Over the next few days, Ivy was busy with either meetings, interviews, or conferences as the news from the tourism board circulated had made the launch of the phase one project a success. She took the chance to announce the launch of phase two in a month which sent a strong message to Charles that he had no choice but to oblige since the project was now under scrutiny by the public.

Desmond’s resignation came right on time as the progress of hiring the core team over to the new company was nearly completed. It was only a matter of time for Daniel the leader of the logistic team to move over. Ivy was anticipating a protest from Ryu soon but meanwhile, she was counting her blessings for every night she was sneaked into Jeremy’s room for late-night cuddles when Daisy was asleep.

However, on one of those nights, they were nearly caught by Daisy. Daisy had her suspicions from the day she returned home from her “hiking” trip which was a stayover with her husband as they still kept the fallout as an act from Jeremy.

Ivy had also noticed it was not anyone who sent Daisy home that day. She recognised John’s car and it was himself personally driving away but she kept it to herself all the while, thinking the couple should spend more time together since that would also mean she would be able to do the same, along with Jeremy.

Daisy’s knock on the door startled the couple in bed as Ivy quickly jumped out of bed and opened a file in front of Jeremy who was still lying in bed lazily enjoying her act.

“Ivy, what are you doing here so late?” Daisy chimed, trying to sound a little surprised as she entered the room feeling suspicious of their reaction.

“Work… See… We are in a … discussion…” Ivy stuttered a little as Jeremy tried to hide his smile.

“And what brings the madam into my room this late?” Jeremy asked as Daisy sat by his bed and noticed strands of Ivy’s long hair on the pillow. She was contemplating confronting them but decided to keep quiet instead. Jeremy knew of Daisy’s realisation but he was waiting for her to react or do nothing but continue to enjoy the show.

“Nevermind. I will just ask you tomorrow.” Daisy randomly made an excuse and stood which sent some relief to Ivy thinking Daisy would return to bed but instead, Daisy pulled her out of the room and sent her to her own room.

“Goodnight Son!” Daisy said as she closed the door behind them with Ivy desperately pleaded Jeremy to save her but all he did was frown in bed, defeated by his own mother's schemes.

“Mum, it's urgent.” Ivy retorted in her room.

“Ivy, it's late.” There is a hint of warning in her voice which makes Ivy dissatisfied and pull her last resort.

“Well, you want to explain to him why you have not been honest about being on a date or a ride with Dad in the past few days? Or was it really a hiking trip?” Ivy folded her arms in front of Daisy who sat on her bed.

Daisy was surprised to be caught that way as she sighed and reached out to pull her to sit next to her.

“Are you sure about him? Aren't you both just for show?” Daisy prompted as Ivy was still sulking. “And yes, it was John. Just… Keep it away from Jeremy for now. And again, are you serious?” Daisy asked sounding very worried.

“I'm sure about him. It was a show but it's no longer is. I know what you're worried about but let us handle it. I just don't want you to think I'm not being appropriate after Jason and ….” Ivy held her hand as Daisy gently patted hers.

“No, of course not. I would be very happy to watch you seek your happiness and move on. But I don't want you to be hurt again.” Daisy genuinely meant it as Ivy nodded.

“Mum, we all grow from the pain. I assure you I will guard this whole endeavor well.” Daisy hugged her.

“Go sleep, mum. “ Ivy chased.

“What's the hurry? Let the boy wait.” She teased as Ivy giggled.

Ivy stayed in her room hoping for Jeremy to sneak her again when Daisy left only to end up falling asleep into her paracosm.

It has been a long time since she stepped back to her haven. She saw the plains of irises she was once familiar with and the hut as she jogged over to find the sight of her grandma holding a tray of cookies, waving at her.

“Grandma…” She whispered. Her teary eyes made her think she was seeing two of her grandma as she blinked them away to see Jason’s grandma was by her grandma’s side.

When she finally wanted to embrace them both, sobbing in their arms, another lady appeared behind them and it was the woman who used to be her nightmare but now was the woman she missed, her mother.

She walked over to her to give her a long-awaited hugged but they were all slowly disappearing.

“I’m proud of you, Ivy.” She recognised it was her Grandma’s voice.

“Someone’s waiting for you…” Jason’s grandma said before laughing happily like she always did before she could even reach out to any of them. The sound of Jason’s Grandma made Ivy’s eyes reddened. She saw her mother pointed to her back.

She turned around to find a celestial dragon robe man by a harp walking towards her with a bouquet of yellow irises.

“Jason…” Ivy without a doubt knew who he was and she ran towards him to embrace him as she wailed and cried in his arms recalling the explosion the last time she was in her paracosm only to find him disappeared into thin air too moments later.

She crouched to touch the remnants of the ashes of ember on the ground she once saw and knew it was his embers.

“Jason…” She held on to them as she watched the ember shimmered. The more she dug, the more it was shimmering that when she hit a metal, she drew it out to find the sixth sword, happiness.

She wondered if her fate was to be alone. Was it that destiny after all?

She was even grumpier when she opened her eyes to find herself asleep alone in her room. She ended up in the office skipping breakfast to avoid the awkward situation with Daisy and would only be angrier with Jeremy.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Despite so, the situation only got worse when she received a request from the newly recruited construction department that their next project would be to build the adjacent shop house which she could not reject as she weighed the consequences. She knew if she approved it, it would affect the phase two construction which she needed to monitor closely. If she were to reject it, she might as well drop the act and let all hell break loose since who knows what Charles would do with Kyle as his pawn now.

After avoiding Jeremy the entire morning who was guilty of dosing off, she received an apology bouquet on her office table when she walked in with Marcel who was updating her on the escalated process in the new company.

“Who?” She asked as Marcel shrugged.

“Take a look at the note.” Marcel prompted as she did and read the card.

“Lunch? J.” She raised an eyebrow instantly knowing who it was as she smiled briefly before forcefully bit away her smile and chuck the card to a corner.

“Looks like it’s not that fake anymore?” Marcel prompted noticing her quick reaction being masked away.

“That obvious to you?” Ivy stood a little panicked but Marcel raised an eyebrow.

“Not exactly. Just…” He was contemplating on, to be honest, or to probably think he thought too much.

“Be honest…” Ivy insisted.

“It’s not that obvious just I pick up on tiny details out of habit and could tell. Besides, it was similar with Jason except you seem… different. Like more relaxed and chill. Following the flow unlike before, worrying about the uncertainty…” Marcel explained as Ivy face-palm herself and sat back on her chair.

“No, No. This ought to change. Else my siblings will pick up on this.” Ivy shook her head as Marcel smiled unexpectedly.

“I'm sure they could already tell. I would be happy for you. So does Jason.” At the sound of his name, Ivy’s eyes fluttered and gave him a sad smile.

“I’m not sure yet but I’m heading there. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not a replacement just I didn’t want to go around and make the same mistakes I did with Jason. Hesitation was my only regret.” Ivy explained as Marcel nodded and handed her the reports.

“Seeing the matters at Archwabal’s side are going well, I guess we should end this operation upon the launch of phase two?” Ivy suggested as Marcel pondered.

“Would your backups be agreeable?” Marcel was not sure who but he had a feeling it might be more than one.

“Backup… I’m free to do anything but I’m using that as a last resort.” Ivy explained as Marcel nodded.

“Then, do whatever you deem right, Ms. Ophal,” Marcel said as Ivy smiled and knew he was encouraging her.

“I will. With that note, the boys will panic when they hear the downfall…” Ivy frowned.

“That would be … on a personal note I agree you should explain before things fall,” Marcel suggested.

“I doubt they would agree to just let the company die off. There’s a brand to it…” Ivy stood and paced in front of Marcel as a knock was heard on the door.

“Enter.” She said as Jeremy appeared at the doorway.

“Sorry for the interruption but I was about to take you out on the date…” Jeremy pointed towards the bouquet as Ivy rolled her eyes.

“I’m still working…” Ivy protested as Jeremy raised a finger at her to pause her.

“... When I accidentally heard of the downfall part. So, may I suggest that you put up the company for initial public offering i.e. IPO? Promise I only heard the downfall that’s all. Anything before I have no idea. IPO is to raise funds from the public and we could find buyers too if needed…” Jeremy stood with both hands surrendered.

Ivy exchanged glances with Marcel who was quite adamant about Jeremy’s suggestions but he had his doubts about his intention as Ivy raised an eyebrow at Jeremy while pondering.

“Makes sense. That’s another cash flow avenue and a possibility of still being a shareholder.” Ivy spoke her mind as Marcel cleared his throat noticing Jeremy’s impatient self.

“Thanks. We will consider that.” She said to Jeremy before facing Marcel.

“I will catch up with you again,” Ivy said to Marcel as he left the room before she grabbed her file and phone to head out somewhere else and probably wanted to give Jeremy a chance at lunch as he trailed her.

He was trying his best when he caught her hand while waiting for the lift only for her to escape swiftly into the lift. She purposely stood a little far away from him with others in the lift but that did not stop him from scooping her by her waist into his arms. As the public knew of their relationship, no one suspected the couple was fighting but instead giggled at their affection. The anger in her eyes flared at him but he smirked.

“Lunch, beauty?” He whispered as she stepped on him on purpose before she walked out of the lift nonchalantly leaving him limping out of the lift. She was a little disappointed with him and the unsuccessful lunch so she decided to head to her new usual hide out in Landsfield’s office at the park nearby.

Seeing his effort was pointless but still wanted her to eat, he sent her some sandwiches and tea her way with Real helping to grab them from the office lobby.

“Stop!” He yelled as she glared at him wanting to move away.

“Eat. I will leave.” He retreated after putting down her lunch by her side on the bench. Instead, he watched her from a hidden corner to ensure she ate as she happily read her documents feeling at ease knowing the new company was on the right track.

She decided to text John to present the idea from Jeremy as she pondered on the idea but was not very confident in making the decision alone. Instead, she got a call from John.

“Ivy. Seeing I haven't heard from you a long while, you got things under your radar very well.” John praised as Ivy chuckled.

“That’s not necessary. I don’t want to take up much of your time. You could text me in return.” Ivy prompted as John sensed something was off.

“About that… It couldn’t possibly be coming from you.” John pointed out the obvious as Ivy smiled.

“Wanna guess who came up with it?” Ivy teased as she bit the sandwich which she was grateful for.

“Marcel perhaps?” John said as Ivy chuckled and knew she was right about him being Jason’s successor.

“Jeremy.” Ivy could sense the surprise in John as he cleared his throat.

“My dear… Are things going well with him?” John started prompting as he was calculating the motives and direction of this suggestion.

“Not to worry. Under my radar like you said.” Ivy assured.

“Then, in that case, I shall say no harm in proceeding with his idea despite whatever motives he has. But you my dear… It’s your dad’s legacy at stake. Will you or your siblings be alright?” John asked with a concerning voice.

“Not to worry either.” Ivy took another bite, knowing she would need to deal with that ordeal someday with her siblings first and hoping Peter would understand by then.

“As a last resort, I could help in buying over if needed as after all, I got you into this deal.” John offered nonchalantly.

“Let’s rain-check that, Dad,” Ivy said as John smiled knowing she did not want to trouble him but could not help but be concerned about Peter.

Noting the quietness, Ivy knew he was not convinced. “I will… at all times keep your offer in my consideration but not at the moment.” She added that he had no time to prompt her further with his secretary reminding him of his next appointment.

“Very well. I shall hear from you soon.” He said briefly.

“Enjoy more time with mum.” Ivy raised an eyebrow as John chuckled being caught off guard.

“See you, Ivy. Be careful.” John reminded as Ivy hummed in acknowledgment when the line went dead.

Should I let the IPO happen? Daddy, when will you wake up? Do you think it’s a good idea? Ivy pondered as she watched the clear blue sky and munched on her last bit of sandwiches before sighing.

I wish I could do what a normal nineteen-year-old should do… I’m so going to count all this on you Daddy when you’re awake. For every achievement and month you leave me to your work, I shall take a break from working in years and make you feed me. Ivy vented in mind as she finally sipped the cup of tea which was pomegranate. The smell of it reminded her of when Jason used to prepare them for her and now remembering it was Jeremy, smitten her. Jeremy’s heart fluttered noticing her flush when she drank the tea wondering if she was thinking of him.

A text from Charles broke her moment of blissfulness when Charles invited her over for drinks at his bar that night. She rolled her eyes and frowned as she dragged herself with her files back to the office while Jeremy who had received the same message trailed her and sighed at his efforts becoming to no avail at persuading her to not stay angry at his carelessness.