Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Kathy and Neil ended up at a Sushi restaurant on the 1st floor of the building. She looked around the restaurant while Neil smiled at her “You look like a tourist.”
She laughed “I am. I haven’t been back for so many years. Everything’s changed.”
“Yeah. But only for the better.” He nodded firmly “So, what are you doing this weekend?”
“Hmm…nothing.” She shrugged. She was use to not doing much, her life was as boring as it got. Little did she know about his little obsession every Saturday. “Why? What did you have in mind?”
“Wanna meet Kelly?” he asked brightly. He wanted Kathy to personally meet Kelly, afterall if she was to become his girlfriend, she would have to get along with the other important woman in his life.
“Not really.” Kathy said casually. His face fell and she instantly laughed “I’m teasing. Sure, I’d like to meet her.”
“She comes to this bar called Midnite every Saturday…” he began explaining.
Kathy pointed a finger at him “OH! Is that where you go. Tsk, tsk, tsk…Neil, your obsession is getting worse by the year.” She laughed when he threw her a mean look. “Have you talked to her? And I don’t mean ‘hi’ and ‘bye’, I mean a full on conversation.”
“We’re getting there.” He nodded without revealing more.
She sighed as she took a sip of her ice tea “That bad huh?”
He looked offended “No. I’ve chatted with her. One time, we talked about this other model on how she gained this little pouch under her tummy and the guys that do the layout have to airbrush her imperfections.” He nodded with wide eyes.
Kathy chuckled with her hand over her mouth “Oh my gosh, she thinks your gay.”
Neil frowned “No, she doesn’t.”
She gave him an exasperated look “Are you kidding me? No guy in the right mind would talk trash about another girl unless he was a girl…” she nodded as he slowly widened his eyes. Kathy put up a hand before he had a chance to talk “But don’t worry. Just one session with Kathy Lau and you’ll be manlier than Andy Lau!!”
He laughed but gave in to her “Fine, but if I turn out looking like some wannabe gangster, I’m not going to let you off the hook.”
****************
That weekend, the two dressed up, ready to go to the bar. Kathy was dressed in a black strapless dress. It was tight fitting so her curves showed through the skin tight dress. Neil looked at her like he was in a daze. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” he’s never seen her dressed like that. For a minute he almost mistaken her for Kelly since she tend to dress like that.
Kathy leaned her head to one side “Is that a compliment? I am Kathy…I told you people change. And my style has changed too.” She spun around and walked over to him in a sultry step “Get use to it, baby.” She breathed as she passed him and hit him on the butt with her purse. “Come on before your girlfriend gets picked up by a gangster.”
He shook his head with a short laugh but followed her. They arrived at the bar and it was in full swing. The music was blaring and a lot of people were dancing. All of whom looked very classy, it was not as slutty as some of the bars she’s seen in Canada. Kathy looked around and pointed to the bar “There’s two empty seats over there. Come on.” She pulled Neil by the arm but he pulled away.
He fixed his blazer “Hey, don’t be touching me in here. She might see us together.”
Kathy frowned “So what?” she sounded hurt.
“I have to look like I’m single.” He said coolly as he strutted over to the bar.
She raised an eyebrow at him as she watched how he walked. He was trying way too hard. But she eventually took the seat next to him. She smiled at the bartender when he glanced over at her. “Martini please.” She nodded.
“Coming right up.” He winked at her and Neil looked at the both of them.
“Don’t be flirting with her.” He warned the guy.
Kathy turned her seat to face Neil “Excuse me, do I know you? Just because we’re sitting next to each other doesn’t mean we’re together.” She raised an eyebrow slyly. She was not letting him for that earlier comment.
“Ha ha.” Neil shook his head “Very funny.”
“I don’t know what your talking about.” She said innocently. Kathy took her drink and prepared to pay for it.
“Hey, I got it.” A male voice spoke up from behind her. He quickly gave the bartender the money and a tip.
Kathy turned to the guy and a slow smile came onto her face when she recognized him “Thanks.” She smiled flirtatiously but just out of spite for Neil. She was about to introduce them.
“Anytime.” He leaned into the counter and grazed her arm gently.
Neil saw and his instant reaction was to protect Kathy. He took the guy’s hand and brushed it roughly off of Kathy’s shoulder “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Mel looked down at his hand as he brushed it off on his black leather jacket “Don’t… touch… me.” He pointed to Neil threateningly.
Kathy stood up and was about to clear up the misunderstanding when Neil shook his head “Well, don’t touch her. She’s with me.” He wrapped an arm around Kathy’s waist and twisted her to his other side away from Mel.
“Hey, Neil..it’s okay…” she began.
Neil turned to her and pointed a finger to her face “No, it’s not okay. I’m not going to let some bozo pick up on you. Who the hell does he think he is? God’s gift to women?” he spat harshly. He was oblivious to the crowd that was beginning to surround them.
“What the fuck did you just say?!” Mel growled at Neil as his head moved at him threateningly.
Finally, Neil saw the crowd starting to build up but he still had no idea who the guy in front of him was. “What are you, deaf?” he asked trying to hold his composure but he was shaking and Kathy felt it against her waist.
Kathy closed her eyes, unable to believe what was happening. She pushed Neil’s hand away from her body and was about to open her mouth to comment when Mel reached for her hand and pulled her beside him “Is this asshole bugging you?” their faces were inches apart. “I’ll take care of him right now.”
She shook her head while Neil pulled his arm around her waist again and yanked her back to his side “Get lost, jerk!” He grumbled causing a hush over the crowd. He looked around strangely wondering why everyone was so interested in them, he wasn’t planning to fight the guy. “I told you she’s with me.” He widened his eyes at Mel wondering why the guy wouldn’t back off.
Mel laughed as he pulled up his hand to his face, his head tilted to one side as he grazed his thumb against his chin “Boy, you may be tall but I can kick your ass right now. Now let go of her before I really get angry.” His eyes were as hard as they can get.
Neil was immediately intimidated but he didn’t want Kathy to go with this stranger. Kathy knew Mel was a man of his words, she knew it was time to step in. She pushed Neil away “Stop it! Oh my gosh, you guys are unbelievable!” she rubbed her forehead with frustration “No violence.” She looked at the both of them with wide eyes “Got it?”
“He started it.” Neil pointed out.
Mel laughed “She doesn’t even know you.” He said sarcastically.
Kathy tilted her head at Mel “Actually, this is Neil, my best friend.”
He raised his eyebrows with interest “Really, so you’re the guy-”
She quickly covered Mel’s mouth before he said something she knew he would say “Uh…Neil, I’ll be right back. I’m gonna have a talk with my friend.”
“Friend?” Neil asked in wonder as he watched Kathy pull Mel outside. But his curiosity was burned out when Kelly walked into the bar and the crowd began to disburse. Kelly’s eyes followed the guy with Kathy and it made him even more confused. It was the same look of idolism she was staring at the guy winning the fight the weekend before.
*************
Outside Kathy looked around until they were alone “If you wanted to be alone, you could have called me. I would have found a place for us.” He smiled slyly as he wrapped an arm around her small waist and pushed her up against his body.
Kathy laughed as she nudged him away gently “What did I tell you about flirting?”
He raised his palm up defensively “Right, I almost forgot.” He smiled “So, how have you been besides causing men to start fights in bars.”
“Good…look, I know I told you a lot about Neil. And you are probably under the impression that I’m …like in love with him or something. But I’m not.” She said nervously “I don’t want him to know who you are.”
Mel widened his eyes “You’re ashamed of me?” he pretended to clutch his heart as if heartbroken.
She sighed “You know I’m not.”
He patted her on the right cheek of her face “I’m just teasin’. You look good.” He glanced at her up and down.
Instinctively, she began to cover herself “Don’t do that, you know it makes me nervous.”
He laughed “Do what?” he smiled crookedly.
“That!” Kathy pointed to him “You’re not keeping any promises.” She looked around and found a couple of people giving them strange looks. “So…has anything happened since I last saw you?”
“You mean if I was attacked?” he asked straightforwardly.
Kathy nodded “Yeah.”
“I got in a fight with one of Old Chuck’s boys the other weekend in this bar. I guess that’s why people were surrounding us earlier. You better tell your little man to keep his trap shut. You don’t know when he’ll get himself into shit.” He warned.
She smiled “He only gets that way cause he thought you were picking on me. Neil always wants to protect me.”
Mel nodded with a cool face “I see, so it’s like that eh?… it’s okay if he protects you. You get all fired up when I send you a few bodyguards.” He was teasing but she knew somewhere in that tone was a hurt guy.
Kathy shook her head vehemently “That’s not the same. Your boys scared the crap out of me. Neil has never done that.”
“Okay, I’m sick of hearing his name…so I’m gonna go now.” He gave her a quick wink before walking away.
“Why did you come here anyways?” she asked.
Mel turned but kept walking “Business.” He said shortly.
Kathy laughed as she returned to the bar. She found Neil and Kelly talking to each other. He caught her eye but he gave his head a little shake indicating for her not to come over just yet. She sighed and walked over to the end of the bar and asked for another drink as she sat by herself most of the night.