Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
It was Jayd’s decision to leave early as she excused herself from Mr. Fung while Andrew walked her to the limo “Now go home and rest. I don’t want my bride to be getting all sick. We’ll start looking at dresses next weekend.”
She turned to him in surprise “Next weekend?”
He grinned, “Did you want to wait for another three years? Father and I picked out a good date in three months. So we need to get a move on things.”
“Three months?” she repeated.
Andrew laughed, “Are you just repeating what I say?”
Jayd forced a smile “Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead “That’s why I want to marry you. Ah Keung, make sure Miss Lee gets home safely.”
“Yes, sir.” The driver nodded with respect as Andrew closed the door after Jayd got into the limo.
Halfway home, she decided to take a detour. Sliding behind the driver seat, she asked “Ah Keung Gor, can you take me somewhere else?”
“Certainly, Miss. Where would you like to go?” he asked politely.
She gave him the address to her old home in the rural part of the city. It was late and dark but she didn’t care, she had to go back and find something. The driver walked behind her five feet to give her privacy. He watched curiously as she knocked on an old shack home. When nobody answered, she decided to try the door. With her luck, it was unlock. She pushed her way through her old home. It was abandoned, she could feel the web that grazed her face. Jayd was determined to keep going eventhough the cricket sounds made her nervous. She entered the backyard and noticed the dead trees and grass. The connecting house where Steve’s family used to live was still there. It too was abandoned.
A swarm of memories came rushing back to her as she stepped towards the old maple tree where a swing used to sit. She saw the lump of dirt still next to the tree trunk. Curious, she looked around for a hard object. Settling on a broken branch, she used it to dig out the treasure she left behind years before. The dirt had hardened after so many years and took a few minutes to scrape through but she eventually pulled out the tin box. Opening it, she found the comic book of Superman still intact. Sighing, she cradled it onto her chest and ran back to the driver “We can go now.”
He was curious but followed along obediently as he took her home. She thanked him hastily and ran into her building. She stopped at his apartment and noticed the light sneaking out of the crack, he was home. Knocking, she waited for him to come to the door “Jayd?” Steve arched his brows “You just got back?” she nodded with her hands behind her back “I thought Andrew said you left early?”
“I did. But I made a short stop.” She grinned like a kid with a secret.
“Oh.” Steve shrugged “You want to come in? I’m making coffee.”
“Coffee? Wow, pulling an all nighter?” she teased.
“No, I can’t sleep.” He sighed as she lowered her head “It’s not because of you.” He assured her.
Jayd pouted “I would like to think it was.” He tilted his head strangely “But nevermind that. I got something for you that you will just love me for!”
“What?” he asked.
“This!” she presented the comic book in its original plastic case. He didn’t look overwhelmed as she thought he would be. Figuring that he needed an explanation, she pointed “See, it’s the first edition from over ten years ago. I remembered when you hid my doll the first time, I got so mad that I stole one of your comic books and buried it under the old maple tree. I didn’t think it would still be there.”
Steve took the comic book, his face expressionless “I didn’t think I would ever see it again. I had stopped collecting these things after my family moved.”
“So you tossed all the books you collected? You told me that you started when you were five. I’d figure the hobby wouldn’t die that fast.” Jayd appeared to be disappointed.
“I’m not ten anymore.” Steve reminded her “I would have to stop some time. But I really do appreciate that you went looking for this again.”
She grinned happily “No problem. You did find my doll for me.”
He turned and tossed the comic on the couch “Don’t mention it. My conscience was killing me after you reminded me about what I did.” He walked into the kitchen “You want some coffee?”
“No…thanks.” She looked at the comic book on the couch, laying lifelessly. Her thoughtfulness was obviously not welcomed “It’s getting late, I’m gonna go to bed early. Are we still having lunch tomorrow?”
“Yeah…” He called from the kitchen “Can you lock the door when you leave?” Jayd didn’t turn back as she left his apartment, he emerged from the kitchen with a long sigh “I’m sorry…it’s for the best.”
She bit her lip to keep herself from crying when she walked into her apartment, surprised that her mother was still awake “Hi honey.”
“Ma, you’re not asleep yet?” she asked.
Mrs. Lee shook her head sadly, a photo album on her lap “I couldn’t sleep.”
Her worries disappeared as she approached the couch and took a seat next to her mother “What’s wrong? Are you crying?”
The elder lady smiled while sniffing back the apparent tears “I miss your father that’s all.” She touched an old picture of them together.
Jayd sighed “This isn’t good for you.” She patted her mother’s hand.
She instantly noticed the huge rock on her finger “Where did you get that?!”
“Oh this? I found it in the dumpster behind the alley.” Jayd brought out a hand to take a better look.
“He proposed?” Mrs. Lee knew better than to acknowledge her daughter’s sarcasm.
Nodding, she smiled “You’re going to get a new son-in-law.”
“Lucky me.” She said emotionless.
“Ma…” Jayd sighed.
Mrs. Lee laughed, “I’m sorry. It’s this sickness that I have that makes me blurt out things that I don’t mean. I’m very happy for you.” She hugged her daughter dearly “I suppose they’re throwing an engagement party?”
“No, the wedding is in three months.” Jayd said nonchalantly, trying not to trigger and outbursts from her mother.
“So soon?” Mrs. Lee didn’t want to sound surprise but she knew her voice screeched. Jayd nodded and found she could not bite her tongue to ask the next question “What did Steve think about this sudden news?”
“He’s fine.” Jayd replied shortly “Just fine…” sighing, she got up “I’m going to bed, ma. Don’t stay up too late.”
*****************
The following morning, Jayd woke up and didn’t realize she had slept until noon “Oh crap!” she cursed to herself while crawling out of bed. She was supposed to have lunch with Steve in half an hour. Taking a quick shower, she hurriedly pushed her hair into a twist and controlled it with a claw. Grabbing her purse, she rushed out and stood outside his door ready to knock when the door opened on it’s own “Steve.” She sighed with relief.
“Hey. You’re on your way out?” he pointed to her skirt and cool top.
Her face frowned suddenly “We’re having lunch. You don’t remember?”
“We are?” Steve shrugged “I made plans with Lisa.”
“Oh…” Jayd felt ridiculous.
“I would invite you but we’re going to the water park. I know how you don’t like sea animals.” He winked “Anyways, have a nice day!” he waved with his back to her.
Sighing, she threw her hands up “Yeah…same to you.”
Just as she was about to return to her apartment, her cell began ringing. She picked up with a smile “Hi Andrew.”
“Hey you. Got any plans? Wanna join me for lunch?” he was perky.
“Don’t you have a meeting?” she asked while fumbling with her apartment keys.
“No, I cancelled it. I thought to myself after Cheung Suk began his long and boring speech, that I wanted to see my fiancé. So you know what? I’m going to go see her.” He laughed “So, how about it?”
Jayd smiled “Sure, why not.” She gave up pushing the key into the hole “I’ll meet you down at my apartment.”
“Okay, be there in fifteen minutes.” He replied brightly.
“Bye.” She hung up and took the stairs down to the front of the building. Planting herself on a small brick bed, she curled her legs under her skirt and waited for him to come. She decided to entertain herself on the game in her cell phone. Time crawled by but when she heard the honk, she knew it was him.
“Hey pretty lady, want a ride?” Andrew teased. Jayd smiled easily as she got into the car seat next to him “You look good.” He commented.
“Thanks.” She refrained herself from snapping.
He took her out to a bistro overlooking the beach. The food was great and the atmosphere was romantic and relaxing. But she felt none of those things, it only bothered her to be near water, which reminded her that Steve and Lisa was at the water park enjoying themselves.
“I was thinking…red roses and pink daisies for the theme? Wouldn’t that be nice?” Andrew asked.
She looked up with a blank expression “Hm? Oh…yeah, that’s good. Whatever you decide.”
He sighed “Sweetie, you can’t let me decide on everything. It is your wedding too.”
Jayd felt bad as she nodded “No, you’re right…okay, name it. What do you want me to handle? I’ll do it.”
“Okay, shark fin soup or abalone?” he balanced his hands.
She smiled “They both sound good.”
“Okay, both it is!” he began jotting down notes.
It made her feel guilty to see him so into the plans “I’m sorry.”
Andrew looked up strangely “Sorry? For what?”
“I haven’t been very ecstatic about the planning. Three months will go by really fast, we do have a lot of work to do and I’m not helping.” She explained.
“It’s okay. I’d rather you relax and look pretty that day than to worry if Uncle Cheung is sitting at the right table or if the abalone is fresh enough. If I can take away the worries, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Just let me know when you need a breather.” He reached out and took her hands into his.
Jayd smiled behind the saddened eyes “Thank you.”
He laughed “Don’t be so formal with me. We’re going to be husband and wife soon. There’s no need to say thank you. Helping your wife is an absolute law.” Nodding as she continued to give him opinions about the decorations, music and other necessities.