The chaos

"Sir, you have a package,” one of the nurse practitioners, Abby, followed him behind after the long session in the surgery room.

“Bring them over,” he replied, walking into his office, “Sir, there's a problem. The delivery man refused to handle it for me. He insists that he needs to give it to you directly,” She complained. Joan paused for a while.

“It's fine, please lead the way,” he turned in his direction to where the delivery man was sitting in the passage with the package,

“Hello, sir,” he said, bowing his head.

“This is for you, sorry for the inconvenience. I was ordered to give it to you directly, please sign,” he gave out a pen to him. Joan looked at him sternly, and waved his head as he walked back into the office, feeling so exhausted.

The room's silence groomed in the center of Joan's mind, its tension doing little to soothe the surprise he had just received. The Cold War between him and his long-last twin brother who'd turned Alexia's life into one long, exhausting headache.

He dropped the picture on the table, fighting the urge to confront Alexia. But his stillness was so demure, he knew that their wedding was all fake, he was only trying to help the lady get custody of her child from his brother and Sonita. His phone began to buzz, looking to see who it was-Alexia. He sat cross-legged on the edge of the chair near the window, lost in thought. His eyes strayed to his buzzy calls, yet he could not comprehend the feeling he was having.

“Hello, Alexia,” He finally answered the call, his voice was cold.

“Joan, I want to say thank you for your love for my daughter. She really loves the school,” she said over the phone.

“I was thinking about we could go for dinner tonight to make up for the other night that was ruined,” she added. Joan was expecting to hear about her encounter with Bruce.

“Joan,” She called. He was silent over the phone.

“I have an appointment by 7. I won't be home,” he snarled.

“Alright. Maybe next time” She ended the call.

Joan dropped the phone on the desk, wondering why she could not open up to me. He picked up the picture, hid it in the drawer.

Alexia hung up the call, gazed at Rita who was sleeping at the back of the car

“Driver, let's get to the groceries. I would love to pick up a few things for the house,” She said. The driver nodded as he moved to the left direction of the roadside.

Alexia looked at her wristwatch, it was already late, which Joan had never come home late. She quickly picked up her phone to dial his number, when she saw a flash car that was driving into the estate house.

“He's here,” She whispered, opening the front door for him as the maidservant was already fast asleep.

Joan walked into the house. Her face was stern, mean.

“You are still awake,” he said, walking past her without giving her a hug, which was strange. Alexia wondered about the weird reaction from her. She swallowed hard.

“I was waiting for you. I can't sleep while you are still away,” she said, following him behind.

“You don't need to. You need to sleep, not bother about me,” he walked upstairs, leaving her alone.

Alexia rolled her eyes, with alot of thought going through her head.

She quickly walked upstairs to his room, to see Joan drink profusely. She was shocked to see him that way.

“Joan, is everything alright?,” She asked, walking inside the room, but no response from him.

“Joan,” she called again.

“Alexia, I told you not to come into the room without my permission!,” he said coldly.

“I know, but seeing you like this.” She pointed,

“Please let's keep the distance between us. It's just a contract marriage between us; you back custody of your children, while I maintain my reputation in society,” he announced, walking to the door.

“Please leave,” he said coldly. But Alexia stood tall, watching.

“I won't,” She said.

“We will be getting married next week,” she added. Joan laughed out loud, “married,” he repeated once more.

“It's all about a contract,” he said.

“I can't have any personal business with someone who's still in love with her ex,” he snarled. Alexia was dumbfounded by his words, trying so hard to understand his words.

“What do you mean,” She asked.

“I know this is all fake, but the court needs to convince us that we are both in love with each other,” She moved close to him, but he shoved him away.

“What's the matter,” She asked, searching for answers in his eyes.

“Alexia, I don't want to pry into your personal matters. It's late already,” he said, trying to walk away from her, but she held his hands.

“I want to hear it all. Tell me that you are tired of everything, so I will leave along with my child for a place of no return,” She said boldly,

“I want to hear it, Joan. I know I have been a pain to your ass. But I want to hear it, I will leave and never come back to your life,” She repeated once more, drawing him close to her.

“Alexia, you need to sleep”. He held her shoulders

“No, I won't leave until I hear from you,” she insisted.

Joan pulled out a picture from his pocket, gave it to her, leaving her jaw open.

“What do you have to say about this,” he said,

“Never mind, I will process the marriage certificate so we can proceed with the custody,” he spat, sitting back on the bed.

Alexia realized it was Sonita's game to set her up between her and Joan,

“It's not what you think,” She muttered, her eyes became watery.

“I can explain,” She retorted.

“I…,” Joan cut in sharply.

“Do you still love him?,” he asked, but no reply from her. She stood tall, still gazing at the picture.

“Joan,” she called.

“I guess I'm right.” He spat, despite their endless silence from her, it was more disheartening to Joan, about the chaos between the both of them.