As Ivy finally took a small step to open up her little world to Jeremy, the couple eventually fell asleep from their relaxing conversation. Despite so, Jeremy managed to get up before the break of dawn and slipped back into his room in order to not create suspicions in Daisy.

Ivy ended up sleeping in till mid-afternoon which worried Daisy a lot as she paced around the stairs while the dogs followed her after lunch.

“Mum, don’t you have other things to do? Reading? Baking? Gardening? Why are you pacing around? You could walk the dog in the house at this rate…” Jeremy vented his frustration as Daisy was distracting him from listening to the news.

“Are you sure Ivy is fine? Why is she asleep for so long?” Daisy finally sat beside Jeremy, who was slouching on the couch.

“Yes, mum. The doctor came to the house didn’t he earlier and even double-checked as you requested. She is really over-exhausted. The event had been disrupting her nights of sleep and besides, isn’t she having her period?” Jeremy pointed out as Daisy sighed.

“But, but how will that cause her to sleep this long… I think we should send her to the hospital…” When Daisy wanted to get up before Jeremy could stop her, the news of his proposal to Ivy appeared on the television.

“By the way, your proposal… What was that about? Do you really want to marry her 'cause you love her or was it really a good show?” Daisy asked knowing the apparent answer but she could tell both parties were still at the denying stage as Jeremy rolled her eyes and sat up straight.

“Mum, have you packed for your short trip? Didn’t you mention in the morning you’re heading for a hiking trip with your dancing class friends? It’s nearly time for you to meet them.” Jeremy tried distracting her.

“Oh no! I should rush on that now…” She mumbled to herself as she quickly ran upstairs to her room to do so, forgetting her question.

Jeremy chuckled as he stared at the television.

Yeah Jeremy, was it a real proposal or was it really a good show? He asked himself as he was reminded of Jin and quickly updated him on Ivy’s condition.

He began to worry a little over Ivy after Daisy mentioned she had slept on for way too long. Their conversation last night reminded him she did not get to sleep till very late. He decided to let her sleep in more as he recalled the iris plains Ivy described.

It made him go to fetch his home laptop and start to work on a new digital art overseeing a cliff out of boredom. Creating digital art was a hobby he picked up when he watched Peter occasionally reviewing the proposals submitted by one of his designing businesses during Jeremy’s high school days.

However, it was not an encouraged skill in the family and soon he dropped the habit. Recently while helping Ivy with the launch of phase one, somehow it sparks the dying flame of his passion for art again. A couple of hours pass without him noticing as he puts down the completed art in a corner to rest.

He continued checking on the news on his phone as the highlight of the event was his proposal to Ivy followed by the cultural performances and exhibition. He was very proud of Ivy but he knew Charles would not be happy about how things were.

Real then updated him that Charles was meeting up with Kyle lately which made Jeremy suspicious that Charles had begun to change his target and direction. He was waiting for Charles to invite him as well that night but there was absolutely nothing yet. Jeremy told Real to keep an eye on Charles’ movements and ensure their other operations were in order.

When Ivy finally woke up it was close to evening as she fumbled for her laptop and phone remembering she had to tell Marcel to release the funds on Monday to at least keep Charles appeased after the chaos she created last night. As she typed on her keyboard, the sparkle of her diamond ring reminded her of the proposal and the conversation last night.

Most importantly, if my uncle is really after me, I must protect this guy. He would become uncle’s target… Ivy thought to herself as her room door opened and as though their telepathy was aligned, Jeremy appeared at the doorway.

She smiled when their gaze met. When he saw she was working, he frowned while walking in and grabbed the laptop away from her.

“You just rested well after nearly fainting last night, what are you thinking drowning back at work?” He nagged as Ivy stood trying to snatch back the laptop.

“But, but I need to instruct the release of the 2 million funds first otherwise…” Before she could finish her sentence, Jeremy had already pushed her back down on the bed while Ivy pulled him along and he landed on top of her.

“That… can wait. It’s Sunday...” He replied while enjoying watching her blush but soon he quickly got up when he heard Daisy’s footsteps closing into the room.

“Ivy! Oh, sweetie! You’re finally awake! Are you feeling alright? Otherwise, we will need to get the doctor here again… No, we should get the doctor to check on you.” Daisy was frantically fussing with Ivy before fumbling to find the doctor’s contact. It reminded her of how it was when Jason was in the hospital due to an ambush by Kyle and during Jeremy’s alcohol poisoning.

“Mum… mum…” Ivy tried to calm her but to no avail as Jeremy held on to his mother’s shoulders.

“Do you need anything? Do you feel any pain?” Daisy finally looked up at Ivy who chuckled at Daisy’s anxious self and was half struggling to keep her eyes open while yawning.

“Mum, could you let her wake up first? She is still half asleep.” Jeremy nagged in return as Daisy felt a little bad watching Ivy struggling to keep her eyes open for a long while.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Oh, oh you’re right. You must be hungry. Let me fix you something to eat.” Daisy said while getting up from the bed.

“Mum, aren’t you heading to your short hiking trip? You need to leave soon… Mum!” Jeremy nagged again as Daisy ignored him and headed downstairs to the kitchen with him trailing along to help out, afraid she would miss out on her trip.

When they left the room, Ivy took a breather and looked at her messages. She was greeted by a phone call from Jin instantly.

“Hello?” She squeaked.

“Finally awake! Are you alright? Did you…” She could identify it was Ryu but background Jin stopped him.

“Hey Hey Hey, stop… She must still be waking up. Give her a break would you?” Jin instructed as Ivy chuckled with her eyes closed and lay in bed.

“I’m fine. Yes, I just woke up. Extremely tired. How’s the event? Anything special happened? Any feedback?” Ivy questioned as Jin sighed.

“You have subordinates for a reason, isn’t it? Marcel is overlooking today. If there was something he would have informed you but having said so, I doubt you saw anything yet considering this boy had been spamming your phone.” Jin’s sarcasm just made Ivy miss all of them even more.

“Thank you. I’m so sorry for the sudden mishaps. I really wish to be there today.” Ivy said as Ryu interrupted.

“Ivy was the… you know… real?” Ivy knew Ryu was asking about the proposal and engagement as she grinned and opened her eyes to take a good look at the diamond ring sparkling on her finger up in the air.

“Got to go… Keep me updated. Bye, love you all!” She escaped the question as she too was wondering how real were they.

It felt real. If it wasn’t for the circumstances we are in, I wish it was real. For once, I want to follow my heart. She thought to herself but the thought of Peter in the picture coupled with Daisy and John, she knew it would not be easy for the old ones to accept such a relationship given the background of Jeremy.

She sighed feeling a little disappointed but she could not resist her heart from yearning for Jeremy. Though there were so many uncertainties still unknown, her instincts were telling her that Jeremy meant well.

The vibration of a text message from Marcel distracted her thoughts.

Things are fine. Will provide a full report tomorrow. Had a couple of informal and formal interview invites coupled with a recognition from the tourism board. They are releasing a press statement on the event coverage which I have finalised with their officials. It shall be out tomorrow. Rest well.

She smiled as she replied to instruct him to release the 2 million funds request the next day before checking out the news on the event. She was glad it was very successful beyond her expectations from the proposal which did not overshadow the exhibition and her speech as well as the credits. Sure enough, the tourism board was paying attention to them. With that, she would easily be able to launch phase two sooner than she thought since the project would be strictly under the government’s scrutiny.

As she went downstairs wanting to help in the kitchen only to be chased out by Daisy while Jeremy was outside helping to water the garden and doing his evening walk, she ended up snuggling with both dogs on the floor in the middle of the hallway at the entrance. Despite sleeping so much, she still felt lethargic and the fur of both dogs was so comfortable that soon she slowly fell asleep.

“Ivy! Are you alright?!” Daisy panicked again at the sight of Ivy sprawling on the floor with the dogs.

She placed the bowl of soup on the table before running towards Ivy. “Ivy! Ivy!” Daisy called out panicking even more as Ivy was startled awake but too lazy to move. Daisy’s alarming voice drew Jeremy to run in expecting something had happened to Ivy only to find her giggling when he tried to lift her.

“Ivy! Don’t scare me like this!” Daisy scolded as she sat up to hug her.

“I’m sorry. You chase me out of the kitchen and I have nothing to do. Doing nothing makes me sleepy.” Ivy pouted as Daisy smacked her lightly while Jeremy chuckled.

“Aren’t you heading to your trip already, Mum? Go ahead… Don’t worry about us. We will miss you but just enjoy yourself!” Ivy winked as Daisy frowned.

“Mum, just go. I’m here too. What can go wrong?” Jeremy coaxed as Daisy reluctantly got dressed and had their driver send her to meet up with her friends.

Ivy was delighted as it meant Daisy would not be there to worry that Ivy would be hardworking as there was so much work for Ivy to catch up with. The migration of manpower to the new company in phases crossed her mind followed by the meet-up with Mr. Archwabal. She was also reminded of her side quest to explore the mysterious office on the highest floor in the office building but she knew that would need to wait as there was too much to handle at the moment.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Jeremy asked while helping her stand as he pointed to the huge bowl of soup Daisy had prepared.

“Oh, just plain chicken soup?” She asked as Jeremy shrugged. Ivy then headed to the kitchen and saw some ingredients as she decided to prepare dinner for Jeremy and herself since it was nearly dinner time.

“Anything you don’t eat?” She asked skeptically as Jeremy shook his head.

“Previously did you cook too for my brother?” Jeremy asked as he took a seat on the island overseeing the stove.

“Nope. He cooked more for me and he always had mac and cheese made for me. In actual fact, it’s my favorite cause I was lazy.” She smiled as Jeremy chuckled.

“Then what exactly is your favorite when you’re hardworking?” He asked.

“Mung bean cake, of course, and ginger pork liver and… Well, you being the marketing temporary manager would have known what Manes is well known by now.” She teased while he was reminded of his grandma’s ginger pork liver.

“No, you don’t have to help.” She rejected as their gaze met. “Did you have your last ginger pork liver in my house?” He asked recalling it was that night too he last had it.

She nodded with sad fluttering eyes recalling the events of that night. “That was the very first time I saw you.” He said as she shrugged trying to act as if it was not affecting her.

“That was also the first time I saw you with a huge drama…” She said as he chuckled.

“What are you making?” He asked trying to distract himself from the sad past while taking the vegetables aside and washing them up.

“Mix vegetables and steam egg with chicken?” She announced as he frowned.

“Why? Not suitable to your acquired taste?” She teased as he chuckled.

“It’s strange but alright. Let’s give it a try.” He agreed as she went to chop up the vegetables.

“It was my favorite hardworking meal when I was staying alone. Auntie Soh would nag at me but I like it… I really do…” She shrugged but noticed the strange grimace on his face.

“Alright, alright maybe I will not add the chicken to the steamed egg since Mum has already made us chicken soup.” She giggled as Jeremy laughed.

“Thanks...” He nodded eagerly as Ivy laughed out loud at his strange grimace.

“What do you eat in your mini-imaginary world?” He asked randomly as she smiled.

“Grandma’s cooking but lately who needs food when we are mythical creatures?” She laughed as he raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, yeah? Tell me more about it. Continue…” He urged as she giggled and began to continue the journey while they cooked that night.