Chapter 22.2: A warm listening ear
A very pretty lady appeared at the doorway and squatted to pat Lucky. It wasn't someone she knew or saw before as the lady stood and was surprised to see Ivy in the house.
"Oh hi… who are you? Jason's employee? Are you here to take a document?" She asked Ivy who had to think of an excuse in the midst of an awkward situation.
"Err… you're?" Ivy stuttered asking her.
"I'm Daisy… Jason's mother. You must be his new staff?" Daisy asked while she placed the bags of groceries on the dining table.
Ivy was nervous as she quickly grabbed a yellow file from the sofa she left and decided to leave instead. "Yes… I got to head back to the office with the documents." Ivy said as she excused herself while Daisy was busy putting the groceries into the cupboards and refrigerator. "Alright, see you! Drive safely!"
Daisy stood by the kitchen window and watched Ivy. She knew who she was and wondered how she knew Jason and ended up working with her son. Daisy wondered if her grandma's business fortune wasn't enough for her to survive as she called Jason and interrogated Jason over the phone.
"How come you know who spicy chilli noodle grandma's granddaughter, darling? Are you dating her?" Daisy chirped over the phone when Jason answered. Jason, upon hearing his mother's greeting verse, knew she must have seen Ivy in the house.
"She works for me… Why?" Jason tried to sound calm although his heart was pounding while he put his mother on loudspeaker to type a text message to Ivy asking where she was.
"Works for you? She has a fortune yet she needs to work? Come on, darling. Tell mummy, are you dating her?" Daisy teased while giggling which Jason couldn't help but to smile a little.
"Mum, she needs experience too isn't it? No, I'm not dating her." Jason smiled even wider at the last line thinking if only his mother knew the truth. "Really?" His mother teased even more.
"Mum, what are you doing in the house?" Jason asked abruptly, trying to change the topic. "Sending you groceries… Oh, don't worry she left with the documents you needed. Alright, son I will get back to cleaning your house and preparing you dinner. Come home early, yes…" Daisy said.
"Mum, I have meetings tonight with a client. You don't have to prepare anything mum." Jason quickly said as he recalled he invited Ivy to stay over for the whole week.
"Alright, alright. I will keep the dishes in the fridge. Just heat them up when you're home alright? Eating outside food isn't always healthy, son." Daisy nagged as Jason held his head and rolled his eyes knowing he can never beat his mother.
"Alright mum. Got to go. Love you!" He quickly said as he wanted to call Ivy but his mother stopped him.
"Son, come back this weekend. You haven't been back for a long time…Your granny misses you too..." His mother said in a sad tone as his heart ache missing both of them too but he knew this week he has been too packed. "Next weekend, maybe. I have to travel for business over this weekend…" He said sadly.
"Alright! Bring her along!" Daisy cheered before hanging up leaving Jason with no choice to reject as he sighed. He was about to dial Ivy's number when he heard rushing footsteps approaching his office and saw her running towards him.
He greeted her half way as she entered his office while the door swing opened and closed itself back in the midst of Ivy panting heavily. She looked so pale from the shock while catching her breath trying to explain to Jason the entire situation.
"Your mum…" Ivy managed to say before hastily catching her breath. "Is…" Ivy attempted to explain further but instead she squatted and breathed faster.
Jason was glad she made it to find him this time as he subconsciously pulled her in for a hug while she squatted. When he noticed his subconscious act, he was glad his office window shades were closed but Nancy caught sight of the entire scene as she peeped through an opening. Nancy was furious but she remembered Ivy's promise and calmed herself down before heading back to her work assignments.
"I know… She called me. Why were you home so early?" Jason asked while he rubbed Ivy's back to help her calm down as she was still panting.
"Miss me?" He teased as Ivy eyes widened looking at him which turned her pants into hiccups. "How did he know it?" Ivy questioned herself while hiccuping occasionally.
"Oh dear… Come sit here. I will fetch you a glass of water." Jason chuckled on the way to the pantry leaving Ivy stunned at his second question while fighting to control her hiccups.
Ivy was still hiccuping when Jason came back with her glass of water as she drank it halfway and choked fighting her hiccups. Jason quickly took some tissues for her while he grabbed the glass of water away.
"Slowly… Did you run all the way up here? There's a lift you know." He joked as Ivy finally laughed and smacked him.
"Stupid…" She scolded as she rolled her eyes. She noticed her hiccups had stopped thanks to the laughter earlier. "Your mother came over. I just told her I was your staff and left taking my stuff. Did she say anything about me to you?" Ivy asked curiously while still wiping her mouth.
"I know… she called me… Anyway, sorry we have to stay late cause I know she will be cooking although I told her not to. Late as in nearly midnight as she will wait till ten and she needs to sleep by eleven because it's her usual bedtime… I know I invited you …" Jason wanted to explain further but she held his hand to stop him from explaining further.
"I get it. It's alright…Do you want to head home and see her for a while? I can always drive over once she leaves… I will stay here while waiting. We can start the tutor session here and while I practice, you can leave to see her... I will pack dinner first?" Ivy offered as he nodded. They both smiled in unison as they understood each other's unspoken predicaments easily.
Ivy had been staying over for the entire week to accommodate his busy schedule ahead. Jason had been in and out of discussions with his clients and giving talks everywhere that on Wednesday night he decided to take a break from tutoring Ivy. Besides, he was furious with a competitor who recently accused his booming business for snatching away their clients when in actual fact, the commercials advertisement were effective and the credit was all due to Ivy who had been drafting several business proposals previously and preparation for his presentation slides that he picked up her ideas proposed to his other clients and implemented them on his own.
"Ivy?" Jason knocked on her room door.
Ivy heard a knock but she wasn't sure if it was as she was listening to her songs blasting in bed while reading a crime novel for an idea to write during exam. Her mind reminded her that her mid-year exam was in the following month and she should always prepare earlier as she might travel more on weekends lately. Besides, it was raining so heavily outside that she loved the warmth under the blanket.
"Ivy?" Jason knocked louder this time. She instantly got out of bed and went to answer the door half annoyed.
"Jason? Sorry I didn't hear you knocking." Ivy explained as Jason saw her novel and music player lying on the bed.
"Yes?" Ivy asked while watching him look inside the room quietly.
"I ... Was thinking if you wanna go out perhaps or..." Jason was trying to get the raging issues in office off his mind but he couldn't find a reason to invite Ivy to accompany him.
"Alright. To where?" Ivy asked as the thunder rumbled.
"Do you have any idea?" Jason asked in return.
"I frankly don't wanna head out. It's raining heavily you see." Ivy folded her arms.
"Erm hmm alright actually I don't wanna head out too but you should take a break from studying." Jason attempted to create excuses to get her company.
"I wasn't. I was just finding an idea to write during the exam, that's all. Anyway, chess?" Ivy offered as he shook his head. "Too taxing." He waved his hand indicating his rejection.
"Board games? Movies? Checkers?" Ivy suggested.
"Hmm... Not really ..." Jason didn't feel like doing any of it as all he wanted to was to vent to her but he had been hesitating to tell her the truth for fear she would reject him.
"Then what?" Ivy got frustrated but told herself to hold back her anger as he didn't look like he was trying to pull a prank on her.
"You're acting really strange. What's going on?" Ivy asked gently as she finally realised he wasn't his usual self and something must have bothered him.
Jason kept quiet knowing she had started to notice his ulterior motive.
"Alright, alright. We will make some tea and head to the balcony?" Ivy offered as he nodded and smiled.
As Jason followed her to the kitchen and helped out on brewing tea, he quickly grabbed a packet of her favorite cookie along.
"Ah, the rain. So dandy yet scary." Ivy commented as she sipped her tea. He offered her the cookie he brought with him and watched her munch the first piece.
Jason smiled watching the rain once again with her. It felt good with her around as he recalled the first time they met, it rained heavily too.
"So, what's with you? It's not much of your usual self though." Ivy tried coaxing while putting down her cup of tea and faced him.
"I didn't bug you to tell me this either. I was trying to take my mind off those things." He mumbled but she could still make out what he said.
"Running away isn't helping. Hiding, isn't either. Come on, tell me. I may not be ideal in helping but at least I could lend some time and my ears to you." Ivy said as she pulled her ears longer and made Jason laugh.