Chapter 28
Julian Cheung - Sunny LamAs soon as Sunny returned to work, the restaurant seemed to calm down. Amy was more than happy to give him back the responsibility of taking care of the business. "I don't know how you do it." she said with admiration.
Sunny smiled "Try 20 years of practice."
Josie walked by and heard his comment "Bragger." she muttered under her breath.
"Get to work!" he barked.
She leered her eyes at him "I wish Allie was here, you're nicer and more controlled when she's around."
"She'll be home in a few days." he said casually.
Josie looked at him suspicously "How do you know?"
He laughed "I did give her two weeks. Do a little math, you'll figure it out too." he turned to Amy but pointed to Josie "See what happens when you skip school too much?"
Josie ignored the comment as she returned to work. "You guys have always been like that huh?" Amy commented.
Sunny nodded "It has to do with our childhood." he continued to tell her about their lives growing up with no parents. Learning how to cope and survive on their own, Amy listened with admiration.
"That's amazing." she gushed after he finished "No wonder you two have that type of relationship going. I always thought it was serious."
He widened his eyes "Oh, it's serious. I mean every word of it. But the only difference with us is that she does not take it to the heart, we don't get our feelings hurt."
Amy nodded finally understanding their relationship a little more. She looked up and found Nick walking towards them "Here comes the hero!" she exclaimed happily.
Nick smiled "Yes, Yes...I am the hero." he bowed at the crowd who were staring at the star, as usual. "I knew someone had to call you." he sighed at Sunny. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Josie." Amy winked at Sunny in secrecy. "I'll let you two gossip. I'll see you later at the shoot, Nick."
He nodded "Sure." after she left he turned to Sunny. "I guess she told you Josh took her to dinner last night huh?"
Sunny frowned "She went out with Josh?"
Nick's face turned serious "Isn't that what you two were talking about?" Sunny shook his head "Well, she took off half day yesterday to go to a dinner party with Josh. Actually, I was a little shock to hear that she was going out with Josh after his relationship just ended with Allie's. YOu think it could be more serious?" he wondered out loud.
Sunny nodded "I don't know. But thanks for the tip." he smiled "Let's keep it between us." he gave Nick a little wink.
"Sure." Nick promised.
*******************
After a couple of days Allie returned to a restaurant full of people that missed her. She walked into work with Josie practically attacking her. "Oh my gosh, you have no idea how happy I am to see you!!!" she squeezed the life out of Allie.
She laughed at her exaggerating friend "Somehow I believe that you miss me."
Josie pulled away and nodded with her widened eyes "It was horrible without you. Sunny was extra mean to me..." she whispered while giving Sunny the evil eye.
Allie smiled as she stroked her friend's hair "I'm sure he wasn't that bad." she gave Sunny a secretive wink.
Throughout the rest of the day, Allie and Sunny tried hard not to make it obvious that they were connecting somehow. Eventually, they came up with a way to communicate instead of talking. He would silently slip her notes about what he was thinking. The last note he gave her was around closing time 'Meet me at the drink shop. You know where...' She smiled as she slipped the note away and continued with the cleaning up part.
After work, they met at a local drink shop where they dropped by once. She gave him a quick hug as they sat down "So, what's up?" she got to the point.
He smiled "See how scary it gets? You can read my mind now. How did you know I wanted to tell you something?"
Allie shrugged "Just a hunch."
"Anyways, it's about Josie. I think she's secretly dating Josh." he said as he studied her features, she did not seem bothered by it.
"Really? But she did not tell you?" she guessed. He nodded "I'm sure they are worried that I might be uncomfortable."
"I was thinking the same thing too." Sunny agreed.
"Maybe we should just tell them so they can continue openly." Allie was open minded about it and she was naturally happy for her friend and Josh.
"I was thinking that too. But..." he smiled slyly "How about we have a little fun with them? Since she lied openly to me that night she came home from a date with Josh. I don't like it when she lies." he said darkly.
Allie laughed with her head shaking "You two won't ever stop huh?" he shook his head firmly "But it would be fun to see how far this joke will go until she confesses."
He nodded "My thought exactly. Now, what can we do to make it harder for her?..." he tapped his finger on his chin thinking of an evil plan.
"I just think she would have a heart attack if you told her you were in love with her...but that's a cruel plan." Allie shook off the idea.
Sunny's eyes brightened with a special gleam "That's perfect, Allie!" she shook her head while he nodded "No, I love the idea."
Allie continued to shake her head "Sunny, that is a cruel thing to do." she insisted.
"Cruel? You know the stories of how she use to mess with me. She put shaving cream inside my favorite slippers when I was ten. Making my mom spank me because she thought I did it as a joke. The same girl that poured water on my bed when I was sleeping and made it seem like I had peed in my sleep!!" he cried.
"Oh, come on, kids can be cruel." Allie brushed it off, but inside she was dying laughing.
Sunny raised an eyebrow "I was 17."
Allie could not hold it in as she bursted out into giggles. She eventually ended up wiping her tears away "I'm sorry, sweetie...it's just so funny. That's Josie for you."
He nodded "Yeah, but it was always her that played the joke on me, now it's my turn. I'm not going to be kind with it either. And you, my dear are going to help me." he pointed to her cute face.
She laughed "What am I going to do?"
"Play along. Convince her that I am in love with her...You're good with words. Remember how you rejected me with every excuse in the book?" she rolled her eyes at him "Use that magic."
Allie nodded, he wasn't going to let her give in that easily "Fine. But just to warn you, I'm a horrible liar." the two smiled as they began their scheming.
***********
That night, Sunny could not help but start the scheme. He showed up at Josie's apartment faking to be drunk. He stumbled into her arms and laughed deleriously "Josie..." he sang her name happily.
"Sunny? What's the matter? Are you drunk?" Josie asked with genuine concern. She's never seen her friend so drunk.
"Why is it always me???" he whined.
She waved her hand in front of her nose, his breath stunk like alchohol. "What did you have to drink? A skunk?"
He smiled deleriously at her while leaning on her shoulder "I like you....in fact, I love you!" he said brightly.
Josie tried to push his head away "Yeah yeah..I love you too...like a brother!" she said firmly.
He shook his head with the daze smile on his face "No...no brother...I don't want to be your brother."
Josie looked at him strangely, she knew that people tend to be more honest when they are drunk "What do you mean?" she asked carefully.
"You heard me..." he let out a hiccup "I love you...no brother...no...I want to be your...boyfriend." he giggled unconsciously.
Josie quickly pushed him away "No...don't do this to me Sunny. Not right now. We can't...you're like a brother to me. We joke around, we're not suppose to fall in love!" she cried as she started feeling the frustration rise.
He continued to smile "I love you..." he mumbled.
"Stop saying that!" she cried at him.
"I love you!!!" he cried even louder.
"Stop!!!" Josie covered her ears. "NO MORE!!!! SHUT UP!!!"
"I LOVE YOU!!!!!" he said it so loud, his voice cracked but only before she covered his mouth with her hands. He smiled through his eyes and stuck his tongue out licking her palm.
She pulled away "Ew...that's gross."
He laughed and clapped his hands happily "I love you..." he let out a slow yawn "Time for sleepy...." within seconds he dozed off on her couch.
She sighed as she placed her hands on her hips "Oh great... Now I have to be mommy?" she reached out and kicked him in the shin "Wake up. Go back to your apartment, it's just next door!!" she cried into his ear.
He ignored it and slept away peacefully. Josie didn't know what else to do so she let him lay on the couch. She returned to her room and took out an extra blanket for him. She went to sleep that night feeling the pressure on her shoulders. She didn't know how it happened or whether she should believe his drunken state of mind. She decided to worry about it in the morning.
Chapter 29
Julian Cheung - Sunny LamThe next morning Sunny woke up on Josie's couch, his neck was aching from the lump he was sleeping on. When she walked out looking ready for work, he let out a yawn "Morning." he frowned when he looked around the apartment that wasn't his "What happened?"
She shrugged her shoulders casually "You were drunk and you crashed on the couch last night."
He seemed to be recalling the incident "I was drunk?" suddenly his face clouded over "I didn't say anything... embarrassing did I?" he asked with alarm.
She laughed "No, nothing. You were just really drunk." she rolled her eyes "You know you can't drink. Next time, just drink soda." She smiled and rubbed his hair "I'll see you in a bit."
He nodded "Okay." he smiled at her dreamily "I'll see you later."
She smiled crookedly "Bye." when she left the apartment, she let out a long sigh. That was hard, she thought. But she knew lying to him was only good for him. What would happen to their friendship if she told him that she knew his deep dark secret he held inside.
Sunny slowly cracked a smile, he knew Josie was trying hard not to look uncomfortable but many years of practice told him she was trying hard not to be concerned about last night. He layed back on the couch with his hands behind his head, his legs dangling on the edge of the couch. "This is gonna be fun." he said to himself.
At the restaurant, business was picking up it's pace. Josie tried hard to keep a distance away from Sunny, but the more she dodged him, the more he seemed to pop up in front of her face. He laughed a few times it happened, she only laughed nervously knowing that he was doing it purposely.
Allie watched from a distance and she saw Josie almost squirm away from Sunny the fifth time he got in her face. She muffled a giggle as she took an order. She walked back to the kitchen to drop the order and Sunny stopped her on her way out. "Come in my office, Allie." he said with superior attitude.
He made sure Josie was around to hear it. Allie glanced at her friend and gave her shoulders a shrug "Okay." she replied to Sunny as she followed him to the office.
When they got inside, he blew up with laughter almost scaring her. She shook her head with a grin "This is so fun!!" he exclaimed with excitement. "I have never played a trick on her before, no wonder she had so much fun messing with me!!" he clapped his hands like a kid. Abruptly he cluctched his left shoulder "Oww..."
Allie's face covered with instant concern "What's wrong?" she touched his shoulder carefully. "What happened to you?"
He chuckled "I had to sleep on her sofa last night when I confessed my love to her in my drunken stage."
She sighed "Honey, I'm not sure if this is a good idea." she pushed him down on the chair and began giving his neck a good rub. "I can tell she is really uncomfortable."
"The more reason for her to confess the truth then." he sighed comfortably "You've got magical hands, you know that?" he reached over his shoulder and gave her hand a little squeeze.
She laughed "Thanks." suddenly the door swung open and Josie came barging in.
Sunny's quick reaction came into place as he jumped from his seat before Josie saw what was going on. "You see, that's why..." he began and stopped when he saw Josie, instantly he put on a big grin "Hi Josie! What a nice welcome. What's up?" he crossed his arm with interest.
Josie sighed "I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting. But I want to talk to Sunny. Alone." she turned to Allie "I'll only be a minute."
Allie nodded, she threw Sunny a look but he was too into his work as he did not pay attention to her "Sure." Allie replied before leaving the two alone.
Josie watched as Allie left, she turned to Sunny with a sigh "Okay, I lied. You did say some things while you were drunk." he tilted his head with a smile "Okay, you said alot of things." she wrinkled her nose "Things I really want to forget. But...well, basically...I know everything."
Sunny raised his eyebrows "Know what?" he was acting dumb making her feel more frustrated.
"That you're in love with me, you doofus!!" she cried and then looked around as if people can hear her. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath "Okay...we have to stay calm okay?" she said to him.
He smiled "It seems you're the one that needs to calm down. Look, if you can't handle it, just tell me. If you don't like me all you have to do is just tell me." he insisted, giving her a chance to confess her relationship with Josh.
She shook her head "It's not that easy. Do you know how much sleep I had last night?" he shook his head calmly "Two hours! Because I was so damn worried what would happen to our friendship if you knew what you told me. But you know me, I can't keep a secret...especially if it involves you. But this..." she pointed to her and Sunny "It cannot work. You're like...a brother I never had. How could you have let yourself fall in love with me?" she said earnestly.
He shrugged "No one has control over who they fall in love with."
"What about Allie?" she asked, trying to move the subject.
"What about her?" he took a seat on his chair "Look, she rejected me, I can't keep following something that's never going to be mine."
"But you said you believed that there was fate between you two!!" she cried, near tears from frustration.
He laughed "I thought you didn't believe in fate?" suddenly he stood up and walked towards her "But I do believe that there is a definite connection between us." he quickly grabbed her hands "Tell me you feel the same way Josie."
Her face turned a bright red as she backed away from him "No...I'm sorry Sunny. I don't." she stepped back until she hit the door knob and quickly turned it open. She rushed out feeling flushed and confused.
Sunny smiled after her "I gave you a chance Josie. You want to play tough..." he leered at the place where she just stood.
When Josie returned outside, she found Allie talking to Josh. He had come to see Josie and Allie knew but she had to distract him from looking for Josie. "Have you been busy lately?" she began the small talk.
He nodded "Yeah...busy..." he didn't know what else to tell her. He looked up and found Josie looking at him intently, he shook his eyes back and forth in response "Uh...it's nice seeing you again Allie. But I need to talk to...eh... Sunny about...business." he stuttered.
Allie nodded "Sure. Sunny's in the office." she turned and found Josie back at work and as Josh walked passed her, they seemed to pause for a few seconds before he walked into the office. The guys were in there talking for a long time and the more time passed, the more uneasy Josie felt. Allie was on her break when she walked over to her friend "Is anything wrong, Josie?"
Josie looked up and shook her head vehemently "Nothing...not a thing." she smiled with reassurance. "Is it break time?" she glanced at her watch. "Time flies when you're having fun."
Allie smiled "I know. Come on, I need to talk to you about something."
Josie looked nervous as can be "Oh...okay..." she muttered before following Allie to their break spot, behind the restaurant. When they got outside, Allie was quiet so Josie decided to break the ice "So what did you want to talk about?"
Allie tigtened her lips "I'm not sure how to tell you. This might sound hypocritical of me...but I think I've fallen in love with Sunny."
Josie stumbled back against the wall "Oh my God..." she muttered under her breath.
Allie wrung her hands together "I know...I know it's bad. I know I just broke up with Josh...but I think all that fate stuff...it's coming true. I find myself dreaming of him everyday since I broke up with Josh. He is truly the one. Do you think he still likes me?" she asked her friend through earnest eyes.
Josie couldn't look at her friend in the eyes "I...I don't know...maybe you.."
"I should talk to him?" Allie offered to finish her sentence.
"NO!" Josie nearly pounced on Allie, she lowered her voice when she saw Allie widened her eyes "I mean...it's not good. He's probably confused at this time and wondering how to deal with his feelings..."
She nodded with a smile "That's true. Gosh, I'm so envious of you."
Josie laughed nervously "Why?"
"Because you know Sunny so well. I wish I could read him like you do. It's like you two just look at each other and you know what each other are thinking." Allie said with admiration.
"Oh, you'll get that way once you hang around him more often." Josie said with no feeling.
**************
The girls returned to work after fifteen minutes. Allie sighed as she took more orders, she had given her friend a chance to confess then Sunny wouldn't have to take the further step but Josie was holding back too much. She saw Josh walk out with Sunny at the corner of her eyes. They both shook hands and Josh was careful to keep his eye on Sunny as he slipped Josie a quick note on her way back to the kitchen. Allie smiled to herself, she knew the act too well. Between her and Sunny, they've done it enough to catch it in the act.
She figured Sunny did not see it as she casually walked by his station "Did you see that?" she gave him the money from table #10 so he could calculate.
He nodded "It wouldn't matter how subtle they are, I can catch anything in a heartbeat." he looked up and gave her back the change to table #10. "We've done it enough." he winked at her while she nodded.
Sunny kept a close eye on Josie for the rest of the night, her shift wasn't over until 9pm. When it was near closing time. Josie worked fast to get out of the restaurant, she was meeting Josh at their bar. Allie saw her friend acting like a speed demon cleaning every table and standing up the chairs like there was no tomorrow. She was cleaning up when Sunny came up behind her holding the books for the day, he pretended to look over the earnings "See how she's working fast? I think someone's got a date with loverboy." he said without looking at Allie.
Allie cleaned her tables and answered without looking up "So are we following her?"
He only nodded as he returned to his paperwork. Josie was quick as she slipped off her apron and stood from the doorway "Bye guys! I'll see you tomorrow." she disappeared through the door.
Allie took off her own apron as she looked at Sunny "Come on." she rushed.
He put up a hand "Wait...give her a few seconds first." He seemed to be mentally counting down the seconds. He dropped the paperwork in the drawer and grabbed his keys "Now!" he took Allie's hand as they walked out of the restaurant together. He quickly locked up and easily spotted Josie who was rushing down the crowded street. She did not turn back afraid that someone would recognize her.
Sunny and Allie followed a few yards away, making sure that they would not be caught. When they reached the bar, the two decided to split up to not make it obvious. Sunny was the first to enter the bar, he scoped the place carefully and caught sight of the two of them sitting at the corner table talking carefully. Sunny took the furthest table from them. After a couple of minutes, Allie walked in casually, she spotted Sunny with ease as she took the table behind him.
He leaned back carefully and covered his mouth but still speaking to her "The mouse is talking to the cat, they will fall into our trap when the fish comes into the scene." he said through code.
Allie wrinkled her forehead "Who's the mouse, cat and fish?"
Sunny muffled a laugh "I'm the fish. I'm about to blow their cover." he paused for a second "Okay, they're holding hands. They're going to the dance floor, okay now they're dancing to a slow song." he explained since Allie could not see them.
Allie laughed "What are you going to do?"
"Act like a jealous husband." he got up slowly "You come after a crowd starts." he advised. Sunny leaned over his shoulder and gave her a smile "Ready?" she nodded. He strolled to the dance floor looking upset and angry. He tapped on Josh's shoulder "What do you think you're doing?"
The two broke apart like they were on fire "Sunny!!" Josie looked at Josh with her crimson colored face "What are you doing here?"
He crossed his arms "What am I doing here? You're asking me? I was at home waiting for you and here you are dancing with this jerk?" he shook his head in disappointment "I feel so used Josie...I poured my heart out to you and this is how you repay me. And you!" he turned to Josh "Dating your ex girlfriend's friend? I'm disgusted with you." he spat.
Josie couldn't help the tears from coming out as she covered her sobs, a crowd began to gather around "I'm sorry..." she said.
Josh quickly comforted her as he apologized to Sunny "I'm sorry Sunny. I didn't know you felt that way about her."
It was Allie who showed up during the scene. She looked distraught after hearing the whole thing. She stared at Josie with a hurtful face "How could you do that to me?" she almost softened when she saw the tears on Josie's cheek but Sunny gave her a strong look that she could not ignore "After I told you...that stuff today?"
Josie shook her head looking at Sunny and Allie "I'm so sorry you two...If I had known you were in love with me before...I would have told you sooner instead of letting it go so far..."
Sunny nodded "So what? You really like this guy?" he pointed to Josh.
Josie looked at him with a smile "I do...I do like him alot."
Allie quickly sighed "Thank GOD!!" she let out a laugh and Sunny too joined in as they hugged each other happily. Allie pushed Josie, who had a shock expression "Why didn't you say that sooner??"
Josie wiped her face as she looked at Josh and then to the other two laughing hyenas "What are you talking about? Is...is this some sort of SICK joke??" when the other two didn't respond, she pushed at Sunny harshly "You stupid....OH!! I could kill you!!"
Sunny laughed even harder "That's for the shaving cream in my shoes...for the pee incident and for making my life so full of jokes!! Josie Chan, I got you bad!!" he pointed at her laughing so hard he had to lean on Allie.
"You two...I can't believe you two were in on it." Josie shook her head.
Josh sighed "Look on the bright side, Josie. At least they are not mad at you." he said optimistically.
Josie wrinkled her nose at Josh while he hugged her warmly "If it wasn't for you, I'd kill them right now." she said with a laugh.
"Aww...isn't that cute?" Allie gushed. She was genuinely happy for the two of them. When the two broke apart, she explained "All Sunny wanted you to do was confess your true feelings for Josh, but you couldn't do it...so he thought of this scheme." she glanced at her boyfriend "Of course, he had fun doing it."
Sunny was grinning from ear to ear "You bet I did!" he let out a sigh "That felt good." he smiled at Josie who still looked upset. He reached over and wrapped an arm around her neck like a brother "Who's the better prankster now, kid?"
She laughed while trying to get loose "You aint seeing nothing yet." Josie warned.
He returned to Allie's side as he took her hand "I have a surprise..." he held up their entwined hands and Josie covered her mouth in shock.
"You two...really???" she was pleasantly shocked.
"Fate." Allie said shortly.
Josh smiled "Don't tell me you two saw each other during vacation?" he took a stab at it.
Allie nodded while Sunny smiled at her adoringly "It took a while for her to admit it but she believes it now."
Josie rolled her eyes "Oh great, another sick corny couple."
"You guys were one too." Allie pointed out.
Sunny laughed "She's right you know." he gave her a kiss on the forehead "Okay, enough joking for one day. I'll see you two in the morning." he winked at them knowingly. "Have fun, kids!" he waved goodbye as he and Allie walked out together.
Chapter 30
Julian Cheung - Sunny LamWith the two new blooming relationships out in the open, Phoenix Inn seemed to be in higher spirits than usual. Everyone who heard about Sunny and Allie were genuinely happy for them. Nick was the first to hear when he came early to drop off an invitation to his personal birthday party. He handed them out to Sunny and Allie separately, they stared at each other and Sunny smiled "You could have saved an invitation for someone else."
Nick looked at the two who were smiling sweetly at him "Do you need a bigger hint?" Allie asked with a grin.
He laughed as he clapped his hands "Sorry, I'm a little slow this morning." he quickly gave his friends a hug "Congratulations! When did it start?"
Sunny wrapped an arm around Allie's shoulder "It's not important."
Nick nodded in agreement "That's very true. Well, I'll be expecting you two there bright and early." he began to leave and pointed a finger at them "Saturday...not Sunday." he reminded them.
Sunny laughed "Get out of here!" he turned to Allie after Nick had left "What should we get him?" he wondered. "I'm sure he has everything he ever wanted."
Allie nodded "That's true. I'm gonna need to sleep on it." suddenly she remembered a closer connection to Nick "Why don't you ask Amy? I'm sure she knows."
"I wondered why I didn't think of it..." he said to himself.
Allie laughed "Don't worry, men are a little slower than woman, it's bee proven." she gave him a wink when he scowled at her playfully.
************
On the day of the party, Sunny left Josie in charge. Josh even came by to help her out. He waited on tables and took orders like a perfect waiter. She joked that he was better at this job than his office job.
Sunny came by to pick up Allie as he drove his open convertible. A gift for himself when he had left over money after buying the restaurant from Richard. He sat in his car waiting for Allie to come down. He looked at the gates and saw an elegant figure coming towards him, he did a quick double take while being mesmerized by her beauty.
Wearing a beautiful light purple dress with a v-neck cut with a slight wave at the collar, it was tight fitting on her petite body. It was a cut off right below her knees, she had delicate sparkling silver shoes to match the glittered lining that lined the hem of her dress. Her hair was twisted into a french twist with spikes of hair coming out from different directions around her head, making a tiny fan. Her bangs were swept to the side making her look classy.
It was the first time he's ever seen her look so beautiful. He can only imagined how gorgeous she would look in a wedding dress. She cleared her throat after he stared at her for minutes "Are we going or are you just going to sit there and drool at me?" she teased.
He closed his gaping mouth as he jumped out of the car to open up her car door "You caught me!" he laughed. He did not let her in before reaching down and grazing her cheeks lovingly "You look like an angel." he sighed.
She smiled and looked away shyly "You like it?" she looked down at her dress.
He nodded "If I knew you could look like this, I'd take you to more parties so we could make everyone jealous."
Allie laughed with her head shaking "You are just terrible."
Sunny smiled sly before letting her in the car. He rushed to his side as they drove off to the party. The two joked and laugh throughout the long ride, they had no idea where Nick lived. Apparently, his home was far from public view. They pulled up to a crowded driveway but only before being scrutinized by the bodyguards that stood guard at the gates. When they were allowed in, Sunny's face frowned. There were hundreds of cars there and people were dressed beautifully. He recognized a few stars. "Wow..." he breathed.
Allie sighed "You took the words right out of my mouth." he quickly got out of the car and let her out. "I'm a little nervous." she admitted.
He took her hand as he pulled it through his own arm "I won't leave your side." she smiled in return "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." she followed a step behind Sunny, letting him lead her in. She did not do well at parties and huge crowds. It made her nervous to know that people would be looking and probably judging her. When they entered the mansion, she was quickly at ease since she realized that Sunny would be by her side the whole night.
The first thing they saw when they walked in was a huge table full of gifts. Allie and Sunny dropped their wrapped gift on the table along with a card. They got him a personalized tie clip that was engraved with his name on it.
Sunny looked around and saw too many people, he could not spot his friend anywhere. "I guess we'll get something to drink first." he did not notice the fact that people were staring at the stunning couple. There were a few whispers but he was only concentrating on making Allie feel comfortable. He got her a cup of punch, she wrinkled her nose at the drink and he smiled "No alcohol..." he assured her.
She smiled gratefully and took the cup "Thanks." Sunny took one of the many cups of champagne sitting on the long table where o'deurves were served. They walked around and received some smiles and nods from the guests but still no Nick in sight.
Sunny saw a familiar face but wasn't sure if he saw correctly "Allie, is that Amy?" he pointed to a beautiful girl in a sky blue dress with a sequined flower at the side of her flowing dress.
Allie squinted her eyes to have a better look "I think so." she said. "Let's go say hi." she suggested.
He nodded as they approached the girl. The closer they got the more Sunny realized that it was indeed Amy. He gave her a quick smile "You look great!" he commented.
Amy smiled "Thanks." she looked at her own dress "He made me wear it. I was going to put on slacks but Nick wouldn't hear of it." she laughed. She turned to Allie "You look stunning." she gushed.
Allie smiled "You too!"
"Where's Nick?" Sunny asked.
"Mingling." Amy shrugged. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist as she jumped slightly with surprise "Oh geez, that's the third time tonight!" she scolded Nick when he startled her again.
Sunny smiled "As smooth as ever." he joked with his friend. Nick only smiled in return, his face was flushed, he probably had too much to drink already. Sunny looked around at the crowded room "Just a small party huh?"
Nick laughed "Small means at least 150 people." Sunny should have guessed because of his friend's stature as a star, he would have a lot of people at his party. Nick seemed to be reading his mind "I can't go cheap, it'll be all over the newspaper tomorrow morning. Anyways, you've never seen this part of my life...you only see the half restaurant owner Nick Cheung."
Allie nodded "That's true."
Nick did a double take on Allie, barely noticing that she was standing there "Allie?" he asked as he took her hand and pulled her in front of Sunny "I thought you were just some girl standing here! Wow...you look like a star." he gushed.
She blushed "Oh, you don't have to flatter me."
Nick laughed "That's true, I have to say that to everyone." he gave her a wink when she laughed "But you do look great. Still, no one compares to this beauty." he reached over and took Amy's hand and linked it through his arm "I'm gonna show her off now." he nodded to his friends and took the blushing Amy around to meet the other guests.
Sunny and Allie smiled after them "You think they're dating?" Sunny asked in wonder.
Allie turned to him "What's wrong? Afraid you made the wrong choice?" she teased openly.
He rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist "I already got the best." he kissed her lightly on the forehead "I'm a little hungry. Let's find some food." She nodded in agreement. But the only food they found were tiny finger foods, no real dishes. After three hours, his stomach was beginning to growl.
She widened her eyes when she looked at him with a tiny grin "Was that you?" she asked.
He laughed "You could hear it?" he felt embarrassed that other people can probably hear it.
Allie nodded, her eyes teasing "Maybe we should go?" Sunny nodded in agreement. They began walking around looking for the host. When they found him, he was mingling with his star buddies, his face looking more red than when they first saw him. The two waited patiently before finally getting his attention. If it weren't for Amy, he would have stumbled over himself "We're gonna go now." she whispered to Nick.
He quickly frowned "NOO!" he wailed. Amy gave him a quick shake of the arm to warn him that he was too loud, he seemed to understand as he quieted down "You're not having fun?"
Sunny was about to answer that he was hungry but Allie knew better since it would hurt his feelings if he knew the truth "No, it's great. But I'm not feeling too good, plus I have to wake up early tomorrow for work." she explained.
Nick nodded "Oh...okay, I understand. I'll see you two tomorrow then. I would walk you out but..." he waved the the growing crowd.
Sunny shook his head "Don't worry about it. We're not guests." he gave his friend a wink "We're friends." Nick nodded with a bit of exaggeration. "Take care of him." he said to Amy.
Amy smiled "I won't let him out of my sight." she promised. she waved goodbye to them.
**********
After the party, Sunny and Allie drove to the nearest open restaurant and ate hungrily. After they finished, Sunny sat back and sighed "That was good."
Allie laughed "You look like you haven't ate in weeks." she reached over and wiped the food stuck on his side lip.
He smiled adoringly at her "Marry me." he sighed.
Her smile froze "What?" her heart thumping happily.
He laughed as he sat up and pointed to that guy behind her "That's what he just asked his girlfriend."
Allie turned and saw the guy going on his knees while the girl was in tears. The whole restaurant began to chant "Say Yes!!" while the girl could not speak but only nod her head. Her fiance stood up and hugged her as he placed the ring on her finger. The place exploded with applauds.
Allie turned to Sunny who was grinning like a monkey "That's so sweet." she commented.
He nodded "Yeah." he took the check with him and stood up "Come on, let's go." he paid at the counter and took her home. Holding her hand during the whole ride home. She was extra quiet, her mind scolding her for thinking that he was going to propose. She half wanted him to and half thought it was too soon. He glanced at her a few times before asking "What are you thinking of?"
She smiled "Nothing." she lied.
He laughed "You thought I proposed, didn't you?" he recalled her shock expression. He mistook it for being unpleasantly surprised.
She shook her head "I did...but then again, it was too soon. I was a little surprise." she did not confirm that it was a nice surprise thinking he would think she was crazy.
He nodded in agreement "That's true. I'd do it at least three months into the relationship." he joked.
Allie laughed "You've got two left."
*************Two months later***********
Sunny and Allie were deep in love, never had she felt that way about a guy nor did she believe that you can fall in love within 3 months. She truly believed in fate during those times. Work was pleasant for her and he was glad to go to work just to see her. The subject of living together had never come up as he was respectful of her thoughts and she did not want to ruin anything they had by moving in together. Although she found herself wondering how it would be like to be Mrs. Sunny Lam.
During work, she would smile to herself each time she thought that. Josie caught her friend smiling randomly "What are you smiling at?" she asked her one time when they were clearing up one of the restaurant's biggest tables.
Allie shook her smile away but it was useless, a small grin was still present "Nothing." she mumbled.
Josie looked around her and noticed Sunny involved in his paperwork "Did you two..." she raised her eyebrows "You know..."
Allie dropped her jaw "NO!" she cried while laughing "No..." she shook her head over and over. Josie continued to look at her friend with suspicion "No, Josie! I'm not lying." Allie insisted.
Josie smiled after a while "I know you two didn't. Sunny would be smiling like a monkey by then."
Allie giggled "Yeah, he would." she suddenly looked up at her friend "How about you and Josh??"
It was Josie's turn to blush "Uh...I'm not telling you." she walked briskly to the kitchen. Allie only smiled at her friend.
Later that day Amy dropped by to help Sunny with the books. He stood there, staring intently at her hands. She noticed but didn't say anything until she could hold it no more "Okay, you've been staring at my hands for five minutes, do you need something?" she asked.
He laughed "I thought you'd never ask." he looked around his shoulder and saw that Allie was busy "Can you hold up your hand?" she gave him a strange look "Just help me out." She shrugged and held up her hand "Perfect!" he said happily. "I need a favor Amy."
Josie was standing around as she arched her neck in their direction. As if Sunny sensed her around, he reached around and pushed her away "Hey!!" she protested.
He turned to her "This is none of your business, go away." he warned and returned to their conversation. They whispered softly to each other while Josie continued to hang around trying to evesdrop. But after she could not get within earshot of Sunny, she gave up and got back to work.
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