Ivy was looking out at the bright orange lit skies as she slowly noticed hues of red were approaching the skies above her.
“Ivy, we need to fight!” Phoenix’s echo was heard from her left as he was eyeing on the ground and saw their mother’s troops of army were approaching them at the cliff. Ivy then realised, she was back in her paracosm.
Ivy quickly darted her eyes to the source of the marching footsteps sound as her eyes slowly widened in fear. She knew with her recent upgrade in her mythical powers, she was strong enough to fight them.
“Alright!” Ivy said hurriedly before summoning her sword and fought their enemy fearlessly. With her determination to keep not just her dogs and grandma safe but also Phoenix who had been sacrificing for her, she didn’t hesitate to manslaughter.
However, Phoenix was controlling her from causing any unnecessary casualties. After all, the army was only following the orders of their mother.
“Ivy! It’s not worth it!” Phoenix yelled from afar the moment Ivy wanted to pierce her sword into one of the army man’s chest. She gave the man a piercing look before dropping him to the ground instead. Only then did she realised the entire troop had lost against the both of them.
As soon as Phoenix and Ivy felt relief, portals of serpents appeared up in the bright red sky.
“Phoenix! Kill this time!” Ivy yelled at him from a distance and before he could stop her, she had flown to fight the serpents entering from one of the portals.
Phoenix was suddenly filled with anger at the scheme of their mother as he noticed the serpents appeared even before he was angry. He finally knew the serpents were no longer feeding on his anger but instead were their mother’s mythic powers despite being sealed in a prism.
Back when he lost his memories, it was a spell their mother had put on him so that whenever he was agitated, the serpents would serve as his backup to kill with him. Ever since he merged his mythic power with Ivy, the spell had broken. He knew his only hope was to kill all these serpents and exhaust their mother’s power. It was a fight of endurance which he knew he could sustain but he was worried for Ivy who was new to her mythical powers.
He flew up to help Ivy out as they brutally slaughtered the never ending waves of serpents without hesitation. In mind, he planned to let the troop of army lead them back to their kingdom to plead for their father to send them to the reflection tower as it was the only redemption he could give Ivy.
It was the only way he could end this war between his family members and sacrifice himself in return for Ivy’s chance to live on even if it meant losing his memory again or cease to exist. He knew it was worth it regardless of his consequences as long as he could change Ivy’s destiny.
A wail was heard alerting Phoenix to look out for Ivy who was being chased as she was beginning to feel tired. As she flew down to the ground, in the nick of time, Ivy could feel the force of her falling off to the ground slower. She felt herself lifted up vertically instead before a fast blow stumbled her off.
Ivy finally woke up to find herself unable to move and faced with a slithering tongue serpent with his head perching out from a black portal. Lucky was pacing by her side while whining as Ivy fought her fears and tears. She forcefully tried to grip her fingers into a fist as thoughts of death and drowning into the dark abyss flooded Ivy’s mind. Lucky began to lick her face instead and in that moment of fear and feeling vulnerable, she suddenly could feel Lucky’s tongue.
She successfully gripped her fingers into a fist after a short terrifying moment of struggle. She instantly sat up with folded knees and cried her lungs out. With the events unfolding lately, the emptiness slowly made her feel unwanted as she hugged onto Lucky for refuge.
It made her realise how much she had been relying on Jason while he was around and if she was to leave him soon, she had to learn to cope with her sleep disorders like she did when her grandma left. She calmed herself after a long while sobbing as she watched her dim lighted room slowly greeted by the peeking sunrays. Before she knew it, her alarm went off and she dragged herself to prepare for lectures.
For the past three days, Ivy had not gotten any replies from Jason. On the second day itself, she had stopped texting him. Although she was in his house with Lucky accompanying her, the loneliness she felt on the first night he left, had been haunting her ever since.
Andrew and Sandra who were busy out for dates and other classes couldn’t help but to notice a gloomy Ivy ever since Jason left for Landsfield. They tend to put Ivy sitting in the middle of them during lectures and also meals to ensure she paid attention. Despite their effort, she would still fall into a daze occasionally and at night, they would give her a call before going to sleep. Even then, the sleep paralysis never left Ivy, which only Lucky knew.
Andrew studied Ivy’s actions while she dazed away slurping her yogurt in autopilot mode.
“Hey, distractions are well known to take someone’s mind off meddlesome issues and are good for the person’s mental health as well…” Andrew said abruptly to Ivy.
Ivy was listening as she raised an eyebrow and laughed with Sandra. “You and your witty self!” Ivy chuckled as she continued to finish up her yogurt. Although Ivy laughed at it but she knew it was also the truth.
“I’m fine… Don’t worry… Work will keep me busy after this.” Ivy smiled for the sake of comforting her friends knowing her constant daze self had sparked worries in both of them.
“Good to know... Anyway, the party this weekend has been changed to Friday night due to exam’s next week… You must come Ivy!” Andrew nudged at Ivy who was scrapping the last bit of yogurt.
“Hmmm…” Ivy hummed as she continued to scrap some more trying to ensure she had it till the last bits.
Andrew looked at Sandra and signaled her to intercept but she was agitated at the sound of Ivy scraping on an empty tub of yogurt as she offered Ivy hers.
“Here, eat more… You have to work after this…” Ivy shook her head and finally was willing to let the empty tub of yogurt lay at peace on her empty lunch tray.
“It’s alright… Don’t worry. I am full. I just didn’t want to waste the last bits.” Ivy said assuringly as she smiled sweetly and leaned momentarily on Sandra’s shoulder to ease her annoyance.
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“Alright, I shall make a move for work first darlings… Be well and enjoy your dates!” Ivy said in a teasing tone as she collected her tray to return them.
“Do you think she will be alright?” Sandra quickly asked as she sat closer to Andrew. “Don’t worry… When Jason is back, she will be transformed back to her usual self again…” Andrew said while nibbling on his fruits from his tray.
“It’s such a huge difference when Jason is around and when he is not… When he isn't around, Ivy seems to turn back to how she was when her grandma just left…” Sandra said while leaning on Andrew's shoulder. She suddenly gasped in realisation of what she just said.
“Do you think her sleep paralysis will worsen again?” Sandra asked abruptly at Andrew who held his shoulder out to embrace Sandra.
“Don’t think too much… She will be alright. Ivy always lives up to her name. She is a tough lady… We just need to keep her on the right path and check on her from time to time alright…” Andrew comforted as Sandra nodded and sighed.
Andrew knew who was he to fool Sandra who was closer to Ivy than he was but at least a little comfort words would ease her unnecessary worries for now. He wondered if he should speak with Jason someday about Ivy and his relationship which seemed to be getting out of control.He was worried Jason would hurt Ivy’s feelings and he definitely would never want to let that happen.
Even if Ivy could escape from Andrew and Sandra, Marcel and Nancy somehow knew she was missing Jason from the look of her staring blankly towards Jason’s room in the office occasionally. However, Marcel knew he shouldnt meddle in their problem but instead he should be focusing on running Rahi’s consulting daily operations as usual to ensure smooth operations which would not hinder Ivy’s father from merging with them with confidence.
Nancy on the other hand wondered if there were thousands of possibilities if Ivy would turn back on her promise of leaving Jason when she further her studies in university. The constant anxiety made Nancy decide to ask Ivy out for dinner while passing her a file full of claims to take into account.
Ivy was staring at the screen for a while as her thoughts went about thinking if Jason was doing well with his negotiation and wondered how busy he was to ignore his calls. Her mind wandered to the preparation of registering for a business course for next intake as well as finding a place to stay together with Andrew and Sandra outside of university. Nancy’s sudden approach startled her as she struggled to keep herself composed.
“Don’t worry… It’s almost after office hours. Would you like to grab dinner with me?” Nancy asked as Ivy raised an eyebrow feeling weary. “Nothing to worry about as well… Just a simple meal…” Nancy persuaded as Ivy contemplated for a moment and finally nodded in agreement sensing Nancy’s sincerity.
Nancy smiled with glee as she passed Ivy the claims file. “Thank you…” Ivy muttered.
“See you downstairs in ten minutes?” Nancy asked as Ivy nodded.
As Ivy packed and headed downstairs at the lobby waiting for Nancy to tag along, Marcel who bought coffee from the store nearby was heading towards the lift when he noticed both girls were heading towards the diner opposite their office block. He felt worried for Ivy’s safety that he monitored them from a distance by lingering at the office lobby.
“My treat… Order anything you want…” Nancy offered as they flipped through the menu.
“You don’t have to, Nancy…” Ivy muttered feeling bad but Nancy interrupted.
“I want to… Let me…” Nancy insisted with a smile as Ivy nodded and placed her mac and cheese order to the waitress while Nancy ordered a bowl of salad.
“You have been daydreaming a lot today… Missing him?” Nancy asked as Ivy blinked, staying speechless for being caught red handed.
“It’s normal to miss your boyfriend… You don’t have to feel bad about it…” Nancy said as she took a sip of water in front of her trying to keep herself composed although deep down in her was filled with jealousy. Ivy understood the unspoken meaning behind her sentence and knew she was never up to anything good as she quickly found ways to tell Nancy that she didn't forget her promise.
“Not really about that actually. His business is growing but I am leaving soon. For a business to grow it takes time and sadly I won't be around to witness it…” Ivy said solemnly as she took a look outside the window. To Nancy’s surprise, Ivy could tell her hidden agendas and was glad she got the answers she wanted from Ivy this quickly.
Nancy held on to Ivy’s hands which pulled Ivy’s attention back to Nancy. “Don’t worry… If you remember your promise, I too promise to stay by his side and provide all the support he needs.” Nancy tightened her grip on Ivy’s hand.
“But what if I don’t want to leave him?” Ivy’s mind was bothered with this question as she looked at Nancy’s glowing face. She didn’t have the heart to say it out to Nancy for fear she would go berserk. After all, she did make the promise to Nancy to leave Jason and end their romantic relationship when she leaves for Landsfield. Although it was a fake relationship, Ivy knew she had accidentally fallen in love with Jason. She hoped she would be able to endure and keep the secret crush to her grave.
“Unless…” Nancy wanted to threaten Ivy judging from her skeptical look but Ivy was smart enough to be quick witted and interrupted her.
“Don’t worry… I promised. So I will end it when I leave for Landsfield.” Ivy tried staying composed despite her aching heart piercing at her.
“Good… When will that be?” Nancy asked as she let go of Ivy’s hand abruptly feeling satisfied.
“In three months time…” Ivy said in a low sad tone as Nancy couldn’t help but to sneak a smile before comforting Ivy.
“Don’t worry, I am sure you will do well in your finals and leave for university with flying colors.” Nancy cheered as she lifted her glass of water to toss to Ivy who forcefully had to accommodate Nancy.
A part of her regretted coming for dinner with Nancy while a part of her which resented herself, knew she needed this wake up call more often as it would help to pull her back to reality.
Marcel, who watched from afar couldn’t help but wonder how Ivy endured the awkward situation. He noticed they chatted awhile when ordering but once their order came after they tossed, Nancy seemed to have made a request to pack her order and left Ivy all by herself with her dish.
Feeling bad for Ivy, Marcel waited for Nancy to board the taxi and walked over to have a meal with Ivy instead.
Ivy sighed at her disappointing self for always being taken advantage of or being vulnerable to loneliness as she nibbled on her mac and cheese contemplating to leave. Besides, she remembered her only refuge, Lucky needed his dinner too.
However, a familiar figure appeared and took the seat in front of her. When she looked up, she smiled with glee and gratefulness that it was Marcel.
“Hey!” Ivy greeted him excitedly. “How did you know I was here?” Marcel smiled.
With that Ivy realised Marcel must have seen Nancy earlier as her lips curved into a frown.Judging from Ivy’s looks, Marcel knew Ivy must have guessed he saw her with Nancy.
“What did Nancy want?” He asked casually as the waiter came by to take his order and he ordered a dessert instead which was green bean cake.
“Nothing, she just wanted to have a meal but instead she left due to an urgent matter…” Ivy lied as she took a bite of her mac and cheese. She didn’t plan to let anyone know about her pact with Nancy.
Although she tried to keep herself composed in front of Marcel, she couldn’t help but to feel disappointed at Nancy cheating her out for a dinner just to check on her and ensure she didn’t turn back on her promise. She absentmindedly sighed at her rotten luck as the waiter served the dessert Marcel ordered.
Marcel switched her mac and cheese with the dessert which took Ivy by surprise.
“When you’re unhappy, have some desserts. After all, the sweetness of the desserts will take away your stress…” Marcel said as Ivy finally laughed and took a bite.
“You too… Have some… It must be very stressful without Jason around…” Ivy said in a somber voice and gave Marcel a sad smile. She was tempted to ask Marcel about Jason and Marcel knew about it as she raised an eyebrow. “Just ask anything you want… With me alone, you can be who you are…” Marcel said as he took a bite on the cake.
“How’s he doing? He hasn’t contacted me ever since he left. Is he really that busy?” Ivy asked as she took a few more bites of the cake which surprisingly boosted her appetite. Marcel smiled listening to her questions as judging from Ivy’s questions, he knew Jason was avoiding contacts with Ivy to sort out his thoughts.
“He is very busy… Rest assured when he returns, there shouldn't be any big issues…” Marcel smiled to lift up Ivy’s mood.
“You're right… After all Jason always solves matters well…This dessert is really good. Thanks for recommending!” Ivy praised and smiled till her eyes closed.
Marcel couldn’t help but to smile as well at how simple it was to please her. “Shall we order another one?” Marcel asked as Ivy nodded excitedly.
While Marcel placed his order with the waiter, he wished Jason could sort out his personal and business matters well. Although Jason and Ivy’s relationship was based on a lie and an act, Marcel knew in Jason’s heart, Ivy already had a special place. So has Ivy’s. He too wished they both could end up being together but it seemed with the business matters on hand, that would depend on how well Ivy could accept and cope with the truth; only time will tell.