Ivy met Ray’s gaze as he raised an eyebrow. “You’re deviating from our topic, aren’t you?” He asked as Ivy laughed heartily for being caught.

  “Well, the conclusion was that Nick and I could never be together due to the knot in the past. I do not want him to be thought of as having Jason’s leftovers twice for lack of a better phrase.” Ivy explained.

  “Even if we did happen, a part of us is so intertwined with the past with Jason and Nancy that almost every move reminded me of them. I just can’t…” She shrugged.

  “I'm not going to lecture you like you do with Ryu the girl charmer, love expert if you want to call him that…” They giggled together.

  “Are you still going to keep your marriage promise?” He asked as she nodded a little slow as though she was skeptical but she was trying to determine the direction of Ray’s question.

  “If you're ever still not sure, perhaps try another kiss when he is released by then.” Ray chuckled as Ivy managed a smile. Ivy eased into his embrace.

  “I really don't know about this Ray. I don't want anything to change between me and him. What if it's an adverse result? What if as we progress by then it just feels wrong? What if he or I changed by then?” Ivy slowly explained her thoughts.

  “If you want an honest answer from me… After all that you have both been through, whatever he puts you through now is just an act. So, take all the time you need. You can start university for a start. Meet someone else like you promised him and you will certainly know the difference by then if anything changes. Stop skipping lessons and burn the midnight oil just to catch up on lessons or else house arrest would bore you to death.” Ray urged as Ivy laughed at being caught again.

  “Right, classes. We have to focus on that.” Ivy mumbled.

  “I'm tired. So so tired. I don't think I can manage classes anymore. I'm getting old.” She whined sending Ray laughed.

  “Yes, you can. You’re Ivy! Even I still have to pick back studies on business management. Dad really wants all of us with certified qualifications despite each of our capabilities…” Ray reminded as she rolled her eyes.

  “I know I know…” She hugged him to stop him from nagging further.

  “Why are you stealing so much time from someone else fiance? Can't you just find someone else? Where are your blind dates?” Ryu complained as he ambushed them both. Ray laughed knowing the bickering was about to start. He held Ivy around him hoping she would not retaliate and just sleep but to no avail.

  “Who are you to whine when we help you chase your girlfriend?” Ivy retaliated while scoffing as Ryu sat beside them.

  “Oh, oh so that's where you want to go. Then, why don't you quickly study and graduate so that you can be married too and experience what’s it like?” Ryu challenged right when Jonathan barged out of the room and headed for them on the balcony with Ivy’s comfort plushie which had turned into his.

  Ray stood to carry him with open arms noticing Nick had just arrived by an open lift when Peter walked out of his room in time to catch Ivy and Ryu bickering. Even Hazel came downstairs with Joseph in her arms.

  “Why is that even your problem? I want to raise a complaint to your fans that you're bullying your sister!” Ivy retaliated loudly.

  “Right, go ahead! See who will believe you! They are my fans, not yours! Hmph!” Ryu retaliated as Jonathan thought it was fun and began to join in yelling with them.

  Ivy stood and covered Jonathan’s mouth before retaliating with Ryu.

  “I will now. I kept them at peace. I will make sure they create chaos!” Ivy laughed as Jonathan’s muffled voice was comical which ended their bickering as Ryu laughed as well.

  “You two are just never-ending bickers. Look at Jonathan trying to be a peacemaker here. Could you two grow up, please?” Ray whined as Peter walked over with Nick before Daisy, their old dog joined in the fun and lured Jonathan to her.

  “Right, it's late… What are you all bickering about? The kids need to sleep. Besides, you have a guest.” Everyone knew Peter was being cordial with Ivy cause Nick was around.

  Ivy was surprised to find Nick standing next to Peter as she was engrossed in the argument earlier. She nodded with a courtesy smile before ushering him to the balcony as everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

  She was holding the plushie Jonathan had left. It was the one she had gotten from Nick long ago when he first attempted to kill himself. It was meant for Nancy at first. End up now it became one of Jonathan’s comfort toys to accompany him sleep and ward off his nightmares.

  Nick smiled while messing up her hair and she let him as usual. “You’re much better now it seems…” He said as she sighed in relief thinking he was about to lecture her.

  “Now, tell me which spy sends you to dig information out of me?” She pointed at him and spoke in a comical voice as he laughed.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “No one Ivy…” He said gently while opening up his tablet to show her the completed sketch of phase two of the old town in Manes.

  The refined detailed design was captivating and she knew it was Jeremy’s work. She did not expect Jeremy to complete the designs after he showed her that night.

  “How… How did you get this?” She stuttered while admiring the graphics as she held the tablet.

  “Who else if it’s not your fiance? Isn’t this your engagement gift?” He reminded as Ivy met with his gaze skeptically as though knowing something was hidden. She forcefully wiped her tears away.

  “Tell me… What exactly is it you’re hiding?” Ivy said solemnly as he chuckled.

  “Nothing gets past you easily isn’t it?” Nick sighed as he gently patted her head to comfort her.

  “I promise I will overlook this project with the team. I want you to be at ease. That’s why I’m here to show you the end product before it’s completed. When it’s complete, I will ensure you’re there for the relaunching. By then, make sure you practice a song you composed specially for the occasion… It’s a gift from all the important men who love you, Ivy.” Ivy squinted her eyes at this point at him for colliding with her father.

  “I know… Before you get any more furious, listen to me. This isn’t just your engagement gift but a memoir for Jason. I would never jeopardise anything of that worth Ivy. I want you to make us all proud like you did previously in business but this time, in studies too. This should be easy isn’t it?” Ivy relaxed a little at his coaxing as she finally nodded in agreement.

  “You’re going to pay for this…” Ivy warned with a plot in mind as Nick chuckled.

  “I’m very happy for you Ivy…” Nick added sincerely.

  “So do I… Look how far we have come? Little did I expect it to be Phyllis but I am so very glad it’s her at the same time.” Ivy told him sincerely.

  “I never knew it would be Jeremy. Honestly… Another Rahi?” They both ended up in laughter.

  “I think I owe you an explanation…” He continued solemnly while clearing his throat. Ivy raised an eyebrow at the sudden awkwardness.

  “I didn’t want to ask you to date because it seems like it’s not appropriate and that we are in the same boat… Rather I wanted to test if we felt the same way about each other that the kiss happened… I’m sorry…” He apologised as Ivy smiled.

  “Just how long were you standing there just now to eavesdrop on the conversation?” She mumbled as he laughed. “Sorry… quite awhile…” He said as she blushed a little.

  “I understand. I’m happy for you. Just make sure always to be alert and keep yourself safe. Like I said before, a hug would suffice, Nick. Always…” Ivy hugged him as he wrapped her in his arm and smiled knowing they both had reached a concurrence that it was never their destiny in this life.

  Over the next few weeks, Ivy tried hard to get through to Jeremy, who surprisingly turned down every visit and parole she threw his way. She sat by the bench outside of the orphanage home she was entrusted with, trying to bring herself to step into the home where she had been watching from afar guiltily.

  The joy of the children screaming while playing in the yard somehow always managed to bring tears to her eyes unwillingly as she recalled vividly almost the majority of the children’s background.

  Ingrid was the one that struck her the most. Her mother received the same fate as the rest of the children and succumbed to her delivery injuries. Her father was one of the victims in the bombing of the children's shelter as he was working under Charles and Kerala. Her next of kin was no one. Absolutely no one as Kerala had ensured her father’s family be killed off to repay her father’s debt to the gang. Her mother was sold into slavery.

  Ivy could not send Ingrid back to such a family background as she forced herself to stay strong but to no avail. It was another day of failure for her to take that step into the home.

  There was a very young baby whom they had named her Angel. When the home found her, she was only a few months old in a wheel burrow in the heavy rain. Her resilience reminded Ivy of her own but Angel’s was deafening and dampening her courage as she drowned herself in guilt daily.

  Because of drug abuse, several children were suffering from Down syndrome and other sicknesses. She was grateful for those victims who survived the cruel prostitution den and were willing to help out in the home to take care of all these poor souls while their lodgings and meals were taken care of as well. She knew very well that the reputation of the home in the eye of the public was related to gangsterism and very rare anyone would dare to come and adopt any of the innocent children.

  Ivy held herself in each of the children’s shoes. She knew they were too young to understand anything yet and her only worry was when the children grew older to understand things, some if not all would somehow turn their back on her and her family. She was also concerned that their background would impact them in school.

  Fortunately, the will hearing which still left her in a shocking state was a great help to her plan. One thing was for sure, all those victims and their families would be well taken care of. She finally understood the task assigned by John this time as the old ones knew she would be capable of handling the situation eventually as it was the closure she was seeking. Coming up with solutions to her challenging decisions with that sum of money she inherited from Charles unwillingly, was meant to be.

  She had decided to start a new school in the orphanage home to minimise the outcast matters among the public schools. She was contemplating for Jonathan to join but he seemed fine in the city’s school at the moment that she did not bring up the matter to Ray and Hazel.

  As she sat by her dressing table one night, she finally decided to write letters to Jeremy instead to vent all that had cooped up in her.

  7th week

  Jere,

  I have been counting down since the day you were taken away from me. I tried all ways to meet you but yet all I got were rejections.

  Why?

  Haven’t you made me so many promises? Was it cause I haven’t fulfilled mine? I will meet someone for a date but I have been too busy completing tasks from the old folks and juggling house arrests too.

  Could you just at least meet me once to talk? To let me see just how you’re doing? Don’t you want to know what tasks or house arrests were about?

  I know I’m not qualified yet to defend your early release in court but even just a brief meeting with me, you’re refusing? Are you trying to push me away for good?

  Well, let me tell you, I’m extremely rich now with the inheritance from Charles. Could you imagine just how much I have? 700 Million, Jere! Never in my life had I thought I would be richer than my father or your father or even combined.

  I’m spending them on the orphanage home but I couldn’t seem to bring myself to greet the poor souls there, Jere. How do you heal broken souls? Just how do you grow past this guilt and provide more than just monetary items?

  So, are you still going to ignore me? I have all you need for the rest of your life and even with the boys. All you have to do is stop rejecting the appeals and meet me!

  Vi