| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Sonia is making her way down the hallway towards the recording room but has to turn around upon hearing Angela’s voice. “What happened?”
Angela approaches a little closer before speaking up. “New plan.”
Sonia looks puzzled so she gestures for Angela to go on.
“Want to do a joint-segment together?”
“Huh?” Sonia usually displays her sharp personality at work and would never react in such ways, but she couldn’t help it lately. She’s getting quite sloppy at this authoritative exterior thus letting her guard down with other matters as well.
“Jacky switched with me so they’re splitting my segment and Sam’s in two plus putting Jacky back on the weekend. So…instead of doing our own thing, want to do our segment together?”
“What?”
Yes, it takes Sonia that long to absorb all the information in – at least recently.
“What’s wrong?” Angela asked, concerned. “You’ve been so out of it lately. And yes, Jacky switched shifts so…” She smiles and gestures towards the recording room.
“I guess so,” Sonia finally said.
“Great. I’ll get back to you on the ideas later and maybe we could start like the day after tomorrow or something. We have to at least agree on something first, right? Remember to do research.”
“All right.”
Angela points towards the recording room. “They’re waiting for you.”
“Okay.”
*****
Sam is making his way into the studio when he spots Sonia walking down the hallway. He wonders why she looks so less attentive lately. He decides to ask her since they’re friends after all. But as they’re closer to each other, it looks like she doesn’t see him at all. Sam wrinkles his eyebrows. “Sonia!”
Sonia seems to be shocked by the interference of her thoughts. She looks up to see Sam stopping in front of her. “What?”
“No. You look distracted. What’s wrong?”
Sonia shakes her head. “Just about the schedule.”
“Oh. It does affect you a bit but I guess ‘cause summer is almost over, it’s reasonable for him to stop it, right?”
“Huh?”
“I thought you knew. Jacky was talking to Producer Lin and he wanted to cut back on your summer program. Summer’s almost over anyway. It’s only reasonable…like I just said.”
“Oh? He did? I guess I was doing my segment before and didn’t get the message yet. I’ll go see the producer.”
“All right. By the way, did you see Angela?”
“Not sure. You can try calling her. I saw her earlier before I went into the recording room.”
“Okay. See you then.”
Sam continues down the hall although he wishes that he could do something about her. It’s been quite disturbing to see her in that state. But he knows that he needs to get going so he decides to put it aside and probably will talk to Angela later about it.
*****
Jacky is making his way out of the studio when he spots Sonia near the entrance. This is the once too familiar scene from many times before since she still didn’t have time to get a new car. She’s probably waiting for a Taxi – again, Jacky thought to himself. He makes his way towards the right side, directing his attention away from her. As he’s about to breathe out a sigh of relief after passing her safely – without her spotting him, his cell phone rings. He scolds at himself for not switching it over to “Vibrate” mode. He continues to walk to his car while speaking into the phone. “Hello?”
“Where are you right now?” Ehlo asked.
“Work. Where else?”
“I thought you decided to switch your schedule.”
“I had to talk to the producer too, you know. Not like I can just say it and it’s a done deal.”As Jacky’s walking, he could see Sonia’s shadow following him. He decides to ignore her and focus on the conversation.
“Anyway, big news,” Ehlo continued. “You know who showed up at our door again. And I thought she was gone for good after I threatened to have her take responsibility for taking advantage of the situation.”
“She still around?”
“I just got home to pick up something since I forgot it this morning and saw her at our doorstep. Decided to ignore her but couldn’t. I think it’s serious this time.”
“You better not let her in.”
“I’m not crazy. But…”
“What?”
“She threatened to tell Uncle later.”
“Let her. I don’t care.”
“Are you hiding something from us? How come she has so much power now? I mean she no longer speaks with this foolish, childish tone of hers but it’s like she has more power.”
“I can’t tell you but…” He sees that Sonia’s still following him. “Sonia! Stop following me!”
“What are you talking about?” Ehlo asked, confused.
“Nothing. She keeps following me that it’s getting quite annoying. How many times do I have to switch schedule for her to get the message that she’s such a pest?”
“Whoa. That sounds cold.”
Jacky could see that his words had some effect since Sonia seems to slow down already. “Okay, I think someone got the message. Now onto the next girl.”
“Does Qiao know something that I don’t know?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why are you being mean to Sonia? I know she’s not one of my favorite persons in this whole wide world, but I thought that was harsh. Are you trying to practice so you could attack Jo later? If that’s the case, then forget it. Just say it straight out without using Sonia as a practice target.”
“I can’t tell you…”
“What am I then? What’s with you lately and hiding stuffs from us? I swear we don’t know you anymore. You know what? Guy talk tonight with the four of us or you’re not going to sleep at all.”
“Come on now. Stop acting like those girls. When I need your help, I’ll definitely holler for you and Johnny.”
“Sure. When will that happen?”
“Look, I have to get off the phone and get out of here before Sonia tags me again, okay? I’ll get back to you guys later.”
Jacky snaps the phone shut before Ehlo could ask or say anything else. He knows he shouldn’t aggravate Ehlo or Sonia. But he has to do it. It doesn’t matter how things turn out in the end, he only knows that he can’t let them know what had happened that day when he went home after receiving the message. It won’t do anyone any good anyway. It will only increase their pressure.
*****
Ehlo stares at the phone for a few minutes before putting it back into his pocket. He wonders if Qiao Qiao’s right after all – with him neglecting Jacky’s problem for too long. But he can’t dwell about it at that moment. He has an important presentation at work for the new project. He has to make a good impression this time at the meeting. This will have to wait – but only until tonight.
*****
Cyndi finishes her latest report and gets up to bring it to Orchids before moving on her new case. When she comes back, she sees Wallace still sitting there. She glances at her watch briefly and wonders why he’s still sitting around since Simon probably left 5 minutes back already.
“Mr. Huo!” Cyndi shouted.
Wallace snaps his attention from his thoughts and turns to Cyndi. “What?”
“Why do you look so depressed lately?”
Wallace wrinkles his eyebrows. “What?”
“You know what I mean.”
Wallace doesn’t answer but turns back to the file in his hand and pretends to be typing away. Cyndi knows if she doesn’t ask today, she will never get a chance again – even if he will hate her later for being nosy. She steps forward to his desk and puts a hand on his shoulder.
“You okay?” Cyndi attempted once more.
Wallace stops typing and reaches his hand out to take Cyndi’s hand into his. He gives it a gratitude shake before letting it go. Cyndi removes her hand from his shoulder also.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to tell me or anyone…ever, but stop it with the morbid look, please?” Cyndi begged.
Wallace nods without saying anything. Cyndi knows she doesn’t want to pursue the matter any further. She doesn’t want to push him to no end. As she’s about to tell him goodbye before heading for lunch, she hears the door being opened. She looks up to see Tony walking in.
“Senior Xie Zhi, looking for Orchids?” Cyndi asked.
Tony nods.
“She’s in her office but probably will head for lunch soon.”
“You want to join us or no?”
As Cyndi’s about to answer, Orchids comes out from her office. She turns around to face Orchids instead of answering. “Senior Xie Zhi’s looking for you.”
“You coming?”
“I…”
“Oh, hold on. Wallace…”
“What?” Wallace mumbled. He has gone back to typing after Tony came in a minute or so ago.
“Can you give something to Penny for me later?”Orchids asked. “Melody said that Penny was asking about it and I said I would buy it for her since I know where to find it.”
“You can give it to me now, but she won’t be back until a week or two later since she went on vacation two weeks ago.”
Cyndi suddenly understands why Wallace’s a bit down lately – or she thought she understands.
“Oh,” Orchids said. “I’ll give it to you this afternoon then.”
Wallace nods.
“All right then.” She turns back to Cyndi. “You coming?”
“Uh…I guess,” Cyndi hesitated.
“Let’s go then. Vincent’s probably waiting for us.”
After that, Orchids walks to the door with Tony. Tony makes sure to open the doors for both girls before stepping out himself.
Wallace looks after them, feeling a bit strange. It’s like he’s out on some big secret that everyone’s sharing. He snaps the folder in his hand shut and decides to lock up for lunch when his cell phone rings. He picks it up to see Ehlo’s name on the screen.
“Hello?” Wallace said into it miserably.
“What’s with you and the morbid tone lately?” Ehlo asked. “It’s like everyone’s having their own side-drama or something.”
“You’re calling me just to ask me that?”
“No, actually…”
“What?”
“Guy talk tonight, be home or else.”
“Don’t tell me it’s one of your harebrain ideas again.”
“Will you trust me for once?”
“All right then. I’ll be home in time. In fact, I’ll be home right after work.”
“The better. If you see Jacky home, be sure to make him stay put.”
“It has to do with him?”
“Yes. He’s hiding stuffs from us and I’m going to get to the bottom of this. It’s not healthy seeing his or your morbid face on an ongoing process like this or Johnny and I will be infected by it too.”
“Stop being dramatic, man.”
“I’m serious this time, Wallace.”
“Okay then.”
“I’m off to lunch then.”
“Okay.”
Wallace snaps his phone shut and ponders to himself what Ehlo came up with this time. But then he remembers seeing Jacky in no better shape than him these past weeks as well. Although they both seems to act like they’re so happy in front of others, but they’re like two icebergs at home nowadays. No wonder Jacky seems a bit out of it when they have the talk that one time. He shrugs it off as he’s getting up to go to lunch also. Whatever it is, he needs to put it aside until tonight. He has to meet a client after lunch so he needs to focus.
*****
Qiao Qiao puts her phone back into her handbag and begins to walk towards the street corner when she spots Chen Yi down the street with Achel. She smiles seeing them so happily together. Although Chen Yi seems like a bully to Achel at times, but he does care for her a lot. She almost forgets to press on the cross-walk light when Chen Yi looks towards her direction and waves. She snaps out of her thoughts and waves back to both. Then she turns her attention towards the street ahead again. Within seconds, Chen Yi and Achel are by her side.
“Why do we keep bumping into you,” Chen Yi teased.
“I can’t help it that we work in the same area,” Qiao Qiao said.
Achel smiles. “She got you there.”
Chen Yi looks at Qiao Qiao. “I’m letting you off this time, but next time…”
“Like I’m scared of you,” Qiao Qiao returned.
“By the way, where are you heading?”
“Meeting Bianca at the next corner.”
“Not Ming Dao?”
“Too obvious.”
“Oooh…I know. Meeting Bianca first and then you guys will go meet the guys later, right?”
“Why do you always have to expose others’ schemes?”
“That’s what I’m here for. “ He stops to switch to his dramatic voice before continuing. “I have to bring justice and peace towards mankind.”Achel laughs at Chen Yi’s little speech while Qiao Qiao hits him on the shoulder. Chen Yi doesn’t get mad but just smiles. He gestures towards the cross-walk. “Let’s go before the light changes again.”
Qiao Qiao turns her attention back to the street again since she was looking at Chen Yi and Achel while talking. After they cross the street, they resume their conversation again.
“Care if we join you then?” Chen Yi asked.
“That’s fine,” Qiao Qiao said. “So I can watch you two act cute again.”
“Get out of here. I’m not that dramatic and lovey-dovey like…”
“What?”
“I’m not saying it’s you…but probably Ehlo and Wei Ru.”
Qiao Qiao’s smile fades at that time, remembering that they still have to think of a way to break it to Ehlo. Chen Yi removes his hand around Achel’s shoulder at that time and puts it onto Qiao Qiao’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry too much,” He reassured her. “It’s going to be okay in the end. He’s a grown man after all. It’s not going to be that extreme like we think it is.”
Qiao Qiao nods.
He removes his hand from her shoulder and slides it around Achel’s shoulder again. “Here goes Bianca now.”
They could see Bianca parking in front of a store. They increase their pace and get in the car so that Bianca could pull out.
Bianca smiles upon seeing Chen Yi and Achel. “Coincidence?”
“We do work around the same area…like two blocks to be exact...after all so it’s only reasonable to run into each other, right?” Chen Yi rattled out – repeating what Qiao Qiao said to him earlier.
“True.”
They continue the conversation for the rest of the ride to Seahorse Café in that happy tone.
*****
Sonia inhales in the salted air as she stands there, feeling much better than before. She opens her eyes again and looks towards the clear blue water ahead. She finally knows why Jacky loves this place so much. It’s as if it has the power to take all worries away and leaves the mind at rest – even if temporarily. She continues to stare out to where the seagulls are flying high above and are circling around a lighthouse. Just as a smile creeps back onto her face, she could hear someone screaming from a distance. She turns in every direction to find the source of the voice. As she turns right, she sees a familiar silhouette standing on one of the big boulders. He must be very frustrated to be yelling so loud because they’re quite a distance away. She makes her way towards him, determined to find out his problems and share his worries this time.
“Jacky!” Sonia called out.
Jacky turns around to face her. He looks surprised upon seeing her there but quickly turns his expression into passiveness. “Were you following me?”
“I’m not. I was just over there and I heard you yelling, so I...”
“Didn’t you hear what I said earlier at the station? Why are you so thin-skinned? Always following me around and causing me troubles.”
“I wasn’t following you. I just told you that…”
Jacky shakes his head. “I know what kind of person you are, so stop denying it. It will only make it worse.”
“But I seriously didn’t follow you!”
Jacky could see the frustration on her face and in her eyes. But he knows he can’t back down. “You think just because you can yell louder, I’m convinced it’s a fact?”
“What’s gotten into you lately? I admit that it was our fault in the past for doubting you for the wrong reasons but we all admitted our wrongs and apologized to you already. It was all a misunderstanding anyway. You said it yourself. Why are you dong this? You know that you’re torturing us with your attitude and…”
“Enough! You think you know me? Why do you always want to have the upper-hand in everything? You want to convince me you can read my mind now?”
“You’re so unreasonable!”
“Did I ask you to come over here and talk to me?” Jacky could see the anguish tears forming on the brink of her eyes. He wants so badly to hold her to him and comforts her, to apologize to her, to promise her that he’ll never do such heart-breaking things again. But he holds back all his emotions and maintains his passive, cold expression. He knows he must break the stare before he softens and ruins his plan thus far. “Well? What else do you have up your sleeves now?”
Sonia doesn’t say anything more. She turns around and runs back to the direction she came from, her eyes filled with tears and frustration seething through her.
Jacky finally releases his clenched fists and turns back towards the water ahead, feeling a mixture of grief and guilt coming at him all at once.
*****
That night, like promised, Wallace makes sure Jacky stay put as they’re waiting for Ehlo to come home. However, he doesn’t have to exert as much energy in convincing Jacky since Jacky shuts himself in his room for the majority of the time since he came home. Wallace only has to monitor the front door to make sure Jacky doesn’t leave again. When Ehlo finally arrives home around 7 PM, Wallace relaxes and tells Ehlo to take over while he could relief himself with a shower. Ehlo tosses his briefcase in his room real fast and takes his post by the door. When Wallace comes back about half an hour later, it is Ehlo’s turn. Then when Johnny arrives home at 8 PM, Ehlo informs him about the guy talk.
“You guys serious this time?” Johnny asked, looking from one to the other.
“Have you seen him so serious in all your life?” Wallace asked back.
“Okay then. Let me take a shower first.”
“I’ll go get dinner started then,” Ehlo volunteered.
Johnny nods before heading for his room.
Ehlo turns to Wallace. “Keep watch.”
“Yes, Master,” Wallace snapped sarcastically.
Ehlo decides to ignore Wallace’s smart comment since he knows Wallace’s not in any better state than Jacky. He steps into the kitchen and begins to prepare dinner instead.
About half an hour later, they see Johnny walking out with a towel in his hands, drying his hair. Ehlo’s still attending to the soup on the stove so he couldn’t move from his place.
“Are you trying to get us into the right mood?” Johnny joked.
“Tease all you want, but once I get this thing sorted out and we have our cheerful buddy back again, you’ll worship me for being a genius.”
“Sure. Right, man.”
Johnny ends up sitting around and watching TV with Wallace until another half an hour later. Ehlo’s done with his cooking by then and is about to call them in to eat when they hear Jacky’s door opening. Ehlo makes sure he has shut off the stove properly before walking into the living room again.
“Going somewhere?” Ehlo asked.
“No,” Jacky answered. “Can’t I get out of my room to stretch?”
“If you’re free, then let’s do our guy talk now.”
“What’s the big deal this time?” He eyes Wallace. “I thought you have some problems to take care of. Why are you in on his harebrain ideas again?” He knows deep down that he shouldn’t target Wallace since they seem to share “gloomy-land” together nowadays, but he has to make them quit it.
“I think that he has a point this time though,” Wallace defended Ehlo. “It’s not just all harebrain idea.”
“Oh?”
“Can you stop avoiding the matter?” Ehlo asked, taking over from Wallace.
“What are you talking about?”
“You and Sonia.”
“Here we go again,” Jacky said, frustrated. “Stop playing match-maker already. Don’t you guys ever get bored of these stuffs? I’m so fed up with all these talks. New-flash…I’m going to marry Jo soon, okay? Why don’t you guys call off the over-hyped attitude?”
“What?!” The others exclaimed at the same time.
“You heard me. I’m marrying Jo soon.”
“We all know you like Sonia,” Ehlo said, regaining himself. “It’s written on your morbid face for the last month or so. Can’t you just muster up some courage and tell your parents about it? I’m sure they love her too, considering how smart she is and all…and…”
Ehlo stops because he could see how grim Jacky’s expression has become.
“What’s with you and trying to make me follow my heart?” Jacky asked, still in his irritated tone. “In fact, what’s with you guys lately trying to convince me about my own feelings? Don’t I know how I feel towards Sonia? So what if I love her? Is that going to change anything?”
“If you love, then tell her. Are you afraid of losing your job? How old are we all now? It’s life. Make some sacrifices instead of rotting yourself away with all these pitiful acts! Even if I don’t like Sonia that much, I still think she deserves to know.”
“Tell her? Tell her then what? Tell her to wait for me while I try to convince my parents that I won’t marry Jo even if they threaten their deaths upon me?”
“What are you talking about?”
All three guys – Ehlo, Johnny, and Wallace – turn around to look at him. They could see the amount of frustration building on his face and how intense he looks by then. Then they suddenly understand why he’s been acting quite strange lately and not to mention cowardly with how he’s trying to avoid the matter at all cost. It’s not because he doesn’t want to acknowledge the fact. But he just can’t come right out and tell his parents without hurting them. He might be harsh and mean towards Jo on many occasions in the past, but he can’t just use the same tactics towards his parents. Moving out of the house is one thing but driving the ultimatum towards them is another.
The room becomes quiet for so long that the guys no longer know where to begin.
Just as Jacky’s about to turn away from them to go back to his room, Wallace steps towards him.
“It doesn’t matter what Uncle say, we’re backing you up on this,” Wallace said, determined. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” Jacky asked, his IQ suddenly going down several double digits.
“I might be a loser in love but I’m not a loser when it comes to family. Let’s go. I’m not going to be related to people who are ruining their kids’ lives.”
“You’re crazy. You don’t know what you’re talking about. No way.”
“Why are you making such a big deal out of it? The way I see it, when they see Sonia, they won’t rob you the right of deciding who you want to marry. Come on.”
“Why are you my even telling you guys? I’m going to sleep.”
“Zhu Fan Gang, stop hiding! Can’t you be a little braver? Stop acting like a ‘Drama King’ and settle this once and for all.”
“He’s right!” Ehlo exclaimed, his frustration building above the same level as Jacky by then. “Stop hiding, will you?”
“There’s no other way. And that’s final.”
“They’re right,” Johnny finally spoke up. “Stop pushing the deadline back. It’s not healthy for you or Sonia. Or your family either.”
Jacky turns around again to look at all three of them in the face.”It doesn’t matter anymore no matter how you try to convince my parents. It’s already done.”He goes to his room after that, not leaving time for anyone to react.
“This is just great!” Ehlo yelled out.
“Calm down, man,” Wallace said.
“How can I be calm? I had it with him and all his ‘I’ll take care of this myself’ attitude! What’s with him anyway? So he’s too cool for us now?”
After Ehlo finishes those words, he steps towards the front door and stomps out, slamming the door in the process also. Wallace doesn’t know what else to do but turn to Johnny.
“So much for a little guy talk, huh?” Johnny asked.
“What now?”
Johnny shrugs his shoulders. “Ehlo’s too hot-headed for his own good sometimes. But I think after he cools down, he’ll think of a better way to confront Jacky. He’ll be back later. Come on. Let’s go eat.”
Wallace doesn’t feel like eating at all but seeing how Johnny’s trying to patch things up as best as he could, so Wallace nods. They end up eating silently and waiting for Ehlo to come back or for Jacky to change his mind and confide in them – once again.
*****
Sam is about to head for his room when he hears the doorbell.
“I’ll get it,” Ming Dao volunteered.
Sam waits for Ming Dao to open to door since he wants to see who’s coming at such an hour. As soon as the door’s open, they see a very frustrated Ehlo stomping in.
“Sorry, guys,” Ehlo rattled out his apology. “But can I stay with you guys for the night?”
“One of your cold wars again?” Sam asked.
Ming Dao shuts the door before returning to the living room – where Sam has managed to settle down at the sofa and try to talk to Ehlo.
“My so-called pal decides to be a coward and I can’t even get him to see the light,” Ehlo continued in his frustrated tone, but not as harsh as he sound earlier. “I need to get something going so I could get it through his thick head.”
“I’m guessing you’re not mad at Johnny,” Sam said.
“It’s Jacky?” Ming Dao guessed.
“Again?” Sam added.
Ehlo turns on Sam. “What do you mean again? The other time I was pretending so I could spy on you. But this time, I’m seriously fed up.”
“What happened?” Ming Dao braces himself for the worst, hoping it’s not what he was so worried about these past days.
“Do you guys want to help me?” Ehlo asked.
“On what?” Sam asked, still confused since Ehlo kept stopping.
“We’re going to help him and Sonia get together or we won’t be able to work or function normally around them. It’s driving me insane.”
Ming Dao breathes out with relief. “I thought you meant something serious. Well, if you want to, then I’ll help you.”
“Me too,” Sam agreed. “But we can’t guarantee we’ll be successful since after all, it’s their life.”
“I have a plan,” Ehlo reassured them. “Okay, maybe I don’t but how about setting up a meeting with the gang tomorrow morning?”
“Huh?” Ming Dao uttered.
“Remember that conspiracy that you did on Jacky the last time? We’re repeating it but this time for his own good…for real.”
“Are you sure?” Sam asked. “He might get mad at us. I mean I wouldn’t mind since I want to help Sonia too. But with Jacky…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with him.”
“You said it like we’re taking him out or something.”
“Well, almost like that. Come on now. Are you guys in?”
Ming Dao and Sam nod at the same time.
“Good. Then…what’s for dinner?”
“Sorry, we only have leftovers since we had an early dinner tonight,” Ming Dao said in an apologetic tone.
“That’s fine. With all that energy I used to fight with him, I’m hungry now."
Ehlo gets up and walks towards the kitchen. Ming Dao and Sam exchange an amused smile behind his back while they follow him to the kitchen also. Ming Dao brings out the leftovers and tries to heat it up for Ehlo while Sam excuses himself to go back to his room.
“So…what’s with him and turning in early?” Ehlo asked, curious.
“Nah,” Ming Dao said. “He just wants to go chat with Xiao Qiao. They usually have a meeting around this time.”
“Oh…”
“Yea.”
“I think I better do something like this with Xiao Ru too. But then I can call her though.”
“You guys are partner in crimes?”
Ehlo smiles. “Something like that.”
“You seem less aggressive before. Honestly, it’s not a good thing to admit, but you scared the world out of me earlier.”
“Sorry, man. It’s just that I’m frustrated with that Jacky.”
Ming Dao could see Ehlo’s intense expression turning back on so he nods and changes the subject instead, trying to maintain a normal conversation again.
© Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 – Friday, January 2nd, 2009
Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009