Interment Day

  At the church after the funeral mass, John had announced that he would only allow his relatives, closest friends, company executives, and business partners to enter the cemetery. So, the media will block at the gate.

  To proceed with the program that day, John hosted the Memorial service of his father and twin brother at a private land for the Jackson family mausoleum. With no troubles, the internment went smoothly with a solemn atmosphere.

  John stood near the two coffins with Ivy in his arms.

  Ivy has been crying every day, and it worries John. She was constantly losing consciousness, and the doctor warned her to relax. She was experiencing an emotional breakdown that would risk her pregnancy.

  John stroked Ivy's back and did his best to comfort her. Of course, she is the woman John was in love with.

  On the corner, wearing an elegant fitted black dress and black sunglasses on her eyes, Carmen held tight to her purse to suppress the pain in her heart.

  Before she and John were in a relationship, Carmen had accepted that there was another woman in his heart. She could not avoid feeling jealous and heartbroken, but her sympathy was for Ivy, who was losing her love.

  "Ivy, you must calm down. Come and take a seat." Carmen still did her role as an understanding girlfriend. She took Ivy from John's arms and guided her to a nearby chair.

  Carmen gestured to a servant to bring a water bottle, and she offered it to Ivy.

  Ivy's mother, Mrs. Mills, also approached them to cheer for her daughter. Carmen left them to have a moment of privacy. She walked toward John, who was in a trance while staring at the two coffins.

  "Hey… Do you need anything?" Carmen places both of her hands on John's shoulder. Her thumb caressed his cheek, and the other hand played with his ear.

  John lifted his head and looked at the lovely woman in front of him. He shook his head and kissed her forehead.

  "I'm good… Thank you," he replied.

  These passing few days during the wake, although she shared the same bedroom with John and slept next to her side, he did not miss showing his concern for Ivy; the reason she was brokenhearted.

  And now that John brushes her cheek, somehow, it washed the pain a little bit away. Instead, her heart danced.

  However, every time John was this intimate with her, the hope in her chest came alive that John would not dump her now that Ivy was a widow.

  "Mr. Jackson, it is time." The assistant approached John. John nodded his head. The assistant left to announce that it was time for the Rite of Committal.

  The priest stood in the middle of the two coffins and recited a few words, then blessed the entire mausoleum. When he was done, the priest invited the immediate family for the last viewing of the deceased.

  John walks toward Ivy and helps her stand on her feet while still using a walking stick. Ivy once again broke down. She shrugged John's hand and hugged Jay's coffin.

  "Jay! Why… Why did you leave me? What am I going to do now? Our child will be born without a dad…." Ivy continued crying. Her parents rush to her side to coax her. Suddenly, Ivy lost consciousness. It was then that her family decided to bring it to the hospital.

  "John, we are sorry we cannot stay. Ivy needs a check."

  "I understand, Mr. Mills. Don't worry. I know it was what Jay wanted. He will think more of his wife's health."

  Ivy's parents brought her to the nearest hospital while the interment proceeded. The media waiting at the cemetery gate wondered why the Mills family left first. To feed their curiosity, some reporters followed their car.

  The rest of the internment program went well. One by one, the guests that attended the funeral service bid their goodbyes.

  "John, whatever you need… You know where to find us." Vincent told John.

  "Thank you, Vincent…." John shook hands with him. He shifted his gaze to the old man, who hugged him and patted his back. "Uncle Jacob, thank you for coming."

  "Anytime if you need us," said Jacob. He let go of John for Shun to bid him goodbye.

  John watched his friends leave one by one until no one left but him, Carmen, his assistant, and the steward who had worked for the Jackson family for over thirty years already. That was even before Gideon got married.

  "Let's go home," John announced afterward. He took Carmen's hand and led her toward the car.

  After attending the funeral, Jacob, Vincent, Shun, and their company were picked up by helicopters and brought to Hailee's superyacht. They were heading to West Australia; they would board the helicopters again to Dream City.

  In the room that stands as the study room, the men occupied the couches. While having private talks, dinner was served.

  "Now that John buried his father and brother. Maybe he can proceed in gathering information regarding Samuel Miller." Shun brought up the subject while having the meal.

  "Ahem! I need to visit the headquarters. I'll be leaving in a few days." Shun added. In the back of his mind, he was thinking of his wife, who was waiting for his arrival. 'There's no way I would miss the opportunity!'

  "I want to see Liam. Can I?" Vincent queried Shun. He was eager to hear Liam's confession, and he also looked forward to meeting Samuel Miller.

  "You don't have to, Vincent. Let me deal with Liam, and you take care of Samuel Miller. After Liam reveals everything, I will let you know so that you can convince John to set up a meeting with Samuel."

  "Okay." He nodded in agreement.

  Vincent was more interested in visiting Liam as he was curious to know why he didn't give up Hailee yet and give her a peaceful life. The way Pitt and James spoke about the past with Liam, it was obvious that Hailee deliberately rejected him, but the guy was persistent.

  According to Shun, the master of the Dark Shadow Organization did something to Liam. That is one thing he was curious to hear. Maybe it will solve the puzzle in his head.

  But since Shun decided, Vincent chose to agree and stop asserting things.

  'Now, it is time to settle a score with you, Samuel Miller.'

  *

  Sneak peek: (Spoiler for tomorrow)

  "Let's break up…."