Wyn: Congratulations Daniel!
Daniel smiled as he shook hands with Wyn.
Dan: To partnership!
Wyn: Partnership!
Wyn had bought over his company where she let him be the MD, overseeing the operations of the office. It was a great leap for him. His new office was huge and cozy.
They went for a long lunch together.
Daniel was thinking of his wives but he told himself that he had to endure first before breaking the great news to them. He was sure that they will be happy to hear.
Wyn: What are you thinking dear?
Dan: I’m… too excited…
Wyn: It’s your achievement dear.
Daniel smiled.
Wyn: Shall we go back home now?
Dan: Isn’t it too early?
Wyn: No. You and I are the bosses now.
Dan: Nah. Let me go back to the office for a while.
Wyn: Workaholic eh?
Dan: You know me.
Wyn: Alright. Let’s go.
He settled into his office, answered some emails, stretched and looked at his phone.
He picked his phone and called Bernice.
*The number you dialled is not in use.*
Ting.
*We are sorry. We are unable to get a response from your mobile phone. Please try again later.*
Rena.
-No dial tone-
Gin:
-No dial tone-
Evans:
-No dial tone-
Something was wrong. Why wasn’t anyone answering?
He dialled his home phone.
*No answer*
Wyn was on the phone with her agent.
Agent: Clean job done Ms Wyn. Mission complete.
Wyn: How am I to confirm?
Agent: Will send you shots of their expressions upon leaving. Priceless.
Wyn: Looking forward to them. You better not be lying or getting rid of you will be as easy as ABC.
Agent: Yes Ms Wyn. I know about your influence.
Daniel knocked on her door.
Dan: Dear? Did I catch you at a wrong time?
Wyn: No. Why?
Dan: I think something happened at home. I need to go back for a while first.
Wyn: Sure. Go then.
Dan: I’ll call you later.
Wyn: I’ll be waiting dear. Love you.
Dan: Love you too.
He rushed off as Wyn laid back on her chair, grinning to herself.
The agent came within half an hour and passed Wyn the pack of photographs.
She laughed upon seeing their tear covered faces leaving the mansion.
Wyn: Well done. Well done. Here’s your cheque. Now scram.
Agent: Thank you for the business Ms Wyn.
He bowed as he left her room.
Wyn: Let’s see your reaction when you reach home Daniel. I will be only the person your eyes can have. Only me. Ha ha ha… hahahaha….HAHAHAHAHA…
Her loud screech could be heard from the outside as her staff got distracted by her high pitched laughter.
There was something peculiar about his house. Everything was pitch dark. Strange. Why isn’t anyone at home?
He opened the door.
Dan: Hello?
The only sound that he could hear was his own echo.
我们 像分隔成一整个宇宙
再见 都化作乌有
我们说好决不放开相互牵的手
可现实说过有爱还不够
走到分岔的路口
你向左我向右
我们都倔强地不曾回头
Coffeecans Reads
A walk with Bernice.
It was the same feeling. Bernice still couldn’t bring herself to hate her first love. The very man whom she spent her time with. But what was that wound that was still bleeding in the inside. What do you call the pain?
The only therapy she could immerse herself in was through her soulful voice. It was the only way for her to really vent out and inject her feelings in. She sat alone in the ktv room where she booked.
As she scrolled down the list of singers, a particular singer stood out.
辛曉琪
A singer that she loved where she could convey the whole story through her vocals and emotions.
A song that could explain her short relationship with the one she loved. But she could only realise that it might all have been her own wishful thinking.
領悟.
The lyrics could have killed her while she held on to her own emotions.
當我看到我深愛過的男人
竟然像孩子一樣無助
這何嘗不是一種領悟
讓你把自己看清楚
被愛是奢侈的幸福
可惜你從來不在乎
(For best results, please plug in your earphones, close your eyes, relax and feel Bernice’s inner self)
你曾是我的全部
只是我回首來時路的每一步
都走的好孤獨
Her trembling fingers.
Her shaky voice.
The last lyrics let her lose her grip of her microphone as she dropped it to the red carpeted floor.
别再为爱受苦
Coffeecans Reads
Rena tried hard to get Bernice but to no avail too. Until she had to resort to going to her place to find out. She was not there too. According to her mum, Bernice had moved out and she didn’t know her whereabouts too. Her mum only said that Bernice would call her once she is settled in. She did tell her that if anyone is looking for her, tell them that she does not know too.
Rena knew that it was futile to ask more. She said her thanks and left. She was thinking that Bernice might have known what happened. She wanted to find out more. There must have been a mastermind behind but what was her purpose?
Rena walked with disappointment and sadness as she left.
Just then someone whispered to her.
Rena?
Rena jumped as though she was frightened by a ghost.
She turned.
Bernice was just standing behind her.
Wyn was in high spirits as she popped her champagne, drinking alone happily. Her plan had worked. Now Daniel is all hers. She paired it with sweet Korean strawberries as she looked through the photos from the agent. Their agonised faces that wore that extreme sadness was paradise to her.
She brought out her phone and texted Daniel.
Wyn: Hi Dear, how’s things at home?
There was no reply which she had predicted.
She took another big gulp of champagne as she smiled.
Bernice and Rena sat down at a nearby cafe as they talked to each other.
Daniel still waited. He was sure that one of his wives would be back. He was very confident about it.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Hours passed.
Still there were no signs of them.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
No one.
Why was this so? Just what happened?
He was puzzled.
Did they know about his trip to Maldives was more like a sexcapade?
Can’t be. They would not be as clever as he thought.
Or would they?
He found his heart racing with fear now.
He only remembered Beth words, telling him to avoid going with Wyn.
There are no such things as coincidence. He thought to himself.
He stared in blank space, watching the ceiling fan turn and turn.
Suddenly he thought he saw something. He thought Beth was standing at the far corner of his house.
Coffeecans Reads
Who exactly are you?
Daniel rubbed his eyes. He thought he was dreaming or was the quiet environment sending hallucinations to his brain?
But what he saw was really Beth.
She was squatting down, weeping.
Dan: Beth? Is that… you?
There was no response.
Dan: Beth?
He walked slowly. His legs shaking. Not from fright but from guilt. He didn’t know why but his heart was weighing heavier with each step.
Dan: Beth… I….
He could only see her head buried in her arms as she cried.
He lowered himself.
There was Beth. Wearing his favorite dress.
Dan: Have I done something wrong?
Beth gave him a shot in the eye.
That stare was cold yet it penetrated his heart to the very core. He felt cold as though the channels to his bloodstream was frozen. He collapsed to the ground.
Beth: I told you many times Dan. Why? Why didn’t you listen? Now that you have lost the love. They loved you so Dan. They loved you so like I did.
Her tears from her pale face made her look even more frail.
Beth: Just who are you now? Just who are you?
She said as she faded into darkness.
Dan: Beth… Don’t go… please… I… have… so much to ask you… Beth….
The last glimpse of her was her shaking her head.
Beth: Who exactly are you?
Daniel jumped up from the couch in the sofa. He was sweating profusely as he stared around his empty mansion.
Coffeecans Reads
It has been a week.
There were no traces of them. Not even a call nor return.
It seemed that they all had one thing in common.
They wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
And.
He never dreamt of Beth again.
Daniel leaned his head against the cold walls of his mansion. The once noisy and fun environment was now replaced with a dead silence. The themed rooms were now nothing but empty rooms. He buried himself in his palms. Just what happened? Why did his wives all leave him? He tried to contact them but it seemed as though they had changed their phone numbers. The last time he saw them their eyes were filled with intense disappointment and even Bernice who was the softest looked at him with disbelief.
What did he do?
He slept alone in each themed room, trying hard to get the fond memories he shared with each love who spent their happiest moment here. The touch of the bed, the surroundings and the warmth.
Especially in Bernice’s room which was the simplest of all, he could not help but weep. She was the one who was always there for him no matter what happened. But she was no longer around anymore.
The week with Wyn was postponed. He had neither any intention to work or go after his sexual needs.
Was Beth right?
Out of nowhere Wyn messaged him that caught him by surprise.
Wyn messaged him: Dear, shall we go for dinner today?
Dan: Not today Wyn. I’m not feeling too well today.
Wyn: You have not been feeling well for sometime now Dan! Are you avoiding me?
Dan: No Wyn, don’t get me wrong. I’m just not feeling well. A lot of things happened at home.
Wyn: Poor thing. How about I come over? I think you need someone to talk to.
Dan: If you like then.
Wyn: Alright. I’ll be there tonight ok?
Daniel put down the phone and leaned on the couch. He took out a cigarette and took a huge puff. It has been a long time since he last smoked. An exhale followed by a deep sigh. Seeing the cloud of smoke disappear before him, his mind was in a total blank.
Just what on earth happened? That was the question that Daniel was asking himself. Why did they leave? What did he do? What was the cause? No one said anything.
Wyn horned as she drove her car into his parking lot. There she came out of the car wearing a black blouse and she wasn’t wearing anything beneath. Paired with killer heels had made her simply irresistible. Wyn thought this would be the best treatment for him to unwind.
The main door was not locked and she could easily make her way inside. The room was stale and there were smoke everywhere. The lights were not turned on. The entire mansion was lit orange from the rays of the street lamps. There laid Daniel. The coffee table was messy and there were houseflies around. He was almost like a dead man.
Wyn: Oh my god. What happened to you dear? Why are you like this?
Daniel went silent. He noticed that Wyn was dressing in his favorite attire but he paid no attention to it. He just drank from the can of beer. To his dismay, there were no liquid left in there. He crushed the can and threw it aside.
Daniel: Argghhh!
This was the first time Wyn saw him like this.
Wyn: Are you alright dear? Please. You are scaring me.
Daniel: Was it you? Was it YOU? They are gone. All gone.
Wyn: Who? Who’s gone?
Daniel: Don’t pretend! You knew it. You knew it all along didn’t you?
Wyn: Huh? What are you talking about dear? Wasn’t you single all along? Are you telling me that you were lying all this while?
Daniel froze. What was he saying and thinking? Did he just give himself away?
Wyn: Were you lying to me all this time? Huh? What are you hiding from me?
Daniel was at a loss for words.
Wyn: Hmpph! I’m angry!
Wyn said as she walked out of his mansion and drove away.
Daniel watched helplessly as she left.
Daniel: Oh great. Now you are leaving me too.
He turned his head and drank a huge gulp of XO as he choked.
Coffeecans Reads
Wyn was smiling to herself as she gulped down her wine in her home.
Her plan had worked.
This time all she needed to do was try to mend the hole in his heart.
And it was what she thought would help.
Dan smelled heavily of liquor.
He could not even stand properly.
In a deep laugh, he broke into tears.
What use was it if he has stable business but an empty shell in his house?
It has been such a long time since he last experienced this utter helplessness.
Which reminded him of the pain when he lost Beth.
And Bernice who was always there for him.
Rena, who would always put himself before her.
He knew instinctively who loved him.
And now.
All he wanted was.
To have his warm home back.
And he was determined, he is going to get them back.
One by one.
But what if it was all too late?
What if they had already changed their hearts?
And.
Could he himself stop his way of flirting?
That was a question that he needed to find out himself.
Of course, he thought breaking it to Wyn would be good. And he thought that she would be understanding and support his action.
Yes, he thought she would.
He picked up his phone.
Dan: Wyn, I have something to tell you.
Coffeecans Reads
Wyn was happily waiting outside her house when Dan drove.
He came out of the car.
His face calm.
Dan: Wyn.
Wyn: Yes dear? What were you intending to tell me?
She was thinking that he would probably tell her that he would be willing to spend his days with her. She was very sure about it.
Dan: Sorry Wyn.
Wyn: Huh?
She was dumbfounded.
Dan: I lied.
I had five wives.
Living together with me.
I was really smitten with you.
I was falling for you.
To me you are the perfect girl. Everything about you is flawless.
But…
I only discovered that I really missed them so much. They done so much for me through my worst days. I’m at a loss.
I want them back.
I’m not sure if I can but I will try my best to win them back again.
Now Wyn’s face turned from serene to anguish.
Wyn: I knew it all along. But I never expected for you to choose them than me. You made a wrong choice Dan. A very wrong one. I gave you where you are today. I can easily take them back. Now there is still time for you to consider. If you come back to me I will act that nothing has happened. But if you choose them, you will be back to square one. You will lose everything in your business. Think about it Daniel.
Now Daniel did not expect this side of her. He should have guessed but he did not expect her to be so realistic.
And then a thought flashed him.
Dan: Wait. Were you the one who did all these? WAS IT YOU?
Coffeecans Reads
Without answering she gave him a tight slap on his face.
PIAK!
Wyn: Who do you think you are? You are nothing but a shrimp to me! Despite me trying to get into your life and getting rid of the pests around this is what I get!
Dan: So it was really you all along!
Another slap came from the right to his face.
Wyn: So what if it was me? What can you do about it?
Dan: You!!!
Wyn: Was what I did wrong huh? TELL ME! How can a lover accept having so many ladies beside him? How would you react if I had five husbands?
Multiple slaps landed on his face.
He just stood there.
Her words stung him like scorpions. She was absolutely right.
How would they feel.
If it was him, would he be as gracious as Bernice?
He had been slapped as though he doesn’t feel pain. Instead there were tears dripping down from him.
Wyn: Bastard! Leave! I thought I had found someone that I could depend upon! I thought you would be true! I thought….
A final slap knocked sense into him.
Wyn: Leave. And don’t come back. After all that I gave this is what I got back? Ahhhh AHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
She clenched her fists.
Turned her back.
只是女人
容易一往情深
總是為情所困
終於越陷越深
可是女人
愛是她的靈魂
她可以奉獻一生
為她所愛的人
Wyn: I will never.
Never.
Forgive you.
Coffeecans Reads
Daniel was at a loss now.
Wyn’s words stung him to the very core. He walked off with his head hung low. And it was the very first time he saw Wyn cry.
可是女人
愛是她的靈魂
她可以奉獻一生
為她所愛的人
He drowned himself in sorrow, gulping down the hard liquor that stood in his house. He deserved it. He kept staring at the windows, seeing the curtains swing. He was waiting for signs of Beth. But there was none.
It had been such a long time since he felt this emptiness in him. This was the very feel of when Beth left him for another man.
What had this turned into?
Who could he blame but himself? He let out a forced laughter but he was tearing, with his lips trembling. He clenched his fists tightly and hit it hard on the walls, trying to numb his pain he felt from his insides. Punch after punch he threw, but it was no use. The pain in his heart was too severe to be replaced. A tinge of red was marked on the walls.
He cried to sleep almost every night alone in each themed room. He had not been to work for more than a week already. Nothing matters to him more now. He was an empty shell, drowning in hard liquor each night. He smelled bad, looked really shabby, he found himself having no strength to even walk out.
That night Beth appeared.
Beth: Please. Don’t destroy yourself. Find a way. Find a way to win them back. Only you can do it. They still love you. Find a way.
He could not move. He did not utter a word but close his eyes. He knew Beth was right but he didn’t know what to do.
Coffeecans Reads
Now that Daniel had no one by his side, the only thing that he could do was look at what was left in his account.
He was disappointed by how much he had. Without Bernice’s finance control he was fast spending every cent. He then decided to do something. Something that he had never tried. Something bold.
He tried hard to really think of words to say, words to express himself. He knew it might not work but perhaps it might be his only chance.
There he picked up his phone and asked his friend for help. He knew that he would be excited about this job. They sat down and talked about it.
Greg: Well Dan, this is going to cost you, you know?
Dan: I know but this is the only way to reach them since they had changed their numbers.
Greg: Well then. Ok.
They discussed through the night and Greg nodded as they spoke.
For the next few days, Daniel was hard at his own work, liasing with Greg.
*Yes!* Dan nodded as he replied Greg.
Dan: We are good to go!
Greg: Great! Let’s wait and see if it works then.
For the first time in his life, he was tidying up his house as if he was waiting for them to come back.
Coffeecans Reads