Fan Fiction |
by civ
Chapter 19: A walk down memory lane
“What’s wrong with you?” Ella was at the very tip of her toes as she cheerily scooped ice cream and shoved it into her mouth.
She was sitting side by side with both her sisters; Michelle was staring aimlessly into space and Nancy was just staring unbliking at her hands.
“Edison.” As soon as that name rolled out of the girl’s mouth on the television show, Ella glanced over to Michelle, who seemed to be unaffected. Either she was no longer mad at that bastard, or she was too busy thinking about whatever she was thinking to have heard that. Ella picked the latter. Stealing one more quick glance at Michelle, she picked up the remote and changed the channel in case her eldest sister decided to come back to earth.
“Au’ oo’ ick?” Ella had the spoon in her mouth, the tub of ice cream on her lap as she placed her hand on Nancy’s forehead.
Nancy didn’t budge, and continued to look like a sad puppy.
Ella glanced at Nancy for a minute before turning her gaze back on the television, shooting occasional glances at her two sisters. She wondered what was wrong with Nancy. She sure didn’t seem like her chatterbox self ever since she came back from her flight to Japan.
Her eldest sister wasn’t much of a shock. Michelle was always like this.
“Dinner, girls. Your uncle and aunt are still at work. They phoned, and from the looks of it, they won’t come back till the wee hours of the morning.” Mary Jie said as she placed a bowl of soup in front of each of them.
“Thanks Mary Jie.” They chorused simultaneously as Mary Jie smiled and placed the plates of food on the table.
---
“Okay, time for some girl talk.” Ella said as she came into the room with two tubs of ice cream.
“What are we doing with those?” Michelle questioned warily as Ella grinned, shut her room closed with her bare feet, and padded over to her queen sized bed.
“Of course we’re gonna eat it, what else?” Ella’s presence and smile alone seemed to cheer up the dull atmosphere.
“Okay, here you girls go. We haven’t had this in a long time, ever since…” Ella scrunched her face to ponder as Nancy spoke up, finishing her middle sister’s sentence.
“High School.” Nancy said as she accepted a tub of strawberry ice cream—her favorite. She popped open the lid and dug her spoon in it, bringing a big chunk to her mouth.
Michelle gave Ella a quick smile as she looked down at hers—coffee.
Ella, however, ate all kinds of ice cream. As long as it was ice cream, count her in. “Okay, girls. Who wants to go first?”
Even before Ella could blink, Nancy spoke up. “Bosco and I are dating. But I think we might’ve broken up.”
This caught both sisters’ attention. Nancy was the youngest of the three, also the strongest and weakest. She was never really the one to show her emotions if she was unhappy, she, like her eldest sister, liked to keep everything bottled up inside.
“Go on.” Ella’s encouraging words seemed to have given Nancy courage to continue.
“Well, I asked him a stupid question, expected a very stupid answer, and when I didn’t get one, I got mad at him and stormed off.” Ella and Nancy exchanged glances, but didn’t say anything.
“He’s a very sweet guy, but I was such a bitch to him. He did everything I requested, whether it was reasonable or unreasonable…but I brushed him off each time. I said I’d forgive him if he bought he a diamond ring, and he did—” Nancy’s voice cracked and she looked up at her sisters. When they didn’t say anything, she knew they were waiting for her to continue. Digging further down into her ice cream, she let the stinging cold linger on her tongue before saying what they dreaded to hear.
“—but I chucked it at the ocean. I don’t know why I did that. I was just so full of…unexplainable feelings when I was staring out at the sea.” Ella let out a little gasp. Even Michelle was gaping at her youngest sister in surprise. Why would anyone throw a diamond in the ocean? This was no titanic, her sister did not have to try to follow the storyline.
“And then he just turned around and walked off. And he hasn’t spoken a word to me since. I guess I deserve this.” Nancy was drowning in half self pity and half self guilt as she scraped at the bottom of her ice cream. Had she known how much he had spent on that stupid rock she had just chucked out at the sea, she would’ve probably flung herself out too.
“How about you, Michelle?” Ella turned to her eldest sister, who had just began to smash up her ice cream. Ella didn’t understand why she liked her ice cream soft and mushy. She, personally liked it hard as rock.
“Well, I found out that I was a bet.” Michelle said blandly as she scooped her soft ice cream into her mouth.
If Nancy was wallowing in self pity before, she wasn’t now. She had perked up and was now staring at Michelle, waiting for her to explain herself. Ella’s cheerful eyes had narrowed and turned cold and menacing.
Funny now it seemed like Michelle was the youngest. They always said she was the one who was too nice for her own good, she didn’t know how to protect herself like they did. Sure, Ella was goofy and seemed like she didn’t give a care in the world, but she was stronger than she looked.
“I found out…that Raymond and Wallace were betting on me and Sharon. Betting on who is going to fall in love with them first. I found out few days ago.” Michelle’s eyes had hardened and she gripped the metal neck of her spoon so hard, her knuckles were turning white.
“If he wants a game, the game is on.” Michelle said, seeming to forget that she had company—her two sisters.
Nancy and Ella exchanged glances. “Uh…Michelle. I think you should just tell Raymond that you know…kick him, punch him, and destroy his next generation…do something. Don’t do this to yourself.” Nancy spoke quickly, as if she was afraid Michelle was going to get up and leave.
“Don’t play with your own feelings, sis.” Ella said as she placed her hand on top of hers.
Michelle blinked. “I’m not playing with my feelings. I’m going to give him a taste of his own medicine. I was stupid before. Edison played me like a toy. I’m not going to let Raymond do the same.” Michelle didn’t even wince as she brought up the painful past of her ex as she glanced at her sisters.
Nancy and Ella must’ve looked pretty darn worried and scared, because Michelle let out a laugh, any trace of her earlier expression gone. “Relax, girls. I’m fine. I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope you do, because regret is not the road you’d want to take.” Ella said quietly as Michelle smiled, nodding at her.
“Anyway, we’re going to be fine. We ate ice cream, right?” Michelle draped her arm around Nancy and smiled.
“Yeah, sis. We’re going to be fine. Remember when we were in High School? If we had problems, mommy and daddy would make us sit down and have a talk about it. When we still weren’t very happy, daddy suggested we have some ice cream.” Nancy smiled at the thought as the three hugged, reminiscing the old days.
“Okay, go to sleep, you two. Tomorrow will be a better day. And Michelle—if in the end, you realize he’s just a jerk and nothing more, tell us, we’ll give him the best time of his life.” Ella winked at Michelle as she laughed.
Nancy nodded. “By then, he’ll be wishing he was never born. He should know that he shouldn’t hurt women, or he’ll just be hurting himself.” Nancy said as Michelle hugged her youngest sister.
“Thanks. You girls are the best sisters a girl can ask for.” With the sisterly moment over, the three headed off to bed.
---
“Hello? Oh great, I’m coming right over.” He was busy developing the pictures he took in his free time and immediately rushed off as soon as he ended the call.
“Wow…” Ron let out a breath of awe as he touched the petal of the green rose.
“It looks like…” Ron trailed off as he cocked his head, gazing at the rose.
“Spinach?” The florist finished for him as he looked up at her, the two laughing merrily.
“That was exactly what I was thinking.” Ron said as he watched her wrap them up in a big piece of white paper, then with it with a translucent piece with flowery designs so that it didn’t appear too plain.
“I hope you don’t mind me putting the green roses with these white ones. I think the mix looks very good, I mean, red will make it look too Christmas-y, and yellow or pink won’t go with this pale green at all, so white seems to be the best choice.” She explained as she arranged the flower in the bouquet a bit.
“It’s perfect.” Ron breathed as he grinned at her.
“Oh, wait till you see the price.” The florist winked at him as his eyes bugged out, gaping at the price rang up on the cash register.
---
“Oh wow!” He held his head high and passed awed pedestrians. Guess it was very unlikely for a good looking guy to be carrying such a big bouquet of green roses and walking down the streets of Hong Kong.
Normally, he would have felt embarrassed, but he felt nothing but joy. He had found what she wanted, and after not bothering her for a week, he realized that what he had for her was too great for words. He had feelings for her, and he was near positive that it was reciprocated. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.
---
His face screwed up in confusion as he glanced at the receptionist at the front desk. “Sorry sir, nobody is in today.” She eyed the big bouquet of flowers, her eyes widening slightly and a smile spread across her face.
“I bet you’re looking for Ella. Her new book has just been released. She’s doing an autograph session at Lowerman Plaza.” The secretary said as she placed her hand on the neck of the ringing phone.
“Thanks.” He rushed off, hailed a cab, and informed the driver of the address.
---
“I’m sorry, Bosco.” Nancy was shuffling her feet as she sat on the couch. Kenneth and Chris had deliberately said they needed a walk in the park.
She had missed him. She missed him so much it shocked her, to the very tip of her toes.
She had forgotten how good looking he was. Clad in just a white tee-shirt and checkered pajama bottoms, he still managed to look exceptionally good.
Bosco smiled, but didn’t say anything.
“I really don’t know what overcame me. I guess I was stupid.” Nancy forced a smile as she avoided Bosco’s eyes.
“It’s really okay. I forgive you.” Bosco took her hand and for the first time since she arrived, she looked up into his eyes, they were full of love and sadness. She knew he was somewhat disappointed in her.
Nancy smiled and her gaze landed on their interlocked hands. His hands were so large and manly, so tanned compared to hers. They were so warm, it gave her so much protection, she did not want to let go.
She must’ve still looked very forlorn, because he spoke up. “Nancy…I didn’t intend to hurt you, but when you threw the diamond away, I was just surprised. It didn’t mean anything. I’m glad you’re not mad at me anymore.” Bosco said quickly as he peered down at her face.
She looked up at him, and to his surprise, her lovely eyes were now swimming with tears. “You’re too good to be true, Bosco. You’re too perfect, but you have one flaw, you don’t know how to protect yourself.”
He had pulled her into his embrace, and it went straight to his heart when he felt her trembling slightly. “Shh…it’s okay. I’ll be here to protect you.” He crooned into her hair as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Wrapping her arms more tightly around his neck, she savored the feeling and then pulled away lightly.
His thumbs found its way to her cheeks, wiping away her tears.
“I can’t forgive myself, Bosco. I can’t forgive what I’ve done to you.” Nancy said, her voice cracking as Bosco’s eyes widened slightly, reminding her of a lost puppy.
“But I forgive myself, I forgive you.” Bosco protested as he reached for her hands.
She let him hold her hands for a few moments before gently pulling away, not wanting to hurt him more than she already had.
“So is this your way of dumping me?” Bosco’s soft pleading voice suddenly turned cold, distant. He chose to look at the tiled floor, at the clock, at anything but her. He knew what she was doing. She wanted to protect him, protect him from her, yet, he felt like she was being selfish.
He had once again, betrayed his pride and chose to ignore her stubbornness, to forgive her time after time, but enough is enough. In not hurting him, she was protecting herself. She had unknowingly built up a wall around herself all these years. Her flirtation had only gone so far, she was experiencing love for the first time, and the thought scared the hell out of her.
Chris had told him that they were actually two different people from different worlds. She was flirty, loud, playful, and feisty. He was exactly the opposite. He was hardly one to endure pain of any sort—especially heartache, he could almost say she was introducing him to a whole new world. Maybe Chris was right.
“Bosco—“ Nancy started, feeling misunderstanding rise up in him.
He held up a hand, silencing her. She mopped at her face with the back of her hands. “I know now. You tried to throw away my heart along with the diamond ring. You knew the ring cost a lot, and so does love, Nancy. So does love.” He said bitterly, and was surprised at the fact that he sounded so cold, so bitter.
Nancy looked mildly surprised. Is this what she wants? Wasn’t this what she wanted?
No.
No, it wasn’t.
At precisely this moment, as if the clock had struck had midnight and set her feelings amuck, she realized that her heart aches for him. She hated herself for doubting his love for her. Her protecting of self was her destruction.
“I love you, Bosco.” Nancy said feebly as Bosco only smiled.
“I love you too, Nancy.” He replied as he got up and opened the door. The two stared at each other with love and longing as she took a step forward, and pressed her lips against his. He was surprised, but responded to her kisses. When he felt her withdrawing herself, his arms wound itself around her waist, and the other tangled in her mass of wavy hair. Their kiss had turned from soft and sweet to passionate and demanding. Panting for air, the duo pulled apart.
Nancy licked her lips. She could still taste him.
He was slightly flushed. She smiled; she could never forget how he always used to blush.
The two locked eyes for a moment. “Goodbye Bosco.” She took a step forward and stood outside his apartment.
“Goodbye Nancy.” He closed the door as he closed his eyes. A tear escaped from the corner of his eye. He made no movement to wipe it away.
They had come to a mutual agreement—to take a small break from each other. Perhaps, it was the lack of trust they had in each other, but time was what they had. Time would be able to resolve everything.
---
When one door closes, another opens.
---
“Well? What do you think?” Ron grinned up at Ella as she stood up from her chair.
She glanced at Roger, her boss, who nodded encouragingly at her.
“Are you going to make me kneel on the floor for the entire day?” Ron was looking up at her face, which was practically glowing with radiance and excitement, and perhaps, happiness?
“Green roses.” Ella whispered. A crowd had formed, comprised mostly of her little fans, teenagers who were shopping for the day and adults who were nosy enough to linger around.
“Accept his invitation!” A girl shouted from the crowd as Ella looked up and glanced around the crowd.
“You know, you’re taking all the attention from my autograph session and setting it upon your shoulders. You're stealing my spotlight.” Ella said in a teasing voice as Ron chuckled.
“You can have it back if you agree to be my girlfriend.” Ron winked at her and she shook her head, laughing.
“Heck, if you’re not going to take him, I’ll take him!” What shocked Ron most was that this was a very masculine voice.
Ella laughed aloud at the sight of Ron’s anxious face.
“I promised you your green roses…with an addition of white roses. You—“ Ron was cut off as Ella bent down and kissed the side of his cheek.
His smile widened so much he was sure he was looking pretty goofy.
“Hold this for me please.” Ron had thrust the flowers at Patricia, Ella’s secretary as she smiled happily at the two. Ron had picked her up and was now swinging her around. She was shrieking with joy as the crowd clapped wildly. It was every girl’s fairy tale—for their prince charming to come and literally sweep them off their feet.
“I’ve been waiting so long for this.” Ron whispered huskily to her as she grinned and leaned back into his arms, looking up into his face.
“What?” She teased, knowing exactly what he meant.
“This.” Without further ado, he leaned down and captured her lips in his. The crowd went wild.
---
“There’s been a lot of jealousy in you lately.” Wallace said as Raymond shot him a look of pure disgust.
“Why are you being so analytical all of a sudden?” Raymond shot back as the two checked over La Gourmet's income for the month.
“I’m not being analytical, although I like that word.” Wallace seemed to be pondering a bit. “But anyway, it’s a change. There’s a change in you. You’ve grown jealous.”
“Jealous?” Raymond laughed. “Now why should I be jealous?” Raymond said as he jabbed harshly at the remote, switching songs on his hi-five.
“I’m not going to talk in circles anymore. I think you’ve fallen in love with Michelle.” What Wallace said had left Raymond gaping at him as if he had suddenly sprouted another head.
“Have you gone nuts?” Raymond said quietly after a moment.
Wallace shook his head. “If there’s any nut around here, that’ll be you. Can’t you see Michelle is trying to make you jealous? Why else would she mention all the guys all of a sudden? Why would she flirt back with those idiots at the beach? You and I both know very well she’s not that kind of person. And about the bet, I forfeit. You won’t be the only chicken around here.” Wallace was grinning, eyeing Raymond mischievously. He had seemed so smart all of a sudden, not that he was saying his best friend of years was dumb, just not this…analytical.
“You’re in denial. And you’d better realize it before you’re too late. Call—“ He didn’t need to be told once, or even twice. He had raced out of his office.
“Good luck, mate.” Wallace whispered, smiling as he closed the books.
---
“So how’d it go?” Ella asked Nancy once she returned from her visit.
Although Michelle was watching television, all her attention was focused on her two younger sisters.
“Great. We got back together and—“ Nancy’s feeble lie was cut short as Michelle glanced their way.
“You guys broke up, didn’t you?” Michelle said, as Ella stared at her with her mouth agape.
Without even trying to deny her lie, she nodded and launched herself into Ella’s arms.
“Oh, El. It was terrible! I didn’t know...I didn’t realize I love him until that very second.” Nancy sobbed as Michelle stood up, walked over to the two and wrapped her arms as best as she could around them.
By now, all three sisters had tears streaming down their faces. When one felt the pain, all three did.
“What the—” Louis had stopped short as he took in the scene in front of him.
Jessica smiled. “Let them be. They’ll tell us later when they’re ready.” Quiet as a mouse, the husband and wife tip-toed into their bedroom, making sure not to interrupt their sweet moment.
“Michelle, I know you have feelings for Raymond. If Raymond confesses his love to you, you should just drop it. Drop all urges to get back at him. Follow your heart’s desire.” Nancy was trying to keep Michelle out of trouble, to stop her sister from following her footsteps.
Michelle nodded as she kissed her sister’s cheek. “Don’t worry. I can feel Bosco’s love for you. I know he’s waiting for you, just like you’re waiting for him…until the time is right.” Michelle said as she hugged her sister one last time before retreating back into her bedroom. She had just received a text message from Raymond, wanting to speak to her. He was already downstairs, and feeling happier than she did in weeks, she dabbed on some lip gloss, glanced at herself in the mirror, and walked out.
Ella winked at her as she set down a tub of ice cream down in front of Nancy, who had her back facing Michelle.
Ella gave her the thumbs up sign, mouthed ‘go’ and blew her a kiss. Smiling, Michelle closed the door quietly behind her and anticipated the arrival of the elevator.
---
Downstairs, Raymond paced around. He was nervous as heck; nervous about what he was to tell her, nervous about her reaction, and most importantly, nervous of her opinion of him.
“What are you doing?” Michelle’s sweet voice broke into his thoughts as he jumped, a bit startled and frightened.
“Calm down, Raymond. Calm down.” Raymond muttered to himself as Michelle giggled. She had not laughed this carefree since she had found out his intentions. And thinking back to that, a trace of bitterness still lingered. But she would dismiss it if Raymond was willing to say what she wanted to hear.
“Why are you talking to yourself?” Michelle asked curiously as she eyed him.
He looked a bit embarrassed. Clearing his throat, he walked up to her. He was suddenly very aware of his hands. They looked stupid just hanging like that at his side. What was he to do with them? He wondered if his hair was sticking up annoyingly. Reaching up, he tried to flatten the back of his hair.
Michelle found the Raymond in front of her adorably cute. He reminded her of a schoolboy wanting to ask a girl out, but afraid of rejection.
“I’ve actually wanted to tell you something.” Michelle said as the two got into Raymond’s car. They stared at each other for a minute before Raymond nodded.
“You can go first; I have something to tell you too.” Raymond said, rubbing the palm of his hand against his slacks.
“I know I was a bet. I overheard you guys talking.” Michelle said, searching his face for a reaction.
And a reaction was what she got. His unusually red face was chalky white, drained of color. He gulped and choked on his spit. Coughing, he pounded at his chest while Michelle looked bewildered. Clapping him on the back of his back, his coughing attack gradually died down.
“If you were wondering why I didn’t bust you, it was because I was afraid of getting hurt. So I made a bet myself.” Raymond had turned to look at Michelle, equally surprised.
“I swore to give you a taste of your own medicine.” Michelle said quietly as she withdrew herself, looking out her side of the window.
Suddenly, she felt the warmth of Raymond’s hand on hers. She looked at him and he pulled her into his embrace.
“I’m sorry, Michelle. I am truly sorry. I’m an idiot, a jerk, a bastard, a scumbag who does not deserve such a great girl like you.” Raymond closed his eyes and buried his head in her hair, hoping to hug her one last time before she left him.
“You’re holding me very tight, you know?” Michelle said, a slow smile spreading on her face.
He didn’t answer.
“I’ll let you hold me whenever you want if you let go and let me get a breath of fresh air.” Michelle said as she patted his shoulder.
He immediately released her and looked at her with surprise. “What—what did you say?” Raymond said as if he didn’t believe what he had just heard.
“Are you really going to make a girl repeat that again?” Michelle smiled as it suddenly dawned on him. He grinned, pulled her in for a fast kiss on the cheek and hugged her—this time, making sure to give her breathing space.
“You’re not mad at me?” Raymond asked, wanting to make sure this was not too good to be true.
“I was. I really was. But I think I’ve got my fair share. I did make a bet on you too.” Michelle replied as Raymond chuckled in happiness.
“I’m really sorry. I promise, I will not hurt you in any way. I’ll protect you, until you won’t want me anymore. You’ll have to kick me to the curb and slap me in the face if you want me to leave you.” Raymond said happily as Michelle laughed.
“I won’t have to do that, because my sisters had already claimed the dirty work.” The two laughed and looking into his handsome face, she felt shy all of a sudden.
Raymond lifted her chin with his fingers. “I know what Edison did to you in the past is a hard slap to the face, and I hate to admit it, but I almost committed the same sin. All I have to say is that love is stronger than whatever stupid bet I had made with Wallace. I will treat you like a queen.” Raymond said softly as he tilted his head, closing his eyes and gradually closed the gap between them.
Michelle automatically wound her arms around his neck as their lips touched. His touch was electrifying, his kisses were sweet, and his presence was her protection.
The two pulled away for air. “Raymond, what would you do if I told you this is my game?” Michelle turned serious and gazed at him. Raymond looked at her, speechless, his mouth gaping.
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