Blind Love

[Linda]

The Girls

Annie: Hey Ruby, hurry up, I?ll be late

Ruby: yeah, yeah, hold your horses, it?s not like the TV station is going to run away!

Annie: TV station won?t, but my job will, if I?m late ag?

She stops short on the sentence at the sight of a bushed haired, ragged body, steaming face of a 48 hour working owl standing from across the hall way

Bondy: WOULD YOU GUYS SHUT UP! You?re not the only ones with a job!

Bondy was standing in front of her bedroom door, her massive glasses hung from the tip of her nose, her hair was tossed up in what some people might have called a twister, she was dressed in her PJ?s since 2 days ago. Annie and Ruby burst out laughing at the sight of their god-sister, who hasn?t slept for 2 days, nor rest, nor eaten, and judging from the slight smell no bath either.

Annie: I thought you fell down a ditch somewhere, I didn?t know you turned into an owl

Ruby went into admire Bondy?s room and gasped at the sight

Ruby: How can you not clean, but still keep it so tidy

Bondy yawns as she pushes Ruby?s bedroom door open, giving sight to the combination of WWI and WWII battleground

Bondy: first of all I do not throw everything on the floor

Ruby: I so do not throw everything on the floor

Annie: yeah, everything but your phone book. Say, did Louis Koo call you back?

Ruby cried out in a yielding tone, as she dropped to the pile of what she calls bed

Ruby: No. How could he not have called me? What is wrong with me?

Bondy came and sat down next to her

Bondy: come on Ruby, its not like?ahh what do you have on your bed?

She asked as she jumped up smoothing the tender part. Annie came over to lift up the pile of mess situated on Ruby?s bed. She gasped as she looked at the shiny object

Annie: you?

Bondy (cuts in): don?t swear Annie

Annie tried to swallow whatever word she was about to use and replaced it with a simple angry face

Annie: no wonder no one called, you kept the phone in here all night

Ruby looked up at her with a big smile

Ruby (in a seductive tone): were you expecting someone to call?

Annie nodded, Bondy laughed

Bondy: I guess I?m the only one that doesn?t need the phone around here

Ruby suddenly remembered something; she jumped up and looked at

Ruby: Bondy, I so forgot, Steven Ma called you last night, he said something about not doing something today, he said he?ll call you back today

Bondy: why didn?t you tell me earlier?

Ruby: I didn?t want to disturb you

Annie: I don?t get how you could have graduated, as a class 'A' hostess when your room is in such a mess, was your teacher blind or something?

Annie said as she started picking up bits and pieces of stuff that she couldn?t make out, Bondy started laughing

Bondy: that?s because she only host pigs

Ruby plunged for Bondy who has retrieved to the further side of the room after the last statement.

Bondy (still giggling): it?s not my fault; Annie was the one that started it

Annie (placing her hands on her hip): how dare you blame me for your fault?

She aimed at Bondy and leaped towards her, the three started to tickle each other when suddenly the phone rang. They froze and looked at each other in a ready position, and together by some strange force, all three leaped for the phone lying on the bed. Bondy, being the tallest in the three reached the phone first, she was about to say hello when it was suddenly yanked away from her as she felt another body pressing down on her. Annie laughed in victory as she puts the phone to her ear

Annie: hell?no

She yells as Ruby jumped her from behind, causing the hand free phone to fly across the room finding a neat resting place on a pile of god knows what under the window.

Voice: EXCUSE ME!

The voice on the other line roared, most likely to have reacted from the first words he (a male voice) heard. The girls laughed as they rolled of each other. Bondy was gasping for air, as she was at the base of the human pyramid.

Voice: Hello? Anyone there?

They were still laughing as they tried to collect themselves together

Ruby: yeah what do you want?

Voice: can I speak to Miss Chiu please?

Bondy quickly made her way to the phone lifting it up to her ear, recognising the familiar voice

Bondy: hey Steven, why so early?

Steven: EARLY? Do you know what time it is? If you don't come here in 2 hours I don't know what Mr. Flang is going to do to you?

Bondy: what happened? Was it the market? I knew I should've kept a closer eye on it. No, wait. It can't be the market?

Annie and Ruby smiled as Bondy rattles on and on and on about the 'Market', since Bondy is the leading stock taker of the World Wide Sports Centre, she was the sole bearer of any consequences, which may arise. She was so into her work that perhaps no one in this word can stop her from talking about it. Where as most people would find her boring because she never ever had a boyfriend in her life, her time was taken up by spending time with her god sisters and work. Annie yawns as she walked out the door into the bathroom to brush her hair again for the third time, since the first two times it was messed up through fighting, first with Ruby then with Ruby and Bondy. Ruby searched around her room for her phonebook, which she accurately remembered that she left in one of her jackets in one of the many piles of clothes on the floor.

Half an hour later

Bondy: ?so its better if we buy the New Zealander's stock in, they seem to be going up, I reckon by next Thursday it should raise up to?

Steven: Bondy if you talk for any longer I'll guarantee you'll be late

Bondy looks at her watch, noticing the time, she quickly hangs up and runs to the bathroom to have a quick shower and do 'women' stuff.

Ruby: hey Annie, I bet ya that in ten minutes she'll be out of there

Annie: I bet ya seven

Ruby: lunch?

Annie: and dinner

Ruby: you're on skinny

Annie: you're on shortie

In exactly seven minutes later Bondy steps out from the bathroom, leaving clouds of steam oozing out after her. Annie howled with victory, as Ruby stumps her feet. Bondy not knowing of the bet, determined in her mind that they were officially insane. She sat down to a burning breakfast made by the hands of Master Chef Annie Man, specialising in 'Charcoaled Food'

Ruby: so Bondy?who's this Steven guy? When can we meet him?

Bondy smiled as she lifts up her plate to Ruby

Bondy: when you finish all this burnt food for me!

Annie: HEY!!!

She protested as she placed a plate of something which looked like the cross breed of tomato sauce and onion rings. Ruby and Bondy looked at each other, both signalling the other to try the new recipe. Finally giving up, Bondy took a spoon full of the 'food' and placed it in her mouth, whilst Ruby and Annie watch on anxiously at her facial expression. Bondy's face lights up with a big grin

Bondy: this is the best food I ever tasted from you

Annie smiled and then both she and Ruby took a big spoon to scoop up the mixture, and almost gagged when it touched their tongue. The food was so sour that they were certain it had to contain more then 3 litres of vinegar in it. They spat it out so quickly that it must have flew faster then a speeding bullet.

Ruby (trying to spit the awful thing out): I thought you said it tasted nice?

Bondy (grinning as she takes the water bottle): I only said it was the best food I tasted from her, I never said it tasted good

She then gobbles down half a litter of water while fighting off Annie and Ruby, who was desperately trying to seize the bottle of water from Bondy, but already knowing their intension, she throws the bottle of seeled water to the other side of the room, landing on the couch, the two dived for the bottle like a pack of fuming hungry dogs. Bondy laughs as she takes her bag from the counter, retrieves the car key from the key hanger on the door, then opens the front door to leave but not before adding

Bondy: you guys are ridiculously absurd

She exits with a big smirk on her face, leaving Ruby and Annie to gulp the remaining of the water to release them of the awful taste.

Annie: we've really got to get her back one-day

Ruby: why not today?

Annie: how?

Ruby: Steven Ma, remember?

Annie: she's not interested in him

Ruby: but he's interested in her, that?s what counts.

Annie: I see?

The two chuckles as they rubbed their hands deviously, the thought of their future plan was so compelling that they were sure it would work

Annie: sweet, sweet revenge

Ruby: verrry sweet revenge

********************************
Bondy was driving to work in the small violet 93 Toyota, which the three had purchased with their savings over 2 years ago. Her mind was racing she didn't know what she should do first, check on the new comer from Taiwan or go straight to the stock market office to check the market. The two thoughts were buzzing around in her mind when she suddenly notice a figure emerging from the footsteps to the front of her car, she harshly stepped on her brakes, steering away onto the footpath, the person hurriedly picked up his passport that he dropped in the middle of the road while crossing, then rushed over to Bondy's car.

Guy: so sorry, I really didn't mean it

He tried to help Bondy out of the car, he suddenly notice how pretty the girl in front of him was, it was his first day in Hong Kong and he just had to admit that Hong Kong girls were much taller and prettier then those he saw in Taiwan. The girl made her way to the front of the car to check on the damage, seeing that there was nothing damaged she sigh in relief, she looked back to the man standing beside her, he was rather tall, well built, he looked like a sprinter, working with athletes for so long somehow gave her an eye to spot sporties.

Guy: hi I'm Julian; may I know your name?

Bondy looked at the guy, this guy fully just almost killed her and now he was hitting on her, was he mental or what, but due to her good nature she decided to only grant him with a simple smile then got back into her car, she popped her head out the window as she drove off

Bondy: sorry, I'm really late, if we were meant to be friends; we're destined to meet again

Julian stared at the violet car driving off, he wanted to stop it some how but didn't know how, he smiled to himself, thinking of how Hong Kong girls are always in a hurry, he looked around to check for no cars then crossed to the other side of the road. When he reached the other side he suddenly remembered why he cross the road to the other side in the first place, he shook his head and re-cross the road, wishing that the next person who would almost run over him would be another pretty girl.

********************************
Annie sat on the bus thinking of a way to get Bondy to fall for her plan, she thought of plenty of plans but always brushed it aside due to the fact that Bondy had always been the smarter of the three, she always seems to know, then foils up any plans that has been cooked up, like all her food. Thinking of food she asked her self, should I learn how to cook? Her trail of thought was lost by the sudden contact of a hard object on her head, she angrily turned around, about to insult the person who inflicted the pain on her, but her anger subsided when she realised it was a young women taking with her three young kids and had no seats to place them all in, she removed herself from the seat and offered it to the kids standing. The kids were about to sit down when a pair of young teenagers jumped in just before them, Annie looked at them in anger

Annie: hey, the kids were supposed to sit there!

The two teen's looked up at her, the girl was around 15, she was wearing a white school uniform, the guy in a white shirt and black pants, probably from the same school

Girl: so?

Annie: I gave up the seats for them, so can you please move and let the kids sit

Boy: we were here first

Annie tried to hold her anger back as she told herself

Annie: Annie try to hold your anger back, do not swear it is not lady like

She closed her eyes for a while, then suddenly moved closer to the girl and pulled her up by the collar throwing her to the other side of the bus, then moved on to the boy, the boy fought back. Due to her petit figure, the two teens did not take her seriously

Boy: back of lady

Annie: you move from this seat or I'll make you

Girl: just try it

The two kids stood next to each other showing off their rather large builds; surely they must be athletics or some kind of body builders. Seeing how the kids were being so rude, a young man sitting across the bus stood up behind Annie

Man: you kids better back off before I take you to the police station

The teens looked at the man, he was built very large, even though his height may disadvantage him, but his muscular arms, would send shivers down anyone's spine. The kids slowly retreated to the back of the bus where they're still cursing the young man, Annie turned around to face the young man to thank him, she indicated the kids to sit down, the kids smiled at her then sat down, the woman looked up at both of them and said thank you. Realising that she no longer has a seat Annie started to worry that the bus driver may tell her to get off, the young man pulled on her arm signalling her to sit next to him, where the seat was still vacant.

Man: I'm Hector, Hector Wong, you are?

Annie: Annie Man, you a cop?

Hector: how did you know?

Annie (smiled): by your tone (she imitates his voice) you kids better back off before I take you to the police station

Hector laughed, this girl was all of a sudden attractive to him, she was quite pretty from any point of view, she had a small build, with a well equipped body, but it was really her sense of righteousness that took him by surprise. He smiled at her and she smiled back

Annie: bye

She got off the bus, still feeling uneasy at the gawking of the young man, she silently cursed Bondy for taking the car, leaving her with no other choice but to take public transport since she hated it so much, due to all those people staring at you. Every single day she had to have a staring contest with someone, and the worse part was she'll always lose, she suddenly heard the young man calling out to her, she turned around, he had his head out of the window shouting back at her, when he saw her looking back he gave her the most adorable smile she ever saw, she smiled back

Annie (mumbling to herself): psycho

********************************
Ruby was waiting for her bus to arrive, Annie's bus has left almost ten minutes ago and she's dying from boredom, she was walking up and down the footpath in front of the bus stop, the people there were getting dizzy from her pacing, some considered to ask her to stop, but they soon acknowledge the threat of a fate worse then death to annoy a girl when she's bored. Everyone jumped when a young man lurched out of no where wearing a big brown coat in the middle of summer, the man gave a mischievous smile when he spotted Ruby marching up and down the footpath. He stepped up in front of her when she turned around and open up his coat, to expose whatever it was under, Ruby screamed

Ruby: I never knew they could be that small

The group of people laughed, as the guy shamefully made his exit, Ruby continued on with her trend, when another guy also in a brown coat came up in front of her, the man also opened up his coat to expose a very large object hanging from his coat. Ruby laughed as she swung her handbag aiming for the most delicate part of a male species, the guy gasped as he ran away still holding onto the tender area. Everyone laughed again and wondered why there are so many guys in coat wanting to expose to this eye-catching young woman. Then out of the blue another man in a brown coat arrived, also exposed his body to Ruby, this time she didn't even look at the guy, she looked away, the guy moved into her range of sight, she looked away, he move in front of her again

Ruby: can you get lost? I'm not interested it's not like your?

She stops short looking at the bright object hanging from his neck, it was a small camera, zooming in on her reaction, and then suddenly both the guys whom she humiliated earlier jumped out also exposing the camera around their necks. The first guy had a large sign hanging from his waste stating 'comes in sizes from 12 to 32', the second guy had a sign saying 'try me, I'm good' hanging from his waist, the third guy had a sign saying 'two for the price of one' all three advertising for the blue jeans they had on. As Ruby turned around she saw a cameraman zooming in on her with a large camera on his shoulder, another guy stuff a microphone under her nose

Guy: miss you have been selected to star in our show 'Human Nature and it's faults', how do you feel?

Realising that she has just been embarrassed by a group of good for nothing TV show host people, she angrily bites her lips as she raise her hand and threw the hardest punch she could manage into the guys face,

Ruby: that's how I feel, wanna try again?

The guy was shoot back from the punch, his hand covering his left eye as they all watched Ruby board the bus which has just pulled up, one of the three guys in brown coats helped him up

Guy: you ok Dicky? That girl is pretty strong

Dicky tried to give a smile to surpass any shame on him for getting beaten up by a girl

Dicky: rather good looking too

Guy 2: I think you just lost your chance with her

Dicky (winks the remainder eye): we're destined to meet

He smiled as the bunch boarded a white van that just pulled up, leaving the people behind still shock from the performance of the wild bunch, only then realising they had miss their buss.

Ruby was still cursing on the bus, she cursed those stupid TV people, she cursed Annie for leaving so soon, leaving her to defend herself, she cursed Bondy for taking the car, making her take public transport to be publicly humiliated, she screamed in frustration, causing everyone including the bus driver to look at her thinking that she was mentally unstable.

[Linda]

Bondy hurried into the conference room, she decided that she'll meet the new comer first, but she was over half an hour late due to a lack of gas in the car, all thanks to Annie who never refills the tank after she uses the car. She reached the conference room everyone was welcoming the new athlete, which she could not see due to the mass of people surrounding him. Steven notice her first, he ran over to her

Steven: do you know what time it is? You're going to get it from flaming Flang badly

Bondy: I met a loony this morning, then ran out of gas just two blocks from here, so I had to run all the way

Steven: a loony? I don't think Flang is going to fall for that, o my god here he comes brace yourself

Bondy looked towards where her boss was, he was as usual wearing a very dark navy blue suit, with a red tie that totally clashes with his clothes, beside him stood a handsomely charming young athlete, who seem very familiar to her for some reason

Bondy (burst out): THE LOONY!

It was true, the athlete was the young man who almost cost her her life when he dashed out on to the road, and Julian came towards her with the biggest grin she ever saw. Julian actually already spotted her from the first time she arrived; he wanted to know who she was so he didn't want to introduce himself to her yet

Julian: Mr. Flang, who is that young girl who just walked in?

Mr. Flang looked over to where Julian was looking at, he spotted Bondy, his youngest stock taker, she was not known to be a 'pretty girl' in the company but she was surely to him the prettiest of them all, if only she'll take off those massive owl glasses. Anyone who could look pass those glasses would surely see the beauty in her.

Mr. Flang: that's my best employee, Bondy Chiu, a very nice girl, come on over, I'll introduce you two

They walked over together to where Bondy and Steven were standing, as the reached closer they suddenly heard the wild cry

Bondy: THE LOONY!

Mr. Flang laughed out loud, Julian smiled, both not knowing to whom was that comment made to

Mr. Flang: well Bondy, I see you woke up on the right side of the bed today

Bondy: I'm sorry Mr. Flang I didn't mean you

Julian: you must have meant me then!

Bondy turned to look at him, something about the guy just bothered her so much, he was just so, how could she put it into simpler terms ANNOYING!

Bondy: I don't know your name yet?

Julian: Julian Lam, remember?

Bondy: I don't

Mr. Flang: you two know each other?

Julian (answers before Bondy could say no): yes we're good friends

Mr. Flang: good, I decided to let Bondy show you around, give you a grip on how things work here

Turning to Bondy, he notice there was something wrong with the girl, she wasn't very pleased with that last statement

Mr. Flang: something wrong Bondy?

Bondy (shaking her head): no…nothings wrong

Mr. Flang turns away to admire the view from the high window, Bondy takes the chance to give Julian the eye, and thanks to her oversized glasses not only Julian but also Steven who was standing next to him could see it as well.

Mr. Flang (turning back to look at the two): I decided to let you and Bondy take a week off so she could show you around town, Julian do you have a place to stay?

Mr. Flang (not giving Julian time to answer): if you don't I'm sure Bondy won't mind if you stayed at her place for a while!

Bondy, Steven and Julian were both surprised, Julian was happy though, he could take this chance to get to know Bondy better

Julian: not yet, do you mind Miss Chiu?

Mr. Flang (not letting Bondy answer): of course she doesn't mind, it's settled then, you'll stay at Bondy's, and don't call her Miss Chiu, call her Bondy

Julian: it's a very nice name

Mr. Flang: I can see you two will get along just fine, see you in a week's time

With that he and the whole crew exited leaving Bondy, Steven and Julian in the room,

Julian (winked at Bondy): I'll get my things

Steven waited till Julian exits the room; he then turned to Bondy, who was looking very concern

Steven: Bondy, I don't trust the guy, you be careful when your around him, ok?

Bondy looked up at Steven, though she doesn't like the guy, but she had to admit he was very nice to her, he cared for her so much that sometimes she questioned herself, why she doesn't have any feelings for him

Bondy: don’t worry Steven I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself

Julian (entering the room): ok lets go

Steven (feeling uneasy): I'm coming too

Bondy: you shouldn't, you have lots of things to do; I can handle this loony by myself

Julian: who are you called a loony little missy?

Bondy (as she exits): the one who looks like a loony in this room

Julian (looks at Steven): she's talking to you

He runs out the room after Bondy, Steven watches after, frighten that the new comer may hit a home run before he does. Julian finally catches up to Bondy, who is purposely trying to walk faster then him

Julian: what's the big idea? If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to ditch me

Bondy (stops to look at him): that was the big idea until you spoiled it

Julian: I think we got off on the wrong foot here, let's start over again. Hi, I'm Julian, you are?

Bondy (starts to walk again): LATE!

Julian: nice name

Bondy giggles at his silly remark, realising the fact that she had just showed him by accident she was somehow attracted to his sense of humour she slowly retreats back to her cold self

Bondy: at least it sounds better then your name, I had a dog once, and he was also called Julian

Julian (making puppy faces): did he look as cute as me?

Bondy started to giggle even more when seeing his goofy face, Julian smiled, at least he knew now that she had not fully rejected his affections towards her.

********************************
Annie arrived at the TV station just in time to catch Gilbert Lam as he was entering

Annie (running towards Gilbert): Gilbert! Wait up!

Gilbert turns around, he spotted Annie running up to him, she was prettier since the last time he saw her, he braced himself as she ran up to him and swung her arms around him

Annie: I was so worried; you didn't call all night, what happen?

Gilbert looks down at her, she sense there was something wrong, he seemed distant today, he was never distant to her, they've been dating ever since she left the orphanage over 4 years ago.

Gilbert (takes her hand away from his neck): Annie, I have to tell you something (looking around) come over here with me

He pulled her to the park next to the TV station, they found a neatly packed away area, Gilbert started looking around, and he was scared that someone might spot them. Annie started to panic, was he going to break up with her? They've been doing so well, they haven't fought for over a year already, what happen? Why did he want to break up with her? She looked at him closely

Annie (not being able to keep the tears in): are you going to break up with me?

Gilbert (turns to look at her in surprise): WHAT?

Annie (starting to cry): I can sense it when someone wants to break up with me

Gilbert smiles, he pulls her closer to him, he bends down to give her a reassuring kiss

Gilbert: don't be silly, why would I want to break up with you!

Annie (stops crying): then why are you acting so secretly today?

Gilbert (checks around again): Annie, if I told you that I accidentally did something wrong, and I have to leave would you come with me?

Annie (starting to get scared): what? What happen?

Gilbert (pulls her closer, resting her head on his chest): would you leave with me?

Annie (hugs him tightly): yes, I go anywhere with you

Gilbert hugs her even tighter, scared that one day she will no longer be with him

Gilbert (smiles): thank you, that’s all I wanted to hear

He held her hand and they started walking back to TV Station, Annie sense something was wrong, she wanted to ask Gilbert but he was not letting anything out. They reached their destination; he let go off her hand

Gilbert: I want you to know that I'll always love you, no matter what happens, I will always love you

He held her hand tightly, as the burning fear rose up in her, there was something wrong, she felt as if he was saying his last good byes to her. She watched as he started walking out the door, her mind was calling out to him, as if he sensed it, he turned around. The two looked at each other with thriving eyes, they ran to each other, embraced each other, their hearts melted into one for that split second, Gilbert manages to release the grip first

Gilbert: I have to go

They let go of each other, looking at each other for what may be the last time, he turns and runs out the door, she looks after him, there was definitely something wrong, very wrong

Annie (calling out loud causing everyone to look at her): I LOVE YOU!

Gilbert somehow heard her, he turned around and shouted back the same three words, and then he was off again. Annie stood there looking, an uneasy feeling was starting to blossom all over again, there was something wrong, something that will cause them to be divided, but she could not get a grip of what it was.

Voice (sneaking up behind Annie): ANNIE!

Annie (shocked): Dicky, why are you back so soon, aren't you shooting your show?

Dicky and his crew just return from their morning shot; as he walked in he saw the loving scene between Annie and her Boyfriend Gilbert Lam, so he decided to intervene

Annie (noticing the black eye, laughed): what happen to you?

Dicky (quickly cover his eye): workplace injury

Annie (still laughing): did the microphone hit you again?

Dicky (letting go of his hand so Annie could see the damages): I wish, a viewer punched me! Rather strong girl

Annie (touches Dicky's eye, thinking of what she should do to heal his eye): was it for that show 'Human nature' something, something?

Dicky (astonished): how did you know?

Annie (laughed): why else would anyone hit you? I have to go now, I better report in before old Cheung yells at me again

The two quickly made their way to the main office, Landason Cheung was sitting at his desk watching the clock tick, making sure he records how late everyone was, the big bang from the door provoke his cruel intension to yell at who ever it was that just walked in over 1 minute and 40 seconds late.

Landason (looking at Annie and Dicky): you two are over a minute late

Annie (gave him a little smile): not according to my watch it says I'm 10 seconds early

Anderson didn't seem impressed with that remark, he handed them a schedule for the day and left. Annie looked at the schedule, she was all full up till lunch, there'll be no time in between to look for Gilbert, Dicky was also checking his schedule, he was free for most of the day, seeing how Annie was worried, he asked her what's wrong

Dicky: what's wrong Annie?

Annie (looking at Dicky, trying to hide her feelings): nothing

Dicky: I'm sure there's something wrong, you're never like this unless there is

Annie (sign): its Gilbert, he was acting very strange this morning

Dicky (laughing): I can see, you guys were practically glued together

Annie: no seriously, there is something wrong with him today, he was very distant towards me, I 'm afraid he may be in some sort of danger

Dicky (realizing its not a joke): ok, how bout I go check on him for you down at the pub (I Luv Thee pub, Gilbert is the manager of this club)

Annie: would you? O I luv you Dicky

She hugs Dicky tightly, Dicky smiles. She released him; the two made their way to their department, where they had to complete the set task.

Dicky: so, when am I going to meet these pretty god sisters of yours?

Annie: when they find the time

Dicky (stops walking): their taken?

Annie (laughs): just kidding, Bondy is busy, she's always busy, and Ruby…well lets just say I don't think you two would hit off

Dicky (astonished): why?

Annie: Ruby doesn't like guys like you

Dicky (feeling insulted): what do you mean 'guys like me'?

Annie (pulls Dicky along, she hangs onto his arm): you're to…you know

Dicky: no I don't

Annie (releases his arm): you're too dense

Dicky (doesn't understand the insult that was just made towards him): what?

Annie (running further away): STUPID!!!

Dicky laughs as he charges towards her, causing her to scream girlishly.

********************************
Ruby walked angrily into the police station, if only there would be a law against publicly humiliating people she'll ask her close friend to personally arrest the group and charge them with slandering of the higher species, a woman in this case.

She was so captivated with the idea that she didn't notice she was walking straight into a middle age man who was walking in front of her, as normal, she thought he was trying to feel her, her instinct quickly reacted with a high kick from Tai Kwan Do she learnt early in her childhood years. The man having no idea that he was being attacked by a exceptionally violent girl, had no way to protect himself, the high kick sent him flying face down landing at a record mark of 3 feet away from her, with his left cheek bruised from the kick. Ruby realises what she had just did, stood in shock as everyone around her looked at the couple, no one dared to step in, fearing that the pretty girl may be settling a score with a deceiving boyfriend.

Ruby (helping the man up): I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking, and I didn't know what I was doing…I'm so sorry

The man slowly got up touching his cheek; he turned around to look at the girl, he recognised that she was the interpreter and middle-woman for the negotiation between districts, she was well known for her vicious behaviour towards anyone who just happen to tick her off, which most people in the police station would know better then to do.

Man (removed Ruby's hand from his cheek): its ok Ruby, I'm fine

Ruby (looked at him surprised): how did you know my name?

Man (laughed, still touching his chin as the crowd around them started to leave): everyone knows the great Ruby Lin

Ruby (smiles): then it’s unfair, you know my name but I don't know yours

Man (using his handkerchief to wipe of any mess left from the girls shoe, thanking god that she wasn't wearing high heels): funny way to ask a guy for his name

Ruby (taking his handkerchief from him): funny way to be treating yourself

Man (takes his handkerchief back): I'm a doctor; I think I'll know how to treat myself

Ruby (taking the handkerchief back from him): a doctor cannot heal himself

Man (takes the handkerchief back): but he knows how to look after himself

Ruby (takes the hanky back): a man can never take care of himself; it’s a woman's job

Man (takes the hanky back): his been looking after himself for over 10 years, I'm sure he can manage to this day

Ruby (takes the hanky back again): if he could take care of himself he wouldn't be in this mess now would he?

Man (takes his hanky back again): if he remembers correctly it was a woman who for some reason inflicted this wound on him in the first place

Ruby (takes the hanky): well if he would just let her look after it, he wouldn't be hurting that much

Man: its not hurting, it only started to hurt when she started to polish his wound with his hanky

Ruby (looks at him, then burst out laughing): I'm so sorry; I still don't know your name?

Man: Bowie, Bowie Lam

Ruby (tries to massage his wound so it won't show up to much): you’re a doctor huh?

Bowie: yes, yes I am

Ruby: strange though

Bowie: what's strange?

Ruby: a doctor wouldn't be standing here for so long arguing with me

Bowie (turns his head slightly so she could get a better view): well doctors have to have fun too!

Ruby: is teasing me somehow fun for you?

Bowie (thinking): not really, but lunch will be much better

Ruby (smiles brightly at him): are you asking me out?

Bowie (patting on his wound): I think you owe me

Ruby (giving him back his hanky): fine, you come to External Affairs just before lunch; I'll be waiting for you

Bowie: then it’s a date

Ruby (walking away): no, its payback

Bowie holds the hanky in his hand as he watches Ruby disappear into the corner, its been very long since he wooed a girl, he doesn't know where that force came from, making him ask her out so quickly like that. He's usually very quiet and timid, never speaks to any girl unless it is necessary, let alone a girl over 5 years younger than him, but she didn't seem to find his straight forwardness silly at all, that was a relief to him.

[Linda]

chapter 3
The past and the present

Bondy and Julian were in Bondy's car driving back to her apartment, Julian was looking in all the draws, checking every single inch of the car, Bondy was getting annoyed with his fidgeting

Bondy: what are you looking for?

Julian (looking up at her): your personality

Bondy: what?

Julian (smiles as he digs up a pile of paper from the car carinate): where I come from, you can always tell what a person is like by what stuff they have in their car

Julian's face lights up, he just discovered a letter, hoping that it would be a love letter of some sort, not that his hoping she'll have a boyfriend, he knows she's single anyway, he asked one of the employees when he was getting his stuff. Bondy didn't notice what he was doing; she was concentrating on how to tell Annie and Ruby that there's going to be an extra roommate, who is male. She knows Ruby won't mind, Ruby is to easy going, anyway, Julian is kind off a hunk, but she's worried about Annie, the girl treats money as her life, she won't be happy if they had to spend more money on a roommate who's not going to pay the bills. Annie must be the stingiest person she every met, that’s why the girl won't take cooking lessons, 'it cost to much' that was her reason.

Julian opened up the letter, he was disappointed that it wasn't a love letter, but was curious when he noticed it was a letter from an orphanage, he never knew she came from an orphanage. The letter states

Dear Bondy,

I know the past 7 years has been very good to you, you have Annie and Ruby to accompany you in your life, I'm don’t have to worry that you'll be lonely anymore. But a person always has a past like they have the future, I asked myself plenty of times, if I should tell you the news or not. I was afraid that the news will upset you, but it may bring joy to you if you have learnt to forgive and forget.

You may not know, but your father has returned, he came to the orphanage just a few weeks before, he wanted to get you back, but you had already left at that time. He asked me if I knew where you were, I didn't know how to answer him. I wanted so much to tell him, but I didn't know if you would like him to know or not, would you?

Bondy, this may be out of my jurisdiction, but I do not ask you as head of the orphanage, but as a friend, who has watched you grow up, since the first day you entered the orphanage at the age of twelve till you left at the age of 18. I believe that your father has learnt his lesson, and is hoping that you'll forgive him; I hope that you would too. There is nothing left to fear from him, he came back to find you, he loves you a lot he won't hurt you anymore.

Bondy, I know you no longer hold a trust or interest in men, but I'm sure if you let a man into your heart you'll see what you've been missing for so long, fatherly love, or just love. Don't you ever feel lonely Bondy? Being tough and strong isn’t always a good thing, Annie told be about Steven, he seems like a nice guy, why don't you get to know him better, I'm very, worried for you, you never had a boyfriend before, what are you going to do when Annie and Ruby gets married, you can't live with them forever, you can't stop them from getting married either, maybe Ruby won't but Annie and Gilbert seems to be doing fine, it won't be long before they get married. If you make yourself available, I'm sure your bound to find a good match.

Yours truly,

Carina Kwork

Julian looked at the letter, now he knew something about her, she grew up in the orphanage, has to best friends named Annie and Ruby, she doesn't like her father because he abandoned her, and she never had a boyfriend, and most importantly she's looking for one. He smiles optimistically as he turn to face her, Bondy was still pondering a plan to get Annie to accept Julian, she thought up of plenty, including telling Annie that Julian is intellectual unstable, has no family to turn too. Maybe that will get Annie to feel sorry for him and accept him, then once he settles in, she'll tell the truth, Annie won't kick him out by that time. She was so happy with her plans that she had to compliment herself for being so smart, until she notices Julian staring at her with a smirk on his face

Bondy (confuse): what is it?

Julian (still smiling like a raving lunatic): what makes you think there's something wrong?

Bondy: your smiling

Julian: is it an offence to smile?

Bondy: no, but it would land you a place in hospital

Julian: are you planning to throw me out just because I smiled?

Bondy (watches out for traffic before turning a corner into their apartment, they lived in a flat on the 28th floor, number 28 AB): yes, when you’re smiling like a dim-Witt

Julian (smiles, thinking how outspoken and straightforward she is): I'd try my best to keep it up

Bondy smiles as she exits the car, with Julian following closely behind they enter the building, he holds his luggage tightly as the lift was rather small to fit two people and a lot of luggage. It's not because he was conscious of his look that he had a lot of luggage, its jus that his mother thinks he should dress properly incase he meets anyone special. Well, does he love his mother now or what, he did met someone special, and his going to dress in the newest, hippest clothes his got.

5 minutes later

Julian (frustrated): GOD! What floor do you live on? I've been in this lift for over an hour already

Bondy (stands at the door way as stiff as a log): nonsense, you've only been in this lift for five minutes, and I live on the 28th floor

Julian: WHAT? Why so high up? It can't possibly take this long to get up there

Bondy: that’s because the lift stopped at floor 15 for 3 minutes before it move

Julian: why did it do that?

Bondy: do I look like an electrician to you? How am I suppose to know

The lift stops at the 28th floor and they both got off, Bondy leads Julian to the front of her apartment, she tries to retrieve the key from her purse but to not avail.

Bondy (finally realising where the key was): you stay here, I left my keys in the car, and I’ll go down to get it

Julian (pouting): you mean I have to wait here? With this entire luggage?

Bondy: don’t be such a baby

Julian: These luggages are heavy

Bondy (looks back as him just before entering the lift): be a good boy and I'll give you a reward when I get back, OK?

Julian (face lights up with hopes to dinner): OK

Bondy (smiles): your such a baby

Julian stands there waiting for what seems like to him an hour, he got tired so he put his luggage's down just at the walk way at the corner, he was tired so he sat down thinking of how pretty Bondy was, how smart she was, how cute she was. He closed his eyes and imaged them two dancing together on the dance floor everyone looked at them, saying how much they fitted together, how they made such a cute couple, then he leaned over to kiss her, their lips was about o meet until he was woken up with a kick, he quickly got up to whack the pathetic loser who just cost him his dream. In front of him was a girl, she had nice long hair, was rather short, much shorter then Bondy anyway, but boy was she hot, she was looking at him with dagger eyes

Girl: are you blind? Why did you leave all your luggage here? This is a walkway, not a rack

Julian (annoyed with the girl for ruining his beautiful dream): you’re the one who is blind, I left my luggage here first, if you had any eyes at all you would have not tripped over it, now would you?

Girl (upset at the guy for not admitting his fault): Me Blind? How dare you insult me, do you know the consequences for insulting me?

Julian (stands up and exhibits his muscular body to the girl): no, would you like to show me?

Girl (screams in anger): that's it, your dead pal

With those last words she lashes out to him with a kick between the noggins (male private part), he laughs and quickly removes himself from the current positions, he stiff over to her left trying to take hold of her left arm. With a black belt in Tai Kwan Do, the girl wasn't about to lose to a no good muscle head jerk, she quickly bends down, swipes her feet around in a merry-go-round way, he trips tumbling to the floor, he swiftly collects himself and tries to get up, unexpectedly out of no where a big object came flying towards him, it took him a while after it hit to register it as a punch from the girl. He angrily stands up charging at her for hurting his beautiful face, she moves to one side, leaving way for him to trip over the luggages.

Voice (stopping the girl from inflicting anymore points on Julian): STOP IT YOU TWO!!!

They both turned to look around to find Bondy standing at the elevator, she was still shocked from what she just saw, but mostly astonished at the sight of a well trained athlete getting beaten up by a girl.

Bondy: would someone like to tell me what happen?

Girl: it really wasn't my fault Bondy, this baboon left his luggage everywhere it made me trip, then he didn't say sorry…

Bondy (looking from one to another): Julian this is Ruby Lin, my housemate (to Ruby) this is Julian Cheung, he'll be staying with…us for a while

Ruby: WHAT?

Bondy (trying to smile so Ruby will forget that question): so, are we going into the house?

The two moved out of the way so Bondy could open the door, Julian was surprised when he saw the house, it was so neat and tidy, and it was decorated very nicely, of caused it must have been Bondy who decorated it, because she's so pretty, gentle and graceful, not like that Ruby Lin who is such a tomboy, overlooking her clothes, looks and other girly features.

Julian: this house is decorated so beautifully? Who decorated it?

Bondy (indicates Ruby): Ruby did it, I'm glad you find it nice

Julian (shocked): no way

Ruby (lying down on the neatly clean couch): yes way, and you haven't apologised for tripping me last time

Julian (walks over to her): me? You haven't apologise for punching me, I'm probably going to get a black eye now

Ruby (stands up to face him, but had to look up due to her lack of height): if you hadn't argued back with I wouldn't have punch you

Julian (in a sarcastic tone): so I guess I have to say sorry Miss Lin

Ruby (lying back down on the couch): apology accepted

Julian: I wasn't apologising

Bondy (from in her room): Julian can you help me

Julian runs into the room, he saw Bondy removing some stuff in the room, neatly place them in a box, and then took out some new sheets to lie on the bed. He walked over and she gave him the box, it was full of women stuff, she told him to take it to the next room, he took it to the next room, that room was awfully neat, the beds and sheets were folded neatly, all the stuff was placed in their places, nothing seemed out of place. He walked over to the wardrobe to put the box in, he figured that's where Bondy would want to put it anyway, but he was shocked when all these stuff fell down on him, there books, and paper and shoes, luckily there wasn't anything that could kill, or else he'll be dead by now.

Julian (mumbling to himself): this must be Ruby's room

Bondy (came to the door): are you all right? I heard a crash

Julian (smiling, stroking his hair back into place): yeah, just a pile of stuff fell on me that’s all

Bondy (came over to took his hand down and spread his hair out to look at the damage): let me see that…oh not very good, go outside I'll get some stuff to cure it

Julian smiled at her, she was so caring, she didn't see him smiling at her, she was too busy looking at the pile of mess asking herself, if she's the only one in this house that knows how to clean, she shakes her head in disbelieve as she searches for the medicine. Julian goes outside and sits down on a couch, Ruby was watching TV and eating popcorn, she saw Julian came out holding onto his head

Ruby (putting a handful of popcorn into her mouth): what happen to you Jock?

Julian (giving her the eye): my names Julian

Ruby (turns to watch TV again): whatever Jock

Julian: for your information, I was just hurt by a pile of your stuff which fell out from your closet

Ruby (turns to look at him): not possible

Julian (moves in on her): I got the wound to prove it, wanna see?

Ruby (throws a kick at him): I bet you were in Annie's room

Julian (sits back down in his seat): how would you know you weren't there to see

Ruby (laughs): cos I never put anything in the closet, there all on the floor

Julian is shoot back from that remark, so there's another girl who is just as bad as this one living here. His going to die for sure, he only met this one for an hour and he has a black eye and a cut in the head, he won't survive with two malicious women, lucky there was still Bondy, sweet caring Bondy.

Bondy (caring a small bottle): come here I'll put this on for you

Julian came over and laid his head on her lap when she sat down at the other end of the couch, Bondy started rubbing the lotion on him, Ruby watches on

Ruby (gagging): get lost, your making me feel sick with all this tenderness stuff

Julian sticks his tongue out at her, Bondy blushes, she quickly gets up and went back into the room, and Julian looks after her, cursing Ruby silently

Ruby (looks at him): just go after her would you, your never get anywhere like that, you can't expect me to beat you up everyday just so she can take care of you

Julian: who said I needed your help?

Ruby: come on, like I don't know, you don't know anything about her, how are you going to woo her? You have to show her that you care for her

Julian looks at her with a look of gratitude, the girl is human after all, he runs into the room

Ruby (calling Julian back): hey wait, I better tell you first, Annie don't like strangers, especially guys who won't pay the rent, so you better be careful around her

Julian: she can't be any worse then you

Ruby (laughs): I'm the nicest of the three

Julian (laughs back): yeah really nice (pointing to his eye which as now swollen as big as a tomatoes) as nice as this right?

Ruby (looks at him with the evil eye): I was only trying to warn you, suit yourself then, if you get on her nerves not even Bondy can protect you

Julian ignores her and went into the room. Bondy wasn't anywhere in the room, he went deeper in, he saw a door was slightly open, he peeped in, his jaws was practically dropped when he saw her, she was changing into her pyjamas, he could see her bare back, it was the nicest back he ever saw, with the nicest skin, the nicest curves, the nicest scar, wait a minute, she has a scare? He thought to himself, he looked in again, yes it was a scar a very big one to, it was about two and a half inch long or wide, he was never really good with words, well to anyone that wasn't a woman anyway. The scar was hidden away near her armpit, around 10 cm down, it was very faint, but he always had a good eye for women so it was very clear to him. She put on her top; he turned back around and lay down on the bed, wondering where she got her scar.

Bondy came out of the bathroom, she saw Julian lying on the bed, she came up to see if he was sleeping or not, his eyes were closed so she guessed he must be sleeping. His blanket wasn't covering him, so she bent down to pull it from under him, Julian wasn't asleep, when she bent down close to him, he could smell her perfume, she smelt so good, he wanted so badly to kiss her. He half open his eye just to catch her neck, he was shock to find that she had another scar on her shoulder, around 3 cm from her neck, this one was very very faint, if they didn't look as closely as Julian does, no one would see it. Bondy finishes tucking Julian in, she stands up to look at him, there was something on his face, she couldn't make out what it was so she bent down to look closer, it was just his beard starting to grow

Bondy (laughing silently, whispering): your like a child, I don't know how you can grow a beard, you'll probably look like a clown, a very hansom clown that is

She smiles to herself, then walk out the door closing the light after her. Julian smiles, she thought he was hansom, that wasn't a big shock to him or anything, hey is was truly hansom, he wasn't up himself or anything like that, oh no, no, no, no, he was just a person who could tell when he sees something beautiful, like himself and Bondy. He listens closely to the conversation the two girls are having outside, his not the sort of person who eavesdrop on others, no, he was just…getting to know her better, her physically he had already done, half way anyway, now he had to know her emotionally.

[Linda]

Chapter IV
Nice to meet you

Bondy left the room and went into the living room, Ruby was sitting on the couch, she was watching one of those romantic films on TV, Bondy came and sat down on the couch to the left.

Ruby (closing the TV): is the kid asleep?

Bondy (seating down): yeah, his such a child

Ruby: a cute child

Bondy: oh really, I didn't notice

Ruby: yeah right, admit it you like him

Bondy: I don't

Ruby: he likes you, you know that?

Ruby (after a while Bondy didn't answer): almost every guy you meet likes you, can't you just like one back for once, this one's not so bad, a little weak, but hey, who could go up against me

Bondy (looks at her feet): I don't know I'm just not comfortable with mens

Ruby: why did you let him stay then?

Bondy: Flang made me, I couldn't say no

Ruby: you gave him your room, you didn't have to go that far, just make him sleep out here

Bondy: do you want to see him every night when you wake up for the toilet or to have a midnight snack?

Ruby (protesting): I so do not have midnight snacks

Bondy: oh admit it Ruby, I hear you every night, and you and Annie always leave a mess behind no matter how hard you try to clean it, you two aren't the sort of cleaning people

Julian was in the room, now he knows that this is Bondy's room, no wonder it was so clean, and nice, and it smells nice to, it looks nice to, and it surely feels nice, what a nice room. What's wrong with him? Why is he using the word nice so much, lets see, he remembered his teacher teaching him another word for nice what was it…finicky that's it, he loved that word it sounded so wordy, is that even a word? Who cares it sounded good that was the main idea. He tried to listen back in on the conversation, the girls weren't talking about him and Bondy anymore, they were taking about Ruby now, oh great, now he has to listen to that wicked girl talk, his eye still hurts from her punch, but boy can she punch.

Ruby: I met a guy named Bowie today, his really nice, his a doctor at the police station, we went out for lunch, he was really nice

Bondy (seems interested): how was it?

Ruby (laughing): he was such a klutz, first he spilled orange juice over me, then he spilled water, then he spilled his lunch, all over me offcourse

Bondy (laughing): so he spilled everything over you?

Ruby (shakes her head): it was a miracle; he didn't spill my lunch over me. But he was so nice, I could tell that he was nervous, he was stuttering when I asked him about himself

Bondy: what about him did he mention?

Ruby: well, it was a very, very short list. He lives with his mother, his 30, never married, and is very nice and caring

Bondy: is there going to be any chemistry at all?

Ruby (smiles to herself): I'm not sure, I like him a little right now, I don't know about the future though…maybe…I'm hoping yes

Bondy (being concern): I thought you weren't into guys who wants to get married, I don't want you to get into any more of those situation, you know what I mean?

Ruby (looking sad): I know, I didn’t really mean to hurt him, it's just…I just couldn’t do it, I tired really hard to accept it but I couldn't, what's wrong with me Bondy?

Bondy (sigh): I'm sorry Ruby, I didn't mean to upset you or put you down, this guy seems like a very nice guy, judging from your words he seems to be looking for a companion who is willing to spend the rest of his life with. If you aren't going to make the commitment like last time, I advise you not to pursue this relationship any further

Ruby looked down, she knew Bondy was right, like always, she remembered last time, she was very in love with this guy, and his name was Vincent Jiao, she was three words away from being Mrs. Jiao, but she still couldn’t bring herself to do it, all she could say was I’m sorry, then left him standing at the alter. His happily married now with a wife who is very in love with him.

Ruby: hey, when are you going to tell Annie about the Kid?

Bondy (suddenly remembers the burden place on her): when she gets back, I’ll tell her

Ruby (lying back down on the couch): ok, but its not going to be nice, oh did I tell you I met Dicky Cheung today?

Bondy (surprised): the TV host?

Ruby: yep, he was such a…

Bondy (interrupts): don’t swear

Ruby: fine, a jerk then. I was waiting for the bus, then this guy jumps out and opens this coat, I didn’t see anything, but you remember what Carina told us, she told us that when ever that happens just laugh and say it was small, that’s what I did.

Bondy (laughs out loud): I feel so sorry for that guy

Ruby (feels betrayed): hey, I’m your friend here. Anyway then a second guy jumps out and does the same thing. I knew one trick couldn’t be used on two dogs, so I whacked him there with my purse

Bondy (surprised): oh my god is he ok?

Ruby: of coures not, anyway then a third guy jumps out…

Bondy: why so man guys?

Ruby: can I finish my story? (Looks at Bondy, she zips up her mouth) thank you. I didn’t even look at him, but he kept trying to show me. I was going to tell him off when Dicky Cheung ran out with a microphone and told me I have been selected to star in the show Human Nature and it’s faults or something like that

Bondy (smiles): so what did you do?

Ruby (feeling proud of herself): what else would I do, I punched him then left

Bondy: like you punched Julian

Ruby: yeah, I have to say all day I keep meeting jerks and jocks, only Bowie and Hector was nice

Bondy (getting confuse on all the guys Ruby met, there was just too many to remember): who’s Hector again?

Ruby: Hector Wong, his a cop, a real good one too. They say any case that comes to his hand will be solved in one week

Bondy: rumour, can’t be that fast

Ruby: but it is, I met the guy, very cute to, but his not my type

Just then the door open, Annie came in, looking quite tired and down, she came over and sat down on the couch, Ruby had get up to let Annie sit

Annie: hey girls

Bondy: you look down

Ruby: you look dead

Annie: you're no better yourself

Ruby: I see you not tired enough to lose your sense of humour

Bondy: what’s wrong Annie?

Annie: it’s Gilbert, something happened to him

Bondy & Ruby: what?

Annie: that’s the point, I don’t know, couldn’t find him, he was acting so weird today, it was like he was saying his good-byes to me. Then he left, I haven’t been able to find him since then

Bondy: don’t worry Annie; I’m sure he’ll be ok

Ruby: yeah, and if his not, you can always find a richer boyfriend

Annie: f…

Bondy (interrupts again): don’t swear Annie

Annie (signs): I hope his ok, I don’t know what I’ll do if his not

Ruby (trying to be more sensible for a change): if anything happens, you’ll know I’ll always be there with you. (Her tones starts to be more dramatic) Through thick and thin, from the day we are young till we grow old, I’ll never let you go through harsh time alone, if anything bad may happen to you, I wish and hope with all my might that it’ll happen to me instead. And if…

Annie (looks at Ruby in disbelief): SHUT UP!!!

Bondy (surprised she didn’t reacted fast enough): ANNIE!!! Don’t swear

Ruby (pretending to be hurt): yeah, I was so nice to you, how could you (starts to sob)

Annie: get off it will ya, (to Bondy) did you hear what she said? She was full on going in to all this dramatic lines like I was about to die or something

Ruby (laughing): I saw it on “My Lover and I” (fake name of film)

Annie (hits Ruby on the head lightly): I am not your lover

Annie (stops for awhile while Ruby tries to stop laughing): your mental you know that?

Ruby (scratches her head): Carina always told me I had a happy nature

Annie (looks at Bondy): speaking of Carina, she called me this morning

Ruby (jumps up): yeah I forgot she called me too

Bondy: what about?

Annie (in a low voice): your father

Bondy (not caring): what about him?

Ruby: we know you know, Carina told us she sent you a letter telling you about it, she didn’t want to say it to you though, she was afraid you won’t be happy

Bondy (in a cold tone that could have frozen any love birds): so what

Annie: are you going to see him?

Bondy (very confident): NO

Ruby (starting to get concern): Bondy, it has been 14 years can’t you forgive him?

Bondy (starting to cry): NO!!! It may have been long, but I still remember it like it was yesterday

Annie: his bound to find you sooner or later, did you know how…

Bondy (shouting): I don’t care, I don’t want to talk about him

She couldn’t stop the tears form falling, she ran straight into Ruby’s room without looking back. Annie and Ruby looking in shock, Bondy was always the person who could control her feelings, she had never acted like this ever since they met her 14 years ago.

Ruby: you’ve done it now, she’s really mad

Annie (concerned): I didn’t mean it

Ruby: you’re always talking about money, could you stop being so money hungry for once

Annie (protesting): I’m not money hungry

Ruby (smiles and leans towards Annie): then why can’t you cook?

Annie: you know how much it cost to learn how to cook? I’m not paying that much to learn

Ruby (points at Annie, with a big smile on her face): you see, you see, we all know you’re a tight ***

Annie: I’m not a tight *** , just tight pockets and budget

Ruby (waves away the words): sure, sure, I believe you

Annie: I do (looks towards Bondy) why is Bondy in your room?

Ruby (scared to tell her, secretly cursing Bondy for leaving the job to her): um…she’ll tell you later

Annie (yawning): better tell me in the morning, I’m so tired, I’m going to bed

Ruby (switches on the TV): yeah, night

Annie (walks into her room): night

Bondy was sitting in her room, the image of her father flashed back in her mind, she hated him, no matter what she does she could not get the image of him torturing her out of her mind. She hated men’s, they only know how to hurt her, they couldn’t do anything right, they only know how to hurt people. She was so angry, she needed to cool off, she got into to the bathroom and splashed water all over her face, she looked at herself in the mirror. She hated the way she looked, she looked so much like him without the glasses, she didn’t really needed glasses, she just didn’t want to remember him when ever she looks at herself, she tried to hard to forget him, but she couldn’t. Her face reminded her of him, her eyes, her nose, her mouth, why did she have to look like him? She hates him, why? Why? She heard Annie’s door closed, she sighed, she wiped her face then put her glasses back on, her father disappeared again, she was now just another not so good looking girl, she was glad. Everyone said he was hansom, that she looked exactly like him, she got her looks from him, no she didn’t wanted to be pretty, he was ugly inside out.

Bondy (walking out to the bed, she started to lay all the blankets down on the bed): Ruby!

Ruby (outside): what?

Bondy: come to bed

Ruby (winches): but I want to finish watching “My Lover and I”

Bondy (shouting from the room): go to bed Ruby

Ruby turns off the TV and went to bed, still cursing Bondy for being so bossy; she’s a grown woman she can go to sleep whenever she wants

Bondy (hearing Ruby whispering to herself): what did you say?

Ruby (scared): um…I…um…I was saying what a nice person you are, always taking care of me

Bondy (knows she’s lying): yeah right

The house plunged into darkness there was no sound. Julian laid on the bed, thinking to himself, Annie sounds nice, not like that wicked witch had said. He looked at the clock on the table, 2 hours had pass since the 3 girls went to bed, they must be sleeping tightly now, he wished he could sleep, he wasn't used to sleeping in an unfamiliar bed. He looked at the clock, noticing he was wearing his watch, he wondered why he still had to look at the clock then? It didn't matter now anyway, he took of his watch and placed it down on the table, being as careless as he is the only thing he managed from that was a big thump on his way down from the floor

Julian (angrily and loudly): SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

He got up and tried to sort himself out, he felt thirsty, the whole day he hadn't had anything to eat or drink, and neither did Bondy. After they left World Wild Sports Centre, Bondy took him to see the stock market, she spent all day there then they came back here. God was he thirsty, he opened the door and stepped out into the dark room, it smelled sweet, are all girls houses smelled this good? He remembered that Bondy had sprayed some fragrance just before she went to bed.

He slowly walked over to the kitchen, the house was cold, he was only wearing a thin black sweater and black pants, it wasn't enough to keep him warm, he silently curse himself for not putting more clothes on before he left the room. After awhile of looking for the switched, he turned to cursing the architects of the house, for putting the switch somewhere he couldn't see. He walked slowly over to the counter, trying not to make a noise, he felt something behind him, he turned around just in time to see a black object where he could just identify as a bat come flying down on his face, he was shot back. He saw the bat come flying towards him again, he tried to move out of the way but it was no used, he couldn't see the enemy, he had no protection

Julian (trying to scream as loud as he could): HELP!!!

Person (trying to scream louder then him): ROBBER!!!

Julian tried to run, but he didn't know his way around the house, he tripped on something on the floor and came crashing down to the ground, the soon-to-be murderer charged towards him with the bat, just then the lights came on, as two shadows emerged from the rooms to pull that person back. Then he heard laughter, he looked up at the 3 pretty faces of Bondy, Ruby and an unfamiliar girl, who he recognised the voice to be Annie. Annie was standing there with the bat in hand; she was ready to attack him when the order is given. Bondy and Ruby was standing beside her laughing, the sight of him, a tall strong athlete being beaten by a petite weak girl like Annie must have been the most amusing scene they had seen. Bondy moved over to help him up

Annie (confused): why are you helping him up? Call the cops

Ruby (trying to take the phone of Annie): his a friend of Bondy his going to be staying her a couple of nights

Annie (stunned by the news): WHAT?

Ruby (joking): that’s what I said too

Bondy (checking over the fragile Julian): Flang asked me to let him stay here until he can find a house to stay

Annie: how come I wasn't informed?

Bondy (trying to give her best innocent face as possible): I tried to but first you made me angry then you went to bed so I couldn't

Annie: that’s the lousiest excuse I heard

Bondy: I thought it holds together quite nicely, don't you Ruby?

Ruby (trying to frustrate Annie): oh yes, it’s a very good excuse maybe you should sell it

Bondy: I think I should

Annie: hey, I'm not joking here (turns to the half dead Julian) what were you sneaking around for?

Julian (trying to not show his pain): I wasn't sneaking around

Annie: I heard a big thump in Bondy's room, and Bondy wasn't sleeping in her room so I came out, then I saw you creeping around the house looking for something

Julian (realising that the room next to Bondy's room is Annie's room): I fell on the floor, so I came out to get a drink, I couldn't find the light switched so I was searching for it, until you attacked me

Bondy (knowing it was all a misunderstanding): ok, then it’s all solve now lets go back to bed

Julian (holds Bondy's hand to pull her back): what about me? I'm hurt

Ruby (teases): what about me, I'm hurt, god, don't be such a baby

Julian: I'm not a baby

Ruby: what ever

Bondy: ok, you guys go to bed first, I'll take care of this

Annie drops the bat onto the couch and follows Ruby back to bed, Bondy goes to get some more lotion to rub for Julian for the second time today. First he was beaten by Ruby, now Annie, he was like a punching bag, made to be tortured. Julian took the bat in hand, it was quite heavy, it was a baseball bat, made out of metal, and he almost cried remembering how much it hurt when it came down on him. Bondy came out with the lotion, motioned him to lie down, she pulled up his shirt to reveal his broad shoulders and masculine chest, her heart beats faster, it was the first time she saw a mans chest besides him, she wasn't sure what she was feeling but it felt good. Julian watched her closely, wondering how such a nice girl like her could make friends with aggressive violent wildcats like Ruby and Annie.

Julian (looking at the bat): hey Bondy, who plays baseball in this house?

Bondy (rubbing the lotion on him): why do you ask?

Julian (pointing at the bat): because of that

Bondy (looking at the bat): oh, no one plays baseball, that’s Ruby's

Julian (agreeing, only Ruby could be so ferocious enough to purchase such a hard bat): does she play baseball?

Bondy: no

Julian (puzzled): then why does she have a bat?

Bondy: Ruby says that we're all girls so we must always have a weapon in the house to fight of any robbers and bad guys

Julian: I'm not a robber

Bondy (laughs as she gets up from her seat): well you were sneaking around, and I didn't tell her about you so she thought you were a robber

Julian (sits up): why didn't you tell her about me?

Bondy (turns away from him): well…I guess I wasn't very happy at that time so I kind of forgot

Julian gets up, he comes behind her, his hands snaked around her waist, Bondy shivered, she pushed him out and looked at him with confused eyes.

Bondy: why did you do that?

Julian: I don't understand, don't you like me?

Bondy: I…I just think we're moving to fast

Julian: ok, what ever you say, I'll wait till you're ready, ok?

Bondy looked at him, she gave him a grateful smile then went back to Ruby's bedroom, noticing that Ruby and Annie had been looking in on the whole situation, when they saw her came in their just stuck out their tongues as if they hadn't done anything wrong. Julian went back to bed, as soon as he laid down he was about to scream, the pain was so overwhelming that he was sure Annie had broke at least 6 bones in his body.

Julian (to himself): and I thought she was a nice girl, what a destructive girl she turned out to be, shit, why are girls so violent and strong now days, not like in Taiwan the girls are much nicer

From the flight from Taiwan to Hong Kong, the travelling around the city, and getting beaten up by two girls, his body couldn't take anymore pressure, he felt really tired, his eyes started to close, it wasn't long until he fell into a deep sleep. He dreamt of Bondy and him holding hands walking off into the sunset, and then suddenly another hand appeared from nowhere and graphed her hand. That guy pulled Bondy away from him, they ran into the sunset without him, he tried very hard to catch up, but when he got a little closer, they disappeared, then reappear somewhere very far away from him. He woke up with a jerk, he was sweating from head to toe, and he didn't understand why he could have liked a girl whom he only met a day ago so much? Was it love? He needed to talk to someone; he had to call his mom right away. He got up quickly, he almost fainted when the awful smell of burning plastic filled the air, was it world war three? He stepped out into the living room, Bondy and Ruby were dressed properly ready for work, Annie was no where to be found. Bondy saw him come out first

Bondy (still reading the morning paper): I bought you a toothbrush and some toiletries, go clean yourself before coming for breakfast

Julian nodded he went into the bathroom, it was a very nice and clean bathroom, he wondered who cleans the house, since all three of them work late. He brushed his teeth and came out and sat down on a chair next to Bondy. In front of him was a plate of god knows what, he almost gagged when he saw it let alone eat it, Ruby was watching his expression very carefully, she laughed when she saw how disgusted he was when he saw the food. Bondy didn't know what happen, she was afraid that Ruby may be up to something with Julian, Ruby never did get along with any guy who happens to be a friend of a friend, unless it was her friend, kind of confusing but its true for some odd reason.

Bondy (hoping that Ruby wasn't scheming against the poor guy): what is it Ruby?

Ruby (trying to stop laughing): did you see how he reacted?

Bondy smiled, Julian blushed, Annie came out from the kitchen carrying another plate with her on it was toast and scrambled eggs, properly the only things that she knows how to make, anyway, the scrambled eggs are really scrambled, if there was ever a contest for scrambled eggs Annie will sure win it.

The four tried to eat as much as possible, but it wasn't before long until the all decided to eat at work. Ruby left for work first, then Bondy and Julian, Annie stayed behind and clean up then left for work, since she worked at the TV station, she wasn't expected to be early by everyone except one person, but she didn't care, she had to stop by Gilberts house first to find him. Yesterday Dicky couldn't find him at work, she was getting very worried, she needed to know how he was, she couldn't bear thinking something bad had happen to him. After washing up the dishes and dumping the rest of the so-called 'food' she had managed to cook up she left for Gilberts house.

[Linda]

Chapter IX
Friends?

The three guys came over, Bondy, Ruby and Annie was disappointed, they had hope that those guys would be ugly, but no, guy one was gorgeous with a capital G. guy one was very muscular and tall and cute, he stood next to Michelle looking at them, he was as surprised at them as they were at him, he never knew he could meet so many beautiful girls at a restaurant. Guy two was rather old; he wore a long neck sweater with made him look like a turtle, but he was so adorable you would want to pinch his cheeks at the sight of him. Guy three made Bondy, Ruby and Annie almost faint, oh yes he was cute, very cute, tremendously cute, he stood next to Yvonne, leaving Rita with guy two.

Guy one (holds out his hand to Bondy, then one after another): hello, my name is Marco Ngai

Guy two (shakes Bondy's hand after Marco, then follows on): Bobby Au Yeung

Guy three (does the same thing): Sunny Chan

Bondy (shakes their hand): Bondy Chiu

Julian (shakes their hands): Julian Lam

Ruby (shakes their hands): Ruby Lin

Dicky (shakes their hands): Dicky Cheung

Annie (shakes their hands): Annie Man

Hector (shakes their hands): Hector Wong

Michelle (links arm with Marco): Hector here is a cop

Marco (surprised): really? That makes us colleagues

Hector (smiles): I could tell you do have a very masculine body

Marco: thanks you're in great shape too

Hector (pulls Ruby over): Ruby here also is a cop, but she's what we call a negotiation specialist, she mostly deals with cases, which have hostages, or some form of links and communication between districts and countries (fake job, made it up out of the blue, please don't question me about it)

Marco (laughs): I see, we're getting one of those too, she's going to be transfer over soon

Ruby: hey you two stop boring others with this silly cop business

The manager walks over with two waiters; the waiters pulled another table for six over to join with the other one

Manager (rather angered at this bunch by now, they keep disturbing the peace): could you please sit down, you are disturbing others

The twelve sat down, each one with their man next to them, Bondy, Ruby, Annie and their men's on one side, the others one the other.

Bobby (smiling to Bondy): what do you do?

Bondy (grinning): I work at the World Wide Sports Centre; I'm a stock taker

Sunny (taking interest): my you properly make heaps

Bondy (shakes her head): no not really, what do you do?

Sunny (fixing up his jacket): I work for my father at Chan Enterprises

Ruby (suddenly thought of something after that remark): doesn't this restaurant belong to Chan Enterprises?

Sunny (nodding): yes, yes it does

Annie (raising an eyebrow, as Michelle holds her head up high): that means that you’re the boss here (Sunny nods) then you must be related to the owner here

Sunny (remembers who the owner is): oh you mean Benny? His my younger brother (to Annie) what do you do?

Annie (astonished at the news, but still managers to answer in a low tone): I work as prop organiser at SCS Studios (brightening up) Dicky is too his also a show host

Bobby (to Julian): what about you?

Julian (smiles, thinking his the only gifted one here): I'm an athlete at the World Wide Sports Centre and part time model, my working name is James Romeo

Everyone except Bondy gasped, no one realised he was the famous "James Romeo", the number one Chinese model and is also the current record holder for the 100 - 400 meters sprint in Asia (fake, fake, fake, fake, fake, this is a fiction story).

Bobby (startled): you don't look like in the pictures?

Julian (smiles): well I guess it's because of all the make up, and I don't want to be recognised so I do try to hide it, that's also why I changed my name to James Romeo, what about you Bobby?

Bobby (smiles): I work at Chan Enterprises; I'm Sunny's uncle

Julian (looks at him puzzled): how come your last name is Au Yeung?

Bobby (feeling very uncomfortable with the question): my mother is Sunny's father's aunty-in-law, after Sunny's uncle died, she remarried and had me

Hector (to Michelle, Rita and Yvonne): so what do you girls do?

Michelle: I work at Chan Enterprises; I'm also a Chief stock taker

Rita: I also work for Chan Enterprises; I'm the Chief Internal Negotiation

Yvonne: I work for Chan Enterprises too; I'm the Chief Stock distributor

Dicky (surprised): you all work for Chan Enterprises? Is that how you guys met? But Marco doesn't seem to work there

Sunny (smiles): Marco is my best friend, he came one day and met Michelle

Bobby (smiles): so how did you girls meet each other?

The girls looked at each other

Bondy (looking around at the girls as if asking for approval): we met in uni, Michelle and I did the same course, Rita and Ruby did the same course, Yvonne and Annie did the same course

Bobby (feeling that it was a question which needed to be ask due to the girls attitude towards each other): so how long have you been friends?

The girls burst out laughing, friends? Did he just say friends? They practically hated each other since the day they first met.

Michelle (looking at Annie in a mocking voice): well lets see I don’t really remember do you Annie?

Annie (with a 'huh' she looked away): I rather not think of it

Rita (with a bitter voice): I don’t remember either

Ruby (in a loud angered voice): why hide it? (To the guys) we are mortal enemies if you have to know

Yvonne (gives Ruby the deadly stare): trust you to tattle

Ruby (retorting back): I see you haven't changed much either

Yvonne (not understanding): meaning?

Ruby (took a sip of her champagne): I took you for a smarter person I guess I was wrong then

Yvonne (shot back): you haven't changed either, all snobby

Annie (angered): hey you watch your mouth

Rita (just as angry): why should she? You're no better, you impolite freak

Bondy (in a sarcastic tone): like you would know how to be polite? You couldn't even tell your brain cells died along time ago

Michelle (furious tone): at least she's much better then you

Ruby (in attacking tone): like you're any better, your 'I'm to good' attitude got you far

Yvonne (bangs her hand on the table): what are you trying to say?

Annie (sitting back in her chair): don't try to hide it; we all know you three sleeps around to get your ways in uni

Rita (leaning forward towards Annie): you mistaken us for yourselves, who was the one who was practically begging Mr Giao to sleep with her?

Ruby (bangs her hand on the table): leave Vincent out of this

Michelle (takes a sip of her champagne): oh it's Vincent now? What happen to him now? Did you dump him for this creep (to Dicky) no offence

Dicky (not wanting to be involved): none taken

Bondy (almost raising from her seat): at least she has the guts to admit her love, not like someone who follows the guy around after school then goes and plays tricks on girls that he dates

Rita (puts her hand to her mouth): like you're very innocent, oh I'm sorry you're 'the virgin'; you were screaming your head off when the guy kissed you

Annie (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): you *****

Yvonne (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): snob

Ruby (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): ****

Michelle (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): cow

Bondy (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): pig

Rita (raising from her seat, voice raising louder then the person before them): fungus

The guys look at each other as the girls kept raving on, calling each other names. They had never seen these girls acted like this in their whole lives. The manager came over, he really had it now, this bunch had disturb the customers to many times

Manager (raving mad): excuse me, I'm sorry but I have to ask you to leave

The girls stop arguing and looked at him, the all got their purse looked at each other one last time, with a 'huh' then all six turned and left out the door. Leaving the guys sitting there, the guys paid for their parts of the meal then got up.

Hector (holds out his hand to Sunny): it was nice meeting you guys even if it didn't turn out right

Sunny (shakes Hectors hand): like wise

The guys shake hands

Dicky (remembering the meal turn to face the manager): what was the special?

Manager (looking at him angrily): that was English ****

Julian, Dicky, and Hector (feeling like puking): WHAT?

Sunny (laughing): I know what you mean; it was exactly the same when we ate it

Manager (angered): would you please leave

Voice (enraged): you can't do that to my brother

Everyone turns around, Benny was walking towards them

Manager (shocked): brother?

Benny (almost shouting): yes brother (pointing at Sunny) this is my brother Sunny Chan

Manager (stuttering): I'm sorry Mr Chan…I…I didn't know it was you…I…I…

Sunny (pats his brother on the back, smiling): it's ok, it was our fault, and I think we better find the girls quickly before another war begins

Bobby, Marco, Hector, Dicky and Julian nodded and then headed for the door.

Sunny (before leaving): Benny! Dad wants to talk to you, don't come home to late ok?

Benny (annoyed): fine, fine

After everyone leaves he turns to face the manager, the manager bows his head, thinking that he'll properly get fired now.

Benny (knowing its not really the managers fault he was only doing his job): it's ok, you're not fired, go back to work

The manager was relieved; he hurriedly goes back to work. Benny looks around for something to do, he hated working at the restaurant, he actually wanted to work somewhere where he could show his talent, and to get his father of that whole issue of…he couldn't even think of it, it irritated him so much thinking of it. Standing around for a while a waiter came to tell him that a customer found that their food was not properly cooked, and the manager was no where to be found so he had to take care of it. Rolling back his eyes he made his way over to the table, it was a table for four there was two men and two women, one pair was old and the other young. They were a pretty bunch, especially the girl; she was around 20, very tomboyish looking but had this feature about her that just made her so adorable. She was the prettiest in his eyes, why? Offcourse he wasn't gay he couldn't say that the guy was the prettiest!

Benny (being as polite as he could): what seems to be the problem?

Girl (pointing to the dishes on the table, it was 'the special' but half way in it was still unripe with blood still oozing out, in an half angry voice): your food is still raw

Benny (almost gagging at the sight): um…I'll change it for you

Old man (signalling the girl to be quiet, being very polite and nice): it's ok we were about to leave anyway could we have the bill please

Girl (shaking her fathers hand in a very childish way): no daddy, we couldn't even eat it why must we pay?

Old woman (pulling the girl to her side): don't be like that Tammie (real name Joyce), if it could be let go let it go, that’s the ancestors words we must respect and learn from it

Joyce (pouting her lips): but…but…

Guy (speaking up for the first time): Tammie could you just listen for once and don't make a fuss

Joyce (hugging her mum): mummy, Sammie's picking on me hu…hu…hu…

Frankie Lam sat there looking at his sister Joyce Lam, he couldn't believe how childish this girl was, she just graduated from university not to long ago came back to look for a job and she still acts as if she was a child at ten. His parents who was sitting there with them was always to loving of the girl to ever tell her off or punish her for anything. Joyce being the youngest of the three and also the only girl in the Lam line was so treasured by everyone that she had never been yelled or neglected by any member of the Lam family resulting in her being a pesky little baby. (NOTE: if anyone has watched Dragon Sabre and Heavenly Sword 2000, Joyce Tang stared in that, her character in here is much like to her character in DSHS 2000 before she married that guy, cute and adorable, by the way I'm talking about her second character who is the daughter of her first character, get me?)

Frankie's Father (looks at Frankie in a 'don't do that' way, then pats Joyce's head): don't cry baby, daddy will yell at Sammie for you (to Frankie) Sammie say sorry to your sister (seeing that he wasn't going to, in a smaller almost pleading tone when Joyce started to cry even more) please!

Frankie (finally giving in): fine, fine I'm sorry Tammie

Joyce (sitting back up wiping her tears away): that’s ok I forgive you (at Benny) following your motto if it's not eatable then we get it for free

Benny (not believing what he just saw, and his parents said they spoil him too much, this girl was spoiled a lot more then he was): consider this dinner paid for, and please feel free to having another champagne bottle for take away free

Frankie's Mum (waving her hands): oh no, we couldn’t do that

Joyce (pulls her mum's hand down): why couldn't we? (To Benny) thank you I think we'll be leaving now so could we have it now?

Benny (wanting to rip her annoying little head off): yes offcourse. Waiter! Bring me a bottle of champagne

The waiter left and came back with a seeled bottle of champagne, handing it to Benny he hands it to Frankie's father, Joyce takes it before her father could. Benny feeling that that was rather rude of Joyce but it also makes her look so young and immature and so damn attractive. After Joyce accepted the champagne bottle, Benny had no other reason to stay so he left to the management desk, he watched them carefully waiting for a chance to talk to Joyce, after a few minutes of packing up, Frankie and his parents left for the bathrooms leaving Joyce alone at the table, she got up and left the restaurant standing outside infront of the door. Benny seeing that this is his chance, runs out almost knocking a waiter over, he reaches her, straightening his hair, smoothing out his clothes he approaches her from behind, taps her on the shoulder.

Benny (as she turns around): hi, remember me?

Joyce (smiles mockingly): how could I, I only met you a few minutes ago

Benny (feeling stupid): oh yeah sorry stupid pick up line

Joyce (nodding her head): pick up line huh?

Benny (starting to panic): no, no... I mean if that's ok with you

Joyce (rubbing her chin): well lets see, you haven't really introduce yourself yet

Benny (shaking her hand without her consent): hi I'm Benny Chan, 26 years of age, graduated from Hung Sing University of Performing Arts, still single, likes to sing, act, going out with my soon to be girlfriend and is very nice and kind, my family consist of myself, my parents and an older brother and you are?

Joyce (laughing): my name is Joyce Lam, 21 years of age, newly graduate of Law Enforces University in England, still single, likes to do anything that makes me happy, and likes to have a boyfriend that listens and respect to me and treats me like a pearl, my family consist of me, my parents and two older brothers who are twins

Benny (seizing the opportunity): did I tell you that I treat my girlfriends like gods?

Joyce (pulling her hand out as she laughs even harder): no, you're funny

Benny (eyeing her): does that mean I have a date?

Joyce (twisting and turning as she stands): we'll see

Benny (taking a pen out): then could I have your number?

Joyce (pretending to think): I don't know, you may be a bad guy

Benny (pretending to be shocked): me? Bad guy? Look at me, who could I be a bad guy? (Seeing that Joyce still wants to play hard to get, in a pleading voice) please can I have your number, please?

Joyce (smiling, in one long breath): fine that's if you can get it all down, (fake number don't anyone call) 0149 025 845

Benny (trying to write the number down): could you repeat that I only got up to 0149 025 8 then didn't get the last two numbers

Joyce (smiling childishly): that's your fault I gave you my number you just didn't listen carefully enough (seeing that her family is coming out) you better go now or my brother is going to kill you

Benny wanting to say more but she already pushed him away, rang over and linked arms with her parents then left to the parking lot. Benny stands there watching, she was cute, that's all he could say, he returned to the restaurant an hour later he left for home, already knowing how he was going to contact this girl.

********************************
Joyce and her family entered the car and drove out, she was sitting next to her mum in the back seat, Frankie was driving and her father sat next to him in the passenger seat.

Frankie (not being able to hold it in any longer): Tammie! Who was that guy talking to you?

Joyce (looking at her parents who where staring at her waiting for the answer): he was the waiter at the restaurant

Frankie (not believing her): what where you and that waiter talking about?

Frankie's Dad (from now on he would be related to as FJD standing for Frankie's Joyce's Dad, and their Mother FJM, M standing for mother): yes Tammie, what were you talking about? He seemed very happy talking to you

Joyce (knowing that she won't be able to hide it from her over protective brother who thinks she's a pesky little baby, that's why he never lets her have a boyfriend, wait till she tell him she's not a virgin, lets see how he'll react. What's wrong with not being a virgin anyway? It's the 21st century women and men's these days don't take that seriously anymore): if you must know he asked me out

Frankie (shouting): see I knew it, not only 1 day back and you already have a date

FJM (hugging her daughter who was 'obviously' to her was about to cry from her brother's shouting): Tammie, if you are going to become serious with anyone, bring him home first so we could see him (to Frankie, after hearing a squeak of protest) Sammie! Don't be like that; your sister has the right to look for a boyfriend too

Joyce (sticking her tongue out at him, he could see it in the mirror): yeah, oh and who was that girl you were talking to?

FJD (remembering Bondy): oh yes I forgot, why didn't you bring your girlfriend home Sammie?

FJM and Joyce (gasped): girlfriend? I didn't' know you have a girlfriend

FJM (to FJD): how did you know?

FJD (smiling, punched his son on the arm): this little rascal was talking to her at the restaurant while I was going to the toilet; he wouldn't bring her over to say hi

FJM (to Frankie): Sammie, why didn't you introduce us?

Frankie (going nuts): you're driving me crazy here, I told dad lots of times that we weren't boyfriend girlfriend, we're not even dating

FJD (smiling): you don't have to hide it from us son, you were practically drooling over her, and I have to say she is very nice and beautiful too

FJM (leaning forward to touch her sons head from the back): you bring her home for dinner soon ok?

Frankie (annoyed): for goodness sakes, she's not my girlfriend, I only met the girl 3 days ago, we haven't even talk much, I'm her...she's my...we're...

Not wanting to say the truth, he started to stumble over his words; his family took it that he couldn't come up with an excuse to cover his tracks in time that's why he was stumbling.

Joyce (clapping her hands): wait till I tell Jamie about this

Frankie has a twin, but being born over six minutes earlier, he became eldest brother, where as his twin became second brother, Joyce who was 6 years younger, making Frankie 27 years of age, was baby sister. The three was given a home name, which was always used instead of their real names, Frankie was named Sammie, his twin named Jamie, and Joyce named Tammie, why? Because their mums likes using pet names rather then formal names, her name is Mei, pronounced as Mie by her father who had a lip so everyone called her that, so when FJD gave pet names to his children he used his wife's name. Sam being the name of his father-in-law, James being the name of his father, and Tam being his dead sister, adding an 'ie' to the end of each name.

FJM (smiling happily): did I tell you that Jamie has a girlfriend?

FJD, Frankie and Joyce (looking at her, except for Frankie who only looked at her through he reflection mirror cause he was driving): when?

FJM (smiling): he called me a few days ago and told me he has a girlfriend and they're getting married soon

Frankie (thinking): you sure you didn't over exaggerate?

Joyce (thinking it over too): yeah mum, I mean Jamie is know to be a lady killer, since when did he ever want to marry so early

FJD (also not believing): the kids a right honey, Jamie isn't that kind of person, did you hear wrong?

FJM (pretending to be angry): fine if that's how you see it

Frankie (feeling sorry for his mum): well it could be true, if he was really in love with the girl

FJM (leaning forward): yes it's true, he told me himself that he was in love with the girl

Joyce (laughing): he tells me every week that his in love with a girl, and they're all different every time

FJD (thinking): I hope his serious this time, I'm getting to old, I want to have a grandchild soon (to Joyce) but not from you honey, yours I can wait (to Frankie) but Sammie, your the eldest, you should be the first to get married

Frankie: only by 6 minutes

FJM (rubs his head): it still counts honey

Joyce (joking): yeah you better give me a niece soon, I'm tired of being the only girl in our family

Frankie (laughing): yeah right

FJM (claming her hands together): ok lets do it this way, by the end of this month I want you all to bring home a prospect companion (to Joyce) not you honey, I can wait for yours

Joyce (pouting her lips): not me again? Why is it never me? Why am I always excluded?

Frankie: you're to young

Joyce: I'm 21

Frankie: with a brain of a 10 year old

Joyce (to FJD): daddy! Sammie...

FJD: your brother's right baby

FJM: your still to young to be looking for a companion now

Joyce leans back hard in her seat, its not fair, most girls her age have had a series of boyfriend, not like she hasn't been around the block, its just that all her boyfriends were always hidden, her family knew that she went on dates, just not that she had boyfriends and went all the way with a few of them.

Joyce (remembering Jamie): why didn't Jamie come pick me up?

FJM (smoothing her daughters her straight): Jamie is a work; he doesn't even know your coming back today

FJD (smiling): he doesn't even know your mother and I are in Hong Kong, he thinks we're still back in Singapore

Frankie (to FJM): mum, why didn't you tell him to come live with us? He could sleep in the same room as me

FJM (shaking her head): he wouldn't, he wanted to have some alone time with his fiancée

Joyce (pouting her lips): his mean

FJD: his working on his task

Frankie, FJM and Joyce (curious): what task?

FJD (laughing, then looking at Frankie): producing the third generation like you should be doing (to Joyce) but not…

Joyce (cutting in): I know I know, but not me right? Mine you can wait for

FJD (laughing): that's a good girl

[Linda]

Chapter V
The Murder and The Mom

Ruby was waiting for the bus at the bus stop, everyone their was looking at her, properly from yesterday, she cursed Dicky Cheung for making her a walking joke. She boarded the bus, nothing unusual happened on the way, such a nice day, she decided that she was going to use Julian in the plot against Bondy not Steven anymore, why? Julian had feelings for Bondy, and Bondy seems (from last night) had feelings for the guy too. She got off the bus and entered the police station; it seems quiet today, not the usual screams and shout, pleas for not being guilty and all that stuff by victims of prosecution. Kristy, girls she worked with in the police station came running towards her, she looked very worried

Kristy (trying to catch her breath): did you hear what happen?

Ruby: what?

Kristy: you know Hector Wong?

Ruby: heard of him

Kristy: his undercover guy was discovered, the guy is missing since yesterday, he didn’t report back

Ruby: so?

Kristy: so that means that he’ll need a new person

Ruby: and?

Kristy: so guess who is going to take it?

Ruby: who?

Kristy: I don’t know

Ruby: why did you tell me then if you didn’t know?

Kristy: their choosing now

Ruby: lets go watch first

Kristy: that’s why I came to tell you

Ruby: so lets go already

The two girls ran towards the meeting room, since they were ‘negotiators’ they had unlimited access to anywhere in the police stations except for personal office, and the evidence chamber. The two girls reached the meeting room just in time to here Hector Wong retelling the case, he saw the girls and smiled, they smiled back

Kristy: I think he likes you

Ruby: I don’t think so, I’m not his type, his not my type either

Kristy: don’t you think his cute?

Ruby (measures his height with her hand): to bad his too short

Kristy (laughing then suddenly remembers something): you’re no taller, hey, you know who’ll fit with him?

Ruby (interested): who?

Kristy: Bondy or Annie

Ruby (shakes her head): Bondy won’t like his sort of guys either, I heard his real playboy, and Bondy is the serious type

Kristy (disappointed): what about Annie?

Ruby: definitely not, Annie has a boyfriend his name is Gilbert, shsss…here he comes

Hector walked over to them, he was looking quite pale, he wasn’t happy

Kristy: hey boy, why so down?

Hector: if that guy doesn’t turn up in 3 hours he will be officially missing

Ruby (not caring): so?

Hector: so then I have to tell his girlfriend his missing

Ruby (still not caring): and?

Hector (disappointed in Ruby's attitude): am I wrong or were you born a heartless arrogant girl? Nope, I guess you are

Ruby (insulted): HEY!!!

Kristy (trying to break the happy pair): hey you guys stop arguing. Hector did you chose someone to go undercover yet?

Hector (surprised): how did you know about that?

Ruby: its no big secret everyone in the police station knows about it

Hector: well, now that Ruby Lin knows about it the whole world will soon too

Ruby (being insulted for the second time in a short period): HEY!!!

Hector (puts his hands up to surrender): ok, ok, I give up, anyways, if you girls can help me with this case I'll treat you both to dinner

Ruby & Kristy (thinking of all the food): what?

Hector (shaking his head): I don't believe you girls, how can you love food so much?

Ruby (laughing): well if you lived in my house, where Annie does all the cooking then you'll know why

Hector: who's Annie again? I seem to forget

Kristy: she's Ruby's housemate and best friend

Hector: this shortie actually has a best friend?

Ruby: hey whom are you calling short shortie?

Hector (gets on his tippee toes, trying to get as tall as possible): at least I'm still taller then you

Kristy: didn't you say something about a case?

Hector (remembering): yes, I almost forgot, come in here

He leads them to a small room packed away nicely so no one could interrupt them. Hector is the leader of Mysterious Murderess; he looks after any suspicious murder cases that can't be solved. Ruby works as and interpreter and translator for the police department, but she is also a private investigator, as like Kristy (don't work on a team, kind of move around). Hector sits on the chair, next to him is an overhead, he places a picture on it. The picture shows the body of a middle aged woman, she was naked, properly had been raped then murdered, her body laid flat on her back, her legs and arms spread wide open, there was a deep cut from her chest down to her bellybutton. Next to her was a trail of blood leading to the door, there was a footprint left by the body, assuming to be the murderers.

Hector (being serious): this woman's name is Lau Chinh Kan, 35 years old, divorced her husband Chan Chiu Chin over 3 years ago, has 2 sons named Chan Siu Lin and Chan Yau Di. Chan Chiu Chin now lives in Canada with his two sons.

Ruby: so that rules out her husband as a potential murderer

Hector (nodding): yep. Following the neighbours, she returned home at around 7:30 on 31st of August which is last Monday, at 11:47 pm police was informed that there was a blood coming out of the house, so when the local police got their they discovered this body. According to the autopsy, she died from the stabbed wound ranging from her chest to bellybutton; she died around the time of 10:15 to 11:00 pm

Kristy (shocked): that means that the murderer could have still been there

Hector: yes, the police arrested a man who was covered in blood two blocks from the site. But it was proven that he didn't kill Lau Chinh Kan, he was a butcher who was working late that night, after the test, it was proven that the blood on him was pigs blood

Kristy: there goes our only suspect

Ruby: there must be some clue left behind?

Hector: yes there was, Lau Chinh Kan was raped repeatedly around 4, 5 times, there was some semen left in her

Kristy: so if you can match it then we got our killer

Ruby: but the murderer won't be as stupid to leave his semen behind for us to find

Hector: correct again, the semen we found had 60% water make up

Kristy: water?

Ruby: that means that she must have been raped then cleaned dry then the murderer must have injected condense semen into her

Kristy: why would he go through all that trouble? Why don’t he just clean it up then leave?

Ruby: maybe he wants us to catch the person to whom this semen belonged

Hector (watching the girls trying to solve the case): the semen belonged to a man named Kwok Heen

Kristy: the murderer must have known this man if he wanted to frame the guy

Ruby: I believe he must have access to condense semen, so he must be a worker in one of those fertilising fertility places

Hector: we checked both of your ideas, Kwok Heen had prove that he was away on that day, and the workers at the fertilising fertility centres came out clean, anyone who had access to it all had time witness

Ruby: bummer, then who could it be?

Hector: if we could find out we wouldn't need your help now would we?

Ruby: I think we should check up on Kwok Heen, his our only string right now

Kristy: I agree

Hector: fine I'll get more info on him, in the mean time; I need one of you to help me

Ruby & Kristy: what?

Hector (almost begging): can someone tell the girlfriend on her boyfriend's disappearance?

Ruby & Kristy: no way

They girls got up and left, Hector looked behind them, he never liked being the bearer of bad news, it was so frustrating. He re-looked at the case one more time before putting it away, then suddenly an object caught his eye. There on the picture, tucked away under a pile of newspapers was a little syringe, he ran to the evidence chamber to look at the pile of evidence collected, the syringe was missing.

Hector (thinking to himself): impossible, how can the team leave such big evidence out? Was it due to carelessness? Or was there a bigger picture?

He checked all the evidence, while he was checking he didn't notice that someone had sneaked up behind him.

Person: BOO!!!

Hector (scared): ahh…what are you doing? Wanna kill me or something?

Person: not a bad idea

Hector: don't joke anymore Ruby, come look at this

Ruby moved towards him looking at the object he is looking at, it was a knife placed in a plastic bag with 'case of Madame Lau' written on it, guessing it is the murder weapon

Ruby: so?

Hector: what do you see is wrong with this knife?

Ruby (takes the knife and examines it, when she noticed a series of faults in the objects she shouts out): this knife is first of all to blunt to actually inflict a wound that large, unless with great force, but if with great force the depth of the wound would have been deeper. And the positioning of the blood marks a wrong, following the cut, the killer stabbed her from the right down to left, making a half X, so he or she will be leaning on right, so the blood marks should be more on the right, not evenly.

Hector (surprised): you're very good

Ruby: thank you. That means that this isn't the weapon

Hector: correct

Ruby: so the murderer left this to confuse us

Hector: giving him more time to get rid of the murder weapon

Ruby (putting the knife back down): means that this person has had it all planned out, it wasn't a spring in the moment sort of thing. He actually prepared well, to buy two knifes both identical in weight, length everything

Hector: you know what that means?

Ruby (nodded): that means that he must already found a way to cover his tracks by having a time witness

Hector: so none of the people whom we looked on can be trusted, anyone of them can be the killer

Ruby: yes, but there is one thing we're still missing, that will help us solve the case

Hector: what?

Ruby: a purpose

Hector: right, she's not that rich so it's not for money

Ruby (smiles): maybe for love

Hector (doesn’t understand): what do you mean?

Ruby (folds her arm, trying to show how smart she is when it comes to love): well, he could be in love with her, but she doesn’t love him so he killed her

Hector (shakes his head): impossible

Ruby (angry): why?

Hector: Lau Chinh Kan is known to be what we call man crazy, she’s known to sleep with any man she dates that is the main reason why her husband left her

Ruby: then it could be that he loves her but she sleeps around too much, so he got angry and killed her

Hector: then why would he do all the semen things? I don’t think a man in the stage of furious would think up such a brilliant plan

Ruby: I’m not sure, but if you check her most recent men’s then maybe we’ll find a clue or two

Hector: I know, I already got someone on to that

Ruby (looks at her watch): it’s almost lunchtime, I didn’t realised we’ve been in here for so long

Hector (looking at his watch): want some lunch?

Ruby (thinking): you’re paying

Hector (walking out the door): then you have to do me a favour

Ruby (stops walking): I’m not telling that poor girl her boyfriend may be dead

Hector (disappointed): fine, but…you have to introduce me to one of those pretty god sisters of yours

Ruby (thinking): Annie has a boyfriend, and Bondy is about to so you can’t have any

Hector (remembering the pretty girl he met yesterday): I met a girl named Annie yesterday on the bus, she was very nice and pretty

Ruby: reminds me of Annie, but it can’t be

Hector: why?

Ruby: Annie is very tight, even on making friends it’s very rare that she’s nice to a person, especially if they're a guy

Hector: she sounds like a very hard girl to please

Ruby: very hard, unless you’re rich

Hector: a gold digger huh?

Ruby: I wouldn’t say that, her boyfriend right now earns less then she does, but she doesn’t mind, their in love, I wanna puke

Hector: don’t you believe in love?

Ruby (shakes her head): nope, if two people are in love, then why do they break up?

Hector: that doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other

Ruby (rubs her stomach): can we please walk faster I’m very hungry

Hector: haven’t you eaten breakfast?

Ruby (laughs sarcastically): with Annie’s cooking no one can eat more then a spoon

Hector (laughs): that bad huh?

Ruby: bad is too nice a word to describe the ‘food’ she makes

********************************
Bondy was driving Julian to work the soon reached the World Wide Sports Center, Julian tried to cover his face so no one will see the marks left by Annie and Ruby from yesterday. Bondy took him too a big office, she entered the office (her office) to get some stuff, she comes out and gives him a bag, he opens the bag and realised that it was full of paper work, and some tourist stuff including camera, map, compass, bus timetable etc.

Julian: what is this for?

Bondy: I’m busy today; you have to look around yourself

Julian: but Mr. Flang said you could take the week off to go with me

Bondy: it’s not for work I have some private stuff to do

Julian: can’t I come?

Bondy: NO

Julian: why?

Bondy (getting annoyed with his childishness): I don’t want you to come; I’ll pick you up at lunchtime at Sanyo Blue (club name fake) it’s very popular it’ll be easy for you to spot

With that she left Julian standing there alone, he wanted to come with her, he didn’t like travelling alone, he suddenly remembered that earlier in the morning he was going to call his mom now was a good time to.

Julian: mom, it’s me Julian

Julian’s Mom: Julian! how’s my boy?

Julian: I met this girl yesterday and…

Julian’s Mom: so soon? You’ve only been there one day

Julian: she’s really nice mom, she smart, and pretty and…I think I’m in love with her

Julian’s Mom: really? That’s wonderful news, send me a picture of her, I want to see what my future daughter in law looks like

Julian: it won’t be that soon mom

Julian’s Mom: who can resist my exotic son

Julian: MOM!!!

Julian’s Mom: you know I love you the most, now don’t forget to exercise, we don’t want you to look silly over there, and it’s cold over there so you have to remember to tuck in properly and…

Julian: mom, I’m a big boy now I can take care of myself

Julian’s Mom: where are you living now? Give me your phone number

Julian (joking): why? So you can check up on me?

Julian’s Mom: of course that’s what mothers are for

Julian: you know the girl I just told you about? I’m living with her

Julian’s Mom: Hong Kong girls are so quick, you moved in already?

Julian: no mom, my boss made her take me in, I live with her and her two best friends their all girls

Julian’s Mom: why don’t you live with your brother?

Julian: and give up this chance to find my one true love? No way mom

Julian’s Mom: every girl you ever dated was your one true love

Julian: its different this time, I really do love her

Julian’s Mom: ok, when you decide to get together don’t forget to tell me, OK?

Julian: ok mom, I’ll call you later tonight ok?

Julian’s Mom: ok, bye hunny

Julian: bye mom

He hangs up the phone, he loves his mom, and she was always so supportive of him, he looked around, where was he going to go now? Maybe he should see his brother, but he couldn’t and didn’t want to. They never got along, they were twins, but somehow they just didn’t seem like it. He was more of the sporty playboy, whereas his brother was the serious geek, maybe one-day he’ll visit his brother but not today.

[jeh]

How come it was chapter 4 and then it jump to chapter IX and then back to chapter 5? Anyway, why did you stop updating. Your story is good.