The True Face Expanded - written by Jenny Tran

Chapter 10

Jacky was patient and sneaky because he waited for the perfect day to give her the surprising news. When she walked in that morning with her flower print shirt and comfortable black pants, he knew it was perfect. She even tied her hair back in a pony tail. It was frizzy at the ends and her baby hair were flying all over the contour of her face.

After that Friday of work, he approached her "Come on." he waved.

Annie looked confused, her mind had totally forgotten about their little bet. "Where to? Dinner?" She had made plans with Tia.

"No, the club." he said with emphasis. Her eyes widened with fear, she wished and prayed that he would forget. As if reading her mind, he giggled and said "I would NEVER forget about that." he smiled while she dragged her feet when he pulled at her hand.

"Aww...Jacky." she complained and whined the whole way there. "Im not even dressed appropriate! Out of all days you had to choose today...ohh!! I know, you did that on purpose, you waited for the day that I'd come dressing like a freak...." Suddenly her cell phone rang in the car. She saw Tia's name pop up on the screen, she glanced at Jacky but he was staring at the road. A goofy smile plastered on his face. "Hello?" she picked it up as she turned her head towards the window.

"Hey, I called your home and you weren't there, you forget about our dinner plans tonight?" Tia complained, she had something important to ask Annie.

"Sorry, I have to take a rain check, I have some business to do." Annie whispered back, she didn't notice Jacky leaning towards her, trying to evesdrop.

"Well, fine, but you owe me." she warned.

"Okay, I know. Sorry." she whispered softer. When she hung up she turned in time to find Jacky's head whip back to his side of the seat. "Nosy." she scolded.

He chuckled "You know, we don't have to go to the club if you have a boyfriend. I know how jealous they get and stuff."

She laughed "I told you so many times, I don't have a boyfriend. That was my...female friend" she remembered his tantrum the last time she mentioned the girl. She braced herself for another outburst.

"Well, I'll tell you what, they're even worse than a boyfriend!" he flicked his hand in the air "thats why I stopped making female friends." he saw her give him a dirty look "Besides you, okay? Are you happy now?" he said sarcastically.

They got to the club within 15 minutes, when they got out of the car, Annie could hear the pounding sound of the music coming from inside. "Are they all this loud?" she asked.

"Of course, thats the best part!" he started to bob his head to the music as he led her to the entrance.

She looked around but there were barely any people outside, most of them were men. As a matter of fact all of them were guys. "Jacky, why are they all men?" she felt odd being around so many males. When she looked up, he was way ahead of her.

She rushed to his side, glancing around like a scared cat. The parking lot was huge and was barely lit. When she heard noises from behind her, she grabbed onto Jacky's arms in fear. A few of the guys around looked at them strangely. Jacky quickly pushed her hands away as he scolded "How many times do I have to tell you not to hold on to me?! People will think we're together." he gave her a frustrated look while she pouted. He had to fight the urge to smile, she looked so cute.

They got to the front door and he payed the entrance fee for both of them. The bouncer was a very overweight man, when he saw Annie, he blocked her way. "Im sorry, no women allowed." his voice firm as he looked at her up and down.

Jacky let out a high pitched laugh "Oh, he's not a woman. He's just in drag clothing."

His explanation seemed to work as the bouncer let them in, he looked interested as he asked Annie "Wow, that's pretty good. How do you stay so thin?"

Annie was glaring at Jacky as she answered him sarcastically "I do ballet." the guy seemed intrigued as he nodded his head.

When they were in the club, the music was like a pounding headache. There were only men around and Jacky was already busy making eyes at the crowd. He turned in time to see her fuming with anger as she grabbed his arm harshly "Jacky, this is a gay club!!" she screamed over the noise.

He didn't say anything instead he stared at where her hands were touching him. She quickly let go remembering what he had told her earler "I know!" he yelled back. "This way, if one of us hits on you then that means you really past the test."

She wrinkled her forehead "That didn't make any sense whatsoever!"

He rolled his eyes "Oh, don't be such a party pooper!!" he rushed over to the bar like a thirsty dog. Ordering a drink for himself and then turning to Annie "What do you want?"

She looked around, feeling really out of place. "I want to go home." she said.

He tilted his head "Come on. We're here, might as well have some fun!" he put his hand up in the air and waved them frantically.

Jacky's wild antics made her laugh as she nodded, giving in as she also ordered a drink. She took a few sips of the drink and felt a buzz coming on. For about an hour, he was stuck to her like glue. She knew what he was up to "Jacky, if you keep following me around, no one will approach me." she narrowed her eyes "I know what you're trying to do and it won't work. Now if you don't mind, Im going over there." she pointed across the room. "You stay here." she said sternly as she turned her heels and walked off.

He smiled after her but yelled out "Im not your dog!!!"

After another hour of wandering around, Jacky was restless as he looked around for Annie, he was ready to go home. He found her on the stool at the bar. Suddenly he saw a guy approach her. He got closer enough to hear the guy "So, you come here often?"

Annie smiled shyly, as she pushed up her glasses. "Oh get lost, she's a girl!!!" Jacky yelled loud enough for the guy to hear.

He seemed to be embarrassed as he quickly walked away. Annie didn't seem upset, instead she was grinning from ear to ear "I won." she said shortly.

"No you didn't." he shook his head.

"You said if a guy hits on me then I win. So, is he not a guy?" she crossed her arms daring him.

"He's gay!" Jacky reasoned.

"This is a gay bar!!" she argued back. She gulped the rest of her drink "Anyways, I won. Lets go home." she yawned tirelessly.

"No!" he yelled back. "Im not done. I didn't even get one number!!" he had a sudden urge to stay there.

She leaned in to his ear "Must I remind you that you already have a boyfriend!!" her tone rising at the end.

Jacky smiled slyly as he answered "What he doesn't know won't hurt him." He got off the stool "Don't go anywhere, Im gonna work the floor." he shook his body awkwardly as he danced to the floor. She laughed as she watched him dance with the other guys. Most of them were just looking for someone to dance with because none of them gave Jacky their phone numbers.

He was tired after half an hour and went back to Annie. She was sitting in the same place "Wooh!! That was a workout!" he wiped the sweat off his forehead "Come on, Im pooped. We're going home."

She gave him an exasperated look "Sure, we go home when YOU'RE ready."

"Of course, Im driving." he walked out of the club with Annie. He dropped her at her apartment, she waved goodbye as she walked up her stairs. He made sure she was out of sight before he drove off.

She covered a yawn as she got to her door, her eyes focused as she noticed a person leaning on the front door. "Tia?"

Tia looked up and saw Annie, she smiled "I've been waiting for you."

"What's wrong?" she wondered what it was that made her friend wait up for her.

"I need a huge favor!"

Annie narrowed her eyes suspiciously "The last time you said that I ended up collecting doggy poop in the park!" she remembered that day so clearly. Tia was out of town and she had promised one of the volunteers at the 'Help Clean Up the Parks Association' that she would help. Being that she didn't want to look bad, she begged Annie for help. Annie was reluctant but it was for a good cause so she agreed. Although she smelled like litter for the next week.

Tia shook her head "No no, nothing that disgusting. My roommate is out of town this weekend and I have a sudden business trip I have to make to Shanghai. I also took boxes of new shipment of materials home to look at. Its very expensive silk, wool and fur. I don't want it to be stolen since my apartment had a few burglery attempts in the past few weeks. I want you to house sit for me." she smiled angeletically at her friend.

"Im not sure..." she was reluctant.

"Pretty please?? I will clean your house for a week." she offered.

Annie smiled micheviously "Make it a month and I'll do it!"

Tia dropped her jaw in shock "What?!" Annie showed a firm head as she nodded "Oh, okay! I'll do it. At least your place is small."

"Oh don't worry Tia. I will be living VERY comfortably when you return and start your duty." She winked at her friend before opening her apartment door "Payback, baby!" she laughed when Tia gave her a dirty look.

"Hey, where did you go tonight?" she asked nochalently.

Annie quickly avoided her eyes "No where fun." she lied.

"By the way, you said you wanted me to meet your co-worker. Im free next week." she offered.

"Nah, we're not friends anymore." she hated lying to her friend but she knew Jacky would have a fit if he had to meet another female.

"Wow, that was fast. Well, its getting late, I have to go to the airport at six in the morning tomorrow. I'll see you when I get back."

"You need a ride?" Annie asked.

"Nah, I got one." she waved goodbye to her friend before shutting the door behind her.

Annie leaned her head back, the music was still lingering inside her head. She didn't have that much alcohol but it was enough to give her a tiny migraine. She took an aspirin before she went to sleep.

Chapter 11

Annie sighed to herself, she wouldn't allow herself to live in a messy place like that. Dropping her bags in Tia's room as she began to clean the mess. She found the vaccuum cleaner in the closet and began to suck up the dust balls.

She arched her neck when she heard knocking noises coming from the door. Turning off the vaccuum as she stood still to listen, maybe it was Tia's roommate? But it couldn't be, he had his own keys? "Woman!! Open this door right now. I heard you vaccuuming in there, I know you're home. Come on!!"

The voice was so familiar? It was a deeper version of Jacky's voice. Annie walked over and swung the door open. Behind the metal door was Jacky, staring at her wide eyed.

He saw her face and immediately froze. Thoughts ran through his mind, she knew Tia? But how? Tia never told him. His faced turned a bright red as he mumbled "Sorry, wrong house." he began to speed walk down the hallway.

"Wait!! Jacky!!" Annie cried out as she opened the metal door.

He ran faster when he heard her call his name. Soon he disappeared behind the doors leading to the stairwell. He didn't know how to explain the situation, so he panicked. How could he explain how he knew Tia, afterall, he was the one that threw a tantrum about not making any female friends.

Annie returned to her cleaning as she wondered what he was doing there. Did he know Tia? And why would he run off like that? Maybe it was the wrong house he was looking for. She thought it was strange that he would not recognize her. She made a note to ask him on Monday.

The weekend flew by for Tia eventhough she didn't go out or do anything special. She simply sat and watched TV, on Sunday night, Tia came through the door with her luggage. "Hey, a little help would be nice." she said sarcastically when Annie didn't budge.

She laughed at Tia "You seemed to be doing fine without me. Anyways, I spent the whole day yesterday just cleaning up your pig hole." she pointed at the clean floors.

Tia gave her a sheepish smile "Ooops, I forgot about the mess. Thanks Annie. You're forgiven." she giggled as she lugged her stuff into her room.

"Tia!" Annie called from the living room. When her friend didn't respond, she yelled louder "TIA!!!"

"Yes, mother?" she strolled out of the hallway and sat next to Annie.

"There was a guy that was looking for you yesterday." she kept a straight face.

Tia smiled "Some guy's always looking for me." she joked.

"No." Annie's expression stayed serious. "Do you know a guy named Jacky Hung?"

"Yeah..." she answered slowly.

"Oh, is that the friend you always talk about? You know its strange, but I've know you for years now and even though we're not best friends but you are my only friend. I would have expected you to tell me his name?"

"Well, he was a childhood friend. Anyways, four years ago, he kinda disappeared." she wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "You know him?"

"Know him? I work with him. He's that gay friend that I told you about."

Tia gasp as she covered her mouth "He...oh...you..." she burst out laughing. Everything was actually making sense now.

"What's so funny? Don't tell me you didn't know he was gay?!" Annie asked with concern "Oh gosh, he'll kill me if he knew I told you. But wait a minute, he said that he doesn't have any other female friends? This is just getting too confusing." she shook her head.

Tia giggled at the puzzle she just solved "No no, I knew a long time already. He's not THAT close of a friend, maybe that's why he said he didn't know any other female friends? Whatever the reason is, Im not offended."

"I see." Annie covered a yawn with her hand. "Im so tired. Anyways, I'll see you next week. By the way, maybe now that everything is out, we can go eat together?"

Tia shook her head "Nah, I don't get along with gay guys." it was an understatement.

"Alright." Annie hugged her friend good night before leaving the apartment. She felt strange about their earlier conversation. Something was definitely missing from Tia's explanation.

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

The next day at work, she was prepared to confront Jacky. But when she got there, his head was laying on his desk. She immediately forgot to ask him about Saturday. Instead she tapped him on the shoulder lightly "Jacky?"

He didn't respond after she called him a few more times. Being that she just read an article about a man who died at his work station from exhaustion, she panicked. "JACKY!" she shook him violently while her co-workers ignored them.

Suddenly, he reached up and pushed her hands away. "You're giving me a migraine!" he appeared to be upset.

"You scared me." she clutched her stomache "I thought you.."

He rolled his eyes "Died? Don't be silly, I need to get married first." he straightened the shoulder part of his shirt where she was yanking at.

"What's wrong? You seemed upset." genuine concern washed over her face.

"We broke up." he said simply. His eyes wide like a lost puppy.

She laughed "Oh gosh, that's all?!"

His head whipped over to hers in a second "Some friend you are!"

She covered her mouth to stop her laughing "Im sorry, but well, I thought you wouldn't care too much. You already said that he was cheating on you. And plus, we just went to a bar and you danced with every guy in the club. What do you want me to say?"

"Thats true..." he said slowly.

"Oh!" she suddenly remembered what she wanted to ask him "Saturday. What were you doing at Tia's house? You said you got the wrong home. But why did you run when you saw me?"

"That was you?" he asked with emphasized surprise "I thought it was a grandma and I got the wrong house. I wasn't looking for Tia, I was...looking for her roommate."

Annie looked puzzled "Why? Is he a friend of yours? I heard from Tia that he was gay?"

"Yeah, he's a good friend of mine. I just wanted to talk to him about my breakup." he turned away to hide his relieved expression. His lie was getting bigger by the moment.

"Tia said you guys were childhood friends, what happened?" she seemed interested in knowing.

He searched his mind for quick fibs "Well, I don't think its appropriate for us to talk. Being that she was the one that caused me to turn gay."

"She did?!" she didn't expect that to come out. "But aren't you born with that?"

He giggled "Honey, you can be whatever you want to be." he waved his hands nochalantly "Anyways, we use to date, then she dumped me and I turned the other way. We stopped talking a long time ago. When I found out that Johnny moved in with her, it was harder to avoid her."

"Oh, I see." she nodded finally understanding their whole story. "Well, I guess its not appropriate for all three of us to hang out then huh?"

His eyes widened "If you make me go out with her again, we're no longer sisters!! Hmph!" he turned his head up in the air and walked away.

She laughed as she shook her head, he's such a drama queen. When she returned to her desk, she saw a guy dropping off mail. She immediately noticed that he was the new guy. She gave him a friendly smile "Hi, you're new here?"

The guy nodded "Im Peter (Suprised guest appearance from Andy Lau) Im the new mail guy." he returned the smile, showing two perfect rows of teeth.

"I kinda guessed that." she nodded at the cartfull of mail that he was pushing around.

He chuckled as they chatted some more. Across the room were a pair of eyes that were glued to them. Jacky glared at them through the crack of the kitchen door, where he hid. He saw them giggling and laughing. Jealousy boiling inside his blood as he continue to watch them.

When noon came, Jacky was still at his desk. Even when Annie was ready to go, he was still writing something. He was making a little note to do a backround check on this new Peter guy. Annie snuck behind him as she looked over his shoulder. She had to focus to read what he was writing, she only caught the word Peter in there. "What are you writing?" she whispered.

"AHH!!" he let out a high pitched scream as he shut the notebook. "If I were old, I would probably would have died of a heart attack!!"

"What are you writing about Peter? I saw his name." she said casually.

"What's it to you?" he stuffed the notebook in his drawer and got up "Lets go to lunch." he waited for her to start walking and followed close behind.

He treated her to sushi this time, they had their own little room. She said it was too expensive but he insisted. And there was no arguing with Jacky, when he makes up his mind. "What do you think of the new guy?" she asked eagerly.

"He's gay!" he said too quickly.

Annie smiled "That's good."

He looked confused as he asked her "It is? Aren't you disappointed?"

She laughed "Of course not! I was asking for you." Jacky's eyes stared at her with disbelief "Don't thank me yet. But I did ask him stuff, he's a very nice guy. He comes from a very good family, virgin..." she winked at him "never dated, and he's open to new thoughts. I kinda guessed that he might be gay. His hair is too perfect and he dresses nice."

"You got all that from talking to him this morning??" he looked shock, she seemed so shy to everyone, it was hard to believe that Annie would know such specific information.

She smiled "I know more than you think." she said secretly "Actually, I found out that we had a mutual friend. So he was more open to talk to me."

"Well, Im not interested." Jacky said with a pout.

She tilted her head "I know you're just getting over your relationship. But sometimes, the best heartbreaking medicine is love. Give it a try." She took a bite of her salmon.

He shook his head sadly and sighed, his shoulders slumping down "I've given up on men."

"I'll believe it when I see it." Annie joked.

"Give me a few more weeks, I'll show you." his voice deep and low as he said this. He was talking more to himself then to Annie.

She looked at him with concern "Jacky, can I ask you something personal?"

He nodded "No, Im not a virgin."

She laughed "No no, I don't mean that. How does it feel to be...well...gay?"

He put down his chopsticks "Well, its the same thing as being straight except you have the feelings for the same sex." he seemed so casual as he explained. A smiled crept on his face "You want to be gay?" he was teasing her.

She shook her head "Of course not, I believe men and women are made for each other." suddenly remember her gay friend beside her, she quickly added "But Im not condemning anyone for choosing their own paths."

"That's very noble of you." he smiled as he continued to eat. After lunch, they returned to their work. She couldn't push the strange feeling she was getting when she looked at Jacky. They've eaten so many meals, hung out so many times. But after that lunch, things somehow changed. Jacky seemed so normal, straight almost. Annie quickly pushed the feeling aside because it was ridiculous. He was gay, eventhough he was straight at one time, but from the moment she's met him, he was gay. It was hard to imagine him being normal and straight.

Chapter12

That morning, Annie was called into Miss Lai's office. "You wanted to see me?" she carried a few files in her hand as she tried to balance her steps.

"Sit down." her boss said sternly. She got up and slammed her office door shut "Annie, I don't like to yell at people with everyone's presence." that was an understatement since she often raised her voice at Annie in front of the whole office.

"Yes." Annie said respectfully.

"I see that you have befriended the office freak." she was refering to the obvious, Jacky. "I don't know why Jim would hire him, but he's my boss, I have nothing else to say. But you are MY assistant. You're work has been lagging behind, I gave you this file early this morning and its still not done."

"But I also have 10 other letters to type up..." Annie quickly stopped at the dangerous glare that Miss Lai gave her. Annie lowered her head "Im sorry, I'll try to work faster and more efficiently."

"Thats more like it. I've seen you talking to Jacky alot lately. I assume the quality in your work is effected by him? Now if I see you talking to him one more time, consider yourself unemployed." She began opening up the file that layed on her desk "You can go now." she said without looking up.

"Yes, Miss Lai." Annie carried the files outside to her desk. Her face still fuming from the what just happened. She wanted to reason with that lady so bad. The files were all given to her by Miss Lai, its not her fault that the stuff kept coming in. She specifically tries to talk to Jacky during her breaks. Yet, she still gets yelled at. 'Its gonna be a long day.' Annie thought as she sighed and dropped the files on her desk.

Feeling so frustrated inside, she had to take deep breaths to calm herself down. Jacky instantly noticed her disturbed face. She was mumbling to herself and she did not look too happy. He decided to probe a little and see what the problem was. Needless to say, it was her boss overworking her but he wanted to hear it from her. "Hey there, grandma." he joked as he leaned his elbow over her cubicle.

"Jacky, this is not a good time." she warned, her tone deep and controlled.

"Oh, its never a good time for you." he looked around and pulled a nearby vacant chair and sat down. Crossing his legs as he peered over her shoulder "What cha doin?" his tone cute and casual.

"Its called working. Unlike you, I actually have work." her voice emphasizing her frustration.

"I know the best way to relieve stress. Shopping. I know this goodwill store that has all of your favorite clothes. Flower prints, stripes, big cargo pants and get this, ruffles at the neck!" he burst out laughing at his joke. He knew that she hated ruffles.

"Stop it." she said through clenched teeth. He continued to laugh as she spun her head to face him "Shut up!!" she yelled loud enough for a few people to hear. "Stop it with the jokes! As you can see, its not funny, no one's laughing." her face turned red as she continued "I don't like the grandma jokes okay? Now can you just leave me alone?"

Jacky got up and pushed the chair he was siting on with his feet. It rolled away slowly as he put up his hands in defense and his head whipping side to side "Excuse me. Maybe you need a midol or something for that pms?? I was just trying to cheer you up. There are no need for insults!" he spun around and stormed off.

"Wait...Jacky." she said slowly, but it was too late. He was already back at his seat. 'Great, I just lost my only friend.' she scolded herself. She made a note to apologize to him after work. But when she was gathering her purse, she didn't see him anywhere.

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

Tia was watching tv in her apartment when she heard a knocking on her door. It was a slow rythimic sound, she got up to open it. She found Jacky's long face behind the metal door. Tia smiled "What's wrong, your 'girl' dumped you?" she teased.

He didn't seem to care about her joke, he walked in slowly with his head lowered to the ground and his shoulder slumping "What am I going to do? Im in love." he said bluntly.

Tia widened her eyes as she began to laugh, she was so loud that he had to cover her mouth. "You continue to laugh and I'll tell everyone where that pretty little scar is." he threatened. That was the only thing she was afraid of, her scar was located on her left butt cheek that he saw when they were small. She was embarrassed about it since that operation at age 6.

She stopped laughing immediately and pulled away from his grasp "So what do you want me to do?"

"Just give me a shoulder to cry on." he began to lean on her shoulder like a sad puppy but she swiftly moved away and he fell face flat onto the couch.

"My shoulder is not used for such dispicable purposes." she said sarcastically.

"Just my luck, two girls with pms." he sighed as his face was still burried in the couch cusions.

"No, Im mad because you didn't even tell me that you had a crush on my friend, Annie. I would have helped you." he sensed a little hurt in her voice.

Jacky sat up on the couch "I had to protect myself and Annie, afterall who knew what you would have done."

Tia looked away thoughtfully "True. I would have told her you had some hideous disease or something. But since I personally know Annie, I would have helped." she nodded firmly.

"Its no use. She's mad at me....grandma jokes never use to bother her?"

"Grandma jokes??!! Oh my gosh, you stupid naive little fake gay boy. She hates grandma jokes!! She was called that throughout high school. One time I made some comment like that, she was mad at me for weeks!! I finally yanked it out of her and she told me the reason behind the joke." she shook her head sadly. "She'll hate you forever now."

"Great!" he threw up his hands dramatically and slumped back into the couch.

Tia reached over and placed a palm on the top of his head "Can't help you now. You're a lost cause, my son."

"Not if I can help it." a twinkle in his eye along with a crooked smile that formed micheviously on his lips.

"What are you going to do?" Tia looked concern as she sat up from her seat "Im afraid to ask. Look don't you dare do anything to her. I'll kill you, I really will." she pointed at him threateningly.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. I was talking about her self esteem. You know how she's always so down at the mention of men or boyfriends? She has no confidence in herself at all. What if I can change that, maybe she won't be mad at me anymore."

Tia looked puzzled "How are you going to raise her self esteem?"

"Make over." he smiled victoriously "Actually, I tried that a few weeks ago but it didn't work out. Hmm...if I appear to be mad at her then maybe she'll come around and apologize?"

Tia nodded slowly "True, if I know Annie, she will definitely apologize because she wouldn't risk losing a friend."

Jacky rolled his eyes "She's my friend too. Anyways, I guess I'll just over exaggerate."

"Just act natural then." Tia quipped. She ducked from the flying hand that was aiming at her head. Suddenly her faced grew serious "Jacky, she's a great girl. Don't hurt her."

"I couldn't hurt her if I wanted to. Im afraid she might end up hurting me, since she thinks Im gay and all. Can you imagine the reaction at the meeting when I walk in as Jacky Hung, Vice President?" he shook his head "I don't care about anyone else but her. I don't want to hurt her in any way."

Tia layed a hand on his shoulder "Welcome to wonderful world of love."

***********

The next morning, Annie was at work early to wait for Jacky. She even baked a some cupcakes for him. It was her way of apologizing. She eventually returned to her desk when he never showed up. He strolled in an hour late and sat down. He glanced at her but she was working, he picked one of the 10 cupcakes on the tray and quickly devoured it. It was still warm from the oven, he guessed she probably cooked it in the morning. Smiling as he thought about her in an apron. Although according to his plan he was still mad at her, he couldn't help but have one cupcake. At the morning break time, he walked over to her desk and put the tray down. "Are you trying to make me fat so you can make fun of me??!" he demanded as he pointed to the cupcakes.

"Jacky, I..."

He cut her off "No, you look. I don't appreciate having people yell at me, but when I consider you a friend, you're suppose to laugh at the jokes and not take them seriously." his hands on his hips as he flipped himself around and walked off.

"But..." it was too late, he was already gone.

She sighed as she looked at the tray of cupcakes. She counted them and found one missing. A smile appeared on her face, he had eaten one at least. She didn't want to waste them so she brought them in the kitchen and left them there for whomever that wanted one.

Jacky returned to his desk not looking back at her. He had to the fight his craving to eat another cupcake. After a few minutes, he snuck a peek at Annie, who was back to work already. Suddenly, he saw Peter walking from the kitchen with a cupcake in his hand. Then he saw another guy walk out with another cupcake. He jumped from his seat and raced into the kitchen. He found a few people looking at the cupcake, he worked fast as he reached for the tray and covered it with his body. There were 6 left. "This is mine, thank you very much!" he was careful to hide it behind him and away from Annie's eyes. He didn't want her to catch him sneaking it back. When he got back at his seat, his head was hidden behind the cubicle as he ate the rest of the cupcakes.

His stomache growled with disapproval after a few minutes, he might as well swallow them whole 'I ate them way too quickly' he thought to himself. Jacky layed his head on the table as he rested. His hand was clutching his stomache in pain. After a while, the pain was still there so he got up and poured himself a glass of milk from the fridge. After he drank it, his stomache was feeling even worse. He looked at the clock constantly to see when it would be lunch time. When it got closer to 12, he raced towards the bathroom. "Jacky, wait, I want to talk to you." Annie said when she waited by the elevator for him.

He shook his head as he continued on to the bathroom. He had to relieve himself and fast. She sighed as she watched him disappear down the hall. He was still mad at her, she was beginning to feel really guilty for raising her voice at him. She went to lunch by herself that day for the first time.

At the end of the day, Annie made sure that her apology would be excepted. She stood by the elevator waiting for him once again. When she saw him leaving his desk, she made sure there was eye contact. He was looking away and walking towards the elevator. "Jacky." she said when he continued to walk on.

He continued to walk on but she put out both arms to block him. They sidestepped each other for a while until he sighed "Why don't we try tango now?" he said sarcastically.

"I want to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I had a really bad..."

"Well, everyone has bad days, Annie!" he said almost angrily.

"Im sorry. Please don't be mad." her eyes looked even bigger through the glasses.

"Fine, let me get you a makeover." he crossed his arms.

She looked reluctant "But, I thought we covered this subject?"

"No, you covered it. Come on, it'll be so fun!!" he gushed as he grabbed her arms and shook her.

"Will you stop ignoring me then?" she hated seeing him mad at her.

"We'll be better friends!" he promised.

Annie let out a deep sigh "Fine."

He clapped his hands happily as he pulled at her hand "Come on, we're going to the salon."

"What?! Right now?? You already have this planned??!" she was surprised.

He rolled his eyes as he pushed the elevator button "Of course!" he laughed when she gaped at him. "Close your mouth, dear, Im not a dentist." on the way down he was giggling none stop. Even Annie had to join in, he seemed so happy.