“Jeremy… Jeremy… You… shouldn’t…” Ivy was still a little flabbergasted as she forced herself to focus on Jeremy’s condition.

“Be.. drinking…Jeremy!” She screamed to regain her composure and his attention but instead, he lifted her furiously and carried her to the car before instructing Chiang to speed the car home.

Ivy was very worried that Jeremy would fall sick or anything since he just recovered from a mild intoxication. Besides, the drink was possibly spiked.

She was trying to force herself to focus on Jeremy the entire way home but she could not overcome her fear of Kyle. It kept reminding her of the trauma she had back then while Jeremy was forcing himself to look away and stay furious at Kyle as he could feel the heat from the spike rising in him.

When they reached home, Real quickly helped Jeremy up to his room to soak in cold water to keep him sober. Jeremy ensured Chiang blocked Ivy downstairs from getting in till he felt he was fine.

Ivy was pacing restlessly in the living room with Daisy and Lucky tagging along with her.

“Could you please at least let me up a little while to peep? Please?” Ivy tried pleading but Chiang was stern as he kept guard and shook his head leaving Ivy frustrated as she kept on pacing.

About an hour later, Real finally made his way down and left with Chiang leaving her to run upstairs with both dogs and take a look at him.

He was laying in the bathtub as she approached him. He seemed asleep as Ivy held his hand but instead, she was grabbed by her shoulder, startling her for a moment. He was indeed a little sober but still dizzy as their gaze met eye to eye that she could feel his breath on her cheeks. It was Jeremy’s natural reaction as he thought he was under attack only to find the purest and finest gem he wanted to keep safe, gazing worriedly back at him.

“Do you want to die? Drinking again after that major intoxication?” She scolded softly, forcing her stunned self away which made him laugh unexpectedly.

So much for thinking how precious you are… He thought to himself.

“That’s the first thing I hear from you? Really?” He chuckled even more.

“Why do you care?” He asked recklessly as his expression changed recalling the disgusting look of Kyle wanting to devour Ivy whole. It made him furious even more at the thought of her not caring to tell her history with Kyle to him even now.

“Then why are you protecting me?” She retaliated as tears fell from her eyes as she harshly wiped them away, furious that she was so easily emotional.

He kept quiet.

“Jeremy, answer me. Do you hate me?” His gaze met hers and softened at the sight of her tears.

“No.” He answered briefly.

She inched closer to him daringly. “Then do you like me?” It made his heart skip a beat as she could feel his shaky breaths.

“You’re drunk…” He tried to shrug off all the pretentious relationship they were having and the ambiguous situation they had away as after tonight’s lesson he knew he should not keep her closer but stay as an act. It will only put her in danger even more guessing from Charles’ strategy.

She smirked at his statement. “You know I’m not.” She pulled his chin back and made him keep his gaze on her.

“You knew all along I was in danger, didn’t you? Don’t lie.” She squinted her eyes.

“I could see through you cause you were who I changed you to be today.” His gaze softened as she moved closer.

“Then let me like you. I cannot hold back being wavered by you anymore.” He pulled her in for a kiss which she savored for a few moments before breaking into a smile and pulled away abruptly.

“Jeremy, stop!” She warned.

“Don’t do anything you will regret when you’re sober.” She softly added as she pulled away briefly while smirking at her seduction success. It was to push him to tell her the truth.

“I am sober…” He retaliated and was a little confused by her motives.

“Tell me again when you’re much better tomorrow. I don't trust your words when you’re in this state. Tell me tomorrow again… when I tell you what you did just now. Tell me like how you proposed to me… Tell me officially when you’re sober what exactly are we after this?” She challenged him with her tone softened at each sentence as he accepted it by leaning onto her forehead while smiling.

She got him to bathe while she went to bathe in her room. When she was done, she returned to check on him as he asked her to sit by his bedside.

“Thank you…” She said as he hummed in acknowledgment, still agitated with her being so risky earlier.

“Can you tell me if there’s something wrong with Uncle Charles?” She asked as he cleared his throat.

“It’s best if you don’t know much. For your own safety.” He said as she spun him around to face her.

“So it’s true. He is scheming something?” She tried to move her fingers closer to his.

“Aren’t you… supposed to side with him?” Another silence followed as he looked away sadly.

“Have you… been protecting me?” She could see his eyes’ silhouette soften.

“But why?” Ivy tried forcing answers from him as she finally trailed her fingers and locked with his.

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“Just a promise I made.” He looked up at her when she did that.

The more she cared for him and the more she pried on things she should not know, made him want to protect her more and it made him furious with himself for nearly not being able to that night.

“What about you? Why didn’t you tell me about Kyle and the history you had with him and my brother?” She closed her eyes trying to force the trauma away as he tightened the grip on her hand, worrying it might trigger her trauma.

Watching her that way just added more fuel to his anger as he continued to vent.

“Going up alone against him like that earlier? Shouldn't you be texting Real to go in? You're lucky he left a little opening for us to eavesdrop. What if we didn’t barge in on time? Do you want to be rap…” Jeremy held back himself from reminding her of the close call of being raped as he looked away closing his eyes while forcing all his anger away and letting go of her hand.

She was on the verge of breaking down from the trauma when he pulled her in for a hug while Ivy found herself tearing up, succumbing to her fears and trauma.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” He apologised for ranting while he could feel her body shuddering as he gently rubbed her back to soothe her before remembering his confession earlier, trying to distract her.

“Back to our business earlier…” She gazed at his lips as he said that. “I like you, Ivy. You wavered me to the extent I no longer know what to do, Ivy.” He inched closer to meet her gaze which met his eyes.

“Since we have a common enemy? Let’s work together.” Ivy suggested as she instantly reminded herself of her unfinished business.

She deviously wanted him to confirm that there was something wrong with Charles. He was skeptical for a moment but it was too late cause Ivy pulled him in for a kiss hoping it would make him spill more beans but instead, it stirred a confirmation of her feelings for him.

When they pulled away, Ivy kept her eyes closed. “I want you to know one thing for sure… You’re different from your brother if that’s what you’re wondering. You’re not a replacement. You are who I am trying to change to be a better person. I hope I will be able to bring the best out of you… I don't want to repeat my mistake of hesitating and worrying about the unknown.”

“You know we would not end up well. I will end up in jail.” He said while caressing her cheeks as she opened her fluttering eyes filled with overflowing tears. He wiped them away.

“Then I shall study law like everyone always wanted me to and bail you out. Depending on your performance from now on too. I am not very sure if I like you so much yet or if I’m being grateful.” She countered his banter nonchalantly as she triumphantly confirmed they indeed had a common enemy.

With the compliments he had always yearned to listen to, he kissed her till they ran out of breath as they fell asleep that night side by side.

I don't deserve you. He said in his mind.

But I will ensure I protect you while I can. He kissed her forehead as he held her close to him counting his blessings.

She fidgeted each time she closed her eyes in his arms that night. Jeremy could tell even with the night light on she was still sensitive.

“Can’t sleep?” He finally asked as she opened her eyes and tears welled at the sight of him.

She swallowed the growing lump at her throat while contemplating on telling him about Kyle but she knew she could at least trust him with it since they were working together.

“Kyle…” Her voice cracked as he wiped her tears away and gently patted her back.

“You’re with me. You can tell me anything you want. We will be working together from now on but I want you to know I cannot tell you everything just yet. So you could do the same. When you’re ready, you tell. I will always be here for you. We don’t lie unless it’s necessary otherwise we tell selective truths.” He made a promise she had never thought he would.

She blinked away some of her tears as she nodded. “It was a friend’s party that night. Melissa, Kyle’s girlfriend back then but I’m not sure if they are still together after the whole incident. Sandra and Andrew decided to drag me away from study which I was very stressed about. Jason…” Ivy took a deep breath as he gently rubbed her back to soothe her, knowing it was still tough for her to open up about Jason at times.

“He was away for business that night but luckily he returned early otherwise…” Ivy fisted her hand as he recalled Ray telling him she did it when she was terrified.

He gently held her hand and forced it open. “Now you have me. I will ensure I do better than Jason and that useless outcast wouldn’t be able to even lift your hair unless you let him.” She gently laid her hand on his chest.

“Are you alright now? He spiked my drink that night and I bet he did it just now. You shouldn’t have drunk it… Not especially since you just recovered from a major intoxication.” She ranted worriedly as he held her close to him which sent butterflies to her stomach.

“I’m fine. It was rather minor intoxication. I was much sober when you came in earlier. It took me some time. I’m sorry you had to wait downstairs worrying.” He apologised as she sighed in relief.

“Good thing mum isn’t around else she would get worried again…” Ivy said as he smiled.

“It was she who scolded some senses to me when I was in the hospital. Else, I think I would still drink my life away…” He said while shrugging.

“Why do you do that?” She frowned as he shrugged.

“Doing my job, in my position… Sometimes it’s better living that way…” He explained as she felt sadder for him.

“Some day… I will tell them all to you. I hope I get the chance to… someday.” He held her hand as she smiled watching him smile in return as she kissed his left cheek.

“Can I be honest with you?” She asked abruptly as he nodded and cuddled her in his arms.

“Selective truths if you’re not comfortable.” He added.

“I’m afraid of Kyle. I really do that I… I… It just brought me back to the day I was nearly rapped and it still terrifies me… I hate myself for it.” Jeremy rubbed her back to comfort her.

“Ivy…” He gently called out.

“I know I need to be strong outside cause I promised you but I don’t know how… I need you by my side but I know I cannot do so due to our work and the things we do… And the trust we have… Knowing after last night, he will not easily let me go…I… I…” Ivy confessed in tears as Jeremy kept her tightly in his arms.

It was her first time being upfront honest with anyone ever since her grandma passed away not even with Jason was she this honest before. She often kept her feelings and issues to herself but she knew she had too much on her plate now to be able to handle.

“I will try to keep you company. Else I will keep more guards by your side. When we have time, let’s do more sparring. I’m sure Ray had trained you before?” She stopped crying at the sound of her dearly missed brother.

She nodded as she wiped her tears away. “How’s he doing?” She asked before breaking into tears again while he smiled and gently wiped her tears away.

“He’s doing really well. I can promise you he won’t be harmed but I cannot jeopardise for you to see him. So, please bear with me.” Jeremy explained as Ivy hugged him.

“What would we tell our parents?” She questioned as she settled in leaning onto his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

“Whatever you want…” He nonchalantly said.

“Cause you had been a rebellion boy?” She asked as he smiled.

“Let’s keep us as an act…” He suggested.

“But…” He knew she would protest seeing her being all clingy with him as she pouted sadly.

“I will sneak you in here every night when mum’s asleep.” He winked as she smiled wanting to kiss his cheek as a reward before he pulled her in for another kiss.

When they pulled away, he knew she was still having a tough time sleeping. “Go on, tell me about your little kingdom again… The iris plains, the dogs, the cottage, and the mesmerising sunsets… How was Phoenix’s kingdom?” She smiled at his coaxing as she excitedly explained everything in detail to him. He attentively listened in hoping to remember them to sketch them secretly as a collection of gifts for her someday when he was not by her side.