"Don't be mad. I'm leaving. But before I go, give me the password." Paul shrugged his shoulders, hoping against hope that his cousin wouldn't be too angry to take the bank card back.
"Just go. Get out. Never let me see you again." Yakira found that her maternal dignity had been ruined and was gone completely. How could she stand in front of Brian and call him son?
"You're crazy." Paul got out of her car in a hurry to avoid further provoking her. This woman could be more terrifying than a villain if she went insane. So, he decided to disappear before it was too late.
Yakira didn't care what Paul thought. She started the engine and pulled away before Paul could stand up outside the car and say goodbye. She disappeared down the street, while Paul cursed and screamed.
The city was enveloped in a curtain of darkness and some stars were twinkling in the sky. Brian pulled over beside the Mu Family's villa. After some hesitation, he got off the car. He leaned against the car door, and stared at the grand house standing before him. Honestly speaking, he was ashamed of knocking at the door and getting inside. However, he was engulfed by worry and remorse. So he drove his car here before he knew it.
He blinked and his loneliness was replaced quickly by his usual optimism. He took a deep breath, smiled with self-mockery, opened his car door and was about to leave, ready to head back home.
"What's wrong? Come on in," said Edward, smiling wryly, hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall lazily. He looked at Brian, intrigued.
"Is Daisy all right?" Brian stopped and asked timidly. Although he had been informed what happened to Daisy, he was also discouraged from coming over and visiting her, especially after his father was refused by the Mu family. He wasn't sure whether he would be kicked out of this villa or not. Anxious and worried as he was, he was too ashamed to knock at the door, after all Daisy's suffering and accident were deeply involved with himself.
"Seeing is believing. Come on, you can come inside. Don't be shy," said Edward. His mouth twisted darkly. He turned round and walked to the villa without looking back at Brian. He knew Brian would surely follow him and come inside.
Brian hesitated, debating whether it was a good idea to visit Daisy or not. At last, his worry and love towards Daisy won over his shame and timidity. He got in the car, stared the engine and drove through the villa gate. It closed slowly after he went inside.
"Go upstairs. Your sister's on bed rest. She's not allowed to move around right now," Edward said warmly, leaning against the staircase. He went to check the cameras when a guard called in and reported that a stranger was hanging about outside the villa gate. He had wondered who it was until he saw from the screen that it was Brian standing there, hesitating and looking indecisive. He knew what Brian was thinking and worried about. He knew that Brian was important to Daisy, so Edward came out of the house and invited him in. Edward thought Brian should be flattered, because anybody would be thrilled when Edward personally came out and invited him or her in. What an honor it was to be Edward's guest.
Thank you," said Brian for his intrusion. He looked at Edward apologetically before he started to walk up the stairs.
Edward remained still. He didn't follow Brian up. Instead of that, he walked to the living room and sat on the couch, since he knew Brian and Daisy had a lot to talk about, and he had better leave them alone.
"What's up? Is Daisy upstairs alone?" asked Jonathan in a rich, baritone voice. Maybe his coldness and brutality did that to his voice.
"What about you? Why did you leave your wife alone? Shouldn't she enjoy your company?" said Edward indifferently. Edward shot a defiant look at Jonathan. After their several conversations these days, they weren't as hostile as they used to be. Although they weren't as intimate as other fathers and sons, they could finally exchange some jokes and feel relaxed.
Would you like to play some chess with me?" asked Jonathan. Instead of answering his question, Jonathan sent out an invitation. Then, he sat at the table. His handsome face and dignity were like Edward's. He was more of a brother to Edward than a father, even though he seemed to be more shrewd and serious. It was no wonder that many people thought of Jonathan as Edward's big brother.
Good idea, if you aren't afraid of losing." Edward raised his eyebrows, and looked at his father with a teasing smile.
Son, I'm not as stupid as you are," said Jonathan, annoyed. He took out the chessboard. Although feeling a bit uncomfortable, he never thought that one day he could sit at a table and play with his son, without argument nor hostility.
Edward smiled wryly and remained silent. He lazily leaned against the armrest, as arrogant and condescending as any playboy could be. He was also touched by this unexpected game of chess with his father.
Brian rapped on the door to Daisy's room. His face remained blank, and nobody could tell from his facial expression what he was thinking. However, when Daisy answered the door and said 'come on in', he felt relieved and then elated.
"Brian, I didn't expect to see you here," said Daisy in surprise when she found that her caller was actually his brother. She tried to get up from her bed to greet him.
"Sis, don't bother. Stay put. You need some rest." Brian hurried over to her to prevent her from getting up.
"I'm fine. I have been lying in bed, like forever. I had better get up and move around the room," said Daisy. Daisy had not expected Brian to appear in her room suddenly. Anyway she was pleased to see him again.
"Then, I can help you up." Brian did care about Daisy. He helped her by supporting her arms as tenderly as he could, for fear that he might accidentally touch her wounds and hurt her.
Stop fussing. I hate being treated like a pathetic patient." Daisy grimaced in pain, since she forgot the wound on her face and smiled.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Seeing the painful expression on Daisy's face, Brian panicked, and didn't know what to do next. Daisy, severely injured, was as fragile as a vase, thought Brian to himself.
Brian, thank you. Your visit makes me feel like I still have my family with me," said Daisy. This kind of feeling was different from what she got from the Mu family, because it came from the same blood flowing in their veins.
"Sis, I felt ashamed when you thanked me," said Brian, embarrassed and sad. He knew that he was in no position to be thanked by Daisy. Although he didn't hurt Daisy personally, the perpetrator was closely related to him by blood. He didn't deserve forgiveness.
"Brian, I know you better than you think, and I'm a reasonable woman. So don't blame yourself for what you didn't do. It's not your fault. You're my only brother no matter what happens."
Daisy stretched her hand and fondled Brian's hair. If there was anything in Ouyang Family worth her memories, it was Brian. Nothing else mattered to her anymore.
"Daisy, don't you hate me for all your suffering and pain?" said Brian bitterly. Then, he raised his head and saw the comforting glance from Daisy. When he notice tha bandage tied around Daisy's head, his heart trembled with remorse and shame again.
Have you done anything to me that you should apologize for? Or have you done anything that hurt me? Asked Daisy observing Brian's face carefully.
No, I haven't. I would never do that to my sister, Brian blurted out before he was interrupted again.
Then, you shouldn't feel ashamed. I don't like this kind of weird relationship between brother and sister. We should be closer. You're too hesitant, and it's gonna make us feel embarrassed and drive us further apart.
Daisy knew Brian's worries and his unusual sensitivity. However, she never refused her brother nor blamed him for anything. On the contrary, she almost felt sorry for what had happened to him.