Misoo had arrived before Aubrey.
Usually, Aubrey was a punctual person, but Jordan wasn't even close to it, probably because he was a CEO and no one could ever say anything to him if he was late. But he wasn't my boss, and I had already planned on murdering him.
Not only because he was running late, but also because I thought he was her friend and I should’ve at least given me a hint on Vince's marriage.
But when logic struck me, I realised: Vince was his best friend, and I was just a girl, who happened to be friends with his wife, who he had only known for less than two years. He didn’t owe me an explanation, much less the truth.
I’d done the grocery shopping before Misoo came. She helped me in arranging everything whilst complaining about what a mess the kitchen was. If anyone saw us together right now and the way we laughed and got along, they wouldn't believe it had just been a few days since we’d met.
Misoo
JOY "One of the Browns?" Aubrey asked. “With us as well.” Jordan explained, “We all used to be a group back in high school.” “A group?” I scratched my head and asked, “Does that group include Beau Perez?” “You’ve met Beau?” I nodded at Jordan. “I’ll take that as a yes.” “What did you mean by one of the Browns though?” Aubrey asked, closing the main door and crossing her arms over her chest. "I had a fling with Richard Brown," Misoo admitted, pursing her lips. "A fling? A fling?" Jordan asked in his usual overdramatic tone. "You were in love with him." "Shut up!" Misoo groaned, irritated. “It’s sad that Richard was too stupid to notice.” "Wait! Who's Richard Brown?" I was so confused right now. Jordan smirked. "Vi's brother." "Vincent has a brother?" I raised a brow. "First cousin." Jordan walked toward the couch and settled down with a leg over the other
VINCE I rubbed my hands, placing the coffee mug on the table, while Jordan stared at me like I was some convict. The muffled sounds of Aubrey and Mum’s laughter travelled out from the house to the garden, making me smile. “How did she look?” I asked. “Who? Joyce?” Seeing me nod, he answered, “Good. Not like she’d been dumped or anything.” “I didn’t dump her. If we regard the circumstances, she kind of dumped me.” I sighed, my mind drifting off to the beautiful moments I’d had with Joyce. “I’ve tried texting her, calling her. Hell, I’ve even gone to her apartment.” “And?” He arched a brow. “She doesn’t answer my call or respond to my texts. She didn’t even open the door for me and just asked me to leave.” I grunted, “It’s like she’s punishing me or something.” He shrugged. “You had it coming. I told you repeatedly that you need to tell her about Paige. Your secrets ruined your relationship before it even began properly.” Smack
JOY As we stepped through the porch, my heart jumped in my chest. The thought of going in front of his mother was a bit too much. I had no idea how to react in front of her. I paused right outside the main door and Vince looked around, confusion running through his grey eyes. "How do you think she’ll react?” I asked. “You’ve already met her.” “Yeah, but now that I know, she knows about me. It’s just too awkward." He took a deep breath and, shaking his head, said, "See, my mother is a very understanding lady, though a little invasive. But she would do nothing to embarrass me." "That's a good reassurance." I sighed. "Or you," he added, stepping toward me and my breath hitched. Cupping my cheeks, he drew his face closer to mine and planted a deliciously soft kiss on my forehead. "And I’ll be here with you no matter what." I wanted to lean into him. Kiss him. I wanted to feel him. “If I could just
VINCE I was more scared than Joy was, but I didn't want to admit it. Mum had seen me with a few women now and then, but I had never brought one home and the thought of Joy not being liked by Paige agitated me. Mum already like her as it was clear from her face. When Paige jumped into Joy’s lap, half my worries were gone. Joy, as I knew, wasn't very fond of kids, and her nervousness was completely understandable. Paige tried to take her upstairs, and all she needed was my reassurance. "She seems nice," Mum said. Her eyes scanned my expressions, and she added, "Definitely nicer than you described her. She’s beautiful as well and on the bonus side, Paige seems to like her too." I sighed with relief. "Yes." "Are you happy?" I looked into Mum’s eyes, trying to find the correct words. My insides filled with joy now that the mess about my life was out in the light. But I was more concerned about how Joy would react to
JOY "I’m glad that you’re okay," Vince said, his voice cheerful. I was balancing the phone between my ear and my shoulder while signing some papers and smiling like a lovesick idiot. The days had been passing too quickly. Vince was in Seattle due to work, but that didn't mean he hadn't shown how important I was to him. We texted every day for the past week since I’d last visited his house. It was new for both of us . . . whatever this was. "Why wouldn't I be okay? Stop worrying about me so much.” I sighed. “I’m going to have lunch with my dad today." "Oh, and here I thought you were so merry because I was coming back," he said playfully. "You’re coming back?" “Did I forget to pass the details?” “Yes.” I squealed. "I’m on my way to the airport," he said. "By the way, my mom wants you to have lunch with us tomorrow. It's a Sunday and hopefully, you don’t have any plans.” "I don’t, and it
VINCE Paige had been clinging to me since I had arrived home. She hated it when I had to go out on business, and for the same reason, I hated it too. But there was little I could do about it. Everything I did, my job and all those business outings, were all to secure my daughter's future. "Did you bring anything for me?" she asked in her soothing voiceas I made her sit on the kitchen island. I nodded. "I did, but first answer my questions. Did you have lunch?" she nodded, smiling. "And what did you do all week?" "Granny and I learned origami." Her hands shot up to grab my nose. "What’s that?" I questioned in a nasal voice because of Paige's grip. "Origami is harder than it looks," Mum said, entering the kitchen with a smile on her face and glass plates in her hand. She walked to me and planted a soft peck on my cheeks. "Welcome back, honey." “We made butterflies, ships, wall hangers and so many more, Daddy. You have to
JOY I knew talking to Vince would help, but I never thought it would convince me to do something I had never thought of all these years—talk to my mother and actually listen. I texted Dad. JOYCE:I’m sorry for leaving that way. I wasn’t in my right mind. GEORGE: I shouldn’t have kept it from you. She showed up two weeks ago, and I had the same reaction as you did. I laughed at the back of my mind. No wonder I was so like my father. JOYCE: But unlike me, you let her speak. GEORGE: Yes, and it did wonders. JOYCE:Is she still there? GEORGE:Yes. Do you want to talk to her? JOYCE:I’m coming over. Vince even let me process everything as he drove to Dad's place, as if he knew I was fighting myself at this. And when he parked in front of the hous
JOY "Yes, Mom." I gritted out, “I needed you, but you weren’t here. You never were. You never cared.” "That's not true. I always cared, Joyce." I shook my head. "You're such a liar . . ." I looked away, as I tried to hold on to my tears, but those stupid things. She cleared her throat. "I was forced to marry your father. I never loved him. I know he’s a good man, and I knew it back then, too. But I was young, and I wanted more than just the marital propositions. I wanted to love, and I found that love with Luke. I was so ashamed of what I did, but I didn’t want to let this feeling go. So the best option for us all was for me to leave. And the reason I didn't call was that I thought I was leaving you all for good. I knew you both would be happy with your father." "That's no excuse for being a shitty parent. But damn right, we were happy!" I said, anger surging through my voice. "I’ve missed you both so much and every moment of the day