The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 34: Suspicions & Discussions .||

Jiang watched the two plopping themselves on the couch opposite him. Jun Ho had been pointing to the water bottle for a while, so Jiang turned to the mini-fridge he had in the office and picked up a new mineral bottle. Tossing it towards Jun Ho, he chuckled at Annika's amazed expression when the elder managed to capture it perfectly with his left palm.

"Did you notice anything strange about Ansel for the past two months?" Jun Ho questioned, twisting the cap open with his thumb and index finger. "Perhaps something weird."

He shrugged at his question.

"I don't see anything weird or strange happening to her," said Jiang honestly, recalling the moments he spent with Ansel. "I know that she is hardly at home these days. She will be out early in the morning and might not be home till eleven at night, but you both do realize that she has a personal life too. If she is still in the Black Mamba, I will be worried about her, but now that she is out of it, I trust her choices in making the correct choices in life. And, correct choices doesn't mean she will be back home safe. What's the matter with the both of you?"

"Her President, Crystal told me that Ansel skipped a few meetings for martial art classes," stated Annika, raising her eyebrows at Jiang as if to remind him of something unpleasant. "That's not it. She opted for the extra classes on weekends, morning and evening both. And if that does not worry you, she is asking for a passage into the archery range now."

Jun Ho nodded in agreement. He closed the cap carefully, setting it on the table in front of him.

"Does that ring a bell Jiang? The last time she entered a martial art class, she almost killed her opponent," reminded Jun Ho, clicking his tongue. "She was preparing herself for a tournament with her superior from the Black Mamba. How is this time going to be any different?"

"Because she is grown up now. Do I need to remind you that she is already twenty-two?" Jiang stated, rolling his eyes before shutting them to relax his mind and continued. "I don't get what's the fuss about. It's her thing, her hobbies and her favourite. She is making the right decision. Ansel quitting the Black Mamba doesn't mean she has to let go of the things she loves in her life. Staying in a martial art class does not mean her getting back into the group. Look at the bright side, it is another way for her to protect herself. It proves how independent she is to take care of herself, instead of relying on someone else. Don't doubt her. All she needs is someone to support her now, not questioning her choices."

Annika tossed her hands up in the air angrily. Standing up from her seat, she glared at Jiang and headed towards the window to look at the busy streets.

"It feels like you are being ignorant about her. Something must have come up. Her half-brother Ethan came over to the university the other day, asking about her profile," said Annika, crossing her arms as she faced Jiang while straightening the scarf she was wearing that matched her elegant red Punjabi suit. "Something feels not right, Jiang. I don't know how to word it, but..."

"Her kitten whiskers are feeling all around the edges of the world," Jun Ho interrupted, clasping his palms. "I have to agree with Annika, Jiang, you and I both know Ethan has always been trying to get to her. He's that one sneaky rat that comes and goes for fun. Remember the one time mom and dad lied for her to keep him away during her birthday. He never cares for her for at least five years. Why now?"

Jiang straightened his back, staring at Jun Ho and Annika.

"Right, I agree. Ethan's presence is a worry. Unless he does anything dangerous, we don't interfere in his and Ansel's issues. Ansel can handle it," assured Jiang truthfully, holding his palms up to stop Annika from continuing her words. "I get it that you are both worried about her, but she is not the same girl she was before. She is not the person she is yesterday or one week ago or one month ago or even a year ago. She is not a child and can make her own choices. I will always be worried about her, but that doesn't mean allowing me to question every single one of her actions. If we keep questioning her, it means we do not trust her. We can be concern about her and keep watching her without pushing her to the edge of running away.