He chuckled and there was a moment of awkwardness.
He poured wine for us and was about to take a seat when his phone rang.
Roland : Alright… give me a minute.
When Roland disappeared down the hall towards the main door, Kate reminded me about the cutleries.
Kate : Don’t use the wrong one !! … watch what I do ok !
I nodded my head.
My jaws almost dropped when I saw Roland open the door and received the pizza from the delivery guy.
Roland : Sorry… doorbell spoil …
Kate had a shock too as Roland brought the pizza to the middle of the dining table and asked us to help ourselves.
Kate hesitated for a moment until I stood up, opened up the boxes and asked what flavour she wanted.
Jake : Hawaiian or meat lover ?
I could hear Kate gasped in horror as I proceed to tear up a slice with my hand and put it on her plate.
She was glaring at me and I took one piece for myself too while Roland laughed.
Jake : I was warned about using the wrong cutleries….. so since it’s pizza…..
I raised a slice at Roland and he asked me to go ahead.
He looked directly at Kate and said something totally out of the blue.
Roland : I want to half the rent at my spa in Clark quay
Kate : WHAT !… you’re already getting a good price !…
Roland : You can always say no…
Kate glared at Roland for a moment before dialling Gabriel’s number.
She spoke softly into the phone for a minute before excusing herself from the dining area.
Roland turned to me and offered me something else other than pizza which caused me to choke.
Roland : Have you fucked your girlfriend yet ?
Jake : What !!.. cough… cough… what… cough.. cough…
I reached for my wine to wash down the pizza as I looked at Roland in an aghast manner
Roland : Yes….. or no…
I hesitated for a while before nodding my head.
Jake : She’s my girlfriend…. Of course we have sex… it’s part of a healthy relationship…we…
Roland smiled and Kate returned at that very moment.
Kate : Half is too much… we can do 25%…. and…
She paused.
Kate stopped talking all of a sudden.
Roland’s face had changed.
His expression, his body language was different.
Hostility was written all over his look and Kate just kept quiet as Roland drained his wine.
I too was caught off guard with the sudden change in attitude and the mood of the dinner.
Roland stood up and added.
Roland : Is he your boyfriend ?? … yes…. Or no…
Kate answered almost too quickly…
Kate : YES !..
Roland turned to me and before he could throw me the question, I nodded my head and said yes too.
Jake : YES !…
He turned, reached for a drawer, grabbed something and threw it on the pizza box.
I saw 3 condoms land within centimetres of each other.
Roland : Proof it..
Jake : WHAT !
Roland’s expression remained unchanged. He looked grim and almost frightening as he took his seat.
Roland : Proof it…. Or get the fuck out of my house…
He turned over to Kate and added.
Roland : Keep your 25%… I don’t need it…
The situation was getting awkward as the 3 of us stared at each other in the house.
I went over to Kate and held her hand.
Jake : Let’s go.. hey….hey… let’s go…
I could see Kate clenching her teeth as she engaged in that game of poker with Roland.
Jake : Let’s go la… eh… let’s go…
Kate : 30%…. that’s our final offer… ..
Roland set his wine glass down so hard that it broke at the stem on the dining table causing me to jump.
Roland : Proof it !!! …… and I’ll accept it….
Kate was breathing really hard and I could see her shoulder move up and down.
Then without a word, she grabbed the condoms off the pizza box and stormed up the stairs shouting after me.
Kate : JAKE!!!… come here !!
My jaws dropped as Kate stormed up the stairs in her heels.
Right at that moment, I turned to look at Roland who smiled and gave me a wink.
Roland : Don’t forget to get me what I want…
……………………………..
Jake : Kate…. Kate.. wait … wait !…
I watched at Kate stormed up the stairs and disappeared down the corridor.
I turned towards Roland who got up of his seat and drained his wine before heading towards the stairs.
Jake : Wait.. wait.. you cannot be serious ..!…
He ignored me and I overtook him, jumping up the stairs 2 steps at a time.
Getting onto level 2, I saw all the doors closed with exception of one.
The 2nd one on the left.
Lights spilled out from the doorway as I quickly made my way over.
Upon entering I saw Kate pacing up and down near the bed, she saw me enter and she quickly came towards me and closed the door before bolting it shut.
Before I could even ask her what she planned to do, she looked at me and asked me to pretend we were having sex.
Jake : WHAT ? how the fuck do you pretend to have sex ??
Kate shifted her weight from left to right as she looked around the room.
It was a guest room from what I could see. There were hardly any indication that anyone slept in the room recently. The sheets were tidy and straight, there was a thin layer of dust on the dresser table. The room smells nice from the lemongrass fragrance diffuser standing at the side table of the bed but you could still detect a faint musty smell from a room that was not aired regularly.
Kate asked me to start making sound, or noises of us making out.
Jake : WHAT ? You got to be kidding me…
My jaws dropped when Kate started moaning in front of me.
Kate : ERnghhhh….. ergnhhhh… yes… yess… erngggg.. aahhhh…
She rubbed her hair and gave me a pained expression as I stared at her in horror.
Kate moaned towards the direction of the locked door for a while before heading to the bed and started smacking the top of it as hard as she could.
Kate : aerghh… ernghhh…. Yes… yes… ernghhh… ernghh…. Yess..
The smacking sounded like someone dry humping his bed with his butt and I don’t know whether to cry or to laugh.
There was a knock on the door and I could hear Roland calling out.
Roland : You’re kidding right Kate ?? .. tell me you’re kidding….
Kate : ernghh…. Go away… erngghh… yes…. Jake… ernghh… yes… yess…. aHHH….
She flipped her hair and massaged her scalp as if she was shampooing her hair and I could no longer hold it in anymore and I burst out laughing.
Jake : You shooting hair wash commercial ah… hahaha…
Kate stopped what she was doing and glared at me.
Roland tapped on the door again.
Roland : Open up Kate….
I reached for the door and unlocked it.
Roland walked into the room and settled himself onto a couch.
Roland : Ok…. Go on…
Jake : You cannot be serious…. You’re going to watch ??
Roland : Yeah… why not… I’m gay… don’t worry… I’m not interested in joining in…
Kate looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown and I urged her to just leave.
Jake : Let’s go la… .. we can…
Roland spoke directly to Kate and said that his offer is valid until she walks out his front door.
Roland : So think very …………very….. carefully…
He added with a snigger at Kate.
Roland : Why ? What’s the big deal about having sex with your boyfriend ?? … or are you trying to tell me it’s all fake ??? that…. This is just something you and your brother employ to….. say…. Get access to the rest of us ??
Roland laughed and said it would be interesting if the rest of the elders know what the siblings were up to.
Roland : Well.. one thing for sure…. You know we would not even have this conversation if not for Jake….. I would never have invited you to this house….. am I wrong ??
I could see Kate clenching down her jaw as she evaluated the situation.
Seeing that nothing was happening, Roland began to call the shots.
Roland : Jake…
Jake : Yah.. ?
Roland : go over to Kate…
Jake : Why ??
Roland : Just do it…
I went over to Kate’s side and I held her hands, our fingers interlocked and I tried to talk to her.
Jake : Hey.. hey… it’s ok… let it go…. Let’s go off already… calm down…
Kate would not even look at me as she glared at Roland.
Roland : kiss her Jake..
Jake : WHAT ?
Roland gestured with his finger without speaking and he leaned back on the couch, apparently enjoying what he was doing.
He crossed his legs and rest his chin in his right hand in a bored manner.
Roland : Kiss her…
I was dumbfounded and I froze as I looked at Kate before turning back to Roland and I shook my head slightly at him.
Kate definitely doesn’t look like she was in the mood for games and shit.
She looked cross.
Genuinely crossed.
I tugged gently on Kate’s arm but she shook me away.
Roland : Kiss her… or get out of my house…
I tugged Kate’s arm again as I whispered sharply at her.
Jake : Oei !…. siao ah…. Oei !… you better reply me or I’m really going to do it.. !…
Kate looked at me for a brief moment and I gestured towards the door with my head.
I felt her resistance fade for a moment and I dragged her towards the door.
I manage to get her close before Roland spoke.
Roland : walk out…. And don’t ever expect an invitation back again…. Ok ? …. Please don’t say I never warned you…
And you know the scary part of it ?
Roland said it in a really nice manner.
You could not detect any hint of hostility in his statement but it does not make it less of a threat.
That sentence made Kate paused by the door.
I tried to drag her out, there was no need for this. I meant yes, I like Kate. I want to fuck her, to have sex with her but to do it in that manner is a bit weird isn’t it ?
How to have sex properly when you have someone looking at you ?
I meant literally just sitting there looking at you.
Not to forget he’s gay, what if he decides to jump in at the critical moment.
I would not know whether to fight for the hole I want or to protect the hole I need.
Kate took a deep breath and she turned towards me.
Her hands came to my shoulder before closing around my neck.
Her eyes, I could see it in her eyes.
She’s not a willing partner.
That level of apprehension turned me off a little.
You know that feeling right before you do it with someone you just met, that critical moment. The look on your partner’s face, it tells you a lot.
Kate tried her best to look natural and she forced a smile yet I could see her eyes shivering.
Quivering.
She nodded her head slightly at me and I shook mine at her, using the same degree of discretion she did.
It’s not right.
There was no need for this.
Ok, partly my cock was still a little sore from fucking Lucy, Jane and Huimin but to do it to a unwilling girl is just so fucked up.
Kate came close and she kissed me.
She kissed me on my lips and hugged me, pressing her breast onto my body.
I could see Roland smirking and I shook my head at him.
I even mouthed the words “ I’ll help him, but no need for this “ and I made sure the got the message but no.
He shook his head and gestured for us to carry on.
Sensing that I was not doing my part, Kate whispered by my ears.
Kate : Hug me Jake… hug me…. let’s get this over and done with…
I don’t know what to say to that.
It felt so forced.
My hands held Kate’s waist and I hugged her against me but I was not having an erection.
I swore my dick was flaccid all the time.
Kate pulled herself back and she kissed me, pushing me back towards the bed.
She was shaking.
She was fucking shaking and I could feel it.
I’m not exactly a monster and I would think I’m pretty presentable. Perhaps if I went after Kate properly, and the mood is right at that moment, all this would come pretty natural to us all.
I held her by the shoulder and tried to communicate with Kate with me eyes but she shut hers. She did not want to acknowledge me.
Roland : how long you all need to get undressed ??? aiyoh…..
Roland shook his head and looked at us in a uninterested manner.
Glancing at Kate before turning over to Roland, I knew if nothing happens, we would all be stuck there. I broke myself free from Kate and I pulled back the covers of the bed.
Kate looked at me and I could see she was about to hug her own body for comfort, her body language betraying her real feelings.
I brought her close to me again and I kissed her forehead before I whispered in her ears.
Jake : It’s ok…. Shhhh… it’s ok….. everything will be ok….
Her lips trembled as I laid her down on the bed.
I stripped myself of my top and pants before getting into bed with Kate.
Roland : you going to fuck with your boxers on ??
I paused for a moment before stripping off the last piece of clothing from my body.
Kate was staring at me and I could see she was trying to stop herself from crying.
I don’t know what I was feeling.
A quick look at my cock told me I was still not having my erection. This is just wrong.
Roland : Kate too ?? She going to fuck with her dress on ??
I shot back a remark at Roland and he raised an eyebrow at me.
Jake : It’s my girlfriend’s modesty you’re talking about…. I’ll take her clothes off under the covers..
I pulled the covers behind me and made sure it went all the way up till the bottom of Kate’s chin as I laid down beside her.
My hands touched the top of her dress, the part where the 1 inch shoulder strap held it up against her body. I slide down both straps and Kate, lifted up her body slightly and allowing me to take it off her.
I did not look under the covers, I just looked into Kate’s eyes.
If my eyes could speak, I would be reassuring her that I’m not going to do anything.
That it was all an act.
That everything would be ok.
I slid off the dress and threw it onto the floor.
I tried to estimate where Kate’s bra was but I estimated wrong and I touched the upper part of her cleavage. She jumped, so did i.
I mouthed “ sorry “ silently.
Kate returned a “ it’s ok “
My hands hovered above her breast and I felt Kate’s hands took mine. Our eyes looked straight at each other as she guided me to the front of her bra where the clasp was.
I tried to undo it with only my left hand but I can’t.
In the end I used both hands and undid it.
Kate adjusted her posture and removed the bra, bringing it out from under the covers.
Roland smiled, he looked amused and he definitely looked like he was enjoying himself.
Roland : What colour is Kate’s underwear today ?
I hesitate for another couple of seconds and Kate nodded gently at me.
My left hand reached for the bottom and I touched Kate’s stomach, brushing against her navel button. I slid a little more as I felt the soft lycra panty Kate was wearing.
The elastic band stretched when I tugged it and Kate lifted up her bottom , allowing me to slid it down partially before her legs pulled back and she removed it on her own and throwing it towards the bundle of clothes on the floor.
I tore my eyes away from the black lacy panty that just joined the rest of the clothes on the floor.
Ours bodies were touching each other and Kate was really shaking by then.
Roland : Alright… go on… go on…. Fuck… come on…
I whispered to Kate not to worry.
I wanted her to calm down.
I got up and adjusted the covers, trying to make sure we were covered.
I could just move and pretend I was fucking her.
That could work.
I did not spread Kate’s legs , I shifted both to my left and pushed them up , aligning her bottom against my groin.
She sensed what I was up to and she turned to her side.
Just when I thought we could get away with it, Roland got up and yanked the covers off roughly.
Kate screamed while I shouted at Roland .
Jake : HEY !!!..
Roland : what happens under the covers doesn’t count….. I have to see it…
Kate was trying to cover her body with her hands and instinctively I hugged onto her with my body.
Jake : Back away… give us some space…. I can’t do it with people watching…. See… my cock cannot even stand….
Roland laughed.
Jake : SEE !!!..
I turned Kate away so her back was facing us as I showed Roland my limp cock.
I even waved it around a little.
Jake : HOW to STAND like that ..!! how to FUCK with this !!>..
I never for a moment in my life would imagine that scene happening.
I thought waving around with a hard strong dick would be the normal thing to do, but it seemed waving around with a limp cock did not feel that bad either.
Roland smiled and asked me how could he help.
Jake : You can help by leaving the room…
Roland : Not going to happen… I could give you more space though….
Jake : Go over there…. Stand further back…
Roland : On one condition….. get into the missionary position….
I did not think much about it since my dick was so soft. Kate was probably dry as a desert. There’s no way I can penetrate her.
I looked at Kate who slowly turned onto her back.
Jake : It’s ok… it’s ok…. Shh…. It’s ok…
I spread her legs and lowered my body onto her. Kate’s arms reached for my neck and our bodies connected.
I could see her fear in her eyes.
Her unwillingness for it to happen.
I could feel her shaking underneath me.
She kissed me on my cheek and I could see tears fighting not stay within her eyes sockets.
Kate : Please Jake….don’t… don’t.. please… don’t….. not like this…. Don’t…
I could feel her plea in the word she whispered.
The desperation, the helplessness.
I thought I would get aroused in such a situation but no, I was wrong. My dick was still soft.
Something I was glad about.
My soft cock was pressing right onto the entrance of Kate’s love hole.
I don’t know why but we were both perspiring.
It’s ok.
As long as I don’t have an erection it’s ok .
It’s ok.
Roland looked at us for a couple of seconds before walking out of the room.
I turned and checked, for a moment I heaved a sigh of relief.
I got up from Kate and she instinctively covered her breast and looked away despite the fact moments ago her naked breast was pressed onto my body.
Jake : S…. sorry…
Kate : It’s…. it’s ok…
I thought it was over.
I really did until Roland reappeared at the doorway with something in his hand.
It caught us off guard and we hugged onto each other again in missionary position.
Roland was carrying Kate’s bag.
He unzipped the bag and reached inside.
He kept his eyes on me and pulled out Kate’s towel. The same one she had just showered with.
No.
No…
Don’t do it..
Don’t fucking do it.
My eyes widened in horror as I tried to control my emotions but it was too late.
Roland caught the twinkle in my eyes as I looked away.
Roland laughed.
Roland : Such….. a sick…. Sick… pleasure….. so many men indulge in…
I looked away from Roland but he came closer.
As he approached , Kate hugged me tighter, pressing my groin harder onto her love hole.
No..
No… I could feel something was off.
Blood was flowing down to my groin.
Roland placed Kate’s towel over my head.
Roland : Kate showered with this earlier…. Does it still have her smell ? …. Ever wondered where she wiped with this ??
The moment the words left his mouth, Kate’s eyes widened in horror as well.
She could feel it.
She could surely feel my rapidly expanding cock. It was no longer flaccid.
It was starting to come alive.
Roland removed a small waterproof bag and unzipped it.
Seconds later he took out Kate’s sweat soaked sports bra.
Kate shook her head in horror at me.
Kate : No.. Jake… no.. no. no…
I can’t help it…
I could not control myself.
I tried to turn away but Roland held the sports bra to my face, pressing it onto my nose fro a couple of seconds.
Roland : How does Kate smell ? nice ?? … she smell of her fresh sweat ?? …it’s arousing isn’t it… ?
He went on to ask how many times have I fantasied about that hot babe at the gym.
Roland : Seeing her sweaty, beads of perspiration rolling down her chest, ….. her tight work out clothes…. Do you dare to admit you have never thought of doing something like this ?
My erection was getting harder as Roland went on. My arms supported my body by Kate’s side.
As my erection got harder, I pushed myself off her a little more, unwilling to risk an accident.
Roland pulled out Kate’s running top.
Roland : This… this one… got more of her sweat…. You want to smell ?? huh ? ….
I turned away, shouting in frustration.
Jake : aRHGHGHG….
Roland laughed as he plastered it onto my face, rubbing it roughly onto me for a few more seconds.
My cock was fully erected by then.
Roland : You see…. Humans…. Are wired this way…. We’re turned on by so many different things but our sense of smell…. It’s hard to believe but it’s the truth. … you’re attracted to Kate not just by her looks and personality… but it’s her smell…. Am I wrong ??
My dick had started to throb by then and I could see the panic in Kate’s eyes.
I kept dipping down. Her spread legs started to close a little more but it didn’t matter.
My mushroom head was already resting on the folds of her vagina.
I could feel it happening.
The throbbing, my breathing, all this caused my erection to rub against Kate’s love hole.
I don’t know how much more of this I could take.
Roland pulled out Kate’s running shorts which was tangled together with her sweat soak panty.
He took a whiff too and commented on it like a chef appreciating his work.
Roland : Nice… try it…
Roland pressed her running shorts and panty onto my face and I tried to push him away.
By lifting up one arm, I lost balance for a moment and I plunge down onto Kate .
She gasped, so did i.
I could feel it.
Our eyes stared at each other in horror.
She was wet. I could feel the wetness slowly spreading.
My throbbing cock knocked gently on then entrance of her love hole.
The soft velvet folds of her vagina lips slowly relaxed it’s opening.
The wetness I felt gave way to warmth. That familiar comforting warmth.
Kate shook her head, her eyes pleaded with me.
I tried to control myself. I tried.
I really did but I can’t.
With each throb, my dick head pushed further and deeper into the soft lips of Kate’s vagina a little at a time.
Just a little.
Her vagina contracted, trying to shut me out but it was no use, each time she relaxed, I slipped a little deeper and Kate got a little wetter.
Kate : no.. Jake… no… no…
Kate shook her head desperately, she was too afraid to move.
Jake : Stop… stop… don’t move… don’t move… I’ll get up…. Don’t move…
Roland chuckled and laughed as the threw all the clothes aside.
Then he did something totally unexpected.
He striped.
He fucking stripped his pants and took out his cock.
Jake : WHAT aRE you DOING !!!
He laughed and got behind me.
Jake : NO!!!>. FUCK…fuck… NO!!!…
I panicked.
I really did.
I don’t know how close Roland was but I was eager to put the distance between us and instinctively, I did the only thing I could.
I went forward.
I pushed.
Kate’s mouth gasped apart and her eyes widened as I went beyond the point of no return, fucking myself raw halfway into Kate’s vagina.
Kate’s fingers gripped onto my arms as I immediately apologised.
Jake : FUCK… SORRY… SORRY….
I pulled back out but I felt Roland behind me and fuck I pushed myself all the way into Kate, burying myself to the hilt of my cock as Kate’s spread legs went up into the air as she moaned.
Kate : ERNghhhhh….
Roland got up and laughed before putting his pants on.
Roland : With the proper motivation….. you will be surprise how far you can go… am I right ?? …
Roland sat by the side of the bed and sat down beside our connected bodies.
Roland : Now… fuck her Jake….you are all in a relationship…. it’s normal to have sex…. fuck….do it….
I hesitated as i look at Kate.
Roland: fuck…. come on……
He issued the final ultimatum after a couple mroe seconds.
Roland : Do it Jake…. before i make you cum inside Kate…
I saw a tear rolled down the side of Kate’s eyes.
Right at that moment, Roland’s phone rang.
He answered it and i could immediately see the expression on his face changed.
It was a split second change.
He grabbed our clothes and threw them at Kate and i.
Roland : Get dressed ….. NOW!!!…
I pulled my cock our of Kate’s love hole and she moaned softly before turning away on her side.
Jake : WHat… what… what happened ??/ Who was that ??
Kate’s phone rang.
2 seconds later, mine rang.
It was Andy.
Andy called me.
I answered the phone the same time Kate answered hers.
Our eyes met at the same time as we digested what we just heard.
Matthew just passed away.
……………………..
I hung up the phone and for a good 15 seconds I was frozen where I stood.
Kate seemed like she was caught in a trance as well. Both of us stood naked staring into blank space for a while. It’s weird. I don’t really know Matthew. I don’t even remember speaking to him. His passing should not even register in my head, not to mention affecting me the least bit.
Yet i knew Matthew at an intimate level. From the information that was shared with me, the briefings by Kate, I knew Matthew far better than perhaps an employee of his.
I knew his temper, his character, even what food he prefers. I know where he celebrated his 60th birthday, what his favourite dish was, and how much he loved his son despite their differences.
I know Matthew was right handed, but he could write just as well with his left. He had several tattoos on his body including a unfinished dragon on his back. The tattoo artist disappeared before it was completed and Matthew did not want to find someone else to complete it.
A long white scar ran down diagonally on Matthew’s back. A Souvenir from his younger days in the streets and he could not feel anything on his pinky on his left hand.
Matthew donated regularly to temples in Singapore. In fact his company built several of them. All in all, he seemed like a nice guy.
I pulled on my clothes and Kate slowly came to her senses. She immediately called Ah Keong.
Kate : Keong…. You ok ?? … what happened ??
As she stayed on the phone, I could see tears welling up in her eyes, then she started sobbing before she hung up.
I left Kate to get dressed and I went down to the dining area.
Roland was no longer holding to his wine glass. He had a bottle of whiskey in his hand and he took a swig from it like a drunk pirate. He was on the phone with Lucy.
Roland : This changes everything….it fucking changes everything…..Ah Keong will take over…
His eyes met mine and he turned away, walking back into his kitchen.
Kate came down the steps with her bag in hand, she too was on her phone, this time round with Uncle Ben.
Kate : I know… ok…. Ok…. Thanks Uncle Ben.
The moment she hung up her phone rang again.
Right at that moment, Roland came out of the kitchen, his phone rang too after saying goodbye to Lucy.
We did not even say goodbye to Roland properly.
Kate pointed to the door without a word at Roland and he just nodded his head, waving bye to us as if we were old friends.
Kate gestured for me to call for 2 cabs and I did, she excused herself to a corner in Roland’s porch, speaking in hush whispers into her phone.
I called 2 cabs and they arrived together after a short 5 minute wait.
Kate held her phone aside and told me she needed to head somewhere and I nodded.
Jake : Ok…. Take care ya…. I see you tomorrow…
Kate : See you Jake…
I got back home, took another shower and lay down on my bed.
I hoped my phone would ring, I hoped someone would call me, tell me something but no one did. As much as I detest the politics that came with associating with this bunch of people, something deep inside me craved to be let into it. I wanted to know more.
I wanted to be part of it.
I must have fell asleep without knowing and the next thing I knew was my mum waking me up to head down to the stall.
5th Feburary 2015
Thursday
5.00am
Kate was nowhere to be seen at the coffee stall and I was too busy to ask how she was.
10am
Ah Keong’s stall remained closed too. Uncle Ben came by for a while but he only stopped by the coffee shop to grab some smokes before quickly getting into his waiting lorry.
12.30pm
I was eating lunch with my parents at a market in Bedok when my phone finally rang.
It was Kate.
Kate : Jake… where are you ??
Jake : I’m about to head back home…. How is everything ? What’s happening ?
Kate filled me in and gave me a summarised version .
Matthew suffered a heart attack during dinner with Ah Keong. They were arguing apparently. But no one knew about what.
He was fine even upon admission to the hospital. His condition was stable . Ah Keong was by his side all the time.
No one expected him to pass away in his sleep.
Kate : His wake details are being finalised, we all need to be there.
Jake : Ok… just let me know the details… I’ll head down with you…
Kate paused for a moment before saying that things are going to get intense.
Jake : What do you mean ?
Kate : Ah Keong, will be taking over Matthew’s spot as a elder…
I did my mental sums and replied.
Jake : That is a good thing right….. He has always been on your brother’s side…. With Gabriel, Andy, Ben, and Keong, you would have 4 votes. You only need one more to win…. I’m sure if you reduce the rent at Clark quay for Roland….
I did not get to finish my sentence when Kate said she got to go and she hung up.
4.30pm
I got home and took a short nap. There was a missed call from Lucy.
Jake : Hello, Lucy ? …. You called ?
Lucy : Yes… I made arrangements for… you know…. What we agreed…
Jake : Huh ?
Lucy : Terry’s daughter…
Jake : What ? …. Now ?? ..
Lucy : Not now silly… haha…we all have a wake to attend remember, don’t you ?? … haha…
Lucy added that she has gotten Suwen and Tiffany’s spa schedule from Roland. Information that might be useful for me to plan my next move.
Jake : Oh… ermmm.. ok…
Lucy : Don’t worry Jake… Tiffany is easy…. The hard part is just getting it on tape…. But that’s none of my worries….
I wanted to tell Lucy that with Matthew gone, what she had probably did not hold much value any longer but she anticipated what I had on my mind.
Lucy : Ah Keong would be taking over…. But I’m sure he doesn’t want his dad’s dirty laundry to be exposed… don’t you agree ? …. I meant… it’s so disrespectful…. And usually when people passed away….. only good things are said right ?? ….
I did not reply her and she said she would text me the schedule details in a bit.
Kate called me back 15 minutes later to inform me that the wake would be held the next day at Mt Vernon.
6th Feburary 2015
Friday
2.30pm
Kate did not show up at work that day too. I tried knocking on her door above the coffee shop but no one answered the door.
I did not get to take my nap after a day of work at the stall and despite feeling the fatigue building up that entire week, I knew I could not miss the funeral.
Attending a Triad funeral ?
It’s right up there on my bucket list.
Drama and shit always happens at triad funerals no ?
I put on a black shirt and dark coloured pants before hailing a cab to Mt Vernon sanctuary. I’ve only been there once for a wake of a friend’s dad but that was a long time ago.
The cab dropped me at the carpark and I alighted under the scorching sun. As the cab pulled off, the sight, the smell and the sounds the insects made reminded me of my in camp days. I text Kate to inform her that I had arrived and a few minutes later I saw her come out to the carpark.
She wore a long black dress and heels. Her hair was tied up into a bun, she looked matured and respectable.
Jake : Is everyone here ?
Kate : No. Only Ah Keong and Andy.
She told me they had just taken over the hall and things barely settled down. King was the one helping to coordinate all the necessary stuff since it was his area of expertise.
Jake : Is Ah Keong ok ?
Kate shook her head.
Kate : He’s quite affected, he did not really want to talk. He would usually talk to me no matter how moody he was, this time round he totally ignored me…
Kate pointed to the hall and left to answer a call.
I approached the huge hall, rows of wreaths lined the entire walkway and entrance. I counted at least 20 or various shapes and sizes. A couple of bees buzzed near the fresh flowers and I recognised a guy that that with King during the banquet.
He plucked off some wilted petals and sprayed on the flowers to keep them moist.
Looking around, I expected heavy security. Men in suits and shades but there were none.
I entered the hall and saw Ah Keong standing at a corner, staring at the photo of his dad. The mood was solemn in the hall. A few tables were filled with familiar faces I saw at the banquet lunch. Everything seemed so normal.
It’s unthinkable that we would see each other so soon, barely a week had passed since the lunch and here we are.
At Matthew’s wake.
I went over to Ah Keong and said my condolences and he nodded at me. I tapped him on his back and asked him to take care.
Jake : Take care bro..
I joined Andy at the same table and Gabriel walked in shortly after.
He too spent some time talking to Ah Keong before sitting down.
I listened in on Andy and Gabriel’s conversation. It’s a little inappropriate but they were already talking about taking the win for the election. Matthew is gone, there is no one else left to contest.
Ah Keong, according to Gabriel, never liked any of these nonsense. He also didn’t want to touch his dad’s business, that was part of the reason why he stayed at the chicken rice stall.
Gabriel looked a lot more relaxed, so did Andy.
Couple on the fact that all elders were obligated to cast a vote, without Matthew to cast their vote to, Andy would definitely win.
Andy nodded towards Ah Keong and asked Gabriel a what if question.
Andy : What if ?? I mean…. Really… what if ??
Gabriel shook his head.
Gabriel : Ah Keong has always been on our side… there is no motivation for him to even consider…
Gabriel turned around to make sure no one was within earshot before adding.
Gabriel : Rules are rules…. Terry supported Matthew for this election, he cannot support a 2nd candidate, not even his son….. which means it’s either Lucy, Roland or King has got to support Ah Keong…
Gabriel reasoned that he did not think that was possible since they hardly knew him.
Andy nodded and waved towards the entrance.
I turned and I saw Uncle Ben arrive.
He went up to Ah Keong and said a few words before settling down at our table too.
He seemed at ease as well, as if he was sure victory was a given with Matthew’s passing.
3.15pm
Then the drama part started when Terry arrives.
It’s like a fucking Taiwan drama.
Terry burst into the wake and exclaimed loudly.
Terry : BROTHER AHHHHHHHHH……
His face scrunched up as he walked towards the coffin.
Terry : BROTHER!!!!…..brother ah…. Ah… ah….
He sobbed loudly by the coffin as my attention drifted to Suwen and Tiffany.
They chose the furthest table and took a seat. From the way they behaved, it’s like they’re embarrassed to be associated with Terry.
Suwen looked distraught, her expressions betrayed her totally. Her eyes were red and she was in shock. I discreetly adjusted my position to observe her properly. I stole glances at the rest of the people at my table, they were deep in their own discussion.
No one in the hall knew what I knew.
Assuming Lucy kept the secret properly, I’m probably the only person that knew of Suwen and Matthew’s affair.
Suwen looked so much younger in the video, I recalled seeing her youthfulness. That bubbly smile as she hugged Matthew. Even today she still looks dashingly beautiful.
Her oriental looks appealed to me. I would fuck her too if given the chance. I could tell her figure is well maintained, she’s like that hot milf you see picking up her kid at the childcare after work.
She would pass of as a Shenton way office lady in the right attire. I could almost imagine her with her branded work bag and tight skirts and high heels, perhaps with a hello kitty kiddy bag slung over her shoulder as she bent down to pick up her child, exposing her cleavage to me at the same time.
Except her child was not a toddler.
Her child is already well into her tertiary education.
Suwen was not in some hot office attire too. It’s just something plain and simple, perhaps to mourn her dead lover.
She wore a long sleeve black blouse and black pants. Her black heels exposed her toe cleavage, and the deep dark red painted on her toes made me want to suck on them. My erection stirred and I tried to calm myself down.
Fuck it’s a wake, and there I was having an erection. I sipped my drink and looked around the hall. King appeared out of nowhere and I was him talking to a couple of his staff.
I pretended to stretch and looked at Tiffany.
Tiffany was on her phone. She refused to engage anyone from what I can observe. No eye contact, nothing. She seemed contented that the hall provided free wifi for whatever she’s doing.
Tiffany came in her JC uniforms but she wore a black windbreaker over her blouse, the windbreaker is pretty long, it covered quite a bit of her school skirt. She had that usual stuck up look on her.
There was some commotion at the door and I saw Roland walk in.
The mere sighting of Roland got her excited.
I could read her body language clearly. It’s like seeing a teenage girl ogle at her first crush.
Tiffany sat up straight and I could see her straighten her wind breaker. She then realised that the baggy dark jacket covered most of her body and she took a quick look around the hall.
I pretended to look away but kept observing from the corner of my eye. She unzipped the windbreaker and I could see her adjusting her school uniforms.
Roland came to the middle of the hall and he spoke with Ah Keong.
Suwen got up to grab some drinks and I saw Tiffany stand up as well.
No one was paying any attention to her and I watch her pretend to stretch when in fact she adjusted and pulled her skirt higher, exposing more of her legs. What a slut.
Tiffany then change seat, deliberately choosing one that was in Roland’s line of sight.
Roland sat down on a table alone and he saw Tiffany. He gave her a nod and a smile. Tiffany’s eyes lit up and she brushed back her fringe, smiling like a love struck teen at Roland.
Lucy enters next and after speaking to Ah Keong, she took the same table as Roland but neither of them spoke to each other.
Kate asked me to help her with some carton drinks and I went over.
After loading some into the fridge, I turned and looked at the hall.
Something was happening.
People began to file out.
All except the elders.
Ah Keong stood with his back facing everyone, choosing to look at the framed photo of his dad.
Lucy and Roland remained where they were.
Ben got up and joined King at his table.
Terry asked Suwen and Tiffany to leave the hall.
Kate came over and linked arms with me, leading me out as well.
The door was closed but I could still see what was happening through the glass windows.
Everyone just loitered around, no one spoke.
I asked Kate what was going on.
She told me the elders needed to talk to Ah Keong in private, since he would be taking up Matthew’s position.
Matthew was lucky he had a heir, a random thought crossed my mind as I wondered who would step up should Roland or Lucy meet with something unfortunate.
5 minutes on and we could hear voices escalating in the hall.
Curious eyes stared and a couple of them went closer to check what was happening.
The voices got louder and louder until it was apparent that Ah Keong was shouting.
Then the sound of tables and chairs being pushed and thrown around.
I pushed my way through the crowd and opened the door.
Ah Keong : IS THAT ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN THINK OF !!!
He kicked the nearest table and shouted again.
Ah Keong : WHO THE FUCK DO YOU TAKE ME FOR !!!
Ben : Keong ah… calm down..
Gabriel : Keong, we’re all trying to help..
Ah Keong must have been overwhelmed by grief. His eyes was bloodshot and nothing anyone said would get to him.
He started scolding Gabriel, then Andy, Ben too. He cursed at Roland and Lucy, even King before turning to Terry.
Gabriel : Keong… I didn’t want to do this here… but since it has come to this…. Let’s just get it over and done with…
Gabriel addressed the elders, saying that with Matthew’s passing, there was no other contender. He opened the floor to all, asking who would like to go against Andy during the election.
Gabriel : He’s the best man for the job already…. Who else is interested ?? You ?? You ?? or you ??
He pointed at Roland, Lucy and King but none of them reacted.
Gabriel said something inappropriate. He said that no one could hold a candle to Andy even if they throw their hat into the ring and I could see how that riled up Ah Keong.
Ah Keong : WHY ? Just because I never finish school, I’m not good enough ? Is that it ?
Gabriel : Keong… you know I don’t mean that…. What’s wrong with you.
Ah Keong cursed at Gabriel, saying that he had always looked down on him.
Gabriel : When the fuck did I ever look down on you ??? You’re like a brother to me … !!
Ah Keong : BROTHER ??? You consider me your brother ??!!! then why the fuck do I not have your blessing with KATE !!!
A shiver shot through my spine as all eyes turned towards Kate and me.
It did not help that she was holding onto my arm.
Perhaps everything happened so quickly that it gave Kate a scare too and she lowered her hand immediately.
Then Ah Keong said something he shouldn’t have.
Ah Keong : YOU consider me your brother… then why the fuck !!! do you have to get Jake to pretend to be Kate’s boyfriend !! … WHY can’t you get me !!!
I heard a couple of gasp among the crowd and Lucy turned towards us, shaking her head in disapproval.
Lucy : You meant… you were lying to us ???? Is that it Kate ?? oh dear…. That’s so… so…. Sick…
Lucy gave a disapproving shake of her head and I almost sprang forward to strangle her.
Kate : Ah Keong !… enough…
Ah Keong : NO… let me speak… I’ve kept quiet for long enough. …. ALL this TIME….all these years… don’t you know my feelings for you ?!!!
Kate looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Ah Keong : I know I never finish school…. But you know I’m a good guy… WHY CAN’T YOU GIVE ME A CHANCE !!! … you know how badly it hurts me to see you pretend to date JAKE !!!
Kate : I loved you as a brother Keong… you know that !…
Ah Keong : NO!!… I will not have that….
Ben : Keong… enough liao hor…. Agar agar jiu ho… ( watch your tone )
Ah Keong : You have no right to lecture me….
Ben was about to explode but I saw the sudden change in his body language. It was as if suddenly realised something. Whatever it is that gave Ah Keong that level of confidence.
Ah Keong : Kate…. I love you… and I should have listened to my dad a long time ago and win you over…
Kate : Keong… don’t do this please… not here… not now…
Ah Keong’s eyes were red and bloodshot. I could see his red veins reaching outwards like thin creepy branches in his eyes.
Ah Keong : I know….. I know you think I’m not good enough for you…. You would rather have a fake boyfriend….
Ah Keong started addressing the crowd.
Ah Keong : I KNOW…. I know you all think I’m not good enough… that I’m some uncouth hawker…. That sells chicken rice…. That my mind is simple…. I know !…
Ah Keong raised his voice a notch and spoke with his right index finger outstretched.
Ah Keong : You think I’m not good enough ??? I’ll prove you otherwise.. !! ..
Ah Keong formally announced that he would be taking over his dad’s position and he would want to run as a candidate for the election.
Ah Keong : And if I win….. if I win… the first thing I would do would be to distribute the money from our fund back to everyone. ! … I would make sure you no longer have to lease or rent your place of business from Gabriel ..
Gabriel : KEONG !!… are you mad ?? !!
Ah Keong pointed to Andy and Gabriel, he said that their 2 families has been holding onto the money for such a long time .
Ah Keong : It’s time for a change.
Terry : Swee… I support you !! .. it’s time to take back all the money…
Ah Keong turned to Kate next
Ah Keong : I’ll prove to you Kate…. I’ll prove to you….. that there’s more to me than meets the eye…. I’ll prove to you……
Andy : Keong…. Don’t do this… listen…
Ah Keong : Shut up…. I made up my mind….
Gabriel : Even if you want to run, you need someone other than Terry to put you up as a candidate. He already did it once for Matthew…
Ah Keong turned to King, Lucy and Roland.
He did not say anything.
He just locked eyes with each of them for a few seconds before speaking.
Ah Keong : The strong do what they can…. And the weak suffer what they must… Choose a side….
Lucy smiled and she put up her hand.
Lucy : I’ll nominate you…
Gabriel : LUCY !!!…
Lucy turned and gave a really innocent look on her face.
Lucy : Yes ?…. anything wrong ??
Ah Keong turned to Roland who gave him a nod as well.
Terry tapped Ah Keong on his shoulder, saying that he will be with him all the way.
Ah Keong spoke directly to King.
Ah Keong : You’ve lived under the family’s shadow for so long King…. So long…
Gabriel and Andy looked on in horror as King nodded and took Ah Keong’s side.
Ah Keong looked at Gabriel and announced in a soft voice.
Ah Keong : It’s 5 against 3 ….. I’ll see you on the day of the election…
……………
Gabriel was fuming mad and he stormed out of the hall with Andy behind him.
The colours faded from his face and anyone could tell he was on the brink of exploding but he gritted his teeth and held it in. Perhaps in consideration of the mood Ah Keong was in.
Andy looked a little more calm but the relaxed state he was in earlier was gone.
Things had changed.
Ben nod his head slowly as he stared at Ah Keong. His hands sat on his waist as his mouth twisted sideways, as if he was sucking on a stray piece of meat from lunch stuck in his teeth.
He did not say a word .
Ben just nod his head as if he understood something.
From the angle when I stood, I saw Ah Keong mouthed something to Ben .
I caught a bit of it, something about , ‘don’t judge me. you’re not a saint either ‘
I put 2 and 2 together and came to the conclusion that Ah Keong was now holding onto Ben’s dirt.
A couple of minutes later several men streamed in to tidy up the hall and King directed them to adjust some stuff. More visitors arrived and the hall started to get a little packed.
Kate took a while to recover from the situation and she left my side to talk to Ah Keong.
Kate : Ah Keong …. Ah Keong !!…
Ah Keong went towards the back of the hall to a rest area and Kate caught up with him, determined to have a chat and perhaps knock some sense into him.
I saw several pairs of hostile eyes on me as I slowly retreated to the back of the hall. With the cover blown, there was no reason for me to be there any longer.
I was in the middle of composing a text to Kate to tell her I’ll make a move for now when I saw Lucy get up from the table and checked around the hall before looking at me.
Lucy came over to my side and I asked her what she wants.
Jake : You’re disgusting Lucy… .what you did….…. What do you want ?
Lucy : Me…? disgusting ?? … you’re boyfriend girlfriend act was a total fail in case no one told you that….
I looked at Lucy in disbelief.
Jake : What do you mean a total fail ?
Lucy : if you are happily in a relationship with Kate…. Would you have fucked me and my girls ?? doing the things you did to us ??
Jake : SHHHHHHHHHHHH…..
My eyes widened and I quickly looked around the hall as Lucy chuckled.
Lucy : It’s ok… no one is listening I think… you’re not exactly the male lead here you know….
Lucy pulled me right to the back of the hall and she leaned on my shoulder.
Lucy : I still think of you inside me at night you know… it’s so much more….. Fulfilling than using my vibrator….. any plans tonight ??
As Lucy said that, she slid her fingers down and brushed it lightly over her privates.
Jake : HOEI!!..oei… don’t do that !!!… we’re at a funeral…
She tried to rub my crotch and I jumped back a step.
Lucy : Hahaha…. But it’s true…. I want you to do it again sometimes… that feeling…. Being pinned down… it’s quite nice you know… … so comfortable….. the really full and stuffed sensation down there…. All that rubbing… oooohhh….
I retreated and Lucy laughed softly, trying to cover her mouth.
Lucy : And that warmth… that radiating warmth that spreads out into me when you cum….. my god…. It’s been a while since I got that feeling. … it leaked for the whole night ok…. I had to wear a pad….
Jake : What do you want ??
Lucy made sure no one was within earshot before coming closer to me.
Lucy : It’s still not too late Jake….
Jake : Not too late for what ??
Lucy whispered by my ears.
Lucy : Get me what I want… and I can always switch sides… hur.. hur…
She adjusted her hair and looked towards Terry who was shaking his leg and rubbing his toes on the chair beside Suwen and Tiffany.
I quickly ran through my thoughts and evaluated the situation I was in but Lucy was a tat faster.
She did the analysis for me before I could.
Lucy :Well… there is really nothing to stop you from walking away Jake….. you don’t need to be involved…. Seriously… you don’t owe anyone shit …. Am I wrong ?? heee.. hee…
Her finger touched my arm, tracing my biceps before she rest her hand on my shoulder.
Lucy : Walk away from all these, leave it all behind…. And end of story…. No complication….
Lucy started to pace around me, keeping her hand on my shoulder as she did, like a compass drawing an imaginary circle in slow motion.
Lucy : but you can’t …. You can’t bring yourself to walk away from it all…. Your sense of curiosity… that urge to know more….. to follow things through…. To get to the end of this book….. this is what’s keeping you here…. Am I right ?? hee.. hee…
Lucy smiled and massaged my shoulder a couple of times.
Lucy : It’s that itch you cannot scratch, that itch to find out exactly where and how far we would go to get the things we want….. no ?
Lucy stole a quick peck on my cheek and I gasped, desperately trying to wipe away her lip marks.
Lucy : hahaha….
She folded her arms and gestured towards Tiffany with her head.
Lucy : You still have time Jake…. Get me what I want… and you have a chance to swing the vote…
Jake : What guarantee do I have you would change your vote ??
Lucy : My word…I keep my promises…..
She gave me a doleful eye look and bit her lips, tugging at my shirt at the same time.
Lucy : I already let you fuck me…. what more do you want ?? …. I’ll let you fuck me again if you like….. do anything you want ??
I saw Tiffany stealing glances at Roland and I asked Lucy a question.
Jake : How close are you to Roland Lucy ?
Lucy : close enough… why ? …
I whispered in Lucy’s ear and she broke into a smile.
Lucy : see…… I knew you had potential Jake… but you still have a lot more to learn.
Lucy whispered in my ears, planting the seeds of her warped brain in mind.
Then she whispered again.
The seed sprouted roots.
Another whisper
I could feel the stem of the seed pushing out of the ground.
Lucy : You see…. Anything is possible Jake…. Anything,… but if you don’t try….. nothing will happen… that’s a free life lesson for you… no charge…
Lucy whispered her final words into my ears and I swallowed a gulp of saliva.
I never thought evil in such pure form would exist, much less exist so close to me.
Close enough to whisper in my ears.
Yet I was surprisingly aroused.
I was excited and grappled with what that meant.
I know I’m not a bad person but this.
This woman.
She is slowly turning me into one and I just can’t seem to fight it.
Lucy went over to Roland’s side and whispered in his ears for a minute or so.
Roland casually got up, walked over to Tiffany’s table and sat down much to her delight.
As I summarised the information I had , a picture was starting to form.
Things got clearer.
Lucy has Matthew.
Terry has Lucy
Gabriel has Roland
Matthew has Ben’s
And now, Ah Keong is holding onto Ben’s dirt.
This is getting interesting but not as interesting as what I just saw.
Roland and Tiffany exchanging numbers right under Terry’s nose. Terry was talking to Suwen and pointing at something down the hall and Roland just did it.
He fucking did it.
He gave his suave smile, touched Tiffany’s hand and took the phone from her as she smiled shyly and entered his number before hitting dial.
By the time Terry turned back, I could see Roland standing up and almost in a casual manner, ask Tiffany to study hard.
I bet Tiffany wet her panty just looking at Roland. He may be gay but he had that suave bad boy look that girls dig. Especially young impressionable girls like Tiffany.
Barely a couple of minutes of chatting and I could see Roland had Tiffany hooked.
Kate came out of the rest area looking pretty disappointed and sad.
She told me she believes she can talk to Ah Keong and asked me to head back on my own for now.
Kate : Let him calm down for a bit.
I called for a cab and waited outside the hall.
Roland came out for a smoke and he gave me a wink.
Roland : doing anything this weekend Jake ?
I shook my head.
Roland : Keep Sunday free then….haha..
Kate came out of the hall and saw Roland and I talking, she walked over in a huff and confronted Roland.
Kate : How could you !…
Roland : Woah.. woah… what did I do ?
Kate : We had a deal …. About the rent and…
Roland cut Kate off and replied in an innocent manner.
Roland : But Kate dear…. Keong would return us our money, and with that , I can buy over my own space…. There’s no need for rent….
Roland finished his first cigarette and lit up another one without stopping.
Roland : You know how much money we are talking about here Kate ? …. I’ve contributed more than a million over these years to this fund…. For what ? a return of less than 2% a year ?? …… my god… at least match the CPF rates…
Kate : How can you compare that to CPF ? !
Roland : My apologies, it’s different , I know…. And yes… I know without your grandfather, none of us would be where we are today but let’s be realistic….. it’s money…. Who doesn’t want money ??
Roland went on to say that if he wanted, he could give up his citizenship and still get his money from CPF.
Roland : But this ?? I can’t…. I don’t even have a choice…. I can complaint all I want, bitch about it to others , then what ? I’m still stuck here… I can’t exactly stage a protest in a park can I ? …
Roland threw Kate a question that she could not answer.
Roland : I can easily beat the pathetic dividend Gabriel gives us every year…. You can too… it’s not that hard…. My money is not working hard enough…
Kate gritted her teeth and shot back at Roland.
Kate : What about Terry ? ….. what about King ???
Roland inhaled and finished his 2nd cigarette faster than the kung fu master in Stephen chow’s movie.
Kate : What about Ben ? …..You think they know how to manage their money…??!!… they’ll fucking piss it all off in a matter of months…
Roland raised his voice a little.
Roland : So what ? …. Just because some of us cannot manage our own money…. You’re going to force this upon the rest ?? …. Stuff it down our throat ?….
Kate : How can you be so selfish ?
Roland : In what way am I selfish ?? I make my decisions based on facts and figures…. And I leave my emotions out of it….. you should try that too..
Roland turned to me and asked me a question.
Roland : So Jake…. If I offer to return you all your money in your CPF account now… will you take it ?? …
I nod my head.
Roland : See…..
Kate hit me in my stomach pretty hard and I bent over in pain.
Jake : ARhhhh…
Roland waved his 3rd cigarette and replied.
Roland : You see…… say what you want about CPF…..i can always fill in a few forms….give up my citizenship and it’s done… speaking of which…. Kate… is there a form for me ?? … an option for me to withdraw my membership in this family??? Where do I go ??
Kate literally spit at Roland
Kate : You ungrateful piece of shit !…
Roland laughed.
Roland : See… this is what I meant about getting emotional… it clouds your judgement…
Roland explained rationally that he would never forget what her grandfather did for him but he’s gone, and everyone needs to move on.
Roland : The world is changing. Look around you…. I mean seriously look around…. Our era… is over… We have progressed….. as a nation…
Roland pointed towards the skies and said the old ways of getting things done is over.
Roland : You see gangs of people beating each other in the street these days ?? … do you ??
He turned towards me and asked.
Roland : Jake… you’ve seen a gang fight before ?? have you ?? … I’m not talking about some piss shit teenager who thinks that just by shouting some gang slogan, it magically fucks up the size of his balls or something…. I meant men really going all out to beat the shit out of each other….. have you ??
I shook my head.
Roland : Kate…..Your grandfather lived in a time…. When gangsters roamed the streets… ask anyone who lived through the sixties… you think this place is as orderly as you see it today ??
Roland finished his 3rd cigarette and he forced himself to take a deep breath.
Roland : The old ways… are done… gone… this is Singapore… there’re cameras everywhere… you want to be some hot headed gangster running down the alley with a bat ?? Please… go ahead…
Jake : errrr…..
Roland : WHAT! …
Jake : when was the last time you got in a fight ?
Kate hit me on my stomach again and I bent over the 2nd time.
Jake : Arhhhhh…
Roland was about to replied but he paused.
He paused before he stammered and could not find the right words.
Then for no reason he laughed.
Roland : Hahaha…i… haha…
He shook his head.
Jake : You’ve never been in one before…??