Chapter 4: Interlude

Andrew found himself lost for words. This woman was feisty. His eyes met with Fred’s, who looked at him from behind the camera in an, ‘I told you so,’ kind of way.

He had met plenty of women in his life that were beautiful but Ivy Benson was on a different plane of gorgeous. He had expected her to wear a ton of make-up and look like the classic picture of a vanity driven woman--- yet alas.

Even with just a hint of make-up the woman seating in front of him, face framed with dark chocolate hair, eyeing him with the deepest blue icy stare was utterly stunning. A definite rare combination of astounding beauty and brains.

Andrew was not used to anyone turning his interviews against him with such ease and grace as Ivy did.

“No, MISS BENSON! I have not used any of your services myself as I honestly do not have money to waste on the fraudulent promises that you sell,” Andrew replied. He wished he had a more powerful comeback, but this woman had disarmed him with nothing but wits and beauty.

“Do not tell me you are just shooting daggers at me and my company without proper research, Mr. Logan?” Ivy narrowed her eyes in challenge.

“I am already in a relationship, Miss Logan. I don’t need your services,” Andrew found himself responding. He caught sight of Fred who was frowning at him. He had something going with Felicia but wondered if he could even call what they had a relationship.

As he brought his eyes back to Ivy’s face, he thought he saw a flicker of what looked like disappointment, yet as quickly as he thought he saw it she was smiling at him as her eyes brightened as if a bright idea bulb had gone on in her head.

“In that case, Mr. Logan, I invite you and your significant other to join our seminar ‘Fan the Flame’. It’s one-week program set to start in a month. If you had done proper research on our services Mr. Logan, you would know Mirror Love Connection does not just offer match-making services but every service to help build or reignite love!” Ivy put out a proposition. “Before you say you don’t have money or accuse me of phishing for money from you, it’s on the house. The seminar is set to be held at the Exodus Resort in Capetown. Return tickets and your accommodation will be taken care of at no expense to you. When you return, you can give an honest opinion based on your personal experiences. If by then you still believe I am a fraud, at least you won’t be blowing smoke about a product and service you have never tried!”

Andrew smirked. This woman was one apt businesswoman. If he refused to take the offer, anything he would say about Ivy Benson after this would be taken with a grain of salt.

“Challenge accepted, Miss Benson, on one condition!” he replied and Ivy raised her brows in a question. “You would have to use your matchmaking application to find yourself a significant other in time for that seminar. That way you also prove that your application works!”

For a moment he expected her to decline the request, rather she smiled as if she had been expecting that.

“Of course, Mr. Logan. I would be a----what is the name you called me? ‘Hypocrite,’ if I am unwilling to use my application to prove its effectiveness, wouldn’t I?” Ivy answered.

“Then it is settled. I will attend your seminar with my, ahhh…significant other. You will use your application to find love. After the seminar we will meet back here to update our faithful viewers on the results of the test,” he replied.

Ivy stood up and extended her slim hand towards him, a seductive smile on her beautiful face.

“Deal!” she said as they shook hands.

For the second time that day, Andrew felt his pants tighten soon as their hands made contact, especially in the groin area. This woman seemed to be the sub-station of feminine sexual charge and he was not spared at feeling the merciless electric current surging through him.

Before he could end the broadcast formally, Ivy had taken her bag and walked out.

“Well, that is it, folks. I will be sure to be back with an updated version of my assessment on Miss Benson. However, I doubt it will be any different from what I already know!” They concluded the broadcast and Andrew sank further into his chair.

“Well----That was mmm…interesting!” Fred commented a look of mischief in his eyes.

“Shut up!” Andrew warned, knowing that Fred was about to give him the ‘What did I tell you?’ lecture.

“I didn’t say anything! Anyway, I have to go post my profile on the Mirror Love Connection application now, and hope the algorithm will pair me up with her! How is she single? Did you see how gorgeous that woman is? Then her intelligence is just a bonus!” Fred commented.

“Are you sure it is not her bank balance that is the bonus?” Andrew teased.

“That woman could be a beggar on the street corner, with snort running down her nose and I would still take her home with me. I would bathe her and dress her in fine linen and silk because that is what such a rare beauty deserves!” Fred said day-dreamily.

Andrew chuckled and shook his head in mock despair.

“I think you are just exaggerating!” Andrew replied.

“No, I am as serious as a heart attack! I need to go now and post my profile!” Fred said and hurried out before Andrew could reply.

Andrew stared after his colleague. He didn’t know if he was being serious or if he had been joking.

Deep down he knew plenty of men were probably doing the same thing around the country now. Posting profiles in hopes of being the one to be matched with the drop-dead gorgeous Miss Ivy Benson. Any man with eyes could see that she was a trophy worth winning.

Weirdly he felt like he too wanted to throw his name in the hat. Something about her was calling out to him and he could not ignore it.

What had Fred called her beauty a day ago? ‘Siren beauty!’

He was not acting rationally; he was acting from primal male instincts but he felt he had just thrown Ivy into a sea full of sharks. He had to protect her!

What he was about to do might be misconstrued as stalking her on the dates she would have with her suitors, but he liked to think of it as ‘polite unsolicited chaperoning.’ Ivy had, after all, told him to try being polite and following her on her dates was polite, right?