After an entire day being finally at work and being introduced around by Ryu, Ivy was sort of half dreading and half excited about the company’s party at the thought of seeing Jason there again. “Alright, so we are actually done for the day. Next on the agenda would be the company’s welcoming party for you.” Ryu cheered excitedly as he led Ivy into the lift and wanted to head down to the floor where the party was when he noticed Ivy was very quiet ever since he brought up the welcoming party. He wondered if it was related to Jason as she had been deep in thought since they entered the lift.
“Is there anything you need some help with? Perhaps anything you want to clarify?” Ryu asked Ivy to prompt her for details as he buttoned up his coat. Ivy was startled a little while being deep in her thoughts about Jason’s question earlier in the day when Ryu suddenly questioned her. She was contemplating the chance to date Jason finally but didn’t want to let her family members know to avoid the risk of conflict of interest due to their business affairs. Being quick-witted, she made an excuse by asking for details of the projects they were handling as she chose to stick with her decision of rejecting Jason’s date.
“I was thinking if I could take a look at the details of the projects we are handling here so that I can be familiar with them quickly and I could also get involved easily with Manes’ projects eventually…” Ivy halted her question when she noticed Ryu squinted his eyes at her.
“Ivy. I specifically said I will fill you in about it next Monday… What’s going on?” Ryu's concerned question showed Ivy that he already knew the reason. “Nothing...” Ivy mumbled.
“Cause of Jason?” He prompted further to try his luck at prompting Ivy to talk as Ivy rolled her eyes in annoyance for being caught when the lift landed on the floor of the party before Ivy could reply. Both siblings were forced to step out of the lift awkwardly while adjusting themselves to be composed.
“Don’t worry. I will manage.” Ivy tried assuring Ryu’s concerned look with a comforting smile. Ryu had no choice but to reluctantly let her accompany him to meet his sales and marketing team who was excitedly waving at them to come over although he knew Ivy was definitely feeling troubled over Jason.
In just a short moment of introduction, Ivy knew the sales team would be easy for her to work with next time due to their easygoing nature whereas those in the logistics were not that easy. Ivy learned that blue-collar employees all need time to be familiar with before they would let her earn the respect and loyalty she deserved as she left Ray to continue to mingle with his subordinates instead before she headed along with Peter and Jason to meet the key managers overlooking the brothers’ work in the management team.
Aside from Mr. Jin who works closely with Peter as his driver and personal assistant, there was another general manager, Mr. Archwabal. He seems to be a reserved person but looking at the current performance of the company, Ivy was sure Peter trusted him and his work. Ivy noted in mind to pay attention to Mr. Archwabal at work to learn more and be efficient.
Despite being able to do the analysis in mind, Ivy couldn’t help to be distracted by Jason who was engaging very well in conversation with Mr. Archwabal which intrigued Peter to join in. Ivy was left standing by the side struggling to pay attention to the details of the deals they were interested in Manes and fighting with her excitement for standing next to Jason which she tried to suppress.
A glimmer of hope to find an excuse to leave them alone came when she felt her phone vibrating moments later as she politely excused herself. As she stepped away, Ivy suddenly felt left out despite the party being prepared for her as she checked her text message.
She tried to comfort herself by telling herself to take it slowly since it was a new organisation she was working for. The text message was from Sandra excusing themselves from the party as their interview was overrun late and they had decided to do a little dinner date by themselves. Feeling a little disappointed and bored, Ivy replied to Sandra’s message in acknowledgment and told them to enjoy themselves as she walked over to a corner with a small balcony overlooking the city’s night lights for some fresh air while passing polite nods occasionally to the employees lingering around.
Noticing Ivy was alone standing outside the hallway, Jason couldn’t help but felt drawn to walk over to keep her company as he quickly excused himself from Peter and Archwabal. He too didn’t escape from giving polite nods to the employees lingering around on the way to Ivy. As he stood behind her, he took his time to slowly enjoy the moment. He was tempted to hold her hand but he knew there were lots of eyes looking at them and it wouldn’t be ideal in order to avoid gossip.
“Good evening…” Jason greeted formally at Ivy. Ivy who was halfway enjoying the fresh air closed her eyes tightly as she tried to control her excitement. Just from the voice she heard, she could already tell it was Jason.
“Hey…” Ivy smiled as she turned around and cling her glass of champagne to his glass to break the awkwardness as she noticed a few employees were close by.
“Cheers to a successful cooperation.” Ivy sipped her champagne as Jason finally smiled and did the same. Jason walked closer to her as she inched further out to the balcony’s edge to keep her distance. His purpose was to send her further away from the lingering employees so that they could speak privately but she was already on the edge of the balcony that he held on to her hand to help her keep her balance. Ivy instantly withdrew her hand from his and tried to keep herself composed.
“Ivy, I’m glad of who you have become and I’m sincerely happy for you…” Jason said in a low voice to avoid letting the employees hear them. Ivy observed him as he put on a look as though he had even more words to tell her but he knew he couldn’t when there were so many eyes looking at them from the hall. Just the thought of it was enough to make her give a wide smile.
“Thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.” Ivy’s eyes twinkled with a polite smile. She was rather nervous and worried in fact as she could sense Jason wanted to clarify things with her but they weren’t in the right place. Although she was desperately wanting to seek clarification, she also fear the uncertainty and unforeseen negative results where she might need to abruptly end not just their fake relationship but also their friendship.
She realised she would rather have such ambiguous moments than not be able to talk to him again. Although she was moved by his words earlier, she controlled herself from letting any of that emotion overwhelm her as, after all, they were in the eyes of the public. She didn’t want to give a wrong impression to the employees either. However, Jason didn’t seem to sense Ivy’s discomfort as he continued to push her for a definite answer about their date.
“So, have you decided about tomorrow?” Jason asked gently in a lower voice which tickled Ivy’s heart although she tried hard to avoid that question the whole night. It was also the main reason she was dreading the party. Finally seeing Ivy trying to hide her nervousness as she chuckled nervously, Jason decided to give her some assurance.
“Regardless, I will be waiting… Just so you know…” Jason whispered which made Ivy even more nervous. Jin noticed Ivy didn’t look very pleased with the conversation she had had with Jason from afar. Ray who was standing next to Jin also noticed as they both walked over to help her out.
“Mr. Rahi… How’s the evening going?” Jin greeted formally as the lingering employees earlier slowly dispersed into the crowd. “Hope it is going well, Mr. Rahi…” Ray added as they clinked their champagne flute with each other.
“Oh, all good… No worries!” Jason noticed the lingering employees who just left as he played along while Ivy took a deep breath and looked away to keep herself composed. Jin slipped his arm onto Ivy’s shoulders to help her calm down faster. However, as Jason and Jin clink their champagne flute, Jin could feel Ivy’s trembling body in his arms instead.
Jin discreetly eyed Ray to signal him to handle Jason as he tried to pull nervous Ivy away from the party. “Excuse us, Mr. Rahi. I will need my sister for a moment…” Jin said as Ivy began to feel more at ease with both brothers’ rescue.
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“Have a pleasant evening, Ms. Ophal…” Jason chimed as Ivy nodded and smiled. “You too…” She mumbled as Jin led her out from the balcony and quickly scurried through the crowd to the lift.
“You’re alright?” Jin mumbled as Ivy was half nodding and shaking her head, uncertain to be honest or lie to Jin who after all would be able to read her well to know she needed to be rescued earlier desperately. Jin understood instantly she wasn’t as he squeezed his palm on hers to comfort her while waiting for the lift. Ray on the other hand tried to distract Jason from staring at Ivy for too long.
“Don’t worry… Give her some time.” Ray said as he took a sip of his champagne and looked up to the sky. Jason nodded before clinking his champagne flute with Ray for another drink. They both stood looking up at the sky while casually chatting the night away.
On the other hand, Jin was holding onto Ivy’s hand tightly to comfort her as Ivy tried to blink her tears back a few times while waiting for the lift. When they entered the lift, she avoided looking at the crowd as she stood with her back facing them while the lift door closed. Jin took his coat to cover her back as he held her in his arms. Ivy let her tears flow a little as she sobbed in his arms.
“This is too hard, Jinnie… Too hard…” Ivy sniffed with a deep breath as Jin gently patted her back. He could feel his phone vibrating as he checked a call from Ryu. He quickly rejected the call knowing the lift was reaching the ground floor soon. He was in a state of panic as he decided to carry Ivy but Ivy knew he wasn’t strong enough as she quickly wipe her tears away and kept herself composed.
“Don’t… I will quickly walk into the car.” Ivy mumbled as Jin shook his head.
“Let me carry you. Why? You’re afraid I am not strong enough?” Jin asked as Ivy walked away into their car prepared at the lobby’s entrance. Ivy calmed down a little as she waited for Jin to drive away from the lobby before she slouched and closed her eyes tightly trying to absorb all that had happened.
Jin knew he should get Ivy to talk it out as he pulled over by the bridge they were reaching on the way home. Ivy was half grateful to have Jin who could read her mind and understand her at this moment as she quickly stepped out and took a deep breath. Jin took the opportunity to update Ryu via a text message that Ivy was with her and told him not to worry. They stood by the bridge overseeing a huge river as Jin passed a bottle of water.
“Ivy, have some water…” Jin handed it to her. Ivy took it and drank while Jin gently combed her messy hair from the wind.
“Don’t worry, I have explained to Ryu and he will handle the family… On the other hand, could you fill me in about what’s going on with Jason?” Jin asked worriedly.
Ivy took a deep breath and sighed. “You could start with what happened that night in the jungle?” Jin questioned as Ivy felt it was time to let Jin who was someone who could understand her to know for some comfort perhaps as after all that’s what families are for.
“I was angry when I first found out that he was using me at some point to get closer to Daddy… But when I realised he had all along guided me to become who I am today whether in studies or at work, that anger just… dissipate away. So, when he wanted to give up everything just to make it up to me because he used me back then, I was furious 'cause I know how much he needed this opportunity…” Ivy explained as her voice cracked while Jin hugged her closer and rubbed her left arm to comfort her.
“I am just so nervous every time I am around him cause of the fear that the current ambiguous relationship we are having would turn out to be not being able to speak with him like I used to anymore or worse…” Ivy said frustratingly as she let herself sob in Jin’s arms.
“That night, I wasn’t sure other than apologising to me, if he did confess to me about his feelings… It was all so hazy and I just don’t dare to clarify… I don’t want to lose what I have now with him. Just that alone made me really regret ever making that promise to Nancy to leave Jason when I graduate…” Ivy began to sob as Jin let her lean onto his chest.
“Ivy, no one could predict the future… Don’t be too harsh on yourself… You could still fix this as I could tell Jason is serious and into you…” Jin comforted while Ivy shook her head.
“Jin, you have no idea how serious Nancy’s situation is. The only reason I ever made that promise to her was that she went havoc discovering the fake relationship I was having with Jason and attacked me. Could you imagine what will happen if I went selfish and be serious with Jason? Part of the reason that promise was made was to prevent her from hurting anyone physically because I really am left with no options. I don’t want to hurt the friendship between Jason and Nancy’s current boyfriend, Nick either as Nick would be the victim who suffers more than I do, especially after how he cheated with Nancy behind Jason. I would rather I carry all the burden for them and not tell Jason about my feelings…” Ivy couldn’t help but let her tears keep flowing which made Jin’s heart ache knowing how it would feel if it was the same situation for him and Cassandra. Although he felt it was a pity case for Ivy to not be able to be with the one she loved, he finally understood it was for a better cause.
“Whatever your decision is, I felt you should draw the line soon instead of keeping him ambiguous about it. Make it clear once and for all that you don’t want to be involved seriously…” Jin said as Ivy sobbed even more hearing the exact thought she had in mind but was in denial.
“I know it will be hard but that’s the way of life Ivy…” Jin decided to let Ivy sob all she wanted as he patted her gently.
Jin stood with her by the riverside till rather late as she fell asleep on his chest. Jin was also ensuring everyone was home and resting before he drove home with Ivy as he knew Ivy wouldn’t want them to see her this way. However, when he carried her upstairs to her room, Ray and Ryu were standing by Ivy’s room waiting for them in the dim lights from the stairways.
Ray quickly offered to carry Ivy as Jin handed her over. Ivy who was stirring felt the darkness of the dim lights was overwhelming as she quickly held tightly to Jin’s collar. “Don't… Don’t leave…” Ivy pleaded as she opened her eyes and Jin realised it was too dim for Ivy. “Turn on the lights…” Jin instructed as he quickly comforted her while Ryu turned on her room’s lights.
“We are home… Sorry, it’s very late and the hallway is dimly lit…” He whispered as Ivy opened her eyes to see Jin looking down at her on the way to her bright-lighted room while passing by Ray and Ryu.
“Let me shower first… You all go ahead and wash up first.” Ivy said as Jin put her down on the ground. Ray instantly pulled her in for a hug. “You’ll be alright, sis…” Ray comforted Ivy as she felt a sudden sting in her eyes. She blinked back her tears and smiled sadly when Ray let her go. Ryu stepped in to give her a hug too where she couldn’t help but to let a few tears flow as the warmth of their hugs reminded her of Jason’s which was once a source of refuge when she missed her grandma.
“I will come back later after your shower, alright?” Ray said as Ivy nodded when she let Ryu go.
“Go … Sleep. It’s late. I’m fine. I will shower first.” Ivy persuaded her brothers to leave her alone. They nodded while Ryu patted her head gently. “Goodnight…” Ivy said. “Goodnight…” Her brothers replied as Ivy halted Jin who was about to leave her room. “Twinny… Thank you.” Ivy said as Jin nodded with a smile and walked out of her room with Ray and Ryu.
“Go ahead to shower and rest… I will ensure she falls asleep before I do.” Ray assured Jin and Ryu as Ryu nodded with a yawn and headed downstairs first. Jin stood halfway on the stairs as he called out to Ray.
“Ray, she is a bit on the fence although she wanted to call it off. It’s best if she does continue with her decision.” Jin mumbled as Ray nodded understanding that he should continue to sway Ivy to keep her plans of not revealing her feelings to Jason. In fact, none of them in the family wanted them to be together considering the fact that it would constantly put Ivy in a dangerous position with Nancy. Besides, it was going to be tough for them to date due to employees will gossip about it.
“Alright, goodnight bro,” Ray said as he watched Jin walk down the stairs. While in the shower, Ivy gave it a long and hard thought about her decision as she let herself be overwhelmed by her emotions. After a good cry, she finally came to a sturdy conclusion.
When Ivy stepped out of the washroom, she noticed Ray wasn’t in her room although he said he would come back to her later. She decided to head to his room and knocked on his door instead. Ray was checking on some leftover work when he opened the door and saw Ivy’s puffy eyes. “Hey…” Ray greeted sadly as Ivy smiled and hugged him knowing the sight of her puffy eyes was heartbreaking for him.
“Don’t be sad…” Ivy mumbled as Ray let go of her hug. “But…” Ray was worried they were too loud as he let her into his room. It was Ivy’s first time in his room which were full of martial arts poster and even a workout machine in one corner with some dumbbells. There was also a sofa bed by his working desk.
“Come, let’s go to bed… It’s really late.” Ray urged as he pointed to his bed suggesting for her to sleep in his room but Ivy shook her head when Ray stepped closer to her to pull her over to his bed. She stopped him as she held tightly to his arms.
“Ivy, don’t think too much and sleep… Let things decide for themselves for tomorrow alright?” Ray urged as he noticed Ivy’s eyes were glistening with tears. “It’s already tomorrow…”
“I mean later in the day…” Ray mumbled as he wiped away her tears.
“I have decided… I will make things clear with him later tonight. I will reject him. I know it’s going to be hard but I will… I must…” Ivy bravely said as her tears flowed again while Ray pulled her into his embrace and let her sob for a while. Deep down, Ray knew Ivy had fallen for Jason too far and that she was willingly sacrificing herself for the benefit of everyone.
“Believe in yourself, sister. You’re a very strong woman after all…” Ray’s words were always so comforting that Ivy was grateful more than ever to have found her family this way. She comforted herself that her decision would be repaying Jason by ensuring he had a peaceful friendship with Nick and still could fulfill his promise to take care of Nancy.