| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“Thanks, ge,” Maggie said.
Jacky gives her a smile before turning to leave.
“Ge, you want to shower first or me?”
“Go ahead. I need to call the others and check with them.”
“Okay.”
Jacky locks his room before settling down at his desk. He retrieves his cell phone from his pocket and turns it back on again. He could see one missed call when it’s done loading. He’s surprised to see that it’s Gallen. He wonders if Gallen got caught yet. Gallen picks up after the second ring.
“Where have you been?” Gallen demanded before Jacky got the chance to ask. “I was trying to call you earlier.”
“I had to turn it off since I was helping Maggie move in,” Jacky explained. “I won’t get anything done if I continue to answer the phone.”
“Bragging how popular you are?”
“Why did you call me then?”
“Oh. Uh…”
“Great. Our grand P.I. doesn’t know where to start?” Jacky could hear Gallen’s sigh so he turns serious again. “Everything all right, man? You got busted?”
“I did get caught, but…”
“What?”
Gallen recounts the story to Jacky quickly and also includes in how Ray almost gave them all a heart attack. When he’s done, Jacky lets out a laugh.
“You guys should know Ray better,” Jacky said. “We don’t give him enough credit, that’s all.”
“I guess,” Gallen admitted. “Anyway, that’s not really the point why I called.”
“Don’t tell me you want me to tell you about my Christmas and exchange story from there.”
“You still have the spirit to kid around? I guess you don’t know yet.”
“What’s with you and talking in codes now? You’re always so direct, man.”
“When you visited Jan, did you…”
Jacky cuts him off. “Don’t tell me you want to become Ray.”
“It’s not that. I meant something more serious. Was it really bad for her?”
“What was bad? Us gathering in one house?”
“No, her flu.”
“What?!”
“She has been sick for more than a week now. You do know that, right?”
“What?!”
“Now you sound like the idiot.”
“Tell me from the top.”
“Actually, I have to tell you something else first before I can…”
“What is it? You’re driving me crazy with the details! Are you practicing to be some kind of mystery writer? Because you honestly did succeed with the suspenseful tone.”
“Calm down, man.”
Jacky scolds at himself for letting his temper getting the better of him. He knows he should be grateful that Gallen actually takes the time to tell him. He shouldn’t snap at Gallen. However, he couldn’t stop his mind from spinning either. It’s actually trying to connect all the dots back to all the events happening these past days at Jan’s house.
“Sorry,” Jacky said at last, his tone softer than before.
Gallen begins to tell Jacky from the beginning of what he learned from Yoyo. The more Gallen talks, the more Jacky could see things more clearly. However, it is just because he could see all the dots connecting and Jan’s behavior towards him. After that realization, his mind drifts off into millions of thoughts again. He couldn’t believe that she was right by his side at the very moment six months ago, but he still couldn’t figure it out. It was no wonder she seemed weaker than before. She seemed less energetic about life also. Yes, she joked and laughed with him, but she was not…
“You still there?” Gallen asked, cutting through Jacky’s thoughts.
Jacky snaps out of his thoughts and clears his throat before speaking. “Yea. I was just thinking and it made sense now, that’s all.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to…get back to you on this one.”
“You want to call Jan?”
“I’m going to…”
Maggie knocks on his door at that time.
“Hold on,” Jacky told Gallen before addressing his sister. “What is it?”
“Your turn,” Maggie informed him.
“You go ahead and eat. I prepared something earlier. It’s in the fridge. Just heat it up.”
“All right.
He waits until Maggie’s footsteps are far away before speaking up again. “I’m going to call Yoyo first.”
“All right. Good luck with that.”
“Thanks.”
“And…”
“Don’t worry too much, right?”
“No. I meant take care.”
“Thanks.”
Jacky lowers his phone and snaps it shut, still pondering about matters. He racks his brain and tries to remember every single one of Jan’s behaviors after her discharged before calling Yoyo up. He has to get to the bottom of it.
*****
Wallace walks into the lobby feeling like he just made some major achievements even though it was no biggie at all. He makes it to the elevators before seeing someone lurking near the door leading to the staircase. He keeps his eyes on the person, wondering if that person is suicidal to do such a thing around here, considering how they just installed a new security system these past days. Yes, it’s still in the testing trials, but it’s not of a laughing matter to be tempting with the system. Not letting his mind wander off any longer about possibilities, he steps forward rapidly and quietly, determined to confront the lurker. When he’s within reach, he grabs the guy’s collar with his left hand to get the immediate effect. As he hears an outcry, he lets go immediately since it is none other than Ray.
“Why are you sneaking around?” Wallace asked.
Ray finally calms himself down long enough to see it is only Wallace. He scans the lobby real quick before pulling Wallace to a corner several feet from the staircase.
“What is going on here?” Wallace asked.
“Big news.”
“What?’
“I found out that…”
Just when Ray’s about to disclose of his top secret, they see Gallen walking towards them.
“What are you guys doing here?” Gallen asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
“Just doing some harmless chatting,” Ray said quickly, flashing out his innocent boyish smile.
“It doesn’t work with us guys,” Wallace said, giving Ray a look.
Ray drops the ‘innocent’ act and shrugs. “Hey, I tried. How about you, what have you been doing half of the day?”
“Out,” Gallen said briefly.
“With Yoyo?” Ray asked, his eyes still studying Gallen.
“And Nnadia.”
“Oh. I thought you two would want some uninterrupted times together.”
“We were just going uptown to search for this one book.”
“Oh, I forgot you guys are a bunch of bookworms.”
“What is your big news then?” Wallace asked, his attention on Ray.
Ray scans the lobby real quick before turning back to the guys again. “You wouldn’t believe it.”
Wallace crosses his hands together. “Surprise us.”
“Auntie Yeung installed the new security, right?”
Gallen nods while Wallace just stares unmoved at Ray.
“I’m going to use this opportunity to spy on you know who.”
“You must be crazy, right?” Wallace asked. “No wait, why am I even asking?”
“Come on. Why not? At least we’ll know for sure when he’ll be lurking around here.”
“Aha.”
“You guys make it sound like I have nothing better to do.”
Wallace doesn’t say anything but steps out of the corner they’ve been standing at and walks towards where the elevators are. Gallen follows since he doesn’t know what to say of the matter either.
“You guys have so little confidence in me,” Ray said after they got into the elevator.
“It’s not about that,” Wallace said. “It’s like somewhat senseless to try this one since we’ll be keeping him busy with other stuffs that he won’t have time to come here.”
“How can you guarantee that?”
“I sent him to collect some valuable information that could help mend his and Kevin’s relationship. So now he’s probably running around and won’t be coming here.”
“He’ll call you or something?”
“Probably.”
“When?”
“In the next several days.”
“Where are you meeting him then?”
“His mansion.”
“Whoa! You got invited to his mansion?”
“He was willing to take me there since he was told Wilson sent me.”
“Great. I’ll bet Jacky fed him a lot of nice stuffs so he’s so into the whole idea of us helping him now.”
“You guys think that he’s actually up to something?” Gallen asked suddenly.
“You know something?” Ray asked, turning to Gallen.
“If he’s really pulling something, he already did, right?”
“You don’t know him. He’s sneaky and patient, not like us at all. When he strikes…”
“He already did,” Wallace jumped in. “If we didn’t delay him by using the whole ‘We’ll help him’ excuse, he already jumped in to bug Kevin again after giving the deed to Ms. Yeung.”
“Why aren’t you asking me to give you a hand but have to wait for Jacky’s information?” Gallen asked. “I’m just saying it’s more convenient for me since I’m closer. Besides, Jacky is probably busy for a while.”
“What happened?” Ray asked.
“Personal stuffs.”
“Come on now.”
“Think about it.”
“Oh….”
“So?”
“Aren’t you busy with your own stuffs too?”
“Since I don’t need to sneak around with you anymore, I could accept more jobs around here. But I could also manipulate my time better so I could look into it for you if you want.”
“You sure?”
Gallen nods.
“Okay then. I’ll get back to Jacky later.”
They get out of the elevator at that time and walk down the hall to their apartment like usual. They’re a bit surprised to see Ms. Yeung on their level – but soon realize that she might be looking for Kevin. They give her a friendly smile, stepping aside for her to pass before continuing on their way.
“What’s she doing here?” Wallace asked when they’re out of earshot.
Ray shrugs. “Beats me.”
“Another family gathering for the New Years?”
“It’s not Lunar New Year. I don’t think it makes a difference.”
“Maybe she just needs to tell Kevin of some changes with the building?” Gallen suggested.
“Possible. You guys want to come in?”
“Might as well since we have nothing to do anyway,” Wallace said.
Ray gives him a look before turning to open his door.
“We’re back!” Ray shouted out as they pass through the door. “What are you…”
Ray stops because he could see Kevin’s expression.
“What happened?” Wallace asked, walking towards the coffee table.
“You knew about this and you didn’t tell me right away?” Kevin asked, eyeing Ray with his grim expression.
“What?” Ray asked, taking the papers from Kevin. “Oh…”
Wallace and Gallen exchange a look before turning to the other two guys again.
“What happened?” Wallace repeated his question.
“The deed,” Ray answered casually.
“So that means everyone knows about this but me?” Kevin asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
“Calm down, will you?” Ray asked. “Only Wallace and I know. Don’t take it out on Gallen.”
Kevin still scans Ray and Wallace with his eyes, still waiting for their answers.
“Auntie told me not to tell you until after the holidays, okay?” Ray defended himself.
“Then why did you tell everyone else but not me?” Kevin asked, his anger rising. “Are you guys bought over by him now so you want to hide it from me and help him?”
“Where in the world did you get that idea?” Ray shouted out, his anger rising along with Kevin. He slams the deed down on the coffee table after saying that. “If I don’t care to acknowledge anything then would I bother going through the hassle of sneaking around to look for clues of his possible schemes? Do you think it’s because everyone here has so much time on their hands that they could waste? What about our time?”
“Ray,” Wallace called out, attempting to stop Ray.
“Don’t ‘Ray’ me!” Ray exclaimed out, slapping Wallace’s hand off before turning to Kevin again. “You think you’re the only pitiful one who has to go through so much these past years? What about the rest of us? Each one of us here has a past for crying out loud! And now you’re doubting us? Do I need to be bought out? If I would just say one word! Only one word! Then my father would get someone to jump in and train me to take over his company. Do I need Ekin’s money? What’s the matter? Someone tear out your heart already so you can’t use it to feel our sincerity? Or are you too dumb to think logically about the possibilities?”
Ray stomps out of the apartment after that, not caring if the others would defend or contradict him. Wallace and Gallen look after him but do not make a move to stop him. They turn to a numbed Kevin still sitting at the sofa – as if molding over Ray’s words.
“I…” Kevin said after about five minutes. “I…”
“Perhaps we should all give each other time to think this over,” Wallace at last, feeling like he needs to let Kevin have some time alone to think of the situation – as they all do.
Kevin nods.
Wallace and Gallen leave, locking the door after themselves.
“So much for a cue of New Year coming, huh?” Wallace commented.
“It’ll come out sooner or later,” Gallen said. “Maybe it’s better now than later?”
“Maybe.”
The guys separate after that – going to their own apartment.
They will have to wait for Ray to confirm of their next step or abort the missions altogether.
*****
Yoyo just manages to toss her key ring on the coffee table when she hears her phone ringing. She reaches for the handle before settling down on the sofa to answer it.
“Hello?”
“It’s me,” A guy said.
“How’s it going?”
“I have to ask you something.”
“What? Don’t tell me Ray told you and you guys are teasing me now.”
“About what?”
“Never mind then. What’s going on? You sound troubled.”
“I need to talk to you about Jan.”
“Need tips?”
“Do I look like I need tips?”
“You never know.”
“That’s not the point.”
“What is the point then, Mr. Chu?”
Jacky quickly tells Yoyo of what he found out through Gallen. When Jacky’s done, Yoyo lets out a sigh.
“I should be the one sighing, not you,” Jacky said.
“Why would you sigh?” Yoyo asked. “You want to give up on her?”
“Of course not!”
“You don’t have to react so strong.”
“You’re making me out to be some loser who will ease out of it when finding out of such matter.”
“What are you going to do now then?”
“Actually, I’ve been reconsidering some things and I think this adds to the reason why I should do it.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
“Stop trying to be secretive, will you?”
“I can’t tell you now but you’ll see in the future. I need a month.”
“For what?”
“For the result.”
“I thought you said you only have two weeks of break.”
“It’s not about that.”
“Then what?”
“Why are you prying?”
“I…”
“Sorry. It’s just…I just need to do this on my own for now.”
“It’s all right. You’re mad at her for not telling you?”
“I’m mad at her for being silly. I never knew her to be like that.”
“I think it’s because she cares for you.”
“Then it means she doesn’t know me at all.”
“Maybe it’s because she knows you too well.”
“What?”
“We all know what happened between you, Joey, and…”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m moving on now.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I guess I should let you go, huh?”
“Yea. I need to prepare some papers.”
“I thought you’re still on break.”
“I decided to get off it after New Year since I’m not doing anything anyway. Staying away for too long is too strange.”
Jacky laughs. “I guess Dr. Mung’s made out to work instead of…”
“Very funny.”
“All right, talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
Yoyo places the receiver back on the stand before heading for her room. She hopes that whatever it is, Jacky could sort it out soon.
*****
Wallace couldn’t concentrate on the words he’s typing so he pushes back his chair and goes for a break instead. He knows that Mr. Zhao needs it tomorrow but he just can’t seem to focus on it. He glimpses at his watch again, seeing that it’s almost midnight by now. It’s going to be a long night, he thought. He does some stretches before sitting back down in front of his computer. He types for about one more paragraph before he gives up completely, knowing that he will have to spend the entire night with it anyway. It could wait while he needs to get it out of his system.
He grabs a jacket before heading out. He makes his way down to the lobby in silence, not caring to invite the others to come with him. He knows that all Ray need is a circus to be there while he’s trying to calm down to fuse his anger even more. He gives the area a quick scan to check for Ray’s car before heading for his. Knowing Ray, he would know where he should be.
After parking, Wallace gets out and makes his way to a silhouette sitting at a railing not far from the set of tables that are now emptied out. He must have been here for a long time already.
“You wouldn’t want to get sick right on New Year, would you?” Wallace asked, making himself comfortable on the railing on Ray’s right.
“It’s funny that you’re the one who found me,” Ray commented, his voice passive – too passive for Ray.
“Should I say that it’s lucky that your mom’s not around anymore?”
“What kind of consolation is that?”
“Am I supposed to do that?”
Ray lets out a sigh. “If only…”
Wallace places a hand on Ray’s shoulder. “Like you said, every one of us has a past, right?”
“I’m a bit disappointed in him.”
Wallace puts his hands back into his jacket pocket again. “For not considering that we lied to you and you didn’t take it as hard, huh?”
Ray nods, sighing out again. “Partially. I was there when it happened. Like I don’t know. If it was Charm telling him to forgive Ekin, he could lash out all he wants and I would understand. But…”
Wallace sighs out also. “It’s funny how we hate to be lied to yet we’re doing the same to others but think it’s okay or could come up with so much reasons to make ourselves feel better. But when it hits us, we end up getting mad.”
“Maybe we should just drop this whole thing and just let Ekin jump in.”
Wallace turns to Ray in surprised. “Are you serious?”
“What else could we do? If we interfere or try to manipulate the matter anymore, Kevin’ll think that we have a hand in it or…”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
“Well, he meant it earlier when he was accusing me of falling prey to temptation.”
“Not everyone is as forgiving as you, Ray.”
Ray turns to Wallace. “Are you saying I’m being harsh on him?”
Wallace shakes his head. “There are some things in life you can’t get past and I think this is Kevin’s. I have a feeling it will become what it used to be years ago – with all parties at lost.”
“Are you favoring the idea of helping them sort things out and get along again then?”
Wallace shakes his head again. “People say that blood is thicker than water. But I think that they’re just using that excuse to hurt each other and then wanting to be forgiven for that same reason.”
“What are you getting at? You’re making my head hurt.”
“My dad died in a car accident. We never did find out who was the drunk driver who hit him. But…life goes on, right?”
Ray turns to Wallace again since he had looked out at the water ahead after that brief glance at Wallace earlier. He could see the haunting look in Wallace’s eyes during the days when they did not know each other but only pass by each other in the hallway. That cold stare that often made others misunderstood him in the past. Suddenly, he feels that he’s much luckier than Wallace though his life has not been as smooth either. At least his problems are sorted out – unlike Wallace’s – who probably will never know or have a proper closure. He stays silent, watching Wallace staring out to the water ahead, his eyes full of memories from the past – probably a past that will always leave him unrest no matter where he goes.
“What I’m saying is…” Wallace began again. “Some things could never be undone no matter how people want to make up for it. It sounds harsh to just leave Ekin out in the cold like that when he might be trying to mend his relationship with Kevin for real. But so what? I know it was about the family house that could be count for materialistic possessions but it just means that Ekin does not care enough for his family to put Kevin through such pain by leaving with the money and the debt for Kevin to take care of. What if Ms. Yeung was not around at that time to help Kevin pay off that debt? What if it causes his health with all the hard labor he has to endure all these years trying to pay Ms. Yeung back? What if he end up getting some fatal disease or worse die because of it? Just because he got lucky all these years and is still in good health does not mean he has to forgive or forget about it. People keep slapping around the whole family thing so they could hurt each other not knowing that there are people in this world who do not have a family. I think that was what Kevin was most mad at. It’s not about having the house or not. It’s about the betrayal that hurts the most. So…”
“I know what he’s going through…but Wallace,” Ray hesitated.
Wallace turns to look at Ray again, his face still reflecting of that hollow look.
“People hurt because of what happened in the past but they can’t take it out on others, especially those best friends who had been there right from the start.”
Wallace nods.
Both stay silent for a while before letting out a sigh at last.
“What are we going to do now?” Wallace asked.
“Let’s call this operation off for good and tell Ekin that he’s on his own,” Ray said, his voice full of confidence again. “It’s not about lying to Kevin or not. But since Kevin already know. We might as well step back and let them take care of it themselves.”
“What about that whole mess behind the ownership of Cornerstone and…”
“It’s Ekin’s problem, not ours.”
Wallace nods.
They both turn around at the same time and descend the railing.
“Sometimes I wonder if I should reconsider about friendship and trust,” Ray commented casually as they’re heading to the parking lot.
“I think we’re being tested or something,” Wallace joked, his smile erasing every trace of his mood from earlier.
“If you believe in those, then I don’t know what to say.”
“Do I look like I believe in anything?”
“Guess not.”
They laugh and head for their own car, glad that they’re sharing this strange bond at that moment.
© Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Posted: Saturday, October 24th, 2009