Trevor later called Nick to check on him and make sure he recalls that it is their mom's birthday. Nick answered the call at the first ring, but said nothing.
" Hey Nick, how are you?"
" I'm fine. What about you?"
" I'm always fine, you know."
" How's mom doing?"
" Great."
"Roel?"
" He's fine as well."
They had a chat of how everything is going for them. Nick only told Trevor that he has busy days and Trevor understood him well. He always told him how he is his role model after their mom who was similarly hardworking.
Nick did not stop asking about Roel. He kept asking Trevor about Roel and this made half their conversation about him. What Trevor loved about Nick is his love and concern for Roel. He would avoid arguments with Roel since they were young, something which he thought made Gabriella love him more.
Trevor asked Nick if he was going to travel to them for Gabriella's birthday and all Nick answered with was a simple hum, then hung up the phone. Trevor just shook his head and scoffed.
Nick inserted his keys into the door hole of his house and was surprised that it was not locked. He turned the door knob slowly. Yes, he knew only one person had a spare key to his house but he was still worried. He looked around the house and carefully walked to the settee but he did not take a seat. Instead, he fidgeted and said a soft, " Ivy?"
Ivy then showed up from the the back door, smiling. He let out a slow sigh. She walked up to him and pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back.
" I thought you left already."
" I had to check on you before you leave and I also made things easier for you by packing some of your clothes."
" I thought you didn't want me to leave?" He asked, confused.
" Yes. But I know that as long as it is about your mom, you will never cancel it for any reason. Not even for me."
At this, he pulled away and smiled at her. Nick had never been the same since Ivy came into her life. He counted her as family and his most important person. The fact that he struggled to convince her to trust him and love him back, gave him more reason to cherish and value her and every moment they shared.
Ivy knew that it would be her loneliest period until he came back. She always felt secure and happy with him and whenever he would not be around, she felt like the loneliest person. She wondered how long he would be away and wanted to ask but was afraid of an answer like ' A Week.'
As if he is aware of her thoughts, Nick took her face into his palms and looked into her sad eyes. He answered her unasked question.
" Don't worry Ivy. I will only be away for a day. Besides, I have to be back to work by the day after tomorrow. So I will start my journey back tomorrow night."
Ivy looked at him as if he is running insane. She then sat down on the settee and looked at him.
" Seriously Nick, you need to rest. You are overdoing things. It is either you skip your mom's birthday or you will have to take a rest before you go to work so you will report to work the day after tomorrow."
" You know how important this work is to me. Mom is also important to me. So I cannot let go of one."
Ivy just shook her head in a disbelieving manner. He sat next to her and took her hand. He then gently stroked her hair.
" You do not understand how worried I am Nick."
" I am fine and will remain fine, okay?"
She nodded and he embraced her. She held on to him tightly as if she would lose him if she let go of him. He pulled away.
" I have to get ready to leave now." He stood and walked to his room where he found his blue suitcase lying on the bed. He opened it and few of his clothes were packed in the suitcase. He smiled and closed the suitcase. He then walked to his cupboard and opened it, taking out a gift which was well wrapped. He looked at it and kept it inside the suitcase. He turned around when he felt Ivy's presence behind him. He hated the sad eyes she was giving him. He walked to her and hugged her again.
She was holding something in her hands which she stretched and gave him after their hug. It was a small gift box. He wondered what could be inside.
" What is it?"
" A simple necklace. I just had enough funds to purchase it. I couldn't get anything better."
" It's okay. I'm sure she will appreciate it. Especially since you have not even met her yet and you went this far."
She nodded hoping that she would really appreciate it. She had not yet met her but according to what she had heard about her from him, she was sure the gift would not mean anything to her. All she wanted was for Gabriella to just see her efforts.
