"It bothers you doesn't it?" Peter questioned knowing over these two years no matter how he stopped Ivy from meddling with work and studies, she had been going against him to the end of the world.
"You, of all of my children, was the least I expected to come across… violence and death so often. Ai Lee, it felt as though the more I wanted to keep you protected to give you a good life, the more you became the one who had gone through all that I feared you would." He explained as Ivy's watery gaze fell to the ground.
Seeing her deep in her thoughts, he decided to tell her a story of his encounter, which he had never shared with anyone since he had woken from his coma.
"When I was deep in a long sleep… I met with Auntie Lenny…" He began as she dragged her gaze back at Peter after blinking dry her tears.
"I was at peace with life when I walked that white path with her and reminisced about our past. It was too hard to explain how the gravity of peacefulness just nearly pulled me along with it. Hauntingly whispering its comfort to me, telling me that everything will be alright here," Peter explained calmly.
Her eyes welled with flowing tears this time knowing he must have walked the path of near-death experience.
"We spoke about how well I had trained the boys to run the company while they juggled with their studies. In my heart, I was at ease knowing with your brothers' support, you would be fine even if Jeremy were not acting…" He continued as he sipped another cup of tea but Ivy was still quiet.
"She was still lamenting about being unable to see you but was glad to learn I have found you Ai Lee. It was so hard to resist that heavenly realm of peace. I nearly was convinced but that was when I saw your Grandma. She was so pretty like she was during her prime time. Guess you got your genes from your mother after all and her…" He cleared his throat as he was reminded how Charles was driven to death. Ivy could tell Peter must be thinking of Charles with the distant look in his eyes as she sighed knowing he was self-blaming.
"Grandma said to me in Inklong language… Maigan kigi. Mhmkan likau sisa. Ai Lee ailu lukau…" He said while holding back his tears and inhaled sharply as Ivy wiped her tears away.
She knew how much her grandma loved her but she never knew she would be the one who returned her father to life by telling him not to go as it was not his time yet and that Ivy needed him.
Ivy realised deep down that she indeed needed him. Though she had rebelled against him for years now, she longed to be pampered by him like he did when they first met. She knew all that he was doing and the restrictions were for her own good and safety after all that she had gone through but yet sometimes, human loves each other in a different way.
"It's not your fault Ai Lee on your uncle's death. It was all the adult's mistakes… You didn't have to uphold all the burden on yourself." Peter comforted her as she sobbed in front of him.
"It's not your fault too." She said with her cracked voice and finally was her first sentence to him in a long while. It delighted him as she left behind all her ego and went to hug him. She sobbed in his arms and let go of all that she had been holding in that night as he comforted her.
10 days before 3rd year -
I had to write to you tonight about this, Jere. After nearly two years Dad had been upset with me and I was rebelling against him, I think we both finally gave each other a little break tonight.
With him telling me his near-death experience, I opened up to him about the little paracosm I had shared with you. He was too tired to continue listening to more though he was very intrigued that he didn't mind losing to me in chess tonight as usual.
Guess from now on I will get to play more chess with him and share about my little world. For once, it would not be so hard to attend the family dinner cause now I know the reason he returned to life was cause Grandma told him I needed him.
It was indeed true but I need you too, Jere.
It had been two years since Jeremy last held Ivy in her arms. Occasionally receiving letters from her felt good to know he was still in her heart coupled with news from Ray, Real, and Chiang about their good lives, he felt he had made the best decision back then. However, his journey in getting closer to Kyle who was still held captive in a different cell in another city, made him contemplate if he needed to serve his seven years before he could see Kyle. He knew Kyle was also purposely avoiding him that he did not want to yield to get his sentence lightened.
It remained a mystery the location of his baby with Melissa. All Jeremy could hope was for a miracle that the baby was in good hands and had survived well. The longer he stalled his moves to get himself closer to Kyle, the higher the chance for the baby to not make it if he or she was already in danger.
5th day of 3rd year -
Hey, it's a new year. I'm in my last year of law and the second year of my business degree. I believe I could excel very well, Jere. So, I decided to expand your little bar business into another branch in Landsfield.
No one could guess the main owner behind this was you. Besides, the grand opening was done by the original branch manager, Henli. I let him hire who he wanted and let him run like it was his. I even made him a minority shareholder. I am still holding on to the majority of the shareholding for you to return and inherit them. No matter what, I will ensure even if Henli messes it up, I will return the business in one piece to you cause it was your first genuine income.
Despite being able to excel and ensure so many things are in order, there is still one thing I really cannot come to terms with.
Xylo's death anniversary is near and though it's already the second one, he left behind a very frail grandma. No matter what I offered and what I said or did, she just refused to barge from that old house which seemed to have held all the memories of Xylo perhaps. Even then, she refuses any help. Here, the resentment I thought would lessen over time only for it to stubbornly still stand strong. Fortunately, the welfare team was monitoring her, and guess what?
Kerala's grandma surprised me when she reached out to Xylo's grandma. She was my only access to know Xylo's grandma lacks anything and secretly let Kerala's grandma to supply to her.
Kerala's grandma only wish was to receive a packet of rice personally harvested by those in the restricted welfare home from Kerala when he was out of jail. She knew he would definitely be detained by me in there for a while as she knew his rebelling behavior very well.
Kerala's grandma was once like Xylo's. Refused our help and resented but if it wasn't for us to save her from a near-death situation back then when she slipped and fell, I doubt I would have this opportunity to be offering her all the goodness in life.
Sometimes, life throws surprises at unexpected events and timing. I am only hoping for that to come soon for Xylo's grandma. I could feel like time was not at her side anymore.
If this were for you to handle, what would you do Jere?
Ivy had a call from Ching Long unexpectedly the next morning. It took her a while to regain her composure before heading down for breakfast with Peter, Jin, and Cassandra. The house had become slightly quieter since Ray shifted the boys and Hazel over to Manes to stay in Ivy's grandma's house with Ryu. Ray had decided to let Hazel help out with Auntie Soh at the chilli noodles store while he helped out Nick at the consulting firm overseeing matters of OphalRahi holdings which was managed by Marcel and Real alongside Chiang and the professionals.
"Dad, I have to head to Manes…" Peter frowned at Ivy's sudden announcement.
"Hazel's father might pass on soon…" Ivy said solemnly as Peter instantly put down his porcelain spoon and sighed.
"Make sure you look after yourself too. Bring the boys home if it's too much there." Peter advised as Cassie gently patted her hand.
"Let me know if you need help…" Cassie offered as Ivy nodded while sharing a sad smile with Jin.
After breakfast, she drove to Ching Long to collect the gift for Hazel before she drove another hour and a half to Manes. She knew this time she had to be the one who conveyed the message to Hazel as her father had been under her welfare care. She convinced herself to not be irresponsible like before.
It had been a month since Jonathan went to school and the family decided in the end to put the brothers in Manes instead of Landsfield to keep Hazel accompanied. Besides, it was more low profile in the small town where the boys could mingle freely with their friends and not worry about gossip in the news. Another thing was the family worried the boys would become victims of bullies if they were schooled in Landsfield unless they were older and were able to defend themselves.
Jonathan came home upset that afternoon and flopped down the stairs when Ivy walked up to him with Joseph and two puppies, Goldie and Caramel.
"Jon, Jon! You're home!" Ivy squealed.
Goldie and Caramel were the two out of eight offsprings of Lucky and Daisy. One was given away to Nick and Phyllis while two were left with Lucky and Daisy. The last three were supposed to be in Landsfield at Ophals' home but Peter decided to let them be at Ivy's orphanage home instead.
Hazel tried to coax Jonathan to let go of his school bag when both puppies were busy jumping on him before he lay back on the ground half hugging Ivy's leg with a pout while Joseph gently combed Jonathan's hair.
"Tough on you… Good job Hazel…" Ivy greeted as Hazel sighed tiredly.
"Good to see you Ivy…" Hazel greeted while catching her breath.
"Here…" Hazel gave Ivy the grade C exam paper for maths to Ivy before rushing to help Ray in the kitchen to set the table for lunch. Ivy nodded to Hazel in acknowledgment of their predicaments as Ivy decided to delay her news for a while.
"What happened Jon Jon? Why are you so upset? Are you not happy to see me?" Ivy pretended to ask as she carried him to the couch instead and cuddled him in her arms with Joseph sitting by her side. Jonathan hugged her tightly and she knew how much this boy had missed her as she kissed his forehead.
"Vivi Yiyi, why is the exam so hard?" Jonathan whined.
"Is that so? Isn't everything also an exam? It's more like whether you know it or are still learning about it. See every day you decide what to eat and what to wear. Aren't all these like a part of your exam questions?" Ivy asked both boys.
Both brothers nodded. "They are easy 'cause you know the answers. What if you need to decide if the sky will rain or not today? Harder right?" They nodded again.
"So, that's why you have news to tell you whether it will rain or not. You also can bring an umbrella out just in case it rains. Enough preparation will prevent you from getting caught in the rain isn't it?" Ivy asked as they nodded.
"So, there's no point being upset over this." She showed him the C-grade maths paper.
"Instead, you need to study to understand. Once you understand, this C will become an A!" She cheered which made Joseph excited as he went to play with the two retrievers for a bit. Ivy knew Jonathan was still upset seeing how he was frowning, trying to make a connection to his trials.
Jonathan sighed in the end as he climbed onto Ivy to cuddle more. "But it's so hard…" He whined, this time nearly in tears.
"Let me teach you then. Maths is important so that next time if someone wants to cheat you out of your money, you could cheat them back two to three times the amount." Jonathan laughed at Ivy's lesson before Hazel called them over to wash their hands and have lunch.
"Thank you…" Hazel quickly whispered as Ivy winked and smiled. "Small matter."
"Don't you have work today?" Hazel asked as Ivy just smiled with hidden meaning.
"Slacking?" Hazel teased as Ivy shook her head.
"Not really… I am here to tell you both something." Ivy said while helping Joseph up the chair.
"Ah, what is it?" Hazel asked absentmindedly while Ray frowned knowing something was off.
Ray coaxed the boys to eat first as he led the ladies outside in the glass house. "What is it?" Ray asked while frowning. Ivy made Hazel sit first before taking the bag of rice and passing it to Hazel.
"Who is this from?" Hazel asked in surprise thinking it might be one of her lady friends in the welfare who still remembered her but seeing Ivy's hesitation, someone crossed her mind.
"It's the first and might be the last from your father, Hazel. Everyone was asked to harvest a bag for their loved ones during this festive season and he ended up wanting to give it to you." Ivy conveyed while watching Hazel fall into despair as Ray comforted her.