Chapter 32: Drowning in guilt
Night quickly dawned upon the skies while Jason was busy being introduced by Ryu to the various projects Ophal real estate was working with in different sites the whole day. This was so that Jason had a better idea of not just who but also the quality and locations of projects he was going to help them push for sales in future.
"Would you like to grab dinner together?" Jason offered Ryu who was driving.
Ryu peered at the digital clock on the car board which showed it was nearly eight.
"Sorry, got to take a rain check for this as our house's maid would have prepared meals for us. Would you like to join us for dinner instead?" Ryu asked as Jason shook his head.
"It's alright… It would be too much of a hassle for your house's maid to prepare at the last minute. I shall just dine in the hotel then…" Jason said with a smile as Ryu nodded.
Jason's mind drifted to Ivy as he couldn't help but to miss her. He wondered if she had taken good care of herself while he was away. Although he was tempted to reply to her messages, he knew she would instantly call him, which he didn't want to happen, especially around Ryu.
"How close are you to getting information about my sister?" Ryu asked eagerly in their momentarily silence as Jason tried to keep himself composed.
"Quite close… Give me a few days. I hope to get her location before I leave…" Jason said solemnly as Ryu nodded.
"That would be great… My dad would be very relieved as he could finally meet up with his long lost daughter…" Ryu said with a sad smile. It made Jason wonder if Peter missed Ivy so much all along hoping to see her, he would have gone all out when his in law passed away news were all over the newspaper.
"Doesn't Peter want to at least once attempt to make contact with his in-laws despite the restraining order?" Jason questioned.
Ryu let out a sigh as he supported his tilted head with a right arm by the car's window panel.
"My dad doted on my sister so much that he didn't wish anything could possibly jeopardise the chance for them to meet again. When he saw the news of grandma passing, he wanted so much to reach out but was also afraid my step mother would be so upset with his attendance. Hence, he could only keep all his grievance and sadness to himself…Ever since my mother passed away, we have tried to keep him company as always but somehow we knew he always had Ai Lee in mind; hoping someday the whole family would reunite." Ryu explained calmly as he stopped at a traffic light.
Jason felt bad for Peter and Ivy. He felt guiltier against Ivy knowing her biological mother didnt even turn up for her own mother's funeral. He knew he had to give in for both father and daughter to have a happy reunion. After all, he only wanted Ivy to stay happy.
"Anyway, we are also glad that with the merger, at least dad's wish can be fulfilled. He always hoped for Ai Lee to take over but was worried it would be too tough on her. Hence, he always wanted to set up an advisory division… Guess that's why he was willing to merge with Rahi's consulting and let you handle advisory matters on real estate as well as launching events for us other than for your existing clients while we supply your company with resources…" Ryu explained while he continued to drive as Jason too felt relief at the idea.
"I should be very grateful for this decision…" Jason said as Ryu chuckled and patted his shoulder.
In the moment of silence, Ryu was reminded of Ivy. "How's Ivy doing?" Ryu asked abruptly which took Jason by surprise and had to keep himself composed once again as he told himself in mind that Ryu didn't know it was the same person.
"She's doing fine." Jason paused for a moment but Ryu was waiting for him to continue.
"At work at least…" Jason continued as he smiled while Ryu chuckled which made Jason relaxed a little. "I believe she is a smart bookworm… Nothing she couldn't resolve." Ryu sang the praises of Ivy.
"I heard from her that she had to prepare for her finals soon…" Jason added as Ryu nodded.
"So are the three of us… Soon Ray would go over to Manes for foundation. Hopefully, we could get Ai Lee to stay by dad's side. Otherwise, with my busy schedule due to the national basketball team, Jin would be too burden to keep dad accompanied alone and manage work as well…" Ryu lamented while taking a turn to the left and stopped at the hotel lobby.
"Fingers crossed… Have a good rest. I will see you tomorrow…" Jason said as he opened the passenger door to alight.
"Good night… I will fetch you at nine and we will head to a few more sites…" Ryu said as Jason peeked into the passenger seat while standing outside the car.
"Don't you have classes to attend?" Jason asked as Ryu nodded. "Go ahead for your classes, I will see myself there then. Text me the addresses later…" Jason offered.
"You're sure?" Ryu asked as Jason nodded. Ryu gave it a thought and came up with an alternative instead as he was worried about leaving Jason all by himself. After all, he was very new to the business.
"I will send our company's car over instead and assign you a driver. That would be more convenient…" Ryu offered as Jason nodded and smiled.
"Alright, thanks… See you then…" Jason said as he closed the car door watching Ryu waved at him before driving off.
Jason felt a sudden gloom was hovering over him as he made his way to his hotel room and ordered dinner. As he waited for dinner, his mind drifted back to Ivy but he wasn't in the mood at all to speak with her.
He was guilty and he felt bad for her but he missed her. He sighed as he called Marcel instead.
"Hey…Anything you want to update?" Jason asked when Marcel answered his call.
"Nothing much actually. We have already confirmed two talks next week; one on time management for Aska water company and stress management for William's advisory." Jason nodded and hummed in acknowledgement as he noted down in his diary.
"Mane's college motivational trip where you were invited to conduct their team building is also confirmed for next weekend…That was all…"Marcel updated as Jason sighed at the sound of Mane's college which reminded him of Ivy again.
"Alright… How's Nancy doing?" Jason quickly asked to distract himself.
"She's alright… Doing the administrative work as usual since Ivy didn't come in today although she did ask but there wasn't anything urgent for her to do. The accounts could wait till mid week for data entry…" Marcel updated as Jason closed his eyes and held his head at the sound of Ivy's name. The reason he chose to call Marcel was to avoid anything related to Ivy but it seemed wherever he chose, he still ended up hearing about Ivy.
After a long pause, Marcel could sense Jason must have a lot on mind.
"Jason…" Marcel called out which pulled Jason back from pondering further in his mind.
"You're alright? Still thinking about Ivy's issues?" Marcel asked and heard Jason sighed.
"Yes but I think before I leave this Friday I will just tell Peter the truth. Whether he wants to continue with the deal, it would be up to him… That way, it would be fair and I wouldn't feel this guilty every time I face Ivy…" Jason explained as Marcel sympathised with his circumstance.
"Well… It's up to you.." Marcel said while Jason's doorbell rang.
"Got to go.. dinner came… update me if there is anything else bro…" Jason said while walking to the front door before hanging up after hearing Marcel hum indicating an agreement.
In mind, he hesitated again to contact Ivy as he sat looking out the window, pondering all the worries on hand while nibbling over Ivy's favorite western food, mac and cheese; quietly missing her all by himself.