Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
When Sunday finally rolled around, Jayd found herself feeling better from her cold but the butterflies roaming her stomach would not stop circling. She practiced from sitting politely to smiling ladylike. That morning while she decided how to shake Andrew’s dad’s hand, the doorbell rang.
She opened it and found a vase of peach colored roses, beaming she knew who it was “I’m still alive, you don’t have to get me flowers.”
Steve’s head popped above the roses as he handed it to her “So, I see you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks to you.” She laughed and took the flowers with ease. She placed it in the center of the coffee table “Did you know you’re the first guy that got me flowers?” she petted them adoringly.
He closed the door and turned to her oddly “Is that a joke? Because I’m still trying to figure out the humor part.”
Jayd sighed, “Unfortunately it’s not a joke. He is allergic to flowers…perfume made of flowers or any lotion of that matter. He gets allergies when he’s around them.”
“Charming.” Steve replied wryly “Is it me or am I just not liking this guy?”
“You don’t even know him, how could you dislike someone you don’t even know?” Jayd reasoned.
“I know him through you and frankly, I’d be ashamed of myself if I were him.” He snuffed.
She turned away from the flowers “Why?”
“If I had a girlfriend like you, I’d be showering you with gifts and affection. But this guy? You were sick in bed and he didn’t even bother coming around to see if you were still breathing. Plus, he’s been hiding your relationship for three years. And—”
“How did you know it was three years?” Jayd asked abruptly.
He frowned “You told me.”
“I did?” She scratched her head “Maybe I was delirious.”
“You are delirious.” He rolled his eyes “What is it you like about him?”
Her eyes stopped at the corner of the wall as she searched her mind for an answer “Well… he’s nice…at times. And he can be very affectionate, when he wants to be. He would buy me gifts but if people saw him, it would surely be on the front page of the newspaper.”
Steve wasn’t convinced “There should be more guys like him.” He replied wryly.
Jayd sighed “I know he doesn’t sound like the best guy in the world but he’s my guy. I like him for him and there should be no reason why I like a guy. Love is a feeling not something tangible you can touch. It should come from the inside.” She explained.
He was stumped and realized he was wrong for pushing her “You’re right.” She turned to him with raised brows “It’s not for me to decide who deems worthy for you. You’re a smart girl and you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. I just don’t want to see a good friend getting hurt.” He smiled warmly “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” She smiled finally “You were only watching out for me.” She tilted her head to the side with a sly grin “You know what? I think there’s more to you.”
He shifted uneasily in his chair “What do you mean?”
“The questions, the interrogation…I think you like me.” She pointed out.
He laughed despite his burning face “That’s a good one. I like a girl that has a boyfriend. I suppose I am be rich and tall.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t notice his blushing face “Of course you don’t like me now. I was talking about when we were ten. You had a crush on me didn’t you? I hear guys develop early crushes on girls.” She analyzed.
Steve nodded with a secret grin “Yeah, you’re right. I had a mad crush on you when we were small.”
“Hey, is that why you always hid my toys?” she recalled.
“Sure, why not.” He shrugged carelessly. Glancing at his watch, he noticed the time “Well, I would love to reminisce and it looks like you had a 24 hour flu bug. This has been fun, my dear but I have to be on my way. Good luck tonight and don’t say or do anything I wouldn’t. The first impression is the most important.” He reminded her with a wagging finger.
She grabbed her stomach “I think I’m going to be sick.”
His brows furrowed worriedly “Have you eaten breakfast?”
“No, it’s not that. Just thinking about tonight makes my stomach turn. I just know I’m going to mess up.” She grumbled.
He laughed while putting on his shoes “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just be yourself.”
“I can’t, then I’ll make a definite fool of myself!” she looked at him with puppy eyes “Stevie, can you help me?”
He glanced at his watch, he was to meet a couple of friends for a barbeque “Okay.” He sighed, “Let’s start with table manners.”
“Oh, I’ve got great table manners.” She agreed.
Steve smiled “Okay, then we’ll start with politeness and eloquence.”
“I’m very polite to the elders.” She nodded wide eyed.
“Then, we’ll work on language and sitting properly.” He suggested.
“I never slouch.” She admitted.
Sighing, he tilted a head tiredly “Miss, then what do you need help with?”
“Everything!” she emphasized.
Steve turned away with a shaking head “I will never EVER understand women.” He pointed her to the couch. They worked on her manners and eloquence all afternoon. He had long ago missed his barbeque but it was worth it when he saw her emerge from her room in the cyan colored dress. She looked exquisite and her hair was curled lightly with her bangs swooped to the side.
He couldn’t help but stare, speechless. He fumbled to get the compliment out while she passed him with a smile “Thanks.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek “That’s the best compliment I’ve ever gotten.”
Steve smiled embarrassingly “You deserve it.”
Suddenly, she began bouncing in place and shaking her hands and head “Okay, relax Jayd relax. It’s just dinner. If you blow it…well, there’s no way back.” She motivated herself.
He laughed and stopped her at the shoulders “You’ll be perfect. Don’t worry.” He watched her walk towards the door and decided to send her off with a positive note “Go get ‘em, tiger!”
She spun around slowly “Are you sure you’re not…” she flung a wrist at him.
Steve’s smile disappeared “No!”
Jayd raised her hands in defense “It was just a question. Hey, lock up when you’re done.” He looked around and it occurred to him he was not home. She laughed and waved to him “Night.”
“Good luck.” He whispered before the door closed.
***************
A limo sat waiting for Jayd to arrive as the driver politely opened the door for her “Miss Lee.” He greeted.
She nodded and got in the car. It was beautifully decorated with tiny lights around the edges and a television ready to be used. She peeked out the window and found Steve looking down at her from her apartment. Eventhough he could not see her, he waved with a smile. It made her smile to see the sight.
The ride felt extra long as she felt the butterflies returning for the final battle with her stomach. She took in deep breaths like Steve told her to do when she felt her nerves taking over. When the car stopped, the butterflies turned to birds and her heart could not stop pumping. She wondered if her hand was clammy when the driver lent her a helping hand. Her mind began to wander as she wiped it against her dress and approached the door. Before she knocked, it opened and appeared Andrew “Hi.” She sighed with relief.
He saw her from the front gate video camera “Right on time.” He pulled her in lightly by the arm “You look good.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
“Sorry, I didn’t call you back yesterday. We had a long meeting and I couldn’t get out.” That was his reason, always a reason. But she took it every time, his work was the most important thing in his life. She admired that much about him.
“It’s okay. I guessed you were.” She said understandingly.
“What did you do all day?” he fixed the hair that was out of place “Wasn’t your mom at the temple all weekend?”
Jayd nodded, she was lost in the affectionate touch “I didn’t do much. Just some shopping.” She felt it was unnecessary to mention Steve “Oh and I ran into Lisa.” She suddenly remembered to warn him.
“Don’t worry, I took care of her. She won’t be coming tonight.” He smiled.
“You didn’t hire a hitman did you?” she asked wide eyed.
Of course she was joking, but he wasn’t amused “Don’t do that. My father is not a humorous man.” He warned.
Jayd felt ten points slipping “Sorry.” She muttered.
“And speak up, he doesn’t like people that mumble. He finds it very rude.” He didn’t noticed her look of disappointment when he turned to see his father coming down the stairs “Father.”
She turned and found a distinguished man and very handsome for his age. His hair slicked back and the grays appearing at the temples. He had an aura that oozed power and prestige as he looked at her in the eye with no emotion “Mr. Fung.” She greeted with a nod.
“Call me Uncle.” He finally smiled “Andrew has told me many good things about you.”
Jayd glanced briefly at Andrew and back at the man “I’m sure he was being very generous. He talks about you a lot too.”
“Good things, I hope.” He lifted a brow at his son and laughed heartily. Andrew joined in with the laugh and Jayd was ready to but she remembered Steve’s wise words of warning not to appear unlady-like “Come, dinner will be served.”
Mr. Fung took the head seat while Andrew and Jayd sat opposite from each other. She looked down at the forks, spoons and knife. A sigh of relief erupted inside as she realized it was the same piece she and Steve worked on earlier that day. It was still fresh on her mind. When soup was served, she picked up the spoon and began sipping it lightly, careful not to make any noise. She looked up as Andrew’s father smiled at her “Its really good.” She nodded convincingly eventhough she truthfully thought the flavor was strange. She noticed Andrew looking at her strangely.
“Our cook makes the best turtle soup.” Mr. Fung advised as he continued only to stop when Jayd began to choke and cough uncontrollably “Is something wrong?”
She knew her eyes were watering and face was probably beet red. She covered her mouth with the mahogany colored napkin “No. I think I drank too fast.” She covered.
The man smiled “I admire a girl that is open about special delicacies. Andrew finds turtle soup a bit disturbing.” He nodded while his son stared at his girlfriend with curiosity.
She was speechless and decided not to comment. Instead she nodded her head politely and waited for the salad. When it came, she picked up the fork and began skimming through the leaves. Andrew noticed as he quickly tapped her foot under the table while he distracted his father “Did you know Jayd is one of top architects in our company, father?”
“Really? What have you designed?” he asked with interest.
Jayd finished chewing as she nodded “I helped a little with the new apartment building in Sa Tin.”
“She’s being modest, it was practically her idea.” Andrew added.
“Impressive.” Mr. Fung smiled proudly. “How do you feel about lamb chops for dinner?”
“It sounds wonderful.” She complimented eventhough she and Andrew knew she could not eat the meat.