Unmatched feelings

The car was silent as they headed back home. Rita was already fast asleep on Joan's body. The weight of Rhoda's action troubles his mind like an angry sea. He wondered what her fear could be of depriving herself of coming close to him. He knew that she was vibrant, with easy confidence, someone who had nothing to fear, but she was different today.

“Joan,” Alexia called, her voice firm and soft as the car was parked in the garage. “Joan,” She snapped her fingers across his face. “You totally forgot that you are home… uh Hmmm what's the matter?,” She asked, grabbing Rita to her shoulders so she wouldn't wake her up.

Joan waved her head, her expression unreadable but yet filled with amusement. “I just thought we should invite Rhoda to the house for a weekend.”

Alexia tilted her brown hair to her back, trying to catch up the gist from him. “Did anything happen in school today? You can tell me everything.”

“Joan,” Alexia repeated, her voice firm. Her eyes pinned on him “You've been quiet on me. Not giving me solid answers.”

One of the maid servants walked close to her, lifted Rita from her body to her room, leaving them both alone in the barroom.

“I think I'm falling for you..,” Joan said softly, her voice was low. “I…” before Joan could finish up, Alexia's laugh rang out. “Joan, please. Tell me you are joking. We just have a deal, isn't that right, Joan?”

“Stop taking my words for a joke,” Joan growled. He has never confessed his love for any lady in his life. Rather, he bottled it up to himself to avoid rejection.

Alexia chuckled a bit, and turned to pour wine into a glass, before turning in his direction. Her brown eyes swept him over, beautiful and sharp. “And what do we do about the deal? The kids. You can't just let it slide.” He remained calm, still gazing at Alexia without flinching.

“What do you take me for?,” he asked, his voice stern despite the simmering jealousy in his chest. She smiled a bit. “Oh, like a friend. A business partner,” she glanced at Joan. “You will always be.”

“That's fair enough, Alexia,” Joan snapped, stepping forward to her, closing up the space between them.

“So after the deal, what's next? I mean, what do you want?”

She signed slightly. “I just want my kids. I'm tired of the drama every day.” Her tone softened, breaking down bit by bit. “I can't live a second without the two. They are my life, Rhoda is suffering over there. And not just anyone– with an enemy,”

Joan frowned. “What about Bruce?”

“That's the thing,” She said, pacing around as she spoke.

“You two, the feeling, drama. But what about my feelings?,” She glanced at Joan, whose jaw tightened visibly.

“I'm not here for drama. Bruce abandoned you for years.” he said.

“Exactly,” Alexia replied. “Then reappeared in my life with his long-lost brother I never knew of. Creating chaos in my brain. How do you feel about this?”

“Why did you suddenly reappear after years?” She asked.

Joan's voice cut in between the tense like a razor. “What kind of questions are these?”

Alexia stopped pacing, her expression serious like never. “Questions about your reappearance in my life. I need an answer,”

“Am I a tool you can use against your twin brother?”

The silence grew heavier, Joan stared directly at her, her eyes were fixed on him, searching his face for an answer, but he avoided it.

“I know nothing you are talking about,” he replied.

Alexia raised an eyebrow. “So why the sudden feelings? Oh!! Joan, you really are full of surprises.”

“Today, you are cold and distant… tomorrow you are all over me,” She said, her tone–harsh and cold.

But Joan was deterred. “Alexia, I need you to know something,” he said, addressing her.

“Before I came to the city, I never knew who you were. It was my brother and the management of the hospital, not until the accident that happened.” He lied,

“It's fine. That's enough,” She swallowed hard, her voice loud and firm.

“Relax,” Joan said, holding up her hands. “I'm just trying to help get your daughter close to you. At the same time, I'm being intentional about my feelings.”

“I don't think I can ever fall in love with anyone,” Alexia growled.

Joan stepped forward, his presence drawing the line in between. "You seem to focus on your revenge, and your child. He said, “How about your personal life?”

Alexia's smile returned, but it was colder. “You could say my kids are the reason I'm still alive. Back then, when everything fell apart, they were the ones putting a smile on my face practically. You could say they were my savior.”

“I'm here. To help,” Joan muttered.

“No,” She insisted. “After the deal, we will no longer be acquaintances.”

“Is that what you think?,” he asked, his voice softer now.

Alexia turned to him, her gaze unreadable. “My life has never remained the same. Every day, I see myself drowning inside. Separated and torn by situations. I can't really stand the chance of Rita asking me about her sister every day. I feel broken inside, and hurt as well. Poor Rhoda,”

“You talk about feelings,” She paused for a while, allowing herself to breathe.

Joan clenched her fist tightly. “I'm here to help. Please allow me.”

“In what exchange?,” Alexia challenged. “Joan. Let's keep our deal. I can't stand the chance of losing a heart to someone.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy but filled with unspoken truths. He wanted to press more, but the tension between them was becoming something else.

“You are right,” Joan said, his tone skeptical.

“I don't want to owe you any more favors again,” She said simply. “You have helped me alot when I needed help badly. I will return the favor soon, when the time comes.”

“Is that why you are sticking to the deal?” Joan asked, his voice low. “To repay my favor. Soon?,”

Alexia's face turned sour. “No, Bruce. I'm sticking to the plan, so I can get my revenge on Bruce, and I'd rather not give up on it.”

Joan waved, his eyes narrowed. “More drink?”. She shrugged. “My favorite drink. The usual.”

They both sat at the bar, without saying anything; drinking while silent probed its way between them.

Meanwhile, Bruce drove down to the kindergarten school. The school was empty, except Rhoda sitting in the playground with the security.

He smiled at her, but Rhoda wasn't having it. “You are late again Dad. You promised never to do it again. You broke the promise.” She clutched her hands on her body, frowning her face.

“My apologies,” he said, pulling out her favorite biscuit.

“A bribe?” She said, her gaze fixed on him.

“Don't look at me like that. Rhoda, I'm sorry,” he said, bending over to her level. “It wasn't intentional, I had appointments to meet up.”

“And are you still going shopping?,” She said coldly.

“Of course I am,” he replied. “This time, you will pick anything you want. I will be your card.” Bruce stepped forward, his voice calm.

“Can we leave now?”

“Yes, Dad,” She said, holding his hands tightly. “Who picked up your twin sister today, your mum? He asked,

“Her new Dad,” She growled. “I guess she's happy with her new family.”

“Oh, I think she got a new Dad just like me,” she said, her tone softening.

“But I did what you told me to do. Never talk to him or say Hello. He's a bad man,”

“But, Dad, why do you say he's a bad man? She asked, her face was so serious and curious.

Bruce took a deep breath, pulled the car door open for her to enter. “Because he is the one that separated us from being together— all his fault– and believe me, there is more to his plan. Try not to get attached to him, if you still want me by your side.”

“Yes Dad.” She said, kissing his forehead.

And with that, he stared at her, then entered the car as the driver drove out of the school. “I'll be here anytime you need me.” He said, rubbing his hand on her head slightly and gently.