If it was herself back then, Ivy would have broken down and cried but instead, she stood back up withstanding her tears as she left quietly with Marcel thereafter. Knowing one of her once safe haven sanctuaries soon might be gone, she requested Marcel to let her drive herself as she needed some time alone.
She tried all ways to make herself accept the reality of her mother's condition as she drove aimlessly. When she finally stopped at her destination, she found herself at the cliff. She alighted and walked past the place where she first learned of the waltz from Jason. She smiled as she overlooked the beautiful sunset overseeing her which reminded her of the bed of clouds she waltzed with Jason in her paracosm.
Jason… What would you do if you were here? My dad is fighting to stay alive… I am fighting my uncle who did all that to your family with Jeremy to protect everyone. But my mother is losing hope in fighting to protect me. Ivy thought in mind as she let a few drops of tears escape her eyes.
You found me this family but you left too. Now why is my mother leaving after letting me know she always wanted to protect me? I could save Nick but who am I to rely on anymore Jason? I may be learning to love Jeremy but I know how much of a burden is he going through to pay for all the rebels I did against my Uncle. Jason, why did I end up this way? Why…
After so long yet I still find my way here to you… Struggling at the cliff to believe I was losing my mother. In a month how would I be? It seems everything would end in a month. My mother… This fake engagement… This battle of power to the company… This real love I have for Jeremy… But Jason I don’t want to let Jeremy go. I wish I was already a law graduate. I want to fight for him for once like I wished I did for you when I decided to give you up to Nancy. There may be things I still had no idea of Jeremy but for once, I was afraid of losing him like I did with you. Why did all of you have to leave?
She sat the whole evening dumbfounded, fighting with herself while ignoring everyone who was finding her as she found herself slipping back slowly to meeting her long-time best friend, solitary.
As Ivy clenched her aching heart and teared up holding on to her pounding head, Jin finally arrived at the cliff. After receiving news from Marcel about Permisla’s condition it worried him and Ryu that Ivy would do something to harm herself. With his resources, it was not tough to locate her as he assigned Ryu to search for her at her other usual places at Manes.
He was heartbroken to see Ivy for the first time in such a vulnerable state as he quickly ran up to her and squatted in front of her.
“Twinny… Are you alright? None of us could reach you after you left to visit Aunt Permisla. We thought…” He checked as Ivy trembled at the sight of him.
Instead of wanting to nag at him for breaking his curfew in school, Ivy leaned forward to hug Jin. A part of her was grateful for what Marcel did.
She struggled to be strong like she promised Jeremy. However, it hurt her intensely to know she could not do anything but watch her mother whom she had never thought she had the chance to reconcile with, and when they finally did, only to have her life depleting away rapidly.
“Twinny, you're only human…” Jin reminded as he could feel how tense she was that she began to sob silently in his arms. He continued holding her in his arms.
“Twinny.. My mother doesn't have much time left… Why is everyone who is protecting me leaving one by one? I am afraid someday Jeremy and all of you would too if I don't stay strong and fight them all.” Ivy asked while her voice cracked as she tightened her grip on the collar of his shirt.
Jin felt broken watching Ivy holding all the responsibility in her hand. “I’m sorry, twinny…” He said as he held her closer in his arms. He let her sob quietly while gently patting her shoulder to comfort her as the only thing he could ensure her that still existed was the family bond.
“We are all here for you. Even if the world decides to fall and destroy you, we will always stand strong to fight for you, Twinny. That doesn't mean you cannot choose to be vulnerable at times. You're only nineteen and you deserve all the best things in the world. So always remember you have a family you can rely on no matter what.” Jin comforted as Ivy continued to sob silently in his arms, letting her world crumble momentarily.
That night Ivy was sent home by Jin to the Rahi’s home in the early morning with Jeremy answering the door after being preempted by Jin beforehand. As Jeremy carried Ivy who was asleep upstairs, he noticed her puffy face but did not have the chance to ask Jin what had happened. Instead, Jin left quietly, entrusting Jeremy with her, and drove off to Cassie’s boutique to stay a night.
Ivy stirred the moment they landed on his bed. “Sorry, woke you up?” He whispered as Ivy met with his gaze sadly.
“You’re alright? What’s wrong?” He asked as her eyes began tearing unwillingly. “Something happened?” He coaxed as she shook her head and sat up.
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“Sorry, not something I could tell… yet...” She said guiltily as it was a harsh chapter for her to trust him with for fear of putting Permisla in danger.
“Alright… But if it helps, perhaps we should get into our daily lesson of conquering your fear against Kyle?” He teased as Ivy instantly flinched behind in bed at the sudden change of events. He inched closer to her so that when she ended up lying on the other side of the bed, he was on top of her kissing her slowly and gently.
At first, it was comforting and soothing to finally be back in another refuge she was familiar with and he had been doing this to her for the past few nights. She closed her eyes and savored it but when she felt he was moving towards her neck, flashes of Kyle’s face appeared in her mind which startled her to push Jeremy away abruptly.
Jeremy expected that as he attempted to pin her back down into the bed and force her to meet his gaze.
“It’s me. It’s not Kyle. It’s just me… Jeremy. It’s alright… You’re safe and I will not harm you.” He reminded her while she caught her breath and harshly wiped her tears away at her failure.
“It’s alright to be defeated. There’s no harm in crying and you’re not weak in doing so… Slowly, Ivy. We will get there as we practice conquering this fear of yours till you can fight him on your own.” Jeremy encouraged as Ivy sat up and clung to him. She sobbed in his arms not just cause of the failure in conquering her fear of Kyle but also the fact that she could not tell him about losing her mother.
He knew she was making a breakthrough and did not mind the secrets she had to hide as he cuddled her in his arms till she fell asleep again cause he trusted and loved her. It did not matter if she were plotting to harm him; as long as she was safe, he would willingly let her.
The next few days, Jeremy had been working on the digital art he promised Ivy back in Manes. While Ivy tirelessly tried to keep the finances well temporary for show till her new company stabilised as Charles had been demanding funds and manpower to kick start the shop house construction soonest possible, Jeremy decided to bring her to his bar that night.
Instead of resting and having a little date, she was intrigued by the simple in-and-out financial tab Jeremy opened on his laptop. She instantly went on to work out the finances for him.
“Vivi I told you to rest. I didn’t bring you here to work.” Jeremy whined as Ivy shushed him.
“Don’t worry we are almost there. Are you sure everything is here? Any missed out receipts or payments?” She questioned while her eyes were gluing at the laptop screen.
He ignored her question but instead paid attention to the changes made. “Why do you need to put them in separate columns? Shouldn’t the sum be in one column?” Jeremy questioned Ivy who was tallying his business trial balance.
“It’s just a concept of accounts. I will teach you later.” Ivy quickly shrugged his question off and continued with her calculation as she was having a feeling that the business was extremely profitable.
When she hit the final line of items and had the accounts balanced, she gasped in surprise and excitement.
“Why? What is it? Did we lose too much money? Don’t worry we can always close down anyway…” Jeremy said as Ivy blinked at the accounts.
“It’s no wonder your family always said you’re stupid…” Ivy teased looking at Jeremy who was laughing while shrugging.
“You are stupid!” Ivy stood while frowning.
“Do you know how much legal money you made, dumb dumb?” She questioned which sent Jeremy frowning in return.
“What do you mean? Impossible I could make money. I am so stupid.” He waved at Ivy’s question as she burst out laughing with him.
“Come, to quote your brother. Let’s start the tutor.” She tried imitating Jason which made Jeremy laugh heartily. She sat with him half grateful for Jason’s lessons and half apprehensively enthusiastic to explain the complex accounting concepts to Jeremy who struggled.
“Oh, so you’re saying the money I put in the company is called share capital. Why is it equity? Shouldn’t it be an asset? It is still money. My money… What is equity?” Jeremy scratched his head which made Ivy burst out laughing.
“If Jason was here, he would surely knock your head! Share capital is never an asset Jeremy. It’s the company’s capital. It’s where the company’s backbone is. Do you see these huge retained earnings? You should pay out dividends to yourself and everyone else especially Real and Chiang who are always so loyal by your side. These are what you have accumulated in profits over the past years.” Ivy explained as Jeremy held her in his arms.
“Speaking of which, you’re right about the bank balance. There is this much and yes come to think of it I haven’t been siphoning money into the business for a long time.” He finally realised it.
“In that case, pay off the amount the company owes you to yourself and the dividends. Then let the business sustain itself from now on. No one has to know anyway. Including myself.” Ivy concluded as she took a sip of whiskey from his cup.
In mind, he had an idea growing just for Ivy as he could not wait to act on it tomorrow. Meanwhile, he immediately pulled her in for a kiss and drank the whiskey as well from her. She smirked at his action when he pulled away.
“Can’t you drink from the cup?” She scolded as he pushed her to the wall and stole another kiss.
“I’m rewarding you something but first, let’s resume with our daily night routine?” He teased which Ivy could not help from grinning when he kissed her again.
She was surprised to land on a makeshift bed which Jeremy sneakily pressed the remote to release it before kissing her.
“Jere… I… We…” She shook her head noticing they were going too fast as he flashed her a devilish smile.
“You know, my goal is…” He leaned in closer to her ear while on top of her in bed. “... to seductively help you from the very beginning but I thought we should start slow. So, now, let’s place the practice one level higher?” He teased as she blushed under him.
“But… But I…” She was too embarrassed to tell him it was her first time but he knew.
“I know. Your first time?” He asked to confirm as she nodded. “I promise you one thing. I won’t trespass till much later. A long time later. But for now, there are many ways to bring us to a climax which doesn’t require any penetration…” He teased as she raised an eyebrow before they both entangled themselves together in a night of new excitement for Ivy.