| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
First Stop: Dragon & Phoenix Restaurant
Waiter at the door: Mr. Cheng, what brings you here today? I didn’t know that Mr. Cho has another meeting here.
Kevin: No. I’m on my own this time.
Waiter: Oh. This way please.
The waiter leads Kevin to a seat near the window out of habit.
Kevin: Can I have a seat outside today?
Waiter: Sure! I’m sorry. I’m going by Mr. Cho’s preference.
Kevin *gives him a friendly smile*: No problem.
The waiter leads Kevin to the side door that leads outside. The view from the back is very friendly. It’s like sitting in one’s own garden and drinking morning coffee or tea.
Since there aren’t a lot of people around, the waiter lets Kevin choose his own table, which he chooses a table the farthest from the door.
Waiter: What will you have today?
Kevin: Just an iced tea for now.
Waiter: I’ll come back later while you look at the menu.
The waiter leaves.
Kevin looks toward the view in front of him before looking down at the menu. A different waiter comes back with his drink in ten minutes. Kevin recognizes that it’s one of the waiters that were whispering about Mr. Cho before.
Kevin: You know Mr. Cho pretty well?
Waiter *surprised*: Yes. Not that I want to brag, but I’m his favorite waiter around here so I know him very well.
Kevin *smiles*: Then can you tell him me about his family?
Waiter: Mr. Cho doesn’t have any family. *points his index finger* Good one, but I’m not falling for it.
The waiter leaves again after Kevin orders a light dish.
Kevin *thinking*: This isn’t as easy as I had plann. What do I expect? I’ll ask and others cooperate like in the movies? *smiles slightly & shaking his head* I still have to ask somehow. This guy must be hiding something. Possibly wanting to keep his job longer? He mentioned Mr. Cho’s son earlier this week. How come he doesn’t admit it now?
Kevin is so lost in thoughts that he didn’t realiz that the waiter’s coming back. He accidentally knocks over the salt when the waiter puts his plate in front of him.
Kevin: I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.
Waiter: It’s ok, Mr. Cheng.
The waiter begins to clean it up and disappears from view again. Kevin knows that his only chance is when the waiter comes back. He focuses on the pathway to the kitchen, not wanting to miss anything while pretending to only eat his dish at a slow rate.
The waiter comes back in five minutes like Kevin predicted to replace the salt.
Kevin: This is strange.
Waiter: How may I help you now, Mr. Cheng?
Kevin notices that the waiter’s getting impatient. His tone has changed quite drastically.
Kevin: You said Mr. Cho doesn’t have family, but you were talking about his son the other day with one of your friends.
Waiter: Mr. Cheng, we’re waiters. We don’t talk about our customers. If there’s anything else you need regarding your meal, please ask. Otherwise, please don’t make me talk about other people’s personal life.
The waiter leaves after that.
Kevin plays with his fork while thinking again. He ponders why the waiter changed so much. He was a bit sly and playful the other day when talking with his friend, but now he seemed serious and irritated.
Kevin looks at his watch to see if he should just drop this. When he looks up again, he finds the waiter at the door has brought in another customer and that person is sitting at the opposite end from him.
After the waiter leaves, Kevin takes a quick glance at the guy on the opposite side. The guy looks really laid-back yet there’s an aura upon him that tells much more. His clothes are quite worn and simple, making him look like some ordinary person but Kevin has a feeling that he’s here for something else than just having breakfast.
Kevin looks to the side, pretending to admire the view when the other guy looks toward his way.
Guy: If you want to ask, just ask. Don’t get choke up inside.
Kevin *looking around*: Who? Me?
Guy *chuckles & shakes his head*: Stop playing dumb. You don’t look the part. Come on over and join me. I’ll tell you about Mr. Cho myself.
Kevin feels awkward and surprised at the same time that this guy - who just came here not more than ten minutes - could know his motive.
Kevin pushes his chair back and walks to the other side toward the guy. The guy stands up when Kevin comes closer.
Guy *sticking his hand out*: Gallen Lo. You are?
Kevin: Kevin Cheng.
Gallen: I don’t think we should state occupations, just in case you decided to blow my cover later.
Kevin: You’re a cop?
Both guys sit down before Gallen speaks up.
Gallen: Do I look like one?
Kevin: Not that much.
Gallen: Good. I don’t want to give that vibe off.
Kevin: So...you are a cop?
Gallen: Let’s not play this game. We should get straight to the point since *looking at his watch* I have a meeting in half an hour.
Kevin: How would I know to trust you in this? *waves his hand in front of him to make a point* Since we just meet today. And I don’t really know who you are or who you claimed to be.
Gallen: You’re careful, huh?
The waiter who is serving Kevin before comes back with Gallen’s coffee. Gallen waits for the waiter to leave before speaking up again.
Gallen: You think that Ray’s Mr. Cho’s son, don’t you?
Kevin: Well…
Gallen: If you don’t think so, then why would you suddenly go around asking questions?
Kevin waits for Gallen to go on before he say anything further.
Gallen: Simon doesn’t know much. He just likes to eardrop on us sometimes. *stirs his coffee* And he just wants to show off to his friends.
Kevin: Simon?
Gallen: The waiter.
Kevin: How do you know all of this? And I didn’t go around asking questions. Just today.
Gallen: You should take more lessons before asking questions. You don’t have the right approach.
Kevin: What is the right approach then?
Gallen: Observance.
Kevin: Stalking?
Gallen: Not necessarily. They see you, so you’re not really stalking. Just following closely and pretending you just happen to be going the same way. *sips his coffee* Simon, will you bring this guy his... *gestures to the other side*
Kevin turns around in time to see the waiter, Simon, walking toward the other side where his table is.
Gallen: Told you he’s sneaky. I swear he could be a spy.
Kevin: We’re not getting anywhere yet since you’d been talking nonsense 90% of the time.
Gallen: We’re talking about statistics now? *smiles teasingly*
Gallen opens his mouth to say something, but continues to sip his coffee instead. Kevin turns around to see Simon walking over with his plate and drink.
Kevin: Thank you.
Simon: No problem, sir.
When Simon’s out of sight again, Kevin focuses his attention back on Gallen.
Gallen *sitting straight up, facing Kevin with a serious expression*: Twenty minutes. I’ll tell you the whole story but don’t tell Ray.
Kevin: You decided to trust me now?
Gallen: He was lurking around. *pointing to the direction of the door* I had to act like I don’t care.
Kevin: Ok, talk.
Twenty minutes later, Gallen’s done telling Kevin the whole story. Kevin’s still sitting there trying to sink in all the information.
Gallen: Any questions? *sits back in his chair & puts one foot on his knee in a laid back position* You look like you don’t believe me. *looks at his watch* Ten minutes. *takes out his wallet* Here’s my card, if you want to talk to me more, just call and leave a message. But don’t let Ray know.
Gallen gets up and walks toward the door leading back inside the restaurant, leaving Kevin sitting there, thinking about the story Gallen just told him.
Kevin realizes that Gallen’s right. He’s such an immature investigator. He needs to be more prepared next time. He doesn’t bother to finish his drink. He gets up and leaves also.
Kevin takes a Taxi to a restaurant near the seaside where he and Ray used to hang out a few years back. He sits on the rail and looks out toward the crystal clear body of water, thinking real hard. He didn’t know Ray has such a past. Ray could be serious sometimes but not that serious - not serious enough to hide so much from Kevin. He thought he knew Ray better. Ray’s just a funny guy who loves attention. That’s why he’s always making scenes and enjoys letting others see him pull off his performances - whichever it might be at that time.
Kevin stays there until the afternoon, calling the waiter to get a cup of coffee before going back to sit on the rail again. He doesn’t know why he has this hollow feeling inside. Possibly because he feels a bit lonely now that Ray is almost reunited with his father and he doesn’t have his family with him? He knows that he’s glad for Ray so he can’t be jealous, but somehow, he wishes that he has a father like Ray who cares for him like that.
Kevin spots a huge boat going toward the dock when the sun begins to set. Someone waves at him. He doesn’t bother to wave back. Or maybe it’s because he’s still deep in thoughts. He lets out a long breath at last and turns back to get off the rail, heading back to the real world.