Confrontation

There was this heavy weight leaned on her shoulder. Alexia needed space to restrategize from the unsaid heat that has been trolling her for sometimes. She hesitated for a moment, trying to break the lovely evening her kids were having, but something about the insistent message drew her out.

The kids were busy playing with fireworks with the other maid servant that joined the gathering. 

Alexia knew she had to confront him, needed to demand the truth about his past ordeal, and the secret he might be hiding.

Alexia turned to him, her eyes searching for any sign of deception, but it was as warm and genuine as ever, his brown eyes gazed at her own corners, “Alexia, what's wrong? You seemed lost, as if you had seen a ghost.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at him. But his words hit like a rock on her heart, creating a sense of unease within her.

“I need to know something,” she said, her voice barely low. “About the incident, what were you doing before we met at the station? What sort of past do you have?”. 

Joan's smile faded, his brown eyes gazed at something as he seemed to weigh his words carefully. “I… I was just having an appointment when I got the call, for the past… I was just a business executive before I joined the medical field. That's all.”

But Alexia stood, her instinct grew deeper in doubt to uncover the secrets he might be hiding. She demanded the truth about his past he might be hiding.

“Hiding things won't change a thing.” Her tone said, mean and a bit hostile.

“I'm not hiding anything,” he muttered low. “What do you need to know?” 

“Everything”, She said. Her eyes blazed with a mixture of fear and determination, her voice trembling with emotion.

“I know something's going on, Joan. I've hidden in the dark; the threat message to stay away from you.”

She took out her phone, displaying the ominous message to him. Joan was calm, not pale as he read the words.

“What's going on, Joan?’ Alexia demanded, her voice echoing through. “Are you an accomplice?”

His eyes dropped off, as he let out a deep sigh. “I'm so sorry, Alexis. I never meant this way… I meant to hurt you. But I have to tell you the truth.”

He paused, trying to recollect his words. “All these threats are from Sonita. She's trying every means to break us… she is… manipulative, and has a way of getting what she wants through me, no matter the cost.”

Joan moved a step away from her, her voice dripping with venom this time. “She controlled my life, Alexia; a request to take revenge on you, take you down by all means, and to separate him from you.”

Alexia's eyes widened in horror. “What? What do you mean? And why would she want that?”

“Because Sonita had a personal vendetta against you, she's been trying to destroy you for years. You have been the cause Bruce never looked at her, always distance from her, being mean because of the hurt you made back then. And then she saw me as the perfect tool to use against. I never wanted to be part of her plan.”

Alexia's mind was still lost as she tried to process the information. “ But why did you agree to help her out? I don't think you are saying the truth.”

 Joan sat on the couch, feeling weak all over. “I was a boy who needed help, Alexia, and Sonita saw it as a pawn to her game when her family lent a hand to me. But as I got deeper into knowing you, I realized I had made a terrible mistake by choosing the wrong path. I was just a pawn in her game of revenge. To claim the kids that were never mine, it was all her plan.”

Alexia took a deep sigh, despite the anger and betrayal she felt inside. She could see the pain and regret on his face, though she wanted to hear more of the truth.

“What about the kidnap incident?” She asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty though she tried to act strong.

“Are you aware of it? How do you know she's behind this?”

 Joan's eyes locked onto hers. “I know her plans, after I decided to take back control of my life, breaking free from her grasp. She couldn't digest the pills so easily. That's why she's coming for the kids, but trust me, I have no hands in the incident.”

Alexia's mind reeled in his words as she processed the information. She still felt like living in a nightmare, with secrets lurking around every corner. But she needed to uncover the truth and protect her kids she loved.

“What's going to happen now?” She asked, her voice firm. He couldn't respond, his silence smiting hard in her chest. She could see it all, and her mind whirled with broken pieces of trust for him. But she needed him this time to win against all odds.

Joan's jaw clenched. "It's not that simple."

“I need suggestions,” she snapped. “You need to draft a plan. I want to trust Joan this time.”

Joan turned on her , her brown eyes ablaze. "Stay out of this, Alexia. I need to figure it out alone.”

“But maybe you should consider collaborating with me,  before it's too late. You can't handle it alone.”

Joan's gaze flicked, without saying anything. "Because you're the only one who can't join the attack. You need to stay low.”

It was like a blow to Alexia.. "You mean… I need to stay out?"

Alexia looked through the window, still watching the kids in the dark as their fireworks lit the sparklers around the compound. “Whatever happens, Joan… I am the one involved, even my kids.”

He nodded slowly, fastening his faltered smile, though the thought of bringing her into the game was something much greater than any of his plans could ever comprehend.

“But I have a feeling we need to get more information about the incident before the school management wraps it off.” she said, her voice firm and bold.