A text message from John distracted Ivy from moon gazing. He told her that he would pick her up from the secret passage Daisy would know. She squinted her eyes at the awkward first message from John as she replied in acknowledgment before she went to get ready.
She noticed her wardrobe was growing with Cassandra’s tailormade dresses. Though they looked good on her with her temporary position in the company, she did not want to look too standout with John. Instead, she rummaged through her luggage for the simple black and white formal attire she got when Jason first hired her.
She smiled looking at herself in the mirror, recalling the happy times she had with Jason. She realised it was her first time ever smiling thinking about Jason. A soft urgent knock on her room’s front door distracted her as she went to answer it and saw Daisy smiling at her.
“Morning…” Daisy greeted her as Ivy gave her a hug.
“Morning… I…” Ivy wanted to explain John’s message but Daisy nodded and instructed her to keep quiet about it, eyeing at Jeremy’s room direction.
“Let’s head down for breakfast…” She ushered as Ivy followed obediently looking at Jeremy’s room while Daisy gently patted her back to assure her it would be fine.
When Ivy was downstairs, Daisy quickly dragged Ivy to the side door of the house with a packed breakfast, heading towards the garden shaded by arches of roses. It was impossible to even notice there was a gate there from the top floors.
“Mum, what’s going on?” Ivy questioned as the moment she saw John standing by the entrance of the camouflaged gate by the creepers, she knew this was what John meant.
“Ivy, meet John… Jason and Jeremy’s father. Honey, meet Ivy...” Daisy introduced as Ivy stood watching John’s feature which looked alike to Jason. He was almost identical to Jason except for an older version of him. Having said so, she noticed Jeremy took more of Daisy’s features, especially her wide beautiful eyes.
“Hello, Ivy…” John greeted warmly as he opened his arms wide for her to come forward.
“Hello, Mr. Rahi?” She questioned shyly as the couple chuckled. “Just call him dad.” Daisy urged as Ivy stepped forward into his hug.
“Good to finally meet you, Ivy. I have heard a lot about you.” John paused realising he was looking at Daisy’s face who was beaming with happiness. It had been a long while since he saw that look and he recalled the last time he did was when she held baby Jeremy. There and then he realised Ivy holds the key to his family’s happiness moving forward.
“Unfortunately, I am in a rush to the airport. So, join me while we talk. I will get my driver to send you to the office today.” John said in a rush while she stayed still in his embrace.
She nodded in agreement before he led her quickly into the car. Ivy watched him get Daisy into a quick kiss and hug before heading into the car as the driver started to drive off. Ivy envied the couple for a moment and lamented in her mind that Peter must have been lonely all these years. She made a note to accompany Peter more after this. Hence, leaving more reasons to pursue business faculty in Landsfield.
“Alright let’s get down to business,” John said taking out a file and passing it to Ivy.
Ivy reached out to it and read the proposal with contingent plans on saving the business as John continued to watch her serious look. He was already glad to hear so much about her and now he was even more sure that she could do well in executing his proposal.
She was surprised at the suggestion in the proposal as she pondered for a moment if it would be right. She browsed through several suggestions on the marketing plans but did not see anything on the cashflows as her forehead creased in frustration.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“What are your thoughts?” John asked as he noticed Ivy was thinking.
“This is… brilliant but… I am not the sole shareholder. I am not sure if they would agree but again I don’t think I have a choice.” Ivy said skeptically.
“Even if they don’t agree, in the end, I am willing to step up and buy over.” John offered as Ivy met his gaze.
“No, you shouldn’t. You have done enough with this. The only thing I could do is agree to it.” Ivy said as she sighed a little at her dilemma.
“Ivy, I owe the Ophal a favor. I would gladly offer to buy the company out. If you agree to the proposal, I would promise to provide you with the funds Jeremy would request each time but knowing you are to teach him a lesson, I hope you would make my money worth it. Cause it would be made to your personal account and it’s up to you to control the requested amount. You should be smart enough to understand the surplus you controlled could do wonders in this proposal.” John explained as Ivy finally had an answer to her cashflow matters.
Despite so, she was still a little skeptical about her ability to handle Jeremy.
“Why are you so confident with me?” She questioned knowing it would create doubtfulness in him and scolded herself for her weak negotiation skills.
John smiled knowing she was self-doubting. “In normal circumstances, you could use such questions to hide your doubtful self instead by not giving yourself away on your true emotions.” He guided as Ivy relaxed a little and nodded.
“Ivy, when Jason was in trouble, it was the Ophal who were willing to help despite the pressure I put in the business industry.”
“That’s because he promised to find me for my father and it was a coincidence that he met me...” Ivy interrupted.
John studied her guilty self which reminded him of a conversation he overheard between Daisy and Jason. “Jason was right about you. Very right that you need a little push to clear your self-doubt.”
He said as Ivy was surprised John would know such small details. “I thought he wouldn’t talk about such a matter with you due to your fallout…” Ivy voiced out trying to be a little confident with him.
“He didn’t. I overheard from his conversation with Daisy.” He explained without taking his gaze away from Ivy. Ivy noticed he was a little disappointed with his harsh way back then with Jason but hurriedly regained his composure.
“Regardless of what happened between you and Jason, in the end, you still got your family and made his business a great success right before he passed on. Ivy, he left you a legacy and it’s only right for me as his father to return this favor. The Ophals are in trouble. I cannot sit here and do nothing given you’re also my stepdaughter now.” Ivy met his tender gaze which reminded her of Jason’s so much.
She drew a deep breath as she pondered on his points. “It’s only right for me to provide whatever help I can while you are also taming another of my sons. Having said so, Jeremy is different from Jason. Jason is smart but rebellious. Jeremy is stupid sometimes but he is very loyal.” John chuckled at his own statement.
“I know he does all that for attention and it was unfortunate he went that far in the wrong path. I just hope someday he would know when to give up and perhaps, it wouldn’t be too late to give him a second chance.” John lamented as Ivy reached out to his hand instinctively knowing she was drawn in wanting to help.
“Mr. Rahi…” John raised an eyebrow as Ivy smiled realising her mistake. “Dad, I will promise to do my best in controlling the funds. I will try to find my way in searching for your grandsons.” She said with conviction as John gently patted her hand.
“That would put your mum at ease. Thank you, Ivy. Most importantly, I hope your family will benefit from this help. You are wonderful and could do great things. I’m sure it’s not your first time hearing this but I should tell you in my lifetime experience, I am rarely wrong about someone.” John said as the car came to a halt at the airport.
“If you need to reach out to me, just text me anytime. As for the first step, since you have announced the launch of the refurbished old town phase 1 then work on that. I know what’s on your mind. While you want to cut down on their activity, keep yourself safe. Follow the plans in there.” John warned and pointed at the file as Ivy nodded solemnly.
“I will see you when I do. Have a little faith in yourself.” John said before alighting. Ivy smiled as she waved him goodbye while waiting for the driver to drive her to the office.
Can I really work this out? Why is everyone so trusting of me? What if I fail? She pondered as she watched the scorching sun shining at her and felt the heat of it.
No, I cannot fail. I must try my best. She convinced herself when a message came on her phone.
It was from Marcel informing Charles was in the office wanting to meet her. Jeremy was already rushing to the office. Ivy sighed at the mess she created last night and she had to clean up now. It took her a second to realise Charles was panicking which meant the proposal in her hand was working.
She smiled brightly as she was glad at least she was not alone and many ideas sprouted in her mind knowing she had a lot of support from everyone now.