Chapter 2: Reunion

Near evening at the extremely lively stadium. Joyce's team is playing against a fairly strong opponent, and the score is neck and neck. Despite her sore arm, Joyce remains the standout player on the team.

Celina was pulled over by her friend to cheer for her brother. Quickly, she caught a glimpse of an image that was both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar.

I had said we wouldn't meet again, and now here we are. Earth is small, isn't it?

The applause of the crowd echoed, and Joyce's gaze drifted upwards, just as she caught the girl looking at her. What a coincidence.

The two exchanged challenging glances, and anyone observant enough would notice there was something between them. Meanwhile, Joyce's friend also harbored a secret crush, casting less-than-friendly looks towards Celina.

The match ended with Joyce's team victorious. Celina and her friend went down to greet her brother.

Seeing the girl ignoring her, Joyce pretended to accidentally drop the ball near her, then gave a commanding look, saying, "Hey, pass me the ball."

Celina held the ball but didn't make any attempt to pass it back, saying, "Don't feel like it."

"Why do I keep seeing you everywhere? Are you stalking me?" Who said we wouldn't meet again, yet here you are before the day is even over. Well, that's good. This gives me the opportunity to confront you about this morning as well.

"Are you paranoid or something? Who's stalking you? I know you're here; I haven't come before." The man was not only arrogant and womanizing, but also delusional. Celina felt sorry for his seemingly wasted good looks.

The girl's words momentarily caught Joyce off guard. He retorted sharply, "Arrogant brat. Keep the ball and play."

Being a man, he didn't want to escalate the situation. Just as Joyce turned his back to Celina, he suddenly felt something hit him hard. Turning around, he realized it was the ball she had thrown.

"Wanna start a fight or something?" Joyce asked.

"Give me back the ball, then." After that, Celina said to her friend, "I'll head back first."

Joyce glared at the girl as if he wanted to devour her. There are many men here who don't want to be seen as harassing someone's daughter. Meeting twice surely means there'll be a third time, and both old and new grudges will be repaid without anything being left out.

The next day, Joyce's wish came true as his department welcomed new staff members, including Celina, the arrogant girl.

With a seemingly reasonable pretext, Joyce made things difficult for Celina in various ways. She knew well that it wouldn't achieve much, considering he wasn't her superior. She could only blame her bad luck for encountering someone with a long memory for grudges.

Lately, Joyce found his work to be quite satisfying, which is why he started arriving at the company right on time. In his job, he was serious and efficient in resolving issues. He could have held a higher position, but he chose to remain a department head to avoid encountering his father.

Having documents that needed photocopying, Joyce lifted his phone and was about to instruct someone to take them when he suddenly placed the phone back in its original position. His lips curved into a slight smile as he took the documents, walked out, and stood by Celina's desk, placing the papers in front of her.

"Make two photocopies and bring them to my office," he instructed.

"Yes."

Suddenly, Celina obediently went to work without any complaints, which struck Joyce as odd. Did this girl accidentally take the wrong medicine today?

Joyce decided to test Celina by asking her to make coffee and throw away trash, both of which she did obediently. Leaning back in his chair, he gazed at Celina and asked, "Did you leave your attitude at home today?"

Celina nonchalantly replied, "Just didn't want to argue with you. You're the boss, you get what you want. If you have nothing else to complain about, let me get back to work."

Although Joyce should have felt pleased, for some reason, he felt extremely uncomfortable. It was as if when Celina walked out, Joyce's energy significantly diminished. Could it be that...

The thought hadn't even fully formed in his mind before Joyce dismissed it. How could he possibly like a girl like that? She was sharp-tongued and never backed down. It was only in the workplace that he could toy with her. Maybe outside of the office, she wouldn't argue with him like a knife to the face.

While his mind was telling him one thing, Joyce's heart was leading him in a different direction. Every opportunity he got, his gaze would find its way to the girl, looking for ways to engage her in conversation and make her smile. The relationship between the two gradually softened, and he couldn't quite pinpoint when it happened. He even invited Celina to play basketball together.

"I don't even know how to play, yet you're inviting me," Celina didn't outright refuse.

"I'll teach you," Joyce said, pulling Celina along.

Joyce taught Celina everything from how to hold the ball to shooting it into the hoop. She realized he wasn't actually all that detestable. The distance between them was close, and as a result, their hearts skipped a beat in unison.

Back home, Joyce recalled the scene of him teaching Celina to play basketball, and his lips unconsciously formed a silly smile of someone in love.

Before he could express his love, Joyce had to witness a heart-wrenching scene.

His father led a woman to the house, their hands intertwined right in front of Joyce's eyes. Adonis also noticed his son's presence. He said, "What a coincidence. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Ula, she will be your father's wife."

While Joyce was still in shock, another figure stepped out of the car. Initially appearing as a stranger, little did he expect that it was the girl who had gradually taken a significant place in his heart.

Adonis spoke up again, unaware that his announcement could irreversibly strain their father-son relationship. The resentment within Joyce grew even stronger. "And this is Celina, your stepsister," he said.

Celina's eyes were bewildered. She knew Adonis had a son, but she never expected this coincidence. Joyce was not only her superior but now her stepbrother as well. She had just begun to breathe a sigh of relief when he stopped making things difficult for her at work, and now, all of a sudden, they had become family. Could it be that he had suspected her of planning this all along?

It turned out to be like that, everything had a purpose, not just mere coincidence or some unfortunate fate.

Joyce looked at the three of them, seeing no signs of happiness. On the contrary, he understood why his father had abandoned his mother until her passing.