| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“So…just you and your brother live together?” Olivia’s father started the conversation.
“Yes, our dad passed away when we were little.” Matt answered.
“How about your mother?”
“Sorry but can we not talk about her?” Matt felt offended every time when someone mentioned about her.
Olivia’s father shifted to another topic, “So Olivia says you work at the supermarket. What do you do?”
“Many things…it’s a small supermarket…I work at the warehouse, sort and move things to the racks, stick labels…” Matt counted.
“What do you do at leisure time?” He continued.
Leisure time? Matt almost bursted out a bitter chuckle, “…hm…nothing really. I work part-time jobs also, like piling newspapers at the stand.”
“Olivia says you didn’t finish secondary school. You dropped out, right?” Her father looked at him.
Matt was speechless. He never told Olivia the true reason, so of course her father would not know either. He did not care. He did not want to explain too much for himself.
Her father suddenly asked, “Matt, have you ever thought of going back to school? Or at least do some night time courses…those continue education for adults?”
Matt did not know what he was trying to say.
“It’s always good to do more studying.” Her father said, “It’ll help with your career advancement.”
“I’m afraid not at this point.” Matt said frankly. His focus at this point in life was to make a living for himself and Danny. He had no spare time. If he had that time and effort, he would rather go find another part time job to make a bit of extra money.
Her father slightly frowned.
“I’m sorry uncle, but what exactly are you trying to say to me?” Matt asked frankly. He could feel the unpleasant attitude from Olivia’s father towards him.
“What I mean is…hm…Olivia is in university and we have high expectations on her. We love our children and have high expectations on them. Like our eldest son…Olivia’s brother Jonathan…he’s now doing his Masters Degree in London and at the same time working as trainee in a big engineering company. We won’t push Olivia too hard but she always does well in school, and we hope when she graduates she can find a good job. We hope the same for her other half.” Her father looked at Matt.
Matt dropped down his head. He knew what her father was getting at. Olivia already told Matt about her family…everyone was successful: dad is a businessman, mom is a magazine editor, bro studies aboard, and even old grandma was a school principal before retirement. Olivia is doing well in university and without surprises, she will be as successful as others in her family.
Matt felt inferior in front of them. No wonder her father looked down on him.
“No mistaken me. I don’t object Olivia to be friend with you.” Her father made it clear, “But if you are serious with her, I hope you can consider about her. As a father, I love my daughter and I want her to live well when she grows up…as well as we have provided her at home.”
“I understand.” Matt bit his lips.
“Dinner’s ready!” Olivia’s mom called as the maid carried out some dishes.
Olivia’s father walked away to the dining room.
“Woohoo. Smells good!” Olivia ran out and hooked Matt’s arm. She noticed his face, “Anything wrong?”
Matt shook his head.
“What was dad chatting with you about?” Olivia guessed.
Matt still shook his head, “Nothing.”
“Ahem.”
Matt did not want to bad-mouth on her father, “Seriously…nothing.”
“Alright if you don’t want to tell me.” Olivia said, “Dad can get overwhelming sometimes. Maybe he’s used to throw that attitude at his staff in his company. But he loves us. He’s a good dad.”
“Of course I understand. I’m sure everything he does is for your good.” Matt said sincerely.
Danny came out with puppy Waffle following behind.
“Waffle, go have your own dinner.” Olivia settled the puppy.
Matt pointed, “Danny, you just played with doggie so…”
“Gotta wash my hands before dinner.” Danny smiled and raised his arm, for answering the question smartly.
“Matty will go with you. You don’t mess up Olive’s nice washroom, huh?” Matt was cautious.
Afterwards, they all sat down at the dining table.
“Is grandma coming back for dinner?” Olivia asked.
“Yes. She told us to start dinner first and she’ll be back soon.” Olivia’s mom smiled, “She knows this is the first time you’re bringing a boyfriend home for dinner. Of course she’ll rush back. She can’t wait to meet Matt.”
At this time, the door opened. An elderly lady walked in. She looked fit and in good-shape.
“Hi hi!” She greeted.
“Grandma!” Olivia happily ran over and held her arm.
“Sorry for running late. So your little boyfriend is here? Wow let me go say hi to him…”
Olivia introduced, “Grandma, this is…”
“Mrs. Yip???” Matt stood up with big surprise.
“Matthew Tong?” She was very surprised too.
Mrs. Yip, the kind principal at St. Peter’s School!
“…you…are Olivia’s boyfriend?” Mrs. Yip covered her mouth, “Oh my goodness…what a coincidence! Wow I couldn’t imagine that!”
“Mrs. Yip!” Danny saw the principal. He excitingly jumped over.
“Oh Danny! Haven’t seen you for a while! How are you doing?” Mrs. Yip lovingly patted his head.
“…hehe…” Danny grasped Mrs. Yip’s arm and bounced.
“Mom, you knew Matt and Danny?” Olivia’s mother asked her mother-in-law.
“They were my students at St. Peter’s School!” Mrs. Yip chuckled softly, “I can’t believe it. Meant to be. Meant to be.”
Matt and Olivia looked at each other and found it amazing too.
“Now…why all standing here? Food is cooling down.” Mrs. Yip led, and everyone else followed and sat down at the dining table. She seemed to be the head and most respectful in the family.
“Matt and Danny…help yourself.” Olivia’s mother caringly waved.
Matt scooped some meat and vegetables into Danny’s bowl. He quietly dropped down his head and ate.
Danny looked at the dish of fried chicken but was hesitant to move his chopsticks. Before they came today, Matty lectured him to behave and have good manner with Olive’s family.
“Danny do you like the fried chicken?” Olivia’s mother noticed and scooped one piece into this bowl, “Try one!”
“Thank you auntie.” Danny said.
Old Mrs. Yip smiled fondly at him, “Danny’s always a good boy.”
Olivia’s father was quiet at the dinning table.
“Why so quiet?” Old Mrs. Yip looked at her son.
“…nothing.” He mumbled.
She seemed to know what was in his mind, “Matt and Danny are both very good boys. I’m happy for my granddaughter to be friends with them.” She said in a firm tone.
“Yes…sure…mom.” The tough businessman softened up in front of his respectful mother, the authoritative ex-principal.
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Matt and Olivia sent Danny home, and then they went to a dessert place nearby to spend sometime together.
Olivia peeked at Matt a few times.
“I know I’m good looking.” Matt giggled, “But you should keep your eyes on your red bean soup instead. Otherwise you’ll get them into your nose.”
Olivia reached over and grasped his hand, “Matt.”
“Hm?”
“You said you won’t lie to me.” Olivia looked at him.
“What.” Matt did not understand.
“Everyone has his own past and you have your own reason to keep them to yourself. I’m not trying to dig it up from you.” Olivia said, “But I want to know, because I care about you.”
Matt bit his lips.
Olivia continued, “After dinner, when you were helping out with cutting out fruits in the kitchen, grandma and I casually chatted. I was so surprised when she mentioned about you winning the math competition for your school. You didn’t drop school because you didn’t make it. Grandma is surprised that I didn’t know about it. I only know you and Danny are orphans…that’s all. I asked grandma but she didn’t want to say more. She said it’s up to you whether you want to tell me or not.”
“I didn’t tell you much, because it’s all in the past. Nothing matters now.” Matt shrugged his shoulder.
“Did you ever tell Ivy?” Olivia suddenly asked.
“…why bringing her up.” Matt whispered.
“You’ve told her.” Olivia curled her lips, “Then you gotta tell me also. Tell me more and in details than you did to her.”
Matt sighed, “Alright…if you want to know. I will tell you everything. When Danny and I were 5 years old, our mother…”
============================
Olivia listened to the whole story and was stunned on how much Matt and Danny had suffered.
“Now you know it all.” Matt said as they strolled down the quiet street late at night.
“Why you never told me about this?” Olivia’s eyes turned teary for their rough life.
“Ivy knew it all, but look at happen to us at the end.” Matt puffed out and looked up to the sky, “I was scared the same would happen to you and me too. I’d rather keep everything to myself. To tell you or not…it doesn’t help with our relationship anyway, if not making it worst. Ivy thought Danny was the one who created all the problems and ruined my life…she doesn’t like him at all. I don’t want you feel the same.”
“I won’t. Danny’s my buddy and I like him a lot.” Olivia nodded.
“I don’t want you to feel pity on us either.” Matt said.
“You’re the toughest guy I’ve ever met.” Olivia gazed at him, “I will only feel proud of you.”
“Thanks Olivia. Thanks.” Matt wrapped Olivia tightly in his hug. He was deeply touched, “I’m blessed to find a girlfriend like you.”
**************************
“You mean asking Danny to do some volunteering work at the senior home?” Matt opened his eyes widely.
“Yeah. Grandma says they have a Christmas party coming up and need some help. I thought it would be a great idea to ask Danny to join.” Olivia suggested.
Matt frowned, “Danny might not like it.”
“Just give it a try!” Olivia persuaded, “Grandma’s been volunteering there for a couple years. She says the staff and the seniors there are very nice. I’m sure they’d love to have the party with Danny. And Danny can do something meaningful for this holiday season too!”
“Are you sure?” Matt was paranoid, “What type of work will they ask Danny to do? Can he handle it? What if he can’t…or too slow…people might scold him.”
Olivia comforted, “Promise that won’t happen. And I’ll be there to take care of him. Alright if you’re so concerned, why don’t you come along too? You can give us a hand also!”
Matt thought, “I’ll go home and ask Danny. If he wants to go…ok…I’ll tag along.”
***************************
At the senior home, the staff and volunteers had been busy the whole morning setting up for the annual Christmas party. It will start later this afternoon in a few hours.
Matt helped preparing the lucky draw ballots while keeping an eye over Danny over at the other side of the room.
“Done! Wow thanks Danny for wrapping the gifts with me! Look how beautiful they are!” A staff praised, “You did a great job!”
Danny smiled shyly, “Thank you.” The boy sure got talent in craftwork.
“Danny!” Olivia waved, “Are you done over there? Could you come help us with the balloons?”
Danny walked over.
“Danny can take a seat here.” Another volunteer stood up, “Excuse me for a second. I have to go call the bakery to make sure they’ll deliver the cookies and tarts here on time.”
Olivia smiled and patted the chair next to her. Danny sat down.
“…hm…” Olivia thought, “Danny why don’t you help to pump some balloons? Then I will tie them up.”
Danny picked up the bag of un-inflated balloons and fiddled.
“Let me show you.” Olivia patiently demonstrated, “You take a balloon, put it…like this to the bump...and step on it…keep bumping until it inflates.”
“Step step step…then balloon grows big.” Danny repeated and tried on the bump.
“Yup…good…keep going!” Olivia saw he was doing fine, so she turned around and tied her balloons.
POP!!!
“AH!!!” Danny instantly covered his ears. He looked confused and scared.
“Oops…Danny made it too big and blew up!” Olivia giggled at the busted balloon.
Matt did not find it funny though. He ran over and checked on Danny, “Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself?”
Danny shivered and shook his head.
“It’s ok. It’s ok.” Matt patted him, “Alright forget about the balloons. Go play with something else.”
“Come on Matt. The balloon popped. No big deal. It happens all the times.” Olivia waved casually, “Danny let’s make another one.”
“No Danny.” Matt tried to drag Danny away.
Olivia turned a bit frustrated, “Matt, this is such a small thing. Danny won’t really get hurt or something. I find you self-contradict sometimes. You always say you want Danny to learn but at the same time you refuse to let him try. You’re too protective of him.” She turned to Danny, “Danny, be good and try to pump another balloon again. You can do it.”
Danny looked at the bag of balloons and hesitated.
Matt still insisted, “See? Danny got scared. He doesn’t want to do it anymore.”
“Danny you must try it again!” Olivia did not back off.