Fan Fiction |
by Kiki
“Raymond, I’m so sorry, I can’t let you have the vacation you requested.” My supervisor, Jeremy, informed me as soon as I came into work this morning.
“What? How come? Why not?” I shot the questions at him instantly. “I turned in the date well in advance.” I looked at him hoping he’d start laughing and tell me he was only pulling a prank. When I realized he was not joking, I panicked, “Jeremy, I have to have the week off. You don’t understand, it’s my buddy’s wedding on Sunday, and I’ve promised to help him this week with the final touches.” I explained.
“Sorry Raymond, you know that Joe’s wife just had a baby.” Jeremy reminded me. “Plus, like you said, it’s your buddy’s wedding. If it were your wedding, I’d gladly let you off. But we really need you right now.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder before walking off.
I could not believe this. How was I going to tell Myolie? She’s been expecting me to spend time with her and her parents this entire week.
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I got home that evening and was immediately greeted by Myolie with her cheerful smile, “How was work today?” I took a deep breath ready to tell her, “So I was thinking, tomorrow we’ll take Mom and Dad to….”
I interrupted her mid-sentence, “I didn’t get the week off.” I blurted out. I lifted my head slowly to see Myolie’s reaction.
“You WHAT? DIDN’T GET THE WEEK OFF!” She exclaimed.
“I’m so sorry Myolie.” I apologized profusely. “Jeremy wouldn’t let me off because Joe’s wife just had a baby. I promise I’ll be home for dinner each night with you and your parents. I’ll cook whatever you want me to.” I volunteered. She pouted, but in the end, she understood.
I knew she was upset, even I was upset. I had look forward to spending time with Myolie’s parents and to let them get to know me better. Now they’ll just think I’m the crappy boyfriend who can’t find time to spend with them.
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Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Location: Raymond’s Desk Time: 10:42 AM
“Hello, Raymond Lam speaking, how may I help you?” I asked politely as I answered my phone.
“Hey Raymond, it’s me, Myolie.” I heard her voice on the other side of the line. It sounded extra scratchy.
“Hey, you okay? You don’t sound too well. Do you have a cold?” She answered that she had a sore throat. “Do you want me to go to the doctor with you?” I asked concernedly.
“No, I’ll be okay, I’ve taken so medicine already. I was just calling to remind you about dinner tonight. Mom and Dad have both agreed to go to dinner together.” I chuckled at how excited she sounded. “This is like a dream come true, it’ll be the first time in close to twenty years that we’ll be able to sit down like an actual family for dinner.”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t forget. I’ll meet you guys there at the restaurant at seven sharp.” After hanging up with Myolie, I began my countdown of numbers of hours until I got off work.
I had to stay overtime until six, but that would give me an hour to get to the restaurant. I looked at my clock, it read 5:59. I started stuffing my belonging’s into my messenger bag when I saw my supervisor walking over.
“I’m so glad I caught you before you left Raymond.” I didn’t like the sound of how the conversation was starting.
I didn’t give him a chance to finish, “Jeremy, I have to go. I’ll see you in the morning?”
He held me back, “Raymond, I need you to go with me to one of the sites.”
I looked at him in disbelief, “Does it have to be me? Can’t Brian or Matt go? I’m in a hurry to leave.” I tried to explain. “I’m meeting my future in-laws for dinner, what would they think of me if I’m late. I want them to have a good impression of me.”
“You know our department is the baby department of the month, Joe’s wife just had her baby, and Matt’s and Brian’s wives are due to have their babies any minute. I don’t have the heart to call them in. When you get married and have a wife, I promise to give you the same type of treatment.”
“If things continue this way, there’s no way I’ll even have a wife.” I mumbled under my breath.
I called Myolie to inform her of the bad news, “Where are you right now?” she asked me. “Mom and Dad are both here already and we’re just waiting for you.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible; I had to go to one of the sites to check out a problem. You’re not angry are you?”
“It’s okay, I know you have to work, just give me a call when you done? Do you want me to bring you something back tonight?”
“It shouldn’t take me too long; I bet I’ll be able to join you guys by the time your dinner is ready.” I replied. “Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Okay, well I’ll see you later, hopefully.” Myolie returned to the table. “Raymond said he may be a bit late. He has some wo`rk to finish.”
“If he doesn’t want to come he can just say so.” Damian huffed.
“Dad, he never said that. He really wants to be here right now, but he had work.”
“Myolie, make sure you keep a close eye on him. Men love to say they are working, when actually they’re out with another woman.” Maggie commented was obviously directed to Damian, who had affair with a woman at work, thus leading to their divorce.
Myolie did not want to see her parents fighting again; she just wanted to enjoy a nice meal with them. She spotted a familiar figure, “Ron!” she yelled out and stared waving.
Ron waved good bye to his friends and walked over to Myolie’s table, “Kai Gu Jei, , Kai Gu Jurng” he greeted.
“We’re divorced” Maggie reminded Ron. “Are you about to leave Ron?”
“Why don’t you have a seat and join us?” Myolie invited.
“I just ate.” He replied to Myolie offer. She gave him a look. He understood it to mean, ‘sit now or you’ll regret later.’ “Then again, I don’t mind sitting and chatting, maybe even having some dessert.” He had a frightened smile. Myolie nodded approvingly.
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“Sorry, I couldn’t make it to dinner. Things took longer than expected. Did things go well between Auntie and Uncle?” I removed my blazer and plopped onto my bed.
“Mom and Dad were upset you didn’t come, but luckily since Ron was there, it took their minds off that.”
“I didn’t realize you had invited Ron to dinner tonight.”
“We ran into him at the restaurant. He had just had dinner with his friends and colleagues, so I asked him to join us. Ron was so mean, he kept teasing me.” Myolie continued to rant on about what Ron has said during dinner; the dinner that I should have been at. “Raymond, are you still there?”
“Yeah,” I answered sadly. I heard her cough hoarsely, “Are you still not feeling better?” I asked. “Get some rest, okay.” I hung up the phone and walked out to the kitchen.
It was now about four in the morning; I got home around eleven and ended the phone call with Myolie around midnight. Damian was already asleep when I arrived home. For the past few hours, I have been busy at work in my kitchen.
I heard a cough and looked up. I was startled by the woman standing in front of me. “Can I get a glass of water” she asked. I opened the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water and handed it over the counter to her. She thanked me as she accepted it. “I’m Florence Kwok.” She introduced herself, “Damian’s wife.”
I was in disbelief; Myolie was right when she told me that her dad had married a young woman. I thought Maggie looked young, but Florence looked even younger. She was probably in her maybe in her early or mid thirties. “It’s nice to meet you,” I paused, unsure how to address her.
“Just call me Florence, that’s what Myolie calls me.” She answered as if she had read my mind.
I reached my hand out to give her a handshake, but realized it was covered in sauce. I washed my hand and offered it again, “I’m Raymond.”
“What are you making Raymond?”
Steam was coming from each of my pots. “Um, well, I making some pear soup for Myolie, because I know she has a sore throat.” I’ve started some breakfast, and getting the chicken marinated for tonight’s dinner. Hope I can redeem myself for missing dinner with them.”
She chuckled, “Damian told me a bit about you when he picked me up.”
I swallowed nervously, “He did?”
“Don’t be scared of him, he just wants the best for Myolie. She’s his only daughter, so it’s only normal for him to be protective.”
“He doesn’t have to worry, I will only love Myolie. I could never have another person in my heart.”
Florence smiled, “Myolie’s sure is really lucky to have you as her boyfriend.” She commented.
I smiled and corrected her, “No, I’m the lucky one to have her as my girlfriend.”