Chapter 41.1: My sister is a strong lady

"Ai Lee… Yes, I am daddy…" Peter let his tears roll down his cheeks.

Those words used to be just a wishful thinking verse she constantly recited in mind thousands of times when she felt down back then only to finally hear them aloud. Ivy couldn't help but to sob even more as she instinctively stepped into Peter's embrace. She could feel the same warmth she always longed for from her grandma's arms as she slowly digested the fact that her dream of finding her father had finally come true. All the rush of emotions made her forget about everything else and focused on her reunion with her father instead. 

"Oh Ai Lee… How I miss you?" Peter said as he tightened his arms around her. 

"Daddy…" She called out in between her sobs as everyone watched gratefully at their reunion.

Jason on the other hand had been restless the entire morning as he gave up trying to sleep after Ivy left as he sat by the window panel of his room when Marcel came in with Lucky. Lucky was getting very excited as they reached the front door of Jason's room as he stood on his hind legs against the door before Marcel opened it up.

"Careful, careful… There alright, go…" The voice of Marcel instructing Lucky to not rush his way into Jason's room was heard by his doorway but it wasn't enough to barge Jason from sitting still engrossing himself deep in his thoughts.

Marcel noticed Jason hadn't noticed their presence as he knocked on his room's door after letting Lucky off the leash. Jason was startled by the sudden leap from Lucky who leaned on to him as he stood with his two hind legs and kept licking him, sending his falling off the window panel to the ground as he giggled with joy hugging onto Lucky.

"Oh buddy! You came!" Jason greeted as he finally grabbed hold of Lucky and pinned him down on the ground but was held back by a piercing pain on his waist. 

"Marcel… that was a rough landing… Hold me up…" Jason said while holding out a hand to Marcel as he grimaced at the back pain he felt and pant at the same time.

"Are you alright? Are you injured? Sorry… Lucky must have missed you a lot to go out of control…" Marcel apologised solemnly as he helped Jason to stand. 

"Not a problem… Just a little aching by the waist… It's alright… Thanks for bringing this boy here… So, what is my agenda for the rest of the week?" Jason asked as he led Marcel to the sofa bed and sat with him.

"Nothing much as most of the appointments and talks were postponed to next week. Only one with Mr. Ophal on Friday… As for Saturday, we can request to cancel your participation in the college camp in view of your injury…" Marcel suggested as he referred to his tablet for the list of agenda.

"No, don't… We will still continue with the camping trip. After all, I can sit out the trekking part and help out with coordination of the students from the pit stops." Jason quickly interrupted Marcel and Marcel knew Jason wanted that glimmer of hope to see Ivy again knowing that he would update about her absence as the next thing on the list.

"Alright… Ivy's workload… is piling up and with her absence…" Marcel was once again interrupted. "Start hiring… It's time. Full time staff please…" Jason instructed as he continued to pat Lucky. "Alright… I will make the arrangements… Finally, as for Nancy… will we still…" Before Marcel could finish asking his question, Jason already knew what it was about and had all along a decision in mind. 

"I will speak with her when the new person comes in to replace Ivy… No point in keeping her around for administrative tasks only unless you find it useful…" Jason asked Marcel in return. Marcel pondered for a moment.

"As a matter of fact, most administrative works were administered by Ann previously. If we have someone new filling in Ann's position as full time, then… I agree with you Nancy will be made redundant…" Marcel explained his thoughts as Jason nodded. "Then, let's proceed as planned… anything else?" Jason asked.

Marcel wanted to proceed with his follow up on the investor's funds but hesitated as he was reminded of Ivy's proposal the night before and he was worried about Jason. He was also curious about their progress and updates whether it was the investment or Ivy finally meeting her family or anything between Ivy and Jason but he knew from Jason's frustrated look, perhaps nothing had happened. 

Jason knew Marcel well and he could guess what's on Marcel's mind. "I'm fine… Don't worry… She should have met with Peter by now…I will update you if there are any outcomes later…" Jason said as he looked away from Marcel's eyes and stared at Lucky instead.

"Perhaps you should make things clear with her soon…" Marcel mumbled but it was loud enough for Jason to hear. 

"It's not that I don't want to… I don't know when would be the right time. Although I have an appointment set with Peter tomorrow…" Jason paused for a moment to hold back his emotions. "Ivy is an entirely different story Marcel…" Jason said in a low tone as Marcel patted his shoulder.

"If not tomorrow then at least on Saturday... After all, you should formally tell her of the change in her job scope as her boss… That would be the least you could do…" Marcel comforted as Jason sighed.

"Even you think I am procrastinating?" Jason took a deep breath trying to clear his mind.

"Jason… some things are not meant to be dragged too long especially conflicts. I'm sure you know why I suggested speaking with her as soon as you can when Peter notifies you or at tomorrow's meeting…" Marcel wanted to continue but paused when he saw Jason was holding his head and closing his eyes as he nodded.

"I know… Guess this was the same with Nancy too…" Jason mumbled. 

"Nancy knows you too well… But not Ivy… And I could see Ivy had changed you. You're not as bad as when you're with Nancy. Perhaps…" Marcel took a deep breath while contemplating to speak what's on his mind. Marcel has stood by Jason from his roughest days beginning from the rough patches during start up of his business due to the rebel feud between his father and himself to the downfall of his relationship with Nancy due to neglecting her which resulted in her cheating.

"Perhaps?" Jason prompted as he opened his eyes and looked at Marcel. 

"Perhaps, if things goes well… she might be the one?" Marcel hinted as Jason blinked and pondered about it. Only then did Jason realise, he had been thinking of the negative side of the outcomes but had not given much thought on the positive side of outcomes. It made him realise all along his frustration and anxiety had made Ivy mean more than just his employee or student or even just a passing by friend; she was slowly guarding a place in his heart discreetly.

Because of her, he had all his plans haywire. 

Because of her, he had not been himself for weeks and kept drowning himself into the guilt and desperation of trying not to lose her. 

Because of her, he wanted the best for her and that was finding her family.

Because of her, he even was willing to lose all of his career and start over again.

"Marcel… If… If all these do not fall through, are you willing to start all over again with me?" Jason questioned as Marcel smiled knowing Jason had thought through all his paths.

"Why are you not confident like always this time?" Marcel teased as Jason smiled. They both knew Jason was just being prudent as the company's future was still rather uncertain.

"Trust me, Ivy knows what to do… Even if my judgment of her is incorrect, I will walk this path with you till the end again, bro…" Marcel nudged Jason with his fist as both men chuckled.

As Ivy finally calmed down with Peter still holding on tightly to her in his embrace while helping her wipe away her tears, Auntie Soh had gone to prepare a few bowls of noodles for everyone. 

"Ai Lee… They are your brothers…" Peter said as he smiled looking into her eyes while pointing at the direction of the boys. "My… brothers?" Ivy asked half doubting the fact as she watched the three of them smile back at her before she went over to give each of them a hug. 

She started with Ray who was really tall and muscular so that she could feel his muscles as she gently placed her head on his abs because she was that short as compared to Ray. She looked like she was hugging a giant as she proceeded to Jin who was still feeling awkward about the entire situation but subconsciously tightened his embrace on Ivy's frail body like his. A part of Jin was glad, with his sister returning to the family, at least their father would be at ease. They were both of the same height and had the same body build. People could have mistaken them both as twins any day. 

As for Ryu, he had been waiting for his turn patiently as he lifted her up from the ground a little, sending Ivy in giggles. "If I knew you were my sister back then, I would have returned ten folds to your bullies…" Ryu said as Ivy asked him to bend down a little. He was the combination of Ray and Jin. He was tall and had a slim athletic body build. As he bent, Ivy patted his head. "It's not too late.. You will have plenty of chances…"

Ryu chuckled as the brothers laughed. Peter, Andrew and Sandra couldn't help but smile. Peter was reminded of Ivy's gesture during their last trip to watch the aurora together. Peter saw her patting on to a tall guy back then who was squatting in front of her before she ran back to himself and his second wife. "Some things never change…" Peter thought to himself as he smiled even wider.