Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The week dragged on for Steve as he got use to work and the annoying boss that won’t leave the employees alone. But it seemed, he was quickly a favorite for Mr. Lau didn’t bother to check on him. When Friday rolled around, he was glad the weekend came. Collecting his briefcase, he was ready to leave when he noticed Jayd staring at her screen “Psst! It’s time to go.” He informed.
She looked up with a look of confusion but quickly snapped out of it “Oh!” pushing her things into her purse, she got up “Just one more day of work.” She grinned.
“It’s Friday.” He turned his head strangely “Are you okay?” he motioned her to come closer. She was taken aback when he pushed his forehead onto hers “You’re a little warm but not feverish. What’s wrong?”
She shrugged with slumped shoulders and walked towards the elevator while he quickly followed “I’ve got a few things on my mind.”
“You want to talk?” he asked with genuine concern.
She smiled gratefully “I thought you’d never ask. Let’s go to dinner, I’m starving.”
“Sure, you choose.” He held the door open for her to walk through first. She decided on Japanese food as they got off the bus and walked two blocks to the restaurant “Nice place. He take you here often?”
Jayd shook her head “Once in a blue moon. He doesn’t like sushi but I love it.” They walked in together and were seated within minutes.
He watched her order all sushi and smiled “You weren’t exaggerating when you said you were starving huh?” she nodded but her eyes darted elsewhere “Are you expecting someone?”
She turned over with raised brows “No.”
“You’re a little more than distracted.” He observed. She shook her head and picked up the cup of tea and sipped it “That’s mine.” He smiled while she looked embarrassed “What’s bothering you?”
*********
A few booths away, Andrew was waiting for her to arrive but it seemed she was running late. Glancing at his watch, he checked the time again. Suddenly a pair of petite hands wrapped around his eyes “Guess who.” The female voice sang adoringly.
His smile faded when he saw her, sighing he motioned for her to sit down “What are you doing here? You know we can’t be seen in public together.”
“How do you expect me to have dinner with you?” Lisa grinned as she picked up a pair of chopsticks and began eating the sushi he ordered.
“Who told you I was here?” he asked.
“Your father, my Uncle.” She finished before taking a bite “Hmm…this is good.”
“Lisa, you need to go home.” He said a little more firmly.
The girl smiled “So you can meet your girlfriend? Uncle told me about the girl too. Who is she? And why am I not the first to know?”
“Because then everyone in the world would know. You don’t exactly have a quiet mouth when it comes to secrets.” He snickered.
Lisa leaned back in the seat as she crossed her arms “Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll know who she is on Sunday. Uncle said you were bringing over your girlfriend.”
Andrew crossed his arms on the table and leaned in “Who said you were invited?” She opened her mouth to answer but he got a word in edgewise “You’re not.”
“You’re mean.” She pouted. Looking down at the full dish of sushi, she frowned “Why did you order so much? You don’t even like sushi.”
“Don’t be nosy.” He said sternly “If you like, you can eat all of it. It’s paid for.” He collected his suit jacket and go up. She stared at him with puppy eyes “And don’t follow me.” He warned.
He walked pass their table without giving her a second look. Steve pointed to Andrew “Hey, isn’t that…”
“Who?” she asked.
“Nevermind.” He shook his head “You’re head’s in the clouds right now. Nothing is going through.” He sighed “But if you don’t feel like talking about it, that’s fine with me. I don’t want to pry.”
When the food came, she abruptly got up “I have to go Stevie. I’ll pay you back for half of the food later when I get home. Bye.” She rushed out of the restaurant without her jacket. He frowned strangely after her. She was a peculiar girl, always on the run.
Jayd reached the condo in the cab as she got out and walked through the gated area. The guard easily recognized her “Miss Lee.”
“Hi Joe.” She smiled as he let her through. She found the condo with ease as she knocked on the door. Shivering slightly, the night air was still a little cold. The door opened and he appeared with a wine glass in hand “Hey.” She greeted lightly.
“Did anyone see you?” it was the usual question she had grown use to.
“No.” she answered while linking her arm through his as they sat down together at the couch “Did you eat yet? I’ll make you something to eat.”
Andrew shook his head “No, I’m not hungry but you can make whatever you want to eat in there. That is if you’re not full.” He raised a brow carefully at her “Who was that guy you were with?”
Jayd crossed her legs on the couch as she comfortably leaned her head on his shoulder “He’s my new boyfriend that I adore because he loves sushi and makes me laugh.” She kidded.
Finally cracking a smile, he leaned down and kissed her on the head. He wasn’t a fan of affection but when it came to Jayd, he made room “Well, I hope he’s ready for a fight because I’m not giving you up that easily.”
She turned her head up with a goofy grin “Really? You mean that?”
“Be serious.” He placed the wine glass down and took a hold of her shoulders “My father wants to meet you. We’re having a family dinner at my house.”
Jayd turned away slowly “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“I guess.” He shrugged.
“I am if you are.” She smiled. He nodded while pulling into a one arm hug “What if I say something stupid?”
“You won’t. If you do, I’ll just find another girl in your place.” He kidded.
She smiled “Sure, I know a few contenders who would die to be in my place.”
He knew exactly who she was talking about “Those girls at work are gold-diggers. They only want my money. All women do.” He snickered.
Jayd pulled away “Honey, you know not all girls are like that.” She hated when he generalized “Do you think that of me?”
Andrew shrugged “Maybe.” She tilted her head with a stern expression “I’m kidding.” He smiled crookedly “Why do you think I’ve been with you for three years?”
“I don’t know. Why are you with me?” she asked.
He sighed tiredly and reached for his wine “Why do all women ask that question?”
“Not all. Just the ones that care.” She corrected “Seriously Andrew, what do you see in me? Because honestly, I think I’m not right for you. I don’t have money, I’m not gorgeous and don’t have a good figure. I come from a broken family and live in an apartment that’s not as big as your closet. Why are you even with me?”
He rolled his eyes away with a small smile “Sweetie, it only works once.”
“Darn it!” she laughed, “I knew I used that already.”
“If you want to hear a compliment, just ask.” He chuckled.
“Okay, I want to hear a compliment from you.” She grinned mischievously.
He tapped his chin playfully “Hmm…let’s see. You’ve got beautiful eyes.” He was satisfied with the comment.
She smiled sincerely “Thank you.” Eventhough he already said it the time before and the time before, she was not sick of it. She came into terms that it was her best feature.
*************
Later that night, Jayd returned home to find Steve and her mother talking and laughing “Don’t fall for his jokes ma, before you know it, you’ll be cleaning his room.” She teased.
“Hey. You’re home. You forgot your jacket.” Steve pointed.
She nodded “Thanks.” She quickly covered a sneeze.
“Bless you.” Her mother frowned “Are you coming down with a cold?”
Jayd shook her head “I hope not. But my throat was a little dry this morning even though I drank a lot of water.” She touched her neck, silently praying that she wasn’t getting sick. Dinner with Andrew’s family was in one day. She turned to Steve “How much was dinner? I’ll pay my half.” She began digging through her purse when he pulled it away.
“Pay? You didn’t even eat.” He laughed, “Don’t be ridiculous. Even if you ate, a gentleman always pay for dinner.” He grinned.
She leaned sideways towards him “Cut it out. My mom is drooling.” He snuck a peak at her the woman as she beamed with a bright smile “Anyways, it’s late.” She patted him on the back “Go to sleep.”
“Yes, you can come back tomorrow and take Ah Yan out. I’ll be at the temple all weekend with Kwok Thai.” Mrs. Lee nodded.
Steve smiled but didn’t agree “Good night.”
Jayd walked him to the door as she narrowed her eyes at him “See what you did?”
“Take care.” He winked and returned home.
The next morning, Jayd woke up with a splitting headache. She groaned after her vision blurred when she got out of bed. She crawled back into bed when her eyes only saw spots around “Ma….I’m sick.” She moaned. When no one came to her rescue, she groaned louder “Ma!! I’m dying…” she sniffed back the stuffy nose. Then she remembered, her mother had left early to catch the first boat ride to the temple. She had been planning the trip for months “Great!” she covered her eyes with her hand “No!! I can’t be sick!”
She decided to call Andrew and prepare him for the news. But instead, his recording picked up “Hi, you’ve reached Andrew, please leave me a message--” she hung up without leaving a message.
Her last resort was Steve as she dialed his number. Luckily he picked up “Hello?”
“Stevie. I need help.” She begged.
“Mental?” he asked jokingly.
“No, health. I think I have a fever.” She covered the mouthpiece and began coughing uncontrollably “Anyways, can you come—” she heard the dial tone go dead “Well, thank you.” She stared at the phone in shock. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She managed to drag herself out of bed and get the door. It was Steve “Oh…I take it back.”
“What?” he asked with a frown. He walked inside and closed the door behind him. Taking her face in his hand, he pushed her forehead onto his “You’re burning up. Get in bed, I’ll make you something to eat and take some medicine.”
“Thank you so much…you don’t know how much this means to me. I can’t be sick. I have to get better by tomorrow.” She sniffed.
Steve laughed, “I’m not a miracle doctor. But what’s so important about tomorrow?” he put her to bed and covered the blanket over her shivering body.
“Dinner with him and his family.” She sighed and leaned her spinning head back.
“Oh…wow…first time?” he asked while she nodded “Okay, I’ll try my best. But you have to do everything I say.”
“Yes, Doctor.” She sighed dramatically.
He rushed outside to make breakfast and checked the cabinet for medicine but all he found were expired pills and cough syrups that was not made for adults. Tossing everything in the trash. He turned the fire for the congee down to a simmer and left to get better medication. Half an hour later, he returned with the new medicines and checked on the rice soup. It was cooking perfectly. He checked the fridge for chicken but found freezer burned meat and old pork in a plastic bag “Dear God, no wonder she got sick.” He muttered to himself and made a mental note to get them food after he fed her breakfast.