The sight of the wreaths at the entrance of the wake hall dampened Ivy’s heart as she forced herself to look away but her family’s name on one of the wreath’s messages caught her attention. She was glad that her brothers were very detailed with their arrangements. She glanced at Ray who was walking next to her solemnly to catch his attention. She quickly gave him a quick smile when he looked in her direction. Ray knew Ivy must have seen the wreath their family sent as he smiled briefly back at her when they were about to reach the entrance.
A rush of emotion hit Ivy hard when she recalled her dream last night while she paid her last respect to Jason’s grandma. It broke her heart even more at the sight of Jason’s haggard look.
Jason couldn’t bear another minute of watching Ivy and her family in front of him as he quickly stepped away from the wake to catch some fresh air to calm himself down. The entire accident and funeral flashed by him at a speed of light that he finally realised he has not had the time to allow himself to take a breather and accept the passing of his own grandma yet. He counted his blessings that his mother was alive but could not help worrying about the possibilities of complications during her recovery.
Ivy wanted to run after Jason when her family was socialising among other attendees at the refreshment section. On her way out, Ivy bumped into Marcel who returned from trailing Jason after he ensured Jason only needed some time alone although he was still a little uneasy leaving him alone. However, knowing Jeremy was about to arrive at the wake, Jason had told Marcel to stay put in case Jeremy made a scene.
“Ivy…” He greeted her in a tired voice. “Marcel…” Ivy sighed a little at Marcel’s fatigue self.
“Tough days are coming up… Let me know if there’s anything to help cause I will be around to manage for a while.” Ivy offered as Marcel nodded while carefully looking around at some business associates paying attention to them speaking with each other. Ivy noticed Marcel’s discreet eyes scanning the surroundings as she understood and stepped closer to Marcel.
“As for Jason’s replacement, could you arrange a time for me to meet Nick? I feel that he would be the right person to fill in Jason’s place.” Ivy lowered her voice to avoid the guests nearby from overhearing them.
Marcel pondered for a while and nodded in an agreement again. Ivy thought he was refraining from talking much to draw the attention of the crowd so she decided to end the conversation. In fact, Marcel was just surprised at how far Ivy had planned when he had not had the time to meddle with the company’s arrangements yet.
“Counting on you... Let me know soon.” Ivy said before leaving the hall. The thought of Jason made Marcel recall how a little uneasy he was about Jason’s condition that he quickly held Ivy back from walking away.
“Ivy…” Ivy turned around with a questioning look. Marcel walked a little closer before he whispered. “He should be outside getting some fresh air. It’s been a tough day as Mrs. Rahi is still recuperating and…” Ivy stopped him from continuing as she already understood his worries.
She nodded reassuringly. “I know. I will find him. Don’t worry.”
Looking at how worried Marcel was, Ivy hastened her steps the moment she stepped out of the hall. She dashed around frantically at the garden outside the building. Only the sight of a familiar figure, Jason, standing under the streetlights, dumbfound, had put her adrenaline to peace momentarily.
However, the urgency of needing to know his state of mind made Ivy sprint quickly towards him in her heels only to fumble into his arms in a nick of time when Jason turnaround, noticing her loud footsteps nearby. They both sighed a breath of relief not just because Ivy had managed to avoid falling off to the ground earlier but also finally being able to be in each other’s warm embrace they both had yearned for the whole day.
“Hey… We got the deal!” Ivy gently cheered in his arms trying to sound cheery but then like they said hugs could bring out the real feelings in you. Jason didn’t expect himself to become emotional instantly. He stood pouring out the agony he had built up the entire day in her arms. Ivy who was startled for a moment began to gently rub his back to comfort him and let him cry. She too felt overwhelmed by his sobs but tried to stay strong for him.
Nancy who had heard the news in the office earlier in the day was picked up by Nick to attend the wake. While Nick was busy in discussion with Marcel at the refreshments section, Nancy had slipped out in the hope of finding Jason. Being with Jason for a long time before this, Nancy knew Jason would have found someplace secluded to comfort himself especially when he was the type to put his own emotions last.
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As Nancy walked to the garden, she had forgotten for a moment that Jason was no longer single. She stood by a corner peeping at Ivy comforting Jason who was pouring all his agony out. She wished she was the one who was standing in Ivy’s position as she tried to calm herself remembering Ivy’s promise. All thanks to her constant medication intake, Nancy managed to pull herself away although she was agitated at the sight. She hoped that Ivy would still fulfill her promise as she resorted to waiting for Nick patiently by a dark corner nearby the memorial service building instead.
When Jason finally drew a deep breath from sobbing for a long while in Ivy’s arms, he pulled away from her hug to have a good look at her tired face. He was touched at the sight of Ivy struggling to stay strong for him. In addition, her formal outfit made her look more standout than her usual self. Feeling proud and grateful at the same time, he kissed her forehead as a token of appreciation.
“I’m sorry for tiring you and worrying you…” Jason mumbled as Ivy smiled and shook her head.
“It’s not something you should be worried about. Have you eaten?” Ivy asked as she reached out to help him wipe his wet face with tissues from her pocket
Jason shook his head. “You still need to have something…Give me your car keys.” Ivy said as he obediently obliged. “Show me where you park.” He held on to her hand as he led her over.
“Come, you wait in the car. I will come back with some refreshments. You will need to keep yourself hydrated…” Jason had no choice but to oblige as he finally felt the lethargy kicking in while resting in the back seat of his car.
Ivy quickly went back to the wake to grab some mini buns enough for herself and Jason with a few bottles of water before spotting Nick and Marcel standing by one corner deep in conversation. Ivy instantly knew Marcel must have told Nick of her ideas as she approached them.
“Looks like someone beat me to speak with you?” Ivy teased Nick as she walked over to both men. Nick smiled while Marcel chuckled. “He has agreed to your offer. I have made your job easier Ms. Ophal.” Marcel reported in a formal tone jokingly as Ivy and Nick burst out in laughter.
“Heading to send food to Jason?” Nick asked causally. “Yes. Thank you, Nick, for the help…” Ivy sincerely was grateful for Nick’s help at such a needy moment.
“No issues… Small matter. You should hurry! He will be missing you!” Nick teased Ivy as she smiled. “Where’s Nancy?” Ivy asked noticing she was not around.
“Oh, you’re right. I should go look for her. Marcel, I will come down to the office to speak in detail about Jason’s work after the funeral.” Nick tried to wrap up his conversation with Marcel hastily before leaving Marcel nodding adamantly to walk out the hall with Ivy.
“Come, let me help you.” Nick offered as Ivy’s hands were full with bottles of water.
“No, it’s alright. We’re almost there. His car’s parked rather nearby.” Ivy rejected politely as Nick continued to help her hold two bottles so that she could move one of her arms. Although Nick was still unfamiliar with Ivy but looking back at the times she helped out the band and now Jason, Nick could tell Ivy was a nice person.
“Take good care of my bro. I am sure he needs you a lot these days.” Nick said as Ivy smiled and nodded politely when the lift landed on the ground floor.
They walked to the entrance to see Nancy standing alone by a dark corner. At the sight of Nancy, Ivy trembled a little recalling her pact with her as she quickly retrieved one water bottle from Nick before pointing her chin to Nancy when Nick wanted to pass her the second bottle of water. “Keep that for her. Take care. I will see you in the office.” Ivy said before she quietly walked away trying not to be discovered by Nancy.
Nick watched Ivy walk quite a distance before he approached Nancy with a hug and coaxed her to drink some water which she obediently obliged. Nancy couldn't help but keep peeping behind Nick to see the entrance of the building and if there were any signs of Jason or Ivy but it was to no avail. Instead, she witnessed the arrival of Jeremy and his gang members of underlings all dressed in black suits heading into the wake. She shook her head in despair imagining the scenes Jeremy who was always a trouble maker was about to cause.
Deep down, Nick always wondered what exactly was on Nancy’s mind. He often felt her attention on Jason’s matter had slowly turned into an obsession despite they were actually in a relationship. He felt like he was the only one devoted to the relationship while her mind and heart were always on Jason and his matters. Sometimes, he wondered if keeping her by his side was enough for him and if keeping her safe was all that matters as he led her down to their car and drove off.
When Ivy got into the car’s back seat, Jason was nearly dosing off but he managed to stay awake and pulled Ivy into his arms for more hugs. “I have missed you…” Jason mumbled as Ivy smiled and unpacked their dinner. “Drink first…” Ivy coaxed as he took a few sips from the water bottle before Ivy fed him a bun and took a bite herself.
“This isn’t exactly the first time we dine in the car’s back seat hmm…” Ivy tried to tease Jason to lighten up the mood. Jason smiled sadly as she fed him another bite on the bun while he caressed Ivy’s hand he was holding on. Ivy sighed slightly knowing Jason must have many worries at the moment as she decided to update him on her plans for work.
“Don’t worry about work temporarily. I have made arrangements for Nick to take over your tasks. The rest of the management stuff, Marcel would be handling and I will personally overlooked all of it. As for you…” Ivy adjusted her position and placed both Jason’s hands together in hers.
“Stay by Auntie’s side. I am sure she needs you more than anyone.” Ivy smiled as she pursed her lips together. Jason’s eyes involuntarily turned red as he listened to her explaining her arrangements. He pulled her in for another hug as he let himself succumb to his emotions without holding back. It took Ivy by surprise again at how vulnerable Jason was at that moment and the extent of his struggle in bottling up all his emotions away from his family. It felt a little as though he was fighting a long brutal war all by himself on the battlefield, slowly looking for a comrade to fight along.
“Cry… It’s alright. Cry all you want. I will stay by your side..” Ivy’s comforting words were the most needed remedy to his grief at that point in time.
“Always…” Ivy added in her heart as she wondered if she ever had a shot at making it a reality at this stage.
She wondered what would Nancy do in such a situation. One thing for sure, she knew that Nancy must have wanted to comfort Jason the most. Ivy counted her blessings for being able to borrow some more time from Nancy to be with Jason a little longer. She secretly hoped for no consequences to her borrowed time cause knowing Nancy, she can be wild when she was not under her medication.