When Jin and Ryu arrived at the park, true enough they found their sister asleep at the bench.

“Ivy Ophal Ai Lee! What on earth are you doing here like a beggar?!” Ryu scolded as Jin helped Ivy who was startled to sit up. She was rubbing her tired eyes trying to stay awake.

“Are you alright? Are you injured? Had they done anything to you? Where is Jeremy?” Jin questioned while inspecting Ivy’s arms and face as well as her legs to find no injuries.

“Why aren’t you home? Handing over doesn’t mean you have no house Ivy! Didn’t you say you had backups? Aren’t you dating Jeremy for real? Where is he? Didn’t you say you could handle the cash flow?! Ivy, say something!” Ryu scolded as Ivy rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance.

“Can’t you just let me sleep in peace for a few hours? I have been working the whole night…” Ivy mumbled with her eyes closed before trying to lay back down on the bench only to be pulled off the bench.

“You come home with us now!” Ryu forcefully made her obliged only for her to swing her arms off his grip.

“Leave me alone. What I said before about the backups and security whatsoever is still valid. Don’t worry. Everything is under control… Head back to school as usual and take good care of your girlfriends. I will ensure everything is in order at my end. At the very least you could help is to protect your loved ones.” Ivy said solemnly before storming off in agitation from being rudely awakened by her brothers.

“Where are you going?” Jin chased after her and held her arm before asking her gently but in a worried tone.

Ivy smiled knowing their worries. “Home… I promise you I will stay safe.” She assured him before Jin let her go reluctantly.

Despite her assurance to her brothers, she was in great doubt in her mind. She had no idea where she could go to be alone for a moment and that was when the top-floor office crossed her mind. She had the access card and there was a bed there. It fitted perfectly to her sleeping plans as she switched back on her mobile and muted it before having a good sleep peacefully.

Because there was always an active CCTV system in place, Real detected movements and was glad to see Ivy was the one hiding there. “What’s with that smile?” Chiang asked as Real showed him the footage.

“Should we tell the boss?” Chiang asked as Real pondered meaningfully before looking at Jeremy’s room direction and walking over. Upon learning about it, Jeremy wanted to instantly head there but knew she must have been tired for the whole early morning. “Let her rest there. I will head there later. I need to stay to see what chaos she left for all of them.”

Kyle proudly walked into the office that morning and took his seat in Peter’s office directly. He was still hoping to be able to see Ivy opposite from his room that morning as he went through piles of documents in preparation for the IPO. He read the documents earnestly till past lunch with the motivation of being able to see Ivy.

He pressed on his office phone and spoke to his newly assigned secretary enquiring about Ivy. When he finally learned that she and Marcel would not be stepping in anymore into the office as they had officially resigned, he was furious. He instantly contacted his minions to search for Ivy. Little did he know, she was in the same building as him, resting on a different floor.

Despite being anxious, Kyle persevered with the problems he was served by the newly hired professionals to assist him with the handover. It was all part of Ivy’s plans to get back at him but she had never expected him to give up so soon.

Kyle raged on the ride to meet Charles in his office who was in discussion with Ray while Jeremy listened in.

“Ah, so your father’s real estate business had always been the backbone. Looks like we need to find more money then…” Charles said while Ray explained to him the business proposal. Jeremy knew it was his cue to influence Charles’ decision.

“Why don’t I suggest putting on hold phase two of Manes Old Town and focus on the IPO instead? You have several very good interested parties. I’m sure Mr. Oshia would be the first followed by Mr. Ruvela…” Jeremy chipped in as Charles nodded meaningfully.

“Charles! How could you let me take over such a lousy company?!” Kyle barged in and startled the trio as Charles set his reading glasses down on the table.

“How was your first day Mr. Love Rival? Did my niece just mess it up for you again?” Charles teased as Kyle helped himself to a glass of whiskey.

“Where is she now? She didn’t even turn up for work! There’s so much work piling!” Kyle vented after drinking the whole glass.

“If you can’t find her what makes you think we who sat here the whole day discussing matters know?” Charles replied with sarcasm due to his rudeness but he began to wonder where was his niece too.

“I need to speak with your father. Perhaps, with that, your entire workload will be cut down. Saving you a lot of trouble with investors too.” Charles suggested as Kyle thought it was not a bad idea.

“Let’s go…” He walked out of the room while Charles made a move to follow him leaving Ray and Jeremy to themselves but they knew they could not talk about their plan yet as there were still Charles’ minions. Instead, Ray headed back to his station and carried on with the night tasks as Jeremy found his chance to visit his little lover who was safely hidden in his secret office.

Ivy finally woke when it was getting dimmer in the evening as she switched on the lights and instantly missed her office which she thought should be vacant by now. She was still feeling groggy and realised her phone was full of messages and missed calls but none of them were ever once from Jeremy, Real, or Chiang.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

A part of her began to worry as she walked close to the window panel and watched the sunset.

Jason, am I doing the right decision? She questioned as she was a little disappointed that she still had not dreamt of her paracosm. She wondered if it was because she felt secure being in the vicinity of Jeremy’s property.

She went over to his table to find some new file of documents which must be for his accounts. She decided to help him out a little and did the data entry before he finally video-called her.

“Hello…” She chirped over the phone as he smiled. “Did you have a good rest? What are you doing on my seat?” He teased as she noticed he was in a moving car.

“Where are you? Where are you heading to now?” She quickly asked worriedly.

“In the car with Chiang… I’m fine. I have stuff to do…” Her face tightened listening to his last line. She could not help but frown worrily hoping she did not give him lots of trouble before yawning unexpectedly.

“Stop working… Get some rest.” He instructed as she smiled and nodded before he hung up. She sighed knowing she would not be able to sleep again after the call. So, she continued with the data entry till late at night.

Without thinking much, she headed back to sleep again in exhaustion after checking no updates from Jeremy. She did not have the appetite to eat while worrying about Jeremy. Little did she know, he was on his way to visit her discreetly that night after being delayed by urgent arrangements in the warehouse with his members.

As he unlocked his office door really quietly when she stirred in the bright room, he slid into the blanket to hold her for a moment.

She instantly sat up, startled, and then recalled she was safe and secured in Jeremy’s office. So who else would it be if not him as she hugged him in relief. Words were not necessary at all before she started to check every part of him to ensure he was not heavily injured. She frowned each time noticing a new scar or bruise.

“Did you… you… fight?” Her voice was cracking up as he held her hands into his.

“Vivi, have you eaten?” He asked gently as she tried to shrug his question away and continue searching for new injuries while withholding her tears but he stopped her.

“I’m here… It’s alright. I’m alright. They will heal. So will you… You could cry now…” Those words were like music to Ivy’s ears as she daringly met his gaze before the rush of tears followed next. She cried all her disappointment and fears away in his arms as he held her tightly.

“You did very well Vivi. You made the best decision you could… The rest was out of your control…” Jeremy tried to comfort her.

“I’m sorry I always give you trouble…” Ivy said amid her sobs as he wiped away her tears.

“I promised I would be your guard. Always will be… So, here I am to keep you safe. Stay here all you want but don’t forget to eat. I will make arrangements for you to stay here.” He comforted her as she began to calm down realising he knew all along she was here.

“How did you know I was here?” She asked as he chuckled. “There’s CCTV outside Vivi.” He reminded her as she blinked for a moment realising she must have been very exhausted earlier to not recall.

“I will head home tomorrow after fishing with Marcel.” She informed as he nodded. “You decide… I will have my people following to keep you both safe.”

“Why can’t it be you? Are you leaving again? How bad are things now?” She questioned worriedly as he smiled and gently combed her hair.

“It’s complicated at the moment… I will tell you another day. I promise I will return to see you at night if I can…” He coaxed but failed miserably as she clung to him.

“No, don’t go… Just don’t Jere…” She began to sob again as he held her in bed.

“I won’t go… Sleep… I will be here…” He gently patted her back as she clung to him tightly hoping he was telling the truth but she knew when morning came, she would have to wake up all alone.

To her surprise, on the contrary, he did not leave but was still asleep by her side the next morning when she kissed him awake.

“Morning Vivi…” He greeted her as she smiled and hugged him happily. “You kept your promise.” She whispered lazily.

“Not for long Vivi… Let’s get you home to prepare for your fishing ride with Marcel.”

“No! I want to stay with you the whole day long… I will cancel it…” She protested which sent him laughing at her adorable self.

“Vivi, I have stuff to do.” That line alone from him was enough to pull her back to reality as she pouted and was on the verge of tearing up again. She could not bring herself to control her emotions in front of him anymore.

“But I promise you I will be back again at night. So, go ahead and enjoy yourself…” He stole several kisses to coax her before she finally agreed as he brought her down to the car and only to part with her when they reached the main entrance of his house after a long while taking Jeremy a lot of effort to coax her to head in without him.

When Marcel came to pick her up from Rahi’s house, he felt surreal. He used to pick Jason up from there after his visits to his grandma and mother. Now picking Ivy up for a casual outing made him feel strange.

“Good morning!” Ivy greeted cheerfully as Marcel started driving.

“Good morning…” He said in a little less formal tone.

An awkward silence made it too uncomfortable for Ivy.

“Are you always this quiet or was it cause back then Jason needed the tranquility to think about work?” Ivy randomly asked as Marcel realised she was no longer avoiding or uncomfortable talking about Jason.

“Sorry, are you still not comfortable with me or about talking about Jason?” Ivy asked noticing Marcel was thinking a lot but not speaking his thoughts out.

“No. It's fine.” Marcel said as Ivy sighed in defeat trying to get him to talk more than a few words.

“You could be like before.” He began as Ivy raised an eyebrow.

“You know… With the questions…” Marcel said reminding her of times when she would barge into the car and question him about anything.

“I’m surprised you remembered..” She chuckled.

“On anything? Are you sure?” She questioned with her right index finger and thumb supporting her chin. He chuckled nervously, slightly in regret as he nodded hesitantly.

“Then here it comes… Why are you single? Or are you actually dating someone?” Marcel smiled widely as he shook his head in disbelief before ending up laughing with her.

“What? You said anything…” Ivy clarified as he continued laughing.

“You're undeniably good at prying.” She laughed at his comment.

“Thank you. So, what's your answer? Come on must you be this private even with me?” She questioned.

“No… Just that she passed on in an accident. So, it wasn't always appropriate to tell, you see.” He nonchalantly talked about it.

“I'm sorry. I… I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know… Jason had never said anything…” Ivy apologised realising her huge mistake.

“No, don't be. It was way long ago when I first met Jason and how I could focus on the job, distracted away from the grief, and not constantly think of her or even the car accident.” He explained.

“I’m very sorry… I could relate. I…” She apologised again sincerely.

He laughed. “Don't be Ivy. Please don't. It's really alright. But when Jason’s accident happened, I didn’t expect it to happen to you. I was very worried for you cause I could relate like you do. Guess you turn out to be stronger than I expected and the one we were supposed to be worried of the most was Nick.” Marcel for the first time spoke a lot which made Ivy smile listening to him.