Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Caitlyn entered the room cautiously this time even though she knew Mel would be out cold for a couple of hours. She began to clean up the room and every once in a while, she would turn to look at him. When she was done, she placed herself on the chair next to Mel’s bed. “Hi there…I know you can’t hear me. But it looks like we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on. My name is Caitlyn. I’m your nurse for the next few weeks.” She began softly speaking to him.
She knew there was a good chance that he would not remember the dialogue but she felt the need to explain herself. She told him a little about herself “I’m the only child and I was raised in Hong Kong..looks like you are from there too. I’ve been a nurse for a few months now and I really enjoy helping the people…” she let her words faded when she heard grumbling from Mel.
“Katie….” He whispered dreamily.
“Katie?” Caitlyn asked herself. “Must be a girlfriend…” she guessed “Maybe you won’t have complete amnesia.”
***********
Kathy got off the plane and settled in a hotel close to where Mel lived years ago. She knew there was a good chance he might still keep the same apartment. She rested early that night and then searched for the bar that Roach had given her the address to. But to her dismay, no one seems to know who Mel Gor is. She felt uneasy again, how could they not have heard of him? He was after all the lead of the bar.
She decided to give a call to Roach and see but it looked like her luck was out. His cell phone did not pick up either. That night she roamed around the streets until she hit “Johnny’s” which was an old bar that she remember Mel use to hang out in. Kathy let her instincts take her inside as she looked around. The place looked trashier than she last remembered. The hookers were in every corner and the men looked even more perverted. But Kathy had a goal and she was determined to get to the end of it.
Approaching the bar, she could see the bartender was drunk himself “Excuse me.” She asked casually.
The guy turned to her and glanced at her up and down “Yes?” he was tipsy just leaning on the bar counter.
“Is Mel Gor here?” Kathy asked hesitantly.
“Who’s asking?” a familiar female voice asked from behind Kathy. She turned and found Janet sitting at one of the tables sipping on a bottle of beer.
Kathy knew she did not need the trouble that night as she shook her head “Nevermind.” She mumbled and began walking away.
Janet pulled out her net stocking leg as she blocked Kathy’s way “Just a second. I remember you…” she narrowed her eyes as she remembered her rival’s face “You’re that one bitch that beat me in pool. You’re Mel’s girl aren’t you?”
Kathy began to stutter “Well…no…not…I’m not…” she knew she was caught. She could only guess what Janet would do to her.
“You’re too late…” she said with much disappointment making Kathy feel nauseous in the stomach.
“What do you mean?” Kathy had shivers up her spine.
Janet looked at Kathy from head to toe “I didn’t know Mel was into that innocent look?” she let out a short laugh and got up “Come with me.” She led Kathy outside and they walked until they reached the subway. Janet kept a close eye on Kathy but her distance made them look like strangers to the naked eye.
She finally got off the subway after half an hour as they headed uptown. Kathy continued to follow without questioning Janet. They reached the harbor “Where are you taking me?” Kathy couldn’t hold her patience any longer.
Janet turned and looked around the whole area, when she realized they were finally safe from Luke’s men. She began to explain “Mel is in deep shit.”
Kathy grabbed a hold of Janet’s arms “What do you mean? Where is he? What happened to him?!” she was near frantic.
“I don’t know. All I know is that he got in a vicious fight the other night with Luke and his boys. I sat in the car and witnessed everything…” her eyes darkened as she recalled the night she phoned the police to come. If not, Mel would have died easily under Luke and Phil’s hands.
“He’s dead?” Kathy asked as she imagined the worse.
Janet smiled sympathetically “No…but he might as well be dead. I heard he was taken to the hospital. He woke up with amnesia.”
“How do you know all this?!” Kathy was panicking.
“Luke’s guys have big mouths.” Janet snickered but her face turned solemn “They’re following Mel around to make sure he doesn’t remember anything. Because the minute he does, they’ll finish him off. Lucky for him the hospital is a safe place. I hear he’s got a cute nurse helping him recover.”
Kathy’s face fell. She was not worried about the cute nurse, she was worried that Mel would be in more trouble. Her heart ached as she yearned to see him that very second “What hospital?” she asked. Janet turned away with a laugh “Please…I have to see him.” Kathy begged. When Janet continued to give her the silent treatment, she kneeled down “Please…I’m begging you.” Her eyes were tearful and her voice was beginning to crack “I need to see him.”
Janet wasn’t aware that Kathy was kneeling until she turned and saw her on the cement bawling. She felt sorry for the girl as she pulled her to her feet “Look…even if I tell you. You will only be heartbroken when you realize he doesn’t remember you.”
“No…I don’t care. I just want to see him safe and sound.” Kathy wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Janet let out a sigh “What does he do to us women? Why do all of them fall under his spell? Is he that charming?” she laughed sarcastically as she was too under the spell years before. Her eyes dazed away as she thought about Luke “If he finds you…he’ll kill you.” Kathy turned to her with a confused expression “I’m talking about Luke. He’s Mel’s worse enemy…also the guy that caused him amnesia. If he finds out you are Mel’s girl…you’ll be in deeper shit.”
Kathy shook her head vehemently, never understanding why they kept assuming she was his girl “I’m not his girl…” she insisted. But deep down, she knew she would be if Mel would accept her.
“Sure, keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll believe it. I saw the way he looked at you. It wasn’t just a crush…he loves you.” Janet said it enviously. Kathy turned her eyes away as they began to dwell up with tears.
“Why are you telling me all this? Who is this Luke guy to you?” Kathy wondered.
“He’s my boyfriend….what a mistake he is. Everything that Mel isn’t…he is.” Janet laughed painfully “But I can’t get out now…it’s too late. He’ll kill me if I dared to leave him.”
Kathy’s heart came out to the girl, she felt sorry for her “I’m sure there’s a way out.”
Janet shook her head “No…I can’t take that chance. The only person that could help me doesn’t remember me.” Her own eyes were glossy. “I can’t stay out for long. He’ll be looking for me. Mel is at Toronto Medical Hospital.”
“Thank you.” Kathy sighed. She watched Janet walk away into the tiger’s mouth. “Be careful.” She breathed but Janet could not hear her anymore.
**************
Caitlyn eventually fell asleep next to Mel who was still out from the medication. But hours later, he began to wake up again. This time he did not panic as he recognized the girl next to him. He tapped her on the head to wake her up.
She snapped her eyes open and turned upwards “You’re awake.” She sighed with a grin.
“It makes no difference.” He spoke softly. He pushed himself upwards trying to sit up.
“I’ll help you.” She offered and to her surprise he let her help him up. “How are you feeling? Do you remember anything?” she asked cautiously.
Mel’s eyes dazed over and he slowly shook his head “No…I don’t even know my name.”
Caitlyn smiled in spite of the situation “That’s easy. You’re name is Melvin Lam.” She pulled out the metal necklace that was secured around his neck. A silver charm with his name was engraved on it. “See…” she pointed with a grin.
“Melvin…” he spoke the name like it was foreign to him. “That’s a geeky name.”
She laughed at his comment “It may be geeky but it’s your name. You should get use to it. Maybe if I call you that more often, part of your memory will return?”
“So what do I do now?” he asked almost sadly.
“Well, there have been no one to come by and claim you…so I’m guessing your family doesn’t know you’re here. I’m positive you came from Hong Kong.” She smiled as she pulled out his wallet which she carried for him in her uniform pocket “See…” she pointed.
Mel frowned “Hong Kong?...I can’t remember…” he said slowly. Another surge of pain shot through his temple as he grabbed it in pain.
Caitlyn looked worried as she gently pulled his hand away from the cut “That will make the bruise worse. Here, let me try.” She pried his fingers away and took her own as she rubbed his forehead in a circular motion. When his winced expression calmed down she smiled “Better?” he nodded with a smile.
“Thanks…Caitlyn, right?” he asked with wide eyes.
“How did you know?” her jaw dropped in shock.
“It says it on your badge.” He pointed to the clear name printed on her tag.
She laughed at her silly self “Stupid me…” she giggled.
Mel’s face titled thoughtfully “You remind me of someone.”
Caitlyn raised her eyebrows “You remember?”
He shook his head “Not exactly…but something about the way you giggled reminded me of someone..someone that I can’t remember. But it’s really familiar.” She frowned and he laughed “That doesn’t make any sense does it?”
She shook her head vehemently “No.. it does. Maybe it’s someone that left a good impression on your mind that eventhough you have amnesia, you can still remember her? Oh…which reminds me. Earlier when you were sleeping…you called out a name.”
“I did?” he asked in confusion.
“Yeah…it was Katie…does that sound familiar?” Caitlyn asked.
Mel shook his head “Not really.”