NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

Kyle was actually extremely nervous the closer they got to his kids.

He remembered this particular day as it had been an extremely unusual request by her socially awkward daughter. She had wanted to draw the scenery inside a shopping mall.

As Kylie had to work, she could not accompany them the whole day. Thus, she had entrusted the duty of taking care of the sister onto the elder brother. Though in truth, Kylie thought it was more the other way around since Lianne was more rational than Joseph.

However, Lianne was young and petite, thus, would require Joseph's bigger frame to deter weirdos like him.

Would Joseph's protective nature over his sister make it difficult for them to get close? Would Lianne's uncomfortableness with strangers and the public be a deterrence?

Thus, Kyle banked on two things. The fact that they knew him as Rex, and Sayuri's friendly nature. She had this really approachable look and was kind, thus he was confident that she could charm the kids.

Added to the fact that it was her forte, as well, it seemed like the perfect solution.

Kyle walked on first, and 'accidentally' bumped into the table that his kids were at as he walked by. He stopped, placed his hand on the table, and turned.

His mouth already formed the words, "I'm sor-" when he stopped.

Blinked and stared at them.

"Joseph? Lianne?" Kyle said softly, tilting his head, "Is that you?"

Immediately, Lianne looked wary while Joseph looked up confused, "Yes? Who are you?"

Joseph studied the adult, trying to remember when he had ever met him. He doubted he would forget, for he had never really been in contact with foreigners before. This guy had blue eyes.

No way would he forget such a feature.

Lianne was wondering the same thing and she stared at the face intently. Something about his face seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She felt a bit annoyed now, as it was as the answer was right there, but she couldn't see it.

"Um, well, this may take a while … can I join you guys?" Kyle asked.

Immediately, Joseph sat up straight, staring at Kyle.

"Look, Mister, not to be rude, but we don't know you," Joseph said firmly.

Joseph wasn't comfortable letting this stranger sit with them. What other tricks could he pull? Pretending to know them, acting friendly and all then what? Joseph was sure this man was up to no good.

Then he thought the guy was really bad at trying to con them.

He was standing there rather stiffly, looking a bit uncomfortable and awkward to the point of being unfriendly? Shouldn't he be like, this 'cool' sort of person to get them, face full of smiles to charm them?

Just as Joseph's mind went all over the place, a sweet voice was heard, "Kyle, what's wrong?"

Joseph looked at the girl that was walking over to them.

It was the same girl that had passed them earlier, and Joseph looked at Kyle slightly differently.

Being a normal teenage boy, naturally, he had noticed all girls that were in the area. Okay, so he checked them out.

His first impression was that the girl was really sweet, and hot at the same time. Sweet face, solid figure. Two lethal combinations. Hearing her voice, his impression was even better.

"Are these your friends?" she asked that weird guy.

She turned towards them, not waiting for an answer, giving them a dazzling sweet smile, "Hi, I'm Sayuri."

"Joseph, but you can call me Joey," Joey said, smiling, "But we don't know him."

Sayuri looked puzzled and turned towards the man she called Kyle, taking his arm and asking gently, "Kyle, what's wrong?"

Kyle shook his head, "Nothing."

"Are they someone you met when you were here last time?"

Kyle nodded.

Sayuri nodded in understanding, then turned back to the kids, "I'm really sorry about this, but can we sit here with you to explain?"

Joseph looked at Lianne, who stared at her brother before nodding.

"Thank you so much!" Sayuri gushed, sitting down across of them and pulling Kyle down.

"You're really going to find this strange to believe, but this block of wood here is someone you met several years ago," Sayuri began.

Both looked unconvinced.

"Do you remember this scruffy looking employee at the store near your school?" Kyle asked slowly.

Lianne's eyes brightened at that, then she looked a bit sad, "Yes, I remember. Abang Rex. He was really nice but he stopped working there and we never saw him again."

Kyle was silent and looked at them.

It took a bit of time, then Joseph explosively said, "No way!"

Sayuri giggled.

"Yes, way," she said, leaning forward a bit.

Looking left and right, she said in a conspirative whisper, "In the younger days, our Kyle here was very rebellious. He ran away from home and had to disguise himself. As Rex, no one really bothered with him except for you guys."

"I did not run away from home," growled Kyle from behind them, looking displeased.

Sayuri rolled her eyes at the kids, then turned to placate Kyle, patting his hand, "Yes, yes, you did not. You were just finding yourself."

Kyle glared at her, but Sayuri was unperturbed.

She laughed and placed her hands on his cheeks, squishing it so that his lips puckered up and said, "There. Much better."

She turned his squished face towards the kids and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Don't you think so?"

Lianne pressed her lips together in an attempt not to laugh, but Joseph had no such qualms. He roared loudly, pointing a finger at Kyle's 'fish face', nodding his head.

The commotion had some people turn their heads towards them.

Two girls were whispering to each other as their eyes landed on Kyle.

"No, that can't be him, can it?" one said, her eyes fixed on that side profile.

"Maybe?"

"I've got to check!"