As everyone rushed off to their task, Ivy stood doubting her abilities. She initially did not take this exhibition so seriously but now that it had taken the attention of the tourism board, Ivy knew she had to make it as she was putting the company’s future and brand image on the line. She wished dearly that Peter or Jason was around to witness this. Jeremy had noticed she was having a hard time since she received the news as he went up to her and wrapped her with his coat.
“It will be alright. Have a little faith in yourself…” Jeremy whispered while passersby were whispering to themselves about them excitedly as she met his gaze.
“... Like you did with me…” His last sentence made her smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist and tried absorbing all the strength she could from him.
“I will be by your side. I will keep you company tonight.” Jeremy coaxed as she nodded knowing he was referring to the chance of letting her be vulnerable only when they were alone in the room.
“Head out and do what you do best Ms. Confident.” He teased as she unexpectedly blushed and nodded before letting him hold her hand leading her to meet the guests.
At that moment, Charles walked in with an entitled vibe as the event went by as per the agenda. At the back of Ivy’s mind, she was glad that the four managers tested so far were genuinely on their side with no mishaps as the ceremony began.
After officiating the event with Charles, Ivy noticed Charles still did not realised the government officials in the event while giving his long lengthy speech, bragging all about his businesses and trying to take all the credit.
Ivy sends a text message to Nick to switch off Charles's mic for him to end the speech from backstage. As he did so, Charles demanded a new mic but Nick was smart enough to say that the electric current supply had been cut off and they were in the process of restoring. Charles was so furious that he stormed down the stairs and complained to Ivy.
“I expect a much better level of logistics! What is this? I can’t even finish my speech!” Charles bellowed as Ivy pretended it was a mess and made him sit in between her and Jeremy.
“You’re right uncle. Sorry for overlooking this matter. Drink some water first. Let’s rest awhile.” Ivy pretended to coax him as she signaled for Nick to proceed with the next agenda.
“You better control her and not try to do anything funny,” Charles warned Jeremy who was quietly observing the events unfolding as Jeremy nodded meekly.
“Without further ado, due to limited time, let’s begin with the cultural events. Tonight, we have various local acts lining up to bring us with the various collections of old folk songs. Ladies and gentlemen, please let us invite…” As Nick continued to introduce and invite the line of performers for the night, Charles knew he would not be invited back on stage again to continue his speech as he glared at Nick before he stood and left the event furiously. As he glared at Jeremy and Ivy, Ivy pretended to chase him to his car.
“You better make sure the press writes well tomorrow!” He bellowed before getting into the car. Ivy sighed in a breath of relief when the car finally left as Jeremy held her hand which startled her.
“Sorry… I didn’t realize you were here…” Ivy said as Jeremy smiled putting some loose fringe behind her ears.
“You did well…” He praised as Ivy smiled. “Let’s get back to the event.” He said while holding onto her hand and leading her backstage to prepare for her upcoming performances. The sight of him holding her hand and acting as though they were a real couple though she knew it was for show, a part of it made Ivy’s heart skip a beat at how charming he was in keeping her in check and calm the entire day. On the other hand, her performance had been keeping him mesmerised as he could not help but kept being fluttered by her cool side and wondered if that was the reason Jason fell for her.
Before the last performance, Ivy stepped away from the drums and percussion while the other band members got down from the stage. The sight of the large crowd made her nervous for a second as she stood in front of the stage. She felt a bittersweet feeling as she could not believe she was making it this far. She really wished she could hear Peter and Jason tell her how proud they were of her.
“Thank you everyone for coming tonight…” Ivy’s shaky voice resounded as the crowd cheered when she met with Jeremy’s gaze who encouraged her to continue.
“We could make it this far in the journey of wanting to preserve the history of Manes and keeping more opportunities open here for future generations, was not just one person’s effort… but, a combination of everyone's.” Everyone applauded as she paused for a moment.
“We, in Ophal and Rahi Corporation hope that our effort in promoting tourism will contribute to the betterment of Manes. We may be limited by the readiness of the phase two site in bringing more of the roots and essence of Manes town's rich history of all aspects but rest assured, we will come up with more innovative ways to bring you the chance to experience Manes like it was in the past as soon as possible.” Ivy then decided not to acknowledge the officials as she believed her speech had done justice. The crowd stood applauding her thereafter which moved her to tears a little as she bowed.
“As we wrap up tonight’s event, let’s invite my fiance, Mr. Jeremy Rahi up here. We shall perform the last song together in appreciation to every one of you,” Ivy announced as Jeremy made his way while the crowd cheered lively.
Ivy sat by Jeremy on the bench set up on stage with her guitar. She held his gaze to avoid him from being nervous but she could not find a point to start as the crowd was too loud in cheering for them that it made Jeremy lose concentration.
“Alright, alright. Quieten down a little. You’re scaring my fiance. It’s a little nervous for him. Why don’t all of you show some support by waving your hands up in the air like this?” She showed the crowd as they began to quieten and Ivy started counting before strumming and singing the first verse.
Midway through her first verse, Jin decided to do his sister a favor and climbed up the stage to play the piano while Nick jumped in to play the drums during the second verse where Jeremy began to sing shakily but eventually made it well.
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It liven up the mood a lot more as Ivy encouraged Jeremy to stand together on their last verse. It boosted Jeremy’s confidence a lot more that they could nonchalantly get the crowd to sing the last verse with them over and over.
By the time the song ended, the crowd was cheering for the couple excitedly which gave Jeremy the confidence to get down on one knee almost instantly. It came as a surprise to everyone as he presented Ivy who had put down the guitar, a simple sparkling diamond engagement ring.
“Would you marry me?” Jeremy asked over the mic, sending the crowd cheering continuously for them.
Nick and Jin shared a glance on stage as both were wondering if it was still an act between the couple. Though it was a move that Ivy had anticipated as a marketing strategy and for Jeremy, it was to keep her safe from Charles’ and his scheme, it still managed to captivate Ivy for a long moment.
Why does this feel so surreal? Wasn’t this just an act? Ivy questioned in mind as she struggled to remain composed and find an answer for him.
Jeremy smiled looking at her flabbergasted reaction as he took her hand in his and gently caressed it. She began to regain her senses as she noticed his tender look on his eyes again and it was not just soothing but domineering this time. A sense of self confidence but yet full of joy as she wondered if this was his genuine self, making her wanting to give it a try to embrace him fully.
He smiled the best smile she had ever seen since she knew him as she nodded with a smile. He slid the ring to her middle finger and stood to kiss her as the fireworks show commenced.
Ivy found herself naturally kissing him back and though at the back of her mind she knew it was all a show, her heart could not help but feel the rush of the warmness of his love which she wanted to hold onto so dearly.
The credits began to roll behind them with another breathtaking backdrop of the sunset overlooking a bed of clouds. It came as a surprise to Ivy when she noticed it as Jeremy winked. She smiled as she blinked away unexpected tears knowing Jeremy must have sneakily helped her out while she dosed off the last few nights as she leaned on him to steal a kiss on his right cheek.
The digital art was mesmerising as the crowd was once again in awe seeing how they remembered Jason in the beginning of it. With that, it was the cue for the couple to head backstage and let Nick wrap up.
However, the moment when Ivy was surrounded by bright lights backstage, the motion of closing her eyes briefly made her feel the fatigue kicking in instantly.
She was not sure if it was because the gesture of closing her eyes earlier that made it too comfortable triggering her to instantly feel like falling asleep or just her body realising the exhaustion as the event for the day ended. She could not fight her wobbly self and collapsed, not expecting to be caught in Jeremy’s arms as he tried not to be too obvious that something was off to the others and attract bad media but it was enough to alert Jin and Ryu who had been watching them.
Jeremy calmly carried her quickly and walked towards Real and Chiang to the car.
“Put on a straight face. Don’t panic. She is just exhausted. I will keep you both updated.” Jeremy discreetly whispered to Jin as Jin reluctantly let Jeremy enter the car. Jeremy instructed Chiang to drive them back to Landsfield as that would be the only to keep it discreet while ensuring she was sleeping comfortably in his arms.
Ivy stirred awake to find herself back in the paracosm. She was staring directly at a figure she had longed for; Jason.
He was still stuck in the cube that Avinha had kept him captive. She flew up into the cube and stood holding his gaze in hers.
“Don’t. Don’t do it this time. Let me die.” He said in the semi-dark space. She stepped closer and pulled him for a kiss she had always wished for. She regretted holding back on loving Jason when he was alive and so the sacrifice she was about to make would make them even.
Ivy had drawn poison into him during their kiss which weakened him so that he could not move. She held his gaze lovingly before tears fell as she grew her powers into full blast and pulled him into her embrace.
He could hear her heartbeat and feel the warmth of her embrace. It felt like the day they confessed all over again as he too let out of all his power and unified with hers to destroy the entire realm even if it meant perishing together with Ivy. Ivy ensured she drew her five swords once and for all on herself before letting Jason go from her embrace as the entire dark realm exploded into a bright white light.
That sent her to wake in the middle of a dark room. She sat up in bed gasping for air as she tried not to cry recalling the day of the accident where she lost Jason. She realise she may have begun to let Jason go a little but she was afraid of forgetting him entirely.
Jeremy who had been watching over her since they got home in her room, woke instantly to hug her as he gently rubbed her back to calm her. He had gotten used to her sleep paralysis pattern as he switched on the night light a little brighter. His gestures were very comforting which reminded Ivy of his promise earlier that day.
“You’re alright? Need some water?” He asked gently as she shook her head, tightly gripped his shirt, and buried her face into his chest.
“I’m here. I’m here. Had another nightmare?” She looked up and met with his gaze.
“Thank you…” She said which meant to thank him for keeping his promise earlier today as he smiled. It led her to tear up.
“Would you like to tell me what exactly always sent you awake jolted and unable to sleep thereafter?” He asked curiously but was not exactly expecting an answer as she leaned on his chest.
His slowing down heartbeat reminded her of her parcosm. “It’s a long story…” She whispered.
“We have plenty of time… It’s not the break of dawn and we don’t have to work tomorrow.” He coaxed as she looked into his gaze again.
“I think I am beginning to let go of Jason…” She started as he nodded encouraging her to tell him more.
“But… I am afraid I will forget him.” She began to tear up as he wiped off those trickling tears.
“You wouldn’t. Trust me. He will be forever with us.” Jeremy comforted as Ivy buried her face into his chest and sobbed.
“And… You did very well today, little Miss Confident.” Jeremy kissed her forehead which sent her a little taken aback while remembering his proposal.
The shimmering on her bracelet enhanced the ring on her right middle finger as she peeped from the side. She had gotten used to the shimmering of the bracelet that it had been her company ever since Jason left but the new glimmering of the diamond ring was making her blush.
She brought it up to show Jeremy. She smiled, adoring the simple design as he wiped her tears away, knowing she was touched but he frowned noticing the ring was lopsided.
“It’s a little loose. You should eat more to fit in well with it.” He teased as he did not expect her to have grown skinnier from the measurement of her other jewelry he had checked from her dressing drawer secretly. That made his wonder about her simple dressing lately answered as not much she owned previously seemed to fit her anymore.
Was this real? Did you really mean it on stage earlier in the proposal? She wanted to ask but instead, she pouted as he chuckled.
“We shall resize it for you alright?” He comforted her as she nodded.
“Now, would you tell me about the little world you have in your sleep since we both can’t sleep?” He winked as she nodded again though feeling a little skeptical. He held her hand as she lay down by his side, attentively listening to the beginning of her paracosm.