Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That night Kathy returned to her parents’ home to eat dinner with them while Neil went out to a bar with his co-workers. The same bar that Kelly and her model friends go to every weekend to chat and have fun. He’s been there since he found out that she appeared there every Saturday but never once has he dared to approach her and say hi.
But Neil decided to change it that night. He was going to approach her and attempt conversation. While his friends were drinking and flirting with other girls, he was watching Kelly. When her friends left her, she sat there by herself and he knew it was a once in a lifetime chance. He walked over carefully and unbuttoned the top button of his collar navy blue shirt “Hey Kel.” He said casually.
She looked up and wrinkled her eyebrows “Do I know you?”
He wondered if she was drunk or it was so dark that she didn’t recognize him “It’s Neil… uh, the photographer.” He smiled when she nodded. “Where did your friends go?”
Kelly snickered as she leaned on her cheek on her hand “Bathroom.”
“I see….” He said slowly. He took a gulp of his beer and was feeling nervous again. The awkward silence was killing him. He didn’t know what to say when he was around her. But he didn’t have to try when a fight broke out and a crowd was hovering over the two guys.
Kelly looked over with interest “What’s going on?”
Neil shrugged “Just a stupid fight.”
“I want to see.” She said with much curiosity. Kelly got up and walked closer with Neil following her from behind. He wondered why she was so interested in the fight. When the two got closer she instantly recognized one of the guys as the head Red Dragon Triad. “It’s Mel…” she breathed.
“Who’s Mel?” Neil asked from behind her. Whoever he was, the fight was obvious in his favor.
“The most dangerous guy there is.” She giggled like a little girl with a crush “He is sooo Hot!” Kelly turned to up to Neil “He’s the Dai Lou of Red Dragon.”
“The gang?” he asked with shock. He couldn’t believe she was interested in those kind of guys. Suddenly he felt defeated, like he had no chance with her. “Hey, I’m gonna go now, I’ll see you at work.”
Kelly replied without looking back “Uh huh…bye Neo.”
He turned to her “It’s….Neil…” he mumbled when he realized she wasn’t even listening.
Back at the apartment, he entered it feeling down and in the dumps. But when he heard Kathy’s cry of pain he rushed into the room and found her pushing a bed into the corner room. She looked up and he noticed she was sweating “A little help?” she widened her eyes.
He forgot his bad night and instantly came over to push her “Where did you get this bed? And why are you doing heavy labor, couldn’t you wait for me to come back?”
Kathy wiped the sweat off the back of her hand “My mom had it stored away so I took it. I didn’t know how late you would be. You know me, I’m anal about my stuff being in certain spots.”
Neil used the last bit of strength to push the bed into a perfect corner “How could I forget. When I moved your alarm clock, you practically attacked me with the hot dog you were eating.”
She laughed “You still remember that? It was ages ago.”
“I remember everything we’ve done together.” He said solemnly “You’re my best friend, Kathy. I could never forget you or anything that you’ve done for me.”
She smiled to herself “Don’t turn all mushy on me now. So…where did you go tonight?”
He sighed as he sat down on her bed and lied back down on the mattress “Don’t ask.” She quickly caught the disappointment in his voice.
“What’s wrong?” she propped her head on her right palm as she laid next to him.
“Why do all pretty girls like bad boys?” he looked over at Kathy.
“You’re asking me? Are you calling me pretty?” she teased in a singing voice.
Neil laughed “You’ve always been pretty in my eyes. I just never said it cause it would not be manly to say those stuff. Hey, but since we’re older, I’m not afraid to tell you. So tell me Kathy, is there something about the bad boys that certain girls find attractive?”
She was still smiling at his comment about her being pretty. He had to nudge her to bring her back to reality “Huh? Oh…bad boys…um, I don’t know. Personally, I don’t like bad boys cause they only bring you problems. The more powerful they are the more problems they will bring.” Of course it was from her own experience with Mel.
Neil turned his head and looked at her strangely “You talk like you had experienced it or something. Which reminds me, we never talked about what you did in Canada. Was it fun? How is it like over there? Did you meet anyone?” he was cautious with the last question. Half of him hoped that she would have forgotten about the letter he wrote five years before. But he knew it was selfish of him to hope that.
“It was okay. The weather is really cold but the people are friendly. I had a full time schedule going to school and I took a few dance classes at night to keep myself busy. I met a lot of people, but if you’re trying to ask if I have a boyfriend, no. I don’t. And thanks for the reminder.” She sat back up and began unpacking her luggage.
He looked guilty “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay. I was just teasing.” She shrugged it off.
“How about I make it up to you? We’ll go out to dinner tomorrow.” He offered brightly.
Kathy laughed and return to the bed next to him “I should make you feel guilty more often. Free dinner? You’re on!” she spun over on her belly “So who’s this Kelly girl?”
He propped his head up on his hand “I told you. We went to the same high school with us. Remember the girl I wanted to take to prom with?”
“Oh…the popular girl. So she’s a model now?” Kathy was pretending to be interested but in her heart she knew he liked Kelly for the wrong reasons. Sure she admit if it was a fight in the end, Kathy would lose because Neil was not attracted to her in that way.
“Yeah, she’s so sweet.” He sighed dreamily and Kathy had to smile. She wanted to be happy for him but that part of her was nagging at her conscience. She was jealous. He went on and on about Kelly while Kathy smiled and nodded ever once in a while. But her mind was somewhere else.
***********
Monday came quick and Kathy woke up extra early to get ready for her new job. She brushed aside the fact that her dinner date with Neil last night was filled with awkward silence. She was down because of his constant reminder about how great Kelly was. But his spirits were drenched when he realized she would not like him because he was too nice.
She put on her black slacks and a black and white top with a v-neck. She looked very hip and fashionable. Her taste had changed since Neil had last seen her. So when she walked out of the room, he was sitting at the dining room table with his cup of coffee. He let out a short whistle. Kathy smiled and gave a little curtsy “Thank you.” She said sweetly.
Neil looked at her with his usual grin “Don’t you look nice today.”
“Gotta follow the trend if you want to work at Blush.” She sang happily. He almost spat out the mouthful of coffee he was sipping. She gave him a strange look “What’s the matter with you?”
“Blush??” he coughed out “I work there!”
Kathy laughed “You’re kidding right?” when he shook his head solemnly, she dropped her jaw in shock “Really? We’re gonna be co-workers? What floor are you on?”
“29th…but that’s for the studio shoots. I think fashion design is on the 26th floor.” He recalled seeing the floor rosters.
She nodded “Right on the nose. I guess I’ll see you around.” She reached for her black handbag and Neil quickly got up.
“I’ll take you.” He offered.
Kathy nodded with a grin “Sure. Come on, driver.” She linked her arm around his arm and they walked down to the parking structure chatting away happily.
The elevators of the tall building was as full as ever when Kathy and Neil got there. They stepped inside and more people poured into the machine. They were pushed into a tight corner. Kathy had her bag up on her chest while Neil was pushed closer to her. He was taller so he watched for the floors each time it stopped. When it reached to hers he quickly pushed everyone aside “Sorry…this is our floor.” He made a little walkway for Kathy to go through.
She turned to him before stepping out “You don’t have to walk me in, I’ll see you later.” She waved good bye and went on her way.
Neil nodded with a smile and the girl next to him commented “That’s so sweet how you made sure your girlfriend got out safely. I wish my boyfriend was more considerate.”
He turned over to her with raised eyebrows “She’s not my girlfriend, just my best friend.”
“Same thing.” The girl shrugged “That’s how my boyfriend and I started. We were best friends for years. I had to make the first move cause he was too shy.”
Neil nodded with a smile “That’s cool. But Kathy and I are really just friends.” The girl nodded unconvincingly and it made Neil wonder to himself. But he searched his heart and it told him he didn’t see Kathy that way. He never had butterflies when he was around her not like it got when he saw Kelly. But he could always trust Kathy to be there for him. He quickly brushed the thought away.
*************
Kathy found the reception desk with ease as the girl directed her to Mr. Cheung’s office. She knocked on the closed door and the man answered “Come in.”
She opened the door and peeked in “Mr. Cheung? I’m Kathy Lau.” She walked in with confidence and shook his hand.
He looked her up and down with a satisfied grin “My, I wouldn’t have guessed what a beauty you are from just your voice. How was Canada?” he spoke with her a week prior to her arrival. He especially liked her personality and decided to hire her over the phone, which was something he never did.
“It was very cold. I love it a lot, quite peaceful…at times. But Hong Kong is still my home.” She took a seat when he pointed for her to sit. “I’m really happy about this opportunity.
The man laughed “I should be thanking you. I’ve seen your work, its amazing.” He gushed. “Some of the people here are not half as talented as you.”
“You’re too kind, Sir.” She smiled graciously.
He shook his head “No, no, I mean every word of it. Why don’t I take you out and meet the people.” He took her outside where cubicles were placed in the center of the room while offices surrounded it. He pointed to one of the smaller offices “That is your office and Jill here will be helping you.” He pointed to a petite but cute girl. “She’s your assistant.”
Kathy raised her eyebrows with surprise, she didn’t know she would be getting an assistant “Nice to meet you, Jill.” She smiled warmly at the young girl.
“Same here. If you need anything just call me.” She said with a welcoming smile.
“Oh, I will. I don’t even know where the bathroom is.” She joked and the other people laughed.
***************
Kathy blended in well with the group, everyone seemed extra friendly but maybe because she was the new girl. She concentrated on learning names and knowing where to go and where not to go the whole morning. When noon came around, she was busy making her own map of the floor that she didn’t see Neil standing by her door. “Not bad.” He commented looking at her office.
She gasped and clutched her heart “Jesus! Don’t you do that again!” she scolded.
He looked at her with concern “You still have asthma?”
She nodded “A little. It’s not as bad as it use to be. But I can’t be startled.”
Neil smiled “I’ll definitely remember that. Anyways, time for lunch. Don’t pretend like you have work cause I know you don’t.”
Kathy laughed “You’re right, I’m just sitting here sipping on hot cocoa and eating chocolate covered strawberries.” She said with sarcasm. She waved him over “Wanna see what I made?” she held up the map that she carefully hand drew.
He was impressed “Not bad. Maybe you should have gone into architectural?”
“Nah, it’s just for fun. I can’t do it on a regular basis. Where are you taking me?” she grabbed her purse “I’m hungry.”
“Now there’s the Kathy I know and love. We’re gonna have sushi.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the place. A few people glanced in their direction. Some began to gossip as they recognized Neil as the photographer.