Ivy was pacing the entire morning outside the glass house while Ray and Marcel were having breakfast with Nick in the kitchen. Ivy purposely finished breakfast quicker to have some time to prepare herself mentally as she was going to meet Daisy. For some reason, she felt nervous as ever.
“Looks like someone is very nervous out there,” Marcel said as Ray chuckled. “Did she have a good night's sleep?” Ray asked Nick as he raised from the table. Nick hesitated to tell the truth as he knew Ivy wouldn’t want to worry them so he nodded.
Ray feeling satisfied went to peep at her as he giggled by a corner.
“I can hear you…” Ivy said as she continued to pace while Ray appeared by the corridor.
“Quit pacing. Let’s go. I will send you to the family house.” Ray said as Ivy stopped in front of him and shook her head. “No. I will drive grandma’s old car and I’m going now.” Ivy said as she stepped into the house to take the car keys and saw two pair of eyes staring at her from the kitchen. She was feeling awkward as she flashed a smile quickly.
“I will be back soon. Won’t be long I hope. Will call you.” Ivy said holding Nick’s gaze as he nodded.
“Help me process the papers quickly. Thanks.” She said briefly to Marcel who nodded at her knowing she meant the shareholding papers to the chili noodles stall. She then ran off to where her grandma’s car was parked.
As she started the car, she was glad it was still working. She was sure the car was sent for servicing too as it was smoother than before. As she accelerated the car downhill, she wound down the window. The fresh air brought back lots of memories as she recalled them along the way to meet Daisy; the last few months after her grandmother’s passing, the last few months she spent with Jason, and the end of her first year of college.
She realised how much time had passed and how much has she grown from then on.
Did I change or did all of the things change?
Why doesn’t it feel the same anymore?
Is this how growing up is?
Ivy thought to herself as she sighed when she reached the familiar neighborhood she once visited and was still nervous about.
You can do this Ivy. Daisy needs to see you and it’s best if you see her too.
Be brave, Ivy.
As she coaxed herself, she was walking down the front yard before ringing the doorbell.
1, 2, 3, 4 …
Her counting to calm herself stopped when the main door opened and an exhausted-looking woman appeared. It took Ivy some time to recognise it was Daisy herself as Daisy started to cry and hugged Ivy without having to say a word.
Ivy had almost forgotten about Lucky when he came to rub himself on her leg while she was still holding on to Daisy who was sobbing in her arms as she gently patted her back and blinked away her tears as well. Daisy’s sobs reminded her of how selfish she was to not have come to visit her earlier. She must be even more devastated as she had lost her mother recently and now, her son. If she knew the real culprit behind all this, Ivy shuddered at the consequences which made Daisy pull herself back to her composure and welcomed her inside.
“Sorry… I should have invited you in first. Take a seat. I will make some tea.” Daisy sniffed as she led Ivy to the living room. Ivy nodded as she was holding back her tears. The entire hallway reminded Ivy of when Grandma was still around.
The thought itself made her tear up as Lucky whined when Daisy disappeared to the kitchen to fetch them tea. She squatted to take a good look at Lucky who seem to miss her and was extremely happy to see her. She hugged Lucky as she sobbed silently.
Have you been well, buddy? Do you know, your best friend left us, Lucky?
Ivy asked in her mind as she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Lucky was busy licking her all over.
Daisy who walked into the hallway laid the tea on the table as she went over to hug Ivy and Lucky.
“It’s alright, my dear. It’s going to be fine…” Daisy comforted. Those words made Ivy sob even more because it felt like a mother figure comforting her and it reminded her of how much she missed having her grandma around.
“I’m sorry… I thought I had cried all I wanted. Be sad all I wanted but…” Ivy apologised in the midst of her sobs as Daisy helped to wipe her wet face with tissues while leading her over to the couch.
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“It’s alright… Each day I discover something new too and something to remember of them. Take it one step at a time. Cry when you feel like it. Rest when you’re tired. But never give up on standing back up and moving on, Ivy.” Daisy comforted as Ivy nodded but couldn’t help to tear up again.
“I am very proud of you my dear. You made it through and it proves his sacrifice to be worth it…” Daisy hugged Ivy as they both teared up again.
“I’m so sorry… I really am… sorry…” Ivy couldn’t find anything else to say other than that cause she had been blaming herself after Jason’s death. If it wasn’t because of her, Jason wouldn’t have died. If it wasn’t because of her, Nancy wouldn’t have gone berserk and died. None of them deserve that and neither did she deserve such sacrifices.
“Ivy, my dear… It’s not your fault. You didn’t have to apologise. Promise me, you must not blame yourself. None of their deaths was your fault. It’s someone else’s.” Daisy looked at Ivy with a serious expression and her last sentence caught Ivy’s attention.
“What do you mean?” Ivy asked as Daisy’s eyes was showing signs of hesitation.
“Are you also aware of who was behind Grandma’s accident?” Ivy asked skeptically as Daisy’s eyes widened in disbelief before nodding.
“Aunty… I … I’m sorry…” Ivy continued to apologise as Daisy shook her head.
“Ivy, please… Don’t be. Though I am still trying to get over it, there are other pressing matters.” Daisy tried to divert her attention.
“What is it?” Ivy asked as Daisy took out a file and passed it to her.
“Here’s Jason’s will. I am sure Marcel had already given you the keys to the relevant assets and brought you to visit his grave.” Daisy said as Ivy opened the file and began tearing up as she nodded to Daisy’s statement.
“He had made a lot of preparation for you Ivy. I couldn’t help but think to myself that he might have known Jeremy was after them and him or even you…” Ivy calmed down a little at Daisy’s explanation and thought things through. Seeing how thorough Jason’s preparation was, Daisy’s assumption brought some truth she couldn’t deny.
Lucky jumped up on the couch and startled her as she hugged him a little. “That little guy must have missed you. You should keep him.” Daisy said as Ivy smiled hugging Lucky close to her.
“No, he should stay with you for now. I would need to be away again in Landsfield to defend my family business and my father had just recovered from a small illness recently. Plus, I need to meet someone. It might take me some time to come back here again. So, it’s best if he accompanies you for now.” Ivy explained as Daisy smiled and gently patted her head.
“I will keep him with me till you’re free to have him alright?” Daisy said as Ivy nodded. “Whom are you meeting?” Daisy asked.
“My biological mother. She is in the sanitarium. She suffered from aggression as a result of my birth.” Ivy explained as she endured her heartache while Daisy hugged her closely to comfort her.
“Ivy, you know how fond was Grandma of you? We really hoped you were the one for Jason but I know you’re so young and full of potential. I regret a little not pushing you both to be together so soon. But you know what, no matter what happened, I want you to know that you would always have another mother figure for you to seek refuge. And that’s me.” Daisy said as Ivy hugged her tightly and teared up. “Thank you… thank you, Aunty…” Ivy said as Daisy stopped her.
“Aunty?” Daisy questioned in disbelief as Ivy chuckled. “Mummy…” Daisy hugged her at the sound of that.
“Good girl… Speaking of which, when you’re free the next time you’re back here, I will tell Uncle Rahi about us and also make some time to meet him. He had always wanted to speak with you.” Daisy said as Ivy raised an eyebrow.
“About?” Ivy asked as Daisy sighed. “My long lost grandson… From Jeremy and his first partner.” Daisy revealed as Ivy was shocked for a moment.
“What exactly is Jeremy up to, you’re aware aren’t you?” Ivy didn’t hesitate to share what she knew as Daisy nodded.
“At this rate, we are very worried about you. Looking at the way he maneuvered himself into your father’s business and his brother’s, he seemed to be targeting you. Though he had been staying low, he is waiting for the right time.” Ivy shuddered at Daisy’s revelation as though it was a warning to her.
“What about his recently initially planned marriage?” She asked as Daisy shook her head in disappointment.
“The reason why I am worried about that little grandson of mine was because Ai Min, the mother of the child was a very nice lady who got scammed and sold into prostitution. We took care of her for a while during her confinement but she decided to leave discreetly with the baby years ago when she found out Jeremy was never going to be a loyal husband. Her son should be nearly five years old now.” Daisy explained as Ivy gently patted her hand to comfort her.
“I will try my best with my resources to find him and the mother…” Ivy said as Daisy nodded. “If I am not mistaken the lady who barged in that day when you’re here, she should also have delivered her baby and I believe the baby should be Jeremy’s too. But, who knows where my grandchildren could be now? After all, they are innocent.” Daisy said disappointedly as Ivy hugged her.
“Mummy… Could I ask for permission to do something?” She asked as Daisy took a sip of her tea.
“What is it?” She asked. “I promise you to do what it takes to fix what's right with Jeremy but I promise to not involve taking his life or anyone innocent,” Ivy said with conviction as Daisy smiled gratefully and nodded in agreement.
“I’m so glad Jason met you. You’re like an angel sent from heaven watching over this family. I really hope things would work out better for you from now on.” Daisy said as Ivy smiled.
“Promise me, you would seek your own happiness from now on too…” Daisy asked as Ivy nodded.
“It will take some time for us to see Uncle Rahi again but rest assured the situation is not what you think it is or rather what we want Jeremy to think it is,” Daisy said as Ivy raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“We wanted him to think that we had separated but in actual fact, we were faking the separation to avoid him from wanting more inheritance. I really hope I could keep you by my side to guard him against harming you but knowing you, you’re a free-spirited Ivy who can do wonderful things. I just hope you would be very careful. I am sorry for my lack of parenting in raising such a vicious son.” Daisy apologised as Ivy shook her head.
“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry, I will try my best.” Ivy assured her as they embraced each other and enjoyed their afternoon tea together.
Deep down, Ivy knew she was heading to a showdown if Jeremy begin to make a move on her and her family. She was nervous no doubt but she knew she had to remain calm as that was the only way she could make her moves rationally and with caution. For now, she had to resolve several other matters first before she head into the main showdown.