The Curse of Immortality

Chapter 16

The newlyweds spent their first night together in their new home. Natalie was less than content when it came time to consummate their marriage. Ross had filled their bed with a rainbow of red, pink and white rose petals. It was her favorite flower and even rare to find them grown during that age in time where most dirt were too contaminated to be used for growing plants. She was not impressed but acted like she was to make her new husband happy.

“Do you like it?” he whispered while wrapping an arm around her waist.

She nodded with a plastered smile “I love it.”

“Good.” He purred “I’m gonna go clean up first…I hope I’ll get a nice surprise when I come out of the rest room.” Natalie smiled, she knew what he meant. The minute he was gone, her smile sank as did her heart.

She pulled out the metal ball that was used in place of a cell phone. Natalie walked out of the room briefly to call Ahron. He was having another quiet dinner with Zoey when she heard a familiar beeping sound “Is that your call?” she asked.

He turned his head towards the room “Yeah.”

“Aren’t you going to answer?” she asked “Go ahead.” She nodded towards the room.

Ahron was hesitant but he already knew it was Natalie. Her flawless image appeared over the table next to his bed “Hi Nat.” he smiled “Shouldn’t you be enjoying the night?”

She laughed sarcastically “I didn’t know how wrong this was until this very moment. I shouldn’t have marry him…”

“It’s a little too late for that.” Ahron crossed his arms, refusing to come closer, afraid of what would take over “Regrets are what make humans imperfect.”

Natalie tilted her head “Can you help me?”

He shook his head “I’m sorry. I can’t, you’re married now. It was your choice.”

Even from across the room, he could see the tears that began strolling down her cheeks. His heart was aching with pain but he knew he had to be strong to fight off the urge to take her away for good. She nodded slowly “I guess it was.” Without bidding goodbye, she cut off the line. Natalie wiped the tears before entering the room. The warm atmosphere was suddenly changed to an icicle room. Ross sat on the bed with a cold glare that she’s never seen before. Her heart began beating like a drum roll, steady and slowly going out of control “Ross…”

His lips curled into a crooked smile “Talking to someone?” he asked calmly.

“No one special.” She smiled, trying to convince him otherwise “Should we begin?” there would be no way she could get out of it. Instead she will try to convince herself that it was Ahron that was making love to her not Ross.

She began crawling on the bed to get under the covers but Ross had another idea. Whipping the covers aside, he threw it on the ground “We do this my way.” He said with control. Slipping off his top and pants, she grew more nervous as the time came near “What’s wrong? Disappointed?” he asked dangerously.

Natalie shook her head “No…of course not.”

“Right…I’m not as charming as your Aaron.” He spat disgustedly. She turned to him with wide eyes “Awww, honey, don’t look at me like that. You act like I was stupid.” He grinned the crooked grin again before crawling on the bed like a lion ready to attack “I knew you were in love with him…but alas, he’s married.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just friends…” she was not convincing but the fear in her voice only turned Ross on.

“Really? So when you danced with him earlier, you didn’t imagine that he was your husband? Or that the two of you were the only people in the room? You embarrassed me in front of my family and friends!!” he did the unthinkable as he raised a hand and slapped her clear across the face.

Natalie cried out in pain, she froze in place. A hand rested on her throbbing red cheek, slowly she turned to him, fear replaced by sudden anger “You have no right—”

“The hell I do!!” he cried while pouncing over her. Using his strong grip, he pinned her arms above her head “You’re MY wife. You will do as I please and I will do as I please.”

Fear raced back into her mind. What if he kills her? He was capable at that very minute, she knew it. He was different from the man she knew. A lion had emerged from the gentle kitten. She found herself regretting every decision she made about Ross “Please…I promise I’ll be faithful. Don’t hurt me…” she was near tears as she begged her husband. It was strange to be put in that situation, they were supposed to be happy but it was the furthest emotion from her at that moment.

“Yes, yes…keep crying. It’ll make this much better.” He yanked her legs apart using one leg and peeled off her panties. She squirmed painfully and cried openly, yet he was careless to her feelings. He didn’t care that he was hurting her, he would have his way whether she liked it or not. Each thrust made her cry out in horrid pain. She had learned the more she cried, the more he was enjoying it. Natalie bit her lips and closed her eyes, she was in pain but refused to let him enjoy it “Trying to be strong?” he mocked “Don’t worry honey, we’ve got all night.” She didn’t answer, only let the tears creep out from the corners of her eyes.

**********

Zoey was cleaning up while Ahron watched television. Everything was voice activated and it didn’t take longer than five seconds for the dishes to be cleaned. She walked into the living room, debating whether she should attempt to talk to him or return to the room to sleep first “Come, sit with me.” He said without looking at her.

Obediently, she approached the seat and sat down next to him. It was awkward the way his arm rested over her shoulders and it felt foreign when he pulled her close to him. Her eyes closed when her head leaned on his chest “How did we let it go so far?”

A smile spread across his usually cold face “I guess it was written in the stars.”

“Is that a pick up line?” she giggled for the first time in weeks.

He nodded, his chin rested on the top of her head “It worked on you.”

Zoey’s head moved up as she looked at him lovingly “It did.”

Silence filled the room as they continued to stare at each other. He could read every feeling she had; fear, pain, love and sadness. He had caused her all of that. Slowly, he lowered his head until their lips met. She refused at first and tried to pull away but he used his hand to push her head closer. His eyes gripped shut while he kissed her passionately. She eventually relaxed when he put more feeling into the kiss. They melted slowly into each other’s arms. She had ached for so many months for that to happen but it never did. Each night being more disappointed with every awkward moment of silence.

Zoey didn’t want to think of what had gotten into him, she only wanted to enjoy that very moment. He had kissed her like a husband should to a wife and touched her in places she didn’t know existed. He was gentle with every step of the way, taking his time with each removal of a garment. She shivered due to the cold night air, he raised an eyebrow at her and flicked his head toward the bedroom. She smiled in answer and he picked her up leaving a trail of clothes behind.

That night was their first time making love, it was new to Ahron but he knew exactly what to do to make her feel at ease. She was a virgin. He lasted for hours but she had long ago reached her climax. When she felt like exploding with pleasure, she had to stop him “No more…” she whispered tiredly.

Ahron smiled “That’s not exactly what I imagine you would say when we do this for the first time.”

She shook her head shyly “I’m exhausted…” He laughed while getting off her. They laid in each other’s arms “Aren’t you tired?” she asked.

He shrugged “Not really.” Of course, he missed the part that he was a God. He could not feel tired, but the pleasure was real. Too real. For a split second he wonder if making love to Natalie would blow his mind?

“What are you thinking of?” her voice brought him back to reality.

“Nothing.” He smiled while gripping her tighter “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” she turned to the side and leaned up on her elbows, her chin resting on one palm “Because of that?” she smiled “Then you should be sorry more often.”

He came to realize why he had wanted to marry her. The teasing tone in her voice reminded him of Natalie. The smile was bright and it lit up her face, she had gorgeous round eyes. She was livelier when he first met her, but she had grown distant when he began working with Natalie. He had never noticed it before “You’re beautiful.” He sighed.

Zoey was confused, he was a different man that night. Complimenting her and she could feel the love through his actions. She tilted her head at him with a growing smile “What’s with the changed Aaron? What did you do to my husband?”

“I just brought him back.” He was finally where he should be. Expecting to see a bright light, he looked around the room for signs. But there were none. Zoey covered a yawn with her free hand “Someone’s getting sleepy.” He teased. Patting his stretched out arm, he motioned for her to lie down on it. She grinned while resting her neck on his arm. She slept quickly, but Ahron had more wonders on his mind. He was certain the test would be over but it seemed they had just begun.

**********

Months had passed since Natalie had gotten married. Ahron continued to dodge her at work. His relationship with Zoey grew by the day, he had loved her unconditionally. She had turned to the woman he had once fallen for; funny, sweet, happy and content. He wondered why the test had lasted that long? Had someone sabotage him to remain in the mortal world? He only knew of one person with that power, Barak.

One morning during work, he overheard a few secretaries gossiping about Natalie. He wrinkled his brows with concern when they said she had a bruised face. By the end of the day, rumors that she was being physically abused by her husband had confirmed the worries that Ahron had.

He knew he had to see it for his own eyes. Marching to her office, he tried the door but it was lock. He touched the knob and it gave way with ease at his powerful command. Natalie was startled as she turned to him “How did you get in here?”

Ahron wasn’t in the mood to explain, he was close enough to see the black eye “He punched you?!”

She quickly denied it “No! Of course not. Ross loves me, he would never hurt me.”

“Nat, don’t lie. I can tell when you do.” He warned, “What is the matter with him?”

She felt herself weaken “I don’t know.” She shook her head while trails of tears strolled down her usually smiling face “It’s like he’s a changed man. One day, he promises me the world and the next, he only wants me in pain. I made a mistake!” she shook her head vehemently.

He quickly comforted her in a tight hug “I’m sorry…” he said sympathetically “I should have taken you away while I had the chance. Now…” Suddenly he pulled her away “No, it’s not too late. We can go now.”

“Aaron, I can’t do that.” She yanked away from his grasped.

“Why not?” he demanded. She turned away “Because of this business? Forget it!! Who cares about it, you don’t even like law.” He reminded her “Come, I’ll take you far away where he can’t find you.” He took a hold of her shoulders “Nat, it’ll be just like we talked about. Please…” he wanted desperately to see her happy again.

“He’ll find me.” She was discouraged.

“Not if I can help it.” He said with confidence. The two left the building and he drove around the night sky. Ahron didn’t know where he was driving but he knew it would be far enough so no one would find them. Natalie had fallen asleep next to him, she was exhausted. What did he do to her?

They reached an old rundown motel where passerbyers stopped to be alone. She was still asleep when he parked the car. He gathered her in his arms as he entered the hotel and checked in. The rooms were tiny and only one bed was present. He placed her on it carefully and pulled the covers around her body. Ahron was pulled to her peaceful face as he sat down slowly. His hand grazed her face gently.

She stirred as her hand reached up and grabbed his before he could pull away “Don’t leave me.” She whispered.

Ahron nodded “I won’t.”

Natalie sat upright as she leaned on his shoulder “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I have no one else now…my family is gone. My husband is…” she didn’t know how to describe Ross “I only have you.”

He patted her cheek adoringly “Silly girl. I would never leave you.”

“Stay with me tonight.” She reached her hand up to turn his eyes to face her. Ahron smiled with a slow nod. Natalie smiled as she inched closer to his lips. His eyes closed when they touched softly, her lips were gentle and full. Soon, they began to devour him hungrily like there was no tomorrow. His groin ached, he wanted her too but in the back of his mind there was Zoey’s voice of reason. He couldn’t do it. Gathering his last bit of will power, he pulled her away.

“We can’t do this…” he shook his head, completely out of breath. His head was spinning, it was the first time he had lost control and it scared him to death. Getting up, he walked away but Natalie wasn’t giving up.

“You know that this is right! Why are you fighting it?” She hugged him from behind and moved her body until she was facing him “I love you and you love me…unless you tell me that it’s all lies? The feelings, the gaze…the kiss?” her eyes yearned for him and he could see how much she cared for him. Her head slowly moved up again and this time he didn’t fight the urge to return the kiss.

Chapter 17

Zoey was calling Ahron but still there was no answer, where was he? She wondered to herself the worse, Natalie. She had good news for him, they were pregnant. With every unanswered call, Zoey grew restless. She decided to go out and look for him herself. He might still be at the office. She drove the car aimlessly, her mind twirling at what she could possibly find at the office. The two of them making out? How would she react? The questions were flying but she had failed to see the bright lights coming at her and the warning honks that tried to get off the wrong lane.

When she snapped back, it was too late. The cars collided in an angry disagreement. She flew into the wheel as the airbag deflated. Her neck whipped back and she felt her body being thrown into the force as the car spun out of control. She blacked out within minutes, she could hear voices calling for her to wake up.

Meanwhile, Ahron and Natalie had moved their kisses onto the bed. She unbuttoned his shirt hurriedly while he continued to kiss the nape of her neck and lips. They rolled around on the bed endlessly, taking their time yet devoured each other hungrily with each passing second. Her hand reached towards the belt of his slacks but a part of him cried out in disagreement. His hand covered hers before she could unbuckle it “Why?” she stopped to ask him.

Ahron felt lightheaded as he pulled away from her. A hand rested on his head as he tried to stop the growing headache “No…we can’t.”

“Why not?” she grew restless as she reached for him only to be pushed away.

“No! I can’t!” he shook his head “Zoey…I have to get back to her.”

“You don’t even love her! It’s wrong to be with someone you don’t love. Aaron, you taught me that.” Natalie said while urging him to stay “Please…” she begged, her eyes tearing into his soul as if an unspoken power, he felt himself weaken “That’s a good boy.” She coaxed while moving him closer to the bed.

Ahron felt like he was under a spell, his head bobbed up and down “Okay, just a little while longer.”

**************

Azariah sat still, her hands covering her eyes “Is it over?”

Cyrus shook his head, his eyes glued to the crystal ball “Yes.”

She turned to back to catch a glimpse of Ahron and Natalie kissing passionately. Her head whipped away while she growled at Cyrus “That was not humorous, Cyrus!”

He laughed, “I apologize, I misunderstood your question.”

“Cyrus, why must you tease her so?” Jeroham shook his head in disapprovment “It is not a good feeling to see your beloved in the arms of another.”

“I would not know, my friend. I have never been in love.” Cyrus said nonchalantly “Ahron is quite enjoying this if you ask me.”

“Stop!!” Azariah cried, “I will not allow you to speak of him that way!” she pointed at him angrily.

His smile soon faded when he realized she was really upset “I am sorry, I did not mean…”

She nodded “I know.” She turned to Jeroham “It is Barak isn’t it?”

Jeroham smiled, she was smarter than he gave her credit for “Yes. How did you know?”

“He has the love spell. But how did he figure out a way to invade her soul and body? I recall you had said only Serefina knew the spell. After all it was she that wrote the potion on the Crystal Ring. Unless Serefina was the person that allowed this to happen?” she found herself doubting the most powerful being.

“Dear Azariah, her highness foresees the future. Everything that is happening is according to plan. How Barak was able to break into the potion of the Crystal Ring, I cannot say. It will remain uncovered until Ahron returns victoriously.” Jeroham was wise beyond his years.

Cyrus chuckled sarcastically “It appears our dear God of Rain has no desire to return to the Heavens. The mortals are appealing to him. First Zoey and now Natalie.”

“Zoey is his wife, it is natural what they do.” Jeroham reminded him. He could read Azariah’s worried face “Do not be mad at him, it is his destiny.”

She nodded understandingly “I know…but it hurts.”

Jeroham nodded to Cyrus as he waved the crystal balls away “He loves you more.”

“Maybe so…but at this moment in time, I am the last thing from his mind.” She sighed sadly while the two Gods looked at her pitifully “I shall return tonight.” She nodded briefly and flew off.

**************

With every kiss and touch, Ahron’s headache grew painfully. He pulled away eventually “No…I can’t. I’m hurting her, I could feel it.” He spoke deliriously but Natalie wasn’t giving up the fight. She reached her arms out, clutching onto him for dear life “Zoey…” he muttered “I love her.” He said while prying her fingers off his waist.

Ahron would rather crawl to the door if it was what it took to get away. But it was poisonous to his mind as Natalie followed him to the door “You want me…” she said over and over.

His hands reached the handle as he used it to pull himself up “I don’t.” he said firmly as he walked out of the room. The door closed behind him and he suddenly felt energized. His legs were not weak and he was able to think straight “Zoey.” He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was wrong. He drove home and prayed silently that she would be okay. When he entered the empty home, his stomach dropped. Where could she have gone? Or worse, what had happened?

As if answering his question, the calling sound of his phone drew him to the room. He could see a distinguished person dressed in a white coat “Are you Mr. Aaron Lam?”

“Yes.” He said blankly.

“Your wife was in a car accident. She is at the Royal Hospital. I’m sorry to say, we could not save your child.”

She was pregnant? Ahron could not feel any worse, if only he didn’t take Natalie away. Zoey would not go looking for him and she would not have been in an accident. They were having a child “How is she?”

“Stable, but she has been muttering your name while dazing in and out of consciousness.” The doctor advised “I believe it is best if you come see her.” Ahron nodded, pale as a ghost he headed towards his car.

By the time he got to the Hospital, it was close to four in the morning. Her room was deathly white, which matched her skin. Her eyes shut and her hands clasped over each other “Zoey.” He said softly “Zoey…” he said again louder “I know you can hear me. I know whatever I say is useless. I will save the lies. I was with Natalie tonight. Ross had turned into an abusive husband and I couldn’t bear to see her in pain. I took her away-”

“Stop.” Zoey said, her eyes opened “I don’t want to know.”

“Nothing happened.” He said calmly.

“I said I don’t want to know!!” her voice croaked. She began coughing “I don’t care about you and I don’t care about her.”

“Zoey, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.” But an apology was not what she wanted. She needed a husband, someone that loved her for her. Finally, she understood what the word ‘heartbreaking’ meant.

She shook her head, silent tears dripped from her porcelain pale face “Too late. I shouldn’t have held on. I thought maybe if I did it long enough, you would eventually turn back to me. I feel like I’ve been on an endless rollercoaster. I don’t know if it will ever stop. It scares me Aaron…how much I love you…and how much I hate you right now. I guess there is a thin line between love and hate.”

He lowered his head shamefully “I know it doesn’t matter what I say, you’re already hurting. I realized when I was with her, how much I wanted to be with you. But it was like a force that pulled me back. I know you think it’s absurd and I’m just making up excuses to get out of it…” he debated on whether to tell her the truth of his powers and his identity. Maybe then, she would not be in too much pain but that would be risking her life.

“I don’t care what you say.” She said with a pained expression “Did you ever love me?” he opened his mouth to answer but she quickly stopped him “Don’t try to make me feel good by saying yes. I want to hear the truth only. Please…” she begged.

Ahron nodded, she had every right to know the truth “At the beginning when I met you, I couldn’t shake off the realization that you remind me so much of Natalie. Her personality, her smile, her laugh, but maybe I was so in love that it blinded me. When I asked you to marry me, I thought it was the right decision. I never thought that I would see her again, but one day I interviewed for her company, I realized she was the President. I wanted to walk out that very minute, for you…but she saw me. We talked and she asked me to stay and help her out. I agreed eventhough I knew it was wrong.”

“Fate.” Zoey said shortly.

Ahron shook his head “No. Destiny. It was meant to be. For the past few months, I had to fight the urges inside of me. And then it occurred to me, I was able to be strong because of you. You were the one that held me back.” He reached out and took her hand, she didn’t fight it but continued to listen to his reasoning “I realized that without Zoey, Aaron would have spun out of control. You were with me when I went through the toughest time of my life, you were the one that brought me up when I had fallen numerous times. I owe you my life.”

“That’s why you married me?” She asked hurtfully.

He shook his head “No…don’t you see? We were meant to be together. Natalie walked back into my life so that I can realize how important you really are in my life.”

Zoey was confused “I don’t understand. You’re saying that this is a good thing? That while you were off sucking face with the love of your life and I got in a car accident that killed our unborn child is serendipity?”

“No, I’m saying that having you in my life is the most powerful gift of all. It’s not about Natalie or the child or anything for that matter. It’s about the fact that your presence gave me a chance to know what love means. Infatuation is what Natalie and I were. She was the girl that got away, that’s all. You were the girl that I didn’t want to get away.” He finally understood the test. She had to fall in love with him again in order to past the test of lust. When there is lust, there is love, they go hand in hand like rain and sun.

“This all sounds romantic and everything…but I don’t know if I can forgive you.” She couldn’t admit that his words gave her chills and she was definitely touched from what he had to say.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me.” Ahron insisted “But don’t stop loving me.”

Zoey looked away “I never stopped.” The blue beam of light appeared at her magical words. Ahron shielded his eyes while Zoey looked at him strangely “Aaron, are you okay? What’s wrong?!” she asked worriedly.

His hand reached out blindly to her as she grabbed them in her own. He pulled her close for a hug “Listen to me Zoey. I have to go somewhere. A place where you can never find me. You are a wonderful wife and even greater person for loving me through all your pain and suffering. Promise me one thing, forget about me, move on and find someone that loves you more than you love him.”

She was sobbing by the time he pulled away “You’re scaring me…where are you going? Why can’t you take me with you?”

He wiped the tears from her face “I can’t. I wish I could. Remember, move on.” He got up and walked into the beaming light. Zoey’s cries lingered in his ears as he was sucked into the vortex.

Her eyes snapped open, it was just a dream. The nurse was sitting by the bed when Zoey was startled awake “Mrs. Lam, are you okay?”

“My husband, where is he?” she asked hurriedly.

“He…uh…” the hesitant in her voice only made Zoey’s patience run thin.

“What happened?!” she demanded.

“He was murdered by a man named Ross, who supposedly claimed that his wife was having an affair with your husband. Mr. Lam was trying to bring the couple together after they were in a short quarrel, but he was innocently killed. I’m sorry.”

Zoey was in a state of shock, she covered the cries while shaking her head in disbelief. The dream, it meant something. Was he trying to tell her something? What was he covering his eyes from? Why did he have to go? Was it heaven he had to leave to? Her questions would never be answered.

**********

“He passed!!” Azariah exclaimed as she jumped up to pull Cyrus from his game of ‘Go’ with Jeroham “Look!”

“You do not need to pull me away. I can see from my place.” Cyrus said in disagreement “I did not doubt him but it appears that someone did.” He said teasingly while returning to the seat across from Jeroham.

Azariah was not discouraged by his tone of voice “I had no doubts, it was worrisome.”

“Of course.” Cyrus laughed.

Suddenly, Jeroham stood up from his seat “What is the matter?” Azariah’s quick perception read something was wrong.

“Serefina.” He said shortly “I will return.” With a snap of a finger, he was gone leaving a billowing cloud behind. He knelt before her “You called, your highness?”

“He’s escaped.” Serefina said darkly.

“How?” Jeroham stood up, his eyes wide with shock.

She sighed and stepped off the thrown “Evil beings have lurked around the corners. I can feel them, my headaches have grown. He will only get stronger until the Power of Nine is in his hands. You must warn the others.”

“Yes.” He bowed gracefully and turned to leave.

“Jeroham, be careful with Azariah.” She warned. Jeroham nodded in answer.

Chapter 18

Ahron’s eyes remained closed as he lied quietly in the pool of blue light. His thoughts traveled to Zoey, he wondered what would become of her? How would they explain his sudden disappearance? Serefina’s echoed voice broke into his thoughts and eased his worries “Do not worry for the mortals that have crossed your path. Within weeks, they will have forgotten the entire ordeal.”

“How was Barak able to enter the mortal world?” he asked the pondering question he had thinking of since he realized his feelings were being controlled.

“That is beyond your control, Ahron. You have past the test of lust.”

“What is next?” he asked.

Serefina’s signature laugh only reminded how much he missed the heavens “That, you will have to see for yourself. Now, move on.” He felt a strong wind that blew him into a distance. His eyes remained closed.

“Hung! Hey, wake up! They’re gone!” Ahron’s brows wrinkled but his lids remained heavy. The voice, it was a girl’s voice. It was too familiar “Give me that cup!” the girl demanded as she threw the ice cold water over his face causing him to be startled awake.

Ahron rubbed his eyes and moved the water away from his face with the palm of his hand “What…what happened?”

“What happened? You fainted. Shit, I’ve never met such a chicken shit before in my life. But then again, I can’t expect a scholar to fend himself from a bunch of gangsters with knives pointed at him.” She squatted in a seated position as she tapped him with the back of her hand “Hey, you ready?”

“For what?” he asked as he turned to her. His face froze in place “Zoey?” he looked around, the setting was in modern day Hong Kong. They looked to be standing in the middle of little diner with a group of men surrounding him. Her makeup was dark and her hair died jet black. It was chopped in layers and ran down her back, she wore a jean skirt and knee high boots. Her black top looked like it was deliberately cut at the neck so that it would lean to one side, the waist was cut to show off her belly button.

“Zoey? No…” she titled her head strangely “Did you hit your head somewhere?” she pulled his head under her chin while examining any damage “No, it’s not bruised. I’m JOEY.” She pronounced clearly for him.

He nodded as he pushed himself up, Joey continued to stare at him “What?” he asked strangely, wondering who the girl was to him.

She was getting frustrated “You begged and begged for me to take you to see my brother and now you’re asking me what? I swear, something is wrong with you.” She sighed, “So are we going or what?”

It was an annoyed tone that he quickly caught on. Maybe it was his destiny to meet the guy? Ahron hastily nodded “Okay. Let’s go.”

Joey turned to the boys and snapped her finger “Come on.” They walked down the streets as if they owned it, glaring down at people who were watching with fear. She rested a lazy arm around Ahron’s neck “Hey, you gonna wear that to see my brother?”

Ahron hadn’t noticed his clothes until she pointed it out. He looked down at his old rundown khakis and a picture printed shirt of Yu-Gi-Oh. Who had dressed him? Joey tightened her arm around his neck as she stopped in front of a clothing store, nodding to the store with her eyes “I don’t have any money.” He answered without thinking. She laughed as he wrinkled his brows, why did he say that?

“I know, you’re a poor scholar. I’ll buy it for you. Come on.” She practically pushed him into the store as they chose out a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt that was more fitting “We might have time to fix your hair though…oh hell! Forget it.” She waved a hand while leading the way.

“How did we meet?” Ahron asked curiously as they turned a corner and continued on. He wasn’t sure where they were headed but the city was getting dirtier and crowded with loitered people scrutinizing them “Sorry, I have short term memory.” He added when she rolled her eyes.

“I was in Beijing for some…eh…business. And suddenly, this huge group of mother fuckers-” she covered her mouth with a laugh “Oops…sorry, excuse my French. Anyways…they started attacking me and my boys. I had the package so I had to run the hell away. I didn’t notice my leg was cut until you saw me sitting in an alley groaning in pain. At first, I thought you were one of them, but when I saw your clothes, I knew you were an innocent. You helped me get away and I said I owed you a favor. Then before I left, you requested to see my brother and the rest as you nerds would say is history.” She concluded with a warning finger “Don’t ask anymore questions, I hate it.”

When she spoke, it brought back memories in his mind. Indeed he did know her, Joey was no more than an acquaintance to him. He lived in a poor house, big enough for one person but there were three others living in the same cottage. His mother, a younger brother and a sister that was dying of leukemia. He was the only one that finished school but could not find a job, they were desperate for money “Jo Jei.” The bouncer greeted her with a nod. Ahron looked up and found a large built guy standing guard at what looked like an underground club.

“Hey.” Joey flicked her head at him “He’s with me.” She pointed to Ahron “Is Gor here?”

“Yeah. He’s inside.” He looked down at Ahron and eventually opened the door for them.

Ahron stepped inside, not knowing what to expect. The scene was clouded by cigarette fumes and guys drinking into a frenzy. Girls wearing short skirts and slits that ran up to their thighs. The men looked dangerous and fearless as they glared at the new guy. Joey quickly spotted ‘Fingers’. It was a nickname her brother gave him because he was quick with the hands. One of the most dependable and trustworthy guys in the eyes of Lung Gor, head of Hung Hing Gang “He’s inside with the bosses.” He informed Joey and quickly pointed to Ahron “Who’s the wannabe?”

Joey took into offense “Be nice, he saved me.”

“He’s the guy that saved you?” Fingers looked shocked.

“Yeah. You got a problem?” Joey pointed her chin in the air.

He laughed while stepping closer to Joey until they were centimeters apart “Hell, I’ve got a problem since the day I met you. You are so fine!" he shook his head sadly "Damn, why do you have to be a les?”

Joey grin exploded as she threw her head back with a laugh “Are all guys like that? They want girls that they can never have?” she grazed her lips to the side of his neck “You’ll never have me.” She stepped back and patted Ahron on the arm “Come on. Let’s crash it.”

Ahron followed her but he turned back to the guy called Fingers, he was fuming with anger “Who is that guy?”

“Fingers. Stay away from that bitch, he’ll just bring you more drugs until you drown in your own vomit. I don’t know what my brother sees in him. He’s always trying to feel me up and crap like that.” Joey turned to Ahron curiously “What’s the matter? Scared?”

He shook his head “No, just curious…what did he call you earlier…a les?”

“Yeah, like lesbo…lesbian…homosexual? Is that term better?” she mocked teasingly.

Ahron’s eyes nearly popped out of its socket “You’re…gay?” he didn’t know if she would be offended.

Instead she laughed it off “I forgot to mention that to you. Hey, don’t tell me you’re in love with me and shit. Damn, the last guy that told me that, I had to get Ah Gor to rid him of his misery.”

“You got him killed?!” Ahron asked in shock.

“No, stupid! We just made him move to another city and if he returned, we’d chop off his dick…ooop! I mean penis.” Joey covered a laugh when he continued to look stunned “Stop it with the small talk, come on.” She thrust the door open without any disregard to her brother’s meeting. But she already knew there was no meeting, he had wanted privacy with his girl, Dee.

Lung Gor was hovering over Dee on a couch built for courting “Jesus! Joey, why can’t you knock?” Dee cried as she covered her top that was slipping off.

“Meeting huh?” she snickered at her brother.

He turned and slowly crawled away from Dee. He sat coolly on the couch, his legs crossed casually “So, you caught me. What do you want? I don’t like to be disturbed.”

“The hell you do! I’m your sister. We’re from the same blood, the same mother that carried us for a whole nine months. I’m the sister that stole—”

“Okay, I get it. Fuck, girl…do you have to bring that same speech up every time?” Lung Gor shook his head disapprovingly at her “Who’s the mute?” he nodded to Ahron.

Joey smiled victoriously “This is Ah Hung. He saved me back in Beijing, I told you about that remember?” Lung Gor nodded as he waved for Dee to come closer so he could wrap an arm around her.

“Yeah…so?” Lung Gor asked uninterestingly.

“Nothing, he said he wanted to meet you, that’s all.” Joey patted Ahron on the arm “Come on.”

“No, I wanted to ask him something.” Ahron stopped Joey.

Lung Gor seemed amused as he clapped his hands “So you can talk.” Dee cracked up as if it was the funniest thing in the world “What is it? I’ll do anything, you saved my sister’s life.”

“I need money.” He said bluntly.

Dee snorted, “Boy, you have guts. How dare you demand money from Lung Gor. Even I don’t—”

Lung Gor raised a hand to silence his girl “It’s okay. My sister’s life is worth a few thousand dollars, I guess.”

“Actually, I need a million…” Ahron began “You see, my family is really poor. My mother is always sick and my sister has leukemia, plus my brother can’t afford to go to college…” he faded when Joey began tapping him impatiently on the arm. A clear sign for him to stop talking.

“One million…” Lung Gor narrowed his eyes at the greedy guy “You want a million dollars?” he got up and snapped a finger at Dee to follow. She did “Sorry, you came to the wrong person.”

“Gor!” Joey stomped her foot in a tantrum “You just said my life was worth something.”

“Yeah, a few grand, not a million!! Anyways, I don’t have that much, even if I do, it should go to the boys.” He reasoned “Every gang has rules, I can’t just take it out of the trust for some guy we don’t even know if we can trust.”

“He’s not with Fu Ting.” Joey said flatly “What if he becomes one of the boys? Will you give him money like you do to the others? Give him my share too.”

Lung Gor turned to Dee “Can you wait outside, babe?” she nodded respectfully and retrieved to close the door behind them “Ah Mui, you don’t normally give up your chunk of money for someone…especially for a man.” He didn’t like the idea that she was gay, but had long ago accepted it. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about one of her boys making her pregnant. She was promiscuous.

“He saved my life.” She repeated, “You’ve always taught me to repay a favor that was given. Even when I told him who I was, he wasn’t scared. He insisted that I stay at his home until the scene died down.”

“Look, I don’t want to cause siblings to fight.” Ahron raised a hand “I guess it was greedy of me to ask. I can work for it…could you get me a job? I just need to make something to send money up to my family.”

“He can be my bodyguard!” Joey suggested with wide eyes.

Lung Gor laughed, “Don’t you mean you’re HIS bodyguard?” he shook his head when she gave him pleading puppy eyes “Okay.” He smoothed her hair adoringly “Just because it’s for you. You have a job. If she loses a strand of hair, it’s your dick I want.”

Joey punched him on the shoulder roughly “Don’t scare him!”

He looked down at where she punched him and back at Joey “Did you just fuckin punch me?”

Her eyes widened “Uh…no…no, I didn’t. Did I?” She turned quickly to Ahron for help.

“Uh…no. I didn’t see it.” Ahron caught on.

Lung Gor shrugged “Okay. Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starved.” He wrapped an arm around her neck “I could eat a cow.”

“Yeah, I get tired after my girl bones me too.” Joey’s comment made him grimace with disgust. He pushed her away and nodded to Dee and Fingers. Ahron smiled at the different way Joey was with her brother. He could never see himself with his sister or brother acting that way “Works every time.” She leaned and whispered to Ahron.

“What?” he asked blankly.

“I love making him disgusted.” She giggled.

Ahron found her attitude amusing and endearing for some strange reason. She was crude and her manners were beyond low class. She was different from Zoey and Chou Yee, but yet they looked exactly the same. He began to wonder if the Fortune Teller theory were true. He learned it long ago from Jeroham but had never witnessed it with his own eyes until that very minute. Were they all the same people? If so, why doesn’t she remember him? Or is it that she can’t?

“Hey, earth to Hung!” Joey waved a hand in front of his face “Come on, they’re way ahead of us.”

“Oh, sorry.” He said hastily and quickened his pace to catch up with the rest.

SIUBINGLIBRARY