As hectic as it is in the company with Jeremy trying to challenge every move and decision he made, Marcel slowed down a little upon hearing that Ophal’s precious princess was finally awake. He couldn't help but think if Jason was still around how he would have dropped everything and rushed over to her.
Marcel sighed as he gently punched the window panel behind him in a little disappointment that Jason wasn't around anymore and his frustration at Jeremy. Ray walked over and placed his arm on Marcel’s shoulders.
“She is recovering. We need to stay strong to defend the fort for her to return.” Ray comforted as Marcel nodded.
“How’s her mental health doing? Is she hysterical or is her sleep paralysis worsening? She used to have issues with sleeping at night and often woke up from nightmares.” Marcel asked as Ray sighed heavily.
“She hasn’t said a word to anyone I heard. After confirming with my dad on Jason's condition, she had been spacing out and crying to herself occasionally. No doubt, she does wake up from nightmares.” Ray updated as Marcel felt sad for her. The psychiatrist that Ivy had met before then crossed his mind at that moment.
“You know what? Ivy met this psychiatrist before and it was a one-time thing cause Ivy had always refused such medical health thinking they were all useless to her situation. Back then, I thought so but perhaps now, it’s best to get her finally to try?” Marcel suggested as he dig out the psychiatrist’s name card and pass it to Ray.
It read Phyllis Sashini who holds a doctorate in psychology and also teaches at Landfield’s national university. “Wow, impressive! Sure, I will make the arrangements with my dad. Speaking of which, should we also sign up Nick for some sessions?” Ray asked as Marcel sighed thinking of Nick’s condition who was equally bad as all he did was space out despite being in different environments.
“Yes, let’s do that.” Marcel agreed as Ray smiled. “Thanks, Marcel. If you need any help even just a drink or chat, just call me.” Ray offered as Marcel gave Ray a brotherly hug before Ray went out to make arrangements with the psychologist.
Upon receiving Ray’s call, Phyllis instantly agreed to take up the case after hearing such a major impact had occurred on both Ivy’s and Nick’s mental health. She went to meet with Peter and Ivy’s and Nick’s doctor to understand their condition on the same day.
Considering how serious their situation was, Phyllis then scheduled to meet Ivy twice a week first and as for Nick, Phyllis then put him on hold as he was in Manes and she needed to make time to see his condition. Phyllis knew they both will need a long time to recover unless something could get through to them quickly and it was her job to find out what is it. Besides, when Jason was around, he had always wanted Phyllis to be able to get through to Ivy someday and if he was still around, he definitely would want the best for Ivy and Nick.
As she prepared to meet Ivy, she hopes this time she could help Ivy lead her paracosm which she had known from their first session together, and try to make it her life savior.
“We meet again. I thought you were never coming back.” Phyllis said as Ivy ignored her and continued spacing out. Her condition was worse than Phyllis expected as though she was lively. Ivy refused to even communicate at all in all ways; not even eye contact.
She was still in a very shocked state and perhaps she was already in the midst of bargaining or a depressed state considering how she woke in denial and anger when she vented to Peter about Jason leaving her and not wanting her anymore.
“I am glad you came. I have waited for you to return to tell me about the little world you had created.” Phyllis said as the silence continued to fill the room.
“Ivy, I am aware of what happened. I don’t expect you to do a miracle overnight either. Take your time. Take as much as you want and when you’re ready, I will always be here to speak with you. It’s important for you to find ways and sources to express all that you are holding up in your heart.” Phyllis comforted as she patted Ivy’s shoulder gently.
Still nothing from Ivy. No reaction whatsoever which Phyllis had gotten used to seeing in her industry. She went to fetch Ivy a glass of water and placed it in front of Ivy but still no reaction from her.
“Ivy, I want you to know one thing. I really would love to hear more about the paracosm someday and whether it’s doing well too. Perhaps, I could help you out in making it a safe haven for you to be in especially when you’re in such a vulnerable situation now.” Phyllis said as Ivy's eyes’ blinked at the word “paracosm” but she didn’t feel like speaking. It was still too much effort for her as she continued to stare into space.
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Phyllis smiled knowing she had gotten through to Ivy a little at least. She decided to let her sit and space out but also lay some blank papers and oil pastels in front of her. “Feel free to use them and draw anything. Even if you just want to color the blank white paper, that’s fine too.”
Phyllis coaxed but Ivy sat staring in another direction instead. The maroon roses in a vase sitting by a side desk caught Ivy’s attention. It reminded Ivy of the golden marigolds Phoenix picked for her at the entrance of the tower right before she was tricked to drink the wrong potion on purpose.
The sudden recollection of her memories in her paracosm made her finally feel her heartache as she teared up out of the blue. She slowly let the reality that she had lost Jason seep into her as her tears began to turn into sobs. She held tightly to her heart but it just didn’t make any justice to heal the excruciating pain she felt.
Phyllis then held on to Ivy to comfort her as she mentally noted that the flowers meant something significant to Ivy. When Ivy finally calmed down, Phyllis passed her the glass of water. This time, Ivy drank it and continued to stare out into space at the roses. Phyllis went to take one rose and gave it to Ivy. Ivy gently reach out to it and held on to it as her tears welled seeing the rose in her hand.
“When you feel like it, cry all you want, laugh all you want. It helps you to feel better.” Phyllis gently patted Ivy on her shoulder as Ivy leaned on Phyllis’s shoulder recalling how she used to do the same with Jason. She let her tears flow freely as she had lost all her will to control them anymore.
To Phyllis, it was a very good session as she had gotten a lot of improvements and Ivy was slowly letting go too. Phyllis then feedback to her family that they should let her home to let her be in the environment she used to be in. It will help to escalate her to regain her senses and willpower. They would need to send Ivy to her office in the nearby town for her therapy sessions twice a week.
True enough, the moment Ivy stepped into her Landsfield home and Daisy came jumping excitedly on her, she knelt down to the ground, hugging Daisy as she sobbed lying with her in her arms. It reminded her of the times she was with Lucky in Manes. Jin and Ryu squatted to comfort their sister as she slowly settled down. Peter was dumbfounded most of the time but began to improve as he find the will to push himself by being busy caring for Ivy’s daily needs.
On normal days, Ivy continued to be lost as she sat lifelessly with Daisy accompanying her by the balcony and when she slept in her own room. She was slowly being able to walk around without having to be forced except she would only be in a few places she wanted to be.
Occasionally, Cassandra would bring her out to her boutique and also head down to the basement to listen in to Jin and Uncle James on their updates of Jeremy but she hasn’t shown much interaction yet, especially via speech.
“Ivy, I am so glad you’re back. Do you know how much Jin misses you? But you don’t have to worry about him. I have been keeping my eyes on him and his last year of studies. I also ensure he was well fed and well rested but that boy just likes to escape from my watch in the mid-mornings to work on the investigation part of Jeremy with Uncle James although Uncle James had already told him he would take care of it.” Cassandra updated Ivy in the car while she drove Ivy.
However, instead of hoping Ivy to show some reaction as she would, she sat quietly with Daisy on her lap as Cassandra smiled sadly knowing Ivy still needed time.
“With you around, Jin is so much better now. He eats well. He sleeps well. He studies well too with his grades heading back to his usual results. He even works well now. So, Ivy please, please don’t give up.” Cassandra held onto Ivy’s hand while they were at the traffic light.
After listening to Cassandra whine earlier, Ivy had begun to gently caress Daisy’s fur as Ivy felt more relaxed. Cassandra was driving and she didn't notice it till she placed her hand on Ivy’s. Ivy stopped caressing Daisy’s fur for a moment and looked down at Cassandra’s hand on hers as Ivy tried to slowly hold on to it.
Cassandra was caught off guard by Ivy’s sudden improvement in trying to make contact. Cassandra’s eyes instantly reddened in delight as she hugged Ivy momentarily before continuing to drive after being honked when the traffic light turned green.
Though Ivy had kept herself quiet all the time while being in a different environment, her mind was beginning to accept things that she was hearing. She could tell the condition in the company was dire with Jeremy fighting against Marcel. She could feel the urge to speak her mind at times and help out her family but when the thought of Jason ran through her mind, she just couldn’t control herself from tearing up unwillingly.
It was still a very soft spot she was slowly trying to open up. Hence, the reason she had not been able to speak to anyone. Despite everyone trying to avoid talking about anything related to Jason, on her mind and in her sleep, he was constantly there.
She longed to see Jason’s normal self back in her paracosm but she had not been able to head back to her paracosm ever since she was awake from her coma. It was as though she had lost the key the moment she woke up.
Her nightmares were filled with her fears from serpents to heights and now the fear of someone getting close to her face. She had been continuously waking up to be haunted by the imaginary lady figure who pushed her down the building hovering on top of her, close to her face when she woke up with sleep paralysis.
She had noticed this when her father tried to give her a kiss on her forehead but she fidgeted with anxiety. Ever since then, she had avoided physical contact in order to try and sort out her thoughts but later she discovered she was slowly beginning to accept a little physical contact.
She still didn’t dare to let anyone attempt kissing her face or facing too close to her face as she didn’t want to feel those anxiety attacks again. She didn’t know what to do with what she was going through. That had resulted in her continuing to space out, hoping she would figure out something by herself.