Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Phoenix Inn closed three business days due to the attemted burglary. Everyone was shaken up by the ordeal and some of the waiters/waitresses even thought about leaving the restaurant. Some thought it was a bad aura now that Richard has left.
Sunny heard of the rumors and he brushed them off lightly trying to take care of the situtation. He even helped out with the clean up himself eventhough he hired a group of people to help him. One night, he stayed late to do the work and was surprised to see Nick dropping by. "Don't you have a movie to shoot? Girls to flirt with?" he joked with his friend.
Nick laughed comfortably as he helped him with the fallen table that was too heavy for one person to pull up. "And miss the chance to help out a friend? I wouldn't dream of it." the guys heeved the wooden table up as Nick told him the true motive "Actually, I have a business proposition for you."
"I knew it!" Sunny exclaimed as he pointed a finger at Nick "Spill it."
"I fell in love with this restaurant the first time I stepped foot into it. If I knew that Richard was going to sell it, I would have beat you to it. I want to co-own it. YOu can have the bigger share, I just want to be part ownership." Nick explained.
Sunny smiled thoughtfully as he debated about the offer "How about I do this? I will sell you half of the shares?"
Nick smiled at the generous offer his friend was making "I knew you were a good guy!"
His smile faded "What do you mean? You thought I was a bad guy?"
"I thought you were a rich and spoiled kid back in high school cause your dad owned this restaurant in Hawaii." Nick remembered clearly "But we were kids then, how would I know. Anyways, you were always nice to me, but I thought it was because you thought I was rich too."
Sunny shook his head at the misconstrued situation back in high school "How many people thought this of me?"
"Everyone you could think of." Nick laughed "But you have to admit, you always had new clothes and you were very quiet, some people mistook that for being snobby."
"I guess." he shrugged. He let out a tired sigh "I think I should go home now. We'll worry about the paper work tomorrow."
Nick nodded "Sure. How about a late night snack? My treat."
Sunny agreed "That would be nice."
Nick took him to an upper end bar that only stars were allowed in. He waved to the bouncer at the club and the guy instantly let him in. "It's nice to be known." he sighed.
"Or famous." Sunny added as the two took their seats inside the bar. They talked about old times and their new business contract.
*****************
The next day, business was booming again, fortunately the burglary was not tainted in the people's minds. Many of the old customers came by for lunch as usual. He did not notice that Allie was late for work until Josie mentioned it "I'm surprised you're not all fidgety since your favorite girl is not here yet."
Sunny looked with with his brows ruffled "You're right. Did she call you?"
Josie shook her head "Nope. What did YOU do to scare her off?" she pressed.
They didn't have to question each other since Allie walked through the door with her arms linked through Josh's. He had a slight limp in his walk. Some of the waiters stopped to applaud while Josh smiled shyly. Sunny quickly walked over to them with a bright smile "How is your shoulder?" he asked with concern "I would have visit you but the nurses kept telling me that no one could see you."
Allie and Josh exchanged glances "You can thank my father for that one." Josh said sarcastically. "But thank you for caring."
"You saved my life, it's more than just care." Sunny pointed out.
Josh smiled as he patted Allie's hands which was gripping on his forearms "Every good thing comes out from a bad experience."
Josie heard his comment and she knew Sunny's heart was crushed that very minute. But he tamed his emotions as he brought out a hand "Congradulations. To both of you..." he shook hands with Josh and held it out to Allie.
She looked at it as if she didn't know what to do. Her eyes continued to avoid Sunny's while she shook his hand lightly "Thank you." her voice was barely audible.
"Glad to know you didn't forget about work." Josie tried to break the ice that was slowly building.
Allie's head instantly popped up "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot. Josh was being released today and I promised to come pick him-"
Sunny put up a hand "Its okay Allie. I know it's important that Josh has you by his side. Why don't you take the day off? We have a staff meeting at 9am tomorrow. Don't miss it." he smiled at the new couple and nodded "I've got to get back to work."
"Thanks." Allie smiled gratefully at him as the two left the restaurant.
"You're just going to leave it at that?" Josie asked. She knew her friend's feelings would be sensitive at a time like that.
"Don't...ask, Josie." he put up a hand to silence her. He took his station behind the cash register and began blanking out his mind to continue to work.
***************
The next morning, everyone came to the meeting on time. Some were shocked to see Nick there chatting with Sunny in a deep conversation. When the last of the employees came, Sunny clapped his hands to quiet everyone.
"I have some good news. You will not only have one boss, but now two bosses. Nick Cheung has offered to buy half of the restaurant. This can only be a good thing for Phoenix Inn. Hopefully prestige and publicity will come to our restaurant." Sunny clapped his hands as he presented Nick.
The group clapped respectfully, some people even whistled causing a laughing stir amongst the crowd. Nick stood up from his seat around the large table "Yeah, that's all you guys need, another boss." the group laughed at the joke. He always had a way to make everyone ease up, eventhough it was not necessary. "Thank you Sunny for this opportunity. Like I told him before, I fell in love with this restaurant the minute I stepped foot in it the first day. I remember clearly how Allie came to my rescue." he gave her slight wink causing a few 'whoo hoos' around the group. "Hey, hey she has a boyfriend now..." he smiled at everyone, his smile quickly faded at his next comment "I know the attempted burglar left us all very shaken up. Although we kicked their asses..." he paused at the roaring sound of applause and whistles "It just proves that we cannot be picked on. I am very proud of everyone for being calm and taking charge. I'm sure we will know what to do if this incident ever occurs again."
Everyone clapped their hands loudly but stopped when Sunny stood up "So there you have it. A new boss. It helps that he's a big movie star doesn't it?" he joked while winking at the crowd. They all clapped and whistle at the hint. Nick waved his hand as if he was shy about it but indeed he was taking it all in. Sunny glanced at his watch "Okay, let's start getting to work."
The employees scattered to their positions. Nick did not stay long as he had a shoot to start at 10am. Josie was more worried for her friend since he has not talked to her about Allie yet. It was unlike him to keep his emotions inside. She took her chance when the crowd died down after lunch. She entered his office "Sunny?" she whispered before closing the door.
Sunny looked up with a grin "Why are you whispering?"
She looked around the tiny office and lowered her voice "I don't want anyone to hear us."
He narrowed his eyes "Why not?"
"SHHH!!" she hissed "If they hear us, the plan will be destroyed."
"And the bomb will blow off at the sound of your hoarse voice." he whispered teasingly.
Josie frowned "This is serious!" she yelled but then covered her mouth to quiet herself "I mean, this is serious!" she repeated it in a whisper.
Sunny leaned back in his chair "What now?"
"I know that Allie does not really like Josh." she said clearly.
"How?"
"Because I can tell." she said insistently.
He rolled his eyes "Get out, Josie." he began to get back at his work.
She pouted "You'll regret not listening to my plan. It's a sure win." she said sadly as she got up and left. Expecting him to call her back she stood outside the door waiting for him to chase after her.
Instead he yelled from the office "Get to work!"
She stuck her tongue out at the door and stormed back to work. For the rest of the night Josie paid close attention to Allie who was working more dilligently than before. Every so often when she would steal a peek at Sunny, Josie would be by his side laughing or pretending to laugh at something he said.
At times Josie would even stroke his arm or push at his chest flirtatiously. By the end of the night Sunny knew what she was trying to do. He pulled her aside after she cleared off one of the tables. "What are you up to?" he whispered.
Her eyes darted towards to Allie who glanced at them strangely. Josie brushed Sunny's hand off of her arm as she let out a bright and cackly laugh "Oh Sunny, not in front of everyone."
He glanced around and a few pairs of eyes darted his way, including Allie's. He took Josie's hand and pulled into his office "What are you doing?"
Josie crossed her arms stubbornly "If you would have listened to my plan maybe you would not be lost right now." she said matter of factly.
He shook his head "What plan?"
She sighed "Don't you ever listen to me? The plan to get Allie back."
"What?" he cried out loud.
"Don't you want her back?" Josie asked in shock.
Sunny laughed "First of all, she was never mine to begin with. Second of all, what makes you think she'll be jealous if you are flirting with me? She knows how close of friends we are."
Josie wagged her finger at him "Not true. Because we are such close friends, she will find it strange that we are suddenly flirting. Second of all, if she does not like you then why has she glanced at us 32 times today?" she said victoriously "I counted." she added.
Sunny began to ponder the question "Maybe because you're acting like a hissy."
She gasp as she covered her mouth "That's an awful thing to say..." she said feeling disgraced.
He put up his hands in defeat "Okay, okay I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. But maybe you should stop paying attention to my life and find yourself a man?"
Josie smiled sly as her head curved to the side "I do have a man..." she linked her arms through his as she opened the door and led him outside. This time he did not bother to push her away as he let her head lay on his shoulder. He had a smile on his face, but he was not laughing at the situation, he found it funny that Josie really liked Allie. Her determination to put them together almost made him want to hug her. Maybe her strange little plan will work after all.
Sunny glanced towards Allie's direction and sure enough her eyes were glued to Josie and Sunny. "Hey, get to work." he told Josie quietly.
She nodded sweetly with a fake broad smile on her face "Yes, Mr. Lam..." she giggled.
He shivered from the sweetness of her tone of voice. Sunny never imagined he would have to test out a girl that he fell for but it was worth a try.