Chapter 10
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
Andrew picked up Jayd and her mother at eleven a.m. on the dot. Looking high class in a suit, he presented the Lincoln town car as they were seated in the large back seat. Jayd noticed her mother looking around the car as if it was a spaceship “My mother has never been inside a car.” She joked.
“If you like, I could ask a driver to take you around the city or wherever you want to go, Auntie. Most of them sit around and do nothing anyways.” He added with a laugh.
Mrs. Lee smiled forcefully “How generous but I prefer the normal way to travel. The subway is only a ten minute walk from our apartment. But thank you for the offer.”
“Not a problem. It still stands whenever you get tired of walking.” Andrew insisted. Jayd shrugged after her mother turned towards the window and looked away “How’s your ankle?”
“Healing.” She smiled “Thanks for asking.”
“Better late than never.” Mrs. Lee snickered.
“Ma.” Jayd began sternly.
Andrew quickly jumped in to stand up for her mother “It’s okay Jayd. Auntie is right, I should have been more considerate. I still have plenty to learn.” He smiled.
When they reached the restaurant, they were walked to a special room with a table big enough for fourteen people but in truth it was just the three of them “The other tables would have been just fine.” Mrs. Lee instantly commented.
“Actually, this is the room reserved for the Fung family. Anyways, Andrew is always stared at and a few times reporters have tried to come in and get interviews. Can you imagine if we ate outside?” Jayd quickly supported her boyfriend.
“If you have nothing to fear, why fear gossip? It is only words that misinterpret everything you stand for. If you are not ashamed of yourself, you will not worry what they have to say.” Mrs. Lee said wisely.
“I totally agree!” Andrew laughed “It’s usually Jayd that chases the reporters away. I don’t really care what they say about me the next day.”
Mrs. Lee nodded briefly as she looked down at the menu. Jayd leaned in as she squeezed her eyes smaller “You might want to turn down the ass kissing to a minimum. Ma doesn’t like it.” She whispered warningly.
“Don’t worry, I got it.” Andrew said with much confidence “Auntie, feel free to call whatever you want to eat. You can always take home what you don’t finish.”
“Yes, it can be my breakfast for tomorrow.” The woman was relentless and never pass up the chance to make it more uncomfortable. But it appears he didn’t notice the sarcasm in her tone of voice.
They ordered almost every dish on the menu. Andrew picked up a steamed meatball and placed it on her plate “Thanks.” She grinned.
Mrs. Lee frowned strangely “Jayd, you don’t like that dish. Don’t you know that?” she asked Andrew accusingly.
“You never told me.” Andrew turned to her questioningly.
Jayd pressed her lips into a tight smile “I didn’t want to appear picky and after a few months, I figured it’s no big deal and I didn’t want to sound like a liar if I told you the truth. Anyways, it’s grown on me.” She picked up the meat and popped it into her mouth “See, I like it now.” She assured her mother.
The woman was skeptical but figured there was always room for change “That’s fine honey, but you should be honest at the beginning. It can cause a lot of misunderstanding in the future.”
“I agree.” Andrew wagged his chopsticks at his girlfriend “Anything else? Don’t tell me the steam pork buns make you sick, you love that stuff.”
“No, no…I like steamed pork buns.” She added and reached for one to show him as she ate it hastily. He smiled with satisfaction while picking up another dish to give her.
**************
After dim sum, the driver took Jayd and her mother home while Andrew had to catch a short meeting in the office. She waved goodbye to him as the car drove away. Turning to her mother, Jayd’s brightened face was replaced with a dark cloud “You need a lecture!” she scolded.
Mrs. Lee was calm as she turned and walked into the apartment building “I only say what I think.”
“Maybe you’re thinking too much?!” Jayd cried “Please, you’re not even giving him a chance.” She begged.
“If I didn’t, honey I would have taken the invitation today. I have more important things to do.” She opened the door and let herself in while Jayd slammed the door too loudly.
“Like watch television and swoon over Steve wondering why your daughter didn’t choose him right?” she said exactly what her mother was thinking. Mrs. Lee gaped at her daughter in shock “Oh don’t give me that. You know you think that. From the second Andrew walked into our home, you disliked him.” She accused.
“That’s not true.” Mrs. Lee argued weakly.
“Oh mother, you can see the cursing in your eyes when he walked over to hug me.” She narrowed her eyes “Please ma…I really…really like him.” Jayd assured her “Please, give him another chance. You’ll see, he’s not the jerk you want him to be.”
The elder woman knew her daughter had a point, she had not given Andrew a chance “You’re right. I have been especially mean.” She smiled and combed Jayd’s bangs to the side of her face “But what’s wrong with Steve?”
Jayd sighed, she knew the subject would never leave her “Nothing. He’s absolutely perfect…but he’s not Andrew. And I don’t feel the same way about him.” She smiled “Anyways, what makes you think Steve and I will be a good match? Maybe your daughter is too woman for him?” she laughed when Mrs. Lee made a disgusted facial expression “I can be very tough to get along with.”
“Yes, I know. I live with you.” She said dryly and returned to her room “I’m going to take a nap. Dim sum always makes me sleepy.”
***************
On his way to work on Monday morning, he learned from Mrs. Lee that Jayd had already left early for work. Curious, he wondered why she didn’t bother to ride with him like she normally did. When he got there, he instantly noticed her empty cubicle. He turned to his left neighbor “Jeff, have you see Jayd?”
The young architect frowned “No, when I got here, her desk was already empty.”
“I think she was fired.” A nosy girl butt in to comment as she dropped a file at Steve’s desk.
“No, actually, I heard they moved her.” Sandy to his right spoke up.
“Moved?” Steve questioned “Where to?”
“To an office.” Sandy whispered, her eyes snuck over to the manager’s office as it opened “Shark attack!” She hissed and got back to work as did the rest.
Steve quickly sat down as he began working. When his phone rang, he noticed the internal extension was unrecognizable “Steve here.” He answered.
“Steve, can I see you in my office?” Jayd masked her voice professionally.
His face reddened “Am I in trouble, Mam?” She couldn’t hold in the laugh “Jayd.” He sighed “Don’t scare me like that! Where are you? They said you were moved to an office.”
“Yeah, wow, news travel fast. I’m in the east wing, second office to your left. Come look!” she hurried.
Hanging up the phone, he picked up a file casually as if delivering it to the next department. Instead he made a wide turn to the east hall and entered her office. It was small but big enough to hold a large desk and a couple of chairs “Nice.” He raised his eyes as she sat upright at the edge of her leather chair.
“Isn’t it yummy?” she giggled like a school girl “The shark called me in early and told me the good news that I would be the new head architect of Team C.”
“There’s a Team C?” Steve asked.
“Yes, it’s new. I mean, I’m the only member at this point, but Mr. Lau will be assigning a few people to my group.” She nodded excitedly “Maybe you’ll be one?”
He nodded in agreement “Maybe. But you like your new office?”
Jayd wrinkled her nose “Besides that cigarette smell, everything else is perfect.” She pulled out a bottle of air freshioner and began spraying the office.
Steve leaned his head back as the spray hit him “I don’t smell any cigarettes.”
“Of course not! It’s because your nose has been plugged up with that nicotine, that IS your air. You wouldn’t sense a steak grilling in the kitchen.” She shook her head. He laughed while she snapped her fingers “Oh, I almost forgot. I need that file for the new mall in Sa Tin back. I think it was in your file drawer.”
“Okay…boss.” He rolled his eyes “You must love this part.”
“No.” she replied solemnly “I don’t love it, I just enjoy it.” With a laugh, she waved him out of the office as he returned to his desk.
Checking through the file drawers, he searched for the file she needed. Instead her ran across two boxes wrapped in pink metal paper. On top was a card. He opened it curiously ‘I owe you nothing. Sincerely, Jayd.’ He opened the pink box with a bold number 1 over the top. He found two packs of cigarette inside as a smiled crossed his face. Opening the second one, he found a pack of Nicorette gum. The smile slowly faded as he dialed her extension. When she answered, he said wryly “Very funny.”
“Oh, you found the little gift.” She sang happily.
“You buy me cigarettes and Nicorette, something that stops me from smoking? Um, Miss Lee, I am a bit confused by what you are asking me to do.” He played with the packs.
“Oh, you’ll love the cigarette, it has a sweet flavor to it.” She said secretly.
He frowned “What?”
“Just open a pack.” She advised. Steve followed along as he peeled off the plastic cover and pulled out a cigarette. It was heavier than the usual and there was no tobacco inside “Blow from one end…any end.” She said quickly, wishing she could see his face that very second. Again he listened and pushed a puff of air through one end and a small cloud of flour flew out of the end “It’s gum!” she blew up with laughter.
“You are so dead.” He laughed through clenched teeth while looking at the cover of the pack. In tiny print, it had a small warning ‘gum, do not light’.
“It took me sooo long to find it.” Jayd wiped away the tears of laughter “Is it darling?”
Steve shook his head “If you think this takes the place of cigarettes, you’re crazy, woman. I still want my two pack of cigarettes.”
“Why, you do have it. It’s in front of you.” She said casually.
“I have gum! Pink gum!” he blurted while she laughed. Lowering his voice, he whispered into the phone “We’ll talk at lunch.”
“Can’t. Andrew is taking me out.” She said with pure disappointment.
“Oh…okay, well then I reserve tonight.” He claimed.
“Sorry, having dinner with my mom.” She said.
He frowned “At home?”
“Yeah.” She replied. There was a small pause and she remembered “Oh that’s right, you’re not allowed over at my house anymore.”
“What?” he laughed “You’re joking right?”
“No, until my mother learns to love Andrew, you are not allowed to come over and ‘distract’ her with your perfection.” She rolled her eyes “Its sick the way my mom talks about you.”
“Well, you know I’m just being myself.” He said honestly.
“Hold on, I have to barf.” She made a gagging sound and laughed “Meet you on the roof at ten.”
“Okay.” He smiled and hung up.
Chapter 11
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
After lunch with Andrew, they were on their way back to the office. Or so she thought until he asked the driver to make an unfamiliar turn “Where are we going?” Jayd asked curiously “I have to get back to work.”
Andrew patted her hand easily “You know you’d rather skip work. We’re going to start our dance class.” She nodded without answer “Don’t worry, Mr. Lau is aware.”
“Anxious to fall flat on your face?” Jayd asked with a smirk.
He laughed “Don’t get too cocky, my dear. I may have two left feet but I think you are a little out of tune for tango.”
“We’ll see.” She dared.
When they reached the Dance School, she was surprised to see the famous ballroom dancer instructor standing before them. At awe, she barely spat out a stumbled ‘hello’ to the man wearing all black “Now, we will start with the stretches.” He began while showing them somewhat difficult poses that Jayd barely got down. Andrew on the other hand was less smooth when he almost tripped over himself “Mr. Fung, not like that.” The instructor said as he corrected his posture.
He touched a ticklish spot as Andrew chuckled and quickly raised his hand “I’ll do it myself.”
Jayd stifled a laugh “Psst! You’re doing great!” she exaggerated a wink.
“Allow me, Miss Lee.” The man moved on to correct her stand.
Hours passed and Jayd didn’t realize what time it was until she glanced at the studio watch “It’s dinner time.” She whispered to Andrew, who was busy counting the steps.
“Shh…I almost got it.” He said with a touch of excitement.
Jayd had memorized the steps long before as she flowed along in his arms while he moved stiffly against the floor. Sighing, she glanced at the clock again, her mother would be worried. She let him continue practicing for another hour before putting down her foot “I hate to be pushy but my mom will kill me if I don’t at least call her—”
“Right! You have dinner plans. Why didn’t you remind me?” he said hurriedly while ushering her towards the door “Wouldn’t want Auntie to think I was stealing your time.”
Jayd laughed as he thrust her jacket into her hand “Why don’t you join us?”
“Oh…no, I can’t. I have to…go out with clients.” Andrew waved goodbye to the instructor, who looked confused they rushed out of the dance room.
She sensed the hesitation in his voice “You guys are meeting at the escort bar?” she knew it was part of his work, to go out with the big guys and it would not be pleasure mixed with business if they were to meet in a boring restaurant.
He opened the door for her as she moved inside “It’s only business.”
Jayd smiled “I trust you.” She assured him.
************
After he dropped her off, she walked into the apartment building and at first stopped at Steve’s door. Knocking on it, she waited for him to answer but to her dismay, he wasn’t home. Shrugging off the sudden heavy weight on her shoulders, she opened her apartment door ready to hear her mother’s scolding voice. But to her surprise, she found Steve eating dinner with her mother, they had saved a spot for her.
“Ah Yan? You’re home. Come join us. I made your favorite kung pao chicken.” She walked into the kitchen to get her daughter a bowl of rice.
Her eyes squinted as she stepped near Steve, who was obviously hiding his guilty face from her “Freeloading?”
“It’s not my fault. I was throwing away trash and your mom was doing the same and she invited me over. She practically pushed a pair of chopsticks in my hand!” he nodded convincingly.
“Sure.” Jayd nodded suspiciously.
He placed the bowl down “I’m serious Jayd, I would not sabotage you on purpose. I mean, I have nothing against the guy, why should I ruin him on purpose?”
Rolling her eyes with a laugh, she calmed him with a slow pat on the cheek “There, there, little Stevie. Don’t cry. I’m not going to spank you. I know you can’t help it if my mother enjoys your company more than Andrew. I don’t blame you for this.”
“Really?” he asked unsurely.
“Yes and stop acting like a woman.” She scolded playfully.
“Ah Yan! That is no way to talk to Steve. Apologize.” Mrs. Lee ordered her daughter with a stern expression.
“He’s not insulted!” Jayd argued as she yanked the bowl and chopsticks from her mother’s hand and began eating.
Steve cleared his throat as he crossed his legs politely “Actually, I am.”
She froze in place and turned to him with widened eyes “Ah Yan, I know I raised you with better manners than that.” The elder lady said as she walked around the table and took her seat. Eyes glued to Jayd, waiting for her to apologize. Steve’s winning smile appeared.
Given no choice, she gave in “I’m sorry.” She said through a mouthful of food.
“Sorry for what?” Steve raised his eyes innocently.
“Don’t push it.” Jayd gritted her teeth.
He smiled with satisfaction “Hmm, okay I accept your apology.”
Mrs. Lee shook her head “My daughter is lucky she even found a suitor. With her manners, you wonder if an ape would marry her.” Jayd’s eye twitched while Steve tried hard not to laugh, “Say, Steve. When were you born?”
“Ma…” Jayd groaned.
“I’m not speaking to you.” Mrs. Lee said stubbornly as she smiled at Steve “I do a little fortune telling and dabble in a bit of matchmaking. I just need the date, year and time you were born.”
“March 28, 1975 at around midnight.” He answered truthfully.
She repeated it a few times and quickly excused herself to fetch her worthy book in her room. Jayd used the back of her hand to him across the arm “What are you doing?”
“Ow.” He pointed to the place she hit him.
“You know what she’s going to say now do you?” Jayd mimicked her mother’s perfect posture “Aww, it appears you two have a very compatible sign. Your life weighs about 16 pounds, which means it starts off a little rough but later in life, you will do well and your love line cannot be more perfect.”
Steve laughed with a shaking head “That’s ridiculous.”
Mrs. Lee emerged minutes later “Good news.” She sat down and read it straight from the book “According to your name, it appears your life weighs 16 pounds. Identical to Ah Yan’s.” she pressed with a smile and continued.
Jayd nodded exaggeratingly but it was Steve that looked awkward as she repeated everything Jayd said to him. She turned to him “Interesting huh?”
“I’m not very superstitious.” Steve laughed nervously while he had chills from her words.
“Really?” Jayd dropped her bowl looking astonished “Well, how about that ma? A flaw!”
Mrs. Lee arched a brow at her daughter “You cannot force everyone to believe what you believe. Only time will tell how much the fortune I read is true.” She said patiently.
“To be honest, my mother took me to a fortune teller when I was younger and I remember his words were very similar to what you just read from that book.” Steve confessed “I always thought that fortune was something you make for yourself but to have it read to me twice…that’s amazing.”
Jayd’s chopsticks clinked onto her bowl as she dropped it “You’re kidding me.” Steve turned to her with a vigorous nod while Mrs. Lee beamed proudly “I can’t eat anymore.” She sighed.
Steve too nodded politely “I’m full too. Dinner was very good, Auntie. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Why don’t you two kids run out and get desert or something? I’ll clean the dishes.” Mrs. Lee insisted as she brushed them off with a hand.
“Oh no, that’s not—” Steve was forced out of his seat as Jayd yanked him by the arm and pulled him out of the apartment “Hey, I can walk on my own!” he cried when she dragged him into the elevator and pressed the button for the roof.
“Are you crazy?!” Jayd accused “Did you forget everything I said this morning?”
He curled himself into a corner, trying to look comfortable while she placed her hand on her hips and centered him “I don’t remember.”
“You know my mother doesn’t like Andrew, so stop making yourself look good. It just reminds her more of why we’re not together instead of giving Andrew a chance!” Jayd calmed down as she lowered her head “I’m begging you Mr. Yeung, please, please stop being yourself…you’re going to screw things up for me. Did you know this is the first time in my life—thank you—” she cut in as he held the door open for her. They walked onto the terrace of the roof and she continued, “that I’m actually happy. I mean, our relationship is no longer hidden and I can walk around with him proudly. And I can see him whenever I want and not worry that others are staring.”
Steve nodded “I see…so where is he?”
“Out with clients.” She mumbled.
“Oh, so work is more important than getting to know your girlfriend’s mother?” Steve grinned “What a swell guy!” he said with sarcasm.
“His work is important to him. And it doesn’t mean that I’m not.” Jayd added “I know what you’re thinking…that he doesn’t deserve to be with me. But maybe it doesn’t have to do with who fits with whom in this society? So I’m poor and he’s rich? Why does it have to matter? Just because he has people waiting on him hand and foot while I spent most of my life cleaning after myself. So what? So what?!”
She was short of breath by the time she finished and Steve instantly felt bad for pushing her “I’m sorry.”
Jayd shook her head “It’s not your fault…I just have some things bottled up.”
“So, let it out.” He sympathized.
“I just did.” She snickered “I had no idea I was feeling all those emotions.” Turning to him, suddenly she hit him on the chest “This is all your fault!”
“What did I do?” he rubbed his chest “And why do I keep getting beaten up?”
“No one’s ever asked me questions that make me think before. What kind of friend are you?” she asked.
He laughed “A friend that cares.” He leaned over the stone rail “Seriously though, you think this guy is ‘the one’? You don’t have to answer me, just answer yourself. Does he make you giddy inside when you see him? Does he truly make you happy?”
Jayd turned away with a distant expression in her eyes “If my answer is yes for all of them…”
“Then I want to be the first to congratulate you.” He smiled at her with earnest eyes.
“But if it’s no…” she smiled with lowered eyes when he looked concerned “To be honest, I don’t know the answers to those questions.” Sighing, she told him the story “When I met him over three years ago, he was very sweet…innocent and carefree. He had little to worry about but the minute his father asked him to run the company, he became more distant. It was so hard just to put a smile on his face…but I tried. I tried every single time to get his mind off of work for two minutes with me.”
“Lisa told me that she introduced you two.” Steve said, waiting for her confirmation.
Jayd nodded “How ironic. The girl that scarred me in high school ended up being the one that helped me find Andrew. She’s a very peculiar girl, always perky. Like she was on drugs.” She snickered “Well, one day I accidentally ran into her during a night class I was taking to get my architect degree. Andrew was with her and she introduced us. At first glance, I thought he was handsome but nothing else. Because knowing those rich guys, they don’t go for girls like me. We exchanged numbers but I knew he wouldn’t call. I was wrong.” A small smile crossed her face “He called and asked me on a date. His first in five years. I felt special. Before I noticed, we were dating exclusively. Literally. He told me his father would flip if he knew he was dating. I told him not to worry and I would not let anyone know.”
“And what happened to this guy that you fell for?” Steve questioned.
Jayd smiled wryly “I don’t know. I just noticed that he’s becoming this different person. He cares so much about making his father proud that he forgets I’m a girl and that I need a boyfriend there too. I really try not to be bothersome and understanding but it’s not fun taking the backseat in his life.”
“You deserve so much better.” Steve said honestly.
She chuckled “Like you?”
“Yeah.” He turned to see her staring at him “What?”
“You…you like me?” she asked the words strangely.
Steve smiled crookedly “Yeah, I thought you knew?” she shook her head blankly “From the minute I hid your doll, I had a crush on you. It was undeniable at that time but of course boys don’t know how to express their feelings. When my family moved away, I was devastated…who would have guessed we’d see each other again.”
“I…eh…I have to go home…I forgot to…clean my room.” Jayd hurried away before he had a chance to stop her. Staring at her strangely, he scratched his head wondering what had happened.
Chapter 12
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
“Jayd. Jayd!” Andrew called her for the fifth time.
She was complete out of it, eyes distant, arms wrapped around her legs as she rested on the side while he practiced with the dance instructor. He finally walked over and tapped her on the head “Huh?” she looked up surprised.
“What’s the matter?” he bent down with a look of concern “You're daydreaming again.”
“I’m okay.” She smiled brightly “Come on, let’s practice.” She reached for his hand.
Before the music started, they heard the studio door open and close. The three eyes turned to the door to see Lisa pulling Steve by the hand “Biu Gor!”
“Lisa?” he frowned “What are you doing here?”
“Uncle said you would be here. Hi Jayd!” she greeted.
“Hey.” Jayd said without much feelings, her eyes diverted away from Steve.
“Sean right?” Andrew pointed.
“No, it’s Steve. STEVE.” Lisa annunciated.
Andrew nodded “Right. What are you two doing here?”
“Practicing of course. We want to look for the dinner party too.” Lisa leaned into Andrew as she whispered “We’ve been going for the past week. He’s really good.”
The instructor was pleasant as he moved them aside “Let’s practice, shall we? Actually…” he waved for Andrew and Jayd to move apart “I want to see how Steve and Jayd dances together.”
Jayd quickly disagreed “Why? My dance partner is Andrew.”
“But you two are my better students, I want to show them how it’s suppose to look.” The teacher had his mind set as he placed their hands together “Now dance!” he instructed.
“What did I do?” Steve asked when the music began. It drowned out the talking from Lisa and Andrew.
“What?” Jayd continued to look past his shoulder at Andrew but when he spun her around, she lost track of him and had to find a new target to look at.
“Are you mad at me? You won’t even look at me in the eye.” Steve frowned “It’s been over two weeks. I’m not dense about these things.”
She laughed nervously and forced herself to look at him “Everything is normal.”
“I haven’t seen you for days. When I come over, your mother says you’re doing something else. It’s abnormal…you don’t go out that much. If I said something wrong, just tell me. I don’t read minds.” He chuckled “Even if Lisa thinks I do.”
Rolling her eyes, she sighed, “Don’t flatter yourself. You think I care that much to get mad at you? Please…” she sputtered.
“So I’m not that important?” Steve asked before dipping her over his lap and bringing her up with a whip of the hand.
“I didn’t say that!” Jayd said with frustration “Nothing’s wrong, okay? I’ve just been busy…practicing and stuff.”
“What a lame excuse.” Steve finished her with a twirl and spun her into his chest as their arms entwined. Their faces inches from each other “You like me too.” He whispered.
She felt her face flaming as she pulled away suddenly. The other three watching exploded with applause “Bravo! Bravo!” the instructor was proud “That was beautiful and did you see the intense stares they gave at each other?” he asked Lisa and Andrew. She nodded vigorously while grinning “That’s exactly how it should appear.”
Andrew looked from one to the other “That was very good.” He agreed.
Jayd lowered her head and walked over to him “I’m a little tired today. Can we continue some other time?”
“Today is the last day. The dinner party is in two days and I have meetings tomorrow, we can’t practice then. It’s either now or never.” Andrew said, a double meaning she sensed.
“Then we’ll do it now.” She returned to his side and placed her hands below his “We can do it.” She smiled assuring him. He nodded in reply and began swaying to the music, the dance steps grew smoother within time. She tried hard not to glance at Steve, who she could tell at the corner of his eyes that he was looking at her.
Lisa cringed again “Ow.” She rubbed her feet painfully.
“I’m sorry. Did I step on you again?” Steve asked with an apologetic expression.
She smiled “It’s okay. I know I’m a clumsy partner.”
“Madam, it is not your fault.” The teacher walked over and corrected Steve’s head from the chin “Look at your partner.” He advised.
“Sorry…” Steve muttered as he concentrated a little harder.
An hour later, Jayd had had enough “My toes are going to fall off if we continue.” She sighed tiredly.
Andrew smiled “Okay. Come on, let’s go get a snack. I’m starving.”
“Sure.” Jayd agreed.
“Bye guys!” he waved to the other two while Jayd smiled weakly.
They left together and Steve continued to stare “Ow!” Lisa broke away from his grasp and fell to the floor grabbing her feet “I think you broke it.” She teased when he bent down worriedly.
“I’m so sorry. I keep doing that.” He apologized.
Lisa smiled “No, it’s okay. You’re a little distracted.”
“You noticed too?” he smiled crookedly.
“I think everyone did.” She whispered. Her hand rubbing her feet “I don’t think I can walk anymore.”
“I’ll take you home.” Steve helped her up holding her elbow.
“We’ll be back tomorrow.” She waved to the dance instructor.
“Tomorrow?” Steve smiled “How about your feet? I thought it was broken?”
Lisa shrugged “I’ll just ice it and we should be good as new tomorrow.” He nodded as he opened the car door for her. The driver closed it after Steve entered “I think you should find a new target.”
He laughed, “Don’t get dramatic. Your feet will heal.”
“No, I was talking about Jayd. No one tries to steal a girl from Biu Gor. He won’t be very happy about it.” She assured him.
Steve tilted his head towards her “You’re not as naïve as you make yourself appear to be.”
“I’m naïve when I want to be.” She smiled slyly “In one ear and out the other.” She animated “Anyways, I can tell you’ve had a crush on her since the moment I met you.”
“Really?” He asked in surprise “Funny how she didn’t have a clue.”
“Of course not!” Lisa laughed, “Look at her boyfriend. He’s smart, rich, handsome and he adores her. Biu Gor is known for being cold when it comes to girls but I knew the minute he laid eyes on Jayd, it was special. He became a kitten around her.”
“I thought you didn’t know?” Steve asked.
“Oh…that…well, I’m just guessing.” She stammered. He raised a brow suspiciously and she eventually confessed “Alright. I knew…Uncle told me. I put two and two together and figured it out. I just wanted a date with you and knew the only way to do it is blackmail. Of course I couldn’t threatened you so I threatened Biu Gor and Jayd instead.”
“Sneaky.” Steve shook his head.
She laughed shamelessly “It worked. Look at us now. It will be a matter of months until you fall madly in love with me and we’ll have a white picket fence house and a little puppy named Ginger…two kids. One girl, one boy…”
Snapping his fingers in front of her face, he woke her from the dream “Lisa, I hate to burst your bubble…but I don’t see you that way. You’re a great girl, really but—”
“Blah, blah, blah…” she laughed “That’s all I hear. Love takes time to come and I believe you’re the one for me.”
“What if I’m not?” he pushed “You’re not my type.”
“Oh…” she looked away and quickly put on a smile “Okay. That’s cool, we’ll be friends then.” She shook his hand “Good friends.”
His eyes narrowed strangely “You are one odd girl.”
“Yeah, my dad says that about me.” She tapped her chin in awe “Maybe I am not from this world.”
He laughed with a shaking head “No, you’re definitely not from this world.” When the car stopped, he got out and bid her good night. She blew him a kiss while he smiled “Don’t walk too much tomorrow.” He sighed and returned home. Curious, he wondered if Jayd had come home or if she was out with Andrew. Knocking on her door, Mrs. Lee opened the door “Hi Auntie.”
“Steve? Jayd’s not home.” She advised.
“Oh, okay…” the disappointment in his face could be read from miles away.
The elder lady felt bad “Steve.” She stopped him “Jayd came home minutes ago.” She pointed her finger to the ceiling “Don’t tell her I told you.” She whispered.
He smiled gratefully “Thanks and I won’t spill the beans.” He traced his steps back to the elevator and got up to the roof. He found her staring into space, the calm wind blowing at her hair “Running away doesn’t make the feelings go away.”
She was startled as she turned to him “Steve…”
“You can deny it but I know better.” He reached the rail and leaned onto it “But…I have to respect your decision. Eventhough you are with the wrong guy.”
“He’s wrong in your eyes.” Jayd said “I love him, Steve.”
He smiled but made no eye contact with her “You think you do.”
“Who are you to tell me what I’m feeling?” She suddenly grew angry “Stop questioning my feelings!”
Steve frowned “If you are sure of your feelings, you wouldn’t let my words get to you and you wouldn’t be questioning yourself.”
“I question it because you brought up a question I never thought of asking myself in the past three years!” she cried “I don’t need this right now.”
“You think you love him but you can’t even tell me why you do. Just one thing, name one thing!” he dared her “Jayd, I can name a hundred reasons why I want to be with you. Can you be sure that he can too?” he stared at her but she continued to look away. He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulder “Look at me!” he commanded “IF you can tell me that you have absolutely no feelings for me. I will leave you alone. I just don’t want you to be with someone that can’t give you a hundred percent of his heart.”
“No one can.” She eyed him carefully.
“I can.” He promised “You know why you have never questioned your feelings towards Andrew? It’s because you know of nothing else. You made him your life…if you didn’t have dinner with him, who would you have dinner with? Your mom.” He answered for her “Do you possibly think that if you got married to this guy, you will truly be happy and you will have no doubt in your mind that he is loyal to you?”
“He’s not cheating on me.” She said through clenched teeth.
“I’m not saying that.” He assured her “He’s a handsome guy, do you think girls don’t crawl all over him when he goes out? Don’t you feel a twinge of jealousy?”
“It’s his work. I trust him.” She said in a monotone.
“Trust doesn’t take place of love.” He let go of her arms and backed away slowly “When was the last time he made your heart flutter? How about the last time he made you laugh? Or when you smiled just thinking about him? Or the last thing he has bought for you that had true meaning and not just value?” he smiled “I can tell you mine.” Pulling out the pack of gum cigarettes she bought for him “I carry this with me everywhere.” Placing it back in his pocket, he left her on the roof. Her tears came after he had disappeared into the elevator.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
