The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return
Chapter 49
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Myolie Wu – Leah Hong aka Aquarius
Raymond Lam – Mark Chiu aka Capricorn
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Esther Kwan – Evelyn Fong
Tony Leung – Robert Kwok
Dicky Cheung – Chris Wong
Ekin Cheng – Ethan Chan
Maggie Cheung – Sara Liu
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
Robert and Mark made a dash for the door during the shootout “My car is over there.” Mark pointed as he turned his back to see if they were being chased “I hope the bullets catch them.”
The two got in the car but to their dismay, two bullets came flying at the front wheels. The car sunk to the ground “What the hell was that?” Robert asked.
They got out of the car to check while Chuck began walking towards them with a silent gun on his chest "Where are you going? The fun is just starting.” He greeted with his signature grin.
Jenna, Doug and Ryan rushed behind Chuck “Mark?” Ryan looked confused “What are you doing?”
“Protecting his father of course.” Matt said from behind as they jogged towards the rest of their teammates “Looks like the rats are stronger.” He snickered at Robert.
“Where’s Ted?” Erin asked when she didn’t notice him around.
“We’re okay!” Ted called while he supported Leah’s arm over his neck and shoulders.
Jenna rushed over to her friend “Oh my God, what happened?”
“I fell down a pole.” Leah cracked but she quickly winced in pain when her shoulder ached.
“Looks like you lose.” Devin stepped closer to Robert “You want to surrender or make it easier on us?”
Robert’s face cringed in anger but he covered it with a laugh “Surrender? Did my father surrender when they barged into his home and arrested him? NO! Then why should I?”
“Why did you do it?” Jenna turned to the madman “My father did not deserve to die.”
“He ruined my father’s years of hard work, forming the P.R.A. was his most prized possession and in one day, it was snatched away from him. And he had the nerve to form his own team using the same name. I am only taking what is rightfully ours and punishing those that need to be punished. You’ll be glad to know that Joe didn’t even struggle. Well, he couldn’t.” he threw his head back with a gleeful laugh.
Devin turned to Jenna, who glared at Robert with hateful eyes “There were only a few people that knew of Joe’s habit of taking a sleeping pill before he went to sleep. His daughter, his college roommate…” he turned to Robert “And me.”
“I had to kiss up to him for almost a decade!” Robert snapped “And what did I get in the end? He used my son against me.” He pointed at Riley “Traitor, you don’t deserve to be a Kwok.”
“And you used Mark against us.” Matt pointed out.
Mark shook his head “No, that was my idea. It was my way of having my father forgive me.”
Jenna suddenly remembered as she stepped closer to Mark “You were the one that told Jasmine to go to London, which caused the plane to crash, killing everyone on there. He blamed you for that?” he didn’t look at her, only lowered his head “It’s not your fault Mark.”
Robert slipped the pistol hidden under his sleeve to his hand, it was there for emergencies. Raising the weapon, he pointed it to Jenna, who was the closest to them “Dad!” Mark cried while the others stepped forward with a gasp.
“Shut up! Useless!” he barked “Don’t you know women will only cause trouble? I know your little crush on her. If not, you wouldn’t have called Devin to help her that one day she came snooping in my office.” Mark widened his eyes in shock “I knew there was no way Devin knew when to come.”
“Dad…”
Robert shook his head as he nodded to Jenna “Say hi to Joe for me.”
She closed her eyes but felt a heavy body push her down but the shot was still fired. She landed on the ground in a painful thump, when she looked over, her eyes widened “Mark.” It was a whisper but he heard it loud.
“I’m sorry…” he clutched his heart while the blood poured from his chest, staining her.
Riley glared at Robert, whose hand was shaky as he realized he just shot his son in the chest “You monster.”
He straightened his back and pushed his chin in the air “He deserves it!”
Devin shook his head sadly “Who are you kidding Robert? You’re dying inside, since the day Jasmine died in the plane crash and your wife died of agonizing pain. And your first son? Kicked out of the house before he was even born and now…you killed your son with your own hands.”
“SHUT UP!!!” Robert cried angrily as he raised the gun at Devin, he was going to pull the trigger. Instead, Chuck was a little faster.
“Someone had to put him out of his misery.” Chuck sighed as they watched him fall to the ground. His eyes staring at Mark, he used his bit of strength left to crawl over to his son.
Jenna watched him with hatred “What goes around, comes around. You killed my father and now you have to pay the price.”
“Mark…my son…” he reached his hand towards him but couldn’t make it when his body gave up and his head fell limply to the side, a smile still on his face.
Riley bent on his knees “Goodbye father.” He turned to Mark, who had collapsed on Jenna’s lap.
“Why does he have a smile on his face?” Mia pointed out.
“Shit, the bomb!!!” Devin cried as they made a dash for safety but the explosion was deafening as its wind swept them to the ground, flying debris made it’s damage on everyone that it touched.
**********
Mia woke up from her hospital bed, her back was in horrid pain. She could barely move “Hey, don’t move so fast. You just woke up from a three hour nap.” Ethan eased.
She smiled with droopy eyes “I thought I was dead, but the pain was too excruciating. I knew I had to still be alive.”
He grinned “Big word.” He checked on her water and blood pressure “You’re good. I’m gonna go check on the others.”
“Tell me how Darren is.” She said while closing her eyes to rest.
“You can ask him yourself.” Ethan walked to her other side and yanked open the curtain, appearing Darren, with his leg cast in a sling as he peeled an orange “He woke up before you did.”
She grinned at him “Nice legs.”
Darren smiled between chews “Thanks. I’d feed you an orange but I can’t move.”
“Me neither.” Mia laughed but quickly stopped when her chest felt heavy “Ow… can’t do that anymore.”
Ethan shook his head at her “Give it a couple of days, I hear the explosion caused a fire that lasted for hours. Take care.” He nodded before leaving them alone and checking on the others.
Matt’s brows cringed together when his numbing medicine dissolved and he could feel his legs throbbing “Shh…it’s okay. Don’t move, it’ll hurt more.” A soothing voice he recognized before opening his eyes coaxed him.
“Reina…I’m glad you’re okay.” His eyes fluttered open.
“Of course I am, you used your body to shield mine. I should give you a good lecture for that.” She scolded while pouring him a cup of water.
He allowed her to feed him the water “I had to protect the mother of my children.”
Reina stopped as she turned to him “Matt Tong, if that is a proposal, I’m going to have to…”
“What?” he asked, smiling through his pale lips.
“Say yes.” She lowered her eyes away with a shy smile.
Matt reached his tube hand to her face as he caressed her jaw line “I love it when you blush.” The door opened but the two didn’t budge from their position.
“I guess it’s irrelevant to ask you guys how you are?” Ethan joked before closing the door to give them more privacy. He smiled to himself as he walked down the hall and turned his head twice on a male that was limping to get water. He approached him slowly “Are you one of the patients from the explosion?”
Devin lifted the drink to his lips “Yes, you are…”
“Dr. Chan. I’m in charge of caring for the P.R.A.” he shook his hand.
“Oh, I see.” Devin nodded “I’m doing fine, you can check on the others.” Ethan nodded and prepared to leave “Wait.” Devin raised a hand to stop him “Can you tell me where Erin’s room is?”
Ethan checked his clipboard “203.”
“Thank you.” He smiled and continued limping down the hall.
Jenna, Doug and Ryan shared the same room since their injuries were similar, all were on the upper body “My favorite moment was when I shot the bastard in the head. Wow, he fell like a tree being sawed!” Doug recalled.
“No, no…my favorite was when I dived to the ground and shot this guy in the crotch!” Ryan nodded with a laugh while he ate his apple. A large fruit basket was on his tray, since he was in the middle bed.
“I can top that.” Jenna cleared her throat as she pointed to the basket “Get me an apple.” Ryan reached over painfully with one arm slung around his shoulders. He tossed her a green one. She frowned and threw it back to him “I want a red one. Green ones are too sour.”
He rolled his eyes and tossed the red one to her “Better, princess?”
Jenna caught it while her face fell “Joe use to call me that…”
Ryan quickly felt guilty while Doug raised his brows at him “I’m sorry Jenna, I didn’t mean to bring up the sad—”
“I’m just playing with you!” she exclaimed with a laugh “He never called me Princess, I wouldn’t let him use pet names. It gave me chills.” She giggled while biting into her apple.
“So what’s your moment?” Doug asked while Ryan scowled at her.
She pushed the bitten fruit to the side of her cheek while nodding “When I stopped Chris, I told him I didn’t have a gun. I knew he had one and when he pulled it out, I shot him before he could even blink!”
“Oh yeah…” Ryan and Doug nodded “That’s good.” They replied in unison and turned to each other with a laugh making Jenna join in.
Ethan peeked inside as he sighed with relief “Thank goodness, I thought there was a party going on in the hospital that I didn’t know about. So, how are you guys feeling?”
“Great!” Jenna exclaimed.
“Good. So, do you have any pains?” he asked while looking up at the three.
Ryan raised his hand “Yeah, I have one in here.” He pointed to his stomach “What do I do to get rid of it.”
“It’s called poop.” Jenna snickered while taking another bite of her apple.
Doug stifled a laugh while Ethan shook his head “Let me take a look.”
Erin’s leg was numb but she pushed herself off the bed to find the others. She noticed Ted next to her, still asleep. Sara was sitting beside him, her hand over his. Smiling Erin, limped out of the room quietly as she headed towards the first door, she peeked inside “Hi guys.”
Riley and Leah were up from their beds, both had little pain for they were saved by a large tree where they dove behind when the explosion hit. He smiled at her “Hi Erin.”
“You two doing okay?” she asked.
They nodded together “We were the lucky ones.” Leah nodded to her limp “Your leg okay? I hear Darren’s in a cast.”
“Ouch.” She cringed “I’ll go see them.” She waved goodbye and followed along for the next door. It was Chuck’s room “Uncle Chuck.” She greeted and nodded at the woman next to him “Hi Eve.”
“Erin, oh my gosh! Chuck told me that you were fine.” Eve threw him a look while she got up to help Erin in.
He rolled his eyes “She is fine, she’s walking isn’t she?” he pointed out.
Erin laughed “I’m fine, Eve. Its just a few scratches.”
“How do you guys do it? The dangerous work? I wouldn’t know what to do and you’re just a girl.” Eve exclaimed in dismay.
“She’s not any ordinary girl, she’s my niece. The most skilled agent and trained killer.” He whispered. Eve rounded her eyes “Not just any killer…” Chuck looked around eventhough there were only three people in the room “Man-killer.” He whispered.
Erin shook her head with a laugh “And you’re a stomach killer. That’s the funniest thing I ever heard, Uncle Chuck.”
“She’s got men lining up for her as we speak.” Chuck nodded towards the door.
She turned and her smile faded “Hi.” Devin greeted awkwardly. Erin didn’t want to look at him as she turned away “I just wanted to tell you guys, dinner at the Marriot in Kowloon this Sunday.”
“Okay.” Chuck answered when he noticed Erin didn’t answer.
“See you guys later.” Devin said reluctantly as he limped away.
“See what I mean?” Chuck whispered to Eve, who giggled in response. Erin was neither amused or pleased by his announcement.
Chapter 50
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Myolie Wu – Leah Hong aka Aquarius
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Esther Kwan – Evelyn Fong
Maggie Cheung – Sara Liu
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
It was around six pm on Sunday night when Erin emerged from her room in her pajamas. She headed downstairs to her living room to watch television. Her roommates were bustling to get ready for the dinner that night “Can anyone help me with the tie?” Doug asked hurriedly while rushing down the stairs.
Erin turned to him strangely “You live here?”
“No, he’s just afraid to go home.” Jenna answered from the top of the stairs “I’ll help you with the tie.”
“Thanks and I’m NOT afraid. I just don’t like surprises.” Doug said unconvincingly.
Reina laughed coming out from the kitchen dressed in a slinky black dress with shiny gems sequined underneath the breast line “Say it a few more times and maybe we’ll believe it.”
Doug and Jenna turned her way as they whistled “Wow, don’t we look nice.” Jenna complimented.
She obviously looked pleased but her smile faded when she noticed Erin “Why aren’t you dressed?”
“I have other plans.” She replied casually.
“Really?” Jenna asked suspiciously “With whom?”
Erin thought fast as she blurted out “Dinner with Luke.”
“Someone called me?” Luke popped from the second floor hallway. He was dressed in a dark gray suit and silver tie over a white shirt “How do I look?”
“Great.” Reina lifted her brow at Erin.
“Did I say Luke? I meant Brad. It’s our…anniversary.” Erin looked away before they could catch her in a lie.
The four walked over and stood in a line in front of her with arms crossed “Okay, spit it out.” Reina wasn’t monkeying around.
“I told you…” Erin lowered her eyes “And stop it with the drilling! I have a choice not to go.”
Jenna sighed as she took a seat next to Erin “Are you still mad because my half Uncle used you for bait?” she wouldn’t answer as she turned her head away “Come on, stop being such a girl and get dressed. We have to be there in half an hour.”
“Jenna’s right, we can’t miss this part, it’s for the team. It’s for Joe.” Doug nodded with puppy eyes and pouty lips.
“You guys are horrible…using Joe on me like that.” Erin got up reluctantly to change “Give me ten minutes.”
Reina raised her brows “Ten minutes? This alone wasted an hour!” she pointed to herself.
Erin laughed “You have someone to impress, I don’t.” she rushed up the stairs to put on a plain navy blue dress. She walked out of her room and before she touched the top of the stairs, the four booed and hurried her back to pick a better dress. Rolling her eyes she returned to her room in defeat and found another red dress, spaghetti strap with a flair that ended over her knees “If you make me change again, I’ll kill you.” She growled.
Luke gaped at her while Doug whistled “I think that means you look good.” Jenna pointed at Luke. The group laughed while he turned away embarrassingly.
**************
Mia and Darren were dressed and ready to go with Bonnie on her arms. When they emerged from the limo, Mia turned to her husband “She’s getting heavy, can you carry her?”
Darren tilted his head with a scowl on his face “That’s funny.” He nodded sarcastically while she continued to laugh. His cast was still on and he had to use a crutch to move around “And for your next trick, can you disappear?” he quipped before greeting Ted and Sara, who were the first to arrive “Hey you two. Don’t we look nice today?”
“Are you talking about us or about you?” Ted nodded to his cast leg.
“Honey, don’t tease him. He is crippled.” Sara’s words only caused Mia to crack up even louder.
Darren turned to his daughter “Bon Bon, when you grow up, try not to act like mommy.”
“Hey!” Mia disagreed.
“I want to be just like daddy!” Bonnie exclaimed to Mia’s dismay. She reached out and hugged Darren by the neck.
“Daddy trained you well.” Darren gave his girl a kiss on the cheek making her giggle.
Ted turned towards the door after hearing someone call his name “I think Chuck’s waving us in.” he pointed.
“Where are the others?” Mia looked around for her other teammates.
“Making a grand entrance.” Darren guessed as they were led to a private ballroom with decorations and banners welcoming the P.R.A. “Wow, I feel like royalty.”
“Mommy says, you like to be King at night.” Bonnie blurted out making Ted and Sara stifle their laughs. Mia smiled secretly while Darren turned to his wife ready to scold her.
“Well, I’m glad someone’s on time!” Matt nodded at the group while he seated them along the long rectangular table “There are table settings so find your place and sit down.” He instructed, “Have you guys seen Reina and the others?”
Mia helped Darren with his crutch and seated him “Notice how he singled out one person?” Darren and Ted looked confused while Sara nodded knowingly “Women instincts, huh Sara.”
Devin was talking to a couple of generals as well as the new mayor when he caught her glance from a distance “Excuse me.” He walked towards the group “I’m glad you guys could make it.”
Jenna turned to Erin and back to Devin with a smile “We had a little emergency but its fixed now.” She gave him a wink.
“Your dad told me you were smart but he didn’t tell me you were quick.” He laughed.
“Can I call you Uncle Devin?” she asked with a sense of eagerness.
He took her hand and linked it through his own as he led them to the table “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
They were seated to Mia and Darren’s left side while Matt continued down the row with Ryan on his other side. Riley and Leah were on Ted’s side as was Chuck and Eve. Three round tables were set behind the team where important military generals and lieutenants of the Police department sat. The mayor had his own table with Devin seated there. Dinner was served and before desert was served, Devin approached the tiny stage to the podium set up for speaking.
“Hi everyone.” He greeted with a welcoming smile.
“Hi Devin!!” Jenna, Doug and Ryan cried out in unison.
“I mean Uncle Devin!” Jenna corrected herself.
Devin chuckled “Waiters, please stop pouring champagne for those three.” He pointed specifically “I want to welcome all of you here for the annual P.R.A. dinner. I know there are many unanswered questions and you are curious to know who I really am. I'll try to make it fast and not bore you. My name is Devin Hsu, born and raised in Beijing. I lived with my mother all my life and was told that my father had died. During my first year in high school, I made a friend. He was three years my senior but it didn’t stop us from getting along. This person was Joe.”
He went on to tell them about how he came to find out Joe was his half brother and how much he resented him. But years later, they met again and he realized it was wrong to be mad at him. They became great friends again and Joe told him about his discovery in London “He talked about forming a team of undercover agents, naming them P.R.A. I thought he was crazy, at age twenty how could it be possible?” he let the laughing silence until he continued “But he proved me wrong. And I couldn’t be anymore proud of him, it’s a shame he couldn’t be here today to hear me say that. He taught me everything he knew about military and training agents. I told him it wasn’t necessary but he insisted and told me it would come in good use later on.” Lowering his head in a moment of remembrance, he looked up with tears brimming his eyes “I don’t want this to be a sad occasion, I hope this will bring the spirits of the team up. We’ve lost quit a few agents in the past and I hope we’ll grow stronger as a group to keep it from happening. Continue to protect the people and of course, have fun.” He smiled making the group applaud while some of the guys whistled.
The Mayor approached the stage as he too gave a little speech in hopes that the groups of people who are there to serve the people will learn to work together as a team. He was proud of the P.R.A. and gave them a special plaque of honor in which Devin accepted. The girls were misty in the eyes but none wanted to cry on their happy occasion.
When desert was served, Matt suddenly stood up “I have an announcement!” his voice boomed down the table. Erin and Mia turned to each other with grins “I have asked Reina to marry me and she fortunately said yes. So now, you guys don’t have to worry about me being a bachelor for life. Darren, Doug, I’m joining you…well, not Doug really.” He chuckled while the girls screamed and applauded.
“Wait…how…when did it start?” Darren looked confused just like the others.
“Yeah, how come we didn’t know about it?” Ted chimed in.
Doug snickered “I knew it all along.”
“No you didn’t!!” Jenna pointed at him.
Ryan laughed, “Well, I knew it all along.”
“No you didn’t!!” Jenna cracked while laughing at herself.
Erin shook her head “Honey, put the wine glass down.” She reached for it but Jenna pulled her arm away while taking another sip.
They were enjoying their cake when Ted stood up “Since we’re doing announcements. I have one too.”
“Oh my God, not you too!!” Darren widened his eyes “Don’t do it Ted, it’s not worth it. Get out while you still can! Save yourself!” his last desperate plea made the entire table erupt with laughter.
“I didn’t know you were good at telling jokes.” Mia eyed him carefully.
Darren smiled “I’m good at other things too.” The group groaned in disgust while he turned to them “What?”
“Ahem!” Ted cleared his throat “I talked to Matt earlier and he already agreed. I’m leaving the team to work at the Police department full time.” There were surprised gasps “But don’t worry, I won’t be far. We’re working out a connection so that we are able to call each other for help when needed. Instead of calling the usually emergency number.”
It was Riley who stood up next “I’m afraid I’m next.” The team turned to him questioningly “I’m quitting the team.”
“What?” Jenna exclaimed in shock.
He smiled apologetically “Robert Kwok apparently changed his will at the last moment, he said in the case if he died, Mark would get half of the company and I would get the other half. But if Mark was unfortunate to pass away too, then I would get the entire company. I want to do this to save his name.”
“Wow, so you’re going to run a business that you know nothing about?” Reina raised her brows “The kid’s got balls.” She shook her head.
“Actually, I’ll be helping him.” Leah stood up “Before I was recruited, I was manager for an office that my dad owned. It was a small place but I have experience when it comes to business, so I’m sorry to say that I’ll be leaving too.”
Jenna groaned painfully “Why? Why is everyone leaving??!!”
“Doug, get that drink out of her hand.” Matt nodded. He was quicker as he took the glass from her hand and finished it with one gulp “I said take it not inhale it.”
When the party began to die down leaving only the team and their guests left. Devin noticed Erin, Mia and Darren were talking as he slowly approached them “Hey guys.”
“Hi Head.” Mia was quick to give him a nickname. She leaned into Erin’s ears and whispered, “He’s cuter up close.”
“Thank you, I try.” He joked while adjusting his collar suit.
Erin rolled her eyes “Spare me.”
“Are you still mad because I used you as bait or are you mad because I kissed you?” he teased.
Her blood boiling as she swiftly turned to him with a slap across his left cheek “Jerk!” she couldn’t hold it in anymore.
The people that witnessed it gasped in surprise, Erin wasn’t the type to lose her cool “You…you kissed her?” Mia asked unsurely. Devin remained still as the stinging pain hit half of his face. He nodded slowly “Wow, then you deserved that.”
“Hey, it’s acting. I’m sure he didn’t mean to do it.” Darren stood up for him.
Devin smiled “I guess guys will understand guys. Robert had hidden cameras in every room, I couldn’t slip anything. I apologize if I was a little rough, but I couldn’t take the chance of him knowing it was all a scam. Our hard work would be useless.”
“How honorable of you.” Erin snickered “Since everyone is here.” She looked around “I want to announce that I am too quitting the team.”
“What?” Mia shook her head in disbelief “No…this isn’t happening.”
Reina and Matt approached her “Erin, don’t do this out of anger. You’ll regret it.” she coaxed her friend.
“No, I won’t.” she turned to Reina “I’m very much sober. I thought about it. I can’t work with him.” She nodded towards Devin “It’s either him or me. Don’t worry, I’ll make it easier on you guys since the team cannot go on without a Head but you can go on without an agent.”
“But you’re one of the originals.” Mia looked ready to burst into tears.
Erin patted her friend on the shoulder “I can’t stay in here forever.”
“There’s nothing I could do to make you stay?” Devin asked, “Slap me again if you want.”
She spun her heels to face him “No, that’s not necessary. I apologize for slapping you in the first place. I shouldn’t have let my anger get out of control. Now if you will excuse me, I’d like to go home and rest.” She turned to Luke “You coming?”
Devin crossed his arms with a smile “Good luck finding a new job.” She didn’t bother turning, only walked away with Luke on her heels. Devin relaxed as he turned to his new team “Don’t worry, she’ll be back.” They turned away and some glanced at each other with raised brows.
Luke and Erin took a cab back home, he wanted to ask but knew she wasn’t in a good mood. Her arms crossed as she turned to him slowly “Did I scare you earlier?”
He turned to her with a laugh “No…well, yeah, kind of.”
“I’m sorry.” She sighed, “I don’t know why, whenever I see that guy I get so angry.”
“Maybe its…” he stopped himself with a smile “No…nevermind.”
“What?” Erin asked, “You can tell me. I won’t slap you, I promise.”
Luke laughed at her tease “Okay, well, I knew this girl a couple of years ago. I hated her, with a capital ‘H’. She got on my everlasting nerves and I had to work with her every day because she was the new producer of the show.” Erin nodded with ruffled brows, not sure where it was going “Anyways, one day after the show. She asked me to go out. Do you what happened that night?”
She could guess “Oh God.”
“Yes! That’s what she said the whole night in bed.” He winked with a laugh when she groaned in disgust “We ended up dating. But not for long cause she decided to move up the corporate ladder by sleeping with the 50 year old president. Needless to say, we were over.” He finished casually “But did you know what that was in the beginning? All that bickering and mean words we said to each other?”
Erin shook her head “Don’t say it, Luke.”
“Sexual tension.” He said it anyways making her grimace with disgust.
“If you call wanting to jam my knee into his balls sexual tension, then maybe it is.” She snickered.
“Ouch.” Luke winced after picturing it “Wow, the sexual tension is even stronger for you two.”
Erin reached over and yanked him by the shirt “Look kid, I don’t want you ever saying those two words again. I will strangle you with my own hands. I don’t care if you’re Brad’s brother, you hear me?” He nodded with widened eyes as she let go of his collar “That’s better.” She said while relaxing her arm.
“I’m scared.” He whimpered.
“Shut up!” she snapped while laughing. They got home and she went straight to bed. She dreamt of Brad for the first time in years. They sat along the end of a dock while wading their feet over the edge. He was asking how her life was doing and she was telling him about the team and how their last mission almost killed them. But in the dream, she stayed away from telling him about Devin. It would be the last thing on her mind.
Chapter 51
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
The airport was filled with people greeting loved ones and seeing them off. The team included as they came to send off Darren, Mia and Bonnie. She was near tears as she held onto Erin and Reina’s hands “I’m going to miss you guys so much. Remember to write! Email me whenever you have a mission, I don’t want to miss a single thing.” Mia said between sobs.
Erin smiled “Mia, you’re only gone for six months.”
“Six long months without my team!” she cried.
Darren shook his head “And it was her idea to take a family vacation.”
“Women.” Doug sighed while rolling his eyes.
“Speaking of which, how is your divorce going?” Reina loved putting him on the spot.
“She mailed me the forms and I signed them.” Doug shrugged casually.
Darren patted his friend on the shoulder “You are so lucky.”
Mia leered her eyes dangerously at him “Maybe you want to join him?”
“I’m only kidding, sweetie. Marriage life is the best!!!” he exclaimed with exaggerated excitement and smile that could be seen from miles away.
Mia couldn’t help but smile as she turned to her girls “I have to go now.”
“Have fun.” Erin nodded “Don’t worry about us.”
She nodded while gripping onto Bonnie “Okay, I love you guys. Take care!! Remember to email me!!” she called before disappearing into the terminal.
Reina draped an arm around Erin’s shoulder “Our little baby’s all grown up.”
“Not really.” Erin wrinkled her brows while Reina’s smile emerged “Where’s Matt?”
“He’s getting the car, you know how horrible it is to get a cab at the airport so I had him drive in circles until we’re done.”
“Wow…you’re starting operation-fiance-change that soon huh?” Erin teased “He’s a great guy.”
Reina agreed with a nod “I know. Don’t worry, I won’t pick on him too much. I have to at least save him some face in front of the team.”
“Right, Jenna told me. You were chosen as Captain, the first female. Congratulations, make us girls proud.” Erin grinned proudly.
“It would have been you if you didn’t quit.” They walked out of the sliding door and waited at the curb for Matt to drive by “Won’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” Erin shook her head “My decision is firm.”
Reina let out a sigh “Okay. I know it’s hell trying to change your mind, so I won’t.” She looked up in time to see Matt pulling up the car.
“Can I give you lovely ladies a ride?” he smiled, wearing dark sunglasses that made him look like a movie star.
“Mr. Tong, I believe it is illegal to look that good around me.” Reina teased as she took the front seat leaving the back for Erin.
“Hey Erin, how was Mia?” he asked while pulling the car from the curb and merging into traffic.
She rolled her eyes “A crying mess, what did you expect?” she smiled easily thinking of Mia’s dramatic exit “I’ll miss her.”
“Will you miss the team too?” he tried.
Erin shook her head “Nice try, Matt. Reina just tried that on me. I don’t want to make it harder for you guys. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ve already got a job.”
“You do?” Reina turned to face her “What are you doing?”
“It’s a hostess job at this restaurant downtown, Phoenix Inn. It’s a stretch from the agent work but I think it’ll be good. I need a normal life anyways.” She looked out the window and caught the airplane taking off.
Matt chuckled “I don’t think our lives will ever be normal again.”
**********
After the final mission Jenna, Doug and Ryan grew closer as they found a reason to bond. They had the same enemy and killed him together. It was teamwork and it seemed to lift the heavy pain off their hearts after Chris died. They were seen spending most of their days together, eating out and playing games at the arcade. Jenna fit well with the guys, they worked the best together on missions.
The team didn’t dare to ask if they would be getting new agents for the group was getting smaller with Darren and Mia on vacation. Matt was forced to join the group on the fields. The three were walking along the beach when Jenna looked up towards the sky “You think he’s watching us right now?”
Doug and Ryan turned to each other, both weren’t sure what to say “Uh…yeah, sure he is.” Ryan nodded convincingly.
“What do you think will happen to us?” she turned to them “The team isn’t exactly the same as it use to be.”
“You talking about Erin?” Doug asked.
“Damn, you’re good!” she chuckled while taking a bite of her chocolate ice cream. It left a ring around her lips where Ryan gave her his napkin “Thanks.”
Doug shrugged “I don’t know. But I hear Devin’s pretty sure that she’ll come back.”
“You think he likes her?” Ryan asked.
The two turned to him with a bewildered look “Have you been living under a rock?” Jenna asked “You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.” She widened her eyes and pointed at him “Don’t you dare repeat that to Erin! Luke made me promise not to say those two words.”
“Okay, psycho woman.” Ryan said with sarcasm “Anyways, I don’t think Ga Jei is very interested in him. He’s not her type.”
Doug chuckled “First of all, why are you still calling her Ga Jei? Second of all, it’s not for you to choose who deems worthy of Erin’s attention. For all we know, maybe they are secretly in love and getting married next week.”
“In a chapel in the outskirts of the city where little daisies fill the floor and rice being thrown in the air…” Jenna said dreamily with a plastered smile on her face.
“Earth to Jenna!” Ryan waved a hand in front of her face “Do you want to get married that bad?”
She pressed her lips tightly together while the guys looked at her with mocking smiles “No, I just like imagining the church wedding. Hey, every girl goes through this phase, my therapist said it’s absolutely normal.”
“Your therapist is my therapist.” Ryan reminded her “I had no idea Ethan thought it would be normal for a girl to be dreaming about a wedding when she’s not even dating?” his comment made Doug stifle his laugh.
Jenna waved her cone at him “That’s not funny! I—” she stopped after realizing the ice cream had flew onto his shirt staining it “Oops…sorry.”
“Isn’t that MY shirt?” Doug looked at it more closely.
Ryan nodded with a goofy grin “Yeah, your clothes are too young for your age. You should be wearing pin stripe shirts and flowered print short sleeves.”
“Are you calling me old?” Doug threw his cone to the ground and pointed at Ryan threateningly.
“Hey, no littering!!” a beach patrol officer pointed at them.
Jenna widened her eyes “Crap, run!!!” together the three raced towards the parking lot while the cop watched them in confusion. All he wanted them to do was pick up the trash and dispense it in the trashcan.
***********
Erin waited in her car outside Luke’s studio while she listened to his show. Smiling as she listened how eloquently he declined a caller who wanted to meet him on a blind date. When her cell rang, she answered without looking at the name “Hello?” She couldn’t hear any sound, only heavy breathing on the other side “You psycho, what the hell do you want?!” she blurted angrily.
She was about to hang up when Chuck’s voice crack “Erin…”
“Uncle Chuck!” her stomach dropped “What happened? Why are you out of breath?”
“Eve…she…” he stammered.
“Oh no. What happened to her?” Erin began to panic.
“She…she agreed to marry me…” he finally finished.
Erin let out a long sigh of relief “If I was fifty…I’d be gone. Are you hyperventilating?” she asked when he continued to breath hard “And what’s that sound in the background?”
“I’m at the gym. Eve said I had to fit into my tux, I’ve got 15 pounds to lose in three months.” He said between gulps of air. She couldn’t help but laugh, “You don’t think I can do it?”
“No, it’s not that…I just can’t imagine you in a tux.” She lied.
“Well, I’m gonna look great. Anyways, I have to go now, I can’t do chew gum and walk at the same time. Bye.” He hung up leaving her grinning to herself.
She was startled when Luke came to her car window and knocked on it “Jesus! Don’t do that!” she clutched her heart while flaring her nose at him.
“Sorry.” He smiled “I saw you smiling to yourself and thought I’d tell you those people are looking at you.” He pointed to a group in the car, plastered to the rear window.
“Nevermind that. Come on.” She waved him into the car.
“Where are we going?” he buckled his seatbelt while waving to the group of people still gawking at them.
“I think they’re your fans.” Erin smiled “We’re going to see your brother. It’s his four year anniversary today.”
“Four years already?” he widened his eyes in shock.
Erin rolled her eyes “Don’t be so dramatic, you only knew a couple of months ago.”
“Sorry, its this drama class I’ve been taking.” He laughed at himself.
“Spreading your wings and flying now? What’s with the change?” she made a sharp turn causing him to hang on for dear life.
“I want to do something different.” He concluded.
“Did some girl mistaken you for a star again?” Erin teased. He often boasted about women that ask him for his autograph but when he said he wasn’t a star, they didn’t care and some even said he would be one if the chance came up.
“Yes!” he nodded “How did you know?” eyes widening.
She frowned at him strangely “Stop that. You’re scaring me with those eyes.”
“Sorry.” He relaxed his face until they got out of the car in the memorial park “Wow!”
Erin jumped from his excitement “Luke.”
“I’m sorry. That was the last time, I promise.” He tried hard to stifle his laugh.
The two walked up the long flight of stairs until the reached the correct gravestone. Her smile faded when she saw a figure standing in front of Brad's grave. Luke turned to her with a questioning brow while she nodded for them to walk over “What are you doing here?” she asked calmly while placing the white roses on his grave.
Devin turned to her, with sunglasses on, he looked mysterious as ever “Hi. I didn’t expect you two here.”
“I’m Luke, we were never properly introduced.” Luke brought out a friendly hand as the guys shook it out.
“Devin, it’s great to meet you. Jenna talks about you nonstop.” He smiled but his attention quickly turned to Erin, who still refused to look at him “Still mad?”
“No, I’m not that petty.” She answered grimly.
He nodded “Any way you will change your mind about the team? Last chance.”
It sounded more like a warning to her, but she remained cool, refusing to lose her temper again “No, thank you.”
Devin smiled “Suit yourself. Good bye, I’ll be seeing you around.”
Luke nodded politely while he watched him leave “See what I mean?” Erin snapped her head at him and he quickly quieted “I didn’t say it.”
“But you thought it.” She narrowed her eyes but when returning to Brad, she softened “Hi Brad. It’s us again. Here to visit you. Things are good for me. I left the team, but on good terms.” Luke snickered at her last sentence making her glare at him “Anyways, I’m trying a different job. Hopefully it’ll work out. Wish me luck.” She bowed three times and turned to Luke “Your turn.”
Luke sighed as he nodded “Hi Bro, it’s me again. How are you doing? Better than us, I know. Erin’s a great girl, she’s a good roommate. Although sometimes she can be a little tough with the messy room I keep. But anyways, I’m learning more about you each day with the stories that Erin tells me. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.” He bowed three times and turned to her “Okay.”
Erin smiled with a shaking head as she walked towards the stairs “It’s cute.”
“What is?” he asked nosily.
“How you talk to him. I think you guys would have been really close.” She sighed while looking up at the sky.
“Life isn’t about ‘what ifs’. It’s about moving on…” Luke began his famous phrase.
She sighed with eyes rolling upwards “Here we go again.” She nodded vaguely while he continued to lecture her like an older brother. She had memorized the words after the third time he said it. Erin had to smile though, even without Brad by her side, Luke gave her a sense of closure. Seeing his face eased all the pain in her heart. Although time could heal all pain, she still felt the stir in her heart when she thought about Brad. She often wondered if she would ever find a guy that would make her forget him.
THE END
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
