The Zodiac of PRA V: The Finale

Chapter 22

When it was time to clear the floor for the bride and groom’s first dance, a few tables were closed out since most of the guests had left early except for the team and Ted’s police department. Erin smiled as she watched the happy couple dance away to a slow melody, their eyes entwined, oblivious to those around as they whispered and laughed to each other.

She turned to Chuck and Eve “I’ll be back.” Getting up as she took a stroll outside the lobby of the second floor. She found a balcony that was overlooking the city as she took in the cold night air.

“I never liked weddings.” His voice interrupted her thoughts. Erin turned annoyed after she was startled “Did I scare you?” Devin’s smirk was apparent from the moonlight.

“I didn’t know anyone was out here. But if you want to be alone, I’ll leave you.” Erin said curtly as she turned and prepared to leave.

Devin’s shrill laugh caught her by surprise “That’s right. Run away, that will make the situation better.”

“Excuse me?” She asked.

He stood up, hand carrying a glass of champagne “If you want to deny the fact that we are mutually attracted to each other, that’s fine. But avoiding me is useless, we see each other at work every day. Working closer with each day passing…” he stepped closer enough that she could smell the alcohol in his breath “I will break you one day.” He smiled crookedly “You are so beautiful…” he whispered before leaning closer to kiss her. Her eyes closed automatically but he didn’t kiss her. She opened her eyes to see him tilting his head with a smile “But such a shame…I’m not interested.”

He was taunting her, knowing that the feelings were mutual but he didn’t want to take a step forward. Erin felt embarrassed and rage at the same time. She wanted nothing more than to slap the smug look off his face but she did nothing. She wanted to play his game as she smiled and turned away towards the streets “I had no idea you were that immature.”

Devin laughed as he leaned himself against the rail “Is that all you have? Come now Erin, you had more ammunition during the last meeting. Storming out, looking red face.”

She shrugged casually “I did lose my cool but I’m on to your little game. You just want to embarrass me right? In front of the team…using your authority on me?” she dared him in the face as she stepped closer “Is that why you had Jenna work so hard to get me fired from my jobs?”

His expression changed instantly “How did you…”

“I guess you thought I was really naïve or maybe even stupid?” Erin snickered “Joe didn’t choose me to be an agent for no reason. I figured it out long before but didn’t want to blow Jenna’s cover. I knew she wasn’t the culprit behind the sneaky plans. I’d just figure if you wanted me to come back THAT bad, I might as well give you a run for your money.” She grinned victoriously when he turned away, obviously upset “What’s wrong? Cat’s got your tongue?”

Devin admitted defeat as he nodded “Okay…I lost this time. But our lives are still far from ending. The battle is on.” He smirked.

“No, it’s a war baby.” Erin dared, her eyes dark. When she felt the butterflies coming to her stomach again, she quickly turned away. Her eyes fixated on a van parked across from the hotel. It was an exterminator of some sort, a few uniformed men rushed across the street and into the hotel “Look.” She nodded.

He turned to where she was looking at “At ten o’clock at night?” he turned to her “Come on.”

She followed him into the lobby and just as they reached the double doors to the banquet room, the entire building’s lights were turned off. She could hear people crying out in surprise and people yelling “There should be a backup box on each floor.” She advised.

Devin nodded “Come on.” He found her hand “Stay close.” They moved quickly down the hall with barely any moonlight shining from the windows. With each door passing, Devin tried each one but none opened up. Finally, they reached the last room.

“This is it.” Erin pointed out. She tried the knob but it was locked “Never fear…” she pulled one of her hairpins out and snapped it straight as she worked on the lock.

Inside the reception was filled with chaos as the team found it hard to find each other. A few tables had candles that were still burning leaving them a very dimmed room “What happened?” Jenna asked the group.

“Blackout?” Ryan suggested.

Reina shook her head “No, we’re being surrounded. Stay on your toes.”

Ted walked over to them “We don’t have weapons with us.” Just as he said it gunshots were fired as the guests began to scream and duck down to the ground. Some of the ceiling pieces fell to the ground. Ted looked around for his wife but the place was too dark, another candle blew out.

“Everyone move to that corner!!!” a masked guy in a gray jumpsuit order, in his hand was a shotgun. Six other guys appeared at the door as they too carried guns in their hands.

The team lowered themselves under a table “They’ve got a total of seven guns, six hand guns and a shot gun. We can take them.” Matt began as he pointed to each one “Mia and Darren, you two move around the tables and blow out the last candle, that way we’re all in the dark.”

“Too dangerous.” Reina shook her head.

“We have no choice.” Matt said “Jenna and Ryan, you two take down a guy. Doug, escort Jessie to a safe place. Carmen, you find an escape and call the police. Take Luke with you.” Doug grumbled something incoherent but nodded eventually “Reina and I will take down another guy.” He nodded at the team “Move.”

“Wait, has anyone seen Erin or Devin?” Mia stopped them.

“They can take care of themselves.” Matt said as he nodded for them to go.

Mia moved the cloth and pointed to a table not far from them “Last candle.” She turned to Darren. They nodded and began rolling against the floor in a ball motion until they reached the table and quickly knocked over the table causing everything to crash. Just as they did it, gunshots were fired randomly. A few hit the tables around them but luckily, they weren’t shot.

Jenna and Ryan moved against the stage since they had memorized the room after a few hours “I’ve got a lighter!” one of the crooks announced as he pulled out his trusty lighter and turned it on with a flick of the finger. He grinned under his ski mask but was face to face with Ryan’s fist. Easily knocking the guy off his feet, he grabbed his gun and kicked the second guy with a spin kick and took his gun. He threw one to Jenna but it missed and hit her in the leg.

“Ow!” Jenna rubbed her leg and she went on her knees to look for it with her hands. When a dim light shown behind her, thinking it was Ryan as she found the gun and turned “Thanks…” she stopped when her forehead was stopped by a gun barrel.

Jenna closed one eye while the guy pulled back the notch “Now!!” Reina cried as Jenna rolled away before the shot could hit her. Reina bounced up from under a table and knocked the guy over the head with a vase she took from a centerpiece. She took over the guns and noticed the other two guys were moving towards the innocent people. Raising a gun as she pointed to the moving figure and shot at him. The guy fell to the ground instantly.

“Nice shot.” Jenna whispered as they stayed low and continued to move.

Carmen and Luke reached the bride’s changing room “This is not an exit.” Luke whispered fearfully.

“There’s always a way out.” Carmen advised as she closed the door behind them. She pointed to a window “There.” Suddenly, she was pushed away by a pair of hands. She steadied herself and moved away when she heard a growl from behind her. Luke yelped as he curled himself under the bride’s dress while she fought with the attacker.

Erin stopped when she heard multiple gunshots “They’re being attacked.”

“We don’t have time to worry, it’s a room with agents and cops. They’ll be fine.” Devin reasoned as he pushed for her to hurry.

She nodded and after a short moment, she was able to get the door open. They walked into a dim room with boxes and boxes filled with electrical wires traveling against the wall “Emergency lights.” She read one “Perfect.” Pushing the switch as the room light was turned on and they could see a guy dressed in black with a ski mask trying unsuccessfully to hide from them “Devin!” she pointed as he quickly kicked the door close when the guy tried to run.

They began fighting in the tiny space. The intruder was well trained as he bent his back with ease and kicked away at Devin’s punches. He flipped along the thin space and secured himself between the wall of electrical wires, using them to help him move up to the ceiling to the vent “Not so fast.” Devin began climbing up and reached out to yank the guy back down by the foot. They slipped down and Devin quickly yanked a wire from its position and wrapped it around the guy’s hands. He took another and wrapped it around his neck. Motioning for Erin as he gave her the end of the wire “Stay here, I’m going to check on the others.” She nodded while watching the guy with caution.

When the lights turned on, the team found themselves vulnerable to being targets when the remaining two guys began to fire at will and shot away at a few innocent victims in the corner. Doug found a back exit as he nodded to Jessie “Stay here, don’t move.” He advised as she nodded vigorously. He turned back and found a few more people hiding under a table, he pointed to the exit where Jessie was “Go over there. I’ll cover you.” He promised while ducking at a few ceiling pieces dropping to the ground.

One of the crooks moved faster as he reached the large group in the corner, pointing a gun at Eve “Get up!”

She turned to Chuck scared but when he nodded, she slowly stood up. Before she was completely straight on her feet, Chuck reached out and kicked the guy in the shin causing him to fall on his face while Matt quickly took over and knocked him unconscious. Taking the shot gun, he nodded to Chuck “Good move.”

“Thanks, I still got some.” He hugged Eve, who was still shaken up.

Devin opened a door and found Matt to his left “Matt, is everyone okay?”

He nodded “Yeah, seven intruders have been contained.”

“Make that eight.” Devin sighed, “We found one in the electrical room.”

“We?” Chuck asked.

“Erin’s watching him right now.”

She rolled the wire around her hands until it hurt as she stared at the guy behind the mask “What?”

“You’re Erin.” She could see the smile on his face. Curious, she reached out and yanked off his mask. Her heartbeat quickened as she recognized the face, he was in the picture with Brad and Carmen “You know me?” he turned his head suspiciously when she gasp.

“You know Brad?” Erin asked.

He nodded “How do you know Brad?”

She was even more confused “How do you know me?”

Ah Gam shook his head “I can’t tell you. But if you let me go, I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

In a weakened moment, she agreed and untied the wires from his body “Who asked you to come?”

He smiled secretively “You’ll know soon enough. But you can thank your little traitor friend Becca. She knew you guys would be here. Our target is attending this wedding.”

“You work for Hung Gor?” Erin guessed.

“You are smarter than you look.” Ah Gam laughed, “You still have questions?” she nodded slowly “I’ll know where to find you. One week from now, Subway to Tsim Sa Tsui.” He promised.

For some reason, she trusted him. Nodding as she moved aside for him to go “You won’t get away next time.” She warned. He turned and smiled as he rushed away to the nearest exit out of the building. Erin knew she would have to face Devin with a reason why the guy he captured got away. It seems the mystery with Brad’s college life was not as easy as she thought.

Chapter 23

It took less than a minute for the Police to come after Devin made the call “Where’s Carmen?” Matt looked around and noticed a missing agent “She was suppose to call for help.”

Mia sobbed painfully as she looked over a female body “So young…”

“Carmen?” Reina stepped closer and sighed with relief “That’s not Carmen!” she yelled at Mia.

“I didn’t say it was her!” Mia replied haughtily “I think I her saw last going towards the bride’s room.” She pointed.

Before Reina had a chance to walk over to the door, it swung open appearing a tired Carmen as she dragged her attacker from the leg “Here’s another one!” she announced.

Matt nodded “Good job, just leave him there.”

Carmen smiled as she turned to Luke but noticed he was not behind her “Luke? Luke!” She waved at him from inside the room “It’s over. It’s safe now.”

“It is?” he asked and quickly straightened his jacket and followed her outside.

“Wow, you sure are jumpy.” Carmen commented when she noticed how pale his face looked under the light.

Devin turned to Ted “How many injuries?”

“We’re still counting.” He looked worriedly around the room “Has anyone seen Sara?”

Darren was checking on the injured people when he stepped over a thrown table cloth and noticed something soft against his shoes. Bending down, he realized the cloth was covering Sara. She had been shot in the lower left ribs “God…Guys! It’s Sara!!” he waved.

Ted quickly leaped over the chairs and pushed the tables to the side as he pulled her into his lap, her dress had a large circled stain over her rib cage “Sara! Sara!”

“Sir, we’ll handle it.” A paramedic said as he moved Ted aside and quickly covered Sara’s face with an oxygen mask.

Jessie appeared at his side as she consoled him “She’ll be okay. Why don’t you go ride with her? I’m sure the Team can handle it from here.” She turned to Doug for help.

“Yeah, go ahead Ted.” He urged.

“Thanks guys.” He smiled gratefully and followed in the ambulance with Sara.

As soon as Ted left the room, the captain assigned to the case approached Devin “Hsu Sir, you might want to see this.” Devin frowned as he followed him over to the attackers, who were all handcuffed. Most were still unconscious and their masks were taken off their faces.

Devin knelt down as he took a closer look, their lips were blackened. He reached out and touched the neck for a pulse “None. They’re dead.” He said flatly.

“How?” Matt asked.

“If you can’t finish a job, there’s no use in getting caught.” Devin said wisely “We’re dealing with a ruthless guy.”

“Erin?” Mia was the first to see her friend return “I thought Devin said you were watching an attacker?”

“He got away.” She replied shortly.

Devin turned to her but she quickly moved her eyes away “It’s okay…as long as you’re not hurt.” She moved her head up and looked at him strangely “Let’s get cleaned up and go to the hospital. I think Ted needs all the support he can get.”

“What happened?” Erin asked worriedly “Was he shot?”

Darren shook his head “Sara was.”

Erin nodded as she followed them out to the car “How did he get away?” Mia asked the minute they were driving away “I’ve never known you to let any thief, you’d rather chase them ten blocks than to let a pickpocket loose.”

“He was stronger.” She explained shortly.

Mia shook her head confused “But—”

Carmen quickly stood up for Erin “I’m sure Erin did her best to stop the guy from getting away. It’s a little hard fighting in a tight fit dress.” She laughed, “Trust me, I know.”

Erin turned to the girl with a short smile “Thanks.” Mia was still suspicious as she eventually nodded.

Luke looked from one girl to the other “What a crazy night!”

Jenna jabbed him in the ribs as she threw him a wink “Nice touch. That’ll kill the tension.”

He frowned “Can you do any better?”

“Sure.” She nodded at Doug “Was your girl scared?”

Luke and Ryan chuckled “Shut up.” Doug growled, “She’s not my girl.”

“But she wants to be.” Mia pointed out teasingly “Did you notice the way she just acknowledge you at the table and no one else? I think someone’s got a crush.” They burst into laughter when Doug was at lost for words.

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

The operation to take out the bullet was successful but Ted was still worried as he sat next to her bed waiting for the anesthesia to fade out. His hand clasped over hers as he stared at her pale white face. He didn’t bother thinking about their ruined wedding, all he wanted was for her to be okay again.

With the team’s suggestion, Erin was chosen as the first to enter the room. She refused but the choice was mandatory. Standing in the doorway, she felt a sense of content wash over her. For months she had convinced herself that Ted only chose Sara because he was the rebound from their breakup. But seeing how worried he was and how much he loved her, she felt a sense of relief “She’ll be okay.” Erin whispered.

Ted turned, showing his tear stained eyes “Erin.” Remembering that he was crying, he wiped his face roughly and turned back to Sara.

“You love her a lot don’t you?” Erin asked as she moved closer.

“More than life itself.” Ted replied before kissing her hand.

“More than you loved me.” Erin finished the thought in her head. He turned to her sympathetically “No…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” She quickly apologized “I’m happy Ted. For you and Sara…I really am.” She looked at him with honesty “I’m glad you moved on.”

He nodded “Me too.” He laughed softly “I finally know how you felt when you were with Brad. To love someone so much that it hurt. To smile for no apparent reason just because you were thinking of the other person. God, I don’t know what I’d do without her.” He pressed her hand to his lips.

“I’m sure God wouldn’t take her away from you. He’s not that cruel.” Erin coaxed with a hand patting his shoulder.

“He took Brad from you.” Ted felt bad for reminding her when he felt her hand slipping from his shoulder “I’m sorry Erin…”

“It’s okay.” She smiled “I was angry at God for a long time. But I know he only has his best interest in all of us. Maybe it was Brad’s time to go? I’m okay now.” She assured him “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“How do you know I worry?” he smiled despite the tear stained face.

Erin sighed, “You’ve always had a sense of responsibility. If anyone asked you to do something, you would carry on the request regardless of anything. Don’t feel that you couldn’t do what Brad asked you to do. In truth, you’ve done more than that. You’ve helped me be a stronger person and to not be afraid of facing fear and pain. I never thanked you for that.”

He smiled gratefully “Thank you, Erin.”

“For what?” she tilted her head “I did nothing for you.” She turned and found Sara coming to “She’s waking.”

Ted spun around and smiled happily “Sara, you up.”

“How long was I out?” she asked through a pained fill smile “Hi Erin.”

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Erin winked as she got up and left the room. Her face slowly relaxed, turning she walked down the hall feeling the weights lifting from her shoulder.

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

“What do you think they’re talking about in there?” Mia asked her husband nosily “Do you think he’s confessing that he really loves Erin and not Sara?”

“Mia, your imagination is out of control.” Doug scolded, “That’s my cousin, he better not hurt her or I’ll knock the sense into him.”

Jenna laughed humorously “Please, Ted can beat you with one arm tied behind his back and one eye closed. You couldn’t beat ME.”

Doug’s lip quivered as he pointed at her “You wanna take this outside?”

“Hold your underwear, I’m not going to fight you.” Jenna said with rolled eyes “I don’t want to see a grown man cry.” She emphasized while the others laughed to themselves.

“Do you all think that?” Doug pointed accusingly at the group.

Devin raised his hands “Now Doug, she’s just a girl, why do you let her provoke you? Jenna was only teasing…”

“You think she can kick my ass, don’t you? Don’t you?” Doug asked with crazy eyes.

“Do we need to remind you about Becca? She didn’t even have to lift a finger, you were already whipped.” Mia pointed out.

“Hey, leave him alone.” Reina said with a shaking head “It’s not his fault he has a fear of women.” Mia bursted into giggles and so did Jenna from her comment.

“Nice to know what you guys REALLY think of me!” Doug stormed out of the waiting room from the sound of the girls cackling away. He walked over to the receptionist “Is the cafeteria still open?!” he demanded.

The woman looked at him with annoyance “Second floor and please keep your voice down.”

“Sorry.” Doug backed down but quickly remember to stand his ground “No, I’m NOT sorry! Why should I be? Huh? Give me one good reason!” he demanded.

“Freak.” The girl turned away ignoring him.

His outburst earned a few looks as he marched on to the elevator and got off on the second floor. He walked down the lit hall and his eyes grazed over Jessie’s office, which was slightly open. He walked inside slowly, nothing looked touched but he couldn’t shift the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. When he heard a slight movement behind him, he quickly kicked one of the chairs to the back of the room, knocking over the person hiding behind the door “Who are you?!” he asked while moving over to stop the person from getting away.

The person fought back roughly and was cornered when Doug twisted the arm to the back “Ow!” she cried painfully.

Doug quickly let go when he realized it was a girl “Becca?”

She peeled off the knit mask and grunted “Yes. Did you have to hurt me like that?”

“Sorry…” he began but quickly took it back “I mean, no…no…Jesus, I’ve got to stop that!”

“What’s the matter with you?” She asked strangely.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you questions. What are you doing in Jessie’s office? Why are you wearing that mask? Are you working for that assassin group?” he fired questions at her.

Becca raised her brows “Jessie? You’re on a first named basis? Anyways, what I do is none of your business, we’re divorced remember?” she challenged.

Doug shook his head “Becca, get out before it’s too late. They’re not good people, the team will bring him down one day.”

“Who?” she looked bored.

“Hung Gor.” Doug replied, “Tonight was Ted’s wedding, we were attacked and Sara was shot.”

Becca looked slightly worried but remembered her place as she turned away coldly “Really? You guys have so much enemies, how do you know it’s my people?”

“They wore the same ski mask!” Doug declared as he pointed to her hands “Please, if you have any sense in you left…get out before someone gets hurt.”

“Are you talking about this Jessie girl?” Becca asked incredulously.

“It has nothing to do with her!” Doug argued. He frowned “Don’t hurt her, she’s innocent.”

“You care for this girl don’t you?” Becca was disgusted “Hung Gor was right, all men are scum! They move on fast and never bother to consider your feelings.” She pointed at him with hatred “You better tell your new girlfriend to watch her back, she has something Hung Gor wants.” She began walking towards the door when Doug pulled her back “Don’t touch me!” she cried angrily and ran away leaving him curious to know why they wanted Jessie.

Chapter 24

Jenna was in dreamland when an annoying knock on her door took her out of her fantasy “Go away!” she groaned, pushing the pillow over her head.

Ryan opened the door, dressed in sweats as he jogged over to her bed and nudged her while jogging in place “Come on sleepy head. Time for exercise.”

She peeked her eye from under the pillow “Oh, it’s you…” she sighed “What exercise?” she curled comfortably into a fetal position.

“Hmm, I recall someone begging me to help them train into shape. There’s a taekwondo tournament in one month and Doug will be judging, he wants you to enter the competition.”

“He what?!!!” the pillow and blanket exploded as she sat upright “Is he crazy?? I haven’t done that martial arts in…in…years…I can’t even remember the last time I practiced it. And who gave him the right to enter me into a competition.”

“Actually, it was your Uncle’s idea. He thought it would be good experience for you.” Ryan frowned “Jenna, are you playing the short term memory game again?”

She closed her eyes “Yeah…it was working.” Grumbling, she crawled out of bed looking ruffled from head to toe “Give me two minutes.”

Ryan clicked on his digital watch “Done. If you’re not out by that time, I’m going to have to punish you.”

“With whips and chain?” she grin flirtatiously “I like that.”

His face grimaced “Ew…I think I just got a mental picture.”

Jenna quickly covered her body “Ryan! Why, I didn’t think you were that kind of guy.” She said haughtily but quickly laughed it off when he began to blush “I’m kidding!”

“That’s one minute.” He tapped his watch before exiting the room and waiting for her downstairs. Jenna emerged minutes later in a jumpsuit and her hair tied back “Not bad.” He looked at his watch “I expected ten minutes, that was only half the time. You’re improving.”

“Ha ha.” Jenna answered wryly “Now let’s get this day over with.” Waving her hand nonchalantly as she headed for the door when a high pitch whistle stopped her. She turned to him with widened eyes “What the hell was that? Are you trying to kill my ear drums?” she began hitting her ear with the palm of her hand.

“From this minute forth, you must refer to me as Trainer Ryan. You will do exactly as I say and give me 110% of your efforts. Shall I feel that you are lagging, a punishment will be announced that very second. Is that clear?!!” he spoke like a military Sergeant.

Jenna’s jaw dropped and then quickly merged into a smile as she chuckled nervously “Oh that was good…I almost fell for that.”

“This is NOT a joke.” Ryan warned. He placed the whistle in his mouth “Begin jogging as I whistle.” He blew the tiny instrument as it belted out a shrieking noise that Jenna knew she would grow to hate “Move!!” he ordered when she stood still. Her eyes widened as she found herself listening to his orders.

Ryan led her to a small town where he knew stood the endless stairway leading to an apartment building complex “One, two. One, two…” he repeated while he watched Jenna jog up the stairs at a slow and steady pace “Pick it up, Cheung. One! Two! Hurry!!” he challenged as she sped up a little but quickly tripped onto a step and scraped her knee “Get up!! Get up, no resting!”

Jenna turned up to him as she pouted “It hurts.” She pointed at the wound that was beginning to bleed.

“Oh my God! I’m sorry, I didn’t see it.” He felt horrible as he pulled out a water bottle from his backpack and cleaned her wound with pieces of gauzes he carried around for emergencies “Does it hurt?” he asked worriedly.

Jenna smiled with a shaking head “It tingles…but it doesn’t hurt.” She was enjoying the moment, he had never cared for her the way he did at that very moment.

He glanced up and noticed she was staring at him with a goofy grin “What?” he asked when she turned away with embarrassment. She shook her head “Was I too mean?”

“It was more funny than it was mean.” Jenna replied, she could feel her cheeks burning “It’s really hot today.”

He finished bandaging her knee “Really? It’s suppose to be around 50 degrees.” He looked up at the gray sky “Possibly rain too.”

“Try jogging up and down a thousand steps of stairs.” Jenna snickered as she stood up “Okay, let’s keep moving.”

“Wait, you’re hurt.” Ryan pointed out “If you keep jogging, your knee could get infected from the sweat. We’ll just walk up at a slow pace.”

Jenna sighed with disappointment “Okay, but I was so looking forward to finishing the jog.”

He laughed “Whatever, I know you’re jumping up and down inside.” Jenna grinned as she nodded vigorously “Come on, I’ll help you.” He took her hand and wrapped a free arm around her waist as he supported her up the steps. She felt like she was floating on a cloud with each step passing.

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

Erin was eating breakfast in the kitchen when Doug walked in “Hey, have you seen Ryan and Jenna? They’re not in their rooms.”

“Well, if you don’t even know where your own kids are…” Erin teased with a laugh “I think Ryan’s training her.”

“For what?” Doug reached in the fridge to get a container of orange juice.

“That stupid competition Devin was talking about last night.” She waved her hand casually.

“Oh right. I’m judging that ‘stupid’ competition by the way.” Doug said with sarcasm.

Erin smiled “No offense.”

Doug shrugged “Nah, it’s actually really stupid.”

Erin laughed, “So why are you judging? Oh, let me guess, he forced you.”

“No, actually he didn’t. But I think he used that reverse psychology crap on me. That always works, I don’t know why…” he looked daze for a split second and quickly snapped himself out “Oh well, I’m off to the shrink.”

“Jessie?” Erin raised her brows in surprise “That’s the third time this week. Sounds serious.”

“Well, I just figured she’s so desperate to learn more about me, I wanna give her more chances that’s all, since my first impression of her wasn’t that good to begin with.” Doug lied. He decided not to tell anyone about his catching Becca in the hospital.

Erin nodded “I see. You might wanna zip up your jeans before you leave the house though. Wouldn't want to leave a bad impression with her.” She turned back to her newspaper while Doug turned away to zip himself up.

“Thanks.” He muttered before rushing out. He didn’t bother checking in with the receptionist; marching towards her office he peeked inside and found her staring at the computer without blinking. His forehead wrinkled with curiosity as he walked closer and stood directly behind her “Who’s the guy?”

She practically jumped off her seat “Jesus! Don’t you know how to knock?!!” she cried while stumbling to click out of the screen she was looking at.

Doug laughed with amusement “Aw, so the innocent little doctor isn’t so innocent. Looking at porn during working hours?” he teased at the same time taking a seat across from her “It’s okay, I won’t tell your boss.”

Jessie frowned “It’s not porn.”

“A guy in a girl in bed, kissing…oh no, I guess it’s all innocent fun.” He said unconvincingly.

“What do you want?” she sighed, her hand draped over her forehead tiredly.

“Wow…it’s like the life has been sucked out of you. What happened? Were you attacked?” he asked curiously.

Jessie shook her head and looked at him strangely “No. Why do you keep asking if I was attacked? And what are you doing here again? You’ve been here three times this week already…” Turning her head suspicious, she asked, “Are you dying?”

“Don’t curse me! I’m very healthy.” He patted his chest.

“Are you sure? Because I know when people are about to die, they like to get things off their conscience. Like when they’ve hurt someone’s feelings, they’ll apologize or look for some type of closure. Considering the fact that you’ve judged me wrongly since we met, I’d figure you were feeling remorseful.” Jessie analyzed.

Doug pointed a wagging finger at her “That’s good…but no. I’m healthy as can be, as a matter of fact, my psychic told me that I’ll be living until I’m 100 years old.”

“Psychic huh?” Jessie tapped her chin with the end of her pen thoughtfully “I’m going to give you a prescription.” She began writing out on her doctor’s note “I think you’re delusional.”

He reached for the paper under her pen, crumbled it in his hands and threw it on the ground “I’m normal as can be.” He insisted, “I think it’s about time we had a heart to heart talk.”

Jessie raised her brows “Wow, that's a big step, Douglas. Are you really ready?” he nodded in answer “Okay, so… what do you want to get off your chest?”

Doug leaned back on his chair as he began “Well, I’ve been having these strange dreams about you…” thinking of the story as he spoke “Eh…you have something really important, could be in your office or maybe something you carry with you…like…eh knowledge. In the dreams, I try to get you to confess, but you always turn away. What do you think that means? Do you have any secrets?” he pressed.

“Hmm…that’s interesting. Dreaming about someone you barely know or even care to like. That’s very odd Doug.” Jessie shifted her swivel chair from side to side “I think you might have deeper feelings for me than you think. This important factor that you’re looking for…could be my acceptance. You want me to confess my true feelings for you.”

“Eh…yeah…that make sense.” Doug stammered unsurely.

Jessie sighed as she leaned forward on her desk “Unfortunately, I’m engaged.”

“You’re what?!” he asked with a little too much surprise in his tone “How come you never told me?”

She raised her left hand showing the large diamond on her fourth finger “I guess some people are just not that observant.”

“Oh…wow…” Doug was speechless, he felt a little disappointment at the pit of his stomach “Congratulations.”

Jessie snickered “Yeah…congratulations to me for picking the biggest cheater in a the whole bunch.”

“Huh? Why would you marry a cheater?” Doug asked.

Sighing as she shook her head “Have you ever heard that it’s easy for a doctor to help others but they can never save themselves?” he nodded and she pointed to herself “Exhibit A.”

“Is he forcing you?” Doug was concerned.

Shaking her head, she sighed again “No. I’d feel better about myself if he was pointing a gun to my head but no…the decision was all mine.” Doug looked even more confused, she knew she had to explain, “I met him about three years ago in a bar, he was drunk and so lonely. I started talking to him and realized we had so much in common. I thought it was fate, we began dating officially after the third sober date. He took me home one day to meet his parents, they adored me after they realized I was a doctor. I didn’t know he was born from a prestigious family and at first I thought it was great until the late night rendezvous and going out with his co-workers and coming home drunk. Every time I wanted out, he would beg and cry until I took him back. And I did…all twenty times, it’s become a routine for me. Like an addiction, I know it’s going to happen and I know I’ll take him back.”

Doug tilted his head sympathetically “Is that the guy in the computer?”

She nodded sadly “I had a detective follow him. This is just one of the many pictures that he took for me. Every week is a new girl. I guess I figured after he was done playing, he would come back to me. I mean it’s always different girls, it couldn’t be serious.” She chuckled half heartedly.

“That’s sick!” Doug spat with disgust “What if he brings back some disease to you? How will you feel then? No…this can’t go on. You’re going to break up with him once and for all.” He pointed, “I’ll go with you. Hey, I’ve got a gun, we can threaten him. I can act like a jealous boyfriend. I took tips from Darren, I can do a very good impression.” He offered.

Jessie laughed, “No…it’s okay. Anyways, he’s got a gun too.”

“He does?” Doug was taken aback.

She nodded “He’s the Commissioner of Sa Tin Police Department.” Doug’s eyes widened as he figured out what Hung Gor was looking for.

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004