Chapter 10

" Mom, what exactly were you thinking!" Shouted Taylor as he interrupted his mother's chat with Mrs Suinne and Alicia 

"Excuse me for a bit" Mrs Young said with a faint smile as she dragged Taylor away.

" I know it came up all of a sudden, but its for the good of everyone. Am your mother and I have to choose what's best for you my pumpkin ", Mrs Young said as she placed her arm on Taylor's cheek gently.

"How is it beneficial on my side! Times have changed mom. These are not the old days where you get to arrange a marriage for someone else without any approval from them", he said as he removed her arm from his cheek. Seeing this, Mr Young walked up to them, leaving his conversation with the guests pending.

 " Do what you gotta do, otherwise am not getting married to Ms Suinne and my decision is final". With eyes full of rage, Taylor looked straight into his approaching father's eyes and stormed out.

" Taylor, wait..." Joy grabbed Taylor's hand. She looked into his eyes and all she could see at that moment was anger . Taylor wasn't the type to get angry. This really touched Joy. Even though she built walls around her, Taylor's marriage announced hit her bad, Even though she pretended to be cool.

" Joy, am sorry but now isn't the time", Taylor interrupted Joy and rushed straight to his room.

It was surely a moment of gloom for Taylor, and Joy felt heavy hearted as though her heart was been pulled out of her chest. Worse off she felt out of place as the only person she knew wasn't around to give her comfort. She tried to walk up to Taylor's room, but she knew the best thing was to let him have time sometime to himself. It was getting late and most of the guests had already left.

Joy sat outside starring at the moon, trying to get some fresh air.

" I hope Taylor's ok", she thought to herself.

"Is this seat taken?" Startled by a deep but Charming voice, Joy looked up to see where it came from.

" Am sorry sir, but the party is already done", replied Joy as she was unsure of whom she was talking to. Once she had a clear glimpse of the guy, she noticed a resemblance to Taylor and her heart skipped a beat.

" I know, and am glad", the stranger said while he sat next to her.

" You must be Joy.. Nice to meet you. Am Xu, Taylor's young brother. Am sure you've heard of me, or maybe not" he smiled cheerfully

" Yes, Taylor talked about you so many times back in the US" replied Joy with some relief in her voice.

"  Nice to finally meet you  Xu" she said as she blushed. 

Xu was really an eye catching man. Unlike Taylor he was a ladies man. His dark brown hair with blonde tips really complimented his look, and his soft fair face gave a different glow whenever he smiled. His ear piercing showed off his naughty side. All in all his presence was as comforting as Taylor's. Even though Xu and Taylor looked alike, the way they presented and carried themselves was different.

 The party really took a toll on Joy, and she hardly had what to say to keep the conversation going. As there eyes met while they were talking, She just gave Xu a little smile as she blushed, and signed.

" There you are Joy, I was looking for you", said Shu while taking off her high heels and taking a sit in between the two.

" Hey Xu, why are starring at her like you saw a ghost? I strongly advice you to back off she's Taylor's", said Shu jokingly as she gave Joy a light stroke on her back.

" I don't see a tag anywhere on her saying ' She's Taylor's '. I still got a shot",  replied Xu as he winked at Joy. At this moment Xu was a bit drunk coming from his best friend's birthday party, but still had some soberness in him.

" I could really use a drink right now", said Joy as the thought of Taylor crossed her mind 

" Look no further Mi lady, I will go and get a drink for you", Xu said as he stood up and pulled down his shirt. " excuse me Ladies, I will be right back". And left

" Xu can be a gentleman at times, he really has grown", thought Shu starring at Xu as he walked into the house.

" J..,tell me more about yourself. Where you from, what you do, your family status and all. Am really anxious to know more about you" Shu asked, as she looked at Joy. She could see some sadness in Joy's eyes as she asked these and she didn't want to pry knowing she and Joy barely knew each other that well.

"I have no parents, no siblings. My parents died when I was young", Joy replied boldly as her father and sister crossed her mind.

" As for a Job,  I came to look for one here in Asia, and start a new page of my life. That's pretty much everything about me" after saying this, she gave out a little sigh, and smiled as she looked at Shu.

"I have some job vacancies in my department and I for one could really use an assistant manager", Xu said as he offered a glass of champagne to Joy.

" That sounds like a great idea. I didn't know a dumb dumb like you can be smart at times heheh", Shu giggled pulling Xu towards her.

" You really are the devil who came to torment me huh" whispered a frowning Xu as Shu rubs his head and both laugh. Joy gave out a soft laugh. At least she knew she had more people to turn to.

 "What do you think Joy?" Xu asked as he gazed into Joy's eyes with puppy eyes.

"How can I say no to such an adorable person. When do we start?" She asked.

" Immediately Mi lady, tomorrow I mean", Xu exclaimed as he smiled at Joy and she smiled back.

" Then I have to get some rest, see you tomorrow", Joy stated as she went into the house. As she reached Taylor's room, she placed her left arm on the door and leaned softly onto it with her forehead slightly touching the door.

" I hope you get back to your usual self Taylor, I miss you already" she said softly, and the walked slowly to her room.

" I hope tomorrow will be a better day for all of us", she said as she tacked her self into bed and fell asleep immediately