I turned and walked back into the house
7pm
The contractors packed up and left the place.
I was starving as I had not eaten anything since breakfast so I went ahead to grab my own dinner.
8.30pm
Uncle bobby’s lorry pulled up and so did the sedan car.
I helped the group unload everything from the lorry.
Stephanie’s clothes, barang barang, basically everything from the office and her rented place at Tanjong Pagar.
As we closed the gate, a 2nd silver lancer appeared behind the 1st one.
10pm.
Everyone gathered in the living room for a late dinner.
11pm
It started to rain pretty heavily.
Seeing Muthu and Ah yee here with me made me feel pretty happy, I could only imagine that old fool Marcus calling out for help at home on such a rainy day only to be met with silence.
Ah Yee informed everyone that Amelia had asked for all to meet in the study at 11.30pm
Stephanie and I took a quick shower before heading down to the study on the ground floor.
I barely stepped out of Stephanie’s room when my phone beeped to indicate it was low on battery. I decided to head back and get it plug in.
James : Go first… I plug in my phone…
I also removed my wallet from my back pocket. It felt weird to be carrying my wallet around but I can’t possibly leave my wallet lying everywhere as I’m a guest in the house too.
After plugging in my phone, I put my wallet on the table.
As I was about to head out of the room, I pulled the door handle and tried to close the door but I stopped.
I stopped moving.
I tried the handle again.
Something was wrong.
Turning to look at the brash handle, I realised it was a stuck.
I tried it from the outside, it would not move as well.
That’s weird, it worked the night before.
Then I realised something weird. The small turn I used to lock the door was gone.
The whole lockset was new.
My heart dropped. There was this sinking feeling in my stomach.
I found it difficult to breath.
Turning back into the room, I looked at the corner where we had put all the things from the list I bought.
Yes the same list Stephanie gave me.
The toiletries, the things she needed.
Stephanie : Amelia said I needed to get stuff I need to last for a couple of weeks at least.
My legs felt weak.
I rushed to the window, pulling aside the curtains and I realised grilles had been installed.
I pulled open both curtains in the room and it was the same.
There was a streak of lighting and looking down into the driveway, a 3rd silver lancer had joined the 1st 2.
Another car was pulling into the driveway.
James : No… no…. this cannot be.
I knew I was breathing, but I was not getting the air I needed. It seemed as if no oxygen was going into my body and brain.
I got into the corridor and I tried to open the other room doors, they were all locked.
Rushing down the steps, I ran and barged into the study.
I came face to face with Stephanie, who was shaking where she stood. Her arms around her body. Rex held onto her arm.
I could tell she was about to cry.
My eyes scanned the room, Muthu was positioned by the full height sliding door that opens up to a small lap pool.
I heard a bolt behind me shut and I saw Ah Yee locking us in from the outside.
My eyes looked around the empty table before drifting to the room behind the study table. I could hear voices talking.
Familiar voices.
As Amelia walked out, I could hear her speak.
Amelia : Victor…. Has left the country with his mother… he won’t be back so soon…. It’ll be over before he gets back…
I stared in shock and disbelief as Amelia took her seat.
There were more voices in the room and a slow moving figure slowly emerged.
My legs felt weak and I sat down onto a chair as my shoulders slouched.
Marcus emerged slowly with the mysterious man and he settled into the seat beside Amelia.
I forced myself to get up and I went over to Stephanie but Rex stood in my way. I tried to push my way through but I ended up like a rag doll, being thrown onto my butt by him as Stephanie asked me to stop.
Stephanie : James…. Don’t…
I turned to Amelia and shouted.
James : HOW COULD YOU !! WE TRUSTED YOU !!!!!
Amelia dismissed my anger with a wave of her hands, as if she thinks I was not worth getting angry with.
Marcus : James….I have a proposal for you….
I turned and looked at Marcus…
How I wished I could close my fingers around his neck.
Then the ultimate thing happened.
It knocked the breath out of my lungs, squeezing every drop of oxygen out of my blood stream.
One last person came out of the study.
Stephanie shook and shivered as her legs gave way and she squat down, leaning against a wall for support.
The man walked over and took the seat beside Amelia.
This man I knew.
A man I knew for many years.
That lump in my throat grew so big I felt like throwing up.
The man that started it all.
Mr Koh : Hi James…
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Summerhillt
本剧，精彩大结局，将在明日 post 上来!!
只在 SAMMYBOY!
haha
天下无不散之宴席。。
Finally done with the final edits.
32 pages in word doc.
Please have a good rest.
I’ll read through one last round tomorrow with my morning coffee.
update before 9.30am
Thank you for reading my work.
I hope you enjoyed it so far.
Cheers
ilock
I blinked several times, trying to do something about the dryness in my eyes. I’ve never had dry eyes before, somehow I just felt very uncomfortable.
I could not believe what I was seeing even though it was happening right in front of me.
Mr Koh calmly walked over and took a seat beside Amelia.
Marcus was handed a folder by the man that served by his side and he opened it.
Before he could say anything, I lost it.
I really did.
Who the fuck do these people thing they are ?
What the fuck are they trying to pull ?
I shouted at the group at the top of my voice.
James : ARHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
I hit the table several times, slamming my palms on the harden wood of the intricate table with carvings on it’s legs
I hit and slammed down on the table so hard that I could feel the small blood vessels in my palms bursting. It would surely leave a bruise the next day.
Even as I threw my childish fit, the group of elders sat down calmly where they were. No one move as they waited for me to be done with my tantrum, much like an adult letting it’s child vent off it’s frustration at a moment when you knew words would mean nothing.
Stephanie covered her ears with her palms as I cursed and kicked the furniture in the study. For a whole minute and a half I was like a mad man. The series of events that I was put through finally made me snap.
It felt like a steel tension wire that was being pulled over and over again until it’s taut and tight. Then without warning, someone decides to cut it down in the middle, releasing all the pent up frustration and tension in my body at once.
When I was done, I fell to my knees for a second before I clamoured up onto a spare chair and pointed my fingers at the group in front of me.
There was no need for me to say anything.
Marcus did the talking.
Marcus: James…. Are you done ??
As his cold calm words went into my ears, I could not describe what I was feeling.
Am I angry ?
Upset ?
Disgusted ?
I don’t know.
What I do know was that Marcus spoke without any emotions.
It’s weird.
I’ve seen Marcus angry, I’ve seen him lost his patience but at that moment, he just spoke with me calmly.
As if he was telling me something normally, like a normal conversation.
Telling.
Not scolding.
It was not in a condescending manner, there was nothing high and mighty about his tone or his choice of words.
It was just normal.
And this very normal, made me very uncomfortable.
Marcus : I don’t know what you are feeling James…. So I’m not going to pretend I know….but here’s the situation….
He asked me if I loved Stephanie, much like the manner in which the JP would ask the newly wed before they exchanged their vows.
James : YES.!! I do !….
And as calmly as he asked the question, he rebutted me.
Marcus : Bullshit….
I glared angrily at him as he continued and referred to his folder.
Marcus : Tell me today’s date….
James : 23th Feburary 2013
Marcus : Good…. You’re still sober..
I clenched my fist, hoping he would just get the fuck to his point.
He squinted his eyes and he looked back at me with his index finger pointed at my chest.
Marcus : 16th Feburary 2013 …… Stephanie says you are her boyfriend….. fine… maybe you got together the day before…. I give you that….
He threw the folder onto the table.
Marcus : 8 days…..
I could feel a stone rolling in my gut as Marcus chewed down on me and continued.
Marcus ; You tell me… you are in love with Stephanie…. And… you are together for 8 days…how long have you known Stephanie ??? November last year??? …. Who are you fucking trying to kid ?
He put up both hands, showing me 8 old wrinkly fingers. Repeating the words 8 days again.
Marcus stood up and walked slowly around the room
Marcus : Fine… young people fall in love… whatever…. Fuck…
He walked over to his crying granddaughter who was sobbing on her knees.
Marcus : Did you for a moment think…. Stephanie would fall in love with you ??? Or you are just the right person…. Who is there at the right time ??
His words stung like the poisonous sting of a venomous creature as I felt this contraction in my heart.
Marcus : Ask yourself this question… if it had been another man there….. would Stephanie not have clung on to him ??
James : Enough !!!.. Stop!!…
I don’t want to hear anymore of his nonsense.
Marcus : Ask her yourself James…. Ask her yourself…
My eyes focused on Stephanie but she kept on weeping, burying her face in her palms.
Amelia stood up and took over.
Amelia : Stephanie was scared, she’s afraid, she’s desperate enough to cling onto anyone close….. I’m sorry James…. You just happen to be there for her…. There was no one else she could turn to…
I looked at Stephanie again as I waited for her to meet my eye.
Just look at me
Even for that one second.
Tell me none of these is true but she did not, she just continued sobbing away on the floor.
Amelia;s voice was gentle, almost motherly.
Amelia : James…. I know how…. Everything looks from your perspective….. but please try to change your perception….
She asked me this very simple question which I was unable to answer.
Amelia : Why…. Are we always portrayed at the bad guys…. And Stephanie is the only good person….has it ever occurred to you she is just another spoilt rich girl who would not listen??
I found it hard to shut out all their voices and I collapsed onto the chair.
Amelia : Look at how she spends her money….. look at how she spends her time… doing what ??? tell me… ? please…
I was immediately brought back to the first time we met.
The way Stephanie talked back to Victor.
The way she threatened me to work for her.
The manner which she refused small change of 5s and 2s.
Marcus ; I bet you know she doesn’t keep 5s and 2s….. but do you know why ???
I looked at Marcus who had started to walk back to his seat.
He pointed a finger at Stephanie.
Marcus : She….. refused to take her pocket money when it was $2 and $5…..she wanted $10 notes..…. At the age of 9….
Marcus went on to say that he wacked her so hard, that from that day forth, Stephanie hated 5s and 2s, because that was the only pocket money Marcus and Stephanie’s dad gave her till she reached JC.
Even then she would make it a point to keep pestering Victor to change out his notes for hers.
I swallowed a large gulp of saliva and I looked at Stephanie, my mind willing for her to look at me.
Inside my mind, I was pleading with her, even if it’s for that 1 second…look at me…. But she kept her head bowed down…
Marcus : Her office…. You worked for her for a few months…. Tell me…. Seriously…. Did you really think she was doing anything ??? Anything useful ?? I mean come on !!! ….. you call that a business ?
The room grew so stuffy that I could no longer breathe properly.
Marcus : Victor !… set it up for her… to keep her occupied….grounded….. so to speak…. But look…. Look at the spare room….tell me what the fuck was inside…
He gestured to the ceiling above him
Marcus : Do you know… how much money Stephanie spends on clothes and shoes…. And bags…. And fucking dead animal skins stitched together by fucking slaves in some factory……all because some fucking ang moh brands is on it. ….. dead animal skins…. And marketing… that’s all it is…
He took a deep breath and calmed down as a glass of water was offered to him.
It felt so suffocating that I retched.
James : Bluerrwreackkk….
Immediately Muthu opened the sliding door and I dashed outside, puking into lawn as the rain fell around me.
I spent the next 5 minutes puking before I staggered back into the room.
Ah Yee sat a cup of hot tea in front of me as Amelia continued.
She started with an apology, saying that I should not have been dragged into this. She pointed to Mr Koh and said he’s an old friend.
They wanted someone temporary, for a few months. Someone who could be trusted to put things in order while Stephanie prepares for her wedding. Eventually her company would be folded up and I would go back to Mr Koh having earned a tidy sum along the way.
James : No…. no…. I don’t believe you…. I don’t believe any of this….
Marcus continued.
Marcus : Despite Victor’s attempt to give her a chance..… the 1st few employees she hired, they fucked everything up big time…..She hired the 1st person she interviewed each time…who does things like that??…… they stole from the company….they fucked up deliveries, we might as well just pour the money into the drain instead of outright bleeding them.
As I struggled with swallowing what was just said, I could not help but think back to the first few days of my work.
I asked myself seriously what have I done ?
It was true there was nothing really productive.
Marcus : Ruhui…..
Yes. That name..
That name…
Marcus : Ruhui…. Hates us…..
I looked at Marcus as he opened his folder once more.
Marcus : But…. Ruhui hates her father more…….
I could feel this cramp creeping up in my leg.
Marcus : do you think she married Victor willingly….
James : She was the one who initiated….Stephanie told me…….she….
I was cut off before I finished.
Marcus ; Why ???
Marcus lifted his hands in the air, palms facing up and repeated the question.
Marcus : Why ??
I could not give a reply.
James ; I don’t know…
Marcus : Does Ruhui look stupid to you ??
He raised his eyebrow at me before looking away.
Marcus : I don’t think so…
Marcus spoke a little softer but I would still hear him clearly.
Marcus : She did what she did…. Only to make her father happy…trying to get into his good books……but !
He stressed on the ‘but’, raising a finger in the air.
Marcus : but what did she get in the end ?? Nothing…. Her brother still gets the majority of the estate and company simply because he has a penis…. Whereas Ruhui…. Gets shit even though she’s managing the family business
Then Marcus slowly broke into a smile.
Marcus : Ruhui wanted more…. She knew she deserved more….and on the pretext of Stephanie marrying Matthew, she was going to convince Matthew to start working on his assets and properties he owned….
I felt this sick feeling coming up again and I quickly took another sip of tea.
Marcus : Ruhui is not stupid…. She and Matthew knew long ago… what cards we would be playing…. If Stephanie leaves Matthew….it’s going to be messy…..
He referred to his folder another time to verify something before going on.
Marcus : The marriage was proposed long before you came into the picture… that was when Ruhui started working with Matthew to start off loading the stuff he owns… including his share of the company…. Well as for Matthew…. He wants to fuck Stephanie…. Badly I think….haha… he has enough for the rest of his life…. His only conquest was to….. mate…. If you want to describe this in a primitive way..
I gripped the cup and I raised it up about to throw it at Marcus when Rex grabbed it from me and pushed it away.
Marcus : Relax James…. Didn’t you fuck her as well ? ?
I looked at Stephanie who was still huddled up into a ball on the ground.
Marcus : Matthew…. Thinks he’s smarter than everyone else…. And we want him to continue thinking he is….
He paused and went back to his seat. Ah Yee came over with an envelope, a brown A3 envelope folded into 1/3 and passed it to Marcus who in turned passed it to me.
Marcus : Anyway… I think I’ve said enough…. Here’s my proposal…. Take it… walk away before you sink into the deep end of a pool you cannot get out…
My lips hardly parted before I was interrupted again.
Marcus : Stop !…. before you say anything…. About insulting you with money and all that shit….. please know that I don’t care. …. End of the day, it’s just words…. Words and feelings…. These have no tangible value…. They’re not worth anything…. Not to me…
He asked me to take the money and to change my way of looking at the offer.
Marcus : I like money…. So having to give them to you…. Hurts me….. so take the money… and know that it’s hurting me in the process…. I hope that makes you feel better.
He turned to Mr Koh and said something that he would wire his over but Mr Koh shook his head and said no need.
I pushed the envelope away and stood up.
No.
This is not right.
There is still so many questions unanswered.
I had to ask them.
James : I don’t believe you…. Nothing makes sense…. Why all the charade ? why all this knives and daggers, all this fucking bullshit ?? If it’s just a simple marriage, you could simply arrange it and….
Amelia stood up and raised up her palm.
Amelia : We don’t owe you an explanation James…. But seeing as how you got involved…. And….
She tried to think of the right words but she can’t so she went back to her explanation.
Amelia : Anyway……No one knows Victor was going to pull that stunt…. No one know Victor was getting his mum to Malaysia….. no one…. We did not expect that to happened….. and we certainly did not think he would get you involved….
She paused and came over to my side.
Amelia ; When that happened, Ruhui panicked…. She knew if Victor gets his way of sending his mum away, she would have 1 less card to force Stephanie’s hand in marriage…..
James : NO!!… that’s not true…. Stephanie was with Jack…. Her cousin….for…
Amelia raised her palms at me, waving in a grandmotherly manner, asking me to calm down.
Amelia : Jack…. Was nothing but a tool…..It takes time….for all the paperwork to be done….Jack being with Stephanie was just something Ruhui used to tell Matthew about the slight delay.
Amelia : The 3 of them are childhood friends…. Playmates since kids…. They go way back…. Matthew had no issues with Jack fucking Stephanie for a while before passing it over to him…. It was fine with him…
I felt like puking again..
The manner in which Amelia was describing Stephanie…. Almost as if she was a whore, being passed around the men.
Amelia : Anyway…. Ruhui panicked, and she started doing stupid things….. Marcus was angry with her and Victor…not to forget that spoilt little girl over there…. Which was why he came up with the terms he did to get everyone in a bind….
She paused and suddenly turned towards me as if she suddenly remembered something.
Amelia : Oh…. And did Stephanie tell you how did her mother end up in such a state in the first place ?? did she ?
Stephanie : ENOUGH!!! SHUT UPP!!! ….SHUT UPPP!!!
I had a shock as she screamed and shouted at the group of us.
Amelia : On her 21st birthday….. she wanted a sports car…. A …. Fairlady…. As they call it…. Her mum refused…. She threw a tantrum….left home…. And if that was not bad enough, she switched her mother’s medication….
My hand went to my mouth as I looked at Stephanie who finally looked at me.
James : Tell me none of this is true….
Stephanie sobbed and looked away before shouting at me.
Stephanie : I’m SORRY!!!… ok!!! I was young and stupid !!…. I regretted it everyday since then !!! STOP THIS!!! STOP!!!!
Amelia ignored her and went on.
Amelia : Her mum’s liver and kidney failed…she almost died…
I coughed and retched again as I digested what Amelia just told me…
Marcus came over to his wife’s side.
James : Does Victor know ??
Stephanie jumped up trying to grab onto Marcus and Amelia but was held back by Rex and Muthu came over to help.
Stephanie :You PROMISED !!!! You PROMISED to keep it from Victor !!
I turned and looked at Stephanie who was crying out loud, begging them not to tell Victor.
Amelia : No Victor doesn’t know…
I had a hard time trying to swallow all the information at that point in time. Everything seemed so overwhelming.
I shook my head, unable to believe anything that was being said.
Marcus : ….We can’t sit still and do nothing…
Marcus pointed to Mr Koh and said that was when they decided to do something.
Marcus : You..James…was recommended by Koh during one of our meet ups.
Instead of letting Stephanie get her own staff, they got Mr Koh to call Victor instead since they were acquainted from a while back.
Marcus : I told Victor I could turn a blind eye to the money he was burning at Stephanie’s little company but he had to get someone who could set things straight for the very least. ….. Mr Koh had someone he could spare. We’re not going to waste time looking for a new employee from scratch….i rather pay more for someone who can get things done…
Marcus told me that Mr Koh had in principle agreed to let me go over for a few months on the pretext that this was a new job, let me put things in order before he gets me back after we sort Stephanie out.
Marcus : You would have earned a tidy sum doing nothing more than admin work…
James : NO… NO!!… Victor said I was to join his company in a few months… once he gets things sorted out…
Marcus laughed…
Marcus : Victor…. Knew all along you were on loan for a few months…and he trusted you for a very simple reason…. Koh….. Victor found out that you were the one handling several projects of his when you worked Koh. The documents, paperwork, everything was always in order. … and Koh vouched for your character…. Honest and simple…
James : Lies…. These are all lies!!
Turning to Stephanie, I shouted at her to say something… to defend the allegations against her but she kept quiet.
James : NO…. no… this is wrong… this is all wrong…
I jabbed a finger at Stephanie and shouted that she was being blackmailed.
James : Jack… Jack was blackmailing her…. He… he…
Amelia cut in and her words were sharp, like a hot knife slicing through butter.
Amelia : Yes he did…. But in the end Stephanie chose to sleep with him….to delay the inevitable…. What does this tell you about a girl ?
I was left speechless by that statement as I stared wide eyed at Amelia.
Amelia ; What does this tell you about a girl’s character when she chose to sleep with another man just because what ?….. to delay a wedding…. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous to you ?
Amelia : This is Singapore…. We are all educated people…. We know the law…. A simple walk to the police station would have sorted Jack out…. Why ? Why didn’t Stephanie do it ? why ? …. Why in the world would she still allow Jack to sleep with her ??
I looked at Stephanie who was by now staring at her feet as she hugged onto her body. The floor beneath her was wet with her tears.
Amelia : James… you are clouded by your judgement. …. Just because what ? she is pretty ?? … she is hot ? …. She looks like the poor little girl that needs help ??? …she is the female lead in this whole thing ??
She went on to say that my judgement had been clouded the moment I started to believe everything Stephanie said.
Amelia : Think James… think for a moment if any other girl comes along and tell you she’s being blackmailed to sleep with another man….what would you say to her ? ? Are you mad? Crazy ? why are you not reporting it ?
Marcus : Ask yourself James… have you…. For a single moment… doubted anything Stephanie told you ?
I was frozen where I stood.
I could not move.
Marcus : Stephanie is always right….everyone else is wrong… why ? …. She’s the female lead… you’re the male hero ? Don’t be childish James…
I don’t know why but a drop of tear rolled down my eye.
As if what I heard so far was not shocking enough, Marcus pointed to Muthu.
Marcus : How did he lost his arm ? heroic gangfight ? or is it some self sacrificial act he did when trying to save someone ? tell me…I lost track of the number of variations.
I looked at Muthu who listened on with no expressions.
Marcus : It was Stephanie…
I found out that Stephanie drove into Muthu when she tried to take the family car out for a spin after completing 3 practical lessons.
Marcus ; Has it ever occurred to you to ask ?? or you just took what she said at face value…
James : This cannot be true…
Marcus raised his voice for the first time.
Marcus : The Manipulation!..……runs in the family…. In our blood….
I felt really sick and I wanted to leave the room.
Turning to Amelia I shot her questions, hoping to poke holes into what they just said, clinging onto a sliver of hope all these are not true.
James : Why did you offer to help us in Hong Kong ? ….If Stephanie was the person you paint her out to be, why are you acting all so grandmotherly and all….there was no reason for all those….
Amelia : I have not seen my granddaughter for many years…but I know her…she would not be there without a reason.
Amelia said the first thing she did was to call Marcus, even before she got back home from the market.
Amelia : I did what I did to bring her back home….that was the only reason..
James: The lunch…the fake messages…. Macau…. Ruhui…. Matthew… you knew … you knew…
Amelia did a simple wave of her hands and nodded her hear.
Amelia : Ruhui knew we were all there to bring Stephanie back….. Matthew doesn’t…. it was all a charade…
I went over to Stephanie and grabbed her by her arms, pulling her to her feet. Rex tried to stop me but this time round Marcus waved him off.
James : Stephanie !!! Stephanie !!.. tell me none of these are true…. These are all lies…. They’re trying to fuck with my mind…. !!! tell me !!! please !!!
My heart felt like it was on fire as Stephanie just sobbed and sank to her knees.
I staggered a few steps backwards and hit onto the door of the study.
James : NO!!!.. NO!!>.. Matthew has married before.. I have his wedding video… we went to great length to get it…!!
Marcus : I know… I know he’s married but we did not know of the video…. Ruhui did not even tell us about it…. She kept that card close to her chest…
The fact that Victor was also another wild card in the game was made known to me.
They did not expect Victor to go to that length with Ruhui in order to save Stephanie.
Marcus : Victor… is a good kid….but he’s saving the wrong soul… Ruhui came to us about what Victor did….. we paid her off to keep quiet…
I collapsed onto the ground and I looked at Stephanie who did not even dare to lift up her head. She just cried in the room.
James : What…. What about Victor’s mum….
Marcus : We brought her back…. Because we knew Victor would bring her out again…. And we needed the time to get things over and done with.
The room descended into an awkward silence.
Amelia passed me the money and Mr Koh asked me to take a month off.
Mr Koh ; I’m sorry James…. I never expected things to turn out this way….it was unintentional….
My mind was in a daze. I don’t know what is going on anymore.
I have this heavy feeling in my chest that was so suffocating that I felt like I was dying.
As I staggered upstairs to retrieve my belonging, Stephanie was carried up by Rex and Muthu.
She was left on the bed as she screamed and cried into her pillow.
Stephanie did not even look at me as I took my stuff and stood at the door.
I watched her hammered into her pillow several times as Rex closed the heavy door with a hollow thud, locking her in the room.
Muthu saw me out and Mr Koh sent me back.
I did not speak a single word throughout the journey.
I wanted to call Victor… I wanted to call TJ but in the end, I did nothing…
Nothing.
For the first time since I entered adulthood, I drank myself to sleep.
27th Feburary 2013
Wednesday.
The envelope still sat on my table. I counted. There was close to 17 thousand in 50 and 10 dollar bills. Why that amount, I don’t know.
Don’t ask me..
I don’t know anything anymore.
Victor and TJ tried calling me no less than 20 times that day.
I did not answer any of them.
I had enough.
I decided I had enough.
I bought an air ticket to Seoul and spend 1 week in the capital. Yes, picture a man drinking soju and eating meat in some unknown alley similar to those Korean drama.
Yeah.. that’s James..
1st April 2013
Monday.
I called Mr Koh at 10am, asking if I could go back.
Mr Koh : I’ve already said… my door is always open for you James…
I got into office at 12noon and dove straight to work. Colleagues were curious but I just told them things didn’t work out.
The pain got better, after all, it was barely a week of romance.
2nd April 2013
Tuesday
6.30pm
When I stepped out of work that day, I saw a familiar figure at across the road.
I paused and looked at him with an umbrella over his head.
TJ walked across to me in the light drizzle. He never said a word.
He smiled slightly and handed me a red envelope.
With a gentle tap of my shoulder, he turned and left.
I opened the envelope when I got home and it was the wedding invite to Matthew and Stephanie’s wedding.
I could not describe the emotions I was feeling.
Was it doubt ?
Anger ?
Disbelief ?
I don’t know.
I really don’t.
4th May 2013
Saturday.
6am
I struggled with my decision whether to show up for the wedding. It’s been a couple of months since the incident.
As I ran and jogged through the estate where Stephanie and I made our getaway, I made up my mind to go.
At least I get to see her as a beautiful bride for once. Call it a parting memory or sort.
7pm
I arrived at the grand ballroom in my suit. Guest were milling around, mostly business contacts and friends of the family.
There were no bridesmaid, and no bestmen. No brothers and sisters running about to help the couple with their wedding.
It was all outsourced to an events company.
7.30pm
I held my glass of wine in hand as all heads turned towards the bride who had just made her entrance.
I allowed my breath to be taken away one last time as I looked at Stephanie from afar.
Seeing her in full makeup and her hair professionally done sure brought out a different side of her. Her gown, flowed like a river of water down her body, leaving a trail of sparkling train.
It was a simple gown, adorned with flowery motifs and she held a bouquet of flowers.
Guest crowded over to shake her hand and she acknowledge each of them with a courteous nod and a slight smile.
Sarah was by her side.
I did not go over, choosing to look at Stephanie from afar.
Shawn saw me and he raised his glass, I returned the toast.
Amelia and Marcus came over and shook my hands before they went to Mr Koh who had just arrived.
Victor lost weight but he still shook my hand with a weary smile and a friendly tap on my arm although we did not speak.
TJ nodded at me as he followed behind Victor.
Ruhui saw me from a distance of 5 meters away and she walked over.
Pushing a namecard over, she asked me to work for her.
Ruhui : 1 year James…. Just 1 year…. I’ll make sure you can take a break for at least for the next 2 years….
I smiled and although I did not reply, I kept the card.
She raised her glass, I raised mine and our glasses clinked before she walked off after nodding at me.
Muthu and Ah yee were talking together near a corner.
Calvin and Tim were whispering near the entrance.
As my eyes cycled through the images of these people, I could not help but feel everything was like a dream of sort.
Was it even real ?
Everything that happened the past few months ?
Have I been dreaming all along ?
Like apparitions in my dreams, the people I met and knew this few months cycled through my mind in a series of black and white images.
Muthu saw me.
He was barely 3 meters away.
His shirt was neatly clipped up at the part where he lost his arm, he looked smart that day.
He held a beer in his hand as he nodded at me.
The questions were at the tip of my lips.
I wanted to ask him.
Yes.
I really wanted to but I didn’t.
Part of me did not want to hear it from him.
For the first time, Muthu flashed me a smile he raised his beer at me before walking away, deciding that he had given me the opportunity but I did not take it.
I was suddenly overcome with emotions and I walked away from the wedding reception. Instead of heading to the closest bathroom, I walked down the stairs to another floor.
The moment I went into a cubicle, I vomited again.
I spent a good 5 minutes inside the cubicle before I came out and when I did, TJ was there with me.
I had a shock and I almost staggered back into the cubicle.
James : What is it ?
He turned and walked over to the door and opened it.
I could see Shawn talking to a hotel staff a distance away but right in front of my eyes, was Stephanie.
I froze.
My body trembled slightly.
I shivered as she walked towards me.
TJ left us alone in the men’s bathroom. I looked at the mirrors, the cubicles were all empty, it was only us
My lips trembled and I waited for Stephanie to speak.
This was the first time we looked each other in the eyes since that evening.
We stared at each other in silence for 5 seconds.
Her hands were shaking too and I could see her beautiful eyes welling up with tears but she held back.
Her right hand reached up slowly and touched my left cheek.
She too was shivering and she said one word to me.
One word.
Only one word.
Stephanie : Sorry….
I could not move as Stephanie smiled, pull up the train of her dress and turned around.
James : Wait…! ..
She paused, her hands at the handle of the bathroom door.
I asked her to wait but in the end, I had nothing to say.
I really don’t know what to do.
Stephanie turned and she asked me one question.
Stephanie : Of …. What you heard……how much… do you believe ?
Her lips trembled before she pressed them tightly together as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Before I could even think about the question, the door opened and Stephanie walked out without looking back.
I went after her.
I wanted to talk to her.
What the fuck did she mean ?
Is she fucking with me or was I being fooled again.
James : Stephanie !!Wait…
But I was stopped.
It was TJ.
His outstretched palm hit me squarely in my chest as I ran straight into him.
Shawn stood behind TJ.
Sarah fell in step beside Stephanie.
I stood where I was and watched as Stephanie disappeared from my sight.
After she was gone, TJ and Shawn left too.
A man came over and asked if he could use the bathroom now and I stepped aside.
In a daze state, I paced around the lobby before I hid in a corner and I cried.
After about 15 minutes, I calmed myself down and got back in.
I went back to the table I was assigned to and told Mr Koh I don’t feel well, and that I’m making a move first.
Mr Koh ; It’s ok…. Have a good rest.
Never a day went by without me asking myself the question Stephanie asked me over and over again.
James : how much of these…. Do I believe.
Stephanie disappeared from social media after her wedding. I never saw her again.
Few months later, I was at Tampines round market for breakfast during a weekday morning with my parents.
I saw this familiar figure.
This man with 1 arm.
It was Muthu.
He was with his wife and son.
I watch him carry 2 bowls of noodles over to the table as I approached him and said hi.
He was surprised but he returned my greeting and asked me how was I doing. He also introduced his wife and son to me.
Muthu : Give me a minute…
He set down the 2 bowls and went back to the counter for the 3rd bowl.
His wife went on to order drinks, leaving me with his son who looked to be about in his early teens.
As he arranged the utensils for his parents, I bent down as asked the boy.
James : Bro…. can I ask… how did your father lose his arm ?
He looked at me for a while before he replied, no doubt thinking it was weird someone would ask him that.
Son : Crushed by a car….
I smiled and stood up as I thanked him.
I did not expect him to continue as I locked eyes with Muthu who approached with the last bowl of noodle.
Son : ….during a gangfight….. before I was born… My father was the first police officer on the scene….
A breathless gasp left my mouth as Muthu set his last bowl of noodle on the table.
Muthu : James…. You don’t belong…. With those people… let it go…
My eyes searched for something to focus on but I couldn’t.
I turned and walked away.
I tendered my resignation to Mr Koh within a week.
July 2013
I walked into the same café in the star vista.
I went to the same seat where I first met Stephanie and I sat down, opposite this woman who would be my new employer.
James : I found her….
I passed along a computer print out of a small hotel address in Langkawi together with a photo of Cheryl and Jacklyn taken from social media.
She put down her phone, crossed her legs and folder her arms, allowing her heel to dangle a little off her feet.
She stood up and gestured for me to follow her.
Linking her arms with me, she added with a smirk smile.
Ruhui : What are we waiting for ?
The end …………………………………………………………..
It’s a wrap. Hope you all enjoyed the read.
I was a guest at the wedding and at the hotel, attended the wedding as a representative of my company. The hotel stay is a staycation with my wife and kids. We were there since the afternoon and the wedding prep was already well underway.
My wife stayed in the room with the kids while I went for the wedding in the evening.
I saw what happened at the bathroom while waiting for my boss to arrive.
2 man approached a staff, before 1 went in. Moments later the bride arrived and she went in too.
Out of curiously, I went and tried to use the men bathroom but was stopped by the staff and one of the man.
I backed off and watched from a corner.
A little while later the bride came out and walked off with another woman by her side, heading back up to the reception.
A guy comes running out but was stopped by the 2 men.
After they left, I went up and asked if he was done and I could use the bathroom and he stepped aside.
After sitting down, I saw him again talking to an old men 1 table away. It turns out my boss knew that man as she had worked with him before. She went over to say hi as I watched on.
The bride, is beautiful and hot, while the groom is crap.
I’m sorry for being blunt. It was something everyone saw and felt but no one said a thing.
It was known by the guest that the bride got drunk during the photo taking. It was a total knock out kind of drunk. Half the table only had their photos with the groom.
It was pretty bad, a doctor had to be called in. ( This is based on gossip and rumours post wedding. )
I would have dismissed this incident if not for the fact that I saw something interesting the next day.
I was on my way up to the room after buffet breakfast while my wife brought the kids to the pool the next morning. I entered the lift with a guest that was heading up to the club floor, one floor above mine.
I did not get out at my floor and I told the guy I want to check out the club floor and see if it’s worth the upgrade the next time I was there.
This was really my intention.
I thanked him and I took a look around, even asked a staff on duty about the club benefits and if there were any restriction for kids.
She was about to tell me something when a door opened and 2 men came out without their shoes on, they hurriedly got into a lift and left as we stared at them.
The door opened again and I saw the bride coming out. She looked left and right and she looked like she was crying. You could tell she was still in her bridal makeup even though it had smudges here and there. Her hair too although a little untidy, was still set like the way it was for the wedding last night.
The staff went over immediately but the bride ran back into her room dressed only in her bathrobe.
We shared a look at each other before the staff excused herself, heading to the telephone by her deck.
The room door opened again and the groom came out. There was some shouting but he just closed the door and walked towards the buffet spread for club guest.
I never saw them again for the rest of my stay.
I found an opportunity and asked my boss about the man she spoke to during the wedding a few weeks later in early 2015 during a company gathering. I got his contact as my boss had him on her facebook.
I emailed him last June and I was surprised to get a reply and the rest is history.
Now the question is…..
How much of this…. Do you believe ?
ilock out.
Thank you for all the comments and feedback.
I hope you enjoyed the read and the adventure over the past month and a half or so. I have nothing more to add in terms of the story, the ending is open to interpretation.
The dates of the story were jumbled up on purpose, so no one will know the actual day the wedding took place.
If you believe i saw what i saw, i cannot be the only person who saw it especially for the bathroom part. There is the 2 men, the hotel staff which is also a singaporean base on the way he spoke. The bride and the women she was with.
There are hundreds of guest who took photo with only the groom because the bride got drunk. Since most are corporate clients, i’m sure it’s just a matter of showing up to give face, many might not pay much attention to the details.
If you’re reading this as a piece of fiction work, none of these matters because it’s fiction.
So it’s open to your own interpretation.
Bro Tingtong & iluvdamilf got the part about Ruhui right though. She’s the only one that remained her real self.
Bro littlejoe, please drive carefully.
The TP might see you fiddling with your phone every now and then.
Dear sigg4, Appreciate the mac meal. I got myself a egg muffin with kopi upgrade this morning.
Comments, curses, feedbacks are all welcome. Drop me a mail or pm anytime.
Cheers and enjoy the long weekend.
ilock