Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Zodiac of PRA II: Forever Heroes

Chapter 7

Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.

Guest:
Ada Choi – Jessie Leung aka Cancer

At the police station, the questioning only took about 5 minutes before Ted came out with the good news “It looks like there were no witnesses, the waiters and owner said they didn’t see any fight. No one is charging anyone.” Ted concluded.

The team exchanged glances, but it was Mia that asked the question “You didn’t threaten them did you?”

Ted laughed as he shook his head “Threaten is such a bad word. Let’s just say we got them to negotiate.” He nodded to the group “You guys can leave now.”

They walked out together with surprised looks “I wonder why he let us go?” Jessie asked.

Mia giggled “You can thank Erin.” Her comment earned her a jab in the rib by Darren who stood next to her “Ow!” she looked annoyed “Would you guys stop beating me up?!”

Darren smiled as he wrapped a protective arm around her “We will if you learn to keep your thoughts to yourself and don’t say what you are thinking.” She gave him a strange look and he patted her head “There you go.”

She pushed him away unexpectedly and rushed over to Brad and Erin “Hey Brad, I hope you don’t take it personally. But I was just saying the truth. I don’t want you guys to fight over Ted…because well...he likes Erin.” Darren let out a sigh as he lowered his head to the ground and shook it “What? I said something wrong?” Mia asked innocently. No one bothered to respond as they left her standing there alone looking confused.

*********** 8:00 am ***********

Brad was sleeping when his pager was ringing off the hook. He could barely keep his eyes open as he squinted his eyes to concentrate. It was Joe calling. Stretching his arms and legs, he grumbled about not getting enough sleep. His eyes were closed while his mind drifted into dreamland.

Erin was already up and ready when she walked by Brad’s room, she noticed there was no sound coming from it. She decided to open it and as she peeked through the crack, she found him lying face down on the bed still snoozing. She open the door wide open and let out a sigh. Suddenly a slow sly grin came on her face, she walked to the fridge and grabbed a cup of cold ice water. She brought it back to the room and silently stepped towards Brad, she was about to pour it over his head when he raised a hand “Stop, okay, I’m up.” He said with his eyes still closed.

Her smile faded as she lowered the cup “How did you know?”

“Sixth sense…” he got up and yawned. His eyes widened when he saw the glass of ice water “You were gonna pour that on me?”

“Yes and I will still pour it if you don’t get up now.” She threatened. In a heartbeat he was in the bathroom getting ready. After 10 minutes they were ready to go. Erin was in such a rush that she forgot about Shelly “What if she wakes up and doesn’t see us?”

Brad rolled his eyes “You act like she’s only 12. She’s a 25 year old girl, I’m sure she can take care of herself.” He assured her. She nodded, he did have a good point. But Shelly appeared to be a weak girl in Erin’s eyes; she was her baby sister.

They arrived at the headquarters last, everyone sat there waiting patiently “Sorry everyone. I overslept.” Brad apologized and took the blame.

Mia spun from side to side in her swivel chair “Are you sure you guys didn’t stay up all night to… ‘talk’?” she smiled teasingly at her friend.

Erin walked behind Mia to get to the chair next to her. She hit her on the back of the head “Get your head out of the gutter.”

Doug pointed a finger at Erin warningly “Hey, hey…she’s dumb enough, don’t hit her head, you might cause a vessel to pop.” Erin chuckled while Darren looked at Doug and nodded with a laugh.

Mia raised a brow at him and his laugh was cut off suddenly “That’s not funny, Doug.” Darren threatened.

Joe leaned on the table with a stern expression “If you guys are done with the jokes, could we get back to reality?”

“Sorry Sir.” Darren nodded politely.

He acknowledged Darren’s apology and continued on as he spun his chair and pressed a button on the control “This is Matt Tong also know as M.T. according to the black market. He runs the biggest control of illegal drugs that are shipped through the harbor. But because of a bad business deal, he was kidnapped and is currently being held for $20,000,000. Our job is to get him to safety.”

Brad shook his head in confusion “Why are we saving the bad guy?”

Joe smiled “Nothing is what it seems. Matt is an undercover ICAC agent trying to get the information to catch these dealers. But he was caught. This will not be a easy mission, I guarantee it.”

“Where is he now?” Erin asked as she studied the guy’s face on the screen.

“He’s kinda cute.” Mia nudged Erin.

“Mia…” Erin warned.

She leaned back in her chair “Okay…I know. Sheesh, you’re sounding more like Darren each day.”

Joe cleared his throat catching the girls’ attention, he pressed another button on the control “This is a live view camera of the harbor. They are approximately 20 miles into the ocean.” The screen appeared from the top view of a helicopter. A man was seated on a floater, his hands tied back and he wore a bomb jacket around his chest. There were three fairly large boats surrounding the guy, each boat had easily three to four guys with huge guns “These guys are there to kill anyone or any plane within 300 feet away. There is no way we can get there by water.”

“How about by plane?” Jessie offered.

“Oh no!” Mia shook her head vehemently “I’m not doing no flying angel thing again.”

“Wait!” Erin’s face beamed at the thought “Flying angel…you’re brilliant!” she leaned over and hugged Mia.

Mia looked at her friend strangely “I know I am, but can you elaborate on my brilliant idea?”

Joe looked at her questioningly and Erin quickly explained “If we can get three people underwater and attack the three boats, and the other three will come from the sky in a bungee cord to snatch Matt from his position. Undo the bomb vest and drop it into the water, get Matt into safety and help out the others.” She concluded with a smile.

Mia nodded with a smile “Wow…my idea is really good.” She joked “But you’re forgetting…I’m afraid of heights!!”

Everyone ignored her outburst while Joe nodded in agreement “Erin, that is a great idea. Who did you have in mind to do the bungee?”

“UH…NOT Mia…” Mia offered.

Erin turned to her friend “Don’t hate me, it’s your idea.” The team blew up with laughter while Erin continued “I thought about having the guys do it but I figured they can take those guys with guns better than us girls. The three of us can join on a bungee and take Matt.”

“Over my dead body!” Mia exclaimed.

Darren turned to her with a smile “I thought you were over your fear? Remember that guy that tried to steal your ring?”

She ruffled her brows “That’s different…I wasn’t saving a guy with a bomb on his chest that can blow us up in millions of pieces!!!”

Brad sighed “Mia…do you want me to take you out of this mission?”

She eventually shook her head “No.” she grumbled.

“Fine, it’s settled.” Joe concluded “Girls, I want you to take a short training class on bungee since it’s something we’ve never done before. Guys, get your wet suits ready.”

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Mia muttered as her face paled over.

Erin patted her friend on the shoulder “It’s okay, if we die, we die together.”

Mia rolled her eyes over to Erin “Gee…that makes me feel SOOO much better.”

Jessie laughed at the girls “You know if it works, we’ll be famous.” She reminded Mia.

“No prestige is worth dying over.” Mia shook her head.

Joe smiled at the girls while the guys left “Okay girls. Some safety precautions…don’t swing your arms all over the place.”

“Well, you might as well tie my hands down!” Mia cried.

Erin nodded “Another good idea, you’re on a roll Mia!” she hid her smile when Mia looked at her with a vengeance.

Joe shook his head “No. You have to control yourself or you will harm Erin and Jessie’s lives. Erin, you have a steady hand, you take the knife and cut off the vest while Jessie and Mia hold onto Matt. Remember, you only have 20 seconds to do you this until the bungee takes another dive. Hopefully the guys will have controlled the guards before you girls jump. And we don’t know when the bomb will detonate, so you must get rid of it as fast as you can. The bungee will bounce once and you guys will be pulled up by another rope, hold onto it.”

“How do you know so much about bungees?” Jessie asked.

Joe smiled “You can thank my teenage daughter, she wanted to do it so much that I had to let her. Instead of saying no, I learned about the safety of bungee cords and I even tried it myself.”

The girls looked at him with admiration “Wow…is there anything you can’t do?” Mia asked “How about you take my place?!” She offered.

“Nice try.” He laughed “Come on, let’s get you girls ready.” The girls were ready to stand when he raised his hand “Oh and one last thing, if your bungee cord breaks, try as best as you can to take off the bomb and unlock the safety belt. You girls can swim can’t you?”

Erin and Jessie nodded while Mia was getting more pale “Great…I’m going to die…” she nodded convincingly “I’m going to die before I get married! Just great!!” The other three exchanged glances and smiles while Mia muttered more to herself.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Athena Chu – Sheila Kam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.

Guest:
Ada Choi – Jessie Leung aka Cancer

The whooshing sound of the helicopter was enough to make Mia sick in the stomach. They brought along a special expert to attach the bungee to the girls. A ‘T’ shaped belt ran around the girl’s waist and connected from the front to the back running between their legs like a diaper. Mia refused to look outside while Erin and Jessie helped the guy set up the belts.

“Mia, you have to open your eyes some time. You might as well start now.” Erin advised.

She moved her face upwards and opened her eyes “There, are you happy now?” she instantly closed them again.

Jessie laughed as she shook her head “Is she always like this during heights?”

Erin nodded with a smile “We’re lucky she doesn’t puke…”

Suddenly Mia popped open her eyes and reached into her pocket for her cell phone. She scrolled down to Darren’s number and dialed it “He’s not answering!!” Mia said hysterically.

“Maybe because it doesn’t receive under the ocean?” Erin snickered sarcastically.

But Mia didn’t hang up as she waited for the beep and left him a message “Hi honey! I just wanted to say that I love you very much…and if I don’t live to see you, I hope you’ll continue to live and be happy. Goodbye…forever.” She said sadly. Erin and Jessie raised their brows at her and she quickly added “Oh, I love you girls too!”

Erin shook her head “No, it’s not that. If you say you’re going to die, it means we’re going to die too.” Mia shaped her lips into an ‘O’ shape while her eyes widened “Yeah… Oh…is right.” She smiled when the guy gave them the cue “We’re here. Come on.” She pushed herself up and looked outside the open door of the helicopter “I see the guys.” She pointed when the three of them synchronized their entrance on the boat. A few shots rang out but it appeared they were still okay. Erin turned to the girls “Ready?” her eyes landed on Mia who was shaking her head.

“I’m too young to die!” Mia sobbed, she grabbed the collar of Erin’s suit “I need to be Mrs. Darren Chiu.”

Erin sighed “You’re not going to die.” She said unconvincingly while prying Mia’s hands off her suit.

“You don’t even sound confident when you say that!” Mia pointed out.

Erin knew there was no time for nonsense as she turned inward. She nodded at Jessie who linked their belts together as they stood at the edge of the plane. Mia’s whimper was louder than the plain’s engine. “On three.” Erin began. She looked down to prepare herself “One….Two….Mia, open your eyes!!!” she cried and Mia unfortunately did as she nodded to Jessie “Three!” the girls fell out of the helicopter holding each other, each second passing like it was an hour long.

Erin freed one hand to grab the knife from her belt, Mia was no where near calm as she let out a scream as they reached out to grab Matt. He looked shocked at what was happening but was too weak to move. Jessie and Mia grabbed onto each arm while Erin cut off his jacket. The friction of the bungee pulled them up so fast that they didn’t have time to prepare for the bounce, Matt slipped from Jessie and Mia’s arm as the girls screamed. Luckily Erin had freed him from the bomb jacket so her arms were free as she dropped the knife and reached quickly for Matt’s collar jacket and Mia was quick to grab his flaring arm. The three dangled there until the cord was being slowly pulled up.

“Mr. Tong, you’re safe.” Erin announced as he looked at the girls with a dazed expression.

“My name is Mia. M-I-A, remember that when you talk to the reporters later.” Mia said with a smile.

Jessie shook her head with a laugh “You need help.”

The girls were pulled to safety and so was Matt. He collided onto the plane looking exhausted. Erin quickly unbuckled her belt “Come on girls, we gotta help the guys.”

Mia frowned “They have it under control.”

“Mia…” Erin warned.

“Why a plane?? Anything else…but why…why why why??!” she moaned while unbuckling her belt. They pulled their suits off and appeared a wet suit underneath. The captain pulled the helicopter lower until they were at diving distance.

The girls stood at the edge of the door “On three.” Erin said again.

Mia moaned “Not again… okay let me prepare myself.” She began stretching her arms outwards.

Jessie and Erin gave each other a nod as Erin announced “Three!!” each girl grabbed onto Mia’s arm as they dove into the ocean. Mia yelled at the top of her lungs all the way down into the water.

The girls began swimming to the boats and each one grabbed onto the side bars to pull themselves up. Erin was the first to go on the deck when she found two guys unconscious and one guy wrestling with Brad. She found a fallen gun as she picked it up and pointed it at the guy “Don’t move or your brains will be splattered on the deck.” She warned.

Brad quickly pulled himself up and smiled gratefully at Erin “Done?”

“Mission accomplished.” Erin nodded with a smile.

He looked around at the other boats and found the girls came in the nick of time. The guards were contained and the boats were taken over by the P.R.A. agents. The harbor police’s siren got closer as the group looked at each other, it was time to go. The helicopter circled around them until the ladder was pushed out by an assistant. Each pair attached themselves on and the plane took off before the harbor police came to the scene.

****************

The team delivered Matt Wong to Joe in high spirits. They were happy of their mission as they walked into the headquarters while Joe awaited their arrival. He stood in the room and clapped his hands, an apparent smile on his face.

The group bowed at the applaud “Thank you, how could you have doubted us?” Mia asked.

Erin and Jessie laughed “I thought we had to give you a diaper from the way you kept crying.” Erin snorted. The guys laughed at the thought of Mia freaking out. Her smile disappeared as she crossed her arms at Erin “Who are you kidding…we know your fears, Mia.”

“Yeah?…Well…you be careful cause I’ll find yours. And when I do…I’m gonna make sure I get it on tape.” Mia threatened.

Joe shook his head at the team, he was smiling like a proud father. He walked over to Matt who was supported by Brad and Darren “Now…are they worthy of your commands?”

The six exchanged glances “What are you talking about, Joe?” Doug asked curiously.

Suddenly Matt Tong stood up straight as he pulled his ruffled suit jacket down “I guess I owe you an apology, Joe.” He smiled when the team dropped their jaws in shock.

“Damn! We fell for another one?” Mia asked.

Matt quickly apologized “I’m sorry, but you must not blame Joe. It was my idea. Joe approached me a month ago asking me to help him run a secret protection group. I was very unsure of the whole thing, but he filled me in on everyone and what your operations was. Needless to say, I was very interested but I was suspicious about the teamwork. It took us a while to set up this plan to test you guys. I wanted to see how well you were able to handle the not so easy mission.” He nodded with a smile “I’m very satisfied.”

Joe walked over to shake his hand “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Matt nodded “Yes.”

Joe turned to the team “I’d like you guys to welcome your new Lieutenant, Matt Tong.”

“Please, call me Matt.” Matt extended his hand to each member, all looked surprised.

“You mean, you’re leaving us Joe?” Mia asked, looking like she was ready to cry.

Joe chuckled “I was never suppose to meet you guys in the first place. But because Dennis retired unexpectedly, I had to step in. In the short time, I couldn’t find anyone to take my place. But now…” he smiled with a nod “I’m sure you all will get along just fine.” He reached into his pocket and handed over the metal tag for Matt “Watch out for Mia, she’s a handful.” Joe gave Mia a wink of the eye before walking out. He passed by Brad and Erin and smiled at them “I’m counting on you two to make this team better. Don’t disappoint me.”

“We won’t.” Brad assured him.

There was a sad aura in the air as they watched Joe disappear out the metal sliding doors. Mia frowned sadly “I feel sticky.” Her comment made everyone laugh despite the sad atmosphere. She looked at them strangely “What did I say?”

Matt smiled at the group “Why don’t you guys go clean up and meet me in the conference room.” They nodded politely and he walked into the sound proof room to get acquainted with the machinery.

The group settled down when they returned, they found Matt playing around with the controls as he tried each one down the line. Mia and Erin giggled as he accidentally opened the screen and was startled by it. Matt turned to them with an embarrassed expression “Sorry about that…” he clasped his hands together with a smile “Now then, which one of you is Brad?”

Mia quickly pointed to Darren “He is!”

“So you’re captain Brad Chung.” Matt nodded at Darren.

Brad shook his head at Mia who was trying unsuccessfully to stifle her giggles “Actually, I am.” He smiled sympathetically at Matt “That’s Darren.”

“I see why Joe warned me about you, Mia.” Matt chuckled.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” She said after controlling her giggles.

“And you must be Erin.” Matt turned to Erin.

She nodded “How did you know?”

He shrugged “Joe told me you were the quiet one.” He looked over at Doug and Jessie who were smiling at him “And you two must be Doug and Jessie.”

“It’s a pleasure to work with you, Sir.” Jessie said politely.

“What should we refer to you during missions?” Doug asked.

Matt looked thoughtful “Good question. Why don’t you guys call me M.T. during operations. Otherwise, just call me Matt.”

 

 

 

Chapter 9

Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Athena Chu – Sheila Kam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Ada Choi – Jessie Leung aka Cancer
Charmaine Sheh – Nora Cheung
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra

The group was getting acquainted when Erin noticed a muffled cry from outside. She raised a hand “Wait…” everyone quieted down “Do you guys hear that?”

Doug grabbed his stomach “Sorry, I’m growling.”

Mia dropped her jaw “So it was you! I was trying to figure out who’s it was.”

Erin shook her head “No.” she looked at the conference room door, it was open. The sound was definitely coming from out there. She nodded to Brad as the two got up and walked outside. It was coming from the metal doors entrance. Her brows wrinkled with concentration and when she realized who it was, she let out a sigh. She pressed on the control as it opened up and Shelly appeared to be banging on the door “Ah Mui…what are you doing here?”

Shelly straightened her jacket and remained cool “Nothing, I saw you earlier and I called you but you didn’t hear me…so I followed you. Who knew I would be stuck in here?”

Brad turned to Erin “She knows…should we?”

“Know what?!” Shelly asked with widened eyes “Are you guys in some sort of a cult? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”

Erin shook her head with a smile “I guess she should know.” She reached out to take Shelly’s hand and brought her inside. The team looked surprised by their new guest “I figured I couldn’t hide it from Shelly forever.” She turned to Matt “I hope you don’t mind, she’s my sister.”

“Of course not! The more that knows, the better it is for our reputation.” He nodded to Shelly “Welcome, have a seat anywhere.”

Shelly beamed as she raced over to the empty seat next to Doug’s other side “Hi Doug.” She said brightly. He smiled at her but quickly turned his attention to Jessie, who seemed quieter.

Erin could tell it would be hard to keep Shelly away from the team, especially Doug. Matt cleared his throat to get attention “Brad, why don’t you tell Shelly about it.”

Brad nodded as he began to explain “Our team consist of 6 well trained agents under the name of P.R.A. which stands for Private Rescue Agency. It was set up by the Hong Kong Head of Security to assist the people that require assistance. Our missions are basically…” he faded away when Mia let out an annoying snoring sound while the rest tried not to laugh.

Mia popped her eyes open “Oh, are you done?” she clapped her hands aimlessly.

“Ha ha…if I’m so boring, why don’t you explain?” Brad brought out a hand and sat down for Mia to take over.

Mia nodded and got up. She turned to the group with a serious face “There is only one way to explain this team ‘Kick Ass’. Thank you.” She sat down while Doug and Darren whistled and applauded at her supposed speech.

Shelly laughed “I guess that’s more interesting that my future brother-in-law’s description.”

Erin lowered her head while she blushed uncontrollably, only Mia dared to point it out “Shelly, don’t say that out loud…there are some people that’s very sensitive.” She whispered across the table and some laughed.

*************

The following day Erin and Brad decided to do a little shopping for their new apartment. They walked down the streets of the market and picked out veggies and fruits to eat “What does Shelly like to eat?” Brad asked.

Erin frowned at him “Gee I don’t know, I’ve only known her for two days.”

He laughed at her sarcastic comment “Okay, I get it.” He picked up a few oranges as he turned to her “These okay?” she nodded absentmindedly while her eyes moved. He followed her gaze “Who are you looking at?”

She wasn’t sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her “Is that…” she pointed but her answer was coming. Erin watched the girl walk over to Brad with a grin that could light up a dark room.

“Brad!” the girl cried with excitement.

Brad turned and his face brightened “Nora?” it was an ex girlfriend that he rarely talked about to Erin. But she’s seen pictures of the two of them while they were dating in high school “What are you doing here?”

“I’m back in Hong Kong. I was out in New York for a couple of years and it only reminded me how much I missed Hong Kong. You look great!” she complimented while her eyes refused to pull away from his. He was more handsome than she last remembered.

“Thank you, you haven’t changed a bit.” He commented.

Nora smiled teasingly “Still pretty, you mean?”

He chuckled “I guess you can say that.” He was oblivious to Erin’s disappearance, she had began to walk away when he forgot to introduce the two. He turned in circles but could not locate her.

“Who are you looking for?” Nora asked with interest.

“Erin…where did she go?” he asked more to himself.

Nora smiled “Who’s Erin?”

Brad turned to her “My girlfriend.” Nora’s smile faded as she nodded her head. Suddenly his eyes did a double take as he spotted Erin deep inside the market “Erin!!” he called while waving her over.

Erin was less than ready to meet his ex girlfriend. She took her time and slowly made her way over to the two. She nodded at Nora “Hi.” She smiled shortly.

Brad wrapped an arm around Erin’s shoulder “This is Erin, my girlfriend. Erin, this is Nora.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nora said as she extended a hand to shake Erin’s hand. She gave a little wince as she pulled her hand away “My, you have a strong handshake.” She laughed.

Erin knitted her brows lightly, she didn’t even use force to shake the girl’s hand. But then again, the girl looked so delicate in her pretty purple dress. Her hand would probably break if Erin did use force. There was bit of silence as the three stood there awkwardly. Erin on the other hand wasn’t about to make the situation worse for herself “Why don’t you guys go talk. I’ll see you at home.” She said and without waiting for him to answer, she walked away.

Brad turned to call her but Nora quickly linked her arm through his “Come on, we need to catch up on the times we missed.” She said with a smile while practically pulling him down the street.

He turned to glance at Erin, but she continued walking. He could already see an argument arising when he returns home that night. Erin took about ten steps before turning her head. She saw Nora giggling while her arms linked tightly around Brad’s, her blood was boiling but she refused to show her weak side.

Erin came home and found it empty, there was a note on the fridge from Shelly ‘I ran into a friend so I won’t be home for dinner.’ She let out a short sigh, even when she wanted to vent out to someone, no one was there. A thought crossed her mind to call Mia but she knew it was wrong to disturb the two. Her frustration grew as she decided to take a walk.

Brad never knew that about her, maybe because he was not really observant towards people, especially girls. She decided to go to a nearby beach, it was a cold winter day as she wrapped the jacket around her shoulders. She seemed to be the only idiot walking around the beach at that season. But the waves calmed her nerves and the wind relaxed her stress “I thought I was only freak that likes to go to the beach when it’s 40 degrees.”

Erin smiled at the familiar voice of Ted as she turned and found him standing behind her “Welcome to the freak beach.” She laughed and he joined in.

“Why aren’t you home?” Ted asked curiously.

She shrugged “Same reason you’re not.”

He raised his brows with shock “You didn’t want to clean your messy room?” she laughed with her head shaking “Really, why aren’t you home with Brad? I hear you two moved in together.”

“The many mouths of Mia, I presume?” Erin asked. He nodded with a smile “I need to have a talk with that girl.”

“She means well.” Ted said with sincerity.

Erin smiled “I know. But you know sometimes you just want to…hmm…kill her.” He laughed and she added “Then there are times you just want to hug her. I guess that’s what you call a thin line between love and hate.”

Ted sensed something different about her, she was avoiding something “Where’s Brad?” he asked curiously.

She shrugged her shoulders casually “Probably having dinner with a beautiful woman that wants him.” There were daggers when she said the word ‘woman’ and Ted was not an airhead when it came to women.

“Ex girlfriend?” he guessed.

Erin turned to him looking shocked “How did you know?”

“Try living in a house with 5 women. You’ll pick up the signals like a radar.” Ted laughed as he pointed for them to walk. She nodded and came into steps with him.

“Wow…I’m not sure if I should feel sorry for you or to congratulate youyou’re your power to understanding women.” Erin said with sympathy.

“Four sisters and a mother. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out but there are times that I think…I would not change my life for the world.” She could tell by his comment that he loved his family very much.

The two continued on for about half an hour when she decided it was time to go home. Erin couldn’t help but feel the weight lifting from her shoulders. Maybe it was the walk on the beach or maybe it was talking to a different person. She had promised herself not to start any fights with Brad.

But the minute she walked into the door, she felt a pang of frustration. He was sitting on the couch, his face hard and his arms crossed. She muttered a hello and walked towards her room “Where did you go?” he asked without tearing his eyes from the television.

“Took a walk.” She answered shortly while playing with her keys.

“By yourself?” he asked.

Erin let out a sigh “Look, I don’t want to argue with you so when you cool down, let me know.” She began walking away and he quickly stood up.

“You know Ted likes you!” he blurted out.

She slowly turned to him “How did you know? Don’t tell me you followed me.” She warned.

“No, I didn’t have to. Your sister was eating lunch with her friend and saw you walking and laughing with Ted, looking very friendly.” Brad said with obvious jealousy.

Shelly appeared from the hallway “I didn’t say that!” she blurted out.

Erin turned to Shelly and pointed into the room, the girl quickly returned to her room while she turned to Brad “Fine…you’re going to get mad at me for talking to a friend, so I have the right to be mad at you for going off with your ex girlfriend.”

Brad narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly “So this is what it’s all about.”

She rolled her eyes “Yes…so it’s always about you. Of course.” Erin ignored him completely as she walked straight into her room. She sat on her bed silently and realized it was their first fight ever. She began to have second thoughts about accepting to move in with him.

 

 

SIUBINGLIBRARY