Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Their glasses clinked together as they celebrated yet another day together “What are we thankful for today?” Reina asked Matt adoringly. The restaurant was full that night but they acted like they were the only people left, staring at each other's eyes and were completely oblivious to anything or anyone around them.
“Hmm, our lives.” Matt said thoughtfully.
“Dear, you need to come up with something new.” Reina laughed as she sipped her red wine and dug into her food.
“Is it good?” he asked when she moaned with satisfaction.
Reina nodded in response “How’s your chicken?”
“It could be better.” He smiled, loving every minute they spent which was rare with the team surrounding their every day lifestyle.
“Here.” Reina reached out and switched their plates “My steak is perfect. I’ll eat the chicken.”
It was moments like those when Matt realized she was perfect for him “Who would have thought?”
Reina cut the chicken and took a bite “What? That a once cold hearted killer would be so thoughtful enough to eat the dry chicken and give her fiancé a juicy steak?” she read his mind.
“No, who would have thought that I would ever find a girl so wonderful and that loves me enough to eat an over cooked chicken.” Matt corrected with a laugh.
“You’re just saying that because you like me.” Reina teased openly.
Her face changed and when he looked up, he instantly saw the sadness in her eyes “What’s wrong?”
She let out a sigh and placed her fork and knife down “I was just thinking about Andrew. When he passed away, I thought I would never love another man. Heck, I thought I was going to be killed by the team…but…look at me now.”
“And this just hit you right now?” Matt asked playfully.
“I’m serious.” Reina insisted, “I’m so grateful for my life. I swear if I’m to die tomorrow, I would be happy of how my life turned around.”
“Reina.” Matt reached over the table and clasped his hand over hers “I don’t want you to ever think that again. If you die, I wouldn’t want to live.”
She laughed despite the seriousness of their conversation “Don’t be silly, you’re not going to kill yourself.”
“Well you better not die on me then.” Matt said surely “I’d jump from a 30 story building. Its not a pretty sight.”
She tilted her head at him with wonder written in her eyes “You’ve thought about it?”
Matt shrugged “I guess.” Reina let out a sigh and he quickly smiled “Yes, I have. How could I not when we’re being attacked left and right? Who ever this terrorist group is, they want us dead. It’s hard not to wonder about which one of us would be next. I hope for God’s sake that it’s not anyone we know but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping it won’t be one of us…or Ryan. It’s natural to feel selfish towards your loved ones.”
“I’d do anything for you too.” Reina agreed with a content smile.
After dinner, they took a walk back to their apartment instead of taking the usual taxi. Hand in hand as they took their time along the sidewalk. Halfway down a secluded street, they turned to each other slightly, both realizing they were being followed. They quickened their steps and when the person began running, they snuck into an alley and jumped out at the person “Why are you following us?” Matt asked.
Ah Gam didn’t reply as he attacked Matt while Reina stepped aside and watched worriedly. He was vicious and she knew Matt would be in trouble if she did not help him. Jumping as she threw a punch at Ah Gam’s face, where he quickly dodged. Matt was ready to continue when Reina stopped him “What do you want?” she asked him.
“You’re man is not a bad fighter. A little too nice with the attacks but he’s not bad.” He complimented with a smile.
“Cut the crap!” Reina snapped. She knew Matt was looking at her.
“The boss wanted to give you this, you passed the test.” He pulled out an envelop from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.
Reina reached her hand out but Matt quickly stopped her “What if it’s poisoned?” he turned to the guy “I recognize you.”
“Still mad about this morning?” Ah Gam laughed, “Hey, we’re all just doing our jobs. If you want to kill anyone, kill my boss.”
Reina turned to Matt “It’s okay.” She ripped open the envelope and noticed a gracious check inside “What is this for?”
“Just a gift.” Ah Gam replied shortly “Have a nice day.” With that he turned and left.
Reina looked down at the check and instantly tore it up into pieces “Let’s go.”
Matt stood still as he turned to her “Who is he?”
“Matt…don’t…please, not right—” Reina began tiredly.
“I asked you a question.” He said firmly, standing his ground “No more lies, Reina.”
Her face flushed as she reluctantly nodded “Okay. That guy is Ah Gam, I met him years ago when we were recruited for…for an assassin group formed by an underground crime-lord called Hung Gor. This is before I met Joe and joined the team.”
“And Joe didn’t know your past?” Matt asked in shock.
“No, he knew. He just hid the files really well. No one knew about it. I burned it when I started to work with my brother Dave…that’s why Devin and yourself have no records of me. I’d figure I’d clean it all up just in case you guys tried to pin me with anything in the future.” Reina explained.
“Why did he give you a check?” Matt asked “Please, don’t tell me you are working both sides…” he pleaded with his eyes.
Reina shook her head vigorously “No. I’m not! I promise.” She persisted “He just wants me to come back to work for him.”
“How many people did you kill when you were working under this guy?” Matt was afraid of the answer but he had to know the truth.
“None. You see Hung Gor is smart, he never does the dirty work himself or allow his best men to do it. He has a group of guys that does the dirty work. The assassins are only responsible for finding the target and bringing them back. I never had to kill them, just in case the police found evidence, it would never link to us. These guys would take the blame and go to jail.” Her eyes reddened as she finally revealed her dark past, never in her mind did she think it would come up again “I thought Hung Gor was pinned years ago but I saw him at the subway during our mission…I knew he would find me eventually.” Burying her face in her hands as she cried openly.
Matt combed his fingers through his hair “I can’t believe this…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think that it would hurt the team if no one knew. I’ll quit…that’s all. It’ll make it easier on everyone, Matt.” Reina suggested.
He shook his head “No…I don’t want you to go back to jail. We’ll just stay low and if this Hung Gor tries to find you, I’ll deal with him myself.”
“But—”
“No Reina! I won’t lose you!” Matt insisted. He calmed his voice as he took her hand in his “We’re in this together whether you like it or not. We’ll fix this.” He said firmly “I promise.” Reina nodded as she fell into his embrace.
************
Erin was toweling her head after a warm shower when she passed Luke’s room, which was still open “Hey. You’re not sleeping yet?” she knocked on the door lightly.
“Oh no, I couldn’t sleep.” He looked up briefly.
“What are you looking at?” she noticed the album opened in front of him.
Luke smiled as he pointed “It’s some old photos from my brother in his college years. Carmen brought it this morning for me, she thought it would help trigger my ‘memory.’ What a silly girl.” He laughed.
Erin joined him on the bed as she turned her head to him “Luke, you need to tell her. She obviously had a crush on Brad.”
Letting out a sigh, he agreed with a nod “I know. I realized how wrong it was when she gave me the album. Look, she even dated these.” He showed her.
Looking at them only brought tears to her eyes “He looked so happy.” Erin’s fingers trailed over his smiling face. She turned the next page and found a picture of Carmen in the middle of two guys, one of which was Brad “Who’s this guy?” she pointed to the guy with the dark eyes, wide forehead and a smile that was deceiving.
Luke frowned as he looked at the picture “I don’t know. They looked like good friends.” He pointed out that Carmen’s arm was draped around the guys’ shoulders “I’ll ask her tomorrow.” Erin nodded blankly. He looked up and noticed her eyes were welled up with tears “I’m sorry, this is probably painful huh?” he closed the album quickly and hid it under his pillow.
She laughed at his action “Don’t be silly! It just brings back a few fond memories. To be honest, his image is slowly diminishing in my mind. I guess time does heal all pain.” She reached under the pillow and picked up the album with both hands “This is heavy.” She shook it causing a picture to fall off from its place.
“Oh my gosh! Where does this go? What if she finds out? She’ll know I tampered with it.” Luke began to freak out.
Erin frowned at him strangely “Just look for an open pocket.” She said logically.
“Oh…right.” He laughed goofily.
Erin looked down at the photo and flipped it around, there were words on it “Ah Gam, me and Brad…best friends 1996.”
“I guess that guy’s name is Ah Gam?” Luke guessed.
“No, I think his name is 'me'.” Erin teased with a laugh “That’s interesting. I wonder if he knows about Brad.”
Luke shrugged “Who cares.”
“Are you jealous?” Erin grinned as she pointed to his reddened face “Oh my gosh, you are! Luke Yam, that is the first time I have ever seen you blush over a girl. Maybe she is the one?”
Her teasing only made his face turn a more crimson red “Stop that! No, I’m not jealous. And you…what about you?”
“What about me?” Erin grinned.
“Devin.” He only needed to say his name “I saw the way you reacted to him and that doctor girl.”
Erin rolled her eyes “First of all, her name is Jessie, I met her months before and second I don’t care what that man does with his life. That’s the last time I’ll make any comment about him around you freaks.” Climbing off his bed as she began to leave.
“Denial is the first sign to a deepening crush.” Luke sang teasingly.
She raised her brows “Use that word again and I’ll make sure you won’t have little soldiers to pass on the Yam name.”
“I can’t say any words anymore. What does that leave me?” Luke asked heatedly.
“You just used eleven.” Erin laughed as she closed the door behind him “Night kid.”