| Fan Fiction |
by Hibiscus
“Ethan?” Rainie’s voice was incredulous with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Ethan blushed, grimaced and then blushed again. “Selena,” he hollered and Selena came to the doorway clutching a blanket around herself. Her eyes widened when she saw Rainie and she shot Ethan a guilty look.
“You’ve been sleeping with Ethan?!” Rage flowed like lava over Rainie.
“Don’t make it sound cheap, Rainie. I love her.” Ethan quickly came to Selena’s defense.
“Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking, Ethan.” Rainie shrugged past him closer to Selena who stood with her head bowed.
“What have you got to say for yourself, Selena? I thought we agreed that my men are off limits for your nocturnal excursions. Actually, fuck this, I’ll deal with this later. Right now I need you help. Ariel and Mike-”
“Just stop, alright!” Selena was loud. She stared at Rainie, determination painting her face strong. “Just stop. I’m sick of this and I’m sick of you!”
Ethan put a restraining hand on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. “I’ve endured being bullied by you for three years already. I’m done. Rainie, look at yourself. How can you bear to live with yourself? You are greedy, power hungry, controlling and selfish. So selfish. Do you have one feeling in you that does not have a mercenary beginning? You can’t own people, Rainie! You can’t! How can you continue with your schemes and keep causing people pain?”
“Look whose talking!” Rainie started hotly.
“I don’t deny it. I’ve been a bitch but only because I was afraid that if I didn’t go along with you, you would ostracize me. But I’m done. Didn’t you see Ariel Lin’s empty eyes; did it not scare the shit out of you? Cuz I’m scared, Rainie. I’m scared and I’m not ashamed of admitting it.” Selena breathed heavily. “I’m done being your puppy to call and direct. You are on your own from now on.” Selena held her head high. “And for the record, I love Ethan. I don’t just fuck them and leave them like you do.”
They stood in front of each other. Quiet. Ethan stared at each one in turn, looking uncomfortable.
“I’d like you to leave now.” Selena finally broke the silence.
Rainie stiffened. “Let’s go, Ethan.” She said imperiously. Ethan took a deep breath and looked at her apologetically, “Sorry Rainie, I’ve already chosen my side in this battle.”
Rainie’s face whitened with shock and then she threw her head back and walked out.
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Ariel slammed open the door to the Palace, stomped in and stood glaring at Patience who sat at the kitchen table calmly peeling garlic.
“Welcome home, Ariel.” She smiled.
“I,” Ariel enunciated each word carefully and precisely, “don’t like you.”
“What happened now?” Patience sighed.
“This is all your fault,” Ariel stomped to the freezer, opened it and stood in front of it.
“What are you looking for?” Patience asked.
“Something I can get drunk off.” Ariel snapped.
“Was it a reporter or a fan?” Patience reached out and pulled a magazine that was sticking out of Ariel’s bag.
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Ariel Lin Unveiled
I sat down today with Ariel Lin, the hot new star of Chances for a heart to heart. At first glance, she seemed exactly like everyone had described her; irrepressible, sensual and intelligent. She was dressed in a pair of stone washed jeans, a white t-shirt and one ring she kept twisting round and round her finger. That was the only outer sign of nervousness. Otherwise she was at ease and fluid with the confidence that everyone was impressed by. She shook my hand with a firm grip when I greeted her and her eyes met mine without any shyness. Her western upbringing was betrayed by her tendency to slip into English every time she met a feeling she couldn’t correctly express in Mandarin.
We got started as soon as she had finished her cup of tea.
“What do you like about Taiwan the most?”
“The food. It’s amazing.” I gave her an incredulous look and she laughed and reiterated. “Honest. It’s the food. Every time I eat it, it feels like I have come home.”
“Okay. What did you like about living in Vancouver?”
She sighed and looked pensive. “The cobbled streets downtown. The quirky street lights. The way the greenery kept pace with the metallic city. That was amazing, y’noe? Flowers in Kettles or abandoned trucks. At the weirdest places. Like a busy intersection, you’d see that truck blooming. The diversity of the city, you could have ten different types of restaurants down one street, Chinese, Afghani, Thai, and Fijian! The long summer days. Everything. Its home, you know? Haha, I even liked the rain.”
“You make it sound so beautiful. According to my resources, you were brought up by an uncle?”
“Yes.”
“And your family?”
“Died in a freak blizzard.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
“How is your job at the café?”
“I got fired.” She looked grumpy.
“What happened?”
“John’s sensibilities were offended by my seemingly idol nature and he was getting irritated by the girls hanging around because Arron wouldn’t leave. So he fired me.”
“You are good friends with Arron Yan?”
“Yeah, I suppose you could say that.”
“Nothing more?”
She smiled crookedly. “I still like pineapple the best.”
I laughed at her obvious way of changing the subject. “And what about Mike? Any sparks between you two?”
She grinned mischievously. “Plenty sparks.”
“And?”
“We didn’t start a fire, no.”
“What about these rumours about you being a lesbian?”
“I’m living with my room mates. That hardly makes me a lesbian.” She rolled her eyes as she said that.
“Do these rumours hurt you?”
“Not really. I don’t care much for what others say as long as the people I care about aren’t hurt.”
“Very mature.”
She smiled. “And how’s school going?”
“Peachy.”
“It started with a kiss has just finished filming. Any plans for a new drama?”
“Yeah but not quite yet. I have finals coming up.”
“You are very dedicated to your studies, aren’t you?”
“Yes, education is the most important thing in life.”
“I agree. According to an online poll, over 75% of people still prefer Mike with Rainie. How do you feel about that?”
“Is it really necessary for me to feel anything about it?”
“What about reports of animosity between you and Rainie?”
“What about them?”
“Are they true?”
“Are your sources reliable?” She asked me.
“Well, somewhat.”
“Then why do you need me to answer your question?” She winked, incorrigible.
“Do you have a boyfriend stashed in Canada?”
“No, actually, I left him in the suitcase back home.”
“You have a delightful sense of humor.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“And what do you dream of?”
“Strawberries.”
“You dream of strawberries?”
“Yep, big, fat, juicy ones.”
“You must be hungry.”
“Oh yes. I’m starving. In fact [glances at watch] we are almost done, yes? I need to go get some lunch and run to my history class.”
She made such pleading eyes at me that I was helpless to do anything but comply. And with a flurry of throw kisses and promises for a longer interview, Ariel Lin, newest star and hurricane was gone. I sat a while, breathless. There is no doubt about it, my dear readers, whether the world is ready or not, Ariel Lin is here. To stay.
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Patience folded the magazine shut and looked at Ariel who was chopping up chicken with a gleefully satisfied expression.
“Three things. Lapsing into English?”
Ariel grimaced. “They expected it.”
“Uh huh. Second thing. Throw kisses?”
Ariel cringed even more and looked embarrassed. “Rosa told me that I wasn’t cute enough.”
“Fire her. And last thing. What’s wrong with the article?”
“Nothing.” Thwap! Ariel cut off another piece.
“Then why are you mad and how is it my fault?”
“I got a bloody B- on my math midterm cuz I didn’t have time to study enough for it and it’s your fault for suggesting this stupid idol thing.” Ariel turned towards Patience, chopper in her hand. “Any more questions?”
“I’m going to go mow the lawn now.” Patience escaped.
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“Why am I here?” Arron wondered aloud.
He was tutoring Yi Zhen in accounting at the library. He and Yi Zhen attended the same university coincidentally.
“Cuz Ariel asked you to be here and you can’t deny her to save your life.” Yi Zhen answered him without looking up from her book. “Tell me how to do this.”
“I can too deny her!” Arron began hotly and then smiled goofily and replied, “Well, maybe not.”
“Stop drooling, you’ll cause a flood. Tell me what I must do to get the correct answer!” Arron sighed and yielded.
“Are you going to the award show?” Yi Zhen asked after a while. She was talking about the Taipei Film, Drama and Music Awards. It was highly prestigious and was a direct reflection of the choices of the people in all popular categories including Best Couple and Best Actress. Online voting was allowed as was telephone voting and fans competed with each other to get their idols a statue. You could vote only once and the integrity of your vote was checked by the name and social security number given.
“Most probably. I’ll have to attend especially if Fei Lun Hai is up for awards.” Arron twiddled his pen in his hands. “Why, aren’t you?”
“What for? It’s not like I’m up for anything.” Yi Zhen sounded a bit glum.
“Don’t expect me to comfort you when you are the one who gave up Xiang Qin.” Arron muttered.
Yi Zhen deflated. She slumped over her books and mumbled, “You just don’t understand…”
“Don’t understand what? Are you calling me dumb?” Arron was uncomfortable at the lack of her spirit.
“That’s beside the point. I saw Ariel acting out Xiang Qin and I knew there was no way I could do justice to her anymore.” Yi Zhen seemed really low on her self esteem.
“Ariel has loads of talent but that doesn’t mean you have none at all either,” Arron said sternly. Yi Zhen didn’t reply. He looked over at her and noticed how glossy and soft her hair looked. Then he blushed. Just then Yi Zhen looked up.
“Why are you blushing?” She demanded.
“Nothing. No reason.” Arron replied hurriedly.
“Were you thinking perverted thoughts?” She asked suspiciously.
Arron choked. “About you?! In your dreams!”
“I’ve seen you looking at me!”
“It’s cuz I have to tutor you, dumbass! Trust me, it’s been painful!” Arron was beyond himself. “I’m completely in love with Ariel, I don’t even see you. In fact, all you are is a lump of dough wear a dress!”
Yi Zhen got up suddenly, sending her chair flying back. “That’s right! I completely forgot. I am supposed to go shopping with Ariel.” She gathered her stuff.
Arron got up too. “I’m coming with!”
“You are not. No stinking Arrons allowed!” And she left.
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“I could have come to your place.” Rainie purred as she sat with Chun in the VIP lounge at Carpe Diem.
“I can’t take any other women there,” Chun replied, watching the amber liquid whirl as he shook his glass.
“I’m just any woman to you?” Rainie looked at Chun with half lidded eyes.
“Mm. Don’t pretend you love me, Rainie,” He replied distractedly.
“What if I said I did,” she asked half seriously.
“I’d say you were lying,” Chun watched the dancers undulating on the floor.
“You think I’m incapable of love?” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Why ask questions you already know the answer to?” Chun finally directed all his attention on her and Rainie unconsciously sighed. Chun in the half light that the room was drenched in was breath taking. Breath stealing in fact. He was beautiful. The face angels would weep over. And he was cruel. Without hesitation or internal dilemma over his scruples. The perfect man. For Rainie. Too bad he was spoken for. Well, she couldn’t complain, she had tasted him on more occasions than one and she was sure she’d still be able to once he was married.
“You friend is getting on my nerves,” Rainie told him solemnly.
“Ariel?” He smiled.
“Who else?” Rainie had been gratified to see that according to online polls and surveys, the majority of people still preferred her with Mike, 85% in fact.
“She’s inconsequential,” Chun’s eyes were hooded and he took a deep drink.
“Obviously,” Rainie stood up and held out a hand to Chun. “Let’s dance.”
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It had been snowing earlier, that morning, just before dawn and Ariel had stared in wonder at the fat flakes. Snow. The purity. The serenity and the cold. Then it had stopped snowing and now it was just cold. The shack was old with no insulation to keep out the cold. And there were so many cobwebs. Intricate cobwebs. Ariel turned her head toward the window up in the wall and wondered why the stars still dared to shine. Her hands were bound behind her and her waist was tied to a post. The floor was brown and dirty. Ariel’s feet were bare. There was a gash on her right foot and blood had congealed on the side of it. Ariel didn’t feel the hurt, she barely felt the cold.
The person in the corner started crying again and Ariel turned toward her. No, there was something in the corner she couldn’t see. So Ariel turned her head away and listened to the sobs. There was a strange rhythm to her sobs. Sob breath, wail, breath, sob. And repeat. Over and over again.
The footsteps sounded again. Dragging outside. Filled with purpose and menace. The volume of the person’s crying increased. Ariel’s heart tried to grow wings. The door knob turned-.
Ariel sat up in bed, breathing hard. The nightmare. Again. Shit.
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Author's Note: Three more chapters till the end of the section! *cheers loudly* Thank you, God. Whew. Anyone who says this chapter is short I'm not speaking to you. It took me a long while to write this chapter mostly because I kept on watching Coffee Prince. Ahem. Three more chapters. =D =D