Answer me! Bruce

You look beautiful. Don't be shy. Common say Hello to everyone,” The teacher said to Rhoda, adjusting the collar of her top, 

“I'm not shy, but a bit nervous,” Rhoda responded, her smile radiating her face, attracting the teacher once more.

They walked into the classroom. Rhoda loved the texture, the colorful handwriting on the wall, still admiring the room. Everyone stood up, bowing their heads beautifully. Though they were still kids, they were well cultured and mannered. 

Rita, on the side of the corner, lifted her hands and was astonished to see her long-awaited twin sister in the room. She quickly ran to her. “Hey sister, I have been waiting for you. Mummy was right that you would be here very soon,” She hugged her tightly. Rhoda was also surprised to see her sister. She could not understand the phrase she was saying. “Could this be Mummy planned all this?,” she thought.

Everyone in the classroom was looking at the drama displayed, including the teacher watching from the door. She looked at them closely, and realized that they looked alike; blonde hair, light skin, height but different body shape; chubby and lean.

“Where is mummy? Will you follow us back home?,” Rita asked, but Rhoda waved her head, “I doubt, I'm with big Uncle Bruce,” she said sadly, leaving her hand.

“That's great, I would plead with him so you can spend time with us,” Rita muttered, but Rhoda was not having it.

She knew it was a hard decision for Bruce to permit, and did not get extra punishment from home once she got back from Sonita. “No, I love it there. I won't be coming home soon,” She paused, biting her nails.

“I see you two know each other,” the teacher approached them closely, bent over to speak with them.

“Yes… we are twins,” Rhoda said boldly, causing a bit of confusion for the teacher. 

“I mean, she's my sister. Those two you met are our parents,” she added.

The teacher was stunned by Rhoda's boldness and sensitive nature, “Alright, you two are beautiful. By the way, today's introduction class to the pupils,” She said, gazing at both of them. They both nodded slowly.

“There you go,” She pulled their hands together in front of the classroom, “tell us your names,” She smiled.

“My name is Rhoda, and her name is Rita. We are twins,” Rhoda spoke in determination and boldness, holding her sister's hand tightly. The teacher instantly fell in love with her; took note of her brilliant and bold character.

“Yes.. She's my sister,” Rita added, everyone awe in surprise, admiring them while murmuring to each other.

“It's your turn,” the teacher pointed, at each pupil

The sound of the bell jiggle in the classroom as the introduction was ongoing 

“report to the office, come along with the new pupils” Lily, the principal announced shortly, 

“We will be right back, stay quiet while reciting the numbers in the tablet,” She said. “Yes, ma'am,” They all chorused. She held each other's hands back to the principal's office.

Still outside the corridor, Alexia is still recovering from the shock she got from Bruce. She could not stand the feeling still growing inside her for him, after the pain, hurt, and rejection she had faced from him.

“When will you stop pretending, Alexia?,” he cut in sharply. “You do all these so that you will be close to me; my younger twin brother and this school,” he said, feeling so proud of himself.

“You hate being a loser, the fact that you could not get me, use the other means to be close,” he yelled at her.

“Admit that you are a loser, bend to my rules!” His words were so harsh, but Alexia was calm, still trying to catch up to what happened a minute ago.

“I pleaded with you so we can co-parent, for the benefit of the children. I tried to save your damn ass from the world; to be the father of those kids that are not mine, gave everything to live a better life. But still….” 

“It's enough, Bruce,” She shunned back at him, and couldn't take the insult anymore.

“Please stop,” She held her hands together, her eyes were so watery. “What if I don't, Alexia? I want to torture so much for the pain I went through those years you betrayed! Me, when you slept with my brother, and now, you are getting married to him,” He shouted back at her, his voice - stern, cold. 

Alexis held her ears so tightly, not wanting to hear his rant, he held her closely. “You can't stop the wave feeling we both have…” Alexia pushed him away, creating a space between them.

“I have enough of your manipulation, Bruce.” She cried out. “I have no feelings for you, my wedding is in a few weeks. Stay off your limit,” She warned sternly. Bruce laughed out profusely 

“You lied to yourself.” He confessed, got closer to her. The space between them became thinner.

“Do you ever think of the twins? How do they feel among the other kids when two fathers who look alike appear to be their Dad,” he spat, nodding his head slowly. 

She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on him directly. “So you mistreat Rhoda for my sake.” She responded.

“You took her away from me, her only sister. Just to get her punished for the unknown guilt in your brain.”

“So pathetic,” She spat once more, her voice echoed so loud.

“You speak of the kids, and yet you go ahead to suffer a little one for the mistake caused by you,?” She asked.

“Why did you ask for their custody? Bruce”.

“You have no answer to this, right?” She continued.

“Alexia, stop. You will regret this,” he said, his face was turning red and pale. 

“What if I don't stop, what will you do?,” She asked, searching for an answer in his eyes. But there was none.

“will you continue to punish the little kids for your narcissistic behavior,?”. There was a tiny piece of anger brewing up in Bruce's heart, he couldn't stand her confrontation as no lady had stood up like hers. She has grown so strong, bold that it's unlike her; to him, it was his bloody twin brother's influence on her.

“Answer me! Bruce, I will leave you to the answers,” She retorted, feeling very weak at the moment.

“I will do everything in my power to bring my child to my custody,” her voice - cold and strict.

“With evidence of her malnourished body, let's see who wins this time,” she clutched her hands tightly, fighting so badly not to let the teardrop from her eyes.

“Alexia,...” He pulled his finger closely as a sign of warning. They heard a step walking closer to their direction, their gaze fixed. Then a shadow came forth– the teacher.

“Sorry to disturb you both. But the principal wants you both in the office, for urgent clarification.” She said, bowing her head. Alexia smiled, wiped the little tears on her face as she followed her behind, leaving Bruce.

“I got this, Joan's breakfast is ready ” Sonita smiled, while looking at the picture taken from far away; Alexia and Bruce having a good time together.

“Deliver this package box to the Eastern Caribbean hospital, make sure it's delivered to the director at his office,” she said slowly, smiling all over.

“Let the drama begin; two brothers fighting over a lady.” She laughed out so loud, to the extent that the smile was no more on her face. She could not take the irritation that had built inside while she watched those pictures,  stood up tall on her feet, and began to smash the wine all over the counter while the house servants watched.

“What a happy ending,” She laughed profusely, tears rolled down from her eyes. Destroying the little makeup on her face.