Dawn ran.
But given the condition that I was in, I was not able to catch up.
I ended up with a loud thud.
Her steps stopped. And she turned around.
I collapsed on the floor with blood around. She came to me and shook me.
Dawn: Max? Max?
I could hear her voice. But my body just won’t react. My eyes were running wildly. All I could manage is touch her on her face, saying “Forgive me” before I blanked out again.
Snow looked at herself in the mirror, thinking that her plot had worked. It was her who told Dawn to visit her at the hotel. She texted her. Snow paid some guys to help carry me to the room. Her timing was perfect.
Snow: Let’s see if Dawn can forgive you. You are mine Max. You are mine. I met you first. I touched you first.
She walked out with a sense of triumph, trying to look at the heartbroken Dawn.
But never did she expect to see me unconscious on the passageway while Dawn was calling for help. The ambulance came and Dawn followed me to the hospital.
Snow had never expected it to turn out so drastically.
Dawn held on to my hand, asking me to respond to her. She was trying to say alot of things to me.
Dawn: I have so much to tell you Max. Please…
A sprinkle of tears came on my left arm. A trinkle on my right. Then it started falling. I could feel her but my body would not react. All I could muster myself was smile.
Snow turned white. She immediately ran. Hailed a cab to tail the ambulance.
King’s dad got his salary as he bought King’s favourite food. His dim sum.
He carried it up and sniffed, letting it’s aroma flood his nostrils.
He lifted his head.
And there was a huge explosion.
He saw a huge gust of black smoke and orange rage. A man flew out of the window pane, as if being blown up. He was in flames. He shrieked and waved his arms frantically. Then he fell.
King’s dad counted the levels. And he was getting really worried.
KD: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
8th storey.
8th storey.
1,2,3,4.
4th unit.
4th.
4th.
4TH!
Before he could react, the man fell in front of him. Charred and broken.
King.
He dropped the bag containing his favourite food.
And he could not believe his eyes.
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I was rushed into the A&E.
Dawn could not stop crying. And the imagery of the old lady who shook her head was coming into view. She clasped her hands together, praying hard.
Dawn: Let no harm come to you dear. Please. Though I have not told you, you should have known by now. I was moved by your every actions. The little things you did for me despite your average background. Please… god.. save him… I can’t do without him. Please…
She closed her eyes as she chanted her prayers.
Snow hid herself as she pulled her hair.
Snow: Why? Why did this happen? Please… it’s all my fault… let the bad come to me… why hurt an innocent man like Max? Please…
Snow stepped out, and walked towards Dawn.
Snow lowered her head.
Snow: It’s my fault Dawn. He did not do anything to me. I was jealous. I wanted him. I could not take it that he was always thinking about you. I could not accept it. Even when I was totally naked or tried to seduce him, he would not yield to me. He fell in love with you the first time.
Dawn slapped her.
Dawn: Now you are happy? Happy?
She stared hard at her.
Dawn: He often spoke about you. About how good you were as a friend, as a sister. All because of your jealously. ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!
Snow covered her mouth as her vision started to blur.
She fell to her knees.
Snow: I… I didn’t meant for this..to happen.. really….
Dawn’s mascara had already smudged as she shook. She turned her head as she shook her head.
I was pushed out as Dawn ran to me. Snow could only look from a distance.
She did not dare take a step forward. She crossed her arms and wrapped it around herself as she looked at the floor and cried.
我也不想這麼樣 起起伏伏
反正每段關係都是孤獨
眼看感情變成一個包袱
都怪我太渴望得到 你的保護
Coffeecans Reads
I did not know how long I was sleeping.
But I had a dream. A dream that I wished I would not wake up to.
I was smiling. And on the background there was this music which was playing. An old and classic song. There, I reached out my hand, dressed in a smart black suit and tie, with my hair gelled nicely. She was there, dressed in pure white, with laces on the ends, she was wearing a pair of custom designed diamond and pearl earrings. Her head veil revealed a happy and blissful side of her. I held her hand, as she placed her arms on my shoulders, we embraced each other and slowly danced, following the rhythm of the song.
Dawn held on to my hand, placing it near her face. She was staring at me, who was still unconscious.
Dawn hymned. She was lightly singing to me. Hoping her voice would reach me.
My hands were still cold.
思念是一種很玄的東西…
She cupped her hands on mine as she rubbed, sending warmth to my palms. Snow stood outside, watching helplessly.
恨不能立即 朝你狂奔去….
Dawn held my hands to her face.
Dawn: wake up dear….
大聲的告訴你….願意為你 我願意為你…
Dawn lowered her head. Sniffing.
The crystal droplets enlarged as they fell.
Splashing on my wrists.
就算多一秒 停留在你懷裡 失去世界也不可惜…
Dawn continued to hymn.
She could not bear to stare at me. She tried to look elsewhere. Up. Down.
And she could not control it.
She tucked her lips.
Until she could not hold it anymore.
She opened her arms, embraced me tightly. Buried her head on my chest, I could feel her hot breath on me.
It took her a while to compose herself as she finished the song.
只要你真心 拿愛與我回應
什麼都願意 什麼都願意 為你
She wept.
Until she fell asleep.
Coffeecans Reads
King’s rented flat was burnt. Everything in there was incinerated. Nothing was left. The residents was shouting beforehand telling King to open the door but King could not hear. He had turned on the radio at max volume.
The gas was fast engulfing the room. Soon King could smell it. He panicked.
He cried for help but the radio was too loud. His voice were drowned out.
He moved his hands frantically until he reached the stove. And he thought it would be a good idea to turn the knob. He had not touched a stove all his life. It was his dad who does the cooking.
He pressed the other knob.
Pushed it down.
Turned anticlockwise.
And a tick.
The spark caused the air of gas to catch fire. He instantly caught fire. He was engulfed in flames as he tried to swing it off, the fire picked up. He was running towards the window aimlessly when he kicked the gas cylinder. There was another reserve as it caught fire. It exploded with a huge impact, throwing King out of the window and then the other exploded again.
King struggled but he was no match for the fire.
Before he could do anything he knew it was all over for him.
King’s dad was dumbstruck.
He knew in himself that his son was a bastard. A baddie spoilt and rotten to the core. But he was after all his son and seeing him in this state was something he could not accept. He collapsed.
King was on the papers the next day, about the fire that broke out. His face was printed.
Mary picked up the papers and there was a grin on her face.
Mary: Heaven has eyes.
His victims were all saying the same thing.
The last victim cursed King even when he is dead: Burn in hell you bastard.
But the saddest thing about the news was.
Father committed suicide after seeing burnt corpse of son.
Mary shook her head in pity.
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Snow left the hospital.
Her head bent down, saddened by her own childish behaviour.
One that left me in hospital.
She could not stop crying.
She did not know where to go but to Mary.
She requested for Mary to let her have the ktv room to herself.
Mary could not bear to see her sad self as she nodded.
Snow closed the door as she pressed on the same song, filling the entire playlist with the same song.
She closed her eyes as she recalled the first time she met me.
It was her who wiped the blood off me.
She took the microphone and sang, letting her memories of me flood her visions.
It was a duet but she sang alone.
聽聽那時我們的愛情
有時會突然忘了
She continued.
She could recall the first time she asked me to book her for the night.
再唱不出那樣的歌曲
聽到都會紅著臉躲避
But I would only tell her where were we going.
所以一切都是幸福的模样…
She would jump. Irritated by how a blockhead I was.
因为爱情怎么会有沧桑
She shook her head and tried to smile, but it could not stop her tears.
再唱不出那样的歌曲 听到都会红着脸躲避 虽然会经常忘了
我依然爱着你
因为爱情不会轻易悲伤
所以一切都是幸福的模样
She remembered how he would find her.
To dig for information about Dawn.
And how she would extort him.
因为爱情简单的生长
依然随时可以为你疯狂
因为爱情怎么会有沧桑
Her first hotel stay.
Her first tub experience.
因为爱情在那个地方
依然还有人在那里游荡
Her first time watching the beautiful magic hour with me.
Her first room service.
She remembered how we nearly kissed before we were interrupted by the doorbell.
She looked at the lyrics as she tried her best to finish.
给你一张过去的CD 听听那时我们的爱情
有时会突然忘了
我还在爱着你…
The grip on the microphone became loose as it fell slowly to the ground.
She remembered how I was determined to get rid of King.
For both her sake and Dawn’s.
She wrapped herself with her arms.
She was cold.
But there was no one there to comfort her.
She would have wished the blockhead to be there for her.
With that, she broke down.
Mary could hear her cries from outside.
Mary could not help but shook her head as she knew how Snow felt about me.
Coffeecans Reads
I was discharged from the hospital, where I had requested to go back to my house, ‘workplace’ to Dawn. She was hesitant but finally agreed.
Dawn: Why are you so insistent on your work?
Me: There is just one last piece I need to complete and it means a lot to me.
Dawn: But your condition…
Me: I’m fine dear. I’m sorry that I had messed up…
Dawn: I know its a misunderstanding. Snow told me about it.
She wrapped her arms around me more tightly.
I whispered in her ears: I heard what you said.
She did not respond but place her head on my shoulders. I could smell hair’s fragrance which made my day.
I sat down on my otherwise familiar sofa, catching a breather.
There were so much to do, and so little time left.
I went to my room, took out my laptop as I surfed across the internet.
Clicked the item I liked, and purchased it.
It promises fast delivery and I was anticipating it.
Dawn poured me a cup of warm water as she excused herself.
I took the carving tools and continued the work on my unfinished piece.
I had to fasten my pace.
For there was no time left.
Dawn took a while in the bathroom. But I was focused on finishing my piece.
I would need two more full days to finish this.
Two undisturbed days.
Without disturbance. Without Dawn.
I brushed off the shavings off and analysed the progress.
I wiped the sweat off my head.
There was this sweet smell of the shower foam, fresh and it had almost filled the entire room with it.
There stood Dawn.
Looking at me with the most feminine stare.
Her smile could kill.
And.
She was only wrapped in a towel.
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I nearly dropped my chisel.
Looking at Dawn, who was wrapped with only a towel and nothing else.
She walked closer.
I stopped.
I gave her a stop there sign.
She paused.
I continued my chiselling.
She took another step.
I knew I was going to let my temptation get the better of me. But I had to control myself.
It would not be fair to her.
I tried my best to ignore her.
But she still took another step.
I stopped my work, turned around and I did not know what went over me.
My emotions seemed to get over me.
I threw my chisel down on the floor.
Me: I don’t need your SYMPATHY!
Dawn was shocked by my reaction.
Me: Please. give me some time. Please. This sculpture is very important to me. I need to complete this very urgently and the timeline is very short. I need to concentrate.
Dawn wiped her tears and nodded. She went to my room and took one of my long sleeved shirt to wear.
I was relieved as I took a breather before I continued.
Deep in me I yearned so much for Dawn.
I wanted so much to unwrap her.
I wanted to see her.
I wanted to kiss her.
I wanted to grope her.
But would she just be like one in the fairy tales?
Did she act in impulse or was it true love? Or sympathy?
That was something I could not make up.
She fell asleep on the couch as she looked so angelic.
I smiled as I continued my sculpture.
Perhaps it will be done in two more days.
It has to be done.
Because it would be my final piece.
Coffeecans Reads
Snow had turned to drinking.
She had been joining the clients to drink, trying to drown away her sorrows through it. Even when she was taken advantage, she wouldn’t care less. She just wanted to get dead drunk.
Every night, she would end up sleeping on the sofa. Scantily dressed and all her reaction would be smiling and asking Mary for more liquor.
Mary: Please Snow, you are hurting yourself.
Snow would smile at her.
Snow: More please. You can deduct from my pay. I need it.
Mary: Please Snow.
Snow: I will get it myself. She stood up and walked in a zigzag manner as she fell. She stood up again and tried to walk out.
Mary grabbed her hand.
Mary: Snow…
Snow suddenly collapsed on the floor. Her head bowed down.
She was almost like a jellyfish, strengthless, helpless.
Mary hugged her with tears in her eyes too.
Mary: My poor child.
Snow did not reject Mary’s embrace.
She rested her head on Mary’s shoulders.
Snow: It hurts Mary… It HURTS SO MUCH…. aaargghhhhhhh!
Coffeecans Reads
Dawn was given a good two days break away from work.
I wanted her to spend time with his father, and at the same time I could concentrate on my work with nothing bothering me. I had told her unless I call her, she is not supposed to step in.
Puzzled she may seem, she agreed.
The doorbell rang as I answered.
Postman: Your parcel sir.
I quickly signed it and waved goodbye. Placing the parcel at a corner.
Now the sculpture was near to completion.
Just needed some touch ups.
I was grinning to myself.
A good piece.
Looking at the 4 covered pieces was a joy.
Now the item I ordered online was here. Time to clean up the place and prepare my exhibit.
I brushed the sweat off my forehead, smiling.
Did some cleanups on the floor, washing and watering the garden. Trimming the excess off the plants.
I unveiled the fabric off the sculpture as I began to decorate them.
Not a usual practice but it was something new that I have not tried.
Perfect.
Now it was time to type out the rationale.
Nah. Perhaps it’ll be better off using a feather pen. For a more calligraphic and script-like styled words.
There was a total of four envelopes each sealed with the red wax that I had ordered online too.
I stared at my watch and stretched.
What a long day.
Went for a shower and went to bed.
There was no call or message from Dawn. Perhaps she did not want to disturb me.
I texted Dawn.
Me: Goodnight my dear.
It did not take long for her to reply: Goodnight dear. Love you.
She did not know how much the four words meant to me.
I smiled as I slept.
But I had a weird dream.
I was drowning.
And the water was not blue but blood red.
And I sank.
There was no sign of me struggling to get free.
And the last time I knew, my hands sank through the ripples.
I wanted to wake up from my dreams but my body could not react nor move.
It was when my phone rang which caused me to jump up.
The otherwise familiar number shone in darkness.
Snow.
She wept on the phone as I answered.
Snow: Help me please, Max. Help meeee…
With that, her phone went dead.
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I arched my eyebrows. Not certain if I should respond to Snow’s call.
Is it going to be another prank?
Should I be responding?
But she sounded real.
I let my naive side take over as I returned her call.
The number you called is not in use. Please try again later.
I tried 3 times and it was the same response.
Something is wrong.
But where was she?
Do I still follow my instincts?
I rushed down to Mary’s ktv.
Mary was outside and she seemed like she was waiting for me.
For the first time, Mary ran to me.
Mary: Snow… she….
I ran into the room.
Snow was unconscious.
Her wrist was bleeding.
On the table were lots of bottles of wine, few broken.
The ambulance arrived as she was put into the stretcher.
I immediately texted Dawn.
Coffeecans Reads