Joan was frustrated by the call and did not want to let go of her but the phone continued to ring.
He could only let go of her and said, “I’ll answer this.”
Amanda blushed. Although they had decided to be together, all these happened quickly and she felt
uneasy being so intimate with him.
“I’ll leave first while you answer the call.” She stood up and walked towards the door.
Joan held onto her hand tightly and said, “I’ll send you home.”
“No need. I drove here.” Amanda replied.
The caller pestered and he could only release her hand, “Drive carefully and let me know when you’re
safely home.”
“Okay.” Amanda walked out of the room.
She arrived home and saw Andrew as she was going up the stairs. She noticed that Andrew had a
black eye.
“Andrew.” She walked over to him.
“You went to see Joan?” Andrew asked.
Amanda nodded and replied, “Yes.”
“Your eye…” She walked over and wondered how come his injury seemed like Joan’s but at a different
spot.
“Did you fight with Joan?” She asked curiously.
“Yes.” Andrew went to get a glass of water and said, “I taught him a lesson so that he won’t bully you in
the future.”
“Who won?” Amanda took some ice cubes to rub his eye.
“What? No winners.” He declared. It was an even fight.
Amanda led him to the sofa, “I’ll apply some ice onto it otherwise it will be swollen.”
Andrew drank the water and looked at his sister, “Both of us were injured. Are you more concerned for
me or him?”
“Of course…” She wanted to say ‘it’s you’ but she changed at the last minute, “of course it’s Joan.”
“Heartless… to think that I took care of you since you were young.” He was not angry but sat back to
allow Amanda to nurse his black eye.
He narrowed his eyes and threatened, “Tell me if he bullies you. Although the fight was a draw, he
would definitely lose if Joshua joined in the fight against him.”
“Since when did you resort to violence to settle disagreements? You weren’t like that when you were
young.” Amanda said angrily.
Andrew looked at her and replied, “You’ve said it yourself. Everyone grows up.”
He looked at Amanda and asked, “What about you?” He knew that she had grown up. She seemed fine
after what she had gone through because of Stanford. That showed that she was emotionally very
strong.
“You’re just older than me by a few minutes.” She continued, “I already had one marriage, what about
you?”
Andrew was silent for a while and thought about Evelyn.
“It’s getting late, rest early.” He stood up.
“It’ll heal faster if you continue to massage it,” Amanda said out of concern.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He waved and returned to his room.
Amanda looked at the time. It was late. She went back to her room to wash up and laid on her bed.
She received a message from Joan asking if she was home.
Amanda quickly replied that she was at home. She had forgotten to message him when she returned.
‘I’ll look for you tomorrow. I have something to tell you.’ Joan messaged.
She looked at the screen and quickly replied, ‘What is it? Can’t you say it now?’
‘It’s better that I tell you in person.’ Joan replied.
She frowned and pondered, ‘Was he trying to stir up her curiosity?’
She intentionally replied as if she was angry, ‘As you wish. I’m sleeping now.’
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