“Ivy, have you finished the new chapter mind map for history notes?” Andrew bugged Ivy, knowing she was distracted again as she stared outside the window for a long while. Ivy had been staying up to avoid her nightmares while thinking of ways to solve the conflict with Jason. After the event in college last night, she left for home when Jason drove her back to his house and continued the silent treatment. She thought of giving Jason some space of his own and kept Lucky with him.

Instead, she spent the entire Sunday with Andrew and Sandra for a group study since it was an exam week ahead of them. Sandra nudged Andrew to signal him to check on Ivy.

“Ivy…” Andrew held her right arm and startled Ivy from her thoughts.

“Yes?” Ivy asked while clumsily flipped her pen and dropped it to the ground. Sandra went over to her side while Andrew stood to pick the pen up for her.

“You… What's going on? Aren’t you supposed to be revising accounts today or having to do your part time internship?” Sandra pretended to be angry and nagged while Ivy blinked in disappointment and sighed.

“What are you doing here?” Sandra pretended to pester more. “Studying…” Ivy mumbled while looking sad.

“Really? Your mind is wandering at Jason isn't it?” Andrew asked while teasing her.

Ivy smacked him lightly. “Says who?” Ivy retaliated as she shifted in the chair to sit right up and studied.

“Ivy… What happened?” Sandra finally asked in a serious and concerned tone but before Ivy could answer, they heard a bark from her front door.

Ivy instantly knew it was Lucky as she ran to greet him at the side entrance of her house. “Lucky!” Ivy delightedly hugged Lucky who was pouncing on her. Andrew and Ivy joined in greeting Lucky while being pounced on and cuddled with him.

Ivy then realised Jason could still be around the corner as she stepped out to the entrance of the winding road to look for him only to see his car sped off. She lamented at her efforts of trying to make peace with him while Andrew and Sandra walked towards her with Lucky.

“So, aren’t you telling us what’s going on?” Sandra asked while folding her arms, waiting for an answer with Andrew.

“Fine, fine… before last night's event, he was already angry with me cause he has really big events coming up this weekend and not just one but two. So, I asked him if he needed some part timers. I was supposed to tell you both about it too. If you both are fine with the timing and extra income, it would be of great help…” Ivy explained halfway while trying not to tell the other half of the truth. Both Sandra and Andrew seemed adamant to the plan.

“Not a bad idea… we will see how…” Sandra agreed.

“But that does not explain why he is angry… Come on stop beating around the bush Ivy…” Andrew scolded while Ivy pouted at her failure to hide the truth any further.

“I also suggested that since keeping your enemy closer is better so… I suggested that he also hire Nancy.. the girl you saw last night…'' Ivy's explanation was interrupted by Sandra.

“No, you did not! Do you know how psychotic she was, Ivy?” Sandra scolded.

“Listen… Listen… Like I said last night over the phone, she was Jason’s ex-girlfriend and has depression. She has a stalker habit if she isn't under medication… I thought by keeping her close to Jason, she could start to take her medication obediently and stop doing dangerous attacks on people around her…” Ivy relaxed her shoulders knowing they both seemed to understand better of her predicaments as she took a seat by the stairs cuddling Lucky for refuge.

“Well… It’s quite subjective to be honest. She seems to be aiming more at you than Jason. Is it because she thinks you’re dating Jason seriously? ” Andrew asked while Sandra and him took a seat by Ivy’s side.

Ivy nodded to his question. “And the entire stalker events started when she knew about it… but I am also confused cause she apparently dates someone else whom she cheated on Jason with and is an acquaintance of Jason…” Ivy further explained in confusion.

“Guess, it’s a psychology issue… You see the fact that she cheated on Jason with an acquaintance seemed to indicate she might have taken Jason for granted… When someone new comes by, then… only then she realised how important he was to her…” Sandra explained while Ivy pondered on the possibilities.

Andrew was staring at Sandra as her last sentence struck himself. After Ivy left the night before, Andrew decided to leave early as he was angry yet disappointed with himself after he saw Sandra being head over heels talking with one of the basketball boys. There and then, it dawned upon him that he himself, might have had a crush on Sandra for a little too long that he wondered should he confess.

“Let’s head back in and continue with some studies before it gets late…” Sandra suggested this when she noticed Andrew was staring at her differently as though there were thousands of unspoken words and it was getting awkward for her.

Ivy nodded as she stood and walked back into the house without noticing the awkward situation among those two who broke away when Andrew suddenly realised he was staring too long and quickly followed them back into the house.

Sandra lamented at her effort of trying to tell the duo about her new relationship with Ryu’s friend, Jeremy from the national basketball team whom she had agreed to date last night. She was worried they might judge her or laugh at her curiosity on the feeling of dating which resulted in her hasty decision. Besides, she could also sense something had changed with Andrew. After their study session, Sandra decided she needed to tell someone about her issues so she went to visit Ivy and stayed for the night.

“Hey! I wasn’t expecting you! Come in!” Ivy greeted Sandra when she saw her side main door was open and Sandra stood in front of her. “Was playing with Lucky a little bit so it’s a bit messy… “ Ivy explained as she cleaned up the living room while Sandra stepped in and stood by the side watching Ivy.

“What’s up? You are exceptionally quiet today…” Ivy asked, noticing something was wrong as she pulled Sandra to sit next to her and Lucky. “Come, tell us… We are happy to hear and help you out Ms. Sandra. Welcome to Lucky Ivy therapy session…” Sandra giggled at Ivy’s attempt on lightening the mood.

Sandra sighed before she spilled the beans. “I am dating your friend’s friend… We just started…” Sandra mumbled while Ivy got excited. “Really?! Who is it? Is it Ryu?” Ivy shrieked. “No! I said your friend’s friend. Ryu’s friend, Jeremy.” Sandra explained while she blushed.

“Oh! Congratulations!” Ivy hugged her but Sandra was surprised at Ivy’s reaction.

“Aren’t you upset about it?” Sandra asked while Ivy raised an eyebrow.

“Why would I be? I mean my best friend is finally dating for real unlike me… I should be happy…” Ivy said while her mind wandered to Andrew who had been acting strangely lately and wondered if Sandra would want him to know. “But what’s up with you? This isn't the reaction I expected of you either…” Ivy asked.

“Right… Don't tell Andrew just yet… He, well…” Sandra sighed. “I know.. he has been acting weirdly lately…” Ivy sighed.

“You noticed it too?” Sandra asked. “Yes… He has been behaving well around us and doesn't annoy us much, especially you…” Ivy explained. “Yes… and kept staring at me… it’s so not him.. What’s wrong with him lately?” Sandra pouted while Ivy questioned herself about his long stares which were suspicious.

“Alright let’s keep it away from him for the time being then. Well, since you’re here, let’s binge watch movies till we fall asleep?” Ivy suggested lightening up the mood even more as it was their favorite pastime whenever they slept over each other’s place.

At the back of Ivy’s mind, she knew something was also not right with Andrew as she reminded herself to speak with Andrew soon. She didn’t want to see her best of friends stay upset either.

The next few days went past really fast due to back to back exams that Ivy had the chance to speak with Andrew only after her last paper on Wednesday. She decided to treat him to ice cream instead, which Sandra often didn’t want to join as she wasn’t a fan of sweet food. Besides, Sandra has not only been occupied with studies for exams but also text messages with Jeremy.

“Ohhhh I am so happy! I am nearly finishing my exams and Ms. Ivy decided to treat me to ice cream! What a great catch!” Andrew cheered while skipping around as Ivy smiled watching his usual traits return. She pondered if she should tell Andrew yet about Sandra’s relationship.

Andrew noticed Ivy was usually quiet and something was not right as he tried to pry. “So, tell me… What’s up? What are you trying to trade with me for ice cream?” Andrew smirked while Ivy chuckled.

“Nothing… just to celebrate the end of my exams for the month…” Ivy cheered but accidentally dropped her ice cream spoon. “Oh man!” Ivy whined while Andrew laughed.

“How clumsy of you?” Andrew teased while Ivy decided to lick from the container and had some stain on her nose which made Andrew laugh even more. She knew he would and was glad to see him that way as she continued to make funny faces.

When they calmed down, they sat by the bench at the park they walked past before reaching home.

“So, how’s things with Jason?” Andrew asked casually while he passed his spoon to her upon finishing his ice cream. “No, it’s alright. It’s melting so I drink it instead…” Ivy smiled trying to ignore his first question.

“So… Jason?” Andrew pestered on the topic. Ivy sighed. “The same… I haven't spoken or heard from him since Saturday night…” Ivy pouted as she reminded herself to think of ways to resolve the matter since she would be seeing him tomorrow.

“So, how’s revision with Sandra lately?” Ivy asked, trying to change the topic while they enjoyed the breeze. Andrew was taken aback as he was weary with Ivy bringing up Sandra and decided to be careful with his answers to not give himself away but he couldn’t help but to wonder if he should clarify with her on his doubts.

“Ivy, can I ask you something about Sandra?” Andrew asked as Ivy nodded.

“Is she seeing someone?” Andrew asked without hesitation, which was also what Ivy had expected and prepared herself for.

“Not that I am aware of. Why? Do you know any insights? Oh ho… or are you jealous cause you actually like her?” Ivy teased but didn’t expect Andrew to admit it.

“Yes… but I can’t seem to bring up the courage to confess to her. What if she doesn't feel the same and what if in future it didn’t work out? What will happen to the three of us? Our friendship is more worthwhile than the confession… But…” Andrew sighed as Ivy patted his shoulder knowing Sandra was right to not tell him about her relationship with Jeremy.

“Take it easy, Andrew… Time to grow up and think it through…” Ivy comforted him. “How come you aren’t upset?” Andrew asked.

“Me? Upset? For what? I’m glad you like her. I know she will be in good hands when she is with you. So I suggest, take it slow and talk it out with her only when you’re sure yourself.” Ivy advised while Andrew pondered as they both sat in the serenity of the breeze pondering on their own problems at hand. Ivy wondered how Nancy was doing and somehow, she caught herself missing Jason. She shrugged the thought away thinking she must have thought too much about their fake relationship.

Jason had been checking on her every night discreetly by the winding road corner. He was worried she would have nightmares every night that he sent Lucky to accompany her. He would leave when he saw the table lamp from her room’s window was lit. He began to accept her idea of recruiting Nancy after he spoke with Nick who informed him that Nancy’s psychiatrist suggested for Nancy to have a fixed routine to keep her mind occupied. He decided to make up for his mistake with a surprise dinner for Ivy on Thursday night considering he would be busy with the setup of the two weekend events at the respective event venues that he wouldn't stay in the office to meet her.

After Ivy sent Lucky home on Thursday morning, she focused on helping Ann with the month-end filing and closure of monthly accounts. The entire team in the office were at the event venues except for Ann and herself. She wondered if he arranged this in such a way to avoid meeting her and her suspicions grew when Ann passed her urgent documents for his signature which was needed by tomorrow.

When evening came, she dreaded the idea of meeting him but she had sent Lucky home and he might be home too late to feed Lucky. For the sake of Lucky, she forced herself to drive to his home and told herself to leave the documents on his table with a note after feeding Lucky and leave immediately. She decided it would be a good idea to come back again the next morning to check on Lucky and collect the documents instead.

However, the moment she reached, she saw his car parked at the porch and had no choice but to finally meet him due to the urgent documents. She told herself to quickly pass them to him and leave but instead a surprise was awaiting her.

Ivy unlocked the door to Jason's house and stepped into a room filled with mac and cheese aroma wafting. She was never fond of surprises as she raised an eyebrow walking past some lighted candles on the dining table. The smell of mac and cheese wafting was tempting and making her stomach growl as Lucky pounced on her.

While carrying Lucky and walking towards the living room, she squinted her eyes as she turned around to look at Jason in the dark house, who was folding his arms while standing crossed leg by the kitchen door. She scolded herself for not leaving the documents on the table and leave but instead played with Lucky and is half worried Jason was still upset.

"Surprise!" He winked.

"You know I despise surprises… what's all this about?" She put down Lucky on the ground and her bag and keys by the side table of the sofa in the living room. He walked over closer enough for her to hear him whisper. ”She’s here. It’s a show.” Ivy became tense for a moment, recalling she was indeed, after all, in an act with him for Nancy.

"Aren't you my girlfriend after all? What's wrong with a dinner date?" He teased as he eyed the curtain behind her before slipping his arm to her waist and guiding her to the dinner table.

Ivy being quick witted quickly put on an act. "Well then, a dinner date shall we?" She winked as he led her to the table but stopped midway. Jason, seeing Nancy was watching them decided to add on more acts. He stared into Ivy’s eyes. “I miss you…” Ivy’s eyes widened at his words as though he meant it. She could feel her heart was resonating to his words as he kissed her forehead before leading her to the dining table. In the midst of being stunned, Ivy felt butterflies in her stomach as she struggled to calm and assured herself that it was only an act.

He went into the kitchen top to grab the bouquet of irises he bought with the ingredients and handed them to her.

"Thank you…" She was taken by surprise again at his detailed preparation. The smell of the irises wafted at the dining table, reminding her of the fields of irises by her grandma’s cottage which she had placed her dearly in her dreams.

"How did you know?" She asked quizzically while inhaling the scent of the irises.

"Know what?" He asked as he took a seat opposite her.

She pointed to the bouquet. "That I like irises?"

He wanted to tell her it was the dreams she always told him about but was worried it might trigger anything to upset her.

"Secret." He smiled as he dug into his meal while she snarled at him.

"Thanks anyway, I'm touched." She winked indicating it was an act as she took her first mouth of mac and cheese.

"Do you like it?" He asked as she nodded.

"I was afraid you wouldn't…" She couldn't help but smile. "You're a great cook!" She complimented as she raised her glass of water to toast with him.

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“I’m sorry…” He whispered before he clanked his glass of water to accommodate to her act which caught her by surprise. “I’m sorry too…” She smiled and quickly whispered in return. “You don’t have to … We will talk later…” He whispered as she nodded and continued eating.

"Are classes doing well?" He asked while switching topics as he peep at the shadow behind the curtain who was seated on his backyard chair and table. Ivy held onto his left hand to stop him as he stared at her with a burrowed forehead. She shook her head to indicate stop peeping.

"Classes are fine… In fact there are several issues I wanted to discuss with you over tutoring later. Perhaps over some cuddling too…" She giggled as she took a mouth full of mac and cheese. Her eyes were trying to signal to him not to worry.

He understood her silent gestures as he played along to her well thought verbal act. "Sure… It's a dinner date after all..." He teased as he chuckled.

"Finish up then I will start cuddling…" He said as he finished up the last bit of mac and cheese on his plate.

"I will do the dishes so you can shower. By then it would be just nice timing." She offered.

He paused thinking for a moment before agreeing. Before he could tell her, the sound of thunder interrupted him. "You should shower too. Stay the night. I will send you to the office tomorrow."

She was pondering on his suggestion but was also worried for Nancy who was outside by the backyard and definitely would be under the rain in no time.

He noticed her worried face as he walked over and held onto her free arm. His sudden gesture by her side, startled her from her thoughts as he patted her to signal her not to worry. She smiled and nodded but in her mind, she couldn't get over it. Every gesture he put on felt so surreal that she couldn’t differentiate which was an act anymore.

“Oh yes, there are also documents for you to sign which Ann needs it tomorrow…” At the back of her mind, Ivy tried to clear her conscience by getting back to serious business. “I know…” Jason whispered before kissing her head and left for shower.

Instead of clearing her conscience, Ivy seemed to get more confused as she washed the last bit of crockery and cleared the table. The rain started to pour heavily as she looked at the sliding door’s direction and quickly prepared a glass of warm milk instead. She took her favorite butter cookies from her bag to place a few pieces on a plate. She went to the guest room and took a blanket. She even thought a book would be a good distraction as she randomly took a thrilling crime novel from her reading collection in the guest room and quickly placed everything in a tray.

Once she was satisfied with everything she assembled, she packed the rubbish and used it as an excuse to deliver the tray of goodies to Nancy who was fuming by the backyard and was stuck due to the rain. She remembered to put on Jason’s thick coat hanging by the side of the door to protect herself from the rain.

She first threw the rubbish away with her right hand while her left was holding on to the tray at her very best to not spill anything.

"Nancy!" She called out as she stood beneath the first floor balcony for shelter. Nancy was surprised to see her but got more angry while she waited for Ivy to approach.

"Here, have some warm milk to keep yourself warm." She placed the tray on the table as she quickly wrapped the blanket around Nancy and sat her down. "Enjoy! The book is thrilling."

Nancy was taken by surprise at her gesture but snarled at her. She was thinking Ivy was trying to challenge her.

"Chill it Nancy. I'm only helping you. If you fall sick, you wouldn't be able to keep up with updates about him or even see him. If you want to see him always, you need to learn to care for yourself first." She took an umbrella by the side of the garden tools shed and opened it wide while leaving it on the floor beside Nancy to prevent the rain from spraying at her.

"Don't stay too late… After all, you can always see him everyday. I’ll share with you my treats too." Ivy smiled as she was ready to return before Jason noticed she was gone.

Nancy was getting more furious as she misunderstood Ivy's kindness. She turned Ivy around and attempted to attack her with a penknife which Ivy managed to snatch from her but accidentally cut Nancy's left arm on the surface.

"You! How dare you?!" Nancy was furious at the cut as the pain was feeding fuel to her rage.

"I'm sorry, Nancy! It's an accident! Listen, I was just being nice. You should listen to my explanation!" Ivy was panicking and tried to keep her voice low as she knew Jason would be out of the shower anytime soon.

"Don't hurl nonsense at me! Do you think I am here to watch you both? Every single time you get any closer to him makes me want to rip you apart!" Nancy fumed as she charged at Ivy and they both struggled in a fight. Nancy was trying to push Ivy's arm which was holding the penknife towards Ivy's chest as Ivy was fighting to push it off with all her strength while being pinned down in the ground.

She could hear Lucky barking from inside and she was sure Jason would be done from shower. Ivy cursed at herself for not paying attention to the penknife earlier when she withdrew it. She regretted not retreating from the protruding knife head pointing at her.

Jason, who stepped down after his shower heard Lucky barking fiercely at the sliding door and Nancy was nowhere to be seen. He was worried and had a gut feeling Ivy went outside as he could see a glass of milk and blanket was on the table outside. He quickly texted Nick to come to the rescue or at least bring Nancy home to keep Ivy at peace.

"Nancy…. Li Listen… stop otherwise you would make it worse. You could at least do something to help Jason instead of creating more conflict." Ivy could feel the tension lessen.

"What do you mean?" She snarled and demanded for an explanation while still pinning Ivy.

"There are two roadshows which he is very short-handed of but yet he needed to continue his part time emcee job which Nick was supposed to fill in. You could volunteer to help in any of these tasks and that way you could keep him by your side and slowly earn his trust…" Ivy explained as she slowly drew in the blade of the penknife but Nancy noticed it a little too early and screamed while she pushed Ivy's thumb to push out the entire blade while putting more force to push the entire knife towards Ivy.

Jason could hear Nancy’s screams despite the heavy rain as he feared for Ivy's safety the moment he saw their struggle when he ran out to the front porch.

"Nan..cy… lis...ten..trust.. me…" Ivy begged as she struggled but knew Nancy's force was stronger and she had no choice but to grab the penknife with the blade itself. The pain from the cut was so excruciating that she let her tears flow but didn't dare to scream at the sight of Jason rushing towards them and pulling Nancy off herself.

“Nancy! Stop!” Jason yelled as he pulled Nancy off to one corner while Nick arrived just in time to check on Ivy who was licked by a worried Lucky.

Ivy could feel someone else was by her side helping her up. She quickly drew the penknife and pressed her bloody palm onto the thick coat she was wearing, putting pressure to stop the bleeding. She quickly sat up and realised it was Nick in the midst of being pounced on by Lucky.

The next few moments went hazy as she struggled to stay alert. She was aware that Nick drove her while tailgating Jason to the hospital after he sent a reluctant Lucky into the house and locked the doors.

Ivy dared not move her arm as she kept gripping on tighter to her coat when she could feel the flow of her blood while enduring the pain, hoping they would reach the hospital as soon as they could. Her visions were turning blurry but the chaos of her thoughts on the situation had not subsided.

Nick was shaking her the whole way trying to keep her awake which she was thankful for. “Ivy… Are you alright?” Ivy nodded as Nick concentrated on driving even faster.

When they reached the emergency unit, she forced herself to alight by herself to assure Nick she was fine although she was wobbly. She signaled Nick to go ahead without her as he ran to catch up with Jason who was carrying Nancy into the emergency ward building. Nick was more worried with Nancy’s mental stability than her physical injuries as he knew she wasn’t heavily injured.

Eventually, Ivy couldn't catch up with them as the bright lights were making everything very blurry and hazy. She told herself to keep up with their pace but her dizziness was creeping in more as her eyes were more comfortably closed than opened.

Nick noticed Ivy wasn’t trailing behind him. He turned around to only find a pale, frail collapsing girl with oozing blood dripping on the ground from her left hand. Nurses were rushing her to an empty bed as Nick dashed towards them instead.

He finally understood it was Ivy who succumbed to the heavier injuries and Nancy was indeed exaggerating her act earlier as though she had serious injuries. He blamed himself for not noticing Ivy’s bleeding palm in the car although he could smell a strong iron odour which he mistook as Nancy’s blood residue. Nick stood dumbfounded at the trickery Nancy played just to get Jason's attention as disappointment sipped in.

He didn't realise the nurses were nearly done with dressing the deep cut on Ivy's palm as they put her unconscious self on a blood drip.

“Ivy…” Ivy felt a light shook as an echo called out to her. She was greeted by pink and green hues shimmering in the sky. She blinked further to clear the blurriness only to be greeted by Phoenix’s mysterious eyes. “Ivy, you’re awake!” He echoed as he embraced her tighter before helping her to sit up.

“Phoenix… Are we still in the prism?” She asked while trying to stand up. “Yes…” While she heard Phoenix’s echo, she saw a shadow at the end of the prism as she quickly chased after it. “Ivy! Where are you going?” Phoenix called out while he ran after her.

“Stop! Who are you?” Ivy called out to the shadow as Phoenix stopped her. “Ivy… stop chasing. It’s my sidekick. I had sent her on errands.” Phoenix echoed. “But how? How is she going to get out from here?” Ivy questioned.

“The prism only imprison those with mythical powers. Lentil is a spirit just like your dogs… She doesn’t possess any mythical power but just normal ghost abilities…” Phoenix echoed, looking sad.

Ivy thought about it and wondered who it could be. “Is it someone dear to you?” Ivy asked while she strolled at a slower pace. “Yes, my …” Phoenix hesitated to tell Ivy as he wondered if Ivy would misunderstand him.

“Your lover? From another life?” Ivy asked. “Wife… From another life…” Phoenix echoed while Ivy smiled.

“Phoenix, how was my life in that life of yours?” Ivy asked out of curiosity. Phoenix hesitated again to tell her the truth. “Later… When we have the chance, I will show you…” Ivy blinked in glee at his mysterious eyes looking back at her.

“Can’t wait to see it, twinny…” Ivy beamed as she embraced Phoenix. “Feels good to have a brother…” Phoenix felt a nostalgic moment as he had never expected Ivy to react to him that way again like she used to in another life.

“Feels good to have you back, Ai Lee…” Phoenix embraced her tighter as she looked up at his glistening eyes filled with tears.

Nancy's cut was minor as they dressed her in another section while she clinged on to Jason. The nurse had put her on a liquid drip and left them.

“It's late. You should get some sleep. When the drip finishes, I will wake you and send you home.” She smiled at the old Jason she used to have as she thought about Ivy’s suggestion earlier and decided to give it a try.

"Are the roadshows giving you problems? Do you need any help? I want to help." She asked as Jason gently patted her arm.

"Don't worry about it. I will get it resolved. I always do." Jason reassured her.

"Let me help out instead? Besides, I could really use the wage you will be paying." Nancy tried again.

Jason pondered and thought it was not a bad idea since he was short handed and she needed a routine. So, it was a fair trade. "Alright, I will send you the location details and agenda later in the morning."

Nancy gasped in disbelief. Ivy’s idea worked and she was overjoyed but she felt guilty as she knew Ivy could be treated for a deep cut at this moment. She hoped she wasn’t badly injured.

“Nancy, have you taken your anti depression medication? Are they in your bag?” Jason was rummaging inside Nancy’s small bag and found a bottle of tablets. He knew it was them as he poured a glass of water and made her take one pill as written on the bottle. She obediently took them but she couldn't help but to feel guilty of having him here and was also worried about Ivy’s condition.

"Jason, you should check on Ivy. She had a deep cut on her palm while trying to stop me earlier... I hope she is being treated now. I'm sorry..." Nancy dared not look at Jason as she kept her head down.

Jason realised he was too focused on Nancy and her superficial cut that he forgot the penknife was held by Ivy and he didn't check on her at all. He instantly sprinted to search for Ivy in every ward. When he saw Nick standing in front of a bed, he knew it was Ivy.

"Bro!” Jason called out to Nick as Nick looked disappointed and down, watching Jason run towards him.

“What happened? How's she doing?" Jason asked frantically at a stunned Nick as he went to check on Ivy who was still unconscious.

"Nancy just fooled us all. She…she…" Nick pointed at Ivy trying to explain her situation but went speechless thinking of Nancy's tricks. Jason examined Ivy’s injury which was still oozing with a patch of blood stain although they were dressed. He winced at his absentminded self.

"Don't worry… I will look after her...you should check on Nancy who is on liquid drip. Once her drip is over then she can be discharged as hers was only a superficial injury." Jason explained as he sat next to Ivy.

"Bro, I drove her here without knowing how deep the cut was on her palm till she collapsed in front of the main door there. How could I? How could we all be fooled by Nancy making a huge fuss over…" Nick was still trying to overcome being caught off guard.

"Nick, that's how Nancy is. Ivy just didn't want to create chaos to irrigate Nancy any further. It wasn't the first time I warned Ivy about it. I will try to keep both of them away from each other. Don't worry about her. Just look after Nancy for me, would you? She has taken her antidepressant pill earlier. She should be fine." Jason stood and gave Nick a brotherly hug.

Ivy began to blink her eyes to clear her blurry vision and realised she was staring at bright white lights that were too glaring for her as she recalled staring into Phoenix’s glistening eyes earlier. Nick noticed Ivy shifted as she began to wake up.

"Ivy!" Nick went over to her. Ivy was struggling to open her eyes although she could hear Nick’s voice and could tell it was Nick on her left and Jason on her right.

She felt a little dizzy as she scolded herself for giving away her injury and caused a fuss when she could have gone to the emergency unit herself. Her mind drifted to Nancy and wondered how she was doing since both of them were here with her.

"Nancy! What happened to her?" Ivy asked in the midst of adapting to the lights.

"The first thing you asked is about others, seriously Ivy!" Jason scolded while Nick tried to calm Jason.

"Ivy, I'm sorry I didn't know you were bleeding in the car else I would have drove even faster. I'm so sorry about the commotion Nancy made, tricking us to think you weren't injured." Nick apologised as Ivy waved at him to not mind about it.

"It's alright… Is Nancy alright?" Ivy asked, facing Nick who was still apologetic.

"Why didn't you say anything earlier? She is fine on water drip and not as bad as you who is bed ridden with blood drip! Didn't I tell you not to get any close to her? Why didn't you listen?" Jason was furious as his scolding got louder and the nurse had to tell him to lower down his voice. Ivy caught herself blinking back tears at Jason’s scolding, which were unexpected as she quickly blinked them dry.

"Nick, you should see Nancy. Don't leave her alone…" Ivy instructed as Nick nodded and left but halted halfway when he saw Nancy walking towards them.

Nick couldn't look at her in the eyes as he was reminded of her sly self. Jason was helping Ivy to sit up in bed when she noticed Nancy who was standing behind Jason with her drip.

“Nancy… You’re alright?” Ivy asked weakly as Nancy nodded while she sobbed feeling the guilt kicked into her. Jason eyed Nick to look after her but was interrupted by a nurse instead.

“Are you both their guardians?” The nurse addressed Nick and Jason as they both nodded. “Please head to the counter to make payment before they are discharged. Thank you.” Jason wanted to stay and Ivy knew.

“Go.. you can still see us. She cannot do anything since it’s a hospital. Go.” Ivy urged as he was hesitant for awhile but followed the nurse with Nick which left the girls alone.

“Ivy…” Nancy started to cry. Ivy was too tired to handle her as she let her cry but held her palm instead to comfort her.

“Didn’t I tell you not to? You need to control yourself. Take your medication to keep yourself under control. He will definitely take your improvements to be nice to you again.” Ivy gently said as she closed her eyes to avoid the bright lights which were still too bright for her to adapt.

“He did accept to let me help him in the roadshows.” Ivy opened her eyes to see Nancy and smiled. “Thank you for the suggestion. I’m sorry, I should have listened.” Nancy smiled a little but vanished with more sobs due to her guilt.

“Nancy, listen. From now on, if possible take your medication consistently and do no harm. You will be on the right track alright?” Ivy urged as Nancy calmed down and smiled in agreement.

"Thank you. But why are you doing this? Isn't he your boyfriend?" Nancy abruptly asked which had Ivy lost for words for a moment and recalled her forgotten fake relationship she was in.

"He is." Ivy said briefly while thinking of excuses but decided perhaps she should know the truth.

"Then why? Unless you don't love him enough?" Nancy asked as Ivy eyed Jason's direction and pondered on her question. She thought awhile about her heavy feelings; were they real or fake as this huge lump she felt at the thought of leaving Jason seemed to be overwhelming.

"Nancy, my time is short here. I won't be here when I head to my second year of college and that's a few months away. That's up to you to decide by then if your love is strong enough to get him back. I will let go by then if it's your destiny." Nancy was absent-minded at Ivy’s blatant truth as she wanted to quickly leave, knowing that both Jason and Nick were coming back.

"Ivy, promise me you will." Nancy understood her intentions as she decided to agree to Ivy's arrangements.

Ivy nodded and smiled as she watched Nancy leave, meeting Nick halfway to her ward while a fuming Jason was heading her way.

“You!” Jason stood pointing at a pale looking Ivy not knowing to scold her or to urge her to rest. Ivy smiled and hid herself in the blanket to sleep.

“Don’t think you can run away from this. Am not finished with you. I will wake you up when your drip is done.” He whispered by her side as he sat and held her palm, trying to get some sleep too. Ivy smiled under the blanket feeling the warm refuge.

By the time her drip was done, it was nearly four in the morning. Nick has updated Jason that both he and Nancy had headed home and Jason had texted Nancy the roadshow address while updating Marcel on his situation. He decided not to let Ivy participate in the roadshows this round but has not told her about it. She woke up when the nurse took the needle of the drip off from her as she winced at the bruise mark on her arm. Jason held her in his embrace to comfort her before walking her to his car and drove to his house with her asleep.

He carried her to the guest room as she stopped him. “Let me shower first?” She asked as he nodded and let her down.

“You’re sure you can manage? Don’t get your wound wet.” He whispered as he looked at her pale self worrily. “I’m fine. Go shower and sleep. We have a roadshow to catch in a few hours. Wake me up if I can't hear my alarm.” She said as she continued to walk into her room, leaving him no chance but to shower as well.

He went to check on her after his shower and found her sound asleep. He sneaked her phone to his room and when the alarm rang he turned it off before getting ready for the roadshow. He returned her phone and tugged her into the blanket she kicked off before leaving for the roadshow.

When she woke up it was nearly ten in the morning and she panicked but she saw his text message telling her to rest and sleep in. She frantically thought of ideas as her replacement just when Andrew and Sandra called in.

“Ivy! Where are you?” Andrew greeted cheerfully. “Not home. Why?” Ivy chirped trying to figure out their call intention.

“Working?” Sandra asked. “Yes! Hey, are you both free? Remember the roadshows I mentioned? We could use some help in the roadshows. I will get them to pay you my rate per hour.” Ivy quickly suggested.

“How much is that?” Andrew asked. “Ten dollars per hour?” Ivy said. “Alright, I’m in!” Andrew agreed.

“Hmm… sure since I have nothing to do after exams, why not earn some money.” Sandra said. “Great! Thanks! I will text you the address and Marcel’s contact alright? I won’t be seeing you both though. I am in another roadshow.” She hastily came up with a lie as she knew if they saw her with her injuries and having Nancy at site as well, it would create chaos.

“Alright, sure! Thanks babe!” Sandra hung up first. “Andrew, wait!” Ivy ensured Sandra had left the call and Andrew was still on the line. “What?” Andrew asked. “Happy dating!” Ivy teased.

“So, this was your setup! Thanks babe!” Andrew cheered as he hung up and she was smiling to herself while texting Marcel about the details.

She thought about heading to the second roadshow but it will be a dead end too since Nancy will be there with Jason and she wanted to give them space for him to acknowledge her improvements. She thought to herself, there were no ways for her to participate in this roadshow this time round.

Her mind wandered back to her conversation with Nancy.

Sometimes, she finds herself forgetting about the fake relationship but she knew Nancy’s love for Jason was still burning. She hoped Jason would find ways to resolve his love life when it’s time for her to leave. She felt down at the thought of leaving as Jason was an important person in pulling her through her toughest days after her grandma left and while she is still coping with her sleep paralysis.

“Will I be alright when I leave? Will he be too?” She asked herself as she watched the sky in bed while hugging Lucky by her side.