| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“A re you challenging me?” Chen Yi asked, catching the ball.
“Stop putting on that cool expression and toss the ball,” Qiao Qiao urged.
Chen Yi turns around to face her. “What kind of cheerleader are you? Stop rushing me or I’ll miss.”
“Hurry up, we’re wasting time!” Jacky yelled out.
Chen Yi turns to Jacky. “You sure act like her brother all right.”
Although Chen Yi looks like he wants to start another fight, but he begins to dribble the ball and advances towards the hoop ahead.
It’s actually Sunday and everyone – except Wallace and Sonia – managed to drop by to see the show. They end up calling it quits for the other game and start a brand new game with different teams. Every one of the guys has gone already. It’s finally Chen Yi’s turn to show off his skills – that is until the girls’ turn.
When Jacky, Ehlo, and Johnny woke up around 6, Wallace was still sleeping so they left a note for him when they left around 7. They’ve been at it for an hour already. They took this long because they were mostly lost in endless debates of setting the rules for a certain move. They finally quit it and begin a fresh game instead.
By the time Chen Yi makes around 3 baskets in a roll even with Ming Dao and Ehlo’s block, the girls begin to pay attention more closely. Only Qiao Qiao and Yan Yan know how good Chen Yi is.
“Wow!” Bianca exclaimed, still not believing the scene in front of her. “He’s amazing. I guess Wallace wasn’t bragging after all.”
“Wallace never brags,” Cyndi said defensively before taking a quick scan of the yard. “By the way, how come Wallace’s not here yet?”
“He’s probably exhausted from the move yesterday,” Jacky answered upon hearing that.
“He actually decided to move in with you guys?!” Cyndi asked, her turn to sound doubtful.
“You didn’t know?” Jacky asked, surprised.
Cyndi shakes her head.
“And he said you’re his girlfriend.”
“Hey!” Bianca exclaimed. “That’s low! Talking behind his back and all.”
“When was the last time you talked behind someone’s back?” Jacky asked, flashing on his mischievous smile and looking towards Angela’s direction.
“You were eavesdropping on us yesterday?”
“What happened?” Qiao Qiao asked, finally managing to take her eyes off the court for a second.
“No. I just realized how creepy he can get.”
Chen Yi finally passes the test with Ehlo and Ming Dao. He walks back to the group, wiping his sweat with his hand. “I’m out there playing and you guys are standing here chatting? Show some respect, will you?”
“We’re chatting with our mouths, not our eyes,” Jacky pointed out.
“Hey, where’s Cyndi?” Chen Yi asked.
Jacky and the others turn around in every direction, trying to locate her. She has somehow managed to slip away from the group – unnoticed.
Ehlo walks to the group at that time. “Okay, girls. Who’s up first?”
“Me!” Qiao Qiao shouted out, rising in the air.
Ehlo smiles. “Let’s go then.”
Jacky’s about to step towards the court again.
“I think it’s better if Ehlo and I test her,” Ming Dao interfered.
“Why?” Jacky asked, wrinkling his eyebrows. “Don’t you want to rest a bit?”
“She’ll pass with flying colors with you.”
“If I’m out, Ehlo’s out too.”
Ehlo looks at Jacky with a warning look.
“It’s only fair.”
Sam walks to them from the other side of the court. “Want me to take over then?”
“It’s better if Johnny does it.”
“Come on, guys!” Qiao Qiao urged impatiently. “Stop pushing the task to one another.”
“Okay,” Johnny said. “I’ll do it. Let’s go.”
It’s settled so everyone stands back again. Sam returns to his place on the other side to watch.
Jacky looks after Sam. “What’s with him? He’s too cool for us?”
“Don’t blame him,” Bianca said. “He’s just…”
Jacky looks at her. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“All right. Whatever.”
They turn to watch Qiao Qiao again without another word.
*****
Cyndi has managed to sneak away from the crowd when the others are busy with arguing. She races the rest of the way to the curve and crosses the street – glad she had worn tennis shoes today. She realizes that the guys had left the door unlocked so she slips in and closes the door behind her. She looks around the room before walking towards the hallway where it appears to be the bedrooms. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she walks by the first room on the left. Wallace’s sneaking around the closet, looking for something.
“What are you doing?!” Cyndi exclaimed, taken aback.
Wallace turns around in alarmed. When he sees that it’s Cyndi, he relaxes again.
“You’re actually going through with it? I can’t believe it!”
“Cyn, calm down. I’m only trying to prove he’s innocent.”
“What are you looking for then?”
“I searched everywhere already. I just need to finish with the closet and get out of here. How’s the game going?”
“There is no game.”
“What? I thought…”
“The guys changed their plans and start a new game instead. They’re just testing everyone right now before picking teams.”
“Oh. The more time for me to finish then.”
“After Bianca’s done, they’re going to choose.”
“Then come on.”
“You want me to help you?”
“Cyn…”
Cyndi gestures her hand. “Okay. I’m not going to put you on the spot but…”
Wallace smiles. “I know. You’re just worried for me.”
“Let’s get this over with then.”
She begins to help Wallace search the closet. Although they’re prompt for time, but they do at a decent pace since they don’t want to mess with Jacky’s stuffs and make it obvious that someone has been there. After they’re done, they’re about to leave when Cyndi accidentally kicks the table in front of Jacky’s bed. She cries out in pain, but manages to muffle her cry because she doesn’t want anyone to hear it. They could be back any moment. Wallace rushes to her side and helps her sit onto a chair. He rolls up her slacks and checks to see if she’s bleeding.
“It looks bad,” Wallace commented, stating the obvious. “It’s going to turn purple soon. Let’s go to my room and I’ll find some meds to put on it.” He stands up at that time. “Can you move?”
Cyndi bites down on her teeth. “Yes.” Just as he’s helping her up, she sees an object glistening on the floor. “Wait!”
“What?” Wallace asked.
“ Look.”
Wallace directs his eyes to the object she’s pointing at. It constantly flickers as the sun rays are moving by it. He bends down to pick it up and studies it. “It looks familiar.”
“Yes. But I don’t remember where I’ve seen it.”
Wallace moves his visions back and forth, thinking. As his eyes pass a picture frame next to Jacky’s computer, he snaps his attention back on Cyndi. “Look!” He helps Cyndi closer to the door and picks up the picture frame. “It’s Sonia’s hairclip.”
“What is he doing with her hairclip?” Cyndi asked, smiling. “Keeping a souvenir?”
“I don’t know. Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay. Remember to put the hairclip back though. We don’t want him to know.”
Wallace turns around to put the hairclip on the nightstand before helping Cyndi to his room. As he’s reaching for the doorknob, he hears someone calling his name. He turns around to see Ehlo smiling at him. He knows that grin. Busted, right?
Ehlo walks towards them. “I see why you’ve disappeared just now. Couldn’t wait?”
Cyndi blushes since they’re caught off guard – more than from embarrassment. “It’s not what you think.”
“Then what should I be thinking?”
“I could care less.” She winces at that time since she turns around so fast that she forgot about her injury.
“You all right?” Wallace asked, concerned. “Let’s go.” He opens his door and guides her inside.
“What’s wrong with her?” Ehlo asked.
“She kicked the coffee table by accident,” Wallace lied.
“Oh. Lucky you’re not competing today or you’ll be dropped.”
“How’s the game going now?”
“New game.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Bianca’s not bad at all. She’s amazing actually.”
“How did Qiao do?” Cyndi asked, suppressing her outcry of pain at the same time.
“She was…uh…how should I put it?” Ehlo hesitated, scratching his chin.
“Aggressive?” Wallace suggested.
Ehlo lets out a nervous laugh. “How did you know?”
“I played with her and Chen Yi once. It was a tough game.”
“Who won that game?”
“We had to forfeit.”
“That bad?”
“Yes. It’s almost like having Chen Yi and Johnny on the same team.”
While he’s talking to Ehlo, he has been applying some cream on Cyndi’s leg also. He’s finally finished and is putting a bandage on the spot.
“Oh yeah, you guys want to go see the final teams?” Ehlo asked casually.
“I think it’s better if Cyndi stays here,” Wallace said.
“I’m fine. Let’s go.” She tries to get up, but fails.
“I think he’s right,” Ehlo agreed, observing Cyndi’s condition carefully. “Stay here. We’ll tell you the results later.”
“It’s not the same as seeing it.”
“You’re as stubborn as…”
“Don’t say Angela,” Ehlo warned him. “You’re going to break her heart.”
“Okay,” Wallace said, defeated. “If you really want to go, I’ll carry you.”
Ehlo ‘s jaw drops at that time. “Whoa! You would go to that extreme?”
“It’s my fault she was hurt anyway.”
“I thought you said she bang it on the coffee table.”
“I…uh…spilled some stuffs on the carpet so she helped me clean it up and…” He gestures towards Cyndi.
“Oh. Okay then. Let’s go. We’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”
Wallace kneels down for Cyndi to get onto his back. He lets Ehlo go first so he can open the front door when they’re there.
Wallace crouches down a bit so Cyndi won’t hit her head. “Careful, okay?”
“I know,” Cyndi reassured him.
When they’re in Ming Dao and Sam’s backyard again, they could see two teams forming already – with each side having picked two members. When they’re about a foot from the court, the others turn to look at them since Ehlo’s loud voice booms over them.
“Hey!” Ehlo shouted. “I thought you were waiting for me!”
“Wow!” Jacky exclaimed upon seeing Wallace and Cyndi. “That was fast!”
“They’re pretty slow actually,” Ming Dao said, misunderstanding Jacky’s words.
“No, I meant them,” Jacky clarified, pointing at Wallace and Cyndi.
“ Oh.”
Angela looks uncomfortable seeing the sight. But Qiao Qiao advances forward and begins to tease Wallace.
Qiao Qiao smiles. “So that’s why!”
“Cork it,” Wallace said, attempting to shush her.
“Come on now. Can’t I have a little fun?”
“I see you managed to convince Ming Dao,” Ehlo said to Jacky.
“I had to convince Sam,” Jacky confessed.
“Really?”
“And Bianca’s on our side.”
“That means you have my spot reserved already?”
“Of course. Unless you want to change your mind.”
“Actually, I am. Sorry!”
“Hey!” Ming Dao jumped in. “I thought…”
“You want to change your mind as well?” Jacky asked, turning to Ming Dao.
“No, but I thought…”
“I’ll switch places with Johnny then,” Ehlo said.
“No deal,” Sam jumped interjected. “We already decided that Johnny’s on my side.”
Qiao Qiao managed to simmer down with her questions somehow, so she could hear what’s going on. She steps forward towards the guys again.
“Come on!” Qiao Qiao urged. “We’ve been at this for like…” She stops to look at her watch before continuing. “…an hour already. What’s with you guys? It’s just a game. Hurry or else!”
Jacky turns to look at her. “You’re really impatient, you know that?”
Qiao Qiao wrinkles her face at him.
Jacky smiles. “I guess you’re on Sam’s team after all, huh?”
“Of course! Hmm…” She walks towards Sam’s side and stands there.
“I guess you have to take her in now even if you don’t want her.”
“That means Chen Yi doesn’t have a choice?” Cyndi asked.
“Right on. Who would be suicidal enough to let those three be on the same team?”
“That’s fine with me,” Chen Yi said. “We’ll beat them to…”
“We’ll beat you first!” Qiao Qiao shouted, cutting Chen Yi off.
“All right,” Jacky interfered, looking at Ming Dao. “So are you with me or him?”
“Uh…” Ming Dao hesitated.
“It’s best if you stay with him,” Ehlo pointed out. “Do you want glory or defeat?”
“Quit influencing him,” Jacky warned Ehlo.
Ehlo doesn’t say anything else, but just stands there and smiles mischievously, making Ming Dao nervous.
“Come on, we don’t have all day,” Qiao Qiao urged.
“I’m going with…Jacky,” Ming Dao said finally.
Jacky waves to him. “Come on then.”
“I guess I’m out?” Wallace asked.
“That’s what you get for being a sleepy head,” Ehlo pointed out. “Not to mention being all lovey-dovey with your girlfriend also.”
Wallace smiles. “Jealous?”
“Like I care.”
“If you don’t care, want me to expose you?”
“Go ahead.”
“By the way, Qiao…”
“Hey!”
“You said you don’t care.”
“That’s low.”
Wallace wears the victory smile proudly on his face as Jacky speaks up again.
“All right,” Jacky said. “Unless we find someone else, Wallace’s out for now. First game next Sunday?”
“That means we have to wait again?” Qiao Qiao asked.
Jacky smiles. “If you want to lose now, we wouldn’t rob you of the chance.”
Qiao Qiao wrinkles her face at him again.
“That won’t help you win the game, missy.”
Bianca looks at her watch. “If we’re not playing today, how about lunch?”
“Good idea. Let’s go.”
They make their way towards the front of the house.
“Hey!” Sam shouted. “Where are you two going?”
“Lunch tastes better over there, you know,” Ming Dao said.
Ehlo walks after Ming Dao. “You know that you’re so thick-skinned?”
“At least I don’t feel like I’m eating rocks like at home.”
“What’s going on? You two had a fallout?”
“All I can say is a certain someone can move in with him and I’ll be happy moving in with you guys.”
Jacky catches up to them at that time and hears Ming Dao’s comment. “Too late. Unless you don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
“What’s for lunch then?” Bianca asked.
“You’re totally different from Sonia,” Jacky remarked.
“Of course.”
“Oh yeah, why isn’t Sonia here?” Ming Dao asked, turning to Bianca.
“She said she needs to prepare for tomorrow’s show.”
“Oh.”
“She could have came here and consult with me,” Jacky said.
Ming Dao exchanges a look with Bianca. Jacky doesn’t seem to notice it since he just turned to ask Ehlo something.
Wallace and the others are catching up to them as they’re waiting to cross the street. Achel suddenly runs in front towards the group of four.
“Jacky ge!” Achel exclaimed, trying to get Jacky’s attention.
Jacky almost jumped – almost. He turns around to face her. “Don’t call me that. It’s creepy.”
Achel smiles innocently. “How come?”
“It feels like Miss Desperate is calling me for some reason.”
“I’ll jinx her out with my voice then!”
“What did you want to tell me though?”
“I want to change my mind and join the team.”
“Why didn’t you say so before?”
“I couldn’t decide yet.”
“Girls.”
“Come on. Please?”
“Yes, please Jacky ge,” Ehlo said, mimicking Achel’s voice.
Jacky shivers as he’s shoving Ehlo in the sides with his elbow.
“Ehlo ge, you’re mean,” Achel whined, pouting her lips.
“Now I’m Ehlo ge? What happened to ‘the perverted dude that doesn’t know any better’?”
Achel lets out a nervous laugh. “I said that?”
“Yes. The first day you met me.”
“I was a kid back then and didn’t know better.”
“And that’s a good reason?”
Chen Yi steps forward at that time and puts a hand around Achel’s shoulders. “Too bad, you can’t win. We know someone’s reeking of revenge right now.”
Jacky clears his throat loudly at Chen Yi. He glances at Qiao Qiao quickly before turning back to Chen Yi. Chen Yi withdraws his hand from Achel’s shoulder.
Achel turns back to Jacky. “How about it?”
“Sure,” Jacky said. “But you’re on my team, right? Since I don’t think you’re very popular with ‘the perverted guy that doesn’t know any better’.”
Ehlo winces as Jacky said those last words.
“You’re being unfair,” Qiao Qiao protested. “How come the rest of us have to try out and she doesn’t?”
“Because she’s Angela’s sister,” Jacky pointed out.
“But I’m your sister,” Qiao Qiao shot back.
Wallace smiles. “She got you big time.”
“Why in the world are we still standing here?” Johnny asked – having caught up with them already.
“No idea,” Jacky replied. “I’m just talking to Achel. I don’t know why the others are still here.”
They finally cross the street. Qiao Qiao looks irritated since Jacky managed to maneuver out of a sticky situation again.
When they’re all inside the living room, Ming Dao speaks up first.
“So…what’s for lunch?” He scans each and every one of them for an answer.
Wallace has managed to help Cyndi sit down at the corner of the sofa.
“You know where the kitchen is,” Jacky said. “I’m going to go change.” He walks back to his room at that time.
“I guess we’re alone,” Bianca said before turning to Ming Dao. “Coming?”
Ming Dao gets up from his seat.
Ehlo and Johnny went to their room already after they’re inside. Sam has somehow disappeared again. Or maybe he didn’t come with them after all.
“Want me to help you two?” Wallace asked.
Cyndi grabs his arm and yanks him to sit down next to her.
“Are you for real?” She whispered to him, leaning in a little so the others couldn’t hear. “Leave those two alone.”
Wallace looks towards the kitchen. “You mean…”
“I thought you’re faster than that!”
Angela looks at the two interacting and shifts her attention back to the conversation her sister is carrying, wishing Sonia was here since she feels like she doesn’t belong in either group.
“Who the world was messing with my stuffs?!” Jacky exclaimed, scaring almost everyone out of their wits.
Everyone gets up from their seat, including Cyndi who managed to hobble down the hallway to see. Ming Dao and Bianca drop their utensils and rush towards the hallway also.
“What happened?” Ming Dao asked, scanning Jacky’s room. “Your room looks neat to me.”
Ehlo walks into Jacky’s room from across the way. “Oh? If you mean the door’s not closed like before, it’s my fault. I forgot to close it when I was getting a bandage for Cyndi earlier.”
Wallace and Cyndi look at each other. Why in the world is he lying for them? Did he see them snooping around earlier? He couldn’t have, right?
“No,” Jacky said, shaking his head. “This place just looks wrong. Not just because of the opened door.”
Johnny comes into the room at that time. “It was me. I was vacuuming yesterday and moved some of your stuffs around. Sorry. Didn’t put it back in time.”
“Wouldn’t I have noticed it if it was last night?”
“We were all busy moving stuffs around yesterday. You wouldn’t have noticed it by the time you get back to your room. We were all exhausted, remember?”
This time, Ehlo turns to Johnny. Wallace and Cyndi exchange another look. Johnny knows too?
“All right then,” Jacky said in a calmer tone. “Whatever. I’m sorry I over-reacted, everyone.”
Everyone goes back to their places again while Wallace and Cyndi are still pondering what’s going on.
“Did they see us?” Cyndi whispered to Wallace.
“If Ehlo seen us, it would make sense since he called out to me when we were making our way to my room, but Johnny?” He wrinkles his face.
“Doesn’t matter. We’ll just explain to them later.”
“Why are you guys all sitting there?” Bianca asked. “Helping?”
Wallace gets up and goes into the kitchen. He needs to do something to distract himself from all the paranoid thoughts. Qiao Qiao gets up at the same time as Wallace, but she walks down towards the hall to Jacky’s room instead of into the kitchen. Chen Yi looks after her, but doesn’t take it into his hands to monitor her since he knows she’s going to Jacky’s room – not Ehlo’s.
*****
“Jacky ge…” Qiao Qiao teased.
Jacky turns around to see Qiao Qiao.
“Don’t do that,” Jacky said, slightly irritated. “It’s scary.”
“You’re the one that’s easily rattled now.”
“If you want to claim victory at this moment, then you got it.”
Qiao Qiao could see he’s disturbed so she drops the teasing smile. “I’m sorry. I just want to cheer you up.”
Jacky smiles. “Do I look like I need any cheering up?”
“You don’t usually over react like that. Did someone really mess with your stuffs? Like searching your room?”
“How do you know?”
“With all the staring that some of the people here did, I didn’t think it was Johnny who was moving stuffs around. And wouldn’t you know something’s wrong even if you’re half asleep? It’s your room after all.”
“You’re clever.”
Qiao Qiao smiles. “I’m not your sister for nothing.”
“Want to watch something?”
“What?”
“Close the door.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t you trust me?”
Qiao Qiao feels strange, but closes the door anyway.
Jacky walks to his desk and tugs on a switch on the left side of the computer. A small piece of the wall snaps out and reveals a small camera.
“Ooohh…”
Before Jacky could get the camera out, they hear some banging on his door.
“Gosh,” Jacky muttered. “I should have known Chen Yi’ll be going after me sooner or later.” He snaps the wall piece back in place and goes to the door. “If you’re going to…”
It’s Angela instead of Chen Yi.
“What?” Jacky asked.
“What were you doing in here?” Angela demanded. “What’s with closing the door?”
“I can’t talk to my sister in private?” Jacky challenged, feeling his anger rising.
“Stop using the shield that she’s your sister ‘cause she isn’t your real sister.”
Jacky slips his hand around Qiao Qiao’s shoulders. “Jealous?”
“I mean it! Stop messing around with Qiao or…”
“Last time I checked, even if anyone isn’t happy with my interaction with Qiao, it should be Orchids who should come banging at my door, not you. And I thought it was Chen Yi coming.”
“Qiao’s Xin Yu’s friend. She’s like a sister to me too so…”
“Could we not argue about this?” Qiao Qiao jumped in. “Angela, I know you’re concerned about me, but I trust him.”
“You just know him like last week,” Angela pointed out, turning to Qiao Qiao.
“Orchids trusts him.”
“Orchids doesn’t hang around him long enough to know.”
“And you do?” Jacky asked.
Their argument could be heard from the living room, but the others didn’t realize it’s escalating so they begin to pile in front of the hallway again.
Chen Yi steps forward among the crowd upon seeing the hostility. “What’s going on here?”
Angela turns to Chen Yi. “You shouldn’t let her out of your sight. You know what could have happened if I haven’t banged on the door?”
“Relax. It’s Jacky, not ‘some perverted guy’,” Chen Yi said, putting on the emphasis on the last few words on purpose.
Ehlo comes to his door at that time and hears that. “Hey!”
“I’m just using an example. I didn’t state any names.”
Achel joins them at the doorway also. “Jie, come on. Let’s not do this. It’s Jacky ge.” She could see Jacky cringe and realizes her mistake. “Sorry! Bad habit.” She turns to her sister again. “Anyway, let’s go back to the living and chat.”
“You’re siding with him too?” Angela asked, shocked.
“I didn’t know there was any side. I thought we’re all friends.”
“Fine. If you guys trust him so much, then I could care less.”
With that, Angela brushes past everyone and storms out the door.
“Don’t slam that…” Ehlo yelled after Angela.
Too late, she already did.
“…door,” Ehlo finished lamely. “She’s mad alright.” He turns back to Jacky again. “Did you step on her tail?”
Jacky shrugs his shoulders. “How should I know?”
Seeing Ehlo’s expression, he drops his hand from Qiao Qiao’s shoulder.
“Let’s go back to the living room then,” Chen Yi said.
“I think I better go,” Achel said with an apologetic look. “It’s not right to stick around here like that.”
“It’s all right,” Chen Yi reassured her. “They’re not going to take it out on you.”
“Still…”
“Achel, stay. As your Team Captain, I command you to stay at least until after lunch.”
Achel manages a light smile. “Thanks, Jacky…” She stops herself in time without saying the word “ge”.
Jacky smiles, appreciating her effort.
After that, everyone goes back to their place – once again. Jacky shuts the door again – right in Ehlo’s face when he’s about to say something.
“I think he was going to say something,” Qiao Qiao stated.
“He’ll get over it,” Jacky said. “I need to see this before they get out of here.”
“You suspected them?”
“I hope it’s not them.” He goes to the wall and removes the camera after the wall piece pops out. He presses on the “View” option before searching for the most current clip. “Okay, this is yesterday’s. Let me forward it to the part where Johnny’s vacuuming.”He finally presses “Play” when he sees Johnny entering his room with the vacuum still running.
They watch to see about 15 minutes of vacuuming but didn’t see Johnny move even the tinniest object from its place.
Qiao Qiao wrinkles her face. “What’s going on here? Why did he lie?”
“He must have known who moved my stuffs around,” Jacky said.
Qiao Qiao remembers something. “Is Ehlo lying too?”
“I don’t know. But we’ll find out.” As he’s talking, he searches the clip for this morning while they’re outside. “When did Ehlo leave?”
“Around 9.”
Jacky rewinds the track and stops when it reaches 9. They couldn’t see Ehlo in the room even ten minutes later. Jacky switches to the previous clip to see if it was around 8:50 or something. Then he stops dead since he sees the scene unfolding in his room around 8:40.
Qiao Qiao gasps, realizing who it is. “It can’t be. It…”
Jacky’s face has gone white. Qiao Qiao grabs the camera from him and rewinds it a bit more to when the room’s empty and the door’s closed at the beginning. She presses “Play” so they would get some volume. They could see the door being opened and then Wallace enters. He looks around once before heading towards the desk. They could see Wallace’s face clearly since he’s really close to the camera. Qiao Qiao forwards the segment a bit since it’s mostly searching around the room. When he’s standing in front of the closet, they hear a voice yelling out “What are you doing?!” Cyndi steps into the room after a few words were exchanged.
Qiao Qiao turns to Jacky. He still looks somewhat bewildered and his face begins to display a somewhat passive expression. Qiao Qiao turns back to see what Wallace and Cyndi are talking about. It appears that Cyndi’s convincing him not to do it while Wallace’s saying he only wants to help Jacky “clear his name”. Whatever that means. Then Qiao Qiao remembers.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Qiao Qiao could see that someone has closed the door to the break room. Her curiosity shoots up several levels higher. She gets out of her seat and walks towards the break room.
“Qiao, what are you doing?” Chen Yi asked upon seeing her moments.
Qiao Qiao turns around to face Chen Yi, putting a finger on her lip. “Sh… I’ll tell you later when I’m back.”
When Qiao Qiao is standing next to the door, she hears Wallace’s voice.
“Sometimes I wonder why we never start,” Wallace said.
“What?” Cyndi’s voice asked.
“Nothing. Pull up a chair.”
Qiao Qiao hears a chair being slide across the way and then Wallace speaks up again.
“About what happened that night, the others are suspicious of Jacky. They want me to take Jacky’s offer and move in with him. I might be able to find something at his place.”
“What?! I thought you guys were just kidding.”
“With Jacky’s strange nature, everyone’s suspicious of him now.”
“Including Sonia?”
“She’s undecided. Angela sort of went ahead and made the decision for her.”
“She’s the same as always.”
“Yes. After this morning’s meeting, it seems that Bianca’s coming over to our side. But Angela and Sam won’t let it rest. I guess they’re both concerned for Sonia, but it’s just a bit far-fetch. They’re saying that if I want to prove his innocent, I should go ahead with the plan.”
“Does that mean Ming Dao’s on your side now?”
“Ming Dao – I’m not sure what happened. But he seemed to change his mind since this morning.”
“Oh yeah, Qiao said she bumped into Jacky at the restaurant when she was meeting with her client. He was acting suspicious according to her. But he said that he’s there on some business matters.”
“Could it be related to why he had to leave early this morning?”
“He left early?”
“Fifteen minutes before the show ends.”
“Hmm…”
“Are you suspecting him too?”
“No. I’m just wondering. Don’t tell the others. They might go to the extreme of stalking him.”
“They already are. Sam’s been stalking him since we left the meeting. He might even know who Jacky’s meeting already.”
“Whatever it is, Chen Yi and Qiao support Jacky so we’re on your side, okay? Don’t carry all the burden yourself. I know everyone’s concerned for Sonia, but don’t do anything you’ll regret later.”
“I hope not.”
“We better get back out there or they’ll think that we…”
Upon hearing that, Qiao Qiao stands up straight again and sneaks back to her desk – unnoticed.
“What did you find out then?” Chen Yi asked, seeing Qiao Qiao coming his way.
“I’ll tell you later,” Qiao Qiao repeated her words from minutes ago. “I need to put something together first.”
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
“Qiao!” Jacky called out, trying to bring Qiao Qiao back to the present.
Qiao Qiao finally snaps out of her thoughts and looks at Jacky. “What?”
“What were you thinking?”
“I know what’s going on now.”
Jacky looks surprised. “You do?”
“Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I wanted to check something out first. But I guess it’s too late now.”
“What happened?”
Qiao Qiao realizes that Jacky has taken the camera back and turned it off already. “I was curious what Wallace and Cyndi were doing in the break room on Wednesday. I thought they were sneaking in there to sweet talk, you know.”
Jacky nods.
“And I thought I gave them a little surprise. But then I heard them talking about you. And how the others are suspicious of you.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know if it’s the same with what they’ve been talking about before. But it has to do with Sonia.”
“Sonia?”
Qiao Qiao nods. “They think you stole her car.”
“What?! That’s outrageous! Even if I’m nuts, I wouldn’t do it.”
“I know. We all believe you. Well, at least I thought so. But it seems like only Wallace, Cyndi, Ming Dao, Chen Yi, and I believe you. Of course that goes for Ehlo and Johnny too since they’re your best friends.”
“That’s why Angela’s so worked up then? Because I’m in here alone with you?”
“I guess so. I admit I was rude to her earlier but I couldn’t help it after hearing how she’s trying to influence Wallace again. In fact, I’m glad Wallace broke up with her.”
“Qiao, that’s not nice. That’s between them.”
“How could you defend her after she accused you?”
“Like Cyndi said, they’re worried for Sonia. Angela can be a bit rash sometimes, but she means good. I admit that we don’t get along that well in the past, but I like it that she’s always so supportive of her friends.”
“So…what are you going to do about this now?” She gestures towards the camera.
“Pretend I don’t know, but I must find out something.” He stands up and puts the camera back into its place in the wall after turning it back on. He opens the door and walks to Johnny’s room.
Qiao Qiao follows him.
“Hey, Johnny,” Jacky called out when he enters.
Johnny turns around from his desk next to the window. “What’s going on? Lunch time already?”
“No time for chit chats. My room – now.”
Johnny could see how serious Jacky looks so he gets up and follows Jacky without any further questions. Jacky stops in front of Ehlo’s room and looks inside the room to see Ehlo lying on his stomach, reading a magazine.
“Ehlo, my room – now!” Jacky called out.
“What happened?” Ehlo asked, still staring intently at his magazine.
“Get off your bed already,” Johnny urged. “He means it.”
Ehlo looks up to see how serious Jacky looks so he abandons the magazine and follows the group of three to Jacky’s room. Qiao Qiao shuts the door after they passed through. Jacky sits down on the chair next to his desk while Ehlo and Johnny settle down on his bed. Qiao Qiao remains standing next to Jacky.
“Well?” Ehlo demanded.
“Why did both of you lie earlier?” Jacky asked.
Ehlo flashes on his innocent look to disarm Jacky’s serious stare. “About what?”
“You were never in my room to begin with. How could you have gotten some bandages out of here or forgetting to shut the door?”
“Uh…how did you know?”
“Have you forgotten that I installed a camera in here after Jo came in the last time she was here?”
“Oh…I thought you were kidding about that.”
“Apparently, I’m not.”
Ehlo looks around the room nervously. “Where is it then?”
“It’s a secret. But that doesn’t matter. Why did both of you lie?” He turns to Johnny. “You never even move a single object around in here. And don’t tell me you need to vacuum my closet.”
Ehlo turns to Johnny also. “Yea, why did you lie?”
“How did you know I was lying then?” Johnny asked, looking at Ehlo instead of Jacky.
“I got back after you did. When did you come back out anyway?”
“After Wallace helped Cyndi back into his room to take care of her bruise. I was in my room when they were talking next door. They didn’t see me when they were searching the closet. I slipped by them unnoticed and listened in. I used my window to go back outside and sneak across the street again.”
“Clever. No wonder I didn’t see you. I was actually near the room when Cyndi banged her leg and then they discovered the hairclip. And they saw your picture on the desk…” He points towards the picture frame behind Jacky. “… and put two and two together.”
“Is that the reason why you switched teams?” Jacky asked.
“Yes. I was thinking back to how suspicious they were so I decided to get back at them by playing their own game.”
“But…” Qiao Qiao suddenly loses her voice.
Ehlo turns to Qiao Qiao. “Are you saying you’re with them too?”
“Ehlo!” Jacky shouted, reminding him of the situation.
Ehlo realizes that he just snapped at Qiao Qiao.
“Uh…sorry…”
“It’s okay,” Qiao Qiao said in a quiet tone.
“Whatever you find out later, don’t act on impulse,” Jacky said, looking at Ehlo.
“Why not?” Ehlo asked.
“Because they have a right to know. And I’m not hiding anything from them either so why bother create more suspicion?”
“You know what your problem is?”
Jacky waits for Ehlo to continue.
“You never want to explain to other people. That’s why they always get the wrong idea.”
“So what? Why should I explain when it would make things worse?”
“What’s wrong with clarifying yourself?”
“You will sound even more defensive. What’s the point?”
They heard knocking on the door at that time. They look at each other, wondering who it is this time. Then they hear Bianca’s voice.
“Lunch’s ready,” Bianca announced. “Would you guys care to join us?”
“We’ll be right out,” Jacky answered.
“All right. Don’t say I didn’t warn you – Ming Dao’s already eating and we know what happens when he gets started.”
“Thanks, Miss Bai.”
They could hear Bianca’s faint footsteps walking away after that.
“So, can we go now?” Johnny asked. “Or you want us to starve? You know Ming Dao can really eat.”
Jacky nods. “All right. Go ahead.”
Ehlo and Johnny get up from the bed and walk to the door.
“Wait,” Qiao Qiao spoke up suddenly.
They turn around to look at her.
“One last question then I’m done.”
Jacky stands up from his chair. “What?”
“What were you really doing at the restaurant that day?”
“I had to take care of some business. I’ll tell you guys when I can verify something.”
“All right then. Let’s go before Ming Dao wolf down all the food.”She opens the door and walks out towards the living room.
Jacky ends up going out second as Ehlo and Johnny exchange a look behind his back that says somewhere along the line of “What business?”
© Wednesday, June 11th, 2008