Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
By the time Mel returned to his apartment, Kathy was well asleep in her room while Kacy slept on the sofa. A thought crossed his mind, he was about to wake her but noticed she was comfortable. Instead her moved into Kathy’s room. He sat down on a little wooden stool next to her bed and smiled when he thought about how happy he was to have found her.
But ever so slowly, his smile began to fade as he thought about what would happen very soon. The war with the Tiger gang was starting, there would only be one strong gang. Although he hoped that it would the Red Dragon, he was beginning to lose his self confidence. And sitting there with Kathy, he realized that her life would never be the same again. By choosing to be his girlfriend, she was defying everything about her average, ignorant life to be in his dangerous world.
Mel leaned closer as he kissed her on the cheek, he sat back with a sigh. He wanted nothing to happen to her, yet the more he pulled her in, the more her life would be in danger. There was only one way she would be able to live her life normal again, death. He already knew what he had to do.
*****************
The following day, Mel called the meeting when the guys began to pour in. Roach was chatting with Wong, his long time friend that he has not seen for ages. But in truth it had only been a few months. Mel nodded to Roach indicating that he was ready to start. Roach stood up and let out a sharp whistle from his lips. Mel smiled “Thanks, man.” He turned to the guys “Any rumors that you have heard about our war with the Tigers…is true.” He paused when there was stirring and whispering around the crowd. “I know this is going to be a life and death war. We all may fuckin die…and if you are not ready, I give you permission to leave right now.”
He looked around and the crowd grew silent, not one single person stood up to leave. Mel smiled proudly at his boys. They were all as loyal as he hoped “Good.” He nodded “I’m going to split you guys into three groups. That way, we’ll have them surrounded. I have a good source that tells me they will be doing a drug exchange on the City View mountain. Roach, Wong and myself will be leading the teams. Wong, I want you to be in charge of getting Janet the hell away from Luke.”
Wong nodded “Sure, Mel Gor.”
“Roach, I want you to stay on Luke’s tail when they start to drive up the mountain. I will be around the corner, give me a call and I’ll bring the rest of the guys there.” Mel concluded. He turned to the rest of the guys “This will take place tomorrow morning at 8am. Meet here at 7am…I never told any of you this…but…” he hesitated to say it but soon he saw Roach smiling at him and he knew he had to say it, it was his only chance now “I fuckin love you guys!!” the room exploded with roars and hurrays from the guys.
After the meeting disbursed, Mel took a long walk along the streets, he debated whether or not to tell Kathy. But in the end, he knew he didn’t have the heart to tell her that maybe he would not return after tomorrow. Mel’s eyes crossed a jewelry store as he had the urge to buy her something. When he came inside he found Snow trying on rings with Gary next to her smiling at each one she put on. Mel came close enough to hear their conversation “How about this one?” Snow asked, holding up her finger for Gary to see.
Gary smiled adoringly “They all look good, sweetheart. But we can only buy one.” He teased when she put on three into one finger.
Snow eventually claimed a round cut with tiny diamonds along the rim making the big center sparkle. “This one.” She exclaimed happily.
“You always had good taste.” Mel smiled contently. Happy to see that she had finally settled.
Snow looked up and her eyes brightened “Mel! What are you doing here?” suddenly her smile grew brighter “Do I dare to say? The all powerful player has found his girl?”
Gary stood up as he leaned over to shake Mel’s hand “So this is the popular Mel Gor that I’ve heard about.” He spoke coolly.
Mel nodded “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“So, answer my question!” Snow said giddily.
He shrugged carelessly “Just walking around. But I do want to get her something.”
“When you did you fuckin turn into a woman?” she placed her hands on her hips. Gary shook his head as he tapped her on the shoulder. Snow turned and instantly covered her lips “Oh…sorry. I know, I have to put a hundred in the curse jar.”
Mel tilted his head strangely “Did I miss something?”
Snow laughed “I promised Gary that I would cut the cursing habit.”
Mel let out a humorous laugh “Snow? Not curse?? Well, now I’ve heard everything…” he shook his head and looked up at Gary “I’m glad you got her to stop. I never found girls cursing attractive.”
Snow rolled her eyes “Can’t you do anything else but talk about your girl?” she teased “Here, I’ll help you chose out something for her. A necklace?” her brows raised “Or a bracelet? Perhaps….dare I say…a ring?”
Mel smiled shortly “I want to do this myself, if you don’t mind.”
Her smile faded as she sensed something dark about his words. He seemed more sad or depressed about something. But being an ex-girlfriend she understood him well. He wanted time alone. Gary seem to sense it too “Come on, Snow…let’s give him some space.”
Mel looked up at Gary with a grateful smile “Thanks…” he began walking around the room and glancing at the different jewelry. He already knew what he wanted to buy.
That night Mel came back and found Kacy cooking with Kathy. The girls seemed to be getting along. He smiled at the irony of it all. The woman he loved was getting along with the woman he had to love. Kathy found Mel looking at them with a daze expression as she walked over to him “Hi Mel.”
Kacy frowned “Is something wrong?” she wondered.
Mel shook his head “No, nothing. What’s for dinner?” he changed the subject. That seemed to work since the girls began babbling about the crab and beef dishes they came up with together.
Throughout dinner, Kathy continued to get a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Mel was different that night, he seemed too out of it. It wasn’t like him. Plus he kept dodging Kacy’s looks when she would smile at him. After the dishes were cleared, Kathy returned to her room and she found Mel sitting on the edge of her bed. Kacy was outside watching television. Kathy felt uneasy as she turned to the living room and then back to Mel “She’s right outside.” She cautioned.
Mel shook his head “I don’t care.” He tapped the seat next to him “Come over here.”
Kathy let out a sigh “You know I can’t do that. She thinks we’re brother and sisters.”
“And I said…I don’t care.” His voice was deeper.
She finally gave in as she took a seat next to him and he automatically placed his arms around her waist. When she began squirming, he tightened the grip “Mel…” she began.
He shook his head and a small smile crossed his face “You’re so cute when you get all frustrated. I’m gonna miss that.”
Kathy pushed him away once and for all “Okay…no I know something’s wrong. What is it, Mel? Please tell me…you know I’ve never pushed to know what you do with your ‘business’, but I really have to know this time.” She begged.
He knew he didn’t have the heart to tell her as he leaned closer and hugged her roughly “Nothing is the matter.” He sighed into the nape of her neck and she felt a shiver run up her spine “I just love you too much…I’d do anything for you Kathy…you know that?”
She nodded as tears brimmed her eyes “Mel…you’re scaring me.”
Mel began to stroke her hair as he hushed her light cries “It’s okay…everything will be okay. We’ll have a normal life after all this is over.” Suddenly she tightened her hug on him and he could hear her sobbing lightly over his shoulder. He rocked her gently and they stayed that way for a while until she felt sleepy. “Can I stay with you until you fall asleep?” he asked.
Kathy nodded with a smile as she laid down comfortably “Of course.” He continued to stroke her face until she eventually closed her eyes. A single tear fell from his eyes, he couldn’t remember the last time he cried over a girl. “I’m so sorry, Katie. Please forgive me.” He pulled out a letter he wrote for her earlier and a little jewelry box as he placed it on the dresser drawer next to her bed. He turned off the lights and left her room.
The following morning, when Kathy woke up she found two extra things in her room. She reached over and took the letter. It was in a purple envelope and the scent was Mel’s cologne. She smiled at the thoughtfulness but soon realized it was probably bad news. She ripped it open as she began to read it:
“My Lovely Katie,
By the time you read this letter a full blown war has already began. I’m sorry I did not have the courage to tell you in person. I knew you would be devastated and the last thing I wanted to do was to make you cry. Somehow I always still manage to do just that.
I love you more than any other girl I have ever been with. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t tell you. I don’t want anything to happen to you and I feel responsible that I tore you away from your ignorant little world. Sometimes it’s okay to be a ignorant, I know that much now. I will always remember the innocent little Katie that I met so many years ago. You’ve matured and grown up in so many ways that you may not even know yourself. I don’t regret anything that we’ve done together and I certainly don’t regret falling for you.
I don’t know what’s going to happen after today. If I don’t return, remember that I love you and only want the best for you. Continue on with your life and never turn back. Remember to move on.
Love Always,
Mel Gor”
By the time she finished the letter, she was sobbing so hard that she had to cover her mouth to keep it from screaming out with frustration. She grew angry at the thought of Mel going off to fight and maybe he would not be able to return. She wanted more than anything to find him but she knew it was close to impossible. Who would know where he was? She looked down at the red velvet jewelry box in her lap. Her hands were shaking as she prepared to open it. Inside was a platinum ring with a huge diamond on it. Inside the inner circle, it was carved with the initials and a single word ‘ML/KL Promise’.
She closed the box, unable to look at the ring as she closed her eyes and sobbed openly. Kacy was outside when she heard crying, she walked by Kathy’s room and snuck her head in. She was hesitant to ask “Kathy?” she asked softly.
Kathy quickly wiped the tears as she looked up at Kacy “Yes?” her voice quivered.
“Is something the matter?” Kacy was concerned.
She shook her head unable to repeat anything Mel just wrote to her. “No…” suddenly her eyes brightened. She knew exactly who would know where Mel was. “I have to go…” Kathy got up and rushed to the restroom to clean up.
Kacy frowned “Where? Can I come along?”
Kathy stopped at the restroom door “I…don’t think it would be safe.”
“I don’t want to be stuck here all day. Please take me along. Maybe I can help?” Kacy offered.
The girl looked so earnest that Kathy found it hard to say no as she slowly nodded “Okay. Get dressed.” She ordered.