Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
In the busy streets of Hong Kong, it was hard to travel around let alone find a parking space. A young girl in her early twenties stood out from the rest. While people looked like they were in a rush, she was walking slowly down the street. Her eyes dazed with a far away look as she looked up blankly at the people bumping pass her. She touched her stomach lightly wondering if she should tell her boyfriend Jason about their baby. Being a nurse herself, she should have guessed when she missed her monthly menstrual cycle two times.
She kept walking as her face turned solemn, debating of whether to tell him or not. She played the image of his excited expression in her head over and over. Of course that was what she wanted him to react to the news. Yet, deep in her heart, she knew it would be different from what she imagined.
Taking a deep breath in as she snapped her head up and walked a block to his office. He was one of the top lawyers in the firm and he was well respected. His co-workers were mainly single guys that loved to go out. Sometimes he missed the single life but the moment he thought of Liz, a smile would cross his face and he knew he would not switch his life for anything.
Jason sat back in his leather recliner chair as he rubbed his eyes. He had just won his hundreth case of the year. He was use to the sound of the secretaries gushing over his winning. Lately he had came to realized how much he loved that sound. The girls in the office were much disappointed to know how serious he was in his three year relationship with Liz. They guessed that he would soon propose but what they didn’t know was that he had no intention of doing that for another three years. He was at his peak of his career, marriage would only ruin it for he had no time to give to his family.
Suddenly a knock on his office door brought him back to reality. “Mr. Cheung, can I come in?” Nancy, his secretary asked politely as she cracked the door slightly, giving him some privacy.
A broad smile crossed his face as he sat up “Nancy, cut that out. You know you don’t have to call me by my surname. I would much prefer Jason.”
Nancy opened the door completely with her own wide grin. “I was trying to be polite.” She trotted over to his desk “Guess who’s here?” she whispered as she leaned down on his table with her elbow.
“Um…The president?” Jason played along with her game. He was quite fond of her as well as Liz. Nancy was their best friend, she was also the matchmaker that got them together in the first place.
She rolled her eyes at his response “Come on, if it was the President, don’t you think I would be at my work station?”
He threw his head back with a laugh “Okay okay, I give up…you know I’m not good at guessing games.”
Nancy stood up with her hands on her hips “You’re no fun!” she sighed “Who is the person that has every girl, except for me, in this office drooling with envy?”
This time Jason sat up straight on his chair, finally she had caught his interest “I don’t know?” he said thoughtfully.
“If your life depended on it, you would still not know who it is huh?” she said with pure sarcasm.
He shrugged lightly, not really interested in her game just in the person that she seemed to making a big deal out of “Come on Nancy, we don’t have all day.”
“Or all week, cause it’ll take you that long to guess!” she quipped. “Here’s the last clue; the love of your life.” She pointed a finger at him before he could answer “Don’t you dare get it wrong!”
He laughed as he nodded finally “I know who it is…but I’m a little curious…”
Nancy wrinkled her forehead “Why?”
Jason had a small smile on his face “I didn’t know books can walk.”
She tilted her head with exaggeration “You’re telling me the love of your life are books? Jason Cheung, you really got some nerve…”
He laughed as he put up his hands in surrender “Okay, you know I was just kidding. Bring her in.” he said in his professional tone.
Nancy smiled “That’s more like it.” She spun around and rushed out to bring her friend in.
Liz didn’t know how long she was waiting but the anticipation was driving her nuts. She didn’t understand why she received some strange looks around the office, but mostly from the secretaries. When Nancy came rushing down the hall, she was relieved to see her friend. “Is he busy? I’ll come back later…” Liz said softly, not wanting to disturb anyone.
“He’s never busy for you!” She gushed at her friend loudly. Liz had a feeling it wasn’t for her to hear. “Come on.” She linked her arm through Liz’s and led her down the hall.
It was the first time Liz ever came to his office in three years. She knew he liked to keep his personal life out of work. But the news she wanted to tell him was too serious to say it over the phone. He had a strange habit of only seeing her during the weekends. She knew he worked overtime at the office during the week, therefore he had no time for her at nights. She was use to it but lately he had been dropping by more often at her apartment because he simply wanted to see her. It gave her a whole different feeling of love for her boyfriend, she was happy to see him and frankly she always thought their two day a week dates were not enough.
When the girls reached Jason’s office, Nancy smiled at the two as she closed the door to give them some privacy. The first thing that Liz noticed about his office was how big it was. The shelves of books laid against the wall behind is leather chair. The window view of his office was incredible. Her eyes were lost in the city life outside for she didn’t noticed that he stood up and was standing in front of her. “So what brings you here?” he gave her a warm hug as she eagerly accepted it.
He was about to pull away when he noticed her hug had tightened. Smiling as he gripped her tighter with his arms. Lately he has been wanting to see her more, it was a strange feeling that he had. Definitely different from any other hugs that she gave him. This was warmer and he had a sinking feeling that there were some news she needed to tell him. “I wish we could stay like this forever.” She whispered into his neck.
He nodded but didn’t answer as he softly pulled her away “What is it, Liz?” he said almost cautiously.
Liz was taken aback by his quick perception of her words. Her eyes wandered away as she began to debate whether she should tell him. Suddenly she had a feeling that she shouldn’t have came. “I….I just wanted to see you.”
Jason pulled her face up with his finger on her chin “Don’t lie to me Liz, you’ve never been good at it. Come on tell me.” he coaxed as he took her hands and pulled her to his leather couch located on the opposite side of the office.
When they sat down, she decided that she did not want to tell him yet. Thinking fast as she knew he would be able to tell that she was lying so she did her best to diverge the attention away from herself. “Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that…I have a baby shower to go to this weekend. It’s in Maccow, that means I have to take the boat to the island. I won’t be able to see you this whole weekend.”
His first reaction was disappointment because he had such a hard week at work and he was looking forward to seeing her in the weekend. “Oh.” Was all he said.
“I don’t have to go…” she noticed the disappointing look on his face.
Like the weather, his face changed into a broad smile as he shook his head “No no, you should go.” He tapped her hand affectionately “Is that all?”
She nodded “I didn’t mean to bother you at work…it’s just that it was a last minute thing and I didn’t want to tell you over the phone…” she began her explanation, hoping that he won’t be upset because she always promised that she would not come to his work if the news was not important.
Jason shook his head “Don’t be silly. You can come here anytime.” His words caught her by surprise as she looked up suddenly, her eyes big and questioning. His face froze as he caught what he was saying “I mean, unless it’s important. Plus it’s nice seeing a pretty face once in a while.” He stroked her face sweetly as she blushed and turned away.
“What about the other girls in the office? I saw quite a few prettier ones.” She tested to see his reaction.
Unfortunately he hid them carefully “Really? I never noticed.” He looked away slightly and glanced at his watch. “Hey, it’s lunch time, how about I take a pretty lady out to lunch?”
Liz smiled openly “Sure, which lucky girl out there should I tell?”
She giggled at the expression on his face as he pinched her nose teasingly “You, silly girl!” he wrapped his arms around her protectively as he led her outside. He finally introduced Liz to the secretaries as well as his co-lawyer friends. They were as nice as can be except for some of the secretaries that looked her up and down. Was it envy that Liz saw in their eyes? She didn’t have time to think because he was already leading to the elevator.
“You’re not taking Nancy along?” Liz asked when they got in the elevator.
“I take her out almost everyday. She’ll understand.” He said nonchalantly.
Liz smiled “She’s a sweetheart.” She said without thinking.
Jason leaned into his girlfriend with a smile “So are you.” She shook her head slightly and his smile faded “I’m serious Liz.”
Her eyes locked with Jason as she realized he wasn’t teasing “Thank you.” It was strange, their relationship. They were not as affectionate and they were too polite with each other. Nancy often said it was because of his profession that made him speak with such manners. While Liz was a bit more affectionate with him, yet lately he was even more affectionate with her.
They had a nice lunch together, it was more relaxing then their dinners together. He often chose high class restaurants while Liz preferred the more quiet lower end ones. This time, he let her chose the restaurant and she chose a cute little Japanese restaurant. He had eaten sushi four times that week with different clients but he didn’t mention it to Liz since she wanted to go there.
After lunch, he offered to take her home “Need a ride home?”
Liz shook her head “No, I’m fine. I can walk, it’s not that far from here.”
“Liz, it’s like a mile from your apartment!” he argued. “No, I’m taking you home.” He said firmly.
She laughed as she shook her head. There was no arguing with him. He was determined “Fine, just drop me at the front.”
He shook his head firmly “I’m walking you upstairs and making sure you get into your home safe and sound. I don’t want to hear any if’s and’s or but’s okay?”
She nodded with an adoring expression on her face. Where did this sudden act of chivalry come from? He was being sweeter to her and not to mention his affectionate acts earlier in the office. A sudden fear crossed her mind as she began to wonder if he wanted to break up with her that’s why he was being so nice. She had a habit of analyzing every situation and she knew it wasn’t healthy but she couldn’t help it. What surprised her was that Jason seemed to notice that habit of hers “What are you thinking of? Or should I say what are you worrying about? You can tell me anything, Liz.” He said as he walked her to the apartment door.
She fumbled for the keys as she answered lightly “Oh nothing, just what I should buy for my friend.”
“Is she having a girl or boy?” he asked with not much feeling.
“I don’t know. Does it matter? What would you prefer as a first child?” she asked almost too casually but she wanted to know what he thought.
He shrugged as she opened the door and he walked in “I guess I would pick a daughter if I could. I just think little girls are easier to raise. Plus they won’t be as bad as boys growing up…at least my daughter won’t.”
His answer gave her chills up her spine. Maybe he was ready to be a father? She thought, but then decided not to tell him. “I see. Well, honey you should be getting back to work now.”
Jason glanced at his watch “Yeah. Okay, I’ll see you next week. Do you need a ride to the harbor?” he gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
“No, Nancy is coming with me.” She said quickly. She gave herself a reminder to call her friend after Jason leaves and tell her the news.
“Okay. You girls be careful then.” He was about to walk out the door but then stopped as he spun around and hugged her softly. “Bye.”
He surprised her by hugging her as she was lost for words. She mumbled a quick goodbye before calling Nancy.