Chapter 39.1: Let me hold you a little while longer; just a little while more, alright

Jason on the other hand was about to be discharged from the hospital. His mother and grandmother were busy packing up for him. He had been staring at Ivy's caller ID for a long while when Daisy noticed her son was zoning out. Jason was contemplating on finding her tonight before Peter's arrival the next day after he read the message from him. He felt like it was his last chance to be her friend but he couldn't bring himself to press the call button as he didn't want to lose her at all but he needed to save his career which got him back to being frustrated than ever.

Daisy had noticed the caller ID's name and had a plan in mind as she helped him hit the call button and took the phone away from him. Before he could react, Ivy picked up.

"Hello?" Ivy put Jason on loudspeaker in the car as she typed away. "Hi, is this Ivy? I'm Daisy, Jason's mum…" Daisy spoke as Jason panicked and stood up but he realised it was too late as his mother had spoken to Ivy.

"Ye..Yes…Hi… Aun…Auntie…W…What is it th…that I…I can help you out w…with?" Ivy stopped typing abruptly as she stuttered and looked at Marcel who was raising an eyebrow at her while he drove.

"Oh.. It's like that… Jason has been busy packing and couldn't find time to convey this invitation to you. So, Auntie is telling you now that we are having a simple dinner tonight. Auntie was wondering if you could come and join us? I will send you the address in a while from Jason's mobile alright. See you, bye!" Daisy said without waiting for her reply as she quickly hung up and wanted to text her the address when Jason snatched his phone away. "Mummmm!" Jason whined as his grandma chuckled.

Daisy showed a very upset face at Jason. "Send her the address or I will pick her up personally tonight…"

"But mum, why is there dinner tonight? Even if there is, shouldn't it be just family members?" Jason whined as his grandmother stepped in to help out Daisy.

"Who said there isn't any dinner tonight? My grandson is discharged from the hospital and your useless younger brother said he was going to bring his so-called fiancee to see us tonight… You might as well bring your girlfriend too. You know how upset we will be whenever your younger brother is around…" His grandmother played along as Jason rolled his eyes and sighed before sending Ivy the address.

"Happy now?" He showed the message screen to both ladies who were smiling back at him.

"Hmmm… maybe that would be the best way to bid this farewell then…" He thought to himself. "Farewell…" He suddenly thought to himself as his eyes were stinging with tears before he quickly turned around to wipe them away when his mother and grandmother didn't notice.

Ivy on the other hand was shocked as Marcel laughed after a while. "You can't actually reject it right since it's from his mother? I'm sure his grandmother was there too… It's not a good idea to do so either… Well, finish up the proposal and bring it over to him instead to review personally?" Marcel winked to tease her as she sat back on the passenger seat trying to absorb everything that had happened.

She thanked her lucky stars for dressing appropriately today since she came from an exam and a meeting with a client. Hence, her formal dress with flats was decent for a first visit. However, Jason was nervous as though he was introducing his girlfriend to his family when in actual fact, it was a farewell only he knew. He was trying hard to keep himself composed the whole afternoon as he sat by the garden at his house and pace around nervously.

His mother knew Ivy's identity all the while and who her grandma was. Daisy was very fond of Ivy's grandma's noodles before this. The idea of having Jason to settle down with Ivy lingered in Daisy's mind for a long time but she knew Ivy was very young and she had to be more patient for that wishful thinking to happen as she smiled watching her restless son pacing in his grandmother's garden.

Ivy managed to finish her proposal before six and Marcel had already urged her to quickly drive over to Jason's house as it wouldn't be nice to make the elders wait although she was a guest. At the lobby of the office, she remembered to quickly pack two bouquets of carnations as she recalled Marcel telling her that his grandmother could be around during their phone call and perhaps it would be safer to pack two instead of one bouquet as a last minute door gift before rushing off to the car park.

It took her about twenty minutes to reach Jason's grandmother's house as the maid directed her to the garden where Jason was. She walked down the stairs quietly as she stood behind him and tapped on his shoulder with the bouquets and laptop bag in hand.

He turned around to look at her. He was mesmerised at her grown up, professional look as it was her first time wearing a coat over her dress.

"Hello…" She greeted shyly as he kept staring at her. "Is this appropriate?" Ivy asked politely as she tilted her head a little.

Jason smiled. "Yes. Absolutely." Ivy smiled in return as Jason stared a little longer.

"I didn't have much time earlier to change as I was rushing Mr. Jing's proposal. Marcel and I met him earlier. I might need to go over the proposal later as it's sort of urgent…" Ivy briefly explained as he frowned at the name of the client. He knew the person who decides the fate of the case was the person standing in front of him and he recalled she was supposed to be having exams this few days.

"Aren't you supposed to be having exams today and tomorrow? Why were you at work?" Jason nagged with a frown.

"It was an emergency… Don't worry, I have brought my laptop to discuss with you on the proposal and tomorrow's papers, you have already taught me. Whereas for Science, I have already revised with the lovebirds yesterday… Will do a little revision later tonight too…Don't worry alright?" She comforted gently as she watched his frown start to let loose a little.

"Shall we have a discussion tonight?" She asked to confirm their discussion as he nodded.

He was reminded of the main purpose he was staring at her caller ID and caused his mother to call her instead as he struggled to keep himself composed when he looked away momentarily. Ivy couldn't really tell why he was upset but she dismissed it as maybe because Mr. Jing was a tough case and she was determined to resolve it for him later.

"So, what should I call your grandmother?" She asked as she started walking towards his house while he trailed behind.

"Grandma." He said as he led her to the main door.

"Yes, grandma. What should I call her?" She asked again thinking he was clarifying.

"Grandma." He repeated. She stopped midway thinking he was fooling her as she snarled at him.

"What I meant is we both call her grandma." He chuckled as she rolled her eyes and smiled at his accidental tease.

"Thinking too much?" He teased while she kept smiling as they walked to the hallway.

She waited for Jason to walk in and was visible by everyone but instead Daisy's sharp eyes caught her insight instantly.

"Ivy!" Daisy called out from half of the hallway where everyone's attention directed to the couple who just entered. His grandma was delighted as she started to move towards them with Daisy. Jason tried reaching for Ivy but noticed she wasn't by his side as he turned behind him and saw her standing shyly behind him.

Jason walked towards her and persuaded her to come up closer to the living room as she hesitated a few times. Jason reached out to her left arm and pulled her in as he slipped his right arm at her waist.

"Oh no! Jason..." Ivy gasped as he held on to her hand and led her to meet his grandma.

"Easy there. Don't worry, I'm with you." He whispered in return as he tightened his grip at her waist.

"You must be Ivy!" Grandma gave a chuckle of satisfaction. "Grandma…" Ivy smiled and nodded as she passed her a bouquet of carnation before handing the other bouquet to Daisy and addressed her. "Auntie…"

"Young lady, we have been waiting for you to join us for a while now." Daisy said as Ivy smiled.

Jason's younger brother, Jeremy who was also a member of the underground mobster, was seated with his fiancee, Mable were eyeing on Ivy, their mysterious guest.

"It's good you finally came." Daisy laughed. "Come visit me more often with my grandson, yes?" Grandma patted her hand as Ivy had no choice but nodded to play along while Daisy laughed and Jason secretly smiled knowing his grandmother was very fond of Ivy.

"Alright let's have dinner... Come, come. I'm all hungry!" Grandma announced as everyone laughed and moved to the dining room.

"Come, honey. We have plenty for food today. Make sure to help finish them up!" Daisy's voice chimed across the hallway as she twirled towards the dining hall.

Ivy was still stiff from the introduction as Jason clung her right arm to his left arm. "You're so stiff, my dear. Chill. It's just dinner." He said aloud as he noticed Jeremy was watching them and hoping to eave drop their conversation.

Ivy relaxed a little and locked perfectly well into Jason's arm as she stepped closer to him while Jeremy walked past them.

"Why do I get that you're giving them the impression that I am your real girlfriend when it was not what I signed up for?" Ivy whispered as he led her slowly to the dining hall, knowing she had plenty to complain.

"Just follow the flow would you? Do me this favor well and I won't need to be bugged about marriage for good I hope." Jason whispered as he couldn't help but to smile. "Where is your dad?" Ivy managed to ask as Jason frowned. "He doesn't attend a meal when I am around. I am a rebel…"

"Seriously?!" Ivy hissed as they were seated and eyed on the pork liver soup. Jason didn't bother to reply to her as he saw her instantly grinning at the pork liver soup as it was one of her favorite foods and only her grandmother would cook that for her with lots of ginger back then.

Jason was helping himself to a bowl they shared as he kept helping himself to more and more liver while Ivy struggled to fight with him for more as she stuffed her mouth full; panicking he would finish including the servings on the main bowl. Daisy noticed they both were enjoying the liver soup so she decided to order the maid to serve them more.

"There, there. There's no need to fight. We have plenty. Min, could you please top up for sir and ma'am." Daisy ordered her petite Filipino maid.

"Yes ma'am." Min nodded as she went to the kitchen.

Ivy instantly blushed in embarrassment while Daisy smiled and nodded as she continued to join in Mable's conversation with grandma.

"Thought you didn't like weird food. Only Mac and cheese?" Jason teased. Min came back with a huge bowl for them both as Jason wiggled in excitement and Ivy eyes widened gleefully.

"There's a lot more to this that you had no idea." Ivy whispered as she was really shy among his family members but still wanted every bite of the pork liver her stomach could fit in. She thought since everyone was focusing on his brother and his fiancee, she could have some peace in enjoying her meal but Jason decided to tease her further.