|  Author | Topic: Different Worlds (Read 1,023 times) |
Em
Administrator
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://www.emspace.homestead.com/~site/clipart/holiday/Ghost1.GIF)
![[homepage]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
|  | Different Worlds
« Thread Started on May 20, 2003, 11:26am » | |
Re-posted from
www.spcnet.tv
(Round Robin Fanfic written by junny, Yak, jeh and Em - work in progress)
Different Worlds
The full moon sheds its brightness through the crisp dark sky and through the crack of the curtains and casting a ray of light across the desk of this small room. However, the scene is far from tranquil as Katherine is tosses and turns, trying to fall asleep amidst the clatter of Mah Jong tiles coming from the dining room below. She hates Tuesday evenings.
“Wake up Mr Ryan! You are going to be late!“
Sakura, the youthful housekeeper, pulls open the blinds and the blinding sunshine floods the room reflecting off the mass of grey and silver that indicates this is the room of a modern man. Against the opposite wall, is placed a lavish semi-circular double bed where Ryan lies curled up snugly in the foetal position, not stirred in the slightest by the commotion.
“Pung Ah!
Thank you... I win! Pay up pay up... “
Every week on their day off from their work in their take-aways and restaurants, Grace's friends drop by for a few dozen games to shake off their stresses and catch up on the local gossip. Katherine is used to it after eighteen long years, but she still cannot get used to the noise. Usually she would stay up until after they leave in the early hours of the morning, but she has an important interview for her university place the next day and she really needs the rest. Wrapping her pillow around her ears to try and drown the racket and she steers her eyes around the room for something to concentrate her thoughts on. Following the moonbeams, her glance stops on the picture in her bookshelf. Her family - herself, her brother Ethan, her mother Grace and a man...
The same man appears with Ryan on another photograph that has been knocked off a desk by a low flying pillow.
”Go away Sakura! I'll get up in a minute.”
Ryan the grouch has awoken slightly and is slowly prying his eyes apart as time and time again they are slammed shut by the pain of the light reflecting from his retina. Sakura shakes her head and smiles as she leaves the room and calls over to the heap on the bed.
“It’s ten to nine, I thought you had a big day today…”
Stunned by the time and realising that he does have a big day ahead of him, Ryan is rudely dragged out of slumberland and bounces up in his bed like a tensioned elastic band.
Just as she begins to drift off to sleep, a hammering on the front door followed by screams of horror pull Katherine back into the realms of consciousness and she jumps up in a reflex action to run downstairs and see what the commotion is. Barefoot and dressed in just her pyjamas, Katherine finds her brother’s head covered in a pool of blood and her mother hysterically rushing around the kitchen looking for something to mop it up with. Katherine is speechless and does not respond when the pallid guests make their excuses and head for the door. Luckily, Julian has accompanied Ethan home and is busy calming down Grace and tending to Ethan’s wound.
“What happened?”
Katherine finally finds some words in her totally stunned mind.
“Don’t worry Katherine, he’s not badly injured. I found him fighting against some of Danny’s gang.”
“My disciplinary hearing – it’s in ten minutes. No time for breakfast…”
Ryan grabs a bread roll from the dining table where his mother Anne and brother William are finishing their bacon and eggs. He rushes outside to the yard where his shiny Yamaha motorbike is parked, throwing on his crash helmet and signalling to the chauffer to open the gates to the luxury mansion where his family live. Flying through the streets up towards Hong Kong University, he is easily breaking the speed but he doesn’t care – his family can afford the fines, but he can’t get kicked out of university. Hurtling into the grounds of the college, he doesn’t even care to park his bike as he throws it on the grass and runs into the reception of his faculty. Still in his biking leathers, he runs up the winding staircase and down the long foreboding corridor up to a door that has inscribed on the front: “Professor Ma, Head of Law Faculty”. Taking a look at his watch, he grits his teeth as he knocks on the door as the time on his Rolex reads “9:07”.
(junny)
Chapter 2
“I’m fine,” Ethan spits out the blood in his mouth, ignoring the frantic ministrations of his worried mother, who is trying to apply some medicine to the wounds on his forehead. “Will you stop worrying?” he snaps, moving out of her reach.
Katherine folds her arms and glares at Julian. “What do you mean, fighting against Danny’s gang? Again? How many times, Jules?” She turns to her brother, who is getting a drink from the fridge. “When, for goodness sake, will you become more sensible and stop worrying Mom?”
Ethan spins around, his expression taut with anger. “Little sister,” he sneers. “Mind your own business.” He exits the kitchen and heads towards the bathroom. Grace looks at her son’s retreating back, worrying her lower lip. Katherine slings an arm around her mother’s shoulders and draws her close.
“He’ll be OK,” she assures her mother.
Grace sighs. “He’s still so angry, and it’s all my fault…”
“It isn’t,” Katherine stresses. “None of it is. Mom, get some rest. I’ll clean up here.”
“Don’t you have an interview tomorrow?” Grace frowns.
“I’ll help,” Julian offers. Grace sends him a grateful look. She murmurs her thanks and heads towards her bedroom after Katherine assures her again that everything will be all right.
***
“You’re late, Mr Chung,” Professor Ma pushes his spectacles up as his beady eyes rake through Ryan’s entire body. His expression sours with distaste as he takes in the leather outfit and the dishevelled state that Ryan is in.
“Well, yes, there was traffic…” Ryan begins to explain, feebly, but is cut off.
“Sit.” The professor’s tone brooks no argument. “Mr Chung, I’m sure we know why you are here, do we not?”
Ryan’s foreboding rises rapidly. Granted, Professor Ma isn’t the most amenable of professors, but to Ryan’s knowledge, the professor has always gone by the use of first names for students, as befits the faculty tradition. That he has called Ryan “Mr Chung” twice in the space of five minutes just about sums up the professor’s current mood, and it is not a good one.
“Yes, sir,” Ryan says humbly, hoping that he looks contrite enough for the professor to give him another chance.
“Good.” The professor’s expression does not ease. Ryan’s mood sinks even lower. “Even if you are unclear with regard to some of the details which has resulted in your presence in my room, I will make sure you are well apprised of ALL of them by the end of this meeting.”
Oh, nuts.
***
“Give me the brush,” Katherine snaps, snatching it out of Julian’s grasp.
He sighs. “Will you stop being so irritable? I already explained what happened. Kit, look here. I may be your brother’s friend, and Aunt Grace’s adopted son, so to speak, but I am not Ethan’s minder. I can’t control what your brother does.”
Katherine merely scrubs the floor harder. Why won’t the d**n stains come out?
Julian crouches down beside her. “Kit?” he asks gently. “Are you OK?”
Katherine stops scrubbing after a while. “I’m fine,” she says, eventually. “How’s that gash of yours?” she indicates the ghastly wound on his right arm.
Julian glances down. “Oh. Flesh wound. Looks worse than it really is.”
Katherine gets up, retrieves the First Aid box from one of the kitchen shelves, and squats down beside Julian. She begins applying medicine on the wound and bandages his arm. Julian watches her in silence, not wishing to say a word, not knowing what to say.
“Done,” Katherine turns away, packing the stuff back into the First Aid box. “Should be all right in a few days.”
Julian nodded. “Thanks.” There is awkward silence for a bit, and then, “I should go. Tell Aunt Grace I’ll drop by again for dinner in a couple of days’ time.” He stands up, and Katherine rises to her feet and follows him to the door.
“Good luck for your interview,” Julian smiles, before he disappears into the night. Katherine stares after him, a bleak look in her eyes.
***
Ryan stumbles out of Professor Ma’s office, stunned. What is he going to tell his parents now? Oh god, and the official letter. There will be an official letter informing his parents of what happened and why. Ryan slams a hand against his forehead. He doesn’t want to imagine his father’s reaction when the old man finds out about all this. And how his elder brothers will sneer. Oh, great. Beautiful morning. Well done, Ryan.
Cursing himself a thousand times over, Ryan walks to where he left his bike, still unable to stomach what just happened. He turns around to take a look at the faculty grounds, and realises that this will probably be the last time he will return to this place. Is he starting to miss the building already? The people?
Ryan gives a heavy sigh as he lifts his bike and starts the engine. Home to face the music. If there is one thing that Ryan Chung is not relishing right now, it is that he has to return home to tell his parents that he has been kicked out of the Law faculty
*********
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #1 on May 20, 2003, 11:28am » | |
(jeh)
Ryan walk up to his house gloomily. The thought of what will happen once he step inside did nothing to lesson his gloomy mood.
Sighing heavily, Ryan ring the doorbell. Sakura, the house-keeper open the door.
Ryan step in to find his father sitting on the sofa, dissappointment and anger shone in his dark brown eyes. Sitting next to him was his mother and his two elder brothers.
"Hey, why is everybody so quiet?" Ryan ask trying to liven the gloomy mood surrounding the whole house.
Mr.Chung glare at Ryan angrily, "You care to explain this?" he growled while waving a letter in front of Ryan's face.
Ryan gulped, he had expected this but he couldn't help feeling scare at his father's reaction.
******
Ethan wash the blood off his face, angrily. He was annoyed at his mother for worrying too much. It is no big deal. Just a small wound.
Ethan was too occupied wih cursing Danny in his head that he didn't notice Katherine standing behind him.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she ask suddenly, startling Ethan.
Ethan spun around and look at Katherine with annoyance.
"I'm fine." he grumble and went back to cleaning his face.
"Why do you have to fight with Danny's gang everyday? Don't you know how worry mom get when she see you everyday being injured like this?!" Katherine said, dissapprovingly.
"Mind your own business!! I can do whatever I want! I don't need you telling me what to do! I'm fine!" Ethan shouted and walk out of the bathroom.
Grace went outside just in time to see an angry Ethan rush pass her and out of the house in no time. Grace look at his dissappearing back with sadness.
Katherine embrace her mom tightly.
"It's all going to be okay, mom. He just need some time alone." she assure her mother.
"It's all my fault, Kat." Grace said sadly.
"Mom..."
"Don't you have an interview tomorrow? Go to sleep." Grace said and walk inside her bedroom.
Katherine sigh, she went to close the front door that Ethan have left open.
******
Danny pick up a bottle of spray paint and spray it onto Mr.Lin's house.
Seeing the door being open by Mr. Lin, Danny quickly run away.
"Hey, you kid! Come back here! Look what you have done to my house! Come back here!" Mr. Lin yell out angrily.
After knowing the old man won't catch up to him, Danny stop running and bust out laughing.
Suddenly, somebody tap him on the back
************
(Yak)
Turned around with his laughter trailed off, Danny straightens himself a bit with a respectful grin. "Uncle Rob," the youngster greeted his father's buddy and great helper.
"Child, you still pull kiddy prank like that?" the mid-forty years old with sharp looking eyes and brows asked. Robert Kwan is an opportunist that has always been wise with seeking way to secretly climb to the top. He just witness what Danny was doing to some residential house. Seeing an opportunity from this boy of his so call buddy or boss, Rob smiled at the boy with fatherly support. He wanted to shine his relationship with this naive boy that could be the key for him to gain more power in the underground society in the future.
Grinning at the gullible Danny, Rob swung his arm around him with a pat and signaled the boy to walk with him. "I remember that when your father and I were your age, we were roaming the street with knife and follower trailing behind us. Danny if you wanted to make your father proud, you got to show people what you are made of. Kiddy tricks like these don't get you anywhere, boy!"
Danny nodded with agreement. He has always admires and respected his father and Rob like heroes. After remembering his father words, Danny is a bit disheartened. He kicked a soda can that is in front of him making it skid several feet to the left and collided into the wall. "Too bad dad never trusted me enough to let me handle things," complained the impatient boy.
"All you got to do is show your father that you are capable of helping and will even do a wonderful job too. I believe in you. All you needed is someone to guide you toward the right path," Rob assured with encouragement, making Danny feel a bit more confident. The wise fox grinned as the child slowly step into his trap. He sees the boy as a stepping-stone that will help brighten his future, cause he could easily manipulate this inexperienced boy trust.
"Come on, let me show you around. You got to hang out with the right group of people in order to do big thing," Rob suggested and gotten into his car. Excitedly, Danny hopped in the car. He is grateful to find someone willing to bring him into the world his father tries to block him from.
-------------
"Dad, I really didn't do anything this time..." Ryan tries to explain.
"They wouldn't expel you for no reason!" snapped his angry father. Ryan softly sighed to himself and gulped. His father never tries to understand him or allow him to choose his own path. "If you said it the university fault, then why are they picking on you? How come I never see your two brothers Derek and William have the same problem with their university as you are?" asked the father, who let out a tired sigh filled with disappointment. "Ryan this is not the first university you got kick out of. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? It about time for you take schooling seriously, you are not getting any younger!" scolded the raged father.
His son just nodded slightly while standing there shifting his weight from one leg to the other every couple minutes. Ryan didn't dare to talk back to his father. His heart is definite and clear on what he wanted, but sadly what he wants will never satisfy his father. And there is no reason to tell his father either cause his father will never listen to his choice. All he could really do now is nod and wait till his father finish scolding.
Seeing her son not really listening anymore, Anne shook her head at him. She just knows his son too well. To Anne, Ryan is the baby of the family, so she tends to be a bit more lenient toward him. She gently places her hand on her husband arm, "David, he is still young, you don't have to be so hard on him. He has learns his lesson this time. Let give him one more chance," Anne stopped when her husband darted at her with still disapproval eyes.
"Anne, you can't keep on pampering him like this. He will never learn to grow up and take responsibility if you keep on making excuses for him!" David sighed loudly at his youngest son hopelessly. "He is not getting anywhere if he stay here for schooling with you pampering him like this. Derek, you help your younger brother find an oversea university to enroll," ordered the father.
Obediently, Derek nodded while studying Ryan reaction to their father decision. He could see that Ryan face stern at the idea. Wanting to help his brother, Derek suggested, "Dad, maybe Ryan just need a break from school. He is an good student."
"How much longer do he want to rest!" asked the angry father with settled mind about sending his son out into the world to learn. "Just get him into a law school in France or anywhere else. Just not Hong Kong," David added before he turned to look at his wife warningly. Anne sighed and gives up on helping, cause she know her husband too well. She knows that once her husband has decided on something it will take a miracle to change his mind. Ironically, that was one of the traits that Anne admires from her husband.
"It doesn't matter where you send me, I'll still do this horribly! I told you many time that I have absolutely no interest in law!" Ryan finally speaks up with a grumpy tone.
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #2 on May 20, 2003, 11:29am » | |
(Em)
“Derek, you have to help me…”
Ryan playfully tugs at his brother’s shirt sleeve, distracting him from sorting out the latest delivery of Tamiya scale model racing cars fresh in from Japan. The model shop is Derek’s life and he spends as much time as he can making sure that all the stock is correct and the displays are pristine. Walking over to the counter and pulling out a dusting cloth to wipe down the boxed before stacking them on the shelves, Derek looks over at Ryan and takes a deep breath, smiling in resignation.
“Look kid, if Dad wants, Dad gets. You saw what happened with me!”
Their thoughts retract to that fateful day five years ago when Derek graduated from university. Amidst the pride and merriment of David Chung’s eldest son receiving a first class degree with honours from the most prestigious business school in Hong Kong, was the biggest disappointment to come.
“David! Congratulations, I am sure that Derek will be a great help to your company!”
“Derek – looking forward to seeing you in the boardroom alongside your old man.”
“Mrs Chung, you must be so proud.”
At the celebratory party lovingly prepared by Anne and Sakura, business partners, friends, admirers, and lackeys all shower their excitement, whether they be genuine or not at Derek’s parents who are glowing with joy, but Derek is agitated and seems extremely uncomfortable with these great expectations from him. Ryan who is emotionally closer to Derek than William, senses this unease and pulls him to one side.
“Are you okay?”
Derek doesn’t get a chance to respond as he is grasped by Uncle Pang, his father’s right hand man, to introduce him to some more business associates.
The evening continues and Ryan notices that Derek is getting more and more miserable as the tension is mounting up. The party begins to draw to a close and David and Anne step forward to thank their guests for coming. They begin the address and Anne suggests that Derek should also thank all his elders for coming along and to ask for their continued support and assistance. Derek reluctantly treads onto the stage and turns to the many faces looking at him earnestly. Inherently shy, Derek smiles timidly and taking a little cough, starts to pronounce his words.
“Dad, Mum, Uncles, Aunties, Friends and Relatives,”
His speech is reminiscent of a school recital competition.
“Thank you all for sharing this special day with me and for all the support you have given me. Maybe we will have a chance to work together in the future and I thank you all, especially my father for the opportunities you have given and presented me with, but I won’t be joining Wang Fung as I have another project of my own that I would like to work on… I hope you will support my decision. Thank you once again and good evening.”
Derek looks enquiringly over at his stunned parents and a feeble round of applause is raised from the rather shocked audience who are whispering among themselves. A look of fire grows on David Chung’s face.
“You want to what????”
Derek faces the music later on that evening in his father’s study as David unleashes the full extent of his anger.
“I can’t handle life in the corporate rat race. I just want to run my own little shop selling the things that I love the most and enjoy going to work every day,”
After thirty long years building up his import and export business from modest beginnings, David can no longer understand life without ambition, power and conflict and this is the only expectation he places on his three sons. He cannot bear to see that the fruit of his labour in giving Derek only the best in education and lifestyle is for him to become a lowly shopkeeper. In his eyes he would rather not have such a son.
“Get out – you are no son of mine.”
For the first time in his life, Derek had disobeyed his father and suffered the consequences of his actions, but not for one moment did he regret what he had done. The next few years were hard as he built up his dream with no financial backing from his father and only by borrowing the money from his mother and brothers was he able to start the first difficult steps towards his own ambition. His father blanked him for four years, even on his occasional visits to the house to see his mother, until the day when she had a heart attack and begged for David to forgive his son. Derek was once again welcomed back to the family home, but still received no backing from David, whose attitude to him has remained chilly and unwelcoming. For this reason, when Derek is not visiting Anne, he would still prefer to stay in his small living quarters in the back of the shop.
“Look, I got you this.”
Derek pulls out a prospectus from under the counter for Leeds University and hands it to Ryan.
“ I have a friend’s younger brother who is going to study there next year, so you can get a place together and hitch up. It’s three years and you can do joint degrees, so it won’t just be Law. Time will fly by…”
Ryan looks at the picture on the front of the booklet.
“England?”
******
“Thank you!”
Katherine waves to the driver as she jumps off the bus returning from the university campus in Leeds. Two long days of interviews and assessments have taken its toll on her and she is feeling weary as she walks around the corner to a small grocery store with some Chinese characters on the sign. This shop has been her second home ever since she could remember - stacking tins on the shelves and playing in the cardboard boxes with Ethan. It is their family’s treasure for it has provided for their livelihoods. She pushes open the door and walks in casually to the familiar surroundings and is met by the sounds of a woman bawling.
“Grace… oh Grace… what should I do?”
Old Mrs Lin is sitting on the stool beside the cash register and weeping bitterly. Grace stands over gently stroking her back and comforting the shaken lady.
“Mrs Lin, I’m sure your husband will pull through…”
“I don’t know – I don’t understand what the doctors are saying to me, I don’t know what’s happening to him.”
Katherine turns to Grace.
“What happened Mum?”
“We think Mr Lin’s had a stroke – Danny and his gang were vandalising his house last night. When he chased them away he was so angry that he collapsed when he got back into the house.” Grace explains.
Mrs Lin throws a Chinese expletive at the mention of Danny as Grace continues.
“She wants me to go to the hospital with her to act as interpreter, Kit – are you free for the rest of the day?”
“Yeah, I guess so… you want me to watch the shop?”
Grace nods and grabs her jacket.
“If that’s okay. Jules should be back soon, he is just finishing off the deliveries. Come on Mrs Lin, let’s and see Uncle Lin.”
Renowned for her good heart and caring nature, Grace has a good rapport with most of the Chinese community in Leeds and she is always the first port of call whenever anything goes wrong. Katherine knows this and ever aware of the need for her to watch over the store at a moment’s notice, she has decided to apply for university in her home town. As Grace helps Mrs Lin out of the door, Katherine takes up her place on the stool behind the checkout and glances over at the elderly couple who are leisurely gathering up their provisions.
The phone rings and startles the somewhat drained Katherine.
“Hello.”
“Hello, may I speak to Miss Katherine Lee please?”
“That’s me …”
“Oh, hello Katherine – I’m Doctor Lenard from the University of Leeds.”
“Hi…”
“I was just calling to say that I was very impressed by your interview. All going well, we should see you in September!”
Katherine is sparked with excitement.
“You mean I got a place? Waahhh!”
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #3 on May 20, 2003, 11:30am » | |
(junny)
"You did," Dr Lenard confirms. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you so much," Katherine's voice brims with happiness. "Thank you so much for calling!"
After Dr Lenard puts down the phone, Katherine hugs herself with joy. She can't seem to stop smiling as she attends to a steady flow of customers that day. Some of the customers are her mother's long-time friends, but Katherine wants to wait for her mother to return before breaking the good news. She wants her mother to be among the first to know.
Katherine is still smiling when Julian returns to the shop. He grins when he notes her happy expression.
"Hey, what's the occasion?" he asks.
"Jules!" Katherine exclaims with delight, coming over to give him a hug. "I got in! I got into the university!"
"Whoa!" Julian's arms tighten around Katherine as he lifts her up and swings her around. "Congrats, Kit! Well done, you!"
Katherine laughs merrily. "Thank you," she smiles brightly after he sets her down on her feet. "I must admit it's such a relief!"
"Aunt Grace will be so pleased," Julian nods. "Think we should have a celebration tonight. Should we eat out or buy food back to cook?"
Katherine mulls over that. "I don't know. Let me tell Mom first before we decide." She breaks out into smiles again. "I can't stop feeling happy! If we weren't in the shop, I'd be dancing all the way down the streets!"
Julian laughs. "It is something to be happy about. I'm really pleased for you," he adds, a tender look entering his eyes.
Katherine feels a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thanks," she says, her voice softer, her gaze on his handsome features. Suddenly, she feels warm all over.
Julian hesitates, and then closes the distance between them. Hesitantly, he tips her chin up, and presses a gentle kiss on her lips. Surprised, but inwardly happy, Katherine's initial response is shy, but she relaxes and returns the kiss, delighting Julian.
When they break apart after a while, both are slightly disconcerted. Katherine is first to break the silence.
"That was a long time coming," she says, teasingly.
Surprise flares in Julian's eyes, but he laughs softly at her words. "I suppose it was," he agrees, feeling relief that their feelings for each other are mutual.
Katherine smiles again when Julian gathers her into his arms for another hug.
***
"Leeds?" Ryan frowns. "Why Leeds?"
"Because it's a nice place," Derek replies, patiently, for seemingly the umpteenth time. "Look, what's wrong with going overseas? You'll get a greater amount of freedom, and you won't have to report daily to the parents. It's suitable for you."
Ryan's eyes gleam at the thought of extra freedom. "Now that you mention it, I could give it my most serious consideration," he muses.
"Do," Derek says, dryly. "Look. I'm sure you don't want to stay here. This is the perfect chance for you to start afresh, in a place far from the parents. Leeds is a nice place. I already said I have a few friends there, if you need contacts."
"Uh, not really," Ryan says hastily.
"They won't bite. They won't report to me either."
"Oh... in that case... maybe I should at least talk to Mum about it. Coax her to my way of thinking and hope she'll persuade Dad."
Derek nods. "Do that. I'm sure she'll be supportive, IF you tell her you're intent on making good your studies there."
Ryan flushes. "All right. I will see what I can do about that. Thanks, brother. I owe you."
Derek smiles slightly. "Have fun."
Ryan grins. "I'm sure I will. Now, off to tell Mum..." and he skips off.
(Em)
A shiny black Mercedes C-class pulls up outside the overwhelming front doors to a large office block that is draped to from the sky to the ground in a drop of reflective glass windows in a steel structure. The darkened window on the driver’s side is lowered and William leans out over the side of his car, wearing his designer shades and Armani shirt, looking around for his target. The sun glimmers on the polished rim to his exclusive watch as he checks the time before tilting his head upwards to spy the item of his affection.
Carrying her dark brown leather briefcase in her right hand and talking into her mobile phone held by the other, successful businesswoman and high-flying lawyer Monica Lang strolls confidently from the revolving doors of the building and down the street towards William. She notices him and without breaking off her conversation gestures to him with a subtle smile and a nod before walking by. William responds with a small jest:
“Watch you don’t fall off those heels!”
Monica is followed closely by her partner in the firm, Janette. Equally beautiful but slightly more ditzy, she is a little flustered as she struggles with her pile of papers flapping around in the gentle breeze of early summer. William steps out of the car and walking over to her, he offers to take her case from her.
“Hi! You’re early!”
Janette is pleased to see him and lets out a broad smile, which highlights the dimples in her cheeks and washes away the fatigue from a heavy day’s work. Taking off his shades to reveal an immaculately built face coupled with his perfectly swept hair, William tucks the glasses into his shirt pocket and pulls the heavy case from his girlfriend’s hand. Grasping her shoulder gently, he gives her a short kiss on her forehead as leads her off towards the car.
“I thought you had a board meeting.” Janette says as she steps into the passenger seat.
“I did, but I made sure that things got sped along. Had to make sure that I didn’t keep you waiting!” William is as charming as he is handsome.
“Where are we going? I know I said I’d leave everything up to you, but it would be nice to know.”
William looks over to Janette, raising an eyebrow…
“Oh you’ll see, but I guarantee you this will be your best birthday so far!”
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #4 on May 20, 2003, 11:32am » | |
(junny)
Janette leans back in her seat, contented. She has been dating William for several months now, and their relationship has been fruitful so far. They were introduced to each other by mutual friends, and hit off really well. She was surprised that he didn't go for Monica, who seems the type of woman that most men will go for, but Janette is happy with William, and he has never given her any reason to doubt his feelings for her.
"Well, at least give me a rough idea of the schedule for the night?" Janette coaxes, nudging William.
"Nope," he grins, manoeuvring a turn. "You'll see..." Approximately 15 minutes later, he pulls into a parking lot. They get out of the car, and William comes over to take her arm.
Janette smiles as they make their way to the posh restaurant. "Dinner at one of my favourite eating places?" she asks, and is about to say further when she notices the decor of the interior. She gasps with delight at the lavish decorations. "Will! This is beautiful!" She turns to William, who is sporting a huge grin on his face. Realization dawns on her. "You... did all this for me?"
William slings an arm around her. "More to come," he promises, as he leads her into the restaurant. "I always keep my promises, dear Janette..."
***
"Are you sure you want to go to Leeds?" Ryan's mother asks doubtfully. "Is the university there good?"
"It is," Ryan assures his mother, trying hard not to roll his eyes. "Mum, trust me. I'll work hard there, OK? I won't repeat my mistake. Derek says it's a nice place. You trust Derek too, don't you?"
Mrs Chung nods at the mention of her eldest son. "Well... if you're so insistent, I will speak to your father about it..."
"About what?" David Chung enters the living room. "What's going on?"
His wife turns around. "Oh, you're back," she gets up and goes to help him remove his jacket. "It's Ryan. He says he wants to study at Leeds University. Says it's a nice place..."
"Leeds?" David looks at Ryan in shock.
Ryan looks confused. Why has his father gone that lovely tomatoey-red? "Uh... yeah. Anything wrong with it?"
"Can't you choose a better university?" David snaps, recovering his composure.
Ryan blinks. Whoa. Amazing what a single word can do to his father. "But it's a nice place," he insists. "I read up the prospectus, and I like the look of the campus. I can't get into Oxford or Cambridge, UCL is out, and I'm not too keen on Manchester. Bristol and Nottingham might not accept me, especially Nottingham, and Sheffield is not exactly my cup of tea. So... Leeds it is. I like it, from the looks of the prospectus." Ryan happily forgets to mention that Derek has friends there.
David's complexion turns mottled. "No," he growls. "Pick another place!"
"Yes!" Ryan retorts. "I got kicked out, and now that I finally have the desire to go someplace else and do better, you come and say no. That's bloody hypocritical of you, isn't it? I'm going to Leeds, and that's it!" He storms out of the house. Bloody parents. He'll go find Derek. His eldest brother will be sympathetic.
***
"You know, I can't understand why a university grad like you is happy helping out at a grocery store and running with the gangs," Katherine notes, as she and Julian check the storeroom supplies.
Julian shrugs. "The label 'university graduate' doesn't mean that much anymore nowadays. It just means I got an education somewhere."
Katherine observes her new boyfriend for a long moment. "All right," she says, eventually, a smile on her face.
"And I don't run with the gangs," Julian corrects her, as he lifts a carton of goods and stacks it on the pile near the door. "I just happen to once in a while rescue your brother from trouble."
Katherine rolls her eyes. "Yes, thank you for that. If only Ethan were more sensible."
Julian does a light stretch. "He'll come round. Once he grows up."
"He's older than me!" Katherine is indignant.
"Yes, but you have more sense," he teases.
She laughs. "I'll let you off for that." They hear noises out front. "Think Mom is back," Katherine adds. She takes Julian's hand and leads him out of the storeroom. "Let's go tell her the good news."
(jeh)
(jeh)
Ryan gloomily step inside the model shop. He spotted his elder brother, Derek, talking to a customer.
Not wanting to disturb Derek, Ryan sat down on a chair and look around.
*******
Ethan walk down the street of UK, troubled. He is feeling guilty about making his mother sad.
Being the only man in the house, he should be taking care of his mother and his little sister. However, they're the one that have to take care of him. Ethan let out a sigh and curse himself for being so irresponsible.
Still deep in his thought, Ethan cross the street. The noise of a car honking brought Ethan back to reality.
All he saw was a car speeding toward him and then everything went black.
Ethan's body lay motionless on the cold ground, cover in blood. A crowd of people soon surrounded him.
The car door open and a young girl step out. She was dress in very expensive clothes. The watch on her wrist must have cost a fortune. Her shiny black hair fall down her shoulder elegantly.
The girl push the crowd of people away and bent down to look at Ethan. Seeing that he was not moving, fear spread through her entire body.
"Oh no, I'm going to be in so much trouble when daddy find out about this." she thought to herself.
*******
"Mom, I have something to tell you!" Katherine rush out of the store and ran toward her mom.
"What is it dear? By the way, how was your interview?" Grace ask her daughter.
"That's what I wanted to tell you. I got in!!! Doctor Lenard from the University of Leeds called me and say I been accepted!" Katherine said happily.
"Oh dear, I'm so happy for you." Grace said and hug Katherine tightly. Tears started to flow down her cheeks.
Suddenly the phone ring, Grace pick it up.
"Hello, who is it?" she ask.
"Hi, can I speak to Ms.Lee please?", a voice spoke.
"I am Ms.Lee, who is this?" Grace said, wondering who would be calling her.
The person on the other line started to soeak. Katherine watch her mother's face became pale as the blood is drain out of it.
Dropping the phone, Grace collapse but Julian catch her.
"Mom, are you okay?!" Katherine rush to her mother's side.
"Ethan... is in the hospital. They said he was hit by a car." Grace manage to mutter out.
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #5 on May 20, 2003, 11:35am » | |
(Em)
Ryan waits patiently as Derek packs the items carefully into a paper bag and hands it to his last customer for the evening. Walking the plane fanatic to the door, Derek reaches up to the shutters with ease, hardly stretching his long limbs, and pulls them down to the ground, latching them into place and locking the glass door to the shop.
“C’mon kid, you know the routine by now.”
Derek signals to his little brother to start straightening out the store while he checks the takings for the day. Putting down the magazine he has been reading, Ryan saunters over to the pile of boxes disturbed by some curious customers earlier on and starts to re-pile them into straight lines.
“Dad doesn’t seem to happy about me going to Leeds… do you have any better suggestions?”
Ryan starts the conversation across the shop with his brother.
Derek shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
“I would’ve guessed that, nothing is good when it comes from me – goodness knows why he told me to find you a place to go. I guess he’s just too used to giving me orders.”
“Aww, but I’ve got my heart set on that now and you know what I’m like – nothing else will ever be good enough now that you’ve sold it to me!”
The judgement of his elder brother means a lot to Ryan.
“Maybe we could get William to help you out… Dad’ll listen to William because he is so much like him.” Suggests Derek.
“Nah, William’s too busy wining and dining that rich girl at the moment…”
“Oh.. you mean Janette?”
Derek’s expression suddenly falters slightly, her name seems to strike a chord and his carefree attitude is moved through a hundred and eighty degrees at the mention of her name.
“I hope he isn’t going to hurt her…”
Ryan is receptive to his brother’s concern for Janette and his words rush out before he has a chance to censor them.
“You still fancy her don’t you?”
“Of course not…” snaps Derek, before hesitating.
“Anyway, I couldn’t even afford take her out for an evening with my current situation.”
Ryan looks at his brother understandingly, whilst Derek desperately tries to evade the subject, which is distracting him from his figures. A brief silence later, he closes his accounts book and clicks off the cash register. Calling Ryan over, he pulls a piece of paper and an envelope from the side of the counter.
“Well bro, if all else fails, you can always do what I did.”
Derek hands Ryan a pen and points to a space on the form.
“Just sign there… we’ll tell Dad later when you’ve got the place!”
A smile brightens Ryan’s face as Derek smirks mischievously. Even facing the wrath of his father once again is worthwhile for the sake of his brother’s happiness.
*****
Deep into the night, the numbers of people milling around the waterfront outside the convention centre at Wanchai starts to dwindle and William leads Janette for a quiet stroll on this clear night to overcome the rich but delectable foods that they have just tasted. He holds her hands gently as they talk about how beautiful the harbour looks and Janette lets out the odd lovable laugh at William’s wit and humour.
“What would you really like to do now?” asks William.
“I don’t know … it has been so wonderful already!”
Janette thinks for a while…
“If only we could go out to sea now, that would be so peaceful. To go out where there is total darkness apart from the sparkling stars reflecting on the water and just appreciate their beauty like diamonds on a black silk.”
“So lets do it!” laughs William.
He pulls her along to a mooring point on the side of the water and points over to a light slowly heading towards them.
A shocked Janette catches her breath and looks up towards a yacht heading in their direction. A hundred tiny lights spell out the words “Happy Birthday, Janette” along the front of the boat and it stops near to where the two lovers are stood.
“Welcome aboard!” says William as he jumps onto the side and offers his hand to Janette who is quite overcome with emotion. She steps onto the boat and as it moves away, William leads her inside where there is champagne and strawberries laid out.
“I know you don’t like caviar, so I got your favourite instead.”
“Oh William, this is just perfect… Thank you so much!”
Without a word, William pulls Janette towards him and they begin to dance to the soft music that is playing in the cabin.
*****
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #6 on May 20, 2003, 11:45am » | |
(junny)
Grace is pacing anxiously outside the OT doors, her hands clasping and unclasping, her eyes red, waiting for some news on Ethan's condition.
Katherine is sitting nearby, equally anxious, as Julian slings a comforting arm around her. "He'll be all right," he murmurs soothingly.
"I hope so," Katherine bites her lip.
The girl sitting opposite them lifts her head. "I'm sorry," she stammers.
"You should be," Katherine snaps, ready to pounce on the girl. "Why the f.u.c.k can't you look where you're going?"
"Calm," Julian's voice is soft but firm, as he pins Katherine to her seat.
"I'm sorry," the girl says again, wretchedly. "Daddy will be so mad at me again. I keep crashing..."
"I don't give a f.u.c.k what your daddy thinks!" Katherine loses her calm. "The guy inside is my brother! Do you care? No. All you care is about your daddy and your expensive clothes and your freaking car! Have you even asked about him? Whether he has a family? What he was doing out there on the streets?" Her face is red from anger and worry.
The girl looks taken aback. Tongue-tied, she can only look helplesly at Julian. I'm sorry, she mouths at him, her expression perplexed.
Julian shakes his head as he gathers Katherine into his arms and tries to comfort her. Meanwhile, Grace is still pacing anxiously outside the OT doors, oblivious of anything except the need to know of her son's safety. For him, she will give up anything. Vaguely, she wonders if she needs to place an overseas call...
***
"I kinda need your help," Ryan says to William at breakfast one morning.
William lifts his head and sets his papers aside. "What's up? Got into trouble with Dad?"
Ryan sighs as he flops into a chair opposite William. "You know that business with the university..." he trails off awkwardly, and William nods, not too sympathetically.
"Well... I found a place I really like," Ryan continues, helping himself to a piece of toast. "And I want to go there to continue my studies."
"Oh, good for you," William's voice is just a tad sarcastic.
Ryan scowls. He shouldn't have taken up Derek's suggestions. "Yes. I like Leeds, and I want to go there. So... I need you to help me convince Dad to let me go."
William's brow rises. "Me? Since when do I govern Dad?"
Ryan looks exasperated. "Look, it's for mutual benefit. Derek won't fight with you for the inheritance or the business, while I'll be out of the way. We won't bug you and you're free to do whatever you want. Ain't that good?"
William flushes. "You're getting awfully annoying, kiddo," he snaps.
"I have good examples to learn from," Ryan mutters.
William takes a sip of his coffee as he ponders this. "I can't guarantee a hoot," he says, eventually. "I'll speak to Dad and see what he says."
"Great," Ryan looks more relieved. "You're going now?" he asks, curiously, as William gets up from the table.
His elder brother rolls his eyes. "I'm going to pick Janette up. Is that sufficient information for you, Mr FBI?"
Ryan grins. "More than enough. Have fun."
William tosses his brother a disgruntled look before heading upstairs. Maybe it is a good idea that Ryan is so insistent on going to Leeds. One less annoying brother means less grief.
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #7 on May 20, 2003, 11:49am » | |
(Em)
David puts the phone down in his simplistically decorated office. His face is as white as a sheet and he sits for a moment or two trying to work out what he must do. He may be a wizard in the boardroom and a winner on the negotiation table, but when it comes to his family, he is at a total loss. A knock comes on the door and wakes David from his trance.
“Come in!” calls David.
William walks in with a file for David.
“Here is that report you wanted on the land over in Yuen Long.”
Noticing David’s pallid expression, he shows a little concern for his father:
“Dad… are you okay?”
Wiping a tear of nervousness from the corner of his eye, David recomposes himself for a moment before answering.
“Yes, I am fine. Thank you Will.”
He takes the file from William and remembers something.
“Oh Will – can you go and meet Mr Chu from SI Enterprises this afternoon? I have something to sort out and I can't make it.”
“Sure Dad. Hope there’s no problem…”
William takes the opportunity to bring up the subject of Ryan.
“Oh, while I’m here. I think you should let Ryan go to Leeds, after all it’s not every day that he puts his commitment to something so thoroughly.”
The mention of Leeds brings David’s memory of the phone call back to the surface, so he doesn’t really take in what William is saying.
“Maybe you should just let him try it Dad, you never know, he might even finish his course this time.”
David’s urgency overshadows his thoughts.
“Will, you do what you feel fit – you know I trust your judgement entirely. Just make sure that it gets sorted out.”
Grabbing his jacket, David calls to his secretary on the intercom.
“Mary, tell Jack to have the car ready in five minutes.”
He turns to William:
“I have an urgent meeting over at our Manchester offices – I’ll be flying out this evening. Can you let your mother know for me please?”
“Okay! Take care Dad.”
William accompanies his father out of the office. He has seen this happen too many times for it to be of alarm any more. David has always put the business before anything else and it is this quality that Will admires entirely and aspires to achieve.
After seeing David out of the office, Will’s mobile phone rings:
“Hi Will – are you coming this afternoon?”
It is Janette.
“Oh! Hi honey…”
William slaps his head, David’s rearrangement of his schedule has clashed completely with his date.
“I’m really sorry, I can’t come with you to choose your nephew’s birthday present. I have an important meeting this afternoon.”
“Oh…”
Janette is no good at hiding her disappointment.
“Never mind, work is more important, I suppose.”
“I’ll make it up to you later! I promise.”
“Okay, I’ll just have to go myself. I’ll call you later.”
“Women!” William sighs to himself as he ends the call.
**********
“Yvonne! What happened?”
A middle-aged lady with a serene face like that of an angel puts her arm comfortingly around the shoulder of the rich girl, who is sitting with her hands over her tear-stained face as she waits with Ethan’s family in the corridor of the hospital Accident and Emergency department.
“Auntie June!”
Yvonne flings her arms around the lady and bursts into more floods of tears.
“I really didn’t mean it – he just came out from nowhere – I just didn’t see him – I didn’t mean to hurt him – I don’t want anything to happen to him – are you going to tell Daddy? – am I going to go to prison?”
Grace looks on and beyond her concerns for her own son, her heart goes out to the quivering wreck before her.
“There there…” the soothing tones of Auntie June seem to make things a little better.
“I know that you didn’t mean it… accidents happen.”
Touched by the scene, Grace hands a tissue to Yvonne.
“Thank you – I’m so sorry!” sniffs Yvonne, wiping the mascara stains down her baby-faced cheeks.
Grace doesn’t say a word as she walks back over to where Katherine and Julian are sat.
“Come on Yvonne, I don’t think you’re any use to anyone here. Let’s go and get a coffee and tell the police officer what happened.”
June leads her niece down the corridor to where a female constable is waiting and as she passes Grace, she nods in appreciation and apology.
Katherine loses her patience with her mother and yells at her angrily.
“How can you be so nice? She might have killed your son!”
Julian pulls her back, but Grace doesn’t say anything still. Inside she is praying to the buddhas that her son will pull through.
********
During a quiet moment in the model shop, Derek pulls out a book from his little hiding place under the counter. It is an autograph book and inscribed on the front is the title “Environmental Summer Camp 1995”. He leafs through the pages to find photographs and autographs from his fellow camp members in various poses and positions, annotated with messages and quirky remarks. For this moment, he relives the memories of times gone by.
As he turns the page, he finds the item he is looking for: a fresh, dreamy looking, pretty girl recognisable as Janette in her student years is leaning against Derek as he holds his guitar. The scene is idyllic as they sit beside the broad trunk of a centenarian oak tree in the romantic settings of a forest in Germany.
The inscription beside the photograph in Janette’s flowing handwriting reads:
“The memories of this month will last forever, I hope our love will last longer… Janny.”
A mixture of feelings: warmth, love and regret mill around in Derek’s heart as he loses himself in his thoughts. So much that he doesn’t notice a customer in his shop.
“Excuse me! Can you help me please?”
Derek hurriedly shoves the notebook back under the desk and looks over to the customer who is peering up at the highest shelf. He rushes over and his heart skips a beat as he realises who he sees.
“I’m looking for the latest Honda motorbike for my nephew’s birthday present. I think that is the one up there…”
Janette hasn’t noticed who she is talking to as her attentions are directed only at the box tucked away on the shelf.
“Can I have a look please?”
She looks across at the frozen Derek stood beside her, but not a shred of awkwardness can be found in her face. She smiles her beautiful, shining smile and bursts out with excitement.
“Derek! Hi! What are you doing here?”
“Umm… this is my shop…” Derek says shyly. His sensitive disposition doesn’t know how to handle these situations.”
“Hi Janny, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, I haven’t seen you since you left university… Will mentioned that you started your own business. I didn’t realise it was here!”
Derek pulls down the box of plastic pieces from the shelf and hands it over to Janette.
“Well, this has been my life for the past few years, I haven’t had any free time since.” He jitters, trying to avoid eye contact with her.
“So does that mean I get a discount then?” laughs Janette, still as comfortable and friendly as ever.
“Sure!” responds Derek.
“So how long have you been with Will?”
He can’t help but pry into her relationship with his brother.
“Oh, a couple of months. We met at Monica’s annual charity ball – you remember Monica don’t you?”
Derek remembers her only too well…
“Monica Lang? How could I forget her?”
“I only found out Will was your brother recently – you are so different, I would never have known…” Janette discusses her affairs with a frankness and sincerity that only she can exude.
“Well, yeah. We followed different paths in life I suppose.” Mutters Derek.
“Here, let me wrap that model up for you. I’ll throw in some promotional goodies for your nephew as well.”
“Thanks Dez, you’re still as generous as ever!” exclaims Janette, unaware of the emotional turmoil her presence is inflicting on Derek.
He puts the box together with a T-shirt and baseball cap into a paper carrier bag and hands it to Janette in exchange for the payment. As he gives her the change, his eyes meet with hers for the first time and he is overwhelmed by the sweetness of her face and the purity in her expression. Even after years in the high pressure legal environment, the innocence that first attracted him to her is still apparent.
“Come and see me if you need any more stuff for your nephew... or maybe we could go for a coffee and catch up with the old times…”
“Definitely!” says Janette as she waves and leaves the store merrily.
“See you soon…”
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #8 on May 20, 2003, 11:50am » | |
(junny)
"He's all right," the doctor tells a relieved Grace and Katherine as he pulls his mask off. "His injuries look worse than they really are. We intend to keep him here for a few days, under observation, just to make sure everything is all right. He should be discharged in a week."
Grace sags with relief, and Katherine and Julian manage to catch her in time. "Thank you, Doctor," she whispers, sending a silent prayer of thanks.
The doctor smiles understandingly. "He's sedated and asleep for now. Besides, it's getting late. Come and see him again tomorrow."
"Can't we just have a peek?" Katherine begs. "We just want to see that he's OK."
The doctor mulls over that. "All right. Follow the nurse, then. Not for long, though. Visiting hours are actually over."
Katherine nods gratefully and thanks the doctor again. The smiling nurse leads the trio to Ethan's ward, where they see him lying pale and still on the hospital bed, a couple of IV tubes stuck on his arm, his head bandaged and arm in a sling.
"My poor boy," Grace's tears roll down her cheeks.
"He's all right," the nurse assures Grace. "He should wake tomorrow, though he'll still be weak. But he's a strong lad, and should recover soon."
"Thanks, nurse," Julian says, and the nurse leaves them alone. "Aunt Grace, I think we should go home," he says gently. "You look tired."
"No, I want to stay here with him," Grace insists.
"Mom, the doctor said..."
Grace shakes her head. "I can wait outside. I just want to be near him. You two go on home."
Katherine and Julian exchange looks. Julian signals subtly to her before he disappears outside. "All right," Katherine agrees, as she helps her mother outside, where Grace can still observe her son via the glass panel. "Call us if there's anything."
Grace nods absently, her eyes still fixed on Ethan. Julian returns and takes Katherine's arm as he leads her away.
"I've asked the nurses to keep an eye on her," he says, as Katherine leans against him. He puts a strong, comforting arm around her shoulders.
Katherine nods, wearily. "I'm so glad you are here with me," she says softly, as she wraps her arms tightly around him.
Julian drops a kiss on her forehead. "Silly. I'm always here for you."
A gentle smile touches Katherine's lips. "I know. The same goes for me."
***
"Hey," Ryan waves a hand in front of Derek's face. "You OK there? Which planet are you on?"
Derek snaps out of his reverie. "What?" he asks, blinking. "Stop confusing me."
"I've been saying hi to you for the last hour or so," Ryan spreads his hands out in a bewildered gesture.
Derek laughs. "What brings you here?"
"Oh..." Ryan's face is one big beam. "Will spoke to Dad, and he agreed to let me go to Leeds. And I've just submitted all my application forms. So... all good!"
Derek grins. "Congrats. I wonder what Will said that was so effective."
"Who cares?" Ryan shrugs. "The thing is, he did speak to Dad. Although it seems Dad wasn't really listening. He flew off to Manchester on business soon after Will spoke to him."
"Ah," Derek nods, as he goes back to fiddling with one of the models he was working on. "One less obstacle."
"Not really," Ryan frowns. "He'd better NOT stay on in Manchester. Don't want to have to bump into him when I go there."
Derek rolls his eyes. "Leeds and Manchester are two different places, last I checked. And I'm sure Dad isn't into stalking."
"You never know. He might have hidden talents," Ryan sounds ominous, as he flops down on a nearby chair.
Derek looks up again and laughs. "Now you're getting morbid. Are you here to wring a treat out of me?"
Ryan beams again. "I swear, your intelligent genes have spread to me. Anyway, we're overdue for a pigging out session. Why don't you close shop for the day and ... whoa, what's this?" He earths out a book and flips through it. "Ooh..." his eyes widen. "A picture of Janette!"
Derek spins around and snatches the book back. "Since when do you go rummaging through other people's things?" he snaps, suddenly annoyed.
"You left it there, under the desk," Ryan looks injured. "I didn't know what it was. I was just curious."
Derek turns away, clutching the book tightly. "Well, don't touch it again."
Ryan gets up and puts an arm around his brother's shoulders. "Aw, don't be like this. Come on. Cheer up. I promise I'll never touch your stuff again. Come on, give me a smile, man."
Derek relents. He can never hold out for long against his youngest brother. "Fine," he smiles reluctantly.
"Great," Ryan looks more relieved. "I'll help you close shop. We can try that new Mongolian buffet restaurant that opened just last week..."
***
"Grace?"
Grace blinks when she hears the voice on her mobile phone. "David?" her voice sounds hoarse and foreign to her own ears.
"It's me," he confirms, grimly. "I've just touched down. I'm at the airport and will be over soon. Are you still at the hospital?"
"I am," Grace says, still shocked. "He's... all right. The doctor said he is."
David exhales in relief. "I'm glad," he says simply. "I'll be over to take a look." There was a pause, and then his voice comes over again, this time gentler. "Are you all right?"
Grace smiles, a little mistily. "I am. I'm fine."
"All right. I should be over soon. Stay put."
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #9 on May 20, 2003, 1:11pm » | |
(Em)
Janette sits in her fairly spacious but cluttered office overlooking Victoria Harbour, but her mind is not on her work. Spinning a pen in her right hand and holding a coffee cup with her left, the focus of her eyes drifts over to the small picture frame on the edge of the desk that houses a photograph of her and William. She smiles and drifts off to the world of daydreamland, reliving the events of her birthday and not noticing that Monica has entered the room.
“Hey! Dozy….” Calls Monica, waking a startled Janette from her thoughts. She hands a document wallet over to Janette.
“You asked Millie to pass this to me and you haven’t even signed it yet! Come on, snap out of it… we’ve got some major clients to see this afternoon.”
The cool, enticing exterior of Monica exudes a sense of mystery and sophistication from the dark mixed race features of this exotic beauty and this is backed up completely by her acute sensibility and immense intelligence. Power and success are all that she strives for, culminating in her achievements to date.
In stark contrast, Janette is the Yang to Monica’s Yin as she lives each day for the day and is simply enjoying life and her work in her happy, cheery, carefree way. Her dedication to her career is driven only by the wish to provide a service to other people and despite hailing from three generations of successful barristers and a very wealthy background, her heart is full of charity and innocence and there is not a shred of malice in her blood. However, it is this great opposition that has created an unspeakable bond between these two partners and friends and although they work in entirely different ways, their years of friendship have been fruitful and inspiring.
Janette apologises and quickly scribbles her dainty signature onto the four pages of the document before handing it back to Monica, who smirks.
“So I guess you had a great evening then?”
Another beaming smile spreads across Janette’s cheeks, revealing her dimples once again.
“Yeah, it was beautiful, star gazing in the middle of the sea and then watching the sun climbing over the horizon…”
“Hmm, you stayed up all night? No wonder you were in a bit of a trance the next day” remarks Monica stoically.
“Oh.. Monica! Guess who I bumped into yesterday!” Janette enthuses.
Monica flickers an eyelid over at Janette as she double checks the document.
“Do you remember Derek, from uni? He has his own model shop now… it’s only small, but he seems quite happy.”
Sneering at the sound of his name, Monica hisses in reply,
“He’s a loser – was then and is now. Who’d want to waste time remembering him?”
She closes the file and walks towards the door. As she leaves she turns back to a somewhat bewildered Janette:
“Three o’clock and don’t forget!”
*************
Grace holds the hand of her precious son as she watches over him at his bedside. Her children are all she has and it pains her so much to see Ethan in this way. The nurses have taken pity on her waiting outside and allowed her to sit in the room to look after her boy. The tears uncontrollably fall from her eyes and down her cheeks again as she loses the fight against her emotions once again. Suddenly she is distracted by a tightening of the grip from the hand in hers and she wipes away her tears to see Ethan with his eyes open.
“Ethan!” she yells, before realising she might be disturbing the other patients in the ward.
Ethan slowly raises his hand up to Graces face and tries to wipe away some of her tears.
“I’ll be okay, mum.” He whispers.
“Grace!”
David has finally arrived after speeding down the motorway from Manchester airport. He rushes over to where she is sat and looks across at Ethan.
“Son – are you alright?”
Ethan turns his head away, as much as he can. He obviously does not want to see his father.
| |
|
Ayu
New Member
member is offline
Joined: Dec 2003
Gender: Female 
Posts: 13
Location: Malaysia
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #10 on Dec 20, 2003, 6:43am » | |
So long.. 
|
AYU.. |
|
michelle
Guest
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #11 on Jul 31, 2005, 10:22am » | |
I really agree with Ayu this is really long .
| |
|
Tay
Guest
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #12 on Aug 3, 2005, 2:30pm » | |
[img][/img]That is a nice long message it took me long to read it it was kinda good though did you make it up
| |
|
Em
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 133
| | Re: Different Worlds
« Reply #13 on Aug 29, 2005, 6:33pm » | |
It was a fan fiction that I was writing with some fellow spcnetters.... shame it never got finished.
Maybe one day I will finish it off, but too busy at the moment.
| |
| |
|
![[Home]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Login]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Logged