Chapter 13
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
Work became routine for Jayd the following day after her encounter with Steve on the roof. She didn’t have to avoid him because he had called in sick that morning. She felt her heart heavy when it was hard to concentrate on the screen in front of her. Jayd closed her eyes to rest them when she heard her office door open. Her eyes snapped open, hoping it was Steve but it was Andrew instead “What’s wrong? You look disappointed.” He smiled gently.
Shaking her head, she answered “No, why would I be? I’m always happy to see you.” He walked over and hugged her as she clung onto his waist “I miss you.”
Andrew looked down at her strangely as he knelt to be leveled with her “Is something wrong?”
“No.” she lied with a plastered smile.
Fixing a strand from her face, he grinned “Good because we’re having lunch with Daddy today. I want this to go perfect. Just like dinner last Friday.”
“Do I have to go?” she asked pleadingly “I’m not feeling too good.”
“Are you sick?” he asked.
“Yeah, kind of.” She smiled weakly.
Andrew sighed “I know you’re still nervous around him but trust me. He really likes you.” Jayd had no choice but to agree with a short nod. He kissed her on the forehead “I’ve gotta go but I’ll be back at noon for you.” She nodded in answer and watched him leave.
The rest of the day was a blur to Jayd, she went through the motions in a daze. Lunch was a blank sheet in her head for she couldn’t remember how it went or if she was polite enough for Mr. Fung. She remembered Andrew repeating a few questions but could not recall what they were by the time she got home that night “Hi ma.” She greeted without much feeling.
“You’re perky tonight.” She quickly noticed the gloomy expression her daughter had when she collapsed onto the couch tiredly “Long day?”
“It felt like ten years.” Jayd sighed.
“Steve came over—”
“He’s here?” Jayd shot up, suddenly wide awake.
“No.” Mrs. Lee frowned “He came by to drop off something for you. I left it in your room.”
She didn’t have to finish for Jayd to rush to her room. She found an large envelop on her bed. Opening it, she found a letter and her old rag doll that she thought was lost when she was ten. She controlled the tears from coming out when she read the letter ‘Jayd, I hope this doll leaves you smiling. I bet you thought it was lost. When I hid it years ago, I didn’t want to give it back to you because I knew you would always come by to ask me for it. I would tease you and say I don’t know but I really did. I could tell you knew even then. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make you sad or question your feelings. But some things are better to be questioned now then later. The last thing I want is for you to be hurt, remember I only want you to be happy. No matter what happens between us. Can we go back to where we were? Good friends? I know I can’t ask you to forget what I said but all I’m asking is that you try. I don’t want to lose a friend like you. Love Stevie.’
Jayd wiped the tears from her eyes as she dropped the doll and letter. Walking over to his apartment, she put on a smile and knocked on the door. She heard footsteps getting closer as he opened the door with a look of surprise “Jayd?”
“Thank you.” She hugged him tightly, a smile sprawled on her face. Slowly, his arms reached up and returned the hug.
“I figured it should go to the rightful owner.” He smiled.
“And we can be friends again.” She pulled away with a wide grin. Tears still wet on her face.
Steve smiled as he wiped the remaining tears away with his thumb “Silly girl.”
Jayd pouted “Don’t make me cry again.” He laughed “It’s not funny, you should have seen me…” her words faded and so did her smile when she spotted Lisa behind emerging from the kitchen “Lisa.”
“Hi Jayd!” she grinned while fixing her apron “I’m making dinner. You want to join us?”
She felt a sudden twinge of jealousy, something she’s never felt before. It was foreign to her and at the moment she had no idea what to do with it “Oh…eh…no…it’s okay. Um…my mom is cooking…which reminds me. I …eh…should get back.” She stammered and knew what an idiot she must have sounded like.
“Okay…we’ll see you later.” Lisa said brightly as she returned to the kitchen.
“There’s no need to lie.” Steve crossed his arms sternly “Auntie said she was going to her friends and playing mahjong for the rest of the night.”
“Oh really?” Jayd thought fast for an excuse “Right…Andrew is coming by.”
He turned his head strangely “Really? I thought he said he had a meeting tonight?”
Her mind went blank as her face grew hot with embarrassment “Well, you’re not exactly sick!”
Steve covered his mouth and forced out two coughs “Yeah, I am. I have a cough.”
“Convincing.” Jayd said with extra sarcasm “No, it’s okay. I don’t want to bother you with your dinner date.” Turning, she walked back to her apartment. Leaning on the door, she scolded herself for weakening. Why was she so jealous? Who cares if he’s dating Lisa? What did it matter to her? Sighing, she walked into her room and stopped at her bed where a clear view of the doll and letter sat. When the jealous feeling came over, she suddenly felt angry.
Jayd turned to her drawer as she dug through her jewelry case and pulled out a silver necklace Andrew bought for her years before. She let the feeling take over, marching back to his apartment, she knocked vigorously until he opened the door “Jayd?” Steve was confused to see her.
“This is a necklace Andrew bought for me on a business trip to Japan. He said the charm reminded him of me.” She pointed to the little girl smiling brightly “He makes my heart flutter every time he kisses me here.” She pointed to her forehead “He makes me laugh all the time and I smile each time I think of him and it’s almost everyday!” she burst out angrily “So don’t look at me with that cocky face and tell me that I have no feelings for this guy!”
Steve leaned onto the door with a tilted head “It took you that long to answer me?” she huffed angrily and was ready to turn on her heels when he pulled her back by the hand with a laugh “I’m kidding!” closing the door, he smiled at her “Stay for dinner. I’d like for you to be here.”
“How about Lisa?” Jayd whispered.
“She can’t hear you.” He replied with the same tone “She left, family emergency or something.” He shrugged.
“Oh, so I’m just a substitute? You just don’t want to eat dinner—” he began laughing, making her stop “What’s so funny?”
He smiled with a shaking head “Just the way you get angry over everything I say.”
“That’s not true.” Jayd muttered.
“Yes it is and you know it.” He walked over to the set up dining table “You like pasta?”
Wrinkling her nose, she nodded vehemently when he turned to her for confirmation “Yeah.”
Suspicious, he pointed to the dish “What’s the name of this pasta?”
“They have names?” Jayd asked and he nodded with widened eyes “Oh…I’m not too good at the names. They’re all in Italian.” She laughed nervously.
Steve laughed “They’re called ‘bow ties’.” He pulled the chair out for her to sit “Shall we?”
Jayd watched him as he sat down across from her and began digging into the food “How can you act so normal?” He looked up at her with a mouthful “Doesn’t it bother you? I just threw everything back in your face.”
“A day later.” He shrugged “He couldn’t be that important.”
A slow smile came on her face “You’re hopeless.”
“Yes! A hopeless romantic.” He agreed “A friend once told me that. I didn’t believe her then but I guess now I do…because you said so.”
“I’m not worth the trouble.” Jayd tried to convince him.
He stopped eating and looked up at her solemnly “You have nothing to prove to me. If you truly love Andrew, concentrate on that. Whatever I said should have no meaning.” She opened her mouth to reply but he beat her to it “I meant everything I said. From my little heart.” He read her thoughts “Have a little faith in yourself.”
Her thoughts were running through her head but she kept them hidden afraid she would open yet another box of worms if she questioned further. Instead, she nodded silently “I will.”
“How is it?” he asked after she had her first bite.
Jayd smiled forcefully “Mmm, it’s delicious.” She lied openly.
“Really? I think the pasta is a little undercooked and the sauce is way too sour. Plus the ground beef is old.” He watched as she spat the food out into a napkin. He laughed when she grumbled incoherently “Soy sauce chicken and rice?”
“I’d thought you’d never ask!” she laughed while collecting the dishes and tossing it into the sink. They rode downtown in the same cab, Steve gave the driver directions as he stopped in front of a run down restaurant “Wow…you don’t have to splurge your entire paycheck on little ole me.” She mocked.
“They make good chicken here.” He laughed while showing her the way inside.
The place wasn’t as bad as it looked from the outside. They were seated in the corner back of the room, a booth fit for two “This is okay.” Jayd bounced on the seat “Comfy…” she nodded approvingly.
“Her majesty likes!” he claimed with a laugh. Suddenly, his smile shortened “Um…maybe we should got eat somewhere else?”
“Why?” Jayd asked as she turned to where he was looking. There in the separate backroom were a group of well dressed businessmen. Andrew was one of them and a girl dressed to kill and wearing too much makeup was swooning all over him. He looked cold and uncomfortable but allowed her to touch his arm and shoulders. She turned back to Steve with a shrug “We can eat here. I’m actually craving for chicken.” She grinned wildly.
Steve shook his head “Are you in denial?”
“Denial?” she asked while noticing his nod towards the room with the businessmen and escorts “Oh that…I see Andrew.” She assured him.
“And you’re not jealous?” he asked.
Jayd shook her head “Why should I be? He obviously is uncomfortable but because of worth ethics, he can’t just push the girl away. The other guys will think he’s a wimp.”
Steve flared his nose in shock as he unfolded the menu and glared at it “I think he’s something else right now. But I don’t want to curse in a restaurant.”
Sighing, she pushed his menu down “Hey, I’m not bothered with it. Why should you be? It is just business after all. He’s never had a problem of infidelity before and I’m not about to walk over and put on my bitchy girlfriend face because some girl is crawling all over him. He’s a big boy, he can fight her off himself.” She assured him.
“Denial.” He shook his head.
Jayd smiled “Call it what you want.” She peeked behind in the room and found Andrew this time pushing the girl’s hand off his chest. A look of annoyance filled his face. Feeling relieved, she return to the dinner and ordered a dish for herself.
After they finished, they got up to leave and noticed the men were still in the room. Most of which looked drunk but Andrew remained calm and cool. He looked bored as he glanced at his watch “Poor baby, he’s bored by the women.” Steve pouted “Must not be his taste.”
“Oh stop.” Jayd laughed as she linked her arm through Steve's and pulled him out of the restaurant “You’re just mad because I didn’t turn into the green eyed envy monster you thought I would become.”
“You read my mind.” He said bluntly.
“Just admit it. He’s not a bad guy.” She teased as they walked along the streets.
Rolling his eyes, he repeated, “He’s not a bad guy.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.” Jayd grinned. Suddenly her eyes lit up “Ooh!! Fish balls!” she rushed over the vendor.
“We just ate!” He exclaimed.
Chapter 14
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
On the night of the party, while Steve adjusted his crooked bowtie, there was a series of knock on the door. Guessing it might be Lisa to pick him up early “Coming!” he answered while whipping the door open “Do you have—Oh, Jayd.”
She was wearing a beautiful pink strapless gown, her hands holding onto a matching pink strap heels “Help…” she smiled weakly.
“With what? You look amazing.” He complimented.
She entered without being asked, he quickly noticed her limp “My shoe.” She pointed to the broken heel.
Steve laughed “I thought you broke your ankle again or something.” He followed her to the couch as he took her shoe and observed the heel carefully “How did it break?”
“I tripped.” She explained, “Andrew sent them over with this dress and I was trying them on and walking around. My ankle twisted and it broke.”
“Nothing a little glue can’t fix.” He assured her while heading to the kitchen and looking through his cabinets “I swear Jayd, you are so lucky that I live next door. You’d probably tape the heel together huh?”
“Already tried that.” She laughed, “It didn’t work so I had to come over here.”
He shook his head while inserting the glue and holding down the heel onto the shoe “It says to hold for five minutes.” He applied the pressure. Returning to the living room, he sat next to her on the couch as she stared at the heel “It could take a while.” He raised his brows.
“Oh!” she nodded “Do you want me to leave?”
Steve smiled “No, of course not. Turn on the television or something. We’ll be bored out of our minds for five minutes.”
“I want to ask you something but you have to be honest.” Jayd said solemnly.
Nodding, he answered before she asked, “Yes, I will marry you.” Tilting her head, she sighed “Okay, okay…I’ll be serious. What did you want to ask?”
“Is this dress look nice?” She stood up and twirled around with a limp, one shoe still strapped to her feet.
Steve restrained from saying that everything looked magnificent on her. Instead he nodded “Sure, it’s a nice color.”
“What color?” She teased with a crooked grin.
“Baby pink.” He wasn’t afraid to answer.
She looked disappointed “Aww, that wasn’t funny.”
“Why? You don’t like the dress?” he brushed away the tease she failed to pull off.
“I think it’s a little much.” She pushed down at the naturally poofy dress “I feel like a bride or something. I can’t dance in this.”
Steve shrugged “Then change.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Why not? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Or at least he shouldn’t.” he emphasized.
Jayd nodded “True. Okay, I’m going to listen to you for once.” Limping her way outside, she headed back to her apartment to change into her dress that she bought for the party weeks before. An olive green, it was compatible with her ivory skin tone. She returned with the chiffon dress that ended at the knee. Darker tones of olive green flares broke out from the hip and down to the knee giving it a classier look “What do you think?”
He was dumbfounded by her easy beauty. The makeup was fair and her hair curled just perfectly. One side was yanked up by a sparking green clip, she looked ready to ballroom dance. His hands slipped from the shoe as it clanked onto the floor. She smiled knowingly as he clumsily retrieved the shoe “I guess you don’t need it now.” He placed the pink shoe down and got up to take a closer look “You are breathtakingly beautiful… in anything.” He decided to add.
She felt the butterflies in her stomach come when he shifted a curled strand out of place on her head. Her smile fell as she realized her heart was thumping too fast “Thank you.” She managed to spit out.
He looked down and swallowed the lump in his throat “Are you sure…”
“Yeah.” She nodded before he could finish his question. Noticing his bowtie, she smiled and began untying it “Still can’t tie a bow huh?” she recalled the childhood incident well “I remember your family was going to a wedding for your Aunt this one day. And you were still playing in the backyard. I was throwing rocks at you like normal but I noticed you were sad. When I approached you, you said that you messed up the bow and your mother would hit you if you went back in the house like that.” She completed the bow to perfection with its center dimples poking out “I tried to fix it for you but I wasn’t that talented. I could hear your mother yelling at you from the backyard.”
She wasn’t prepared for kiss when he reached down and pushed his lips on her suddenly. Her mind became blank but her instincts came and she quickly pushed him away “I’m sorry.” He said breathlessly.
Jayd backed away without replying. Her fingers on her lips where he last kissed her. Turning, she left her shoe behind and went back to her apartment. Slumping on the couch, he buried his hand in his face. Ashamed of what he just did. Lisa walked towards the apartment and noticed the door wide open “Aww, don’t be sad. I didn’t stood you up.” She coaxed.
Steve looked up and put on a clear smile “Hey. You’re here. I’m almost ready.” He returned to his bedroom and retrieved his shoes.
Lisa looked down by the coffee table and noticed a pink strap shoe “Tell me you just play dress up for fun.” She pointed. Steve froze, not knowing what to say “You’re cheating on me?” she asked. He wrinkled his brows oddly as she began laughing “I’m kidding! Look at your face. Come on, we’re going to be late.”
She linked her arm through his with ease as he followed her, eyes still glancing back at the shoe “You don’t want to know where that came from?”
“No, not really.” She shook her head “I already know.” She winked with a laugh. Steve smiled weakly as he gave one last glance at Jayd’s apartment before entering the elevator with Lisa. The drive felt dull as his mind wandered, wondering what she thought of him then. He couldn’t tell if she was upset or just in total shock “…hmm…should I carry this purse? I think the color doesn’t match my pastel yellow dress.” She looked up and found him in a daze “Steve!”
He turned up with questioning eyes “What? Oh…yeah, that’s a nice pair of shoes.”
Sighing, she placed her arm around his shoulder “What’s the matter? You can tell Lisa.” She assured him.
“I’m not sure I can.” He looked embarrassed.
“Oh come on, I’m not going to yell at you. Hey, I’m not your girlfriend remember? I have no right to. Just spit it out, it’ll make you feel better.” Lisa insisted.
Steve looked down at his hands “I kissed her.”
“You what?!” Lisa asked in astonishment “Why…why would you do that? If you wanted to kiss anyone, I would have let you borrow my lips! She’s off limits!”
“I know.” He groaned while leaning back on the seat “I’m an awful person. I’m horrible and deserve to be burned at the stake!”
Lisa flinched “Well, let’s not get carried away. It was just a kiss…did she kiss you back??”
Steve shook his head “No…she pushed me away and walked out without saying a word.”
“And you would feel much better if she would have slapped you or something right?” Lisa could read his thoughts as he nodded “You’re obviously bothered by it. Maybe you were caught up in the moment? Don’t put yourself down for something unintentional. I won’t tell Biu Gor.”
He turned to her thankfully “I don’t know what to say…just embarrassed.” He laughed at himself shortly “What an idiot!”
She laughed “Well, you can thank me by complimenting me.”
“I’m sorry…” he smiled “You look very pretty tonight.”
“Thank you.” She bowed her head gently “Nice of you to notice.”
****************
Jayd was the last to arrive at the party, she felt her spirits lowering when she entered and found Lisa and Steve dancing. They appeared to be having fun while laughing and twirling in circles. She paused at the door until Andrew noticed her from a distance and quickened his pace to get to her “Hey.” He greeted and kissed her on the cheek openly. He knew a few people were probably staring “You look gorgeous.”
“You’re not upset?” she raised her brows in surprise.
“That you’re late or that you’re not wearing the dress I got you?” he laughed while petting her curls “Don’t be silly, girl. I told the driver to pick you up later, I guessed you would need extra time to get ready. Not that you need it.” He was quick to flatter her, something she was never use to.
“Are you drunk?” She dared asked, he wasn’t himself and he knew it.
Andrew laughed carelessly “Yeah, I wish. Father wouldn’t let me have a sip of champagne. His exact words were, we wouldn’t want to see you trip over your own feet or worse trip Jayd when you two perform tonight.” He took her hand simply and walked her into the mansion. It was transformed into a dimly lit room with plenty of room for dancing and a live band playing music in the background.
They walked around the crowd greeting all the employees with nods. A few familiar faces smiled at Jayd but she felt suddenly like a trophy. There were shocked expressions and looks of envy as she passed by “I have to go to the restroom.” She whispered at Andrew.
He nodded with a smile “Come back soon. I’ll miss you.”
Jayd turned her head strangely at the comment but decided to let it go unquestioned. Instead of going to the restroom, she took a detour to the backyard where an outdoors party was taking place. She paused at the double door patio, looking up the stairs that led to the balcony, it seemed like a safer place to hide out.
She was relieved to see no one had found this escape. Finally there was time to breathe and let the feelings wash over. But no matter how she tried, the feeling of Steve’s kiss came rushing back to her. She wasn’t sure what to feel at that moment. It was too much to absorb and at the same time her heart fluttered when he kissed her.
Taking a seat on the patio chair, she lowered her head into her hand as she rested her elbow on the table “I was wondering where you went.”
Jayd looked up at the familiar voice “Hey you.”
Andrew joined her on the empty seat “I know you’re not much of a party person.”
She nodded weakly “Aren’t you ashamed of this anti social girlfriend?”
He laughed. Wrapping an easy arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer to him “Don’t be silly, I will never be ashamed of you. I really, truly admire you Jayd.”
She snickered in reply “Admire…” shaking her head at the irony.
“I love how you stood up to my father. And you really are one special girl. I am definitely the luckiest guy in this place.” He kissed her on the forehead.
She turned to him oddly “You sure you’re not drunk?”
“What’s wrong? You’re not use to me like this?” he asked.
Jayd nodded “You’re never affectionate. Why the sudden change?” her eyes widened “Did you cheat on me and now you want to be nice to—” he leaned in suddenly and kissed her passionately. She fell into it for a few seconds but eventually stopped the kiss as he pulled away with a faint smile “Is that a no?”
Andrew laughed heartily “You don’t know how great it feels to do that and not be afraid that someone might see us.” He mocked while getting up “But we should get back to the party.” He raised a hand for her to take. She smiled and let him lead her down the steps and back into the indoor party.
Chapter 15
Wong Hei - Steven Yeung
Noel Leung - Jayden Lee
Sunny Chan - Andrew Fung
Charmaine Sheh – Lisa Cheung
She was in no mood to dance but allowed him to lead as they swayed to the music. Her eyes traced the scene and locked with Steve’s as he stared at her long and hard. She couldn’t tear her eyes away and to her amazement, he walked over and smiled at Andrew “Can I have a dance with your lovely partner?”
“Steve right?” Andrew nodded “Of course.” He presented her hand to Steve as he took over the lead.
Jayd’s eyes followed Andrew, who walked towards a group of people and began talking to them casually “I’m sorry.” He said simply but sincerely.
“Don’t mention it.” She avoided his eyes still.
“Jayd, don’t do this…I know you’re upset. Please, yell at me. Or curse…or you can throw a drink in my face. I’ll go get one!” He suggested and began moving away but she quickly pulled him back.
“That’s not necessary.” Jayd eyed him sharply “Please…don’t make a scene.” She whispered.
“I feel horrible.” He admitted.
“I know.” She had no doubt that he did “It was purposeful, I’m not upset. You just got caught in the moment. What with me talking about the past.” She finally uttered a laugh “I’ll know what NOT to say around you. Or maybe I should tell Lisa that trick. Talk about your childhood and you’re all over her.”
Steve smiled “That’s a good sign. You’re joking again.”
Jayd sighed “I couldn’t stay mad at you for long.”
“You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that. I was a mess on the way over to the party. You should ask Lisa…” he broke off the sentence when she widened her eyes.
“You told her?!” she quickly lowered her voice “How could you?”
“My conscience was biting at me. I had to confess.” Steve explained.
“Then stop at a church and talk to a priest.” She hissed angrily “She’s going to tell Andrew.”
“No, she won’t. She promised me.” Steve assured her “Why do you think she’s out to get you?”
“Because…” Jayd sighed, “I don’t know…I guess it was a high school issue. I hated that she always embarrassed me in front of people. She constantly made fun of the way I dressed because I was poor. She humiliated me all the time. But when I see her years later, she acts like we’re best friends.” Steve stifled a laugh “It’s not funny!” she insisted.
“Sweetie, I think you misunderstood her. She’s just a very carefree person. She doesn’t think before she speaks and yeah, that can cause a lot of enemies but she also forgets easily.” Steve explained.
Jayd pouted, “She said I was a salvation army kid.”
He couldn’t help but laugh while she glared at him “I’m sorry. It’s not funny. But that’s in the past, let it go. You should always face the future.”
“Whatever.” She grumbled.
“Okay, come on.” He took her hand and began pulling her with him.
“Wait…where are we going?” she disagreed but he had a better grip of her wrist.
“Solve an old grudge.” Steve reached Lisa, who was busy talking to a crowd of handsome fellows. She threw her head back with a laugh and reached her hand up to wipe her tears when a hand pulled her by the wrist “Come on girls, we’ve got a score to settle.”
The girls glanced at each other as he led them into a closet room “Ew…what’s that smell?” Lisa plugged her nose.
“I had too much beans.” Steve joked.
“Oh…that’s sick.” Jayd groaned and covered her mouth and nose.
“No one is leaving until you girls hug and make up.” Steve ordered.
Lisa frowned “Make up? I’m not angry with Jayd.”
Steve turned to Jayd with raised brows “It’s now or never.”
“I am with you.” Jayd confessed “You really hurt me back in high school Lisa. Do you remember making fun of me in front of the class? You called me salvation army girl.”
“I did?” Lisa asked with fluttered lashes.
“Yes, it scarred me for years. I can only imagine the damage you did on the overweight American exchanged student, Ralph.” Jayd recalled with ease.
Lisa shrugged “I don’t remember.”
Jayd nudged Steve and whispered, “Maybe she has amnesia? I don’t think anyone can forget Ralph.”
“I don’t have amnesia.” Lisa answered, “I just don’t think about things that don’t matter. Comments are not meant to hurt anyone but if they did then I apologize. But how many times was I teased for being a spoiled brat or clueless because my boyfriend was cheating on me and everyone knew about it?”
She was stumped “You’re right…hey, but you acted like you didn’t care.”
“I cared…I cared very much. It hurt but I knew if I let it bother me, I would only be eaten alive by the rumors and laughter people spread when I walked the halls. I didn’t want that to get to me, so I pretended like nothing happened.” Lisa shrugged carelessly.
Jayd raised her brows and turned to Steve “Wow…she is different.”
“Thanks!” Lisa giggled brightly “So, no hard feelings?”
“No, I think you’re my new idol now.” Jayd laughed.
“Awww…isn’t this cute!” Steve exclaimed with a gay clap “Hug and make up.” The girls looked at him strangely as he pushed them together “Come on!” he urged. They hugged awkwardly but he was giddy “Great! Let’s get back to the party.”
“If my hair starts smelling like rotten fish, I’m going to kill you!” Jayd pushed at him as he got the door open.
Lisa leaned in and sniffed her hair “Hey, do you use Finesse?”
“Yeah.” Jayd nodded with a smile “I like the smell.”
“Me too. Its so nice and soft. Hey, I should get you this new brand from Dove, it’s great.” Lisa linked her arm in a friendly matter as the girls got into a conversation about hair products.
Steve crossed his arms with a tilted head, happy at the outcome “My work here is done.” He sighed happily.
********************
Later that night, Mr. Fung approached the stage area where the band stood. Taking over the microphone, he announced “Can everyone gather in the living room?” he said clearly. Slowly the group merged into the large area “I’d like to personally thank all of you for a wonderful year. You’ve worked hard and this company would not be standing without each and everyone one of you. So for my thanks, you will all get a little bonus on your desk Monday morning.” The crowd cheered and whistle at the news “Now, let’s give Andrew a welcome applause. He has some announcements.”
He stepped down and allowed Andrew to take over “I guess you guys already know the big announcement. Sorry girls, I’m no longer single.”
Some laughter broke out and most of the girls groaned with disappointment. From the crowd a male voice cried “But I love you Andrew!” it caused everyone to crack up.
“Sorry, Kevin, I’m straight.” Andrew chuckled “As you guys noticed, Jayd and I are an item.” He looked down and noticed her smiling back at him “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He began walking down the steps towards her “Even when I asked her to hide our relationship for three years, she never once uttered in disagreement. She worked hard at work and didn’t let it get to her job. I admire this woman for everything she stands for…beauty, truth, loyalty and love…” he placed a hand into his pocket and her smile slowly faded as he got on one knee “That’s why I want you to be my wife.” He said into the microphone.
The entire place broke into loud roars of agreement as a few began chanting “Say yes! Say yes!”
“I’m not standing until you answer.” Andrew said sincerely.
Jayd felt numb, her hands were still and her knees locked. She turned her head at Steve, who was expressionless. Looking down at Andrew’s earnest eyes, she couldn’t help but answer “I wouldn’t want your knees to bruise up.” Her comment made the crowd go wild.
Andrew stood up and placed the two carats diamond ring on her finger “I take it that’s a yes.” She swallowed the tears and nodded as he thrust his arms around her waist and she immediately placed hers around his neck and he picked her up. He was thrilled and couldn’t be happier by his new fiancé “We’re engaged!!” he turned to the group and they cheered loudly.
Steve approached them “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Andrew was beaming, she had never seen him so happy before.
“Treat her well, she’s a great girl.” Steve advised with a grim smile.
“I will. You don’t have to worry about that.” Andrew nodded firmly. He turned to the band and gave them the cue to play the tango song. When the music began, he pulled her towards the dance floor and began swaying her into their practiced dance.
She felt a tear ready to burst as she quickly wiped it away and fell into the movement. She paid attention long enough to realize that Andrew had improved almost overnight “You are good.” She complimented when he spun her and didn’t falter.
Her dress flaring with each spin, she looked like an elegant dancer. He winked when he twisted her into his chest “I took a few extra lessons this morning.”
Jayd smiled as their body entwined into the sensual dance and her back arched to perfection when he dipped her. Pulling her back up, he finished the routine with her spinning around him and ending on his lap as he knelt down on one knee. Once again, the crowd went crazy with applause. Time froze for her at that very second, her eyes on Steve but her hands mixed with Andrew. For the first time in her life, she felt lost. A floating raft that had no destination. She waited for someone to lead her in the right direction but to her dismay, no one came to her rescue.
Another song began playing and the group began to approach the dance floor “I want to rest my feet.” She said shortly.
He nodded “Okay, I’ll go look for you. I have to talk to my father and Uncles.” She smiled and watched him walk away.
Jayd found her way to a secluded area of the backyard. Most of the people had returned inside, so she was left in peace. Bending on her knees she lowered herself and began crying. She suppressed the sobs while curling her head into her arms. Lisa was sent out by Steve as she approached the fragile girl. She patted her on the shoulder and smiled down at her “I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m engaged. I should be happy.” She said between sobs.
Lisa sighed as she bent on her knees too “I know…” she waved her closer and Jayd fell into her hug as she continued to cry “Women…do they even know what they want?” she whispered “Even when you think you found the right guy, he isn’t.”
Jayd pulled away “He is the right guy.” She insisted “I care about him a great deal.”
“Caring is not the same as loving.” Lisa replied wisely “Do you love him?”
“Yes.” She sniffed back the tears and tried to control herself.
“Then you should be happy. It’s not too late to turn back time.” She hinted.
Jayd frowned “You mean…”
“I think you know.” Lisa pulled her up on her feet “Come on, let’s get back before Biu Gor sends out a search party.”
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
