Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
It was Friday finally, which meant Ivy gets to sleep in on Saturday. But it also meant that she was going to close out the restaurant for Friday. When she returned home feeling tired, her energy boosted when she saw Ben sitting with her father on the couch talking. Tyler was mopping the floor nearby but Ivy knew he was trying to eavesdrop.
She narrowed her eyes “If you’re going to talk about me, say it a little louder so I could hear too.”
Her father looked up with a stern expression “No one is talking about you. Don’t talk so highly of yourself.”
Tyler began waving the mop hysterically while Ivy wrinkled her brows, it was a sure sign good old Daddy was lying. The elder man turned around and Tyler instantly dropped his mop and began cleaning. But Ivy knew better as she threw her keys on the coffee table and sat down on the long couch across from Ben and her father “Don’t be putting things in my old man’s head.” she warned Ben.
Ben smiled “I wouldn’t dare. Anyways, I’m sure he knows what you’re capable of doing.” He got up and prepared to leave “I won’t tell him that you peeked over to my apartment to watch a soccer game.”
“You what?!” her father grumbled.
Ivy rolled her eyes while Ben covered his lips with his hand “Oops, did I let that out?” he laughed while walking towards the door.
“Leaving so early? Aren’t you going to freeload first?” she asked.
“Ivy!” her father cried as he got up to walk Ben to the door “I’m sorry, I didn’t do a good job about teaching my daughter any manners.” Ivy snapped her head at Tyler who snickered at her father’s comment.
Ben shook his head with a smile “It’s alright. After I’m done with her, she’ll never lift her leg on the chair again.”
“You’re a saint!” Mr. Yung praised as he walked Ben out.
Ivy took her chance as she hopped over to the couch nearest to Tyler “What the hell was that all about? And what did that freak mean by that?”
Tyler shook his head with a sigh “I feel so sorry for you right now.”
“Why?” she asked suspiciously. He continued to mop and sigh at the same time but he didn’t tell her what he had found out. She reached out and yanked the mop from his hands “Tell me, you little twirp or I’ll shave you bald like last time!!”
He placed his hands on his hips “Dad wants to marry you off.”
“What?!” her voice screeched “Wh…why…why would he do that?” she sat back looking shock.
Tyler grabbed the mop before it fell to the floor “Because it’s a natural part of life, girls will marry off one day.”
“Well, I don’t see you getting married!” she snapped “Crap…I don’t need this crap. And don’t tell me he wants to marry me off to that freak over there!” she pointed to Ben’s apartment.
“He has a name!” Mr. Yung frowned at his daughter with his head shaking “Freak is not appropriate for a lady to use.”
“Find a lady and I’ll tell her that!” Ivy snickered. She turned to her father suddenly “Why do you want to marry me off? What have I ever done to you?” she gave him the guilty puppy eyed look.
Mr. Yung smiled “You say it like it’s a bad thing. Tyler, go to your room.”
“Why?” He gaped at them in shock.
“Because you could hear better in there.” Ivy quipped as she nodded to the room “This is an adult conversation.” Tyler wrinkled his nose but he eventually walked out of the room. The minute he did, Ivy turned to her dad as she rushed over to him “Please daddy…I’ll be good. Don’t marry me off to that fre…I mean Ben. I don’t like good looking men, I want to marry someone just like my daddy!”
Mr. Yung shivered from the syrupy sound of her voice “Don’t talk like that, it gives me the chills.” He pointed to the couch as she slumped back and sat down.
“How does Tyler do it?” she asked more to herself.
“It’s called being sincere, dear.” Her father said with total sarcasm.
“Well he sure didn’t get it from you!” Ivy snapped as she sat cross-legged on the couch “So what is this all about? What’s with the sudden urged to marry me off?”
“Do you know what your mother’s wish was before she died?” Mr. Yung asked, thinking of his wife made his eyes tear up.
Ivy snapped her head back suddenly as she rolled her eyes away “For me to take care of you for the rest of your life.” She said bluntly.
“She said that?” he asked in shock, it was the first time he’s heard it.
She nodded “It was the last thing she told me when I saw her in the hospital.”
Mr. Yung couldn’t help as he let the tears fall and quickly wiped them away “Your mother has a heart of gold.” He sighed “But she told me before she passed away that she wanted you to find a good man and a good home that will support you for the rest of your life. Ivy, you’re 26 years old, you need to find a new shelter.”
“Why do I suddenly feel like a stray dog? Find a good home…hmph!” she snickered “You just want to get rid of me. All you have to do is tell me and I’ll be out of the house quicker than Tyler realizes that he’s gay.”
“Hey!!!” Tyler cried from his room.
Ivy and Mr. Yung smiled to each other “Come on out, Mui Mui!!” Ivy yelled down the hall.
Tyler walked out of his room with his face long down to the floor “I can still hear you.” He grumbled.
“With your ear pinned to the door?” she asked teasingly.
He instantly forgot about it as he walked around the couch and took a seat next to his sister “So, what does Ben have to do with it?” he asked eagerly.
Ivy turned to her brother slowly and then back to her father “Looks like your other daughter is ready to marry off. Maybe you should start with him.” She pointed her thumb at Tyler.
Mr. Yung smiled “He will in due time. But this is your time. Ben is actually an image consultant, he can help a person change their entire appearance. I hear he does miracles.”
She arched her brows upwards “Really?” she asked without interest “So, who did you hear this from? Ben? Daddy, he’s just trying to make money off of you.”
The elder man shook his head with wide eyes “He’s doing it for free. He said you would be a challenge to change, so in truth he is doing it for himself not for me.”
Tyler nudged his sister in the back “I think you should go for it!” he pushed.
“Yeah, well I think it’s about time you come out of the closet.” She snapped and then turned to her father “There’s not such thing as free. He wants something in return.”
“Have a little faith in men.” Her father said wisely.
“Yeah, you’re telling me. I’m living with a widowed man who’s been raising two kids on his own and can’t find another woman that wants him for the past 20 years. I’ve got a brother who’s so gay but can’t admit it. Yeah…I have every reason to have faith in men.” She winked sarcastically.
Tyler crossed his arms “I’m NOT gay!!”
Ivy turned to him as she imitated his crossed arms “Really? What’s with the nice clothes? And the cologne you always have on? If you’re not gay, why don’t you have a girlfriend? Boy, you need to wake up and smell the lily fragrance…you’re gay. Dad and I don’t mind, so why should you?”
Mr. Yung nodded in agreement “As much as I hate to agree with your sister, she’s right. You have to be true to yourself before you can be truly happy.”
“Words coming from the old and wise.” Ivy nodded at Tyler.
He shook his head again “But I’m not…” he was whining by now “I’m not!! I’m not!!”
“Okay!!” Ivy put up her hands in defense “Sheesh, stop throwing a tantrum, you know I can’t take it.” She laid her head down on his lap, making herself comfortable. She chuckled “So…you gonna give Tara a chance?”
Tyler frowned “Why? She doesn’t like me.”
Ivy widened her eyes “Boy…you need help.”
Mr. Yung patted his daughter on the leg “That will come in due time. Now it’s you first, Ivy. Ben has agreed to start the process tomorrow. I agreed to give you a month off from work so he can work on you.”
She quickly sat up “A month?!!!” she blurted “A whole month with the freak?? No…no…I’ll end up killing him.” She stood up on the couch only to be pulled back down by Tyler and her father.
“Hold onto your dirty underwear.” Tyler rolled his eyes “Listen to dad, I think it’ll be good for you.”
“Traitor.” Ivy snarled at her brother.
“Will you do this for me?” Mr. Yung asked “I’ve never requested anything from you.”
“And you shouldn’t start now.” Ivy said reasonably.
“How about for your mother?” Mr. Yung asked.
He knew her weak spot. Ivy narrowed her eyes “You’re evil!” she whispered.
“No, just smart!” Tyler pointed out.
Ivy turned to Tyler “You don’t have to kiss up, he already likes you the most!”
“Ivy…” her father’s stern voice called her back.
She was hesitant to answer “I…I’ll sleep on it.”
“Good! I’ll take it. Tomorrow morning, Ben will be over at 10am. You can tell him then. I know I cannot push you, so I will leave the decision to you. But remember, your mother’s last dying wish was to see you happy. You are her only daughter, she only wants the best for you…remember, she’s in heaven watching you right now.” The man looked up towards the ceiling with a content smile as he got up and walked towards his room.
“Damn, he’s good!” Tyler complimented.
“Shut up!” Ivy snapped as she began biting her nails, a sure sign that she was nervous.
Tyler wrinkled his brows “That’s such a bad habit.” He shook his head as he placed an arm around her shoulders “Maybe it won’t be that bad? I mean…maybe he can change you into a girl. The way God intended you to be.” He was teasing her. She could tell because he was trying unsuccessfully to hold his laughter inside.
“One more quip like that and I’ll tell Tara you have a mad crush on her!!” she pointed at him threateningly.
His eyes widened fearfully “You wouldn’t dare…” he breathed.
“Would I?” she tested as they both glanced at the phone and jumped up simultaneously to reach for the phone. She tackled him when Tyler got a hold of the phone first. They wrestled until Ivy eventually beat him out with her feet on his face. She dialed while he tried to push her off but she clung onto him like glue “Hi, Tara? It’s me Ivy…I have something to tell you...”
“NO!!!!” Tyler cried as he used all his strength to flip over his sister. He grabbed the phone from her hand “Tara?” but all he heard was the operator’s voice telling him what time it was. He looked down at his sister who was cackling like a chicken “You’re sick.” He spat with disgust.
“Thank you.” Ivy managed to say “Now get off me before I stick my toe in your nose.” Tyler rolled his eyes as he got up and pulled his sister up with his ready hand. She let out a yawn “It’s time for my beauty sleep.”
Tyler snickered “Beauty sleep? Then you’ll need like 10,000 hours or something.” She sneered at him like a tiger on it’s prey as he raced down the hall with her close to his heels.