"IVO! Don't," I laughed as he blew in my ear. His arms had a strong grip around my waist and I was struggling to pull free. He laughed darkly and held onto me.
I flicked the soapy dish water at him and he blinked in surprise before renewing his efforts to torment me, aiming for my feet this time.
I shrieked and pulled away, steadying myself on the counter. I stopped abruptly when Isabel appeared in the kitchen doorway. Ivo realised soon after and stood up quickly.
"Don't let me interrupt," she said sourly before stalking off to the bathroom.
Ivo's good mood disappeared instantly though he stayed to dry the dishes as I washed them.
I glanced at him every now and then but he held the same unreadable expression he usually did.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Fine."
"Have I done something," I asked warily.
"No. Well," he paused. "No."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He huffed.
"It means you haven't done anything wrong but Isabel is blaming you for things."
"Oh. Okay. Is there any way I can fix it?"
"No, not really."
"Me being here isn't really helping things though."
He turned to glare at me then.
"This is your home, I'll not have her push you out of it."
I said nothing after that.