Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Ellena walked through the rounded corridors, each room was a different color. She had never been inside a photography studio before. Vibrant backdrops were amazingly detailed to secure a perfect picture. Her hands carrying a dark yellow manila envelop as she followed the girl’s direction to the manager’s office.
“That’s perfect Kyle. Lean a little to the left…I meant your head.” Johnny the photographer laughed as Kyle played dumb.
“I like my head like this.” He tilted playfully to the left, looking like an unimpaired person. She paused at the door to look at the work, she recognized the guy from the night at the bar. He was being silly and it made her laugh. Kyle heard a giggle as he shot his head to the door and found Ellena clamping her hand over her mouth “No fans allowed.” He teased.
She looked apologetic “Sorry, I didn’t mean to watch, but I’ve never seen a studio before.”
Kyle raised his brows “Really, let me show you around then.” He was quick to play host for the pretty lady “Ellena right?”
“You remember?” she asked almost in total shock.
He laughed, “I always remember pretty girls’ names. So how about that tour?”
She was quickly reminded that he was a big flirt and she would never hear the end of it from her roommate if she knew Ellena was talking to him. Declining with a shake of the head, she backed away “Actually, I have to go see Mr. Fong.”
“That jerk? What for?” Kyle asked casually while fixing his hair in a mirror by the door.
“I’m actually serving him with a Summons and Complaint.” Ellena patted to the manila envelope.
“Oh really? Well, gosh I’ll take you to see him.” Kyle offered with a large grin as he ushered her down the hall. He knocked on the door briefly and opened before the manager could reply, “Mr. Fong, you have a visitor.” He sang.
“I don’t want to see anyone!” the man behind the stack of files snapped.
Ellena smiled gratefully at Kyle as he stood to the side to let her in. Closing the door behind her, she put on her serious face at the plump man “Mr. Fong, I’m Ellena Lai from the office of Chiu and Lam Associates, I’m here to serve you with a lawsuit.” She handed the package to him.
“What?” he backed away from the package “Lawsuit? For what?”
“If you open it, you’ll know.” She said calmly.
“No, I’m not opening anything. Get out of my office. Get out now! And take this with you!” he threw the package at the door with a loud bang.
She stood her ground and didn’t falter, “Even if you burn the papers it will not make the lawsuit go away. I suggest you go over the papers with your lawyer and our office will contact you after three days.” she advised him professionally. Bending down, she picked up the package and placed it gently on his desk “Good day.” She nodded slightly and held her head high as she walked out of the room, heart thumping.
Kyle crossed his arms with an apparent smile on his face “Not bad.” His first impression of her was a timid rabbit but listening to her be firm was definitely different.
Ellena smiled but was startled when Mr. Fong threw the papers against the door again “People are not always happy when they are being served.”
He laughed wittily “No…I guess not.” Looking at his watch he noticed it was five past twelve “Lunch?”
“Oh no…thanks. But I should get back to work.” She declined.
He quickly blocked her way “You do have to eat don’t you?” he persisted.
Ellena tilted her head to the side “You don’t ever give up do you?”
He smiled crookedly “I’ve been known to break a way some of the toughest shells.”
She sighed and looked at her watch “Okay, but I have to leave in half an hour.” She gave in as he nodded happily and pointed her to walk first. He led her outside the building and down the street to a little deli shop. It was tiny and cozy. She would have been okay with the place had it not been for the guy smoking in the corner “How about we go somewhere else?”
Kyle took notice as he stopped her “Wait.” Without explaining, he walked over to the guy and explained something in a low voice. To her surprise, he dug his cigarette butt into an ash tray and nodded apologetically at Ellena. She frowned curiously, wondering what he had said, “Okay, now we can eat here.” He gently pushed her over to an empty table to sit.
“What did you tell him?” Ellena whispered.
He grinned as he leaned in closer with the same whispered voice “That you were the health inspector and you had the power to shut down this little deli if he didn’t put away the cigarette.”
She gasped with a hand over her mouth “But that’s lying!”
Kyle looked around when a few people turned their heads his way “Don’t blow the cover.” He said through clenched teeth.
Ellena cowered her head down “Sorry…” He ordered two sandwiches for them and two lemon ice teas. Crossing his arm on the table, he looked at her with interest. She noticed he was staring and began touching her face “Is my face dirty?” he grinned even wider “Oh God, don’t tell me I have a booger.” She grabbed her purse and searched for a tissue.
“How is it that a shy girl like yourself was able to firmly tell an angry man to quit his whining and take the lawsuit?” he questioned.
She sighed with relief “Is that all?” shaking her head “Billie always said that I’m a complete different person when I’m at work. I guess you could say I have more confidence in what I do. When it comes with socializing…I’m a big doofus.”
Kyle nodded in response “I see. So being best friends with a pro at socializing, I’m surprised she didn’t stick a gun to your head and make you take her class.” He snorted.
Ellena shook her head “No, Billie would never pressure anyone to do anything they didn’t want.”
“Really? But she loves to embarrass me in front of the class and make me do stupid volunteer stuff.” He pointed out. Suddenly he stopped and looked up at her “She likes me doesn’t she?” Ellena was surprised at the question as she shook her head in confusion “That must be it. It’s childish little games…”
“I don’t know.” She replied unsurely.
“Its clear like the blue sky.” He pointed out but she continued to look lost “When guys have a crush on a girl, he teases her until she turns red in the face. It’s their way of giving the girl attention. Damn! Why didn’t I think of it?” Ellena stifled a laugh as she knew it wasn’t true. Billie was like a book, easy to read. If she didn’t like someone she certainly would show it. She was about to explain to him when their food came “They make the best egg and ham sandwich here.” He nodded.
She smiled and took a bite, it was pretty good “It’s very tasty.” She agreed when he waited for her to take the first bite.
“I wonder how I should approach Billie.” He chewed while wondering to himself.
Ellena looked up “Actually, I was going to—”
“I know! I’ll invite her to dinner and tell her that I know how she feels about me. Then I’ll be frank with her.” He agreed to himself.
She frowned “How will you be frank?”
Kyle finished his bite as he leaned in closer to her “I’ll tell her the truth that I don’t like her in that way. Sure, I might have hit on her at the beginning but that was before she showed me her fangs. I like a girl that’s more feminine not witch like. I’ll let her down gently.”
Ellena pressed her lips tightly from exploding with laughter “I see…” she decided not to tell him since it seemed he needed an ego check “As long as it’s gentle. She doesn’t take rejection that well.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle as a bunny.” He winked to confirm the deal.
***********
“Bye Chris, thanks for lunch…again.” Anesa smiled as she snuck through the door before he could invite himself in again.
“You’re welcome, we should do this again some time.” He held the door open before she could close it “Could I use your restroom?”
Anesa thought fast for an excuse “I would let you but my roommate is very strange about other people using his toilet.”
“You’re roommate is a guy?” Chris asked with furrowed brows.
“Yeah and he’s really mean. So I’ll see you some other time!” pushing hard on the door, she was able to shut it as she quickly locked the bolt, chain and regular knob “And stay out…you freak…” she muttered.
“So I’m mean now?” Travis asked with special interest.
Anesa turned to her friend on the couch “Don’t start with me. I’ll dump you too.”
He laughed “Aww…trouble in loverland? What’s wrong? Guy’s not man enough for you? Or should I say too manly?”
“That’s an understatement. He’s clingy, jealous and what a freak. He told me it was rude to check out other people when he’s with me. Other people! Not just men but people too!” she pointed out with emphasis “And he always wants to see my apartment. Annie, can I see your place? I’ll let you see mine.” She mimicked.
“Annie?” he asked with raised brows.
“Pet name. I hate it.” She growled.
Travis pressed his lips into a smile “So he’s a little persistent. Nothing wrong with that.”
Anesa placed her hand on her hips “And I guess psychotic is okay too then. I don’t care, I’m breaking up with him.”
Rolling his eyes, he groaned, “You only went out twice!”
“Yes, can you imagine if there’s a third date or fourth? He’ll probably make me wear one of those chained underwear so no guy could come near me.” She shook her head and fell limply on the couch next to him.
“Man, what kind of movies do you watch?” he winced strangely.
“I know…can you break up with him for me?” she suggested, popping from her seat.
“No.” he said flatly as he crunched on a few chips.
Anesa pouted with a puppy face “Please? You do it so well.”
“NO!” he firmed up “The last time I broke up with the guy, he threw a drink in my face. And don’t even remind me about the guy that slapped me across the face.” Anesa laughed as she recalled the situation clearly “No more favors!” he pointed at her threateningly.
“Aww…last time, I promise.” She begged.
“No. NO! Infinity no!!” he yelled while getting up to go back to his room where there was peace and quiet.
“Please!!!” Anesa threw herself on his leg as she wrapped her arms around them “Please, I beg you Travis. I’m begging you!!”
“NO!!” he wasn’t falling for the plea trick again.
She finally gave up and stood up to straighten out her shirt “Fine, I won’t push you. I still have my dignity.” Marching herself to the kitchen with pride.
He shook his head with a laugh “You could have fooled me.”
Anesa peeked her head out of the kitchen “Will you do it over the phone?” Sighing, he didn’t bother to answer her “Is that a yes?!” she called. He slammed the door roughly behind him “Hmph!” she grumbled and returned to fetch herself something to eat.