Ivy was surprised to find herself in a huge sports room at the end of the second floor with the door being camouflaged by the wallpaper.

“I never knew this room existed…” She gasped as he put her down. “There are many things you didn’t know about this house. Now, get changed first.” He urged as she went to find a set of sparring uniforms on the bench before putting them on.

She stood in front of Jeremy looking like a tiny student in his oversized uniform and he could not help but chuckle.

“Sorry, I will remember to get you a set.” He said as Ivy smiled and nodded while they got into position.

His face began to turn serious as he struck his first move on Ivy’s right leg but she recalled Ray taught her to avoid that by sneakily doing a fly jump and kicking the opponent’s arm before she landed on the ground again.

“Impressive. Ray taught you well.” He complimented as they got into an engaging position again. She snarled at him as she tried to put him in rounds knowing he was waiting for her to put out a kick but she did not.

“The tortures of the girls and women…” She said abruptly which made him weary and that was when she caught his arm and flipped him down to the ground.

He yelled in defeat as he chuckled. “That’s cheating…” He said as Ivy sat on top of him and pinned him down without hesitation.

“You didn’t explain the rule at first.” She raised an eyebrow, waiting for his answer to her statement which caught him off guard.

“They were cheated into the job. We feed on their desperation for money and some was greed…” He explained and noticed she was not surprised.

“You knew?” He asked as she strengthened her grip on his collar.

“Then?” She questioned as he knew it was his chance to catch her weary next.

“Then, those who got pregnant would be held captive in a place till they deliver. Their child…” Jeremy could tell she was attentively listening to him as he flipped her around to the ground.

She groaned for being caught. “Ugh, you’re cheating too…” She retaliated but he pinned her down to the ground. “You started this first…” He reminded her as she squinted her eyes at him.

“Their child?” She demanded as she stopped fighting him.

“Are raised into child labor. The child’s mother is lied to that their child had died during labour…” Ivy’s eyes reddened as the anger she felt was channeled to her strength in freeing herself from his grip which made her kick his back and flip him to his side before she stood and faced him in standing position.

“Then the mother is given poison to drink…” He continued as he got up and continued in engaging mode while turning in circles.

“Most women take their lives that way…” He said hastily knowing the rage was building up in her as Ivy made a few punches attempt but fumbled as he quickly caught her petite self falling into his arm. She flinched away from him.

“Focus would you?! Pretend I am Kyle and you’re fighting me 'cause I am hurting your loved ones!” He yelled as she gave a few more weary punches while struggling to push away her fear of Kyle only to let her tears slip. That made Jeremy’s heart soften as he wanted to hug her this time around and stop the sparring but she took the chance to flip him again to the ground.

“Ivy…” He wondered if was she acting or was for real as her reaction when he caught her sitting on top of him was furious.

So, he decided to continue his information sharing. “The culprit of all the deaths is Xylo, Charles’ right-hand man.” Ivy listened meekly as she kept him pinned to the ground. “Kerela is another but he mostly deals with the drugs operations.”

When he noticed Ivy was deep in her thoughts, he pushed her to fall to her back and kissed her to comfort her but he could feel things begin to get out of control as she squealed in fear, trembling when he reached out to her neck. He paused and had a good look at her holding on to him trying to force him away thinking she was acting again. That was when it dawned on him that she must not have let go of the past trauma during her incident with Kyle.

“Good job Ivy… You have done well.” He finally said gently as she began to slowly let go of his arm.

He kissed her forehead while she was still catching her breath. His lips slowly found her lips and they kissed for a moment but she could feel he was getting out of control.

“Jeremy, are you sure you won't get aroused?” She whispered when she was more relaxed. As she opened her eyes and met with his wild gaze, he forced a smile before helping her to stand.

He did not answer her question as he left the room instructing her to shower instead. He was already aroused as he struggled with the urge to not barge out of his room and onto her while wondering about how much Ivy had been hiding from herself.

He only dared to step out after noticing the heavy downpour outside after that. He was shocked for a moment to find Ivy sitting in his bed, waiting for him in her t-shirt and shorts.

“Not afraid I can't resist you?” He teased while he hung his towel, cursing under his breath that luckily he had gotten dressed in the washroom earlier.

“I trust you.” She said sincerely as he smiled, holding onto her hand, not able to imagine them staying in bed that night for fear of getting out of control again as he led her out of the room.

“Where are we going?” She instantly asked but still followed.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“You said you trust me.” He reminded her as she chuckled.

“Can't sleep can you?” She shrugged at his question as he brewed a cup of pomegranate tea in a tumbler, in the kitchen before handing it to her. She obediently took it from him and followed his lead down a well-hidden door under the living room’s carpet to a basement with him.

She gasped as he turned on the lights in the basement. “Is this real?” She asked with her bulging eyes.

“No, they are fake. Can’t you tell? These are just slaves of Rahi from the past.” He teased while heading to the end of the passageway as she giggled at his amusement while admiring the wall of pictures.

She noticed the bridal pictures of John and Daisy first. The transformation took place like a timeline of Rahi’s family tree; from the boys’ grandparents to their parents and finally, Jason and Jeremy. She noticed the empty spaces next to the boys’ portraits. She wondered if those spaces were kept for their spouses and lineage.

Ivy could not help but admire the picture of Baby Jason who had good features of John since infancy and smiled at Baby Jeremy’s adorable cheeks which now had dimples on them whenever he smiled.

Jeremy was smitten by her innocent self admiring his past.

“Seen enough?” He asked as he held her hand and distracted her from Rahi’s wall of fame, leading to the end of the passageway before opening half of the door, overseeing the view of the rain in the peaceful jungle.

She was surprised, blinking in awe at the beauty and chilly wind.

“It’s a family secret.” He told her as she frowned.

“You're not a nobody in this family to not be able to come here. Those empty spaces in between Jason and I should have been you.” He said pointing towards the family pictures as he stole a kiss from her cheek when she was admiring the view outside.

“So, it was really meant for each of your partners?” Ivy questioned as Jeremy smiled while they sat on the stone bench overseeing the door.

“I could never put Mabel and Anna up there. It would be disgracing.” He shook his head and scoffed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen…” She felt bad as she apologised. He shook his head.

“Are the kids…” She could not bring herself to ask about their life.

“They are alright… Safe and sound. Somewhere.” He said briefly as Ivy nodded knowing it was not time yet for her to know.

“It would be nice to put their pictures up there instead.” She mumbled and Jeremy smiled thinking the same.

“Do you like here?” He asked trying to change the topic. “It's gorgeous. Thank you.” She whispered in awe.

“Back in the older generation, they used to live here to escape the war. Now, it’s my dad’s escape room.” He explained as she met his gaze and listened earnestly.

“Ivy, I trust you too. So, whatever was mentioned earlier, each of them keeps you closer to danger. Despite so, I will still tell you 'cause I know you have a strong mind. However, if you have any information that would ever jeopardise our situation when held captive, don't tell me.” He said as he held her hand in his.

“Are you saying you will betray me?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.

“When I'm drunk perhaps. Accidentally.” She chuckled and nodded in agreement at his unexpected admission.

“How did you know pomegranate was my fave? Thank goodness it's not some camomile”. She tried changing the topic as he laughed and wrapped her in his arms while she took the first sip before sharing it with him.

“Marcel hinted when I was trying to coax you that day for lunch but failed.” He admitted sadly as she giggled.

“Hmm… speaking of which, tell me about Nick.” He prompted as she met his gaze.

“How much do you already know?” She asked in return.

“He is Jason’s best friend and dated Nancy. He is also in the band…” Ivy raised an eyebrow at his explanation.

“That’s all?” Ivy questioned as he nodded. Ivy chuckled. “I’m surprised…” She said as he pulled her chin to face him.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You had a history with him?” Jeremy raised an eyebrow.

“Jealous I see?” She teased as he stole a kiss, still waiting for an answer. She blushed and grinned, forcing herself to not be overwhelmed.

“I never dated him. Maybe we nearly did but when we kissed once… which he wanted to comfort me, it felt… wrong. It felt like it was never meant to be… the guilt of Nancy causing the trouble. He blamed himself for her actions.” Ivy explained softly while holding on to his gaze which surprised her that it did not stir anything negative in him at all.

Satisfied with her answer, he gave her another kiss. “Are you bribing me? Aren’t you supposed to be angry?” He grinned as she could not help but giggled by his skillful coaxing.

“What’s there to be angered with? You’re not my first either. And you’re so far the best I ever have.” He sighed as he held her by her shoulders.

“I'm sorry I took too long to tell you about… Everything so far you discovered. I realised now you didn't need a prince in shining armor, sweetie. You need a guard for refuge and strength…” He praised her as she grinned.

“It’s different with you. You respect my decisions. Though you rebel, you still listen and are willing to give it a try. I'm sorry for what my uncle did. I… I don't deserve this… all of this…” She began tearing up again as he wiped her welling tears away.

He shook his head and kissed her forehead.

“I could understand a little why you chose to live your life recklessly that way previously…” She sniffed as Jeremy sighed in relief.

“Has anyone told you you're too mature for your age?” He asked as she chuckled unexpectedly and nodded.

“Sometimes I wish you rant like a teenager. You’re only nineteen Ivy.” He pulled her in for a hug and she eased in willingly.

“Thank you for everything, Jeremy…” Ivy said gently.

“Rest assured, I don’t feel the guilt I do with Nick when I am with you despite who you are to Jason. I often am reminded of Nancy when I’m with Nick and it made me feel bad for him…” Ivy stares into Jeremy’s softening gaze when he lets go of his hug as she explains.

“I guess he does the same and it’s heavier on him since he lost two precious people. He constantly worries for me like he used to for Nancy who was mentally unstable at times. It was a habit he struggled to leave and I couldn't get used to. He didn’t blame anyone back then but instead, he took it as karma for cheating on Jason with Nancy.” Ivy explained as her eyes reddened again while Jeremy gently combed her long luscious hair.

“That I know… That was my leverage on her to stalk on you both but never had I known till lately that Charles intercepted her in between with pictures of you both that she went uncontrollable… So, do not blame yourself but Charles who had provoked her. A part of me could not help but think if you were supposed to be dead instead of Jason…” Jeremy said with a shaky voice as Ivy clung to him to comfort him.

“It seems Charles had been targeting you from the beginning and I believe this had something to do with your shareholdings in the company,” Jeremy explained further as Ivy listened meekly.

“You’re saying he wants to take over my father’s company?” Ivy questioned as she pondered on the possibility and began to make sense to her. He nodded.

“And it seems he is contemplating on switching the main successor to Kyle… Ivy, he does anything just to get what he wants.” He held her shoulders tightly which made her realise how dire their situation was.

“When exactly do you think he will execute this?” Ivy questioned.

“Why do you think I’m so protective now?” He winked at her, sending her blushing unexpectedly.

She gave up trying to plan her agenda in mind after the distraction for that moment.

“In that case, let’s hear what you have in mind?” She coquettishly clung closer to his neck.