Some Turmoil Within

Joy's expression remained as usual, calm and indifferent. He gave me a slight smile, "Sorry, I'm late!"

He then naturally took a seat next to me. Dora continued to smile and teased Joy, "Joy, you're so slow! If you were any later, we would have finished eating and left!"

"Traffic in the city center!" he replied, then took the menu from the waiter and ordered a few dishes. "Excuse me, I need to wash my hands."

He stood up again and headed to the restroom.

I felt a chilling gaze fixed on me from a distance. Without looking, I knew it was Fiona, unabashedly staring.

Dora suddenly asked me, "Ms. Miller, did you know my brother Joy before?"

I glanced at her and truthfully responded, "No, I didn't know him. We met through work."

"Oh... no wonder," she muttered to herself, her remark leaving me perplexed. This cousin of his always seemed whimsically mysterious, somewhat inscrutable.