| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
When Charmaine and Ray return, they find out that there’s actually a guy moving in. Ray bumps into him by accident near the elevators. They chat a little before Charmaine and Ray go back to the girls’ apartment to join Kevin and Mandy.
“Guess what?” Ray asked as they go through the door. “Someone actually moved in today.”
Kevin drops his spoon on the floor at that instant.
Ray watches Kevin closely as he sits down next to him at the kitchen table. “Why are you so jumpy? You borrowed some bravery from a cat?”
Kevin bends down to pick up the spoon while Mandy gets up to get him a new one. Charmaine sits down next to Mandy after she had locked the door.
Kevin clears his throat. “No. I was just surprised that you guessed right.”
“It’s not luck, man. It’s common sense.”
“Who moved in then?” Mandy asked, curious.
“Simon.”
“Simon?” Kevin repeated the name, confused.
Ray could see the look on Kevin’s face. “You expected someone else?”
“No. I meant to ask Simon who.”
“Simon, the waiter at Dragon Phoenix restaurant down the street.”
“Whoa. What is he doing here? Didn’t he hear that there was a murder here? I mean he looks like a chicken. He can’t be serious about moving here, can he?”
“Actually, he only looks like a chicken on the job. He’s very brave off-work.”
“How do you know?”
“I just talked to him downstairs.”
“Are you sure it’s Simon?”
“We practically live at that restaurant. Do you think I would have mistaken him for who he is?”
“That’s strange. He’s so…..”
“Nosy and sneaky?” Mandy offered.
Kevin and Ray look at her.
“How do you know?” Kevin asked.
“I was there last week to do some research for work.”
“Oh,” Ray said.
“He doesn’t look like that today though,” Charmaine said.
“We’re never the same on and off work so that’s probably his reason too.”
“But he can’t be totally different from before, can he?” Kevin asked.
Ray shrugs while he’s chewing on a chicken piece.
“Where did he move in then?”
“I think he said 5E,” Charmaine said
“That’s next to Annie.”
“You think he’s sneaking around here because of Annie?” Ray asked, turning to Kevin. “Now who’s starting to make this whole thing sound like some horror movie?”
“No, seriously, with all the things going on here, it’s so weird.”
“Be glad he’s not moving in next door to us.”
Kevin turns on his thinking mode again.
“Look, man. Let’s just eat and get out of here before I go nuts with those whirring sounds from across the hall.”
They eat the rest of the time in silence. Kevin couldn’t help but ponder why Mr. Cho didn’t send Gallen here. And why is Simon here? He knows that he has to check it out later. He’s not just moving here, but right next door to Annie. What are his motives?
*****
Kevin separates with the other three, saying that he forgot something upstairs and wants to go back to get it. While the others continue on their way, Kevin presses the elevator button to close and presses #5. He just has to know.
Kevin rings the bell of 5E quickly before he chickens out.
A guy in his mid-twenties appears at the door a minute later. Only it wasn’t Simon. He has on a black shirt (the front is cut down to his chest with some random symbols in white on the bottom part) and blue jeans. He has on sports shoes. His hair is in spikes but it stays neatly on his head, not looking greasy with tons of hairspray on – like others guy would opt to use. He carries on a very confidence vibe. Kevin couldn’t help but stare for a bit. He definitely couldn’t be Simon even if he’s different. What in the world are Charmaine and Ray talking about?
“Can I help you?” The guy asked, breaking the silence since Kevin has been staring for a while now.
“Uh…I heard my aunt say that someone is moving into the apartment so I want to give you a welcome to the place,” Kevin rattled off automatically, glad he remembered something from the book.
The guy holds out his right hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m one of the guys that are moving in. Simon is inside unpacking. Do you want to talk to him? I’ll go call him.”
Kevin shakes the other guy’s hand before answering. “Uh…no. I’ll come back later since he’s busy.”
“Suit yourself. You’re not a Yeung, are you?”
“No. Kevin Cheng.”
“Apartment 7G, right?”
Kevin’s expression changes to shock. “How do you know?”
“I talked to Ms. Yeung earlier when we were moving stuffs upstairs. She said if we get lost, just call you for help since she left to take care of some business.”
“Oh.” His braveness returning slowly. “I guess I’ll be going now. Tell Simon I’ll be back later when he’s done settling in.”
The guy smiles. “Take care.”
Kevin walks back towards the elevator, feeling something is definitely going on. He gets his cell phone out to call his aunt as he steps into the elevator. As soon as he gets off the phone with his aunt, his phone rings again.
“Mr. Cho?” Kevin said, not meaning for it to sound like a question instead of a greeting.
“Yes,” Mr. Cho confirmed. “I heard about the incident from last night. How are you all now? Is Ray okay? What about Mandy? They’re all safe?”
“Yes, sir. They’re fine. I got my aunt to replace the lock but I didn’t tell her what happened. Just said that I want to change it since it has been awhile now. How did you get hold of the news though? Gallen is around here?”
“Yes. How did you know about Gallen?”
Kevin covers his mouth before answering. “I didn’t mean to mention it, sir. I found out about him by accident.”
“I’m not going to fire him so don’t worry. If you know he’s there now, then you can help him. Just don’t let Ray and Mandy know yet.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll look after Ray and Mandy also.”
“Thanks, Kevin.”
“No problem, sir.” He hangs up after that. As he steps out of the elevator, he’s so shocked he could scream out in horror. How in the world did that guy get down here so fast? After all, Kevin took the elevator.
“Surprised to see me down here, Mr. Cheng?” The guy asked.
“Uh….”
“I don’t know how to fly. Just a trick left over from school days.”
The guy taps at his feet for emphasis.
They exchange a few more words as they walk towards the entrance before going separate ways.
© Friday, May 25th, 2007
Re-posted: Saturday, October 10th, 2009