Chapter 12: A Request

The door to the room suddenly opened. Several of Chris's bodyguards rushed in and lifted him to his feet. One of them extended a handkerchief to Chris to clean his bleeding lip.

"Listen! I won't let you touch my body again," Joe said with his breath caught in his throat as he tried to contain his bubbling emotions.

Chris spat to the side. "You deserve it. You know, I won't give up fighting for my rights. Take that to heart." Chris pointed his index finger right in front of Joe's face. His eyes flashed with anger after receiving such an insult from Joe.

Then Chris approached Mario again. "And you, this isn't the end. Just wait for my retaliation. You two will never live in peace again."

After venting all his anger, Chris hurriedly left his father's house with his head down. His lips were still stinging, and he tried to endure the pain. Joe's blow had been very strong. He didn't expect his brother to have changed so much and to be able to knock him down.

"Did my father really write that will?" Joe asked Mario after they were alone.

Mario nodded quickly. "Of course. He prepared the will over a year ago," Mario replied firmly. "I can vouch for the authenticity of the letter. So, Chris can't challenge the validity of this letter."

An hour later Joe was on his way home. His private driver drove the car at a moderate speed. He glanced at the seat beside him, the brown envelope containing his father's will and some important documents lying there.

Now Joe didn't know what he was going to do with the will. Who would have thought that his father would be so generous to him. At first he had thought that Chris would inherit almost all of his father's legacy. It turned out he was wrong.

***

"Hi ...."

Briana stepped slowly as she approached Joe who was standing on his back porch staring blankly at the meadow. Briana had been trying to get Joe's attention by waving her hand, but Joe seemed to be in another world untouched by her. Briana tapped Joe's shoulder, and managed to bring him out of his reverie.

"You're ...."

Joe stammered, surprised by Briana's hand on his shoulder. His body stiffened slightly, and face hardened with an unreadable expression. Then he forced a big smile that ended up looking very ridiculous in Briana's eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Briana asked curiously.

Joe shook his head. "Nothing," Joe lied. "Is your work done?"

Briana nodded. She had finished her work a few minutes ago. Today her energy was quite drained. But she didn't mind it. She really enjoyed it because then she could get through the day without having to think about her family who had left her.

"I'm sorry, I'm in such a mess."

Briana showed off her clothes that looked very rumpled after work. Her hair was sticky with sweat. She felt embarrassed to have to face Joe when she looked so bad.

"It's okay. You still look the same. Still beautiful and charming," Joe said seductively.

Instantly Briana felt her cheeks warm up. She touched one of her cheeks, then shook her head. "I'm going to clean up now. Maybe we can chat again at dinner," Briana said. She hurriedly ran from Joe's presence. She couldn't linger with Joe for long.

***

"By the way, I didn't mean to upset you. I just have a few questions for you that have been bothering me a lot lately," Joe said to Briana after they had finished their dinner. They were sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, in Joe's room.

Briana looked at Joe intently. "Just tell me, maybe I can answer your question," Briana replied quietly. She shook her glass of golden yellow wine.

"How was life when you were with your family?"

Briana did not answer immediately. She took a sip of her drink. The liquid made her throat feel hot, but only for a moment. After that she felt a little more relaxed so she could answer Joe's question without feeling sad or guilty.

"My mom and dad are the best parents in the world," Briana praised with sparkling eyes. "They love each other, even though they never profess their love. My mom and dad show their love by paying extra attention." Briana flashed a sweet smile, then turned her head to the side. Her eyes looked straight into Joe's face.

Joe returned Briana's gaze with a soft look. "I'm sorry that you had to lose your father, mother, and brother." Joe had wanted to apologize since yesterday, but he hadn't gotten around to it.

"You're not wrong. I killed your father too. At least we're even," Briana said trying to look tough.

"But, you lost more than me. Especially at your young age."

"Can you change the topic?" Briana pleaded heartily. She had a sad look in her eyes. She didn't want to talk about the past events with Joe because she knew it would reopen the wounds that had been tightly closed.

"All right if that's what you want," Joe replied. He raised his hand, then stroked Briana's soft brownish hair. "Do you have any dreams you haven't accomplished yet?"

Briana nodded slowly. "I want to go to university, then become a doctor," Briana replied.

Joe gave her a big smile. "That's a great dream. You can definitely achieve your dreams," Joe said with strong conviction.

Then they both fell silent. Joe looked at Briana's face, then his eyes stopped on Briana's seductive red lips. Joe took the glass held by Briana, then put it down carelessly.

Joe shifted his body until it was pressed against Briana. He lowered his head until the distance between his face and Briana's face was only a few centimeters. Then he kissed Briana's lips with a passionate feeling.

Briana kissed Joe back. Both of her hands automatically wrapped around Joe's neck. She brought her body closer to Joe until her breasts were pressed against his chest.

"You're very beautiful tonight," Joe cooed after breaking the kiss.

Briana blushed. She tried to turn her face in another direction, but Joe immediately turned her back. Their eyes met and channeled an irresistible sexual desire.

"I want us to make love back here. If you object, you can refuse now," Joe said near Briana's ear. His breath hit Briana's slender neck.

Briana shook her head. "I want to do it again too," she whispered. She felt her body float as she received the touch of Joe's hands on her sensitive parts.

Joe rushed to unbutton the blouse Briana was wearing. His lips kissed Briana's greedily. He had to act fast because he didn't want to make Briana change her mind.

After that he laid Briana's body on the carpet. He had managed to remove all of Briana's clothes until there was nothing left. Then he brought their bodies together until Briana screamed loudly and called his name repeatedly.

***

The next day. Joe heard a commotion downstairs. He quickly got dressed, then left Briana who was still lying on her bed.

"Hand her over now!" ordered Chris when he saw Joe coming down the stairs.

"Who are you talking about?"

"The father's killer you've been hiding," Chris replied with a flushed face.