Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Jessie was in her office busy filing folders into her drawers of clients’ most personal information. She didn’t hear the door opening quietly. Slowly, she stood up to collect more files on her desk when a pair of arms slipped around her waist from the back “Hi honey, I’m home.” Doug cooed while giving her a kiss on the neck.
She smiled recognizing his voice “Hi Jason, what took you so long?”
“What?!” Doug stepped around to face her and a slow mischievous smile appeared on her face.
“Serves you right! Did you think I would wait around for you?” she crossed her arms.
“You almost gave me a heart attack!” he whined while hugging her “I missed you.”
Jessie smiled “I do too.”
He pulled away suddenly “I want to hear you say it.”
“I miss you too.” She laughed with a shaking head “So, does this mean your work is done?”
He broke away from the embrace and sighed “No. I’m not sure how long it will be.” Jessie didn’t bother hiding her disappointment “I would love to tell you but for your safety, I can’t reveal anything.” He took a seat on her couch.
“I know better than to ask.” Jessie said understandingly “I just want you to stay safe and come back with all your body parts.”
Doug smiled with a tilted head “I think you’ve gotten cuter since the last time I saw you.”
“You and your sweet words.” She joined him on the couch “Promise me you’ll be safe.”
“I will.” He vowed, “I’ll come back in one piece. No ifs, ands or buts about it.” She grinned with approval as he sat up and hugged her with both arms around her waist “Whatever you see, whatever you hear…don’t believe it.” He warned.
Jessie turned her head up “You mean…”
“You’re a smart girl, I know you’ll figure it out.” He kissed her on the forehead “I have to go. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back and see you again.”
She nodded with a small smile “I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.” She said, a double meaning.
“Bye.” He hated to leave her but Ah Kiu was expecting him back. He was supposed to pick up the medicine and leave but he couldn’t help but drop by to see Jessie. He lingered at the door staring at her with puppy eyes as she waved him away. Pouting, he closed the door. Unexpectedly, he opened the door and walked over to her and planted a kiss on her lips “One for the road.” He winked and left her with a smile.
When he returned to the house, he found Ah Kiu in her room, Ah Chung and the boys downstairs planning for the meeting that night “Ah Kiu!” he cried when she was climbing on a stepper to get a box from the closet.
She slipped and cried out but fell into his arms “Doug!” she gasped.
“What are you doing? The doctor said to rest not climb into closets.” He scolded “What did you want?” he placed her on the ground and took the stepper.
“That box.” She pointed.
He got it for her with ease “What is it?”
“Just some stuff that Ah Gor left behind. I found it when I first moved back in but I didn’t have time to look through it.” She held onto the box and brought it over to the bed “Did you get the medicine?”
He nodded and pulled it from his leather jacket “The nurse said you have to take it at any sign of a cough. But it can’t exceed three times a day.”
She smiled “Thanks. I know one of the guys could have gotten it but I feel much better if you got it for me.” Her hands covering the lid of the box, she made no attempt to open it.
“Do you want me to leave?” he noticed that she was hesitant.
Ah Kiu shook her head as he hands slid away “No, I just don’t want to look at it right now. So, did you run into any trouble?” he shook his head “Ah Chung said that we’ll be expecting a few unwanted visitors tonight.” Her eyes widened “You think the Tigers will try something?”
“No, they wouldn’t have the balls to.” Doug assured her “If they do, we’ll deal with them.” He noticed she was looking at him strangely “What? Is there a booger on my face?” he wiped his nose quickly.
Shaking her head, she smiled “No. Its just Biu Chai said that you went to see a shrink after you got my medicine.”
“You had someone follow me?” he asked, sounding outraged.
Ah Kiu shook her head innocently “No, of course not. I told him to see what took you so long. I was worried and thought maybe the Tigers tried to…” she couldn’t finish the sentence “I’m sorry.”
Doug laughed it off lightly, masking his suspicion “I scared you?”
She smiled weakly “You were kidding?”
“Of course. I would never yell at you…again.” He added with a laugh. She smiled “You need rest until tonight. Take your medicine and nap. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to leave.”
Ah Kiu had a request “Can you stay until I fall asleep? I have been having nightmares for the past few days.”
“Sure.” He agreed and tucked her in before moving the box.
“Just put that under the bed.” She advised and he did as she asked.
*************
Erin came home that afternoon to a pleasant surprise. She found Luke in the kitchen talking to some familiar guests. She peeked her head through and smiled “Shouldn’t you be working?” she tapped her watch.
“Erin.” Chuck called sympathetically as he got up and walked her to a chair as if she was too fragile to walk on her own “You don’t have to hide your hurt feelings. Luke told us everything. Men like that don’t deserve to have you cry over.”
She turned her sharp eyes at Luke “Oh! Did you hear that? I’ll get the phone!!” he volunteered, trying to get away.
Erin moved fast as she snapped up and blocked his way “Sit.” He instantly took the closest seat, which was on top of Chuck’s legs. The former trainer pushed Luke off roughly while Eve shook her head with a laugh “What did I tell you about being nosy?”
“Your honor! I don’t remember!” he cried in answer.
“Maybe you aren’t scared enough?” she threatened with a hand sawing at the neck.
He gulped “But I didn’t mean to. Chuck! It was him, he dragged it out of me.” He pleaded.
Chuck laughed “Yeah, right. I walked through the door and you blurted it all out before I even asked where Erin was.” He turned to his niece “He was just concerned about you.”
“Or out to ruin me.” Erin sat down but continued to glare at him “Anyways, I’m okay. Erin Yeung will never cry over a man again.”
“Then why did I hear sniffles—” Luke stopped when she threw him an evil eye. Lowering his head, he kept his mouth shut.
Eve reached out and took Erin’s hand “Sweetie, it’s okay to hurt. Men do stupid stuff sometimes. It’s never good to lie to the one you love. He should have known better.”
“Depends on what mistake.” Chuck added in favor of the men.
“I’m okay.” Erin insisted “I’ll be okay. I’m fine with being an old maid. Men are just not cut out for me.” She said casually “Anyways, I’m going to bury myself in the missions.”
Luke raised his hand “Permission to talk.”
“Granted.” Erin nodded while Chuck looked at them strangely.
“That reminds me. Jenna called earlier. She was really weird about the call. I didn’t know it was her until she called me doofus.” Luke advised “She said something about Hung Hing’s big meeting tonight.”
“Yeah, I was going through a file in the office this morning, I think I saw something about a new head? And we’ve got under covers in the triads?” Chuck asked.
Eve smiled “If you guys want to talk business, I’ll leave you alone.” Nodding to Luke, she was prepared to leave.
Erin shook her head “It’s okay Aunt Eve, we’re family. I can trust you two won’t spill any beans. You can listen.” She turned to Chuck “Right now, we got Jenna and Doug in Hung Hing. Ah Kiu is going to be announced tonight as the new heir to Hung Hing.”
“Ah Kiu?” Eve asked.
“Yeah, she’s the sister of Hung Gor, that huge mastermind behind all the assassinations. I told you about that months ago.” Chuck nodded. Returning his attention to Erin, he continued “What’s the real plan?”
“Protect Ah Kiu and lead her in the right direction to disperse the gang. Hopefully, that will calm the other rival gangs. They’re going to be after her pretty soon.” Erin anticipated “We’re bringing Ryan into the Tigers to keep track of their movement.”
Luke’s sigh caught their attention “I miss my roomies.”
“I know but we have more important work to do.” Erin smiled “Anyways, you can rummage through Doug’s clothes. I know you were eying his blue sweater.”
“Yes and it should be worn!” Luke hopped from his seat and ran towards the stairs.
Chuck was still curious “So, is she pretty?”
Erin frowned “I don’t know. I’ve never met Ah Kiu.”
“No, I was talking about the OTHER woman.” He hinted obviously.
Sighing, Erin rolled her eyes “I’m not talking anymore.” Chuck pouted, making her laugh “Aunt Eve, you should be worried. Uncle Chuck has many eyes.” Eve nodded without answer “Look what you did!” she scolded her Uncle.
“I’m not angry.” Eve smiled “Men are all the same. Mine is not any different.”
“You’re not off those depressants yet?” he asked with concern.
Erin looked at her Aunt “You’re taking medication? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head “I’m not sure. Lately, I’ve been feeling very emotional. Chuck insisted that I see Jessie and after a session she prescribed me with anti-depressants. Apparently my blood pressure is very high.”
“Could you be pregnant?” Erin offered “I heard from Mia when she was pregnant with Bonnie, she was snapping at Darren every second of the day. Like she was never satisfied.”
“Poor guy.” Chuck shook his head while Erin laughed.
“I am a week late.” Eve noticed “I’ll check up tomorrow.”