Chapter 61.2: If you had one more chance, what would you do?
The next morning, she was greeted by the yells of Sandra waking her up to prepare to head to college for exams as she groggily waved her hands at Sandra to stop yelling before walking back into the house to find a box of mung bean cake at her door knob. She wondered who left them as it wouldn't be her family or even Sandra cause it was too early in the morning. She still gave Sandra a questioning look hoping Sandra would say it was her but Sandra denied it. Only then she realised the person who came last night was either Marcel or Jason. She shrugged at the mystery of it as she rushed to shower.
She quickly got ready to have a quick online meeting with Marcel before she headed for the exam. She realised most of the agenda she had to discuss were still ongoing projects which are all related to the old town in Manes which the government had finally released news of its refurbishments and many vendors had bid for a booth to participate once the old town is opened as a tourist attraction.
Ivy also learned that apparently, her Uncle Charles could lead such a lavish life because he owned a construction company and often had her Uncle James' underlings for protection. Although Uncle James has long stopped the underworld businesses, he was still a respected elder among those who are still in the industry. Ivy shivered a little thinking about the dealings they must have had and wondered if her dad might have also gotten involved although, on the surface, she hasn't seen anything wrong with her dad and his businesses.
Just when Ivy thought about her family, James finally came looking for her moments after her meeting with Marcel ended.
"Uncle James, I wasn't expecting to see you here. In fact, I am actually rushing to attend an exam." Ivy informed apologetically when she answered the door with Sandra waiting nearby the glass house as James decided to speak with her on the way to college.
"Come let's talk on the way to college." James offered as Ivy quickly packed and got Sandra to head over to the college with Andrew instead.
"So, what's it Uncle James would like to talk about?" said Ivy who was a little nervous riding in a four-wheel drive with her uncle for the first time as his driver drove them.
"Have you been coping well with the jobs your dad had given you?" James asked as Ivy nodded politely. "Certainly…" Ivy answered nonchalantly. "Then, you would have noticed something about the refurbishments of the old town in Manes?" James questioned as Ivy looked away momentarily knowing that James must have picked up on news about Charles's involvement.
"If this concerns Uncle Charles's involvement then yes, I do have my doubts." Ivy explained briefly trying not to let out too much.
"Good… Keep a close eye on the project while you're here. I will have my underlings monitor and if I have anything amiss, I will update you. One thing for sure is that I have spoken with your dad about this but he was testing water since the younger Rahi's brother was also involved. I don't have a good feeling about this at all." James scoffed as Ivy nodded.
"I know what to do. Let me get my exams done first. I will pay close attention. I will also get Marcel who is overseeing the matter to pay close attention." Ivy reassured as the car stopped in front of her college.
"All the best my dear niece… Looking forward to working with you more. Here's my name card. Call me in case anything happens." James said as Ivy accepted the name card and smiled before alighting the car. She instantly gave Marcel a call to update him on Jeremy's involvement and as soon as she finished her first two papers of the day, Ray had already received news about a problem arising in which their dad had actually taken a very bold risk.
"Ivy, don't bother too much for now. Your exam is more important. I am sure dad has his plans." Ray reassured Ivy over the phone a few days later when he completed his exams. "I am not really worried since Uncle James had his underlings watching over while Marcel is overlooking too. Besides, I am already down to my last paper tomorrow." Ivy comforted Ray as he calmed down a little.
"I will come over tomorrow with Nick since there is a gig in town. At least we could chill for a bit." Ray announced as Ivy cheered. In the midst of her cheering, she heard footsteps outside the house and quickly told Ray to hang up as she wanted to catch the person who left her mung bean cakes every single night.
"So, it was you!" Ivy teased as she folded her arms in front of Jason who was shocked to be caught on the spot.
"Sur…Surprise?" Jason chuckled as Ivy laughed. "Good to see you again…" Ivy greeted as she smile and stepped outside.
"Come, try some…" Ivy sat by the steps and offered him the mung bean cake as he hesitated for a moment.
"In a rush? Right, how's she doing?" Ivy asked as she took her first bite. "She's well… Recovering…" Jason replied awkwardly which saddened Ivy's heart a little that they couldn't speak like how they used to anymore.
"Good to hear… Well, focus on taking care of her. We are doing well in running your business. So, don't worry." Ivy munched on her cake as Jason felt a little guilty instead.
"I'm sorry, Ivy…" Jason apologised for the past confusion he had created.
"Why? You don't have to be…" Ivy said as it made Jason even more guilty but he stood quietly watching Ivy munching on her second piece of mung bean cake.
"Don't worry, go ahead. I don't think you can be away for too long either…" Ivy said nonchalantly to break the awkward silence with a smile.
"See you then…" Jason said as he left Ivy who was munching on her mung bean cake by the steps.
"Jason…" Ivy called out thinking it was best to extend her family's Christmas party invite there and then as she watched Jason turn around.
"Bring her along to a Christmas party end of next week in Landsfield at my place. I hope to see you both." Ivy waved a little as she continued to munch on her mung bean cake while he nodded and turnaround to leave before he could see tears flowing from her eyes silently.
She recalled the conversation she had with Nick the weekend before and in reality, things have changed between her and Jason. "If you had one more chance, what would you do?" She asked herself the whole night till the next morning before she decided that she was in Manes and is an adult. She was going to attend the emceeing gig Nick was participating in and have all the fun she wanted as after this she knew she had serious business to dwell with.
The night was unusually breezy as Ivy drove over to the hotel she first met Jason. She lamented the fact that Andrew and Sandra had to go out on a date by themselves. Otherwise, she could have left a memory to reminisce about in the future if they tagged along. A knock on her window panel startled her as she realised she was daydreaming a little too long to not notice Ray was waiting for her outside.
She stepped out and quickly threw a hug at Ray. "I have missed you, baby brother! We finally meet again! How were your exams?" Ivy greeted as Ray chuckled.
"I missed you too, sis! The others are inside. The exams were alright. How was yours?" Ray asked as he hung his long arm on her shoulder while they entered the hall with Ivy whining about how stressful science paper was for her.
Ivy didn't expect the others meant Jin, Cassandra and Ryu other than Nick who was getting ready on stage. What surprised her more was Jason standing next to Nick on stage at the opening speech. Ivy had never expected herself to see Jason again after last night. It was clearly awkward between them as she recalled but as the night get older, she was caught by surprise at Jason's impromptu singing session.
She stood captivated listening to him serenading the whole crowd. The first bar of melody set a longing feeling that a heart has and has so much to say of.
The lyrics to the song were hovering her full attention. She realised he finished composing the song which she always played randomly on the piano last time but she had never finished composing them.
"He must have remembered the tune and completed it on his own." Ivy thought.
"I could thank
The gentle breeze blowing the dark clouds over.
The rain it brought, Brought me to you.
If this is destiny,
I wished it would be everlasting.
May the rain wash away all of your darkest days.
May your days always be filled with happiness.
I'm sorry, seems easy to say.
But I couldn't bring myself to.
I am afraid,
Afraid it would break the beautiful bond we had.
Could you please don't let go?"
"An apology? Why?" She squinted her eyes questioning him from afar as he dawned himself into the slow but cool three-four tempo beginning on the keyboard.
The song slowly built softly into the chorus as he held her gaze.
"Your beauty had always held me,
Your genuine self was enough to brighten the dark days,
You're much stronger than you think you are,
All I hope for you to stay bubbly."
A smile grew wide on her face as she couldn't help but blushed. He continued on into the bridge of the song where he surprised everyone and went into a short rap.
"If life ever gets tired, take a stop to remember,
Remember that someone has their mind on you,
Always and forever."
The lyrics were speaking to her as though resonating with their unspoken feelings as she remained captivated till the end of the song. For a moment, Ivy didn't want the night to end but she knew the end of them was near.
The following weekend, at this time, she would have fulfilled her promise to Nancy. "If I had one more chance, I would not have made that promise to Nancy and tell you the truth about my feelings like you just did with this song." Ivy thought to herself with a sad smile.