? He decided to let her go, watching as she slammed the doors behind her and didn't look at him at all.
Rebecca was tall and willowy with a long slender body, tanned skin and short dark blonde hair. She wasn't really surprised to see Ivy again that day and let her in to the apartment, seeing how angry and upset her friend was. 'Ivy? What happened?'. She exhaled deeply 'It's my brother, he's being an ass- Doesn't seem to understand where to draw the line on what's his business'. Rebecca didn't ask any further questions, showing Ivy to the kitchen and taking out a drink for them both.
Rebecca leant over the kitchen island 'so, do you want to stay here tonight? My parents are both out for a few days, I'll get a Chinese in?'. Ivy sighed and nodded, sitting down 'go on then'.
From: Christian Grey
To: Ivy Van Rensberg
Subject: Where are you?
It's your birthday tomorrow, please just come back. I'm sorry.
From: Ivy Van Rensberg
To: Christian Grey
Subject: Where are you?
I'm at Rebecca's apartment. I'll see you tomorrow.
Rebecca woke her up early the next morning with a small wrapped present 'morning! Happy birthday!'. Ivy was sleepy but unravelled herself from the covers enough to open the package, which was a small pair of emerald earrings. They were the ones that Ivy had expressed an interest in a few days before when they were out in Seattle.
As she dressed and packed her things back up she couldn't help but feel a little happier inside. This was the first birthday when she wasn't being moved around between various family members and it was definitely better than the one last year. Her past birthday she'd been arrested and charged with possession, spending the day in jail.
Ivy got into the elevator and prepared to face Christian again.
Ivy sheepishly walked into the great room and blinked in surprise at what she saw. All of the Grey's and Ana were there, smiling broadly 'Happy Birthday!'. She didn't know what to do or say but Mia pulled her into a hug and then the rest of the room followed suit. Christian was the last person and hugged her, kissing her hair and muttering 'I'm sorry'. Ivy didn't say anything but she was visibly more happy.
Christian saved his present for last after Ivy had opened everything from the others. He'd waited until she was slightly apart from them and motioned towards the balcony where she awkwardly followed him out.
Christian was wearing jeans and a casual blue shirt, looking warily over her. 'Ivy...I'm sorry if you thought we were talking behind your back-' she put a hand up 'It's fine, I get why, I just don't want any mention of that bitch again, especially not today okay?'. Christian looked relieved and passed her a wrapped box.
'Happy Birthday, you're all grown up now, I just wish I'd known you earlier'. Ivy slowly unwrapped the box and gasped as she opened it. Inside was a Porsche car key, a leather bound first edition of Poe's 'the Raven', a thin gold chain with a small black stone pendant and a matching gold ring with a black stone setting.
Ivy gaped at the box and looked up at her brother 'Christian...Christian this is too much, I can't-'. He cut her off sharply 'you're a part of this family now Ivy, and it's your birthday, you more than deserve these'. Christian wasn't expecting Ivy's eyes to fill with tears and he looked around awkwardly 'are you okay?'. She nodded awkwardly and sniffed 'I've just never had this type of thing for my birthday...the book- it's perfect- it's all perfect'.
Relieved, Christian pulled her sharply into a hug and they stood tight for a few minutes, both overwhelmingly happy.
Christian had been walking around with a huge smile on his face since Monday. Ivy had been obviously happy with his presents and it was the first time in years he had actually picked anything himself. The Edgar Allen Poe book was something Ivy had mentioned in passing as being a favourite and Christian had tracked one down, costing a lot- not costing him as much as the brand new Porsche 911 admittedly- but he knew that it was appreciated.
Ana had spent a lot of time with Ivy through the week, when both of them had driven of in the Porsche Christian had nearly had a heart attack, but they'd made it back in one piece.
By Friday Ivy was getting on better with Ana, Christian and the rest of the Grey's than she had in the previous months. Secretly Christian was excited about taking his sister to Grey Enterprises today, he knew how persuaded Ivy would probably be when she saw the company.
Ana kissed Christian quickly and left for work over the breakfast bar 'I'll see you later Mr Grey' 'have a good day Miss Steele'. There was a cough from behind them and they broke apart seeing Ivy in the doorway with a smirk. She was wearing tight black leather trousers, black heels, a loose purple silk shirt, the ring and necklace Christian had brought her and she had her hair in a sleek, long high ponytail with her blunt fringe down. She looked like a very stylish businesswoman and looked stunning, Ana smiled 'you look good Ivy'. Christian was frowning but said nothing, she was an adult now, he didn't really have the power to make her change into younger looking clothes. Begrudgingly, Christian said goodbye to Ana and drove Ivy to his office building in the City.
Despite herself Ivy was bowled over by the office building and the work they were doing there. It was everything from mergers and acquisitions to sending aid packages to Africa. It was stretching, liberating and rewarding work that Ivy would be doing, she frankly didn't need the money- she would be coming into $90 million worth of inheritance within two weeks- but she was definitely not going to spend her life twiddling her thumbs.
Ivy had more or less agreed to work for Christian and left him talking to Ros in his office as she went down to try and find Elliot. She was walking out of the lift on the ground floor and glanced over at three men by the entrance.
Two of them she had already been introduced to from the legal department, the other she'd never seen. He was tall with broad shoulders and a sharp, square jaw. He was incredibly handsome with sparkling green eyes, a light shading of stubble, lightly tanned skin and wavy, slightly messy dark blonde hair. He was in mid conversation when he glanced up and saw Ivy, pausing for a few seconds to watch her pass by them. She smiled slightly at him, noticing the expensive black suit and dark blue shirt on the man before she went into another room.
Daniel watched her go and managed to bring himself back to the conversation with his colleagues 'uh...what was I saying? Uh...?'. Jenkins smirked 'looks like our newest employee has caught Daniel's eye'. He glanced over at the now closed door that she had walked through and back to the me 'she works here? Jesus she's gorgeous'. Jenkins laughed 'Daniel I wouldn't go after her, she's Ivy Van Rensberg, Christian Grey's little sister'.
Seven days later Ivy was doing her first day at Grey Enterprises, literally finishing a days worth of work in two hours. By lunch she was bored and walked down to the canteen area which was fairly empty and ordering herself a coffee.
Daniel had just come from a meeting with Christian and the whole of the Asia department. It had lasted for what felt like hours and by the end of it everyone had agreed that he was right anyway, they weren't trained lawyers, he was- he knew the rules and legislation. Christian had sent him off, seeing how badly he needed a coffee after a late night writing a closing statement for court on Wenesday. Daniel was tired and glanced around the canteen, seeing Ivy standing by the sandwiches.
She had her long hair in waves down her back, wearing a little royal blue silk dress with black boots. Ivy looked amazing as she turned towards him, meeting his eyes and flashing a dazzling smile that made him inwardly groan a little.
Everyone had made it clear that no one was meant to go after Ivy, it was an unwritten rule in the building. Daniel knew just how authoritarian Christian could be and how ruthless he could be if someone upset him. He knew that going after Ivy was the worst possible thing for his career- and his life- but that smile, that body... For the second time in a week Daniel Sullivan felt himself falling for the dark haired woman in front of him 'Hi, I'm Daniel'. She smiled at him again, making his heart melt even more.
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