Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Early that morning, Mia and Darren were to be sent home to rest while Erin and Brad took over their shift. When the two got there, they found Mia and Darren dead asleep on the couch. Erin crossed her arms “They wouldn’t wake up if the house burned down.”
Brad smiled as he walked over and shook the two “FIRE!”
She waved her hand up unexpectedly hitting Darren on the face, Erin stifled a giggle while Mia took a hold of his face “I’m sorry, honey…did I hit you?”
He rubbed his face painfully “It’s okay…as long as I get some love.” He pouted while leaning on her shoulder.
“Hey, hey…take that home.” Erin warned.
The two tired souls laughed as they exited the home. Michael stood at the stairs smiling at them, he wore a gray suit that made him look tall “Good morning.” He greeted Erin and Brad “Are you ready?”
The two nodded in response as they rode with Michael in his limo. When they reached the office floors, they were greeted by a group of policemen. His face turned pale when he realized something was wrong with his suite “Are you Michael Wu?” they asked.
Michael nodded solemnly “What’s the problem officer?”
“Four janitors were murdered last night.” The policeman advised “We would like to ask you some questions.” He nodded blankly while following the policemen.
Erin and Brad turned to each other “Matt should hear about this.” Erin whispered.
Brad nodded “We’ll wait for Mia and Darren to be well rested first. Call a meeting tonight.” His eyes moved into the packed suite and his eyes met with Nora, who looked like a scared kitten.
She jumped from her seat and raced over to Brad. Her arms flew around his waist while she sobbed “It was horrible, Brad…blood everywhere…oh my God…I saw my life flash before my eyes!”
Erin rolled her eyes as she looked up at Brad who looked confused and didn’t know what to do “I’ll leave you two alone.” She said dryly.
He didn’t get a chance to stop her as Nora tightened her grip on his waist “I was so scared…I thought I’d never get to see you again.” She looked up at him adoringly.
Brad took a hold of her arms as he pulled her away at arms length “Nora, get a hold of yourself. You’re safe now. Were you the one that discovered the bodies?”
She nodded with wide eyes “I thought I’d come in early and help Michael set up the conference room, but then I saw this trail of blood and it led from one person to the next.” She squeezed out the tears while covering her stammering lips.
Erin watched from a distance looking disgusted, Julie was also silent sitting next to Erin “If you feel uncomfortable, you should tell him.” She said wisely. Erin turned to the girl with an odd expression “Relationships are built on trust, not on lies.”
“It’s not a lie if I don’t say anything.” Erin said wisely with a smile.
Julie leaned on her elbows “It is if you are going against what your heart says.”
“Good point.” Erin turned to the girl and suddenly, her smile faded. Her eyes caught on her dangling necklace “That’s very pretty.” She pointed out.
Julie touched the cross “Really? I got it at this jewelry shop in the States. It was really cheap, so I bought it.”
Erin’s brows flickered “Thrift shop?”
She shook her head “No, why do you ask?”
“Nothing, just thought I could get the same one if it was sold in a thrift shop.” Erin explained shortly.
After the questioning was finished, the police quickly cleaned out the bodies and the office building owner hired cleaners to take out the bloody carpets. Michael sat back in his leather chair looking drained instead of the vibrant face earlier that morning “They’re going to play me until I die.”
Erin smiled “At least you’ve got us to share the boat.”
“But don’t you see that they’re trying to get to me?” Michael asked “The letter, the ghastly figure outside my backyard and now the four dead janitors that work on my floor.”
Brad frowned “How did you know about the figure?” then he thought of the answer “Did you talk to Mia?”
He nodded with a short smile “Don’t be mad at her. I came down for a drink in the middle of the night and thought I should keep her company since Darren was nodding off. She might have spilled a bean or two.”
“I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a ghost.” Erin said confidently.
Michael nodded “For a minute, I tried to convince myself that Julie had come back to talk to me. But now that I think about it…it sounds absurd.” He shook his head with a laugh “I’m so pathetic!”
“It’s not your fault…if Reina is behind this, she knows exactly how to mess with your mind. She’s playing your weakest part, your heart.” Erin pointed out.
Brad agreed “Erin’s right. Reina is a lot smarter than we all think. But for some reason, I think this Chris Wong guy is in on it with her.”
“Same here…” Erin faded her thoughts away when Nora came knocking on the door.
“Michael, I’m not feeling good…can I go home?” Nora asked weakly.
Her boss smiled warmly with a nod of the head “Yes, of course you can.”
“Thank you.” She said sincerely before almost fainting on Brad.
He quickly got up and wrapped an arm around her shoulder “Are you okay, Nora?” he asked with genuine concern. She nodded with a small smile “Let me take you home.” He offered, but then turned to Erin who didn’t bother to look up at him.
Michael looked at the two obvious having a tension moment “How about I get my driver to take Nora home?” he offered.
Erin smiled at him thankfully while Nora refused “Oh no…I couldn’t ask you to do that, Michael. Brad can take me home.”
Brad nodded to Michael “I’ll be back.” He looked at Erin but again she did not look up. When the two were out of the office Erin sat back in her seat and let out a sigh.
“Why do you put yourself in so much pain?” Michael asked “Relationships are built on trust not lies.”
Her eyes snapped up “Strange, that’s what Julie said.”
He frowned “How did you know? I never told you what Julie and I use to talk about.”
Erin smiled “I meant your secretary, Julie.”
“She said that?” he asked in wonder.
She immediately caught his wondering eyes “It’s a logical thing for anyone to think. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Michael nodded “I guess your right. But it’s really strange, Erin. She has been on my mind since I got back from the States.”
“I think you need closure from Julie’s death. Let me talk to Ted and see if he can find any death records of her.” Erin offered.
When Brad returned 30 minutes later, Michael was in a meeting with his managers. Erin suggested that they patrolled around the building to make sure nothing was going on. They walked around the first time, not spotting anything unusual. By the third round, Erin was in her own little world. She didn’t notice that Brad had stopped behind the building “Erin!” he called for the fifth time.
Erin turned around blankly “What is it?” she asked.
“What’s wrong? You seem out of it.” He asked with his palm on her forehead “Are you feeling okay?”
She shook her head “I’m fine, did you find something?”
He nodded “Maybe. Look at this.” He picked up a dagger, with intricate designs on it. It looked to be ancient.
Erin remembered his love for ancient artifacts “Is it from the 1800th century?” she joked.
Brad shook his head “It’s Egyptian.”
She frowned “Are you sure?”
“Are you doubting my expertise?” he smiled.
She tilted her head “If only you were more experienced with women’s feelings.” She teased.
He took out a cloth that he carried around and wrapped up the dagger “Is that a hint I’m suppose to take?” he stood up and so did Erin.
“Mia would be proud, you’re finally taking hints.” Erin continued further behind the building.
“Is this about Nora?” he asked. Erin abruptly stopped in her steps and Brad jogged over to her “I take it that’s a yes.” She didn’t want to admit it as she lowered her head. He let out a sigh and spun her around with his hands “Erin, please talk to me. I want to know what’s going on in that little mind of yours. If it wasn’t for all of Mia’s hints and sarcasm, I would never know you were uncomfortable with Nora.”
She shook her head “That nosy little…” she sighed when Brad lifted her chin with his finger “Okay…fine, you want to hear it? I don’t like her, I never did, since the moment she walked back into your life, I knew I would not like her. I’m not the kind of person to talk behind someone’s back and I still refuse to. If she is your friend, I will respect that, but it doesn’t mean I have to like her.”
Brad nodded “Nora told me you would say that.”
Erin looked up with angry eyes “She did? Of course, you believe her…” she turned her head away sarcastically “You would take everyone else’s word for it before mine?”
His smile appeared and grew as Erin got more upset “Erin, listen to yourself. You’re assuming things so fast. I didn’t even finish.” She looked flustered at the same time crossing her arms “Yes, Nora said that you don’t like her. But she also said that you threatened her.” Erin’s eyes snapped upward and he laughed “I didn’t believe her.” He assured her.
“Really?” Erin asked reluctantly.
“I know you better than that.” Brad said with confidence “Erin doesn’t threaten…Mia does. I could only guess what she said to Nora.”
“She means well.” Erin said standing up for her friend.
Brad smiled “I know Mia’s harmless, she’s all talk. But Nora…she’s a whole different world.”
“Is that good?” Erin asked cautiously.
“I’m not sure.” His brows knitted together “She is a spoiled girl, she wants what she can’t have. While we were dating, she wouldn’t give me the time of day. But after we broke up, she realized years later that she wants me back? Call me crazy, but that’s a long wake up call.”
Erin smiled as she reached up and stroked his hair “That book Mia got you really works huh?” she teased.
Brad rolled his eyes up to the sky “Whatever, I didn’t even read it. I got this all on my own.” He rested an arm around her shoulder as they continued down patrolling the building.