Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Guest Star: Daniel Wu – Sean Kwang
The following day, Matty was reluctant to go into work. He came in a few hours later expecting to have receive the cold shoulder from Sammie. Instead he found someone else at the bar. He saw Lauren and Ethan sitting down with a few customers. Lauren looked up and saw him as she excused herself and walked over to him. She smiled with her arms crossed “Dirty, uncombed hair, unshaven beard and mustache…boy, you’re turning into a man faster than I can throw out those gay jokes.”
He snickered a laugh “Say all you want, it won’t offend me.” He let out a sigh and nodded to the bar “Where is she?”
Lauren turned to the new girl at the bar and then back at Matty “She quit.” She gave her shoulders a shrug.
“What? No…I don’t believe it. She loves this place.” Matty was in complete disbelief.
She walked over to the bar and sat down on a stool “Your loss. You should have taken the chance while you had it.”
“Did she say where she was going?!!” he was close to begging.
Lauren spun herself around on the turning stool “What? Regretting your choices now?” she saw his face fell and her heart came out to him for the first time “Don’t say we didn’t remind you. Chances are made to be taken…not to be left alone. It only comes a few times in your lifetime. You just missed yours. And to answer your question, no, I don’t know where she went. Maybe she’s home bawling her eyes out.”
Matty slumped down on the stool next to her, even if he did regret it, it was too late “Her apartment…I’m gonna go!” he announced suddenly.
Lauren turned to him “I take it you want to take the night off?”
“No…I’m quitting!” Matty smiled as he reached out and hugged Lauren suddenly “Thank you…I’ll never call you witch again!” he promised “I have to find her!” she looked at him strangely as he raced out the door.
But little did he know that by the time he reached her apartment, she was long gone. He ran up the stairs because he couldn’t wait for the elevator. When he got to her door, he knocked on it. There was no answer and he knocked it again and noticed the door was slightly ajar. He peeked into the room and then opened the door widely. He stepped into the now empty apartment, everything was taken away. The only thing that was left behind was the necklace he let her borrow the night before. Maybe she read his mind but she guessed that he would come by. A letter was under the silver necklace and he opened it with shaky hands to read it:
“Matty,
Call me psychic but I’m guessing that you are probably standing in my apartment reading this letter. As much as you don’t want to admit it, we know each other too well. I know what you did this morning and I know what you are thinking too. You were probably up all night thinking things over.…I can see your unshaven face and uncombed hair now. Because that’s just you…when you are stressed, you can’t be bothered with simple hygiene. Or maybe I’m just fooling myself and you’re the same vibrant person I always looked up to.
By the time you read this letter, I would be long gone. I’m not even sure where I’m going…but I know I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted. I want to remind you something, Matty. I didn’t plan on falling head over heels for you. I tried so hard to contain those feelings and at one time, I promised myself that I would take it to the grave with me. Because you were my gay best friend…how could it ever work? But did you know the minute I realized that you were not gay and it was all an act…I was literally jumping for joy. How ironic that I would have to hear it from the girl that turned you the other way.
I am not mad at you…not anymore. It’s not your fault you don’t have feelings for me. And surely it’s not your fault for hating all the women in the world. I’m just disappointed that after the years we’ve spent together as friends, you would eve dare put me in the same category as her. I can’t even write her name. The thought of you falling for her only angers me. How could a perfectly wonderful guy be so blind that the woman doesn’t love him? Anyways, enough of my preaching…I’m sure your rolling your eyes now.
Who knows, maybe fate will give us a chance to meet again? But until then, goodbye and I hope no matter what you do in life, whatever choices you make, it’s going to make you happy.
Love Always,
Sammie”
A single tear dripped over the paper and then another until a whole section was smeared with unreadable words. Matty crumbled the paper in his hands as he brought it to his forehead. He suppressed the cries that were ready to escape and then took a deep breath. She couldn’t have gone to far. He guessed as he raced outside and down the stairs. He looked like a madman asking everyone he saw if they noticed anyone that looked like his description of Sammie.
People thought he was crazy holding a necklace and crumpled up letter asking for a girl that fit the description of almost half of the women in Hong Kong.
He finally gave up and slumped into a corner of a building. He was devastated, never would he be given another chance again. Matty wanted to hit himself for being so weak, how could he let her go knowing that she too felt the same way? Because of his manhood that he could not suck up his fear and give it a try. Sammie wasn’t like any other girl. She would never hurt him in any way. But now, it’s too late to regret anything. She was gone. The most he could do was wish to Fate that they would get a second chance.
***************Five Years Later***************
Matty had long ago moved out of the country living in Toronto and was working as a waiter at a lounge for a living. The day he decided to return to Hong Kong was the day he received an invitation by Ethan and Lauren to come and celebrate a Christmas Party. Every year he kept in touch with them and every year they invited him, but he always declined.
Yet that year, he wanted to return. He missed his home country. Matty moved into his new apartment and that night he decided to drop by ‘Opposite’ to see the gang again. Maybe the place had changed? It surely did. His hair was cut short and he was dressed more casually, mostly in jeans and darker colored shirts. He gained a bit of weight and muscle compared to before.
He walked into the lounge and saw a huge sign that read “Karoake night – any singers welcomed”. Matty noticed Lauren and Ethan by the bar talking to people. They were as happy as can be, just as he expected them to. He noticed Lauren’s huge stomach. She was pregnant, he smiled to himself and noticed the stage was empty. No one wanted to sing. He had the sudden urge to walk up the stage and sing something. It’s been years since he picked up a microphone, it even looked foreign to him.
Sitting on the ready stool, he noticed that the piano guy had changed too. He nodded to the guy as he got up and walked over to Matty “What do you want to sing, Sir?”
Matty whispered the song to the guy and he returned to the piano and began playing a ballad song. It had a sad tone to it and Matty closed his eyes to remember the lyrics. The song was titled ‘Break up or Stay Together’. The song started off with a slower start and as it hit the chorus he was pouring his heart and soul into the music. Little did he know that everyone’s attention was suddenly on him.
Lauren and Ethan turned to Matty the minute they heard his familiar voice. He didn’t open his eyes until the end of the song. He held onto the last note and his vibrato was warm and steady. The place was silent but began to fill with thunder applause. Matty slowly opened his eyes and saw Lauren and Ethan clapping for him. Some of the guys whistled and the girls were staring at him with admiration. Matty got up and gave a bow. When he turned up, his eyes met hers…the pair of eyes that haunted his every waking dream for the past five years.
Sammie’s eyes were filled with tears as she smiled at him. She’s never heard him sing with such passion and feeling before. Suddenly she felt a small hand tugging at her leg, she smiled at a young three year old boy and picked him up “Hi sweetie…” she gushed.
Matty’s heart fell when he saw her with the kid, just as he thought it couldn’t get any worse, he saw Sean approaching her from behind. He stroked the kid’s hair adoringly and smiled at Sammie with love. He knew he had to face the music as he walked over to the group “Hi.” He said shortly, feeling awkward.
“Hi…” Sammie nodded “How have you been?” they almost felt like strangers.
“Good.” Matty replied and turned to Sean “How about you two?” they exchanged glances and looked at him differently “This your kid? He’s cute.” He reached out and tousled the boy’s hair playfully.
Sammie looked at Sean and stifled a giggle “You can say that.”
“Gordon!” Lauren called and the boy in Sammie’s hand waved to her. Lauren laughed as she and Ethan joined the other three. “Hi Matty!” she said brightly and gave him a hug. “You sounded great.”
“What’s wrong Lauren? No quips for me now? Come on, it’s only been five years.” Matty joked.
“Oh no, I gave that up a long time ago. Boring here won’t let me say things anymore.” She pointed her thumb to Ethan. She caught her eyes on the boy in Sammie’s arms and placed them outward “Come here, Gordon.”
The boy pouted and wrapped his arms around Sammie’s neck “No!” he grumbled.
Ethan laughed with his head shaking “Who’s ever heard of a son not following his mom.”
Matty’s head spun towards Ethan “What?”
Lauren had to pry the kid from Sammie’s arms “He’s in love with his godmother that’s all.” She hugged her son and kissed him deliriously until he giggled “You thought he was Sammie’s kid?” Matty smiled with a nod “It’s not the first time.” She excused herself to take Gordon to the bathroom.
Sammie crossed her arms as she tilted her head at Matty with a knowing smile. She caught the disappointed look on his face when he thought Gordon was hers and Sean’s “Can we talk?” she pointed out the door.
Matty nodded as he followed her outside “So…how long have you and Sean…”
He didn’t get to finish his question as she shook her head “Does it matter? Tell me Matty, five years ago at the Christmas party, did you lie to me two times that night?” He knew what she meant as he slowly nodded. “Why?”
Matty let out a sigh “Because…I’m…a man.”
Sammie smiled “I’ll take that as an answer. Did you get my letter?” he nodded again and she looked at him earnestly “You didn’t try to find me?”
“More than you’ll ever know.” He whispered “But I had no other sources. Ethan and Lauren wouldn’t tell me…”
“I made them promise.” Sammie explained “I was hurt…” she shrugged “I couldn’t except it for some reason. You and her…but then Lauren told me that it wasn’t you that kissed Julia, it was the other way around. And then she told me the unthinkable… that you liked me too. I was in denial…because if I knew, I would not give up on you.”
Matty nodded “I know. Maybe it was fate’s way of cheating us out of five years. Now it’s too late…Because you and Sean.” His smile was forced.
Sammie rolled her eyes “Gosh, haven’t you learned anything??!” he looked at her strangely “Did I ever come out and tell you that Sean and I were together?” Matty shook his head “Then why do you keep assuming that we are together? We’re not…never were. I left ‘Opposite’ to work at Sean and Ethan’s new lounge at the harbor. I was never far from here…I moved out to be close to the work.”
He was choked by the news, not to mentioned too surprise to talk. But thinking about it only made him laugh out loud. She looked at him strangely and he explained “It’s just so stupid. You’re right…if I didn’t assume things…we would probably be married by now. If I wasn’t so caught up in my own pride, maybe I could have sucked it up and tell you the truth. But I couldn’t…and I can’t change that.” Matty smiled gently as he reached down to her hand and clasped it in his own “But I can plan our future…if you’ll let me.”
“I don’t know…I don’t feel the same anymore. Don’t you get the impression that it’s really…hmm. How do I say that…awkward?” Sammie pulled her hand away as she turned away from him, hiding a smile “I don’t’ know if I want to take this chance.”
Matty’s heart sunk for the second time that night “I see…I understand.”
Sammie closed her eyes with frustration and shook her head as she spun around and pushed at him “You are so stupid!!!”
He tilted his head and then a slow smile appeared on his face as he reached out and hugged her “Don’t do that. You know I’m good at reading girls.” He laughed.
“You were good when you were gay.” Sammie pointed out.
Matty chuckled “Like you said, I’m a guy…I’ve got the manliness and built.”
Sammie pushed him away playfully “Stop that! Coming from you, it sounds dirty.”
He laughed as he placed an arm around her shoulder and led her down the busy street “Of course, cause anything out of your mouth is sweet and cute…”
“Sweet talker…” Sammie giggled.
At one point he stopped and took the necklace out of his pocket “I think, this belongs to you.” He took out her hand and gave it to her. Sammie smiled down the charm and flipped it behind. She saw that he had initialed her name on the basket “I had it done when I moved to Canada. I always hoped that one day I was able to give it you in person.” He took it from her hand and put it on for her as they continued on the streets.
So then it started for these two lovers. Fate did have plans for them, it just made them wait years to get where they should be. From that day forth, the two treasured every moment they had together. Sammie moved in with Matty and returned to the lounge with Ethan and Lauren working as the manager, instead of the bartender. She ran the place while Lauren was home watching her newborn. Matty on the other hand was the famous lounge singer on the weekends. During the weekdays, he was working on a new amateur album that a producer offered him after hearing him sing on a Sunday night. He had the ability to become a full blown singer. Sammie was completely supportive not to mention his biggest critique. He soon popped the question at the lounge when he announced he would no longer be there since he will be promoting his newest cd. He wrote her a special song and performed it. What girl could say no to that?
The End