Chapter 21: Unpleasant Sign
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Sorry for taking so long to update. I had been really busy lately. Hope you all understand =o) Meanwhile, if you haven't read my completed fanfic "The Other Soul" you could go check it out. The url is www.winglin.net/fanfic/TOSnovel Or go to second page of spcnet fanfic forum to look for it :D
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At Bobby's cafe everyone is dispirited to have the farewell party since Annie still hasn't arrive. They all thought that she is too upset to arrive for the party. Seeing everyone moody expression, Ada let out a soft disappoints sigh before she head into the kitchen to obtains her costumer's meal.
When she steps into kitchen, Ada notices Steven shaking his head as he stares toward the floor. Curiously, Ada walks over to him, while asking "Steven, what's the matter?"
Startled by Ada voice from behind, Steven turns around to meet her. His face immediately lightens up with a bright smile. "Nothing," he answered before turning back to look at the corpse of a crow lying dead on the kitchen floor with a small puddle of gruesome blood. The crow head was smash by some heavy object causing it to look deformed.
Curious to what he is looking at, Ada inches forward to take a look. The horrible sight of the dead bird shocks her pale. She let out a sharp squeals and immediately turns around to hug Steven tightly, hiding her eyes safely on his secure shoulder. Ada action made Steven body stiffens nervously with his heart stops at the moment but now slowly beating again. A light sweet smile slowly roasted his cheek. He is surprise and happy about her hugging him.
"Steven, do something, get it away," Ada pleaded while she shivers a bit at the thought of the gruesome sight.
Smiling silently, Steven has lost his voice. He nods instead, while waiting for Ada to release him so he could clean up the mess. Since Ada hasn't release her hug, Steven just stood there like a statue, a very content statue. Finally, Ada notice why Steven isn't moving. She blushes a bit and felt awkward. Quickly she releases him. Steven clears his throat and finally forces his voice to assures, "Umm...don't worry, it dead already..."
Nervously steps back and away, Ada keeps her eyes on the dead black bird. Seeing the nasty corpse of the bird, Ada keeps scooting further back until she bumps into the big pot of soup and burns the back of her hand. "Oww," she moaned softly.
Steven quickly but gently grabs her hand and drags her to the sink to run cold water on it. His face became serious and fills with worries. He quickly grabs a pot filling it with cold water and ice. Then he quickly submerges Ada hand along with his into the icy cold water. Ada wants to withdraw her hand cause of the coldness, but he firmly kept her hand in the icy water. "Let it soak a while, it will help," Steven told her with a caring smile.
For the first time, Ada senses something when she looks into his eyes. Not wanting to accept her feeling being true, Ada quickly avoids his eyes. "Steven, I am okay now," her soft voice signals him to let go of her hand. Steven notices that he was grabbing her hand and she want him to let go, so he release her. With a smile again, Ada just brushes her thought away, thinking that she must be overly sensitive. "Thank you, what is the dead bird doing in the kitchen?" Ada asks in her usual friendly tone.
Turns his head to the bird, Steven shakes his head, "I don't know. I just found it lying there. Something is not right. I could just feel it."
"Steven, I never know you are that superstitious," stated Ada with giggle.
Steven looks at her with his set of serious concerning eyes. Ada quickly stopped her giggling cause she could tell that he is serious. Returns his vision back to the dead black crow, Steven sighs, "I don't know, I always see a dead crow when something bad happen. Like the time Annie got injured sixteen years ago. That morning I saw a dead crow in front of our elementary school. And couple weeks ago when she got lost, I saw one dead while I was bike racing. And now..."
Give him a reassuring smile, Ada said, "I'm sure it just a coincident! I bet it's the work of the cat next door. Don't worry nothing will happen to Annie." Ada smiles in relief to see how much Steven cares for Annie causes it meant her earlier feeling of him liking her must be wrong. "Beside, many birds die each day," continued Ada. She pause to looks at the bird, before finish, "That cat really digs his paws into that poor bird, huh?"
Nods, Steven chuckles, "Yeah, maybe. I'm just worrying too much." He gives Ada a smile, "Why don't you go out and let me clean up?" Ada nodded and heads out. Steven looks at the dead bird in concern again. "I hope she is okay," he softly murmured as he begins to burry the poor bird.
When Ada walked out, she sits down on the round table to join the rest. Charmaine is sitting there looking at the door impatiently for Annie. Sighed, Charmaine is never patient enough to hold her mood. "Come on people let's cheer up, it's a party!" Charmaine reminded hoping to spark up some smile. But she is not happy herself. She believe that Annie wouldn't be upset for so long, but why haven't she come yet? "I can't take this anymore!" she impatiently blurted and took off from her chair to pace around. "Why don't we just call her and ask?" she suggested.
Both Benny and Bowie look at her, signaling her to calls cause they didn't want to upset Annie more if it true that she is still mad. Slumps her shoulder, Charmaine nods, "Fine I'll dial up her phone number and Ada ask." She ended the suggestion with a wide grin on her sister.
"What?" replied Ada. Seeing Charmaine manipulating puppy face while nudging, Ada nods and gave in. "Alright, go ahead and dial her number" Charmaine pulls her cell out and dialed Annie number before she hands it to Ada. Ada listens to the repeating rings with no answer. "She is not picking it up," Ada informed the two pairs of anxious eyes. Ada is getting worry too, so she dials up Annie's house number. After two rings a servant answered the phone. "Hello, is Miss Annie home?" Ada politely asks.
"No she is not, Miss Annie went out to Mr. Wong cafe, could you leave a message?" say one of the maid.
"No, that will be fine. Thank you," Ada relieves voice answered. She hangs up and cheerfully reassures Bowie and Benny, "Don't worry, her servant say she is on her way over."
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Meanwhile just outside the closed meeting door of Millennium Cooperation, Dave is running toward the secretary, who is sitting outside the meeting room. He had told Eileen to stay outside; cause Eileen couldn't stop crying. Dave didn't want everyone to know what happened to Annie.
Running out of breath as he reaches the secretary desk, he leans on it while he tries to catch his breath. Eying him funnily, the secretary is wondering who he is and what he wants. "Can I help you, sir?" mannerly asked the middle age woman.
Still breathing hard, Dave tries to get his message out, "I need ... I need to talk to Mr. Howard Lam now!"
Looks at him with concern, the secretary step toward him, "Are you okay?" She holds on to Dave cause Dave is having a hard time balancing himself after running up all those stairs. "Mr. Lam is in a big meeting now, can you wait a while? He should be out in about half hour."
Dave is in no inclination to waits any longer. Keeping his head shaking, Dave basically shouts, "It's very important that I speak to him now!"
Feeling a bit offended by his yelling at her, the secretary frowns slightly as she instructs, "Calm down. I told you already, Mr. Lam is in a very important meeting with all the shareholders right now. He has order to have no disturbance. I will get him to see you once he finish the meeting."
With anxious tempted eyes toward the large meeting door, Dave wants to charge in, but he isn't sure if that is the room. He returns his urgent set of eyes to the female, "Listen, I am Mr. Lam's driver. Something really bad had happened, so I need to inform him at once. Is that the meeting room?!"
"Yes," replied the weak voice of the secretary. Instantly, Dave rushes over and pushed the door open. Surprised by his speed, the secretary runs after him and yells, "You can't go in there!"
Everyone in the meeting room stops what they were discussing to look toward Dave, especially Howard and Gallen. The father and son are confuses on Dave presents. The look of Dave's pale and out of breath face made them felt eerie.
"What's wrong?" Howard puzzlingly asked while his lost eyes search for clue. He then weakly questions with a bad feeling starting to build in him, "Where is Annie?"
Gallen stands up to walks toward Dave, he could tell that something terrible happened. Sunny saw the serious look in Gallen and he too looks at Dave for an answer.
On the other hand, Dave didn't know how to put the bad news into words. But he knows for sure that this is not a good place for him to blurt it out. As calm and solid as he could make his voice, Dave requests, "Mr. Lam, I need a moment to speaks to you alone."
Hearing Dave replies, Howard heart felt unsettle. He knows that his guts feeling of Annie being in trouble must be right. Nodded, Howard quickly got up and walks toward his driver. "Follow me," his steady voice instructed. With a stern and hard face, Howard heads out the meeting room guiding Dave to his office. He didn't look or excuse himself from the rest of his partners whose are at the meeting.
Dave follows behind as his mind plans on how to put the kidnap incident into words. Gallen and Sunny follow along, cause they can feel the important of Dave report, and they want to see if they can help out. They all enter Howard's luxurious office. The employees from outside peeks in curiously as the door shut and blocked them from further snooping.
Howard stern expression turns slowly into concern as he looks into Dave eyes for explanation. "What happen Dave?"
Dave still hasn't finds a way to make it sound not too horrible, but how is there a way to make kidnapping sound calm and no big deal? He finally decides to say whatever comes into his busy mind. "Miss Annie has been kidnapped!" he blurted out the main point.
The three sets of shock eyes dart at him like a pack of wolves being alert to hunt. But the fact is that the three grown men are trying to put Dave's simple phase into their head logically. They lost their speech because they aren't prepares to receive this kind of news.
Seeing Howard blank face slowly turning darker and the silent of the room made Dave felt nervous and responsible. Dave is feeling guilty that he couldn't protect Annie. So he starts to speak fast and rambles on and on, "It's all my fault. I really did tries to save her. If I could of... but...but there are so many of them and..."
With angry eyes directs toward Dave, Howard slightly gesture his hand to stops Dave from continuing. He is not angry at Dave, he just doesn't know how to handle the fact. In a calm but hard voices, Howard questions with his eyes narrows onto Dave, "What did you just say?" He knows very well what Dave is saying but he is too shock and confuse, so he couldn't put the picture together yet. "Did you say Annie is kidnapped?" he asked with a pair of fatherly concern eyes. Howard shakes his head cause he known the answer to that question already. So he quickly changes to the next question that pops up into clotted mind. "No, I mean, how did it all happen?"
"It's all my fault!" Dave continues to blame himself instead of answering Howard question. "I could of helped her in some way...but I ...but there is so many of them..."
Gallen firmly hand settles on Dave broad shoulder. "Dave, we need you to calm down and tell us what happen," said Gallen impatiently.
Snapped out of his thought, Dave knows that he needed to control his emotion to explain clearly on what happened. He took in a deep breath to calm himself down before speaking, "This morning, like usual Miss Annie needed to head out, so I got the car ready and driving her to Mr. Wong cafe. But I had to stop the car immediately cause a van just pulled in front of us. Then I saw three men walked out holding gun, MACHINE GUN, they were heading toward us. I tried to get out of the situation by backing up the car, but there are two more cars blocked the road." Dave took a quick pause to swallow, "There were a total of eight of them. All of them are arms with weapon. And they started to fire at us. I really don't know what to do. I really wanted to protect Miss Annie, but I..."
Feeling his knees weaken, Howard sits himself down on his sofa. He is feeling light hearted with worry for Annie's safety. The situation that Dave is wording out made Howard felt Annie's fear during that moment. Howard shakes his head, he just hope that they won't harm Annie.
Frowned, Dave continues, "Those guys use a huge hammer to break the windshield and had their gun pointed at me and demanded me to unlock all the doors. I didn't want to, cause I didn't want them to get anywhere near Miss Annie. But they moved their gun toward Miss Annie forehead, I had no choice but to listen and open up." He close his eyes and shakes his head, "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have unlock the door, I ..I ..I don't know what else to do!"
"It's not your fault," assured Gallen, "You've done your job."
With flam flaring up his eyes, Howard growled his anger, "Did they hurt her?!"
"No. They just took her with them," Dave quickly pulls the vanilla envelop out and gives it to Howard. "Mr. Lam, they told me to give you this as soon as possible, and to tell you not to get the police involve or...or..."
"OR WHAT?!" impatiently yelled the worried father.
Gulped, Dave answers in a trembling voice, "Or they will return Miss Annie body to the Mansion..."
With one hard gulp of his fear for Annie's safety, Howard shaky hands quickly fumble to open the envelope. In it he finds a cassette tape. With rushing heart and mind, he keeps turning around and around trying to finds a cassette player. But his office doesn't have a cassette player in sight. He yelled in frustration, "Get me that cassette machine!!"
"I'll go find one," offered Sunny after seeing his uncle pain and concern. Sunny quickly walked out to find one and return. The employees outside peek in with curiosity as Sunny opens and shuts the door of Howard office. Sunny quickly place the cassette player on the bar counter and plugged into an outlet. Gallen took the tape from Howard shaky hand and quickly place it in the tape recorder and press play.
Howard walks closer to the player. His face was full of worries and concern for his beloved daughter Annie. The cassette player slowly rolled the tape with little static sound slowly became audible. They were getting impatient, but finally a cruel and hostile voice speak up, "Mr. Lam, we have got your daughter in our hand! If you are a smart man, you would definitely not get anyone else involve with this situation. Cause I promise you that you will never see your daughter again if I find out any cop being involves."
It was Eddy voice on the tape, he has pause to let out a sinister laugh, "Okay, now let get back to our business! Don't worry we will treat your daughter nicely and won't touch a single strand of her hair, as long as you follow my instruction and give me my request. I can't tell you what I want yet. But be sure to get your financial status ready, so I can get what I want. Don't worry I will call you back. If I were you, I would go home and wait for my call. I'll let you know that I'm not a very patient person. And don't even try to play trick with me if you love your little darling enough."
Howard listens with his heart racing as he looks dully at the cassette player. The tape ended and the play button popped up, startled him. Snapped out of it, his worry face change into a furious and his temper rising incredibly, "I will get them for this! If Annie is harm in anyway they will all pay for it and I'll hunt them down myself!! Dave do you recognize any of them being people we know?"
Try to calm his father down, Gallen reasons, "Dad, what we need to do now is to get Annie safely home. We don't want to fight it hard with them and get Annie hurt cause she is in the middle of all of this."
"Uncle Howard, Gallen is right, Annie safety is the most important issue now," said Sunny. Howard cooled down a bit and breathing hard while trying to control his temper. Howard swears to god to make these idiots pay. He swallowed his anger and looked calmly at his son and nephew.
Dave just recalls something that is very important on pinning down who is behind this scandal. His face brightens as he remembers Annie words, "Mr. Lam, Miss Annie knows one of them!"
Surprised, the three Lam dart at Dave with daunted expression. "WHO IS IT?!" demanded Howard with rage.
"Miss Annie called him Marco..."
"What?!" shouted Gallen. He couldn't belief he just heard the name that haven't been mention for eight whole years. "You must be kidding me, right?"
"How could this be?" said Sunny with puzzle. "He haven't show up for eight years, and why would he want to kidnap Annie? I thought he treat Annie as a sister?"
"That bastard," bitterly murmured Howard with a low growl. He shakes his head and hissed his breath. He knows all along that Marco is not a good guy to be with. The mentioning of Marco name made Howard hot under the collar. "How dare he have the gut to hurt my daughter again!" shouted Howard with steaming eyes. He stood up to pace with rage hysterically rising. "I told that Flora to never get involve with him, see what happen?! If anything happen to Annie, I'll kill that Marco and burn him alive!! THAT BASTARD!"
With burning flame, Howard is stomping his way heading out as he continue to scold that ex-boyfriend of his daughter, "How could he do this to Annie?! She always defended him against me back then! How could he do this to Annie and Flora?! Wait till I lay my hands on him." Howard continues to storm his way toward the meeting room.
"Dad remembers, Annie's safety first. She must be very terrifies," reminded Gallen.
Howard knows that his son is right, he need to focus more on Annie safety. And in order to do that he knows that he need to be in control and get his daughter out of this mess. Howard stops in front of the meeting room, he turns to Dave. "Dave go get the car ready, we'll be down very soon," he ordered before he turns back to face the closed meeting room.
His secretary opens the door for him to enter. Following behind him is Gallen and Sunny. With his tough stubborn expression, Howard clearly states to his business shareholders, "Meeting is dismiss."
"But Mr. Lam..." said Wilson, who has a very urgent project in hand.
With hard eyes, Howard turns his attention and glare at the young employee of his, "I say dismiss! I don't care, push everything backs till tomorrow or next week!" Releasing a puff of breath, Howard is heading out.
George, one of his business partners, asks in concern, "Howard, what's wrong? Can we help?"
Didn't want to explain, Howard simply answers, "Nothing. George, I need to leave now, I'll solve everything next week." With that last word, Howard headed out and toward the elevator leaving the confuse people in the meeting room watches his back as he disappear quickly. Gallen and Sunny follow along, they wanted to go home and wait till the kidnapper to call back too. They were in no mood to continue on with business. They walked quickly down to the main floor and out of the building heading to Dave car.
Their position froze when they saw the beat up car with bullets and scatter glasses everywhere, they couldn't recognize the car any longer. Seeing the car in this condition bring a chill to Howard's heart. He is really worried about Annie, what is Annie going to do with this bunch of cruel and hostile monsters? "Those bastards are going to pay," he mumbled firmly. He grumpily headed into the car and yelled at Dave to get him home as fast as possible.
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At home, Lisa is happily arranging fresh cut flower with Maggie in the dinning room. They had fun arranging the flower and chatting about the unborn baby future and how to provide the best for the child. Flora just came back from the hospital and joyfully headed toward them. She is happy that she could be home at one in the afternoon, instead of being home at eight at night, which is what she thought she needed to.
"You are early today," stated Maggie while she is clipping wailed leave off of a rose. "I bet the surgery went great, seeing your cheerful and joyful self!"
"Yup! Like always, I am the best ever!! The surgery went just perfectly and I got it finish just in one hour! Can't you believe that?" laughed Flora teasingly. "Actually, the surgery was cancel cause my patient has a reaction to the anesthetic, so they have to figure out how to solve that problem first. So I was not needed and my other patients are as good as a chimp! Now I could finally stay home and relax for a day."
With shaking head, Maggie giggles, "You are such a lazy doctor, Flora."
"Hey, be nice!" Flora protested with a slight push on Maggie.
Glancing away from her bouquet, Lisa looks at her daughter with concern, "That doesn't sound good for your patient though. Is the reaction severe? I hope not."
Give her mom a reassuring smile, Flora replies, "No, it just give him puffy eyes and swollen face. But it decreases the amount of oxygen he receives too, since his airway was swollen a bit. At least he is at a stable condition now. So I need to reschedule..." she stopped cause she hears a loud bang of the front door slamming open.
They saw Howard swiftly walks in with angry burned face. Seeing Gallen long face too, Maggie quickly rushes to her husband. She gently holds his hand as she wonders what happen. She just thought that it's only business matter. Lisa walks to Howard and eyes his expression closely trying to pick out what's the matter.
Flora headed toward them too, she has never seen her father with those mad and cold eyes before. She know that something big must happened to make them come home this early and with those hard and frustrated expression. Seeing Gallen and Sunny with the same expression as her dad, Flora too thought that it must be business problem. "Dad is something wrong with the company?" she caringly asked.
"Did anyone call?!" was her father reply.
"No one in particular, who are you waiting for?" asked Lisa with still eyes on her husband for an answer. Her husband just keeps the stern and hard face looking at her silently. "Howard, what's wrong?" Lisa urged. Howard didn't say anything, he just stare at Lisa with his inflamed cold stare that is full of distress.
Seeing his father's face, Gallen knows that his father doesn't know how to spill the news to Lisa. Gallen know very well that his mom will definitely overreact to the news. He kept silent too, he don't want to be the one breaking this news to them. Maggie felt the tension in his hand and face, so she looked into Gallen eyes for detail. Lisa notices that her husband is in no mood to tell her, so she turns her question to Gallen. She stares at her son demanding for an answer, "Gallen, you tell me."
Nodding, Gallen walks Maggie to settles her down on the sofa, he also guide his mom to the sofa. Lisa heart is beginning to beat irregularly cause of her son action. She sat down on the sofa and kept her eyes on Gallen at all times. Gallen calmly explain, "Mom, you need to stay calm okay?" Lisa nods and impatiently waits for him to explain. But Gallen turns and looked at Flora, who is still stand next to him. "Flora, why don't you sit down too?" he suggested since Marco will be part of his explanation. Flora obeys. Gallen. Gallen couldn't think of anyway to put it except for the straight and forward sentence, "Annie has been kidnapped...."
Instantly, Lisa became pale from shock, the blood in her face drained quickly. Both Flora and Maggie grasped and stare at each other to make sure they are hearing the same thing being say. Shaking her head in denial, Lisa asks, "Did you just say Annie has been kidnapped?" She stares at Gallen with confusion, cause she didn't want to accept the fact. "That couldn't be. She was here just three hours ago. Dave drove her out right after you two left for work. How could that happen? This must be a mistake! She probably playing a trick on us."
Lisa stands up and walks to face her husband, hoping he would say that Gallen was kidding. "Howard, is what Gallen say, correct?" Her husband nods in silent. That confirming nods just made Lisa's heart stiffens. Her eyes froze on Howard while her facial expression faded leaving only a blanked shock. Finally being able to finds her voice again, Lisa questions, "How could this be? Howard, what will happen to Annie? What do they want?! When will they release her?" Feeling a headaches starting, Lisa shakes her head with a trace of tears glistering in her pair of eyes, "This can't be happening, we need to save her. She is very important to viv," her voice trailed off and quickly corrects, "To me. Howard, we got to save her. Just give them the money."
Nodding, Howard gently gathers his wife into his arms, "Lisa, of course I'll save Annie. She's our daughter. You know how much I cherish her. You need to calm down, we all need to be calm in order to help get Annie out of this situation." Howard releases his wife and gaze into her teary eyes. With a weak assuring smile, he asks, "Lisa, you trust me right? I won't let them harm Annie. Don't worry I will never let anything happen to Annie."
Flora scooted closer to her brother, "Gallen, what did they ask for? And when will they let Annie go?"
"We don't know yet. All we know is that they will call home and tell us what to do," answered Gallen with a sigh.
"Should we go get help from the police?" asked Maggie.
"NO!" snapped Howard. He is not willing to risk Annie life on the hands of the police. So he loudly and clearly stated what he wanted everyone in the living room to understand. "The police can't know about this. I want everyone in here not to mention Annie situation to anyone else, especially the police," exclaim Howard. He looks at Sunny with his cold and concern eyes, Sunny know exactly what he wants to say.
"Don't worry uncle Howard, I won't tell Julian about Annie being kidnapped," promised Sunny. Howard gave him a relief look and knows that Sunny will not tell Julian about Annie. Sunny has always kept his words.
"Lisa, are you sure no one called this morning?" Howard asked to make sure.
"Yes, no stranger call. Only Ada called. She wanted to knows if Annie is going to the cafe, I thought that Annie was on her way so I told the servant to tell her that." Lisa let out a soft sigh, "I should of knows something is wrong when Ada called."
"There is no way you could figure it out Lisa. Don't over worry yourself. Annie should be fine, since all they want is the money," stated Howard. "Sunny, why don't you go back to the company and help me see what needs to be taking care of. I know many of the shareholders have concerning questions on the Wong's project. The Wong's project can't be hold any longer, or it will hurt our company, I don't want that to happen. So help me settle them down and keep things running, I don't think I would be in until Annie is back."
Nodded, Sunny assures, "Uncle Howard, don't worry about the company, I'll get everything running like normal. But call me when you have any of Annie's news." After seeing his uncle nods, Sunny left.
"Gallen, I want you to contact our banks and inform them that I might need to pull a huge sum from the account. Have them get the amount that I have in their bank ready, so I can get them at any time," instructed Howard.
"I'll go call them right no," replied Gallen. He head upstairs to use the study room phone line, so the home phone line is kept open. Maggie followed him up cause she didn't feel like being away from him at this moment. And the tension in the living room is building up so much.
After Gallen left, Howard sat down on the sofa with Lisa by his side. Both of their eyes are anxiously on the phone, which is sitting on the marble lamp stand. Flora sat silently waiting too as her heart begins to fills with worry and concern of her little sister. She was deep in thought of memories of Annie, than suddenly the phone ring causing her to jump. Both Lisa and Howard were startled and gaze at the phone not knowing whether to pick it up or not. Gallen and Maggie headed down quickly as they hear the phone ringing. Howard knows that he must pick it up, so he quickly move his shaky hand and pick it up. Everyone else has their eyes bulged out and heart pounding as hard as Howard's heart are.
Wetted his lip and clear his throat, Howard pushed the talk button on the phone and calmly spoke, "Hello? This is Howard Lam speaking."
"Good afternoon uncle Howard, is Annie home?" Ada asked in an awkward tone, since she weren't expecting Howard to answer her call. She is very confuses to why Howard actually pick up the phone himself. Ada was representing the rest of the people in the cafe to call, cause they had waited over two hours since the last call saying Annie was on her way over. They were getting worry about her and wanted to find out what take her so long. Especially since Steven feeling something might happen to Annie cause of the bird incident.
Letting out a relief sigh, Howard body relaxes a bit. But he was also disappointed in hearing Ada voice instead of the kidnapper. He rubbed his exhausted temple with his hand to relief the stress and tension while he think of an excuse for Ada. Everyone else eyes him wondering who is on the phone. He finally decided to just say anything to end the phone call before the real kidnapper calls in. "Ada, Annie is not home right now. She went to visit a friend in the state. She won't be back these couple days. I'm sorry Ada, but I am waiting for an important phone call, so I can't talk right now, okay?"
Ada is even more puzzles by Howard's answer, but she didn't dare to ask anymore questions, cause she could hears Howard tone being impatient. "Okay. I'm sorry to bother you, uncle Howard. Bye," Ada ended and hung up.
Howard sat back down with his family again and continues to wait. As for Ada side, she is very confuses on Howard saying Annie left for the state to visit a friend for a couple of days. Ada turns her head side to side as she try to understand Howard answer. Everyone waited impatiently and studying her expression, especially Benny and Bowie. "Well? Jie, what's wrong with Annie? Is she coming or not? Is she still mad at me?" asked Benny with a guilty look.
"Uncle Howard said she went to visit a friend in the state for a couple of days," informed Ada with blank face.
Now everyone know why she had that confuse look on a second ago, cause they are all getting the same look now too. "Annie has friends in the state?" questioned Charmaine with wrinkled forehead. "Annie has been to a state before? I thought she never left Hong Kong? This is so confusing! Uncle Howard told you this?" Ada nodded. Charmaine sits down and try to think when Annie start to have friend in the state.
Knowing Annie well enough, Steven shakes his head, "She don't know anyone that is in the state. She has been out of Hong Kong before, but never alone. This is too odd. Something must be wrong. I know it, my guts feeling is right. Why would uncle Howard say that though? And they say she was on her way over two hours ago. I don't think she would go on vacation without telling me..."
Looked down on the floor feeling guilty, Benny thought that Annie must still be mad at him, "Maybe she just goes over to stay away from me."
"Don't be silly Benny. Steven is right. Something is out of sort. Her parents will definitely not let her go alone. Ada are you sure it was Mr. Lam that told you that?" asked Bowie.
"Yeah! The thing that's weird is that he actually picks up the phone himself. You know they usually let the servants pick it up," Ada exclaim.
Charmaine agree with her sister suspicion. She added, "Jie is right! Why is uncle Howard at home during this time anyway?" Everyone nods as they try to figure out Annie's where about. Since Bobby, Esther, and Henry had left last Wednesday to vacation in Florida. Charmaine has considers Annie flying over to join them, but why would she just took off so suddenly
"Ah, let me asks Raymond," suggested Steven. He took his phone out to call Raymond.
Raymond picks it up right away and knows its' Steven since his caller ID shows up. "Speak up Steven!" Raymond happily answers.
"Raymond, where is Annie?"
A bit lost by the question, Raymond asks back, "Isn't she with you guy celebrating Bowie's farewell party?"
Raymond answer has confirms Steven suspicion. Steven is very worry about Annie now, he quickly explain to Raymond, "No, she didn't show up. Ada called your home and your dad say she went to the state to visit her friend for a couple days, but when did Annie have friend in the state? Do you have any clue to what's going on?"
"Annie didn't go to the cafe? But she decides to go this morning," Raymond stated, his voice sounded even more confuse, "My dad say Annie left for the state?! That's very odd."
"Exactly!" Steven answered while hoping Raymond could explain, but it doesn't look like it.
Raymond has no clue what he has missed out on. "Steve, hold on lets me go home and find out what's going on. I'll call you when I get the story straight okay?"
"Yes do call me. I hope Annie is fine. I'll wait for your call," Steven said before he hung up.
Swiftly, Raymond closed his shop early and rushed home. He had a feeling that something is not right. Why would Annie go to the state? Why is his dad home so early? And why didn't Annie tell him if she is leaving to the state? And which state would Annie go, and what friend is she visiting? Other than theirs parents friends, Annie doesn't know anyone outside of Hong Kong. Raymond drives home quickly.
When he steps into the mansion and being met by his entire family members sitting in the living room with anxiety, he notice that Annie is the only one missing. Raymond lost eyes settle on his mom for an answer. He could tell how worry sick his mom is by the worn out expression on her. Seeing Lisa not going to have the energy to explain to him, Raymond turn to his elder sister, "Jie, why is Annie at the state?"
Lifted her face up, Flora looks at Raymond oddly, "Who say she went to the state?" The mention of Annie made Flora sadden and wanted to cry. She silently sobs with her leans toward Raymond shoulder. Her action scare Raymond thinking that something horrible has happens to Annie. He doesn't know who to turn to, to get his story straight.
Gallen saw his brother's concern and confuse look, so he starts to explain, "She has been kidnaps Raymond." Raymond weren't sure that he heard that right and just stare at Gallen with his be wider eyes. Gallen saw his expression and repeated to him again, "Yes, she has been kidnaps this morning."
"What?!! How? Where?" blurted Raymond with his sharp eyes turning hard and revengeful, "Who did this to her?!"
Gallen let out a soft sigh, "Dave say Annie recognize one of them being Marco."
Flora was shocked all over again and stopped her sobbing to process the new information. She slowly let go of Raymond and turns to Gallen with hard and bulged eyes. "WHAT?!" both Flora and Raymond demanded for clarification. Flora is numbed by the thought of Marco being involves in this. "He wouldn't do this to Annie," Flora softly murmured in disbelieves. It's hurt her to realize Marco would do such a thing to Annie, since she has witness how Marco treats Annie eight years ago. "Why? Why would he do this?! How could he?" Flora kept shaking her head and then she remembered Marco asking her for money last time they met. She stands up and furiously shouted, "THAT JERK!" Her family stared at her out break. "He kidnaps Annie just cause I wouldn't gives him the money!"
Howard is furious with the idea that Flora recently meets him before and didn't mention it to him. "Did you see him again?! Why didn't you tell me?!!" he scolded.
"Howard calm down. Flora will you explain to us, when you last talk to Marco?" Lisa said.
Flora is regretting that she didn't just agree to help Marco when he came and ask her for the money. If she would of help, than he wouldn't have to kidnaps Annie. "I saw him couple days ago, he came to look for me in the hospital," explained Flora. Howard is getting angry as he listens. "He asked for my forgiveness and asks me for money, I didn't pay attention to him and left. I didn't know that he would kidnap Annie for that!" Flora temper flare up at the thought of Marco kidnapping Annie, "I will kill him if Annie gets hurt." Cold angry tears rolled down her cheek, now she felt responsible.
"At least we know that he just wanted money," said Gallen, he wanted to ease everyone worry for a while.
"I told you to stay away from him back then! Why didn't you listen?! I told you he's not a good person to trust! If you would off listened eight years ago, you wouldn't be pregnant with his child and get dumped by him! Then you wouldn't have the miscarriage that causes problem for your health to bear child in the future! And this kidnapping would certainly not happen!" unreasonably scolded the father.
"Howard!" Lisa warned while pulling her husband to sit back down. "Are you out of your mind?!" Seeing Flora muted with silent regretful tears made Lisa suffer too. She hisses at her husband, "You had totally forgotten what you has promise me. What happened has happen, it's not Flora's fault. I know you are frustrated, but this is certainly not how you deal with this."
Glanced over toward his daughter, Howard regrets what he says. He rubbed his face in stress and walks over to sits down next to Flora. Flora lifts her teary eyes to look at her father. She isn't mad at her father, cause she too felt foolish for loving Marco so deeply back then. Howard gently swings his arm around his daughter shoulder to gives her a warm squeeze. He whispered with his deep voice, "I'm sorry, Flora. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Sniffed on her tears, Flora snuggles her face into her father warm shoulder. She softly said in regret, "I'm sorry daddy."
"No, it's my fault, I'm the father."
"Raymond, don't tell anyone about Annie kidnaps, okay?" Lisa told her son. Raymond nods silently. The entire family sits silently waiting for the call. Raymond phone Steven and lie to him, saying Annie went to the state to visit a close friend of the family and just to stay away for a while.
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:p
Chapter 22: Gaining Trust
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I had made several changes to the story. I changed Lisa age to sixty-year-old instead of 56. I also changed her relationship with Vivian Leung. She now addresses her as a friend instead of half-sister. You'll understand why in the future =o) Alright, enjoy the chapter!
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Eddy has decides to not contact Howard yet, cause he wanted Howard to feel the agony of waiting and worrying before he asks for the ransom. His plan worked great cause Howard and his family are all desperate to hear about Annie's condition. They didn't have much sleep or appetite to eat dinner. They were all exhausted and tired from the worry.
Still sitting in the living room waiting for the phone call, Howard and Lisa became so muted with fear of losing their youngest daughter. Meanwhile, their older three children and Maggie slowly dose off. But every once in a while, they jerk awake when they thought they heard the phone ring. This misery night has been a nightmare to each one of them.
It's two past midnight already. Annie is kept in a dark and dirty room of the old cabin, with some hungry little rats running around to pick on her left over lunch boxes. Everyone is asleep outside guarding her room. In the dark filthy room Annie too is asleep, since she was tired of screaming and shouting the entire day. Even though she is exhaustingly asleep, she is still really alert if any little sound stirs around her.
The night is silent with the faint sound of cricket in the background. The sound of footsteps slowly approaches the dark room of Annie. It paused right at the door. A slow clicking sound of the doorknob turning is emitting throughout the room, but Annie is too drowsily asleep to hear anything. Slowly the door creeps open.
The dark shadow at the doorway belongs to Louis. He is holding a stack of paper towels and a bottle of spring water. His expression is tinted with concern for the girl in front of him. For the entire day, Louis has been curious about this girl that they has kidnapped. He has waited until everyone was asleep before he dares to come in and take a closer look at Annie.
Carefully, Louis shut the door behind him slowly to make sure he didn't wake anyone up. He doesn't want anyone to notice him walked in. Holding a flashlight to shine his way, Louis approaches Annie with the flashlight on her face. When he is right in front of Annie, Louis squats down next to her. Annie is hugging her legs with her arms while resting her head on her knees. Her soft closed eyes are facing Louis. Seeing how vulnerable she is, Louis heart has a lingering urge to protect and shelter her.
His still deep eyes are kept on Annie unmoved. For some reason, she has always gives him an impression of being a sweet innocent girl with no concern. With soft eyes on Annie's feature, Louis unknowingly smiles warmly while Annie breath peacefully in her sleep. Finally remembering why he is in here, Louis attention settles on Annie's forehead. He could see her scraped wound is infested with dirt and dried blood. He also saw the corner of Annie lip being slightly cut cause of Evergreen barbaric slap.
Quietly, Louis opens the bottle of water to wets the paper towels he brings in, so he could help Annie clean her wound before infection set in. Louis gently wash Annie forehead with the wet paper towel by patting on the wound. Not wanting to wake her, his soft touch became more gentles as he rubs on the dried up blood softly to clean it. Annie slightly turns her head away from the touch, causing Louis to pause for a second before continuing.
When Louis continues, Annie's eyes open immediately when she felt the force on her forehead. With fear drowning her vivid eyes, she quickly shoves the person away from her. Her lips quiver as she inched farther back. Seeing her about to scream, Louis firmly places his hand over her mouth. Once the masculine hand cover her mouth, Annie knows the opponent is a guy. She is terrifies by his action. She doesn't know whose he is or what he wants to do to her. Her head shakes pleading for the guy to let her go. But he wouldn't. Annie's heart pounds loudly. It's so loud that she couldn't hear anything but her own heartbeat and a faint beating of his.
Loosen his hand to not smother her, Louis lean in to whisper into Annie's ear, "Shhhh...don't scream or you will wake the rest up...I just want to help you wash your wound." His stern expression weakens when he sees Annie eyes fills with fear along with her slightly trembling body. "I'll let go of my hand if you promise not to scream, okay?" he told her.
Shakily, Annie nods in agreement. Louis slowly releases his hand. Instantly, Annie scooted away from him. She doesn't trust him at all, she don't trust anyone that is in this cabin. But Annie kind of finds his voice familiar and soothing, so she sat there curiously trying to recall where she met him.
Meanwhile Louis is happy that she didn't scream. He wants to finish washing her cut, so he inched toward her. Once he did that, Annie begins to panic and quickly backed farther away. But when Louis softly and gently places his gentle touch on her forehead, Annie didn't resist. Instead she sits really still to let him finish up. Louis shined the flashlight on her forehead and cleans the wound carefully and gently. Annie can felt the warmth from him and the sense of knowing him for a long time. "Do I know you?" her soft voice suddenly emitted into the silent night.
Glanced at her, Louis felt a sense of joy to know she recognize his voice, but he didn't admit anything to her. He just kept cleaning her wound. When he finishes, he looks at Annie with a warm smile that is only a slight curve. "All done," his gentle voice told her.
Louis is really curious of Annie's background and wants to know more about her. He wants to know why she became brother Eddy's target. Louis glances over to the sound of a rat munching on a lunchbox. His caring eyes then return to Annie. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked. Annie didn't say a word, she don't know what to say, she kept trying to recall where she heard this voice before. Louis saw her facial expression of confusion, so he asks, "Are you okay?"
Somehow his voice made Annie felt really safe and warm. Slowly she began to trust him a bit more. "Yeah...thanks you..." her barely audible voice said.
Smiling sweetly from his heart, Louis shakes his head, "Don't mention it..."
Those exact three words have remind Annie where she met him. She is confuse and quickly moves away from him. "You are the guy that helped me on the bus," she stated in disbelieve. Louis is amaze that she recognizes him. But how could Annie forget? He is the only one who is willing to help her. Annie is confuse cause she thought Louis is a nice person, but why is he one of those guy that kidnaps her? She turns her head to face his direction. "Why do you want to capture me? I thought you are a good person..." her soft voice trailed off.
Louis quickly turns off the flashlight and covers her mouth with his hand when he heard the sound of footstep approaching outside. Annie silent cause she heard it too, both of their eyes widen and froze as still as possible. Annie is facing Louis with uncertainty, while Louis cautions eyes are toward the doorway. Louis is hoping that the person would stop when he sees no light and sound in the room. But the footstep is coming closer. Louis knows that the person must come in to check, so he quickly thinks of an excuse to explains why he is in here. He stares into Annie scared eyes. In a reassuring tone, he whispers into her ear, "It'll be okay, they won't harm you. But I need your help. I need you to whine now, just whine about your head hurting okay? Moan or something..."
Annie don't really knows what he is up to, but something inside her tells her to listen to him, so she starts to moan and pretends her forehead is hurting her. The door to the room opens slowly to reveal Marco standing in the doorway looking at them curiously. Louis back was facing the door, he pretends that he didn't notice Marco entrance. He started to poke Annie forehead with his finger, while he pretends to treat Annie. "Stop whining!" Louis grumpily shouted at Annie to make a scene. "I am looking at it now! Stop being such a brat. You rich girl could be so annoying. I said stop it! I can't sleep with all of your moaning. Shut up!" Louis continues to examine her forehead and shout at her.
Annie understands his plan now and plays along to help him. Something told her that he is here to help her like in the first time when they met. Marco steps up to them and Louis turns around to greet him, "Brother Marco, did she wake you up too? I tried to shut her up, but she wouldn't. She kept moaning about her forehead hurting her."
Squatted down, Marco places his hand on Annie jaw to turns her head toward the left in order to examine her wound. Annie silent when she sense Marco gazes. "Look like you clean it pretty well," said Marco with a slight grin at Louis. He then turns his vision back to Annie, "Chung Chung stop playing trick. I knows it doesn't hurt that much...what do you want?"
Silently, Annie bitterly glare at his direction, "I want to go home, Marco!"
Marco frowns, "Sorry Chung Chung, you can't yet." He releases her and signal Louis to follow him out of the room. He pauses to look back at Annie, "Wait patiently for couple more days. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you, if you listen." He turns to Louis, "Lets go, don't need to worry about her whining, she is fine. You need to sleep too." Nodded, Louis looks at Annie for one last time before he walks out with Marco.
After they left, Annie curled up into a ball cause she could hear and feel a couple of rats running around passing by her. She was screaming and yelling cause of them earlier in the evening, but now she didn't dare to scream. Because of her screaming, Evergreen had came in to hit her when Marco and Eddy were not around, so Annie learns to stay quiet and cope with the rats. She is getting use to them, but she still wants to stay away from them and keep her distant.
Annie silently sobs as she thinks of her parents and siblings and her nice comfy bed, finally she cries herself to sleep again. Sleeping on the floor right outside, Louis could hear her sobbing. It's made him felt sad and wanted to comfort her, but he knows he shouldn't enter again in case the other caught him. Louis wants to know more about her, but it seem like tonight is not the night to ask her question. Yawned, Louis kept his eyes on Annie room and slowly drifts asleep.
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The next day before the sunrise, Lisa has wanders into Annie's room. Walking around her daughter bedroom, Lisa hand gently run passes Annie's belonging. She has missed Annie so much and would do anything to just have her return home. The sixty-year-old mother hasn't slept a wink last night cause of her overly worries. Since Annie was born, Lisa has cherish and love her differently than her other three offspring. To her, Annie is different and requires more love to make up for her lost. Lisa has tries her best to tend to Annie every needs even if it mean spoiling. In her heart she has always have this burden of responsibility and needs to make sure that Annie's live well, eat well, and clothed well.
Lisa pauses when she reaches the glass door leading to the balcony. She slides the door open releasing fresh morning breeze to enter the room. From the corner of her eye she saw a shadow of a figure on the swing. She quickly turns to focus her vision thinking that it's Annie. A frown washes over her hopefulness when she realize it Raymond, who has fallen asleep. Lisa walks toward her son and slightly bends down to get the picture frame that Raymond is holding onto.
When she turn the frame around there are four youngsters looking back at her. The oldest two were giving out a perfect grin, while the younger two were fooling around. A slight smile grew on Lisa when she focuses on the seven-year-old boy who is holding a toy truck toward his four-year-old sister, making her cry. Tears slowly drown Lisa eyes when her soft fingertip runs over the picture of the four-year-old Annie, who is holding onto her fabric dolly. Lisa begins to silently sob.
Lisa's faint sniffling wakes Raymond up, he focuses his vision on the person in front of him. When he notices his mother's tears, Raymond quickly got up to guide his mother to sits on the swing. Lisa swallows her tears and murmurs, "Annie has always been afraid, even of little things. Look at this picture. She cries cause she believe what you said about the tires of the truck being snakes." Raymond let out a weak chuckle to remember how he threatens Annie when they were young. She pretty much believes everything that he said. A drop of tear rolls off Lisa chin, "She must be really afraid now..." Raymond sadly nods and wraps one of his arms around his mother shoulder. Lisa holds the picture against her chest, "I want her home."
"She will return home safely, mom," Raymond weakly said.
Lisa nods, "Raymond, could you drive me to the cemetery?" Raymond eyes curiously narrow at his mother but he finally nods. He is willing to do anything to ease his mom worry.
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Raymond sport car pull up to the cold cement of the graveyard. With Raymond by her side, Lisa walks to Vivian grave. Every tombstone has a tint of blue since the sun hasn't fully raises yet. It's only six in the morning. Lisa stops in front of Vivian grave, she squat down to set a bundle of fresh cut mum into the vase.
Raymond studies the black and white picture of the twenty-year-old girl curiously. He is not sure, but he has a feeling that he had met this girl before, but where and when? "Mom, who is she?" Raymond asked.
"A friend," was Lisa short answer. "Raymond, could you go fill the vase up with some water?" requested Lisa. After Raymond left, Lisa gazes into Vivian picture. "Viv honey, you got to help me bring Annie home. We have been waiting the entire night for them to call, but they never did. Viv, I'm very afraid. I don't know if Annie is still safe or not. Could they have kills her? That would explain why they didn't call us. Other than that, what else would stop them from calling?" Lisa sighs with her longing eyes at the picture, "I missed you, Vivian. I had already lost you, I can't lose Annie too, you understand? If you could hear me and have the ability, please protect Annie from harm."
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The sun slowly elevates spreading its' lights on the old cabin making the cabin look dusty and hazy cause it reveal the fade worn out wood. Its' tingling rays shine passes the rusty iron window frame and into the dusty room where Annie is asleep. Annie is sleeping restlessly with both of her clapped hands snuggled warmly under her head. Both of her legs are drawn close to her body to keep herself warm from the morning breeze. She is sleeping like a baby and it seem like she has forgot where she is and what condition she is in.
The wrecked room is filled with Annie's soft breathing, along with the soft squeaky sound of rats munching on material. There are a family of five rats, all dark gray with long tail and whiskers. They are beside Annie, eating her lunch box from last night, cause she was too stubborn to eat anything given to her by her kidnapper.
Outside this room were Eddy and his gang all awake and planning how to collect their ransom money from the richest man of Hong Kong. They were arguing about the amount of money to ask for this precious life in their hand. After the long discussion, they finally settle on the amount and all of them agreed that fifty millions is the perfect sum. They had discussed a plan on how to ask for theirs ransom in a way that make Howard obey and listen to their order without hesitation.
Eddy has instructed Evergreen to obtain a lock of hair from Annie, while he writes a short threatening letter to Howard. Evergreen take his order and head toward the room with his rough barbaric pace. Annie's sleep is quickly awoken when she hears the alarming heavy and unfriendly footsteps walking toward her way. She is scare and trembling while she quickly gotten herself upright in a sitting position. Her nervous heart told her to quickly scoot herself back as far as possible heading toward the back wall.
While she is backing up, she accidentally knocks her box of rice over and felt one of the rat got on her hand. Its' sharp claws slightly scratch Annie, causing a creep to strike her spine and goose bump instantly appear on her creamy soft skin. Annie let out a sharp squeal as she shakes her hand to get rid of the furry creature. Once she felt it ran with it squeaky noise trailing away, Annie too quickly scooted as far back as possible. She is in fear with tears started to form as she kept herself moving back until her back touches the dirty gray wall.
Once Annie felt the wall behind her, she stops backing up. Frightfully, Annie hugs her pair of legs tightly as she listens to the heavy and horrifying footsteps coming closer and closer. Her heart pounds faster and faster as she tries to stay away but there is no more room to move, so she swallows her fears and just listen to the footstep approaching. She bit her lower lip nervously when she hears the sound of the squeaky door opens slowly. Gulped, Annie shaky hand reaches toward her necklace to gasp onto her lucky charm that she has since she was born.
Evilly eyeing her, Evergreen heavy barbaric footsteps rush toward her with unkind mean. Annie knows that it's Evergreen cause it's only him that would treat her so roughly. Her fingers that are holding onto her charm are constantly rubbing on it with nervousness. At this moment, Annie has a lingering feeling that wishes Louis could be by her side. Since the past few acquaintances with Louis, Annie's mind has trusts Louis to be the one that would protect her from harm.
Staring at Annie with unfriendly means, Evergreen swoops down to her and forcefully grabs her by her neck and roughly jerked her upright. He stares into Annie's sightless eyes cockily with a sense of victory. His eyes slowly lower to Annie's bare shoulder with a slight crooked grin.
Meanwhile, Annie tries to get his strong hand away from her, so she kicks and screams as she hit him with her two fists. "Let go of me!" she struggled.
Rolled his eyes with a cynical laugh at Annie action, Evergreen harshly asks, "Is this the best you can do?" Knowing how weak and vulnerable Annie is, made Evergreen felt in control to manipulate her in anyway he desire. He drops her and pushes her to a corner. He pulls out a scissor from his back pocket, wanting to cut a lock of Annie's hair.
Meanwhile Annie kept up with her punching and kicking, than suddenly she stopped struggling. With dagger eyes darted ahead at the rough breathing of Evergreen, Annie hatefully spits at him again. Evergreen raise his hand and slaps her, which hit the corner of her eyes.
"OWww..." Annie loudly moaned in pain. The gangs outside heard her so they rushed in. With both hands trying to shove Evergreen away, Annie loudly shouts, "MORON!!" One of her eyes keeps blinking and finally she kept it wrinkling shuts cause it sting from Evergreen hit. "JERK, PICK SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE!" she pouts with angry stare toward the sound of his hissing.
Once Marco rushes in seeing Evergreen forcefully holding Annie still by her neck, he became furious. Marco charges over to Evergreen and tightly grabs the back of his shirt to forcefully jerk him backward and swung him to the other side of the wall. He is inflamed and irritated to keep on seeing Evergreen abusing Annie. With his slick and swift motion, Marco pulls his gun out and points it firmly on Evergreen forehead.
Meanwhile, Louis ran over to see how Annie is doing. Annie backs away from him cause she doesn't know who's approached her. With her head slightly turning to the sound of racket, Annie tries to figure out what is happening now. She could tell that there are lots of people around her now, but she has no idea what is happening. Annie just keep on moving farther and farther away from the noise with her hands patting the wall to guide her. But suddenly a firm hand interlocks with one of her hand and warmly squeezed her hand giving her an assured feeling. "Is it you?" she weakly asked with confusion. Instead of answering, Louis just nodded, which doesn't help Annie much.
Staring at Evergreen eyes with his bulged dark eyes full of anger and rage, Marco presses his gun harder against Evergreen forehead. Evergreen slumps his shoulders and rolls his eyes cockily. He is betting that Marco won't have the gut to hurt him in front of brother Eddy. "I TOLD YOU BEFORE NOT TO TOUCH HER!" harshly yelled Marco.
Evergreen just simply returns a cold look at Marco. He is not afraid at all cause he knows Marco wouldn't dare to kill him in front of brother Eddy. "I was just trying to get her to stay still," Evergreen informed. "She is the one who spit on me first," he mumbled.
"I DON'T CARE!" Marco grumpily stated and took a step closer to Evergreen to bitterly warn him, "If you dare to touch her again, I'll make sure you don't have a chance to ever do it again." Slowly, Marco pulls the trigger of his gun back to threaten Evergreen. "DO YOU HEAR ME?!!" he loudly questioned and demand a 'yes' from Evergreen.
Stubbornly, Evergreen didn't reply. Seeing the situation turning downhill, Eddy quickly step between them and pulls Marco away from Evergreen. With a victorious smiles that Eddy is favoring him, Evergreen gaze at Marco cockily. Eddy sighs at his two most helpful sidekicks and warns, "Come on both of you! This is none sense!! We are all into this together, so we need to stick together. Which mean no fight between members." Eddy firm hand place on Marco right shoulder signaling him to back off, but Marco didn't move an inch. Calmly, Eddy deep voice warns, "Marco."
Letting out a displease sigh, Marco slowly pulls his gun away from Evergreen. But he wants to teach Evergreen a lesson and to let him know that he is serious about his threat. So Marco swiftly rise his gun straight up high aiming toward the ceiling and fired. The loud shot startled Annie to shakes in fear. It remind her of what happened yesterday afternoon, so she quickly cover her ears tightly with both her hands and screams loudly.
Witnessing her panicking, Louis quickly shelters her by hugging her tightly with one of his hand holding her head against his chest. Annie felt secure and warm from Louis embrace, and hearing the beating of his heart help sooth her fear down. Wanting his protection, Annie quickly sneaks her arms around Louis body to tightly embrace him. Her head snuggled into his firm chest to sob and wets his shirt with her fearful tears. She wishes that all these horrible noise could stop and go away.
At making a bullet hole on the roof, Marco lower his arm and slide his gun back to the backside of his pant. Marco bulging cold stare is still on Evergreen. He firmly warns once more, "I'm warning you one more time. If you touch her again, I will personally kill you without hesitation." With that last warning, Marco backs off and heads toward Annie.
Disappointed, Eddy darts at Evergreen seriously. "Evergreen leaves the girl alone! I told you to come in and cut a lock of her hair, not beating her up! Could you think of the big picture and act more rational?" With a hint of guilt, Evergreen looks down at the floor, but his heart is full of anger that Eddy is taking Marco side now. Eddy shakes his head at Evergreen with hopelessness. He has known Evergreen for the past ten years of course he knows Evergreen rash behavior well. The only reason he still put up with Evergreen behavior is because he knows deep down Evergreen is very loyal to him, and he has always treat Evergreen as his younger brother.
Eddy let out another sighs, "Evergreen, how are you expecting me to depend on you to get things done without causing more trouble?" Evergreen is silent. Eddy vision turns to Marco, "Marco, you cut her hair." Than Eddy clearly and solidly states to all his followers, "I don't want anymore fight between us brother. Everyone have to stick together and get this plan smoothly running. Do you all hear me?!" Spontaneously, every member agrees except for Marco and Evergreen who hates each other guts, but they reluctantly nodded to brother Eddy. Brother Eddy walked out and signal Evergreen to follow him.
Everyone left, leaving only Marco, Louis, and Annie in the room. Annie is silent with her dried tears. Her head is still safely snuggled onto Louis's chest feeling safe and sound with him by her side. Knowing that Marco wants to have a word with Annie, Louis slowly releases his hug and loosens Annie's hands from clenching his shirt. Annie tries to hold on, but he has stepped away from her.
Angrily, Marco grabs Annie by the arm and pulled her to stand in front of him. His blazing eyes study Annie with cold and hard expression. Louis backed off to silently watch. Seeing Annie watery red eyes made Marco heart softens a bit cause he does love her as his younger sister. He sighs at her with his two hands on her shoulders. His voice finally breaks the silent tension and ends Annie's soft sniffling, "If you are smart, you wouldn't act this childish in front of Evergreen again. Don't you act foolish again and try to get yourself kill before we get money from your dad. I am warning you not to play anymore of your little trick to stir trouble, or I am not helping you again. YOU HEAR ME?!"
"It's not my fault," Annie protested with a sniff and harden her eyes toward the sound of his voice, "And you are not helping me! You are the one who brings me here. You only want me for the money..." Annie wipes her tears away and tries to blink the rest away, but more tears keep forming. Softly, she finally murmurs, "Why Marco? You use to love me and care for me and jie....what happen to you? Why are you doing this to me and jie?" Her volume drops to a barely audible whisper, "I missed the old you..."
Marco felt sorry that he had to do this to her, but there is no choice. Annie's teary eyes had always melted his heart, no matter it's eight years ago or now. Gently, Marco reaches his hand toward her face and wipe off her tears for her. "I am sorry, " was all he could offer her right now. He glances at Louis and back to Annie, "Just stay calm and patient. We will let you go home once we gets what we after." Marco turns to Louis, "Louis, you help me cut a lock of her hair. I'm going out to finish off the things I'm charge of."
After hearing him steps out of the room, Annie dries her tears and rubbed on the corner of her eyes where Evergreen hits her. Louis steps in front of her and slowly tilts her chin upward with his firm hand to exams the bruise on the corner of Annie's right eye. Caringly, he moves Annie's hand away from it. Annie wants to rubs her eye again causes it felt like it's on fire. Before she could reach her eye, Louis held her hand so she can't rub it. "Don't," his deep expressionless voice told her.
Annie slightly tilt her head up a bit more to aid her hearing. "You are one of them?" she asks with frustrated brows.
"You will make it worse by rubbing it," was Louis reply.
"Why do you want to be part of them?" Annie urged him to speak up.
"I'll help you clean your wound..."
Frustrated that he wouldn't answer her, Annie growls softly as she steps away from him. "Don't touch me. I don't need your help. You just wanted my daddy money too! I can't believe that I once thought you was a nice guys."
Dropped his head, Louis didn't reply to her comment. Instead he walks toward the scissor Evergreen left behind. After he picks it up, he returns to Annie. He could tell that Annie is mad at him and everyone who is in this cabin. "Trust me, I have never thought of kidnapping you," he finally told her as he walks closer to her, but Annie backed away. "Let me get a small lock of your hair," he said as he guide the scissor closer to Annie's hair on the side, while his other hand grabs a lock of her hair.
Still angry with him, Annie didn't want to be touch by him, so she turns her head and try to push him away with her left hand. Blindly, she lands her hand right on the point of the scissor. Getting poked, she quickly withdraws her hand. The tiny hole on her palm starts to bleed. Louis quickly drops the scissor in order to free his hands to care for her. He swiftly grabs her hand tightly to exam the puncture wound. "I told you not to move! See what you did to yourself?!" he harshly scolded her.
Stubbornly, Annie tries to pulls her hand away from Louis firm grips. "I wouldn't get injure, if you didn't hold the scissor! Let go!!" she demanded.
"NO! STAY STILL!!" his thunder like voice yelled. Pouting at him, Annie holds still. She could feel that Louis care about her a lot, so she stop her struggling and let him care her wound.
Lifted her palm to his lips, Louis sucks the blood out and quickly press on her puncture wound with the bottom of his white T-shirt to apply pressure on it. He knows that this will allow the blood to stop flowing and begin to clot. Meanwhile applying pressure on her palm, Louis glance into her vivid eyes, which is glaring with tears. 'It must hurt,' he thought. "Don't worry it will clot in a minute," he assured with a more softer tone. A smile lightens his face when he saw Annie slightly nods to him. "Listen, it will be much better if you just listen to them. Then you wouldn't get beat up like this," he glances over at her hair, "Just let me cut a tiny bit of your hair, okay?"
Hesitated to give in, Annie finally agrees, since he sound trustable. She is confuses on why he's treating her so nice, even though he is one of them. Meanwhile, Louis was relief that Annie listened to him. He slowly takes his T-shirt away from Annie's hand and looked at her cut. It's not bleeding a lot now; just a little blood is seen. He then picks up the scissor again and cuts out a tiny lock of Annie hair from the back. Then he smiles weakly at her, "See that's all they want."
The more Annie gets to know Louis, the more she don't see him as one of them. He is not the same as them at all. And something tells her that he is here to help her. "Why do they want my hair? And who are you?"
Gazed toward the doorway, Louis answers, "They want to send it to your dad." He returns his sight to Annie again, "Trust me, I won't harm you and I'll not let them harm you." He smiles at her, "I'm Louis. Your name is Chung Chung right? What is your last..." Marco walked in so Louis stops his questioning.
With eyes on Annie, Marco asks Louis, "Have you got her hair yet?"
Louis expression change when he talks to Marco, "Yes, I did brother Marco!"
"Good let's go and get the rest of our plan rolling," Marco looks at Annie for one last time, "Don't cause any more trouble, Chung Chung." Annie gave him a cold stare and didn't say anything. Marco turns around and walks out with Louis.
******
Chapter 23: Roaring Thunder
"Tai Tai, Saam Seeu," greeted an old maid after she opened the door for Lisa and Raymond to enter. Lisa just gives a slight nod to the maid.
"Mom, you were out?" asked Flora with a hint of surprise.
With a weary nod, Lisa replies, "I couldn't sleep, so I asks Raymond to go out for a walk with me for a while. Is there any news on Annie?" Lisa looks into her daughter eyes with concern. Flora just shakes her head sadly causing both Lisa and Raymond to frown. "Has your father woken up yet?" asked the mother as she glances on her watch, which is stating eight-twenty in the morning.
At the moment, Howard walks down the stair and head to his wife. He warmly reaches out to hold Lisa hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "You should of wake me up to walk with you," his warm but tired voice said.
"It took you till four this morning to fall asleep. I wanted you to rest more," answered Lisa with caring eyes on her husband. Howard started to walks her to the dinning room. Both Flora and Raymond follow along.
From the dinning room they hear whispering of Gallen voice from the kitchen. He is asking a servant to help him warm up a glass of milk and get him some crackers. After he had gotten what he wants he heads out of the kitchen. "Dad, mom," he greeted.
Seeing him holding the glass of milk and crackers, Lisa curiously asks, "You're having crackers for breakfast?"
"No, these are for Maggie. She is having morning sickness. Flora said these could help ease her vomiting," explained Gallen.
"Is she alright? Flora, maybe you odd to check on her," suggested Howard.
"Flora did already, dad. Don't worry Maggie is fine. I'll bring these up to her first. We'll come down for breakfast soon," Gallen exclaim and exit the dinning room. Right when he exits, John theirs gardener rushes into the dinning room.
Nervously, John heads to Howard, "Mr. Lam, I found this envelope right outside our gate. It's addresses to you, sir." The four pairs of eyes are on the envelope with tension and their heart begins to beats faster. Howard quickly grabs the letter and opens it. Seeing a piece of paper in it, Howard quickly pulls it out. Three inches fragment of Annie's black smooth hair falls onto the dinning table and Howard creamy vest.
"Is it Annie?" Flora fearful voice murmured, but no one reply.
Howard quickly opens the folded paper to read the content. His eyes swiftly scan pass lines after lines searching for fact that tell him, Annie is still safe and alive. His weaken deep voice read the note out loud, "I hope you are glad that they are only your daughter's hair. But I can't guarantee you that it won't be her fingers or toes next time. So listen clearly and follow my instruction exactly the way I wanted you to. I am giving you two days to get fifty millions together. I want them in large bills and don't try to give me a cent less. After you have the correct sum, wrap the money in newspaper and place it in a backpack. Remember not to play any trick or your precious daughter will not see you again. I'll inform you now, that she is getting to be a bit annoying to one of us and he will certainly be more than happy to get rid of her for you or at least make her suffer. So it's wise of you to not crosses us. After you get the money ready, we'll call you back for the next step."
Instantly Howard's face darkens, his hand tightly crumbles the letter that he just read. Sitting back down on his seat, he rubs his tire and heavy eyes with a soft sigh. Lisa is silent and numb, she can't react anymore cause she is too tire and overly worried. The statement about Annie being annoying to them, make them worry that those monsters will harm her.
Both Gallen and Maggie walk over to the dinning room to join the rest of the family. When they notice the silent, they know that everyone must be worrying about Annie. Pulled a chair out for Maggie, Gallen too sits down next to his wife. He saw the crumbled piece of paper in his father hand along with fragment of hairs on the dinning table, which make him guess it's from the kidnapper. "Has they finally contact us?" he asked.
"Gallen, help me get fifty million put together. I need to go lie down," Howard wearily said. Pushing his chair out, Howard sadly stands up to head up to his room. He hasn't had the appetite to eat since yesterday. Not having the appetite to eat also, Lisa went after her husband, wanting to make sure Howard will be okay. Howard had wanted to heard Annie voice to make sure she is okay, but it seem like they are not going to call him. There is nothing else he could do now, but wait.
After Flora and Raymond explained to him about the letter, Gallen went to make several phone calls. He has called several banks in order to pull the ransom sum in cash ready.
-------
Not wanting to trap herself home anxiously worrying about her kid sister, Flora has decides to head out for a walk. She end up driving herself to the same toys shop that Bowie took her weeks ago. She chose to walk the toys shop cause she has promise to buy toy for one of her patient. Even though Flora is in the toys store, she has no mood to shop. Everything seems to blend together and turns gray on her.
Absentmindedly, Flora just stares at everything with her dull and tired brain. She slowly walked aisle after aisle staring at everything blankly, than she stopped suddenly at the view of the big Hello Kitty in front of her. She remembered that Annie always loved Hello Kitty accessories ever since she was four. This Hello Kitty that is in front of her now is exactly the one she buy for Annie's fifth birthday.
In order to buy that big stuffed Hello Kitty, Flora ended up tutoring her classmate to earn money for it. Back than she was only thirteen, but she was the smartest one of the class. It took her a while to save up enough for the gift, which is why she remembers it so well.
Flora remembers that her dad has given her allowance to spend, but she didn't use her allowance to buy the gift. Instead, she has chose to use her own saving on it, cause she wanted it to be something special for Annie. The memory just brings tears to Flora's eyes.
Meanwhile Bowie and his five-year-old son Toby are just at the next aisle over picking out a remote control toy car. Toby is testing out a blue and white police car by moving it with the remote. He is having fun and driving it toward the next aisle while his father follows couple feet behind.
The plastic police patrol car ran into Flora foot and stopped with sound of siren starting to alarm. Toby chuckles at the sound and curiously looks up to see whose he hit. Bowie finally turns the corner into the aisle finding Toby and Flora. Bowie is surprise to see Flora here.
On the other hand, Flora has tries to keeps all of her stress and emotion inside, but once the toy car bump into her, she instantly started to sob and it became a cry. The five-year-old boy is shock to see her crying, he felt bad and guilty thinking that he has hurts her a lot, so he too starts to cry. Bowie pace quickens to reaches the two sad souls. "What's wrong?" Bowie concernedly questioned Flora. He hasn't seen her cry like this before. "I'm sorry, did Toby hurt you?" he asked, but he doubt that being the reason, cause that plastic rubber made car is too harmless.
With watery eyes, Flora looks up and saw him in front of her burry vision. Feeling a bit vulnerable, she lean toward him in order to borrow his shoulder to cries on. Sobbing nonstop, Flora hugs Bowie really tightly while she finally felt save to let all of her emotion run wild. It has been too much pressure for her to hold up any longer. She felt responsible because of Marco involvement.
Standing still for her to cry on, Bowie could feel her pain and sorrow. He don't know what to do except to gently run his hand up and down Flora's back. "Shh... shhhh... everything will be okay...shhh..." Flora is not finish yet, so she continues to sobs on him.
Toby face turns tomatoes red as he cries with his frown. He is sorry for making Flora cry. Crying louder, he leans over toward Flora to hugs her legs. "I'm sorry.....I'm really sorry...." mumbled the child as he cries his heart out.
Flora didn't notice Toby present until she felt Toby tight arms around her legs. She quickly realizes what she is doing, so she snapped out and collected her fragile self together. She slowly let go of Bowie and wipes her tears away as she squat down to move Toby tight grip. Toby wipes his tears and looked at Flora face, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you... They should have bumper on those car."
In between tears, Flora let out a soft chuckle and pulls Toby in, giving him a warm hug. Released the young boy, Flora looks into his eyes. "I am sorry Toby. Don't feel bad, it's not your fault, you didn't hurt me at all," assured Flora. She forces a weak but warm smile, "In fact you helped me release my stress and pressure. Thanks you." Toby silent to looks at her in confusion, he never gets what adult thinks about. Flora slowly stand back up and she saw Bowie stare at her wanting to know what is wrong with her. "I am fine now, sorry to make your shoulder wet," apologized Flora.
With suspicious eyes on Flora, Bowie questions, "Where is Annie?" He has a gut feeling that something had happen to Annie. Cause he know that there is no way for Annie to suddenly fly to the state. And to witness Flora shedding tears like this make him more concern.
Flora is a bit taken back by his question. "Aa...she...she is visiting a friend..." weakly replied Flora while turned away not wanting to give any eyes contact.
But Bowie is not satisfied with that answer and is not willing to let it go that easily. With gentle but yet firm hands, Bowie turns her to face him. Toby curiously stares at his father and this strange female. Bowie notices his stares so he orders, "Toby go play with the other toys and let me talk to aunty Flora." Toby stares at them for a while before he turns around to play elsewhere. Bowie returns his attention to Flora again, "Flora, tells me the truth. I know Annie for a very long time, and I'm pretty sure that she wouldn't leave with out telling me. You know I treat her like my own sister. Flora, I'm really worried about her. Please?"
Seeing Bowie caring eyes, Flora sighs and whispers into his ears not to let other hear her, "Annie...she..she has been kidnaps..." Bowie eyes open widely and in shock, he was not expecting to hear this at all. "But don't tell anyone...cause she might get kill because of it...," requested Flora. Noticing the blank face on Bowie, Flora calls out, "Bowie?"
Snapped out of it, Bowie questions, "Yeah, I won't. But how? When? You need to tell me. Is there anyway I could help?" He looks at the surrounding and saw many people around. "Lets go to my house," he suggested. Flora nods.
-------
It's only eight in the evening, but the sky is as dark as a bowl of black grass jelly. The weather is hot and humid, but the busy Cat Walk street is still filled with people walking around enjoying the night of entertainment with food and small bargain stands that sell basically anything. People are crowded all over trying to get to their favorite stands of streets food. Cat Walk's street is located in a poor neighborhood that is very dirty and messy. People around here know to protect their purse and wallet away from three hands thefts.
At the corner of this street is Louis wearing black from head to toes. He is walking toward the old apartment building. Like usual, Louis is send by his gang members to buy lunch boxes for dinner. It's his responsibility cause he is the newest member of the gang. Louis didn't mind at all cause he needed this short time to get his important business done too.
With sharp eyes studying the tall worn out apartment complex, he ponder about being followed. So Louis turn back to check with his usual cold and stern expression. Seeing the coast is clear, he quickly head toward the old building. Slowly, Louis walks up the dirty and graffiti staircase. Even though it's hot and humid, he still has a black long trench coat on, with the collar pulled up to cover his neck and half side of his face. He don't want anyone to notice him, cause it will ruin his entire plan.
Cautiously his ears perk up for suspicious sound while he walked up with very firm but silent footstep. Suddenly, his pace stop. His eyes anxiously turn slightly back toward the sound of footsteps coming up behind him. With experience, Louis never panic, he just simply and quietly enters the tenth floor residential flats area. Hiding behind the door in the dark, Louis single vivid dark eyes peek through the small opening of the tenth floor door looking at the empty staircase for the people that are behind him to show up. His eyes are cold and empty as he stares at the dimly lit stair with flickering light. He could hear the sound of footstep slowly heads toward the tenth floor. His heart pounded a bit faster cause he thought it could be someone that followed him.
After a couple agonizing minutes passed, an old couple walks up slowly and shakily as they head up toward the eleventh floor. Louis releases his breath and rolls his eyes in relief that no one is following him. He stays put on tenth floor waiting for the two old couple to walk up far enough before he decides to step back out to the staircase and head up toward the roof of the building again.
The flat roof is dark and quiet with nothing but antennas, some water pipes, and construction material. Scanning the area, Louis walks around to look for the person that he was suppose to meet, but he was no where in sight yet. Disappointed, Louis steps toward the edge of the building to looks down at the tiny people and cars below. He is a bit startled when someone from behind patted his back. He knows exactly who it was, so he turns around to stares him straight in his eyes coldly and seriously. "Where have you been lately?! I has try to contact you for the pass few days!" frustratingly stated Louis to his best friend slash supervisor.
"You're looking for me? You had no idea how many troubles I go through to find out news about you and Eddy gangs for the last couple weeks! Louis, I thought you are a dead man," he exclaim half jokingly.
"How could I die if you haven't die yet Julian?" said Louis with a smirk. "I couldn't come out to meet you cause the entire gang decided to hide at Sky Swan Mountain to stay away from Cheapskate Joe's gangs. I have no excuse to leave the cabin other than buying lunchboxes. I did try to contact you several times."
"Never mind about that. Is there any new info on Eddy next big plan? We really have to nail him since we basically fail our last attempt. Have you find any important evidence to put them in jail yet? It's just too bad that we let him destroy all the evidence last time," with a sigh, Julian gazes at the city lights below.
Standing next to Julian, Louis studies the street too. He let out a sigh, when he thinks of Annie. His expression quickly became serious and stern with worry for Annie's safety. "Julian, they had gone crazy! I mean it too. They had kidnapped a girl to try to ransom money for their debt. I tries to contact you, but I can't cause they were looking very closely at every move I made, especially that Evergreen jerk. I called the police on the day of the kidnapping when I had the chance, but no one came in time!!" Louis face is frustrated and angry, "I really think that our police department needed to change it pace of getting things done."
Julian is concern with the drug case being change into a more serious case of kidnapping. He turns around and looks at Louis in the eyes, "Whose did they kidnap? And when was the kidnapping? We haven't received any call on kidnapping lately." Julian disappointedly shakes his head, "But the victim's family usually doesn't report them anyway." He sighs, "It would be so much easier if those people just trust the police more."
Louis hasn't confirms with Annie about her name yet, since he didn't get enough time to do so. "I'm not sure what her full name is. All I know is one of the members called her Chung Chung..."
"Worm?" chuckled Julian. Louis gazes at him to get serious. Julian clears his throat, "Continue."
"I'm guessing that is a pet name. In fact I don't know any information about her, all I know is that she is blind and she know one of the member name Marco," finished Louis.
"That doesn't help, there is so many blind girls out there. Even one of my cousin is blind," obliviously stated Julian. Julian never thought of the girl being Annie at all, cause he couldn't imagine Annie being kidnaps and no has mention to him that Annie is missing. "Marco Ngai?" asked Julian. Julian has no idea who Marco is either, since he was studying oversea during the time Flora met Marco. He remembers the name only because Marco name is in one of his case file.
"Yeah, he is the one. So far the girl is save, but they are planning to ask for the ransom money on Monday. I have a feeling that it's not going to be a simple kidnapping case, cause they had buy many weapons and bombs from those mainland underground society. We really need to help the girl, I'm afraid that she is going to be in between this whole mess of firearm." Louis voice softened, "And she is blind."
Even though Julian is worry for the hostage safety, he is more excited about this case cause this could be a chance to put Eddy and his entire gang in jail for a longer time than drug dealing. "This is a big deal. It'll be our chance to catch them committing a crime and finally put them in jail. Did they mention on who they are asking the money from?"
Sadly Louis shakes his head, "Every time I try to asks Eddy more question, this Evergreen jerk kept interrupting on purpose. I try to ask the girl, but they didn't give me enough time to be with her alone, and they do keeps a pretty close eyes on her at all time."
"Don't worry Louis, we will help save her and imprison all of those who done wrong. But we must know more about her and her family. We need to contact her family and convince them to work with us. If they wouldn't file a kidnaps case, the head of the police department is not going to let me take my crews to help save her." With a glance toward Louis, Julian continue, "Try your best to find out more and meet me here again tomorrow night. I'll go now and be careful." Louis nods to his order. Julian left the roof leaving Louis behind. Louis stays there awhile longer and thinks of how he could get his chance to talk to Annie alone and find out more.
-------
Meanwhile back at the cabin, Eddy and Marco have walked out to look at the mountain nearby surrounding. They are deciding where it would be the best place to have Howard meet them to get their ransom. In the old cabin are only Evergreen and five other members waiting impatiently for Louis to return with their dinner.
As usual, Evergreen is getting very impatient as he paces around the cabin grumpily. The other five members are playing cards while smoking, eating peanut, and drinking beer. As for Annie, she has been listening to Louis advice on staying obedient. So she is quiet and didn't even make a noise the entire day. It was also because she is really hungry and weak. Because of her stubbornness, she hasn't eats since Thursday night dinner and it is Saturday night now. She was too stubborn to eat what they give her, but finally she has decides to eat tonight dinner cause she really can't take this starving feeling any longer. With her stomach growling, Annie continues to impatiently wait for Louis to come in and give her the lunch box like usual.
"Eekk..." slightly squeaked Annie when she felt a rat ran over her foot. Annie has always hears of horrible story about rat when she was young, mainly due to Raymond wanting to frighten her. Her three most feared creatures are rat, snake, and spider. Having to live with rats for the past two days had been an agonizing experience for Annie.
Slightly frowning, Annie curls herself up in a ball so that the rat can't touch her much. But still she felt one of them ran pass her feet again. "Stay away! I gave you all my food already, so be nice!" she scolded as she scoots herself closer to the wall and sits silently hugging her legs again.
Annie wish so much that she can go home and sleep in her own luxurious bedroom and eat Maggie's food, especially the orange peel chicken. Annie sighs loudly when she thinks of the orange peels chicken that Maggie made for her every once in a while. "Maggie, I missed you..." she murmured as she lick her lips. Her stomach growled loudly like the rumbling of the sky outside. "No Annie, stop thinking about food!" she warned herself with another sigh.
"I even start to miss Benny too, I would do his algebra and physic homework if I can just be home right now..." Annie starting to feel bad for how she has treat Benny from the past. She knows she is a bit demanding and rude to him with her childish behavior. It is only now that she starting to learn that she odd to treasure friendship more. Annie frowned, "I'm sorry Benny. Hope you are not mad."
Rubbed the side of her right cheek onto her folded arms that are rest on her kneecaps, Annie mumbled softly, "What are they all doing now? Must be much better than me for sure." Tears flowed down her cheek, she bravely sniff it away, "Mommy, you must be very worry about me...I missed you too." She took in a deep breath and wipes her tears away. "Come on Annie, you are a tough girl! You can't show those idiots out there that you are afraid of them."
After a moment of silent, her stomach growls again. "Where are Louis and my dinner?" Annie pouted as she listens to the sound of thunder from outside. Ever since her accident sixteen years ago, Annie has always fear the sound of thunder. Nervously, she clenches tighter to herself and tries to ignore the sound of the coming storm. "Please return soon, Louis," Annie whispered into the dark. Louis has become the only one she could depend on out of the handful of monsters outside.
Meanwhile outside of her room, Evergreen is getting irritated with being stuck in the cabin the entire day. He is pacing around angrily growling, "When can we get out of this dump!! I could be out there right now enjoying gourmet food, instead of waiting for that lousy Louis and his lousy lunchboxes! And all the pretty women are waiting for me out there!! AgrR! This dam place has nothing but mosquitoes!" He yelled while slapping his arm to kill the poor insect.
Robbie laugh as he walks toward Evergreen, "Come on brother Evergreen, we just need to wait till Monday to come. Than we can eat and have all the girls we wants! I just can't wait till the money is in my hand!! I am going to spend it on a new sport car!"
Laughed, Evergreen pushes his head away playfully, "All you thinks about is car. No wonder you like parking cars." He loudly sighs, "I can't take this any longer!! I am going out to get myself a decent girl, and a meal!" He is about to heads toward the exit door, but Robbie and Roy stop him.
"Brother Evergreen, you can't go out. It's dangerous out side, since Cheapskate Joe and his gangs could be anywhere. Come on, Louis is coming back with the food, just wait a bit longer," Roy exclaim.
Rolled his eyes with annoyance, Evergreen said with dissatisfies, "You call that food?" He lean his head closer toward Roy, "Alright, it's not just the food. I still need to pick up a chic you know? I had been stuck in here for so long cause of that stupid Cheapskate Joe! I am a man and I have my needs!!" he proudly said.
A loud clashing of thunder is hears following by the loud frightful scream of Annie from the room. Evergreen attention immediately darts toward the room with a slight evil grin glowing on his perverted expression. He quickly lost the itch to go out, since there is what he wants from that room.
Seeing his expression, both Roy and Robbie know exactly what he is up to. They quickly tried to stop him. "No brother Evergreen! You can't touch her. Did you remember brother Marco words?" Robbie reminded.
The mentioning of Marco name brings bitter flame into Evergreen eyes. It made him more tempted to mess with Annie as revenge toward Marco. With sharps piercing eyes on Robbie, Evergreen forcefully grabs Robbie by the shirt and lifted Robbie in front of him. His blazing cold eyes stares into Robbie's soul with his icy blue flamed eyes. "Don't you dare to command me on what I should or should not do!! And don't you ever put Marco name in to scare me! HE IS NOTHING TO ME! I don't need to listen to him!!"
Swallowed down his anger, Evergreen releases Robbie and smiles at him wickedly, "Beside, she is just our prey." He chuckles cockily, "Like she could get away alive. You know brother Eddy, he is definitely not letting her live after the deal close. So how could a little happiness time with me change anything? Beside, I'm doing her a favor before she has to die." Evergreen stares at Robbie and Roy warningly, "Stay out of my way." His stern expression became a perverted smile with narrows brows, "When I'm done with her, I'll let you two enjoy her." With that, he fearlessly heads toward Annie's room. Robbie and Roy don't know what else to do except to go back to theirs cards game with the other three members.
Inside the dark room where Annie is kept, a soft humming is audible. Annie is slightly rocking herself back and forth as she hum. By humming, she wants to distract herself enough to ignore the horrible sound of the thunderstorm. Since young, her cousin Julian has taught her to use this method if she ever felt fearful during thunderstorm. Annie quivering voice continues to hums with the rains as the background.
Her ear suddenly twitches toward her right, with her humming die immediately and her body became still. She could hear a pair of solid footstep heading toward her room. Being blind gave Annie the advantage in recognizing the difference of each individual way of moment. From the unfriendly pace, Annie knows that it definite doesn't belong to Louis. Those heavy steps made her felt very unpleasant as it approach closer and closer to her. Without a doubt Annie knows exactly whom the steps belongs to. The thought of him hitting her again made Annie gulp, she thought that her humming has irritated him.
With pounding loud heart that skips a beat when she heard the doorknob turns, Annie swears she felt a slight heart attack. After the door swung open, Annie could sense the hard breathing along with cold unfriendly stare on her. Those stare gives her a creepy feeling of doom. Protectively, Annie hugs herself tightly as she try to move away from the stare as far as possible. She knew it was Evergreen, so she keeps quiet like how Louis instruct her to in order to keep out of trouble.
But this time, Evergreen has something else in mind, so he is definitely not backing off at all. Hearing him continue to approach her way, Annie starts to panic cause she got the instinct of what he wanted from her. Her messy mind keeps wondering about Marco and Louis where about and why did they allow this monster to enter her room. Not knowing what to do, Annie just swallows her fear down while wrapping herself tightly into a ball. She hides her head under her arms with her eyes closes, hoping that somehow Evergreen would walk back out.
On the other hand, Evergreen smiles at her naive action with his evil crooked grin along with his cynical laughter. With a swept of his strong masculine hand, the old wooden door of the room solidly slammed shuts with a loud echoing bang vibrating into the dark damp room. Startled by it, Annie entire body become stiffen with terrified fear sneaks under her skin. Hers heart beats wildly as Evergreen continues to step closer to her. Automatically, Annie's head shook pleading Evergreen to stop scaring her like this. "What do you want..." her quivering voice asked the obvious question.
"Your humming was sweet," replied Evergreen sounding like a cat teasing a mouse.
Hearing the change in his voice, Annie is positive that her instinct is not wrong at all! She quickly yells from the top of her lung, hoping to alert anyone who can help her. "HELP!!! He is in here!! Louis, help!!" screamed Annie horsed voice. Sensing Evergreen pant brushes by her left side, Annie immediate scoots herself toward the right. "Get back out now!" she demanded with hard fearful eyes darts toward Evergreen breathing.
Evergreen chuckles at Annie fear and the way she tries to order him to leave. His eyes travel down Annie's smooth creamy white shoulder. Swallowed down his hunger, he swoops down to barbarically jerk Annie into a standing position. With his heavy weight, he shoved Annie against the wall and begins to roughly kiss her from the neck down to her shoulder.
"Stop it! Don't touch me!" ordered Annie to the monster that seem to be deaf. Annie felt a creepy tingling feeling run down her spine with Evergreen kissing, she tries to push him away, but she is way too weak compare to him. Knowing that pushing wouldn't help, Annie begin to stomp or kick him, but he wouldn't budge. "Help! Help! Louis where are you?!" yelled Annie panicking tone. Finally, Annie shouts out the name that she has stubbornly tries to never use ever since eight years ago, "Daai gor gor!!"
Ignoring Annie's struggling scream, Evergreen continues to satisfy himself. Annie is in tears while she hit him nonstop with her two fists, still trying to free herself. Her heart can't stop beating against her ribcage. She tries to shove him away, but it only made him presses his body against her harder. "Please leave me alone!! Help!!!" Annie pleaded and screamed but no one seems to care.
Continue to ignore her, Evergreen is enjoying himself and slowly move his hand onto her tank top strap. Annie cries in fear cause she senses his large hand move across her shoulder. Fearful tears were cascading down her cheek as she pleaded and struggling to get him away. "Please don't touch me...please...no...NO!!" But Evergreen didn't pay any attention to her pleading and screaming. He continues to move his hand to grab the shoulder strap of Annie's silk tanks top. His hand is so close that it's brush against Annie's cheek. She quickly turns toward his hand and bite it as hard as she could.
Quickly withdraws his painful hand that has Annie bite mark, Evergreen angrily yells, "You bitc..." Before he could finish, Annie has taken the opportunity to kick him right between his thighs area. The pains shock up into Evergreen causing him to jump up and down cursing without sound.
During this time Annie quickly heads toward the door, she know the only way to keep him away is to get Marco or Louis for help. She runs like a speed of bullet with her heart beating rapidly while her body trembles with fright. The sound of thunder and loud wind add on to her fear, causing her to run even faster. When she reach the wall where the door should be on, Annie pats the wall with panicking mind trying to search for the door. Her heart lightens with relief when she finally felt the doorknob. Annie quickly turns it but before she could pull the door open wide enough to exit, Evergreen has forcefully slammed the door tightly shuts. "Let me out..." she shouted with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Flamingly, Evergreen roughly clenches onto the front of Annie tank top and jerks her closer in front of him. With piercing hard eyes on Annie, Evergreen threatens, "You'll pay for what you done!" He forcefully shoves Annie to the cement ground. Annie is screaming and yelling for help again. She tries to quickly get back up, but he has forcefully shoves her back to the ground and gotten his heavy body on top of her. Choking on her own tears, Annie know that this time, she won't be lucky enough to free herself again. Her entire body shakes with fear while her heart felt like it's on a roller coaster.
Another sound of thunder along with a strike of lighting flashes bright purplish light across the indigo sky. Annie gulps with her eyes shuts tightly trying not to be scare of thunder during this critical moment. Not willing to give up on protecting herself, Annie starts her punching and kicking at him again. She is able to punch his eye when he was leaning down toward her wanting to kiss her. Being hits by Annie again made Evergreen furious. He growls loudly with hatred while his two hands reaches over to grab Annie's head to lift it up and forcefully hits it hard onto the cement floor.
That instant, Annie felt like everything blanked out. Her hearing became blurred with a loud continuous ring while she felt like her head is spinning with pain hammering deep into her brain. All of her strength seems to drains right out of her after that blow on the head. She tries to push Evergreen away when he lean in to kiss her and touch her, but Annie has lost all of her senses to locate him, even when he is right on top of her. All she could do is scream loudly with all of her might, "HELP!!! Please help me! GET Him off of me..."
******
Chapter 24: Secured Feeling
Outside the rain continue to pour soaking up the knitted forested mountain. A distance away Louis is running toward the cabin with two bags of lunchboxes above his head to shelter from the rain. "Louis!" called Eddy from his right. Both Eddy and Marco are heading back to the cabin too since it started to rain. "What take you so long?" asked Eddy while walking toward Louis with Marco.
A loud cry of Annie is hear from the cabin alerting all three pair of eyes toward the dimly lit cabin. Without second thought, Louis immediately rushes back to the cabin as fast as his legs allow him. From Annie stressful screaming he could tell that something is horribly wrong. Both Eddy and Marco run right behind Louis.
Meanwhile back in the cabin, Evergreen continues to satisfy his carving on Annie. Ready to take his raping attempt to the second level, his hand travels up toward Annie's right tank top strap. Barbarically, he rips the strap apart, revealing Annie's smooth bare shoulder.
Crying uncontrollably, Annie weak hands clench to Evergreen shirt trying to push him away, but no matter how hard she tries, it was no use. At that point, Annie knows that she can't stop him no matter what she does. Feeling sickeningly frightful, Annie cries louder as she pleads, "Don't...don't...please don't..."
When Louis enter the cabin and notice Evergreen missing from the group, while Annie is begging as she desperately cries in the closed room, Louis actually felt fear in his heart like never before. He has never experience this strong sense of fear for another person well being before. Along with his fear for Annie's safety, a strong surge of anger boils up into his eyes. From Annie's fearsome pleading, Louis knows exactly what Evergreen is doing in there. While still holding those bags, Louis hands tighten into a firm fist ready to bowdlerize Evergreen. Louis charges over toward the shuts door with his deadly sharps eyes dart at the door filled with hatred toward Evergreen.
Urgently, Louis opens the door wide to reveal Evergreen trying to rapes Annie while she is struggling to push him away. All three sets of eyes settle on Evergreen back witnessing his action, while he is too indulged into Annie to notice their present. Growled with waving sharps pain in his heart, Louis angrily throws the bags aside causing it's content to spill. Louis charges up to Evergreen and forcefully yanks him away from Annie. Before Evergreen could response, Louis forcefully punches him on the eye and repeatedly punches his abdominal.
Meanwhile, Annie quickly pulled herself together and clawed back against the wall trembling with tears washing her cheeks. With arms crossing over her chest, Annie is numbed by fear and shaking uncontrollably with sniffing sound and pale lips. Seeing her in this stage of fear, Marco temper skyrockets to the extreme. His daggering bulge eyes land on Evergreen with steaming heat. Rushed over to Evergreen and Louis, Marco shoves Evergreen toward the wall and punches him like a sandbag.
While Marco is beating the heck out of Evergreen, Louis return his set of concern eyes on Annie. Witnessing her trembling and in distressful shock with her pair of watery frightened eyes unlike those innocents one that she use to carry, made Louis felt his heart sink. Louis approaches her wanting to shelter her fear, but Annie scooted back, cause she has no idea who is walking toward her. After what just happen, Annie no longer trust anyone in here, they all seem like monsters to her. And this place has become hell in her mind.
Sensitive to her feeling, Louis slowly kneels down in front of her and warmly reach out to pulls her into his secure arms embracing her tightly. Annie's heart dropped a bit when he did so, but it quickly relaxes when she felt the warm and safe feeling. Annie's heart releases a strange sense of relief and secured feeling. From his caring embrace, Annie knows that it's Louis because it's only him that could give her this sense of secure during these kidnapping days.
Louis hugs made Annie felt so relief that she starts to cries loudly to release her fear. She is so scared out of her life that she couldn't even find her voice to speak. Searching for more comfort, Annie snuggles her head on Louis chest while she continue to sobs. It broke Louis heart to felt Annie fear and vulnerability. He held her closely with a side of his cheek rubs against her head trying to assure her that he is here for her. "Louis," murmured Annie sniffling weak voice, "Louis...you finally came back...Louis, I thought...I thought..." Annie couldn't continue, she just cries on Louis chest again as she hugs him tightly not letting him out of her side again.
Glaring at Evergreen coldly, Louis has the urge to kill him right now at this second. Patting Annie on the back, Louis soothingly assures, "Shh...don't worry, I am here...shhh....everything is okay now." His deep eyes gaze into Annie's vivid watery one. "Trust me. I won't let him touch you again," he promised. "Shhhshh...It's okay, it's okay. Did he hurt you?" Louis questioned while trying to search for sign of injury. Feeling pain in the back of her head, Annie nods as she continues to cry, she cried so much that she started to hiccups.
Meanwhile Marco finally stepped back and release Evergreen, he looked at him with rage. Without second thought, he pulls his gun out and pointed at Evergreen right on the forehead. Wanting Evergreen dead, he swiftly pulls the trigger back ready to fire. Evergreen face is paled right away, cause he could tell that Marco will fire. Eddy could tell that Marco is seriously going to fire this time too, so he quickly pushed Marco's arm away causing Marco to fire an inch away from Evergreen head. The loud shot shocks the life out of Evergreen; he thought that was the end of his life.
The sound of that shot scared Annie too, she screamed in fear and clenches to Louis tighter. Her body trembles, she wishes so much that none of this is happening. Comfortingly, Louis soothed Annie's back to calm her fear, "Don't be afraid, it just Marco helping you teach that bastard a lesson. It's alright, it's alright." Annie couldn't calm down, how could she, she was almost raped and gun was firing next to her.
Once again, Eddy is between Evergreen and Marco just likes this morning. Marco stares at Evergreen with hatred eyes and backed off a bit. "I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH HER!!! DO YOU WANT ME TO KILL YOU? I REALLY WILL, TRUST ME! IF BROTHER EDDY IS OUT OF THE WAY, I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT AWAY!!" furiously yelled Marco with full rage.
Eddy sigh, he hates to see both of his best helpers fight like this. Trying to ease Marco anger down, Eddy pats Marco back and moved him several steps back and away from Evergreen. Once they backed off, Evergreen slowly slide himself down to the ground and hold on to his stomach, cause Marco has punch it so many time. He felt like his intestine have all been ground up inside.
"Marco relax," ordered Eddy, "Listen to me just for this one time. Let him go this time, I'll make sure he won't touch her again, okay?" Marco didn't answer; his eyes are still burning as he stares at Evergreen. "Marco," called Eddy wanting Marco to agree with him.
Hissed, Marco cools down a bit, he couldn't say no to brother Eddy, cause he respect him a lot. "Alright. But if he ever put his hand on her again, he is dead for sure!"
Smile in relief, Eddy nods in agreement, "I won't stand in between next time, I promise." Eddy steps toward Evergreen to lift him upright. Before Evergreen could say a word, Eddy punches him across his cheekbone and nose. Evergreen quickly cover his painful bleeding nose and trying to stop the bloody nose. "I warn you not to touch that girl! You deserve all of this!!!" scolded Eddy. He jerks Evergreen closer to face him. Eddy bitterly warns, "You listen to me! If anything happen to her, Howard Lam will hunt us all down like animals. He has enough money to hire assassin to get rid of you as easy as rubbing an ant on his fingers! Do you understand me?!" Silently Evergreen nods as he gulps. "And I promise Marco that I won't stop him next time if you tick him off again, so you better be smart and stay away from the girl." Disappointedly sighed, Eddy drags Evergreen, "Lets get out of this room, before you get yourself kills!"
After they left, Marco walks toward Annie. He squat down to her and Louis, wanting to see how she is doing. Louis tries to let go of Annie's hug so Marco can take a look at her, but she wouldn't let him go. Even though Marco was the one who suggested to Eddy about kidnapping Annie. But ironically, he has never thought of harming her in anyway during the kidnapping. All he wants is the money. Marco felt guilty for letting Evergreen had a chance to touch Annie. With sorry eyes on Annie, he reaches his hand toward her to wipe her tears away. Annie turns her head deeper into Louis shirt not wanting to be touch by anyone else.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Marco sincerely asked with a caring voice.
Sniffing on her tears, Annie swings one of her arm out to push Marco away. "I HATE YOU! You are the one who got me here... I hate you! I hate you," cried Annie repeatedly. Annie rubs her pair of wet eyes onto Louis shirt. She murmurs sadly, "You have forgotten about the scar on your arm and your promise to protect me. Why do you have to change?"
"Chung Chung, believe me or not, I would never hurt you," Marco exclaim.
"Then why am I here?!" Annie demanded an answer. "You are the one who kidnaps me!" Annie shouts angrily feeling betrayed. She sniffed, "And stop calling me by that name. I'm no longer your Chung Yee and you are no longer my Daai gor gor. I'm happy that jie see the real you soon enough. You don't deserve her," Annie bitterly stated.
Frowned guiltily, Marco is sorry to put her in this spot. He sighs with his heart heavy and hurt that Annie hated him so much now. With eyes on Louis, he softly instructs, "Louis, help me take care of her. You'll stay in here to guard her from now on. I don't trust that bastard out there." Louis nods silently. Marco gently wipe Annie's tears away again with her resisting it. "Chung Chung, he is here to help you now so don't worry." Annie moves herself away from his touch and silently sobbed on Louis chest. Marco sighed and turns around to exit the room.
After Marco left with the door shut behind. Louis gently releases Annie and tries to look at her face, but Annie wouldn't let him. She just snuggles her head closer and harder against his chest for comfort. She is sobbing and tears kept rolling out of her eyes along with little hiccups and sniffling. Silently sits there, with her in his arm, Louis rubs her back gently to comfort her while letting her continue to sob.
A long while passed, Louis notice Annie's sobbing slowly die down. Curiously, he gently moved her away. Sniffed her tears away, Annie let go of him and pressed her lips together. Louis deep eyes gaze into Annie's puffy watery one. He has an urge to help her wipe her tears away, but he didn't want to make her felt intruded. "Don't cry," his deep voice warmly fills the room. Seeing her tears made him felt an attracting force that drawn his hands to cup her cheek and help her sweeps her tears away, so he did.
Louis warm comforting touch and caring deep voice gives Annie a special sensation of love that she never felt before. It is different from what she felt from her family and friends. With an urge to embrace him again, Annie leans toward Louis to wrap her arms around him wanting to make sure that he will stay next to her. Because he is the one who is able to give her the sense of security she needs right now.
Her sudden hugs made Louis unknowingly smiles. "Are you okay now? Don't worry, I'll be here, I promise," promised Louis. He releases her grip and looked at her right shoulder where her tanks top's strap been torn apart revealing her smooth and white shoulder. Louis moved his hand to grabs the two broken half of the strap. Annie is startles by his action. "I just want to tie the strap together for you," assured Louis to ease Annie's fear. With a nod, Annie trusts him enough to stay still for him to help her. Louis tied the two half into a knot and looks at Annie with a warm smile. "Everything will be fine from now on. I'll be here. You look really tired, why don't you sleep for a while okay?"
Annie nods, she does want to sleep cause she felt a bit groggy from the hard impact Evergreen gave her head. Wanting to feel the sense of secure while she sleeps, Annie shyly leans closer toward Louis, gesturing him that she wants his embrace. She could hear a single chuckle of Louis that is barely audible. Knowing that she is being such a baby, Annie's cheeks slightly blush, but when Louis arms swing around her, she know it's worth her embarrassment. With her head snuggled on Louis, Annie close her eyes trying to fall asleep.
It made Louis slightly smiles to hear Annie's breathing slowly became peacefully shallow. He is glad that Annie finally calmed down enough to fall asleep in his arms. Being thoughtful toward Annie, Louis stay as still as possible so that he doesn't wake her up. While Annie is sleeping, Louis observes her with delight. Somehow, Annie has always has this special attraction that drawn his interest toward her. He couldn't describe it because he too doesn't fully understand. After staring at Annie's sleep for a long period, Louis let out a soft yawn. He too is tired, since it's really late at night. He leans on the walls and fallen asleep with Annie in his arm cozily sleeping.
-------
Meanwhile, Julian just pulled his convertible up into his huge driveway. The sound of rain is audible once he turns his engine off. He yawns and stretches his arms before he step out of his car. With arms above to shelter his head, Julian quickly running toward the front door. A distance away, a beautiful purple bolt of lighting strikes across the sky ahead of him, luring his full attention. Seeing the lighting and hearing the soft thunderstorm, Julian face is illuminated with a warm smile, because it reminded him of Annie. He chuckles slightly when he remember how silly Annie was to be frightful of those harmless roar.
While he enters the mansion and heading toward his room, Julian dialed Annie's number with his cell. Still waiting for his cousin to answer, Julian sandwiched the phone in between his cheek and shoulder while he undress himself getting ready to hit the shower. Annie's cellular phone continue to rings for the fifth time before her voice came up asking Julian to leave a message.
Curious to why Annie didn't answer her phone, Julian glanced toward his clock. He rolled his eyes after noticing that it's one past midnight already. When he heard a beep he left a message, "Sorry Annie, I didn't notice that it's this late, when I dial. I just want to make sure you're alright and not shaking like a three-year-old cause of the storm. Anyway, you are probably sleeping right now, so I'll chat with you another night. Bye girl, see you around." Julian ended his call with a yawn and head into the shower.
-------
Back in the dark room, about an hour later, Annie's eyes are moving very rapidly under her eyelids and her head begin to toss. Her heart rate increases with fear. Sweats soak her hair a bit and cover her forehead. Struggling with her nightmare, Annie mumbles in stress, "Don't... please...don't. Louis.... Where are you?....NO!! Let go... Louis help.... let go...." Tears is slowly rolling out of the corner of Annie's eyes as she tremble in fear, "No, don't.....please let go... Louis!!! Help Louis help!"
Louis jerks awake right away. He is alert when he hear her calling his name. Feeling Annie movement as she mumbles, Louis figures that she is having a bad dream, probably one cause of tonight experience. He nudged Annie to gently wake her up and get her out of her fear. "Wake up, it just a dream..." his warm voice told her. Annie seems to lock into her dream and didn't hear him. Louis wants to call her by her name to alert her, but he isn't sure what her name is. A smile lights his face when he recalls what Annie said to Marco hours ago. "Chung Yee wake up. It's just a nightmare," he told her while nudging, thinking that Chung Yee is Annie's name. "Chung Yee, Chung Yee..." he called repeatedly.
Alarmingly startled, Annie's body jerks upright. Her breathing is heavy while she is searching for sound to tell her where she is now. With confusion building up, her forehead frowned not knowing what to do. Louis is able to see Annie's watery eyes cause the moonlight reflects from it. Wanting to assure her, he whispers gently, "You just had a nightmare." His voice is like the sound of the comforting ocean wave to Annie, causing her to relax and release the slightest smile of relief. Slightly spreading out her arm, Annie tries to locate him. She felt Louis right next to her, so she quickly sneaks her arms around his waist tightly for protection and comfort.
Being stiffly still, Louis allows Annie to continue to hug him. He didn't expect Annie to be this clingy or dependent, but he didn't mind at all. He is just glad that she could trust him enough to find comfort from him. Feeling Annie hair being all sweaty from her fearful nightmare, Louis felt sympathy for her. In his heart, he promise that he will safely rescue Annie out of this joint as soon as possible.
"Thanks," Annie suddenly murmured so softly as her eyes open and shuts while she rests her head against his chest.
"No problem. Don't be afraid, it's just a dream," Louis gently told her. He hear Annie soft yawn causing his gaze to lower at her. "Lets sleep a bit more, okay?" He slightly moved Annie away to look at her, but Annie shakes her head no and clings to him even tighter. He could tell that Annie is very stressed out and afraid of him leaving her with Evergreen. Louis frowns to see her this frightful. "Don't worry, I won't leave you here alone. It's very late, aren't you tired? You only slept an hour," said Louis.
Shaking her head on Louis chest, Annie snuggles closer on him. She murmured softly with her depressed voice, "No, I don't want to sleep ever again. I can't control what I dream. Please don't make me sleep. I hate the feeling of being alone...." Annie slightly wets her lips before she sadly whisper, "I want to go home, Louis...." Tears begin to cascade down her cheeks.
Hearing her tone being so vulnerable, Louis heart melted. He nods, "I told you, I won't leave you alone. I'll be right here, right by your side. So sleep a bit longer, I'll protect you okay?" Silently shaking her head, Annie begins to sob. She misses home so much. Because at home she never has to feel fear, it's like a bubbled environment where her family and friends take good care of her.
Louis knows that she didn't want to have the same nightmare so he didn't force her. He smiles and thought that this is a great chance for him to ask her all the questions he needed to know. "Alright, you don't have to sleep, but I need to ask you something, okay?" Annie nods, anything is okay as long as she doesn't have to sleep again and Louis is by her side. His heart lightens when he saw Annie fear slightly fades away. With his vivid dark eyes, Louis look into Annie's beautiful round one. "Is your name Chung Yee?" he curiously asked.
Annie shakes her head and whispered her reply, "No. My name is Annie Lam."
Satisfied, Louis smiles sweetly at her, cause this is the first time he really get to know who she is, and he will never forget her name either. "That's sweet, but why did Marco kept calling you Chung Chung?"
"I know him since I was thirteen. He was the one who nicknamed me Chung Yee and later change it to Chung Chung since it sound like worm and also because my Chinese name is Chung Han. He said I was as shy as a worm when I met him because I always hide behind my sister, back than," Annie explained with a sad sigh.
With a chuckle, Louis comments, "Chung Yee sound cute."
Tilted her head up to face him, Annie warmly smile with a very faint chuckle. "No one has called me that for a very long time," she told him. Than Annie sighs, "Things had change so much. He is no longer the same person."
Nodding, Louis agrees. "Annie, do you mind I asks who is your father?"
Annie doesn't understand why he needed to know all of these. And aren't he suppose to knows who her father is since he is part of the people who kidnaps her? "Why are you asking me? Don't you know already?"
Louis became serious, "Annie, you need to know that I am not interested in kidnapping you. Trust me, I'm here to help you..."
"Then why are you with them?" confusedly asked Annie.
"I can't answer that question yet, but one day you will know," he stated. Annie is confuses by his words, but she trust him enough to listen. Louis didn't want to tell Annie he is an undercover, cause he afraid Annie might blurt it out when she is scared or threatened. "Do you trust me?" he asked after seeing her blank expression.
Nodding, Annie replies, "Yes. There is no reason for you to lie to me." She slightly smiles and answers, "My daddy is Howard Lam."
Louis eyes became still, he is shock to know that she is the daughter of the richest man in Hong Kong. Somehow deep inside he felt sad cause the fact seem to create a distance between them. "You're the daughter of the boss who own Millennium Cooperation?" Louis disbelievingly questioned. While Annie didn't think that it was that big of a deal. She nods. After getting her confirmation, he let out a sigh of worry and sadness. "Then you know Julian Lam?"
Surprised, Annie nods, "Yeah, he is my cousin. Do you know him? But how, he is a cop and you are a..." Annie didn't finish.
"Bad guy?" Louis finish for her with a chuckle to see her expression.
Without a doubt Annie shakes her head, "Something tells me that you are not a bad guy. I don't know what side you are. But I'm glad I met you." What she just said made Louis stare at her for a long while. She chuckles to the awkward silent, "Raymond always said that we can't leave out the gray scale. Maybe you are just a light gray..." Louis laughed. "Shhh...I don't want them to come in," she said with a frown. She than tilt her head toward his breathing, "You haven't told me how you know Julian."
"Oh, I read on the paper that he is a very good cop," Louis lied. He sighs cause he knows that Julian won't like to hear about what he have to tell him tomorrow night.
"Why did you join the gang?" Annie wonderingly asked with a hint of concern for him. "You will be in deep trouble if my cousin catches you, do you know that? Why don't you think of leaving the gang early before you get caught?"
"When I'm still light gray?" Louis teased. Annie blushes a bit. Louis is happy that Annie was concern about him. "Don't worry about me, I have my own way to get out of trouble. Beside how can I leave now?" Louis smiled at Annie confuses look and continue, "I still need to save you remember?"
Warmly, Annie smiled at him, "You promise?"
"Of course, don't you trust me? Don't forget I had rescued you once during the bus trip," he reminded her with a chuckle.
Annie giggled slightly. It make Louis really relief seeing her giggled after what happened tonight. "I trust you, you are like my guardian angel," she smile sweetly and hugged him. Louis is really happy and wanted to embrace her, but something inside tell him not to, cause she will never belong to him.
Instead, he gazes into her cute face and smiled warmly. "Why don't you sleep awhile?" he suggested. Childishly, Annie shakes her head. "Don't worry, I won't let him in at all. And if I see you dream about him, I'll wake you up. I promise."
With a pout, Annie ponders about Louis suggestion. She really doesn't want to have the nightmare again, but she is really sleepy too. "Okay, only if you promise to make sure he and the rats don't get close to me," bargained Annie.
Louis softly laughs at her childish expression, "Deal. Now lets sleep before the sun comes up."
Right when Annie put her head on Louis chest and shut her eyes, her stomach growled. It not until now that she realize she is still starving. "I am hungry, Louis," she exclaim.
Glancing toward those spilled lunchboxes by the door, Louis smiles, "Wait a minute." He release Annie wanting to go get her food, but Annie hold him tightly. "Don't worry, I am just going to pick up the lunch box for you. I won't walk out on you." Annie releases him. Louis walks to the bag with the lunch box inside, he pulled one out, and walked back to Annie. "Here," he places the box of fry rice on Annie left hand and a plastic spoon on Annie right.
Annie quickly eats her rice cause she is extremely hungry. Louis is glad that she finally decided to eat. "Slow down before you choke," he warned. Right when he just warned, Annie suddenly cough violently cause a piece of rice has enter her airway. "I told you to slow down. Are you alright?" he caringly asked while she nods.
Right after she finishes and satisfied her hunger, Louis asks, "So can you sleep now?"
A bit rosy, Annie softly said, "Only if you let me sleep close to you." A genuine smile spread across Louis face, he open his arms and pulls Annie in to lean on him comfortably. Annie snuggled herself safely on Louis and whispered, "I can't sleep now, can you tell me a bedtime story?"
"Bedtime story?" Louis chuckled at the idea.
Offended, Annie pouts, "It's not funny. That's what my brother always do before I sleep. Come on, I can't sleep thinking about him." She meant Evergreen and Louis knows it.
With his steady eyes on her, Louis can't believe that she can be this childish and innocent natured. He frowns with uncertainty, "I'm not good at making up story. I'll probably give you even scarier nightmare. I don't read a lot either. Is there others things I can do to make you fall asleep?"
A bit disappointed, Annie tries to think of other way, than she smiled sweetly when she remembers Benny singing her to sleep while he piggy back her up the mountain. "Yeah, can you at least sing than?"
Bulged his eyes, Louis laughs, "Did you just says sing?" Annie nods excitedly making Louis shake his head. "You must be joking. I am not good at that ether."
Pouted with disappointment, Annie demands, "Than what are you good at?!"
Giving in, Louis rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'll sing. What do you want me to sing?"
Smile sweetly, Annie yawns, "My favorite song, Paints My Love?"
"I never heard of it before," Louis honestly confessed.
"How could you not hear of it before?" Annie asks with a frown.
Louis saddens too. He never has the time to listen to much music. Hearing Annie's tone, Louis felt that he and Annie are two different people in two different worlds. And Annie made him felt small with that question. He sighs and offers, "How about Twinkle Little Star?"
Giggled, Annie rests on his chest again, "That use to be my favorite childhood song, my brother always sing it to me." She closes her eyes and waited for Louis to begin to sing. Instead of singing, Louis looked at her sweet face with the eyes closed and on his chest. He really enjoys having her by his side. Somehow he felt really close to her like he had knows her for a long time even though tonight is the first night that they really talk. Same with Annie, she felt really safe with him and trusted him a lot. Annie is getting impatient cause Louis still hasn't sings yet. "Louis, I am waiting," she reminded him.
Snapped out of his though, Louis smiles. He never felt this warm and happy in his whole life. "Sorry, okay I'll start, go back to sleep now," he ordered. Louis cleared his throat and sings it softly and gently like a lullaby. "Twinkle twinkle little stars...How I wonder what you are...Up above the sky so high....Like a diamond in the sky....Twinkle twinkle little star...How I wonder what you are..." He pause to peek at Annie and saw her asleep with a sweet smile, it made him smile too as he lies back and sing the childish song over and over until he too fall asleep. "Twinkle twinkle little star...How I wonder what you are...Up above the sky so high...Like a diamond in the sky...Twinkle twinkle little star...How I wonder what you are..."
******
Chapter 26: Forgotten Pain
The well know flea market street of lively event, somehow felt hollow tonight. Maybe it’s due to the cold ocean wind cooling it’s atmosphere several degree causing night surfer to hang out in crowded pub instead. But the cold empty air will not stop Louis from where he is determine to go. Swiftly but yet carefully, Louis head up the roof of the same apartment building to meet Julian and plan their arrest and rescue plot.
Once he arrive at the roof, he saw Julian back facing him. Julian is gazing down at the street until he hears Louis footstep, he quickly turns around to question Louis urgently, “How is Annie? Did they hurt her? What take you so long?!”
“Calm down, Julian,“ Louis suggested. He is curious to how Julian already figure out the girl being Annie. “She is fine right now.” Louis pleasant expression fade into a gloom when he recall what happen last night. “Though, she was almost rape last night,” he informed Julian.
“WHAT?!!” overreacting shouted Annie’s caring cousin, who instantly grabs onto Louis’s shirt collar with tight fists.
Loosening Julian grip, Louis assures, “I say almost. She was scared half to death, but don't worry she is much better now.” Louis could pick up Julian’s strong sense of protection toward Annie. If Annie hasn’t mention to him that Julian is her cousin, Louis would thinks that Julian is actually Annie’s boyfriend by the way he acted. Louis suddenly let out a soft chuckle, since he never saw Julian this serious about anything before. “How did you know the girl is your cousin anyway?”
A bit calmed down, Julian replies, “I found out and confirmed with my uncle.”
“So your uncle is willing to have the police help?”
Seriously, Julian nods, “Yeah, he called Thomas, and Thomas order us to make sure Annie is safely rescue and bring home. He allows me to use as much men or weapon we needed for this case. Do you know what they have plan for tomorrow? We need every second to draw our operation plot.”
“Yeah, Eddy Cheung went over his plot with his gang this morning. The main problem is that they will put a bomb on her that will be activated by a single touch of the remote button. Eddy Cheung will take control of the remote himself. And if anything goes wrong, I’m certain he will definitely use it. In order to safely rescue Annie, we need to think of a way to take the bomb apart before he has it activate. I could probably think of an excuse to stay behind to take it apart, but I will need time. Which mean I need yours help in buying me enough time before our team take action. It’ll certainly startle him to activates the bomb if he notice our team being involve,” Louis exclaim with precise detail.
Nodding in agreement, Julian replies, “It shouldn’t be too big of a problem for us to buy you some time. When will they ask for the ransom? And where?”
“Eddy Cheung wants Howard Lam to sent his older daughter to bring them the ransom. His reason is that she is a female and least likely to play trick on them. Don't even bother wiring her cause they will ask her to trade car and phone on the way. It’ll be too risky if they saw wire on her. Just tell her to follow all their instruction. The destination for the exchange is going to be the dry grassland east of Sky Swan Mountain.”
“I could arrange our team to station there,” Julian added, while Louis nods.
Turning slightly toward Julian with his serious eyes, Louis continues, “But be sure to keep a good look out. Because they are having people keep an eyes on the grassland at all time. Eddy Cheung is too sneaky, we must not startle him until the right timing. Remember to tell Flora Lam to drag the ransom exchange process longer to insure that I can take the bomb apart.”
“I will,” Julian replied. After a few moment of thought, Julian spoke up again, “I think it would be better if I have the crew hike up the grassland tonight and hide there till tomorrow, that way they never notice anyone got there.” A bit more at ease and relief, Julian smile at Louis like his usual goofy self. “Louis, this would all work out and we will capture these bunch of idiots without them knowing what hit them. It serves them right for kidnapping my cousin.” He give Louis a bright smile like an epiphany just hit him. “Louis, if you can take the batteries out of the remote, than you can have all the time you need to take the bomb apart,” wisely suggested Julian with a mischievous grin.
Louis chuckles at the simple but yet brilliant idea, “That is an excellent idea. I'll see if I can get anywhere near the remote tonight. If that is successful, I can't wait to see Eddy Cheung face when he tries to push the remote and nothing happen!” Slightly glanced at his watch, Louis notice the time is running short. He also know that Annie must be waiting for him impatiently. “I need to go now, before they get suspicious to my where about. But remember to give me some time in case I can't get the hold of the remote tonight.” Louis turns to leave.
“Wait!” Julian called after him. Louis turned back to him, Julian pulled out a tiny bottle with the two pills that Annie always takes and a tiny vials of the liquid medicine. “These are Annie’s medication, have her drink it up when you get back. Is she having any headache for the past few days?”
“No, she was just fine,” Louis answered with a bit of uncertainty. “Why do she need all of this medication?”
Frowned slightly, Julian explains, “She has a brain problem, it was caused by an accident when she was six, which is why she is blinded also. Anyway she will get really sick with headache and dizziness if she skips her medication for a long period. I am glad nothing happen to her. Louis help me take care of her….”
“Did you say dizziness?” Louis concernedly asked since he witness Annie being a bit dizzy when he was about to leave a hour ago
“Yeah,” weakly answered Julian while observing Louis expression..
“I need to head back now. Don't worry I'll have her take the medicine. Bye,” Louis urgently said and quickly stormed away.
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Julian went back to the police department and discuss the case with Thomas and then had his people get ready to go up to the grassland after midnight and wait till tomorrow to capture all of Eddy gangs red handed. He also went to Howard to inform him and Flora to get ready and follow their instruction. He promises to keep an eye on Flora and make sure she is safe during the process tomorrow. Flora was glad that she can finally help save her sister. Julian gave her a bulletproof vest to wear for tomorrow. Howard are getting more worry that Flora has to go instead of him or someone else, he didn't want anymore of his children getting anywhere close to those gangs. After the talk with Howard and Flora, Julian headed to take a short naps before he head up the mountain with his troops.
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Throb, throb, throb…the rapid beat sharply hammered into Annie’s head causing severe pain that she has long forgotten. The last time when she experience this kind of unbearable pain was when she was six. She was so young back then that she has forgotten how extreme the headache was, all she remember was that it too painful. The headache signal felt like sharps little knife japing and torturing her brain’s cells. Moaning in pain, Annie grabs hold of her head with her two fists. She kept shaking her head trying to release some of the build up pressure, but it’s no use at all.
Weakly lies on the cement ground in fetus position, Annie felt feverish from head to toes. Her body heats up so much that it causes droplets of sweats to cover her hair, face, and neck. But to Annie, the fever doesn’t bother her much, since the piercing headache is what stolen her full attention. Groaning in discomfort, Annie tries to control her headaches by slightly rocking side to side on the dirty ground with her fists tightly clenched to her hair like a madman. The thought of rats no longer bother her, since she is in too much suffering to care.
Fearing Evergreen would come in, Annie didn‘t even dare to scream out her pain or moan too loud. Therefore she has to presses her lips tightly together to muffle out her misery. Tears leaks from her vulnerable eyes as she begin to hit her head against the hard cement ground hoping to distract the persisting headache by triggering another pain signal. While she constantly repeats pounding her head, she recalls dialogues of her family past conversation replying over and over in her mind. Longing to return to her family, Annie hopelessly sob while mouthing “home” with her sniffling.
As minutes passed, her fever has peeks up another notch causing her to felt strength less. Her cheeks became rosy and burn to the touch. Exhausted from pounding, Annie finally stop cause she no longer has the energy to bother. Her heart continue to speed with rapid beats that made her felt nervously weak. Annie starts to breath labouringly, since her fever and increasing heart rate causes her chest to felt heavily compressed. Being tortured like this make her wishes that she could just past out.
Drawing herself more closure in a fetus position, Annie hugs her bend legs. “Louis, where are you? Please come back soon. Louis, I need....you,” her vulnerable weak trembling lips worded. “Oowww…,“ Annie moaned helplessly. Painful tears is cascading down her cheek.
A very sharp signal shrike her brain like a dagger. “AAHHH!!“ Annie finally scream out her unbearable pain. After realizing that she has cause a disturbance, Annie is now fearsome to the consequent. She is afraid that Evergreen might come in to beat her up or something, but the pain is really unbearable to stand anymore. Gathering what left of her strength, Annie quickly push herself toward the wall for protection. Sits leaning against the wall, Annie hugs herself into a ball again for comfort and security just incase Evergreen come in. Constantly, she pound her head against the wall, like she is nudging the dirty wooden wall with her head.
Meanwhile Louis is just outdoor and hear Annie scream from the cabin just like last night. His first thought is Evergreen mistreating Annie again. Louis urgently ran into the cabin, but to his surprise no one was around and Annie screaming no longer audible. A bit puzzled Louis drops off two bagful of lunch boxes on the plain table while he ponder about Eddy and his gang where about. The constant throbbing sound from the room bring his attention back to Annie. Louis quickly rush into the room worrying that Evergreen was able to harass Annie since Marco is not around.
Annie quivered nervously from Louis sudden impatient intrude into her room with the door slammed open. She has no idea who the person is and what he wanted. Her first impulse is to search for the pocket knife Louis gave her to protect herself, she thought the intruder is Evergreen since the person movement sound harsh. With her painful headache Annie couldn’t concentrate to find her knife, she start to panic with stress. “Don’t come near me!“ she warned while her two hands are still patting her surrounding for the knife. “Get out, get out, please get out now…“ Annie pleaded with tears freely flooding her burning cheeks.
That sight of her made Louis heart felt discomfort that he never experience before. “It’s me,“ he assured while quickly shutting the door behind him.
“Louis!“ Annie called out with relief. She is smiling and crying at the same time to finally waited long enough for his return. Once Louis is within her reach, Annie cling to him tightly and cried all her fear and pain away. “What take you so long?“ Annie whimpered with sniffling.
Comfortingly, Louis allow Annie to lean on his chest while he embraced her. While Annie is slightly panting as she rubbed her head onto his chest, Louis was able to felt her fever. He alertly place his palm on her forehead and it daunted him to felt her high fever along with her sweat. “Why are you having a fever?“ he asked while studying Annie for other symptom. He could tell she is in a lot of pain by her paled lips and red puffy eyes. “Are you having a headache?“
Annie nodded as she sniffs on her tears with squinted eyes due to the agonizing pain. “It hurt, Louis. Could you please make it stop? I don’t care, you could knock me out of it if you want, just stop the pain,” Annie requested with a bit of anger at herself for having this illness. Her fist clenches onto Louis shirt, while her body begin to slightly jerk cause she is entering a seizure phase. Louis panic and didn't know what to do to stop her seizure, all he know is that she could accidentally bite her tongue. Without second thought, Louis quickly place his thumb side of his palm slightly into Annie’s mouth to let her bite onto it. He winched a bit in pain, but within second he no longer felt pain cause he is too overly scare to see Annie in this condition.
“Calm down, calm down,“ he told Annie, but more to himself too. With panicking heart, Louis quickly dig into his pant pocket in search of the two small medicine vials Julian gave him an hour ago. “Don’t worry Annie, there are medicine to stop all of this pain,“ he assured Annie while he frustrating search his other pant pocket to retrieve Annie’s medication. Quickly emptied two pills from one of the vial, Louis urge, “Take these, it will stop the pain.”
Annie didn't hesitate at all and just chew up the pills, she trust Louis wouldn't harm her at all. The bitterness of chewing the pills made her grossed out. Louis quickly grab her water bottle for her to wash it down. “This liquid medicine will help too,“ he told Annie while bringing the opened vial toward her lips. Annie obediently drink up the medicine like Louis instructed.
The taste of that syrup medicine with honey was exactly like how Flora has made it for her, so Annie face show a confused expression. “How did you get my medicines?” Annie weakly asked.
After a slight pause, Louis finally made up an excuse, “I brought it from a convenient store. You use the same medicine too? I always use it for my headache since it works pretty well.“ Louis didn’t want Annie to know about his identity yet, at least not until he safely rescue her tomorrow. “Do you know where everyone went?“ Louis immediately change the subject to avoid Annie further questioning.
Seeing Annie tightly shuts her eyes again while pressing her head tightly against him, Louis know that she must be feeling another pain signal again. He suddenly has an urge to comfort her and ease her pain. Gently, Louis tenderly place his lips on her forehead and gave her a warm loving peck. That simple gesture of his made Annie felt happy from her heart, she let out a slight smile while continue to try controlling her pain. “Don’t worry, I'm here with you. You’ll be fine in a while, once the medicine goes to work. Try to stay relax and calm. Maybe you should sleep for a while, it will help you forget about the pain,” he caringly suggested.
With her arms sneaks around him, Annie embraced him tighter. She exhaustingly whispers, “I can't sleep with the constant pounding in my head. Louis, could you think of something to distract me with?”
Chuckled slightly, Louis said, “You are not asking me to sing again, are you?”
Snuggling herself more cozily on Louis, Annie let out a slight giggle as she recall his singing. “No, I hear enough of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" last night,” she playfully complained. Slightly tilted her head up to toward his voice, Annie has an idea, “I don't even know your last name yet. Why don't you tells me a story about you? How about your childhood? You could tell me anything about yourself, I just want to hear your voice.”
Louis frowned a bit to think of his life. His childhood is not one of those heartwarming story like most carefree children would have. His childhood is also one of his reason for having a low self-esteem, since he is never proud of his family nor is he proud of what he has done. “It not a very happy story though,” Louis finally exclaim after Annie nudged him to start.
“I just want to know more about you,” Annie encouraged with a sweet smile. She felt slightly better, at least she could breath now, unlike moment ago.
“Alright. Well, let start with my name than. I am Louis Koo and Koo Tin Lok is my full Chinese name,” Louis steady tone told her. He isn’t quite sure if he should share with Annie about his past, since he has never share this personal secret with anyone before.
Annie giggled sweetly, “Lok Lok, that’s a happy name.”
With a sigh Louis nod, but he thinks otherwise, since he hasn’t truly been happy before. “My family is not one of those warm and friendly one that most people have, Annie. I never remember a day with peace and joy living with my parents. My dad is a drug addicts that also love to gamble, and my mom herself like to gamble too. They would argue about money all the time and fight in front of us. When they lost huge sum of money or simply stressed out cause of life, they would use us to release their anger on.”
With interest, Annie softly asks, “You have sibling?”
“I has a kid sister that is four years younger than me,” Louis replied with a sigh and continue, “Our parents never take care of us. Mom hardly ever cook nor clean the house. Both her and my father never get home until they were satisfy with enough gambling. I was the one who has to take care of my sister.” A warm smile spread on Louis when he recall his close relationship with his sister, “Good thing she is not hard to take care of. Maybe because she also learn to be obedient since we constantly get beat or scold if we are not careful enough.”
“You are the one who cook for your family?” Annie questioned with surprise. She life is way different than Louis. She never has to step foot into the kitchen unless she wanted to.
“I remember I was six when I first try to cook rice; I almost burn our flat down. That was the time when both our parents didn’t return home for a week. They took a ferryboat over to Cuckoo to gamble. Joyce was crying saying that she wanted to eat rice instead of dry food.“
“Joyce Koo?“ Annie asked in surprise, “Do she work in a restaurant now as a waitress?“
“Yeah. You know her?“ Louis questioned back with surprise too.
Nodded, Annie explain, “I think she is the same girl that worked for my uncle café. Go on, I want to hear more. Do you still live with your parents now?“
“No,“ Louis deep voice answered with a hint of regret mix with hatred. “An incident occurred when I was eight that has rewritten Joyce and my life. I remember that we always tries to head into our room as soon as we finish dinner, because we always fear that they will hit us. Well, Joyce usually get beat up the most cause she can't defense herself, unlike me. So I have to protect her with my best ability, but what can I do to stop my heavy weight father.”
Paused for a second Louis drops his head, “One day, my dad came home early. He ran into our room and roughly dragged Joyce out. At that moment, I just got back from school. I was alarmed by her screaming while dad hits her want her to come with him. My dad had decided to sell Joyce to the *****house to get money to repay his gambling debt. I still remember exactly what happen that day. Crying loudly in fear, Joyce bit his hand, wanting him to free her. He barbarically slapped her and throw her across the room. I was panicking and wish my mom would be back to help, but she was gambling herself and usually wouldn't be home till midnight.”
Annie listens with her full attention and the pain seem to dulled out, she felt sorry for Joyce. Louis turned away as he hesitate to go on, anger and guilt has all came back to him now. “I try my best to keep my dad away from Joyce, but what could I do? He wouldn’t listen to me pleading him. He even hits me to get me out of his way while he continue to drag Joyce out of the flat.” Louis sigh and slightly wet his lip, “I know I couldn’t let him sell Joyce. And I was really angry with him for being so heartless toward us. I ended up grabbing the knife on the table counter and stab into his right lower back…” Louis voice trailed away while his mind seem to relive the scenery. Annie slightly gasp to know that he injured his father. “He was too busy struggling with Joyce to notice me coming toward him with the knife. I still could see his pair of enlarged eyes dart at me with daunted expression…”
Annie gently said, “You just want to protect Joyce.”
Nodding, Louis continue, “While he dropped to the floor, I grab hold of Joyce small hand and both of us ran to hide under the dinning table. I witness him lying helplessly on the floor with blood spurting out. I later on find out that I stabbed his kidney, which is why he is losing that much blood. Joyce and I were terrify as we sat on the corner of the kitchen floor hugging each other tightly and staring at our dad who is in pain. We didn't know what to do, I was shock that I stabbed him and I never saw that many blood before.”
“After a while I finally collected myself and walked to him with Joyce clinging to my arm. I squatted down to feel his cold face and found out that he no longer breathing anymore. I panic and Joyce cried so loudly as she hugged me, I don't know what to do but to go to the neighbors for help, but none of them open up their doors to help us.” Louis paused to look at Annie, wondering how she is taking this deep secret of his. “Are you afraid of me now that I killed my own dad?” he asked with regretful eyes.
Sadly, Annie shakes her head, “I know you didn't mean it or else you wouldn't ask for help from your neighbor, and you were just trying to save Joyce. What about your mom? Did you told her why you stab your dad?”
“I did,“ Louis disappointedly answer cause he felt pain to recall how his mother react to his explanation. He continue, “No one from our neighbors are nice enough to even peek out to look at why we are screaming for help. But to our surprise my mom has just came home, but she is not happy seeing my lifeless father on the floor. She had her eyes narrowed on us and we try to get as far back as possible seeing her angry and cold stare, she yanked me in front of her and demanded an answer. I told her everything, thinking that she will understand that I did it to save Joyce, but she was furious cause she was with the buyer and waiting for my dad to bring Joyce down. She slapped me hard across the face and I was in pain. Not because of her slap, but to realize that she would actually sell Joyce too. I kept asking myself to what both Joyce and me has done to have this kind of parents? I thanks her for slapping me, cause it really woke me up. I know that both Joyce and me can’t depend on her anymore. At that moment, I stared at her with hatred and my eyes were dry as the desert. I can't cry anymore, I has lost all hope on my parents.”
“I’m sorry,“ Annie suddenly whispered.
“Then my mom turn and try to grab Joyce cause the buyer is still at the cafe downstairs. I was furious and try to pull Joyce away from her as I scream for help and kicked her. She let go of Joyce and coming after me, I yelled at Joyce to run and get help downstairs, she did as I say. My mom saw her escaping, so she ran after her, but I pulled my mom back. She was angry with me and grab me by my neck while she told me that I am her son and Joyce is her daughter, which gave her the right to sell us since she’s the one who bring us to this world.”
Annie shakes her head in disbelief, her parent loved her like a precious pearl. Hearing Louis and Joyce’s parents made her missed her parents even more now. Louis continue, he couldn't stop now, as all the painful memories came back. “I stare at her coldly and wished she never had us at all. She finally let go of me and ran to get Joyce, I ran after her also, hoping Joyce found help or at least ran away far enough that my mom can't lay hands on her anymore. Joyce got help indeed, she got a police officer to help her and we bump into them when we were heading down the stair quickly.”
“The police saw the condition and arrested my mom for child abuse and neglect. He was shock that I stabbed my father and looked at me with fearful eyes, like I'm some kind of heartless monster. I was too young to be charge for murder and the judge understand my situation. But they put me to talk with a psychiatrist for a month, just in case I go nuts,” Louis let out a soft sardonic chuckle before he continue, “We were send to an orphanage afterward. I thought all the bad things is gone and we could live there happily. But people there looked at me weirdly cause they know that I killed my own dad. The children at the orphanage didn't dare to come close or play with us, thinking that I was some crazy lunatic; they all isolated Joyce and me. Even the adults gave us weird eyes like we are some kind of monsters. So we decide to leave instead of begging them to keep us.”
“We sneaked out and I found a little restaurant owner that is nice enough to keep us. He is really nice too, at least he is welling to give us three meals a day and allow us to sleep in his restaurant at night. In return, I help him wash dishes and take care of things around the restaurant,” Louis let out a sigh, “I worry about Joyce the most back than cause she was shock and traumatized by the event with our parents. She didn't talk much to me, I guess she hated me for killing our father and got our mom arrested.”
“I don't think so, she is just depressed from going through so much and she was only four. I bet she still remember it even though she is so young back than,” Annie sadly said.
“Yeah, we never mention about it again. It kind of had became a deep scar that both of us hate to talk about,“ Louis honestly said. He gazed into Annie eyes with gladness that Annie didn’t show any fear toward him after hearing his childhood. He continue, “Back than, I worked at the restaurant really hard and didn't have time for an education, but I asked the owner to at least help pay for Joyce schooling. He is nice enough and agreed to it. Joyce was quiet and kept herself away from other classmate at the beginning, but she slowly accept the fact and she put the past behind her. I was glad that she could pull herself together, even though we don't talk much to each other, I could feel her forgiving me and caring about me. After she got her general education done, we moved out and left the restaurant. At first we lived together but after a while I needed my own space and so does she, so I moved out. Somehow I felt our bond aren’t the same as how it was when we were children.”
Curiously, Annie asks, “Why did you join the gang? I would of guess you‘ll be a chef.”
Louis laughed, “To save you.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll know tomorrow,” Louis slyly said. He felt her forehead and smile in relief, “Your fever has dropped a bit. And you looked much better now. Is your headache cure?”
“No, it still hurt,“ Annie whined even though her pain has left her. “Could you sing to me now?“ she childishly requested.
By the sight of her pout, Louis know that she is okay. “You got to be kidding me right?”
“Please?” Annie sweetly pleaded.
“I only know kiddy song though.”
“What if I teach you my favorite song?” suggested Annie.
Louis shakes his head cause he know he couldn’t sing. He basically sound like reading if he ever try to sing. “No, why don't you sing it to me instead?” he bargained.
Pouted, Annie moved away from his hug, “I thought you say you do anything for me. Didn't you say you love me?”
“Who would love a spoil princess like you?” Louis laughingly teased, “And when did I say I do anything for you?”
Childishly, Annie dropped her head with a cute pout, “Fine! I don't like you too…”
Moved close to her, Louis hugged her tightly, “Okay I admitted it, I do have a tiny bit of feeling for you, Annie Lam.”
“Only a tit bit?” she asked shyly. She suddenly lean in toward his breathing to peck his cheek. “How about now?”
Giggling at her, Louis grin ear to ear, “How did I even start having feeling for this silly girl?” With eyes gazed into Annie’s, Louis became a bit serious. He smile and lean in to share a fench kiss with Annie. Annie was a bit surprise that he actually willing to take the first step this time. She returned his kiss with butterfly fluttering her stomach happily. Ended their kiss, Louis whispers, “You are special to me, Annie.”
******