| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“Are you alright?” Mandy asked, her look caring and worrisome mixed into one.
Kevin nods, taking her left hand into his right. “Yea. Did I scared you?
Mandy shakes her head and gives him a smile.
Wallace clears his throat at that time. “Who was that?”
Kevin’s sharp expression resumes again. “Just someone who doesn’t care about anything except money.”
Wallace looks confused but doesn’t want to aggravate Kevin further, so he just nods. He looks around the room casually, studying the layout of the apartment although he has been here more enough to know of its surrounding by now. “So…did Miss Cho tell you about Jan’s invitation yet?”
Wallace isn’t a random person or a nosy one either. But in such hectic situation like this, he has to take on Ray’s role to soften the situation at hand.
Kevin looks confused. “No…what happened?”
Mandy smiles. “Jan invited us to her house for a little Christmas gathering.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry. She had it all figured out. It’s a week before the real Christmas. And we don’t have to come if we don’t want to.”
“Oh.” Then he remembers something. “Does Ray know?”
“Yes, I just told him while we were waiting for Wallace.”
Kevin smiles. “He’s scheming up something else, huh?”
“You betcha!” Wallace jumped in. “I still need to check back with Vincent and Alyssa on this. How about you? Coming?”
Kevin shrugs his shoulders. “Might as well. It’ll be fun to see Ray’s plan being carried out and fails.”
Wallace lets out a chuckles. “You’re enjoying it by just imagining it right now, huh?”
“As much to say I’m his friend, but I can’t imagine if his plan actually works.”
“So much confidence in me, huh?” Ray said sarcastically from the door. “Thanks for the support, buddy. Really appreciate it.”
The three turn to look at him. He came back somehow, but they were busy talking about Jan’s invitation that they didn’t realize when he stepped in. Ray locks the door before joining them in the living room.
“Okay,” Ray said. “Taken care of that pest already.” He sits down at a chair nearby.
Kevin and Mandy sit down at the sofa while Wallace settles down at a chair next to Ray.
“So…what now?” Ray asked, eyeing each one of them. “I guess our little plan tonight is out, huh? Since half of the girl population is gone.”
Mandy turns to Ray. “What about Jessica?”
“She’s coming.”
“We still have three girls. Come on. Be optimistic, ge!”
Ray gets up at that time. “Not sure what we’re going to do now, but okay.”
Mandy gets up and follows Ray towards the door. She’s actually pushing on Ray’s shoulders from behind with both hands, trying to make him give in.
“Quit shoving already, sis. We know you’re persistent.”
Kevin and Wallace look at each other. They shake their head and smile at the siblings at the same time. It’s good to see Kevin back to his cheerful self.
Ray turns around suddenly. “Yo, Kev. I honestly wish you luck with this one…” He points to Mandy with his right thumb. “‘cause she’s quite aggressive.” He turns back to face front since Mandy’s pushing him again. “I sure wish you luck in marrying her also.”
“Ge!”
“Okay, okay! I’m going.”
Kevin and Wallace follow them across the way as they’re entering Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment.
“What’s going on here?” Charmaine asked upon seeing the sight. She raises an eyebrow, putting on a teasing smile also. “Anything I missed?”
“Not at all,” Mandy informed her. “He’s ruining the mood so I need to keep him in line for now.”
Wallace closes the door behind him before joining them in the kitchen. He tosses his briefcase on the sofa as he walks by the living room.
Charmaine looks at Wallace. “What happened to Cyndi?”
“Girls’ night out,” Wallace said.
Charmaine smiles. “New trend?”
Wallace returns the smile. “Maybe.”
“Come on, man!” Ray urged from the kitchen table. “We’re starved.”
Charmaine and Wallace join the other three at the table.
They begin to eat as soon as Charmaine’s done scooping out rice bowls for everyone. A few minutes later, the doorbell rings.
Wallace drops his chopsticks and bowl. “I’ll get it.”
“No, I’ll go,” Charmaine insisted.
Wallace gets up. “It’s okay. I’m already up.” He opens the door to a panting Vincent. He wrinkles his face at the sight. “What in the world happened to you? You got robbed?”
“Dog!” Vincent blurted out, still panting.
Wallace wrinkles his face again. “Pets aren’t allowed in the building.”
“No, not pets. I meant…”
“What’s going on here?” Charmaine asked behind Wallace. “You should come in first.”
Wallace moves aside to make way for Vincent. The others had involuntarily joined them in the living room for unknown reasons. Wallace shuts the door before joining them also.
“What happened, man?” Wallace demanded, his hands crossed.
Mandy hands Vincent a glass of water.
He gulps down the full water glass before putting it down on the coffee table. He sighs out in relief at last. “Thanks.”
“Well?” Wallace urged again.
“I had to dodge someone to come up here,” Vincent clarified.
“Oh!” The others exclaimed at the same time. “Dodged! Not dog!”
“Guys!” Wallace yelled out.
Everyone quiets down again.
Vincent looks around the apartment casually. “Anyway, can I join you guys for dinner?”
“Reason?” Wallace asked, still giving Vincent the suspicious look.
“Alyssa said something about ‘Girls’ Night’, so I have no one to eat dinner with.”
“n case you forgot, Young Master Zhao, you have your family to eat dinner with.”
“Mom and Dad went over to Uncle’s house for dinner. I didn’t want to come ‘cause I thought I would be eating dinner with Alyssa. I didn’t realize how wrong I was.”
Wallace looks to the others. “Guys?”
Ray shrugs. “Fine with me. We have more than enough food here.”
Charmaine and Mandy smile while Kevin nods.
“All right,” Wallace said after the jury has decided. “We agree to take you in.”
Vincent jumps up at that time. “Hurray! I’m not alone anymore!” He turns to the others. “Thanks, everyone!”
Everyone makes their way back to the kitchen table with Wallace lagging behind.
Wallace rolls his eyes. “Sometimes I don’t know who should be the older bro figure, you or me.”
“You’re the one who told me to take it easy or I’ll grow old soon,” Vincent reminded his friend.
“Whatever, man.”
They sit down to eat again. There are already extra sets of plates, bowls, and other utensils so there’s no need for Charmaine to get extras for Vincent. She just needs to scoop some rice into the bowl for him. After that little “excitement”, they go back to eating in silence for a bit. About ten minutes later, Alice and Jessica join them. It seems that they bumped into each other downstairs so they came up together. The table is finally complete – at least for the night since they had to improvise. With Vincent as a new addition to their little “family”, the table becomes even more exciting. They eat and talk with happiness – all their worries forgotten for the time.
*****
After dinner, Jessica and Mandy help Charmaine wash dishes while the guys are sitting in front of the living room, chatting away. Alice has excused herself to go type up her report after clearing the table.
“So…Vin, what do you think?” Ray asked.
“About what?” Vincent asked back, turning to Ray.
“You think you could convince Alyssa to come with us to Jan’s house?”
“Ge!” Mandy called out from the kitchen. “Are you trying to fill Jan’s house with half of the population in Hong Kong or something?”
“Come on, sis! It’ll be fun. It’s Christmas after all. The more, the merrier.”
Vincent smiles. “I should come more often. I’ve been missing a lot of these shows.”
“You should, man. Heard Wallace mention you a lot. Well, you and Alyssa mostly.”
“Has he been talking bad about me?”
“I’m right here!” Wallace hollered from the other side of the room.
Vincent looks towards Wallace’s direction. “So…?”
“Oh yea, who did you had to dodge from earlier?” Kevin asked, his serious expression on.
“Uh…uh…security guard.”
“Security guard?!” Kevin and Wallace shouted out at the same time, shocked, confused, and curious rolled into one.
“Someone issued an order saying that they shouldn’t let someone wearing blue shirt and jeans into the building. I had to sneak around in order to come up here. Of course I had to use the stairs. If I as much as stand around to wait for the elevators, I’ll be caught and thrown out again.”
“Again?” Wallace asked, raising an eyebrow. “You meant you were thrown out the first time?”
Vincent lets out a nervous laugh. “Ummm….sort of.”
Kevin looks at Ray while Vincent’s explaining. Now Wallace joins in also, so the three guys are in a staring contest with each other. Suddenly, Vincent realizes the “staring”, so he glances at each guy before speaking up again.
“What’s going on here? Is there some kind of crazy stalker around here? And I just happen to wear blue at the wrong time?”
Ray lets out a nervous laugh. “Something like that.”
“I’ll walk you out later so Stan wouldn’t throw you out or anything,” Kevin reassured Vincent.
Vincent sighs out in relief. “That’s good then. I wouldn’t want to get arrested for something like this.”
At that time, the girls come out to join them. Mandy’s holding a bowl of fruits to which Ray tries to snatch an apple from the bowl as she walks by. She slaps his hand and places the bowl on the table before sitting down next to Kevin.
“Hey!” Ray protested. “What was that for? I’m filing for ‘Siblings Abused’ charges.”
“Like they would believe you,” Mandy shot back.
“I could try.” Ray finally grabs an apple from the bowl and is munching on it happily now.
“Well, who told you to give out such a general order?”
“How was I supposed to know that someone else would dress exactly like that creep?”
Mandy rolls her eyes. “Blue is a popular color, okay?”
Ray shrugs. “ Blue’s not my color.”
“I saw you wearing blue last week, man,” Wallace jumped in.
“So? Probably something I snatched away from Kevin since I didn’t do laundry until last weekend.”
Jessica frowns. “Are we a bit far from the original topic?”
“Oh yeah.” He flashes on his charming smile at Jessica. “We should be discussing about the possible vacation trip.” He claps his hand for attention although no one is talking. “Who’s going to Jan’s for sure?”
Only Mandy raises her hand.
Ray scans the others – from one to another – with his radar eyes. “Are you guys serious?”
“Have to see if I finish my deadline for this one project,” Charmaine explained.
“Depends if I have time or not although I’ll be in the area, covering for our Christmas issue,” Jessica said.
“I’ll probably go, but not sure if Auntie wants to make me go some places with her to visit the relatives,” Kevin continued.
Ray points towards Vincent and Wallace. “You guys have to check with your girl?”
Vincent and Wallace nod.
Ray shakes his head, defeated. “I guess I just have to rely on myself for this one.”
Wallace has on a mischievous smile. “Look at it this way.” Wallace motions his hands while saying the next few words. “One man, one goal, and then he became successful.”
Ray wrinkles his face. “What?! Where in the world did you get that cheesy line from?”
Wallace smiles. “Come on, man. You’ll be praised and looked up upon IF you succeed.”
“What do you mean ‘IF’?”
“Want my honest opinion?”
“I don’t have the talent to do it?”
Wallace shakes his head. “It’s not you. It’s them.”
Ray holds his hand up for Wallace to stop. “What? Now I’m even more confused. I mean we know Jacky and Jan like each other, right? So what’s the problem?”
“Insecurity.”
Ray laughs as soon as he hears the answer.
“Don’t believe me?”
Ray stops laughing. “Insecurity and Jacky don’t even go together.”
“Actually, let me correct myself. It’s more like fear than insecure.”
“Are you trying to rhyme or do some poetry thing here?”
“Fear of what?” Vincent asked curiously.
“Fear of losing each other. What else? Isn’t it obvious?”
“It makes sense though,” Mandy agreed, nodding her head.
Ray turns to Mandy. “You’re siding with him now?”
“No. I’m not saying that your plan won’t work. It’s just you have to work extra hard. But…”
“But what?”
“It’s up to them in the end.”
“Sounds too deep. No fun.”
Wallace shrugs. “Take it or leave it.”
Just then, his cell phone rings. He picks it up on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“It’s me, Gallen.”
“Tim? What are you doing? It’s really loud on your side.”
“I know. I’m following this one guy and possibly lost him in the crowd. Maybe he’s heading towards your area.”
“What? Who?”
The others are listening in intently although it’s impossible to hear what Gallen’s saying.
“Ummm…Kenneth.”
“Kenneth?! You mean Kenneth as in Lieutenant Ma?”
“Yea. I’m tailing him right now.”
“Are you crazy?! What for?”
“Jacky told me to.”
“Okay. Correction: Is Jacky crazy?! Are you crazy enough to follow his directions? You’re older and wiser. Go figure, man.”
The others had never heard such words from Wallace before. At least to a person like Tim. They edge ever so closely towards Wallace to get a better reception with their unconscious antenna.
“No, it’s serious this time,” Gallen said. “He has been sneaking around too much. Remember how careless he was during the last bit of the two cases six months ago? Jacky suspected something so he told me to follow up on Kenneth to see if anything’s fishy. Now I wonder.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Wallace asked, wrinkling his face.
“For the 100th time, no.”
“So he’s coming here? Are you going after him on feet or something?”
“Yea. IF you see him around the building, call me.”
“Okay then. Good luck.”
“You sound like you don’t believe me at all.”
Wallace shrugs his shoulders although Gallen couldn’t see it. “You tell me.”
“All right. But call me if anything.”
“All right already.”
They hang up after that.
Wallace eyes the others that are way too close for comfort right at the moment. The others guiltily move back to their corners of the living room.
Vincent speaks up first, but not before clearing his throat. “So who was that?”
Wallace eyes them all cautiously. “Tim. He wants us to call him if we can locate Ken.”
“And Tim’s following Ken because?” Ray jumped in.
“Long story. You might want to ask him later.”
“Aww…come on, man.”
“I swear you sound whiny.”
“He does, you’re not imagining it,” Kevin said, backing Wallace up.
Ray gives Kevin an evil glare as a smile crept onto Kevin’s face.
Jessica clears her throat – as if to stop their upcoming argument. “So…what should we do now? We can’t just sit around here and have a staring contest, can we?”
“I don’t know,” Kevin admitted. “Want to catch a movie?” He looks at his watch real quick. “Still early.”
‘Probably the tickets are sold out already,” Wallace said. “How about going down the lobby and watch the show?” He flashes on a bright smile.
“What show?” Ray asked, confused.
Wallace gets up from the chair he’s sitting on, heading towards the door.
“What show?!”
“Lazy people don’t get reward!” As he said those words, he disappears through the door.
Ray looks back to the others. “What now?”
Kevin thumps his fingers on the coffee table. “Well…you got two options.” He pauses briefly. “Follow him and find out or…sit here and whine.”
Ray stands up abruptly. “Hey! I don’t whine!”
Kevin stands up also. “Whatever, man.”
Kevin grabs Mandy’s hand to go. They head out the door as Ray tries to follow, demanding an explanation from Kevin. The others look each at other. Jessica shrugs her shoulders as Charmaine looks to her for an answer.
“Let’s go and see,” Vincent said.
“Might as well,” Charmaine said.
The others head for the door as Charmaine retrieve her keys and a light jacket before joining them out in the hallway.
When the others finally catch up with Wallace down in the lobby, they gather around him.
“What now?” Ray asked.
“Just watch and see,” Wallace said, resuming the mysterious façade.
“Come on, man,” Ray urged.
Wallace turns towards the group. “All right, here’s the plan. When you see Ken come, try to block his way. Kev and Ray, you guys pretend to argue and delay him from going upstairs or anywhere. If he goes upstairs, Charm and Mandy, one of you pretend to fall and the other try to help but couldn’t. Make him carry you upstairs to your apartment – by the stairway. And…Vin, stay here. If he comes in but just go back out again, call us.” Then he turns to Jessica, “You might want to stay here and make sure Vin doesn’t get kicked out like before.” He claps his hands for effect at that time. “Everyone, places.”
“What?! You made us come all the way down here so you can use us?”
“What’s going on here?” Kevin asked, equally puzzled as Ray.
“We’re trying to help Tim here,” Wallace said. “You guys want to or not?”
“Is this some kind of joke?” Charmaine asked.
“I’m not sure either. But when Tim gets here, he’ll tell us so we can stop with this little scheme.”
“There’s no ‘we’,” Ray clarified. “I’m not going to join this conspiracy.” He walks away at that time.
“Scared?!” Wallace yelled after him.
Ray turns around to face Wallace. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not suicidal. At least not now.”
Wallace raises an eyebrow, waiting for Ray to continue.
“Hello!” He throws his hands in the air. “Cop. Do I look like I want to mess with him?”
Wallace flashes out his mischievous smile. “He doesn’t have to know, you know.”
“He will find out.”
“With my setup, he won’t know. You and Kev argue every single day, you won’t give yourselves away.”
“Are you giving me a compliment or trying to say I’m childish?”
Wallace smiles. “It depends.”
“He’s coming soon!” Mandy yelled out to warn them. “He’s only a few more feet from the entrance.” Her voice gets closer to them as she’s saying the last few words. She has been at the entrance while the guys talk it out. When she sees Kenneth, she reports back to the others.
“Places everyone,” Wallace commanded. “I have to get out of here.”
Wallace races faster than anyone of them could imagine into the stairway. Before he shuts the door, he shouts to Charmaine and Mandy to go with him. Vincent and Jessica take this chance to station themselves at the front entrance and behind the counter on the left area of the lobby respectively. After the five are gone, Kevin turns to look at Ray.
“Well?” Kevin asked.
Ray has on his usual annoyed expression. “Do I look like I have a choice?”
“All right then. What are we arguing about then?”
“Just start on something. Like your clothes.”
“Hey! That’s low.”
“As long as we look annoyed, it doesn’t matter.”
“Fine then.”
Ray smiles. “See? You’re catching on.”
“Whatever, man.”
“Okay, he just stepped in.”
“Great to know,” Kevin said in his sarcastic tone.
“Come on. Be a little more enthusiastic about it, will you?”
“We’re supposed to argue, not being cheerful.”
“Great, he saw me. Now we have to address him directly.”
Kevin turns around to see Kenneth heading their way. He waves to Kenneth.
“I have an idea,” Ray whispered under his breath.
“What?” Kevin whispered back.
“You’ll see.”
Kevin doesn’t want to look back at Ray, but just waits to see what schemes Ray will come up with. Kenneth’s only about a foot apart from them now.
“Hey Lieutenant Ma!” Ray called out cheerfully – too cheerful for Ray.
“Just call me Ken or Kenneth is fine,” Kenneth said. “I’m off work now.”
“That’s great to know.”
“How’s it been going with you all? I haven’t seen you guys in awhile, huh?”
“Yea, like six months.”
Kenneth nods. “It’s strange though. Since we all live around the same area.”
Ray shrugs his shoulders. “We wouldn’t notice you in the first place if those incidents from six months ago didn’t happen.”
Kevin feels sort of impatient already since Ray’s going no where with beating around the bush like this. He knows Wallace told them to stall Kenneth, but does he have to start out the conversation so slow? Kenneth will be bored soon or worse – leave before they reached their goal. He’s tuning the two guys out until Ray taps on his left shoulder – more like a push.
Kevin turns to Ray, alarmed. “What?!”
“Touché, aren’t we?” Ray shot back.
Kevin gives him an annoyed glare.
“All right, all right, Mr. Grumpy. I’m getting to the point. I was just telling Ken here how we were talking about buying the scarf for my dad. You said that gray looks better on him, but I think blue would make him look livelier.”
Kevin turns to Kenneth to wait for Kenneth’s input. Ray even goes to the extent of pulling out his wallet and showing Kenneth a picture that Mr. Cho took with him and Mandy three months earlier for Kenneth to see which is more suitable.
“Hmmmm….” Kenneth muttered.
“You know my idea is better,” Ray said. “It’s okay. You don’t have to think about Kevin’s feelings. He’ll get over it. We all know he has bad taste.”
Kevin gives Ray a look. Ray gives him a look back, hinting, “Do you want to stall for time or not?”
Kenneth could see the guys’ expressions. “You guys should keep calm. It’s only a scarf.”
“Come on!” Ray exclaimed – as if offended. “It’s not just a scarf. He’s my father.”
“Then I guess you already know the answer. Go with your instinct then.”
“Oh come on. Is that how a lieutenant is supposed to answer?”
Kenneth points at Ray. “Hey! Don’t use my occupation as a joke.”
Ray raises his hands up in defeat. “All right. Don’t have to get all serious.”
Kevin laughs at Ray’s expression.
“What? Stop being a smart-aleck or I’ll tell Mandy to dump you.”
“Don’t you ever listen, man? The others already told you that Mandy won’t listen to you regarding that matter.”
“I could try, couldn’t I?”
“Hey guys, if there isn’t anything else, I would like to go now,” Kenneth jumped in. “It’s regarding a case.”
“I thought you said you’re off-work,” Kevin reminded him.
“That’s right,” Ray continued. “What’s the deal, man? Trying to get rid of us?”
Kevin grabs Ray’s right shoulder. “Ray!”
Ray realizes what he said. “Uh…sorry. I was just over-reacting.” He looks around the lobby after that, faking nervousness.
“It’s all right,” Kenneth said. “But I honestly have to go.”
Ray nods. “All right then. See you around.”
Kenneth walks towards the elevators area.
“Hey! The elevators aren’t stable right now. I advice you not to take it. You might get trapped in there and delay your trip further.”
Kenneth turns to Ray. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, man.”
Kenneth turns towards the door that leads to the stairs at that time.
Ray turns to Kevin and signals for him to call Wallace while he keeps watch. Kevin fumbles around in his pocket and dials Wallace’s number when he finally wrestles the phone out from his pocket.
“Hey, man. He’s coming your way.” He pauses to listen. “No, he took the stairs ‘cause Ray delayed him. All right then.” Kevin hangs up after that.
Ray waits for Kevin to tell him about the next move.
“Take the elevators up and meet Wallace on 5th floor.”
“What does he have in mind?”
“He didn’t tell me exactly. But he said he got another idea. Since Tim got delayed, so we have to stall some more time.”
“You think the girls got their plans going?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just get our part done.”
Ray nods and follows Kevin into the elevator on the right. While they were talking before, Kevin had punched the “Up” button to get it going.
*****
Kenneth makes his way up the stairs after he let the door slam behind him. Why does she have to live all the way up there? Kenneth ponders how long he will keep up with this. Thinking about what he has been going through these past six months, feeling both frustration and exhaustion. A loud scream rips through Kenneth’s thoughts and brings him back to reality. He realizes he’s on the second floor level already. He stops on the second floor landing to listen more carefully. Then he hears voices coming from above. Two girls to be exact. They sound awfully familiar, but he couldn’t remember exactly where he had heard it before. He raises his voice and calls up to them.
“Are you girls all right?!”
One of the girls answers to him “She’s all right. It’s just that she sprained her ankle.”
“Don’t move! I’ll come up to help you girls right away. What floor are you girls on right now?”
“We’re on the 4th floor right now.”
“All right. I’m coming.”
As Kenneth’s talking to them, he’s making his way up – increasing his speed. It’s not bad, he thought. At least I only have to help them into the 4th floor and then make my way up to the 5th floor. He smiles at his luck since he can help people and reach his destination at the same time.
When Kenneth finally reaches the 4th floor, he sees the girls right away – they’re mid-way on the stairs to the landing. He recognizes them immediately. Of course, he thought. It’s Constant Comfort. That’s why their voices sound so familiar.
“Lieutenant Ma!” One of the girls called out – the same girl who answered to him earlier. “It’s a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“Uh…I have something to take care of,” Kenneth hesitated, not wanting to disclose anything to the girls.
“Oh.”
Kenneth points to the other girl – the one still sitting on the step. “How’s she doing now?”As he’s asking that, he approaches the girl to help. “How’s your leg…uh…”
“Charmaine.”
“Yes, Charmaine. Can you move at all?”
Mandy rushes over to help them at that time.
Charmaine yells out in pain as she’s trying to boost herself up with the other two’s help. Kenneth and Mandy help her sit back down since it doesn’t look like she can move in this condition.
“Let me take a look,” Kenneth offered.
Charmaine stops his hand from touching her ankle. She wrinkles her face. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. It hurts too much.”
“How about you…umm….never mind, it’s not a good idea,” Mandy said.
Kenneth looks at her. “What?”
“How about you carry her to our apartment? Then I can put some ice on it or something?”
“How about taking her to the hospital or something? Since it doesn’t look good.”
“No,” Charmaine protested. “I don’t want to draw attention. I have to complete some work for this project. I can’t take leave. Ow…” She couldn’t go on further. She grabs hold of Mandy’s left hand.
“Are you sure?” Mandy asked. “Look at you.”
“We can do it your way. If it doesn’t work, we can get Misty to help since she’s a nurse. She can take a look without me having to go anywhere.”
“Oh…I almost forgot about her.”
Kenneth looks from one girl to the other. “So…are you girls on the 4th floor then?”
“No. We’re on the 7th floor,” Charmaine answered.
Kenneth holds back a wince. He glances at his watch real quick.
Charmiane saw that. “It’s okay if you can’t help. I’ll wait for Wallace and the guys to come back so they can help. Or I can sit here until I’m a bit better and then Mandy can help me up.”
Mandy glances at her own watch. “Are you sure? The guys won’t be back until later.”
“Are you talking about Kevin and Ray?” Kenneth asked.
Mandy nods.
“They were still downstairs when I came up here. Maybe they’re still here.”
Mandy’s eyes brighten. “Really? Let me call them.” She fishes out her cell phone and dials Ray’s number. “Ge, it’s me. Where are you guys? What?! How can that be? That means I have to wait another hour? Okay. Fine then. You know when Wallace’s coming back? Okay. Bye.”
Kenneth and Charmaine look at Mandy as she snaps her phone shut.
“The guys are caught in the traffic. They won’t get out of it until half an hour or more. Wallace’s not with them. I guess I’ll call him to see when he’s coming back.”
Kenneth glances at his watch again. “Forget it. I’ll just carry her up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Come on. We don’t have time. The sooner you get some ice on her ankle, the better.”
Kenneth turns his back towards Charmaine and gestures for her to climb up. She looks a bit hesitant, but climbs on anyway.
As they’re making their way up with Kenneth carrying Charmaine and Mandy staying a bit behind, they manage to get to the 6th floor before Kenneth’s cell phone rings. Kenneth carries Charmaine to the 6th floor’s landing before putting her down carefully with Mandy’s help. He retrieves his cell phone and picks up. He speaks into it a bit and then hangs up. Charmaine and Mandy have been tuning in to every single word, but are pretending to talk to each other while Kenneth’s on the phone. Kenneth’s about to kneel down to let Charmaine get on his back again, but Mandy’s phone rings. Mandy gets her cell phone out and answers it in time.
“Hello?”
“Pretend I’m your brother,” Wallace instructed. “I’m on the 7th floor right now. Kevin and Ray are still on the 5th floor. They’re making their way up right now. Stall for time until you see them. They’ll make up a reason as to their whereabouts and all that when they’re there.”
“Okay. That’s great that you’re coming back now. How did you get out of that horrible traffic though?”
“Good. Your voice is leveled enough.”
“All right. You’ll tell your tale when you’re here? That’s fine then.”
“See you in a bit. I’ll be waiting for you guys at the door. Act surprise.”
Mandy clicks her cell phone shut at that time. She turns to Kenneth. “Somehow they got out of that traffic and wouldn’t tell me what’s up until they’re here. Strange or what?”
“They’re back?” Kenneth asked, surprised. “How?”
Mandy shrugs her shoulders. “Heaven knows.”
Kenneth looks at his watch again. “If you don’t mind…uh…could you wait here for them? I need to get going.”
“Uh…” Mandy turns to Charmaine for help.
“You go ahead. I think I can manage now.” Charmaine tries to get up at that time with Mandy’s aid. She collapses again with a painful outcry as Mandy tries her best to balance Charmaine.
Kenneth steps forward and catches Charmaine on time. “I didn’t mean it in that way. I just thought the guys are here already.”
“How could you tell?” Mandy asked – her turn to be surprised.
“The background sound from the other side sounds like they’re in this building already.”
Mandy shivers inside, but tries to regain herself since she doesn’t want to give herself away this fast. She shrugs her shoulders again. “I’m not sure.”
“Let me carry you the rest of the way,” Kenneth said to Charmaine. “The guys will have to catch up to you two later, huh?” He kneels down again so Charmaine could get up on his back.
Charmaine gets on slowly. Mandy walks behind them again.
“Could you go slowly?” Charmaine asked. “I know it’ll be hard for you, but suddenly my leg hurts again after that fall over.”
“I’ll try,” Kenneth said.
When they make it up one set of stairs towards the 7th floor, Kevin and Ray catch up to them.
“Hey!” Ray called out. “Wait up!”
Kenneth turns around abruptly when he heard the sound, forgetting to go gentle. Charmaine didn’t forget to cry out in pain though.
Kenneth steadies himself again. “Sorry about that. He startled me.”
“It’s all right,” Charmaine said, her voice wavering a bit.
“Look what you did,” Mandy scolded her brother. “You just showed up and made things worse for us.”
“Me?!” Ray blurted out, shocked. “You’re hurting your brother’s feeling.”
“If you’re such a great brother, why don’t you take over for Kenneth and carry Charm the rest of the way?”
Everyone looks at Ray at that time, waiting for his answer.
“Uh…” Ray managed.
“Well?” Mandy demanded, her hands crossed.
“Well…”
Mandy continues to stare at him as Kenneth’s turning towards the stair that heads to the 7th floor.
“It’s all right,” Kenneth said as he’s walking again. “We’re almost there anyway.”
The others couldn’t say anything else since Kenneth’s four steps above from them. They follow him with Mandy still trying to look after Charmaine to make sure she can still hold onto Kenneth’s shoulder.
“So…how did you guys get out of that terrible traffic?” Mandy asked.
“Lucky break,” Kevin answered, speaking up finally. “It wasn’t a car accident like we thought. It was some cop trying to find someone. We got lucky ‘cause he let us go early so we speed up like crazy to see if we can help you girls since you sound a tad desperate earlier.”
“Speeding like crazy? Aren’t you afraid that you’ll get a ticket for that?”
Ray rolls his eyes. “Don’t take it literally, sis.” He increases his speed to walk side-by-side with Kenneth. “I didn’t know that you’ll still be here. I meant it was almost half an hour or so.”
“I didn’t think I would still be here either,” Kenneth admitted. “But it’s all right.”
“Oh yea, I was so occupied earlier with the scarf thing that I forgot to ask you about your workload lately.”
“Slow, which is good.”
“True. How’s your courtship going with Detective Meng?”
Kenneth gives Ray a weird look and continues to walk.
“Ge!” Mandy called out.
Ray turns around to look at her and then shrugs his shoulders.
They’re finally on the landing of the 7th floor. As Ray’s about to open the door, the door flies open by itself. Wallace steps out as the door opens wider.
“Wallace!” Mandy called out, surprised.
“Whoa!” Kevin exclaimed out about the same time as Mandy. “How did you get back here before us?”
“I’ve been here the whole time,” Wallace said. “What are you guys talking about?”
“We thought you would be out somewhere with Cyndi again.”
“Girls’ night out.”
“What does that mean anyway?” Ray jumped in.
“Something Alyssa came up with after she met Cyn and Annie.”
“Oh.”
Kenneth clears his throat at that time.
Wallace turns to Kenneth. His expression turns into surprised. “Ken! What a surprised! What are you doing here?”
“I’m here on business, but I found the girls and helped them here.”
“Oh. Let us take over now. You should go do your thing.”
Wallace attempts to help Charmaine as Mandy steps forward. Charmaine is set back down on the floor again while Wallace kneels down to let Charmaine on. Although Wallace has the gaunt look, but he’s quite strong. He carries Charmaine on his back and is still capable of walking with such ease.
Mandy turns to Kenneth. “Thanks so much, Lieutenant Ma.”
Kenneth smiles. “No problem.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us for a drink?” Ray asked.
Kenneth is about to speak, but Ray interrupts again.
“I don’t mean alcohol though.”
“It’s all right. I have to get going.”
Kenneth is about to make his way back down when his cell phone rings again. He picks it up and talks into it. The others wait. Wallace’s already inside the door while Ray’s the one holding the door open for the others. They’re making their way inside, but are still listening to the half-conversation from Kenneth. Kenneth smiles as he hangs up.
“I guess I’m not in a hurry anymore,” Kenneth announced.
“How about that drink then?” Wallace asked, turning to Kenneth again.
Kenneth looks like he’s considering something inside his mind. Then he speaks up again after almost a minute. “That’s fine.”
Wallace leads the way while the group heads right towards their apartment. Mandy and Ray pull out their keys as they’re reaching the end of the hallway. Wallace goes into Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment as Ray and Kevin lead Kenneth into their apartment. Mandy lets Wallace walk past her before turning to address the guys again.
“I’ll come over when we’re done helping Charm,” Mandy told Ray.
Ray turns to Mandy. “All right. Don’t be too long.”
Mandy nods and closes the door before turning to Wallace and Charmaine. Wallace has already set Charmaine down on the sofa by now.
Wallace smiles. “Great job, girls. You managed to trick Lieutenant Ma with flying colors.”
Mandy has on a worried expression. “Wait until he finds out.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve got Tim to back us up.”
“Still…”
Wallace puts on a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Jacky’s in this too.”
Mandy has on her surprised expression upon hearing Wallace’s confession. “Jacky?”
“Jacky asked Tim to follow Ken for him, but he lost Ken in the crowd so he asked us to help stall for time until he’s back on track.”
“If he lost track of Ken, how would he know to call us?”
“He knows the general direction and asked me earlier if I can spot Ken coming here or not. If he is really here, we’re to stall for time. If not, I guess Tim would be lost right now.”
“So he got lucky to have us here, huh?” Charmaine asked.
Wallace smiles. At that same time, Wallace’s cell phone rings. “Hello?”
“How did it go?” Gallen asked.
“We managed to pull something together. He’s in Ray and Kevin’s apartment right now.”
“Did you guys have to go that far?”
“We have to make sure he’s within our control, don’t we?”
“True. All right, I’m in front right now. In fact, I’m in the elevator going up with Vincent right now.”
“Vincent’s with you?”
“Yea. He reported to me.”
Wallace chuckles.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Just hard to imagine Mr. Vincent Zhao would report to you.”
“Yes, but it’s true.”
“All right. I’ll be over at Ray’s, so just walk in or whatever.”
“All right. Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
“I’ll just keep it in mind.”
They hang up at the same time.
Wallace turns to the girls. “Mission accomplished. Tim’s here. Let’s go.” He stops himself. “No wait, Mandy…stay here with Charm so it looks more convincing. I’ll call if anything.”
“Right,” Mandy obeyed.
The girls watch Wallace leaves their apartment. They turn to look at each other after that, wondering what is really happening here and why in the world would Jacky want to investigate Kenneth in the first place.
© Tuesday, January 1st, 2008
Re-posted: Wednesday, October 14th, 2009