The night Ivy dreaded came naturally. While others were merrily looking forward to Christmas, Ivy had never imagined she would have to drag her feet and force herself to put on an act to match the merriness of others. Deep down, she was torn miserably for Jason but she knew it was the best option for the both of them because she was protecting her family.
As this was her first Christmas party, she was highly anticipated by the guests consisting of business acquaintances and partners. The reception was shifted to the town’s top hotel instead to accommodate the growing number of guests. In the waiting room, Nick appeared with Ray along the corridor as Ivy was pacing up and down while gritting her fingers anxiously. Ray eyed Nick as his gaze told him to take good care of his sister. Nick nodded reassuringly before he casually walked into the room to greet Ivy.
“Hello, stranger…” Nick smiled as he patted her french bun hairdo instead of messing them up. Ivy's eyes lit up at the sight of Nick as she gave him a sad smile.
“Hello…” Ivy mumbled as Nick pulled her in for a momentarily hug while whispering to her ears. “Whatever it is, know that tonight I will be by your side as promised.”
Those words would have comforted Ivy’s anxiety if she hadn't known about the secret mission carried out by James and her brothers. As her eyes reddened, she held on tight to Nick’s embrace for refuge as she forced herself to regain her composure. Nick on the other hand though could feel there were some unspoken things between the siblings that were intentionally hidden from him, he did not question them as all he could think of was that he putting a heavy responsibility on Ivy that night.
As Ivy strolled the living room among the guests who were mostly the family’s acquaintances, she was looking for Andrew and Ivy. She was half expecting Jason but he was still nowhere to be seen with Nancy. She was confident they would make it especially since it was the day Nancy had anticipated all along. She had noticed Nick standing by the side entrance watching her. They both shared a meaningful smile knowing their promise made was going to be tough to fulfill today. As her eyes darted around the hall, she noticed her auntie was in a glistening silver dress and sat with her own family as usual as she lifted her champagne glass and nodded slightly to send greetings to her. She nodded ambiguously in reply but Ivy knew her auntie had acknowledged her and was not holding on to the grudge from the previous family gathering otherwise she wouldn’t bother to even glance her way just like she did with Charles.
The sight of Charles and Jeremy together being obnoxious on the occasion while being surrounded by their minions made Ivy worried even more but she knew she needed to stay away from the Rahi first and perhaps with that, she hoped no major moves would be made by both Charles and Jeremy.
Clings on the champagne flute were heard from her dad’s direction as the brothers dressed in creamy white suits to match Ivy’s colorful large floral prints peplum white dress, escorted their sister to the stand next to their father.
“Welcome everyone! Merry Christmas!” Peter greeted the crowd as they greeted with Christmas greetings in return.
“Thank you for attending Ophal’s annual Christmas party. Tonight, I am truly grateful and blessed to have my long lost daughter, Ai Lee with us finally, reunited.” The crowd cheered and gave them a round of applause. “Aside from that, may everyone be blessed always, and cheers to a wonderful year! With that, let’s enjoy the night everyone! Cheers!” Everyone lifted up their flute to Peter’s well wishes.
Peter could only briefly smile at his children before quickly heading back to entertain their guests. The brothers then headed back to where they were at a corner with Cassandra.
Before Ivy could move ahead to join Ray who was ushering her over, she felt a tap behind her. "Merry Christmas!!!" Andrew and Ivy yelled in unison as they embraced Ivy.
"Aww! Merry Christmas!! I was looking for both of you!" Ivy cheered as she beamed in excitement reminding herself she still had her best friends by her side and how lucky she was. Ray decided to let his sister catch up with her friends instead as he watched from afar.
"Where's your little boyfi..." Andrew teased as Ivy interrupted sternly with her finger on her lips. Andrew looked at Sandra with an eyebrow raised as Sandra shook her head indicating not to pry further as they trailed behind her.
"Don't get started. No boyfie. Anyway, drinks?" Ivy noticed Ray was already engaged in a conversation with a client as she slowly made her way to the bar. Sandra decided to change the topic instead and keep the mood livelier.
"Sure! Aww, Ivy, love your dress. It literally lightened you up. So colorful!" Sandra complimented Cassandra’s work.
"Thanks to Cassandra... Hope I don't stand out too much. You look really stunning tonight. See I always tell you you're a perfect lady in red!" Ivy complimented in return as she laughed proudly at her own judgment while they reached the bar stand and grabbed some cocktails. Sandra couldn't help but giggle in agreement shyly as Ivy gave Andrew a thumb up for his grey chequered suit which made him look rather chic.
"Don't you feel like an adult now? I feel 21 except why is the crowd so old?" Andrew complained as he laid his shoulders on Sandra’s shoulders.
"Hence, should I date you both tonight, ladies?" Andrew teased. "Would you mind?" Andrew asked Sandra as he raised an eyebrow.
"Would you mind if I give pull a slap showdown then?" Sandra retaliated as she played along while Ivy chuckled slightly.
"Wow, easy sweetheart!" Andrew winked and kissed her instead.
"You’re no longer single you know that… I am only a light bulb here. Go get a room, please!" Ivy winked as she teased the couple leaving Sandra blushing as they each took a glass of red wine from the counter.
Ivy sat sighing while looking outside at the garden swing as she drank a sip of her red wine. Strange that she didn’t feel any jealousy nor was she envying the couple after coming to share the brothers’ secrets. It felt as though she was making the decision now to protect Jason instead.
"No chance at all, really babe?" Andrew asked Ivy who was deep in her thoughts as her friends could tell Jason was constantly on her mind and had always been troubling her.
"I... Don't know. You do know how it began as a fake relationship, the family came around, and then the responsibility as the eldest." Ivy explained briefly trying not to reveal so much.
"Those are just your responsibilities. Have you thought of his feelings as well? It doesn't look like he doesn’t care about you at all, especially the time when you both got trapped in the jungle or during Melissa's party though. Trust me, from a man's perspective, he has feelings for you, princess. I felt that you both should come clean." Andrew patted Ivy's shoulder. Deep down Ivy knew all this too well but she knew better than to protect her family from any harm and indirectly she was also protecting Jason’s business from getting into trouble with Jeremy. Ivy didn’t want to spoil the merry mood so she decided to tease Andrew to move away from the topic.
"Excuse me, could you say that again? What man? Since when are you a man?" Ivy laughed out loud as Sandra joined in on Ivy’s impromptu act. They got rather obnoxious that some in the crowd started to notice them.
Andrew rolled his eyes. "Yours truly may be almost twenty but dressing like this I can deceive anyone I am twenty-five." Both ladies laughed even louder as Sandra accidentally bang the table a couple of times. They couldn't help it while they drew more attention to them unintentionally.
"Oops! Sorry, sorry!" Sandra apologised out loud when she realised all eyes were on them. Peter couldn’t help but chuckled a little noticing Ivy was having a good time with her best friends.
Jeremy who was looking from a corner had kept his eyes on Ivy for a long time since he arrived. Only then had he realised when Ivy actually dressed up, she was a beauty. It was no wonder that Jason could have fallen for her as Jeremy tried to read the situation when he spotted Jason and how his look at Ivy was despite Nancy standing by his side. Jeremy began to plot in mind a scheme against Ivy instead as he put on a dangerous smirk.
Jason instantly knew where the gang was as he walked closer to them after leaving Nancy at one corner with her drink. She had noticed Nick but pretended to ignore him as she walked out to the garden nearby the swing.
"You're so vain Andrew! I'm so gonna miss all this fun when we head to university!" Ivy laughed as Sandra gestured for them to head to the garden using the back door. Jason saw them in action and grab a glass of champagne before walking in their direction.
"Come on baby boy, don't grow up and be my baby Andrew always?" Sandra teased as Andrew kissed her. Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes and laugh. “Oh please! Get a room already!”
"Hello, folks!" Jason greeted them as he approached them in the garden. He was flattered to once again see Ivy dressing up. Nancy who was nearby the swing earlier had hidden behind one of the pillars.
"Jason, my man! How are you? Here I have a supporter now. Do I look like a twenty-five? " Andrew asked as Sandra and Ivy went on giggling.
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Jason raised his eyebrows. "You're not that old you know. Twenty perhaps I will give you." Jason chuckled while he kept stealing glances at Ivy who was more calm and quiet but still cheerful compared to a few moments ago.
"Give up Andrew! Don't grow up too fast!" Ivy patted his shoulder to playfully comfort him for failing to prove that he looked mature as Sandra chuckled.
"Looks like you're all the youngest here. Sad to not have any other of your own age." Jason commented after a while.
"It's alright. They are all I needed. Plus you of course." Andrew smiled as he couldn't help but keep screening Jason from head to toe when he noticed how dressy Jason was. He was exceptionally charming that night in his black suit with silver linings at the edge of the collar.
Ivy couldn’t hold back from joining Andrew in screening Jason. She noticed it was a long time since she ever saw him in formal wear. He noticed the awkwardness as he cleared his throat while Andrew and Sandra were playing eye contact to signal for Ivy to talk to Jason privately. However, Ivy shook her head desperately and dared them to not leave.
"Ermm, drinks finished. We will go fetch some! Will be right back." Andrew announced as he walked away with Sandra leaving Ivy squinting her eyes in anguish.
"Merry Christmas," Jason said moving her attention back to him.
"Merry Christmas." Ivy was grinning till her eyes were flattened as she tried to look away to hide her true emotions. He couldn't help but keep staring at her and hoping the moment could stay longer as she was absolutely gorgeous that night and he didn't want to spoil her Christmas.
"Let's head to the swing behind. I have something to tell." Ivy said as she took a deep breath while she led the way.
"Ivy, are you sure bout this?" She had been fighting with her thoughts all day long even to the last moment. "Alright, I must do this. Yes, you can do this Ivy. You must." She told herself as she led him to the garden.
She realised she didn’t want the moment to end too when she sat on the swing. She recalled the first time he came to her grandma’s house during her wood project with Andrew and Sandra and the first time they met which ended up in a nasty argument. She smiled while looking up at the sky as she could feel her eyes reddening but tried to control them.
Jason didn’t notice her facial reaction as he was behind her pushing her lightly on the swing. She smiled sweetly, savoring the last peaceful moments with him as she looked up at the sky lighted by glittering stars.
At that point in time, Andrew and Sandra were standing next to Nick and Marcel in the hallway and Nick knew it was time as he eyed Ray who was standing by the stairs. Nick walked over and let Ray lead him upstairs to where Ivy will meet him as they both had promised to stay by each other side after she cut things clear with Jason.
"Jason..." Ivy cooed as the gentle breeze blew past them reminding her of the nights he settled her by the balcony when she awoke from her nightmares.
"Hmmm..." Jason hummed.
"The sky is glittering again. And we are talking by the swing this time."
"Hmmm..." He agreed as he continued to push the swing lightly. Ivy knew it was time as she drew a deep breath.
"Thank you… For always being by my side, comforting, teaching, entertaining me…" Ivy put down her legs on the ground as Jason was made to stop pushing the swing.
"You're welcome." He smiled as she stood and turned around.
She couldn't bring herself to draw the line as just seeing him smiling had made her miss him already. “I have decided to stay in Landsfield to continue my studies and help my dad,” Ivy said as she stared right into Jason’s eyes.
“Yes and I am also a shareholder in the company…” Jason was playing along carefully and wondering what was Ivy’s point.
She took a deep breath wondering if she should really keep only a professional relationship only as it was her last chance before she let her emotions break her. "I..." She blinked back her tears.
"Ivy… What is it?” Jason held onto her shoulders which made Nancy panic a little before she walked out to the vicinity where Ivy could see her. Ivy panicked a little too but knew she had to remain her composure and proceed as planned as Nancy was waiting. Ivy gave her a comforting smile before turning back her attention to Jason.
“I understand all this time I had put you in an awkward situation. From tutoring to luring away my ex-girlfriend to my family chaos and your chaotic life. I think we should clear the air. It was all for show but now..." It was breaking her heart just to hear him wanting to confess as he paused watching Ivy trying to control her emotions.
"Stop! Just don't continue. I understand. I don’t think we should continue any further with that fake relationship… So, just stop." She was wiping her tears away. Before he could give her the infinity necklace, she had stopped his confession.
"Ivy, don’t give up on us…" Jason pleaded in his heart.
"It was a huge mistake from the beginning. First, you abducted me all you want and gave me a part-time job. You tutored me and brought me success. You were there for both my down and up times. You even taught me about what love is without my consent for the sake of convenience in front of others. And you even save me from danger ..." She couldn't bring herself past the intense memories of being assaulted by Kyle as she grimaced. Jason walked closer and nearly hugged her only to be gently pushed away by Ivy.
"And you even took a knife stab for me and found me, my family..." Ivy drew a deep breath as she forced herself to wipe her tears away.
"She is such a strong girl." He watched her trying very hard not to cry in front of him.
“Ivy, we have gone through so much together and I really want to make it up for you. I want to stay by your side and continue teaching you and protecting you.” Jason explained as Ivy wavered for a moment but she fought through it.
“Jason, the person who needed you the most is Nancy and not me. Humans make mistakes and that’s part of life. If her mistake could make her realise how much her love had grown for you, you should give her a second chance to make it right. Even so, a chance for you to try to love her again. After all, you don’t want to waste years of effort you both had put into the relationship.” Ivy said firmly as Nancy was already behind Jason close by.
“I wish you both the best of luck. Stay blissful.” Ivy’s words were like thousands of spears piercing through Jason’s heart as his eyes reddened when he realised Ivy was giving up on them.
Ivy smiled at Nancy, holding onto Jason’s right arm happily as Ivy let go of Jason’s hand and walked back to the hall.
All he could do was dumbfoundedly stood by the swing to register the reality as Marcel walked over to have a look at the couple. All Jason could see was Ivy at the bar trying to take a few shots in front of her. He instantly got worried that Ivy would try to drink too much as he rushed into the hall.
Ivy forced herself to walk back to the dining hall while remaining composed as there were still plenty of guests. She found Andrew and Sandra with their 10 tequila shots lined up. Ray was on standby when he saw Ivy but Ivy nodded at him to assure him that she was alright as she decided she should have a drink first.
"Are these yours?" Ivy asked as Andrew nodded.
She intended to down all of them in one shot as Jason walked in at them and signaled Andrew to stop her. She was at the sixth shot.
"Ivy, you're alright?" Andrew asked as he stopped her.
"I am very alright. I'm sorry but you can order more shots after this. Just let me have these." She went on with the last three and Jason stopped her on the last one.
She stared back at him furiously as she dragged her arm away from his fist. “Mr. Rahi, mind your own business.” Nancy was enjoying the moment she had long awaited as she watched Ivy break Jason’s heart.
"Enjoy the night all of you! Merry Christmas!" Ivy said as she quickly stormed upstairs led by Ray to her room in the hotel with her burning throat.
“I’m sorry, Jason.” Ivy apologised in her heart.
The moment the lift’s door closed, Ivy cried her heart out as she fell off to the ground lifelessly. It was also the moment she finally accepted that her feelings for Jason were very deep but there was nothing she could do to change their fate. For now, all she had done was to improve the quality of life for everyone. She could only hope for the best outcome. Ray quickly carried her in his arms as she sobbed even more while on the way to her room where Nick was waiting for them.
Ray had no choice but to sit with Ivy in his arms on the bed as she cried helplessly while Nick quickly prepared a glass of warm water and blanket to keep Ivy warm as she sobbed till she fell asleep in Ray’s arms. Nick could only sit by her side as his eyes reddened from time to time while accompanying her as Ray had to head back down to the party since the family was the host.
"Jason, what happened?" Andrew asked furiously knowing Ivy was not happy with him.
"You didn't happen to ... confess, did you?" Sandra whispered.
Jason sighed at his effort and luck. "Do me a favor. Rest early and check on her tomorrow. She would need the both of you." Jason walked away realising that he had been the sacrifice all along as he got Marcel to drive Nancy back to her hotel although she was making a fuss wanting to stay by his side.
Jason was not in a stable mood for it at all. After a few moments of coaxing, he managed to get Nancy to agree to stay in the hotel first. He then found himself taking a taxi which end up at Ivy’s house as he sat by the park nearby motionlessly while Marcel came later to accompany him.
“I don’t want to go back to the hotel where everything reminded me of her,” Jason mumbled before he let some tears drop while holding on to the necklace he prepared for Ivy.
“I have waited for so long for tonight to do this but…” Marcel patted Jason’s back as he began to cry.
Marcel knew things wouldn't be as peaceful as it is anymore moving forward. “Have you known about all this before this Marcel?” Jason asked after a calm moment when he stopped crying. Marcel kept quiet.
“Was there something that I don't know is going on between Nancy and Ivy?” Jason tried to pester for confirmation Marcel nodded as Jason was trying to cope with accepting the truth.
“Jason, I think it’s best for you to stay by Nancy’s side for now as it would at least keep Ivy safe from harm. Besides…” Marcel was contemplating telling Jason the truth on the night Nick tried to commit suicide.
“What?” Jason pestered even more. “Nick and Ivy had made a pact to leave you and Nancy alone together as it would at least give Nancy some peace and save you a lot of trouble.”
Jason wiped away more tears. “But it isn’t what I wanted anymore…Ivy is a gem I would not want to lose.” Marcel could only pat Jason’s shoulder to comfort him.
In his mind, Jason wasn’t giving up on Ivy just yet as he started to think of a plan to keep his distance from Nancy and that would be to trick her to stay for her treatment in the mental institution in Manes so that he could try to put in more effort to pursue Ivy or at least have a glimpse of her instead in Landsfield.
That way he could also use one stone to kill two birds; keeping Ivy and Nick safe while he attempts to keep Ivy by his side.