376: Do you want to be my enemy?

Do you want to be my enemy?

"Guessing is such a hassle. Do you like my husband, Miss Wei?"1

A slight surprise turned up on Ivy Wei's face at Heaven's direct question. The latter had this short smile, nodding approvingly as if quietly telling Ivy Wei she heard her correctly.

"That's a surprise," said Ivy with a brief chuckle. "I didn't think you will ask directly."

"I mentioned." Heaven shrugged, planting her hand on the surface, eyes fixed on Ivy. "Guessing is such a hassle. That's why I should ask. Do you like my husband, Miss Wei? Or rather… do you want to be my enemy?"

Ivy pressed her lips into a thin line, assessing the confident woman before her. The Heaven Liu she knew was different than the person standing before her. Surely, a year of absence was a long time for people to change. After all, before leaving the country, Axel used to hate Heaven with great passion. 

Although Axel never said his real reason for disliking his sister-in-law, it was clear he preferred Ivy to be his sister-in-law. But things happened, and now Axel didn't show any interest in Ivy anymore. Dominic never showed any romantic intention to Ivy or to anyone, but a person didn't need to be keen to figure out Heaven and Dominic's marriage was falling apart. 

"I can see your gears turning, Miss Wei." The corner of Heaven's mouth curled up into a kind smile, but the glint that flickered across her eyes contradicted her kind appearance. "I wonder what's going on in your mind."

"I'm just… surprised, that's all." Ivy chuckled, shrugging. "Anyone would be surprised. The last time we met, I thought you'll divorce Dom. But seeing that the two of you found the same equilibrium and that Axel seemed to have grown fond of you, I'm glad."

A subtle smile settled on Ivy's face, nodding at Heaven reassuringly. "No, Heaven Liu. I don't want to be your enemy. If anything, I want us to be friends just like how I am friends with your husband and brother-in-law. I am assuming since those two were treating you like a princess, Basti is also the same."

"Of course. My son's happiness is my priority." Heaven smiled, assessing the woman's face to confirm Ivy's claims. "It doesn't seem you're lying. So, you don't have any romantic intentions toward my husband?"

"No." Ivy shook her head, letting out another wave of chuckle. "I am a woman with needs, Heaven. Dominic and I are childhood friends. With the amount of pressure on my shoulders and the constant competition I have with him, which he didn't know about, I will not be very happy to be in a marriage with such an unfeeling man."

"Living my life all alone and marrying him sounds the same to me," she continued with confidence and certainty. "No offense, but Sebastian is also a huge factor in why I would never consider Dominic as my spouse. I like the little master, but I won't live my life trying to please a child that isn't my own and a man who knows nothing about a woman's heart."

"None taken." Heaven winked, smiling in satisfaction. "Well, that's easy."

"Thank you," Ivy said, earning Heaven's arch brow. "Thank you for bringing it up. I was worried you misunderstand and that my relationship with Dominic will cause a misunderstanding between you two."

"Oh, no." Heaven laughed, waving dismissively. "Trust me, Miss Wei. Your existence will never cause discord in our marriage."

Ivy smiled, despite noticing the slight sarcasm in Heaven's previous remarks. It wasn't a big deal, though.

"I'm simply asking because I'd rather know your intentions." Heaven's face was dominated by a smile, taking a step closer to Ivy before reaching for the latter's hands. Her brows rose while Ivy slowly held her gaze.

"I trust Dominic, Miss Wei. So, even if you're lying to me right now, I trust him enough to let you around him. He wouldn't budge." Her smile stretched broader. "Though I trust you meant what you said. I hope we become friends."

"The feeling is mutual, Heaven. Please, just call me Ivy. Miss Wei sounds a little distant."

"Then shall we start this friendly competition, Ivy?"

"Sure!" Ivy grinned while Heaven let her hand go. "Do you need my help?"

"Oh?" Heaven raised her brows as Ivy jerked her chin toward the pistol on the surface. "Sure. I will appreciate it if you refresh my memory. Dom was a little distracting earlier."

She cast Ivy a welcoming look, and the latter moved closer to her.

"This is how you load it and make sure that it's not loaded…" Ivy willingly instructed Heaven on what to do while Heaven watched carefully. 

Little did Ivy know it was not that Heaven needed to refresh her mind. She could do it even with her eyes closed. However, Heaven wanted to see how Ivy handle guns. 

'Precise, huh?'she thought, thinking that Ivy had a technical way of handling such weapons. Unlike Dominic's meticulous touch, Ivy's way was a standard way. 

Many people handle such weapons the same way, especially those who were already used to them. After all, this was how people were trained. Dominic's meticulous methods were even more admirable because he was trying to get a feel of the pistol before using it. 

"Did you get it?" asked Ivy, turning to Heaven with genuine curiosity. 

"I guess?"

"Can you try it, then?" Ivy smiled, disassembling the pistol so Heaven could assemble it. "Even if we're friends now, I will not take you on lightly. We won't start unless I'm certain you can do it on your own."

"How meticulous." Heaven chuckled, taking a step in front of the surface while Ivy took a side step. "I think this is how you did it."

Heaven clumsily hovered her hand over the pieces, mumbling to herself, and then getting short instructions from her. Ivy was patient, telling Heaven to redo it at least five times until Heaven got 'better.' Afterward, Ivy explained the rules and scoring of the bet, and just like that, the friendly competition started. 

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