Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
“Ready?” Darren held tightly to his briefcase as he raised his brows at Linda.
She was busy typing up a letter on her computer “No, you can go first boss. I want to finish this for you.”
He peeked over her shoulder “Linda, I don’t need that until tomorrow evening. I know you’re ahead of yourself but this is ridiculous.” He loved that she was a workaholic but it only made him feel bad for taking advantage of that.
She protested when he tried to pull her away from the keyboard “I’m almost done. Just two more paragraphs.” She insisted.
Darren knew the girl would not leave unless he did something about it “Well, fine. Why don’t you make me two copies of this file? I need it early tomorrow.”
“Sure.” She moved away willingly and rushed to the copy room while Darren saved her work and logged her off the computer.
When she returned, her computer screen was blank “I’m not sure what happened? It just crashed. But don’t worry, I saved your work.” He laughed when her eyes narrowed suspiciously “Now come on. It’s not safe for a girl to be working so late every night.”
Linda allowed him to pry the files and copies from her hand as he tossed her bag into her hands and pushed her on the back towards the elevator “I have mace.” She said wide eyes when the elevator door closed.
“Yeah? So? Psycho killers are not afraid of a little mace. If you ask me, you should carry one of those shockers.” Darren said earnestly “I won’t be here every night to walk you out.”
She smiled “Mia is so lucky.”
He snickered a laugh “Tell that to her. She’s always complaining about how I’m never there when she needs me.” He held the door open for Linda to walk out first. The night air was growing cooler as he snugly tightened his cashmere black scarf. He looked around for his driver “Ai, taking a smoke break again.” Shaking his head in disapproval.
“I can walk home, it’s not that far.” Linda suggested as she shivered under her thin pant suit.
“And catch pneumonia? Look at you, you’re freezing.” He drooped his briefcase and took off the scarf to tie it around her neck “That’s the weakest part of your body.” He finished it with a little knot.
“Thanks.” She replied shyly. Lowering her head, so he couldn’t see her blushing. She didn’t notice the man walking towards her with a little pocket knife at the tip of his fingers.
If not for the street lamp, Darren would not notice the flickering light that blinded him. Turning to the direction, he saw the guy’s eyes viciously on Linda “Watch out!” he pulled her to the side seconds before the guy gave a good stab. It slit Darren’s jacket as he whipped his hand away before it could get deeper “That’s an expensive suit!” he yanked off the gray coat and fought with the attacker, who wasn’t ready to run as he took another shot at Linda. She yelped before Darren broke in and threw a kick at the guy’s pocketknife. It flew to the edge of the curb and they both made a dash for it. He stopped the guy’s arm reaching for the knife and swiftly used the edge of his shoes and popped it in the air. He caught the knife easily with one hand and pointed the weapon at the guy “Who sent you?” he dared.
“I don’t know.” The guy backed away, his eyes clearly on the weapon.
Darren stepped closer “How about we take a trip to Police station?”
His eyes popped open as he heard footsteps behind. Turning, he pulled at the pedestrian and pushed the girl into Darren. He caught her but the guy got away “Darren!” Linda rushed over to his side “Are you okay?”
He sighed “Yeah.” Turning to the teenager, he asked “Are you okay? Weren’t you paying attention?”
The girl looked frightened as she adjusted her earphones “No…I didn’t…”
He felt bad for snapping at her “It’s okay. Pay attention, you could get hurt.” She nodded vigorously and continued on her way.
“Why was he trying to kill me?” Linda asked “I didn’t make any enemies…” she thought to herself.
“I don’t think he was trying to kill you.” He put on his jacket and waved to his limo when it turned a corner. Opening the door, he let her climb in first. He got in and pushed the intercom to talk to the driver “Ah Biu, what took you so long?”
“Sorry Sir, there was an accident down the street and they blocked the entry so I had to find another way here.” He answered.
“I see.” Darren turned to Linda, his brows ruffled “Planned.”
Linda was curious “How do you know?”
“Too much of a coincidence.” His agent brain kicked in “He only wanted to hurt you. If he wanted to kill you, he would have brought a bigger knife or maybe run you over in a car.”
“Why me?” she asked “I don’t even have friends let alone enemies.”
Darren shook his head “I don’t think it has to do with you.”
After he walked her to her apartment, he made a call to Erin. She asked him to come over. When he got there, Luke opened the door wide enough for the chain “Who’s there?” he asked, one eye peeking through the crack of the door.
“What’s the matter with you?” Darren laughed.
Luke sighed “Darren.” He opened the door and let him in “There’s a killer on the lose and he’s aiming for good looking men. You have nothing to worry about but my life is in danger!”
Erin appeared at the top of the stairs “Don’t listen to him Darren. He’s just being paranoid. I think we might have a little problem on our hands.”
He stared as she walked down in the silky turquoise blue gown. It ended at the knees and her silver shoes gave the perfect touch of elegance “Wow, you didn’t have to dress up for me.” Darren joked.
She laughed “This old thing? I don’t know why I even bought it.” She waved him to the couch “So what happened?”
“Linda was the target.” He said shortly.
“You’re secretary?” Luke asked as he joined them.
Nodding, Darren asked “Where did it happened to you?”
“TV station. The guy tricked me and led me to an empty room to finish me off. If Carmen wasn’t there, I’d be meeting my brother for the first time.” Luke said solemnly.
Erin snapped her head at him “Don’t talk like that!” calming her voice, she spoke to Darren “Where do you think this is coming from?”
“I was hoping you had an answer.” Darren smiled as he pointed to her dress “Going out?”
“With Daniel.” Luke hissed.
“Don’t be nosy.” Erin shook her head at him, her curls moving back and forth from her shoulders “It’s just a dinner party with the Police Department.”
“I had no idea you moved on so fast.” Darren smiled crookedly “So, what does the Commander have that our dearest Devin couldn’t give you?”
“Darren…” she warned.
He laughed while raising his hands “Okay, okay, I won’t tease you. But you know rumors will fly.” He nodded at Luke, who had picked up the phone and began dialing.
She grabbed it out of his hand as he dropped in jaw in shock “Promise me you will not leak this out!” she pointed to his face.
“I’m not Mia.” He spat harshly.
“No, you’re worse.” Erin moved her finger closer “Promise.”
Rolling his eyes, he grumbled “I promise.”
“On your brother’s grave.” She added.
He gaped at her in surprise “Erin! I couldn’t do that!” raising her brows, he knew she meant business “Fine, I promise on Brad’s grave! There, are you happy?!”
Darren laughed with a shaking head “Mia was so wrong.”
Erin was confused “What?”
“She was so sure that you two would grow some mutual attraction and fall madly in love.” Darren continued laughing.
Luke winced with disgust “Ew…that would be like incest!”
She was insulted “Hey, you had a crush on me at the beginning. Admit it.”
“Oh look at that. It’s bedtime. Have fun tonight and call if you’re not coming home so I can leave on the alarm.” Luke rushed out of the living room before she continued.
Erin adjusted her watch and bracelet. Daniel should be arriving soon “Are you serious about this?” Darren asked worriedly.
She shrugged “What is there to think about? Just a dinner party.”
“You know what I mean.” He pushed.
Erin turned her eyes up, facial expression unreadable “I’ve given up on men.” Getting up, she fetched her coat in the bottom floor closet.
“So you’re a les?” he asked.
She laughed “No. I just don’t want a relationship. I only want to live life at the moment. Go with the flow."
“So you think going out with Daniel will improve your life?” he shook his head “I had no idea Erin Yeung was so naïve?”
She smiled “I know that you are worried about me. But trust me, I’m fine. Daniel and I are just friends. He knows that and I told him I’m not looking for a commitment or relationship. We are just two friends enjoying each other’s company.”
“Sounds good.” He turned to the door when the bell rang.
“Meeting tomorrow, we’ll talk about it then.” Erin winked as she got to the door and let her date in.
“Wow, you look great.” Daniel gushed. He glanced over at Darren “Hey, you’re here?” he greeted awkwardly.
“Just visiting.” Darren nodded politely “Have fun and bring her back by midnight.”
"Sure." He laughed “Ready?” he smiled at Erin as she nodded.
“I’ll lock up.” Darren read her mind as she smiled, thanking him internally.