“You have a backup as far as I know. And whatever you’re executing has to be completed before the launch of phase two in a month…” Jeremy explained almost certain he was right. Ivy glued her gaze on him as he raised an eyebrow questioning her to confirm.

Ivy, you need to trust him on this. She tried to convince herself as she swallowed the lump on her throat worrying him knowing the plan might jeopardize many things but she knew she had to give some to receive more. She finally nodded in agreement.

“Good. As for any complications in between, Charles is easily handled with cash. Just stuff him with them which I don’t think has been an issue for you to handle lately...” Jeremy hinted as he had known Ivy had always been resourceful with the debts and financing tricks she had pulled with Charles.

“You…” Ivy was doubtful of ways to go about their relationship with honesty and he could sense it when she sighed and closed her eyes in defeat. He held her by her shoulders to face him.

“You’re devious I know. You’re ruthless too. When you’re set to do something, you ensure you look through it till the end. So, whatever it is you can’t tell, leave it. I have the same issue too.” He said as he put some loose fringe behind her ears.

“There are things I can’t tell yet.” She parroted him as he nodded.

“I don’t want to hide things on purpose. Just so you know.” She said while holding out to his hands with a longing look.

He kissed her in reply to provide her with assurance while she closed her eyes this time savoring it.

“Selective truths only…” He whispered as she opened her eyes and met with his charming gaze which she could not help but grin at her thoughts.

“Just because you’re fourteen years older, you don’t have to remind me constantly like an old uncle.” She chuckled as he kissed her forehead again before noticing she was blushing so much that her face was red.

“Why are you so red? Are you catching a cold already?” He asked urgently as he checked her normal temperature while she shyly leaned onto his chest.

“Tell me why…” He coaxed as he kissed her forehead. “Else, I will keep kissing you…” He threatened playfully as she giggled while shaking her head in protest.

“Cause I…” She finally managed to say while holding onto his gaze with a worried look that he would regret the next second with his decision to date her. However, never once did he wavered but instead, his gaze became more intense anticipating her answer which she knew she could not escape.

“I have never kissed before this… and not this much…” She whispered her admission which left Jeremy caught by surprise.

“Ivy…” He wanted to clarify when Ivy forced her way to sit up straight and clasped her hands together to herself.

“I… I mean my first was with Nick… and if you don’t want to count that then… So…” She mumbled which made Jeremy even more surprised.

“Not once with Jason before?” He asked skeptically as Ivy smiled sadly before shaking her head and kept looking at the ground, trying to hide her reddening eyes from being reminded of the day of the accident.

“We almost did but the accident happened…” Ivy added in a sad tone which made Jeremy instantly feel bad for them.

He held her tightly in his arms. “I’m sorry, Ivy.” He apologised as she shook her head.

“I’m alright. I’m fine now…” Despite her trying to assure him, tears escaped from her eyes as he wiped them away.

“That’s why I’m not hesitating with you. I regret doing so back then with him...” She told him while taking a very deep shaky breath before he arched in to kiss her which comforted her very much.

“I think I am beginning to fall for you…” She pouted a little.

“Which was the reason I’m worried every second about trusting you or that something would change or hinder us from being together like this.” She admitted as more tears sprung and he watched her roughly wipe them away.

He carried her onto his lap and cuddled with her as she tried not to sob in his arms. He began to give her a few pecks on her forehead which distracted her. After a while, she began to blush again. He was beginning to get used to dating a very young girl who could easily get him smitten by her innocent self.

“Stay your age and act like how you should be with me when we are alone alright? I promise you we will stick together. You know what everyone always said about my loyalty.” He urged and reminded which made her recall what John told her before. She was at ease a little as she nodded happily before clinging to him while enjoying the sight of the rain with him as he let her sip some tea occasionally.

Nick had been very busy in Manes after the launch of phase one due to emceeing daily for the cultural night events and performances that he had not visited Landsfield for a while. The news he had been reading had not rested on Ivy’s well-being for the longest of time which made him feel proud of her as she was soaring high but a part of him was wondering about her mental health and sleep paralysis.

He could barely catch her for a proper conversation these days. With her engagement story on hand, though she had been telling everyone in the family that it was fake, he could tell how real they were from the incident during the launch. His mind recalled their kiss which till today, he still felt no sparks about it.

We are just never meant for each other isn’t it Ivy? You look a lot happier with Jeremy though he might not be a good guy… He thought to himself as he saw his phone notification blinking reminding him of Nancy’s birthday in two days.

He sighed as he blinked the stinging tears wondering things he could do about missing Nancy on her birthday. That was when Phylis crossed his mind and he decided to visit her.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Phyllis was reading up on some reports before calling it a day when she heard a knock on her front door.

“Enter…” She stood wondering who it was and was surprised to see Nick.

“Oh, hi Mr. Lahau. I don’t think we have an appointment scheduled lately and you’re also off your medicines? Is there a relapse or anything?” She asked concernedly as Nick smiled, half happy to hear someone fussing over him for a long time while half beginning to feel bad about worrying her.

“Yes, about that… well… Nick please.” He sighed as she smiled. “Hi, Nick.”

“Hope I’m not disturbing…”He scratched his head as she raised her eyebrows.

“What is it? A therapy you need?” She asked as he hesitated for a moment.

“It’s Nancy’s birthday in two days and…” He looked away thinking it was absurd to ask her on ways to cope with it.

“Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t ask you how to cope with such stuff…” He wanted to leave when Phyllis was reminded of her husband who had passed on six months ago from cancer and she knew she had the right answers to his questions which did not require therapy at all.

“A therapy is not necessary for such case sometimes…” She pointed out as Nick tilted his head in confusion.

“Mind having a drink with me somewhere?” She asked as he instantly smiled and nodded, glad she got the hint of his cue that he just wanted to have a relaxing drink.

They end up sitting by the park overseeing the nightlights of Manes after fetching some beer cans and cheap hard liquors to mix with.

“The last I drank like this was with Jason. The night before he left…” Nick told Phyllis as she recalled hers was a very very long time ago before they discovered her husband’s sickness. Thereafter, it was all about visiting the hospital on and off.

“Good thing you’re no longer on medicines too.” Phyllis forced a smile.

“The view is nicer in Landsfield than here…” Nick said as he nodded. Out of habit, Phyllis observed him and knew he was thinking of Ivy, naturally after being reminded of Jason.

“Worrying about her would not do good for you…” He met her gaze as he sipped his beer.

“Indeed a psychiatrist even outside of the office…” Nick mumbled as Phyllis chuckled before apologising. “I’m sorry…”

“I used to worry more about Nancy and I guess it was never meant to be with Ivy. She’s stronger. A lot stronger than I am and she didn’t need any protection to begin with… Jason had made a very wise choice but…” He shook his head as he took another sip of his beer.

“I often envy all of you. It’s tougher when you need to watch your loved ones depleting in life slowly but you’re useless at trying to save them cause there’s nothing you can do about it. When compared to instant deaths where they abruptly left you and you can take all the time in this world to digest that knowing they no longer suffer.” Phyllis revealed as she took a huge gulp of her beer when Nick had to hold her off.

“I’m sorry…” Nick did not expect to hear that from her and wondered about her circumstances. ”I don’t mind lending you my ears if you want to share?” Nick said while tugging on his left ear which managed to make her chuckle a little.

“My husband was a cancer patient. Liver to be exact. He passed on six months ago.” She tried to sound nonchalant.

“I’m sorry…” Nick apologised as she waved her hand.

“I did all I could to save him. I even donated to him my liver but… things just got worse when it relapsed. He just… loves to drink. I once despised drinking but I cannot deny on days like this, it’s the best medicine.” Phyllis sighed as Nick reached out his hand at her shoulder to comfort her.

“I’m sorry…” Nick apologised as she shook her head forcing a smile.

“No, no it’s fine. So, to answer your question, perhaps you could just remember them for their good memories when they were alive. That would be a good way to remember them on their birthdays too. A reminder that there was once a great partner by our side who made us who we are today.” Phyllis said with a smile as he clunk their can of beer.

“Care to join me occasionally like this and perhaps two days later? I will do the same on your husband’s birthday, anniversary anything…” He offered as Phyllis's eyes twinkled at an unexpected offer which sent warmness to her as no one had cared for her that way ever since her husband left. They both felt something stirring in them due to their tacit understanding of each other’s situation.

“If it’s too much, just take it as casual friends hang out?” Nick offered again as Phyllis chuckled and nodded. She clinked his beer can again as they drank the night away, learning even more about each other’s wonders and weaknesses.

That night Nick drank a little too much that when Phyllis dropped him off home, he struggled to make it down the car but to not trouble her, he ensured he was sober enough to make his way to the lobby main entrance. Only then did Phyllis reluctantly drive off after seeing him making it in.

However, while Nick tried to climb the stairs to the second story, he slipped off mid-way and rolled down the stairs. The receptionist and guards rushed to get medical help for his unconscious self as they tried to get hold of his next of kin which was Jason’s number.

It was kept in Daisy’s room but she was not home as she had been escaping to stay the nights with John in the hotel when he was in town. Fortunately, Phyllis who had the habit of ensuring her guests or friends were safely home, called his mobile to check on him when the attending nurse picked up the call and informed her that Nick was admitted with a fractured arm. She instantly rushed to the main hospital in Manes while alerting Ivy the only contact she knew was available other than Ray.

“Hello?” Phyllis’s urgent voice was heard as Ivy groggily woke in the basement while Jeremy was already alert by her side. The rain had stopped as the brush of chilly air touched her cheeks making her close her eyes and leaning back into Jeremy’s chest for a moment while yawning a little. Jeremy smiled knowing it was her little habit of trying to wake up.

Ivy did not recognise the voice all of a sudden as she forced open her eyes to look at her mobile for the caller ID. She met with Jeremy’s gaze as her eyes grew wider.

“Hey, what’s wrong Phyllis?” Ivy sat up straight and put her on loudspeaker.

“Listen, the only guardian available I could reach out to at the moment is you. It was Jason’s number previously.” Phyllis explained without entering the main point as she struggled to remain composed.

“Phyllis, what’s wrong with Nick?” Ivy instantly knew who was in trouble as Jeremy got up to lock the door before leading her out of the basement.

“He had an accident. Falling off the stairs and is unconscious with a fractured arm. I drove him home earlier but he was quite drunk…” Ivy’s thoughts flew to the dates but none of them made sense to her for Nick to be drowning in alcohol as she let the rest of Phyllis’ explanation drown in muffled words.

“I just wanted to ensure he was fine when I got home so I called and the nurse explained he was admitted to Manes Hospital,” Phyllis explained further as Ivy met Jeremy’s gaze when he locked the basement opening and covered it back with a carpet.

He knew she wanted to head there as he nodded and led her to grab the car keys before they locked up the house and drove to Manes.

“I will be there in an hour. Thanks, Phyllis. I will see you.” Ivy assured as Phyllis began to calm down but realise Ivy must be frantic about Nick’s action.

“Ivy…” Phyllis stopped her from hanging up.

“Yes?” Ivy’s voice was shaky as she buckled her safety belt. Jeremy held her right hand to comfort her while driving.

“It’s Nancy’s birthday in two days. He was quite lost in handling the situation so we went for a drink. It wasn’t… suicide.” Phyllis assured Ivy as Ivy shut her eyes tightly till her tears were flowing freely.

“Thanks. I will see you.” Ivy managed before hanging up and breaking down silently while Jeremy sped to Manes.