| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“Are you exaggerating?” Qiao Qiao asked, eyeing suspiciously.
“I wouldn’t dare, especially in front of all the pretty girls.”
“So you’re Mr. Romeo now?” Jacky asked, giving Ming Dao the doubtful stare also.
As they’re waiting for Ming Dao to reply, Qiao Qiao gets up from her seat and opens the fridge to get herself a soda.
They’re actually eating lunch right now. Some of them are at the dining table while the rest are piling around the kitchen counter. Ming Dao and Bianca are sitting behind the counter this time instead of Ehlo.
“Qiao, get me one,” Chen Yi said.
Qiao Qiao comes back seconds later and places a soda in front of Chen Yi before sitting down at her seat again – between Jacky and Chen Yi. She looks at Ming Dao while opening her soda can. “So…are you going to reply or no?”
“We’re joking,” Ming Dao said. “You don’t have to seek out the answer.”
“Who says he’s joking? Besides, I want to know the answer.”
Chen Yi wrinkles his face and turns to Qiao Qiao. “Qiao, why are you giving him a hard time?”
Qiao Qiao turns to Chen Yi. “I’m trying to test him. Be quiet.”
“Qiao…” Jacky interfered.
Qiao Qiao turns to him, still irritated.
“Remember what I said earlier.”
Qiao Qiao still looks reluctant but she sighs out at last. “Fine.” She turns back to Ming Dao. “Answer me. Take it as a joke then.”
“If I want to be Romeo?” Ming Dao asked back. “Why would I?”
“You act like one.”
“Have I offended you somewhere along the way? Or because we’re on opposing teams now so you’re attacking me?”
“Talking about opposing teams, why did you choose Jacky’s team?”
“What are you talking about? It’s a game. Of course I want to win.”
“Are you saying we’re not good enough?”
“Actually, I think I would be a better teammate with them than Sam and…”
“Qiao…” Chen Yi could see a chain of questions unleashing by her expression, so he has to warn her.
Qiao Qiao turns to him. “What?”
“We’re eating and having fun. Don’t be so hostile.”
“Fine.” She gets up from the counter and takes her plates and drink with her. She joins Wallace, Cyndi, Yan Yan, and Achel at the table.
Chen Yi looks over to Jacky. “What’s wrong with her? What were you guys talking about earlier?”
“It’s a secret,” Ehlo jumped in. “It’s better that you don’t know, kid.”
“Mr. Pervert, could you stop interfering with my conversation?”
Qiao Qiao jumps back up from the table and walks over to them again. She points her index finger at Chen Yi. “Who was telling me not to cause trouble like seconds ago?”
Jacky smiles. “She got you there. And I’ll tell you later when certain parties aren’t around.”
“You’re going to tell him?” Ehlo asked, wrinkling his face.
“Qiao’s in. We can’t exclude him.”
Ehlo goes back to eating again.
“What are guys talking about?” Achel asked, curious. “What certain parties? You mean us?”
“Go back to eating, little kid,” Ehlo said.
Achel makes a face at him.
“Achel…” Jacky said, attempting to stop their disagreement.
“How did you know I did something?”
“There’s a mirror right there in case you’re blind,” Ehlo jumped in.
They could see from the mirror that Achel’s turning red.
“Stop picking on the poor kid, will you?” Ming Dao said. “What’s wrong with you?”
“So you want to switch targets now, Romeo?” Ehlo demanded.
Qiao Qiao turns to Ming Dao. “Well, Remeo? Are you interested in Achel?”
“Qiao!” Achel shouted out, feeling her face burning red again.
Qiao Qiao turns around and walks back to the table. “What?”
“Don’t say that,” Achel said timidly.
“Unless you like him, don’t turn red.”
Achel buries her face in her food bowl again, keeping quiet.
Qiao Qiao turns around to look at Ming Dao again. “Romeo, you’ve got an admirer.”
“Qiao, stop disturbing the peace,” Jacky said. “Unless you want him and Bianca to break up, stop joking.”
Chen Yi turns to Ming Dao and Bianca. “You’re really dating?”
“Don’t listen to him,” Bianca said quickly. “We’re just friends.”
“Maybe you should listen to me and get together already,” Jacky said.
“You seriously should join our agency,” Wallace said. “You keep playing Mr. Match-maker.”
Jacky turns to Wallace. “At least I’m not Mr. Backstabber.”
“What?!” The others exclaimed at the same time.
Wallace turns pale.
Of those who were shocked, only Ehlo and Johnny remain passive. Only Cyndi looks a bit nervous as Qiao Qiao’s looking back and forth between Jacky and Wallace.
Jacky turns back to face Ming Dao and Bianca again, trying to suppress his anger. “Nothing. I’m just joking.” He manages to direct his attention on Ming Dao again. “So…ready for practice later?”
“What practice?” Ming Dao asked, confused.
“We’re going to war. Of course you have to practice.”
“Really, Jacky…”Achel bites down on her lips again to prevent herself from saying the last word.
“Yes,” Jacky confirmed.
“Hurray!”
Jacky rolls his eyes. “Kids.”
They finish eating lunch with random chats the rest of the time. Chen Yi and Ehlo’s side arguments are getting a tad too out of hand by the end of the day. Wallace excuses himself after lunch to take Cyndi home so she could rest. When practice’s over, they go back into the living to rest again. Jacky grabs Ehlo, Johnny, Qiao Qiao, and Chen Yi into his room for a side-talk before Chen Yi takes Qiao Qiao, Yan Yan, and Achel home. Bianca leaves with Ming Dao after the five come back from Jacky’s room.
*****
Qiao Qiao takes her cell phone out and dials Jacky’s number as soon as she stops at the corner of the street.
“Hurry,” Chen Yi urged. “They’re getting quite close to him.”
“Why don’t you do it then?” Qiao Qiao snapped.
“All right. But careful. Watch out! They’re turning around.” He grabs Qiao Qiao’s hand and they dodge behind the building’s shadow at that time. “Phew. Close one.”
Qiao Qiao finally gets a chance to dial Jacky’s number as Chen Yi’s keeping watch.
“Silver Dove calling Flying Eagle.”
Jacky lets out a chuckle upon hearing her words. “What is this? Some military operation?”
“We have to keep everything a code, don’t we? It’s to ensure secrecy.”
“Or is it to prove that you’re silly?”
“I’m helping you here. Shut up, okay?”
“Qiao, get to the point,” Chen Yi jumped in.
“Oh, right. They’re like two feet behind from you right now. What do we do?”
“I’m going to slow down now,” Jacky informed her. “Tell Chen Yi to call Ming Dao when they’re one foot apart from me. Got it?”
She nods out of habit although he couldn’t see her. “Got it.” She covers the mouthpiece and passes the message to Chen Yi.
They return to monitoring the scene across the street again. Chen Yi does as instructed and waits for Ming Dao to pick up. Ming Dao picks up on by the second ring.
“Hello?” Ming Dao answered.
“It’s Chen Yi,” Chen Yi said.
“Don’t tell me we have to practice again. I’m out for lunch right now.”
“No way. I’m out for lunch too but I need you to do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Put your phone into your pocket and don’t hang up.”
“What? What kind of request is that?”
“It’s a test.”
“Testing my patient or Jacky told you to do it?”
“You want me to expose you?”
“Is that a threat? How do you know where we are?”
Chen Yi and Qiao Qiao duck out of the way again as Ming Dao turns around to look.
“I didn’t know,” Chen Yi continued. “But you just told me that you’re with someone. So…who is it? Bianca? Sharing a romantic lunch together?”
Qiao Qiao has to give Chen Yi credit for his great acting. He’s a better liar than Wallace all right.
“Uh…I’m actually…walking around with Sam,” Ming Dao confessed. “He bribed me into lunch but we ended up walking half away around town for nothing.”
“Okay,” Chen Yi said. “How about we get back at him?”
“How?”
“Do as I told before. Don’t let him know though. Keep it on for…” He could see Qiao Qiao’s fingers so he nods to her before passing it on to Ming Dao. “…five minutes then we’ve got enough information to broadcast.”
“Are you crazy?”
“I’m just childish, okay? We’re on the same team now. Can’t I just try to get along with you?”
“Okay, fine.”
Ming Dao puts the phone into his pocket at that time as instructed. Chen Yi could hear some rattling since his phone brushes with his keys a bit. Chen Yi gives Qiao Qiao a “thumbs-up” sign.
“Okay,” Qiao Qiao told Jacky of their success.
“I’m going to increase my speed again,” Jacky said. “Keep them in sight until I come back out.”
“Got it.”
Chen Yi puts his phone on speaker as Qiao Qiao turns off her phone. They begin to tune in on Ming Dao and Sam’s conversation.
“This is strange,” Sam commented. “Why did he enter that locksmith shop? If he already has the key, can’t he just open it?”
“This is useless,” Ming Dao complained. “Maybe he needs some oil for his locks, okay? How should I know? Or he needs replacements. Can’t we go eat now?”
Ming Dao wasn’t kidding about being robbed of his lunch hour.
“I’ll treat you to a big meal later this afternoon,” Sam said, trying to calm Ming Dao down.
“I need my food now,” Ming Dao whined.
“Stop acting like a kid already. Let’s follow him before we lost him.”
“I think you are the one that’s being childish.”
“What’s wrong with you lately? Why are you siding with him? It’s like you want this stuffs to happen to Sonia or something.”
“We don’t know if it’s him. Bianca already gave up. That’s obvious enough that she trusts Jacky.”
“Or maybe because she’s reassured since we have Wallace there already.”
“Wallace has a brain. We can’t control him or he’s out, remember? Anyway, why are we talking about this? Let’s go. I only have half an hour left before I have to return to work.”
“You go back then.”
“Fine.” Ming Dao turns back and walks towards the street corner again. They’re about half a block away from the lights so it takes Ming Dao awhile to double back. He brings the cell phone up to his ear again as he’s making his way back. “You still there?”
“Yea,” Chen Yi answered. “What are you guys arguing about?”
“Some stupid stuff.”
Chen Yi signals to Qiao Qiao, telling her to call Jacky since Sam’s so close to the locksmith shop now. Qiao Qiao takes a couple steps away from Chen Yi before dialing Jacky’s number. Somehow, she couldn’t get through. She turns around to see Sam only a few inches in front of the shop. She has to risk it. She runs across the street without looking.
“Qiao!” Chen Yi exclaimed, alarmed. “Don’t! There’s a car coming!”
Ming Dao hears that and looks up at the same time. Without thinking, he tosses his phone on the sidewalk and runs into the street. He grabs Qiao Qiao out of the way in time before the truck passes them by. Chen Yi’s running to them about the same time as Ming Dao, but with Qiao Qiao’s speed and oncoming cars, he has to stop. He almost had a heart attack when he thought that Qiao Qiao got ran over already. But after the truck passes, he could see her safely in Ming Dao’s arm. He breathes out in relief. He could also see that Jacky and Sam have joined them at the corner of the street. He finally gets the chance to cross the street after about a minute later.
“What in the world was that?” Chen Yi shouted out as soon as he’s within earshot.
Ming Dao has finally let go of Qiao Qiao and Jacky’s calming her down now.
Qiao Qiao still looks pale and is trying to recover from the incident. “I…I didn’t think…”
“You scared me half to death.”
“Lucky I heard your yell from before or I wouldn’t know she’s heading my way,” Ming Dao said.
Jacky continues to pat Qiao Qiao on the back. “Don’t worry. It’s all right now. It’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
Ming Dao went to retrieve his cell phone after mentioning the call to Chen Yi. He’s studying the phone right now – broken in half.
Sam realizes the situation at last. “What in the world is going on here?” He turns to Chen Yi. “Were you spying on us?”
“I could say the same for you,” Chen Yi blurted out, putting on his challenging look.
Sam turns to look at Jacky.
Ming Dao could the hectic situation. “Don’t look at him. We were just playing a game earlier. I didn’t realize they were so close to us though.” He turns to Qiao Qiao again. “Sorry, Qiao. I really am. I didn’t mean to come up with such a dare.”
Chen Yi looks at Ming Dao and then at Jacky. Why is he covering up for them?
“It’s good that everyone’s safe now,” Jacky said. “Let’s get out of here.”
They leave the area and escort Qiao Qiao back to Orchids Agency – all four of them. They have to walk since Jacky didn’t want to hassle himself or enter traffic if he wanted to shake Ming Dao and Sam off earlier. The other two had to follow on foot because they didn’t want to be too noticeable. Chen Yi and Qiao Qiao were just tailing them and keep them distracted long enough so Jacky could meet with the locksmith. Now on the way back, Chen Yi has to go back to the shop for work. Both Jacky and Ming Dao are concerned for Qiao Qiao’s safety while Sam has a double motive – Qiao Qiao’s safety and not wanting to lose Jacky out of his sight.
When they’re back at the agency, Wallace and Cyndi greet them at the door upon seeing the sight of four guys escorting a girl.
“What happened?” Wallace asked, seeing Qiao Qiao’s pale face.
“Qiao almost got run over by a truck,” Chen Yi replied.
“What?!” Cyndi exclaimed.
“It’s my fault,” Jacky said. “I won’t ask her to do such things again. Don’t worry. Apologize to Orchids on my behalf. I have to go now.” He turns to Chen Yi and gives him a look before leaving.
Chen Yi steps forward to reassure Qiao Qiao and leads her back to her desk. Cyndi walks to the break room to get Qiao Qiao some water. Wallace turns to Ming Dao and Sam still standing there. Sam looks like he wants to leave.
“What in the world actually happened?” Wallace demanded.
“It was my fault,” Ming Dao said, taking the blame that Jacky already did. “Forget it. She’s safe now. I won’t do it again.”
“Jacky and you both took turns to blame each other. What’s going on?” He eyes Sam suspiciously.
“Don’t look at me!” Sam exclaimed. “I was far away from the scene when it happened.”
“It’s just an accident,” Ming Dao jumped in. “Let’s drop it, guys. I’m leaving. I need to get back to work.” He leaves after that.
Wallace knows better than to start something at this place, so he lets it drop. He gives Sam a sharp look before going back to check on Qiao Qiao.
*****
“You know what would happened if I didn’t see her in time?” Ming Dao asked, his face showing apparent anger. “Let’s quit this silly game.”
“And ignore Sonia’s safety?” Sam shot back.
“So far, I don’t see anyone in danger but Qiao. And we owe it to her big time.”
“I bet he did it.”
Ming Dao turns to Sam again, wrinkling his face. “What?!”
“I bet he told her to run out in traffic to distract us.”
“He’s weird, but he’s not crazy!”
“How can you be so sure? Why are you defending him when you have your doubts about him too on that night? And why were you covering up for him?”
“What else could I say? If I say that Chen Yi called me to chat, wouldn’t it be obvious that we were stalking them in order for them to catch us? It would have been an awkward situation all around. If someone builds a bridge for you to pass, don’t burn it down yourself.”
“What? Okay, so you don’t want us to be exposed but it doesn’t explain why you’re siding with him. Can’t you think for Sonia and what would happen if…”
Ming Dao sighs out, not knowing how to explain it to Sam. If only he didn’t have to keep the promise.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
It’s Tuesday night – one day after they met up to eat at Uncle Ben’s noodle stall – and Ming Dao visits Bianca like usual since she’s off-work. She’s driving him to the mountains later to get some good shots for the next article. Then after that, he would help her back with finding something. She didn’t say exactly what but he knows it must be important since they’ve been searching around for a while now. She promised to tell him once they found out.
As they’re walking to Bianca’s car, they spot Ehlo walking towards them.
“What in the world are you doing here?” Ming Dao asked, surprised.
“I could say the same for you two,” Ehlo said with a mischievous smile upon seeing the two of them.
“I thought you were supposed to be heading home.”
“I’m picking something up from the shop.”
“What shop?”
“Quit being nosy.”
As Ehlo walks by them, Ming Dao could see Ehlo’s right shoulder clearly since Ehlo has rolled his sleeves up all the way. “Hey! What happened to your tattoo?”
Ehlo lets out a nervous laugh. “Busted, I guess.” He smiles again before continuing. “It’s fake. Come on, are you kidding me? Me with a tattoo?” He points at himself for dramatic effects.
“So you’re not really in a gang?”
“You actually believed that story? Didn’t Jacky told you I was just bluffing?”
“I thought he was just covering up for you.”
“I don’t know what’s with you and Sam. Always so paranoid.”
“I can understand. I mean Jacky is always so…” He gestures his hand. “…and Sam isn’t used to it. But I’ll admit I’m paranoid.”
“I’ll tell Jacky to quit messing with Sam then since he’s so sensitive. I guess it was a bad idea after all.”
“What?”
“He told me he teamed up with Sonia to test Sam the first time they met. It must have somewhat of an effect. It could even go for him trying to distract Sam on his first time going live.”
“He told me about that.”
“Sonia’s always so full of tricks. I don’t know why he likes her so much though.”
“It was Sonia’s idea?”
“He likes her?!” Bianca exclaimed at the same time as Ming Dao.
Ehlo turns his attention on Bianca since her reaction is too strong to ignore. “I’m not totally sure but that’s my guess. Otherwise, why would he take the blame for her without clarifying anything? ‘Cause Sam seems quite hostile towards him.” He turns to Ming Dao again. “Yes. Of course. If you know her…” He lets his eyes pass Bianca briefly. “…you know why Sonia is very capable of thinking up of such an idea.”
“Hey!” Bianca yelled out.
“I’m kidding. I wouldn’t dare to offend Miss Bai.” He lets out an innocent smile.
“I should tell Sam later when I get home,” Ming Dao said. “But I don’t think he would mind with the joke though. Come on. Sam’s not that…lame.”
“You never know,” Ehlo said. “Not saying I don’t trust your words, but that’s what I’m seeing. And maybe I’m just biased because Jacky’s my friend.” Then he remembers something. “Don’t clarify it with Sam. Because I wasn’t supposed to tell you that and we all need to preserve Miss Sui’s image – although everyone at the radio station knows how aggressive and competitive she can get.” He rolls eyes after that.
“Looks like you don’t like her very much.”
“I don’t have anything against her. I’m just mad at Jacky for never explaining to anyone.” He stops to look at his watch quickly. “All right. I’m off. Don’t ever tell the others I told you these stuffs.”
“All right then. See you around.”
Ming Dao turns to Bianca when Ehlo continues on his way.
“He isn’t so bad after all,” Bianca commented .
“He’s a bit strange – like Jacky, but I guess he’s a loyal friend.”
“So are you.”
Ming Dao smiles. “Let’s get going before we end up with dark pictures instead of the sunset.”
They continue to Bianca’s car.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Ming Dao doesn’t want to argue with Sam anymore. He walks towards the living room.
Sam follows him. “Whatever it is, if we don’t find proofs, how can we be sure if it’s him or not? It’s the only way to stop this argument and…”
“If you still want to go through with this silly ‘investigation’ of yours…” He gestures his hand. “Then get Angela to do it with you. I had enough.” He snatches up his key and heads towards the front door.
“Where you going?”
“I need a break.” Ming Dao slams the door after that, not caring if Sam’s his best friend in the whole wide world.
*****
Ehlo presses the mute button before going to the door. He opens it to see Ming Dao. His face looks red, like he has been in a heated argument with someone.
“You look terrible,” Ehlo said casually. “Come on in.”
Ming Dao steps into the room and sighs out before walking to the sofa.
Ehlo shuts the door before joining Ming Dao. “Jacky’s making dinner tonight, want to stick around and see how bad he burned it?”
Ming Dao doesn’t seem amuse by Ehlo’s comment but it looks like he’s deep in thought or somewhat distracted. Ehlo waves a hand in front of Ming Dao.
Ming Dao finally snaps out of it. “Huh? What?”
“What’s wrong, man?” Ehlo asked. “You’re acting strange tonight. Ooh...Did your girlfriend dump you for another guy?”
Ming Dao gives Ehlo a sharp look.
Ehlo smiles. “So I’m right?” He jumps up from the sofa and runs to the kitchen where Jacky and Johnny are talking. “Guess what, guys? Ming Dao just got dump so he’s here to sulk about it.”
“Stop spouting nonsense already!” Ming Dao yelled into the kitchen.
Ehlo turns to Ming Dao again. “Then what’s wrong? You look like you lost your best friend. Or worse.”
Ming Dao sighs out again.
Ehlo couldn’t take it anymore. “Will you quit it? You’re acting like some girl. If you want to say something, spit it out or leave already.”
“Ehlo!” Jacky shouted, trying to refrain Ehlo.
Ehlo turns around to face Jacky again. “What?!”
“His mood is rubbing off of you?”
Ming Dao finally walks into the kitchen to join them. Jacky hands him a soda.
Ming Dao opens the can absent-mindedly. “Sorry, guys.”
“It’s okay,” Johnny reassured him.
“It’s like…how do I put it?”
“How about saying it straight out instead of keeping us guessing?” Ehlo suggested.
“I don’t know what got into Sam since we came here. I mean it was fine when we first started. Then now it’s like he’s obsessed with something. Or maybe someone. And now he’s out to get someone else just because of it.”
Ehlo wrinkles his face. “What the heck are you talking about?”
Ming Dao sits at the counter stool. “I just had a little argument with him.”
“A little? Is that an understatement? Your face looks red when I opened the door. I mean it was redder than his shirt.”
Jacky gives Ehlo a look.
“It’s just an example.”
“I can’t believe he still wants to go through with it after what happened today,” Ming Dao said in disappointment.
“What happened today was partially my fault,” Jacky said.
“You mean you actually told Qiao to run out in that traffic?”
Jacky wrinkles his face. “Of course not. What I meant is telling her to stalk you guys. Bad move. She can get so carried away sometimes. I should have known better.”
“Forget it. It’s unavoidable.”
“Lucky you were around or I would never forgive myself.”
“If I haven’t heard Chen Yi yelled, I wouldn’t know either.”
Ehlo gives Jacky a look. “Next time, call us.”
“I know now,” Jacky said.
“So…what were you doing in the locksmith shop today?” Ming Dao asked.
“It’s a secret.”
“You still want to be misunderstood by others?”
Ehlo clears his throat.
“I mean if you don’t make yourself so mysterious and all, people wouldn’t suspect you so much.”
“Actually, I was there to clarify something,” Jacky said. “Everything will be clear by this weekend. I hope.” He gets up and checks on the soup again.
Ming Dao turns to Ehlo and Johnny.
“Don’t ask me,” Ehlo said. “I don’t know either.”
“All right,” Ming Dao said. “I know your situation. But…”
“What?”
“I don’t want to go back over there tonight. I don’t want to argue with him. We’re friends. It’s just stupid that this is happening.”
“Let’s kick Wallace out then.”
“You can’t,” Jacky said, sounding more authoritative than sincere.
“Ever heard of how danger it is to keep the enemy by your side?”
“Stop being dramatic,” Johnny said. “He doesn’t want to, okay?”
“Still…”
“I can sleep on the sofa or something,” Ming Dao said, not wanting them to go against each other just because of him. “It doesn’t matter. Just for the night until we cool off.” He scans the room casually upon realizing something. “Where’s Wallace anyway?”
“Don’t know. Probably out somewhere with Cyndi and scheming against us again.”
“Oh?”
“Everyone around here knows what’s going on, so why don’t we just drop it?”
“Know what?”
Ehlo gives Ming Dao look. “If you don’t stop pretending, I’ll kick you out too.”
“Ehlo, knock it off,” Jacky interfered, trying to stop Ehlo from gnawing at Ming Dao also. “It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s just a big misunderstanding.”
Ehlo stands up abruptly. “It’s a big misunderstanding because you wanted to protect someone so much that you rather be the one taking the fall for it. Can you stop it?! She wouldn’t know anyway. Now she’s conspiring with others to bring you down. She’s probably the one sitting there pulling all the strings.”
Jacky turns around to face Ehlo. “Stop over-reacting. I told you. I will know the answer by this weekend. What’s the harm of waiting several more days?”
“Only you could lie to yourself like that. I had it! I’m out!” Ehlo slams his soda can down and leaves the room. He makes sure to slam the door real hard as he’s passing through the front door also.
Jacky, Johnny, and Ming Dao unfreeze from their spot and remove their attention from the front door seconds later. They turn to look at each other instead, wondering what got into him.
“Uh…was that my fault?” Ming Dao asked in a nervous tone.
“Forget it,” Jacky said passively. “He’s like that sometimes. It’ll be fine later.”
“I guess his room is yours now,” Johnny said, attempting to joke.
“You mean…?” Ming Dao hesitated. “Wouldn’t he get mad if he’s back later and finds out?”
“He wouldn’t be back,” Johnny reassured him again. “Probably going back to his parents’ house to sulk about it. Then possibly coming up with a plan to sabotage Sonia.”
“It’s that bad between them?”
“Actually, Angela started the war like two years ago.”
“Oh?”
“Everyone seems to get along fine on the surface, but we always have this ‘trust’ issue going on. It’s also the reason why we don’t hang around the girls anymore until recently with the whole running into each other. Can’t really blame Angela since she’s being careful and protective of her friends but it’s getting on our nerves really.”
“And in case you’re wondering,” Jacky continued. “Bianca was never part of the feud so you can be reassured. She wasn’t stuck between us. In fact, we just know her recently after she moved back here.”
“No wonder you guys don’t know Qiao or Chen Yi either,” Ming Dao commented, finally understanding the link. “It’s a complicated group, huh?”
Johnny nods. “You can say that.”
*****
Sam comes to the door as soon as he hears the doorbell rings. He wonders if it’s Ming Dao. But didn’t he have keys with him earlier? Sam’s surprised to see Ehlo standing at the door.
“Well?” Ehlo asked, gesturing his hands. “Aren’t you going to let me come in?”
“Huh?” Sam uttered out, a bit surprised.
“‘Huh?’ is all you can say?”
“What happened?”
“Your best buddy took over my room so now I’m here.”
“So much for best buddies,” Sam mumbled before tuning in to Ehlo again. “What does it have to do with me?”
“It’s only fair if I’m using his room tonight.”
“Uh…”
“Don’t trust me?”
“Not that.”
“Forget it. Why would I expect so much from a ‘neighbor’ when my best friends don’t care where I sleep tonight?” He turns to leave.
“Wait. Come on in.”
Ehlo turns back to Sam. “Serious? I don’t want to force you into taking me in just because I don’t want to go home.”
“Stop the lame talks and get in already.”
“All right.”
Sam shuts the door behind Ehlo and goes back to the living room.
“So, where’s his room?”
“You want to search it or something?”
“No. So I can settle in.”
“Are you here for some other reason?”
“You have beer?”
“What?”
“You heard me. I just want to drink away so I don’t have to care about those dumb buddies of my anymore. Won’t listen to anything I say.”
Sam feels like he could sympathize with Ehlo. He goes to the kitchen and takes out two cans of beer. Ehlo follows him and sits at the table.
“Anymore than this?”
Sam ends up getting the whole pack out.
“Come on. Drink. It looks like you can use some too.”
*****
Wallace comes home to see Ming Dao sitting in the kitchen and eating with Jacky and Johnny. As soon as he walks in, they stop talking.
“What?” Wallace asked.
“Nothing,” Jacky replied quickly. “Eat yet?”
“Yea.”
“All right then.”
“Why are you here?” Wallace asked, looking at Ming Dao.
“I can’t be here?” Ming Dao asked back.
“Uh…”
“He’s staying for the night,” Jacky explained. “And Ehlo left already.”
Wallace turns to Jacky. “Why? What happened?”
“It’s a long story.”
“If it’s a secret then I won’t ask.”
“Not a secret,” Johnny said. “Just too complicated and frustrating to explain. But it can be sum up in two words: childish talks.”
Wallace frowns.
“Don’t bother.”
“All right then. I’m going to sleep.”
“Okay.”
Wallace sees Jacky waving to him since he’s chewing at the moment.
Wallace walks to his room, wondering what’s really going on here. Their lives are changed unknowingly and everyone’s behavior is getting peculiar by the minute. He wonders what else will happen tomorrow.
© Wednesday, June 11th, 2008