| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“Hey, how’s it going?” Vincent greeted Wallace – still sticking to their preplanned script.
“What are you doing here?” Wallace asked, repeating his words from several hours ago. “I thought you were eating dinner with Alyssa.”
“Umm…she dumped me for your girl and Annie.”
“Am I supposed to feel guilty and take you in?”
“You better or I’ll fire you.”
Wallace crosses his arms. “Is that a threat?”
“I’ll reconsider the situation…”
Vincent let the sentence hangs on purpose as he walks past Wallace to the living room. Wallace looks after him, but lets it slip since he’s focusing his attention on Gallen now.
Wallace, his hands still crossed, eyes Gallen with the same suspicious eyes he gave Vincent earlier. “And what are you doing here?”
“Cold,” Gallen commented. “Can’t I just come over to visit the neighbors after a long day at work?”
Wallace looks to Ray and Kevin. “Guys?”
“Go ahead,” Ray said.
Wallace steps aside for Gallen to come in and closes the door when Gallen passed. As he’s walking back to the living room, he could hear Vincent commenting about the place being a “full house” tonight.
“It wouldn’t be a full house if we didn’t take some people in,” Wallace said, sitting at the chair next to Ray again. “The only thing missing right now is some rain and a miserable cat drenching out in that rain, waiting for someone to take him or her in.”
“You mean we don’t have enough cats here already?” Kevin asked, turning to Wallace.
Ray laughs at that.
“Why are you guys making it sound like we’re a bunch of pitiful guys who needs your sympathy?” Gallen, who’s sitting on Wallace’s left, asked.
“Why are you here then?”
“Come on. Stop being so touché about it.”
“Oh yeah, how is Charm’s leg?” Kevin asked suddenly.
“It’s a bit swollen, but Mandy put some ice on it already,” Wallace said casually.
Kevin nods.
“No girls tonight, how about we do a little guy talk?” Ray suggested, putting on his mischievous grin.
“You mean like the last time we somehow got together and did some guy talk?”
“Yea, sure. Why not?” He pauses briefly. “The only difference is Jacky was here last time.” He wrinkles his face upon the thought. “I miss that guy.”
“If you don’t already have a girlfriend, I swear you have something for him,” Kevin noted.
“How would you know he doesn’t?” Wallace jumped in. “I mean maybe the whole girlfriend thing is just an exterior?” He lets out a smile. “Like a cover up.”
“Hey!” Ray protested. “That’s low!”
Wallace crosses his hands together, but is still smiling. “I’m kidding.”
“Same here,” Kevin said. “Cool down, man.”
Ray turns to Kevin. “You were just sore ‘cause I said you have bad taste earlier.”
“I’m not.”
“Too.”
Wallace cuts them off before it intensifies to another level. “How old are we?”
Gallen does a quick motion to Wallace.
“He’s in the restroom.”
Gallen nods, understanding why the guys still have to pretend to talk like they just got back. Kenneth has very sharp ears. Nothing gets by him. They have to take every precaution there is. Wallace only has to lower his voice a bit when answering to Gallen’s gestures because the others are talking loudly enough to block his voice out. A minute later, Kenneth emerges from the restroom and joins them at the coffee table. He takes his seat again at the sofa, next to Kevin.
“Gal…” Kenneth began.
Gallen gives him a sharp look to silence him.
“I mean Tim.” He lets out a nervous laugh. “What are you doing here?”
Ray didn’t missed that little moment either. It’s so much like some of the scenes he seen six months ago up until now. He can’t figure out what’s really going on, but pretends not to see it.
“Just visiting my neighbors. What about you?”
“Was supposed to be here on business, but the station called and cancelled it since they don’t need me to look up on it anymore,” Kenneth answered. “So…I just stick around here since Wallace invited me.”
Gallen looks over to Wallace. “You invited him but act like I’m a pest? What’s the big deal here?”
Before Wallace explains himself, Vincent jumps in.
“Because he’s a lieutenant and we’re just a few citizens?” Vincent asked.
“I…” Wallace managed, pretending to find the appropriate words to mend the situation.
“I see how it is,” Gallen continued right on.
“Why are we acting like bunch of jealous chicks here?” Ray asked, eyeing his friends.
“Guys, come on,” Kevin interfered. “Let’s do something…uh…”
“Manly?” Ray offered.
“No. Different. Let’s not argue. The girls aren’t here anyway. Let’s hit it off with something fun.” He clap his hands. “How about Karaoke night?”
“You have a Karaoke system?” Gallen asked, surprised. “I thought you don’t.”
Kevin smiles. “No, but you do!”
“Hey!”
“Come on. Don’t tell me us guys are going to sit around and stare at each other.”
Gallen gets up at that time, defeated. “Fine then.”
“Don’t sound so uncooperative,” Ray said.
Gallen turns to the other guys. “Are you guys coming or not?”
Ray gets up on his feet finally. “Coming, P.I.”
Gallen almost jumped up – literally – upon hearing that. But he regains himself and gives Ray a look like Ray’s weird. Kevin’s face turns a little pale upon hearing Ray saying those words to Gallen. Wallace’s more relaxed among those who know of Gallen’s real identity. He eyes Ray intently while addressing.
“P.I.?”
Ray shrugs. “I don’t know where that came from.”
“Whatever, man.” He turns to the others. “Let’s go.”
Kevin’s little suggestion leads them to Gallen’s apartment.
“Whoever loses will have to pay the next five times we go hang out somewhere,” Ray declared after he stepping into Gallen’s apartment.
“What if you bring about 60 people with you?” Kevin asked. “That means whoever it is will be broke.”
Wallace holds up his right index finger while still having his hands crossed. “Wait a minute!”
Kevin turns back to Wallace. “What?”
“Does Ray know that many people in the first place to invite them all?”
“Good point.”
“Hey!” Ray yelled out. “Why are you guys always ganging up on me?”
“It’s called ‘Odd Man Out,’” Galen said with a smile.
Ray wrinkles his face. “Very funny.” Ray is about to throw in another comment, but his phone rings. “Hello?!”
“Whoa!” Jessica called out, surprised at Ray’s reaction. “Who got you mad? “
“The guys. Who else? My other girlfriend?”
“Ray…you know they’re just kidding.”
“Still…if they keep this up, I’m going to blow their covers.”
“Ray!”
The other guys are turning a bit pale and getting nervous on this side, except for Wallace – who seems unusually calm. The others are moving around the living room kind of fast, trying to help Gallen set up the Karaoke system and choosing discs. Only Ray and Wallace are left standing near the door with Kenneth. Kenneth is a bit suspicious of the sudden moments, but ignores it since he knows these guys are always weird. Another minute or so, Ray hangs up.
“Who?” Wallace asked.
“Jess,” Ray said. “She’s coming up. Bringing some food for us.”
“Don’t tell me we’re having hot pot again. We just did last weekend.”
“Don’t worry. I told her that we already eat out earlier so she’s just bringing up some light snacks.”
Wallace nods. The three guys join the other guys in the living room. The rest of the guys already have the Karaoke system set up.
“Wait a minute,” Kevin said suddenly.
“What now?” Ray asked, turning to him.
“Who’s going to be the judge of this whole event?”
“Want me to sit out and be judge?” Kenneth asked.
“Not enough people. How about getting the girls?”
“Isn’t Charmaine resting?”
“I’ll go check.”
“Great excuse to go see Mandy,” Ray muttered out.
“Whatever.”
Kevin walks towards the girls’ apartment, wondering how much longer they have to play this skit since he’s in no mood to sing right now. Something else is bothering him tonight and he’s trying really hard not to think about it, but he couldn’t help himself. He repeats in his mind to keep calm and not blow anyone’s cover. He beats himself up inside for almost blowing Gallen’s cover earlier. He’s so deep in thoughts he forgot to knock. He reaches his right hand up absent-mindedly to knock on the door of Apartment 7B. Mandy appears at the door seconds later.
Mandy smiles upon seeing him. “Hey!” She could see that his face is all pale. “What’s wrong?” She grabs his hand and leads him into the living room.
Kevin licks his lips. “Nothing.” Then he remembers why he’s there. “Want to come over and join us?”
“What’s going on now?” Chamaine asked. “Kenneth’s gone?”
“No. We’re trying to keep him there still.”
“Don’t tell me Gallen isn’t here yet.”
“He’s already here. But we need to pretend we’re having a get together so he isn’t suspicious of us. He should leave soon though.”
Charmaine nods and goes back to reading her magazine. At that time, Kevin snaps his attention back to Charmaine. He just realized what Charmaine just said.
“You know?”
Charmaine looks up at Kevin again. “Of course.”
“How?!”
Mandy has been standing next to Kevin as he sat down earlier at a chair across from Charmaine with her hand on his shoulders. Now she’s confused, looking from one to the other. She had been focused on Kevin since he doesn’t look to be feeling “fine” like he reassured her earlier.
“What’s going on here?” Mandy asked finally.
Kevin looks up to her. “Uh…”
“I’ll tell you later, but don’t tell your brother,” Charmaine said, attempting to rescue Kevin out of the sticky situation.
“What?!” Mandy blurted out, still confused.
Kevin is about to ask Charmaine again, but Charmaine cuts him off.
“I’ll tell you later too,” Charmaine said, getting up from her place. “Come on.”
Kevin gets up also, following her as Mandy tags behind them – still pondering about matters. Then Kevin remembers something. “What about your leg?”
“Misty fixed it.”
“It’s supposed to be swollen.”
Charmaine turns around. “Who came up with that one?”
“Wallace.”
Charmaine doubles back to the living room and tries to search for her first aid kit box. Mandy follows her lead and takes her search to the bookshelf next the front door. A minute later, Mandy shouts over to Charmaine.
“Charm! Got it!”
Charmaine and Mandy scramble as fast as they could to wrap Charm’s leg up and the three of them make their way over to Gallen’s apartment. Jessica is the one opening up the door for them.
“Hey Jess!” Kevin greeted her.
“How’s it going?” Jessica asked back.
Kevin smiles. “Just great.”
Jessica could see Charmaine’s leg by now. “What happened?”
“Careless move.”
Kevin joins the guys at the living room while Jessica and Mandy help Charmaine.
“All right, we’re all here so let’s get this thing started,” Ray said. “No one edging out now or you’re a black turtle.”
“What’s the big deal here?” Charmaine asked, finally sitting down at a comfy chair nearby.
“We’re competing on singing abilities and you girls get to be judges.”
“I thought you guys said we’re going to do something else tonight,” Mandy said.
“Change of plans since half of the girl population is missing.” He turns to the others. “Well, we’re good, right?”
“Let’s do it before anyone decides to back out,” Wallace said, sitting back down at his chair next to the sofa after getting up to retrieve a drink. He looks around the room as he’s opening his soda can. “Who’s going first?”
“The person who suggested it.”
“Fine with me,” Kevin said.
Their little “competition” carries on for about 20 minutes before Kenneth couldn’t take it anymore. He has better things to do than sit around here and listen to these guys. His irritated attitude doesn’t get past Wallace. Although Wallace has been silent for the most part since they started singing – except when it was his turn to sing, but he hasn’t forgot to observe Kenneth’s every move. Wallace wonders if Jacky’s right after all about Kenneth being up to something. Kenneth isn’t a person who would display such expressions if he does feel so. What’s going on here? Wallace kicks Gallen awake as he continues to keep an eye on Kenneth.
“What happened?” Gallen asked, surprised. “The apartment burned down?”
“Will you be a bit more professional?” Wallace asked, annoyed.
Gallen rubs his eyes. “It’s off-work.”
“I’m talking about the competition at hand.”
Gallen sits straight up in his chair again. “I’m not one of judges, remember?”
“At least try to have some manners, man. Listen to the other contestants.”
“You made it sound like some official singing contest.”
“Well…what do you expect? Use your imagination.”
“Guys,” Charmaine interfered.
Gallen raises his hands up in surrender. “He started it.”
“Oh please,” Wallace muttered.
Ray just finished singing when Charmaine speaks up. Now everyone’s looking at Wallace and Gallen tearing at each other.
“Is it my turn again?” Wallace asked.
“No,” Ray replied. “But you’re distracting us.”
Kenneth gets up from his seat at that time. “It’s getting late now. I better head home.”
“It’s actually your turn. What a way to back out of it.”
“I never agreed to singing. Was just listening to you guys.”
“Free entertainment?”
“Ray!” Mandy called out.
“What?”
Wallace stands up at that time. “Don’t force Ken if he doesn’t want to.” He turns to Kenneth. “I’ll walk you out.”
“No need. I think I know my way out.”
“No. I mean…” He glances at the others quickly. “I have something to tell you.”
“Oh. Okay then. Let’s go.”
Wallace walks past Gallen with Kenneth. Wallace decreases his pace on purpose to signal to Gallen. Gallen waits five minutes before getting up and leaving the apartment. As soon as the door closes behind Gallen, Ray speaks up.
“Yes! Finally show’s over. I swear if I have to keep this up any longer, I might as well hold that Kenneth dude at gunpoint already so Tim could get all the answers he wants out of him.”
Mandy leans on the armrest of the sofa. “I guess we’re finished, huh? Should we go back to our apartments or wait for Tim to come back?”
“Are you kidding me?” He gets up from his seat. “I’m leaving.”
“Wait,” Kevin said.
Ray turns around to face Kevin. “What?”
“We have to at least wait for Wallace to come back.”
“Oh…right…”
Ray sits back down next to Mandy and lays his head back on the sofa. The others kind of relax and wait silently – each lost in their own thoughts. Fifteen minutes pass before Wallace comes back. Everyone snaps to alertness and stares at Wallace, waiting for him to tell them what happened.
“Mission accomplished,” Wallace announced. “Tim’s back on track. But…”
“What?!” Ray exclaimed out impatiently.
“We might have to play some similar scenes until Tim finds out what’s really going on with Ken.”
Ray throw his hands in the air. “Great! Now we’re all into theater arts?” He looks at Wallace. “How much do I get pay for this?”
“How about I’ll convince everyone to join you at Jan’s house in two weeks?”
Ray stands up. “That’s it?!”
“Hey, you rather have an audience for your magic tricks performance or not?”
“All right. Whatever. Can I go back to my apartment now?”
Wallace nods.
Ray walks past Wallace to the door, not caring for an explanation as to why Gallen needs to tail Kenneth – or so they thought. Ray stops at the door and turns to Wallace again. “Tell us why the world did we need to pull this stunt for.”
Wallace clears his throat. “Tim’s doing Jacky a favor. More like returning a favor. But the point is Jacky’s suspicious of Ken so he told Tim to tail Ken until something comes up.”
“And we’re helping because?”
Wallace crosses his arms again, smiling at the same time. “Because I volunteered you guys. Great or what?”
“I’m thrilled.” His sarcasm didn’t go unnoticed by the others.
With that, Ray turns to leave.
Wallace turns to the others in the room. “Any other questions?”
Mandy raises her hand.
“Yes?”
“Does Jacky think Ken did something bad?”
Wallace shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know. Talking about that, I’ll call Jacky tomorrow to ask him.” He turns to the others. “Anymore questions?”
The others shake their head.
“Let’s clear out then.” Wallace turns to leave as he finishes his sentence.
“Wait!” Kevin exclaimed out, getting up.
Wallace turns around again. “What?”
“Don’t we need to clean up this place for Tim?”
“Do I look like I’m his maid?” Wallace turns to leave again.
Ray, who’s turning the doorknob when Wallace answers Kevin, detaches his hand from it and claps his hands. “Great one! The only thing you said so far tonight that I could agree with.”
“All right then,” Kevin said. “Let’s go.” He turns to Charmaine. “I’ll help you girls back.”
“Do I look like I need help?” Charmaine asked, standing up straight on her own.
Mandy smiles. “Show’s over, Mr. Cheng.”
Ray turns the doorknob again. “You sure need to sharpen up your instincts, man.”
They pile out of Gallen’s apartment and back into Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment. Although Wallace’s eager to leave, but he remains by the door and rounds up the rear to lock up before entering the other apartment. Everyone is pretty much back into their original seat before the whole “excitement” – except for Wallace who just stepped in. The moment Ray sits down, he grabs another apple off the fruit bowl from earlier and munches on it greedily.
“What now?” Ray asked between bites.
“Watch TV?” Kevin suggested.
“How about poker?” Wallace said.
“We’re gambling knowing there are cops around here?” Ray asked.
“That didn’t stop you the last umpteen times,” Mandy teased her brother.
“That’s different.”
Vincent looks at his watch. “It’s getting late. I think I better head back.”
Wallace raises an eyebrow. “It’s weekend tomorrow.”
Ray neglects his apple for a second. “He has to report to Miss Chia.”
Wallace’s eyes brighten. “Ah…I almost forgot.”
“Don’t forget, you have to report to Miss Wang too.”
Wallace wrinkles his face at Ray. “I do not.”
“Just because you’re standing there in that suit, crossing your arms, and acting cool doesn’t mean I’ll believe you.”
“I dare you to do something really brave right now since Miss Hsuan is here.”
Ray points his free hand at Wallace. “You’re daring me? You don’t know half the story. I do these stuffs every single day that you probably couldn’t distinguish the differences between daring and non-daring. In fact, I did something today that’s quite impressive and I’m not afraid to tell Jess either. Like…”
The sound of Ray’s cell phone breaks through his sentence.
Ray grabs his cell phone from his belt and answers immediately. “Hello? Okay. I’ll see tomorrow at Yin Yang. 10? Oh, you’re not off till 12? Okay, fine. Thanks. Bye.”
Everyone stares at Ray intently as he hangs up.
Wallace flashes on his mischievous smile. “You were saying?”
Ray takes a bite from his half-eaten apple. “I need to go rest. Long day tomorrow. We’ll continue this conversation next time.”
Ray rushes out of the apartment so fast after that it got everyone wondering.
Wallace turns to Jessica. “You know what that was all about?”
“No idea, but he’s always weird anyway,” Jessica said. “I’m going too since I have to pack. I’m leaving for Guangzhou on Monday.”
Wallace uncrosses his hands and sits down at Ray’s spot. “Does Ray know?”
“I was going to tell him, but…” She gestures her right hand towards the closed door that Ray passed through a minute or two before.
Wallace looks to the others. “Should we break this party up then?”
“I’m going first, all right?” Vincent said the others.
“Go ahead.”
The others wave goodbye to Vincent.
“I’ll go with you since you’re still on the red flag,” Jessica said. If it wasn’t for Tim earlier, you’ve been hauled out of the building again.”
Vincent lets out a nervous laugh. “That’s right. Thanks.”
After the two leave, the others look at each other for a while.
Kevin looks at Charmaine with questioning eyes. “Well…Miss Sheh, care to explain?”
Wallace eyes both Kevin and Charmaine suspiciously. “What is this all about?”
Mandy still has on the confused look, but answers anyway. “Something about Gallen that they were talking about earlier.”
Wallace snaps his eyes to the door to make sure Ray isn’t coming back anytime soon. “What?! You girls know too?”
Mandy looks to Charmaine. “Charm?”
“Mandy doesn’t know,” Charmaine clarified. “I found out by accident about a month ago.”
Wallace waits patiently for Charmaine to continue while Kevin’s expression has turned a bit hectic.
“I was on my way into the country area since I was doing some ads for autumn season and saw Gallen’s car. Of course I still thought he’s Tim back then. But he was acting suspicious since he could have taken the main road back to Constant Comfort, but he took the short cut. I followed him and saw him talking to Mr. Cho. They were meeting somewhere along the short-cut. I overheard their conversation since I parked behind some bush a bit off the road.”
“My, you’re clever,” Wallace commented.
Kevin turns to Wallace. “What do we do now? Continue to hide it from Ray or tell him?”
“You’re losing your nerves, man. Calm down. We might as well continue to hide it from him.”
“What is my father doing with Tim? I mean Gallen?”
Charmaine stands up and grabs hold of Mandy’s hands, sitting her down next to her. “I don’t know exactly, but I know that he’s trying to protect you and your brother, so you must not be mad at him.”
Mandy looks to the guys. “Is Charm right?”
“Yes. Gallen is a private investigator. He was hired to find you guys for Mr. Cho. But as time progresses, he also has to play the role of bodyguard after what happened at Constant Comfort six months back. So now he’s stuck with us until Mr. Cho decides the next step. You must not be mad at Mr. Cho since he doesn’t want you two to feel suffocated of being watched over, but he also fears for your safety.”
Mandy nods. “I understand.” Then her expression turns into worried. “But I don’t know how Ray would react. I mean he’s usually all goofy and acts like he doesn’t care. But you all know him.” She gestures her hand. “He will get mad if he finds out about this. He hates being lied to.”
Wallace nods, crossing his hands again. “The best way right now is to pretend you don’t know either so you wouldn’t be put on the spot when he does find out.”
Mandy nods.
“So…what now?” Kevin asked.
Wallace uncrosses his hands and stands up. “I’m getting some shut-eye.”
Wallace grabs his briefcase – which has been relocated to the bookshelf earlier when they were settling into the sofa – on the way to the door. The door swings back in on him before he could reach out to grab the doorknob. Thanks to his fast reflexes, he jumps back in time. His face displays a bit of shock, but returns back to its calm state when he sees that it’s Jessica.
“Sorry about that,” Jessica apologized. “I forgot my coat, so I had to come back.”
“No problem,” Wallace said. “Goodnight, I’m getting some rest.”
Jessica nods as Wallace steps past her to the door again. Like the last time, the door snaps back on him again. Already prepared this time, he veers back several steps. This time, it’s Ray.
“At this rate, I might as well camp here with your sister,” Wallace teased.
“What?!” Ray exclaimed out.
Kevin – who’s by the door behind Wallace now, smiles at Ray’s confused expression.
“I missed something?”
“No. He almost got ran over by Jess and now you.”
“Oh. I forgot something so I’m coming back for it.”
“Sounds familiar.”
Ray gives Kevin and Wallace a look before passing them and heading to the living room area again. He searches around the coffee table and ends up getting down on all four to search for that particular item. Kevin and Wallace watch closely, but do not see anything interesting so they shrug at each other.
“Let me go first this time,” Kevin suggested. “I might break your jinx.”
“Good point,” Wallace agreed.
Wallace steps back for Kevin to go pass him.
Kevin turns to everyone. “Goodnight guys.”
Everyone mutters a “goodnight” back at him. Wallace waits for Kevin to be in his apartment and shuts his doors before making a move towards the hallway. He looks around to see no one, so he steps back into Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment. He makes sure to glance at the apartment across the hallway once more before shutting the door. He clicks the lock shut before returning to the living room.
Wallace tosses his briefcase at the chair he occupied before. “What, Young Master Cho? You can stop pretending now.”
Ray stands up so fast he almost bump his head into the coffee table. Lucky Jessica is near him and grabs his shoulders to steer him out of the way on time. “How did you know?”
“You didn’t even forget anything in the first place. And the way you’re searching, it looks like you’re trying to look for bits and pieces of dust more than for something important.”
“All right. So I lied. But I was just stalling for time.”
“I know. That’s why I let Kevin leave first. Hurry and tell us before he gets suspicious.”
“Remember that incident earlier?”
“You mean Cheng Yee Kin?”
“Yea.”
“He’s Kevin’s brother, right?”
“Yea. Anyway, I know you two were considerate enough not to poke into that matter earlier, but make sure to never ask him about it again. At least not yet. He still hasn’t gotten over it yet.”
“Since Cheng Yee Kin is back now, he’s not going to give up on the matter, right?”
“He’s like a leech.”
Wallace nods, getting Ray’s association.
“I don’t know if Cheng Yee Kin was innocent for real or not, but Kevin still blames him. So until we find out what’s going on, don’t aggravate Kevin by bringing it up any further.”
“We?”
“Of course. Am I going to do this one my own? One for one. I’ll help you and Tim play along with the whole ‘deceiving Kenneth’ scenes, but you’ll have to help me figure this thing out. Since that Cheng Yee Kin is back anyway, might as well give it a try, right?”
“Now you’re talking. Bargaining, huh?” He nods his head. “Not bad. Deal!”
Upon saying that, Wallace extends his hand for Ray to shake.
Charmaine and Jessica stare blankly at the two guys. Only Mandy knows what they’re talking about regarding Cheng Yee Kin.
Mandy could see her two friends’ puzzled look. “I’ll tell you two later.”
“Jess knows about the whole Cheng Yee Kin incident five years ago,” Ray told Mandy before turning to Jessica. “He came back earlier and aggravated Kevin. I don’t know what he said, but we – Wallace, Mandy and I – walked in on them. I had to kick him out to calm Kevin down.” He turns to the others again. “I’ll fill you guys in on the story some more next time when I map out a better plan than these scatter thoughts I’m telling you all right now.” His becomes expression relaxed again. “Okay, I’m done. Let’s go get some rest.”
Ray is walking away with Jessica by his side while the others stare at each other in amazement.
“Yes, Ray does have one of those ‘enlightened’ moments,” Wallace whispered to the girls. “You should have seen him six months ago while he was giving Jacky his pep talk.”
Mandy looks after her brother’s back. “I could almost imagine that.”
“Let’s go get some rest,” Charmaine said.
Charmaine removes the cloth that she had used to fake her injury earlier and begins to get up. At the same time by the door, Ray just unlocked the door and is about to pull it open when someone pushes the door in. Lucky Jessica was prepared, so she steps back as Ray steps back or they would’ve crashed and fell over. Wallace and Mandy look at the familiar scene play out again – with different parties involved this time. Charmaine is mid-way to the kitchen, but turns around to watch also. The person who enters this time is Gallen. The same question flashes through everyone’s mind: Why in the world is he back so early?
Gallen senses everyone’s eye on him. “What?”
Wallace walks to the door with his briefcase in hand. “What are you doing back so early?”
“I found out why he was wandering around this building.”
“Enlighten us.”
“His sister lives here.”
“What?!” Everyone – including Wallace – exclaimed out at the same time.
Gallen nods. “I’m not kidding. He has a sister.”
Ray lets out a nervous laugh. “Don’t we all?”
“I’m getting to the point.”
“Go ahead.”
“So…whatever that he is hiding, it might just be his sister.”
“Might?”
“I’m guessing here.”
“Sure. It’s a free world. Guess all you want.”
Ray heads out the door before he could be stop by anyone else. Jessica is right behind him like before. Out in the hallway, they see Kevin opening the door of the apartment across the way and stares out at them.
“What took you guys so long to break it up?” Kevin asked, eyeing Ray suspiciously.
“You won’t believe what we’ve been through for,” Ray said. “Tim just got back.”
“What happened?”
“Ken’s sister lives here. He was looking for his sister. That was why he was here earlier.”
Kevin wrinkles his face. “Sister?” He scratches his head. “Why does this have to get so complicated?”
“I know. Why do everyone’s sister, brother, and cousins have to show up at this time?”
“Ray!” Jessica warned him.
Ray turns to Jessica, smiling. “Forget it. I’ll walk you down.”
“All right. I have something to tell you anyway.”
The two leave Kevin standing out in the hallway with a puzzled look. Kevin is about to go back into Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment when Wallace and Gallen come out – respectively.
“What’s with the whole sibling mess?” Kevin asked. “Another one of those like Ray and Mandy?”
“I don’t think so,” Gallen answered. “Since it seems more like the sister ran away from home and Ken’s trying to get her to come back home or something.”
“Are we supposed to poke into their family matters?”
“I have to make sure he isn’t doing anything illegal. If I can prove that, we don’t have to poke into his family matters or follow him anymore.”
Kevin nods.
“I’m going to go back inside and check on my sister before she runs away from home too,” Wallace blurted out suddenly, reaching into his pocket to get out his keys.
“It’s not nice to joke like that, you know,” Kevin yelled after him although they’re only a foot away.
“Like we don’t have a history of our own. How am I supposed to cope? What if I get depress too?”
With that, Wallace disappears into his own apartment. Gallen and Kevin shrug at each other regarding Wallace’s last comment. They exchange a “Where did that come from anyway?” expression before heading back into their own apartment.
Back in Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment, Mandy is crashing down on the sofa while Charmaine is getting ready for bed. How did a simple get together after work get so complicated? Mandy tries to shrug off the thoughts that are zooming at lightning speed through her mind. They should change this building’s name to “Constant Suffer” or “Constant Complications” to represent half of the population here, she thought. She wonders what other secret she will find out tomorrow. But then again, she prays silently that there isn’t any other secret. (She honestly hopes there aren’t anymore secrets!)
© Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
Re-posted: Wednesday, October 14th, 2009