Fan Fiction |
by Mimosa
Carmen watched the old receptionist with interest. The old woman looked so out of place. Since Carmen set foot in Peng Chau this afternoon, everyone she met had been quite cheerful… This receptionist, however, wore such an austere air around her, reminding Carmen strongly of a librarian.
The room was small, but elegantly furnished with Victorian pieces. Carmen’s lips curved up in a content smile. This was just perfect for her. Carmen placed her suitcase onto the luggage rack, and went to check out the view from the window. Her room was on the second floor, overlooking a narrow brick walkway. She had wanted to rent an ocean-view room, but they were all booked for the summer. Well, Carmen was sure if she wanted to enjoy the sea, all she needed to do was walking down five blocks. Not bad!
Carmen was glad she would manage to arrive here on Friday. That would give her the whole weekend to go around the town before reporting to work on Monday. Carmen took a quick shower, and then locked her door and walked out of the tiny inn. The wind carries ocean spell, filling her lung, urging her to quicken her step toward the beach.
She found a great spot. Sitting there on the top of the tiny rock ridge, Carmen cast her eyes over the million of tiny waves from a distance, beyond the white sand… Sunrays danced on top of them, making the whole scene mesmerizing. Carmen had seen such a magical thing, once!
It seemed like yesterday… Carmen felt a twist inside her chest…
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“Done?” he appeared from nowhere to place his arms around her waist
“I wish!” she winked, twisting her nose… “Still have another one at 7:30”
“7:30?” he exclaimed, “Then you will not be done until 10:30? This exam takes at least 3 hours!”
“Don’t I know that?” She rolled her eyes. He looked at her for a moment. She tilted her head back just in time to see some flickering in his eyes. That meant only one thing. He was up to no good. She struggled out of his arms “What are you having in your mind just now?”
“You will know soon” He reached for her hand “Follow me!”
“But hey, hey…” she protested “my back bag.. my books… I need to do a little review, Gall…”
“Don’t worry, I know you’ll pass easily” He hollered to his friend “Hey Kevin, look after Carmen’s books and stuff, will you? We’ll be back in two hours!” They headed toward the parking lot
“Where are we going, Gallen?” Carmen asked, trying to appear nonchalant as anticipation built inside her
“Where else? The beach, of course!”
“What?” She almost jumped out of the car… “I have an exam, Gall!”
“Not to worry,” He flashed his carefree smile “We’ll be back way before seven, Sze Sze! Now sit down please, I don’t want to lose you!”
“If you don’t bring me back in time for the exam, you will lose me for sure!” Carmen threatened half-teasingly. She was nervous for the exam, yet feeling so happy that Gallen knew how she loved seeing the sea, at least once, on her birthday!
“Hey, why are we climbing up the hill? You’re not bringing me to the beach, aren’t you? You only tease me right?” She would feel the disappointment mounting in her heart…
Gallen only smiled. Then he pulled over…
“This is not the beach!” Carmen pouted
“But you said just now you don’t want to be late for your exam?” He tilted his head to look into her eyes.
“But … but… if you drive fast, then ..then…” Carmen stomped her feet, lost for words
“Girls are so unpredictable!” He sighed dramatically “Come here, Sze Sze!”
Holding her hands firmly in his, Gallen led Carmen through a thick range of tall bushes and grass. When the grass finally cleared out, Carmen stood there awestruck
For they were on top of the mountain, overseeing the whole Berkeley bay…
Million of little gold stars danced on the blue waves, mesmerizing…
“Oh my god” she breathed “This is so beautiful!”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you!” He whispered …
“Silver tongue!” She laughed, yet felt overwhelmed with joy inside…
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It was too long ago… Their second year at Berkeley it was… 4 years had passed!
And it’s been 2 years since that fateful night… Carmen! Carmen! Let bygones be bygones!
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Carmen came back to her room a little late for dinner. Well, she didn’t feel too hungry. She might get some snack tonight… Across the street is a small old-fashion shop… She would try it.
“You must be a tourist! How do you like Peng Chau, Miss?” The owner cheerfully greeted her
“Very much! It’s peaceful, yes,” Carmen looked around; she was the only one in the shop. Then her eyes got arrested by the magazine rack… “Second son of the Wong suspected for double-murder” Carmen dropped her bottle of water and picked up the magazine. Her eyes fixed on the picture under the headline… It was him!
“Do you know his mother used to live here?” the owner asked
“No, did she?” Carmen said in a daze “When did this happen?”
“Oh, Sunday I think… There was something about the old man died of heart attack on the Monday paper… Let me see if I still have any copy… Ah, here you go Miss. You’re lucky!”
Carmen interrupted the old man rather rudely
“So was it a heart-attack or a murder? Why did they say double-murder here?”
“Oh, that.. Hmm.. That must be the Wednesday paper, Miss. They found out the old man got drugged or something. It wasn’t natural, his death, they say. And then on Wednesday they found another body in the son’s car, I think..”
Carmen felt slightly dizzy. She hastily paid for the papers and walked back to the inn, eyes glued to the fine prints as she crossed the narrow street.
“Look where you’re going!” Somebody shouted across her ears…
Carmen held up her hand apologetically, as she stepped aside, yielding to the wreck of a car clanking noisily by.
Through the dirty glass of that car, Carmen thought she saw him, Gallen!
Carmen rubbed her eyes… She must be hallucinating!
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