Chapter 7
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
The following morning, Jayd woke up with a throbbing foot. She had fallen asleep with the bag of ice over her ankle and it had long ago melted and spilled into her mattress. Mrs. Lee entered her room to wake her daughter when she saw her fixing the bag “I had an accident.” Jayd pouted.
“Oh dear…this is going take forever to dry.” She took the remaining bag and threw it in the trash “Come on.” She waved her daughter to take her arm as she led her to the bathroom “See, if you had a boyfriend, he would be here right now—”
Before she had a chance to finish, the doorbell rang. Jayd rolled her eyes when her mother smiled smugly “Stop drooling ma.” She limped her way to the bathroom while Mrs. Lee opened the door for who she thought was Steve.
“Speak of the—” instead she was faced with a stranger. A gentleman that looked well dressed and obviously rich “I’m sorry, can I help you?”
“Hi Auntie, is Jayden home?” he asked politely with a basket of fruit in his hands. As if remembering suddenly, he presented it to her “Just a little gift, I hope you won’t deny.”
Mrs. Lee stood aside to let him in “Oh…thank you…Mr…”
“Call me Andrew.” He smiled warmly “Is she still getting ready?”
“She’s in the restroom.” Mrs. Lee pointed to the couch “Won’t you sit down?” his presence made her feel maid-like “Would you like some tea or coffee?”
Andrew laughed as he pointed to the seat next to him “Auntie, you don’t have to serve me. I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Jayd’s boyfriend.”
Taken aback, she found herself stunned and speechless “You…you’re…but…she’s never mentioned you.” The woman finalized.
Jayd emerged from the bathroom as she called “I’ll be right there Stevie! Don't leave without me!”
“Ah Yan!” her mother called suddenly, startling Andrew “I’m sorry.” She excused herself and rushed into her daughter’s room “Yan…it’s not Steve. It’s some man name Andrew and he claims to be your boyfriend. Should I shoo him away with a broom?” the naïve woman asked nervously.
Her eyes and jaw dropped “Oh my God…you’re kidding.” She rushed out to the living room in pajamas and her hair a total mess “Andrew, what are you doing here?”
He laughed “I told you I would come by to pick you up last night.”
“I know, I thought you were kidding. You were serious?” she asked.
“Well, yeah.” He shrugged “Your mom seems a bit…nervous.” He grinned.
“I would be too if some guy walked in and said he’s my daughter’s boyfriend and I had no idea.” Jayd hissed “You should have warned me.”
“I did. Last night.” He replied a matter-of-fact.
“Ah Yan…is this man really your boyfriend?” Mrs. Lee asked unsurely.
Jayd covered her face shortly and turned to her mother with a smile “Yes ma, this is Andrew Fung, my boyfriend. I assume we just became official last night.”
“Sorry to scare you, Auntie. But I thought Jayd would have at least mentioned me in the past.” He turned to his now girlfriend with a look of awe.
Her mother too turned to her for an explanation. Jayd smiled weakly “Surprise?” when she was saved by the doorbell, she limped her way over to open it.
“What’s wrong with your leg?” he pointed.
“I’m sorry, you have a guest over.” Steve’s wide grin faded. He did a double take on Andrew and leaned into Jayd’s ear “Isn’t that our boss?” he recognized him from the office “Are you in trouble?”
She turned to her mother’s stern expression “More than you think.” She whispered.
“Ahem!” Andrew cleared his throat “Won’t you introduce us?”
Jayd snapped her head back, smiling embarrassingly “Andrew, this is Steve. This is Andrew…my boyfriend.”
Steve began walking in and froze for one second at her words. Recovering fast, he reached out a friend hand to shake Andrew’s “You look familiar.” He pointed at Steve with a wagging finger “Aren’t you that new mail guy?”
“Actually, he’s a new architect!” Jayd jumped in to help her friend “He just started a few weeks ago.”
“So that’s where I saw you.” Andrew nodded “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Steve replied shortly.
An awkward silence filled the room as Jayd tapped her fingers together waiting for someone to make the first move “Well, I better go change.” She said when she looked down at her pajamas.
“Steve, why don’t you go to work first? I’ll take Jayd to work. But I would like to have a talk with Auntie first. Will you excuse us?” Andrew asked politely.
Steve nodded understandingly “Of course.” He waved goodbye to them “See you at work. Bye Auntie.”
“Bye.” Mrs. Lee smiled warmly as she walked him out the door.
*************
Steve arrived at work on time as he slumped in his chair, letting out a long sigh. Her words repeated in his head like a broken record ‘Andrew…my boyfriend.’ He logged into the computer while snickering to himself “What a joke.” How would he ever compete with the big VP? The guy that would one day own the entire corporation. He had everything and could give her anything she wanted.
When he began working, he noticed the shark walking a girl around. She looked to be new and bored with him. But he wondered why Mr. Lau did not appear to be his usual jerk self “And here is the architect department…” he began only to find Lisa roaming away again “Miss Cheung.”
“What?” she turned and caught Steve’s eye as he quickly turned away “Steve!!” she called sweetly while approaching his desk. Sitting at the corner of his small cubicle, she greeted “Hey, how have you been?”
He smiled slowly “Good, since…the other day.”
She laughed with her head thrown back and a hand hitting him flirtatiously “You’re so funny. So this is where you work.”
“Miss Cheung…” Mr. Lau tried to get her attention.
“Oh, I’m done with you.” She waved him away like a dog. The employees noticed but none dared to make a comment or laugh. The man was red in the face as he slowly moved away.
“You know where my office is if you need help.” He said but she wasn’t paying attention.
“So, this is your cubicle.” Lisa crossed her arms with a teasing grin.
Steve nodded “It’s small, I know.”
“You want a bigger one? I’ll get Biu Gor to get you a bigger one.” She pushed.
“No!” he raised a hand “No…this cubicle is fine.” She smiled and shrugged it off lightly “So, where is your desk? Or should I say office?”
Lisa shook her head innocently “I don’t know. I have to wait for Biu Gor to come in first.”
“That won’t be for a while.” Steve snorted “They’ll probably have breakfast and take a walk on the beach. Maybe watch a movie…plan the wedding.” He said in despair.
“What?” she turned to him strangely “Are you feeling okay?” she felt his forehead.
He moved away “I’m fine. I guess you know why Jayd’s not here.” He nodded to her empty cubicle.
“Wait…” she pointed to Jayd’s desk and her eyes lit up slowly “OH! I know!!! Why that little liar…” she tapped her chin evilly “The two little liars.” She corrected “How dare they hide it from me!”
Steve felt his stomach drop “You…eh…you didn’t know?”
Lisa shook her head as a wide grin crossed her face “No…but thanks for the news.” She patted him adoringly on the head and got up to wait for Andrew in his office.
“Crap.” Steve cursed as he dropped his head onto his desk.
***********
“Three years?!” Mrs. Lee exclaimed “But…how…why…I had no idea!” she retorted.
“Ma…I’m sorry. I just…I wanted to tell you…” Jayd began as she turned to Andrew for help.
He smiled “Its my fault. I asked Jayd not to expose us. You know my father is very popular in the business world. If they knew his only son was dating an employee, it would surely bring our family name down.” Andrew explained.
“I’m sorry us peasants are no comparison to your high stature.” Mrs. Lee spat.
“Ma!” Jayd was in shock by her reply.
Andrew patted her hand softly “It’s okay. Auntie has every right to be upset. Actually, I expected Jayd to leave me the minute I made that request but instead she was very understanding. She agreed to go along and soon months turned into years and never once did she complain to me. I knew it was time to push it with my father. I forced him to meet her and I knew the minute he did, he would love her like I did.” He smiled at Jayd who lowered her head shyly “We had dinner last night with my father and he was taken by her.”
Mrs. Lee relaxed her anger as she forced herself to smile “I see…I guess that is a good thing?”
“Yes, of course!” he said excitedly “We have my father’s blessing to continue dating and he will announce our relationship at the annual company dinner party next month.”
“So it’s still under the table right now?” Jayd turned to him questioningly.
“If you mind, we’ll go back and announce it to everyone.” He offered.
Shaking her head, she smiled “No, it’s okay. I will respect Uncle’s decision.” She said obediently.
“That’s why I love you.” He kissed her on the cheek and turned to her mother “Auntie, I would like to take you out to breakfast sometime. Let’s make it this weekend?”
“Do I have a say—” she began only to be jabbed by her daughter “It sounds lovely.” She smiled again, Jayd new it was fake “Well, you kids should get back to work.” She ushered them away.
Andrew checked his watch “Yes, I do have a meeting this morning. So I’ll see you this weekend?”
“Yes.” Mrs. Lee walked them to the door. She pulled her daughter back “We’ll talk tonight.” she whispered sternly.
Jayd nodded weakly “Bye ma.”
“Have a good day, Auntie.” Andrew bowed slightly. When the door closed, he wrapped his fingers over hers “Well, that went well!” he smiled proudly while pulling her along.
She stared at him in wonder “It did?”
“I think she likes me.” He was positive and overly confident “I told you there was nothing to worry about. I win over moms easy.”
Jayd grinned, “How many have you won over?”
He laughed as he held onto the elevator door for her “I’m not falling for that trick. I’m going to say one, just to be safe.” He glanced down at her leg “What happened to your ankle?”
“I tripped on the stairs.” She explained but decided to keep the details to herself.
“Try not to walk on it too much.” He reached an arm around her shoulder and gave her a good squeeze “We’ve got dance practice in a few days.”
“Huh?” she was confused.
“Father thought it would be fun if we took a dance class together so the day of the party, we can show off to everyone. I was thinking tango would be fun. It’s slow and sensual.” He nodded with excitement.
She grinned, “This I got to see. I don’t care if my ankle is broken I have to see you dance.” From the three years, she never once saw him do any other activity than work or golf.
Chapter 8
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
Jayd and Andrew walked into work at different times, to keep the people from assuming things. She walked straight to her desk and began working. A few eyes turned to her questioningly, she was almost never late to work. Steve made a quick sign of the phone with his pinky pointed to his ear. She picked up at half a ring “Yes sir?”
“Don’t kill me.” He started “I accidentally told Lisa about you and Andrew.”
“You what?!” Jayd exclaimed.
“I’m sorry!” he hissed “It was an accident.”
“Well, you just made the biggest accident of your life.” She said through gritted teeth.
He felt horrible as he rubbed his eyes nervously “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Damn straight.” She nodded vigorously.
“Huh?” he peeked over the cubicle strangely.
“Yeah, I talk ghetto when I’m mad.” She eyed him dangerously and hung up the phone. Getting up, she walked casually to Andrew’s office. She knocked three times and he called for her to enter. She stumbled halfway when she saw Lisa inside, sitting on his couch comfortably.
“Well if it isn’t liar number 2.” She snarled.
Andrew crossed his arms sternly “What did you just promise?”
She shrugged carelessly “I forgot. I have short term memory—”
“Name your price.” He cut into her sentence.
Lisa got up as she walked around the office and glanced out the window “Nice view. How big is this office?”
Jayd knew it was time to step in “Look Lisa, we didn’t mean to lie to you. But if it makes you feel any better, no one knew about it. Even Mr. Fung just found out about a month ago.”
“Uncle didn’t know?” she turned with an odd expression “How did he take it?”
Andrew sighed “He was a bit upset but after meeting Jayd on Sunday, he was relieved and very smitten by her.”
“Glad you brought Sunday up.” she wagged a finger threateningly “Someone told me there would be a autograph signing from my favorite singer Andy Lau and I was there for three hours and not even a guy that had his nose appeared!”
He stifled a laugh at the thought of Lisa roaming around the mall looking for Andy Lau “My mistake.” He said lightly.
“I’ll show you mistake. Say goodbye to normal life.” She warned as she was ready to march out and announce it to everyone.
Jayd quickly covered the door “Please Lisa, don’t. It will ruin Mr. Fung’s plans to announce our relationship at the annual company dinner party. I’ll do anything. What do you want?”
“There is nothing that I want, I have everything.” She reminded Jayd. Suddenly a thought occurred to her “But there is something…”
“Sure, anything.” Jayd promised too quickly.
Lisa clasped her hands together adoringly “Steve. He is soooo dreamy. If I could have one date with him, I would love you forever! And I would remember that little secret that I found out.” She hinted with a wink.
“Done!” Andrew agreed.
“Wait!” Jayd raised a hand “I can’t promise you a date with Steve.”
“Why not?” Lisa frowned “Does he have a girlfriend?”
“No.” she replied.
“Is he gay?” she asked with a tilted head.
“Maybe…” Jayd began but quickly shook it off “No…no, he’s not.”
“Then why can’t I go out with him?” she whined “Do you like him?”
“No!” Jayd groaned “It’s just…I can’t make him go on a date with you. I mean, he’s not your type.” She was out of excuses.
Lisa laughed “I don’t have a type.” She reminded the girl “I don’t just want one date, I want him as my partner for the dinner party.” She made a deal Jayd was not ready to shake on.
Knowing that Steve was not fond of the girl, she found herself in a more sticky situation as Andrew looked at her strangely “Fine…I’ll try my best.” She felt defeated.
“Oh thank you!” Lisa hugged her like she was her best friend “I’ll show him the time of his life. After I’m done with him, he’ll wish there was more time in a day to spend with me.” She cackled happily.
“Poor fella.” Andrew sighed sadly.
Lisa threw him a glare as he laughed “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. I will pick him up on Friday at seven pm.” She said happily and skipped her way to the door.
“Aren’t you curious to know where your office is?” Andrew asked.
She looked thoughtful for a few seconds and ended up shaking her head “No. Not really. I’ll be back after lunch.” She waved at them hastily and left the building.
Andrew noticed Jayd biting her nails, a sure sign she was nervous “If you don’t want to ask, I’ll ask.”
“No.” She shook her head and forced her fingers away from her mouth “He’s my friend. I’ll ask him.” She sighed.
He smiled and approached her, fixing an out of place strand on her face “Good, we wouldn’t want father’s request to be destroyed. He’s not a fan of changing plans at the last minute.”
“I guessed that.” She smiled weakly and left his office. Her mind raced to find the right words to approach him with the request. Steve noticed her emerging with a terrified look.
Worried, he quickly past her and whispered “Kitchen.”
She didn’t comprehend until she saw him heading towards the office kitchen. Looking around, she noticed the coast was clear and walked leisurely to the kitchen. He pretended to pour himself a cup of coffee “What happened?” he asked casually.
“The worst you can think of.” She sighed, playing the sympathy card.
He turned to her regretfully “I’m so sorry. Did Lisa blab it to everyone already?”
“No…worse, she’s using it as blackmail.” She said sadly “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Andrew will lose face if this travels around the company.”
“This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have talked to her to begin with but she just wouldn’t shut up.” he said in one breath “Please…can I do anything to help you?”
Jayd turned away dramatically “No…nothing…” he lowered his head shamefully “Well, actually, there is one thing.”
“What is it?” his eyes brightened “If I can help, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.”
She smiled sweetly with innocent puppy eyes “But I’d hate to ask you to do it.”
“What ever it is, I will try my best to carry through.” He vowed.
She lowered her eyes to the ground “It’s gonna take more than that…”
“What?” he noticed her lips moving but the words didn’t make sense.
“Nothing…well, apparently Lisa has this tiny, eensy bitty crush on you.” She began.
“NO way!” he exclaimed without letting her finish.
She dropped her jaw in shock “But you just said—”
“I was delirious.” He concluded “No way am I going to be her boyfriend. That’s just crossing the line of obsession. You should see the way she looks at me. If I was a Louis Vuiton bag, she’d be carrying me around her shoulders!” Jayd covered her mouth with a laugh “I know it’s a stupid analogy…” he rolled his eyes.
She shook her head with a hand up “No…no, it’s not that.” She calmed herself “You think she wants you to be her boyfriend? She just wanted a date with you.”
“That’s all?” he raised his brows in surprise.
“Yeah.” She nodded with a goofy grin.
“Well…I guess I can do that.” He reluctantly agreed “If that is all.”
“That is all.” She confirmed.
He seemed more relieved “Okay…that’s doable.” He nodded “Wow, I had no idea my manly magnetism was so strong. Just one date with me and she’ll keep your secret?”
Jayd backed away slowly towards the door “Well, just one more thing.” He turned to her with raised brows “You have to be her partner for the annual company dinner party!” she bolted from the room leaving him gaping after her.
***************
After work ended that day, she turned to Steve “Ready?”
“Oh, you go first. I have dinner plans with a friend.” He replied while logging out of his computer.
She gasped “You have another friend?” she looked disgustedly at him “And I thought I was your only friend.”
Steve laughed with a shaking head “No, I think it’s the other way around.”
Jayd opened her mouth to respond but quickly shut it when she realized it was true “Whatever. Don’t come home too late. You haven’t had much sleep last night and remember to clean yourself…” she suddenly laughed at herself “Look at me. I’m like my mom.” Shaking her head, she collected her purse and briefcase “I’ll write you a note on your door to remind you.” He smiled after her as she bounced her way towards the elevator.
She took the subway home and when she reached her front door, she remembered her mother’s words that morning. Carefully unlocking the door, she tried to make little noise while opening the door. She peeked inside and noticed her mother was not in the living room. Slowly, Jayd tiptoed inside and closed the door lightly. She gave the living room one last glance as she headed to her room and pushed her way inside only to gasp when her mother was sitting on her bed with crossed arms “You think you could hide?”
“Ma!” she patted her chest “You are going to kill me one day. What are you doing in my room? Didn’t we have that talk about privacy?”
Mrs. Lee laughed “Privacy? Well, dear after this morning and the news about your three year relationship with a man I have never met. I would think privacy would be the last thing on your mind. I wanted to check your room and see if maybe you were hiding my grandchild in here without me knowing!”
She was furious and Jayd knew it as she laughed nervously “That’s ridiculous. You would have noticed me pregnant.” She waved her hand lightly.
“Would I?!” she got up and stared at her daughter “Ah Yan, I have never been so disappointed in you.”
“Sure you have.” Jayd eased her hand around her mother’s shoulder as she lead her outside where the air was breathable “When I didn’t want to be a doctor, you were very upset or when I lied about that waitress job, but I was really in school doing architect, you couldn’t stop lecturing me for days.”
She moved her eyes at her daughter with daggers “I think this is a tad more important than what you just named.”
“Maybe.” Jayd agreed “Here, I’ll make you your favorite dish and we’ll talk about it okay? You can lecture me too if you want!” she said with excitement.
Mrs. Lee sighed tiredly, she always had a soft spot for her daughter “Okay. Make mine medium.”
“Done!” she rushed into the kitchen and prepared the steaks.
Chapter 9
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
Days later, while Jayd’s foot had heeled, Steve was fussing over his date with Lisa on Friday. One night, while the mother and daughter were having dinner, they heard the doorbell ring “Aren’t you going to get that?” Mrs. Lee asked.
“No, it’s just Steve. He knows where the spare—” she didn’t have to finish, he already found the key under the mat “What did I tell you?” she asked chewing on her rice and chicken “Did you smell the food from your apartment?” she waved him over.
“No time, she’s coming for me in ten minutes.” He presented himself with a spin “How do I look?”
Jayd didn’t bother turning as she shrugged, instead her mother compliment him “You look very handsome.”
“Whatever.” She mumbled under her breath.
“No!” Steve cried “Darn it! This is the fifth time I’ve changed. I thought this would be a bland outfit. Now I have to find an outfit that says, don’t look at me.”
This caught her attention as she finally turned to him “What are you talking about?”
“I’m trying to make a bad impression.” He emphasized.
“Is that all?” Jayd laughed, “Just pick your nose and be extra loud. Girls hate that.”
“Really?” he frowned “What else?”
Jayd tapped her chin playfully “Walk ahead of her and don’t be a gentleman. Open the door for yourself and walk in.” she was on a roll “Eat the food from her plate but don’t let her touch yours. If she tries to get cozy, move away before she has a chance to think about it.”
Her eyes in a daze as she continued with the ideas. Steve approached her and snapped his fingers in front of her face “Miss Lee!”
“What?” she asked innocently.
“It’s like the exorcist or something.” He laughed “I think if I did one thing from your list, it would scare of any girl.”
“Yeah, any normal girl. This is Lisa we’re talking about. The girl is so dense, she doesn’t even know if a guy is dumping her. I remember back in high school, her boyfriend was flirting with some other girl in front of her and she didn’t bother to notice. Instead she acted like nothing happened and went to the next class all perky.” Jayd exaggerated.
“You describe her like she was an airhead.” Steve laughed.
She rolled her eyes away “You’ll know for yourself later.”
He glanced at his watch “Well, anyways, I don’t have time to change. I’ll see you later. Bye Auntie.”
“Have fun!” she called before the door slammed. She looked up to see her daughter glaring at her “What is that evil eye for?”
“Have fun?” Jayd asked “He’s not going to have fun.” She spat in disgust “You remember how horrible Lisa was to me. I came home crying when she pointed at my clothes in front of the whole class and said I got it at the Salvation Army.”
Mrs. Lee smiled softly “I know you were teased, but that’s no reason to be angry at this girl. Plus I think you’re jealous.”
She threw her head back with a laugh “Jealous of what?”
“Of Steve and Lisa. Obviously, he’s a good catch and you finally noticed it.” Her mother convinced.
“I have a boyfriend, ma.” Jayd reminded her “You’ll grow to like him.” She added when her mother made a face “I promise.”
Mrs. Lee sighed, “I sure hope so. Because right now, he’s at 2 points in my book.”
************
Steve took the stairs to the bottom as he saw her waiting for him by the limo. A fur coat around her slender body “Steve!” she brightened up at the first sight of him. Clinging onto his arm, she led him to the car “Right on time.”
“You think I’m NOT punctual?” he asked in offense.
“No, of course not. I’d wait for you however long you want to take. Afterall you are taking the time to look good for me.” She sang sweetly while opening the door for him.
He silently cursed as he got inside. She didn’t even give him a chance not to be a gentleman “Why is it so dark in here?” he complained.
“Oh, I’ll turn on the light.” She happily obliged while flipping on the switch above her head “Better? Or you want it dim?” she asked.
“This is fine.” He said quickly. He shifted towards the seat furthest away from her “I’m going to take a nap. Call me when we get there.” He lied down rudely and propped his shoe on the seat.
Lisa smiled “Okay.” She dimmed the lights “So it won’t hurt your eyes.”
He gave an internal sigh as he closed his eyes “Not working…” he muttered to himself.
When they reached the Peak restaurant, she tapped him on the shoulder gently “We’re here Steve, you want to take a longer nap?” she cradled her chin on her palm as she leaned over his face.
He quickly sat up “No, I’m fine and starving.” He moved towards the door and opened it roughly, almost knocking off the driver. The guy quickly caught the door before it slammed in Lisa’s face “The food better be good!” he said loudly so a few people could turn to give him looks.
Lisa eased her arm through his “It’s the best in the city.”
He stopped walking and looked down at their linked arms “A woman never makes the first move.” He scolded.
“You’re right.” She removed her arm from his “Where are my manners.” Bring out an arm, she curtsied “After you.”
He straightened his back and walked into the restaurant with an air of importance. But his mind was searching for something other that could turn her off. It seemed no matter what he did, she was eager to please and do as he asked. They were ushered to a booth with the best view of the city. He smiled, forgetting about his plan “I’ve never seen the city from here.”
“Later, I’ll take you up to the roof, tonight is perfect for pictures.” She added excitedly.
“Ahem!” He remembered and wiped the smile away “Who said anything about pictures?”
“Oh.” Lisa looked surprised “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply…okay, no pictures.” She concluded while opening her napkin and placing it on her lap.
A waiter walked by to take their orders “What kind of drink would you like?”
“An ice tea, please.” Lisa said and turned to Steve “Order whatever you like.”
“Give me your most expensive wine.” Steve looked around the table “Where’s the menus?”
“Oh, this is a buffet style restaurant.” The waiter began to explain “There are different market areas, you walk over and asked them what you want and they’ll cook it there for you. They will stamp an order form and give it to you. We will count the stamps at the end of meal.”
“What?” Steve blurted rudely “What kinda freakish place is this? It’s not even buffet! No line? And the food has to be cooked?”
Lisa waved her hand “No, no… I talked to the manager, he said he would bring over any dish that we want. We would not have to leave our table.”
“Oh, are you Miss Cheung?” the waiter asked with raised brows. She nodded “I’m sorry. You’re right. My manager did mention that part. I’ll be back with your food.” He lowered his head politely and left to get their drinks.
“Isn’t it nice to have money?” she giggled.
“I wouldn’t know.” Steve snickered “Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouths.”
Her face quickly straightened “I’m sorry. I was not in any way degrading you. It’s just that I was born this way. Sometimes I just don’t know how to talk and end up offending people without knowing it.”
He sighed and leaned back on his chair “I give up.”
“What?” she was confused.
“Nevermind.” He shook his head “So, where did you go to school?”
“I went the University of New York for a few years but then transferred out to travel instead. It’s always been my dream to just travel.” Lisa said dreamily.
“Like a flight attendant?” he asked. He thanked the waiter who brought over the cup of wine and ice tea for them.
Lisa sipped her drink “Hmm, not really. I don’t like serving people. I was thinking more of a pilot. That way, I have full control of the plane and where I want to go.”
He laughed at the peculiar girl “I don’t think the passengers would be very happy. They want to go to Canada and you take them to Europe.” He could picture the hostile scene in his mind.
“No, I’ll be flying myself.” Lisa tilted her head innocently.
Steve’s face fell “Oh…well, that’s okay then.”
“OH, the food’s here!” she moved her drink as the waiter placed the ready steaks in front of them.
“Enjoy.” He smiled and walked away.
Steve remembered Jayd’s words as he was about to take her potatoes when she looked up “Do you want my side dish? I don’t really like potatoes, it makes me nauseous.” She wrinkled her nose and passed it onto him with her fork before he could agree. She cut into her steak and took a bite “Hmm, this is good.” She cut a side piece and placed it on his dish “Try it.”
“Thanks.” He smiled weakly. After dinner, they decided to take a walk up the rooftop to get a better view of the nightlife. He watched as she skipped to the binoculars and paid a dollar to look through the eye piece. She gushed at the scene while waving him over “See something you like?”
“That building that’s changing colors, what is that?” she asked.
Steve scratched his head as he too wasn’t certain “I think it’s a bank.”
“Oh…it’s pretty. I love the purple and green contrast.” She admired. Turning to him, she raised her brows “Here stand here, you’ll have a better view.” She waved.
“Why are you so nice to me?” he asked suddenly throwing her off guard.
Lisa shrugged “I don’t know.”
“You have to had noticed I was a complete jerk.” He pointed out.
She shrugged carelessly “But you’re nice now.” She returned her eyes to the view.
“Didn’t it bother you?” he asked “I mean, I was really an ass…but you were still pleasantly nice…although creepy but nice.”
Lisa laughed “I guess that’s the ignorance my dad always said I had.” She made room for him to lean on the rail “He said I always had the tendency to live inside this box. Whatever will hurt me, I ignore.”
“Aren’t you afraid what you do might hurt others? Or worse, yourself?” he found her even more different than he imagined.
“No. Because whatever I did cannot be explained. It’s just me. There’s no reason to apologize.” She answered truthfully.
“There’s no logic in that answer.” He shook his head with a laugh.
“It’s not a sin to be ignorant.” She concluded.
He nodded in agreement “I can’t argue with that.”
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
