Chapter 7
The two guys approached the Mansion. There were nice cars parked in the front,
lucky for them the gate was open. Ngon thought it would be a cinch to enter the
place. But to their dismay, they were stopped by the driver. "Im sorry, you
were not invited to this party." he looked at Fung when he said this.
The guys were about to argue with him when a maid came running out "Mr. Cheung would like to speak to you." she said to the driver.
He looked back at Fung and Ngon and said "Please escort these gentlemen out."
The maid stood there waiting for them to leave, she suddenly recognized Fung "Aren't you Mr. Lam?"
His face lit up, at the same time he wondered how this lady could know him. Afterall he wasn't welcomed in Ying Ying's home. "Yes, I want to speak to Ying Ying."
Nodding her head understandingly, she smiled and wave for the guys to follow her "I'll take you through the back way. But if someone sees you, I didn't help." still smiling she held the back gate open for them.
"Thank you." Fung whispered. The entrance to the the back was tiny. As they got closer, the voices became more familiar. Ngon peeked over Fung to see if anyone was paying attention.
"Lets go." he whispered to Fung as they casually strolled into the party, unnoticed. Ngon instantly spotted an attractive girl as he bagan to follow her.
Fung was looking around for Ying Ying when he noticed his friend was gone. He didn't have time to look for Ngon. Instead he walked closer to the party wondering where she was. The people were dressed so eleganty as they stared at him. A few even said 'Congradulations' to him, due to his white suit, they thought he was Cheung Hung. He ignored them as he continued to look around. Never noticing that Ying Ying walked right by him. Her head was facing downward as she walked slowly back to the party. They were entangled in the crowd, facing each other but never noticed each other. Ying Ying saw something shiny on the ground as she reached for it. It looked like a little silver necklace. When she got closer, she realized it was the locket that she had given to Fung!
When she opened it, there was her picture. She quickly got up and looked around. Their eyes finally met. It was like the world had stopped for them. His heart thumping at the sight of Ying Ying, she looked incredible. Her heart beating so fast, she thought it was going to jump out. They walked closer together and when they were inches apart. He looked down in her hands, where she held the locket. Touching her hands as he pulled it up to his heart. "I missed you so much." tears streaming from her eyes as she fell into a warm embrace with him.
He hugged her tightly, afraid to let go. "I thought you died." she gasped. "My father said you did and I came to the army base to see if you really were. Ngon said you died...and..." he pulled her away and his own face streaked with tears too.
"Im sorry." that was all he could say. He leaned close to her face for a kiss when they heard a gun shot so loud, some of the women around screamed in fear.
There by the back door appeared about 20 black trenched coat men that had guns in their hands. They began to shoot at everyone. Ying Ying and Fung watched in horror as they watched the people falling to the ground by the gun shots.
He acted quickly as he pulled her back and hid behind a tree. "Stay here. I have to find Ngon." he left her as she reached for him to stay. But no sound came out of her mouth, she was too scared for him.
After a minute, which felt like hours to Ying Ying. She ran out at the screaming crowd to look for Fung. She found him close by as he fiercely looked around for his friend. "Zhi Fung!" she cried out as she ran to his side.
Turning around, his face was all a panic "Ying YIng, I told you to stay over there! Its dangerous here." he started to push her back but she grabbed tightly to his arms.
"No! I almost lost you one time. Its not going to happen again." She was desperate to stay by his side.
He stared into her tearful eyes, suddenly a yard behind her was a guy holding the gun aiming it straigt at her back. Ying Ying looked past his shoulder and saw a man in the black trench coat aiming his gun at Fung. In unison they both cried out "Look out!" and spun each other around to cover the shots for one another. They heard two shots. As if time had froze that second, the two looked at each other wide eyed with horror. They fell to the ground, knee first. Her eyes closed slowly as she fell, Fung instantly caught her.
The gun shot had hit Ying Ying, the other shot was from Ngon who killed the guy that was aiming his gun at Ying Ying. He didn't see the other guy who was aiming at Fung. She had taken the shot for her love.
Tears dripping from his face as he tried to wake her up "Ying Ying...no...." he touched her face as he pulled it to his chest.
She weakly used her hand to touch his head. He quickly pulled away at her movement. Ngon was instantly by his side, "Ying Ying, hold on. I'll go find an ambulance." he dropped the gun by Fung's side for his protection and ran off.
"Im very...happy." she said smiling at him. Blood drenching her white dress. "I got to see...you." she gasped for air. "So sad..we had..."
Shaking his head as he didn't want to hear the words "No, you're going to be okay. Ngon is looking for someone to help you. Stay with me." he looked around desperately, but all he saw were dead people and more still running from the murderers. He turned back to Ying Ying. "Be strong, okay? I can't live without you." his tears dripping onto her face as he spoke. He wiped the tears off her face.
"I don't...think I can." closing her eyes as she began to weaken and he felt her body go limp.
"NOOO!!!" he cried out. Hugging her close to his body, Ying Ying's blood all over his clothes now. He looked at the gun Ngon left for him. Fung picked it up slowly while he turned his attention back to Ying Ying "Wait for me." he placed the head of the gun onto his right temple, closed his eyes and pulled the trigger.
"FUNG!!!" Ngon cried out as he witnessed his friend's suicide. Fung's body fell limp to the ground beside Ying Ying.
"Ying ah!! Wake up!!" her father cried out as he knocked on her room door.
Jade opened her eyes "Oh my gosh!", she sat up right as he father ran through the door looking at her with surprise.
"What's wrong, honey? You had those dreams again?" he knew she was dreaming alot lately. But this was the first time he saw her sweat from it.
Nodding her head while covering her yawn with her hand. She glanced at the mickey mouse alarm clock next to her tiny bed "Its 8:00?!! Daddy, why didn't you wake me up?!!" she quickly got out of bed and ran to the bathroom. One hand brushing her teeth, the other one combing her long hair. "I told you to wake me up at 7!!" her words were unclear from the toothbrush in her mouth.
"What?" the old man looked at his girl.
She pulled out the toothbrush, spit out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth. Turning up at her father angrily "I said, I told you to wake me up at 7 o'clock!"
"Well, I tried but you know when you get into that deep sleep. NO one can wake you up."
She stepped back into her room, which was right next to the bathroom. Their apartment was so tiny that every room was a few steps away. "But my new job starts at 8!!" she argued. Jade had hoped that one day they would be able to afford a bigger place. She was so exstatic when she got a call for an interview. The company was a huge corporation of architectural work. She always found it interesting but her job was just a secretary to one of the managers there. She didn't care because it was a dream come true.
"Ying ah! You should learn to be a little more responsible." her father was the only one that called her Ying, most of her friends just call her Jade. It was so much easier.
She pushed him out of her little room so she could change. "Maybe if you did your job, I wouldn't have to be responsible!" she put on a clean collar white shirt and slipped into her brand new slacks. She only had jeans, so the night before she made her friend Lily go with her to get new clothes. She came out a minute later and ran back to her room because she forgot her purse. "Don't wait up for me. Lily and I are probably going to go out and celebrate my new job. Or should I say my soon to be out of the job celebration."
"You want me to explain to your boss?" her father could be so ridiculous at times.
"What? Your going to say that you forgot to wake me up so I could go to work? Please dad, don't do me any favors." she gave him a quick wave and shut the door behind her.
Rushing down the stairs she bumped into William. He waved to her but she continued on her way, "Sorry, no time to chat. See ya later." she zoomed past him.
"Hey, I might not make it later!" he yelled out to her.
"Okay!" her muffled voice told him that she was long gone.
Kowloon was so congested from where she lived. There were constant people walking down the street. Looking at her watch as she raced through the sidewalk filled with people. You have to push and shove to get around in that city. She was a pro by now, the building where she worked was the biggest one in Kowloon. It wasn't hard to miss. After a brisk 15 minute walk, she looked up at the entrance of the building and took a deep breath. 'I hope I don't get fired', she thought to herself. Walking up to the double doors, Jade opened them.
The young man lied on the sofa chair as he continued his story "...in the end. She died and then I put the gun to my head and boom, I killed myself." he looked at his psychiatrist "Is that a strange dream or what?"
She looked at him thoughtfully "Have you been working overtime Alex? I mean, sometimes dreams are caused from stress and not to mention imagination." She took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose tirelessly. He has been having these dreams for the past week now. It seems to get more detailed as he explained them to her.
"You mean these dreams don't mean anything?" he looked at her, one eyebrow arched above his left eye. "Now Dr. Leung, you cannot possibly tell me that these vivid dreams of mine are not trying to hint something to me? Maybe Im going to die? Or maybe I will find someone that I lost touch with?" he babbled on and eventually glanced at his rolex watch. "Oh my, Its almost 9! I have a meeting."
He quickly got up and put on his suit jacket. Buttoning it as he fixed his tie. "So same time next week?" he asked her as he opened her office door.
She nodded with a weak smile. After he left, she lied down where he was sitting. 'Rich people have nothing better to do then to waste their money.' she thought. Each session Alex had with her was $10,000., she shook her head. 'Oh well, if he has the money to pay. Who cares.'
Alex ran quickly to his little
Mercedes Z3, without looking behind him, he zoomed off into the street. Cars
honking at him in disagreement. He hated being late, his mother had always
taught him to be on time. He was one of the vice presidents of the Tai Hung
Corporation. His mother the big President after his father died in a plane crash
ten years ago. She was well respected and very strict with her son. It was the
biggest architectural companies in Hong Kong. He glanced at himself in the
mirror as the wind blew through his hair. His sunglasses making him look so cool
and important. He flew through the parking structure next to his building.
Zooming past the guest parking spaces, he parked near the entrance that
connected from the structure to the building. His personal parking space with
his name 'Alex Lam' on a plaque. He jumped out of his car and entered the
building, one hand in his the pocket putting away his key. He locked his car
with the alarm and the other hand was carrying a suitcase. He peeled off his
sunglasses as he reached to open the double doors.
Chapter 8
Jade walked out of the elevator on the 20th floor. Shifting her purse as she
walked to her desk, but first she has to see the boss and explain. Her desk was
outside Mr. Chan's, who's office had the most beautiful window view. Luckily for
her, he was in late. Breathing a sigh of relief as she sat down on her desk.
Placing tiny picture frames of her dad and her at amusment parks and picnics
with friends around her desk. Everyone around her seemed to be too busy to
notice her except one girl. She was dressed in a jump suit, like she was ready
to excercise instead of to work.
As if the girl saw Jade looking at her she walked up to her, with a stern face. "Where is Mr. Lam?!" she damanded.
Jade looked at her wide eye with curiousity "Who? Im sorry, I don't know who that is."
The girl glared at her with shock "What? You don't know who Mr. Lam is?" Jade shook her head innocently "He's only the son of the President of this company, vice president, CEO...should I go on?"
"I..I...didn't know. This is my first day." Jade stuttered. She didn't know who this girl was, but she sure was mean. Probably his wife, she guessed.
"I don't care! You should have known this before you stepped foot into this building. Who's your supervisor, I'll make sure this will be your last day." The girl stood there with her arms at her hips.
"Please don't, I really need this job." Jade pleaded as she looked at the girl. "Are you Mr. Lam's wife? How about I ask someone to come and help you?" she began to fumble as she tried to pick up the phone. "Who should I call?" her eyes were so scared as she pulled out the rolledex of the names of the important people in the company.
The girl continued to glare at her "Call security. Because you are no longer ...." she suddenly started to laugh. Jade stood there wide eyed as she was more confused than ever. The girl was laughing so hard that everyone turned to stare at her. She clutched her stomach in pain as she slowly stopped laughing. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she turned her attention to the crowd "What is this a show? Get back to work." They obediently obliged. She glanced at Jade, who was still confused, the girl pulled out her hand "Hi, Im Jamie Lam (special appearance by Joyce Tang), Alex Lam's sister."
"Oh" Jade looked at her still confused. But when the name 'Alex Lam' became more familiar. She realized that it was Mr. Lam, the VP. Quickly, she responded to the hand shake. "Im sorry, I didn't know."
Jamie rolled her eyes "Yeah, I think I caught on when you said it the first time." Seeing that the girl was still a little nervous, she decided to change the subject. "So, what's your name? Who are you working for?"
"My name is Cheung Ying, but everyone calls me Jade. Mr. Chan is my boss, he's the one that hired me." she smiled warmly at the girl.
Jamie looked around and pulled a chair nearest to her and sat down across from Jade. "I hear he's a real jerk. Why would he hire somone so nice like you?" She twiddled her hair through her fingers as she began to gossip.
"Oh, I don't know. You might want to ask him when he comes in."
"He won't be back for a while you know. They have a meeting this morning. Didn't you know that?" Jade shook her head "Well, they never tell anyone, but I manage to find out." she pouted as she looked towards Alex Lam's office. Her comment seemed more personal than casual. Jade didn't want to point that out to the girl, she would probably embarrass her again. Ignoring the fact that Jade had a stack of files to type on her desk, Jamie continued to chat with her. "He doesn't know that Im back. London wasn't that fun, so I took a short trip." She fiddled with Jade's pens as she went on and on about her trip.
Jade was busy worrying about her stack of files, but she didn't want to be rude and ask the big boss's daughter to leave her alone. Jamie suddenly noticed that Jade was glancing at her files "Do you have work?"
"Yeah, just a little." She nodded her head towards the stack of files.
Jamie glanced at her watch "Okay, well the meeting should be over soon. You can get back to work." she smiled as she got up and walked towards her brother's office.
In the meeting, Alex was at the head of the table while the other managers of each level of the building sat facing him. One by one, each other them explained any new plans they came up with for the upcoming year. Mr. Chan was speaking when suddenly Alex stopped him, putting his hand up. Everyone's attention turned to Alex in an instant "Look, people its almost Christmas and no one has any good ideas for the upcoming year. Im quite disappointed in all of you." he looked around at them sternly. "Now, I want you to go back to your departments and each one of you will present to me a blue print of an ideal home. Along with a small model of the home where we will have the whole company vote on which one is the best. I want everyone and I do mean EVERYONE to be involved in this." he looked around at the table, everyone looked grumpy and upset. It was a lot of work for some of them, but he is their boss. "Meeting's over. Go back to work." he got up and left the office.
The managers eventually got up, mumbling to themselves with disagreement on what Alex just told them. Mr. Chan spoke up "Well, you heard that everyone" he mimicked Alex's voice "I want everyone and I do mean EVERYONE to be involved in this." A few people snickered and laughed at his imitation.
"If you think this is a joke, maybe you should find another place to joke around in." The group turned around to find Alex standing at the door, his composure strict and full of power. "Excuse me." he said to Mr. Chan who was blocking his seat, where his breifcase layed. He began to walk out the door and abruptly stopped "Oh, by the way. If you didn't understand that, you're fired. I will send security up to walk you out of the building."
Mr. Chan stood there in shock. He's been working at Tai Hung for over 5 years now. His name was well known throughout the company, not to mention that he was very respected there, maybe not liked but definitely respected. And now he was fired over a stupid comment. He chased after Alex "Mr. Lam, Im sorry for my comment but I don't think its necessary to fire me."
Alex stopped in his step and spun around to face the middle aged man "Mr. Chan, it only takes something as little as a comment to get fired here at Tai Hung. I would have thought that after five years and 3 months of working here, you would have known that. I have made my decision." with that he left the man standing there speechless.
Mr. Chan walked back to his office to pack. The security guard close behind him as he angrily threw his belongings into a cardboard box. Jade saw him return but he looked too angry so she didn't want to approach him. With the security following him, she knew the worse was about to come. He finished putting away his stuff, picking up his coat he walked out of his office for the last time "Mr. Chan?" Jade called out, she didn't know how to ask the man.
"It looks like you're out of the job too." he arched his eyebrow in fury as he looked at the saddened girl. He didn't need to explain anything, it was obvious that he lost his job and that she was going to lose hers too.
Alex walked to his office and slammed the door behind him. He was still mad about that comment Mr. Chan made, but at the same time, he felt good in firing him. Not noticing that Jamie was in his office, he sat down. Only to find her hiding behind the curtain that covered his view of the city. "BOO!" she jumped out at him.
Instead of being scared he looked at her expressionless "Thats suppose to scare me? You can do better than that."
She put her hands on her hips, "You knew I was here?"
He stood up to face her "No, actually William told me. He saw you at the airport this morning. Now come give your big brother a hug." he held out his arms.
She looked at him in disgust, unwilling to embrace him "You had a spy following me?" she folded her arms still refusing.
"Now don't be angry. He's no spy. He's a friend I met a month ago. Very nice guy, maybe you guys should meet." he put his arms down, his sister was never affectionate.
She rolled her eyes "Look, the last thing I need is a blind date!" she gave him a disgusted look.
He laughed at her funny face and held up his hands "Okay, I was just kidding. Sheesh, I wouldn't let any of my friends date you. You'll chew them to peices."
She hit him playfully. "Anyways, Im gonna go now. Mom's probably worried. I called her last week and said I might be coming home early."
"Okay." he walked her out the door. Going back to his desk as he continued to do his work.
Jamie walked out and made a quick turn back to Jade's desk. She wanted to invite her to lunch for scaring her that morning. When she got there it was empty and so was Mr. Chan's. One of the security guard walked back to take a frame that Jade forgot when Jamie stopped him "Hey, where's that new girl?" she pointed to Jade's desk.
"Her boss was fired by Mr. Lam and so his secretary was fired too." he continued on his way walking towards the elevator.
Jamie quickly followed him "Where is she now?"
"Downstairs, she forgot this frame." he got in the elevator and without thinking Jamie followed him.
When they got down to the lobby, Jamie quickly spotted Jade "Hey, where do you think you're going?"
Jade spun around to find Jamie running towards her. She looked around to see who she was talking to. When there was no one around, she pointed to herself questionally "Me?"
"No, Im talking to that statue next to you?" she said sarcastically. "Why are you leaving? Did my brother fire you?"
Jade shook her head "No, but my boss was fired by him, so naturally Im out of the job too."
"Not if I can help it." Jamie smiled micheviously. "Wait here. I'll get your job back." She quickly ran to the elevator that was going up.
She barged into her brother's office "Dai Lou, did you fire Jade?"
He looked at her, puzzled "Who's Jade?"
"Jade Cheung. Cheung Ying."
The name sounded so familiar. He suddenly had a flashback of his dream. His girlfriend was named Cheung Ying. Jamie snapped her fingers, waking her brother from his daze. "Oh, is she new here?"
"Yes!" she looked at her brother with an exasperated look "Don't you know who the new people are? My goodness and you call yourself a Vice President. She works for Mr. Chan, the man you fired this morning?"
"Oh, yeah. Now I remember. Jamie, I never fired her. But Im afraid if we don't find a new manager, she will be out of the job anyways. Also, what if she doesn't get along with the new manager?"
"I can do it!" he looked at her wide eyed "Okay, so I don't have experience, but I know how to boss people around."
He shook his head slowly "Nope, you can't do it. Its a tough job. Anyways, you don't know anything about architecture."
"It can't be that hard. Just assign people what to do and thats it." She made it sound so simple.
"If it was that easy, Jamie, you can do my job." he started to put on his suit jacket. "Now, Im going out for lunch. You want to join me?"
"No, but I might join mom for lunch." she crossed her arms daring him. Jamie was spoiled by her mother, who always wanted her kids to take over the company one day. She would be thrilled to know that Jamie would be joining her brother.
His voice softened as he knew he would lose this battle if his mom got involved. "You don't even like architecture. You told me you would never work here."
"Well that was a long time ago." she said defensively.
"That was last year!!" he argued. "Okay fine, if you want to do this. I'll leave it up to you. Okay, Princess?" he mocked his mom. She always called her by that nickname.
Jamie stuck out her tongue "You said it!" she pushed her brother aside and ran to the elevators. Not waiting for him to come in, she closed the doors and press the 'lobby' button. Down stairs, Jade waited patiently for her new friend. When the elevator door opened, out came a proud Jamie. "You are looking at your new boss, Miss Cheung." she smiled broadly.
"What? You? But how?" Jade thought to herself 'What a dumb question.' It was obvious she talked to her brother. "Mr. Lam agreed?"
Jamie nodded as she continued to grin "Lets got to lunch, I'll treat." Jade was about to decline to the offer, she didn't like to owe anyone anything. At the sound of an elevator opening up, Jamie knew it was her brother so she grabbed Jade's arm and ran out the door.
Surprised at her reaction, Jade cried out "Ow, that hurts. What's the rush?"
Jamie ignored her because she knew that person that got out of the elevator was her brother. She didn't want him to yell at her.
Alex walked into the lobby in time to see Jamie pulling a girl by the arm into the parking structure. 'She looks kind of familiar.' he thought to himself, but quickly shrugged it off when he remembered his lunch meeting.
The day flew by quickly for the new manager, Jamie was exhausted from looking at files all day. Jade was even more tired from explaining each file to Jamie. She had a natural talent when it came to architecture. Without any experience or schooling, Jade was still able to interpret the files. It was almost 5pm when Jamie sat back onto her chair with a thump "No more files!!" she exclaimed throwing one file off her desk.
Jade shook her head with a smile "Jamie, its not that bad." She went to pick up the file.
"You want to bet? Try switching places with me." she said exaggerating a sigh.
"Its only the first day though. How are you going to handle the next month? Its the worse one I heard." Jade laughed as Jaime slid off from her chair to the ground. "I'll help you all I can."
She was lying on the floor now. "You better or you are fired!" she teased. "What time is it?"
Jade bent down under Jamie's desk "Its almost five." Jamie quickly got up and began to looking for her purse and keys.
"Oh, goodness I've got to go home!" she cried. She was still searching for the keys when Jade held it up for her. It was on her desk, the only place she didn't look. "Thank you." she said over sincerely.
"Your welcome." She got up to leave the office "I should get going too."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrrow." Jamie waved at her as they both left the office. Jade stayed back at her desk to make a phone call to her friend, Lily. They were suppose to go to dinner that night.
Lily drove to the front of the building, pulling down her window as she called to her friend "Hey, you're never going to get a ride if you look like that!" she laughed at her friend who opened the passenger door and hopped in. Her hair was toussled from the wind and she was yawning uncontrollably.
"So where are we going to eat?" knowing that they will probably go to the Japanese restaurant that Lily loves to eat at.
"Up to you, you're treating." Lily drove off towards Kowloon.
"What? I find a job and I end up treating?" Jade shook her head in disappointment "Like when I found you a boyfriend and you make me treat. So if you guys get married then I have to pay for the wedding or what? And speaking of your boyfriend, where is he?"
"He left me to tutor those kids of his." meaning his students, William was a teacher at a local elementary school. He was so involved in his work that at times he would forget that he made a date with his girlfriend. Lily stopped in front of a Japanese restaurant, getting out of the car she gave her keys to the valet guy.
The girls walked into the restaurant and was quickly seated. Lily was a favorite customer there, the manager and owner knew her well. Not to mention her wealthy family with a line of watch stores that were very popular in Hong Kong. They had their own little room, while most people sat outside. "Lily, he only means well. At least you know that he'll be a great father!" Jade laughed when her friend looked disgusted.
"I told you don't mention kids. I can't stand them! And from my luck, I end up with a guy that wants 20!" her friend laughed while Lily hit her playfully.
"At least he's romantic." Jade pointed out.
"Yeah, so romantic that he left me home alone on my birthday and decided to tutor this kid."
Jade sensed a little angriness in her friend's voice. "You know why he had to leave you that day?" She was the only one that knew and had promised William never to tell anyone. But seeing her friend still upset, how could she not tell her?
"Nope. You know Ive been with him for three years now and he just makes me angry sometimes. I remember, I was mad at him for a month! He never explained it any further than 'that kid really needed help'." she took a sip of her wine as she thought about that incident.
"He'll kill me if he knows I told you but, that kid did need help. He was mentally abused and that same day, he wanted to commit suicide but decided to call William to say goodbye first. He was that kid's favorite teacher and he wanted to thank William for his help." Jade watched as her friend's eyes softened caringly. She never knew about that incident.
"Why didn't he ever tell me?" she asked more to herself than to Jade.
"He felt that it was a personal problem and wanted to respect the kid's request not to tell anyone. The only way that I knew was because I was a volunteering at an elderly home across the street when I spotted a boy on the top of the aparment builing across from where I was. No one seemed to notice that he was there, by the time I got over there. William was already coaxing the kid to come down." Lily listened intently, shocked by the heroic story. "You should have heard him, he was amazing. He got the kid to come to him within five minutes."
Lily smiled to herself "I guess that one month of the cold shoulder was a little cruel huh?"
Jade smiled back at her friend "No, he understood completely. You're very lucky Lily."
She nodded to herself "I know." still smiling to herself, she looked up at her friend "How about you? Here you are gushing over my boyfriend and still haven't said one thing about your boyfriend, Kevin."
Jade leaned back against the wall "Oh, don't talk about him. All he does is travel here and there. Never once did he give me a call to say "hi" this month. I mean, its almost Christmas and Im not even going to see him."
"But its his job to travel!" Lily pointed out to her friend.
"I know, but at least call."
she waved her hand nochalently "Oh well, he'll do it when he wants to. Im
not going to get upset over it." The food came and the girls ate silently,
each thinking about their significant others.
Chapter 9
After dinner with Lily, Jade decided to walk home. She was a little sad from
their earlier conversation about Kevin. She was wondering if he even thought
about her. Her home was a block away so she took her time. When she got there,
William was standing outside. "Hey, why are you out so late?" she
asked him.
"Waiting for you."
Her face froze 'oh no! did he find out I told Lily?' she thought to herself. Worries ran through her as he stared at her intently. She couldn't read his face. After so many years of being friends with him, she still can't tell when he's upset. "Can it wait til tomorrow?...Im tired."
"Don't give me that excuse again, Jade. I know what you're trying to do." his face was expressionless.
'But how could he know so fast? I just told her.' she started to worry again. "What did I do?" her face was so scared, she was sure that he knew she did something wrong.
"You know, we've been friends for a long time now. I can tell when you're lying to me." his words were simple yet daring.
"Okay, Im sorry. I told Lily about that incident. I know I promised not to say anything but we were eating dinner and well, she was still mad about that...eventhough it was a few months ago...." she suddenly stopped. His face was even more confused than hers.
"What in the world are you talking about. I was saying that you got the job at Tai Hung and you didn't even tell me!!" he eyed her suspiciously as she began to laugh "You told Lily everything?!"
Jade abruptly stopped "Yeah...anyways, if you went to dinner with us tonight, you would have known that I got the job. I wanted to take you two out to eat."
"Oh, so thats why you called us last night and asked us to go out." he hugged his friend "Congradulations. Oh, I never told you who I met a month ago."
"Who?" They began to walk up the stairs to the apartment.
"Alex Lam!"
She opened her mouth in shock "How?"
"He was visiting an elementary school in which he started to sponsor in. I happened to be working there, we talked and then I found out he was the VP of Tai Hung Corp. And today, I find out from your Dad" he gave her the evil eye "that you got the job there."
She gave him a weak smile "I know, you hate being the last to know." They approached her door "Okay, then good night."
He suddenly grabbed her shoulders "Don't think I forgot about you spilling the beans to Lily. You owe me for that!"
She turned around to face him "I know I know...so what? The usual? I clean your house for a week?" That was how they punished each other. When one did something wrong to the other, they would have to do a chore for the person for a certain amount of time. That rule was made up since college and it was still in effect.
"Are you kidding? Its going to be a month for you, little girl!" he laughed when she opened her eyes wide.
She was going to argue but decided not to "Okay, fine!" he was still laughing when he opened his door, which was across from hers.
The next week, Jade was getting use to her job at Tai Hung. Her dreams were still coming and going. The same scenes would repeat in her mind over and over again. Her new boss absolutely adores her, although she never did get to meet the popular Mr. Lam, who everyone seems to talk about. One day after work, she decided to walk to a shopping mall to walk around. As she walked past an antique store, she suddenly noticed something that caught her eye. It was the most beautiful locket. White with a beautiful rose engraved in gold, she walked into the store. "Hi Miss, can I help you?" the sales girl asked sincerely.
"Can I see this?" she pointed to the locket.
"Thats a great choice! Its a locket made back in the 1940's, its one of a kind." she held it up for Jade to look at.
"How much is it?" she wanted to buy it. There was something about it that seems to be calling to her.
"$10,000." the girl said.
Jade's face fell "Oh, that much?" she knew she couldn't afford it. "Thank you anyways." she began to walk out the store.
Walking home, she was a little depressed as she walked in a daze against traffic. The people were always in a rush to go somewhere. She was use to getting bumped, but when a man in a suit bumped her really hard, she cried out in pain. In that second, another flash back came to her. She saw the guy in her dreams, they were in a crowded area, like a party and he spotted her in the crowd. Tears flowing from her eyes. Alex opened his eyes at the sound of a car honking. The flashbacks came to him like a bullet. It was so fast, he didn't even have time to apologize to the person he just bumped. When he turned back, he only saw more people walking towards him.
He had no time to stop or worry about his flashbacks, he would talk to his doctor later. It was his mother's birthday and he totally forgot. Quickly, he raced into the mall looking for anything he could find. He went straight to the coat section, picked up a black peacoat and paid for it. The bag in his hands, he walked back outside into the busy mall. It was close to Christmas, so the mall and streets were more crowded than ever. He even had to park across the street.
Suddenly Alex stopped in front of antique store. The locket caught his attention, he usually doesn't like anything old but for some strange reason..."Sir, would you like to see this?" he nodded, his eyes still on the locket.
She held up the locket "It was made in the 1940's, actually a girl came in earlier to look at this."
"Really?" he was more intrigued with a person who had his same taste. "She didn't buy it?"
"No" the girl smiled "I think it was too expensive for her."
"I'll take it." he said without thinking. The girl looked at him with surprise "I can pay for it." he said with a touch of arrogance.
"Im sure you can sir...I didn't mean it that way." she tried to apologize.
When he got home after buying the locket, he went straight to his room. Wrapping the gift as quick as he can. His mother would be home soon. They were going to dinner together. He was writing the birthday card when a knock on the door disturbed him. "Who is it?"
"Your girlfriend! Oh wait, you don't have one. So I guess Im your sister then." Jamie saw her brother's car pull in but didn't see him downstairs.
He got up and opened the door. "Yes?" He covered the door not letting his sister come in.
"Nothing, can I see what you got mommy?" she tippied toes to look past him, but he was too tall.
"No. You can see it later. Now if you don't mind, I have to finish." he began to close the door but she push through his door unexpectedly. She instantly saw a jewerly box on his bed, in a swift move she grabbed it before he could hide it.
"Wow, you got mommy a locket?!" she exclaimed as she looked adoringly at the peice of jewel.
He yanked it from her hands "No, I got mom a peacoat. This is mine" he pointed to the door indicating it was her exit.
"You don't have a girlfriend, how about you give it to me? I like it alot!" she reached for it but he held it high over his head. She began to jump like a little girl trying to get the box.
His face was calm as he humored her for a minute and evenutally pulled the box behind him "Okay, thats enough, time to get ready. We have reservations at 7pm."
She eventually stopped messing around "Okay..." she walked back to her room.
He hid the jewerly box in his shoe closet which was quite extravagant. Actually, their home was a huge mansion. With over 15 rooms, it was magnificent. His room was away from everyone else's. He liked his own privacy, but since his sister came back, she seem to be in his room every day. That night the three went out to an elegant restaurant overlooking all of Hong Kong. They chatted as they ate, but Alex seemed a bit more preoccupied.
"Fung, what's wrong?" his mother liked to call him by his chinese name. She looked at him with concern. "You seem out of it tonight."
"Oh nothing. Its just those dreams again." He recently told his mother about them after she found his bill from Dr. Leung, the psychiatrist.
"Maybe you should take a vacation? I mean you've been working so hard. Its a week til Christmas and there's so much planning to do. Is it stress?" she looked at him worriedly.
"Dai Lou, are we having the annual Christmas Party this year?" it was the only thing Jamie looked forward to every Christmas. Getting dressed up and mingle with the employees. They always had the party at the Lam's Mansion. Their backyard was big enough to fit an army.
He grabbed his head "Oh gosh, I totally forgot about it." He was the one that always planned it too. Since he got those dreams, he's been spending more time with his shrink than anyone else.
"I'll plan it!!" Jamie said excitedly. "I love doing this. Jade can help me too." She began to list the stuff that should be done.
"Okay, it looks like you have more fun planning. Just make sure the email is sent out to all the employees by tomorrow." he smiled as he watched his sister pull out a pen and began to write her list of things to do on a napkin. She really like coordinating stuff, he never realized that before. But since he's so busy with his work, where was there a time to worry about those little details?
In Kowloon, Jade was over at William's house mopping the floor while Lily and William was sitting in front of the television watching as they cuddled. It made Jade sick to her stomache looking at the two love birds. Where was her boyfriend when she needed him? She finally finished mopping when she put the stuff away and plopped on the couch next to Lily. "Eh eh eh...get up, the dishes are not done." William said as he pointed towards the kitchen.
"I just did them master." she got up and exaggerated a curtsy.
He looked around for any dirty dishes, when he caught his eye on the peanut dish. He picked it up and gave it to Jade. "Here's one." Lily giggled at his gesture while Jade gave her the evil eye for laughing.
"There's still peanuts on it." without thinking, William grabbed the remaining nuts and tossed it in his mouth and gave her the dish.
"Now be gone!" he said teasingly.
She yanked the dish from his hand and walked back to the kitchen, her eyes still glaring at him. "Don't be so mean, Will" Lily finally spoke up for her friend.
"Thank you! Finally!" Jade yelled from the kitchen.
"Don't worry, she'll be happy in a minute." he said secretly.
"Why, what is it? I want to know." Lily whispered back.
"Kevin is coming right now." he looked back to see if Jade wasn't in earshot.
"How?"
"He called me this morning and said his flight is coming in at 7pm and that he wanted to suprise Jade. I promised not to tell her." he suddenly stopped when Jade came back.
She eyed them suspiciously "What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing." Lily said with the biggest grin on her face.
"Weirdos. Anyways, Im going home." she began to stand up.
"NO!" William got up and pushed her back down. "My house isn't clean yet."
She got back up and pushed him, Lily quickly got up to intervene. Instead she was pushed aside by Jade as she yelled at William "Thats enough Will, everytime Im done with something you find something else for me to clean, isn't that a little bit cruel?" Her hands on her hips as she angrily raised her voice at him.
"Okay, well, can't you stay here and keep us company?" he was trying to think of excuses for her to stay.
"Yes, we want you talk to you." Lily chimed in.
"Okay..." Jade sat down slowly "Why didn't you just say so?" she continued to look at her friends. They look so sneaky, something was definitely wrong.
Suddenly the couple was saved by the doorbell, "I'll get it!" William and Lily yelled out at once. The got up as they rushed to the door like little kids. They opened the door and in came Kevin. He held out a bouquet of red roses, obviously for Jade.
Instead of getting up to greet her boyfriend, she sat still without any _expression on her face. "Nice of you to visit. When are you leaving again? Tomorrow morning?" she was pretty upset.
Kevin glanced at William, who nudged his girlfriend "Oh, we're going to take a walk. You two talk, okay?" he pulled Lily out the door.
Kevin walked over to where Jade was sitting and sat next to her. "I expected a nicer welcome." he said smiling at her.
"Well, maybe you expected too much." she shifted herself to the end of the couch. He shifted closer to her.
"Sweetie, Im sorry. I was so busy over there that I didn't even have time to eat. I really wanted to call, I promise." he gave her his cutest puppy eyes.
That look always made her smile "How long are you staying." she took the flowers from his hands as she raised the roses to her nose and sniff them.
"A few months. I want to stay with you until my next job comes up." he wrapped his arms around Jade protectively "How about we go on vacation?"
Her smiled dropped "I can't, I just started a new job."
"Can't you ask for it early?"
"I don't think so, the next month is our busiest and I really like what I do. I mean the corporation is a big one and I think I could move up if I try." he suddenly sat back and pulled his arm off her shoulders.
"Why do you have to work, I can support you." he never agreed to her working for a living. She was so independent that it frustrated him at times. He like girls that would just let him be the man and support them.
"Are we going to have this talk again?" She rubbed her eyes tirelessly "Im tired. I have to go to work tomorrow. How about we go out this weekend?" he reluctantly nodded. "Im going to go home." she got up from her seat.
"I'll walk you in." she nodded. Suddenly his cell phone started to ring. She stopped as he picked up his call "Hello?" he turned back to her and mouthed out the words 'my boss'. She nodded as she walked towards the door so he could talk privately. "I said I was coming in half an hour. Why do you have to call me?" he glanced back at his girlfriend who waited patiently for him. "Okay, I'll see you later." he hung up and walked over to her. "Lets go."
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