Ivy was dreading the meeting with Ryu’s fans as she wasn’t sure if she was prepared for a large audience after her recovery. At breakfast, she deliberately tried to act normal in front of Nick. Though they had clarified that the kiss wasn’t meant to be, they both still felt a little shy and awkward around each other.

Though it was a weekend, Marcel was still indulging in work while Ray went to work out. Ivy didn’t want to be alone with Nick so she went to look for Marcel in the hope of getting to know more about the office situation.

Nick who noticed the awkwardness decided not to anticipate for Ivy to join him in gardening for the day. He comforted himself that he felt better that way too.

Marcel was surprised at the sight of Ivy knocking at his room. “Yes?” He asked as Ivy entered and sat in front of him with a smile while he wondered the reason for her looking for him as she rarely did.

“Oh, you must be here to follow up on the shares paper? Don’t worry, it’s all submitted and settled. Congratulations Miss Largest Shareholder.” He assured her as she smiled proudly and nodded.

He squinted his eyes in suspicion of Ivy’s motives. “So…” He questioned again with an eyebrow raised.

“Nothing. I just wonder what’s the progress with the lease rental of the cultural town that we had overseen long ago. It’s already nearly half a year and the construction seems to go nowhere looking at the progress that day.” She asked with a serious note which send Marcel confused for a moment but noting she was serious, he decided to let her know.

“Constructions are withheld till further notice,” Marcel announced which alarmed Ivy.

“Are you kidding me?” Ivy yelled back as Nick who was outside couldn’t help but peep in from the window. “Everything’s alright?” He asked but his question was drowned in Ivy’s vents.

“The accounts showed money has been flowing out always and the income generated from the talks though pathetic was used to cover the expenses of so call this construction wouldn’t it? Else why are the expenses of Ophal’s real estate so high that it’s unbearable now? What exactly is Jeremy doing?!” Ivy was at the top of her temper. Marcel was indecisive to tell but lucky for him Ray who had finished his 5km jog stepped in to help.

“Jeremy is siphoning the money out for his illegal activities. The finance side has been covering up the accounts with window dressing. The company basically is running out of cash flow though operational-wise, it’s still up and running. But…” Ray paused before Ivy and he said in unison. “... for how long?”

Ivy let out a heavy sigh in frustration as she swept her hair to the back and sat back on the chair in defeat thinking of a solution.

“No, this can’t go on. I need to go back to the management and guard what’s worth… We need to head back instantly before the damage is done.” Ivy said as Ray gently patted her shoulder.

It’s already done and dusted long gone. Ray thought.

“Don’t worry…” Ray tried comforting but she knew it was a lie.

“How to not when it was my fault? When the entire situation was a trap in the first place.” Ivy said making everyone realise the same.

“I promise Daisy I will teach Jeremy a lesson. I was weary of my capability but at this rate, I am not hesitating to put all I have to win this. If he wants to come after me, I can still accept it but he is harming each and every one of you whom I care and love. I will make him regret this.” Ivy gripped tightly to Ray’s arm which made him feel the fierceness in her conviction so prominent that Ray was beginning to be afraid of what she would do.

“Whatever it is, don’t let yourself get harmed…” He said with concern as she nodded with assurance to him.

Just when Ray was thinking about how to break such a tense situation, Ryu was skipping into the house whistling. “Yoo-hoo! Where’s everyone? I’m home!”

At the sound of that, Ivy relaxed a little and ran out to the living hall. The sight of her made Ryu instantly run toward her wanting to hug her. “Who do you think you are coming in here and calling out to everyone to greet you?” She scolded with her arms on her waist which made Ryu stunned awhile but still went to hug her.

“Hello, sis!” He said as she smacked his arm.

“All your fault, I had to stay another day here!” She scolded playfully this time as he gently rubbed her back.

“Alright, alright. I’m sorry. I promise I will make it up to you after that. Please just please help me do this favor to my fans, pleaseeeee….” He pleaded as she tickled him in revenge sending them both in laughter.

For the rest of the day before the tournament, Ivy was a little restless since Marcel was still caught up with work with Ray while Ryu had headed out to his training before the tournament. She wasn’t sure about approaching Nick yet as during lunch, she had forgotten to check on his reaction. Instead, she was busy chattering away with Ryu about his fans' updates and things they had done for him.

She sat in the new living room instead, sighing the whole afternoon thinking to herself restlessly about everything. She wasn’t sure if she could handle his fans since it was a long time since she had handled such many people since her recovery. She was reminded of Andrew and Sandra as she send a quick text message to Sandra asking how were they both doing.

While waiting for her reply, she peeped outside to find Chloe standing at the front door.

“Oh hey, Chloe!” She greeted her as Chloe handed her a bowl of something that was covered.

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“Hello, Ivy. Glad to see you’re well now. Mama asked me to send you some chili noodles for everyone.” Chloe said as Ivy gladly accepted it. “Thank you, sweetie. Tell Auntie Soh, thank you too. I will drop by when I have time.” Ivy said as Chloe nodded and waved goodbye before running back home.

Ivy set the bowl of noodles down in the kitchen and caught a glimpse of Nick sitting by the shed looking a little restless. She instantly thought it was another breakdown as she ran out to him.

“Are you alright? It’s fine… I am here.” She comforted as she held his hand and hugged him. He blinked in confusion looking at her.

What? Why? All of a sudden? What? He thought.

She continued on to fidget with him. “Come, let’s head in. It’s too warm now.” She urged when he held onto her hand.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” She blinked in confusion to realise she had been mistaken.

“Are you sure? You weren’t breaking down again, were you? Stop thinking of nonsense.” She said as he smiled and nodded.

“I wasn’t. You were.” He pinched her nose gently as she squatted in front of him twitching her nose in annoyance.

“I’m sorry about last night. It must have made you feel uncomfortable.” He lifted her up to sit next to him on the bench.

“It wasn’t your fault. It’s just I don’t know how to face a large crowd tonight actually. I mean I used to be able to but after recovery, I am not sure how I would face it.” She confessed as he hung an arm by her shoulder.

“Why worry? You’re not alone you know? I will be there. Everyone will be there. If you don’t feel comfortable, we can always just leave. It’s not your fans per se.” He explained as she smiled at his point.

“You’re right. It’s not my fans per se…” She repeated it as they both chuckled.

“We shall leave tomorrow and I have scheduled the appointment with Phyllis for you on Monday.” She explained as he drew a deep breath.

“I’m sorry for the rush. I really felt I need to be back to keep things running already.” She said as he smiled and nodded.

“I know. I hear you this morning, Ms. Director.” He teased as she laughed. “Don’t call me that.” She scolded playfully as she rolled her eyes.

“Why not? You are. And always will be. Speaking of which, considering cash flow isn’t very sustainable, would you like to work part-time with me on weekend gigs in Landsfield?” He asked after considering it for a long time.

Ivy smiled in relief that he was finally getting his life back on track. “Are you serious, Nick?”

“Why? Do you think you no longer need the spare income? I can pay you handsomely though. Double the amount from before 'cause I can perform in the gigs.” Nick tried tempting her as she laughed.

“Deal!” She squealed to play along as Nick laughed.

“Such a money face!” He scolded playfully as she took a bow admitting to it which send them both laughing even more. It reminded her of her desperate times for money and Jason offered the exact same thing.

She smiled sadly as she looked away and Nick knew she was thinking about Jason again as he hugged her and cuddled her a little. “He will be alright. He knows we miss him too.” He comforted her as she smiled and eased deeper into his warm embrace.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

A part of her was glad to have him around as she counted her blessings to not be too anxious about the fans' meeting that evening. She was very surprised at the special tent set up and the lavish buffet prepared. There was also a guitar on stage for Ryu to serenade his fans.

“Wow, this is really a hell of a fan meeting…” Ivy said to Nick and Ray as she strolled around.

“Where exactly did all the money come from for these?” She asked with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised questioning with a hint of danger. “The fans chipped in initially but being a good idol, he then chipped in more and made the fans work…” Ivy was raising her eyebrows with caution, ready to scold.

“... voluntarily on his marketing segment. Really nothing much. Just online marketing. That’s how we boosted our sales on real estate although the budget was cut off.” Ivy stared at Ray in shock.

“What? Cut off? What crap? Has that bastard just wrecked the entire company already? He might as well burn down all of it and close down tomorrow?!” Ivy vented as Nick calm her down with a bottle of water and made her sit.

“Chill sis. Chill. We will talk more about this when we get back with Jin.” Ray tried to calm her and he did when he mentioned Jin. Ivy looked into his gaze and knew Jin must have updates and all she had to do was patiently wait for tonight to pass.

“Speaking of which, let me chip in too on the expenses,” Ivy said as she drank the bottle of water. “How did you know I did?” Ray asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ivy raised her eyebrow in return. “What do you think?” The trio chuckled right when the fans all barged in with Ryu in tow.

“Sis!” He greeted which directed his fans’ attention to Ivy who stood up readily welcoming them with a smile. True enough the fans all rush to her with Nick and Ray protecting her as human barriers.

In the midst of hearing how was she, nice to see her and glad she had recovered, Ivy gave Ryu a playful glare as he chuckled and went up on stage to start the night off with a song he wrote sitting with Ivy on the balcony long ago.

“Hey, hey! Welcome everyone! My sister is here to join us tonight! Let’s give her a welcome applause!” Ryu announced on stage as the crowd shrieked and cheered for Ivy as she smiled and bowed humbly.

“Here, let’s start the night with a song I wrote with her. It’s called “I am always by your side”.” He announced as he signalled her up on stage but she shook her head.

“Come on, did you forget the lyrics you wrote?” He teased as the fans cheered for her to go up on stage.

“Tell me since when I had this brother?” She asked Ray with an eyebrow raised. Ray chuckled with Nick.

“Go…” Nick urged as he held her shoulders and pushed her forward. She met his gaze as he nodded with encouragement. Before she knows it, her legs were walking up the stage as Ryu nodded for her to listen to his strums.

She counted and got into the tune as she met Nick’s gaze in the crowd before she sang the first verse.

Hey…

How’s it going?

You may laugh and smile

You may say you’re alright

But I know…

It hurts

Nick knew she was singing to him as she kept her gaze and nodded with more encouragement as he smiled.

But I want you to know

You have me

I will always be by your side

For you to lean on

Rant on

Do all you want

Cause I want you to know

You’re strong

You’re the sunshine to my moody days

You’re the glimmer of hope on my lucky days

You’re more than who you think you are to be…

Ivy turned to Ryu and nodded to indicate they sing the last verse together.

Just know I am always by your side…

The harmony eased the crowd and moved Nick to tears as he blinked back them while Ray patted his shoulders to comfort him.

“Alright, now you all sing together with us!” Ivy shout out as she led the crowd to sing together the last verse on repeat.

Melody was busy recording the moment as she too was moved to tears with a couple of others in the crowd. She was happy to see Ivy back to her usual self with all the fans happy and so was Ryu.