Long before the era of bloggers and social media, TJ was already in a Muay Thai camp in Thailand, training for close to 8 months full time after his national service. He fought a couple of matches in amateur fights in outskirts of Bangkok too.
He came back to Singapore to start up a martial art school, teaching groups at community centre while he trained in other sports and martial arts.
Stephanie : He had a bad accident though, got a slip disc and dislocated his left shoulder. Nowadays, his shoulder will get dislocated if he is not careful and his back still gives him problems now and then.
Stephanie took a long sip of her cold beer and added.
Stephanie : Victor offered him a job, but he’s not keen in picking up any administrative skills so he mainly drives Victor around and keeps him safe.
James : Hahaha… bullshit…. You mean a bodyguard… ? in Singapore ? hahaha….don’t talk cock with me leh…
I saw Stephanie traced and drew a line down the condensation of her cold beer mug, there was no indication it was a joke or that it was a funny remark.
She just gave a weary smile. As if she was really tired.
Stephanie : True…true…. Who the hell needs one here anyway… unless you’re a minister or something….
She paused for a second or 2 before adding softly another sentence.
It was soft.
Almost like a mumble to herself but I heard it.
I heard it clearly.
She said it was to protect Victor from their own family.
James : Come on… it can’t be that bad la… you’re pulling my leg…
She took a deep breath and looked at me, starting from my face before drifting down to my shoes. I could tell she was considering if she wanted to continue this conversation.
I knew I had to egg her on a little. To give her that little nudge.
James : Lai la…. It’s ok… I’m the most trusted employee you have…. You can tell me…
She laughed, kicking me on my calves with her right heel. It was already dangling off her foot, and that gentle kick caused it to drop, toppling over on it’s side. As we were seated by the sidewalk, there was a drop of about say 15cm by the kerb before the driveway, the heel fell and toppled down.
Instinctively I got up and helped Stephanie retrieve the heel.
She looked at me with a wry smile and a set of mischievous eyes, no doubt thinking what I would do.
You probably would think oh James…. Yes…get down on your knees,.
Help her put it on. Touch her leg, play with her toes.
Snap your fingers and become prince charming blab la bla.
The heel will fit nicely and she becomes Cinderella and we fall in love and fuck each other’s brains out.
Sorry.
It did not turn out that way.
Ignoring the stares of a few nearby patrons, I got back into my seat and held on to her heel in my lap. I took my time to look at it before looking back at Stephanie.
Stephanie : Hahaha…. What are you doing ?
James : Talk to me…. I’ll return this after you’re done.
She laughed and used her manicured toes to try and poke me in the leg again but I ducked.
James : Come on… I’ll pay for the beer….
I could see a couple of girls whispering from a distance away and the smiles of a guy smoking at the sidewalk.
Stephanie sat back in her chair and crossed her leg, regaining her composure.
She started by raising up both hands and lowering each of her finger as she ticked off the names.
Stephanie : Ok…Victor…. You already know. …
Stephanie : My father….Tim…. he only cares about money…. My grandfather Marcus… he is a fouled mouth old man, he fucks everyone verbally, regardless who they are….. my uncle Calvin…he wants everybody’s money…..My housekeeper Annie…..she has a beef with everyone and steps on your toes on purpose….my gardener Muthu…he has only 1 arm, and he will kill you if you walked on the lawn..
With each name she rattled off, I was pretty sure she was just fooling around.
Not possible.
I don’t believe it.
Stephanie : and my sister in law….Ru hui….she is a fucking ….biaaatchhhh…. a slut…and a cheap fuck…..she will not hesitate to kill me.
Following that statement came a slew of vulgarities, spoken with hatred, infused with the venomous bile of a poisonous snake. I could really feel the raw emotions of it as Stephanie literally spitted out her sister in law’s name.
Stephanie : There… my family…
With that she took a long glup of her beer before setting it down with a thud.
It took me a second longer to close my opened mouth as I snap myself back to the conversation.
James : Oh… errr…. Ok…
I took a sip of my beer, draining half a mug as I signalled for another jug.
Stephanie topped up the rest of her mug and set the empty jug down to be cleared and added in a nonchalant manner.
Stephanie : And there’s…… me…
She took a deep breath and exhale slowly.
Stephanie : see….. actually… I’m the nicest among them all…..
I burst out laughing despite her narrowing her eyes at me.
James : If you say so…haha.
Using both my hands, I handed her heel over to her.
She leaned forward, rested her chin on her palm and looked at me. Her eyes opened wide, her long fake lashes blinked a few times, giving me a doe eyed pornstar stare.
Stephanie : Put it on for me……?
Immediately my eyes widened and I could feel a rush of blood to my dick. The thought of touching Stephanie’s feet, of putting on her heel started to send funny signals to my brain.
And the manner which she speaks, it did not sound like a joke.
It was certainly not a request.
It sounded more like a statement to me.
For 2 seconds, we just stared at each other without a word before I spoke first.
James : …wh……w….what ? ….
Before I could react, she laughed and took her heel from my hand. Jabbing the pointy bit in my face, she replied calmly with a smile and a wink.
Stephanie : Just pulling your leg… ………
I watched Stephanie slowly lower herself as she looked away from me and directed her attention to her feet.
It was not hard to notice several pair of eyes near us were looking at her too.
She calmly stretched her left hand, putting the heel near to her feet, her toes orientated and parked themselves smoothly into the waiting entrance of her heel. It was like a dance of sort, her movement was fast yet graceful.
Upon slipping her toes into her heel, she straightened herself slowly, avoiding all forms of eye contact with anyone. She had to know, I mean you know the kind of feeling you get or even from the corner of your eye, you can tell people are looking at you ?
That kind of feeling.
She must know that she was being watched.
And I was not the only one doing the watching.
Still, she maintained her composure, kept up her cool chiq appeal and straightened her back.
She leaned back onto the backrest the same time her feet pressed down on the concrete floor, locking her heel firmly into place.
I could only manage to swallow a mouthful of saliva before I took a big gulp of my beer.
10pm
She asked me for the time before asking for the bill.
Stephanie paid with 2 fifty dollar bill, she kept only the 10s, but I could not bear leaving 9 dollars in tips especially since there is already a 10% service charge.
Yeah… I’m cheap…
I took the notes and left the coins.
I saw Stephanie looked at her phone before asking me where I was headed, as in which direction.
I pointed towards the train station and she nodded, waving both goodbye and for me to start making my way towards the MRT.
I thought that was a little weird but I just turned and left.
James: See you on Monday…
Stephanie : yeah….See you on Monday…
As soon as I was about 15-20 meters away, I had this terrible urge to look back but at the same time I was worried Stephanie was still looking at my direction.
At the spur of a moment, I decided to head into a nearby pub the moment a crowd of patrons left, the confusion should mask my entry. Using the mass of bodies as shield, I made an about turn and fell in line behind them, trying to look back down the long 5 foot way where I parted ways with Stephanie.
I could no longer see her but from the corner of my eye, I saw a figure jaywalking across the road, heading towards the row of shop houses where all the bridal shops were.
There was no doubt about it. It was Stephanie.
I checked the traffic in both directions and decided to make a run for it. A car high beamed at me as I quickly got off the road.
My heart was pounding and I did not know what made me do what I just did.
Perhaps it was just curiosity.
I kept a distance, and I made sure I was always near the pillars in case she turned around.
From the shophouses, it was just a short walk to our office.
I picked up my pace and at 1 time, I was barely 15 meters behind Stephanie.
She was engrossed on the phone, her heels clicking away along the row of shops. Base on her bearing, I reckon she must be headed towards the office.
As she entered the office lobby, I waited for her to enter the lift.
The moment it closed, I got into the lobby and waited to see which floor she got off.
After confirming it was the office floor, I took the next lift up but choosing to stop 1 floor below her.
I ran out of the lift once I alighted and headed straight to the staircase.
Running up 2 steps at a time, I got to my work floor and paused to catch my breath.
Peering through the glass panel on the staircase door, I noticed that there was no light spilling from my office.
Was I too late ?
Maybe Stephanie really just came up to grab something before leaving.
I weighed the odds and considered getting closer to take a look.
I left the safety of the staircase and took a few steps towards the office.
The corridor is still brightly lit, it would be very obvious if I were to stand in front of the glass door of the office. Anyone would be able to see my silhouette.
As I got close, I decided to call Stephanie. I could always say I accidentally hit the dial button. Stopping near the storeroom entrance, I lowered myself and took out my phone.
I was about to make the call when I heard a loud chime, it was that of the lift, announcing the arrival of the lift car on the floor.
The sharp chime echoed down the quiet corridor and I quickly jab on the keypad of the storeroom, unlocking it in a fraction of a second.
I was secretly thankful that the door opened inwards, allowing me to quickly disappear from the corridor. In a moment of carelessness , I forgot about the loud magnetic catch that will snap the door into place.
Thud !.
My eyes widened in horror as I held my breath.
I prayed that did not give me away. I kept an eye on the bottom of the door, lights from the corridor spilled into the dark storeroom.
Suddenly I could hear some commotion, it was of people talking.
I could not tell if it was Stephanie and I decided to make the call.
Stephanie picked up the call barely seconds after it connected.
Stephanie : What ?? ….hello ??…. helloe???? Oeiii!!….
From the phone background I could hear another man’s voice.
Voice : Hooo…..eeee zit….mumble…mumble….
Stephanie : It’s my …..staf..staff….
Stephanie : Hello ?? James?? ….
My hands cupped over the receiver, as I strained to pick up some clues from the phone.
Without warning, the phone disconnected.
Well, at least I know whoever that is, he came for Stephanie.
I spent a good 10 minutes thinking about my next step when I heard some muffled commotion. I followed the sound along the wall before stopping somewhere in the middle of the store.
Shifting a few boxes aside, I stacked a few sturdy ones and climbed onto it as quietly as I can.
I gently removed a ceiling board and the sound became a little louder.
From the muffled grunts and moans, anyone could tell someone is having sex.
Immediately my dick sprung up and my heart beat faster.
I could see that the partition wall that separated Stephanie’s walk in wardrobe and the storeroom that I was in is not full height. As in it does not go all the way up to the ceiling.
Without that barrier, I could clearly see part of the the ceiling grid that held the panels onto place above Stephanie’s room.
The lights were not on but I was dam sure they were having sex in the room. I can’t exactly describe the sound or noise.
It’s not really piak piak piak and it’s not some Jap grade porn star moans as well but you just know it.
Someone was definitely having sex in the next room.
I cannot describe the excitement that was coursing through my veins.
The thought of my pretty boss having sex in the room next to me was enough to give me a mind fuck.
Immediately my first thought was I want to peep, to see. To feast my eyes on her body.
Imagine being able to see her naked body, to see her being filled in her hole.
It was surreal yet so real. My hand trembled as I racked my brain as to my next course of action.
I looked at the ceiling again, there is no way I could pull off some Tom cruise mission impossible shit. This is reality.
The ceiling grid would not support my weight, with the mess of ducts and services in there, there was hardly any room to wriggle through as well.
I paced around the store and the longer I did it the angrier I got. It was the feeling of being so near yet so far.
We were just a wall away yet I could not do anything. Imagine the kick I would get out of seeing Stephanie in the nude. It had to be better than a well-aged whiskey. Perhaps I could even blackmail her to a certain extent, maybe better days in the office till I go over to Victor’s company.
I calmed down after a while of pacing and started to think.
I have to be logical on this.
There was nothing I could do from where I was, I needed to move. It’s not possible for me to barge into office then as well, I had no reason to be there. I would surely be fucked if Stephanie knew I was stalking her.
I quietly left the store and went back down to the lobby.
I considered going to the basement carpark, maybe I could see what car the guy is driving or something but I stopped myself after thinking it through. It’s a old building with very limited lots and a long waiting list.
Even Stephanie could not get a parking space, no point waiting there.
I took some leaflets from the travel company’s stand and pretended to be interested in some tour as I kept watch on the lift.
I did not wait long, probably about 20 minutes when I saw the lift head up and stop at my work floor.
Looking around the area, I found another spot and relocated myself. The reflection from the windscreen of a delivery van gave me a good view of the building exit. It was the only one opened at that time.
Soon after that, I saw Stephanie emerged first, she was carrying a big bag of clothes in her hands. I could make out some of the clothes she had worn that week through the translucent plastic.
Following shortly behind was this guy which I assumed is her boyfriend or maybe a fuck buddy.
Guy : Stare…..feee niii…….stare feee niii…wait…
He looked a bit ‘greasy’ to me. No I don’t mean he’s cover in oil or anything but just greasy. He wore a gold watch, long sleeve top with cufflinks, right down to the belt with a big ‘H’. His fingers had several rings on them and his shoes looked like they came from some hot fuck designer.
Pardon the language, I’m not really into brands and shit.
The thing is he just doesn’t look like he could carry it off.
To put it bluntly, he’s trying a bit too hard, as if he wanted to tell the whole world he’s rich or something. Everything just looked off.
Even the way he called out to Stephanie sounded weird.
Guy : Hey… wait…. So same time next week ya???
He grabbed onto Stephanie’s elbow when he caught up and Stephanie just nodded her head in a uninterested manner and continued walking after shaking off his grip.
The whole body language was wrong.
This doesn’t look like some boyfriend girlfriend shit.
Fuck buddy ? Well, even if you choose to keep things hush and all, there was no need for that cold attitude.
Something was definitely going on.
The guy and Stephanie parted ways and went in the opposite direction.
I chose to follow the guy.
He walked a little down the street before unlocking his car. A BMW.
I noted the car plate and kept myself hidden as he drove off.
My heart was thumping really fast as I made my way home. I kept thinking of what the guy said.
“same time next week”
Does it mean they are going to meet again next Friday ?
If that was really the case, maybe I could do something.
1st December 2012
Saturday
2am
I could not sleep. Just thinking about the whole situation kept me awake. It was partly due to the excitement.
Another part of me was puzzled and curious about the guy’s relationship with Stephanie.
By 3.30am
I had a rough idea what I wanted to do.
1.30pm
After a good sleep, I went shopping.
I bought another phone, the exact same model as the one I currently hold and registered a new sim card.
I also got a cheap $10 watch despite not having the habit to wear one.
That was all I needed.
It’s a simple plan.
I pretend to leave my phone in the office, then I go back for it. I bump into them having sex, pretend I’m sorry and embarrassed while I look at Stephanie’s naked body.
James : Hahahaha…..
I could not help laughing out loud to myself on my way back home.
It would be a sight to remember, imagine catching them with their pants down. Not to forget the things I get to say to Stephanie when I see her at work.
I rubbed my hands in glee and for the first time, I would not wait to get back to work on Monday.
In fact I prayed for the week to fly by, and that the following Friday would come earlier.
3rd December 2012
Monday
8.30am
I got into office with a smile on my face.
Stephanie was not in yet so I took the opportunity to do a bit or rehearsal. I found it stupid and laughed several times as I tried to act surprised.
James : Oh…. Oh dear…. I’m sorry… hahhaa
James : Oh…. Paiseh… paiseh… sorry….
James : Oh shit…. What the fuck man….hahha
If someone was looking they would probably be right to think that I had gone mad.
I calmed myself down and got back to work.
A couple of hours into my work, I realised I had already worked with Stephanie for a couple of weeks.
Things were starting to run like clockwork and miraculously, I manged to clear the storeroom that was once full of stuff and deliverables.
Paperwork was in order and I took less than 2 hours each day to get everything I needed to do done. After that was a long day of lazing around, going for coffee and binge watching movies on my phone.
I could get use to this.
Stephanie hardly comes into office anyway, on certain days, there was absolutely nothing for me to do.
Time crawled that Monday, the more I willed for time to past, the slower the hands on the clocked moved.
7th December 2012
Friday
8.30am
I woke up punching my fist into the air.
It was finally Friday.
I felt like I was walking on a cloud as I got into office. Things moved efficiently that day and by 11.30am, I had sent Uncle Bobby off with another delivery and settled everything for the day.
Stephanie was nowhere to be seen and I mentally went through the simple plan again.
2.00pm
She took my breath away that afternoon when she came into office.
Stephanie came in a white long sleeve blouse. The buttons on her blouse are small, I could catch some timber grains on them. When the light catches her in a certain angle, I could make out the rough outline of her light coloured bra.
My erection came without me realising it.
I traced her body downwards, looking at her waist high skirt that came with a long slit on her left. It revealed a generous amount of her creamy smooth legs. How could anyone resist licking that wonderful pair of legs ?
I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and went back to my phone, trying to pretend my Korean drama is more interesting.
4.30pm
My phone rang and it was Stephanie
Stephanie : Hey…. You…. Doing anything this evening ??
James : Nope…. Need to OT ah ??
Stephanie’s door opened and she gave me a disgusted look.
Stephanie : Do I look like some evil step mother or slave driver….since when I ever asked you to OT ??
She hung up the phone in front of me and said it’s company happy hour day.
James : What …… you mean go now ??
She laughed and said no, she’ll see me later at 6.30pm and the same pub we went to last week.
I nodded readily and I could feel my heart beating faster again.
It’s coming…. Definitely coming…
She’s going to make me keep her company, then when it’s time, she’ll head back to office.
I felt like peeing again.
I could not sit straight, fuck I could not even sit still.
God knows how many times I paced around the office while waiting for time to pass.
When it’s time for me to meet Stephanie, I plugged in my spare phone and let it charge at my desk. Using a folder, I covered it. I had turned off all alerts, not that I would be getting any calls or messages anyway.
I’m the only one that knows the number to the spare phone.
I checked to make sure my main phone too was switched to silent mode, I even turned off the vibration.
6.30pm
Stephanie was already there at the same table when I arrived.
We ordered finger food and beer.
Initially I was a little stress.
You know given everyone’s addiction to smartphone, even during gathering, once in a while we would tend to check it for messages or mail. I had to keep telling myself not to touch the fucking phone in my bag.
I thought it would be hard, serious.
I meant when was the last time you sat through a meal or drink without touching your phone ?
I kept telling myself to talk to Stephanie, to make sure I don’t give away the game.
It came as a surprise to me too when I realised how easy it was. We just talked and talked and talked.
Well, not the old friends or best buddy kind of shit but somehow we just talked. The conversation never stopped, neither did the laughes.
I did not realise I was actually pretty comfortable walking to Stephanie. She asked about my family, if I have any siblings, what did my parents do for a living.
James : I’m the only child, my parents are hawkers. They sell food at Tekka market.
From there our conversation went towards hawker food, the different food centres, and which stalls had good wanton mee . Basically anything and everything.
James : You looked like someone who would only eat in posh restaurants….
She rolled her eyes at me and a peanut shell came my way.
Before we realised it, we had 3 jugs of beers and it was coming to 10pm.
I casually looked at my watch and Stephanie asked if I needed to go.
Stephanie : Why… meeting girlfriend ah…. Say la… so shy for what…..
James : No la… just want to make sure still got last train…. Still early… only coming to 10.
The mere mention of time seemed to have altered her mood a little and she too said she had better make a move.
My heart started beating fast again.
The relaxed atmosphere was gone.
I could immediately feel the tension in my body as Stephanie paid the bill.
James : Thanks boss….next time I treat…
Stephanie : you say one ah….
We parted ways at 10 pm and I took a detour before heading back to the office.
No need for any sneaking around.
I had every reason to head back in the direction.
Still I kept my eyes open.
Someone high beamed me and I stepped out of the way after realising I was walking too slowly in front of an empty lot.
I almost came when I realised it was the same BMW.
Immediately I walked away and hid myself in a corner as he parked his car.
I could feel all my organs contracting into a ball as he made his way to the office lobby.
This is it.
No more dry run.
I was already breathing thought my open mouth as he entered the lift. There was no way I could describe my feelings and excitement.
It’s like the very moment before you plunge down a roller coaster ride. And the cherry on top would be you being at the very front seat.
I kept looking at my watch.
I estimated a 10 minute wait.
It should be more than enough for them to meet, get undressed and start.
Not too long though, in case that guy has some premature ejaculation shit and end it early.
10 minutes should be enough for a simple hi, take off clothes and get the action going.
The moment my watch told me it’s 10 minutes, I ran all the way into the office lobby and hit the lift button.
I was panting.
It was getting hard to breathe.
Then when the lift door opened, I almost wet my pants.
There he was, the same guy. He did not even look at me but chose to walk pass immediately in a hasty manner.
Fuck, is he that lousy that day ?
It’s over so fast ?
I hesitated for a brief moment before deciding to just go ahead.
I still need to grab my phone. Maybe I could still catch Stephanie dressing up.
I ran down the corridor after reaching the floor and unlocked the door.
The lights were off.
I could not see anyone.
I barely put 2 steps into the office when Stephanie’s office door opened.
I could feel a torrential wave of blood shooting painfully into my dick, giving me a heart stopping erection as I looked at Stephanie.
She was holding her phone.
She too had a look of disbelief and shock in her face.
Her phone was held near her lower breast area, both her fingers hovered a few centimetres above the screen, as if she was about to type a message.
She was not naked but Stephanie was only wearing her bra and panty.
It was a light coloured bra, the cups had this sensual wave trimming that accentuated her full and supple breasts. Perhaps it’s the dark environment, maybe it’s the way the breast and face that was being illuminated by the light of her phone.
Her breast looked so good I thought I was leaking cum in my pants.
Her legs, long and tone, stood barefooted on the carpeted floor.
Her modesty covered by a pink seamless boyshort panty.
For a good 3 seconds , we just stared at each other. I wanted to speak, but nothing came out.
What the fuck happened to my rehearsal speech?
I don’t know.
I really don’t know.
James : I…… I….
Stephanie : ARGGHHH!!!….what are you doing here..!!!!!!
I panicked and I stuttered as I pointed to my desk.
James : I….I…. I forgot my phone…
I watch at Stephanie crisscross her hands to her shoulders as she tried to cover herself. She turned half a circle away before turning back towards me, in that moment she herself too was lost in her decision as to what to do.
In the split of a second, she closed the distance between us and she grabbed a big tuff of my hair.
James : AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I’m not joking.
It’s not some play play tugging, she grabbed a big tuff and yanked me into her office.
I was holding onto her wrist, trying to relieve the pressure off my scalp.
James : ARHHH… Stephanie….stop… stop…
Stephanie : I’m…. I’m going to kill you. …. What are you doing here !!… arghhhhh
I could see she was panicking.
She was looking around for something. Her head turned left and right before she dragged me into her walk in wardrobe/storeroom.
I finally saw what she was looking for.
It’s this long silk dressing gown.
She pick it up, trying to slip one hand into it. The moment she got it though, she switched hand, pulling my hair with the other as I screamed and tried to get free.
Stephanie : I’ll kill you James…. I would really…
As she struggled to put on her gown, I could not help but admire and feast my eyes on her wonderful figure. Everything about her looked so delicious.
My eyes had adjusted better to the dark by then and I could make out more details about the gown.
It was pale pink in colour by my estimate, with black lace trimmings. It looked some something a Victoria secret model would wear on the runway, classy yet arousing in a sensual manner.
Stephanie pushed my head away roughly as I massaged my abused scalp.
I watched her tied up her gown around her waist in a smoothly executed manner. She looked hopping mad.
James : Sorry… sorry… I came for my phone… I left it here…
Then it descended into a moment of silence as she glared at me angrily.
Stephanie looked like she was about to scream at me when both of us froze.
Our eyes widened at the same time the heard the loud unmistakable thud of the magnetic catch.
Thud !.
The catch released and we could hear the glass door swing open.
Thud!
The 2nd one rang out almost right after, trapping everyone in the office.
………………………………………………
Everything next seemed to happen so fast that you could only pause to think about it after the action was done.
I knew I wanted to apologise. Straightforward.
Say I’m sorry, I’ll explain to the other person I left my phone behind, then I’ll leave, and they can do whatever the fuck they want to do.
Nothing complicated about this.
Before I could even mutter a word, Stephanie grabbed me by my collar and dragged me towards her cabinets. In a continuous motion, she slid open the left most cupboard and pushed me in, causing me to lean back and push aside the clothes that were hanging in it.
As soon as she closed the door, the guy appeared in the room.
I held my breath as I saw Stephanie’s back view with her hands on her lower back pressing themselves onto the cabinet door.
No, I don’t have xray eyes.
Stephanie has 3 cupboards lined up along the wall along the common corridor. The one I was in is the left most one if you are facing the cupboards.
I had explored it before, there were no less than 30 long dresses and gowns inside there. Most of them were individually wrapped in plastic too, as if they had just came back from the dry cleaners.
With only a rod for the hangers and not bottom, it was the only one that I could hide in standing up. The bottom on that cupboard is empty, and I was standing directly on the carpet, I shifted myself in a little to put some distance away from the frame that was supporting the sliding louvered door.
Guy : What are you doing ??
Stephanie : Nothing…
All of the cabinet doors Stephanie had consists of louvered panels, the fins angled top down, pointing towards the ground.
Yes, you watch enough zombie flick or dinosaur shows, you are bound to come across some characters hiding inside the closet in a similar situation.
I could faintly make out the face of the guy, he came closer and I could smell his cologne. My heart was slamming so hard in my ribcage, why did Stephanie complicate things like this.
I could have been on my way out instead of being stuck in the wardrobe.
Stephanie : I…. I’m not feeling well today…
Guy : What are you talking about….. you were fine earlier…
Stephanie : I said… I’m not feeling well today….let’s
That was when I had my air knocked out of my stomach.
I literally had to cover my own mouth as my eyes widened in shock and surprise.
The guy grabbed Stephanie by her waist without warning and force himself onto her lips roughly. His left hand pulled Stephanie’s head against his, forcing a hard kiss that she was trying desperately to get out off.
His right hand reached down and pulled up her night gown, exposing her buttocks. His fingers roughly reached under, pulling and tugging at her panty, giving Stephanie a wedgie.
Stephanie : STOP!… i…. stop….. I said… arg…hhh..
She pushed him away roughly but he bounced back, squeezing her breast, fondling them roughly.
A flurry of missed emotions flooded into my head. Sure, any girl in their right mind would not want to fuck in front of her employee, she had every right to reject.
Hell, maybe even change a location or something, just get out of the place, go somewhere private, but what Stephanie and the guy is doing is just puzzling. She kept asking him to stop, but the fucker just would not.
The atmosphere felt weird.
It definitely does not feel like a girlfriend or a fuck buddy rejecting a booty call.
Guy : What the fuck is wrong with you !!..
Stephanie : I said STOP !!…
She pushed him away and I watch him stagger a few steps backwards. What I did not expect was for him to push Stephanie when he regained his footing.
I fought back a gasp as I watch Stephanie stagger back a few steps before tripping on her own and landing hard on the floor.
I almost opened the door to help Stephanie when the guy shouted.
Guy : WE HAD an agreement …
Stephanie : Fuck you… fuck the agreement…
He came over and without a word, pressed himself on a screaming Stephanie.
I don’t know why I was getting an erection from looking at this.
Stephanie struggled and got loose but he pushed her against the cupboard. The very one I was hiding in.
Slam! , the doors rattled and the entire wardrobe shook.
I almost peed in my pants as I reeled in shock.
Stephanie was so close I could feel her breathe , we were separated only by a think timber panel.
Stephanie : ARgghh!! ..ughghgg…..stop…. eugghhhh stoopp…. Stop…
He was trying to kiss her, I could smell his smelly breath as he huff towards Stephanie and the wardrobe.
Their bodies hit several times against the door, I decided that was enough. I was going to go out.
Stephanie : Uggghhhhhhhhh!!!…. it hurts… urghhhhh… stop… stop… sobzz… sobzz..
He turned Stephanie over roughly, pushing her against the cupboard.
I tried to slide the door open but I can’t.
There was some commotion as Stephanie tried to turn around and push the guy away but he pushed her head against the cupboard roughly as he fiddled with his dick.
Then there was a shriek, a painful scream before it became a whimper.
Stephanie : Uaaahhhhhh….urgh…gggghuuuuu…ugh…
I looked out the louvres and I realised Stephanie was bent over slightly and the guy was fucking her from behind.
Stephanie : SObbzz… sobzz… stop….ugghhhh..urghhh….
With her slightly lower than me, I could see Stephanie peering upwards into the wardrobe.
I tried to slide the door again only to see Stephanie shaking her head.
She was holding it close, her hands blocking the space to slide it open.
Stephanie : ARguuu….. urghhhh…
I could see the guys hand reach and flip down Stephanie’s bra cup, his fingers playing with her nipples and squeezing her breast roughly.
My mind just got fucked big time. Someone just put a blender into my brain and just basically jumbled up everything.
There she was, sobbing and crying in front of me as I watched on helplessly.
My entire body and face was streaked with sweat. I could feel my perspiration being rubbed on the plastic coverings inside the wardrobe.
Guy : Arghhh… arghh… fuck… arghh….ffuucckk… arghhh…
The guy grunted like a pig behind Stephanie, fucking himself non-stop into her as she sobbed quietly.
I swore I saw Stephanie shivered several times, she even bit down her lips in pain.
What an ordeal it must be for her.
He paused for a moment and I could see him taking off Stephanie’s panty, His body lowering down as he lifted Stephanie’s legs to retrieve the panty. I saw him pressed it to his nose as he stood back up, smelling and licking it at the same time. His hand went to his dick again, trying to guide it into Stephanie’s love hole.
Stephanie : Urgghhh….argh…
Guy : Oh…. Fuckk…arghhh… I miss smelling your wet panty…arghh…
He was literally wiping his face with Stephanie’s panty.
Loud slurping sound coupled with some pressurised sucking squeaks greeted my ears.
Guy : Arghh… so wet…. You’re always so wet….arhhh… smells so good…slurppzz… slurppzz…
After he was done with the panty, he threw it aside like a piece of trash before he fucked himself harder into Stephanie.
It was as if he had achieved his desired level of arousal.
A few strokes later, he paused again. Several boxes got tossed apart before he took out a pair of heels and started sniffing and licking it as he guided his cock back into Stephanie.
At one point he was even rubbing the heel on his nipple while trying to lick it at the same time.
And I thought I was the perverted one.
I could see bits of Stephanie’s slender fingers holding onto the louvres, she was just biting down her teeth in pain.
Suddenly she was flipped around roughly, her body landed backwards onto the door with another slam, rattling the entire structure. She slid down onto the ground as the guy thrust his dick into Stephanie’s face, wanking himself off like some old Japanese dude finishing on a porn star.
Guy : ARghhh.. urgghhhhhh… urhhh… fuckk…fuckk…fuckk… ruuggghhhhhhh… oh fuck….uuggghhhh…
Then there was silence.
I could only see Stephanie sobbing on the floor in front of me. I felt sick.
I found it hard to breathe.
After he was done, he cleaned up with some tissues and threw them into the bin.
Guy : What the fuck was that man ? ? What’s your problem…. You want to role play is it…. Want to play those resisting shit is it ?? …
He started to put on his pants and shirt, shaking his head and saying Stephanie is mad.
Guy : crazy…one moment ask me to hurry up… say what you are in a rush…., one moment ask me to fuck off…..
He buckled his belt and added louder.
Guy : remember……Is you who need me….. I don’t need you… crazy…. Heeyeerrr….crazy woman..
Guy : Same time next week ah… I’m in a rush. I go off first…
Stephanie just sobbed silently on the floor without a word.
I watch his figure leave the room before I could hear the distinctive thud on the glass door opening and closing.
I did not move.
Neither did Stephanie.
I stood there motionless for another 10 minutes, before I slid down onto my knees, bringing myself to the same level as Stephanie.
I could smell her hair. One of her bra strap hung loose over her shoulder.
James : Stephanie….are……are…. you ok… ?
She did not reply me.
After another few minutes, she got up and I let myself out of the wardrobe.
She silently went over to the tissue box, pulling several napkins to clean herself up. Stephanie was not wearing her bottom, and I had a nice back view of her body.
She started to take off her bra, throwing it into the bin together with the worn panty.
I should be getting a raging hard on.
Isn’t this what I wanted ?
To see Stephanie naked ?
My dick had no reaction. Not even a trickle of blood went to my flaccid dick that evening.
Stephanie refused to talk to me, choosing to clean up and pack up the room while she sobbed quietly.
11.20pm
She left the office with a bag of clothes and I followed behind her.
James : Stephanie…. i…. i…. I’m sorry…. i…didn’t mean to…
When the lift door opened, she turned and made me promise to never say a word about what I saw.
James ; Are… are you ok ??…
She ignored my question and repeated hers.
Stephanie : Promise me….do it..
Her eyes were wet with tears, I could see the bloodshot veins in her eyes. She was still shivering slightly.
I nodded.
James : Let me help you with that…
I was surprised Stephanie let me help her with her bag of clothes.
She walked on ahead, dressed simply in a grey t-shirt and denim shorts.
I followed behind her without a word, matching her pace.
Inside my mind I was still trying to make sense of what happened.
Stephanie has money. Money can solve a lot of problems.
Why is she doing this ?
Fuck she could probably even get TJ to wack the guy good if he was blackmailing her or some shit.
I could not think of any plausible reason for her to do this.
Well I could ask her, as if she would be in the mood to entertain me. Nevertheless, I followed behind her quietly without a word.
I mean the least I can do is help her drop off the bundle of clothes in her car. Then came my next surprise. Stephanie was not headed to her car.
Instead I followed her towards Tanjong Pagar plaza.
She stopped at a lift lobby and hit the button, when the door opened, she entered and turned around. I was considering whether to go in after her or to pass her the clothes.
In the end I went in.
I walked Stephanie to her front door before she asked for her clothes back.
Stephanie : Remember what you promised me……never ever… speak of it again….never.
She did not look like she was kidding and I nodded my head before going back home.
I could not sleep that night.
10th December 2012
Monday
11.30am
The weekend felt pretty shitty as I could not shake the thought of what I saw from my head. Stephanie did not turn up that morning and she did not reply my messages over the weekend.
I guess she needed some time to herself.
3.00pm
At 3pm, Stephanie came into office but she was not alone. Beside her was this man, I immediately recognised him as the fucker I saw the week before. He came in, saw me and spoke in a manner as if the world was beneath his feet.
Jack : Hi I’m Jack….
James : I’m James….
Jack : I’m Stephanie’s boyfriend…
The fuck you are…
I saw Stephanie disappear immediately into her office without acknowledging me.
I tried to ignore him but he was starting to get on my nerves.
First, he started commenting on the fengshui of the office layout. How things should be arranged and changed. Then he even asked about my zodiac signs, adding that he wants to check if it clashes with Stephanie.
He even commented on my choice of colours for my headphones.
Fine, I don’t really care what the fuck he thinks.
Then he started asking me about work, who pulled the strings to let me work for Stephanie. I kept quiet and let him go on.
Jack : This kind of one man office… got people want to do meh…. You see her chio and pretty then do one is it…. Hahah…
I just smiled silently most of the time, unwilling to engage him in the conversation.
Jack : How much is your pay ah…. This kind of work…. You… you degree holder ah ??….. har ??/….. only diploma ah…. Ohh….
I could feel myself taking deep breathes as he walked about, giving me a lesson on going for extra classes and tuition.
With that, he launched into a full self-introduction, he immediately went on to tell me he has a successful tuition business, was nominated entrepreneur of the year, had multiple awards and tutored many top students.
Jack : I have a few branches already…. Waiting list for slots is so long… haha… I could not believe it…
I nodded and pretend to be interested even though I was not.
Jack : You want to work your whole life ?? Start your own business, the world is huge… .. work here no future one…
And so on and so on and so on.
I saw Stephanie came out with a bag and she walked straight towards the exit as Jack bragged about his business and how well it was doing.
Jack : Hey Stephanie…. Where you find one….. now local employees very hard to find… got people want to work for your this kind of office ah… haha…
She just kept quiet and hit the release for the door.
I finally could not take it any longer and asked him a question.
James : Wah….. your business sounds good man….. where you got your initial capital ?? I meant the rent at that mall you mentioned is not cheap….
He paused for a moment before saying his dad invested in his business proposal.
I fought back a snigger and replied with a calm face.
James : Oh…. You got rich daddy la….haha… i see…
His expression changed and he added as he got up.
Jack : You won’t understand one la…. You only employee…. I think you destined to work your whole life…
Stephanie : Are you done ?….. can we go ???
Stephanie looked tired and weary.
Jack got up with a haughty look and he was about to head out when I called out to Stephanie.
James : Boss…
Stephanie turned.
When our eyes met, there were no emotions. There was none of the lively twinkle, or the mischievous minx that I knew.
Hell I don’t even mind letting her tease or make fun of me but that Stephanie I knew was not there that day.
Her soulless eyes told me all I needed to know.
Stephanie : Ya ?
James : I need you to sign all these…
I gestured to a stack of documents on the table.
James : And….. to go through all these before they go out….
I racked my brains for something more.
James : And errr…. I need to discuss something with you….
There was a brief smile from Stephanie as Jack left the office ahead of her.
That quick brief smile that told me she knew what I was trying to do.
That simple brief smile at the same time also told me that she’s fine.
And that very thankful smile to let me know she’s going to be ok.
Stephanie : I’ll…. See to it when I get back.
With that she walked out ahead of Jack and I never saw them again that day.
11th December 2012
Tuesday
6pm
Stephanie did not show up that day at work.
12th December 2012
Wednesday
6pm
No sign of her either
I thought I’ll try her house to make sure she’s still alive. The lights were on went I got there at 7pm after a light dinner. I could hear the TV, but she did not answer the door.
I left a folder of documents that require her attention at her doorstep together with a packet of chicken rice.
13th December 2012
Thursday
8.30am
When I got in to work, the folder was on my table. All the payment vouchers were signed and she had some comments for other stuff written on a post it note.
She even told me to help her prepare the cheques, she will sign them when she gets back.
I smiled when I saw a curry puff and a cup of coffee.
It was a little cold, she must have left a while ago.
Nevertheless, it’s good to know she’s still breathing.
14th December 2012
9.30am
Stephanie : Good morning ! James….!…. how is my favourite employee doing ??
She came into office in a chirpy mood and a bright smile.
I returned it even though I could see it was all a façade.
James : I missed you so much….
She walked over and hit me with her bag with a ‘Tsk’ before walking back into her room.
10.30pm
Stephanie came back out with a $50 dollar note.
Stephanie : Porridge and a raw fish platter, and coffee, and tapioca kuey… get for yourself too ya..
I stopped what I was doing and got what she wanted, I even removed all the 5s, 2s and coins before passing her the change.
Stephanie : Thank you James…. You’re a life saver….. I’m starving…
I smiled and left her room.
12.30pm
I had a stack of folders and several cheques ready for her signature.
When I knocked and entered, Stephanie was staring into blank space but she quickly regained herself and asked me what is it.
James : I need your autograph…
Stephanie : Sure!!…
I placed each document in front of Stephanie and watch her sign each one before I removed it.
She never looked up.
Just scribbling her initials on each.
When I was done with the folders, I passed her the cheques.
After that was done, I took it from under her and I stood there looking at her.
It was an uncomfortable silence.
I held the folders and cheques with my left hand while my right was resting on the table.
Stephanie still refused to look up at me, choosing to look at the empty table, still clutching her pen.
30 seconds.
It was a full 30 seconds as we both kept silent.
Do you know how long 30 seconds really is ? Stop reading for a moment, and just stare at someone, something.
Count it to 30.
I have never felt that uncomfortable in my life.
As guys, we don’t really deal with complex emotions. We’re not wired that way.
To me, I like to keep things simple, straightforward.
Yes means yes, right means right.
Stephanie looked really sweet that morning. Her fringe framing her face nicely while the sun lit up her hair, a shiny black with a hint of very brownish red.
She had a short black blazer on, with a white inner blouse. Pair with a ¾ cropped black pants, she looked pleasant and demure, almost like a intern about to head to some presentation for the first time.
I could see her knuckles turning white as she tightened the grip on her pen. Her head refused to budge, choosing to keep her line of sight down.
The question was already at the tip of my tongue.
I wanted to ask her.
Even a simple ‘are you really ok ? ‘ would be good.
Before I could speak, Stephanie beat me to it.
In a trembling and almost cracking voice, she mumbled.
Stephanie : You…..you… promised…..James….. you promised….
She said it with her head down.
I nodded my head, went over to her side and gave her shoulder a light squeeze before exiting through the 1 way door to the pantry.
I set the stuff down on my table and exhaled slowly.
The least I could do was to keep my promise.
Sure, I won’t talk about it. What’s the point ?
I won’t talk about it.
I’m going to stop it.
I prepared the stuff that needs to go into the mail and got up.
1pm
I waited for the lift at the lift lobby, jabbing the button a few time with my thumb.
When it arrive, I walked in, my mind trying to organise my thoughts. I was not paying attention, only looking back up when the door opened again after almost closing.
I saw Stephanie smiling at me as she walked in. Her head held high, her chin upright, her bag hung over her left elbow as she stood by my side confidently in the lift in her 3 inch heels.
I could smell her perfume, even catch a hint of her shampoo.
Both of us looked forward without a word.
Stephanie : Where are you skiving off to ????
I laughed.
James : What about you ?? Where are you going….
Stephanie replied as we got to the ground floor.
Stephanie : Shopping of course…. Shopping… !
We got out of the lift and she turned , narrowing her eyes and pointing a finger at me.
Stephanie : It’s Friday….. company dinner and drinks day ya….
With a wink, she turned and left.
As she disappeared down the road, I mumbled softly to myself.
James : Shopping………shopping……………well….….. me too…….me too……
I dropped off the mail and took a short walk towards Chinatown. I headed to the market and straight to the hardware stores.
A friendly auntie saw me looking at her wares and approached me immediately, asking what I needed.
I asked for duct tapes, a metal chain and a padlock, I made a request to buy a small piece of canvas. Those light and dark blue kind you see frequently at construction sites and at night markets.
Shopkeeper : Anything else ?
James : err… no need.
The auntie gave me a look which made me regret getting everything from the same store.
As she kept the money into her waist pouch, she jokingly asked if I wanted red paint and lighter fluids with a straight face.
Shopkeeper : Haha…just kidding…
I quickly left with my purchase.
I got back to office and kept everything inside my backpack.
After checking to make sure Stephanie did not decide to come back all of a sudden. I stared looking through the cabinets for a instruction manual. I remembered seeing it during my first few days.
I found it within 10 minutes.
It’s the manual for the keypad.
Flipping through the booklet, I found the section I wanted.
I went to the keypad and followed the instructions. I needed to scan a master key in order to do a reset but that was not a problem. It was taped to the manual.
After making sure I knew how to do it, I started to prepare the other materials.
I cut the canvas to size, just nice to fit under the main glass door with a bit of it jutting out. I folded and kept it away after that was done.
Now all I could do it wait.
There is no complicated plan or any funny Tom cruise shit. It’s simple.
The simpler it is, the less likely it would go wrong.
Besides, with my limited information about the situation and the resources I could get my hands on, this was probably the only thing I could do.
I had only 1 thing on my mind, that is to stop Stephanie from meeting Jack that evening. Once Stephanie confirms the dinner and drinks location and time, I would start setting everything up.
The tape is to seal up the slits on the main door so you cannot peep in from the outside. Since the glass is sand blasted for the frosted part, I need not worry about the duct tapes pulling out the privacy stickers.
I already prepared an official looking letter with the company letterhead with a notice and contact number. It was to tell all visitors that the office is undergoing minor renovation works, any delivery, please contact James at his mobile.
Leaving a simple chain and lock on the glass handle and bits of canvas that looked like flooring protection on the floor should give it some credibility. I wanted to change the password for the code so in case Jack tries to key in, the door would not open, there would be no way of him verifying if there was indeed renovation works going on.
There, nothing complicated about it.
On my end, all I had to do was to keep Stephanie with me by hook or by crook.
Simple la, drinking what, play five ten, play game, get her drunk or some shit. I’m even prepared to spill drinks on her, hell if needed, I’m going to puke on her or something.
Is it a permanent solution ? No of course not, but it was the best I could think of at that point in time.
Surely it had to be better that letting herself literally get rape by that fucker again.
I went through it a few times and was satisfied that it should go according to plan.
Still I can’t help but feel what a cheap fuck that Jack must be, he should at least get a decent hotel. Anyway, I’ll be sure to make darn sure Stephanie does not answer her phone or get back to the office.
It shouldn’t be too hard.
5.30pm
Stephanie dropped me a message, asking me to finish up my stuff on hand and we can go for dinner.
James sms : Sure, where do I meet you ?
Stephanie sms : Usual place.
6.00pm
I was about to start setting up the space when I heard a loud thud on the door. My heart skipped a bit and I barely managed to stuff the canvas back into my backpack as Stephanie walked into office, looking at her phone.
James : I…. I thought we are meeting there straight….
She gave me a puzzled look with a raised eyebrow.
Stephanie : You mean I can’t come up to the office if I wanted to ??
She entered her room after that and I started to panic.
Thankfully I calmed down after a while as I tried to think of an alternative.
No problem. I could always excuse myself later. Maybe say I have a tummy ache or something, come back to use office toilet or some shit.
Stay calm. All is still ok.
6.05pm
Stephanie : Ok ….. it’s your treat this week right…. I remember…haha
James : oh… oh…. Sure sure… let’s go…
As we entered the lift, Stephanie said something that made me turn a bit too abruptly towards her.
Stephanie : I’m sick of those stuff, fries and chicken wings not very healthy leh…. Let’s go hawker food…
James : Har ?? …. Errrrrrrrrr where ??
We walked out and she gestured towards Tanjong pagar market.
Stephanie : Go market there la. Cheap and good, easy on your wallet…..
My brain was struggling to think, I can’t possibly say I want to come all the way back to Maxwell to use the toilet. I needed to think fast but I was not fast enough.
She gave me a nudge on my arm with her elbow.
Stephanie : Hoei…. Relax la… I know you surely think I want to kotok you right…. Say I want to eat expensive food and such….hahaha…
She folded her arms and matched my pace.
Stephanie : I not that mean la…. I know how much you earn…. Eat simple can liao.
My mouth was half open and by then I could only nod my head.
Stephanie’s idea of cheap and good is a little different from what I had in mind.
Yes, I mean like Hokkien mee, char kuay tiao, roast duck rice etc. These are simple staples , how much can it cost.
The thing is the way Stephanie ordered her food is different.
Stephanie : Uncle, Hokkien mee, small one….. but I want to add additional prawns. $6 worth.
My eyes widened in shock as the uncle gave me 50 cents in change after I passed him a 10 dollar note.
Then it was the roasted meat, 3 varieties and a plate of rice to share. I heard the sound of the chopper went off on the cutting board.
Chop chop chop…..
$15.50
Add to that yong tao fu soup, sugar cane juice, and a serving of tonkatsu from a Jap store.
Stephanie : Wah, looks good man….. take picture take picture….
If you are thinking that Stephanie would probably just eat a little from each plate and push the rest to me, you are wrong.
Actually that was what I thought about initially too.
It’s just something typical girls do.
Aiyah, try a bit, the rest you eat , want to stay slim and so on but not for Stephanie.
She was a hearty eater, scooping up a big spoon of the noodles, slurping it down.
Stephanie : Wah… sinful… sinful…. Jia lat…. This 1 surely 2 hours at the gym
I laughed as she continued on her complains of sort.
I don’t know why but I found it pretty entertaining to see her eat. There was nothing pretentious about it, somehow it just seemed so natural.
She would make a comment about how oily or sinful the food is with a frown before wolfing it down anyway.
Stephanie : Wah… this 1 good… you try you try…
Beneath the frown, it seems it only took less than a second of deliberation before she decides to eat it.
When I saw the prawns untouched, I knew in my heart what was coming.
Aiyah, this kind of thing I’m sure you guys experienced before too.
“ Oh…. Please peel for me ?? “
Although for Stephanie , I was expecting something like ;
“ Oei…. I’m your boss…. Peel prawn for me…!! ”
Yeah, I was mentally prepared for it.
So when I was about to reach for the prawn, I was surprised to see Stephanie stopping with her wide big eyes, her chopstick pressing down on the prawn to stop me.
James : What is it ????
Stephanie : Why are you using your hands ??? You got wash or not.. !…
James ; Err….
Seriously, I don’t remember the last time I washed my hands before I eat Hokkien mee.
Not because I don’t have a good sense of hygiene, I mean I always wash if I’m going to eat with my hands, pizza, chicken, and stuff but Hokkien mee ?
Stephanie : Go…….. and wash your hands….
She gave me a crooked mouth mumbling something under her breath look as she guarded the prawns.
I sighed and did as I was told.
When I got back, it was my turn to gasp in surprise.
Stephanie was happily peeling the prawns.
James : Oei !!… you leh ??
She put one in her mouth and shrugged her shoulders with a look of childlike innocence.
Stephanie : Mine is clean……
I stared in disbelief as she offered me a piece that was set aside on the plate.
Only 1 piece though.
Well, it’s not everyday my boss peel prawns for me.
After I had eaten it with a spoonful of noodles, I froze again.
Stephanie put a new prawn head and all into her mouth. My mouth gasped opened again as I watch her yank off the head.
Then using her teeth, she bit off the legs, then she gnawed away the shells on the back before squeezing the tail bit so a nicely shelled prawn pops out onto her spoon.
I wanted to puke. My eyes widened and I covered my mouth and the instant I did that, Stephanie burst into laughter.
She laughed so hard that she choke on her own saliva, coughing away.
Stephanie : Kidding only la…. Hahaha…. Very gross for you ah… haha…
I found it hard to breathe, here I was, trying to think of how to save her from being raped again yet she was having fun with me.
7.20pm
It’s still early.
We can head back to the pubs, get a drink, then I’ll excuse myself to the toilet. Then I’ll pull of the rest of the plan.
Still on track.
Still on track.
As we were about to head off, I watch Stephanie brought her hair to her nose and took a whiff.
Stephanie : Eh… the exhaust quite bad…. I want to shower…
James : What about the drinks ?? If you shower now, later will smell again, or…. Might as well shower after then end of the day ??
I regretted spilling out my words that fast the moment I said it. It looked weird, it sounded weird too.
Stephanie is not stupid.
Her left arm rest on the table horizontally across her chest area, her right held onto a pair of chopstick, poking at the remnants of the food as she narrowed her eyes at me.
Stephanie : What are you up to ??
James : Nothing…
There was a sudden change in her facial expression, I don’t know if she was capable of reading minds or putting 2 and 2 together but she set her chopsticks down.
Stephanie : James, i…. appreciate your concern…. But….it’s ok…. I’ll…..i’ll be fine…
That changed the mood of our dinner instantly and the atmosphere got a little colder.
She decided she was too full for dinks and asked for a rain check.
I nodded, my mind still trying to think of a solution but there was none.
How do you help someone who refuses help ?
James : Ok…..
She wanted for sugarcane juice and I helped her got big cup of it, it did not come with a bag, but one of those plastic cup holder.
Stephanie : Ok… consider this your treat for dinner and drinks ah…. Next week my turn….
There was something sad about the way she put it.
The way the statement was made.
It felt as if she was looking forward to the next week, probably trying to mentally skip the ordeal she was about to go through again in the evening, yet at the same time, she was dreading the arrival of the following Friday.
As we got up and left the hawker centre, I thought I would try my luck and asked if I could walk her back. She agreed with a smile.
I don’t know why but as we chatted casually in the lift, my heart started beating very fast again.
It got faster when we alighted at her floor.
Then it started slamming against my ribcage when we take the short walk down the corridor to her rented place.
I paused at the door as she unlocked the gate.
Before I knew it, I was holding my breath, my mind deliberating with my next course of action.
I heard the click of the door unlocking and Stephanie turned towards me.
I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and before she could speak, I grabbed onto her arm and nudged her into the house. She lost her balance, smashed the plastic cup onto her floor, spilling sugar cane juice all over herself and her living room.
Stephanie : ahhhh… ehh… oei!!… James… what…
I closed the gate and padlocked it.
Like a clumsy thief, I took out the chain and padlock I had in my bag and fumbled with it.
Clink clank…. Clink clank….
Somehow I managed to loop it 1 round and put in my lock.
The door followed and I pulled the bolt after it was closed.
By then Stephanie had regained her composure, getting up on her feet. She dangled her arms by her side, her pants and top dripping with the sweet sugary juice.
Stephanie : Yah!!… JAMES !!!
I was panting away, I have never felt that stupid before in my life as I leaned against the door with my back.
She just glared at me and I looked on like an idoit.
10 seconds later she shook her head and sighed.
Before she could speak, I spoke first.
James : Don’t meet him tonight…. You have a choice… don’t need to do this….there has to be another way……say you are sick, or you fell, maybe you had an accident, or there’s an urgent overseas trip, something… there has to be something…
I mumbled so fast I did not know what I was talking about.
James : I have a plan… yes… I have a plan…. You have to believe me…
Perhaps it was the way I said it.
Thinking back, I think I sounded desperate and helpless. Even more so that Stephanie.
I stopped mumbling when she burst into a short laugh as she wiped her hands on the side of her pants.
I could tell she soften her stance a little after she calmed down. Maybe it’s was the thought of someone actually cared about her ordeal.
Another 5 seconds of staring past before she finally spoke.
Stephanie : Ok……I’ll listen to your plan…..…now what ?
I looked at the sticky mess and swallowed another mouthful of saliva. The way I looked around the house, my eyeballs searching for something to land on, anyone could tell I was lying and that I was trying to make up something on the spot.
Stephanie was smiling a little though, most probably at my stupidity or at my attempt to make something up on the spot.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
I can do this.
I can deal with Jack.
He’s a fucker, so am i.
I calmed down, stood up straight and decided that the time for fooling around is over. Since Stephanie was receptive to my plan, I had to make the best of it.
I lifted my finger and pointed to the kitchen.
James : First ……. Go wash your hands…
Stephanie burst out laughing and replied.
Stephanie : haha….Alright… I’m so fucked…. Haha…