Ice and Fire novel Chapter 428

Jackson held Cherry consoling her. "There, there, it's okay. He'll find what makes him happy and have a better life, " swore Jackson.

"Yes, I know, " Cherry's voice was filled with sadness as she agreed, "It's just, I was remembering when he saw me off five years ago. The look on his face, his anxiety; I remember it like it was yesterday. I'll never forget, no matter how long I live. I appreciate his friendship."

Cherry's words touched Jackson's heart. While they were talking, Stephen disappeared in the crowded airport terminal.

"Baby, in fact, he..." Before Jackson finished his thought, Cherry interrupted.

"I know, " Cherry said, "It's obvious he had a purpose for coming around when we first met. Though I knew nothing about your relationship at the time, I could guess from how worried you got every time you saw us together. I wondered if I should be mad at him because of that, but after I reflected on it, I realized he never did anything bad to me, instead, he always lent me a hand when I needed help. At least, that's all I've seen."

Cherry's voice echoed.

"So I decided to keep my friendship with him. Since he had been a genuine friend to me, I should be a true friend to him. As for the affairs between you and Stephen, I no longer desire to know them, " continued Cherry, "Fortunately, things turned out much better. You guys have established a good relationship and we are good friends now. There will be no shady purpose among us."

"Yes, Stephen is a cherished friend, " said Jackson firmly.

Listening intently to the conversation his parents were having, Joe called out, "Mommy."

Cherry reached out to hold Joe as she answered, "Yes, Joe."

"Daddy, Mommy, let's live happily, " said Joe.

"Yes, let's live happily, " Cherry repeated and added, "come on, let's go home."

"Okay, " agreed Joe.

The three left the airport walking hand in hand.

A week later.

Cherry got to the H King Group in the morning on time. She sat down and opened the computer to browse the news on the web. The headline read that JC Group was the biggest entertainment club, with Jackson prominently listed as the owner.

Cherry picked up the phone and dialed Jackson.

"Hey Babe, " said Jackson's voice from the other end of the phone.

"Are you at your office already?" asked Cherry.

"Yes, I am at work. What are you up to?" Jackson asked.

"I'm reading the news online. The JC Group is still in the headlines, " Cherry told Jackson.

"Don't read those; their articles are just static noise. If there's anything you want to know about the JC Group just come here, and let me show you around, " responded Jackson.

"Okay, I will when I'm free. It seems like a long time since I was at the bar last." recalling the bar, Cherry was curious to see how Jackson transformed since she was there last.

"All right, do you want me to pick you up this afternoon so you can come have a look? As you requested, I renovated all the other bars, but, I didn't make any drastic alterations to this one, " said Jackson.

"I shouldn't have much work this afternoon, so that should be fine. I'll try to finish up this morning and I'll see you later." Cherry held a lot of memories of the old days for her, and she thought of Emily and Stephen as she thought of it. She was looking forward to seeing the bar now.

"Okay, but don't work too hard and exhaust yourself, or my heart will be broken, " said Jackson tenderly.

"Okay, I won't, but, lem me get back to work now." Cherry and Jackson exchanged goodbyes and she hung up.

An hour or so passed, and Cherry was busily working when she received an intra-office call.

"Hello, this is Cherry, " Cherry said politely into the phone.

"Cherry, hey, it's me. Selina's here, could you join us in my office, right away?" Wilson's voice came through the receiver.

"Okay, be right there, " Cherry said and then ended the call. She?reorganized her work on her desk before heading out of her office.

Cherry cheerfully greeted her friend as soon as she got to Wilson's office, "Selina."

"Sister, " Selina walked up to Cherry and happily embraced her.

"Really? Are you and Selina going home tonight?" It was Cherry's turn to be surprised, and she looked at Selina. She hadn't expected things to develop so fast between the two.

Selina nodded, "I was just told about it too."

"Father and Aunt Elsa had a chat last night and they invited me. Aunt Elsa asked me to find out if Selina had free time to have dinner with us as well, " explained Wilson.

"That's great! Mother must be so happy about it. Uncle Jacob and Mother have hoped you find a girlfriend for a long time. Uncle Jacob will be so pleased too!" said Cherry smiling at Wilson.

"Sister, could you, Jackson and Joe come too? I am afraid I will feel embarrassed if I'm there alone, " Selina's shyness was heard loudly in her timid, quiet voice. She was nervous deep down, and her heart was racing as quickly as her thoughts. After all, this would be her first time going to Wilson's home and was meeting his elders. She kept reminding herself how important it was for her to make a good impression, which made it almost impossible to remain calm and steady.

"I need to double check with Jackson, but it should be okay. We should be free though, " Cherry said, unable to fully commit without Jackson's opinion first.

"All right, please, you must come too, " said Selina and thinking, 'I won't be so nervous with my Sister and Jackson there too.'

"Cherry, it's been so long since you home with the family. So why not come home tonight? I know Father and Aunt Elsa miss Joe too, " Wilson added.

Cherry nodded, "Okay, I will go as long as there isn't anything else pressing for me to do."

"Fine, then Selina and I will pick Joe up after school this afternoon. From there we will go home, and you can come with Jackson, " said Wilson.

Cherry answered, "Okay, it just so happens Jackson is picking me up to have a look at the bar this afternoon."

"Oh Cherry, you need to see it! Many branches were changed a lot, but the one Jackson are at was only renovated with the simplest embellishments, " said Selina excitedly.

"Well, he can do what he wants, " Cherry said nodding. Jackson was so busy immersed in establishing the JC Group that Cherry didn't have a chance to talk to him much. It delighted Cherry though to hear Jackson did what she'd asked and kept the bar as it was before, and giving her a place to remember Emily. Now that Stephen was gone, the bar would also bring memories of him when Cherry was there. She would always be able to recall these two kind people who once brought light into her life.

Wilson nodded agreeing, "I'm quite impressed with Jackson's attitude and style of managing things. He considers everything when he intends on taking action. Furthermore, he brings his principles and rational thinking with him. I find that more difficult for me to achieve."

"I agree. I admire Jackson's abilities a great deal, " replied Selina as she averted her eyes looking at Cherry, "But, Sister, he's been influenced by you and has made changes in how he approaches things, for you." Selina added.

Cherry smiled slightly while speaking no words.