Katherine Lau - Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Neil Yeung - Daniel Wu
**Dedicated to Nitedream** ^_~
The girl sat in her seat of the airplane, her hand holding an old letter. The edges were beginning to wilt from many years of being opened and folded. Once again she unfold the letter reading it over once again for the 10the time that day. She couldn't help it, it was the only letter that he ever wrote to her. They were best friends for as long as she could remember. When she took that internship in Canada, she never thought it would be for five years. They talked at least 3 times a month, she was always the one to call him. Although half of her paycheck payed the phone bill, she still wanted to call him. Relaxing herself as she closed her eyes, wondering if there was a chance for them.
He was dreaming of her again, this time it was more vivid then before. He could almost smell the perfume she often wore. Her beautiful brown eyes digging into his heart, his legs would go weak when she's around. "beep beep beep beep" his alarm clock rung its annoying tone as his arm reached beneath the covers trying to turn it off. Finally he had to get up after a moment of unsuccessful searching of the clock. Pulling the covers over his head as he plopped back to sleep. It was only Saturday, he could sleep in for a few more hours....Suddenly he bounced from his bed. 'Oh god, I forgot I have to pick up Kathy today!!!' he thought.
One hand brushing his teeth and the other one combed his bedridden hair. Throwing on his jeans and an old shirt he found on the floor, he raced out to his car as he sped down the street leading to the airport.
She stood there in the crowded exit of the terminal as she looked at her watch over and over. 'Where is he?' she wondered to herself. She saw a guy running at top speed towards her. He mumbled out apologies to a few people that he bumped into. Leaving a trail of wind as he zoomed past her. She stared after him in shock. Her hands on her hips as she watched him stop a few yards down as he gazed at the screen showing the flights arrivals. Spinning around in a circle as he looked for the flight number and terminal number. Just as he found the terminal he saw her, she looked familiar, yet she didn't. As he came closer, he noticed the exasperated look on her face as she stood there staring at him. Realizing that he found Kathy, his grin broadened as he ran to her.
His embrace was so tight that it almost squeezed out the air in her lungs. They giggled like little kids as she returned his hug "Making your usual grand entrance again?" she joked.
"Oh you know me, never a minute late." he let go of her to look at her face. She definitely looked different from five yars ago.
"But always an hour late. Wow...you're getting better." her voice full of sarcasm, while she continued to smile.
"You look different?" he stood back as his finger tapped on his chin thoughtfully. "New hair cut? No no...I know...new shoes!!"
She shook her head "Five years difference. Of course Im going to change." Actually, she lost some weight. She was a bit chunkier when she left. Getting fit by doing ballet and modern dance, her petite body really showed the results. "And I think I lost a few pounds." her grin told him that was it.
"Thats it!" his face fell "I kinda liked it when you were... uh....chubbier. I missed the eating contest we use to have."
"We can still have that. I can always dance the weight off." smiling as she handed him her luggage. They talked about the trip and the latest gossip of their lives. He had a crush on a girl, but she doesn't seem to notice him. Kathy couldn't hide her disappointed face but Neil didn't seem to notice.
She was staying in his two bedroom apartment. It couldn't have been more perfect, his other roommate just moved out a month before. Dropping her luggage in the empty room as she examined the empty spacious room. "I love the bed!" she gushed as she pretended to sit down on it. "Gosh and this dresser table couldn't be more perfect!!"
He crossed his arms as he watched her "Okay, okay I didn't have time to buy furniture for you. But hey, I guessed you wouldn't have much to do so I left it empty, that way you can go furniture shopping."
Kathy sat on the carpet in the middle of the room "Aiya, I start my job Monday, how am I suppose to go furniture shopping?" he was as careless as ever. She wondered if he would be the same after he gets a girlfriend. At a ripe age of 26, he was still a single man. She looked at him thoughtfully "Still waiting for Mrs. Right?"
He lied down on the carpet next to where she sat as he sighed to himself "I found her, I just don't know what to do next."
"You can start by talking to her. Have you even done that?" her sarcasm had a touch of envy.
"Yeah, of course I have." putting his hands behind his head as he smiled to himself. "She's gorgeous, Kathy."
"Really?" she asked without interest. "Hey, Im hungry. You gonna starve me? Lets go eat." she nudged him on his side.
"Oh alright. Sheesh, I thought you would eat less after you lost that weight but it looks like you're going to eat me out of house and home!!" Getting up quickly to dodge her attempt to hit him. He raced to the bedroom to change.
They ate dinner at their favorite restaurant, a little Taiwanese place called 'Xiao Wei'. It was really meant for couples, since the restaurant had dimmed lights. With a tiny red candle at in the center of each table. It would be a perfect environment for a guy to propose to his girlfriend. She was busy daydreaming while he babbled on and on about this perfect girl that he met. She was a model that worked for 'Touch' magazine, he met her the first day he started working there as a photographer. Although he was too nervous to start a conversation, he would often push himself to be more aggressive when he saw her in the building or the elevator.
Neil noticed that Kathy wasn't paying attention so he stopped talking "Katherine Lau, what is the matter? You're not even listening to me!" His pouting face suddenly lit up "You thinking about your boyfriend?" he had hoped that she would have one. He remember writing to her five years ago before she left. He said by the time she returned to Hong Kong and she didn't have a boyfriend that he would gladly take over the position. He was a man of his words and she even had the proof. She was so depressed at that time that he had to do something to cheer her up. But still he wasn't sure on how she thought about it now.
Kathy shook her head slowly "Not yet. Still a single gal. Im just going to die an old maid" sighing to herself as she sat back on her chair.
"Don't be silly. You're very cute, any guy would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend."
"Really?" her face beaming with excitement. Maybe he did remember about the letter.
"Yeah, too bad its not me..." his voice trailed off as he dodged her eyes.
Their dinner was quiet with an occasion question that Kathy asked. For the next few months, she listened as he gushed on and on about this model girl named Kelly. She tried to be supportive as she envied over this girl. She had the attention of the cutest guy and not to mention the most wonderful guy and it sounded like she had no interest in him whatsoever. After hearing how beautiful she was for the 50th time, Kathy finally decided to help her friend. It was no use for her to like someone who didn't like her. Eventhough her feelings for him never altered, she knew it was the right thing to do.
They were eating dinner at home one night when he mentioned about some guys at work seeing Kelly at a club called Moonlight. "Well, why don't you go to the club and see her?" Kathy asked while she forked her pasta.
"I would, but you know how I get around girls. My hands start sweating and my tongue goes numb. Not to mention I have two left feet." taking a big biteful of pasta as he mumbled "there's no use."
Putting down her plate on the coffee table as she took his plate and placed it next to hers. "Come here, let me see." pulling him up from his seat as she adjusted his back so it was straight. "Keep your posture good, you look more confident that way. Now lets see you walk." crossing her arms as she waited for him to strut his stuff.
"Walk?! You mean like normal?" his hands to his side as he casually walked back and forth in the living room.
She gave him a funny face as she shook her head "No, like a model type of walk. Here I'll show you." pushing him aside as she put one hand in her sweat pant pocket and cooly walked past him. Her shoulders back and a slight bounce to her walk, she looked debonaire.
He stood there grinning like a monkey "Where did you learn to do that?"
"Watching movies. Now come on, try it." she taught him for a whole ten minutes before he got the walk down. "What are you going to wear?"
"Clothes." he laughed at his smart remark.
She rolled her eyes "I know why she doesn't like you." her sarcasm stopped his laughter. "Now, you have to stand out from the other guys. Put on a pair of dark blue jeans, a white shirt and a leather jacket. Girls like that bad boy look. You do have one don't you?"
"Of course I do." exaggerating the annoyance in his voice. He went to his room to get dressed, when he walked out, he added his own touch. Wearing a pair of black sunglasses, he looked like a guy who just off his motorcycle.
Kathy didn't notice that she was staring at him until he waved his hand in front of her face. "Hello? Anyone home?!" She suddenly blushed as she walked towards the door ready to go. "Hey, you're not going with me are you?"
Turning around as she looked at him puzzled. "You don't want me there?" her hurt voice was easily detected.
"Oh..well, I guess you can come along." he suddenly looked down at the ground "I don't know if I can do this." his fear taking over quickly.
"Don't be ridiculous. You'll be great, she'll faint in your arms!" even her support couldn't bring him up.
"I don't know, Kathy. Im sure there will be other guys there that are going to hit on her. I won't stand a chance."
Her face was thoughtful as she tried to come up with a plan "I know!" her face lit up as she raced into her room, looking in her roledex, she punched in the numbers on her cell phone.
"What are you doing?" he stood by her door as he watched her call someone.
"Shh!!!" putting up her hand to quiet him. "Hey, Johnny its me Katie."
"Katie?!! Since when did you change your name?" Neil asked surprised.
"SHHH!!!" she glared at her friend as she returned to her conversation "Yeah, I need to borrow some of your guys.... tonight...you can?! Oh, you're a life saver!! Thanks, bye... yeah, I owe you." she hung up her phone. "You are one lucky guy!" she exclaimed as she pushed him out of her room. "Im gonna change, so get out."
"Its not like I never saw you naked." he exclaimed.
Her face was red as she argued "You did not!!"
"Yes I did. You were 5 and I was 6, remember? It was a hot summer day..." she laughed as she pushed him out the door and locked it.
A few minutes later, she came out in a black leather mini with a tight red tank top. Her knee high boots were a perfect match to her skirt. Her long hair was tied up in a ponytail. Popping a gum in her mouth as she chewed away. Nodding her head to Neil as she hinted for them to go. "Come on, you're lady awaits."
He was gawking at her "Where did you get those clothes?" he wondered when she had the chance to where such a revealing outfit. "And who did you call?"
She smiled slyly as she winked at him "I work at night to make extra." giggling at his wide eyed expression. "The guy I called is named Johnny Hung. He's one of the big triad Dai Lou of Sa Tin. I met him while he was in Canada for a 'business trip'. I helped him a few times and so he promised to help me out. He's letting me borrow a few of his tough guys. I have a plan, now if you would just follow my lead, you'll have her in your arms in no time."
"Are you crazy? Why would you make friends with the triad?! They're evil and dangerous people." his voice was full of concern.
"Yes papa, am I grounded now?" rolling her eyes as she pulled on his hand leading him out the door. On the drive to the Moonlight club, she explained what their plan was. He wasn't sure about the gun part. "No, its too dangerous. What if we hurt someone?"
"Don't be silly, there's no bullets. See?" she pulled out the fake gun she often carried for protection. It looked so real. As they parked a couple of yards away, they got out of the car together. "Okay, you go in there by yourself. Im going to wait for my 'boys'." smiling to herself. She always wanted to be a Dai Jei. "You know what to do from there right?"
"Okay, but be careful." he warned as he walked towards the club. Glancing back at her one last time before he entered the crowded place.
He instantly spotted her. In her ruby red tight mini dress and wavy dark hair. Her perfect body showed through the dress. His knees began to quiver as he tried to contain himself. Walking in with a cool aura as he pretended not to see her. He heard a few whistles from the girls standing around. Pulling off his sunglasses as he winked flirtatiously at them. Fighting the urge to look at her as he approached the bar. Ordering a beer as he glanced around the room. He made sure he looked at everyone but Kelly.
She was gazing at the handsome guy for a while until she realized it was Neil. Her sultry walk caught every guy's attention as she approached Neil. "Hey Neil." her voice was soft and sexy.
"Kelly? You come here often?" he tried to keep a cool stature. 'She looks gorgeous.' he thought to himself.
"Yes, Ive never seen you before here." her sly smile gave him goosebumps. "You look different from your normal attire." she pointed to his clothes.
"Oh this, yeah, this is my casual clothes when I go out. I try to keep a low profile when Im at work." he was about to ask her to dance when he heard a few whistles coming from the entrance. Kathy made her grand entrance, the whistles continued as she approached the two.
"Neil. My...I haven't seen your face since that last fight. You don't just win someone's money and leave." her vicous glare digging into his eyes.
"Kathy, that was over a month ago. Why can't you just let it go?" he said cooly as he leaned on the bar table.
"Not until I get my chance to get my money back." turning over to Kelly as she looked at her from head to toe. "Got a new girl? No wonder you disappeared." she snickered.
"She's not my girl." he said defending Kelly's reputation.
Kelly seemed to be amused as she smiled at Neil "Not yet. What do you want with him?" she was doing exactly what Kathy wanted.
"None of your business. Get the hell out of my way." she pushed Kelly aside and then slipped a foot behind her ankles attempting to trip her.
Neil responded quickly as he caught her halfway. "You okay?" Kelly smiled sweetly. His eyes hardened as he turned back to Kathy "That wasn't necessary. Look I don't want anyone to get hurt, so if you would leave..."
"Are you threatening me?" Kathy's eyebrows raised as she snapped her fingers. Instantly, ten guys dressed in black stood up simultaneously from around the club. Walking over as they stood behind Kathy. It was a nice touch she threw in at the last minute. Smiling evily as she crossed her arms "Looks like the only one thats gonna get hurt is you."
Neil put his arm protectively around Kelly "Stand aside. I don't want you to get hurt." She nodded as she anxiously stood aside and prepared herself to watch a fight.
Kathy rolled here eyes as she walked over to one of the bar stools and sat down. "Well, are you gonna hit him or not?" she yelled at the guys. They were about to charge towards him when a gun shot stopped everyone. Turning their heads towards the entrance as they heard the door close. Kathy quickly got up from her seat. She saw Neil glance at her from the corner of her eyes.
By the look on her face, he knew that wasn't planned. The guys with knives walked slowly to the bar. The head guy with the gun suddenly stopped "Where's Johnny? I got some news that his little troop was here. I wanted to surprise him." he smiled wickedly as he looked at the group. The ten guys were tense as the glanced at each other. He looked over at the girls and were instantly driven to them. The one in the red was beautiful, but he wasn't interested in her. Walking up to Kathy as he stroked her face "Who's your Dai Lou? Johnny? You're just gonna eat dust if you follow him. Why don't you come with me?" he tried to touch her face again as she backed away.
Neil quickly intervened as he tried to protect Kathy "She's not a triad." he said firmly.
"Oh really? She's with them isn't she?" he pointed to Johnny's guys. He walked back to his guys. "How did I say to welcome Johnny again?" as if it was a signal. The fighting started in a heartbeat. Kathy bent down to the ground quickly to cover herself. Looking up she saw Neil hovering over Kelly as he led her to the back of the club. He never once looked back at Kathy. When she was a far distance from the fighting, she stood up and began to run towards the back exit where most people were. "Where do you think your going?" the voice of the leader shot through her like a bullet.
Kathy froze in her place as she turned around slowly. His gun was aiming towards her. Neil stopped as he heard the leader's voice. He saw Kathy being threatened, without thinking he ran back to her. "Neil, what are you doing?" Kelly cried out as she saw him go back.
"I have to help her." he said worriedly.
"Why? Let them kill her. She's just one of them." Kelly's cold words seem to wake him up. They were going to kill Kathy, it made him run faster. Not caring what Kelly had to say as his mind blanked out. He only wanted her to be safe.
"Kathy!!" he cried out as he saw the guy pull back the notch on his gun. His finger on the trigger, ready to pull it. Neil jumped on her as he pushed her to the ground. His body covering her as the bulletd came flying at them. He heard another gun shot, then another.
"Neil!!" Kathy covered his wounded arm as she looked around frantically. The bullet went straight into his left arm. It was bleeding quickly through her fingers. "You'll be okay. I'll find help." she was about to get up when he pulled her back down.
"No, don't leave me. I don't want anything to happen to you." his words were soothing. He looked up in time to see the leader guy fall to his death. The gunshots were aimed at him by an unfamiliar guy.
Kathy finally turned back, it was Johnny that killed the other guy. He rushed over to Kathy and Neil "Katie, you okay?" he asked with genuine concern.
She nodded "But he's not. I have to get him out now." the club was in total chaos, cops showed up at the scene and the people were running in all directions. The ambulance came within seconds behind the police cars as they entered the club taking out the injured people and a dozen dead bodies. Johnny quickly snuck out when he heard the sirens.
Neil's bullet was taken out within an hour from entering the emergency room. Kathy sat by his hospital bed as she watched him rest. The medicine was wearing off as he slowly opened his eyes. Smiling with relief as he saw her next to him. "You're okay. I had a dream that I lost you." using his free hand to reach for hers.
"Silly, its just a dream. Im right here." he noticed that she's been crying. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were moist from the tears.
"You cried? Its just a little gunshot on the arm, I would have lived." he teased.
She giggled lightly "No, its not that. I was just thinking of the moment when you ran off with Kelly. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come back." her eyes welling up with tears again.
He quickly sat upright as he squeezed her hand. Taking it up to his lips as he kissed them lightly. "I'll be honest, when you first came back, I hoped that you had a boyfriend and you would forget about our little pact. But when you tried to help me get Kelly, I began to wonder why. I saw the letter on your dresser, the one I wrote to you over five years ago. I knew that you still had feelings for me. But I didn't want to lead you on. But when I realized you were in danger, my mind went blank and I knew I just wanted you to be safe. So I came back."
She smiled as the tears dripped onto the bed. "I had hoped that you would remember about the pact. But when you kept talking about Kelly, I realized that you were not interested in me. I offered to help you because I wanted to see you happy." her face hardened as she recalled her near death experience "I was really scared. I just froze, I didn't know what else to do. I didn't expect you to come back and when I saw you....Im glad you did."
Using his uninjured arm as he pulled her to his bed and hugged her tightly "I'll always come back for you." He stayed that night in the hospital. They talked for about an hour that night when Kathy insisted on spending the night. Neil was happy that she did. Kathy quickly fell asleep as he gently stroked her hair. Her head layed on the bed as she slept peacefully next to Neil.
**Understanding that love cannot be a one way road is hard for some people, but when you embrace the meaning behind the word, you will realize that there are other roads too.**
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