Melody sat up in bed but Ryu was still unwilling to turn around. "I hear you. I know your worries but never once was I worried about it. Why would you?" She clarified but he still did not want to turn around.

"You helped me so much and save me. You couldn't help the circumstances earlier cause who asked me to fall for a guy who is so good-looking and famous?" He could not help but chuckle at her remark.

"I would learn to live with that but could you turn around and let me see you, please?" Melody pleaded as she reached out to his hand and found it bloody.

"Oh, no! Why wasn't this treated?" She asked in shock and wanted to get down from bed only to figure she was on a drip. Ryu was worried she would snap away the drip needle so he turnaround in a panic.

Melody met his gaze which made her heart ached seeing he was all exhausted from the match and yet fighting with himself about her.

"You made a lot of mistakes earlier. I'm sorry for leaving that way. You must have got scolded so badly." Melody apologised while Ryu was restraining himself from taking the next step with her.

"Why are you so caring about me?" He questioned dangerously as Melody nonchalantly answered him.

"Cause you deserve it." She answered with conviction which made Ryu lose control of his urge to hold her and pulled her into his arms.

"Are you sure?" He asked as he inched closer to her while staring back at his gaze. She nodded and the next thing he knew, she pulled him in for a kiss instead to seal the deal.

His stunned self soon fall into pace with her as he kissed her back. When they broke apart, he held her head and adore her beauty.

"I thought I nearly lost you tonight. I was terrified what he did to my sister would occur to you." He whispered as he closed his eyes enduring his fear.

"Silly... I always believed in you and I know you would keep me safe." She whispered in return which made him blink back his tears.

"I like you, Melody. I don't know when it started but I'm sorry I just realise this just now when I was so terrified and even tried to fight with my sister..." He explained in tears as Melody nodded while caressing his hair.

"I know. I was terrified of losing you too when I saw how the girls flirted with you. But I always believe in you. That's why you're my idol. And you proved I was right about you." She said with a smile as he pulled her in for another kiss.

"I like you a lot." She said innocently. "Would you be my girlfriend?" He whispered and she nodded instantly. He kissed her forehead as she beamed in delight but she almost instantly frown when she noticed his dried wounds.

"Could you get these all checked up first? It's heartbreaking to look at them..." Melody pleaded almost in tears that Ryu nodded. "Alright, alright. I will. But I need to warn you, it's not easy to be with me. Not just cause the fans but also the family and some other stuff." He said worriedly as Melody sighed sharply.

"Do you think I don't know all this after being your fan for a long time?" Melody teased as Ryu smiled and stole a kiss before she whined for him to get himself treated.

Ivy left with Ray and Nick thereafter and headed home to rest. However, the sight of meeting Kyle again left her agitated to fall asleep.

Nick stepped into the room catching her staring out into space. She did not move an inch even when he climbed into bed.

"Hey..." He called out but she was deep in her thoughts.

He shook her as she startled and let out a scream before muffling herself.

"It's me. You're alright?" Nick asked as she caught her breath.

"I'm sorry I scared you." Nick apologised as she shook her head.

"What's bothering you? Do you want to talk about Kyle?" He asked as she sighed sharply.

She began to explain to him how Jason rescued her from Kyle and his gang at the party. She shuddered remembering the drug's effect on her.

"If it was to happen the same to Melody tonight, it would definitely tear apart not just her but Ryu for failing to protect her. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself too. I'm just glad they worked things out." Ivy explained as she was overwhelmed with relief.

"You did great tonight. As the eldest. As a guardian. You have so many of us by your side. Don't carry the burden alone." Nick comforted while patting her head gently. She nodded reluctantly.

"Now, let's get some sleep. We have an early flight tomorrow back to Landsfield." He reminded her as she let him tuck her back into the blanket while holding on to her hand.

Though she was still a little upset, she could not fight the fatigue kicking in and slowly drifted back to her paracosm.

She found herself looking ahead at a pretty sunset by the cliff while Jason was cuddling her like he always did when she had nightmares.

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"Jason!" She got up and threw her arms around his neck as she inhale his scent.

"Glad to have you back." Jason greeted her as she let go of him and stole a kiss.

"What happened? You looked terrified." He asked noticing she looked a little upset. Ivy explained the entire night's event to him.

"Looks like your nemesis is still lingering. I should have gotten rid of him for good back then." Jason comforted as Ivy eased into his arms.

"It doesn't matter. I have my brothers to look after me. I am just glad Ryu finally is working out something with Melody." Ivy smiled sadly, half regretting not being able to be with Jason.

Jason sensed her unhappiness but he knew he was on a mission to get her to continue the escape from the tower. "Speaking of which, don't you think you should agree with Avinha?" He asked as Ivy raised an eyebrow.

"On what?" She questioned. "He requested for you to head down the past previously didn't he?" Jason explained. "And didn't I go before?" She questioned again.

"Ivy, no matter what happens next, if he asks again, you should go. No, you must go." His reply was scaring Ivy of ever losing him again.

"No, why? I don't want to lose you." Ivy said as she cling to him.

"That's the only way out for us to leave this tower." He said calmly and before Ivy could retaliate, she find herself awake, still held captive by the ivies veins. She could hear footsteps approaching them and it was Avinha's as she noticed her bleeding palms from gripping so hard to not let go of Jason earlier.

Ivy's eyes darted at the cube where Jason was as she glared at him. "Well, well, looks like someone is finally awake again." Avinha greeted as he pulled her chin to face him.

"Let me cut straight to the point. Previously, you haven't given me an answer about heading to the past with me like you did with him?" Avinha said as he pointed in Jason's direction.

It is exactly what Jason said. Ivy thought to herself.

Agree with him. Ivy could hear Jason's thoughts.

Did you arrange for this? Ivy glared in his direction only to have her chin pulled back to face Avinha.

"Easy there, sweetheart. So, is it a yes or no?" Avinha asked as Ivy drew in a sharp breath.

"Fine! But I want to be freed." She demanded as Avinha scoffed.

"If I knew it was this simple, I wouldn't have tied you up." He vented as he instructed the veins to release Ivy. Two succubus came to escort Ivy out of the place thereafter as she obediently followed them from behind.

Careful my dear. Counting on you. Jason warned and lied in mind to her as she glared in his direction while secretly summoning the veins of ivies into her body as though intertwining with her body.

No, Ivy. Don't be reckless. Jason pleaded but it was too late as Ivy had stepped out of the place engulfed by bright lights.

The next thing Ivy knew she was laying in bed staring back at the dark-pitched black room. She heard the oscillating fan which calm her down. She let go of Nick's hand and sat up in bed while rubbing her forehead, trying to comprehend her dream.

Are you also giving up on me? Am I not able to see you again in my dreams till I resolve my past with Avinha? Does this mean I should confront Jeremy soon but how? Ivy questioned as she hugged her knees.

She realised she was calming down in the still of the night. Solitary came to her mind.

Hello, my old friend. Ivy could not fall asleep thereafter as she watched the sky slowly brighten and Nick stirred.

He fussed around with her as she let him tuck her back in bed before heading to wash up. Ivy pretended to close her eyes to sleep but she still could not. She ended up staring at the window again thinking of ways and clues to defeat Jeremy till Ray urged her to wake up for breakfast.

She obediently obliged and got ready before heading to the airport with them. Ryu and Melody were seen rushing over to them just in time to catch the same flight. A part of Ivy was relief to see their progress but she was more of not at ease after the dream she had. It was too normal compared to her other paralysis or nightmares.

Was this the calm waters before the storm? She questioned when she sat with Daisy, the family's retriever by the balcony that afternoon. Peter who was recovering well went to sit with her as she eased into his hug.

"Must be tough for you back there. Was everything alright?" He asked as Ivy wanted to nod but instead, she shook her head. "Now, that's my girl... Tell me what's wrong?" He persuaded.

"I met with Jason's mother, Daisy..." At the sound of the name, their dog sat up and licked her face as she giggled. "Not you..." She patted her as Daisy eased back onto her lap.

"And? How's she doing?" Peter asked half chuckling and patting Daisy.

"Not really well. That aside, she made me her stepdaughter and I am not sure if you agree but I had to agree to her..." She said apologetically.

Peter gently caressed her hair. "I am fine if you are. It's your choice. Besides, she is a very nice lady, and having Mr. Rahi as your stepfather, I wouldn't have to worry a lot in the future about putting the business in your hands." Peter said proudly.

"Yes, about that. What happened? Why has it become this way? Is this something to do with Jeremy threatening you with his gangsters or Uncle Charles?" Ivy questioned which made Peter hesitate for a moment.

"Daddy, I made a promise to the Rahi that I would be teaching Jeremy a lesson legally. So, I need to know the details. They are looking for their grandchildren as well which I am not sure of my leads on how would I look for them but I want to try. This is at least what I owe them. Do you have any idea of anything? Are you colluding with him?" Ivy questioned as Peter chuckled.

"My dear, the less you know the better it is for now. I made a mistake when you were laying in bed. So, let me fix all these mistakes. I promise I will tell you soon." Peter comforted as Ivy looked at him worriedly.

"Speaking of which, I am well now. Shall we pay a visit to your biological mother?" He asked to distract her from prying on the previous topic.

"Hmm... Yes." She answered briefly while still trying to figure out what was Peter hiding. "Alright, I will make arrangements. Meanwhile, we shall be Nick's host and let him stay here. I am sure both of you would need each other." Peter offered.

"Thank you, Daddy," Ivy said as she was grateful. He continued to cuddle her and enjoyed each other's company as they drowned themselves in their own thoughts.

That evening, in Rahi's household, ever since Jason and his grandma's death, the house has been very quiet with Daisy mostly alone. They had a day maid to come by daily instead.

Daisy sat by the couch in the living room with Lucky when John, her husband came home unannounced. John rarely stepped home after Jason's death as it was an act to keep Jeremy thinking the husband and wife were on a fallout. That way it would keep Jeremy from harming any of them for inheritance.

Daisy instantly knew John had pressing matters to talk about as he discreetly gesture for her to head to their bedroom.