Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That weekend at the Chiu’s mansion, there was chaos as everyone got ready for Bonnie’s birthday party. All except for the master of ceremony “Darren!” Mia belted out his name for the hundredth time “DARREN!!!”
He sat there peacefully in his large living room and casually turned on the volume to drown out her voice. She groaned tiredly as she gave up trying to drag out ten chairs at the same time. Marching over to him, she blocked his view. He turned up to her with calm raised brows. Waving a hand aside, he asked “Excuse you.”
“Darren Chiu Hung Kit!!” she yelled on the top of her lungs. The maids froze in their place, she had never called him by his entire name before.
He smiled crookedly “Yes, my dear?”
“She’s your daughter too.” Mia pointed out with hands at her hips.
“On the contrary, you remember what you said this morning when I tried to move that wooden table out to the patio?” he asked sweetly.
Mia scratched her head in confusion “No, not really. But then I don’t even remember what I ate this morning.”
Darren rolled his eyes “You told me that I was holding the table incorrectly and if I couldn’t do it right, maybe I should sit down and let you do the work.” He raised his arms matter-of-factly “Wah-lah.”
Her expression cringed as she sunk into the seat next to him “I’m sorry…I was frustrated and I wanted everything to be perfect before the guest arrives and I…I didn’t mean to yell at you.” She lowered her head and dug it into his chest adoringly making him laugh.
“Okay, okay…I’ll help. But no more yelling.” He warned.
She smiled “Okay! Now, let’s move those chairs!” she exclaimed brightly.
“Mommy!” Bonnie cried from the stair top “Can I wear my pink dress?” she held up the wrinkled dress.
“No, I said sky blue!” Mia scolded.
“But I want to wear my pink dress!” the girl argued.
She was about to disagree when the doorbell rang. Mia draped her forehead with her palm “No more kids…no more.” She muttered to herself as she got the door.
Devin appeared at the door with a huge pink ribbon wrapped box “Am I early?” he saw the disheveled Mia.
“Thank God!” Mia sighed “You have to do me a favor.” She pulled him inside and took the box from his hand. She tossed it on the couch airily and cupped her mouth “Bonnie!!!”
The little girl had changed into her pink dress and was looking excited when she caught sight of Devin. Running down the steps, she jumped into his open arms “Don’t you look adorable.” Devin gushed.
“Thank you. Mommy would not let me wear this dress.” Bonnie tattle-tailed.
Devin arched a brow at Mia “Well, your mommy never had a knack for what looked cute.” His comment earned an evil eye look “Bonnie, how about I take you out for ice cream?”
“Yipee!!” she bounced excitedly in his arms.
Mia let out a sigh of relief “You’re a life saver.”
“I know.” Devin grinned smugly as he exited the home giving them more time to set up. They sat in the ice cream parlor sharing a chocolate/vanilla sundae. He had too much on his mind as he yapped on and on “…I mean, she smiled when I said it. Does that mean something? Is it possible that she’s suppressing her true feelings for me? What if she never admits her true feelings? Should I make the first move?” he turned to Bonnie, whose mouth was caked with cream and chocolate. She was trying unsuccessfully to lick the circle around her mouth but only made it thicker.
“I like chocolate.” Bonnie found a few seconds to comment.
He smiled at the innocence of her youth “I’ll get more after you finish that.” He leaned back in his chair and sighed “How pathetic am I. Asking a five year old for love advice. You’ve really hit rock bottom.”
“Did you get me a pony?” Bonnie asked.
He laughed “You still remember?”
“Of course.” She giggled “Mommy’s face turn red and daddy thought it was funny.”
Devin tapped his chin playfully “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. Bonnie will have to wait and open your gift first.”
**************
Erin glanced at her Uncle in the passenger seat, he looked like he had aged ten years overnight. She tried not to pry but it was impossible “Uncle Chuck—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish as he cut her off “Don’t ask.”
“I’m worried.” She said earnestly.
“I know.” He said shortly.
She couldn’t help but attempt another try “Maybe I can help.” He shook his head “Or it will be better to talk it out? Secrets are not good for the soul.” She urged.
Chuck managed to smile “Nice try.”
He was saved by the cell phone ringing in her bag. Erin reached for it at her feet. She pulled out the flip phone and answered “Hey you.”
“Erin.” Daniel greeted “I found what you were looking for.”
“Did you?” she glanced at Chuck at the corner of her eyes.
“Are you busy right now?” he asked with a sense of urgency.
Erin smiled “Calm down Mia, I’ll go pick it up.” She despised the fact that she had to lie to her Uncle but it was for his own good “Chung Wah market right? Okay, I’ll drop off Uncle Chuck and run to the market okay? Bye.” She quickly hung up and put away the phone.
“I can go with you.” Chuck offered.
She shook her head “No, you look tired. I don’t want to drag you around with me. Just go inside and rest until the party starts.” She put the car in park and waited for Chuck to get out. He was dragging his feet as he knocked on the door. A maid opened the door. Erin felt easier as she saw him entering the home safely. Speeding off the driveway she hurried to the market. She parked in the street and rushed to the open market.
She stood in the center of the market in clear view of the street. Erin felt a breath of hot air on her neck “Boo.” She turned at the odd voice and backed away as she was face to face with him. Ah Gam smiled “Miss me?” he was taunting her.
“Erin!” Daniel saw her from a distance as he called for her.
She spun around and then back at Ah Gam but he had disappeared suddenly. Her eyes searched but the market was drenched with people “Daniel.” She greeted.
He noticed her face was pale “What’s wrong? Why do you look so scared?” he asked worriedly.
Erin shook her head “Nothing. I have to get back to Mia’s place. What did you find out?”
“You won’t believe it.” He said.
*****************
The four stood at the door as they waited for someone to get the door “Maybe it’s not here?” Doug asked as he pinned his ear to the door.
Jenna pulled out her invitation “No, it says Chiu Mansion.” She pointed out.
Suddenly the door swung open and Doug almost toppled over “Good, you guys are here.” Mia said breathlessly, forcing a bowl of salad into Doug’s arm she instructed “Salad, mix it. Jenna and Ryan, you guys are in charge of the barbeque. Jessie, you are guest, you can sit and wait until food is ready.”
The four laughed “That’s good.” Doug nodded “You almost got me.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?!” Mia pointed to her messy hair “Get your ass inside!” she barked.
Ryan and Jenna exchanged glances “I’ll get the tongs.” Ryan said.
“I’ll get the meat.” Jenna slid past the explosive Mia and rushed to the kitchen.
Her sharp eyes moved towards Doug’s “I’m going.” He raised the salad in his hand.
In the large backyard, rows of tables were set together and printed blue tablecloths were spread out on the tables making the festive day even brighter. Matt and Reina were busy setting the tables “Sorry guys, Mia’s a tad wound up.” Darren apologized.
“Maybe you should have her checked out.” Reina nodded “She just told me to put the fork on the left and the knives and spoons on the right. That’s the correct setting too.”
Matt shook his head with a laugh “The day I see Mia go crazy…well, I didn’t think it would come this soon.”
“I hear laughing. And laughing means no work is getting done.” Mia zipped past them with another four fold up chairs. She moved over to the barbeque to see if it was being done.
“We’re cooking, mam!” Ryan saluted making Jenna burst into giggles.
“Ha ha.” Mia rolled her eyes “And where is that Erin? I told her to come early!”
Jenna frowned “Erin left early to pick up Chuck. She should have been here by now.”
Mia’s eyes brightened “Maybe she’s out with Devin? Maybe he found the balls to tell her that she should be with him and only him. Maybe they realized in the freezer before they almost died that they loved each other?”
Ryan began rolling the barbeque away “Psst…help me with this.” He hissed at Jenna.
She laughed “Mia, I think that’s going a little too far with the imagination. If they are meant to be together, they will get together in the end.”
“How profound of you.” Mia replied wryly “Get to work! The chicken doesn’t cook itself you know.” She pointed.
“Wow, I think I grew one goosebump.” Ryan pointed to his arm.
Her eyes narrowed as she pinched her thumb and forefinger together “This close to joining Doug on my black list.”
When Mia left, Jenna turned to Ryan “Mia has a black list?”
“Where the hell is Luke and Carmen?!!” Mia cried suddenly startling everyone.
Luke and Carmen appeared at the patio door in time to hear her explosion. Luke looked around oddly “Oh crap, looks like we got the wrong house. Sorry folks.” He waved and pulled Carmen away.
“Not so fast!” Mia chased them towards the door.
“Okay, you tie her and I’ll gag her.” Matt said to Reina with a short laugh.