The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return
Chapter 28
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Dicky Cheung – Chris Wong
Mia was released within a couple of hours from the doctors checking on her wound. By that time the entire team had entered the hospital. Leah too was being tend to from her wound on the head. But it was Matt that needed to stay over. Reina watched silently as he dozed away from all the anesthesia they gave him. Erin entered quietly as she watched them “It’s him.” She smiled.
Reina turned to her with raised brows “What?”
“You may be a good liar, but your concern is written all over your face. So…when did it start?” Erin pressed with a teasing grin.
She looked shy for once “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Erin nodded “Okay, we can play that game. I’ll be there to talk when you’re ready. I’m going home first. Tell him I dropped by.”
“Thanks.” Reina said, it had a double meaning that Erin knew.
*************
Mia allowed Darren to support her into the house, her stomach was still aching “Did they doctor tell you if you should be on any diet?” Darren asked sincerely.
She paused and turned to him with annoyance “Are you saying that I’m too heavy?”
He laughed when she misunderstood him “Of course not! I was talking about the fact that your stomach is in pain. Certain foods will sit in there causing you more pain…” as he explained, she quickly put on an innocent smile. The grin reminded him of Bonnie “I wonder how she is?”
“I’m sure she’s safe.” She hoped.
Fate heard him calling as the home phone rang. Mia turned to him curiously as he helped her to the couch and picked up the phone “Hello?” Darren answered, his eyes nearly popped out when he heard his little girl’s voice.
“Daddy!” She cried happily “Daddy, it’s me…Bon Bon.”
“Sweetie! Are you okay?” Darren was half relieved and half worried.
“Bonnie?!” Mia cried as she reached for the phone where Darren gave it to her “It’s mommy, hi sweetie…are you okay? Do you know where you’re at?”
“I’m scared Mommy, I wanna go home.” The little girl cried openly.
Suddenly, he snatched the phone away from the little girl’s hand “Mia. Long time no talk. Do you remember me or do you still have amnesia?”
Anger took over her eyes as she turned to Darren “Chris…”
Darren took the phone back as he snapped “What the hell do you want?”
“Nothing. You know, I’ve always wanted a little girl. And yours is so adorable. I could eat her all up.” Chris said through clenched teeth “Glad to know you haven’t forgotten this friend. She’s a smart little girl. I asked her if she knew her home phone number and she did. You’ve raised quite the little rascal.”
“Let her go.” Darren threatened.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…Darren, that sounded like a threat and you know I don’t like threats.” Chris teased.
“I’ll give you anything.” Darren began begging “Please…don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything you ask.”
Chris narrowed his eyes as he pet Bonnie’s head like a puppy “You’ve promised that before and do you remember what happened? Betrayal.” He reminded them.
“Please…I’m begging you. Don’t hurt her.” Darren didn’t know what else to say to convince their enemy.
“Blah, blah, blah…that’s all I heard.” Chris sighed tiredly as he handed the phone back to Bonnie “Here, talk to him…could be your last time.”
She was too young to comprehend the meaning, but she was happy to take the phone back “Daddy! I’m scared…take me home…please…” she said between gulps.
“It’s okay sweetie. Be strong.” Darren said, his heart aching as he sat down next to Mia, who was in tears “Do you remember how much you liked the playground?”
“Yes.” She answered through tears.
“Daddy’s going to get you a big swing and slide set when you get back.” He paused to collect the lump growing in his throat “You don’t have to wait until you’re five. I’ll buy it for you tomorrow.”
“Okay--”
He heard a click and turned to Mia who fell into his chest while she sobbed “She’ll be okay. She has to be…” he was trying to convince himself more than her “Nothing will happen to her. He just wants money…she won’t die.”
************
Erin stepped up to the Radio station for the fifth time. She did it numerous times and each time she was closer to the door, she would turn and walk away. But the nagging feeling could not be ignored, she had to do it. When she chickened out for the sixth time, Luke walked out and recognized her from behind “Well, well…I was beginning to worry. It’s been over a week since I saw my stalker. I was beginning to miss you.”
She was in no mood for his flirting “I want to talk to you.”
“Okay.” He nodded “Talk.”
“Here?” she looked around at the busy street. A few people passed by and looked at them strangely. They were a few feet apart but were conversing.
Luke smiled “You’re pick. Any restaurant.” She nodded and sat in his car to direct him to the Mountain View restaurant “Nice choice.” He grinned at the dimly lit place.
“Don’t.” she pleaded “This is serious.”
He sighed “Why must everyone be so serious?”
“Who’s everyone?” Erin asked.
“My parents…my co-workers….you.” he said nonchalantly.
“Don’t you feel the need to be serious? At least once in a while? To know that you are human?” She questioned.
He laughed “Life is too short to be so serious all the time. Worries only give you wrinkles and a serious life means an unhappy one. Mine was too happy.”
She snickered at the irony in his words “Not really.” Muttering the words only added to his confusion.
“So what is this about that I have to stay serious for?” he asked with interest, a smile still plastered on his face.
Erin frowned “Can you not smile when I tell you this?”
His grin dropped “How do you live your life Erin? Worrying over everyone around you?” she opened her mouth to speak but he was not finished “Sometimes worrying will cause other people unhappiness. What is it about your life that is so tough that you have turned into such a bore and a worrywart? You always have that wrinkled up forehead and your eyes have not smiled in ages, I could tell.” He added.
“You want to know?” Erin asked with a tilted head.
“Try me. I’m all ears.” He leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms.
“I told you before that I was an orphan. I would have grown up in a happy home but my parents were suddenly taken away from me in one day. My sister was raised by a stranger that took her away before I even remember that I had a sister. I was four when I was moved into an orphanage. When I turned twenty six, I found my real sister. We had lost twenty something years together and when I think we would have a whole life ahead of us to make it up, she is brutally murdered in her own home. Barely married for a couple of years. But alas life has not always been that cruel. I met the love of my life and when we were on the verge of settling down, he was killed but a hundred bullets in front of me by a madman that wanted to marry me because that way he would earn an inheritance of millions of dollars. I have the money now but it is useless when I cannot share it with anyone. So excuse me Luke if I walk around with a chip on my shoulder and a scowl on my face. I have every reason to be sad.” She finished with ready tears in her eyes.
It sounded like a story to him but when she finished he knew the girl had endured too much. Shocked, he had no idea what to say, how to console her “I’m sorry.” Was all he managed to let out.
She shook her head “It’s not your fault. I’m just bottling up a lot inside lately.”
“I truly am sorry. I know I do not help with my nonchalant attitude. But you have to understand that I was raised a happy child, I had no reason to be sad or upset. Maybe that’s why I have a hard time talking to women who always seem to have something sad to talk about. That’s when I break away from them, never giving them a chance to finding and knowing the real me.” He looked down at this hands “To be honest, it gets lonely in my apartment sometimes. Especially when it is filled with people, drunk people.” He snickered “I didn’t think reality would hit me now. With you. A girl I barely know but feel like I’ve known forever.”
She smiled, it was the most honest thing he had ever said to her “There is a serious side after all.”
Luke looked up and nodded “Great, now that you’ve brought me down. What is it you have to tell me? Is it your boyfriend? Is he mad that you keep stalking me. If so, I can talk to him myself. Man to man.”
“And he’s back.” Erin sighed “No, Ted and I…we’re on a break.”
His smile faded “Seriously?” she nodded “Is it because of me?”
“No, no…” Erin began the lie but decided she was digging a deeper hole for herself “Actually, yes…”
“Then I have the right to know.” He pointed out.
She nodded “I know. I did something that you might be angry with but I hope you understand that it’s for your own good.”
“This is getting too serious…but go on.” He urged leaning towards her on the table.
“Remember when I said you looked like a friend of mine?” he nodded “I hired a detective to search your background. When I discovered that you were born in China, I decided to go over there myself and find out the truth behind your identity. It seems you were part of a twin. When you were born, a man named Lee Wai stole you from the hospital and took you away. He was captured and put in jail.”
He did not believe the story but went along with her “And did you meet this man?” Erin nodded earnestly “And what did he have to say?”
“He was hired by your parents to steal a child from the hospital. They were desperate for a child and the woman was sterile. They paid him a great amount to do the deed. He agreed and now is paying the price for the greedy heart.”
Luke raised his brows and nodded “Wow…that’s incredible. What’s next? You pull a rabbit out of your sleeve?”
Erin’s face fell “You don’t believe me?”
“Erin, I really want to. But it’s very hard when you’re sitting on my side and listen to you bash about the parents that raised me in a happy home. They were poor if you must know and they did not lie about my adoption, they even showed me the papers.” He shook his head sadly “Why must you accuse two dead spirits?”
“Because it’s the truth.” She said through clenched teeth.
He raised his hands “That’s it. I have had enough listening. My treat.” He pulled out a wad of bills and threw it on the table. She watched in dismay as he left her angrily.
Chapter 29
His smile was deceiving as he retrieved the phone from the two year old girl’s hand “That’s enough.” Chris said coolly.
Bonnie ruffled her brows innocently “I miss my daddy.” She said through ready tears.
He rolled his eyes annoyingly “I told you, when I kill them, you will join them.” Soon after, she began crying uncontrollably eventhough she had no idea what it meant to die “Shut up!!” Chris growled suddenly, startling the girl which only made her scream louder. Lifting a back hand he was ready to slap her when a strong grip suddenly stopped him.
“Is that any way to treat a little girl?” his voice commanding yet calm.
Chris immediately backed away “But sir, she won’t shut up.”
His smile appeared as he turned to the little girl “Now, now…don’t cry. As long as Uncle is here, no one will hurt you.” He coaxed her gently and within seconds Bonnie had stopped crying. Chris was amazed the heartless man who was able to calm a two year old “If you be good, I’ll let you play with the swing set outside in my backyard.” Bribing her was easy for she was too young to comprehend bad from good.
“Okay.” Bonnie nodded, easily distracted by the offer.
His sideburns were a gray color but he had most of his black hair on top. Even more handsome than his earlier years, he was a gentlemen on the exterior but his heart was black as coal. Hatred was what he found inside when he discovered the truth about his past “Jimmy, take her outside.” He called for his bodyguard.
After Bonnie was led away, Chris turned to his savior “Sir, why are you so nice to the girl?”
“She is innocent. Even if her parents have to pay the price, she should not. What an adorable girl, it’s a shame I can’t keep her.” He laughed disrupting Chris’s thoughts.
“You never told me how you got me out of jail.” Chris asked in wonder.
The man curled his lips into a smile “You can thank Mayor Chan.” The fugitive looked confused “Let’s just say, I caught him doing a naughty thing and he owed me a favor.” He laughed victoriously.
Chris finally understood with a nod “Is that why you had me kill him?”
“Naturally. Once you are done with using something, don’t you throw it away?” he asked reasonably to which Chris agreed “In this case, we just wiped him off the earth. Same concept.” He shrugged nonchalantly.
“What’s our next move or should I say who is the next victim?” Chris asked his new boss.
“Luke Yam.” He answered without thinking twice.
**************
Erin sat home alone one night eating her instant noodles cup and watching an old series playing on television. She heard footsteps at the stairwell and looked up. A slow smile spread across her face “Don’t you look nice.” She commented on her new roommate.
Reina gave a short curtsy and spun around showing off her slender and tall figure “Thank you.”
“Got a date?” Erin asked with a teasing tone.
“No, I just like to dress nice on a Saturday evening and go out by myself.” She grinned like a school girl in love.
“I see.” Erin nodded unconvincingly “I’ll be here. Rotting in front of the television by the time you get back.” She had no intention on barging in on Reina and Matt. The girl was still secretive and refused to admit his name.
Reina laughed “Have fun.” She gave Erin a short wink before reaching for the doorknob.
“Say hi to Matt for me.” Erin called before the door closed behind Reina. After she was alone in the house, she let out a sigh “Me and you again.” She turned on the stereo and listened to Luke’s show. The topic that day was truth between couples.
He obviously had someone else on his mind when he began conversing with a caller about how women always have something to hide “…I mean, if you have something you want to know, shouldn’t it be asked instead of sneaking around without a person’s consent and then months later come back and tell them it was not purposely done? Come on ladies, it’s not fair to men and you know it.”
“Uh…well, that wasn’t my question, but you make a good point.” The caller stuttered hesitantly, not sure what else to say.
Erin set her cup down as she decided then to go to the station and talk to him. It had been days and she figured, he needed to know the truth about Brad. It didn’t take her long to get dressed and down to the station. She had time to spare when she stood outside waiting for his show to finish. Eyeing her watch, she stood to the side of the building and waited.
Little did she know that Luke had taken the back door. It was a new routine he had started, afraid that he would run into Erin again and she would start with the nonsense about his adopted parents. It only took a block for him to realize he was being followed. There were plenty of people around but he knew the steps were following him. His instincts told him it was Erin and he quickly sidestepped into an alley.
Leaning his body against the building, he waited the steps to quicken as it came closer, he jumped out “I knew it was you!” he cried before he gave the person a good look. It was a male “You’re not Erin.” He muttered.
The guy gave no answer as he slipped a pocket knife from his sleeve and began slashing at Luke, who ran away and dodged the stabs clumsily. Rushing down the alley, he looked for anything as a weapon but the closest he could find were straw baskets used for carrying trash. Throwing them at his attacker, he tried to get away. Eventually, the guy caught up and took a hold of Luke’s arm as he twisted it around “It’s your lucky day.” He said sarcastically.
He was about to slice Luke’s throat when a hand stopped him “No, I think it’s YOUR lucky day.” Erin had caught up in time when she noticed Luke was being followed. The guy let go of Luke and took stabs at Erin. But he was not aware she was a trained killer herself. She spun her leg in the air, kicking the knife from his hand. After the weapon was gone, it was only a matter of seconds that she would defeat the guy with a punch in the left jaw. Wringing out her hand, she pointed at him dangerously “Who sent you?”
The guy began backing up as he turned to his back and let out an ear piercing whistle. Erin knew it was bad news as she reacted quickly and grabbed Luke while running the opposite direction. She was smart to run since there were ten other guys that rushed into the alley after them. Erin was not familiar with the alleys but she soon found her exit in a dark corner. Pulling Luke with her, the two hid in the dead end with no light “What the hell—” Luke began but a small hand quickly covered his mouth.
“Shh!” Erin hissed as she pushed her body onto his. They leaned against the wall tightly while footsteps rushed closer and closer. She was mentally prepared to fight until the death but luckily, the attackers ran the opposite direction after hearing some noise coming from the other end of the alley.
When she was certain they were gone, she finally let out a relieved sigh. Her hand still pressed over his mouth and her body still pinned to him. He could not see her in the dark, but he knew she was looking at him. Pulling her hand away from his mouth, he whispered “I think their gone.”
Erin realized she was standing too close as she pulled herself away. Lowering her head in embarrassment, she nodded “I think so too.”
“I’m not sure how to ask…” he began.
“Come with me.” She reached for his hand and pulled him along the alley to a clear exit. They rode together in a taxi, silence filled the car except for the sputtering engine. They stopped at the cemetery, which was barely lit. She quickly paid for the fare and exited the car with Luke on her tail.
“Where are we? Is that a cemetery?” he was stunned and a little worried “Who were those men and why did that guy try to kill me? And how come you can fight like that? You never told me you could do that. What do they teach you at that massage place? Why are we here? Are you planning to kill me off? Are you with—”
She laughed suddenly disrupting his pool of questions “Do you always ask this much when you’re nervous?”
“No, I talk a lot when I’m nervous and I’m not. Well, not really cause I’m not sure where you’re taking me.” He rambled on about his obvious nervousness. They stopped at the gate which was locked with a giant iron lock “Aww…too bad, it’s locked. I guess we’ll come back some other time.”
“Wait.” Erin pulled him back as he watched her climb the iron gates with ease. Always carrying her pick lock case, she maneuvered through the combination and unlocked it with a couple of pins. Yanking open the gate, she waved for the awed Luke to enter “Close your mouth or a fly will enter.” She said in a teasing tone.
“How…what….I…I…I don’t know what to say.” He said with a shaking head.
Erin smiled “That’s a first.” Every little sound caused Luke to jump as he practically glued himself to Erin. After the fifth jump, Erin grew restless as she turned to him exasperatedly “Would you like me to hold your hand?” she asked sarcastically.
“I thought you’d never ask!” he cried while reaching out for her hand.
Her face turned a crimson red under the moonlight but he wasn’t able to see. She allowed him to grip her hand until they reached the gravesite. Pulling out a mini flashlight, she shown the light at the grave “Luke, I want you to meet your twin brother, Brad Chung.”
Luke’s hand grew limp against Erin’s as he bent on one knee and stared at the picture. The guy was a duplicate of his own face. He touched his own face eerily “He…he has my face.”
“But you two are a whole different world.” Erin smiled gently recalling his presence like it was yesterday.
“He’s really…my…” he couldn’t comprehend the truth.
Erin nodded “Yes.”
Luke slumped down on his butt as it went in contact with the damp ground, but he didn’t care “How…why did he die?”
She was prepared for the story as she seated herself comfortably next to him “I told you the story, but you refused to believe me. I have no doubt that your adopted parents raised you happily but I’m telling the truth when I say that you were kidnapped from the hospital. Apparently, the woman that you called mother was sterile and could not bare a child. Maybe the husband felt bad and hired the man to kidnap a kid from the hospital. I even saw the kidnapper himself at the Guang Chow county jail, he admitted to the crime and said your adopted father paid him a good amount to steal you. Maybe that’s why you guys grew up poor?” she could only guess but only God would know the truth.
He was shaken by the story as he realized it was true “So my brother was raised not knowing I existed?” Erin nodded while Luke looked shocked “I had a brother?”
“They say twins have a special bond. Maybe you two never knew each other existed but didn’t you feel it in your heart?” Erin asked.
“When did he die?” Luke questioned.
“Three and a half years ago. We were on a mission and he died saving me. Shot to death in front of my very eyes.” She remembered like it had happened the day before.
Suddenly, it dawned on him “That was around the time I grew sick with an unexplainable virus. The doctors didn’t know what to tell me and my parents were scared it was an infectious disease that would kill me because it took weeks out of my life.” He shivered “This is too creepy.”
“Yeah. I wish it didn’t happen either.” Erin said, her eyes distant “He would have liked you.” She smiled suddenly “I can’t get over the fact that two people look so much alike but they are so different. He is a complete opposite of you…quiet, shy towards love, naïve at times. But he was very loyal towards his work and me eventhough we bickered a lot.”
“Call it a hunch, but you’re not just a regular friend to him.” He commented.
“I was his fiancé, if you want to get technical.” Erin looked at Luke with saddened eyes “We went to high school together and joined the P.R.A. together. We worked well together on missions and you’d be proud to know that he was Captain of the team. He was great at his work and I loved that about him. He never gave up.” tears came quickly as she talked about Brad for the first time in years “I miss him so much.”
Luke’s heart came out to her as he reached out and embraced her naturally “I’m sorry.” That was all he could think of saying. She cried silently while he stroked her long hair “This may sound stupid, but what is the P.R.A.?”
Erin laughed despite the tears. She pulled away from him and sighed “This could take a while. You have time?”
He smiled “Anything for my dead twin brother’s could have been wife, my sister in law.”
Her smile faded “Don’t do that.”
“What?” he asked while getting up and helping her up.
She took his hand as he yanked her to her feet “Make it funny. It’s not funny.”
Luke raised his brows as he turned to Brad’s grave “Bro, did you choose the wrong girl.” Erin tilted her head disapprovingly at him and he rolled his eyes “I’m kidding! Wow, you sure don’t have a sense of humor. But hey, she’s still a looker.” He winked at Brad’s grave only to earn a punch in the arm by Erin “Ow!”
“Brad, you’re brother’s a wimp.” She said to his grave with a smirk at Luke, who laughed at her comment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, she does have a sense of humor!” he applauded.
Erin shook her head as she began walking away “What’s wrong? You’re not afraid anymore? Who was the one that almost peed in his pants?”
“Not me. I was just holding onto your hand because I thought maybe you were scared and needed a man to protect you. The truth being I’m the only live male around this creepy place, I had to step up to the plate.” He explained casually “So, where are you taking me?”
“To a place that’s less creepy and we can talk about the P.R.A.” Erin replied while watching Luke’s darting head at the scurrying sounds of wild animals in the cemetery “The biggest animal here is a squirrel.”
“They have rabies!!” Luke exclaimed while Erin laughed “It’s not funny!”
Chapter 30
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Tony Leung – Robert Kwok
A week had passed since Robert asked Jenna to go for a ride. She had learned his most prized secret, the truth about his daughter. He had soon learned to trust her and allowed her into his office from time to time when he needed her to do work. She was pleased but realized it would be hard to snoop around if he never left the office.
One day, she had her chance when he walked by her desk “Jenna, I’ll be in a short meeting. It’ll take about an hour or so, make sure no one goes in my office.” He specified and gave her a ring with a key at the end “Lock it if you have to.”
“Yes, sir.” She nodded respectfully.
He smiled and waved for his bodyguards to follow along. It was about five minutes from his exit that she dared to get up and enter his office. Closing the door gently behind her, she reached for her camera device, it was hidden inside a pen like form. She snapped at the button and took in his entire office. Her eyes landed on a box under his desk “Stainless steel.” She observed. The combination was made out of a 10 digit key pad. Trying to remember the date of his daughter’s death, she punched in the number. The error signal came on “Darn it!”
Suddenly, the door thrust open and appeared Robert Kwok. Jenna stood up immediately, her face red “What are you doing in here?” he asked suspiciously.
“I was getting a file.” She said casually, but her face deceived her, she could feel the blood spreading through her cheeks.
“What file?” Robert asked, he could read the guilt on her face.
“The Chiu’s Diamond file.” A male voice commanded from behind.
Jenna turned to the voice but did not recognize the face. He smiled gently at Robert “I’m sorry Rob, I asked her to get it for me. I had no idea it would be such a problem.”
Robert’s face cooled, his head bobbed up and down “I see. Well, the next time, you should ask me yourself. My secretary is not very familiar with where I leave my files.” He turned to Jenna “Bottom right drawer.”
“Yes, sir.” She replied obediently and reached for the drawer. She found the file easily and returned it to the stranger that helped her. She felt more relaxed when she turned to Robert, whose eyes were less vicious “Did you forget something, Mr. Kwok? I’ll get it for you.”
“That’s alright.” He turned calmly to his bodyguard and nodded once. The guy returned to his desk and retrieved a file “Don’t enter this office unless you have to.” He warned lastly before leaving.
Jenna let out a sigh of relief while the stranger smiled at her with interest “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He nodded.
“Who are you?” she asked curiously “And how come you knew…” she pointed to Robert’s office.
“I have eyes behind my head.” He teased while glancing at his watch “Lunch time. Come on, my treat.” Jenna found no harm in doing so as she followed him. He took her to a quiet restaurant downtown. He ordered the food for both and clasped his hands together “You’ve got questions?”
She nodded vigorously “Why did you help me?”
He smiled mysteriously “Let’s just say, it’s for a friend.”
“What friend? I don’t know you and I would think my friends would have introduced us.” She pointed out reasonably.
“You know Erin.” It was a statement not a question.
Her mouth shaped into the letter ‘O’ as she nodded slowly “I know who you are.” He grinned.
************
That night after work, Jenna walked by herself out of the building and down the street the closest bus stop. She discovered following footsteps behind her, quickening her steps, she moved quick around the people but the person was well trained too. When she approached the quieter street, she spun around suddenly and whipped her hand towards the person’s head.
He caught her hand and she let out a sigh “Ryan. You scared the begeebees out of me!”
“What are you? Twelve?” He kidded while dropping her hand slowly.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a smile.
Ryan shrugged “Gor asked me to follow you, make sure you don’t get hurt. Like a bodyguard…except, I’m not supposed to expose my face.”
“Too late for that. Come on, let’s go have a drink.” She beckoned with her head.
“You don’t drink.” He said matter-of-factly.
She laughed, “I meant a soda.” Ryan joined in with the laugh as they walked further down the street together. They came upon a bar and noticed it was filled with suit wearing businessmen “I’ve never been here before.” Jenna commented.
Ryan nodded in agreement as he scoped the place “Let’s sit over there.” He pointed to a corner seat, away from the crowd.
“If you wanted to go somewhere away from the crowd, you can just come out and say it. I don’t mind if you flirt openly.” She kidded.
He wrinkled his brows at her “You’re strange.”
Jenna grinned “Thanks!”
He pulled the chair for her to sit and she gladly obliged “So, how’s work going?”
She shrugged “So, so. Personally, I think Robert Kwok is on to me, he always looks so suspicious but you know he took me to see his dead daughter’s grave.”
“Really? Why didn’t you tell my brother?” Ryan asked, “You’re suppose to report everything to him.”
Jenna rolled her eyes “I told him. But he told me not to contact him so much. It might cause more suspicion. Not that it makes any different. I think he already knows.”
“Why do you say that?” Ryan wondered, “You think we have a spy? Your life could be in danger.”
“It never crossed my mind. But it was strange today. I was snooping inside Robert Kwok’s office when he caught me. Some guy came in and he rescued me.”
“Who?” Ryan wrinkled his brows. He learned to be suspicious of anyone and everyone around them.
“He said he was a friend of Erin’s. I think I know who he is but he never confirmed it.” Her eyes darted away when she thought the man looked familiar “Hey Ryan, is that who I think it is?”
Ryan turned towards the direction she was staring to “Yeah, that bartender is checking you out. You want me to beat him up?”
“No silly. That other guy!” she pointed further.
His eyes darkened as he recognized him with ease “Riley. With Robert Kwok, in a deep conversation. This can’t be good.”
“Have you noticed that his last name is the same as Robert’s? And he told me he had two sons but they were useless.” Jenna recalled.
“I knew he was no good!” Ryan slammed his fist onto the table and was ready to get up and confront his fellow agent when Jenna pulled him back.
“Don’t. We don’t have proof and it’ll ruin all my hard work. My dad is coming back tomorrow, we’ll talk to him then. Okay?” she urged. He was hot headed and she knew it would not be easy to calm him but they couldn’t let one encounter ruin their impressions on Riley with the team.
Ryan nodded eventually “I swear, if he is Shelly’s killer, I’ll choke him with my own fingers.” He vowed.
They continued talking the rest of the night about random things. Moment of awkward silence were filled with nonsense babbling from Jenna. She was obviously smitten by Ryan but he was too involved in his thoughts to notice that she blushed when their hands accidentally touched. After another hour passed, the two decided to leave through the back door and split up just in case Robert left at the same time.
Instead of going home, Jenna dropped by Erin’s home. The girl was surprised to see Jenna at her doorstep “Jenna?”
“Hi Erin.” She smiled “Can I come in?”
“Of course, you’re always welcome.” Erin had a quick liking to the girl as she pointed her inside. Jenna saw Reina at the couch eating a slice of apple pie as she stopped dead in her tracks “Don’t worry, she won’t bite.” Erin eased.
Jenna leaned closer to Erin “Are you sure? I read in her files that she killed her own sister.”
“That was old and I didn’t pull the trigger, my sister did it herself. But since everyone assumed that I did, I just took the blame.” Reina replied, her eyes still glued to the television.
Erin smiled with a shaking head “Don’t scare the girl. She’s the future of the team.” Leading Jenna inside, she asked, “So, what’s on your mind?”
“I was undercover working today at Robert Kwok’s company when I ran into an old friend of yours. He saved my ass.” Jenna smiled secretly.
“What old friend? I didn’t know you knew my friends.” Erin reached for her plate of apple pie. Remembering her manners, she nodded to Jenna with the plate.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Jenna took the plate easily while Erin laughed.
“I was only offering a bite. But I’ll get another one.” She got up and left the room. She came back with another plate “Okay, so who’s my friend that helped you?”
Jenna swallowed her piece “Michael.”
“Really?” Erin asked, “Are you sure?”
“He didn’t say his name but I figured, what other rich man would be working with another rich man that has the power to help me? And he knows about the team. Although I don’t remember meeting him personally, I do know of him through Joe.”
Reina nudged her roommate as Erin turned to her with arched brows “I thought she was Joe’s girl.”
“I am.” Jenna explained, “I just call him Joe.”
“Got it. You can continue now.” Reina nodded and returned to her television.
Jenna frowned strangely at Erin, who only smiled “I assumed that it was him.”
“I see.” Erin tapped her plate with the fork thoughtfully “I haven’t heard from him in ages. I thought he would have moved away with Julie to get away from all the conspiracy that he got involved in when he worked with the team. But I could be wrong. I’ve got to ask Matt about that tomorrow and see if I should see him personally.”
“Don’t forget about the list. He’s on it.” Reina reminded her.
“So is Julie. Hey, don’t you want to see Julie? She is your sister.” Erin suggested.
“If you want me to come with you, just ask, don’t use that family love crap on me.” Reina mocked.
Erin laughed, she knew now that Reina had a big heart but hated to let anyone know “Okay, Miss Cold Hearted, would you like to come with me?”
Reina smiled “Sure. That wasn’t too hard was it?”
Jenna waved Erin closer with her eyes “Aren’t you scared?” she whispered when Erin leaned in.
“Talk louder, I can’t hear you.” Reina said loudly.
Erin laughed, “If I was scared, I wouldn’t have allowed her to live here. She’s a walking time bomb, but we go back a long way despite the times we wanted to kill each other. There were hard times but I’m glad we worked it out.”
“Oh God, I think I’m gonna barf!” Reina groaned as she got up with her empty plate.
“Ever heard of the term: cold blood warm heart?” Erin asked Jenna. The girl shook her head innocently “That’s Reina.” Jenna moved her eyes away and eventually understood as she nodded with a small smile.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
