Fan Fiction |
by elmo
“Why must I always be the one to call her first?” Raymond muttered as he began searching for her contact in his cell phone. Just then, Linda knocked on his door, and entered into his office.
“You’ve a meeting in an hour. I’ve prepared the materials for the upcoming project which the managers will be discussing later. Do you want to take a last look at it?” Linda asked.
Raymond quickly put away his cell phone, and nodded his head, “Yeah, join me as well. I need some opinions from you too.”
As they quietly scanned through the documents, Linda caught Raymond occasionally stealing glances at the cell phone lying at the corner of his desk.
“Are you waiting for a call from someone?” She asked.
Raymond snapped out from his thoughts immediately, “I…Hmm, no.”
“Had an argument?” She had guessed it right. Hearing no response from Raymond, she continued, “You look serious about her.”
“I don’t wish to discuss my private matters, Linda.” Raymond said.
“Don’t sink too deep into this relationship, Ray. Love, after all, is just a game. That’s what you once told me, didn’t you?” Linda stood up from her seat and left his office.
So maybe I shouldn’t call her after all, Raymond finally decided and put his focus back onto his work.
_____________________________
Bosco carefully picked out a few stalks of roses, before passing them to the florist for her to wrap them up properly. After paying for the flowers, he rushed back to the photography studio where Myolie was almost finished at her last job for the day. As she strolled towards Bosco, he quickly showed the bouquet of roses to her.
“Beautiful flowers for a gorgeous lady.” He put on a smile and gave them to her.
Muttering ‘thanks’ to him, it was evident that her mood had brightened up at the sight of these flowers. For the past few days, Bosco was aware that Myolie was waiting for Raymond’s call, but it never came, and as each day passed, her mood went downhill drastically, so he wanted to cheer her up.
“Sharon’s waiting for us at the usual restaurant. Let’s go now, before she starts complaining.” Bosco said, as he packed up their belongings and they headed for his car.
On their way there, Bosco tried to distract her attention by asking her to plan out her work schedule for the following month. As they were discussing, it suddenly hit on Myolie that 1st July was coming soon.
“What’s so special about that day?” Bosco asked out of curiosity.
“Oh…nothing. Nothing special at all.” She replied, before turning away to look out of the window.
Bosco saw her strange reaction, and had more or less guessed the reason.
“How about asking Raymond to join us for dinner? I think he should have finished work already.” Bosco suggested.
Myolie contemplated for a moment before speaking, “Whatever, you decide.”
__________________________
[Raymond’s Office]
“Ray, let’s have dinner together.” Linda popped into his office and said.
Raymond was in the midst of packing up his belongings after receiving Bosco’s call, and he agreed to dine with them.
“I got a date already. We shall have dinner together another day, Linda.” Raymond answered.
Linda was aware that if Raymond was to go for this dinner, she would no longer stand a chance. She needed to seize this opportunity first. She stepped right in, before shutting the door behind her. Raymond heard the ‘bang’ sound and looked up to find Linda locking his office door.
“What are...” Raymond asked with a frown.
“Let’s get back together, Raymond. I don’t mind if you’ve other women outside. I just want to return to the old times when we’re together. Can we?” She asked, which sounded more like a plea instead.
Raymond stared at her for a few moments, “Well, we’re friends, aren’t we? I…I prefer us to be friends, Linda.”
“But I don’t wish to be just your friend.” Linda rebuked.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m able to give you what you want.” Raymond rejected her once again, and brushed past her to unlock his office door.
Linda watched him walked down the corridor. It was her final attempt of reconciliation.
“You must be kidding me, Raymond Lam,” She said with a laugh, “You never reject women before. Because of a woman, you’ve changed completely. Pathetic, I would say.”
Raymond stopped in his track, before turning around to face her. She might be useful, he thought silently in his heart.
“Who says I’ve changed? Don’t you want to have dinner together? Be quick then. I’m not going to wait for you, Linda Chung.” He said smiling.
Grabbing her handbag, Linda rushed over and joined Raymond. Her plan seemed to be working.
“So was it my words which changed your mind?” Linda asked.
Raymond nodded his head before chuckling, “Yeah, I thought that it would be pathetic of you to be dining alone. After all, it’s just dinner, isn’t it?”
Linda’s expression turned grave upon hearing his words. She scowled in silence at him, but it was not the time to throw her temper around now.
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[Restaurant]
“The buffet this restaurant serves is great! Don’t you think so, Bosco?” Sharon tucked into the plate of food before her.
Hearing no response, she looked up to find Bosco deep in thought. Apparently, he had not heard her words.
“Oh come on, both of you! Why are you guys so quiet tonight?” Sharon said, referring to Myolie and Bosco, whom seemed to be in their little own world.
“I think he’s on his way here already,” Bosco spoke to Myolie, before getting up from his seat, “I’ll call him again.”
At that moment, Bosco saw Raymond strolling into the restaurant. But he was not alone. Someone else was beside. He did not recognize that lady.
“Hey!” Raymond waved to him.
Bosco smiled back in return, before grabbing the plate of food which Sharon was eating. She looked up at him in annoyance, before catching his hint to leave Raymond and Myolie alone together. Cooking up an excuse, she proceeded to the table a few feet away, whilst Bosco approached Linda, attempting to distract her away as well. However, Raymond interrupted at this moment.
“Linda will be waiting here. I’ll just have a few words with Myolie.” Raymond said to Bosco, before walking over to the table where Myolie was sitting.
Bosco was confused by Raymond’s actions, but he did not wish to interfere. Watching on at the couple, he began rubbing his hands in anxiety, as an ominous feeling started welling up within him. On the other hand, Raymond took the seat opposite Myolie, whose gloomy expression disappeared at the sight of him.
“I’ve something to say.” Raymond said in a serious tone.
Reaching into his suitcase, he pulled out an A4-sized brown envelope and placed it in front of Myolie.
“What is it?” She asked, as she began to check out the contents inside the envelope, expecting Raymond to have some surprises for her.
Pulling out the only piece of paper, Myolie realized that it was the contract which brought both of them together in the first place.
“I wish to terminate this contract early.” Raymond declared.
“So what does that mean?” Myolie questioned with a frown.
“The game is over. From this moment onwards, we’re no longer a couple. You’re free to do whatever you want, while I’m entitled to date whomever I like.” Raymond said, before standing up to leave.
“Why are you doing this? Are you trying to admit defeat now?” Myolie stood up as well, and caught sight of Linda near the entrance of the restaurant.
“So what if it is? You don’t really expect that I’ll abide by the rules of this contract, do you? That’ll be really naïve of you then. It’s only a game. Moreover, I’ve already achieved my aim of this contract. Christine’s marriage is salvaged. I see no meaning for us to carry on.” Raymond answered.
“Why not just tell me straightforward that you wish to make up with your ex-lover, and that I’m obstructing both of you?” Myolie glared angrily at him.
“It’s got nothing to do with Linda at all that I’m making this decision,” Raymond rebutted, “Well, let’s be rational. Do you like me then? According to the contract, you’re supposed to fall in love with me, have you?”
Myolie clenched her fists tightly and bit onto her lower lip, before answering, “No, and I never will.” Picking up the contract, she continued, “I shall grant your wish then. We’re so over, Raymond Lam. Go and be the stinkiest monk in this world!” With that, she tore up the contract and threw the pieces right into his face.
“Me too!” Raymond said it loud to her, “I won’t like you either.” These words were extremely hard for Raymond to say out, and also for Myolie to hear it.
Sharon quickly gave chase after Myolie whom had stormed off in fury. Bosco went up to Raymond, and wanted to drag him off to explain matters clearly to Myolie.
“Let go of me!” Raymond yanked his arm away from Bosco’s grip.
“Are you going to let her go like this? Are you blind? Can’t you see that she’s crying? She’s crying because of you idiot, so come with me right now! Just apologize to her, is that really so difficult?” Bosco reprimanded in frustration.
“Didn’t you hear what she said? She doesn’t like me. What’s the use?” Raymond looked at Bosco before his tone softened, “You should be the one beside her.”
Bosco was perplexed at Raymond’s words, but finally decided to forget about Raymond, and hastily went after both Sharon and Myolie. He had never imagined that this dinner would turn out this way, when his original intention was to patch both of them up. Now, guilt was beginning build up in him. Linda went over to Raymond, whom bent down to pick up the torn pieces of paper.
“Forget about them. Why are you picking them up?” Linda said.
Raymond did not respond. He just continued to do so, and placed them into his suitcase.
“Hey,” Linda lowered herself, irritated at being ignored, “Can you stop…” But she stopped talking when she saw the tears trickling down Raymond’s face.
“Can you please help me? I can’t do this all alone.” Raymond’s voice was muffled and soft.
Linda’s expression softened upon hearing his request, and helped him to gather all the torn pieces of paper together in silence.
___________________________
“She’s in the arcade. In a very bad mood.” Sharon told Bosco.
Bosco let out a heavy sigh, “What should we do then? Raymond refused to budge as well.”
Sharon flashed an evil grin at Bosco, “It’s your chance, Bosco dude.”
“Stop that creepy expression,” Bosco answered, “And no, I won’t do that. Don’t even think of it.”
“You’re truly a saint.” Sharon chuckled.
“Can you get home by yourself? I’ll keep her company.” Bosco said, and Sharon nodded.
Bosco went into the arcade, and found Myolie at one of the machines.
“Die…die…you idiot…stupid fool, go and die…” She hit on the buttons aggressively, and had not noticed that Bosco had pulled a chair and sat beside her.
“How about having a competition?” Bosco suggested.
Myolie turned around, and was surprised to see Bosco there. She began to look around for Sharon.
“Sharon had gone home,” Bosco spoke, “So how about a game?”
Myolie pulled her chair aside, allowing Bosco to come closer towards the machine. Soon, hours passed by, as both of them were engrossed into the game, especially Myolie.
“Yeah! I’ve won AGAIN!” Myolie yelped out in joy and punched her fist into the air.
Bosco laughed, mumbling to himself, “That’s because I gave in to you.”
“What?” Myolie did not catch his words.
“No, you’re great. I suck badly in these games.” Bosco continued his weak laughter.
And then, it was silence. Bosco hated the silence. He took a peek at Myolie, whose unhappiness was returning again. Gathering up his courage, he turned and pulled her into his arms tightly.
“If you’re unhappy, just cry it out.” He whispered, patting on her back gently.
Myolie gripped onto the sides of Bosco’s shirt tightly, as the tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably. Gradually, her soft cries could be heard, as she pressed her face onto Bosco’s shoulder, before she began to wail aloud, ignoring the stares of the people around them. After her mother’s death, this was the first time she felt terribly upset. The feeling was so bitter, unpleasant, and definitely, very painful.
______________________________
Raymond slumped onto his bed in exhaustion. Shutting his eyes, he tried to get some sleep, but all he thought was Myolie. Raymond got up from the bed, and proceeded to the toilet, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
“What a coward you are.” His reflection seemed to telling him that.
Yes, he was a coward. He was afraid of being hurt, so he chose to hurt her first.
“She’ll be alright.” He tried to convince himself. She had Bosco, didn’t she?
Carefully placing the torn pieces of paper on his desk, Raymond began to spend the long night putting them back together. The contract may be merely a game. Their relationship may be just for fun. But he realized that his feelings were real. For the first time in his life, he tasted the feeling of love.
___________________________
“Are you serious about it?” Bosco asked, as they walked down the corridor towards the photography studio.
It was a week since that incident at the restaurant. It was finally 1st July. On this day, she had originally wanted to tell him something, but now, it would not come true anymore.
“Yeah, I’m officially single again.” Myolie put on a forced smile.
Bosco chuckled and joked, “So do I stand a chance then, even if it’s just 0.01%?”
“Well, I never believe in miracles before, Bosco Wong.” Myolie stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
“Geez, can’t you be a little more encouraging?” Bosco muttered under his breath.
“But I think I do believe in them now.” She continued in a softer tone.
Bosco turned and looked at her with a frown.
“What do you like about me, Bosco?” She asked.
“Hmm,” Bosco thought for a long while, “Everything. Good or bad. Why do you ask?”
“I think I like you too.” Myolie said.
Bosco stopped in his track, and stared at Myolie with his mouth half-open, “What do you mean?”
“Let’s start dating.” She declared.
Bosco continued looking at her in disbelief.
“Well, didn’t you say you like me?” She asked.
Bosco nodded his head, “But you don’t have the same feelings for me, am I right?”
Myolie scratched her head, and stuttered, “Well, I…I think I like you too…but…but it’s just 0.01% that much. You…you should be honored already.”
Bosco let out a weak laughter at her response, “Yeah, I am.”
She smacked on his arm hard, “Be more serious. I’m seriously serious in asking you to date with me seriously.”
“We can be together,” Bosco replied, “But you must tell me why you are doing this first.”
Myolie looked down on the ground and whispered solemnly, “Because I wish to forget him. Forget everything about him. Forget him completely.”
Bosco’s mind was telling him to reject Myolie, but his heart did not bear to do so. She was asking him for help. She should not be doing so, but he knew that this choice might be her last resort left. She had no one else, did she?
Bosco took hold of her hands, “I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll try my best to make you forget about him. From then on, you’ll just think of me and me alone only.”
She smiled in relief at his acceptance, “I’ll try my best too. I want to like you the way you like me as well.”
She thought that a new relationship would make the pain go away faster, so she turned to him as always. He was aware that she had no feelings for him actually, but yet he did not wish to let go of this chance. Was this supposed to be a good start for them?