The Zodiac of PRA V: The Finale

Chapter 16

The speedboat took them across the harbor within minutes. The smoke grew thicker as they parked the boat at the dock. Devin killed the engine as he jumped onto the pier and turned to help Erin, but she was already getting off herself leaving his hand hanging mid air. He looked down at his open hand “You’re welcome.” Smiling with a shaking head as he followed her.

“The smoke is too black, can you see anything?” Erin asked as she waved away the smoke.

“No, but stay close.” Devin reached for her hand as he pulled her along. One hand waving in front of his face as he maneuvered around the hot metal rigs, a few were still in flames “What does that word say?” he pointed to the burning rig in front of him.

Erin coughed out a lungful of smoke as she answered “R.K. Jewelers.” She turned to him “You think Riley knows about this?” he shook his head while she continued down the line, breaking away from his hand “Wu, Inc.” she whispered to herself. Her eye caught on something odd “Devin!” she waved to him “Look.” She pointed to the white smoke.

“White smoke. Cocaine?” he guessed. Erin stepped closer to get a better look while Devin looked around. Suddenly at the corner of his eyes, he spotted a figure moving past him “Erin, watch out!” he cried while leaping at her before the knife drove into her back. Instead it sliced open his shirt at the arm.

The two rolled in unison and she stopped over his body “Devin, are you okay?” she noticed his cut. His eyes widened as he rolled her to the side away from another attacker. Using his feet, he pushed her over his head where she landed on her feet while he kicked himself to a standing position “Who are you people?” she asked while backing away, they had no weapons.

The two masked men looked at each other as they nodded and turned to run. Erin was ready to chase them when Devin pulled her back “No. They want us to follow them.”

“You don’t think we can take them?” Erin was offended.

“That’s not what I meant.” He shook his head. Suddenly he felt a change in the smoke wind. Looking up, he could see a flaming rig above their heads. Grabbing her hand, he wasted no time to get away before it came crashing to the ground where they were standing just seconds before. Erin appeared to be in shock as she turned to her bottom “I think the team is in more danger than we are.” He helped her up and took her back to the boat.

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

“What’s taking so long?” Mia asked as she wrung her fingers together.

“They’re probably found nothing and maybe snuck to a secluded area and make out.” Doug sighed tiredly.

Mia raised her brows “That would be interesting.” But quickly shook her head “No, that’s impossible. Stop filling my head with mush.”

“Wasn’t it already full of mush?” Doug quipped while he snorted a laugh.

Matt and Reina were staring at the smoke “I’m sure they’re fine.” He patted her on the shoulder “I had no idea you cared so much.” He smiled at his fiancé.

She smiled slowly and turned her head to check on the others when a sudden dart shot towards her. Her quick reflex moved out of the way as she turned her head to the direction it came from “Watch out guys, we’ve got visitors.”

Matt looked at the dart “Reina, that looks like a…”

“Bomb!” Jenna cried as she quickly reached for Bonnie, who was closest to her and dove to the sand as the tiny device exploded causing a ripple of sand to rain over the group.

They quickly stood on their feet and spun in circles but there were barely any people out that day, none looked suspicious but a few stared at them when they heard an explosion “Sneaky.” Mia brushed herself off as she walked over to Jenna and took Bonnie into her arms.

Doug remained lying on his chair as he brushed away the sand on his face “Stupid bastards.” He grumbled. Suddenly he felt a pain stabbing him on the leg “Ow!”

Ryan’s quick eye followed the dart that stung Doug as he quickly pulled it off his leg and threw it into the ocean as it exploded halfway down into the water “I think it’s time to wake up.”

He nodded reluctantly “Anyone got a band aid?” he pointed to his bleeding leg.

“Don’t touch it!” Reina cried.

“Why?” Doug asked as his eyes covered the blood that was darkening. Pulling off his sunglasses, he noticed that his skin was turning purple around the wound “Oh my gosh! It’s poisonous.”

“How did you know?” Matt asked Reina, who ignored the question and rushed over to help Doug.

“Someone call an ambulance.” Ripping a part of her t-shirt off as she tied it around his knee tightly “This should stop it from traveling into your blood stream, but if we wait another hour then they’ll have to amputate.”

“Jesus!! Call an ambulance!!” Doug cried in pain.

“They’re on their way.” Luke replied before hanging up the phone.

Darren was looking for their attacker when his good eye caught a person standing on a balcony of a 6 story condo with a bazooka pointing at them “I found him!” he pointed as he raced towards the condo with Matt at his back. The guy shot out a final dart as he realized he was discovered. Leaving his weapon, he ran into the house.

“Duck Luke!” Jenna cried when the dart came shooting towards him. He didn’t hesitate to follow her instructions as the dart landed inside the grill. Mia quickly closed it shut and pushed it towards the water before taking another dive to the ground with Bonnie.

The explosion blew open the lid and broke the legs of the grill in pieces. The meat was thrown in all directions and a few landed on them. Bonnie began crying as she pointed to her leg “Mommy.” The scalding beef hit her exposed ankle.

“Bonnie!” Mia pushed the meat aside as she cleaned her leg with her own shirt “It’s okay baby…it’s okay.” She coaxed.

By the time Darren and Matt reached the home, it had been emptied. Leaving only the device left “Damn it!” Darren punched his palm.

“He’ll show his face again.” Matt said surely as he dialed for Ted “Hey, come down to Stanley Market. We’ve got a little accident.”

“Am I going to die?” Doug asked Reina with fearful eyes.

She shook her head “No. Maybe crippled…” she couldn’t help but add it making him whimper like a kid. Suddenly, her eyes caught a male figure in black, hands in pocket as he sped walk away from the condo that Matt and Darren had rushed towards “I’ll be back.” She ran over the rocks and chased the guy into the market. He led her to the end where there were less people “Who are you?” she paused just a foot from him.

The guy didn’t bother replying as he whipped his arm towards Reina, who ducked. His dark sunglasses hid most of his face. She punched him roughly in the ribs as he grunted in pain but refused to give in. Growling, he attacked her again with a vengeance, finally, he managed to kick her in the face as she fell to the ground. Preparing to finish her off as he released a knife at the heel of his shoe, he lifted it and aimed at her heart. Reina crossed her arms to block the leg but he was stronger as the sharp end moved closer to her.

Reina’s eye moved down to his other leg, it was perpendicular to her own legs. She bent her knee back and tripped him causing his weapon foot to fly in the air. Using her other foot, she forced his foot to bend across his body “Cheap shot.” She reached down and pulled off his sunglasses. Her brows wrinkled “Ah Gam?”

**********

Devin and Erin returned to the sound of sirens as the police and ambulance came to help Doug on a stretcher “What happened?” Erin asked.

“Poison darts with a tiny bomb attached.” Mia replied shortly.

“You were right.” Erin turned to Devin.

“Did you guys see something?” Mia asked nosily.

Devin shook his head “We’ll talk about it later. Is everyone else okay?”

“Bonnie had a minor burn, but she should be okay. Darren is looking over her right now. Doug is the only serious case.” Jenna explained.

“It was strange how Reina knew it was poisoned.” Ryan said mostly to Matt.

“Where is she?” he looked around for her.

“I wasn’t paying attention.” Ryan shook his head.

“There she is.” Luke pointed after he noticed Reina jogging back to them.

Matt walked over to greet her “Where did you go?”

“Oh, I thought I saw someone suspicious but it wasn’t.” she shook her head.

“Speaking of which, how did you know the dart had poison on them?” Matt question with a solemn face. Reina hesitated to answer and he added with a sigh “Reina, I thought we talked about telling the truth. Whatever you know, you would tell me regardless of what it is. We’re going to be husband and wife next year, I don’t want to have to play these guessing games. Don’t think I didn’t notice how pale you looked when you left the subway mission.”

Reina turned her eyes away with a nervous laugh “Don’t be silly, nothing’s wrong. I’m completely normal. Maybe it’s my bad side coming to life? I think of the worse scenario and if someone were trying to kill us, they might as well make it harder for us. The poison dart was just a wild guess.”

Matt eventually nodded “Okay. But promise me we’ll talk later.”

“Of course.” She smiled warmly as he took her hand and walked back to the group.

“Hi Ted!” Mia waved wildly when his team showed up ready to work.

“Must you do that every time?” Erin groaned with rolling eyes.

Jenna laughed, “She’s actually being very subtle.”

Ted jumped down the rocks into the picnic area “Hey guys. Is everyone okay besides Doug and little Bonnie?” they nodded randomly “What was the cause of explosion?”

“Darts with a bomb attached.” Ryan pointed to the first one that was still pushed into the sand “It’s a wild guess, but I think someone’s trying to kill us.”

“No kidding.” Ted snickered as he took a closer look at the dart “Any idea?” he turned to Devin for an answer.

“No, but I think the burning rigs were a distraction.” Devin pointed to the now contained fire “I think someone was trying to kill the evidence. White smoke.”

“Cocaine.” Ted said flatly “We’ve been suspicious of some inside work and sent more harbor police to watch carefully at the shipping docs. I guess we were right.”

“What kind of suspicions?” Erin asked thoughtfully “There were a few other rigs that were burned. Some familiar ones, I might add.”

Ted stepped closer as he nodded “Disclosed information says the big jewelry business has something to do with it. You might want to talk to Michael and Riley about it.”

“Ahem!!” Mia cleared her throat purposely.

Erin and Ted turned to her strangely “What?” Ted asked.

“Must you stand so close to her? You do have a fiancé.” Mia teased as she pointed a finger at Sara, who was not far away taking information from witnesses.

Erin blushed as she moved away “Sorry.” She turned and walked over to Luke and Ryan.

"So much for subtle." Jenna snickered at Mia while Devin smiled.

Chapter 17

Doug was in the emergency room for hours and it seemed the team only grew more worried with each minute passing. Everyone sat patiently waiting while Mia looked terrified, her eyes growing bigger and it appeared she was thinking of something. Darren turned to Erin and lifted his brows at her “Mia?” Erin tapped her on the shoulder.

“NO!!” she let out a shriek so loud that it woke up Bonnie in Darren’s arms. Mia clutched her heart “Don’t do that when I’m thinking.”

Erin patted her heaving chest “Christ, Mia! What were you thinking?”

Mia quickly pulled Erin down the seat next to her “I was thinking what if they’re cutting his leg off right now? And when he wakes up, we’ll have to tell him that he’s now crippled? Oh my God, who’s going to want him after this?”

“Mia, he’ll be fine.” Reina shook her head at the melodramatic girl “The poison didn’t even hit his thigh yet.”

“Which reminds me, how did you know it was poisoned?” Jenna asked curiously.

Reina smiled “Wild guess.”

“More like accurate guess.” Devin was leaning on the wall when he pushed his foot against it as he approached her “It’s nearly impossible to even guess but to have known that if the poison were to travel to the bloodstream, the doctors would have to amputate…that’s a little too good, even for you Reina.” He dared her with an authority tone.

Reina lowered her head while Matt stepped up to cover “Devin, if you’re implying that she’s hiding something—”

“I don’t imply. I sense.” Devin said darkly.

“Can’t we talk about this later?” Mia pleaded, “We don’t even know if Doug is alright.” Devin nodded as he backed away and sat near Jenna.

“Uncle, that was a bit harsh.” Jenna whispered.

Suddenly, the door open with the surgeon who announced “Who is the family of Doug Chung?”

“We all are.” Mia answered.

He looked around the group strangely “Oh…alright. The poisoned blood has been drained from his leg. Because of the wound, we had to put him in a cast. He’s very weak right now but I assume he would want to see his family. Eh…you are all his family?” he tried again. They nodded in answer leaving a confused look on his face as he left the room.

Jessie was walking back from the lunchroom when she crossed a familiar face in the small door window. It had been weeks since their first encounter, but she was positive it was him. Opening the door, she walked in quietly and instantly recognized him. Curious, she picked up the clipboard and read the review of his condition “Rattlesnake poison in the leg. Cleanse blood, replacement of ‘O-Type’ blood and leg cast.”

Doug began to come to as he groaned from the excruciating pain in his leg “It hurts…” he muttered incoherently.

“Well, it should.” Jessie placed her hands in her pockets as she stepped closer “Hi Doug. Remember me or did you get a memory lapse too?”

He covered his face with his hand “You…again. Don’t you have bedpans to empty and old people to annoy?”

“Cute. No, must I remind you that I’m a doctor here?” she grinned, “I didn’t know you would come back so soon, I expected at least another month or two. It takes a long time for guys to come out and admit that they have a problem.”

“Trust me, if I had a choice. I wouldn’t be back…not like this at least.” He nodded to his cast leg “But seriously, don’t you have other things to do?”

Jessie crossed her arms “Hmm, it appears your denial is tougher than I anticipated.”

“Hmph! That’s what you think. Denial is my middle name.” Doug replied haughtily. Laughing as she replaced the clipboard and patted his cast, he winced in pain “Ow.”

Abruptly, she turned to him with wrinkled eyes “Doug, has the surgeon been in to see you?” he shook his head, fear written all over it “Wow…I’m so sorry.”

“So…sorry? Why…why should… eh… you be sorry?” he stuttered but stilled try to keep cool.

“The cast is hollow.” Jessie said sadly.

“Oh my God!!! They did cut it off!!” Mia exclaimed from the door when she heard the girl in the white coat tell Doug. Rushing to his side as she threw her arms around his neck “I’m so sorry Doug…”

“Mi…Mia! MIA!” Darren yanked her away from Doug “Get a hold of yourself. You’re trying to kill him too?” he pointed at Doug, who was taking in deep breaths.

Mia turned to her husband “Well, he might as well be dead! A man without a leg is like a girl without boobs!” the others only looked at Doug sympathetically.

Doug sighed dramatically as he leaned back on the pillow “I knew I would live my life alone after…” he covered his face again “I don’t want to see anyone right now.”

Erin frowned as she read his results “Before I give you an Oscar for that performance, I should tell you that your leg was not amputated.”

“WHAT?!” Doug and Mia exclaimed at the same time.

“Yeah, it didn’t mention it.” Erin confirmed as she turned to Jessie, who was stifling a laugh “Ahem…Dr. Hui, do you have some explaining to do?”

“Dr?” Jenna asked “I thought she was a candy—” she stopped herself as her mouth opened “Oh…I see what you’re talking about.” She winked at Doug.

“Sorry everyone, it was meant to be a joke for Doug. I had no idea you guys would be listening at the wrong time.” She apologized.

“Dr. Hui?” Devin asked as she turned to him with questioning eyes “Dr. Jessica Hui?” again she nodded “I’m Devin Hsu.”

“Oh, we spoke a week ago.” Jessie nodded her head as she brought out a hand “It’s nice to meet you finally.”

“Likewise. Could I have a word with you outside?” Devin was polite as he let her walk out first.

Erin flicked a brow upwards “I had no idea he had manners.”

Jenna quickly linked her arm through Erin’s “I had no idea you could get jealous.”

“I am not jealous!” Erin denied while the others snickered “I’m not!!”

Luke waved a nonchalant hand in the air “Honey, you could cut the—”

“Don’t you dare!” Erin warned with a pointed finger.

Darren began laughing suddenly making everyone turn to him “I didn’t believe it before but now I do.” He nudged his wife playfully but earned a glare from Erin.

Doug pointed to each person “Hey, where’s Bonnie?”

“Crap! I left her sleeping in the waiting room!” Darren was astonished.

“Not anymore.” Ryan walked in with Bonnie in his arms “I think someone left back this little cute thing. Tell everyone how good you were.”

“I didn’t cry.” Bonnie nodded with rounded eyes.

Mia laughed as she took her daughter in her arms “Yes, you are a big girl now. Which reminds me. Bonnie’s third birthday is in two weeks!” she emphasized with the same round eyes Bonnie inherited.

“Wow, that’s only the eighth time you mentioned that.” Doug said sarcastically.

“Yeah and we still have two weeks!” Reina said brightly but her eyes quickly rolled away making Matt laugh.

Mia nodded at Matt “You think that’s funny? So, I see you took the role of the boring fiancé who just nods along and laughs at anything she says. Sad…”

Matt arched a brow up “Hmm…nice try. It wasn’t below the belt enough.”

“Damn!” Mia cursed.

“Damn!” Bonnie repeated before bursting into giggles.

Mia smiled guiltily at Darren, who shook his head sternly “Sweetie, that’s an adult word.” Erin said gently as she pulled Bonnie from Mia’s arm onto the floor “You want to get some candy? My treat.”

“Thanks Aunt Erin!” Bonnie exclaimed happily as she gladly took Erin’s hand.

Jenna raised her brows “Smart. Use the kid to walk outside and see if Uncle Devin and the cute doctor is doing more than just talking.”

“Get your head out of the gutter!” Erin pushed her head playfully “I could care less what he does.”

“Uh huh.” Mia chimed in with a wink.

“You guys are terrible.” Erin laughed as she took Bonnie to the nearest vending machine “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to hang around the only person that can’t tease me.”

Minutes after Erin left, Devin returned with Jessie “Everyone…excluding Luke...meet the Team’s new psychologist, Dr. Jessica Hui. Because Ethan was recently moved up north to Beijing, we had no one to take his place. Luckily, I had a good recommendation from Ethan himself.”

“Great!” Doug groaned.

“Hi Jessica.” Jenna greeted “Can we call you Jessie?”

“You read my mind, Jenna.” Jessie nodded at everyone with a smile. She threw Doug a smug grin “Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other.”

“Why?” he frowned.

She shrugged “Just a hunch.” Glancing at her watch as she prepared to say goodbye “I’ve got to get back to work. See you guys, don’t be strangers now. My room number is…well, Doug should know.” Throwing him a teasing wink before she left the group.

Jenna bounced her way to his bed with a wide grin “I think she likes you!”

“It was very subtle.” Mia exaggerated a wink.

The guys laughed leaving Doug huffing “Grow up.”

“Where’s Erin?” Devin noticed she was not in the room.

“She took Bonnie out to get some candy.” Mia advised.

“Would someone tell her about Jessie?” Devin asked.

“Why don’t you tell her yourself? You’re the head.” Jenna snickered. He crossed his arms at her as she quickly changed her tone “I mean Uncle Devin, I’ll let her know.”

He nodded “Fine. Meeting tomorrow at 9am.” He instructed with a wagging finger “Doug, you’re excused, everyone else don’t be late.”

“Yes sir.” They replied half-heartedly.

“Make that 8am, I didn’t like that tone of voice.” Devin said firmly “Care to make it 7am?”

“No Sir!” the team replied with more energy.

“Good.” Devin laughed as he turned to Luke “You don’t have to answer. See the rest of you tomorrow.”

“What a jerk!” Jenna snorted while the rest turned to her strangely “What? He’s MY Uncle.”

“Good point.” Reina nodded with a laugh.

Chapter 18

Their glasses clinked together as they celebrated yet another day together “What are we thankful for today?” Reina asked Matt adoringly. The restaurant was full that night but they acted like they were the only people left, staring at each other's eyes and were completely oblivious to anything or anyone around them.

“Hmm, our lives.” Matt said thoughtfully.

“Dear, you need to come up with something new.” Reina laughed as she sipped her red wine and dug into her food.

“Is it good?” he asked when she moaned with satisfaction.

Reina nodded in response “How’s your chicken?”

“It could be better.” He smiled, loving every minute they spent which was rare with the team surrounding their every day lifestyle.

“Here.” Reina reached out and switched their plates “My steak is perfect. I’ll eat the chicken.”

It was moments like those when Matt realized she was perfect for him “Who would have thought?”

Reina cut the chicken and took a bite “What? That a once cold hearted killer would be so thoughtful enough to eat the dry chicken and give her fiancé a juicy steak?” she read his mind.

“No, who would have thought that I would ever find a girl so wonderful and that loves me enough to eat an over cooked chicken.” Matt corrected with a laugh.

“You’re just saying that because you like me.” Reina teased openly.

Her face changed and when he looked up, he instantly saw the sadness in her eyes “What’s wrong?”

She let out a sigh and placed her fork and knife down “I was just thinking about Andrew. When he passed away, I thought I would never love another man. Heck, I thought I was going to be killed by the team…but…look at me now.”

“And this just hit you right now?” Matt asked playfully.

“I’m serious.” Reina insisted, “I’m so grateful for my life. I swear if I’m to die tomorrow, I would be happy of how my life turned around.”

“Reina.” Matt reached over the table and clasped his hand over hers “I don’t want you to ever think that again. If you die, I wouldn’t want to live.”

She laughed despite the seriousness of their conversation “Don’t be silly, you’re not going to kill yourself.”

“Well you better not die on me then.” Matt said surely “I’d jump from a 30 story building. Its not a pretty sight.”

She tilted her head at him with wonder written in her eyes “You’ve thought about it?”

Matt shrugged “I guess.” Reina let out a sigh and he quickly smiled “Yes, I have. How could I not when we’re being attacked left and right? Who ever this terrorist group is, they want us dead. It’s hard not to wonder about which one of us would be next. I hope for God’s sake that it’s not anyone we know but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping it won’t be one of us…or Ryan. It’s natural to feel selfish towards your loved ones.”

“I’d do anything for you too.” Reina agreed with a content smile.

After dinner, they took a walk back to their apartment instead of taking the usual taxi. Hand in hand as they took their time along the sidewalk. Halfway down a secluded street, they turned to each other slightly, both realizing they were being followed. They quickened their steps and when the person began running, they snuck into an alley and jumped out at the person “Why are you following us?” Matt asked.

Ah Gam didn’t reply as he attacked Matt while Reina stepped aside and watched worriedly. He was vicious and she knew Matt would be in trouble if she did not help him. Jumping as she threw a punch at Ah Gam’s face, where he quickly dodged. Matt was ready to continue when Reina stopped him “What do you want?” she asked him.

“You’re man is not a bad fighter. A little too nice with the attacks but he’s not bad.” He complimented with a smile.

“Cut the crap!” Reina snapped. She knew Matt was looking at her.

“The boss wanted to give you this, you passed the test.” He pulled out an envelop from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.

Reina reached her hand out but Matt quickly stopped her “What if it’s poisoned?” he turned to the guy “I recognize you.”

“Still mad about this morning?” Ah Gam laughed, “Hey, we’re all just doing our jobs. If you want to kill anyone, kill my boss.”

Reina turned to Matt “It’s okay.” She ripped open the envelope and noticed a gracious check inside “What is this for?”

“Just a gift.” Ah Gam replied shortly “Have a nice day.” With that he turned and left.

Reina looked down at the check and instantly tore it up into pieces “Let’s go.”

Matt stood still as he turned to her “Who is he?”

“Matt…don’t…please, not right—” Reina began tiredly.

“I asked you a question.” He said firmly, standing his ground “No more lies, Reina.”

Her face flushed as she reluctantly nodded “Okay. That guy is Ah Gam, I met him years ago when we were recruited for…for an assassin group formed by an underground crime-lord called Hung Gor. This is before I met Joe and joined the team.”

“And Joe didn’t know your past?” Matt asked in shock.

“No, he knew. He just hid the files really well. No one knew about it. I burned it when I started to work with my brother Dave…that’s why Devin and yourself have no records of me. I’d figure I’d clean it all up just in case you guys tried to pin me with anything in the future.” Reina explained.

“Why did he give you a check?” Matt asked “Please, don’t tell me you are working both sides…” he pleaded with his eyes.

Reina shook her head vigorously “No. I’m not! I promise.” She persisted “He just wants me to come back to work for him.”

“How many people did you kill when you were working under this guy?” Matt was afraid of the answer but he had to know the truth.

“None. You see Hung Gor is smart, he never does the dirty work himself or allow his best men to do it. He has a group of guys that does the dirty work. The assassins are only responsible for finding the target and bringing them back. I never had to kill them, just in case the police found evidence, it would never link to us. These guys would take the blame and go to jail.” Her eyes reddened as she finally revealed her dark past, never in her mind did she think it would come up again “I thought Hung Gor was pinned years ago but I saw him at the subway during our mission…I knew he would find me eventually.” Burying her face in her hands as she cried openly.

Matt combed his fingers through his hair “I can’t believe this…”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think that it would hurt the team if no one knew. I’ll quit…that’s all. It’ll make it easier on everyone, Matt.” Reina suggested.

He shook his head “No…I don’t want you to go back to jail. We’ll just stay low and if this Hung Gor tries to find you, I’ll deal with him myself.”

“But—”

“No Reina! I won’t lose you!” Matt insisted. He calmed his voice as he took her hand in his “We’re in this together whether you like it or not. We’ll fix this.” He said firmly “I promise.” Reina nodded as she fell into his embrace.

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

Erin was toweling her head after a warm shower when she passed Luke’s room, which was still open “Hey. You’re not sleeping yet?” she knocked on the door lightly.

“Oh no, I couldn’t sleep.” He looked up briefly.

“What are you looking at?” she noticed the album opened in front of him.

Luke smiled as he pointed “It’s some old photos from my brother in his college years. Carmen brought it this morning for me, she thought it would help trigger my ‘memory.’ What a silly girl.” He laughed.

Erin joined him on the bed as she turned her head to him “Luke, you need to tell her. She obviously had a crush on Brad.”

Letting out a sigh, he agreed with a nod “I know. I realized how wrong it was when she gave me the album. Look, she even dated these.” He showed her.

Looking at them only brought tears to her eyes “He looked so happy.” Erin’s fingers trailed over his smiling face. She turned the next page and found a picture of Carmen in the middle of two guys, one of which was Brad “Who’s this guy?” she pointed to the guy with the dark eyes, wide forehead and a smile that was deceiving.

Luke frowned as he looked at the picture “I don’t know. They looked like good friends.” He pointed out that Carmen’s arm was draped around the guys’ shoulders “I’ll ask her tomorrow.” Erin nodded blankly. He looked up and noticed her eyes were welled up with tears “I’m sorry, this is probably painful huh?” he closed the album quickly and hid it under his pillow.

She laughed at his action “Don’t be silly! It just brings back a few fond memories. To be honest, his image is slowly diminishing in my mind. I guess time does heal all pain.” She reached under the pillow and picked up the album with both hands “This is heavy.” She shook it causing a picture to fall off from its place.

“Oh my gosh! Where does this go? What if she finds out? She’ll know I tampered with it.” Luke began to freak out.

Erin frowned at him strangely “Just look for an open pocket.” She said logically.

“Oh…right.” He laughed goofily.

Erin looked down at the photo and flipped it around, there were words on it “Ah Gam, me and Brad…best friends 1996.”

“I guess that guy’s name is Ah Gam?” Luke guessed.

“No, I think his name is 'me'.” Erin teased with a laugh “That’s interesting. I wonder if he knows about Brad.”

Luke shrugged “Who cares.”

“Are you jealous?” Erin grinned as she pointed to his reddened face “Oh my gosh, you are! Luke Yam, that is the first time I have ever seen you blush over a girl. Maybe she is the one?”

Her teasing only made his face turn a more crimson red “Stop that! No, I’m not jealous. And you…what about you?”

“What about me?” Erin grinned.

“Devin.” He only needed to say his name “I saw the way you reacted to him and that doctor girl.”

Erin rolled her eyes “First of all, her name is Jessie, I met her months before and second I don’t care what that man does with his life. That’s the last time I’ll make any comment about him around you freaks.” Climbing off his bed as she began to leave.

“Denial is the first sign to a deepening crush.” Luke sang teasingly.

She raised her brows “Use that word again and I’ll make sure you won’t have little soldiers to pass on the Yam name.”

“I can’t say any words anymore. What does that leave me?” Luke asked heatedly.

“You just used eleven.” Erin laughed as she closed the door behind him “Night kid.”

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004