Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
He turned over and ruffled his eyebrows while his mirrored sunglasses flickered against the sun “That we are dating.”
Amy laughed “I know that, silly! I mean anything that would offend anyone?”
Philip thought hard as he shook his head “It would be more difficult if I had a manager, but I don’t. I mean you’re practically personal manager and assistant in one. It’s all in you.”
“Good.” She nodded as they pulled up to the station where the crowd was easily seen from blocks away “Oh dear God…” she muttered.
“Sit back and don’t look at anyone.” He warned as he pushed on his button for the hard top to cover their heads, he knew the fans would easily jump inside. Philip drove leisurely into the gates with about ten security guards getting control of the crowd and pushing them aside so Philip can drive through.
Amy could not block out the cries and questions as a few people got loose and began banging on their windows. She felt the urge to turn over but Philip took a hold of her hand making her turn to him. He shook his head and she looked down at her hands to keep herself from wanting to look up. They pulled up in the back parking lot and got out of the car. One of the studio’s managers came out to greet them. “Philip, glad you made it. Come on, everyone’s waiting in the press conference room.”
Philip nodded “We’ll be right there. I want a word with my assistant first.” The man nodded as he gave them privacy. Amy turned to him with questioning eyes “I have to warn you because you are involved in this, it will be tough. Liz or any of my other assistants have never been put in this kind of situation. They’ve covered my butts and made excuses for me, but this is different. We had a hundred pairs of eyes watching us last night. They’re will be about 100 different stories about what happened. You don’t have to do this.”
She smiled “I know. But I want to. Like you said, I was involved. Just jump in to save me when you think I might need help.”
“I don’t think you’ll need help.” Philip said proudly “You’ve grown stronger since that first day on the job. Do you remember?”
Amy nodded recalling the situation loud and clear “Yeah, I was so nervous. But no one’s gonna pick on me again. Or you for that matter.” She said with much confidence.
“Just from what you just said, I can put my whole career in your hands.” He laughed when she widened her eyes. He took her hand and linked it through his own arm “Come on. And don’t pull away.” He pointed at her with his free hand.
She nodded “Yes, sir. But why do we have to look like a couple?” she was curious to know why he was always so affectionate.
“Because that’s my personality. I’m known for my westernized chivalry, I’m always a gentleman to every girl that is by my side, despite of who she is. If we walk next to each other looking like strangers, the rumors will be flying.” He threw his hands up with emphasis.
“I see.” Amy finally understood. No wonder people stared more when she pulled away from him during the party. It was a little detail but when she thought about it made sense. Even before she got to know Philip on a personal level instead of just ‘movie star’, she noticed that every magazine pictures showed him with different girls on his arm. But they all looked platonic from the way they stood next to him. She began to learn how to separate the difference between couple and friends with Philip.
They walked into the room with flashes blinding them. Amy blinked to keep her eyes from blinding from the bright flashes. She did not back away or hid from the reporters that threw questions her way. Philip led the way to the front of the room where there were seats laid out for them. He pulled a seat next to the middle chair for Amy, she smiled shortly thanking him silently and he sat down next to her. “Please, one question at a time.” The manager that greeted them earlier said into the microphone. “You may start.” He nodded to Philip who then turned to Amy with a smile.
She let out a short sigh and leaned into the microphone “I’m sure all of you have the same questions. I want to do this as orderly as possible. I’ll start from the front row, yes?” she pointed to a gentleman dressed in a casual top and jeans.
“I heard from a very good source that you two are dating and John Wong was also interested in you, that’s how that fight started.” He had his recorder ready as it pointed to Amy.
She smiled at the young guy “First of all, your source is not that good. Philip and I are not dating. Johnny and I are just good friends as well, as a matter of fact he is dating Liz Lam, who was Philip’s old personal assistant. Secondly, there was no fight.” Amy did not elaborate further as she pointed to another girl in the front row. “Yes, miss.”
The girl stood up from her seat “What was the fight…I mean quarrel about?”
“It was all a misunderstanding. Just a joke between two friends, nothing to be concerned about.” Amy insisted “Johnny and Philip goes far back as friends as well as acquaintances. It was simply a joke that had got out of hand. Whatever you heard is not true.” She said firmly. Turning to the second row, she chose another reporter. “You there in the yellow t-shirt.”
“Thanks.” The guy smiled politely “This is pertaining to the party last night, Miss Joanne Chung was there correct?” Amy nodded without speaking up “Only a few people know this but my sources told me that Mr. Cheung use to date Miss Chung?”
“Your sources are more reliable than that gentleman in the front row.” Amy joked and everyone laughed comfortably. She didn’t notice the impressed look that Philip was giving her. “What is your point?”
“There is also a rumor that you and Miss Chung had quite an argument and she had left in tears from some horrible stuff you said to her, is that true?” he spoke into the recorder and then faced it towards her.
Amy laughed with her head shaking as she sighed “Where are you getting your stories? But I guess that’s the entertainment business world for you, everything is exaggerated and much bigger than it should be. Miss Chung and I did not have an argument. We simply did not get off on the right foot. And no, I did not make her cry, she simply left due to some truth that was said during the frenzy between Philip and Johnny.” She turned to Philip and found him smiling at her. She carried herself so well, the girl he was looking at was no longer the shy and quiet girl he met only four months ago.
“So you admit you hate Miss Chung.” The guy was twisting her words and Philip turned to him with a glare in his eyes.
Amy turned over and saw Philip looking upset and she quickly answered “Before I answer your question. Let me ask you. Look at the person next to you. Do you hate him?”
“Why should I?” the guy asked. “I don’t even know him.”
“Exactly, my point.” She smiled and Philip relaxed in his seat “I’ve never met Miss Chung before, how could I hate her? Our personalities did not click but no, I do not HATE her.” Amy pointed to a girl on the third row “Yes?”
“Do you think there is a chance for love between you and Philip?” her question was interesting as it caused a stir throughout the crowd.
“That I cannot answer you because I don’t think Philip wants to get involved with his assistant. But as for a chance?” she turned to him for help and he responded.
Philip gave the girl a quick wink “There’s always a chance for everything. But Amy is just a good friend right now. Maybe if you asked in a month or two, the answer will be different.”
Amy smiled understandingly. She knew he had to say it to keep his star quality more interesting to people if they knew that there was a chance for rumors. She turned to the crowd “Trust me, if we were an item, you all would be the first to know. I don’t believe in hiding true feelings.” She pointed to a person raising their hand in the back row “Yes, sir?”
“Is it true that Mr. Cheung’s new album will be out in a month? And is there any collaborating with another artist? He has yet to do a duet as of today.”
“Yes, it is due to release next month, we are not firm on the date. Collaborating? Yes, but he has not found the right partner. We will hold auditions in a week to find a good voice to compliment Philip’s warm tones.” Amy nodded as she spoke.
“Why doesn’t he invite a current singer like Kelly Chan or Sammi Cheng?” the man continued with the question.
Amy paused as she thought of how to answer the question “Because Mr. Cheung would like to help a hidden talent with her first step to stardom. Whether it be her 15 minutes of fame or not, he hopes that the undiscovered talent in Hong Kong be known to the public.”
“What does Mr. Cheung have to say?” everyone nodded in unison waiting for him to comment.
Philip leaned forward “I have to give Amy all the credit, it was her idea to hold this audition. We will post this up on the bulletin board in the front of the station and I want to encourage any girl that thinks she has a talent in singing to come and audition. She will get to collaborate the featured song with me and she will star in the music video with me too.”
“I expect that you will have a big crowd next week.” One of the reporters commented.
“I sure hope so.” Philip laughed as he nodded. “Well, our time is limited and I have more work to do. Thank you for coming and for all your questions. I hope to see you all this Sunday at the premiere of my movie.” It was their cue to exit; with the help of the security guards, everyone was escorted out in a mannerly fashion.
Amy turned to him with a grin “How was I?” she asked excitedly.
“You were awful and not to mention nervous.” He shook his head in disappointment.
She tilted her head “Is that why you kept looking at me like a proud father?”
“Amy, you were great! Don’t listen to him.” Liz’s familiar voice interrupted their conversation.
Amy turned to her friend and let out a little squeal as the girls hugged like they were long lost sisters. “When did you come back?!” she asked with surprise.
“You can thank Philip. He flew me in this morning to surprise Johnny. He doesn’t know I’m here.” She whispered.
“Sneaky.” Amy wagged her finger at Philip who was grinning like a monkey.
He sighed “I know. You probably wonder what a gorgeous guy like myself can be so sly.”
“No, I was wondering what an egotistical guy like yourself can have the brains to think of something so sweet to do for your friend.” She quipped it twice as fast as his answer.
Liz stood aside clapping her hands happily “She’s learning!” she gave Philip a quick nudge “Sooner or later, you’re going to have to call her master of quips.”
“Either that or fire her.” Philip snickered. “Ready to surprise someone?” he asked Liz, who nodded eagerly. She linked her arms with his while he turned to Amy and reached for her hand. He pulled her closer as the two girls walked together in linked arms with the big super star.
They crept up into the studio and found Johnny working diligently on the songs. He had his hand covering his left side face to keep the distraction away. Philip opened the door “Hey.” He greeted Johnny. His friend did not look up as he grumbled a ‘hi’. Philip turned to the girls and waved to them to come inside.
“Where’s Amy?” Johnny asked without looking up “I need a muse.”
“Sure.” Philip replied as he waved for Liz to come over. He whispered something in her ear and she smiled as she placed her hand over Johnny’s eyes.
“Very funny, Amy.” Johnny said “Like I don’t know it’s you.”
“How would you know it’s NOT me?” Amy spoke up behind Liz.
Johnny put up his hand and covered Liz’s hand “Because Philip’s hand is big and rough, yours is soft and small.” He felt a ring on one of the fingers “I didn’t know you wore a ring, Amy?”
“I don’t wear jewelry.” Amy said a matter of factly.
Johnny broke away from Liz’s hand as he looked up, his face obviously shocked “Liz??”
She giggled hysterically “You’re so cute!” she pinched his cheek roughly before hugging him tightly.
Amy nodded “Oh, is that where he gets that cheek pinching thing from.” She finally understood.
Johnny smiled as he looked at the other two standing there “Thanks Philip.”
“Anytime.” He smiled happily at his friend, glad to know he did something great for another person.
“Let’s leave them alone.” Amy whispered and Philip nodded in agreement “We’ll be right back.” Amy said but it seemed the newly reunited couple were already lost in their own little world.