9.30pm
I entered the hall and all 8 elders sitting around the table followed my every move.
Uncle Po brought me to the table and invited me to take a seat.
He cleared his throat, took a sip of tea and started to brief me on the outcome of their discussion.
Uncle Po : Jake…. There is a bit of a grey area here…..
When the 9th vote was created, no one expected anyone from outside the organisation to get hold of it.
Even if they did, they would not know what to do it it, much less use it to challenge Fungye. I could do that because of my intimate knowledge of the organisation. It would not be possible for me to gain that knowledge if no one trusted me in the first place.
Bit by bit, despite being an outsider, I began to earn the trust of a few of the elders.
Uncle Po : So…. If you were a member of the family…. You would no doubt be the head of this organisation since you successfully challenged Fungye’s right to rule…..but you are not….
Uncle Po gestured to the gathering of men and women in around the table and said after in depth discussion, they have made their joint decision.
Uncle Po : These people….. have a lot of differences….. they have their own opinions and ideas but this is one of the rare time they are all in agreement of this decision.
Uncle Po turned to me.
Uncle Po : Should you choose to accept this and join us…… you will continue to hold the 9th vote as a neutral party.
I would not be made an elder, nor would I vote in future elections. The only time I needed to exercise my vote was to break a bottleneck situation. Something they hope would never repeat itself again.
In order for me to remain a neutral party, I would be offered a job, with each of the elder.
Uncle Po : You need to see things, from each of their perspectives….. only then will you understand the challenges and issues they faced….. you will remain neutral, above their petty squabbles and childish antics….
I could see Uncle Ben trying hard to hold back a snigger.
Uncle Po : Stay out of their internal politics….. their shit stirring games…. Stay out of all of them…. You will exercise that vote when needed to….. in whatever way you deem is best for this organisation….
It was a lot for me to take in and Uncle Po waited a good 10 seconds before asking if I had any questions.
Uncle Po : Questions ?? No ?? Don’t you want to know your annual leave ? …. Your pay ? got bonus or not ??
Everyone laughed including Kate as I managed an awkward smile.
Uncle Po : Insurance ?? transport allowance??? What do you usually ask during an interview Jake ??
Jake : hahaha…. Ermm… I don’t usually ask this… but…..what is my notice period I needed to serve if I want to quit ??
Everyone remained quiet while Uncle Ben reached under the table and pulled out a large knife concealed in a hidden compartment.
Ben : No need notice period la Jake….. just leave behind 2 fingers…
My facial expression changed and everyone of them burst out laughing.
Ben : I’m just fucking with you hahaha…..
Roland : You wouldn’t leave Jake……but if you wish to…. You can go anytime…. On the condition that you don’t mention any of this to anyone….. ever…
I nodded my head as Uncle Po got off his seat.
He opened a cupboard, took out a bottle of whiskey.
Uncle Po first poured a glass and placed it at the altar where the tablet of Kate’s grandfather sat.
Uncle Po gave me a glass too and gestured to the tablet.
I used both hands and offered a toast to Kate’s grandfather.
Turning around, Uncle Po gestured to the elders with 8 raised glass.
I raised my glass to them, looking at each of them in the eye and nodded my head.
There were no loud gang cheer, no cries of joys, no hearty congratulations.
We raised our glasses, and we drained it bottoms up in a single gulp.
Uncle Po : Welcome to the family Jake….
As the elders slowly filed out, Kate came over and hugged me.
Kate : Welcome Jake…
Jake : Thank you…
A vote was cast that very evening. To ease the tension about the rein of the organisation always being passed among Andy and Gabriel’s family. They elected Ah Keong to head the family for the next few years.
Gabriel and Andy will be there to help Ah Keong manage this responsibility.
Everyone walked away that day, satisfied and happy.
The next few weeks that followed was like a blur. There was a small banquet thrown to welcome me and introduce me to the rest of the men and women in the family.
My parents knew what I had done. They were disappointed but in the end, they said since it’s a path I chose, there was nothing else for them to say.
Mum : Be careful Jake…… don’t do anything stupid….
Jake : I won’t…. don’t worry ma…. I’m just treating this like a normal job….. or help do some reorganisation to a company…
Dad : I have seen how much the organisation have changed over the years…… it is a far cry from what they were when they started……but still …. Be careful Jake….
Jake : I will….. nothing stupid…. I promise…
My parents finally decided to retire. They’re not young anymore and I could see they felt a little guilty for being associated with the organisation. I guess they felt that if they were not in a way indebted to them, I would never have gotten involved.
I reassured them that I’m just looking at this as part of a job experience and that I have the option to leave anytime although I doubt it would be as easy as me submitting a resignation letter.
I helped them plan a few tours, and signed them up for one of those that were led by local celebrities and they loved it. They spent their mornings at community gardens, afternoons cooking at a old folks home, and taking evening strolls in the park.
There was this warm fuzzy feeling in my heart when I see both of them back in the evening, perspiring from their walk in the park. After toiling for so many years, they could finally take things easy.
1st August 2016
Within the span of a year, I’ve worked at Terry’s gold shop, selling jewelleries to tourist and to old men with young foreign girlfriends. I’ve visited his gold factory, and watch the furnace melt gold down to be recast.
I’ve helped King on his business, taking it online, Setting up a platform for ordering religious offerings through the web. There’s even a web chat help that advises you on the type of incense to buy for different types of prayer needs.
Andy’s firm exposed me to some basic accounting skills. Within a couple of months, I could churn out a completed set of unaudited financial statement for small companies. Gabriel linked me up with businessmen, bankers, and an army of middlemen.
People who make things happen. What’s the best way to borrow money, which are the loopholes in the current policies we can exploit. It was an eye opening experience.
Uncle Ben offered me free gym classes.
Uncle Ben : Rice is rice la….. it’s not as if you are going to grow them… help to carry and deliver lor….
What initially sounded like mindless manual labour turned out to be a great networking opportunity. I’ve talked to executive chefs of hotels, I’m friends with the famous stall overs that sells popular hawker food, I skip queues for famous chicken rice, I get extra roast meat from the HK roast stall.
More than once Uncle Ben sent me home with a 50kg sack of rice.
Jake : How to finish… they’re only 3 of us at home….
Ben : Fuck la… find a girlfriend…. Get married… make babies la…..Singapore short of babies…… by then confirm can finish all the rice….
Jake : If like that… can you distribute milk powder instead…. I think those will be more useful..
Ben : Fuck you la…
He gave me a kick and shoved me out the truck as I laughed.
I learnt how to manage small renovation projects from Ah Keong and his men. I knew where the best suppliers were and which to avoid like the plague. There was always something new for me to learn everyday.
I felt like a student again. Everyday was like going back to school, learning something I never knew. There was this excitement, that fresh excitement of starting a new job. Going to a new environment.
Roland’s spa business was one of my favourite.
I spent time sitting in the sauna, soaking in the hot tubs as we chatted about his business.
When there were no appointments, I got free massages from his staff.
I made sure I only chose the female ones. Most of them are nice to me and on a couple of occasions, I got lucky with them. Extra services not in the menu.
I travelled with Roland too. Heading to resorts and small boutique hotels around the region. Roland had bought over a shop house he intended to convert into a hotel. That was one of the main project I was helping him with.
We spoke to designers, chose furniture, talked to chefs, interviewed really hot front desk babes, and of course really good looking guys too.
Life could not be better.
2 months split among Terry and King.
3 months split between Andy and Gabriel.
2 months with Ben
2 months with Ah Keong.
3 months with Roland.
And at the end of the 3 months with Roland, he bought me a car.
A modest 2nd hand Korean car.
Roland : you drop your soap later in the spa ok…. You drop it long and good …. And take your time to pick it back up……??
Jake : Errr….. I don’t think so…
Roland : hahaha…
Life was truly good that year.
Fungye’s reputation took a big hit once word spread that he got beaten by a newbie. Someone not even from the organisation that challenged him, and won. It doesn’t look like he would be back anytime soon.
He had a few hundred thousand worth of illegal goods, duty unpaid cigarettes and liquor with us. Gabriel wanted to burn it all but word was sent through, or rather a request was put through Tracy.
A phone call was all it took.
Fungye wanted them back and Gabriel could not be happier to get rid of them.
I was there when a container truck arrived at Ah Keong’s factory , and I was there too when 4 vans arrived at King’s warehouse. We watch them load up their shit, and heaved a sigh of relief after they fuck off.
What about my love life you say ?
Kate and I grew closer together, but not as lover. As friends.
We went out, coffee, meals, the occasional movie but it just never developed. Like a flower that would not blossom. We’re just good friends.
On the other hand, Kate grew a lot closer to Ah Keong. I could see it happening over the months. They got together with each other eventually.
Keong started to change.
He lost a bit of weight, dyed his hair black. Got rid of his earrings.
He wore clothes that covered his tattoos.
I got to know him a lot better when I was working with him. He’s actually a very simple person, with simple needs. He doesn’t care for branded stuff and shit, he has more money he can ever spend yet he is satisfied with a 3 dollar lunch and a 90 cents coffee.
He’s not picky about food, he laughes, he jokes, he even gave up smoking for Kate.
I’m a little jealous but I knew it was never meant to be me anyway.
I’m truly happy for the both of them when Ah Keong proposed and Kate accepted.
2nd September 2016
Friday
9.30am
I was back at the coffee shop.
Orh pao was the only original hawker that remained.
He saw me, gave me a nod and within a minute, brought me a coffee.
Jake : Gam xia ( Thank you ) ……
It was a special day that day. A small reception will be set up at Kate’s place. It was also the day Ah Keong would take his wedding vows with Kate after the buffet.
I was in charge of the catering and decorations. All the arrangements were made and I just wanted to be there early to make sure things were in order.
It’s a small reception, mainly for the elders and a handful of their men.
Ah Keong was the next to arrive. He was dressed smartly in shirt and pants. With his hair cut short, he wore a pair of spectacles. You could see how nervous he was as he came over to my table with the flower bouquet in his hand.
Ah Keong : How Jake ?? … how…. Very nervous leh….
He took out a piece of paper with his wedding vows, asking me how to pronounce a few words.
Ah Keong : this one.. this one…..eeeden ner ty….
Jake : eternity ….
Ah Keong : This one leh… this one…
Jake : oh… Cherish….
Ah Keong : Cherryyish. … tio bo…
Jake : Chin chye la…. Kate understand can liao…
King and Terry arrived together and waved to us. They took a seat inside the coffeeshop.
Andy and Gabriel arrived shortly after, taking the table next to us.
Uncle Ben arrived next with Herman, sharing the same table with Andy and Gabriel
Lucy came with Jane, Roland arrived alone.
All the elders were gathered at the coffee shop, having their drinks while chatting on that lovely morning. I made some calls, the caterers were just a junction away. Everything should be ready and up in 30 minutes or so.
Just nice.
I saw the balloon guys arriving and I excused myself, I pointed them to Kate’s place and they made their way up to start the decoration.
Then something interesting happened.
It was almost amusing to watch.
Ah Keong looked nervous and geek like sitting alone at a huge table for 8. He kept looking at the piece of paper, trying to memorise the vows.
Then the interesting thing happened.
A group of kids, they don’t look like they were older than 16. Still dressed in their school uniforms, they walked as if they owed the road. The 8 of them came to the coffee shop, they had their shirts tucked out, spoke loudly, threw curses in hokkien.
3 of them blatantly took out cigarettes and lit them up , they did not care that they were wearing their school uniforms.
Curses and vulgarities like’ CCB’ , ‘KNN’ flowed freely from their mouths. They had a stuck up attitude , the few bigger tables were occupied and so they eyed Ah Keong’s table.
One of them walked up like a gangster to Ah Keong.
Kid : Brother… you 1 person…. Sit such a big table….. can fuck off to the smaller table or not….KNN…. coffee shop you buy one ah….
From my angle, Ah Keong’s clean shaven and tidy looks made him look like a fresh graduated geek from university. He just stared at them, totally speechless.
Kid : Kuar simi kuar ( what are you staring at ? ) buay song si bo ?? ( you not happy with me ? ) ….. KNN……
As the kid raised his voice, his friends came over as well, surrounding Ah Keong.
Uncle Ben smiled and nudged Herman on his arm, shaking his leg and lighting up a cigarette.
Roland and Lucy looked on earnestly.
I folded my arms and leaned against the pillar of the coffee shop as Bill arrived, asking me what’s going on.
Jake : Nothing… watch show… haha..
Kid : CCB,…. You don’t understand English is it….. be considerate la…. What the fuck…. You one person occupy the big table…… you know this is my sor zai ( turf ) or not….
There was a look of disbelief on Ah Keong’s face as he stared at him.
Kid : ko kuar…..kuar simi lan ( still stare at me ??? what the fuck are you staring at ?? ) ….. lee chap tor lor eh… ( which gang are you from ? ) ….. lee por choot lai…. ( announce your gang name ) ….. PCB…. Buay song… diao zhui lai la…. ( Fuck you cunt… you not happy… ask your ppl down )…..
I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry as that kid spit a gob of saliva on the floor beside Ah Keong after smoking his cigarette.
A few more lit up but they were not smoking. They’re just blowing smoke. Sucking the cigarette and blowing out puffs of smoke. Then they started spitting gobs after gobs of saliva on the floor.
What the fuck was that man ?
Uncle Ben laughed so hard that he was clutching both sides of his stomach, banging his head against the table.
Kid : Siao eh ……aaee gao si bo ( fucker… are you dumb )….. kee hor gao gan la… ( go get fuck by a dog ) ….. kee lai la… ( get the fuck off this table )….
More men stream into the coffee shop, equally puzzled and amused by the incident.
The interesting thing was that no one help.
No one said a word.
Not spencer with his table of 6 men.
Not Johari who arrived with 3 more.
Not Roland’s man who was sniggering as they waited for their coffee.
Then that Kid had to act like a hero.
He flicked his cigarette butt at Ah Keong’s shirt, trying to antagonise him into a fight.
Kid : Lai la… buay song… kee lai… ( come… not happy… get up ) ….
Kate came down from her place, dressed in a blue dress that ended above her knees. Her heels gave her a couple of inches. With her hair done up, and the make up by the make up artist, she looked amazing that day.
Beautiful and elegant.
Like a queen.
She appeared beside me and I straightened my body, giving her a nod.
Jake : Morning….Your highness…
She gave me an irritated look
Jake : You’re the boss’s wife… I should address you properly..
Kate : stop that shit Jake… what’s happening….
I gestured towards Ah Keong and the group of school kids and told Kate they were bullying Ah Keong.
Kate’s eyes narrowed and walked over to that table.
Bill and I went to Roland and Lucy’s table and took a seat, waiting for the show to begin.
Kate : What is this ?? … you kids should be in school….
The leader of the pack laughed as he look at Kate’s dress and cleavage.
Kid : Neh neh nice leh…. Jie jie…. ( nice breast sister …. ) your boyfriend ah…. Hahaha..
I could see Ah Keong take a deep breath as he tried to control his temper.
Kate : How dare you smoke in public like that… I’ll write in to your school !!!
Kid : Write lor…. I don’t give a fuck…. I tell you la… I always liked older girls…. Be my girlfriend la….. don’t stay with a loser like him…. Hahah…
I watched Ah Keong’s fingers closed into a fist. Kate’s hand rest on his shoulder, giving him a squeeze, trying to calm him down.
Kate : Who do you think you are ??
The kid laughed.
Kid : Lim peh is from Joo chiat 17 King kong… …. You stay with me… I guarantee you… no one dare to touch you…. How… haha…
I saw Uncle Ben choke on his coffee , laughing and spilling everything out onto the table as Herman passed him tissue paper to clean up.
Kate : Do you know who I am ??
Kid : You’re just a girl la…. With a pussy… dying to get fucked…. Hahah…
Kate slammed her palm down on the table with a smack, jolting a few of the kid, one of them even dropped their cigarette.
Kid : Why??… want to hit me ah…
He pointed to all the tables around him.
Kid : So many witness…. I take video and stomp you ah… hahaha…
As the kid laughed, he looked around the tables and everyone was staring at him.
His laugh tapered off slowly before he eventually stopped.
He stopped when he realised no one spoke or move in that coffee shop.
Everyone was just staring at him.
His friends looked a little worried to as a blanket of silence engulfed the coffee shop.
No one moved.
Everyone just stared at him.
There was this frightening tension in the air and he looked like he was about to cry.
Kate : Don’t ever…. Let me see you smoke again…
Kid : What…. What business…. Is it of yours ??
That stubborn kid just don’t know when to shut up.
Kate : Let’s ok… they’re just kids….
Kate turned to leave and the Kid was still determined to have the final word.
Kid : She ask you to go la ….. understand or not !!…
Ah Keong stood up, and at the same time, everyone in the coffee shop got up as well. Sound of chairs dragging along the floor rumbled throughout the entire street , creating a loud din.
At the sight of everyone standing up at the same time, the Kid stumbled backwards, lost his footing and landed on his backside. His friends had a shock. 3 ran off immediately.
Uncle Ben walked over, still laughing.
Ben : xiao peng you…. !!! ( little kids ) ……hui qu du shu la… ( go back to school ) …. Hahaha… King kong….. king kong extinct liao la….hahah… Joo chiat 17 king kong….. simi lan jiao… ( what the fuck is that ) … hahaa…
They helped their friend up, grabbed their bags and ran as fast as their legs could carry them down the street.
It was truly an amusing morning and Ah Keong had a good laugh about it.
During the buffet, Kate and Ah Keong thanked everyone for being there that day. It was a casual gathering.
Ah Keong said his wedding vows with much difficulty but he still said it amidst much laugher and tease
Kate gave a speech as well, telling everyone present that, together with her husband, they will take this family to greater heights than ever before.
Roland : Long may she reign …
Jake : Hahah… Long may she reign…
7.30pm
The ceremony itself was a simple affair, Tracy flew in specially for it too. Kate and Ah Keong would be flying off to Maldives the next day for their holiday. Everyone was invited, anyone that was interested are welcome. All expenses paid.
Lucy and Bill couldn’t wait, they flew off immediately after the ceremony.
Tracy left after the ceremony, that she had some errands to run.
I only got to speak with her for a while before she told me she would be at Lucy’s new club that night.
11.30pm
I had just started working for Lucy for a couple of weeks and I’m still getting the hang of it.
I walked towards one of the popular clubs in town owned by Lucy and was surprised at the long line of people waiting to get in. It stretched all the way to the back and around the building. I followed the queue, getting to the front of it.
A standard scene greeted me, a few bouncers and 2 door bitch chatted with each other.
I tried to make my way past a few guys and they told me the queue is right at the back.
I smiled and walked right past the barrier much to their surprise.
The bouncer recognised me and gave me a nod while I approached the 2 door bitch from behind. The guys that told me to head to the back of the queue stared at amazement as I grabbed both ass of the 2 girls in front of me at the same time.
They yelped and drew a few stares, cursing at me.
Huimin : You’re a pervert Jake…!!
Jane : that’s sick !… I’m having my menses la… I think you shifted my pad a little… haha
Huimin : ewww…. Ahaha..
I gestured for the guest list and asked Huimin if the guest at the vip room were here.
Huimin : Not yet…. Tracy is here though… room 10…
I tapped the names on the guest list and thanked Huimin for the information.
Since Lucy had already left town with Bill, I was to help her meet an important guest.
Friend of hers she said.
Important friend.
Lucy : She’s a old school mate of mine….i’ve been wanting to catch up with her…. She probably wants something…you know…. They always do…. Can you help me see what is it ?
Jake : Sure..
Those were the instructions she left me.
I entered room 10, Tracy was drinking, looking absolutely bored as her entourage of 8 men sat around with their beer.
Jake : Hi Tracy…
She came over and gave me a hug.
Tracy : This is fucking boring Jake….
Jake : I can see why… who brings their babysitter to a club man ?
Tracy laughed and poured me a drink.
She pulled me aside and whispered in my ears.
Tracy : Are you joining Kate in Maldives ?
I nodded and said I would be heading there in 2 days time with Andy.
Tracy’s eyes lit up immediately.
Tracy : Take me…
Jake : What ? !!
Tracy : Take me with you !!! help me ditch my baby sitters.
I shook my head vigorously and I saw one of her minders got up.
Tracy : You owed me Jake…you owed me…for the crab claw….
She narrowed her eyes at me and gave me an angry stare.
Thankfully Huimin knocked on the door and came in.
Huimin : Jake…. Room 12 is here…
I quickly excused myself and went into room 12.
Once the door close, it shut off the music from the club.
There was a man and woman in front of me.
Jake : Can I get you anything to drink ?
Woman : No need…. We’ll get straight to the point…
Jake : Ermmm.. ok…
The woman is hot, pretty and classy. Her features are sweet and sharp as well, I would definitely fuck her. The man too, look decent. Base on their body language, they don’t look like a couple.
Woman : Lucy owes me a favour… and I’m calling that favour now…
Jake : Ermmm ok… tell me what it is… I’ll past along that information…
Woman : Tell her I need to get my son back ….
Jake : What ?
Woman : Help me kidnap my son ..
My jaws dropped an inch as I stared at her in disbelief.
What the fuck did she just say ?
Woman : Tell her….. Lucy will know…
She got up in a stuck up manner and left the room, leaving me with the man who has yet to say a single word.
Jake : Is she joking ?
Man : No…
Jake : I think….there might be some misunderstanding…. Lucy runs, clubs…. KTVs…. Not a kidnapping ring….
The man nodded as he looked at me.
Man : well… anyway…. Please tell Lucy what was said…. she will understand….
He got up as well, preparing to leave.
Jake : Wait… how do I address you ?
I offered my hand and he shook mine.
Jake : I’m Jake.
Man : My name is James…..
Jake : Oh… hi James… and your friend ?
James : Her name is Ruhui…
Jake : Alright… I’ll be sure to pass the message along then…
I sent him off and got myself a beer at the bar.
See, everyday you meet new and weird people.
Weird people with weird request.
I drank my beer as Jane came over and whispered that she’s not having her menses by my ears.
I smiled and asked for another drink as Jane rubbed her body against mine in the club.
I hugged her by the waist, pressing myself against her as we kissed.
There is never a dull day.
I don’t know if this is going to last but for now, I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.
…………………………………………..
The end.
Thank you Thank you….for all the kind words and comments.
I’m glad you enjoyed my work.
Cheers
ilock
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Funlover
Re-read this story of ILOCK when he started a thread with links to all his past works. It would be awesome if he can produce an extended part to this story on Tracy part. Intrested to see how Jake helps her to ditch those sitters and bring her to Maldives.. like what ILOCK did with “my good friend’s marriage” where he got an extended part for the holiday after he end the story..
Please please pretty please.. wanna read how Jake Tio get Tracy..
Just need to spend some time looking. I’m sure you can make the trip to Maldives.
Started to experiment writing confrontational scenes on a bigger scale with My adventure as a hawker. While writing this piece, i have already started conceptualising the plot for TBW. Seeing how the fight scenes turned out gave me the much needed confidence to go ahead with TBW.
Story has ended many years ago. There won’t be any more updates.
You can check out other stories i’ve wrote