The sight of Marcel kept Ivy in glee after an awkward car ride to the airport. While Nick and Nancy went to check in, Jason was briefed by Marcel with updates about the progress of work after Jason handed him his car keys.

“We have gotten these three companies to sign the contract. The earliest one would be next Wednesday’s talk… The other two are in the next two weeks… ” Marcel explained his report shown to Jason on his tablet.

Jason nodded and yawned a few times as Ivy stood by their side listening in and glanced at Marcel who was determined to complete his report despite Jason yawning a few times.

“Marcel, do you want to send me a copy of this report and update me? I will go through with him tomorrow?” Ivy offered as Marcel understood it was too taxing for Jason to continue but Jason raised his hand instead.

“Go on… I can do it. We have a bit left. What happened to the mental health awareness carnival and roadshow layout discussion progress?” Jason asked Marcel as he swiped to a detailed slide while Ivy looked on and noticed a sentence highlighted in yellow; lack of manpower and funds by seven hundred thousand.

“The agenda for the event is more or less finalised with the client. Just on the resources side…” Marcel paused as Jason swiped to the next slide when he noticed Ivy was paying attention as it was concerning her father whom she has yet to know.

“Is this the one which you were looking for investors?” Ivy questioned as Jason sighed and nodded at his effort of escaping the matter.

“When is the event?” Ivy asked nonchalantly.

“Two months time…” Marcel said as Jason was thinking of ways to fix it but in the midst of it, Nick and Nancy came back to chase them to head to the boarding gates.

“Hey… we’re done checking in… time to head to the boarding gate else we won't make it on time.” Nick said as Jason nodded.

“Keep in view on this… Send me a copy of this report and we will talk when I land…” Jason instructed as Marcel nodded and watched Jason trailing Nick and Nancy who went ahead to the boarding gate while Ivy quickly whispered to Marcel.

“Send to me … I will show him tomorrow… You should brief him tomorrow instead. He is too tired…” Ivy pleaded with Marcel.

“Don’t worry… I will Ms. Ophal. Go ahead, else you will be late.” Marcel urged and waved at her as she ran catching up with the rest.

Ivy was grateful that Nick and Nancy weren’t sitting close by Jason and herself on the plane. She was waiting patiently for the plane to switch back the lights while enduring her fear of the dark before she asked Jason about their situation and also on his business matters.

Jason noticed she was restless in the dark as he held her palm which he could see its silhouette was holding tightly to the chair’s handle.

“You’re alright?” Jason asked as she kept mum at his sudden comforting gesture. He was worried when she didn’t respond as he decided to pull her into his embrace and keep her comforted but instead the lights were turned on.

Ivy instantly pulled away from her embrace as he went back to focusing on his work instead.

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Ivy asked after a moment of silence.

Jason was busy reading the report Marcel just sent and adjusting his diary while planning for his next week's events. Jason knew he somehow owed Ivy an explanation which he couldn’t avoid but he still attempted to do so.

“Say what to you? I was driving, Ivy…” He said with a comical face and continued to read his report while Ivy knew he was teasing her. She laughed and smacked him.

“Don’t pretend… You know what I am talking about…” Ivy snarled but Jason still ignored her.

“Then, what are Nancy’s tasks this weekend?” She tried to push her luck further by changing the topic.

“She would be Nick’s assistant instead…” Jason said while flipping his diary and drafted an email on the tablet to Marcel on the next course of actions but Ivy kept staring at him with a dissatisfied face to elaborate more.

He could feel her penetrating stares that he finally gave up work and decided to do it in the hotel later. He took a sip from his glass of water before explaining to Ivy but he managed to catch a glimpse of Nancy peeping at them from in front that he decided it was time to spring into their couple-act again else Nancy would then suspect them.

He inched closer to Ivy who sat by the window seat and cornered her to the edge of the window. Ivy widened her eyes and lifted a finger wanting to stop him from coming closer only to be held by Jason by her waist. “Don’t move… She is watching us…” Ivy upon hearing Jason’s words, began to panic.

“Don’t panic… She will be happier to watch you fidgets than to stay uncomfortably like this… Play along Ivy…” Jason winked as Ivy raised an eyebrow and laughed instead as she realised Jason’s act of trying to charm her was not working.

He laughed out as well as he sat closer to her. “That act didn’t suit you at all…” Ivy whispered as she giggled more.

“Sorry for the sloppy act… Anyway, she is either an usher or will be sending cues to Nick and myself on stage. You would still be doing the usual backstage… So there wouldn’t be any clashes…” Jason said while pinching the tip of her nose as she winced and tried to avoid him.

He noticed her sleepy eyes as she yawned and nodded to his explanation while he placed her head on his shoulder.

Nancy was getting agitated at the sight but thanks to her constant medication, she managed to keep herself under control as she recalled the promise she made with Ivy. Nick, who fell asleep during the take off, woke and noticed Nancy kept looking behind as he flipped her around from kneeling on the chair into his arms.

“You were so great on stage tonight sweetheart…” Nick praised to distract her as she couldn’t help but to smile sweetly. Nancy, despite being depressed or angered, would never fail to smile at any praises thrown to her about her performance on stage as she knew she was a great singer and performer that she had been working hard to join in competitions but was distracted by Ivy's existence lately. She gave a quick kiss on Nick’s cheek.

Nick, upon noticing her mood had settled down, urged her to sleep instead. Nick knew it was going to be a tough weekend to ensure his friend’s wedding reception emcee job went on smoothly and Nancy didn’t create any trouble.

“Will I be working backstage this weekend?” Nancy asked as Nick shook his head.

“Nope, you will be in front of the main door throwing cues to me and Jason while ushering…” Nick explained as she hugged him excitedly and tried to sleep.

“I don’t like it…” Ivy said abruptly after lifting her head from his shoulders as she shook her right ear which was blocking up.

“Oh, must be the air pressure… But you’re sleepy…” Jason said while noticing Nancy was already distracted by Nick. He watched Ivy yawn more as he pulled her into his arms. She blushed but instantly felt comfortable in his arms as the air pressure began to subside.

“There… Sleep… we have another forty five minutes before we reach and you’re exhausted…” Jason said while tapping lightly on her shoulders.

“You too… Stop working… Continue tomorrow…” She mumbled as she closed her eyes and didn’t dare to check if Nancy was still watching them. Jason’s gentle tap helped her slowly drift to sleep.

“Oh you’re awake Ivy! Would you like to learn the basics of magic?” Phoenix echoed as Ivy slowly blinked and noticed he was holding a fiery ball. Phoenix bounced it against the walls of the prism they were stuck in as she sat beside him on the ground.

“How? I only have combat abilities…” Ivy lamented as Phoenix vanished the fiery ball he was playing with and held her hand closer to his as they summoned the fire ball back to Ivy’s hand.

“That’s because your mystical power was sealed by our mother… You need to keep practicing your magic powers to search for it in yourself…” Phoenix echoed as Ivy widened her eyes in surprise that she too had mystical powers.

“Really?” Ivy questioned as Phoenix smiled and patted her head.

“Now, keep your mind blank and think of connecting with the fire ball… All you could think of is about its beauty and …” Before Phoenix could finish his explanation, Ivy had already recalled the first time she saw the huge fiery ball up in the air as she focused on its beauty and the fire ball instantly came towards their direction as she held it for the first time in fear of being harmed but instead, was twirling in her hand.

“You’re naturally gifted Ivy… The magic within the fire ball is merging with you…” Phoenix watched in awe as Ivy played around with the fireball. A sudden crash of the prism was heard ahead of them as they rushed forward to find Petunia standing in front of Lentil who was crushed on to the ground.

“Ivy! You’re going to die in my hands!” Petunia screamed as Phoenix pulled Ivy and ran the opposite direction instead.

“Phoenix stop… We need to save Lentil…” Phoenix halted his steps at the thought of Lentil as Ivy heard Petunia’s eerie wails were inching closer sending her into twirls of fear which woke her up in the plane, gripping tightly to Jason who fell asleep with her as the plane touched down.

The touchdown was so rough that it woke most of the passengers up. Jason noticed Ivy was holding on tightly to his hand as the plane was dark and she was catching her breath in between sniffs.

“Hey… It’s alright… We have arrived...” He patted her head as he placed his above hers and could smell the shampoo of her hair. Ivy eased in closer into his embrace as she hugged him tightly and whimpered.

“Was it another bad dream?” Jason whispered as she nodded trying to blink back her unexpected tears. She waited patiently for the plane’s lights to be lighted back on while Jason patted her shoulder to calm her down.

An idea struck him as he quickly switched on the screen of his phone to give her a little light of comfort.

“Better?” He asked.

“Remind me not to book such a late flight or after dusk flights next time…” He mumbled as Ivy finally opened her eyes.

Jason could see her wet eyes silhouette in the dark as she wiped her tears away. He passed her some tissues.

“Sorry…” She apologised while wiping her tears away.

“I understand… Don’t be sorry, we will head down when the crowd is less alright?” Jason comforted as he pulled her back into his embrace and held her tighter. The plane was in cruising mode for a while and it suddenly came to a stop with the lights in the plane finally turned back on. Ivy eased her head deeper into Jason’s chest to slowly adapt to the bright lights.

Nick and Nancy caught sight of Jason holding Ivy who looked as though she had fallen asleep in his arms. Jason signaled them to head down the plane first. When the crowd was lesser, he gently nudged Ivy to give her some water. It took her some time to recover as she blinked at the bright lights and quickly finished the glass of water Jason gave to calm herself down.

“Feeling better?” Jason asked as she nodded and put on a forced smile. He patted her head instead as he led her down the aisle off the plane.

After the immigration, they took a different taxi from Nick and Nancy who had headed over to the hotel first. During the taxi ride, the pretty skyline sight of Landsfield eased her mood a little as Jason pulled her closer to him while she rested her head on his chest. She felt a little awkward as she pulled away but he halted her.

“It’s alright… Just rest…” She stopped pulling away when he nudged her back onto his chest as he patted her gently.

He too enjoyed the sight of Landsfield which eased all his exhaustion from the rush earlier. Their peaceful moment during the car ride though brief was enough to re-energise Ivy back to her assistant mode.

When they arrived, she quickly took down their luggage before Jason could help out and walked into the hotel. At the entrance Nick and Nancy waited for them both.

“Hey! How was the flight?” Nick asked Ivy casually.

“Not bad…” She smiled and nodded at Nancy as an acknowledgement of greeting her.

“Have you checked in?” She asked Nick in return.

“Yes…about that, we have a problem…” Nick explained as both Jason and Ivy raised their eyebrows.

“I made a mistake booking only one large room with two single beds and I cannot amend the booking as they are fully booked…” Nick guiltily explained as Jason panicked a little but at the sight of Ivy shrugging when looking at him, he knew Ivy seemed adamant to the arrangement. He told himself he didn’t want to take the chances.

“It’s alright, we will check into another hotel nearby then…” Jason said as Ivy nodded but Nancy gave them a surprise instead.

“I am fine with us four staying in one room. After all, aren’t we each a couple and we could share a bed each?” Nancy pointed out which made Ivy nodded with a calm face trying not to reveal her nervous-self inside.

With that they headed for the lift and walked into their room. Jason felt bad for putting Ivy through the uncomfortable circumstances although Ivy looked calm and collected all the time. He knew he had to stay close to Ivy over the weekend in case Nancy lost her rationalism and get overboard.

Ivy held on to him when she noticed he trailed behind being drowned in his thoughts.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Don’t worry… I am fine. We will be…” She smiled as they entered the lift and stood in front of Nick and Nancy.

He was still trying to convince himself while Ivy caught Nick watching them from the lift reflection. Because Nancy was around Ivy’s height, Ivy had blocked her view. Ivy gave Nick an assured gesture with her eyes as she leaned onto Jason who was stunned by her sudden gesture as she led him out of the lift in his moment of bizarre. Nick, being quick witted understood Ivy’s signal, quickly pulled Nancy to the front and led the way to their room.

At that moment, Jason felt a stirred up butterfly feeling from his stomach which made his heart flutter at Ivy’s gestures.

“Hey…” Ivy looked at Jason who was very quiet and wanted to give him some assurance but was instead being robbed of a kiss on her cheek leaving her dumbfounded on the way to the room.

Jason couldn’t help himself anymore at the promise he made to himself before this that if he was ever that close to Ivy again, he would steal kisses from her whether they were an act or for real.

“I’m fine… Don’t worry…” Jason winked and smiled looking at her stunned self.

In the room, Ivy let Nancy have the first choice to which bed and whose turn to shower first. Jason, feeling awkward to be in the same room with Nick and Nancy, quickly went out to the balcony to finish up the last bit of his email to Marcel.

Nick was helping Nancy to unpack while she took a quick shower. Before Nick could speak with Ivy, Nancy had come out from shower. Ivy decided to let Nick showered while she continued to unpack. Nick was uneasy with the arrangement at first but he still went ahead and took a quick shower.

Although Jason was busy at the balcony with half of the curtain covering the view from inside, he left the sliding door open so that he could hear what was going on inside the room. He knew he had to pay more attention to both girls since Nick had gone to shower.

“You’re alright?” Nancy asked abruptly while doing her daily skin regime at the dressing table in between both beds as Ivy turned to look at her and nodded.

“You were great tonight… ” Ivy praised as Nancy smiled.

“Smart girl…” Jason thought to himself at Ivy’s effort of keeping peace by praising Nancy who loved compliments about her performance.

“Thank you… You were awesome as usual… When the recordings are ready I will share it with everyone… Give me your number. I will send you a copy by then.” Nancy said as she held her phone ready to key in Ivy’s number.

Jason took a step back to peep at them. Ivy stepped over and keyed in her number in Nancy’s phone.

“Thank you…” Ivy smiled as she turned around and walked back to unpack whereas Jason quickly walked forward away from being able to be seen from inside.

“You look exhausted… I haven’t seen you in the office lately…” Nancy commented as Ivy knew she had to be careful when answering her to not let her know about Jason’s arrangements in the office.

Jason knew it was time to stop their conversation and was worried Ivy would reveal his secret agenda by accident as he stepped into the room. Nick upon hearing Nancy’s comment quickly put on his robe after randomly drying himself to step out of the washroom.

“Ivy, stop unpacking…” He instructed the moment Nick stepped out from the washroom. “Just the right time…” Jason thought while eyeing Nick who was giving Jason a serious look and understood Jason’s act just by looking at his face.

“You should shower and rest…” Jason told Ivy who was quickly retrieving her toiletries. Nancy was nonchalantly applying her moisturiser without noticing both men were worried she would snap anytime.

“Next?” Nick said nonchalantly to play along as Ivy quickly walked into the washroom with her toiletries leaving Jason and Nick exchanged awkward glances as Jason signaled to him that they needed to talk.

Jason went back outside as Nick walked over to the dressing table while drying his hair with a towel.

“Deary, you should rest early…” Nick chimed as he stole a kiss on her lips. Nancy beamed with a smile and nodded while she continued her regime without suspecting anything. Nick quickly joined Jason outside the balcony and made sure he closed the sliding door.

“Yo…What’s going on?” Nick asked while still drying his hair as Jason walked over to the entrance of the sliding door with two files in hand to ensure he could see Nancy and the entrance of the washroom.

“What’s with the sudden suspicion?” Nick questioned as Jason sighed.

“I made an observation the entire week. With Ivy around, Nancy’s rationalism seems to vanish. The entire week I brought Ivy out with me to client’s meetings leaving Nancy in the office and this was the result…” Jason passed a blue file to Nick.

Nick screened through the report and saw everything was normal but he knew Jason’s point immediately as he asked about the opposite scenario.

“And when Ivy is around?” Nick asked as Jason studied his face.

Jason knew Nick had prepared himself for the answers. After being friends long enough with Nick since college days, Jason knew Nick was smart and a quick-witted person. Although he was disappointed with his betrayal, he knew Nick was a responsible person till the end. Nancy would be in safe hands ending up with Nick. Jason just didn’t understand why a person like Nick ever cheated with Nancy. For this, Jason never wanted to question Nick about it as it didn’t matter to him anymore.

Jason handed Nick the second file which was full of errors. Nick nodded and understood as he flipped the file open.

“I get it… Tonight was my mistake. My apology… I guess the both of you should just head to another hotel or check with the receptionist if there is any empty room tomorrow night…” Nick suggested as Jason nodded.

“It’s a bit too late tonight. Do be weary at all times…” Jason said.

“I will take her elsewhere tomorrow so that you can have the room for yourself…” Nick suggested as Jason nodded and saw Ivy stepped out of shower.

She looked directly at Jason and turned to see Nancy who was almost done with her regime. Ivy knew Jason must be updating Nick on the situation in the office as she saw the yellow file Jason took back from Nick in his hand. She took a step and acted normal when she was in Nancy’s view.

Jason quickly stepped into the room with Nick following behind him. Without a word, he went to take a quick shower as Ivy waited by the bed facing the sliding door since Nancy had chosen the bed closer to the washroom.

Nick climbed into bed and tucked Nancy in bed instead. Ivy began to worry as the room would be too bright if the table lamp was switched on. She wondered if she should pretend to sleep awhile and step outside the balcony with her sweater to catch up on a bit of study to fall asleep. Before she could sprung into action, Jason stepped out from the shower.

”Wow, that was fast…” She told herself in mind as she watched him walking towards the end of their bed to plug in a hair dryer and dried his dripping wet hair. The sight was captivating her attention that she had long forgotten about being nervous sleeping in the dark.

The other couple had quickly settled into bed and switched off partially the lights in the room at their end. Nick was smart to turn Nancy around to face him in his embrace. Upon half of the room being dark, Ivy gripped onto the blanket subconsciously. Jason was busy blowing his hair dry but managed to catch sight of Ivy gripping in fear of darkness as he quickly sped up drying his hair to turn on the table lamp.

“Awww… it’s too bright…” Nancy complained as Jason quickly switched off all the lights to not provoke her. Nick’s instinct told him to comfort and coax Nancy to sleep first as he could tell Ivy had trouble with the dark.

“Oops.. Sorry…” Jason apologised as he watched Ivy getting restless as he climbed into bed tugging her into his arms. He let her sleep on his left so that the view outside could at least give her some comfort light in the dark. She fidgeted a little but remembered she shouldn’t since they were acting in front of Nancy. She couldn’t help but to wonder at the back of her mind if Nancy was watching them.

The bed was small and cramped so it was more comfortable for them to be wrapped in each other’s embrace. A part of her blushed in the dark although she knew it was an act while a part of her was worried if she would wake in the middle of the night with her sleep paralysis. She didn’t want Nick or Nancy to know as her heartbeat race while she shifted a little. Jason could feel her heart racing as she kissed her forehead.

“Don’t worry…I’m here…Stay still…” He whispered and tugged her further in the blanket.

Ivy found herself calm down a little and eased into his embrace instead. She didn’t know if she had gotten used to his sudden unusual gestures or was it because a hug was so warm and comforting that she had forgotten how it felt ever since her grandma passed away.

“I’m sorry…” Jason whispered as he apologised for all the inconvenience which Ivy didn’t bother asking why but instead she closed her eyes tighter and held on to his chest for refuge. Not long after, she fell asleep giving into her exhaustion.

It was his first time sleeping with her up close in bed as he watched the silhouette of her peaceful face asleep. He cannot help but to find himself continuously stealing a kiss even if it was an act.

He questioned himself if it was an act alone or were his feelings for her real as the thought of her father’s intention and his company’s project which was in dire need of funds from investors flooded his mind. He forced himself not to think about work by admiring the face he had kissed a few times tonight.

He noticed her eyelashes were long coupled with her double eyelid.

“She had good genes…” Jason thought to himself and couldn’t help but to kiss her forehead again. He slowly drifted asleep after he confirmed Ivy was asleep when she slowly loosen her grip on his chest.

When Ivy opened her eyes again everything was bright red as she realised she was back into the prism and Phoenix was fighting Petunia himself. She quickly recalled the beauty of the fireball as she summoned her magic and created a few small fireballs aiming at Petunia which sent her down to the ground in the prism in one blow. She quickly ran carrying Lentil behind Phoenix outside the prism. Phoenix then raised the prism glasses and sealed Petunia in it as they gathered by the irises plains.

Her pack of dogs were surrounding them but her grandma was nowhere to be seen as her heart longed for the sight of her grandma.

“Lentil… are you alright?” Ivy called out to her as Lentils’ heartbeat was weakening.

Phoenix tried healing Lentil but his effort was to no avail. Phoenix felt disappointed as he kept trying till tears were dripping from his eyes.

It was Ivy’s first time seeing Phoenix in this state that his usual mysterious eyes were now full of misery. Ivy held on to Phoenix to stop healing Lentil as it might injure himself.

With that, they saw Lentils’ spirit lifted to the air. Ivy was in awe seeing Lentils’ beauty in her true form. A small waist with flawless long hair coupled with a pair of blue walnut eyes; it was no wonder, Phoenix fell for her.

“Take care my love…” Lentil echoed gently.

“No…Don’t go…” Phoenix pleaded as Ivy’s heart ached watching them going to be separated. Although she had no idea of their history, she could feel their bond was strong. In the midst of the chaos, an idea struck her recalling Phoenix telling her about her missing mystical form.

“Lentil… Merge with me…” Ivy suggested which caught Phoenix and Lentil by surprise.

“You’re a soul with sealed magic powers and my mystical self is missing… Merge with me… That way, you could still be by Phoenix’s side and with my restoring magic powers, I could unsealed yours…” Ivy explained.

“No Princess… How can I?” Lentil echoed sadly.

“Yes, you can… You must before you cease to exist. Merge with me. That way, I can keep the kingdom, you and Phoenix safe ...” Ivy urged as she summoned her magic powers with her hand held up to Lentils’ soul.

Lentil eyed Phoenix who was full of agony as he nodded in agreement. Phoenix had thought of the idea before this but he didn’t want to burden Ivy with it as Ivy should search for her missing mystical self to restore her magic powers but they were on the edge of the cliff. If Ivy delayed restoring her magic powers and Petunia gets released from the prism, no one knows what the outcome would be. At least by merging with Lentil, Ivy could inherit Lentils’ hiding in the shadow skills while they find ways to unsealed Lentils’ magic power.

“Thank you Princess…” Lentil echoed as she held on to Ivy’s hand and Phoenix watched them merge, with Ivy finally spreading her phoenix wings in the air. It took Phoenix by surprise as he never expected the merger could unsealed Lentils’ magic powers and unleashed Ivy’s at the same time. This meant they could finally complete the ember dance and become one true powerful soul in mystical form.

At that sight, Petunia watched in horror as she wailed from inside the prism at the addition of strength her twins had gained.

Jason stirred in the middle of his sleep as he felt Ivy was fidgeting and holding on tightly to him. He woke and patted her gently instead. The chill from Petunia wails wasn’t strong enough to break the prism but was eerie enough for Ivy to wake from her dreams.

This time she couldn’t stop herself from crying as she instantly climbed out of bed and headed to the balcony. Nick noticed a sudden movement in the room as the sliding door opened. He quickly patted Nancy who was stirring back to sleep while he watched Jason rush to follow Ivy outside after grabbing a sweater from her luggage and the blanket in bed. Jason quietly closed the sliding door behind him and walked over to Ivy.

Ivy was controlling herself from sobbing too loud to avoid waking the other couple. She squatted and sobbed with her head leaning on her knees as she whimpered. She realised it wasn't because of the terrifying dream she was sobbing but it was more of the pressure she felt from the chaotic events she had gone through the entire week which had pushed a rush of emotions in her during her most vulnerable time.

Jason carried her and sat by the sofa bed. At his embrace, another rush of emotions ran through Ivy.

“Let it out Ivy… It’s alright…” Jason comforted as she sobbed in his arms.

He covered her with a sweater before putting the blanket over them while gently patting her. He wondered how terrifying her dream was this time as he recalled that she mentioned before the nightmares worsened when she was under pressure. He pondered if his work load for her was the cause of it.

The rush of emotions made Ivy realised that she had been so busy that she didn’t notice she was actually under a lot of pressure.

Although she was glad that Andrew and Sandra had reconciled, she was worried for them in case things didn’t work out; she didn’t want to lose them both. Thinking about her fake trio friends, it slipped her mind that she was supposed to book for them the last birthday party at the same place and she might be late in doing so.

Her mind wandered to Jason who was holding her in his embrace. She didn’t understand why her heart yearns for him lately more than ever in time when she usually turned to solitary. With that, she tried to push him away to get up but instead he tightened his grip on her arm.

“It’s alright… Just stay here and sleep. It would be easier that way for you to fall asleep…” Jason said as Ivy looked up at him with her teary eyes.

“But you might catch a cold…” Ivy mumbled as she sniffed. Jason shook his head and wiped her tears away using the tissues on the side table.

“Don’t worry… I wouldn’t…” Jason said as Ivy tried to sit up on his lap.

“Can’t sleep?” Jason asked as Ivy shifted to sit by his side instead.

“I’m sorry… it’s been tough on you for the past week…” Jason finally apologised properly.

“Your nightmares worsen whenever you’re under pressure…” Jason pointed out while gently touching her cheeks as Ivy sniffed and was glad he remembered.

“It’s not your fault entirely. I had my issues as well…” Ivy sighed as he took more tissues for her to blow her nose.

“What happened? I thought Andrew and Sandra had reconciled?” Jason asked as he noticed those two were on closer terms compared to before.

“Yes… guess they are dating finally but I’m more worried as in case anything happens in the future then, it could be the end of our friendship…” Ivy explained as she pouted.

Jason patted her head gently and let her lean on his shoulder. Ivy instantly went rigid.

“Chill… you don’t have to be careful of your acts and gestures around me… Whether it’s for an act or for comfort, I’m always here for you…” Jason explained as she leaned into his chest looking at his face at ease and sighed. He looked down upon her and could help but to admire the beauty of her eyes despite they were covered with tears.

“You seemed to be very bothered about Andrew and Sandra more than Nick and Nancy?” Jason teased but Ivy didn’t smile. She was hesitating to tell him about Belinda’s birthday and Jason knew she was hiding something.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to tease you…” Jason felt bad for saying that after seeing her reaction.

“I’m just bothered about the other trio friends. I overlooked preparing for their birthday party… I just hope the restaurant I'm going to book isn’t full on Monday…” Ivy lamented as she looked away.

“Another birthday party? When will this ever end? They kept taking advantage of you yet you’re giving in every single time? If I were Andrew and Sandra, I would be very mad at you and not be friends with you either…” Jason complained.

“Last one…” Ivy mumbled sadly.

“Is their friendship that meaningful to you?” He asked as she nodded and unexpectedly let a few tears slip. Jason sighed as he took a few tissues for her to wipe them away.

“Alright, I understand… Stop crying… Your eyes are swelling.” He nagged as he helped her wipe her eyes dry.

“If friendship is that important to you, you should be friends with those who are worthy of it…” Jason nagged as Ivy couldn't help but to hug him and felt glad that he was his refuge.

In the midst of helping her to wipe her face, Jason thought about letting Ivy do the last one for free at his emcee job next week back in Manes.

“Why not invite them next weekend over to an emcee job in Manes? Next weekend is an event by a corporate company and they had prepared for me a suite instead. You could use our budget to book a smaller room for the trio and have us, Andrew and Sandra staying in the suite. As for the party, well they can use a small section of the restaurant to accommodate it?” Jason suggested as Ivy evaluated her options.

“Are Nancy and Nick joining the emcee too?” Ivy questioned.

“No, they aren’t. There aren't any jobs here next week. I initially wanted to let Nick have all my emcee jobs from now on but since you need some help, I could spare some time and resources…” Jason explained as Ivy was reminded of his business matter she wanted to ask.

“You still can’t settle the investor issue you mentioned?” Her question took Jason by surprise as he looked away and sighed.

“Do you need some help in finding another investor?” Ivy offered as Jason decided to kiss her forehead again to avoid the topic.

“No, I don’t. Don’t worry about it… There’s still time…” Jason assured her. Ivy wasn’t surprised at his gesture this time but instead she knew he was hiding the matter away from her.

“You sure about it?” Ivy asked as he nodded. She wasn’t very convinced but she knew not to pester so much as with time, she was bound to find out.

“Don’t think so much about it… You need to sleep…” Jason urged as he patted her to fall asleep. She eased closer into his embrace and closed her eyes as he pulled the blanket closer to them.

It’s been too long since Ivy had immersed into her lonely world that for the first time that night, she got to constantly feel the warmth she once felt when her grandma was around with Jason as she slept peacefully through the morning.