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"Speak! Don't think I don't know what you did to Sandy...trying to get fresh with her right? I bet you didn't know who you were dealing with..." Vicki slammed her hand down on the table infront of her. A man, Mr Lim, was curled up in his chair shivering with fear. His eyes darted from Vicki to the men behind her, and back to Vicki again. "I'm sorry Miss Zhao, I...I didn't know that she was your friend..." Vicki felt a surge of anger rising. "Even though if she wasn't my friend, it doesn't give you the right to lure young girls to hotel rooms and try to take advantage of them..if anything had happened to Sandy that night, you wouldn't walk out of this building alive.." Vicki stared at Mr Lim in disgust. A balding man of 40 plus, he was very unattractive, no wonder he was desperate. She wondered how he wife exactly looked like. "Do anything again, and I will be after your fingers and toes Mr Lim, let's go guys. " Vicki threw a pen at Mr Lim and sauntered out of the office, the men all following like dogs behind her. Mr Lim watched until she had disappeared out of sight and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Vicki nodded her head to the upbeat music and took a look at her friends, Sandy and Kelly, who were dancing on the dance floor. At least Sandy was looking better, especially after her experience with that Mr Lim, the scumbag of the earth. Bringing Sandy up to his hotel room, trying to take advantage of her, it was a good thing that one of her men had alerted Vicki, but poor Sandy, she was so shaken up by the experience that she had cried for countless nights in her bedroom. "Hi, I'm Alec, you were at my office this morning, getting even with Mr Lim I suppose.." Vicki looked up to see a hand offering to shake hers. A handsome face stood behind it, grinning down at her. "I'm not interested." Vicki replied mildly and turned towards the counter. "One vodka please." "I'll pay for that." Alec quickly slammed a few dollar notes on the counter. Vicki rolled her eyes and picked her glass up, she just had too much of men coming up to her and trying to get into her good graces. "Look, you won't get anything here okay? Why don't you go and dance with one of my friends and leave me alone? Lily, go with him please.." A girl who was dressed in a short cut black dress draped her hand over Alec, "Alec, can't you see that my friend doesn't want to see you here? Well, I'll spare you one dance, you're not bad looking..." Pulling the reluctant Alec to the dance floor, she gently coaxed him. "Well, Vicki Zhao, brushing me off like that, so you want me to dance? Well...I'll show you dancing!" Alec thought to himself. The arrogant Vicki Zhao was getting on his nerves. Grabbing tightly of Lily's hands, he started to dance, dance like never before. The dancing lessons that his uncle gave him were really coming on handy now. Swinging the shocked Lily around his waist and above his head, a crowd gathered around the couple, watching in wide-eyed wonder. Vicki sat up, wondering what was going on, and was shocked to see Lily being danced, danced in the wildest dance in her life. At last, Alec let go of Lily. Immediately, a few girls ran up to him and begged him to be their dance partner, but all Alec was looking for was to see Vicki's face, but instead, finding that Vicki wasn't looking at him, he shrugged and stomped out angrily out of the dance floor.
"Wow, Vicki, you should have danced with that Alec guy, he was the best!" Lily breathlessly said, her eyes sparkling from the experience. "Yeah, yeah..I know.." Vicki shrugged, pretending not to notice. But indeed, Alec was a great dancer, she just did not want to admit. "I really want to meet him again Vicki, so handsome, such great steps, and he must be pretty rich too, are you sure that you don't want him Vicki? After all, it was because of you that he danced with me.." "Lily, of course I don't want him..I'll never go out with another guy, John...oh nevermind. You're pretty, funky, fun, who wouldn't want you? Don't worry Lily..." Lily shrugged and looked down. "He's just another guy Vicki..." Vicki thought to herself. Little did she know that things were going to change in the future....
"Daddy, why did you let Paul in? No, don't tell me you still like him, he's such a pig, forcing girls to prositute themselves, they're not even willing too, and they're underage..." Mr Zhao put down his newpapers. "Vicki, I knew that you could handle him, why do you think I let him in? He almost destroyed my front door, and I knew that you could handle him..." 5 or 6 men walked in at that moment, carrying Paul out. "At least you probably scared him away for life." Mr Zhao patted his darling daughter on the head. What spunk he thought, Paul Tan probably got what he never thought a girl would dare to him, in any way, he got what he deserved..."And, Sandy wanted to ask you out, go and look for her now, leave me alone to my newspapers, I have alot of things to do today.." Gently pushing Vicki away, he was rewarded with a charming smile, and Vicki left the house.
"No, Jeffery, I don't want to come here, its only for tycoons and gangsters.." Jeffery grabbed Alec's sleeve and dragged him towards the entrance of the Lian Chin Casino. Sounds of money dropping and people shouting with joy could be heard. "How much?" "1000." Jeffery pulled out a wad of notes out of Alec's wallet and slammed it on the counter. The man immediately handed them a bucket of chips. "Come on Alec, this is just for fun, you can earn the 1000 back very fast anyway..." But Alec wasn't listening, his eyes was focused on a figure near the end of the large room, Vicki Zhao. She was with another girl, a girl that he vaguely saw dancing the other day. Grabbing the bucket from Jeffery, "Let's go." He walked towards the table that Vicki was at, and dropped his bucket down beside her. "What the...why are you here? This place is only for the rich. I bet 100!" Vicki dropped a few chips on the table. Insulted, Alec followed suit. They stood, eyes glaring at each other, an amused Jeffery stared at the both of them, wondering what had happened. "Vicki..." "Sandy, keep quiet, I just can't stand the look of this guy here, what have you been doing? Following me around all day?" Vicki kicked the table. "Miss Zhao, is this guy bothering you?" A man dressed in black suddenly appeared out of the blue, followed by 10 to 20 men behind him. "Jack, its okay, you can leave." Sandy quickly said. Jack blushed. Sandy had talked to him! And without a word, he left quietly. "Why can't I be here? You don't own this place!" Alec retorted. At that moment, a smug smile appeared over Vicki's face. "In fact, I do. Lian Chin Casino, owned by the famous Zhao family, named after Mrs Zhao, my mother, Zhao Lian Chin!" She tilted her chin up, now, what could this guy say? "Fine..so, you do own it, but I bet you won't dare to play a game with me..." "Who says that I don't? Fine, what game do you suggest? Sandy, arrange a room." "How about, blackjack." "Great. Let's go." Vicki swung around and walked towards an empty room, where about 5 men were waiting. "Alec, let's go, I don't like the look of this.." Jeffery nevously said. "Jeffery, where has all your courage gone to? Quick, let's go." Pulling the unsure Jeffery with him, he walked into the room, and the doors closed quietly behind him.
'That witch! Taking me for a fool.." Alec punched the wall angrily. "Alec, don't make a scene here, people are looking at us." Jeffery whispered worriedly, they had just walked out of the casino, and Alec was bursting with anger. Sticking his hands into his pocket, Alec strode quickly down the street, murmering, "So what if she's some rich kid, that doesn't give her the right to laugh and mock at me, one day, just she wait, I'll get back at her."
Vicki smiled as she felt the sea wind rush past her face, blowing her hair gently. Sea gulls were happily soaring in the clear sky, giving an occasional squawk at times. A hand appeared beside her, holding a much needed coke. "Thanks." Vicki took the can, opened it, and poured the sweet liquid down her throat. "Today's John's death aniversary right?" Sandy asked. Vicki nodded her head gently. "He died because of me, because I broke up with him, so he decided to leave the country, and he boarded that plane, that plane which crashed. Me and my silly pride, I broke up with him just because Jean had tried to pull him into bed, that was so stupid of me..." A wishful look appeared in Vicki's eyes, it had been a year after John's death, but it still hurt.."Vicki, it wasn't your fault, he was scheduled for a meeting over at Singapore anyway." Sandy reassured Vicki, and patted her on the back. "But, it was because of me that he went for an earlier flight...if only things had been different." Vicki told Sandy. Knowing that she could not do anything else to comfort Vicki, Sandy just hugged her, things would be alright, she would find another man soon, but did Vicki know that?
Jeffery watched as the boss left the office and quickly ran into Alec's office. "Alec, tell me, what do you really think of Vicki Zhao?" Alec looked at Jeffery strangely. "Why do you want to know?" Jeffery shrugged and twirled a pen in his hand, "Nothing, its just that the two of you keep bumping into each other, it must be more than a coincidence, must be...what's that word, fate?" "Rubbish, that's all it is, purely coincidences." Alec put the papers into a stack and filed them neatly. "If I had coincidences like that everyday, I would immediately take the chance. Spunky, beautiful, sexy, rich, if only I were you for a day...and Sally said that she saw you and Vicki arguing outside the building this morning, I really don't believe that they are coincidences, quick, what do you think of her?" Sighing, Alec slammed his hands down on the table and stared into Jeffery's eyes. "Jeffery, I think that she is a spoilt brat, unloving, mean and unkind? Happy?" He stood up and went to pour himself a coffee. "No, no, good things.." Alec sipped from the cup and a wondering look came into his eyes. A picture of Vicki shouting of him flashed across his mind, "Well, she's pretty, like you said, willing to stand up for her friends, not afraid to be embarassed in public, but she has this fire in her eyes..." Jeffery crept out of Alec's office quietly, he had got the answer that he had came for.
Vicki smirked at Alec, he wanted another competition did he? Her thoughts flashed back to the countless men who had been tired out by her dancing, as she seemed like she was never going to stop, only John could handle her, after all, he had been a world-class dancer...but, Vicki Zhao! Get over him! Gazing up at her dance partner. Flithy creature, she could smell the sweat and the distinct smell of alchohol, he must be new in these parts, daring to come up to ask her to dance, as all men knew that Vicki Zhao was not a woman to be triffled with. But in any way, he was a dance partner, that Alec guy must be stupid, wanting to compete with her, but he was different, unlike those guys that only wanted to suck up to her, knowing of her family's wealth, and thinking that she could be a prized possesion to show off, but this guy here, kept bumping into her everywhere, men would have jumped at the chance, but he kept wanting to anger her and challenge her, yes, this was definately different...As the music played, both couples started to show their best moves, but anyone could see that Vicki and Alec were the ones controlling the steps and moves, each one was as good as the other. Swings, backflips, different moves were used, and the crowd moved away to let the two couples stay on the dance floor alone, but none of them seemed to tire out, in spite of their energetic moves. Suddenly, a figure appeared at the side of the dance floor, and pushed her way through the cheering crowd, her face was tear-stained, and her hair was messed up, "Vicki," Sandy shouted over the loud music, Uncle Chu has just been sent to the hospital!" Vicki was stunned. Dropping the hands of her dance partner, she ran through the crowd amid whispers of speculation of what had happened. Alec stood triumphant and smiled, he had won.
"Uncle Chu!" Vicki cried as she burst through the hospital ward doors. A few people sat quietly in the room, some sobbing, some sitting alone. Grabbing her beloved god-father's hand, she kneeled down beside him and wept. "Wei Wei," He affectionately called her, as that was the pet name that he gave her, though no one else called her that, "You're here." "Uncle Chu, you cannot die, how am I suppose to survive without you, you are my pillar of support, please, don't leave me all alone in this world..." She sobbed. Uncle Chu patted her hand and felt his heart ache for his beloved god daughter, "Vicki, you don't need me, you never did, but I will wait, I won't go yet, but don't cry. You were always so determined to get what you wanted, so headstrong, never wanting to be beaten by other people, Vicki, that's what I love about you, but don't forget that there are still people around who love and care for you Vicki..." "Yes Uncle Chu, I understand..." These words of advice stuck deep in Vicki's heart, Uncle Chu would be leaving her soon, was she really such a jinx?
Vicki watched as the casket carrying Uncle Chu's body was lowered into the ground, and soil was poured over it. Her father patted on the back, as if reassuring her, and hoping that she would not break down crying. But Vicki knew that she wouldn't. Her eyes were dry, free from all tears, she couldn't cry anymore, she would be Vicki Zhao, the strong Vicki Zhao, who had men following her everywhere and people shivering when they saw her, yes, she would be Vicki Zhao, the famous Xiaomei of the Hongkong streets.
Alec sipped his wine thoughtfully and remembered the way Vicki had looked when she shouted at him. Both puzzled and feeling guilty at the same time, he suddenly felt a sense of regret. Things with that Ms Zhao had gotten off to such a sour start, he only wanted to be friends. But then again, Vicki was the anti-social one in the first place. But Alec couldn't forget Vicki's eyes, when she had stared at him, it seemed to conceal a tiny piece of pain, anguish...Vicki Zhao, in pain? That was one thing that he couldn't fanthom.
"Vicki, you have changed." Sandy told Vicki. They stood at the
pier, watching the boats sail in and out of the pier, just like they had done
since young. They had believed, that dropping a coin in the water would make
their wishes come true, but now, it had become a distant dream...Vicki remained
silent, unanswering Sandy's question. "Vicki, its been 2 months since Uncle
Chu's death, he wouldn't want to see you like that, you would have killed Ah Hoi
if I didn't stop you, wouldn't you?"
Sandy hoped that Vicki would say no. "Yes, I would have." "Vicki!
Ah Hoi has been faithfully serving you for 15 long years..how could you?"
Sandy cried in disbelief. What had happened to Vicki? She had never hurt her
men, seeing her like this..was like seeing a brand new her.
Vicki leaned against the wall, and smoked her cigarette. Tonight, she had no where to go, she just wanted to be alone. The streets were empty, dark, lonely...Would she really have killed Ah Hoi? Vicki didn't know the answer exactly herself...all she knew was that she was very angry, she had always told her men to stay loyal, and they had, until this. But Ah Hoi was a different case, following her for 15 years, he had a wife and 5 children to support, and a mother who had kidney problems...Vicki shook her head in desperation, her head hurt, it hurt so bad...Then, steps sounded down the empty streets, a man carrying a briefcase and holding a packet of food in the other hand came in view. Alec. Their eyes met.
Alec debated whether to talk to Vicki. They had briefly met on the streets once or twice, but they had never talked. Vicki threw her cigarette down and put it out. She turned to go but Alec quickly shouted out, " Vicki, I need to talk to you." "There's nothing to talk about, what? Do you want to fight again?" Vicki brusquely replied, shoving him away from her path. "Look, we had gotten off to a bad start, I just want to change all that." Alec shouted in desperation. At least that worked, Vicki stopped walking and turned around. "Change? Change what? You're probably another of those guys who want to take advantage of me..only John was different.." Vicki immediately stopped talking when she heard John's name coming out of her mouth. Why couldn't she just forget him? "Me? Wanting to take advantage of you? You've got to be kidding, look, why can't we just be friends? Or are you too anti-social and stuck up to even look at me?" Alec regretted his words. Did he just spark another argument? Tears appeared in Vicki's large eyes without her even knowing. Stepping closer to Alec, she said, "I? Anti-social, stuck up? Mr Alec, Do you know how hard it is to survive in these streets? Of course, you have your high paying job, sit in an air-con room all day, just arranging papers and making phone calls. While you get paid by the hour, we see blood on the streets all day, sometimes, I ponder whether I should just commit suicide, life holds no meaning...Everything is going to be taken away some day.." Vicki sat down on the corridor and buried her head in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Alec was at a loss. He shouldn't have said those words. Suddenly, drops of rain starting falling, then more, and more...Alec and Vicki sat and stood there, getting drenched to their skin. At last, Vicki looked up. Wiping away her tears, she breathed in deeply and choked out, "Sometimes, I really envy you, you have everything so easy, maybe that's why I never got along with you....." Standing up, she countinued, "I just want to be a normal girl, who has a complete family, who doesn't have a father who is away half the time, and I always live in fear that he might not come back one day...I don't want to deal with deaths, John, Uncle Chu, they didn't deserve it, I'm such a jinx..." Alec watched her, and couldn't stop himself from putting his hands around her and hugging her. She seemed so frail, like a little girl crying for her Daddy, without knowing, he had lowered his lips towards her and gently kissed her on the forehead. Vicki jerked back immediately. "I'm...I'm sorry, I didn't know what I was doing." Alec explained. "Its okay, I, I have to go." Running away into the darkness, Alec touched his lips thoughtfully, they still tingled from that kiss.
"Light?" Alec took out a lighter from his pocket and offered it to Vicki, who had just taken out a cigarette. "I didn't know that you smoke." Vicki pointed the cigarette towards the lighter, and with a flick of the finger, the cigarette lit up. "You shouldn't smoke so much, its bad for your health." Alec persuaded, not answering her question. He did smoke, but unlike her, he smoked once in a while, especially when he was in a bad mood. "Well, are you okay, I mean, after that night, 2 nights before?" Alec asked cautiously, not wanting to say the wrong thing and provoke her. "Of course I'm okay, and thanks for your concern." Vicki twirled the cigarette, not wanting to look at Alec. The way he stared at her, it just made her tingle all over, and why did she agree to come in? It was like a force...drawing her in...and in..and in..They sat in silence for a long while, neither could think of any way to spark a conversation, but all the while Alec was thinking, thinking about that night, did she remember it? "I hope that you weren't offended when I....I...kissed you." Alec blurted out suddenly, he quickly rebuked himself, of course she would be angry! Which girl would like to be kissed by a strange man? "Nah...its okay, I've even forgotten about it.." Vicki casually replied. Alec couldn't believe his ears, forgetting about it? It was...never mind. But, Vicki's mind suddenly jerked up when she saw Alec's face change expression to a disappointed one, did that mean that he actually liked her? No, that couldn't be it, anyway, Vicki Zhao was destined to go out with some one of her own calibre, some rich gangster or ring leader, they were from two different worlds...it could never happen.
"No, no, no!" Vicki screamed as she saw everything burning around her, and John, his clothes burning, running desperately towards her, she ran towards him, but suddenly, John dropped to the floor, unmoving. Then, everything went black. She had woken up. Vicki wiped the sweat off her brow, why did she keep having that dream? Why was it so hard to forget him....a picture of a drenched Alec floated into her mind, and Sandy telling her time and time again that she had to find a new guy, but she quickly brushed it aside. Alec was just another ordinary guy, she would drop him soon...but was she decieving herself?
"I....I...I thought you were dancing with Alec?" Vicki forced herself to look up. It wasn't that she was scared of Alec, she wasn't scared of anything, but Alec had always this intense look in his eyes when he looked her, it just made her shiver all over. "Shouldn't a friend help to stop all those lecherous men from getting at you?" Alec replied cheekily. Whacking him lightly on the shoulder, Vicki laughed, "Lecherous men? All of them are, including you Alec! I can handle myself, go dance with Lily.." But then the same look returned to Alec's eyes. "But I want to dance with you." Vicki felt a shiver up her spine. Seeing Alec like that, gave her the creeps, she quickly looked away and her fingers shaking, put her hand around Alec, why was it so hard to talk to him in person?
Sandy lips left a clear mark on the frosted glass of liquor. Her eyes scrutinized Alec and Vicki. Vicki had a forlon expression on her face, while Alec kept looking down at her, with a weird look. Lily was sulking at the corner, watching the both of them intently. Sandy could immediately see that Alec had something for Vicki, and Vicki was scared...real scared. Why couldn't Vicki just open up her heart to someone that cared for her? Despite Sandy's endless persuasions, Vicki didn't budge from her way of thinking. "Hey, can I treat you to a drink?" Sandy looked up to see a guy, quite a cute one, smiling down at her. He seemed pretty familier, she had seen him at the office when they had 'visited' Mr Lim. "Sure." She replied. "I'm Jeffery." He said, calling the bartender. Sandy flashed her most charming smile at him and put all her thoughts about Vicki away.
Alec lay in his bed that night, feeling both unhappy and disappointed, he had reached the two ladies just in time to hear what Vicki had said, she said that she would never love him...why of all the beautiful girls in the world did he have to fall for her? He would have to go through this if that was the case...Swtiching off his bedside lamp, he rolled over and shut his eyes tightly.
That night, Vicki too was still awake. It her hands was a beautifully framed photograph of a young couple, Vicki and John. In it, Vicki was smiling widely, and John had his hands around her and rested his chin on her shoulder, recalling that memory, Vicki smiled weakly..."John! Stop tickling me!" Vicki pushed John's hands away, and ran from him. "Quick, I want to take a photo..." Grabbing Vicki's waist, lifting her up and sitting her firmly on the bars that surrounded the sea. Setting the camera to a one minute mode, John quickly ran back and hopped on beside her, quickly grabbing her on the waist and smiled, before the camera suddenly flashed.....Those were the happier times of John and Vicki, the couple that heaven brought together, then broke apart...Suddenly, a picture of Alec while they were dancing appeared in her mind...he was too good-looking, and too charming...no, John would be the only one, and furthurmore, no men could get between her and Lily...
Alec stuck his hands into his pockets and joked lightly with Jeffery and a few of his other office mates. He had not gone out or even took another look at another girl, Jeffery thought that he was a coward. Behaving like that even though he hadn't even said the precious 3 words to Vicki...what a loser..Alec stared up at the florescent lights that formed the bar's name. It was the same bar that he had met Vicki at many a time, Blue Shark. Would he find Vicki there again? No...Alec Su, stop thinking about her...it was never meant to be anyway...he scolded himself. "Mr Su." Someone called his name, looking behind, he saw a few men dressed in black. "Do I know you?" These men seemed familier...but where had he seem them before? "Mr Su...our young Miss is in there, Vicki Zhao, and she forbids us to go in, but she's been really down these days, and we're just very worried.." The man looked down, it was clear that he had never asked someone for a favour before. Vicki was inside? Down in the dumps? Alec felt a lump rise in his throat. He patted the man on the back, "I'm sorry, but I can't do anything, I'm not going inside.." Alec felt like kicking himself for lying, but if he wanted to get over her, he had to stop bumping into her.."Alec..but.." Jeffery stared at Alec like he was crazy. "Jeffery, let's go." Alec turned, but then, a sudden sound of glass breaking and tables overturning could be heard in the bar. "Miss Zhao!" The men shouted and charged into the bar, Alec took one look at Jeffery, and then suddenly, without thinking ran into the bar after them.
Vicki punched the man to the wall, "I told you to give me the pills!" She shouted in a drunk slur. The man's fingers trembled, "Miss Zhao...I don't have any, the latest shipment got busted by the police, and your father told us to never give you drugs.." Vicki gave the man another kick in the stomach and raised up and broken beer bottle, "Repeat that!" The man swallowed nervously, and started praying.."Miss Zhao, control yourself!" Vicki felt her arms being grabbed from behind. "Jack, let go of me!" She shouted. "Vicki, you're drunk! Please Vicki..." Sandy screamed from the sides, she was crying, and was so frightened.."Sandy!" Jeffery appeared out of nowhere, and Sandy collapsed on him, crying. Shoving Jack away, Vicki dug into the pockets of the man she was holding, and pulled out a packet of pills. "And you said that you didn't have any...get lost!" She threw the man onto on of the nearby tables, picked up a full beer bottle, and swaggered out of the bar.
Once Vicki's clothes were changed, and she was tucked comfortably into bed, Sandy could finally heave a sigh of relief and fall onto the soft sofa. "So, can you tell me everything now?" Alec asked, placing two cups of hot coffee on the table, and sat down opposite Sandy. Picking up a cup, Sandy nodded, "I'll tell you all about it."
"Vicki's parent's and mine were best friends even before we were born, so even though my parents died, Mr Zhao kindly took me in. Vicki didn't have a happy childhood, her mother died when she was just a baby, and her father was never at home. All she had was her brother, who was 5 years older than her..but he sadly died of a drug overdose at 21...And John, you've probably never heard of him. He was Vicki's beau, and she was crazy over him..but he died in a tragic plane crash, and Vicki has never been able to bring herself to love another man ever since..they were the perfect couple, John was handsome, and Vicki was, of course, beautiful, and he treated her like a princess. Vicki has been blaming herself for his death, because she arguing with him over jealousy was the reason he left for his business trip early...Vicki has always tried to be strong, hiding her vunerable self from the world, but I think that it just kills herself inside..And I'm sorry that you had to see her like this today, she had gotten into a quarrel with her father, he wanted her to go out with a business partner's son, and of course she refused, and both their bad tempers flared, and Vicki left home, and she has refused to go back ever since...To make things worst, today's her brother's death aniversary, I can't blame her for being like this, it just makes me feel so sad that.." Sandy broke down into tears. Alec buried his head in his arms, his old feelings for Vicki were being aroused again...and hearing her tragic past, Alec was in a dilenma, should he help her or not?
"That pig!" Vicki shouted, kicking the cabinets angrily. "Hey, don't vent your anger on my furniture, that's genuine Italian wood you know...and here, your breakfast." Alec handed Vicki a plate with bacon, scrambled eggs and baked beans on it. Vicki stared at her plate then looked up at Alec, her mouth gaping. "You know how to cook?" "Of course, I cooked everyday while in university you know.." Alec took out a knife and fork, sat himself down at the table and started to slice his bacon. Vicki felt so useless, a man, who knew how to cook, and by the look of his house, clean, and even fend for himself..while she, she was a good for nothing, only relying on her father all day and using violence to get what she wanted.."Tell me, what happened last night." Vicki sat down opposite Alec and plunked her plate onto the table. "Well.....you were drunk, that's all." Alec looked away quickly and stared at his fingers, busily munching. "Really? I don't believe you.." Vicki stopped talking. Alec breathed a sigh of relief, at least she didn't prob more, he didn't think that she could accept the fact that she had made such a big scene yesterday. But he shouldn't be harbouring her in his house, last night he couldn't stop thinking about her, and even got up in the middle of the night just to stand there and watch her sleep...She looked like a perfect angel, with her soft hair all flowing around her face, her dainty mouth curved at the corners in a tiny smile, and her fingers clutching the blanket..would he ever be able to get through this hard shell of this sprited girl?
Vicki sat on the couch and looked around at her surroundings. Alec had gone to work and she finally had a chance to see what a place Alec lived in. He definately had taste, lovely wood panneling with the kind of Zen look that was 'in', he house was very neat, unlike the houses of most guys that she had been to. It was just that, Alec reminded her so much of John. They were both cute of course, and they were also neat fanatics. John was someone that always looked out for Vicki, and always gave in to her, no matter how unreasonable she was, and Alec, he still was so nice to her even after the way that she had treated him, and now she was even living with him. Could things really be different with them?
The door creaked a little as Alec pushed the door open gently. Living Room. No one. Kitchen. No one. Detecting movement in the guest room, he pushed his head behind the door, and there was Vicki, sitting on the bed, surrounded by dozens of letters, reading them slowly..."Hi. You're home." Vicki looked up and smiled at him. Alec breathed a sigh of relief, at least she did not leave..she didn't hate him after all.."Sorry that I borrowed your shirt and shorts, my clothes were all too dirty.." She said, returning to the letters. "Its okay, what are all these stuff?" Alec asked, bravely taking a step forward and sitting on the bed beside her. "Just some letters from my ex, I got one of my men to bring them over..I had nothing to do, just wanted to relive some old memories.." Vicki folded the letter and put it back into his envelope. "John?" Alec blurted out. "How did you know?" Vicki's head shot up, "Oh," She mumbled, "Sandy must have told you." "I'm very sorry.." Alec patted Vicki's hand, she looked so withdrawn suddenly, as if saying John's name had kicked her in the stomach. "Its okay, I guess I must get over him...there are many guys out there waiting for me..and what Sandy said is true, John wouldn't want to see me like this if he loved me so much." Vicki suddenly flashed a bright smile at Alec, almost making him topple over with shock. "Yeah...of course he would.." Alec said, blinded by her mega-watt smile. "And....I need a favour, could you teach me how to cook?" Alec felt another blow to his head, what? Him, teaching Vicki to cook? He could imagine his hand holding hers, guiding her how to fry the fish or something..."Well?" Vicki's voice awoke him from his dreams.."Sure, sure...I'll teach you tonight.." Alec stood up, gave Vicki a weak smile and half-ran out of the door.
Alec ran to his room and slammed the door. Wiping his forehead, he took a deep breath and collapsed on his bed. It was such a strange thing what this girl could do to him...why, even a smile could almost make him pass out. "I can't be like this...must be cool..Alec...must be cool.." He mumbled to himself, he was just like a girl! He thought angrily to himself, remembering all the times he had seen teenage girls screaming and breaking down just because their pop idol had smiled or shook their hand. And Vicki Zhao should be the one crazy for him, not vice versa..but what could he do? He thought sadly to himself, she seemed so immune to him..."No, no...cannot think of Vicki any longer...no..." He kept telling and retelling himself, until he slowly drifted off to sleep.
"What..." Alec rubbed his tired eyes, and opened them. It was dark already,how long did he sleep? "9pm...the oil would have damaged the floor already, I'm so stupid..argh.." Then, Alec realized that there was a blanket on him, and he smelled the fragrance of cooked rice coming from the kitchen. Pushing the blanket away, he stumbled groggily to the kitchen. Reaching the dining table first, he was suprised to see a few simple dishes on it, followed by chopsticks and spoons and tablemats.."Huh? Wasn't this supposed.." His toes rubbed the earlier oily floor, what had happened? Genie? "You're in time for dinner." Alec heard Vicki's voice come from behind the screen, and the door opened, and in she walked, holding two bowls of rice. "I thought that you didn't know how to cook.." Alec scratched his head, obviously shocked. "I called Sandy over, and I cleaned the floor...the food won't taste great, first time you know.." Vicki smiled as she put down the bowls. "It doesn't matter.." Alec picked up a pair of chopsticks and lifted a grain of rice to his mouth. "Not too hard..not too soft...just right..you're really good for a beginner!" "Thanks.." Vicki smiled sweetly at him before returning to the kitchen. Alec gazed at the spot she had been just a few moments ago...if he was going to spend his last days like this..he would definately be happy...
"Did you try?" Jeffery turned to his girlfriend. "Of course I did, she's just too stubborn...I just hope that she'll come to her senses.." Sandy sighed. Vicki..Vicki..Vicki..she shouldn't be involving herself in Vicki's lovelife but if she didn't do it, Vicki would probably remain a spinster for life. "Poor Alec...do you know that he cut out so many pictures of Vicki from the Hong Kong magazines, scanned them into his computer and made them into a background? I caught a glance of it accidentally when I sneaked up on him..." The scene of Alec gazing unblinking at his computer made Sandy choke on her drink. "Really? The level-headed Alec doing that?" "Yes...Either Alec has to give up on her or Vicki has to give in...tough job this is.." Jeffery moaned. He wouldn't have been dragged into this if not for Sandy. Giving Jeffery a peck on the cheek, Sandy laughed, "Jeffery, don't worry, something will definately happen. Soon."
*Flashback*
"That stupid John...late again as usual.." Vicki tapped her watch imapatiently as she scanned the restaurant, searching for her late boyfriend. "Vicki...Sorry..I'm late.." John appeared out of no where, his face all sweaty and he was panting. "John...How many times must I tell you? Check your watch...you know that I hate late people..and look, the restaurant is clearing up, its almost closing time already...Forget it, what a lousy birthday, I'm leaving.." Vicki snatched up her handbag and stood up, walking away from the table. "Vicki...I'm sorry..Please..wait up.." John quickly chased after her, but he did not have to say anything else to stop her. Vicki stood stock still at the entrance, staring in disbelief. The whole corridor was decorated by bouquets and bouquets of roses, in every colour that she could think of. "Like it?" Vicki turned to see John, hands in pockets, blushing furiously. "John...You did all this?" Vicki ran forward and hugged John. He did remember...She had always loved roses as a kid, her mother had kept a rose garden, but after her mother's death, they had moved, leaving the garden forever.."I love you Vicki." John whispered into her ear. ""Forever?" "Yes, forever."
"Alec...thanks..I..I really appreciate it...I'll go to my room now.." Vicki turned to leave but Alec suddenly ran infront and stopped her. "Wait...you only have..an hour left to celebrate your birthday.." He said, checking his watch. "So...why don't you just stay up and spend it? Come on..its your twenty first birthday.." Alec coaxed, thinking of the beautifully decorated cake he had hidden in the fridge. He had stayed up all night at Jeffery's house, while Sandy taught him how to decorate it....Vicki couldn't leave now, his effort would all be wasted.."Well...okay.." Vicki relunctantly answered. Alec's face lit up, and he gently pulled her to the dining table. "Sit here and wait." He told her, a mysterious look over his face.
Vicki gazed as Alec disappeared behind the sliding door that seperated the
kitchen and dining room. He and John were so alike, everything he did strangely
reminded her of John straight away..she would have gone to her room and sobbed
if he didn't stop her...She couldn't have her feelings for John rekindled again,
they were supposed to be gone, locked up in that drawer in her closet...Vicki's
eyes grew wide as Alec appeared, carrying a birthday cake surrounded by tiny
candles and singing her a birthday song. Her eyes glistened in the tiny lights
that shone from the candles, "I did this myself." Alec said after
singing the song finish. He looked at the cake proudly. "Like it?"
Vicki stared at the cake. It was covered by dark chocolate, and on it was white
icing, carefully forming roses around it and on it, in beautiful writing was the
words, Happy Birthday Vicki!
"Sandy told me you liked roses.." Vicki grinned up at Alec. "Of
course I like it! But is it really worth it? I don't even know when your
birthday is...How am I supposed to celebrate it with you next time?" She
teased. Alec sat down beside her and cut a piece. "Quick try it...my
birthday, I was born on the 1st of January.." Vicki bit into the cake,
rolling around in her mouth for a while and after swallowing it, licked her
lips. "Nice...really nice, can't believe that you're better than me!"
Alec smiled at Vicki as she dug in happily into the cake. Without thinking, he bent over and kissed her on the cheek. Vicki's head shot up, and their eyes locked. Suddenly, Vicki kicked her chair back, "I'm tired...I going to bed.." "Vicki..wait, I wasn't thinking.." Alec cried out in desperation. But it was too late, Vicki had already ran off, and the room was once again left in silence. "Why am I so stupid?" Alec shouted, kicking the table angrily.
"Vicki...I give up...I really give up on you.." Sandy sighed as she buried her head in her arms. "What again Sandy?" Vicki asked as she waved to a male friend she knew. "Vicki...are you so stupid, Alec likes you, and you..." Vicki's face grew solemn. "Sandy...I know he likes me but, its just that....anyway..I just can't be with him." "But Vicki..why?" Sandy stuttered. She had been so sure that Vicki had feelings for Alec but..."Sandy, I don't want to talk about it anymore, its impossible." Vicki put down her cup, as if telling Sandy that everything had come to an end, the story between Alec and Vicki had ended.
"Alec...I'm leaving." Alec turned and stared through his sleepy eyes that were half-opened. "Yes...you're leaving.." Vicki pulled the blanket gently over Alec and half-smiled. Was she really doing the right thing? Turning her back on another could-be relationship. But everyday, Vicki reminded herself, Alec just made her think of John more and more...and made her love and hunger for John to be by her side again..She had to move on. "Bye Alec...." She whispered, unable to tear her eyes off Alec. Then, slowly picking up her bag, she walked slowly out of the room.
Alec rubbed his eyes when he suddenly heard the front door shutting itself. Wait...thoughts raced furiously in his mind.."Bye Alec...." A twinkling voice came back as a memory. "Vicki!" He suddenly sat up and ran to the window, only to see Vicki walking away down the street, walking away from him.
*Flashback*
"Why Vicki?" Sandy asked, her eyebrows squeezed together, worried. "Sandy..he's too much like John, I don't know Sandy..I, I just can't explain..." Vicki said wearily over the phone, everything had seemed so hard, so much that her head was hurting..
Looking at Alec now, Sandy could actually figure out why Vicki had said that. The way that pined for Vicki, the way they went drinking when Vicki had left them...it was just all too similar. Too similar.
"Isn't that Vicki?" Alec's head shot around. Yes, it was Vicki, but she was drunk, and her hands were around a young man, who was laughing as he looked at her. "That pervert!" Alec shouted, slamming the glass cup onto the table. "Alec...wait..don't be so..." Before Sandy could finish her sentance, Alec had left. "Rash."
"You jerk! Don't you know who she is? And you dare to look at her like..like this?" Alec punched the shocked man across the face. His face growing redder with every second. "Who are you? I just picked this girl up from the road, she seemed drunk..I was doing a good deed Mister.." The man got up, rubbing the bruise that had sprung suddenly at the side of his face. Alec stared from the man, to Vicki. She was slumped against the counter, her eyes closed and her hair all messed up. "Forget about it...if I see you again...never mind...just get lost." Alec pulled Vicki's hand over his shoulder, and slowly, in whole view of the shocked bar patrons, Alec helped Vicki step by step out of the bar.
"Vicki..if you had left me happily, i would be glad..but why? Why be like this?" Vicki felt a warm, soft object being placed across her forehead. Ugh, her head hurt again..and the only thing she remembered was drinking...drinking non-stop..to forget..."Vicki..I never had the guts to tell you..that..that I like you...I mean, not as a normal friend..but alot...but you only loved John.." Vicki hands suddenly gripped tightly, Alec told her that he liked her. Of course she had known that..but hearing it from his own lips was...different. "Argh..Vicki, I shouldn't be saying all this..since you still love John so much." Vicki could feel Alec's eyes staring intently at her, but who did she really love? John? Or was it...Alec?
"Alec?" Alec looked up from his cup of coffee, to see Vicki standing at the kitchen entrance. "Yes?" He gently replied, bracing himself for any questions about why she was there to be fired at him. "Alec....I just wanted you to know, that...that, I heard all that you said last night..that you...you loved me.." Alec nearly dropped his coffee in shocked. She heard? Gosh...he was in deep trouble now.."You weren't asleep?" Vicki shook her head from side to side, and Alec gulped. What was he going to do now?"
"This is for you...I found it under my brother's bed, while cleaning it out today, it was adressed to you." Vicki stared at the letter that lay in her hands. Lilian, John's sister looked up at her, then at the dusty letter, which had John's handwriting on it. Vicki had rushed down, after getting Lilian's phone call, and after Alec had rushed out of the house, face red, without a word. "Thanks." She whispered. "Read it, John wants you to have it, I can tell." Lilian patted Vicki's hand gently, she knew how hard it was for Vicki now..."I will."
Vicki opened the letter gently, she fingered the thin letter paper, the paper that was in the many evelopes she had recieved from him. On it was his handwriting, neat as always.
"Vicki, if you have read this, it probably means that something has happened to me, I kept this, hoping that if anything untoward had happened, it would help you to move on. Of course, this is just a precaution. I love you, you know that, but Vicki, please, open your heart, I know how hard it will be for you to just live on happily, just as it was so hard for me to get you to be my girlfriend. There are million of guys out there, and everyone of them will somehow be like me, please, don't let that stop you, I want to be a happy memory in your mind, not something that causes you to lose your life happiness. Just learn, learn to live, to be happy, to open your heart, you will find that not everything in this world is against you, but it just wants to love you too...if you allow it. Vicki, I'll always love you,
John
Vicki eyes were dry. How could John had been so sure on predicting his death? And when she was just at love's crossroads..this had come. John must have been looking out for her, he must have. Folding the letter quickly and stuffing it back into its evelope, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room, she knew what to say to Alec now.
Vicki leaned against the gate that surrounded the pier. Streaks of blue outlined the sky, and seagulls flew past, calling out to each other as they flew. Vicki watched as a few couples walked past, behaving intimately, one girl was even holding a flower that her boyfriend had picked for her. Suddenly, Vicki felt an ache in her heart. The ache of loneliness. She could see the building where Alec worked in right infront of her, but did she really dare to do it? When she left home, her jaw was clenched, and she was determined, but as she soared down Hong Kong's roads in her car, her mind grew less sure, and she started to contemplate it again. "Do I really dare to do this? To be in risk of getting hurt again?" She whispered to herself, then John's words started ringing in her ear again..."I want to be a happy memory in your mind, not something that causes you to lose your life happiness. Just learn, learn to live, to be happy, to open your heart, you will find that not everything in this world is against you, but it just wants to love you too..."
Alec jumped as he felt drops of water hitting him on his head, shoulder, back...The sky had turned dark, and raindrops were pelting down. Alec quickly stuffed the half-finished burger into the bag and grabbed his drink, but then, a heavy downpour started. Alec looked up at the sky and shouted, "Why...on one of my worser days, you do this to me! Why!" His face was flushed, as he stared up accusingly at the sky. He couldn't possibly go back like that, soaked to the skin..."Alec." Alec turned towards the direction where the voice came from. Vicki.
"So...you call yourself a fool. A big fool. Does that mean that I'm a big fool too? Alec Su, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, that I love you too." Vicki stopped to take a deep breath before carrying on. "Why must it be that men are so scared of rejection? That you just give up after a little while? Maybe I was wrong....maybe I wasn't meant anything, maybe I wasn't worth to be fought for, I should have just carried on living in the past, carried on with my beautiful dreams of being with John. I shouldn't have forced myself to think of getting into another relationship....I'm so stupid..." Vicki sniffed. Her big round eyes were filled with despair, how could she, the infamous daughter of the most notorious gangster in Hong Kong, be a victim of innocent love?
Alec forced himself to look up at Vicki. She loved him? She really did? How could that be? Hadn't she always had been so cold towards him, and never even cared about him but treated him like a piece of trash? Even so, he couldn't help but fall in love with her character, the tough, strong Vicki on the outside, but the soft, vunerable Vicki on the outside. The way she stared at him now, still looking tough in her biker jacket and leather skirt, made him feel weird all over. But did he have the courage to grab her and embrace her? Or was she just playing another game with him, a game with the Alec who was ever so stupid..."I was so wrong...I was a fool from the start..." Vicki muttered bitterly and turned to walk away. Tears rolled down her beautiful face, her heart felt like it was on the verge of breaking...Was she really that unworthy? To have a man that didn't love her enough? Alec pondered, his heart was telling him to run up and catch her, but his mind...it was telling him, no, they were just too different.
Vicki couldn't resist the urge. "Alec Su!" She shouted. "I hate you! I hate you! I'll hate you forever! Why must you have lied to me like that?!" She shouted across the wet pavement. Suddenly, throwing the umbrella away, she started running, running like there was no tommorrow, she just wanted to get away....But what she didn't expect was a pair of hands grabbing her from the back, tightly that she could barely move. "Let go of me!" She screamed, but Alec just didn't want to let go. He had finally given in to his heart's desire, right after Vicki told him that she hated him...He couldn't risk that...Turning her around, he pressed his face to Vicki's, kissing her hungrily on the lips. Vicki whacked him with her fists, and tried to push him away, but with no sucess. Without any choice, she relented, and kissed him back, crying as she did so....Maybe it was true Alec thought, maybe they were really meant to be together...
Vicki gently pulled Alec's hands away and stared down at the floor. What now? She didn't know what to do or say now, a moment before, she had wanted him to get out of her life immediately, but after that kiss....Unconsciously, her hand reached up to touch her lips. They still tingled. It seemed like she was in heaven when he kissed her, she had felt so free, with no worries at all, no plans for the coming future..."So, do you still want to leave?" Alec fingers found hers, and he wound them around hers, eyes looking up at her. Vicki was speechless. She could see, he wanted her so much....so damn much...Just looking into his eyes, Vicki felt like she was about to melt into a pool of butter. She should be happy right? Having a man that truly loved her and wanted to care for her, it was something every woman dreamt for. Every normal woman that is. She was a female gangster, a future traid leader, someone who might get killed anytime, someone who was bound to disppoint their loved ones. But Alec......"Vicki?" Vicki sucked in her breath. "Yes Alec, I don't want to leave, I want to stay with you." The air whoosed out of her stomach as she mumbled the words up. As Alec grabbed her in a bear hug, Vicki cried tears of joy. Who cared what the world said, she only wanted to be happy now, as for the future...she just didn't know...
"See Vicki...I told you! I told you! You and Alec! It was destined! Hmm...do you think that the job agency would consider me for the job of matchmaker?" Sandy laughed as Vicki whacked her with the pillows, "Sandy!" Vicki exclaimed. "Vicki...I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Look, he even knows which flowers you like...I swear, I never told him..." Sandy fingered with the bouquet of sunflowers that Alec had given Vicki that morning. Vicki shot Sandy a look. Yes, it was weird, how did Alec knew that she loved sunflowers. Actually, she only liked sunflowers. She couldn't stand roses, they were too sappy...and people gave them out everyday, tulips...they looked too delicate, too easy to be crushed on, and carnations, they were for mothers! Sunflowers...they represented life, the sun, the childlike-ness of children, the kid within Vicki...Alec must know her too well, but she knew almost nothing about him...never mind, she would, and love him in the process. "Sandy!" Vicki suddenly grabbed Sandy's hand. "You didn't tell me!" Vicki gasped. A large diamond ring glittered on her finger, showing off the large diamond encased inside. "John proposed two days ago, and I said yes." Sandy shyly whispered. Vicki grinned at her friend, who now looked the very image of a blushing bride. Even Sandy, who never thought that she would get married, who thought that Vicki would be the one getting hitched, was getting married now. When would it be Vicki's turn?
Vicki gently pulled Alec's hands away and stared down at the floor. What now? She didn't know what to do or say now, a moment before, she had wanted him to get out of her life immediately, but after that kiss....Unconsciously, her hand reached up to touch her lips. They still tingled. It seemed like she was in heaven when he kissed her, she had felt so free, with no worries at all, no plans for the coming future..."So, do you still want to leave?" Alec fingers found hers, and he wound them around hers, eyes looking up at her. Vicki was speechless. She could see, he wanted her so much....so damn much...Just looking into his eyes, Vicki felt like she was about to melt into a pool of butter. She should be happy right? Having a man that truly loved her and wanted to care for her, it was something every woman dreamt for. Every normal woman that is. She was a female gangster, a future traid leader, someone who might get killed anytime, someone who was bound to disppoint their loved ones. But Alec......"Vicki?" Vicki sucked in her breath. "Yes Alec, I don't want to leave, I want to stay with you." The air whoosed out of her stomach as she mumbled the words up. As Alec grabbed her in a bear hug, Vicki cried tears of joy. Who cared what the world said, she only wanted to be happy now, as for the future...she just didn't know...
"See Vicki...I told you! I told you! You and Alec! It was destined! Hmm...do you think that the job agency would consider me for the job of matchmaker?" Sandy laughed as Vicki whacked her with the pillows, "Sandy!" Vicki exclaimed. "Vicki...I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Look, he even knows which flowers you like...I swear, I never told him..." Sandy fingered with the bouquet of sunflowers that Alec had given Vicki that morning. Vicki shot Sandy a look. Yes, it was weird, how did Alec knew that she loved sunflowers. Actually, she only liked sunflowers. She couldn't stand roses, they were too sappy...and people gave them out everyday, tulips...they looked too delicate, too easy to be crushed on, and carnations, they were for mothers! Sunflowers...they represented life, the sun, the childlike-ness of children, the kid within Vicki...Alec must know her too well, but she knew almost nothing about him...never mind, she would, and love him in the process. "Sandy!" Vicki suddenly grabbed Sandy's hand. "You didn't tell me!" Vicki gasped. A large diamond ring glittered on her finger, showing off the large diamond encased inside. "John proposed two days ago, and I said yes." Sandy shyly whispered. Vicki grinned at her friend, who now looked the very image of a blushing bride. Even Sandy, who never thought that she would get married, who thought that Vicki would be the one getting hitched, was getting married now. When would it be Vicki's turn?
"Don't talk about me anymore, how about Vicki and you?" Alec's face lit up at the sound of Vicki. "Just great! She's beautiful...fun...cool...funky...nice...sweet...and did I say beautiful?" Alec could go on forever...Last night, he had brought her out to a candle-lit dinner at the beach, complete with music and all the works, flowers, the soft sounds of the waves hitting against the beach...He could have listened all night and all day to her twinkling laughter and cheerful voice, and looked into her large mesmerizing eyes for eternity...Of course, he kissed her, her lips were like bittersweet chocolate, soft as he pressed his against hers, he just wished that he could relive that night over and over again. "Okay, okay! I get the point...Vicki is perfect! But Alec, seriously, have you ever talked about the future? Imagine if you were just a stranger, of course you'll think that Vicki should go with some big gangster of Shanghai, and you, would just marry a simple girl who worked in a flower shop..And her dad, he's probably involved in some illegal business, do you think that he would let a total nobody into his affairs? Much less his daughter? And could you survive knowing that the money that your father-in-law gave you came from some illegal shipment or something?" Alec felt like he had been hit.
"I love this Vicki! I love it!" Sandy squealed as she twirled in her wedding gown. Vicki played with the plastic flowers in her hair. "Sandy, do I really have to wear this, you know...its just not me..." She fingered her satin spagetti strap gown, pouting at the amount of flesh it revealed. "Vicki, look, its my wedding. And you're my best friend, do it for me? I'm in a worser condition, changing in and out of dresses every 4 hours...just treat it as a practice, its going to be your turn soon you know..." Sandy grinned playfully, Vicki looked beautiful in the dress definately. It swept over her feminine curves which the clothes that Vicki usually wore didn't show, and brought out the colour in her cheeks, for once, Vicki didn't look fierce and threatening in a outfit. "Very well Sandy...can I go and change now?" Vicki asked grudgingly. "No! Alec and Jeffery is coming here now...Alec's jaw will drop..." Sandy pushed Vicki down to the sofa. "Stay here, I'm going to try on another gown..." Vicki sighed.
Alec pushed open the glass door, a twinkling bell sound announced their arrival. "Vicki...where's Sandy...." Jeffery stopped talking when he saw Vicki. She was twirling around infront of the mirror, her dress flowing freely around her. Alec eyes grew wide, he had never seen Vicki like this before, she had always been in her street outfits...never in a gown. "Huh? Alec?! Jeffery?! What are you doing here?" Vicki stopped twirling, stopping right infront of Alec and Jeffery. Her cheeks grew red, "Look, I don't like this dress, I was just seeing whether the threads were strong enough to hold if i jumped around a little...yeah..that's it..." Alec almost burst out laughing at Vicki's embarassment, she looked so cute standing down there, red cheeks and all, that he couldn't resist going over and putting his hands around her waist. "So...I'll go and look for Sandy now..." Jeffery stammered, not knowing what to do at the sight of the loving couple. "Alec, we're in public..." Vicki whispered. "Who cares...you look beautiful, really...You should dress like this more!" Alec played with Vicki's hair, twisting the little flowers. "Alec!" Vicki punched Alec lightly, until he suddenly pulled her into a kiss. A sweet and tender kiss. But they didn't notice the light tinkling of the entrance bell as another person walked in, and only after they pulled apart did they realise. Lily.
"Hello, Lily please?" Sandy waited for Lily to come to the phone. So many things had happened after Lily had left, Vicki had left the wedding salon crying...Alec chasing after her but getting rejected again...Jeffery getting pushed into the swimming pool by a frustrated Alec...Gosh, and it was supposed to be a happy afternoon. "Hello, its Lily." Sandy could not notice the tired tone in Lily's voice, instead of the usual bright and happy voice that rang over the phone. "Lily, its Sandy."
"Sandy...I know what you're calling me about...But please, leave me alone..."
"Lily, we really need to talk. You're totally mistaken about Vicki." Sandy crossed her fingers, Lily couldn't put down. She just couldn't. She needed to hear alot of explaining and hear it too, Vicki just wasn't up to it. "Lily, Vicki's very upset. You don't understand what happened between her and Alec, it was like an emotional rollar-coaster for her...You know about John and all don't you?" Sandy tried to keep talking when Lily didn't answer...Please...Let Lily forgive..."Sandy, you don't understand too...My mother died you know, and when I come back to find the both of them together, it just doesn't help!" Lily shouted into the phone. "Lily...why don't we meet up and talk, just the three of us...like we used to do..." "Forget it Sandy, we're no longer friends." And with that a long dead tone rang over the phone, Sandy slumped against the wall...Uh-oh...
"Hi, are you okay now?" Alec took a small step towards Vicki's room. Then another, and another, until Vicki nodded. Feeling assured that she wasn't going to get violent now, Alec sat down beside Vicki on the bed and put his hand around her. "Vicki, its not your fault...stop reapproching yourself..." He gently told her. "Its not that Alec, its just that, she doesn't want to talk to me anymore...Years of friendship...gone...We were childhood playmates you know..." Vicki sniffed and pulled out another piece of tissue paper. "Vicki, talk to her. Just talk. I mean, you're the daughter of the most notorious gangster of the Hong Kong streets, don't tell me that you can't do that." Alec teased, eyes twinkling. Vicki's eyes almost immediately lit up, and a wide grin appeared on her face. Unable to resist, Alec cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead...Yes, they would find a way around this, they were together...Two heads were better than one...
Gosh...the scene was worse than she expected, blood everywhere, men all over the floor, the fight was vicious, totally. "Oh God, please help me..." She begged...
"Where's Vicki?" Sandy clutched the hand of the groom, Jeffery, tightly, as she waited anxiously outside the Registry of Marriage. Vicki was supposed to be there an hour ago, all set to meet the relatives and friends, but now, she was late. "Alec, where's Vicki?" John tip toed, maybe Vicki was in a traffic jam...Maybe she just couldn't catch the bus...No..she had a chauffer...but..."I don't know, she left a note for me saying that she would be on time, just that she had something to do..." The blood out of Alec's face suddenly drained out. She had left her bridesmaid dress on the chair, and her leather jacket was missing...Could she have..."Mr Su!" A man stumbled up the stairs, dishevealed and his clothes had bloodstains on them..."Jack! Where's Vicki....Where is she...Has something happened?" Alec ran up to him, shaking him by the arms, no...Nothing was supposed to happen to Vicki, they had just gotten together, heaven couldn't be that cruel..."Mr....Mr Su...Miss Zhao...She was sent to the hospital by Mr Zhao...She...She's hurt...." Suddenly, Jack fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Sandy, don't cry, here, have some more tissue..." Jeffery meticuously handed Sandy another box of tissue, after she had used up 3 already..."Jeffery, I'm so scared...What if...Vicki..." Sandy choked on her words and fell crying into Jeffery's arms. Alec walked back and forth outside the emergency room, he could still remember what the doctor had said...Vicki's leg was broken, she had bruises all over her body, but the most severe thing was that a hard object had struck her on the head, causing her to faint, as she had countinued fighting despite her injuries..."Alec?" A deep, husky voice came from behind him. "Yes?" An old man was standing there, probably in his 60s, two young men stood on either side of him, and his mouth held a pipe, wisps of smoke came out of it..."I'm sure you know my daughter, Vicki?" Alec nodded, what could this man want? Unless..he was..."I'm Vicki's father. Vicki's in a very critical condition now, but I need to talk to you. How much money do you want?" Mr Zhao blew smoke into Alec's face, causing him to cough. "Money? What do I need money for?" Alec practically shouted, just who did Mr Zhao think he was..."Money? I want you to leave my daughter alone...I'm sure you know about our 'slight' misunderstanding, but Vicki is very important to me, and I want her to marry someone that is of our kind, someone who is not afraid..." Alec's knuckles whitened. Be bought off? Alec could never do that...Vicki was much too precious..."I don't need your money! Vicki is much more important to me than you stinking money!" He shouted, face red...Never, never, was he going to leave Vicki's side...
"Alec, you have to keep calm, you have to show Vicki's father that you're good enough for her..." Sandy whispered into Alec's ear, trying to console him. Alec sat like a statue, face buried in hands, breathing deeply in and out. His face was still red, and his knuckles were white. "Sandy, what else can I do...It wasn't that easy to convince her that I love her, and now, this? I really can't take it any longer...I just, might as well give up..." Feelings jumbled around wildly in Alec, he felt so tired...So angry...And yet he didn't want to leave Vicki...but..."Alec, Vicki is in there, she could DIE, and you're talking about giving up! She's staying alive because she loves you, and so what if her father doesn't? You're a pathetic replacement to John...Sandy shouldn't have tried to bring the two of you together..." Jeffery shouted in Alec's face. His two hands clutched Alec's collar, almost lifting him off the floor. What he saw now was a loser, someone that gave up once the road wasn't easy, far from the Alec he knew in the office, who knew what he wanted, and strived for it..."I need to be alone..." Alec pushed Jeffery's hands away, and slowly walked out, step by step, out the door.
*Flashback*
"No Alec, don't you dare come close to me, not with that water gun..." Vicki waved her finger at Alec, taking a step back with every word. Alec advanced towards her, his face had a cheeky grin, and he was clutching a large water gun, a 'Super Soaker' in fact..."Alec! Nooooooo......!" Vicki screamed as a stream of water spurted out from the water gun, soaking Vicki..."You watch out!" A water hose appeared from no where, and Vicki switched it on, an even greater blast of water shot onto Alec, causing him to drop the water gun in suprise. "Why you..." Alec ran towards Vicki, grabbing her waist and tickling her all over, until they fell down to the floor, laughing...
That's one of our happier days, Alec thought silently to himself. A river of happiness, once flowing freely, was now dried up, leaving a bed of sorrow and bitterness. But when Vicki woke up, how would she choose between her boyfriend and father? She was, after all, a female gangster, used to the rough ways of the Hong Kong alleys, and would she resign herself to a safe, yet boring life with Alec?
Sandy sat in her white wedding dress, her veil was lost, torn away in the midst of confusion...Depression settled over her frail body, but no tear dropped from her eye, not a single one...Torn apart by Vicki, her best friend, her uncle, Mr Zhao, who had taken care of her since young, and Alec..."Maybe I shouldn't have brought them together in the first place, its all my fault..." Sandy thought bitterly...Maybe it was her fault, but she only wanted Vicki to experience love again, and be as happy as she was when she was with Jeffery...But nothing had gone right...Nothing. She should have thought of the consequences...Alec, Vicki, Mr Zhao...Alec and Vicki, even though how alike they seemed, they were also characters, backgrounds apart, and Mr Zhao...He would have never let Vicki marry an ordinary working boy, contrast to their own hectic, ruthless lifestyle....Then, Sandy felt someone hugging her from behind and burying his face in her hair...Yes, Jeffery would always be there when she needed him...
"Young boy, what are you doing here?" Alec stopped plucking the petals off a stray flower and looked up to see a bent old woman. Her face was cast with countless wrinkles and in her right hand, she held a wooden cane that seemed as old as herself...Alec straightened his back and sat up straight, adjusting his tie in the process. Young boy? Oh...that was so deemining..."I...I was just thinking..." "Young boy...Don't think so much, it isn't good...Who's in the hospital? Your family member? Wife?" The old woman creaked her back, attempting to sit down next to Alec, but with no success. "My girlfriend...I'm not married." Alec managed to choke out. Somehow, he felt totally at ease with this old woman, as if he was ready to tell her everything and anything..."Girlfriend? So, what are you doing here? You should be in there, holding her hand, ready to comfort her when she wakes up, and not sit here like a fool." The corners of the old woman crinkled into a smile as her cane wobbled dangerously. "Somethings have happened, I don't have the heart to do anything...I mean, I love her, but..." "Young boy, don't hesitate any longer, you love her am I right? You should be prepared to go for her with all your heart, and don't let anything cause you to give up...Don't follow the path I took, giving up the one I loved just because I was scared...I never stopped regretting it..." Alec's eyes shot up to the old woman, her eyes held a faraway look, thinking of her younger days, when she had still been young and beautiful...The two of them stood and sat still in silence, pondering the word that has caused us confusion and which we have never stopped to seek its meaning, love.
Sandy lay half awake at the side of Vicki's bed. Her hand clasped Vicki's in hers tightly and streaks of makeup and tears were clearly seen on her face. Jeffery had left, to tell his parents that the wedding had to be postponed, how could they possibly get married when their best friends were in this conditon? "Vicki, you wake up now...You can't stay like this, we all are waiting for you...You can't break Alec's heart like this...He won't be able to take it, Vicki, wake up! Wake up!" Sandy started screaming, grabbing Vicki's hand and pulling it wildly until Jeffery came rushing in and pulled her away..."Sandy, get a hold on yourself..." Tears streamed once more down Sandy's face, the thought of Vicki never waking up was too much for her to bear..."Jeffery, look." Jeffery felt Sandy's hold on him grew less tighter, until she walked away from his arms and pointed to the bed. There was both a stricken and shocked expression on her face...What the...Vicki's finger was moving! "Call the doctor! No! Call Alec!" Sandy pushed Jeffery frantically out of the ward...Finally, perhaps, everything would be fine...
"Alec, relax!!" Jeffery watched, horrified, as Alec punched at the wall, causing a dent to be formed in it. "Jeffery, how can you ask me to relax? I waited for her to wake up...Faced embarassment from her father, and now she doesn't remember me?! I really feel like committing suicide now Jeffery..." Alec slid slowly down the wall, head buried in his arms, body shaking violently. Jeffery watched Alec in despair, it was the first time he had seen Alec cry...Not even a broken arm could make him frown, or even the loss of a grandparent...Such was the power of true love...
"Vicki, are you sure you can't remember who Alec and Jeffery are?" Sandy cast a worried look at Vicki, poor Alec...Vicki laughed, "Sandy, or course! Quick...Tell me, who's Jeffery...Your fiance? I need to know more...How long have I exactly been in a coma..." Sandy gulped nervously, Alec, Alec, Alec, he was probably tearing his heart out now...He had almost fainted when he heard that Vicki didn't recognise him, but managed to calm himself, and introduced himself..."Vicki, don't try to stress yourself out okay, you need your rest..." Sandy looked at Vicki sadly as she pulled the bed covers over her, was heaven really that cruel?
"Have you considered my proposal? I could sue you for harassment of my daughter you know...As you know, she doesn't remember a thing now..." Alec looked up wearily to Mr Zhao, please, no more..."Mr Zhao, Alec is very tired now, please leave..." Jeffery stepped infront of Mr Zhao, just to be roughly pushed away. "Alec Su, I could put you in jail, or even have you severely beaten up, you do not fit in my daughter's life do you understand, Alec, are you listening...Where are you going?" Alec just stood up and walked away, he couldn't take anymore..He was on the very verge of going mad...
A tear dropped down on the glass photo frame that held a photo of Alec and Vicki, smiling, all drenched by water...Alec traced the picture of Vicki with his finger, spreading the teardrop all over her face, but it still couldn't wipe her bright smile away...Vicki, he just couldn't live without her...But what could he do? He held up the plane ticket to America that he had just bought on the way home...This game of love, he had already lost...
Alec boarded the plane, Vicki didn't come to see him off. He never expected it anyway, what was he to her now? Nothing but Sandy's bestman. A pathetic little bestman. He didn't accept Mr Zhao's money, but had only told Jeffery about his departure, he wanted to leave it all, but whether he could forget about Vicki, that depended on fate.
"Sandy, I can't imagine how Alec is feeling now..." Jeffery wondered as he gazed up at the nightsky, Sandy lay comfortably in his arms, also in deep thought. "I can't help but feel so sorry for him, Vicki, I do have this strange feeling about her that...Oh, never mind....Jeffery, I really can't say anything right now..." Jeffery nodded knowingly, Sandy had gone through too much the past few weeks, even though it never did concern her...But what could they do? Vicki and Alec were both their closest friends, and now they were both hurting...No, correction, Alec was hurting. Vicki didn't remember a thing, only what had happened before they had met Alec and himself, while Alec just left quietly...He could still remember glistening tears in Alec's eyes as he waved goodbye to Jeffery, Alec embarassedly wiping away a stray tear away quickly with his coat sleeve...It must hurt so bad, but Jeffery would never know, because he had Sandy, who he loved, but Alec just couldn't have Vicki...
"Sandy." Sandy looked up from her plate of noodles. Lily. What was she doing here? Hadn't she broken all off all ties with Sandy and Vicki? Without waiting for Sandy's acknowlagement, Lily slipped into the seat opposite Sandy's. "Sandy, I heard what...About the accident that involved Vicki. I never knew that could happen to her, I mean, I really miss the both of you..." Sandy felt her heart soften, but wait a minute. What if Lily..."Lily, forget it, you don't feel any pity for Vicki at all, and forget about Alec, he left Hong Kong already." Lily face fell almost immediately. "Sandy, I'm telling the truth, I've even been to see Vicki, she still seems the same...I guess I was jealous, damn jealous that she had Alec and I couldn't, she had always upsurped me in everything, everything was just unleashed...Please, believe me, I really want to start all over again..." Sandy glanced at the serious expression on Lily's face, did she really doubt her? They had been so close...Sharing everything, clothes, food, of course not boys...But did Lily really...
"She's sleeping, we can't go in." Sandy whispered to Lily, not taking her eyes off Vicki, who was fast asleep on the bed, a tiny smile formed on her lips. Lily walked away and sat down, leaning against the wall. "She suffered much hasn't she?" Sandy nodded. "You should have been there, it wasn't easy for the both of them to finally admit that they loved each other, or even stop arguing...Of course Alec put in the most effort, you know how Vicki is, refusing to admit that she really wants something, but now...Argh, I feel so useless, unable to help at all." Lily sighed. She had been too immature, she hadn't really loved Alec at all, just that of her competitiveness, she had almost ruined a precious friendship. "But Sandy...I somehow feel that something..."
"Vicki Zhao Wei! You tell me the truth...Have you really lost your memory?" Sandy ran into the room shouting, making Vicki drop her spoon in shock. "Sandy, what happened? I lost my memory? What happened?" Sandy shook her head, disbelieving, how could Vicki do that to Alec? "Vicki, admit it, we've been friends for so long, I can't believe I managed not to see through this trick, you're too good an actress..." But the confused look remained on Vicki's face. "Vicki, Lily came to see you didn't she? She told me she saw you sobbing to yourself just before she came in. The old Vicki doesn't cry, she's almost emotionless, and she would never cry for John unless she was totally alone at home...Vicki, just tell me, you can't torture Alec like this!" Vicki grew silent and bowed her head. Sandy drew in a sharp breath, what if Vicki really didn't remember anything? She shouldn't have been so impulsive...Vicki looked up, two wet streaks had appeared on her face, and another tear was at the corner of her eye, about to fall. "Sandy, yes, its true, I lied, I never lost my memory."
Alec looked around the bustling airport of San Fransisco, America. He had finally reached, after one exhausting day in the airplane. But what am I going to do here? He thought sadly. He knew no one, had no place to stay, and had no job here. Had he been such a coward? Leaving Vicki just because she had lost her memory? "But there was no future for us." Alec reminded himself, reaching for his wallet. A picture of them in their happier days was slipped into the plastic slot of the wallet, Alec gazed at the photo, I will love you forever...
"She what?" Jeffery's palm slammed down hard on the dining table. "Jeffery, calm down, hear me out...Vicki didn't mean it..." Jeffery refused to look at Sandy. Vicki, she lied to Alec! Causing him to fly off to America heartbroken, unhappy...She was too selfish, too too selfish..."Jeffery, Vicki did it for Alec! You don't know how Mr Zhao is like...He could kill Alec do you know that! Vicki only wanted to protect him..." Protect him? Jeffery scuffed to himself. More like killing him! "Sandy, Alec's dying now...Not physically, but emotionally, he's in a worse state than dying!" Jeffery shouted back. Sandy gave a sigh of despair, what was she supposed do do now with a angry fiance and a depressed friend? "Jeffery, pity Vicki, I would have done the same way if I was her...You don't know how hard it is being someone like her..." Sandy tried to keep her voice level, she didn't want to create anymore trouble...Jeffery looked at Sandy's flushed face. Clasping her hands in his, "Sandy, I'm sorry...I'll try to understand...I'll try, I promise...But Alec..." Sandy gulped, "We just have to wait and see, I don't want to be involved anymore...If destiny permits them, it will..."
Its been a year since Alec left. Gosh, I really can't stop thinking about him...Do you think what I did was right? Daddy only wants the best for me, I know that, but he sometimes just gets too....violent at times...I don't even want to think about what he did to the first boy who dumped me. For the past few days, everytime it rains, I look out the window, seeing the large raindrops pelt against my window panes, it just makes me remember...Remember how we got together...I knew I swore to him that I wouldn't ever leave him again...But then, circumstances just wouldn't allow me to keep my promise...I finally left the world full of fighting, blood and gore, and is currently pursuing a law degree...Of course my father put up a huge fuss, and I fell out with him. I don't want to lose my father, really, since I gave up Alec...Sandy has been telling me all about Alec, how he's doing well over there...Girls falling all over for him...All I can do is to plaster on this smile and pretend I don't care, that I'm really over him, but with every word she says, it seems like, like something just stabs at my heart...I just hope that she won't get to the day when she announces that Alec is getting married. I really envy Sandy sometimes, all she does now is to shop, and Jeffery is doing well too, he's now a general manager, and the way they express their love for each other...It just makes me....I don't know how to explain it...I just miss Alec so much...
Vicki
Alec quickly minimized the Microsoft Word window as June approached with two cups of Starbucks coffee. "Alec, have you finished your proposal already? Mr Peterson wants to look at it as soon as possible..." Alec nodded and pointed to the laptop screen. "Almost, I was just...Caught up with an email." He sipped his coffee nervously, phew, if June had seen that...She would think that he was a lovesick fool...But what he didn't notice was that loving gaze that June had in her eyes, as she watched Alec's fingers type...
I gaze to the photo that I have in my wallet. Sandy
must never find it, I have already decieved her into believing that I have
stopped loving Alec already...The photo is hidden behind all my cards and tiny
pieces of paper...I don't take it out much. Sometimes, I laugh to myself, what a
pathetic being I am! I've already made a name for myself in Hong Kong as a
lawyer who never lost a case, cameras clicking at me whenever I step out of the
Supreme Court, a trumphiant grin on my face, but I never stop thinking about
Him...There are even times that I even envision him standing in the crowd,
smiling and waving to him, but the vision always disappears in a jiffy, and I
know that I am just hallucinating. I have been touted the ice queen, the
untouchable woman, the woman who defeats her oppoments without mercy...They just
do not know my past. Gone are the days of fighting with rival gangs, the present
ones are also full of fights, but without the killing...Damn, I just wish I
could go back for one day, one day to be with Alec again...Even though I have
made up with my father, its still not enough, I had decieved myself, my father's
love could never replace Alec's....
Vicki stared at the paper which she had scribbled on. 3 years had passed and she
was still pining? She looked again at the photo which had been the source of her
sudden inspiration, it had already been bent at various places, but it was the
only photo she kept, the rest she burned. She looked up to the mirror before
her. A young woman sat there, beautiful large eyes that held endless dreams and
aspirations...She looked more mature now, with a executive haircut and a smart
business suit she had gotten ready before going to fight her next case...In
spite of everything, she was not happy...She only wanted..."Vicki! Stop
thinking about him!" Vicki suddenly woke up from her daydreams, and ripped
the paper apart like it was some offensive object...She glanced at the diamond
ring on her finger. She couldn't be unfaithful to Kenny...He loved her, but was
she lying to him just to run away? Was she really right to accept his proposal?
Vicki smiled as she buckled her belt. Finally, after a week in America, she was finally going home! She hated the tasteless Chinese food she only got to try there...Hong Kong was still the best! She took out a book out of her bag, a romance novel, too bad nothing seemed to go that way in her lovelife...She glanced up towards the window, a man sat there, eyes staring forward blankly...Alec. Why of all places, the airplane? She had dreamt about meeting him in America...But...
Someone was staring at him. He could feel it. Looking up curiously, he let out a tiny gasp. Vicki. Just when he was thinking of her...And they were so close. Just seperated by a tiny seat, an arms length from each other...Alec felt the urge to touch her hands, yet rebuked himself almost immediately, she doesn't know you Alec...Vicki broke into a large grin and held out her hand, "You're Sandy's friend, am I right? I'm Vicki..." Alec stared at her outstreached hand. Should he shake it? He was a man who held a high position in a bank, and he was going all nervous over an old flame? He was pathetic..."Alec. I was supposed to be Jeffery's best man." He forced a weak smile onto his lips...He hated himself.
Vicki shook Alec's hand, plastering that fake smile onto her face. Phew, she had almost given herself away, she had to countinue with this lie...Even if it would cost her her life's happiness.
