“Mother! You must let me take my children home. They are mine!” A familiar voice was heard but Ivy couldn’t tell whose voice it was.
“Petunia, I will never let you harm my grandchildren! You will have to step over my dead body first!” Grandma’s voice was heard. “Petunia, who is this?” Ivy asked out loud. “It’s mother.” Phoenix’s echoed was heard.
“Phoenix!” Ivy gasped at the sight of him next to her in a white surrounding and she recalled she was in a similar place before this. “What… why are we in grandma’s prism?! What’s going on?” Ivy gasped as she ran around to find a crack but this time there wasn’t any to be found. “Grandma must have recovered and protected us from falling off the cliff.” Phoenix echoed.
“Cliff?” Ivy recalled the last time she was in her paracosm she woke to a shrilling yell of herself calling out to her mother desperately for help while flying down from a high area. “Why are we in here? What does mother wants?” Ivy pestered Phoenix for answer as he began to get restless as well. “Mother found us and we were pushed off the cliff when I fought her…” Phoenix explained.
“Ai Yee…” Grandma gently called out.
“Grandma!” Ivy called out as she burst out in tears. “Grandma! Where are you? Are you alright?” Ivy asked as she fell to the ground with Phoenix next to her trying to comfort her.
“Ai Yee, my dear. Stay strong. I wouldn't let your mother harm you or your brother. Phoenix will always be by your side to protect you.” Grandma comforted.
“Brother?” Ivy asked in the midst of her sobs. “Ai Yee, Phoenix is your twin brother. Your father is afraid that with both of you forming alliance, your forces would be stronger than his and with you always going against his will, they wanted to assa…” Grandma’s voice cracked as she couldn’t continue to tell Ivy the brutal truth.
“Grandma… I promise I will take care of Ivy… Grandma, would you please promise you would stay safe for us?” Phoenix echoed. “Don’t worry about me my child… They are my children, I know what to do with them…” Grandma’s voice was fading as Ivy called out to her desperately to not leave.
“Grandmaaaa…. Don’t leave…. Grandmaaaa…” Ivy sobbed in Phoenix’s arm as he comforted her.
While Ivy was sobbing in her dreams, her call-outs to grandma was worrying Lucky that Lucky woke up and climbed out of bed to find Jason in his room. Lucky was whining to wake Jason as he groggily woke up from sleep and knew Ivy must have her sleep disorders again as he quickly went to check on her.
“Ivy… I’m sorry I hid the truth that my memory has recovered.” Phoenix echoed as Ivy recalled he mentioned the last ingredient was her blood.
“The last ingredient to the portion was my blood?” She asked to double confirm as Phoenix nodded. “How is it that I’m the princess of the seven swords in human form but you’re a Phoenix the mythical bird but my twin?” She questioned further.
“It is mother’s doing… Because father wanted to split us hence, mother put a curse on you to stay human but grandma brought you here. My memory were wiped out and was sent on a journey to assassinate all of you but grandma placed a spell on the horizon causing all of the present memories wiped off… Only with your portion which was mixed with your blood could it save us…” Phoenix explained as Ivy was reminded of her own shrilling voice was getting louder and clearer as fear gripped upon her while she fight her pounding head.
She woke to find herself in a dark room alone as she wrapped herself and sobbed quietly. Jason came in nick of time finding her sobbing and noticed her night lamp was not working as he quickly ran towards her in bed.
“Ivy…” he called out gently as she finally had the courage to look up from her hiding her face on her knees. Jason carried her sobbing self to his room instead and switched on his table lamp as he laid her on bed with Lucky next to her.
Ivy calmed down a little from the brightness as Jason sat next to her and patted her head gently. “You’re alright? You want to talk about it?” Jason asked softly as she tried to slowly convince herself to tell him. “This time did you woke up to see something?” He asked as she shook her head. “Good… were you able to move?” He prompted as she nodded. “Good… who did you dream of? Your grandma?” He tried pushing further as she nodded and break into tears.
He pulled her in for a hug while she sobbed. “You must have missed her a lot, don’t you? It’s alright… I’m sorry the nightlight bulb went off in your room. I will fix it tomorrow alright?” He comforted.
“I saw myself falling off from a high area calling out desperately for my mother… but the person I saw up in the air just seem to ignore me …” She couldn’t continue as she broke into tears again in his embrace as he comforted her. “It’s alright Ivy… It’s over now…” Jason said as he pondered should he suggest for her to visit the psychologist.
“Ivy… would you like to try an appointment with the psychologist? Just once?” Ivy looked at him and wondered if it was the same psychologist who treated Nancy. “Would you want to? I know her well as she had been treating Nancy… Perhaps, just to figure out all the mess in your dream? You don’t have to oblige to medication but just one therapy and see how it goes?” Jason persuaded as Ivy thought it wasn’t a bad idea and nodded.
“Alright… tonight you sleep here… I will make the arrangement tomorrow and I will go with you alright?” He explained as she nodded but the moment he withdrew his hand from hers, she stopped him and held on tighter.
“Could you stay with me tonight?” She pleaded as he nodded and sat back next to her while they both fell asleep with Lucky cuddling in between them.
The next morning, Jason quickly fixed a short appointment with Nancy’s psychologist. Ivy hesitated a few times but eventually convinced herself to have a talk about all her questions.
“Miss Ophal, shall we start?” The psychologist asked as Ivy nodded. “I’m Phyllis, your psychologist for today’s therapy session. Could you start by telling me about your happy moments during your childhood?” Phyllis asked as Ivy’s mind flashed back to her childhood memories.
“When I was young, my grandma took care of me. We had a glass house to tend to her mini garden and she would let me play by her side while she did gardening. She had her little shop selling spicy noodles which were really famous and now she left two branches to my neighbor, Auntie Soh to handle. I’m really glad Auntie Soh held on till now.” Ivy smiled watching Phyllis examined her.
“That’s a good start Ivy… With so much happiness, could you tell me when did you started to find you had issues?” Phyllis asked and noticed Ivy gave a sad smile as she looked on the ground.
“I always had nightmares when I was a child and woke up crying next to my grandma. Later I learned my cries in the middle of the night would worry her so during my teen years, I slept alone and endured the nightmares myself. Only when I am very stress, I would wake up in yells which grandma would start to worry again. When she passed away recently, I started to have sleep paralysis and even injuring myself…” Ivy’s voice started to crack as Phyllis held out a hand to pat her on her shoulder and offered her glass of water. Ivy took a sip as she put the glass of water by the side table.
“Ivy, could you tell me, what do you see in your nightmares?” Phyllis asked as Ivy knew this was the moment she dreaded but came to seek the truth.
“When I was young, there were serpents… lots of them. At times, I will see an aurora litted sky with my parents and a faceless guy. At times, both scenes would merge and I would see swirls of portal with serpents head protruding out. Lately after she passed away, I see my grandma in a cottage by plains of irises with a kingdom of dogs and there was a guest name Phoenix. There were also mixture of scenes from the aurora and serpents and a shrilling voice of myself calling out to my mother desperately for help but all I could see was a faceless woman figure watching me fall of from a high area… Each time I woke up from such dream I see the faceless woman hovering over me during my sleep paralysis… I just… I…” Ivy paused as the entire event caught up with her and it was overwhelming as Phyllis comforted her by teaching her a breathing technique.
“Ivy whenever you feel overwhelmed, do these breathing techniques to calm yourself down…” Phyllis advice as Ivy followed and nodded.
“Now that you’re settled, tell me have you been to the places you saw in your nightmares?” Phyllis checked. “I have been to the aurora place with my parents when I was young but not that I could recognise any for the rest…” Ivy explained.
“Have you had pets or you have any now?” Phyllis prompted. “Yes, quite a few when I grew up and they were dogs which I could see them in my nightmares with my grandma…” Ivy smiled as Phyllis nodded and seemed assured of her assumptions.
“Ivy, have you heard of paracosm?” Phyllis asked as Ivy raised both eyebrows. “Yes, I have friends who were interested with psychology mentioned to me before this. It’s a vivid imaginary world.” Ivy explained her understanding as she took a sip of water.
“Yes, Ivy. That’s right and I think you have one. Usually a person’s paracosm are controlled by themselves and commonly has those loved ones who has passed on. For your case, it’s your dogs and your grandmother… However, for those faceless individuals, those if you would like find out, I could recommend a hypnosis session… With this session, you would slowly get to see what your mind missed or feared but it wouldn't work 100% provided you’re willing to see, your mind would let you.” Ivy gave it a thought and nodded in agreement.
As she followed the instructions of Phyllis to let herself at ease as she entered the fields of irises, she stepped into a pebbles path which led to a different portal and found herself by a high rise building. Fear and anxiety were gripping on her as she bravely walked forward and saw a long hair lady whom she approached slowly. Before she could turn the lady around to see her face, she turned and gave a sinister smile before pulling her to the edge of the building and push her off as she vividly remembered those thin eyebrows and sharp nose lady as she heard her shrilling voice calling out to the lady as her mother for help but she only watched her falling off the building with smirk. Ivy woke from the hypnosis with a startled as she yelled. She didn’t recognise the face of the lady and it wasn’t her mother. Phyllis was calming her down while she caught her breath and her bracelet was shimmering.
Jason who was waiting impatiently outside the consultation room could hear Ivy scream as he barged in to check on them only to find a breathless Ivy with a faint shimmering bracelet as he quickly went to hold her hand. She instantly felt the warmness of his hand calming her raging chaotic emotion.
“Ivy… You’re alright?” Jason asked as Ivy finally noticed she was holding tightly to his hand. “When did you came in?” Ivy asked in between catching her breathe as she swallowed her saliva.
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“Ivy… are you alright?” Phyllis asked as she gave her a glass of water. Ivy nodded as she still held on to Jason’s hand. Phyllis noticed her gesture and knew Ivy had a place she seek refuge from. “Ivy, would you be alright if we continue a bit more with Jason around?” Phyllis asked as Ivy nodded without hesitation.
“What did you see?” Phyllis asked as Ivy sighed anticipated her question. “A face of the lady whom pushed me down the building whom I couldn’t recognise. I was calling out to her as my mother but that’s not her. I ….” Jason held her hand tighter as she calmed down from her memories.
“Ivy… Sometimes memories can be distorted and there are reasons for it. A part of your paracosm is healthy but there are some energy which appear to be unhealthy. You should redirect this paracosm you build more towards the positive energy.” Phyllis explained as Ivy nodded and waited for her next course of action.
“I guess that’s it for today… You could perhaps ask those family members who knew you from young… Perhaps it could help you by a bit.” Phyllis smiled as Ivy nodded. “Do you want to book for a next session or… ?” Phyllis left the question open ended as Jason took the liberty to answer instead.
“It’s fine… We will let you know again…” Jason said as he stood to thank her while he shook hands with Phyllis on his right, he was still holding on to Ivy on his left
“Thanks, Phyllis…” Jason said while Phyllis walked them out. “No worries. Ivy, here’s my contact.” She handed Ivy her name card. “Thank you…” She took it and smiled.
“Alright, see you next time!” Phyllis waved as they both entered the lift. Jason held on to her hand without letting go as Ivy pondered if she was to question about her past, the only way was to find her birth father which was really a far-fetched idea as she wouldn't want to bother Auntie Soh and worry her about her condition.
“A penny for your thought?” Jason teased noticing she was deep in thinking.
“Hmm… Oh… Was wondering about the session…” Ivy mumbled. Jason turned her to face him. “Don’t worry about it. We are here to fix the issue. You have done well.” Jason comforted. “But if I were to find the truth, I would need to find my birth father which seemed near impossible…” Ivy lamented and sighed as her words pricked on Jason like knives. Jason was stunned for a moment as they stepped out the lift while his phone rang.
“Hello?” He answered as they walked over to his car and he quickly ended the call with an alright.
“I will send you home first alright?” He said when he started the car. “Why? Go to your office. We have lots of work to do…” Jason raised an eyebrow at Ivy who was busy buckling her safety belt.
“You paid me boss… I’m fine now. Let’s go. Hurry!” Ivy teased as Jason sighed and drove them to work instead. He let her work on the business proposals drafting which she was suppose to do last week while he went on and off with back to back meetings while managing his schedule.
Ivy noticed the business proposals she drafted were of large scale and the details required outsourced logistic companies which took up a huge amount in the budget allocated. She also noticed he had to to pay for manpower which was also another large sum. She wondered if her ideas of using part timers would work and she had a few candidates in mind. While she left the completed drafts on his table, she went to study on her notes while waiting for him to end the day.
She wondered what Sandra and Andrew were up to these days as she had been staying over Jason’s place daily due to Nancy’s unstable condition that at the end of the week she found herself end up missing them a lot. She send a text message to offer picking them up for extra curriculum like usual on every Saturday morning. The thought of an upcoming monthly exam next week was also worrying her a little in terms of preparation.
While she read the replies from the both of them agreeing to her offer, Jason appeared in his office. “Hey…” She greeted at a busy Jason who was reading his document while walking to his seat.
“Hey… oh you’re done…” He noticed the completed proposal files. “Good.. I will have a look later…” He said while continue to check on his documents.
“Jason, I was thinking…” Jason interrupted Ivy while she wanted to tell him her idea. Ivy kept quiet for a moment for him to finish reading the document and sign off before he came back to her on the topic. She wanted to continue but thought it was late so they should head home for dinner instead.
“Yes, you were saying?” Jason asked as he compiled the documents in the files. “Nothing… wanted to ask what’s for dinner?” She changed the topic.
“Oh right… let’s go…” Jason suggested as they went to pack a light dinner and headed home for her tutoring session on Fridays.
Ivy didn’t had much to ask as she quickly went to practice her accounting questions to allow Jason time to review her work earlier. She decided perhaps it was the right time to bring up her idea.
“Jason… I have been thinking…” Ivy paused waiting for his reaction. “Yes?” he asked while sipping his hot chocolate.
“While drafting the proposals, I noticed a huge amount of the budget was allocated to logistics and also manpower. Was thinking manpower wise could it be feasible to hire part timers instead?” Ivy suggested as Jason pondered for a moment.
“That’s possible actually... Would need to post up for hiring soon for two of the upcoming large scale roadshows…” Jason said as Ivy decided she should tell him her candidates instead.
“Would you consider hiring Sandra and Andrew if they are alright with it?” Ivy asked as Jason nodded. “Yes, why not?” He agreed while Ivy tried to push her luck further.
“You know lately, I felt the matter at hand could be resolve if you keep your enemy closer to you…” Ivy hinted but Jason didn’t understand.
“What? I’m sorry… I don’t understand what are you trying to tell me…” Jason said.
“I mean you could also hire Nancy to help out since Nick is already helping out with your weekend emcee job. That way, she would understand your hectic schedule and not bother much. Besides, keeping her close will ensure lesser harm to be done…” Ivy explained firmly in a professional way.
Jason felt her idea was absurd as he smirked. “Ivy, stop giving me ridiculous ideas. I have no time for such stuff…” He packed his documents and left the table as Ivy trailed behind him.
“But… But Jason, listen she would be able to understand you more that way. It’s a way of communication Jason…” Ivy explained while climbing the stairs. “No, I reject.” Jason turned around briefly to answer her before climbing the stairs again.
“Jason, would you please con…” Ivy stopped pleading the moment he slammed his room’s door into her face as she disappointingly went to prepare for bed. She kept the lights in her room brighter as she didn’t want any nightmares to bother her when she had to wake rather early next day to pick Andrew and Sandra.
The next morning, she crept silently out of Jason’s house with Lucky on the leash as she drove to her grandma’s house. She pondered on the face she saw during her consultation but no matter how she cracked her brain, she couldn’t remember the lady’s face.
“Do you go everywhere with him?” Sandra greeted as she patted Lucky which startled Ivy from her thoughts.
“Good morning! Yes, he is my lovely companion today as he needed some exercise too… How have you been?” Ivy greeted with a hug from Sandra.
“I miss you…” Sandra said as Andrew came from behind them and ambushed them. “Me too!”
“Hey! Andrew!” Ivy greeted as he high-five him. “Great! Let’s go exercise now!” Ivy cheered while Lucky barked as they went to her car.
“Are you coming tonight for the mid year basketball event?” Andrew asked Ivy. “Oh, there’s such an event? Are you both going? If yes, let’s go!” Ivy said as they nodded and agreed to the plan while Ivy was reminded of Ryu.
She send a text message to Ryu asking if he would be in the event but she didn’t get a reply at all for the whole day. Jason was still angry with her absurd ideas and gave her a silent treatment while avoiding her the whole day. He noticed Nancy was at his backyard most of the time before he went into his room to finish some work. He also noticed Ivy went out rather early in the evening after coming home at noon. She texted him that she won’t be home for dinner due to an event in college.
Earlier Ivy noticed Nancy was also by the garden table watching them before she left. She was talking on the phone with Andrew as she was preparing him and Sandra before she went to pick them up for the event. Nancy overheard her conversation and had a nasty idea as she trailed Ivy via a taxi.
As it got darker, Lucky had been restless since Ivy stepped out of the house and had been trying to get Jason’s attention but Jason thought he was just being restless cooped up in the room for too long. He finally gave in to Lucky’s whine when his stomach grumbled.
He went downstairs noticing Nancy was not where she was. He panicked a little as he knew Nancy would only stalk him and Ivy or else it would just be him. He checked with Nick who told him he thought she was at Jason’s place. He wondered if Nancy would be in Ivy’s college event as Nancy could have waited for an opportunity since that day in his office’s lobby. He quickly grabbed his keys and notified Nick to come along with Lucky following him closely into the car. He sped all the way to Ivy’s college worrying about her safety.
When Ivy arrived, she was greeted by a tall familiar figure in semi casual wear. “Ryu! I texted you! I thought you weren't coming!” Ivy greeted excitedly as Ryu smiled.
“Hey Ivy! Surprise?” Ryu winked. Ivy blushed. “A little…” She laughed as she noticed she should introduced her friends.
“Oh, here meet Andrew and Sandra, my neighbours and best friends. And for both of you, meet Ryu. We played basketball with his brothers in Landsfield.” Ivy introduced as they all nodded in acknowledgment.
“Great event tonight…” Ryu said as Ivy smiled and nodded.
“How’s everyone? Are your brothers doing great?” Ivy asked as Ryu nodded. “Yes, they were asking when would you be in Landsfield again?” Ryu asked. “Oh, not at the moment… soon perhaps. Will let you know once am there?” Ivy smiled and noticed Lance were watching her and Ryu with an upset face while Belinda and Laura were by his side as they stood in front of her, Ryu, Andrew and Sandra.
“Yo, Ivy…” Belinda greeted while Andrew stepped forward to defend Ivy but Ivy as usual stepped forward to greet her. “Yo… What’s up?” Ivy asked coolly. “You know the rules. My birthday… same location, same deposit.” Belinda lowered down her voice as she noticed Ryu who was not an acquaintance was watching them.
“ Fine, my rules as usual as well.” Ivy said as Belinda nodded. Ivy thought she had escaped from the fiery pit only to fall into another one when she saw another familiar figure appeared next to the trio. This time she was nervous for everyone as she tried to check her phone but got no messages or calls from Jason. She wondered if he was still angry with her.
She wanted to pretend she didn’t know her but Nancy was already snarling at her that Ryu and Andrew were standing in front her Ivy protecting her. Nancy’s messed up hair and haggard look made the trio retreated real fast to a corner as they knew danger was lurking.
“You! You shouldn’t be here…” Ryu pointed at Nancy as Nancy walked forward and tried to shove him to the side but instead was stopped in front of him.
“What’s your problem?” Andrew snarled as Sandra held him back. “What’s her problem?” Nancy pointed behind Ryu at Ivy. “Ivy, do you know her?” Ryu asked. Before Ivy could reply, Nancy snapped.
“She knows me very well. She even stole my boyfriend away from me!” Nancy was going berserk wanting to create a scene and fought Ryu but he was strong enough to stop Nancy from charging at Ivy who was denying all she said to Andrew and Sandra.
Jason who rushed to scene with Nick knew he was a little too late as they walked over to all them calmly with a plan in mind he shared with Nick earlier.
“Ivy!” Jason called out as Ivy turned around and was shock to find him on the scene. She noticed Nick was sneaking in the crowd heading towards to Nancy’s side.
“You’re alright?” He whispered as she nodded. “Put on your act…”
“Not here! With every college student…” Ivy whispered. “You don’t have a choice…” Ivy sighed as she rolled her eyes.
“Nancy, what are you doing here?” Jason asked walking towards her who was more calm. “Your boyfriend has been searching for you everywhere… Stop creating a scene wherever Ivy is. She never did stole your boyfriend. Could you please get yourself together?” Jason yelled as he ensured to clear Ivy’s tainted name earlier while Ryu got closer to Ivy to protect her.
“I’m fine… It’s alright…” Ivy said. “You know them?” Ryu asked as Ivy nodded. “I’m sorry I will explain later… it’s a misunderstanding…” Ryu nodded.
“So you’re saying the both of you dating are fake?” Nancy asked daringly as Jason and Ivy knew they were trapped. “Nancy, don’t regret asking…” Jason warned as he signaled Nick to settle Nancy.
Jason walked towards Ivy who was getting nervous at his next action. The moment he reached to grab her, everyone thought the same as Ivy but instead of a kiss, Jason lifted her off his shoulders to the car leaving Nancy throwing a fit while Nick carried her off to hail for a taxi instead.
Jason sighed of relief the moment he entered the car and drove Ivy home. Ivy was busy explaining her situation to Andrew and Sandra as well as Ryu over a conference call that she didn’t notice that Jason was upset and exhausted from a heavy load of work. On the way home, Jason was beginning to contemplate on Ivy’s idea of incorporating Nancy into his job scope.