She turned on the gas and waited for the fire to come up but it didn’t. She tried it again and again yet there was still no fire. Suddenly the doorbell rang, she left the gas notch on and went to open the door. She opened it and found Eric on the other side, he was the last person she expected to see. Keri froze in her place not knowing how to react. “Can you let me in?” he asked.
She snapped out of her daze and unlock the door for him. “You here to yell at me some more?” she asked sarcastically. She couldn’t forget what he said the night before, how he belittled her.
“What’s that smell?” he walked into the apartment and instantly smelled this aroma that seemed to be suffocating his nose. “Its gas!” he ran to the kitchen and checked the gauges and found one turned on. He turned it off and turned to Keri, who looked as surprise as he did. “Keri, that’s no reason to commit suicide.” She wrinkled her eyebrows in question and then realized that he misunderstood the situation. She was about to explain when he ran over and hugged her tightly “Im sorry, sweetie. You know I love you more than anyone in the world. I just don’t want to lose you to Andrew.”
She smiled as she returned the hug “I know you love me.”
“Promise me you won’t try to kill yourself like that. That’s so dangerous, I don’t know what I would do without you.” He pulled her away and used his scolding tone with her.
She didn’t explain the misunderstanding, instead she nodded “I promise.”
He stayed with her until 5pm that night. He was waiting on her hand and foot getting her water and food, whatever she felt like eating. She knew it was wrong to take advantage of him like that but it was just too good to pass up. Before he left, he made sure that Terrie got home first. He didn’t want to leave her alone, just in case she tried to do something stupid again. Terrie unlocked her door and was surprised to see Eric there “What are you doing here?”
“Watching after my girl of course. Now its your turn. I have to go to work.” He gave Keri a kiss on the forehead before leaving the apartment. “Bye Ter.” He said happily.
Terrie raised her eyebrows in confusion as she glanced at the closing door and then to her friend, who had a wide grin on her face. “What was that all about?”
“We got back together. Isn’t it obvious?” she smiled victoriously.
“How? Im so confused.” Terrie took a seat next to her friend.
“Aren’t you always?” Keri teased. She quickly explained the misunderstanding of that morning. “So you see, my friend, all I had to do was pretend to kill myself and he’ll come crawling back to me.”
She shook her head in disappointment “What a low blow. That’s worst than dirt! But only you could think of it.” She laughed when her friend gave her the evil eye. “So you gonna tell me what happened last night?”
Keri’s face immediately fell “Well, when he pulled me aside, he asked me where I was that night. I told him I was with you praying at your aunt’s house. Then he told me how your father called and that he knew I was actually picking up Andrew at the airport.” She shrugged her shoulders “I was caught in the lie. What else could I say? I apologized and said that we just picked him up and nothing more. He was so stubborn, said that a lie is a lie and that I broke my promise. He didn’t want a lying girlfriend. He said some awful stuff but I guess in a way I deserved it and I didn’t. I didn’t want to be belittled by him so I walked away. I left my cell phone in the car so I didn’t get your message until later. Anyways, it started raining, but I didn’t care, I didn’t want to see anyone. I needed time to think it over. You couldn’t believe the weirdos that stopped their cars to ask me if I needed a ride home. I ignored them, but I remember one guy that followed me for a block. He eventually left though. I think it wasn’t until an hour later when Eric actually found me. I wasn’t feeling too good and he told me that he was going to take me home whether I liked it or not. My body was burning by the time he reached the apartment. When I got out of the car, I guess I fainted. I don’t remember what else happened.”
Terrie shook her head “You guys have so much drama. You know there was one thing that he didn’t put into consideration to your relationship.”
“What?”
“Well, for one thing, you got involved with him when he knew that you were still with Andrew. He did it all for fun and then suddenly you guys are more serious, I mean he should have realized that he was the third wheel to begin with. And now he thinks Andrew is the third wheel? I find it immature for him to be acting that way.”
Keri smiled weakly “Yeah, I guess I shouldn’t have gotten involved with him in the first place. But you Ter, he makes me feel so good at times. And then there are those rare moments when we fight until we’re sick of each other. The thing is that he’ll always return to me or I’ll apologize, its not like that with Andrew. Its his way or the highway, Im afraid to talk to him sometimes. I never knew how much he loved me until I threatened to leave him. I then realized that I didn’t have the same feelings for him anymore. I guess enough was enough.”
“I just hope that you two will not fight as much anymore.” She saw Keri’s face scowl with disagreement and she quickly added “But if it works for you two, then be it.”
“I’ve decided to talk to Andrew about this whole thing.”
“When? Aren’t you afraid of history repeating itself?” she was talking about the night before.
Keri shook her head “Nope, I got it all covered. Eric is coming with me.”
Terrie’s eyes’ widened “Really? Wow, that’s quite mature for him.” Keri laughed as she nodded in agreement. “Just hope he won’t beat up the guy.” She got up when the phone began to ring “Hello?”
“Hi sweetie. Hey, is Keri around?”
“Yeah, she’s eating dinner that Eric got her.” She emphasized on Eric’s name.
Chris laughed “I know they got back together. Eric just called me. Hey, go in your room, I want to talk to you in private.”
Terrie turned back to Keri who was busy with her television and food so she disappeared into her room. “Okay, Mr. what is with the secrecy?”
“Eric told me that Keri tried to commit suicide. He was afraid that she would try it again so he got back with her.”
Terrie debated on if she should tell Chris the truth, but decided not to “Really? Well, she seems fine.”
“Of course, she’s probably embarrassed to tell anyone.”
“Are you trying to say that Eric doesn’t really love her?”
“No, he does love her very much. But he’s intimidated by Andrew. I mean they have this two year past together, while he has six months with her. But if you have time, talk to your friend and tell her that taking her life is not the answer.”
Terrie covered her mouth to keep herself from bursting with laughter “I will.” His comment made her think of something else. “Honey, if I would die tomorrow, would you miss me?”
“Miss you? Gosh, I don’t know what I would do without you.” His tone serious. “Why are you even thinking about stuff like that?”
“Just out of curiosity. So are you ready to tell me about her?” she was talking about his ex, she gave him enough time to think it over and she was still waiting for him to open up. She’s told him about every guy that use to like her or that she liked.
“Not really. You know, its not a big deal. Why do you always ask?” she sensed the uncomfortable tone in his voice.
“Okay, if you’re not ready. But be certain that I will get it out of you one day, Mr. Wong.” She threatened.
He let out a laugh “Sure if you could wait that long Mrs. Wong.”
“Hey, don’t be calling me that. Im not married to you yet. Although my last name is actually Wong.”
He gasp “You mean you lied to me all this time.” His tone exaggerating hurt.
She rolled her eyes “Don’t be so dramatic. It was during my Grandma’s time. She remarried and took the new husband’s name. So her kids followed his surname which was Lam. My real grandfather was Wong.”
“Wow, you see, all this time I thought you were a Lam but you turned out to be a Wong. Looks like we were meant for each other.” He teased.
She felt goose bumps as her body shivered from his comment “That’s too soon to say.” She joked but deep down she knew he was the one. She didn’t always know but after a few months, her love grew stronger for him. She laughed when he made disagreeing grunts “I love you.” She said without realizing it.
“What did you say?” his heart thumping.
“I….” She thought about her words, she used it without thinking. “I said…I love you.”
He let out a whoopee!! “Oh my gosh, you know how long I have been waiting for those words?”
She laughed “At least now you know I mean it.” She did really mean it. Some people would probably disagree with her, it wasn’t love at 5 months, it was love at two years or maybe even longer. That was what her mother always told her, not to mention Keri, the ‘goddess of love’ she called herself.
Chapter 23
Time flew by quickly for these two couples. It seemed like yesterday when Keri and Terrie walked into the auditorium of the concert. Never did they thought love would be lurking in the seat next to them.
Richard was dating randomly again as usual. His latest fling was a young girl named Lisa (Athena) shortened for Elizabeth. She was still in college, five years his minor. She couldn’t have been more perfect for him, she’s a party girl that loved to have fun. He met her during his clubbing stage. Chris often made fun of his friends due to his fickle nature, whenever he got bored of someone he would move on to someone else. It was the same with new hangout places. At one point in time, he began to go to Christian churches obviously to meet girls. As fate would have, he didn’t meet any girl there, instead he moved on quickly to clubs. He partied every night and noticed an adorable little girl that he later found through mutual friends name was Lisa.
She turned out to be the niece of the owner of a club that he usually hung out in. He was quick to approach her and she had an immediate liking to him just like most girls did. There was a charm to him that no one seemed to be able to point out. He was waiting at the club waiting for Lisa and after two hours he didn’t find anywhere so he decided to leave when he found her in the corner with a group of people. A huge smiled stapled on his face as he walked up to her, his cool walk earned a few glances from girls. But his face soon fell when he saw what she was doing. Although they didn’t know each other well, he had a sudden urge to protect her. Pulling her by the arm as he yanked her away from the group “What are you doing?!” he yelled over the blaring music.
“What’s it to you?” she asked. Her eyes drugged from the speed she was doing.
“That’s very dangerous!” he argued “You could kill yourself. How long have you been doing it?”
She pulled her arm away harshly “What if I do? Why do you care?”
“Because I care about you!” he yelled.
Her thoughts suddenly cleared up as she took in his words “What?” she wanted to hear it again.
He was getting frustrated from the noise as he pulled her by the hand outside “I don’t want to see you get hurt. Can you stop doing it?” he asked with more concern, his voice toned and controlled.
Her eyes glossed over “No one has ever asked me to stop. Even my parents won’t ask, why would someone I barely know ask?” she felt the tears drip down her cheeks and then his warm hand wiping it away.
“I don’t know. But all I know is if anything happens to you, I will be very sad.” His eyes sinking into her own.
She nodded silently “Okay. But you have to promise me one thing.”
He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and placed it on his lips “What?” he pulled out his match.
“Stop smoking. I hate guys who smoke.” She smiled when he nodded and threw the cigarette in the trash.
“Okay by me.” He pulled out the pack in his pocket and handed it to her.
Her eyes opened wide “Just like that?” she looked at the pack in her hand.
He nodded firmly “Just like that.” Giving her a warm smile as he nodded to the nearby trash can. “Go ahead.”
Her eyes never leaving his as she gave the pack a quick toss and it landed into the trash can perfectly. “No one’s ever changed themselves for me before.”
“Same here.” He touched her face and his hands smoothed over to the back of her neck as he pulled her into his shoulder. She hugged him back with much force, suddenly feeling loved for the first time in her life.
***********
Eric and Keri’s relationship progressed into a deeper kind of love. They often fight and argue, it was their way of showing affection towards each other. There were a few instances where they threatened to break up with each other but everyone knew it wouldn’t happen. Eric loved his girlfriend too much and Keri had already settled her future on him.
As for Terrie and Chris, their love expanded well above a regular couple. They knew each other so well that at times they would even finish each other’s sentences. Chris gave his whole heart into the relationship and Terrie tried to but there were moments when she doubted things about him. For instance, why wouldn’t he tell her about his ex? She doesn’t even know her name. She knew Eric was well aware of their situation since the guys tell each other almost everything. Keri even tried to get some information for her but it almost seemed useless since Eric was a man of his words.
One night when Terrie was spending some time at Chris’s apartment, she noticed a photo album that was tucked away on his shelf in his room. She was about to pull it out when Chris ran over and pulled it away from her hand “I don’t think you want to see this.” He reached above the shelf and placed it on a higher stand.
“Why? Is she in it?” Terrie asked calmly. She’s never once lost her temper over the ex girlfriend that he kept away from her.
He nodded weakly without looking at her in the eye “Its for your own good. Don’t think about her too much. Its in the past.”
Terrie let out a sigh as she rubbed the bridge of her nose “Is that all you can say? Honey, if you don’t trust me after being with you for one year, how do you expect us to go on to two or three or more?”
He placed his hands on her shoulders “I trust you with all my heart. But believe me, this is only for your own good.”
She looked up at him blankly “Are you afraid I might get jealous?” she asked abruptly.
His hands slid off her shoulder as he shook his head “Yes….well, no. I don’t know.” He fumbled with the words.
“Chris, if Im asking you it just means I want to know. I have no right to be angry or jealous if you think about it. Like you say its in the past. I just don’t understand why you can’t tell me?”
Once again, he dodged the conversation “I don’t want to talk about it. Look I promise you, when I am ready to tell you, I will. Let me think it over.”
She nodded in reply “That’s fine.”
His face quickly brightened “Hey, our anniversary is coming soon. You have any request?”
She smiled “Not really. You decide.” She was in no mood to think about romantic stuff.
*********
For Valentine’s day, he walked into her work at lunch time carrying a huge bouquet of purple roses in a purple wrap. She didn’t expect it at all. Her face lit up the whole room as she carried it and was surprised at how heavy it was. As for their anniversary, he took her to the beach and brought sandwiches in a basket. A tiny radio to play their favorite music, sung by Leon. It couldn’t have been more romantic but Terrie felt something still missing even though she enjoyed the night.
On the drive back to her apartment, he told her casually “Hey, guessed who I talked to on Valentine’s day?”
“You’re ex.” She joked.
He went silent and stopped smiling “How did you know? I didn’t tell anyone this.”
She laughed “Oh gosh, it was just a guess? So you talked to her? How is she?”
“Good, she’s got a boyfriend. I wasn’t meaning to talk to her, I called her brother and then he gave the phone to her without asking me if I wanted to talk to her. It was a little awkward, but not weird. More like talking to an old friend.”
Terrie nodded without commenting. They eventually reached her apartment. Terrie insisted on going up by herself, “Its getting late. You have to work tomorrow too.”
“Okay, be careful then.” He watched her walk into the apartment building and then drove off.
She was unlocking the door when she heard her phone ringing. Thinking it was probably Keri, she rushed in to pick it up “Hello?” she answered breathlessly.
“Wow, Princess, what’s the rush?”
“Oh, its you.” She said as she sat down on the couch.
“Thanks, I guess I know how much I was missed.”
She laughed “No no, I thought you were Keri.”
“I could sound like her.” He mocked his voice to sound like a girl’s.
“No, I prefer your normal voice. Its much sexier.” She teased.
He chuckled “Sexy huh? Hmm…maybe I’ll call more often so you could be under my spell.”
She shook her head “Haven’t changed a bit.”
“So what’s going on with you?”
She sighed “Nothing much. This relationship life is really draining me.”
“Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. Tell your Gor Gor if Chris is picking on you. I will fly over there and beat him personally.”
“No, he’s not picking on me. More like hiding from me. Tell me, are all guys secretive about their ex girlfriends?”
Paul let out a sigh “Aww…the ex girlfriend threat huh? Been there done that.”
“No, Im not threatened by her. I have full faith in him, I know he’s not cheating on me. But he’s still keeping his past from me. I know it doesn’t pertain to me, but I guess Im just curious. You know, Im new at this relationship thing, Im not sure if its right to ask or not right?”
“Princess, there’s nothing wrong or right about being in a relationship, maybe he has his own reasons for not telling you? But be patient, if he loves you enough he’ll come around when he realize how much this is bothering him.”
She smiled “If only I met you sooner.” She joked.
“You did actually, just over the internet. Well, c’est la vie, that’s how life is my dear. Anyways, just called to see how you were doing. You sound better so Im gonna head off to sleep.”
“Okay, thank you Dr. Love.”
“Anytime, I will expect my payments for the next year to be paid off.”
“Sure. Night.”
“Sweet dreams.”
She hung up the phone feeling much better about everything. Even though her question wasn’t answered, it was still taken care of for the time being.
Chapter 24
Terrie steered clear away from the ex girlfriend question for a few months. She wanted to concentrate on their first trip that was coming up. Actually Eric was going to visit his sister and brother in law who lived up north. Keri was going with them and decided to invite Terrie and Chris along too. They rented a little van to be more comfortable on the ride there. Chris slept most of the ride there while Terrie looked at the scenery around her. She wanted to pull out her ears every time Eric and Keri started bickering. They would make up within two minutes of their argument. They eventually stopped at a gas station about 1 hour from their destination. Chris finally woke up to go to the restroom and buy some snacks.
Terrie remained in the car because she didn’t want to move. Her head rested on the cushioned seat as she slowly dozed off. The loud talking of Eric and Chris snapped her out of it as she sat up when they returned to the car “Ter, you tired? Why don’t you go to sleep?” Chris instantly noticed her tired eyes.
She shook her head “No, Im fine.”
He smiled as he handed her a bag of skittles, her favorite candy “Here, got you something to munch on.”
“Thanks.” She took them eagerly as she ripped the bag open and started eating the candy.
They drove closer to the city and it only took ten minutes to reach Jacob’s (Eric’s brother in law) house, it was big with 5 rooms on a two story building. Eric began to unpack their baggage into the house. The girls greeted Jacob and Eric’s sister, they immediately charged for the two bundle of joys that they had. A little girl at the age of four and a newborn baby boy. “What’s all the noise??!” the girls instantly quieted down at the sound of an elder lady’s voice.
It was Jacob’s mother. “Ma, its just Eric and his friends.” He sounded irritated “I told you this morning that they were coming.”
“Yeah but you didn’t tell me!” Jacob’s sister said angrily “Sure, its your house right? You can do whatever you want. Don’t you forget that I own part of it too.”
Jacob didn’t answer, instead he ignored them as he turned back to his guests. He didn’t want them to be stuck between a family fued. “Come guys, I’ll take you to your room.” He led them up the stairs as the girls quickly followed behind and the guys were behind the girls. “Don’t mind them, they’re always like that. You guys are my guests and they won’t be able to do anything.” He assured them when he showed them the biggest room. There was a mattress on one corner and a computer on the other side of the room “I use this as my work station. You guys don’t mind sleeping on the floor do you?”
Chris quickly answered “No of course not. Its better than paying for a hotel.”
“Okay, well, call me if you need anything. The blankets and pillows are on the mattress.”
“Thanks Jacob.” Eric said, he turned back to the girls “You guys will be alright tonight?”
Terrie ruffled her eyebrows “Why shouldn’t we? You guys will be here.”
Eric turned to Chris “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?”
“They’re meeting an old friend tonight.” Keri said huffily.
“An old friend? Why didn’t you tell me?” Terrie asked.
Eric glanced at his girlfriend and shook his head “Honey, lets go down stairs, I want to see my nephew.” He pulled at her hand while Keri gave Chris a dirty look.
“Ex girlfriend?” Terrie asked. She kinda guessed but didn’t know how to ask him.
He nodded slowly “Please don’t be mad, I didn’t want you to worry that’s all.”
She let out a sigh “So keeping it from me will not make me worried? Have you ever thought about the fact that I wouldn’t mind? Why are you giving me an excuse to be suspicious?” she was tired of the whole thing. It was being blown out of proportion.
“Im not…Im sorry. I should have told you. But if you don’t want me to go, then just tell me, I won’t go. I don’t have to go.”
Terrie looked at him in the eye “You already planned this so why are you telling me now that if I don’t want you to go then ask you? Look, I really don’t care that you see her, but I just like to know. Not the last minute but when you decide to go.”
“We’re just going out for drinks. Eric will be there too.” He advised.
She shrugged her shoulders “That’s fine. You don’t have to ask me for permission.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a hug “Lets go eat dinner.”
He pulled her downstairs and nodded for Eric and Keri to go. They went out to have pizza and afterwards the guys took their girlfriend’s back to Jacob’s house. Terrie heard more yelling when they entered the big home. Jacob was arguing with his mother and sister. Tracy, Jacob’s wife was talking to the girls upstairs “They’ve been at it since his sister moved in.”
“So she didn’t live here when you first got this house?” Keri asked.
“No, her husband left her and then she came crawling back to her brother. Now she thinks she owns half of this house even though she doesn’t pay the mortgage. Just ignore them, I do.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Anyways, its getting late. You girls go to sleep.” She turned off the light for them when they were settled in their made up bed on the floor.
“Ter?”
“Hm?” Terrie answered half heartedly. She was tired.
“Aren’t you mad at Chris?”
“I don’t know. I have no right to be.”
She heard Keri sit up “What? Of course you do. First of all he was coming to see his ex girlfriend without telling you. Second of all, they leave us here alone at someone’s house?”
Terrie sighed “They’re just friends. Anyways, they’ll be back soon. Im tired Keri, go to sleep will ya?”
Keri lied back down with a thump “Man, if Eric ever did that, I’d kill him!” after a few minutes she fell asleep.
Terrie was still wide-awake as she stared up at the ceiling; she heard the rhythmic sound of her friend’s breathing and knew she was deep asleep. Although she was really tired, it was still hard to sleep with the arguing sound of Jacob, his mother and sister downstairs. His sister was threatening to leave the house that night. “You don’t even respect me, its partly my home and then you just go and invite all these strangers into our home. That room was suppose to be mine!” she yelled.
“You don’t even pay rent here.” He said calmly trying hard not to wake up the girls “And stop raising your voice.”
“She can do what she wants! She’s right.” The mother said.
“Look, its not a matter of respect. I pay all the mortgage and I allow you to live here free. What else do you want me to do?” he asked harshly this time. He was tired of arguing over and over.
“How dare you use that tone of voice with me. What? This is all over four people that we don’t even know? You could have the decency to tell me before.”
“Its my house, sister. I can invite anyone I want.” His anger rising.
Terrie eyes blinked as she tried hard to ignore the conversation downstairs. She eventually heard the door slam. Someone had left the house and she wasn’t sure who it was until there were footsteps coming up the stairs. “She left?” Tracy’s voice asked.
“Yeah. She’ll be back.” Jacob said tiredly. “I hope they didn’t hear that.” He whispered and their muffled voices disappeared down the hall.
Terrie closed her eyes, she didn’t know what time it was but it felt like hours until she fell asleep.
**********
The guys drove about another hour to meet with Robyn. Chris and Eric talked about old times as they got closer to the restaurant. When they got there, they instantly noticed her. She was sitting by herself at the bar, she was holding onto her cell phone as she called someone. Chris picked up his cell phone when it rang “We’re right outside.” He answered into the phone when he knew it was Robyn calling.
She (cameo appearance by Joyce Tang) turned around and gave the guys a smile, she watched them walk into the restaurant and got up from her stool to greet them “Hi guys.” She gave them both a hug. “You guys look great.”
“Yeah, we grew out of puberty fast huh? Just took 8 years.” Eric joked. “You look good.”
“Thanks. Did I change much?” she asked Chris.
Chris smiled as he tilted his head thoughtfully “Your face looks longer but other than that, you look great.”
Her face fell as she touched her cheek “Longer?” she sounded a little insulted by his comment.
“That’s not a bad thing.” He quickly added.
They chatted for a while. It was Robyn that noticed a guy proposing to his girlfriend in the restaurant in front of everyone. She smiled while they witnessed the romantic event happening before them. “That’s so sweet.” She gushed.
Chris smiled “It is.” Suddenly everyone started clapping for the happy couple. The three quickly joined in with some whistles.
The new groom to be smiled at everyone as he smiled and nodded to everyone “Free dessert for everyone on me!!!” the guy said happily.
Eric and Chris laughed “Wow. That’s nice of him.” They commented.
“So how’s your girlfriends?” Robyn asked.
Eric smiled “They’re good. Here’s a picture.” He pulled out his wallet and showed a picture of him and Keri.
“Cute. How about you?” she asked Chris.
“Don’t want to make you feel bad.” He joked. She scowled at him as he laughed and eventually pulled out a picture of Terrie “Here.”
“Hm..very pretty. No wonder you wanted to keep her all to yourself.” It was her turn to tease him.
His face blushed quickly “She’s a great girl.” He said without thinking.
“Im sure she is.”
They chatted for the rest of the night about old times and at around 2am, the guys finally drove back to Jacob’s house. The girls were in deep sleep by the time the guys returned. Terrie didn’t entirely fall asleep, she would often wake up ever half an hour due to lying on the hard ground. She was never comfortable being in someone’s home. She heard the guys coming up the stairs and changed into their pajamas. She lied next to Keri and Eric took his place on her other side while Chris was placed next to Terrie. She felt his arms wrap around her stomach and his face at the nape of her neck. “Night sweetie.” He whispered into her ear and gave her a kiss on her cheek before falling asleep himself. She didn’t let him know that she was awake, instead she curled up into a ball and pushed herself to fall asleep.
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