| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Kenneth finally speaks up again. “Whatever it is, you can aim your attacks at me. Don’t insult my friends.”
Ruby seems to have lost it. “Now you see why I can’t tell you anything? It’s always your friends!”
Everyone could see Ruby’s on the brink of crying. Ray doesn’t dare to add more oil into the fire either.
Mandy’s heart suddenly goes out to Ruby, understanding her frustration. For some unknown reasons, she steps forward and tries to comfort Ruby by patting her shoulder.
An unexpected event happen at that time, Ruby shoves Mandy aside.
“I don’t need your pity!” Ruby yelled out.
“What are you doing?!” Kenneth exclaimed out at the same time as Ruby.
Charmaine and Ray rush to Mandy’s side.
“You all right?” Charmaine asked.
Mandy nods, still a bit shaken.
Ray turns to Ruby. “That was low! If you want to attack me, go ahead. Don’t do this to my sister.”
“Ge, it’s all right,” Mandy interfered, her voice soft and somewhat still shaken. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have stepped forward just like that.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ray said before turning back to Ruby. “No wonder…”
“Ray…” Wallace interfered, his voice calmer than before.
Ray turns to Wallace.
“Let’s just get out.”
“But…”
“I’ll explain outside.”
Ray sees Wallace’s expression, nods. He follows Wallace outside.
Wallace turns around. “Charm, Mandy.”
The girls follow Ray and Wallace outside also – leaving Jacky and Kenneth behind. At the door, Wallace let the others exit first as he turns around to address Kenneth again.
“We shouldn’t have just invited ourselves along like this,” Wallace said, his voice full of apologies. “This is your family matter after all. We’ll wait for you outside.”
Kenneth gives Wallace an appreciation look before Wallace exits. He turns his attention back to Ruby. Ruby turns to look at Jacky.
“Don’t you dare attack him,” Kenneth warned his sister. “He’s here to stay. He’s representing Cory after all.”
Ruby turns back to Kenneth. “How could he when he keeps picking on Cory?”
Cory finally steps towards the living room. “Ruby, I told you already. Jacky’s like a brother to me. He has to stay.”
Ruby frowns, but doesn’t say anything more.
“Why don’t we all sit down?” Jacky asked. “It’s easier to talk that way.”
Kenneth nods.
Kenneth and Ruby sit down on the sofa – putting a distance between each other. Jacky sits at a chair next to Kenneth while Cory takes the seat next to Ruby.
Kenneth clears his throat before beginning. “All right. I will talk to you in a serious manner now.”
Cory looks anxious while Ruby looks impatient.
“Before I came here tonight, I was thinking of agreeing with Jacky to let you two date officially without any pressures from auntie and I or whatsoever. But seeing your attitude towards everyone around me in general, I want to reconsider.”
“How could you?!” Ruby exclaimed, outraged. “They’re outsiders! I’m your family.”
“Can you stop acting like a half-drunk teenager and let your brother finish?” Jacky asked, feeling his anger rising.
Ruby looks at Jacky with a hateful expression. “Could you stop interfering between me and my brother?!”
“Ruby!” Kenneth yelled out.
Ruby looks back at Kenneth. “Could you stop siding with him for once and listen to me?”
Jacky could see that Ruby’s just using her anger to prevent herself from crying. He suddenly feels sorry for her. He softens a bit. “Ruby.”
Ruby doesn’t know why, but she turns to look at him – without the hateful or irritated expressions.
“Whatever it is that you feel injustice of, you shouldn’t assume the situation. I think you two should talk things out first before we decide the obstacle between you and Cory. You should give your brother a chance to explain. Getting mad doesn’t help the situation. Just be patient for once and hear him out. If he doesn’t care for you, then why was he so distracted that he couldn’t even focus on his work? Did you know that he could have gotten kick off the force for his carelessness during the Zhao family case from six months earlier? Luckily, he has a good record. Or he would have to switch occupation by now.”
Ruby seems more calmed. She looks back at Kenneth.
Kenneth looks at Jacky. “Would you stop exaggerating?”
“I’m just telling it how it is,” Jacky said. “Come on now. If you haven’t been so good, they would have kicked you off already. After all, weren’t you partially blamed for Jason Zhao’s escape?”
“Who was the one who took Joey around while she was supposed to guard the place?”
“Hey! She was supposed to be on break. You took off again when we were out having a meal.”
“But you…”
“Guys!” Ruby jumped in.
“Sorry,” Jacky muttered out.
“It’s okay,” Kenneth said.
“I wasn’t saying sorry to you.”
“Jacky!”
“Oh, all right. I’m kidding. The point is…however they see it, you could have been fired.”
“You mean it wasn’t my fault, but the big bosses might have seen it as that way?”
“What do you think I was talking about? Of course you’re not responsible. I’m just saying how it would look like.”
“I thought…”
“Could we please get back to the subject at hand?” Ruby asked, annoyed.
Jacky flashes out his charming smile. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
“I…”
“Want me to step outside?”
“No need,” Kenneth said. “I want to say this straight out for once.”
“Don’t do it. I mean…she’s your sister after all. Like what I told her, you should let her have a chance to talk also.” Jacky stands up at that time, signaling to Cory.
They guys leave together.
As Jacky opens the door, he could see the other four still standing outside.
Ray walks to Jacky. “Well? All done?”
“Not exactly,” Jacky said. “We have to wait around for a bit.”
“Mean-Face kicked you out?”
Jacky wrinkles his eyebrows. “Who has that ability anyway?”
Ray nods. “True.” He looks towards the door again. “So… what’s really wrong then?”
“The siblings need to sort out their personal problems and their views towards of each other before we can move on. Or they’ll be tearing each other apart before we can actually talk about Cory and Ruby.”
“Sounds too complicated.”
“What do you expect?” Wallace asked.
Ray shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know.”
Cory has been standing at one side – all quiet, but he finally steps forward. “If anyone doesn’t want to wait, you can go back to your apartment.”
“Are you kidding me? That’s even more torturing than imagining the scene out myself.”
“He’s right,” Jacky said. “Maybe things won’t be so pretty around here. Don’t want you to run away scared later.”
Ray lets out a sarcastic laugh.
“Ge…” Mandy interfered.
Ray turns to Mandy. “You all right? You need to go rest?”
“No. I’m all right. But maybe we shouldn’t interfere with their family matter anymore.”
Cory walks over to Mandy. “I’m sorry.”
“No need. It was my fault anyway. She was too frustrated. I shouldn’t have been that close.”
“Ray already said it,” Jacky said. “It’s not your fault. You were just trying to help her.” He could see Cory’s expression. “It’s not Ruby’s fault either. Frustration can drive you crazy.”
After that, everyone stays silent. The guys – excluding Cory – keep pacing back and forth in front of the door. They stop pacing about 15 minutes later since they were getting dizzy and very tired themselves. Jacky’s leaning against the wall of Cory and Ruby’s apartment – a few inches next to Cory. Wallace’s leaning against the wall on the other side – next to Apartment 5G while Ray’s crouching down with his back leaning against the wall – just a few inches from Wallace.
Fifteen minutes more later, Ray couldn’t take it anymore. He stands up and walks to the center of the group.
“What’s taking them so long?” Ray blurted out.
Jacky looks to Ray. “Maybe they need more time to talk than we all thought?”
“It only took Mandy and I under ten minutes to talk things out. How can those two talk so long? Their sibling relationship must not be so good.”
“Everyone’s different. You can’t expect them to be the same, you know.”
Ray sighs out and goes back to pacing since he knows he can’t just storm into the apartment to see what’s really going on. Jacky’s cell phone rings at that time. Ray stops pacing and looks towards Jacky to see what happens. In fact, everyone has turned their attention towards Jacky. Jacky retrieves his cell phone from his pocket and then answers it.
“Hello?” Jacky said casually.
“You have about two and half hour before you lose this bet,” A girl said in a teasing voice.
“Very funny. I’m not going to lose.”
“How could you be so sure?”
“Come on, Jan. Have some faith in me, will you?”
“It’s not you who I don’t trust.”
“I don’t think they’re the type that can’t calm down and not be able to carry on a proper conversation.”
Since the others heard it’s Jan, they go back to their usual routine – staring at the ceiling or pacing.
“If you trust them so much, why do you sound so tense?” Jan asked.
“I’m just tired,” Jacky said.
“You would sound exhausted, not tense.”
“Oh…so you’re the expert now?”
“Maybe.”
Jacky smiles. “Shouldn’t you be going to sleep by now?”
“It’s still early, Detective Chu.”
“So?”
“Oh yeah, are you going back home for Christmas this year?”
“Probably.”
“Why do you sound so discouraged?”
“Maggie’s probably going to celebrate with the relatives again. I’ll probably just wait around with the neighbors and pretend to have fun.”
Jan laughs. “Come on now. You still can’t forgive them?”
“How can I?”
“I’m sure they were joking.”
“They can talk about me, but they can’t drag my parents into it.”
“At least they’re nice to Maggie, right?”
“They’re just taking advantage of her because she knows a lot famous people, so she could help them with their business.”
“I thought you like to see families get along, why are you so stubborn?”
“I’m not stubborn. It’s a matter of principle, Jan.” He looks at Ray pacing. “Oh yeah, it looks like there won’t be so many coming to visit after all.”
“Who’s out?”
“Kevin has to go with his aunt. Tim…is taking a break. And…”
“It’s all right. I mean we won’t be that short of people. Ricky and Kai Tai are coming back to celebrate.” Her voice becomes excited at thatime. “Kai Tai’s bringing Joey back. Can you believe it?”
Jacky smiles. “Talking about that, want to come back with me to my hometown then?”
“Uh…”
Ray stops pacing and stares at Jacky.
“Come on,” Jacky urged. “Maybe I’ll forgive the relatives in the process if you come along.”
“Are you trying to put me on the spot, Detective Chu?” Jan asked.
Jacky smiles. “Maybe.”
“They’re not out yet?”
Jacky’s expression turns serious again. “No.” He lets out a sigh. “I might as well go back to my apartment and wait.”
“Why didn’t we think of that one before?!” Ray exclaimed out.
“What?” Jacky asked, turning to Ray.
“Wait in your apartment instead of standing around here.”
Jacky shrugs his shoulders. “Waiting here is more efficient.”
“Yea right.”
“You can go to my apartment and wait if you want.”
Jacky tosses his key at Ray. Ray catches it in a snap, but doesn’t move.
“If I’m the only one that goes, I’ll look too lame,” Ray said.
“Not to mention sissy,” Wallace added.
Ray turns to Wallace. “Are we turning against each other here?”
“Hey. Since we got nothing to do anyway.” Wallace is having his hands crossed across his chest right now, his smile challenging at the same time.
Before Ray could fire back another attack, the door to Cory and Ruby’s apartment opens.
Jacky stands straight up since he has been sliding down on the floor as he was talking to Jan. The others gather around the door, but not too close. The person who appears at the door is Kenneth.
“You all can come in,” Kenneth said. “Ruby wants witnesses so I wouldn’t back out on my words.”
Jacky smiles. “Your sister sure is strange.”
“What can I say? I have to prove to her that I honestly want to mend our family relationship.”
Jacky nods. “Fair enough. Let’s go then.” Then he speaks into the phone again. “I’ll call you back later.”
“Okay,” Jan said. “Take care.”
“And I’m winning.”
“We’ll see.”
Jacky hangs up and walks inside also since the others have already walked past him while he’s finishing his conversation with Jan.
When they’re all inside and gathering around the living room again, Kenneth speaks up.
“I told Ruby that I agree to let her and Cory date without interfering at all,” Kenneth began. “She wants everyone to be witness of it.”
“Sounds good,” Jacky said. “But?”
Ruby looks surprised. “How do you know there’s a ‘but’?”
“There’s no free meal in life. Not even with your family. The way he was going on, you’ll know there’s a ‘but’ somewhere along the way.”
Kenneth smiles. “Yes. There’s a catch to this.”
“Which is?” Ray prompted.
“Cory has to prove to me that he could take care of my sister.”
“What’s the time limit?” Jacky asked.
“Six months.”
“What? How about a year?”
Ruby gives Jacky a sharp look.
“Hey. I was just kidding.”
“I thought there’s no interference, how come there’s a time limit?” Wallace asked.
“Are you kidding me? He said ‘no interference’, not ‘no terms’.”
Wallace wrinkles his eyebrows.
“They are two different things, Mr. Huo.” He clears his throat quickly. “No interference means he won’t go out of his way to sabotage them. He didn’t say he’s not going to put a radar out.” He smiles. “Don’t be naïve, Mr. Huo.”
Wallace smiles also. “That’s reasonable though. I mean if Alice were to…” He clears his throat. “I mean if she were to find someone she likes, I would be looking out to see if the guy is good to her or not, etc.”
Kenneth looks at Ruby. “See? Even he agrees.”
“Of course he agrees,” Ruby said in a playful tone. “He’s your friend.”
“No,” Jacky said in a serious tone. “He’s also someone’s brother.”
Ruby doesn’t seem to object to that.
“If that’s the case, are we all good now?” Wallace asked.
Kenneth looks to Ruby. “Sis?”
Ruby looks around the room one more time before speaking up. “If you guys agree to be witness today, then we’re done for tonight.”
“For tonight?” Ray asked. “You mean there’s going to be tomorrow night too?”
“No. I just mean…”
“All right,” Kenneth interfered. “Guys?”
“Fine with me,” Jackysaid.
“Since I’m already dumb, I might as well go along with this one also,” Wallace said.
Ruby’s face turns red. She looks down at the floor in awkwardness.
“Since Jacky and Wallace already agreed, I agree also,” Ray said before turning to Charmaine and Mandy. “Girls?”
Charmaine and Mandy nod.
“All right,” Kenneth said. “Since everyone agreed to be witnesses, I think we’re all set.” He looks at Cory. “Take good care of my sister.”
Cory nods. “I will.”
Kenneth looks at his watch. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Sounds good,” Jacky said.
Kenneth turns to Ruby. “I’m going, all right?”
Ruby nods.
Ruby was so loud earlier, but now she’s just nodding or talking in a silent tone that everyone’s a bit taken back, except Jacky and Kenneth.
“All right, let’s go gang,” Jacky said to the others.
Wallace raises an eyebrow. “Gang?”
“You know what I mean. Let’s move out before we all fall asleep here.”
“Doesn’t matter what word he use, I’m outta here without being shoo out,” Ray said, leading the group back out into the hallway.
Jacky stops as he walks by Cory, slapping Cory’s left shoulder. “Good luck.”
Cory smiles. “Thanks, man.”
Jacky doesn’t smile back, but just continues to walk out of the apartment.
Ruby follows them out and stops Mandy. Mandy looks at Ruby.
“Sorry about before,” Ruby said. “I was just…” She gestures her right hand.
“It’s all right,” Mandy said, smiling. “You were upset.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
Mandy smiles again.
Ruby steps aside after that to let Mandy by.
When they’re finally out in the hall again, Kenneth turns to say goodbye to his sister for the last time of the night before Ruby closes the door.
Ray turns to the others. “Well?”
“Let’s all turn in,” Jacky said. “What else? Haven’t had enough yet from the wait?”
Ray yawns. “I guess so. Goodnight, everyone.” He doesn’t bother to wait for anyone to reply. He heads for the elevators.
“Such a straight-forward guy,” Wallace commented.
Jacky laughs.
“I guess I’ll see you guys around?” Kenneth said.
“You bet.”
“Thanks.”
“Any time.”
Kenneth leaves after that.
Charmaine and Mandy wave their goodbyes before going also.
Wallace makes sure that everyone’s in the elevators and heading up or down for sure before turning back to Jacky.
“So…” Wallace said casually.
“So what?” Jacky asked.
“I guess that’s over.”
“Yea.”
“I guess you’re not bragging after all.”
“I told you already. I never bet on anything that I’m not sure of.”
Wallace nods. “True.”
“You heading upstairs or want to go in and chat with me?”
Wallace could see Jacky’s teasing smirk. “I’m just wondering why Gallen didn’t join us tonight.”
“Scared that Ray’s getting close.”
“I thought you had a deal with Yoyo.”
“Gallen’s making the wrong move. His panicky actions are causing Ray and Yoyo to be more suspicious. By doing that, he’s helping Ray and Yoyo getting a head start. After this week, I can’t help him anymore. After all, I can’t make Yoyo go against Ray or lie to him. They’ve been friends for too long.”
“You’ve been friends with Yoyo longer though.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t want to tear other people apart for my own benefit.”
Wallace chuckles lightly.
“What?”
“It’s just strange hearing you say that.”
“Why?”
“Maybe being direct isn’t your nature?”
“Maybe not. But maybe I’m getting tired also.”
“I guess I’ll be going then.”
“Okay. See you around then.”
“You make it sound like we live several towns over.”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going back to work since this is over.”
“Of course not. I was just kidding. It’s my week off. I wouldn’t trade it in for work.”
“All right then. I’m heading up.”
“Okay.”
They walk to Jacky’s apartment together before separating.
Jacky unlocks his apartment with his keys that Ray has tossed back to him while they were in Cory’s apartment again earlier. He exhales a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure it would work, but glad it did. Finally, he can go on break for real. He hopes. He honestly hopes that the agreement would last.
© Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Re-posted: Friday, October 16th, 2009