Confrontation

The atmosphere in the room was indifferent, not exactly the way Joan expected from Bruce's unexpected visit to him. Instead of warmth and welcome, there was silence.

“Mister Joan, how can I help you in my organization?,” he asked, staring at him as if he had seen the devil.

“This is actually the wrong time for a ordinary visit?”

Joan shrugged a bit, placing the glass of water on the table with a mischievous smile on her lips. “Hey little brother, it's been a long time, at least we welcomed your long-lost brother you left behind in the orphanage.”

Bruce growled inside, his hands clenched into fists, trying so hard not to act funny in the office.

“That's amusing to hear,” he shot back, rolling his seat around. He hated the sight of his brother. Then he sighed heavily, his brown eyes gazed towards him as if sensing devour. He tightened his jaw, holding up the anger within.

“Long time, dear brother,” he said out loud, “what brought you here?”

Joan smiled, “Oh, come on, Bruce. Just a little visit won't eat up your spirit. Except maybe, you— you have never had…” He smiled.

 Bruce looked at him, growling so deep in anger. “Stop trying my patience, Bruce,”

Joan pulled her chair closer to me, “But what if I do? At least it will be part of the cause you did when we were little. Don't you agree?”

“Go straight to the point, Bruce. Do you take me as a toy of your mockery?”

“Because it's fun to wreck out in fear,” Joan said with a wink. “Well, enjoy the space , till I'm ready to show myself to the family.”

“What do you want, Joan?,” he asked, his face tightened once more, his voice as well. “Name your price, the notorious one,”

Joan smiled a little, fighting the urge to give a hit on his face, his gaze bored into him. “Alexia,” he said quietly, his voice---low and calm.

“This is my price. Trust me.”

Bruce smiled, throwing his shoulder on the chair, crossed his legs across. “Your price is good.” He said mockingly, nodding slowly. “But you know what's better? I mean for her.”

“Would you stop being a coward? I mean every word,” Joan shot back as his voice raised so loud. “I swear, I'm this close to throwing myself to what you plan to do in order to protect her, and you will regret it.”

Bruce frowned a bit, “That's not funny. You know that, right?”

“It's not funny,” Joan said, “We are getting married next week, so stay off. If you do that, I won't reveal myself to the family.”

“She's still in love with me,” Bruce said softly, grinning from chin to chin.

“In love with you?,” Joan repeated out loud, glaring at him angrily. “That's so pathetic in your brain, coming from a guy who doesn't know what love is all about.”

Bruce busted out in laughter as he clapped those hands together, “Finally, someone wants to lecture me. Joan, loosen up, you are so uptight.”

“I mean every word that I said. Stay away from her.” Joan's lip twitched in anger— enough to clear Bruce off.

“Really? Do you think she's happy? She still has little feeling for me.”

“You signed up for it. You shouldn't return to our lives,” Bruce said firmly. “I mean you are just a survival to those—,” 

Joan chuckled, leaning back on the chair. His jaw tightened even more. “ I have you, dear little brother. And trust me, you don't want to see yourself losing over me.”

Bruce's glare was so intense that it could’ve probably torn off his shirt, but then he pressed for an urgent call.

“Do you know your job in this organization?,” he shot back on the phone, his irritation rising.

Joan smiled profusely, “I will leave respectfully. But think about it. My price and the family,” his response was immediate and short, heading close to the door. 

“Joan,” Bruve called, his voice was deep. “No one will believe you.”

“Just give up!,” he blurted, waving his left hand. “Absolutely no one. You slum,”

Joan titled his head back, grinning so hard. “Let's see what unfold. Any further move to my price—you will hear from me.” 

“Leave this minute,” he snapped, his eyes narrowed as his gaze probing out. Joan nodded and walked out of the office, pulled the door of the SUV car which drove out of the building.

Joan, knew that this would trouble him so badly, especially his threat of revealing himself to the famous Xiang family as their lost son in the family. “Joan, just quit,” he muttered to himself, adjusting his collar.

“It's time to take what's meant for me,” his voice was cold and low.

“Because I won't stop just like I did in the orphanage home.” He said, winking his eyes while it was fixed on the window.” 

“Where to, sir,” the driver cut in, gazing at his look through the side mirror 

“To the kindergarten school,” Joan replied.

They reached the school gate, children were in the playground having fun while waiting for their guidance to pick them up.

“Stop right there. I will continue the journey by myself,” he walked down from the car. 

“Big uncle,” Rita snapped as she saw his sight from afar.

She ran so hard, giving him a hug while Rhoda watched them both.

“Rhoda,” She shouted, waving her hands in the air, so her sister could join her. They paused at the spot, waiting directly for Rhoda. 

“I think we should move close to her,” he said, pacing towards the playground.

“You two are so beautiful.” He admired them both, and began to play around with them in the playground.

“There you go,” he pulled out some snacks from his pocket.

Rhoda took it, swallowed all of it before he could utter a word to her– 

“Why don't you follow us home?” he said. Rhoda waved her head.

“No, i will get punished,” she scoffed, biting up her fingers.

“Punished?,” Joan asked, his tone was light but ridged on her. 

Rhoda's eyes were fixed as she was absent-minded, focused on the shadows coming.

“No,” She ran off to the other side of the field, 

Joan could not stand the strange feeling she had and looked at Rita. “Shall we?,” he smiled.