Ice and Fire novel Chapter 307

After hearing Jackson's story, Cherry felt sorry for Selina. A girl who was so used to the warmth and protection of her family suddenly exposed to a traumatic experience. These kind of pain always left a scar that would later on manifest on a person's adult life. Somehow, Cherry could relate to the pain the Selina had felt, she too had some childhood experiences that were not easy to get over.

Jackson continued, "Later, Derek's parent realized that Selina was suffering from a shock brought about by that unfortunate event. She become withdrawn, she rarely spoke and her cheerful smile had vanished. To help her recover, Selina's parents decided to move to another place. They hoped that with a new environment Selina might be able to return to her normal self."

"What happened next?" Cherry asked, like an impatient child waiting for the happy ever after of a fairy tale story.

"They moved into an apartment. Somehow the change in surroundings helped Selina to feel better. She started to improve and she begun to talk and smile more often. The withdrawn child started to vanish, the normal, cheerful Selina started to emerge from her shell. However, when she was with her classmates, she behaved differently. She was indifferent and cold towards them. She was still afraid of rainy days to the extent that she would cry whenever it was raining. After junior high school, she left for overseas." Jackson said.

Cherry quietly listened to Jackson and didn't say a word.

After a while, Cherry asked, "Is Selina still scared?"

"Not that much now. After all, she's grown up and she has learned how to cope with her phobia. But the shadow of her childhood memory will always be there, she will never forget this. But, now I can see that she is happy and more confident. Derek and I are very happy for her and we don't want to disturb her present life, especially Derek." Jackson said. He knew better than any one how much Derek cared for his sister.

"I can see you are also very worried about her." Cherry stated as a fact.

"Yes, she is like my sister. When we were young, she would always follow me, play with me and call me brother. We were very happy. Derek and I have always felt so guilty. We have always blamed ourselves, we would often think that if only we didn't go to that summer camp, Selina would not have been left alone and she would have grown up as a happy, ordinary girl. But..." Jackson paused. He couldn't speak any longer, the hurt he felt in his heart was too much. He never wanted to remember this, but since Derek has already told Cherry about Selina there was no point in him hiding it any longer from her.

After hearing Jackson's story about Selina, from the words he used, Cherry knew that he felt sorry for Selina. Cherry wanted to comfort him from the pain that he was now feeling. The Jackson that she was now seeing was not the strong and cold person that most people knew; this was the Jackson who was tender, vulnerable and emotional. This was the Jackson that only she knew.

"Don't worry, we will take care of Selina together!" Cherry lovingly whispered into Jackson's ears..

"Thank you, " replied Jackson. "JS Group is doing very well nowadays and it's all because of Selina." Jackson said now in a more confident tone of voice.

"But I am afraid that John..." said Cherry, "ZM Group was established to compete against JS Group."

Jackson, paused and thought for a while and said, "Don't worry, baby! Let's trust Selina! She will take good care of it!" All hesitation and misgiving in Jackson's voice had disappeared and been replaced by confidence.

Cherry nodded. That was also what Derek had told her. What's more, she also trusted Selina, She was sure that she was capable of handling everything.

"Okay, " said Cherry, with a smile on her face.

"Let's sleep. It's nearly morning now; you must be very tired. Tomorrow, I'm going to the hospital to pick up Grandpa and you will have to drive Joe to school." said Jackson, while gently caressing Cherry's cheek.

"Good night!" said Cherry while she snuggled into Jackson's arms to feel his warmth and closed her eyes.

After a while, Jackson felt Cherry's even breathing he knew, she was already asleep.

Jackson held Cherry tightly, but he still couldn't fall asleep. He had a lot of things run through his mind: He wanted to protect this woman. He had lost her once and he was not going to let her leave him again; another, he was scared that he might not be able to protect her. Mond had appeared and he was a big threat to him. What's more, Andrew's health was starting to getting worse and he had to spare much time to take care of him. Jackson was starting to feel annoyed, frightened and helpless!

Gradually Jackson's eyes started to close as gravity took over. Before Jackson surrendered to sleep his last thought was, 'Since it's unavoidable, let it happen. I just need to make preparations to protect the woman and my son, and I think I can do it.'

The sun had already risen, Cherry was still half asleep and she heard Jackson whisper something in her ear and barely made sense of it.

"Baby, I am going to the hospital to pick up Grandpa. You can have more sleep." whispered Jackson.

"Okay, " responded Cherry sleepily. She was still halfway in the land of dreams, and even if she wanted to open her eyes they were too heavy for her to lift. They had their own mind.

Jackson gave her a tender kiss on the forehead, got off the bed and left.

When Jackson drove the car into the hospital parking lot, Andrew had already packed up and ready to leave the premises. He was at the ward waiting.

The butler greeted Jackson as soon as he saw him walk into the ward, "Jackson, you come here so early."

"Yes, " answered Jackson, with a curt nod. He then turned his attention to the old gentleman who was patiently waiting. With a worried voice, he asked, "Grandpa, are you feeling better now?"

"I am very well. There is nothing wrong about me." said Andrew, who seemed to be very healthy for his age.

Seeing the smile on Andrew's face, Jackson didn't say a word, felt a bit relieved but still can't help but feel worried about his Grandfather.

Jackson then walked beside Andrew and gave his arm to support him walk, and said, " Let's go home then."

"Okay, let's go!" said Andrew, as he walked out of the hospital with Jackson.

The butler followed them from behind carrying Andrew's personal things.

Cherry woke up from the loud protest of the alarm clock. She rubbed her sleepy eyes trying to convince them to open, went to the bathroom to wash her face and rinse her mouth. She immediately changed her clothes and walked out towards her son's room.

She gently pushed her son's room door and saw that her son was still sleeping. She walked over and called, "Joe, it's time to get up!"

"Mommy, I still want to sleep." Joe yawned and sleepily answered. He covered head and tucked himself tightly with the comforter, showing his unwillingness to get up.

"Be a good boy. You have to get up or you will be late for school." said Cherry, as she waggled Joe's arm trying to gently but firmly waking her son.

Joe helplessly sat up from the bed and dragged himself to the bathroom.

Just as Cherry and Joe went down the stairs, Andrew and Jackson walked into the house.

"Great-Grandpa, " shouted Joe as soon as he saw the old gentleman, Joe ran down the stairs and raced towards Andrew.

"Joe, " smiled Andrew, opening his arms in welcome Joe and hugged the boy tightly.

Cherry walked over towards the new arrivals and stood beside Jackson. In a low voice, she whispered, "That was quick."

"Yes. When I arrived at the hospital, Grandpa had already packed up his things and was ready to leave. The discharge procedure was completed immediately. He is really excited to come back home, " said Jackson with a smile.