Chapter 63.1: I’m sorry

The night Ivy dreaded came naturally. While others were merrily looking forward to Christmas, Ivy had never imagined she would have to drag her feet and force herself to put on an act to match the merriness of others. Deep down, she was torn miserably for Jason but she knew it was the best option for the both of them because she was protecting her family.

As this was her first Christmas party, she was highly anticipated by the guests consisting of business acquaintances and partners. The reception was shifted to the town's top hotel instead to accommodate the growing number of guests. In the waiting room, Nick appeared with Ray along the corridor as Ivy was pacing up and down while gritting her fingers anxiously. Ray eyed Nick as his gaze told him to take good care of his sister. Nick nodded reassuringly before he casually walked into the room to greet Ivy.

"Hello, stranger…" Nick smiled as he patted her french bun hairdo instead of messing them up. Ivy's eyes lit up at the sight of Nick as she gave him a sad smile.

"Hello…" Ivy mumbled as Nick pulled her in for a momentarily hug while whispering to her ears. "Whatever it is, know that tonight I will be by your side as promised."

Those words would have comforted Ivy's anxiety if she hadn't known about the secret mission carried out by James and her brothers. As her eyes reddened, she held on tight to Nick's embrace for refuge as she forced herself to regain her composure. Nick on the other hand though could feel there were some unspoken things between the siblings that were intentionally hidden from him, he did not question them as all he could think of was that he putting a heavy responsibility on Ivy that night.

As Ivy strolled the living room among the guests who were mostly the family's acquaintances, she was looking for Andrew and Ivy. She was half expecting Jason but he was still nowhere to be seen with Nancy. She was confident they would make it especially since it was the day Nancy had anticipated all along. She had noticed Nick standing by the side entrance watching her. They both shared a meaningful smile knowing their promise made was going to be tough to fulfill today. As her eyes darted around the hall, she noticed her auntie was in a glistening silver dress and sat with her own family as usual as she lifted her champagne glass and nodded slightly to send greetings to her. She nodded ambiguously in reply but Ivy knew her auntie had acknowledged her and was not holding on to the grudge from the previous family gathering otherwise she wouldn't bother to even glance her way just like she did with Charles.

The sight of Charles and Jeremy together being obnoxious on the occasion while being surrounded by their minions made Ivy worried even more but she knew she needed to stay away from the Rahi first and perhaps with that, she hoped no major moves would made by both Charles and Jeremy.

Clings on the champagne flute were heard from her dad's direction as the brothers dressed in creamy white suits to match Ivy's colorful large floral prints peplum white dress escorted their sister to the stand next to their father.

"Welcome everyone! Merry Christmas!" Peter greeted the crowd as they greeted with Christmas greetings in return.

"Thank you for attending Ophal's annual Christmas party. Tonight, I am truly grateful and blessed to have my long lost daughter, Ai Lee with us finally, reunited." The crowd cheered and gave them a round of applause. "Aside from that, may everyone be blessed always, and cheers to a wonderful year! With that, let's enjoy the night everyone! Cheers!" Everyone lifted up their flute to Peter's well wishes.

Peter could only briefly smile at his children before quickly heading back to entertain their guests. The brothers then headed back to where they were at a corner with Cassandra.

Before Ivy could move ahead to join Ray who was ushering her over, she felt a tap behind her. "Merry Christmas!!!" Andrew and Ivy yelled in unison as they embraced Ivy.

"Aww! Merry Christmas!! I was looking for both of you!" Ivy cheered as she beamed in excitement reminding herself she still had her best friends by her side and how lucky she was. Ray decided to let his sister catch up with her friends instead as he watch from afar.

"Where's your little boyfi..." Andrew teased as Ivy interrupted sternly with her finger on her lips. Andrew looked at Sandra with an eyebrow raised as Sandra shook her head indicating not to pry further as they trailed behind her.

"Don't get started. No boyfie. Anyway, drinks?" Ivy noticed Ray was already engaged in a conversation with a client as she slowly made her way to the bar. Sandra decided to change the topic instead and keep the mood livelier.

"Sure! Aww, Ivy, love your dress. It literally lightened you up. So colorful!" Sandra complimented Cassandra's work.

"Thanks to Cassandra... Hope I don't stand out too much. You look really stunning tonight. See I always tell you you're a perfect lady in red!" Ivy complimented in return as she laughed proudly at her own judgment while they reached the bar stand and grabbed some cocktails. Sandra couldn't help but giggle in agreement shyly as Ivy gave Andrew a thumb up for his grey chequered suit which made him look rather chic.

"Don't you feel like an adult now? I feel 21 except why is the crowd so old?" Andrew complained as he laid his shoulders on Sandra's shoulders.

"Hence, should I date you both tonight, ladies?" Andrew teased. "Would you mind?" Andrew asked Sandra as he raised an eyebrow.

"Would you mind if I give pull a slap showdown then?" Sandra retaliated as she played along while Ivy chuckled slightly.

"Wow, easy sweetheart!" Andrew winked and kissed her instead.

"You're no longer single you know that… I am only a light bulb here. Go get a room, please!" Ivy winked as she teased the couple leaving Sandra blushing as they each took a glass of red wine from the counter.

Ivy sat sighing while looking outside at the garden swing as she drank a sip of her red wine. Strange that she didn't feel any jealousy nor was she envying the couple after coming to share the brothers' secrets. It felt as though she was making the decision now to protect Jason instead.

"No chance at all, really babe?" Andrew asked Ivy who was deep in her thoughts as her friends could tell Jason was constantly on her mind and had always been troubling her.

"I... Don't know. You do know how it began as a fake relationship and then the family came around and then the responsibility as the eldest." Ivy explained briefly trying not to reveal so much.

"Those are just your responsibilities. Have you thought of his feelings as well? It doesn't look like he doesn't care about you at all, especially the time when you both got trapped in the jungle or during Melissa's party though. Trust me, from a man's perspective, he has feelings for you, princess. I felt that you both should come clean." Andrew patted Ivy's shoulder. Deep down Ivy knew all this too well but she knew better than to protect her family from any harm and indirectly she was also protecting Jason's business from getting into trouble with Jeremy. Ivy didn't want to spoil the merry mood so she decided to tease Andrew to move away from the topic.

"Excuse me, could you say that again? What man? Since when are you a man?" Ivy laughed out loud as Sandra joined in on Ivy's impromptu act. They got rather obnoxious that some in the crowd started to notice them.

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Yours truly may be almost twenty but dressing like this I can deceive anyone I am twenty-five." Both ladies laughed even louder as Sandra accidentally bang the table a couple of times. They couldn't help it while they drew more attention to them unintentionally.

"Oops! Sorry, sorry!" Sandra apologised out loud when she realised all eyes were on them. Peter couldn't help but chuckled a little noticing Ivy was having a good time with her best friends.

Jeremy who was looking from a corner had kept his eyes on Ivy for a long time since he arrived. Only then had he realised when Ivy actually dressed up, she was a beauty. It was no wonder that Jason could have fallen for her as Jeremy tried to read the situation when he spotted Jason and how his look at Ivy was despite Nancy standing by his side. Jeremy began to plot in mind a scheme against Ivy instead as he put on a dangerous smirk.

Jason instantly knew where the gang was as he walked closer to them after leaving Nancy at one corner with her drink. She had noticed Nick but pretended to ignore him as she walked out to the garden nearby the swing.

"You're so vain Andrew! I'm so gonna miss all this fun when we head to university!" Ivy laughed as Sandra gestured for them to head to the garden using the back door. Jason saw them in action and grab a glass of champagne before walking in their direction.

"Come on baby boy, don't grow up and be my baby Andrew always?" Sandra teased as Andrew kissed her. Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes and laugh. "Oh please! Get a room already!"

"Hello, folks!" Jason greeted them as he approached them in the garden. He was flattered to once again see Ivy dressing up. Nancy who was nearby the swing earlier had hidden behind one of the pillars.

"Jason, my man! How are you? Here I have a supporter now. Do I look like a twenty-five? " Andrew asked as Sandra and Ivy went on giggling.

Jason raised his eyebrows. "You're not that old you know. Twenty perhaps I will give you." Jason chuckled while he kept stealing glances at Ivy who was more calm and quiet but still cheerful compared to a few moments ago.

"Give up Andrew! Don't grow up too fast!" Ivy patted his shoulder to playfully comfort him for failing to prove that he looked mature as Sandra chuckled.

"Looks like you're all the youngest here. Sad to not have any other of your own age." Jason commented after a while.

"It's alright. They are all I needed. Plus you of course." Andrew smiled as he couldn't help but keep screening Jason from head to toe when he noticed how dressy Jason was. He was exceptionally charming that night in his black suit with silver linings at the edge of the collar.

Ivy couldn't hold back from joining Andrew in screening Jason. She noticed it was a long time since she ever saw him in formal wear. He noticed the awkwardness as he cleared his throat while Andrew and Sandra were playing eye contact to signal for Ivy to talk to Jason privately. However, Ivy shook her head desperately and dared them to not leave.

"Ermm, drinks finished. We will go fetch some! Will be right back." Andrew announced as he walked away with Sandra leaving Ivy squinting her eyes in anguish.

"Merry Christmas," Jason said moving her attention back to him.

"Merry Christmas." Ivy was grinning till her eyes were flattened as she tried to look away to hide her true emotions.

He couldn't help but keep staring at her and hoping the moment could stay longer as she was absolutely gorgeous that night and he didn't want to spoil her Christmas.