True Romance

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16  

Chapter 1

“Mommy, why you marry daddy?” a little girl asked in her mother embrace.

“For your daddy is the love of my life,” the young mother smiles lovingly at the little girl, “When I first meet your daddy it was like walking in a dream, when the first time he touches my hands, it felt like electricity. That is true love.”

This is how the mother told the little girl, whose eyes spoke all her thoughts, inside the little girl hearts, she swear that when she found her love it would be like her mother one. For true love only happen once in your lifetime. This feelings, this touches, only happen when you find the right partner.

“You mean it real?” Valerie asking Vicki looking at her, the wonder of the story she just told them, while at the same times Amy butt in, “Wow, your daddy really love your mom, giving up the opera just to be with your mother.”

“Yes, isn’t it great?” Vicki said with a smile on her face, just the thought of the love between her mother and father are enough to put a lights into her big round eyes, “I wish I will find someone like my daddy.”

“What do you mean by that!” Valerie shouted, with Amy support, “Yes Valerie is right!”

Making Vicki stunt at their responds to her words, “You already got a prince and you wanted another one?” Kate said producing a poster, “What bout this person? What do you have to say for yourself,” Kate pointing at the poster. The poster, capture a very handsome young man, 17, by the name of Takeshi, who had made a name for himself in the opera.

“Takeshi!” Vicki shouted, a blush blooming in her face.

“See you even called his name!” Amy said with enthusiasms.

“Of course I called him by his name, he is my cousin brother what!” Vicki argue, suddenly a figure outside the window shouted, “Vicki!”

“What a handsome young man,” Kate sigh, “Here we just talk bout him and he is here.”

Ignoring her friends, Vicki ran towards Takeshi, whom is leaning against the school poll and smiles at her, “Why is your cheek so red? Are you down with a fever?”

“I’m fine,” Vicki, said changing the topic, “Takeshi I thought I told you don’t come to fetch me already.”

“Yes I know but you wanted to see the show today and last times you didn’t make it for the ride from here to there is 4 hours,” Takeshi said with a smiles looking down at her for Vicki just reach his shoulder and she look so smiles and fragile, “Takeshi really understand you, Vicki.”

“Daddy,” Vicki eyes lit up to saw his father leaning on his taxi, she bounce over to her dad, “Why are you here?”

“Oh I meet with uncle for I wanted to understand further about Ah Lang character,” Takeshi offer her the explanation, “after we finish, uncle thought that it will be easier for me to drop me here.”

“Oh I see,” turning from Takeshi, Vicki took a clearer look at her dad, suddenly noticing the paleness in her dad cheeks, “Dad you look so pale. Are you ok? You know it will hurt mom if you overwork.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Vicki dad kiss her slightly on the cheek before, getting into the car, “I be fine as longs as you and your mother smiles at me.” With that Vicki bestow a beautiful smiles to her dad before her dad drive away to work.

“Daddy does love mom very much,” Vicki said with a smile on her face before putting her hands in front of her mouth and breath warm breath into them to kill the cold air.

“At the same times, it is because of that love,” Takeshi said looking down at Vicki, “That grandpa kick uncle out.”

“Who such a stubborn person for grandpa,” Vicki said blowing air into her cheek, “Me, daddy and mommy are happy as we are. Anyhow daddy love mommy so much that I can even felt it myself. When I marry I wish to have the same marriage like mommy and daddy.”

“Good,” Takeshi said smiling and took my hands walking towards the theater, “Like theirs will be.”

Vicki blushed looking at Takeshi behind, Takeshi and her had practically grown up together. All along the feeling with him is like with her father, as the only siblings in her own family, Vicki always dream of having a older brother but it seem like Takeshi does not want their relationship just ended at being brother and sister and he wanted more. She does like Takeshi for he treats her best and he plays with her when she was alone.

At the theater, while Vicki sits there and waits for the show to begin, she thought to herself, is the feeling of being comfortable and the warmth generated by just being with Takeshi is love? Suddenly the crowd roars, “Takeshi!” dragging Vicki attention back towards the platform.

“Oh my god!” one of the audience said, “He so man!”

“He took my breath away,” another audience said excitedly towards her friends.

Vicki leans towards the railing and rested her head on the railing and think to herself, that this is my Takeshi. Smiling all the while and hearing all the compliment by the audience, suddenly the crowd went crazy again, “Alec!”

This time it drags Vicki attention towards a guy whom dresses up as a lady, but there is nothings that made him look like a man, instead he looks thoroughly woman. The beauty of his eyes is just like any lady. His skin as fair and as smooth as hers. Looking at him made Vicki shiver. His acting is so good that it made everyone in the room see dream.

“Oh my god!” Vicki breath out, “He is so pretty.”

“That Alec,” the audience breathes out.

“Which theater does he belong to,” Vicki wonder to herself, and starts looking through the catalog, it said ‘Alec Su from Taipei but currently staying with the Zhao family.”

“No matter how good he is,” one of the elderly said, “He is still not Zhao Meng.”

Vicki, whom just sat behind the elderly, heard every single word they said, “I heard that Zhao master took Alec in just because to fill in Zhao Meng show, but no matter, it still a pity that Zhao Meng is not here. If not I think the respond would have been greater.”

Vicki listens on with guilty starting to eat away on her guts, give a silent prayers, “I’m sorry Alec for this to happen. I know my family and I are too into our joys to care for other feelings. I never thought that this would happen to you. No matter what I pray that you are able to open their eyes and let them see dream through your dance and words. I’m sorry.”

While Vicki was sending a silent prayer there, the crowd roars on, “Alec!” “Takeshi!” After the show ends, Vicki waited outside the porch just as Takeshi order her to, while waiting there, suddenly a car pass narrowly by, nearly hitting her, “Nowadays the driver are getting more and more reckless.”

Suddenly a hamster at the road side caught her attention, he look so lost there, Vicki without thinking, steps out from the platform and run towards the hamster, “Mr. Hamster, it not save to stands there, come here.” As Vicki bending down to pick him up, suddenly a blinding headlight headed her way. Too fast and too sudden, Vicki kneels rooted to the ground looking at the headlights, closing her eyes tightly for the hit to come.

As fast as a lightning, a figure rush towards Vicki and pull her back from the roadside into the platform, opening her eyes, Vicki found herself staring up to a beautiful sun brown color hair and a pair of dark brown eyes, “He is such a handsome boy.”

“Hey watch where you driving you pig head!” suddenly the figure opens his mouth to shout at the driver startling Vicki from her haze.

“Are you hurt?” the figure asks politely.

“I...I’m fine,” Vicki muster all her courage to speak out, for it not the accident that leave her speechless, suddenly remember that she still holds something in her palm, “but Mr. Hamster…”

“Thanks god he is fine,” Vicki said after opening her palms to look at the hamster that are shivering from the scared but safely in her palm.

“Thank you,” the figure said, “That my hamster you have just save. Oh look at your hands! You are bleeding. I’m sorry that he return the flavor by biting you.”

“Oh it nothings,” Vicki said dusting herself off and starts standing up to walks away, embarrass by being caught staring at him, waving her hands at him, “Goodbye.”

“No!” the figure said quickly and made a grab for Vicki hands. Suddenly, the whole plug into darkness with just the two of them, the words her mother told her came in so clear and sounds, “The first time I meet him it was like walking in a dream, when the first time he touches my hands, it felt like electricity. That is true love.”

Chapter 2

Both of them lost in the space, staring into each other eyes, suddenly a voice called out to the figure breaking the spell, “Alec are you done yet? Have you found your hamster? Hurry up man!”

“Ok, I’m coming over,” Alec shouted back from him shoulder, as look back towards Vicki he lean over and planted a soft kiss into her lips and said softly towards her, “Tomorrow, here same time. I wait for you. If not tomorrow it ok, the following day or the next few days, I be here waiting for you.”

His kiss left Vicki daze, after he ran towards his friends car, Alec looks back towards her and smiles tenderly at her before getting into the car leaving Vicki to stare at the retreating lights of the car. Vicki slowly bring her fingers up to touch her lips, it still warm in the cold weather, in her heart her mother words keep running through her minds, “…once in your lifetime.”

“Vicki!” suddenly a voice penetrates into Vicki daze.

“Takeshi,” Vicki said softly looking at him with daze looks.

“What are you doing over here?” Takeshi seem to be out of breath, “I been looking everywhere for you, there is emergency at home. Uncle is in hospital!”

Vicki felt like her world just crumble, inside her heart she shouted, “No! Daddy you can't leave us!” Upon reaching the hospital, Vicki rushes to the room and see her mother solemn figure sitting there. Grabbing her mother shoulder gently but tightly Vicki asked in a choke voice, “What happen mother?”

“When your father reach home,” Vicki mother smoothing her hair said in a soft voice, “He looks so pale and withdrawn. As suddenly he fainted there on the floor. The doctor that examines him just now said if he does not regain conscious soon. His life would be in jeopardy.”

“No! Daddy!” Vicki sobs at her dad bed, “Daddy you promise.”

Takeshi does not know what to do except standing beside her and patting her shoulder gently, uncle has taught him a lot of stuff and he love his uncle as well, looking at him sleeping in the hospital bed so white and pale made his heart wretch all the same.

“Takeshi,” suddenly Vicki mom called out towards him, “Could you go and ask your grandpa here?”

“Mommy?” Vicki spoke out softly turning towards her mother.

“But aunty, grandpa him…” Takeshi wanted to everything he can for them but the things are that grandpa is a stubborn person.

“Please! Aunty beg you,” Vicki mother catches Takeshi clothes and cling on tightly, “Your uncle has always regretted to go over her father wishes. Always regretted it. No matter what your uncles always love his father. He regretted so much…so much that he hurt his own blood father so much…so much. His only wish in life is that one day his father would forgive all her sin.”

Vicki whom are standing aside, remember her father words telling her that she and her mother are the sunshine in his life but it is not enough if her father are living in regrets, the words keep on playing in her head, no it not enough, true enough her father has her and mother smiles but he needed grandpa smiling at him also. He needed that.

“I will go and get grandpa personally!” Vicki said and running out of the hospital towards her grandpa mansion.

“Vicki, I will go with you!” Takeshi grabbing his sweater before goes after Vicki. Upon reaching the mansion, Takeshi hold Vicki, “Vicki wait here for me, I will go in ask grandpa myself.”

Vicki stands there just outside the door, in the cold weather with only Takeshi coat as protection, waited for nearly 1 hour, still there is no respond from Takeshi, suddenly a noises could be heard from inside, curious Vicki peep in and listen on.

“Master Zhao,” a voice but not Takeshi voice said, “We have to get ready for the next dance, and since one of the artist called in sick we have to think of something.”

“Grandpa please,” Takeshi begs, “Uncle is sick at the hospital.”

“He and I, no longer have any relations,” Vicki grandpa said in a cold voice, void of any emotions towards the news of his son lying on the hospital on the verge of death.

“Master Zhao,” the voice said, “If Zhao Meng had a son then that would a be different story right? His son could have take after his dance and maybe then you would have forgive him right?”

Father dance? Vicki heard everything from outside, run away to some places before going back, “Vicki! I still couldn’t…Vicki? Where are you?” Takeshi called out in anxious voice. She was nowhere in sight.

“Vicki you hair!” Takeshi shouted the moment he saw him running towards him but instead of stopping in front of him, she ran towards the door and pull it open and strode into the hall, behind her Takeshi run up to follow Vicki suddenly long stride, “Vicki your hair…”

“Who are you!” a voice called out looking at Vicki stalking stride.

“I’m sorry,” is all Vicki said before she began the dance of her father, since she small she always love to see her father dancing, it was the most beautiful dance that she ever seen, as she was dancing, in her hearts she keeps on begging, ‘Please grandpa, do you remember this dance? It is father dance. Since I was young I always beg daddy to teach me. You have to remember it!”

From the other points of view they never ever seen a much more beautiful dance in the life. This guy might be an outsider to the dance but the way he dance it are so natural that is seem like he have to gift for it.

“This is…” Master Zhao muster all his strength to complete his sentence, “It Zhao Meng’s dance”

Hearing this from grandpa, Vicki quickly stops her dance and kneels down in front of her grandpa and introduces herself, “How are you grandpa? I’m Zhao Meng son, my name is Van Zhao.”

“You heard what we said just now?” Master Zhao retorted, looking sternly at Vicki.

“Yes,” was all Vicki said. She musters all her courage to look into her grandpa eyes without flinching.

“Master Zhao I take back all my words just now,” a person beside Master Zhao said, “Now you have your own blood to transfer the skills down.”

“This has nothings to do with Alec!” Master Zhao said.

“Yes it does…” the voice drone on but the moment Vicki heard the name Alec, she think back about the figure that dancing in the theater so gracefully, in her heart she begin to think, ‘No I must not back down, I’m sorry Alec. I’m really sorry.”

“Alec?” Vicki said out in a shivering voices, “He is just an outsider right?”

“Things cannot be said like that,” a voice called out from behind, planting his hands on Vicki shoulder and push it hard down, hurting Vicki but she could not called out and just wince at the pain.

“Alec stop it!” Takeshi shouted out seeing that he is hurting Vicki badly.

On the name Alec. Vicki turns her head to see who is that guy are, Vicki came to a stand still. Her minds keep on playing the words, “Alec!” He is the guy at the platform that saves her! ‘Oh no! He would recognize her!’

Chapter 3

‘Oh no! Everything is going to pop out,’ Vicki thought frantically to herself and putting her both her hands at her ears to hide from Alec view.

“No,” Alec expression changing, it like two person, one minutes cool and one minutes full of warm, “This is the first times we met.”

“Is it?” Master Zhao said, “From today onwards, the relation between the both of you are going to get complicate, so it best that you both get to know each other better.” The sentence, startled both Takeshi and Vicki, for they don’t know what Master Zhao is planning about before they could speak Master Zhao go on, “Leave your home and come and stay here. From today onwards you will go to Su school and stay in the same house as him.”

“But grandpa,” Takeshi butt in, “uncle are in critical conditions…”

“I don’t need a useless person here,” Master Zhao cut in, not giving Takeshi a chance to go on pleading for Vicki father, “If you can't make it the go home.”

“No I will make it,” Vicki said with hesitations, “I will work hard not to be someone who bring shame to the Zhao fame.”

“V…” Takeshi stop in mid-air does not know what to day.

“Don’t worry Takeshi,” Vicki said turning and smiling at him, “I will make it.”

“Master,” a few person trailing after master Zhao retreating back, Alec follow on as well, but before they went out of the room, Alec turn and throw Vicki a glance.

“Vicki…” Takeshi hesitate, “Are you sure it the right things to do?”

“Don’t worry, I be fine,” Vicki console Takeshi smiling at him all the while, holding her hands tightly into a fist. Going back to the hospital, Vicki told her mother everything from the beginning till the end at the same times convince her mother that it is the right things to do. What happen and how it happens. “Mommy don’t you worry about me. Everything will be back to normal in no times at all. Trust me. I will make grandpa forgive daddy and comes and see daddy himself. This I promise you.”

“Vicki…” Vicki mother is at lost of words, the sacrifice her daughter has to go through at such a young ages, hugging Vicki to her, Vicki mother sob into her shoulder, “What a waste to such a long lovely hair.”

After convincing her mother, Vicki went back home to get prepare and go to school demand a transfer to Alec school at the same times, after a few days everything was ready, Vicki get all her needed things, including buying a few things she need to post a boy at the Zhao mansion. Upon entering the mansion Vicki encounter the hamster she had save that day. The hamster seems to recognize her, jumping from the pipe into Vicki arms.

“My, you recognize me,” Vicki said with a smiles at the hamster and patted him lovingly, “My aren’t you the cutest things I ever seen.”

“Lion?” suddenly Alec appeared out of nowhere, calling out his hamster name, “Where are you?”

Looking back towards her shoulder, Vicki saw Alec running towards her upon seeing Lion in her palms, making her heart jump, “Err…that. How are you?”

“Lion, what you doing there? Come here,” Alec command towards his pet but didn’t say anything to Vicki at all. After fetching Lion, Alec retreats from the place leaving Vicki staring at his back thinking to himself, ‘He does not even remember what I look like. To him that was just a play. That kiss means nothings at all. Does the feeling is only sided? Only I felt it? What the heck am I thinking about? Now I’m a guy, I’m not a girl. How can he fall for me at all? Well it better that he does not remember me right?’

“Vicki!” Takeshi called out softly from her behind startling her from her thoughts.

“Takeshi?” Vicki was surprise to see him here, “Don’t you have practice today? How come you are here?”

“Well I ran out when I was having break,” Takeshi smiling at her, “So I could come over and see that you are nicely settle in. Anyway I’m worried about all the same.”

“Oh come on,” Vicki joked at him, “I’m old enough to take acre of myself. I’m no longer 3 years old now.”

“Let it be,” Takeshi said patting her shoulder, “Who told me to be your protector since both of us are in diapers.”

“Don’t worry,” Vicki said waving her hands, smiling all the while, “Even if grandpa found out that I’m a girl. The biggest deal he will just kill me.”

“No,” Takeshi denied it hugging Vicki to him, “Don’t worry, I will always be here to protect you no matter what. In front of me you don’t have to pretend that you are boy. No matter how boyish you turn out to be. To me you will always be a girl.”

“Takeshi,” Vicki is at lost, don’t know what to say or the right things to say, “Ow…Takeshi is so BAKA.” Vicki joked with him, the two of them having so much fun that they didn’t know all along Alec, was looking down at them from his window, a cool looks had enter his eyes. All the while he was looking at the antic from both Vicki and Takeshi he was accessing Vicki figure in a way.

At the next morning, Vicki got up early to prepare for the first day at school with Alec and Takeshi, at the same times she looks at the mirror, Vicki talks to herself at the mirrors, “Oh, bye bye my B-Cup, sniff sniff,” while all the while Vicki binding up her breast. After finish dressing up Vicki thoughts to herself, “Ok! From today onwards I’m a boy!”

“Vicki!” Takeshi open up her room door and called out her, “Hurry up or we will be late!”

“Takeshi,” Vicki greeted on the way down the stairs, “You don’t have to come and get me, since Alec is in the same class with me I can always go to class with him.”

“It ok, there is no trouble since all of us are in the same school anyway,” upon reaching the clearing they saw that Alec had stood at the front gate waiting for them, “Sorry for the long waits,” Vicki called out to him but instead of a reply Alec just turns on his back and walks on. Leaving Vicki and trailing after him all the way to school, thinking to herself, ‘All this times, since I been here. He does not even spoke a word to me. Always keeping the cool front. Ignoring me. It so different from the first times we meet. So so different…that times was full of…’

“Hey guys looks,” one of the student from the window called, “That the new student. Look he is so cute that he look like a girl.”

‘Oh no,’ Vicki starts thinking to herself, ‘Nowadays there are a lot of girls, which has shortcut, would the recognize that I’m a girl instead? What to do? It a pity that Takeshi is one year older then me if not if we are in the same class then everything would be ok. If I just could be with Takeshi on the same classes…’

“Morning guys!” Alec called out, very much different from the cool front he put on in front of her, startling her.

“Some more morning!” one of the student joke with him, while the others greeted him with joy.

“Alec!”

“Alec!”

‘My god he look so much different here,’ Vicki thought to herself, ‘he look so full of joy here, always smiling here and there.’

“You are Van is it?” one of the girl student greeted her, “You also one of the soap artist right?” on and on the girls chat with her, at first Vicki was scared that everything would come out but no one notice that she is a girl in a boy clothes, so she breath a sigh of relief and interact freely with her new found friends, all the while Vicki only chatted with the girls and excluded the guys, till on of Alec friends approach her.

“Why? How come you only chatted with girls?” Yutaka said strode towards Vicki at the same times.

“None of your business,” Vicki retorted.

“My, my what a temper,” Keigo coming front and put his hands on Yutaka shoulders before saying further, “Don’t tell me you are girl now right? For only girls mix with the girls.”

“Why don’t you guys strip him,” Alec said from behind not getting up from his seat, “The we would know rights?”

“Good idea!” Keigo said and getting into the action with Yutaka together. Vicki backing into a corner, but there was nowhere for her to hide, as both them catch holds of her. They starts taking Vicki clothes off, startling her at the same times struggling hard to get release from their grasp, ‘Oh no! They would find out!”

Chapter 4

But Alec ignore her, doing nothings, keep on reading that book of his, ¡§Alec!¡¨ Vicki keep on struggling and shouting Alec name, but no use for he paid her no heed, in Vicki hearts despairs is following, tears are slowing forming around her eyes, ¡¥No! The will discover that I¡¦m a girl if this follow.¡¦

¡§Alec,¡¨ one of the student voice out looking at the looks of distress in Vicki eyes, ¡§Ask them to stop, please.¡¨

¡§Yes Alec,¡¨ another student help out.

¡§Use your right leg,¡¨ suddenly Alec spoke out, ¡§Kick it out hard!¡¨

Heeding Alec words, Vicki push with all her might using her right leg into Yutaka stomach as he is the nearest, succeeding in pushing them away, Vicki was too consume of anger to think of the victory, instead she grab the nearest table and flung it over her head to hit them with it, but as suddenly as she gain her strength, someone hug her up from behind and put a stop to her action before it gone too far, ¡§It ok, stop it Vicki,¡¨ the person are no other then Alec.

¡§Idiot!¡¨ Vicki was too angry to notice that it was Alec behind her, she turn as suddenly and slap the person behind pass caring who it is, ¡§What do you think you doing?¡¨

¡§You are too much!¡¨ Vicki shouted not caring that she just hurt Alec face. Alec for the first times seeing this sight of Vicki got stun, never she thought that Alec hate her so much, ¡¥If you have hate me so much! You shouldn¡¦t have let me have my way into the house!¡¦ Vicki thinks to herself.

¡§Alec?¡¨ suddenly Alec grab Vicki hands and head out of the classroom to a stairway, ¡§Alec?¡¨

¡§What do you think you are doing?¡¨

¡§You idiot! Let go of my hands,¡¨ but to no avail, as suddenly as Alec grab her hands, he turns and look at her before saying, ¡§Now even without your bodyguard you can look after yourself now. Right?¡¨

¡§Huh?¡¨ Alec statement really got to her. She does know is he the good or the bad one. Does not know what to believe.

¡§To survive in the theater,¡¨ Alec said with a gentle smiles and it the first times ever he smiles at her, ¡§You have to know how to protect yourself. Knowing how to dance is not enough. You have a wounds on your face,¡¨ plugging a hand into his pocket he come out with a plaster and take care of the wounds himself, ¡§Here don¡¦t move.¡¨

¡§Thank you,¡¨ was all Vicki could say, from then on the relations between Alec and Vicki change, ¡¥Yes he is that types of person that would save even an unknown person,¡¦ Vicki thought back to the incident where he save her from the car, not caring about his own life, ¡¥This is the Alec I know.¡¦

Class passes quickly then, and it times for lunch, as Vicki was new to the school, she thought that maybe she would have to spends the day, eating alone, as she was walking towards the canteen, Yutaka and Keigo approach her, ¡§Van?¡¨

¡§Van?¡¨ both them are scared of her at the moment, on seeing them Vicki turn on her cold face staring at them causing them to hide behind, Alec. While at the same times, the bark Vicki given them was quite comical as well.

¡§Don¡¦t be angry please?¡¨ Yutaka said to Vicki sulking figure, ¡§We are just trying to find a way to communicate with the new student.¡¨

¡§Yes please?¡¨ Keigo begs as well, ¡§Let begin a new?¡¨

¡§Don¡¦t sulks anymore,¡¨ Alec decided to bug in for it starts with him anyway, bestowing Vicki one of his charming smiles, Vicki thought to herself, ¡¥Don¡¦t use that kinds of smiles on me please? If you keep on smiling like that I won't be able to stay angry for long.¡¦ ¡§Ask them to treat you. How is it?¡¨ Alec asks throwing a glance at Yutaka and Keigo at the same time.

¡§Why should it be us?¡¨ Yutaka objects.

¡§What you don¡¦t want?¡¨ Alec joked with them at the same times lunging an arms across Vicki shoulders causing her to blush deep, luckily that she taken a port folio with her that enable her to hide part of her face behind the folio, ¡¥The feeling of his arms lunging around my shoulders is so intense. Oh please remove it. No, no don¡¦t remove it! What the heck am I thinking about?¡¦

¡§Who ask both of you to be too much?¡¨ Kenichi the guy with the spec, whom just been and observer from the very beginning said, Keigo retorted, ¡§Hey it no fair you know, Alec was the one who suggested it, we are not the mastermind behind that incident.¡¨

So on and on the light barter go on, while all the while Vicki join in good heartedly while some of the girls looks longingly at the five of them, it seem like Alec and his group has accepts that Vicki or known as Van is one of them now.

¡§Hey no fair,¡¨ Vicki said, laughingly, ¡§Why must I be the one to buy it, I thought you guys are spending me.¡¨

¡§Ow¡K come on. You lose, it fair and square, we didn¡¦t cheat,¡¨ Kenichi said.

Left with no choice, Vicki have to go to the vendor machine and buy their wanted drinks but of course on their account, all the while Vicki mumble to herself, ¡§No fair,¡¨ and not looking at where she is going that she bump into a person, ¡§I¡¦m so¡KTakeshi,¡¨ Vicki brighten up upon seeing Takeshi is the one that she bump into.

¡§You here to take your lunch is it?¡¨ Vicki blubber on, not noticing the pain look Takeshi shoots her, ¡§I¡¦m here on lunch with Alec and his gang. I have so much fun.¡¨

¡§Van,¡¨ Alec called out worry that, Vicki does not have enough hands to take all the can drink back to the table, ¡§I¡¦m here to help you take the can.¡¨

¡§Alec!¡¨ Vicki was surprise to see him but at the same times delighted, ¡§It him that invited me to lunch with him¡K¡¨

Vicki would have wanted to say more but suddenly, Takeshi push her behind him and slap Alec, ¡§Takeshi!¡¨ Vicki shouted, shocked at what he is doing, a few people who witness the slap shock and gap with their mouth open.

¡§Stop it Takeshi!¡¨ Vicki pulling him back from Alec before further damage are done, ¡§What are you doing, Takeshi?¡¨

¡§You¡Kwhat have you done with Van?¡¨ Takeshi shouted, at the same times pushing Vicki behind him again, well out of Alec view and out of Alec reach, ¡§What do you think you are doing? Asking your friends to shed Van clothes?¡¨

Alec expression change, from the smiles to the cool one, slowly bringing a finger to touch the spots where Takeshi had just slap him, while Yutaka stand forward in defense of Alec, trying to clear the air, ¡§Takeshi it is not Alec faults, it our own¡K¡¨

¡§Stands back,¡¨ Alec commands, ¡§It my business.¡¨

¡§You slap my face,¡¨ Alec said coolly towards Takeshi, ¡§You slap an artist face just because of a simple play thing?¡¨

¡§You are a total bullshit!¡¨ with that said, Alec walks away without throwing a look at Vicki or at the rest of his friends, but his friends slowly, follows him out of the canteen.

Chapter 5

“Takeshi?” Vicki called out to Takeshi but Takeshi one words also did not utter at all, “What wrong…hold on, Takeshi.”

All the while as Takeshi drags her away from the canteen to a seclude place, she keep thinking that, ‘No! Alec hates me now. He hates me!’

“I’m so stupid,” Takeshi, mutters the moment they are out of reach of other ears, “I’m such an idiot, and I shouldn’t have hand you over to Alec. I should have known that he could not be trusted. Don’t worry, I will take you to the principal office and then we can demands the changes of classes. Then…”

“Hold on Takeshi,” Vicki wretch her hands out of Takeshi holds to get his attention, “Listen to me first.”

“Things are not as serious as you think,” Vicki swung around facing Takeshi and spurted out anxiously, she does not want to change class, she wanted to be in the same class as Alec, “All he did was a joke. It does not mean as harm. He explained it. Whatever he did he do it for the good of me and I trust him.”

“You! You have forgotten who is him,” Takeshi felt sweats wetting his brow, for it seem like he is going to lost Vicki if he does not move fast, “He is the enemy. Don’t you forget that he is THE SU, he is the obstacles why grandpa would not go to the hospital to visit your dad.”

Takeshi grabs on Vicki arms and pull her nearer to him and said with heat, for he needed to penetrate against Vicki innocent shell to open her up to the world before she is hurt by Alec, and he would never allow that for he love her too much, “Since Alec was young, grandpa took him away from his own family and made him took a path he is not willing to take. From there he grew to be hard and harsh. Everything to him is lie and tools for him to climb higher. That where you came in, now you have proven to be an obstacle to him and he would move mountains and rivers to get rid of you. No matter what the costs are. So how can he ever treat you with kindness and warmth that he, himself does not even know?”

Takeshi words take an impact on Vicki innocent brain and innocent soul, Takeshi hid a smiles seeing that he had manage to turn Vicki back to where it is, making sure that she does not grew dependent on any other boys beside him. For in his minds there is only one person Vicki should belong to and that person is him.

All the way backs to class Vicki thought to herself, ‘He is using me? He does not mean to have a friendship with me? Impossible! I don’t believe it! How can his smiles be so sincere and full of warmth if he hate me?’

The bell rang indicating that the lunch break is over, on her way to the class Vicki saw that Alec is getting ready to go home for practice as Alec has the privilege of going back earlier than everyone else, “Alec!” Vicki called out.

“Van!” Alec looks up and called out upon seeing that Vicki approaching him and give him a warmth smiles, indicating there is no hatred between the two of them.

“I’m…” Vicki hesitate, does not know where to begin and does not know what to say, she had phrase all the way to class and now coming face to face with Alec, she is at lost of words, all her wonderfully arranges phrases have been thrown into the air, as each moments pass, Vicki heart beats a beat faster than the last, “About just…now. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know that Takeshi would react so strongly towards it.”

“It ok,” Alec said consoling Vicki, “I understand, Takeshi is just being overprotective that all. Anyway his hits counted nothing compare to yours.”

“Oh…really?” Vicki shouted, for she does not know that her slap had really stung that bad, “I’m so sorry!”

“Nah, I’m just joking with you,” Alec smiling, touching Vicki head affectionately, while the other hands dugs into his pants pocket coming up with a plaster, “Here take this plaster. Change it after class. That one you wearing the medicine are wearing off soon. See yea then! I have to go now.”

With that Alec smiles at Vicki for the last times before running off for his practice, leaving Vicki there staring and his retreating back and all the whiles thinking to herself, holding the plaster close to her face, rubbing and sobbing into it, ‘Why? Why are you smiling at me? I thought you are supposed to hate me? Why? The more you smiles at me the more I will find myself falling in love with you. And I’m not supposed to!’

Chapter 6

“Well I stop school two years ago,” Kenichi explains for the thousands time for Vicki is not the first and won't going to be the last to ask this question, but he does minds, for he knew in his heart that Vicki only ask the question out of curiosity and there is no underlines meaning in the question at all, “For I joins the military at a young age. Got too rough for my dad to handle me.”

“Oh I see,” Vicki nodding her heads in understanding.

“What are you being so noisy for?” Keigo teasing her, at the same times Yutaka pokes a finger at Vicki cheeks calling her names, “Busybody!”

“Say sorry for that!” Vicki demanded and starts jokingly beats up Yutaka, “Hey that hurts!”

“Van,” Kenichi called out from the front while sipping his coke, “Why you follow us here? I mean you could always see Alec at home right?”

“I don’t know,” Vicki answered truthfully and releasing poor Yutaka and returns to her own sit, “I feel comfortable with you guys I guess.” While at the same time Vicki think to herself, ‘As long as I’m with them I don’t have to keep on thinking about anything else and it will almost felt like I’m born to be a guy.’

“Anyway I wonder what took Alec so long?” Vicki said in hope of getting the focus out of her for she does not want to dwell on it that why she wanted to be with Alec all the times, “Is he always this late?”

“Nah, usually he always got out after the show,” Kenichi said, “We don’t really know what going on. Lately Alec being coming out quite late.”

“I wonder what is he up to,” Yutaka said, suddenly an idea pop out of his head, pushing Vicki out of the car and closes the door on Vicki startled face before popping his face at the window and smiles at her, “We send you to go and find him.”

“Why me?” Vicki tried desperately to open the door but Yutaka had lock up the door, Vicki was thrill at the idea of seeing Alec alone but at the same times, a shiver of fear ran through her.

“Why?” Keigo said, popping his head out as well, “Well afternoon you were suppose to come back with drinks for us but you didn’t. So this is your punishment. Go! Go!”

“No fair,” Vicki turns on her heels and walks towards the theater and all the whiles muttering to herself, “I don’t want to see him alone. I don’t know what will happen when and if I see him alone. Argh…don’t care so much, faster fine people then can go back inside the car, it freezing cold out here.”

“Ah there he is,” Vicki found Alec at the place, where he has once save her before, thinking to herself, ‘What is he doing? Didn’t he know that we are waiting for him out there? And Lion is with him.’ As suddenly, the place and the incident came back in minds to Vicki, this is the first place they have meet and Alec had told her before that, ‘Tomorrow, here same time. I wait for you. If not tomorrow it ok, the following day or the next few days, I be here waiting for you.’

Suddenly Lion begin harping on Alec shoulder, making Alec asking, “What wrong Lion?” Turning his head to look where Lion is pointing at, Alec saw Vicki standing there with her head tucking into her sweater, with both of her hands at her mouth covering her gasp, a smiles lit up in Alec eyes, “Ah…You!” Alec starts walking towards Vicki at the same times, Vicki minds frantically running through the words he said before and think to herself, ‘He remember!’ The air between them hung deep.

“Van! You found him,” Keigo had come out to look for her as, he gotten worried that Vicki is taking so long to find Alec, at the same times snapping Alec out of his stupor, it was Van he saw and it was not Vicki at all, “It so cold out here.”

“It not her,” Alec said to himself but loud enough for Vicki but out of Keigo ears, Lion had recognize Vicki even though she had dress up as a boy, whined at Alec for his ignorance, “I know, I know, Alec misinterpreting Lion whine,” thoughts that he is as disappointed as him for Vicki had not turn up again. Following Keigo towards the car, Vicki stands there staring at his back and holding back a sob, ‘He remember! I’m not the only one to feel it! He feel it as well!’

On the very next morning, Vicki took the opportunity that Alec and grandpa haven’t awakened yet that she sneak around and phone up her mother, “Mom?”

“Vicki!” Vicki mom recognizing her own daughter voice was delighted that Vicki called her up, without wasting times, Vicki mom tell her about the condition of her father, “Your father is getting better and better each day. The doctor here said that you father condition had stabilized so don’t you worry too much ok. How bout you?”

“I’m fine here,” Vicki assured her mom, “Don’t worry about me. Well that about it then see you then mom. Bye.”

“Bye and take care Vicki,” Vicki mom on the other side said, dread filled her voice for it been months since she last saw Vicki and Vicki mom really miss her a lot, “Call up more often ok.”

“I will mom,” hanging up the phone Vicki stands at the phone there staring at the phone, she really misses the times where she spend a Sunday morning like today with her mom shopping for home and doing the house chore just besides her mom, hearing her father laughter over some television comedy shows, stilling herself, she bring a smiles into her face and said, “It be over soon and everything will return to normal. Better get going then. Before Alec wake up and uses the bathroom.”

Upon entering the bathroom, Vicki came to a stand still, “Alec?”

“Oh hi Van,” Alec turn around upon hearing someone open the bathroom door, called out a greeting to her.

“I’m sorry,” Vicki stammered and was going to storm out of there but Alec catches holds of her shirts and said, “Ow, come on we are guys what are there to shy about.”

“I’m…” Vicki was at lost of words, she been living with Alec for some times now but still she couldn’t get use to the present of him nearing her, it generates too much heats for her comforts, and now seeing Alec just cladding in a towel is just too much for her virtue. The way the water clung to his body making it looks so tough and his long slim but strong hands stroking his chin, it just too much. Getting red at that. It makes Vicki fall more and more towards him with the points of no return but falling deeper. A pity Alec didn’t know that Van is Vicki and Vicki is Van.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Vicki saw Alec was taken a razor to his chin, “Alec you already have beard?”

“Of course!” Alec was surprised that Van would ask these types of question, “Why? You haven’t grown? My your skins are really like a girl skin, so soft and smooth.”

Alec taken one of his finger and lightly touching Vicki hands, making her squirm all the while, the feeling is so intense that Vicki could have wish it go on forever, ‘Have you remember? Alec have you remember me?’ Vicki shouted inside her heard but she knows that it is impossible for that too happen, “What do you mean by that? Wait you just wait when I finally reach the points, you will see that my whole face also full of beard.” Vicki said out loud to get out of Alec grasp at the same times to get holds of herself.

“Ok! Ok,” Alec laugh at Vicki comical retorts, seeing her shaking her head so furiously and her blushing deep red, suddenly Alec becoming serious told Vicki one statement, “Today you will follow me to The Room.”

Chapter 7

Looking at the place already gotten Vicki shivering in her shoes but she does not even let a tremble escape. Getting holds of herself Vicki walks into The Room side by side with Alec, ‘This is the place! I’m here! Why am I shivering? Stupid of me!’

As Vicki enter The Room, the students around there starts to gossip, “So that Zhao Meng son.”

“The one who dare to take the title off THE SU.”

“He looks just like a kid. I guess he not even in high school yet.”

“He looks just like a girl. I bet all her role would be girlish.”

“Scare?” Alec taunted Vicki, hiding a smile behind his voice, “Wanted to go back?”

“No!” Vicki denied it for no matter what she is here for a mission and she is going to see it done. Looking at them, Vicki strode into the middle of the room, looking at them straight into the eyes, daring them and without a words, Vicki sat down in front of the room on bended knees, head bow into her hands in front of her, “I’m Van Zhao the son of Zhao Meng. You can call me Zhao, from now on I will starts attending class here. Please to meet all of your acquaintance.”

Alec looks at Vicki and smiles at a courage, he knows the stress will be on Vicki, as she is new there and one things is that people starts this kinds of practice at a very young age and not at ages like Vicki, while at the same times Vicki dares them to look, pulling herself up, ‘I will not care what kinds of way they looking at me like. If I can be scare so easily then I shouldn’t have dress up as a boy to lie to grandpa to ask for his forgiveness.’

“So Zhao let begin a dance then we know where to put you,” Miyu Sensei said, politely asking Vicki to begin the class, without hesitation Vicki take up one of the clothes and starts one of the dance that she have seen her dad do it multiple times in the house for her.

The moment Vicki began her dance, everyone in the room came to a stand still, the lights generated from her dance is real and the warmth is there, it like Vicki is the only living thing in the whole room. Making everyone eyes impossible to take off from Vicki.

“My god!”

“The energy generate, is so much different.”

“The lights is there,”

After a while into the dance, Vicki forgets about everything excepts the dance, so when Master Zhao enter the room quietly, Vicki does not even noticed it, quietly Master Zhao walks towards Miyu Sensei. Miyu Sensei greeted Master Zhao with respected commented in a whispers voice, as not to disturb Vicki dance, “His dance is beautiful not to counted that he is the son of Zhao Meng that did the trick. I guess it is the bloods that flow from his father vein into his.”

“Van…” Master Zhao called out to Vicki, upon hearing her name called, Vicki wake up from her dreams, “Grandpa?” Vicki paid her respect to her grandpa for no matter what they are now in The Room and she have to pay her respect, as her grandpa is one of the grand masters in The Room.

“Learn The Lion dance,” Master Zhao instructs coldly, “You will perform in before the months is out.”

“Grand master,” Miyu Sensei objected for she felt that Vicki if no way is going to have enough times to prepare it and moreover it one of the hardest dance and the most beautiful dance in century, built on feeling and song, “Zhao would not be ready for it. He just enters the realm. Isn’t it just too much for him to handle?”

“Really?” Master Zhao throw Vicki a cold glance, challenging her silently, “Do you think so? Then we do not welcome him here won't we? For as I remember it one of the easiest dance to get hold on. Besides that Su did the dance when he first performed as well. If Zhao does not know this dance then it useless for us to say anymore right?”

“But…” Miyu Sensei stops in her mid-sentence for one does not reject the grand master and one only are allow to bow to the decision of the grand master.

“I will take it!” Vicki spurted out, no matter what she have to win over her grandpa if this is the only way to win his heart over so be it, Vicki returns the sentence as coldly, plugging the whole room in sensation, “I will prove to you that I’m worth the name of Zhao.”

“Well it decided then,” with that Master Zhao retreated from the room, “I have to go the theater anyway. Su made sure that you are not late for today show.”

“Yes,” Alec answered coolly, in The Room or the theater all the artist will made a name for themselves, and their original name would not be use, some opts for the surname while some opts for some fancy name to use. Alec uses his surname as his performances name.

After Master Zhao leave the room, Vicki hugs herself tightly and thought hard, ‘If I made the performance good I be able to get grandpa forgive father and maybe just maybe father will wake up and everything will returns to normal,’ sneaking a view to Alec, ‘then maybe I and Alec will have the chance to unites.’

“The Grand Master is just too much. Why wanted to give chance to that Zhao. He is nothing. All he is, is the son of Zhao Meng. What so big deal about it?” one of the students said with envy for it not everyone will get the chance to learn The Lion Dance and it is an honor to be bestow.

“Shhh…not so loud!” another students stop the offensive student retorts, “Careful that you will be overheard.”

“So what the big deal? I happen to think that whatever I’m saying is true. You know it and I know it. We had been learning for what seems like years and yet we have the chance to learn that dance. What the heck who want that woman roles, it only pay to be a Zhao to learn that.”

“You!” Vicki was about to retort to the sentence but Alec beat her to it, “What did you just said?” Alec bit out coolly catching holds of the student shirt collar and pin him to the wall with just a hand.

“What do you think you are doing!”

“Explain what you just said!” Alec bit out again, and pin the student harder into the wall.

“I’m just saying the truth,” the student not backing down but averted his eyes from Alec cool eyes which are accessing him, “I did it all for you. Moreover you are The Outsider. Do you think that you have the rights to say me at all?”

“Is this your way of talking to The Su?” Alec asked, his eyes is getting colder and colder as each minutes and stares deep into the guy eyes, if looks could kill, the student would have died many death.

“Don’t fight with The Su,” a bystander advises the student.

“It will do you no good.”

“Quick apologize,” a guy with spec said it, “For you will never be able to fight him.”

“I’m sorry,” the guy said softly, embarrass at being overpower by just a kid of 16.

Alec let the guy off at the mention of that and brushes his hands off like nothing of that had just happen while Vicki thinks to herself, “Is that what we called The Su? Is that Alec?”

“Su really have the strength.”

“Yea he could just pin any guys down with just a stare at that.”

“You must be angry with me,” Vicki said out to Alec, feeling guilty.

“What do you mean by that,” Alec asked.

“Well, besides having my father bloods in my veins I don’t have anything,” Vicki said as she felt the guilt all over again, “I don’t have anything to hold this position but you would have to work hard for it.”

“Well I’m not angry,” Alec stroking his tummy, his next words caught Vicki off balance, “Infact, I’m feeling hungry instead.”

“I’m talking about something serious here!” Vicki shouted, anger by Alec nonchalant approach to the matter at hands.

“I’m not really angry with it,” Alec smiles at Vicki tenderly, “Why should I be? As long as you train hard and earn the rights. Why should I be angry with you? Just made sure that you perform the best in the theater is all I ask from you.”

‘This has to be The Su, Alec is,’ Vicki wonder to herself and smiles at Alec, and tell herself that she will works for the best and would not disappoints Alec trust in her, “I will work hard and study the dance to perfection. One day I will chase up on The Su!”

All Alec did was smiles at Vicki enthusiasm. While all the whiles some other students looks onto the antic that passes between the Zhao and the Su, “I never had seen the Su smiles before. I wonder why he is smiling to the Zhao.”

Hearing this from the other students Vicki think to herself, ‘In this worlds no one have ever called Alec by his given name. All of them called him the Su. Why I wonder? I’m the only one who have called Alec by his given name, even Takeshi and grandpa are the same.’

Noticing that Vicki is standing there staring into space and not following close behind him, Alec turns back and drag Vicki to his side and slung an arms over Vicki, “Come one let go and feed this tummy of mine.” The moment Alec slung an arm over Vicki, Vicki felt warms all over again, but she love that feeling too much too object. To Alec Vicki maybe Van but inside Vicki hearts she really wish that Alec will see through her façade but at the moment she will grabs any happiness with Alec as much as she can for she does not know what is going to happen the next minutes or how Alec will treats her when he found out that she is a girls instead of the guy she is suppose to be.

Chapter 8

“Yes I’m fine don’t worry about me,” Vicki brush Takeshi concern asides, walking towards the field where the rest of the gang had already gather around, thinking to herself, ‘Of course I’m not alright! Today is the second day of my period. What you think! Being a guy is sure fun they don’t have periods.’

At the fields, as Vicki enter it, Alec notice the paleness in Vicki cheeks as well and ask what wrong with her, “Van are you ok? You look real pale today,” walking up to her and patted her shoulder softly.

“I’m fine,” Vicki tried to appear cheerful but the things is that the pain is killing her alive, suddenly Yutaka came forwards and said, “Alec don’t be concern about this guy. He is always pale one!” Yutaka said with his usual cheerful self and deliver a blow into Vicki shoulders sending her crouching to the ground groaning with pains.

“Van!” Alec shouted the moment he saw Vicki crouching down on the floor holding her stomach, lines of concern wretch around his forehead, “What wrong!”

“I’m sorry!” Yutaka exclaimed for he never really noticed the unusual paleness in Vicki cheeks this morning, “Did I slap you too hard?”

“I’m ok,” Vicki pulling her head up and said, sweats covering her foreheads, causing a few other guys to blush for Vicki was too cute with all the expression written all over her face, a few guys even thought the same things, ‘My god he is cute!’

Without a word, and without much effort, Alec hugs up Vicki into his arms, “I will bring him to the medical room. Tell teacher where I and Vicki are.”

“It ok Alec, I can walk by myself you don’t have to carry me,” Vicki managed weakly causing Alec to said to her harshly, “What you are ok! You are not ok! See how pale your cheeks are. Are you having low blood pressures?” with that Alec pushes Vicki head into his chest and run out of the fields towards the medical room. Vicki blushing deep red at being a very close contacts with Alec chest think to herself, ‘His chest is so warm. I would not have wanted to get down from his embrace. Oh Alec if you have known. Please don’t make me fall deeper for you? I really love you too much and I think I have fallen deep.’

“Teacher is not here,” Alec said upon entering the room and waking up Vicki from her sweet dreams, who have been too intense of being in Alec embrace to think of anything else, “Never, take off your shirt first.” With that Alec was on the edge of pulling up Vicki shirts, but waking up fast Vicki stops Alec half heartedly, weak from the spasm she is getting from her stomach, “Ah…no…” putting her hands to Alec wrist to stop his action.

“What…” Alec said with a blush, the way Vicki stops him making him all the more awkward, “What are you doing? Of course by taking off yours shirt you will feels better! Letting out that kinds of sound making me feeling…”

Suddenly the hands that Vicki left generated the heats, making Alec stops in his mid-sentence and looking up at her, the heats generated was felt by both Alec and Vicki, the heats are the heats that they felt the first time they have touch at the pavements, leaving Alec and Vicki staring into each other eyes.

“Why?” Alec expression turns sour, “Why? You look so much like hers, even your feature are just the same likes her but why aren’t you her? Why oh why?” Alec without thoughts hugging Vicki to him a thoughts, the only thoughts are Vicki feeling his minds.

“Oh,” suddenly the doors open and the teacher came in, “Do we have a patient?”

“Yes,” Alec wretch himself from Vicki and turn abruptly to face the teacher before running out of the room, “Well as teacher is here, I will go off to class first.”

“Sure go ahead,” the teacher said not feeling anything amiss in the room before her entry suddenly noticing that Vicki face are burning deep red and the first thoughts is that Vicki are down with fever, “Are you feeling alright? Yours eyes are red and your face is burning with fever. You must be feeling very uncomfortable. Wait here a seconds, I get the medicine for you.”

While the teacher back is turns, Vicki allow tears to come down, there she hugs the blanket to her small forms and think hard to herself, telling herself as well as trying to reach out to Alec at the same times, ‘I’m a girl! I’m her!’ unknown to both Alec and Vicki, their foreplay in the medical room was look upon by Takeshi whom are in the next building. There Takeshi thinks hard to himself, ‘No! She is mine!’

Time pass, and it times for recess, Vicki feeling better, leave the medical room and enter the class room there she is readily greeted by her males friends, “You are back!” Yutaka was the first to greet him and feeling guilty at the same times for hitting Vicki so hard just now.

“I’m really sorry just now,” Yutaka takes the opportunity to apologize, at the same times Alec was just behind but Vicki does not dare to face Alec after the encounter in the medical room turns her back to him and face Yutaka and the rest of the gang instead.

“It ok,” Vicki assured him, “It nothing and it not your faults anyway.”

“Van…” Alec called out to Vicki but was cut in by Vicki over enthusiasm, leaving him no choice but to leave Vicki alone with Keigo and Yutaka, “Come on let go for lunch. I’m so hungry!”

“Let go then,” Keigo agreed not wanting Vicki to kneel down or crouching down with pain again. There the three of them talks like long times buddy, was suddenly approach by a cute girls who are in the next door class, “Excuse me are you guys friends of Alec?”

“Yes we are,” Keigo answered, knowingly for this types of things happen all the times in their school, “What can we help you with?”

“Can you guys please…” the girls blushing all the while making her cuter in a way, “Can you guys please hand this letter to him?” handing the letter to Vicki, Vicki could only stares at the letter and back to the girl whom are hiding her face in her face in her friends shoulders.

“Oh you like Alec?” Keigo asked politely and knowingly, and decided to further embarrass the poor girl, “There is too much competition why don’t you choose me instead,” causing the girl to blush deeper suddenly Alec appears with Kenichi behinds them.

“What wrong?” Alec was surprise that they are still here for they have told him that they wanted to go to the canteen to get some food for Vicki empty stomach. Vicki deciding to take matters into her own hands, drag the girls hands from her face and took her to Alec fronts and tell him, “This girls like you!”

“Wait a minutes…” the girl protested half-heartedly.

“This is the letter she wanted to gave you,” Vicki hands the letter over to Alec, and pushes the girl in front of Alec while at the same times stepping aside.

“Oh it like this,” Alec smiles tenderly at the girls, “Thanks, I’m happy to…”

Without hearing further, Vicki ran away from the spots on the excuse of she needs to use to outdoor, “I’m sorry I need to go to the toilets,” with that Vicki ran away from there but not towards the toilets but towards the ground where no living souls is there, Alec noticed Vicki abrupt departure but did not said a word about it.

All the way out of there the words, Alec said to the girl keep on repeating in Vicki tiny little head, making her angry and happy at the same times, talking to herself to console her miserable souls all the while, “I’m sure Alec is just a playboy. Yes, yes that rights. Well now Alec has a girlfriend I’m so happy for him. Always smiling at all the girl. That right! That right I wouldn’t want that kinds of person for a boyfriend. That right!” putting on a smiles and smiling all the way she is saying that but after the last sentence Vicki broke down and cried, ‘It so painful! I thoughts love suppose to be joyful and full of happiness. This is not true love. It better letting it go before it is too late.’ But Vicki is left with no return, with or without Alec she will be painful for she have live the lights on Alec.

“Ah you there,” Alec said approaching Vicki out of nowhere, seeing that Vicki is there somehow lightens up his life, “how is it? Complete the things you needed to do? What you doing here anyway?”

“No,” Vicki said in a soft and husky voice with are coarse from tears she sheds, “It just that the sky out here is so…”

“Oh really?” Alec doubting Vicki words but decided against saying too much, took off his coat and flung it over Vicki head, “I think you are coming down with flu. See how red your nose is!” reaching over and pinching her nose making Vicki yelp with pains, “Why you! What do you think you are doing?”

“What?” Alec said innocently and at the same times keep on pinching Vicki nose with a tissue, “Why I’m helping you what you thinking about?”

“Stop it!” Vicki still slightly anger at the display Alec play in front of the girls and the smiles he given to the girl, “You shouldn’t take this action to me. Do it to the girl just now would be better!”

“You mean that girl?” Alec shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head at the same times, “She wouldn’t do for she never been to the theater…”

Without a word, Vicki step forwards to Alec and give him a hard slap to his face, startling Alec, “You! You hit an artist face!”

“You a real idiot!” Vicki shouted on the top of her lung, powering over Alec mocking anger, “Do you know how much courage it take for a girl to own up that she like you! Do you!”

“But you! All you did is a say of thanks you to reply people love! You just are really too much! Just too much!” Vicki continues on startling Alec with her anger for he had never seen her angry before except on the first day of school and that was a while back, Vicki had always been soft spoken to him, “Just because she never been to the theater, you rejected people!”

“What you said is rights,” Alec own up somberly, putting a hands on Vicki head and slowly caress it down, “From the view of The Su, yes it wrong but from my view it is not wrong.” Looking into Vicki eyes at the same times, touching and caressing Vicki face all the times, “It is because I already have a person I love more than my live,” Alec spokes out quietly after a pausing for a moment which seem like hours to both of them.

Chapter 9

“Huh…” Van was stunts by Alec replied for never in her wildest imagination that Alec would have fallen in love, he seem so carefree all the times, no thoughts and no worry, always putting up a cool front for everyone to see, “What do you mean by that?” breaking the silence between them.

“It…” Alec hesitate not knowing how much he can trust Van at that and how much he could tell him, somehow Alec felt that he owed Van an explanation anyway, “It about a girl who really looks like you. Remember that I hug you in the medical room just now? That is the main reason,” turning away from Van, Alec goes on, “I only meet her once and only touch her once as well as just kiss her once but I could not forget her. The feelings she ignites in me when my hands touches her and when I looks into her eyes I’m lost. Till now I could still taste her lips under me. I know it sounds so stupid, me pinning for a person I only seen once but I could not forget her.”

“Alec,” Van feeling miserable on hearing Alec confessing about his own feelings while at the same times she could not confess that Van is a she. On hearing Van calling him Alec turns around and faces her, “I know, Van I know but I could not help myself. I keep thinking about her. Her face is never far away from my minds and with you here looking so alike to her, it made me thinks of her all the times. I’m sorry if I scared you just now.”

“Why…” but before Vicki could finish the sentence Alec cut it, facing her and touching her hairs lovingly, “I know. I tried to look for her but I don’t know where to begin. The world is so big and at the same times it so small. I don’t even know her name.”

“A…” before Van could confess that she is the girl Alec is looking for. Alec ruffles Van hairs, “Come on lets go! I’m hungry!”

“Why you ruffian!” Van chasing after Alec for ruffling her hairs, and Alec laughing all the way, as suddenly Alec pulled Van to his sides and slung an arms around Van causing the warms to spread all over her again, at the same time she understand why Alec change the subject so suddenly, ‘Oh Alec, how I wish I could tell you that I’m Vicki, the girl you are looking for.’

Van ran ahead of Alec to the class to get both Keigo and Yutaka, as Van was stepping into the class, she accidentally bump into the railing and causing her to lost balance, Yutaka whom are being the nearest to Van at the moments, steps up and break her falls, “Thanks…”

“My you are real lights!” Yutaka commented and Van was still in his arms, “I’m sure that just now when Alec sending you to the medical room you sure proof to be no trouble for him at all.”

“Oh really?” Keigo whom happen to try and reach out to Van but failed, heard Yutaka comment and decided to try it himself, “Let me see!” he catches up Van and stands pulling her up into his embrace and throwing her the air, Van being the shortest among them and just barely reach their shoulder prove to be an easy targets for them, “Hey let me down!”

“No!” both Yutaka and Keigo laughs, sometimes Van are really like a doll, she is just too cute for her own goods, “Come on guys! Stop it!” Van shouted out, as suddenly as both Yutaka and Keigo are flinging her into the air, an arms came around her chest and wrap a protective arms around her, “Don’t touch him!” the arms belong to the only person and that is Alec.

“From a bystander view both of you got problems,” Alec pushing Van behind him starts on both Keigo and Yutaka for ganging up on Van, “What you guys hobby are like I won't want to ask and I won't say about it as well but don’t you guys think that you can use my pal for a toy to you guys,” Alec indicating something towards both Keigo and Yutaka causing their red to blush deep red.

“Hey!” Yutaka protested, “What nonsense are you spurting about?”

Laughingly Alec told both of them that he is just joking with them, having punching each other lightly in the shoulder, the four of them headings towards the canteen for their promise meals, each joking with each other and all the while Van following quietly behind them, looking at Alec with longing.

At the basketball court where Alec and the rest of the gang team up against other student was having a match, Van decline to offer as she does not know how to play, stay silently at the side helping them taking care of their coats all the while her eyes never leaving Alec, ‘No matter where he is, my eyes always follow him, no matter how many peoples are in the same room as him, my eyes always stray to him.’

“Alec you are great!” one of the girls standing on the above sits shouted, this scene is normal where girls gathering around the courts seeing guys playing ball while cheering their idols on. How Van long for the day where she could shouts Alec name without people looking at him and wondering about her senses, ‘How I wish I could be just like those girls!’

“Kenichi!” Alec shouted the moment he passes to ball to him and on the games play while Van standing there thinking to herself, Alec noticing that Van was standing there alone, Alec threw the ball at her, startled her, “Hey don’t sleep!”

“I’m not sleeping you idiots!” Van shouted back and threw the ball at Alec laughing figure, which he catch expertly, all the whiles blushing, it rare to see a guy blush but will Van is not a guy rights? ‘I really can't help myself. I have reached the points of no return. Alec.’

After class, as usual Alec leave first as he have to go and perform in the theater leaving Vicki to go home with, Kenichi, Keigo and Yutaka, as they reach the entrance they saw Takeshi leaning there at the main gate waiting for Van, “Well, as Takeshi is here, I’m sure you have your transportation,” Kenichi said and the rest of them waving goodbyes to Van and leave.

“Takeshi,” Van greeted him, “how come you are here?”

“Well I thought that since we haven’t seen each other for sometimes,” Takeshi walks on with Van, passing by a walk pave where there are no one and just the two of them there, suddenly Takeshi expression changes from a smile to a somber one, “Your color has return. You were sent to the medical room this afternoon aren’t you?”

“How you know?” Van surprised that Takeshi would know for she didn’t told him about it at all. Without much thoughts Takeshi bring his hands to Van face and caresses her face, “The medical room are just opposite my classroom.”

Van looks at Takeshi with shocks, that means…Van thought frantically to herself, ‘That mean he saw whatever that transpire between me and Alec!’

“You have fallen for Alec, haven’t you?” Takeshi asked without taking his eyes off Van. Van looks at him and thought hard to herself, this is his cousin brother standing in front of her, could she lies to him like a nobody? “What are you talking about?”

“How can I falls for him!” Van turns her face away from Takeshi as tears starting to falls, “He is my enemy! Have you forgotten that Takeshi?”

“Is it true?” Takeshi asked, looking at Van shivering backs.

“Yes, yes,” Van answered a little to emphatically, ‘Oh Takeshi you just didn’t know and don’t understand. You just didn’t know how much I came to likes his smiles, his styles, his voices and his touches. All about him is just too perfect and it is impossible for me not to fall for him.’

Suddenly Takeshi pulls Vicki into his embrace, “Vicki,” Takeshi whispers into her hairs, “I will never gave you to him. You are mine! Mine!”

“Takeshi…” Vicki was at a lost of words for never in her wildest imagination that Takeshi would fallen for her, all along she has always thoughts of Takeshi as an older brotherly figure and nothing more, pushing herself out of Takeshi embrace, Vicki looks into Takeshi eyes and flash him a regrets looks “I’m sorry…Takeshi, you have always been a brother to me. I never thought of you in that lights,” Vicki felt that she owes Takeshi at least that much clearance.

“No!” Takeshi denied that and pulls Vicki back into his holds, “You mine! I love you from the days I set my eyes on you. I have always looked at you as a girl I never look at you as my sister. I protect you take care of you is because I love you not because you are my cousin sister.”

“Takeshi…” Vicki really lost all the words and the phrase she needed for never in her minds came across the possibility that Takeshi would fallen for her. It was just too ridiculous, back at school yes her friends has always jokes about that Takeshi is Vicki boyfriends but she has never took real notice of it as Takeshi brought no sparks out of her. She does not know what to think, ‘Yes I feel save in his arms but is it enough?’

As both of them walks home, not much of a words passes between both them, both lost in their own thoughts, Vicki thinking hard to herself how can she rejects Takeshi but how can she denied her feelings toward Alec? ‘Oh what should I do!’

Chapter 10

The very next morning while Van was searching the videos for The Lion Dance from Alec, Van thoughts to herself, ‘What I’m feeling for Takeshi is not love right?’ suddenly Lion began chipping on top of a video, “What Lion? Is that Alec tape?” guessing correctly Lion begin harping without wasting a single minutes, Van play the video, what she see does not surprise her at all for she had long known that Alec is talented not counting is he a Zhao or a Su at that. Sitting nearer to the screen, Van touch Alec face lovingly, ‘Alec…’

The dance is all about a women with two characters, she is the woman and she is the lion, about a love that have no end, the lion is the one that embedded deep down in the woman body, both of them could felt each other present but they could never see other or touch each other lovingly, it all an illusion to them. The hardship of the whole dance is when the woman is playing the lion head and making it come to life for she needed to present the sense of lion to the audiences.

Van got too engross in the movie that she does not hear Alec approaching from behind till Alec whack him on the head, “Hey don’t stay so close to television! Lion lets go! It time for work.”

‘Alec…’ Van thoughts to himself, no matter how many times she have seen him or how many times she had spent in his company, his mere presence still affects her, blushing deep at where her thoughts ran Van took control of herself and cover it up, “Hey you swine! Whatever you hitting me for?”

“It won't do you good to stay so close to the television,” Alec ruffles Van hairs, “If you are interested in that dance why don’t you practice your own feeling, it all comes from feeling. Show me that you are a Zhao!”

“I will don’t worry!” Van said with determine, it not to prove to Alec that she could do it but it for her father as well that she is here, “You won't be disappointed with my dance!”

“I hold you to that then,” Alec smiles at Van before ruffles her hairs again, “Well I got to go then. Bye sees yea tonight.”

With that Alec ran out while Van waving goodbyes to him but Alec didn’t turn back to throw Van a glance but it for her goods as well for Van does not know that a looks of longing.

‘If only he knows, but to him I’m one of his opponent and just a guy. How could he ever love me?’ As not to waste times, Van decided to go and visit her mother and father at the hospital but as she was getting to her room to get a change there was uproar at the front of the door.

“We are his friends!” Valerie shouted at the guy up at the front.

“Yes! We are not his fans,” Kate said with determination when the guys wouldn’t call Van for them and not allowing them to enter the house at the same times to search for Van themselves.

“Yes! We are his ex-classmates!” Amy said heatedly, for that ignorant man thought that they are just some crazy fans of Van that got too much times on theirs hands and decided to spends it pestering Van around. Van upon reaching the clearing saw that her three best friends were arguing heatedly with Mr. Cal at the front door, “Amy! Kate! Valerie!”

“See!” Amy said with triumphs.

“They really are your friends Van?” Mr. Cal not believing them turns to Van and shoot the question, ignoring Amy remarks.

“No!” the three of them shouted, and hugs up Van, “We are Mr. Van Zhao fans!”

After a while, the four of them went out together, Van having fun with them as Vicki instead of being Van but of course Van could not wears of the dresses she desire for if she happen upon one or two of her current friends she will be a dead meat, for they are her best friends and she knows that.

“So that what really happen,” Amy said over a cup of coffee, “You really had us wonder why suddenly you change school without telling us in the first place and when we decided to visit you, your mom told us that you are not living with us but gave us a forwarding address to this Zhao mansion.”

“I really wanted to tell you guys,” Van tried to admonish for not telling her friends what happen earlier, “but I was left with little times with my dad critical conditions.”

“We understand,” Kate patting Van shoulders, “Hey come on we are here to enjoy so why don’t you tell us something about this town. Hey see what we bring you!”

“Yes guess,” Valerie whom had always love to dress up and always buying the same dresses as Vicki, bought a new dress today, handing a packet over to Van, “I bought a new dress yesterday and I saw that the pattern really suited you. I got myself a green colors one and I bought you a blue one!”

Suddenly at the mention of dress brought memories back to Van that it so intense, making Van broke down and cried and pour out her hearts towards her friends as well as including Alec into it and how she is feeling towards him. One thing that Van does not told them about is about Takeshi affection towards her for Takeshi has long being left alone and forgotten in her minds.

“There is only one solutions for you Vicki,” Valerie stated out, causing Vicki to stare at her friend, well Valerie maybe a bitch at certain times but she is one loyal friend and that is all it counted and Valerie became a bitch with good reason behind it, “Go to the pavement and this times go as Vicki not as Van.”

“No!” Van head shoot up at the mention of meeting Alec as Vicki and not as Van, “How can that be?”

“Yes it can be done,” Valerie shakes Van protested aside, “Think back. With the position you are in now Alec would never think of looking at you twice for you are man at that. How can he fall in love with you? Yes he may feel certain feeling and closure to you but it brought out no real feeling for Alec does not know that you are the girl he like and love. All you have to do is dress up as a girl and wear a wig. It can be done all the times, since you can dress up as a guy why not as a girl now?”

Looking at Valerie, Amy and Kate all of them nodded their head with unison, “It can be done Van,” [yes yes!] coming to a decision, Van decided to dress up back as Vicki to go and see Alec, after dressing back and buying the hair wig that look similar to her hair once, Vicki got on a bus and ride towards the meeting place Alec had been promising that he will be there waiting there for her.

“There is no one here. Have he given up after all?” Vicki talks to herself as Alec was not in sights, not knowing has she made the rights decision in coming here as Vicki and not as Van, suddenly a hands grasp her from behind, “What— ” turning behind to see who it is, Vicki came to a stands still seeing that it was Alec that grab her from behinds.

“It really you!” Alec smiles, happy at seeing that Vicki had finally coming here to meet him, a deep scarlet red covers his face, looking at Vicki making Vicki wonders, “I’m sorry that I grab you from behind, but you really came! I’m really happy, no, no, happy is not the words, what I wanted to say is that I glad that you are able to make it…”

Vicki looks at Alec, stammering on like that. It not like his usual self at all, full of confidence, always carrying himself surely, until now she has never known that Alec has never been very sure about her feeling, Vicki had thought all along that Alec has guess how she felt, ‘Alec is blushing! I never thought that I will see that day.’ Smiling all the whiles to herself for it really amuse her to see Alec stammering, as it nice to see that not only she is the only one in doubts but slowly blush started to cover Vicki cheeks as well.

“Anyway I’m called Alec,” Alec introduced himself finally, “How bout you? I had been talking for so long that I forgotten to introduce myself.”

“I’m Va – ” suddenly Vicki stop curtly, and shaking her hands, “I mean my name is Vicki!” realizing that she had nearly slip out her real identity, Vicki thinks to herself, ‘Whew! That is a narrow escape.’

“What you saying?” Alec confuse at the sudden reaction of Vicki, “Oh nothings, hey isn’t that Mr. Hamster?” Vicki said like lightning to change the subject and succeeding in doing that.

“Yes!” Alec delighted in knowing that Vicki still remember Lion after all, which means that she still remember him as well as his kiss, “He is called Lion,” while all the while Vicki is thinking about the slips she nearly did. ‘I been with guys this pass several months that I almost forget that I’m not Van now but as Vicki.’

So they walks around and talks bout everything and anything except that Vicki didn’t tell Alec anything about her family just a brief saying about them being a very strict parent, which enables her to come out and meet him the pass several months, ‘I’m sorry mom for using you like this but I’m sure you will understand.’ As they walks and chat and starts to get to know each other in a neutral grounds suddenly they bumped into two drunkards.

“Hey cutie..urps! Why don’t you come and play with us huh,” one of the drunkards said as he saw how cutes and pretty the little miss is, since they are not sober, they dare to do anything and say anything just for the fun of it and just for the kick of it.

“Shut up drunkard!” both Alec and Vicki turns around and scolded the two drunkards for being so rude to Vicki, holding a hands over to her mouths Vicki gave a surprise yelp, ‘Oh no! Now he will think that I’m rude,’ well we can't really blame Vicki rights? For months she has to stay with guys and acts like them. Both of them taking the two drunkards by surprise especially that they never thoughts such a lovely lady would have such spunk to fight back at all apologize porously for their blunder.

Vicki caught up with her action, didn’t take notice of Alec and the two drunkards or how the apologize for their mistake in talking Vicki, putting both her hands at her mouth looking just like a kid but it make Vicki adorable eyes stands out. She didn’t know when Alec finish up with the two drunkard and she does not know that Alec been standing there observing her action just like someone in love.

Tapping lightly on Vicki head to get her attention, Alec shows her a ring with a love on the top of it, “This is for you,” taking her attention of her thoughts Vicki look at the ring Alec presented her, “Oh gosh it so cute! It really for me?”

“Yes it for you,” taking Vicki fingers, Alec slips the ring gentle into her middle fingers [sorry I don’t know what the fingers called. Sorry ^_*], “There is be cuter here. Sorry it just something cheap. Hope you won't mind.”

“No, no,” Vicki waving her hands frantically all the while smiling sweetly at Alec, “I’m really happy.”

This caught Alec attention, looking at her and staring at all in once, a tender smiles slowly break into his face, looking at Vicki, grabbing her of all the sudden and hug Vicki tightly to him, “Gosh you are so cute! Cute till I have thoughts of eating you alive here!” hugging her real tights and full of warm till Vicki does not want to leave his embrace it felt so nice here, soft and secure, ‘Alec…I’m really happy that I listen to Valerie, being in Alec embrace, is like heaven listening to his heart beats is like listening to love song. I really wish that this will go on forever.’

As they were crossing the roads, Vicki hands being very small and the ring being too big for her, drop ceaselessly and Vicki shouted, “Alec the ring!” pointing at the ring that had roll to the middle of the zebra crossing.

“I get it for you,” but as Alec is going out, the lights had turns red and Vicki was going to shouted that Alec don’t mind it but her shouts got out too late, “Alec!” instead of shouting for him to come back, Vicki shouts turns to gasp as she saw the car is coming fast towards Alec, “Alec! No!”

At the very last minutes, Alec did a summersault which brought him out of the way of the car and turning him into a hero at the streets where peoples cheer him on for his shows, running back after the uproar to get to Vicki and to give her back the rings, “Here this is the ring,” smiling all the whiles at her but noticing a silent Vicky and tears are flowing down her cheeks, “You worried about me? I’m fine don’t worry,” hugging Vicki to him and caresses her hair gently.

“It isn’t easy…” Vicki sobs into Alec shoulders from the scared she just got, “It not easy … easy…not easy, I thought you were going to be dead when I see the car heading for you…it just…”

A warm sense washes over Alec, he never really had anyone caring for him and hugging him so tights, “I won't let anything happen to me,” Alec smoothing Vicki hairs back, pulling back from Vicki, Alec looks deep into her eyes, smoothing her hair back from foreheads Alec kiss her forehead longingly and lovingly, “I won't let anything come between you and me,” pulling her forwards and kiss her lips gently, which cover from sweetness to something fierce between them.

After the incident they walks around hands in hands for a while before it was times for Vicki to board the bus back, “Take cares of yourself ok,” Alec requested gently towards her, turning back Vicki looks at Alec, not willing to go back but she is left with no choice but to do so, “I’m sorry Alec I couldn’t give you my phone, my parent don’t like guys phoning me.”

“Don’t worry,” Alec said, smiling at her, “I understands just make sure that you come again ok?”

“Miss can you hurry up?” the bus driver scolded Vicki for holding back his schedule, “I’m sorry.”

“Bye Van!” Alec said as the door close, shocking Vicki. Turning slowly Vicki looks at Alec thru the window with eyes full of surprise but when Alec eyes meet her there was no hatred in those eyes of his, only love and he was still smiling at her with Lion preaching at his shoulder.

Chapter 11

‘He called me Van,’ Van pondering to herself all the way to breakfast table the next morning. ‘Why he called me Van and not Vicki?’ The thoughts kept running thru Van minds, ‘How can he know? It would be impossible right?’

As Van got nearer and nearer to the breakfast table, sweat broke at her temple. However when Alec saw Van coming towards the table he wished her a good morning like usual, “Morning Van.”

“Morning…gosh I’m so hungry!” Van uttered and buried herself into her breakfast. She gobbled everything up so fast that Van choked on her breakfast.

“Idiot!” Alec quickly got up to his feet and was besides Van in a moment passing her a cloth to wipe her face on, “Go it slow man. Do you want to be choke to death?”

“Thank you,” Van murmured thru the cloth she was wiping her face with.

“You welcome,” Alec said slowly and getting on with his own breakfast, “I would never dream of wiping my face with the table cloth anyway.”

“Why you rascal!” that caught Van attention, and she got up on her feet to bestow the same courtesy towards Alec, “I’m going to wipe your face with this damn cloth!”

“Ha ha…no thanks,” Alec wadding Van attacks off with just one hands, as Van prove to smaller in size to him and much more fragile than him, he had no problem wadding her off, “I’m not that stupid to use table cloth to wipe my mouth, ha ha.”

“No fight at the table!” the housekeeper shouted the moment she enter the dining room and found Alec and Van fighting over the tablecloths, “Mind your table manners!”

‘Why that rascal!’ Van thoughts to herself, while Alec resumed with his breakfast like nothing happen, ‘Anyway I think I’m over sensitive, there is nothing so particular about Alec today, I’m sure what I heard about yesterday was just my thoughts playing things on my minds.’

“Father said that he will go to The Room today,” Alec said between his bites.

“Really!” Van was excited by the notion that her grandpa would be at The Room today, “That I have to practice harder!”

“Don’t be too sure,” Alec cool façade was one once again, “The other master would be there as well.”

“Huh…” this really got Van attention, for is the other master is there as well, it means big deal for there is never all the master present at once.

At The Room…

One by one, all the cars stopped and dropped in all the grand master from the theater, all the onlookers had their fills today, as never was there once that all the grand master turn up together at the same time as the same place.

“Thank you all for coming,” Master Zhao greeted them at the door.

“Brother Zhao,” all the other grand master bowed to Van’s grandpa for, Master Zhao held the highest position compared to the other six, “We will come once you command no matter how busy we are, moreover we all brings ours son to this times practice so that they could learn from your grandson.”

With all the respects paid, all the grand master took their place in The Room, chatting among each other while waiting for Van to get ready in the back room, Van standing there along, getting ready could not tied her belts together with her trembling hands, “Gosh I’m so scared!”

“Van are you alright,” Takeshi walked into the back room without knocking, worried about Van as this is her first times of performing in front of all the grand master. At the same time noticed that Van belts is not tied properly, “Here come let me help you. Just be calm everything will be alright. Treat it as a normal practice.”

“How touching there,” Alec walked in, leaning against the door beam accessing both Takeshi and Van with cool eyes that would have freeze any living souls, “How protective you are towards him Takeshi. The more you protect him the more I have my chance of beating him.”

“Why you!” Takeshi was angered by the way Alec talked to both Van and him, “Shut your mouth Su!”

“Why?” Alec walked in and picking a fan and looked at it steely, “I said the rights things.”

“You-” Takeshi was on the urge to grab Alec and pinned him to the door but was stopped by Van in times, “It ok Takeshi I can handled it. Why don’t you go out and join the rest of them in The Room first. I be there once everything is settle.”

“You sure?” Takeshi doubting Van, for he could saw how Van hands is trembling still but looking at the determination in her eyes, he could do nothing excepts giving in, after both Alec and Takeshi walking out of the room leaving Van alone to herself, she ran her finger gently on the ring that Alec given her the precious nights. Tugging in the ring into her belts, Van picked up her fan and banished all her fear into the back of her head, ‘I can do it!’

Upon entering the room, Van sat on her bended knees and paid her respects to all the grand master, “With all the respects to grand master I’m Van Zhao, the son of Zhao Meng.”

“Why he looks so small,” one of the grand masters commented.

“He looks so girlish,” another said, smiling all the while for Zhao Meng dance had leave a great impact on all of them.

“He so small,” one of the grand masters son commented, “I’m sure he is nothing!”

“Van,” Master Zhao called out, “Starts your dance now. We don’t have much times to waste here.”

“Yes, Master,” with that, Van started her dance, pulling herself up from the sitting position, dancing all the while with just a thoughts in her minds, ‘This is just like normal, nothing to be scared off.’

As she was dancing only one things crossed her minds, is that now she is the lady with two personalities, she loved the lion but she couldn’t see her love, all she could felt is the presence of her love one. There she immersed herself into the role and the feeling, so immersed Van is in the dance that the world ceased to exist.

“What the rubbish is this!” one of the grand masters shouted with sweats beading at his temple, “Master Zhao, you asked us here to see this kinds of rubbish?”

“I’m going!” another grand master shouted angrily.

“Please…” Van called out, snapped out from her dance, “Please don’t go, give me another chance!”

“Please all grand master,” Takeshi pleaded on Van behalf, “It already consider great that Van could accomplished this much at such a short time!”

“Takeshi shut up!” one of the grand master scolded him, all the while this is going on, Master Zhao stood aside taking in the whole scene calmly, “What profile you have to speaks to us like this!”

“Van,” Alec called out, standing casually at the door beam, “Let them go, look how pale their looks are…”

“Su!” one of the grand masters called out, “Mind your words!”

“Why?” Alec said coolly, walking over to his son and taking out the grand masters son hands, which are trembling badly, “I only said the truth. Looks how your son tremble still and how sweating you guys are. You guys know talents when you guys saw it but just do not want to admit it. So what the use of asking you guys to stay and looks on.”

“Lets go!” the grand master grabbed his son hands and walked out of The Room without another words said.

With the grand master gone, Van turned to her grandpa and said, “Thanks a lot, Master Zhao, Takeshi and Alec for giving me this chance…I.”

“Don’t be too happy,” Master Zhao turned his back and started walking out of The Room, “You still a long way to go.”

“Yes I know!” Van said happily, at least she known that she had not failed, all the while running towards her back room to change clothe, ‘I know it! I know Alec won't be so cruel to me. He is helping me all along. Vicki is his lover but Van is his opponents. Alec is so cool!’ all kinds of thoughts ran thru her minds that Van did not noticed that a groups of student had assembled by the end of the hallway.

“Grab him!” the guy with the spec shouted.

“What- ” Van voice was cut off, by the other guys who are holding him, “You embarrass us just now in the hall way! Now is the pay back times!”

“Hey guys!” the guy with the spec shouted out, “Look what I found in his belts! It a ring!”

“Wow! Aren’t that girlish?” one of them laughed, “I’m sure he is a girl!”

With all the commotions going on, the joked and pulled at Van, teasing him all along saying he is a girl, suddenly Alec walked in, “What is all this about?” taking in the views that Van is being held down by the others guys.

“Look Su,” the guy with the spec showed Alec the ring, “look what I found in this guy, and he is after all a girl at that!”

“No…” Van said out, without wasting another moments, jerked herself free from the grasp and grabbed the ring from the spec guy hands before Alec could get proper views at that. “Alec don’t listen to them!”

But Alec, eyes had change, “Prove to me then!” pulling Van into the room, at the verge of closing the door, Alec turned and throwing them a steel looked, “If Van is a girl…I would thanks you guys…but if Van is a guy…you all will get it from making me lost my face!”

Chapter 12

With the final words out, the door bang shut, shutting the rest of the gang out there, making them anxious for The Su is not to be anger, after a while there is no sounds coming out from the room that got the whole groups anxious.

“Hey!” the guy with the spec tried to open the door but the handle is stuck, “We wanted to know as well. Come on open up.”

Suddenly the door gave ways, revealing Van chest, proving that he is a guy, “Van is a guy! I’m going to get you guys for this!” Alec roared out, the rest of the gang hearing the Su roar. Knowing that the worse has come to the worse quickly ran away before the Su caught the hold of them.

Getting up from the sitting position, Alec closed the door gently, and locked it up, while at the corner, Van was draped with Alec outer coat, “Why…?” Van whispered out softly.

“Idiot,” Alec walked up to where Van was sitting down gently, putting his hands softly against Van face, “Still need to ask why? You are a guy right?”

“But…but,” Van could not get the words out, if Alec exposed her, wouldn’t it would have do him good right?

“I will…protect you. Together with you to protect you,” Alec slowly caressed Van face, his voice dropping to a sentimental timbre, “As long as you said you are a guy, I will treat you like one. You want to be my opponent I will be your opponent with all my best. When you want to be Vicki, I will be waiting for you with open arms.”

This type of love is rare no matter what. And it is real, as Vicki mom had said, happens once in the while, to Vicki it so priceless that all she could have done was cried in earnest. It been hard on her since her dad been ill, and not knowing when her dad would be awake and for how long would her dad stay awakes. She had been in love with Alec so long that finally it go out of the dark making her feeling relief at the same times weak and spent of all the energy that all she could do is cried into Alec embrace. While Alec holding her tightly and safely from harms.

However not known to them that, Takeshi heard every single words they said, standing there holding on the door without a strength that prevented Takeshi from tearing into the room and demanded that Alec released Vicki at once. For Takeshi does not wish to create a poor image for Vicki. He wanted to create the forever loving guys portray for Vicki, hoping against hope that someday Vicki would see him as a guy she loved and not as an older brother.
The next morning, Van got up from her sleep and took a bath before changing for class, on the way to the breakfast table, Van did not knew how to act in front of Alec after their scene yesterday at The Room.

“Morning,” Alec greeted Van nonchantly as if nothing had happen between them yesterday.

“Morning,” Van greeted Alec warily, for she really did not know what to make of Alec attitude, this is her first times being with someone she love, as well as being in the most complicated situation where her sex must not be reveal.

Suddenly Alec sneaked a hand to Van head, making Van jumping out of her skin, “What do you think you are doing!”

“Your hair are standing up,” Alec said with a smiles in his voice, he understand what Van is going thru right now, “Go up and put something to made it down then we have to shoot off to school or we be late.”

“Oh thank you,” Van blushed at her outburst but she could not help it, being so close with Alec and not being able to stroke him lovingly is killing her alive, “I be right down.”

Upon entering the classroom at school, “Morning…” Van greeted out but was greeted by the class outburst.

“Gosh you guys are going on steady!”

“Ah…no…” Van and Alec had the shocked of their life, but that was quickly dupe when they saw that the attention is not on them but on Kenny and Jenny, where Jenny is standing there and blushing all the while.

“We got classmates saw you guys walking hand in hand at one of the store.”

“Whew!” Van thought to herself and at the same times feeling the envy, ‘How lucky they are! They could admit their relationship with such ease there is no need to think of other stuff. How I wish that I could be like that with Alec, holding his hands without the fear of being discover.’

Alec whom is standing close to Van could saw the emotion playing in Van face but he did not spoke up as he does not want to further burden her with the thought that he knew everything. Putting a hand on Van head, he patted softly making her looking up to her and bestowed her with a smiles that could have melts anyone heart at that.

Day passed quickly for both Alec and Van, being around Keigo, Kenichi and Yutaka made them forget their problem at hands. Classes flew by as times flew by and within the blink of an eye, it times to go home.

“Hey tomorrow is public holiday!” Yutaka said, “Lets go to the fair!”

“Kenichi driving us then?” Van asked enthusiastic as well for it been sometimes since she went to the fair.

“Oh course!” Keigo said.

“Hey!” Kenichi objected, “How come you guys didn’t ask me first one?”

“Oh come on,” Yutaka patting Kenichi shoulder, “Don’t be a spoil sport. You the only who can drive among us. What do you suspect?”

“Hey want to bring Lion along?” Van suddenly thought of Alec’s hamster.

“Nah, we don’t need another mouse,” Yutaka picked up Van as if he had a tail, “We already has one right here!”

“Hey!” Van objected, “I’m not that petite!”

“No!” was all Alec responds, without a words, Alec grabbed Van out of Yutaka hands and pulled Van into his hands, “Holiday is not easy to come by. Moreover on the day where I’m free. I want to see you practice your Lion Dance.”

“Huh…” Van was momentary stun, but gained her wit within the space of seconds, “You want to see me practice?”

“Yes,” Alec responded and nodded his head slowly. “I be able to point out your faults at the same time.”

“Really?” Van was elated to know that Alec cares enough to help her out. “I will try my best that is what I promise you!”

“Aw come on you guys,” Keigo objected for it rare for them to have a public holiday and Alec and Van is going to use it for practice.

“No,” Van objected quickly for she like the idea of spending sometimes alone with Alec too much to give it up just for some fair, “It will do me good. I need all the practice I can get.”

Left to no choice the three of them had to go without Alec and Van for the day but not having Van with them seem to be less enjoyable but well since Van had something important to do. It is excusable.

Chapter 13

On the day of the practice…

“Van your hands had to be softer…” on and on Alec drummed instructions, Van kept on trying her best but it seem like it is not enough, “No! No! Not like that! You must not use action to prove that you are in love you has to use your facial expression to do that.”

Suddenly Van’s fan drop into the carpeted floor, “I’m so…” Van sobbed out, she already tried and tried. Following Alec instructions to the drop, but everything still turn out wrong. ‘What happen? What went wrong? I’m trying all my best! Why!’ Van shouted in her heart, she was so elated that Alec is using his free times to teach and guide her but she couldn’t made it right. ‘What went wrong?’ the words kept repeating in Van heads. She had tried her best but it seem like her best is not enough.

“We stop for today,” Alec said curtly and slammed the door behind him, leaving a heartbroken Van in the room sitting there and sniffing into her own hands, ‘What kinds of boyfriend he is! He suppose to console instead of go running out.’

“Alec!” a girl voice was heard outside the window, Van curious, walked towards the window and looked out. What he saw wretched her heart even more. She saw that Alec is smiling gently to a young pretty girl whom is obviously smitten with him. “Hi, I’m sorry I got to run.”

‘He don’t have to be gentle with me,’ Van leaned against the window hearing Alec voice echoing in her ears, squeezing her eyes shut to block the scene below from her minds. ‘Now I’m his opponent! Not his love! I’m a guy not a girl! He don’t have to be that gentle with me!’

“Van!’ suddenly Yutaka voice was heard below the window, looking out again, Van saw that Yutaka, Kenichi and Keigo, were below there waving at her. Without another words, Van ran out to greet them, “Why are you guys here?”

“Well we are kinds of bored after walking for so long,” Yutaka said, “I thought we came by and see how are you going with your Lion Dance.”

Couldn’t take it any more, Van ran into Kenichi arms and cried her heart out, shocking the gang, they decided to take Van out to the beach to find out what wrong with her.

At the beach…

Van poured her heart out, sitting there with her hands on her chin looking so solemn. Crying in between her punctured lines and words. The three of them listened to Van at lost for they never thought that Van is such a weak boy. They had always thought of him as happy goes lucky types.

“Van,” Yutaka called out, being the one who are usually with so much words did not know where to begin in this, “I’m sure Alec does not meant it.”

“I’m sure he couldn’t have stand me any more,” Van hid her face away from the three of them, crying into her hands. The rest of the gangs seeing Vicki this was sad for her as well. “It still early for him to go the theater, I’m sure he is…”

“…it hard to blame Alec,” Kenichi voiced out, being the most quite one in the group. “Being The Su is hard for him.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Yutaka cut in.

“He have to bear two different personalities at the same times,” Kenichi said softly looking from Yutaka to Van. “It hard for him, he had being like this since he was a child and since the day I know him I already seen through it and even though he does not says it. He is the type that does not give up easily. When he set a goal for himself, no matter how many mountains he had brave and how many seas he had to cross. He will reach it. So Van you got to trust in Alec that you are able to do it!”

“That right!’ Keigo supported.

“Yes, Kenichi is right,” Yutaka, said out, boasting up Van spirit.

From Kenichi words and sentence, he had shed new lights of Alec character that Van had never known. Looking with a realization at Kenichi, where he nodded his heads seeing that his words had manage to bring Van out of his misery to think wisely.

“Take me can you Kenichi?” Van looks at Kenichi before saying the following. “I want to practice out the places where Alec said I was wrong just now.”

“That the spirit!” Kenichi patted Van shoulders.

“Hey!” Yutaka protested, “We came all the way out here to see you and you are telling us that you want to go back?”

“Yeah!” Keigo echo Yutaka thoughts, “Come on let have some funs first.”

“No,” Van rejected their offer light heartedly for she knows that they don’t really mean it, “Come on. I’m sure you guys would like to see me dance the prefect Lion Dance right?”

At home…

“Alec home!” Van said upon entering the house as she saw that Alec shoes is right on the front door. Anxious to see Alec and to apologize for her blunder, she went straight to Alec’s room. However Alec was nowhere in sight, she only saw that Alec bag was there, suddenly a tape with her name ‘Vicki’ printed on it caught her attention.

Without another words, she put on the video to see what is in it. What Van saw really caught her off guards. It was a tape of all her friends from her old high school.

“Vicki! How are you?” Amy echo from the television.

“We miss you here!”

“Hey come back soon yea!”

“Don’t worry about your mother here, we will help you to take care of her, all you need to do is practice your Lion Dance harder and we will be there for you.”

“Vicki,” an old lady whom, Van had always been kinds to. “Don’t worry too much. Have confident in yourself. You can do it.”

Suddenly Van mother came on the television, looking so gently and beautiful at the same times. “Vicki how is you? Don’t you worry about stuff here. Your father is getting better day by day so you have to promise me that you will work harder there.”

With all said, the film still go on, a cat was also taken in the film, without another words, Alec walked in and sat quietly beside Van, “I wanted to take more but pity I don’t have any more film. Well it ok I can always go back to take more.”

Couldn’t stand it any more and felt guilty for blaming Alec just now for nothing while all the while he went away to take some encouraging words from her friends and family for her, Van broke into tears again.

“Don’t cry,” Alec said softly and putting his hands softly on tops of Van hands and squeezed gently. With that both of them sat quietly at the room with the film rolled on but both of them not caring and Alec sitting there holding on to Van hands, however silent and supports were in the air where Van could felt it.

‘I don’t want anything else, I only want to have Alec,’ Van thought to herself, it is enough for her, it is more than enough. Nothing could have taken that away from her now. However unknown to them, Takeshi had stood outside of the room and saw it all. Knowing that Alec known Van identity flames his anger more. He had thought that since today is holiday he could come over and help Van out with her practice but it seem like he went into a world where he is not welcome! ‘Vicki you are mine!’

Chapter 14

“My god,” one whispered to another. “See how The Zhao improve over the week. Now The Su won't have a word.”

“Shhhh!” one of the bystanders grasped a hand over the other mouth, “Do you want to be heard?”

Pointing to where The Su was standing near by watching coolly Van dancing and practicing along in the class. What had never occurred to the class is that inside, Alec is damn proud of the progress Van is making with her dance. At the same time, Zhao Master looked on to what is happening in The Room, where all his emotions were clearly behind a mask.

After the class, both Alec and Van got back to rest their limbs before it times for Alec to go to the theater. Suddenly a commotion happened.

“It not good!” one of the student shouted and ran all the way till he reached Master Zhao. “Master Zhao, Benny met with an accident just round the corner just now and he won't be able to perform tonight!” At the same time casting a look over to Alec. Who was standing behind Master Zhao.

“Does that means you guys want me to take over?” Alec asked, glitters of excitement entered his eyes.

“Yes.” The student was direct for he saw no point in beating around the bush with The Su, “Can you?”

“Sure why not!” Alec said immediately.

“Alec you sure it fine for you?” Van asked, concern etched in her face, “You have another show in between 15 minutes break from the show you take on now.”

“It fine,” Alec smiled at Van. “I love the challenge,” Alec said in a matter of fact voice that leave no doubt to Van that Alec would be able to handle it and it excited her as much as it did to Alec.

“No,” the Master denied.

“Grandpa?” Van was curious. ‘What wrong now?’

“Van will take over Benny,” Master Zhao said looking at the rest of them.

“But master,” the student denied. Yes Van had improved tremendously but she had only been practicing The Lion dance all along and the rest of the dance pattern was ignorant to her.

“When your father was learning and dancing. He could do it in the last minutes. If you can't do it then you are no better than your father and you are not fit to take the title ‘The Zhao’” Master Zhao threw the challenge into Van face.

Van who never ever backed down from a challenge threw up in her face, glared back at her grandpa and saw that her grandpa was doing it deliberately for her to lost face. Left with no place out and being backed into the corner. Van stood up and took a deep breath, “I will do it!”

Alec didn’t say a word at all for he knew that Van would be able to handle the show like a baby. At the theater, Van looked around for it the first time he going to perform in front of a sea of stranger. Walking up to them was Taka, another famous artist in the theater, well known and liked among the artist.

“Taka sensei,” both Alec and Van greeted.

All Taka did was just nodded his head to Van and Alec. Looking on coolly at Van instead of Alec for to Alec he already know. The times Alec entered the theater, Taka was there all along to lead and help Alec all he could to make sure that Alec reached the top where he is now.

“I will do my best,” Van greeted and looking unsure around her surrounding.

“Alec I will show Van to her changing room,” Taka sensei dismissing Alec with a nod, which Alec acknowledged and went on her way. Walking away without a word to Van, Van left with no choice left had to follow Taka to the changing room.

“This will be your changing room,” Taka standing aside to let Van into the room. “There is tape there for you.”

“Sensei,” Van called out the moment Taka turned on his heels to walk out of the room, “Thanks for all the trouble.”

“It will not be a trouble for me unless you failed in front of the stage.”

Looking at Taka retreating back. Van left with no doubt that Taka would not be any help to her. The way Taka had treat her are no difference from any other new student and new artist. But that would remain unknown to Van unless she proved herself tonight at the stage.

“Van!”

“Takeshi! What are you doing here?”

“I heard what grandpa had did. Are you sure that you would be able to handle it?”

“Yes I can don’t worry. Just go out and let me change. I be alright.” Smiling at Takeshi to soften her words.

“If you are sure…” doubting Van words for this is the first time Van is going on stage and he was sure that Van would be nervous and he wanted to be the one to calm her nerves.

“Yes, yes” Van was determined that she would be able to do it and proved it to her grandpa that she is no weakly. Suddenly be all alone after getting ready for her show her nerves started to tremble and couldn’t control herself any longer she ran out to find Alec.

“Alec!”

“My gosh Van!” Alec looked at Van appearance and he was shocked. “Look at you! You are like an ugly duckling!”

“What!” Van was shocked that Alec would said that of her. For she thought that Alec would say something encouraging. “You idiot!” Van shouted and ran away from Alec into her changing room. All Alec did was staring at Van retreating back and not a word came out from his lips. After a while Van calmed down in her room and she was feeling sorry for calling Alec such a stupid name.

“Van?”

“Yes?” Van turned to see who is calling her and she recognized the person as being one of the students from The Room.

“The Su is asking for you.”

Without another words Van ran out of the room and towards where Alec was getting ready to go out to the platform. Alec was beautifully drawn and dressed up in one of the kimono with birds as it main pattern. There Alec stood with his eyes closed and sending a silent prayed.

“Alec…” Van had wanted to call but Alec name came out as a small sigh for Van noticed that Alec shoulders was trembling slightly. ‘He is scared!’ Van thought frantically to herself but the moment Alec was called forwards and the curtain was drawn. Alec had pulled himself together and walking gracefully down the platform where lights was shown and people was cheering. There Van knew something that Alec wanted her to know. It the lights.

After that Van knew that is a normal reaction for every artist. She knew every artist would go through what she is going through at the moment. Collecting herself Van thought to herself that it a normal reaction.

“Van!”

“Oh hi Takeshi.”

“Are you feeling ok?”

“Yes I am don’t worry.”

“You are pale are you sure you ok?” Takeshi asked with concern showed in his eyes. Suddenly it was Van called. Alec had finished his show and now it Van turn. Walking down the platform Alec was towards her at the same time where all his makeup had been washed and he was wearing a robe around his wet body with a sash tying the robe together. When Takeshi saw that Alec walking down the path towards Van, he tighten his hold on Van shoulders.

“It ok Takeshi,” Van turned around and smiled at Takeshi before walking down the platform towards where Alec was walking down. When they meet. No word was necessary between the two of them. But they exchange one comfort where they hands held and Alec gave Van a little squeeze. This little action went unnoticed to the hassle and bustle in the theater but it did not go unnoticed to Takeshi eyes where he looked on with hatred.

“Thank you.”

“Van your turn!” the curtain puller shouted and without a glance Van ran towards to platform and ready to take the stage. Suddenly not noticing a plank had come undone Van bumped into and tripped into the stage. Van felled head down. Shocked and scared Van mind went black.

At the side curtain where Alec and Takeshi were looking on, the whole crew went still. ‘Van comes back!’ Takeshi shouted inside his head.

‘Van get up and act!’ Alec shouted in his heart.

Chapter 15

“What you laughing at!” Van shouted causing the audience to laugh all over again. Looking at the lady that is sitting down at the floor with her gown almost drawn apart. Walking slowly up to her, carrying a towel and wrapping it the down around her.

From those moments, the crowd quite down, silence reign the hall, every single audience was caught up in Van play. There was so much joy and laughter in the hall that night. What else would an artist want? The play went on, Van not noticing the expression on the audience’s face for she is too caught up with her own part to care to look at the audience to see their reaction.

After finishing his parts in the play, Taka sensei got down from the stage where Takeshi started forward and greeted him warmly.

“Sensei thanks for helping Van out there,” smiling all the while and shaking Taka sensei hands. Making Taka sensei looked at him, then slowly turning toward the stage where Van had managed to hold all the audience in awe.

“In truth I did nothing to help him at all,” Taka sensei said softly looking towards Van performances. “He did all that by himself. Look at how the audience loves him. I had never seen such devotion on the audiences’ faces before. He had manage to held them in awe where no other artist had managed that except The Su.”

Instead of envious voices that could be heard in the sensei voices. It was a voice of admiration as well as a love of an artist towards another artist. Somehow Van had managed to win sensei hearts by her bravery tonight even though she had fall flat on her face. Takeshi was happy to hear that but to Alec this is nothing new for him. For inside his heart he knew it from the starts that Van would be a success. Without another words, Alec turned and walked out of the backstage into the blackness of the nights.

Breathless from the show, Van rushed to Taka sensei places and apologizes non-stop, “I’m so sorry sensei!” and she kept on bowing non-stop hoping that Taka sensei would gave her another chance at that. While Taka sensei just looked on at the comical scene in front of him and at the same time not knowing how to respond to it at all.

“Van,” Taka sensei attended out a hand to stop her from bowing more, for he couldn’t stand the look on her big bright innocent eyes which shown with guilt that she should not be feeling. “You at the audience, they love you and you did no mistake. Let the fall be your stairs.” With that said Taka sensei walked quietly away while Van stood there, staring at his back without knowing what to say.

“Well way to go Van!” Takeshi tap on Van shoulders, shaking Van out of her stupor, heaving a sigh, Van looked up at Takeshi with unbelievable eyes of what she had just accomplished. Suddenly Van seemed to notice that Alec is not around.

“Where is Alec?”

“Not sure,” Takeshi said it and shrugging his shoulder at the same times, for he couldn’t care less where that Alec went as long as he stayed far away from Van. Van feeling disappointed that Alec didn’t stay back and celebrate her success with her no matter how small.

Chapter 16

¡°Stupid Alec!¡± Van vented out her disappointment. As suddenly as it begun, it stopped. Walking slowly away from the door towards her own bedroom, Van thought to herself, ¡®He don¡¯t have to treat me nicely right? After all I¡¯m his opponent in the stage but I really miss him!¡¯

Sighing to herself, Van walked into her own bedroom and went over to the window and pulling the curtain open. The scene that greeted her, surprise her at the same time. ¡°Alec what you doing out there!¡± pushing the windows opened, Van reached out for him. There he sat like there is no tomorrow with the biggest smiles you can see on a person face.

¡°Alec¡­what¡­¡± Van couldn¡¯t seem to form her own thoughts. All of it was in a jumble seeing Alec out there in the cold just with a white t-shirt as coverage. Suddenly Alec flagged out his t-shirt. The moment the shirt was flag, petals of white flowers filled the air.

¡°Oh my god!¡± Van gasped out. It the most beautiful scene she had ever seen. Leaning on the window, Van reached out to touch the petals softly then looked at Alec, ¡°Alec you went and do all this.¡± All Alec did was a smile.

¡°Thanks¡­¡± was all Van could manage, ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say Alec, this is the nicest things anyone had ever did for me.¡±

¡°So am I still stupid?¡± looking innocently at Van.

¡°You ease drop!¡± Van exclaimed.

¡°Hey it you who shouted it out loud for people to hear,¡± Alec teased her, ¡°I¡¯m so sure that Mrs. Han heard every single words you shouted.

¡°Oh no!¡±

Looking away from Van, Alec carefully pushed himself from the branch into Van bedroom, and rumpled Van hairs, ¡°Just teasing you,¡± he whispered softly into Van ears.

¡°Why you!¡± Van pushed herself from Alec embrace and stood there with her hands on her hips, ready for the battle. Suddenly Alec sneezed. ¡°Alec are you ok?¡± a concerned Van asked, reaching out taking Alec palm into her hands, finding that Alec hands is icy cold.

¡°Alec you shouldn¡¯t have,¡± Van said out and touched his face lovingly, ¡°Collecting all those flowers at such a times, it a wonder if you don¡¯t catch a cold out there.¡±

¡°It all worth it to see the smiles on your face,¡± Alec smiled back taking Van hands and pressing a kiss into it. ¡°And I get to know that how low your opinion on me. Stupid huh.¡±

¡°Alec it just a¡­¡± Van was feeling so miserable for calling Alec stupid before finding out everything that she missed the glint in Alec eyes. Suddenly Alec roared out with laughter seeing Van miserable face. ¡°Why you so naughty!¡± Van started plumbing Alec chest with her little hands.

Unknown to them, while both of them were having their little lovers tease, Takeshi was standing just down at Van¡¯s bedroom window and heard every singles words that had passed between Van and Alec.

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