Kate hit me again, harder this time with a followed up smack on my head after I bent over.
Jake : Ahhhrrghhh….
Roland leaned back and stopped smoking as he looked up into the sky for a moment before he laughed again.
Roland : The last time…. Was years ago… with your grandfather Kate….When we were all young men… in the late nineties… haha..
Roland laughed intermittently and it was not because it was funny or anything.
You know the kind of smile that appear on your face when you think of happy memories and thoughts, that’s what was happening. The conversation must have stirred up some memories for Roland and he laughed and shook his head.
Roland : It was on a scale… never before.. haha…. I doubt we would see it again…
He smiled as he tried to describe to us.
Roland : Terry, Ben, King together with your grandfather went head in. Andy’s dad and Matthew blocked the alley, Lucy’s aunt drove her van into the fray, and me… foolish young me brought up the rear…..haha… we beat the shit out of them man… haha…
Roland laughed and he snorted before regaining his composure.
Roland : Kate… I meant this in the best of way…. We’re done… there’s no future down this path….
Kate : I’m not saying we should go back to the old ways….. I just hope we can move forward as a family….. as what my grandfather intended…
Kate walked away from us and Roland lit up another cigarette.
Roland : Ever been in a fight Jake ?
I nodded.
Jake : Small one… in school… over a girl..
Roland laughed.
A lorry arrived and I saw the bulk of Matthew’s men alight from it to pay their respects.
I asked Roland a question which happened to popped into my mind as a 2nd lorry pulls up and more men got off.
Jake : You think…. We’ll be seeing one soon ??
Roland : We just might…. We just might……
He snubbed out his cigarette and added.
Roland : See you on Sunday…
A black MPV pulled up into the carpark and Roland’s men alighted.
Jake : What’s happening on Sunday ?
Roland smiled.
Roland : Breakfast at Tiffany ?
………………………….
8th Feburary 2015
Sunday
6am
Kate did not show up for work the past couple of days, she text me that she’s trying to talk to Ah Keong. I was waiting for Roland to contact me about the plans that day and I kept checking my phone.
At 8.30 am, Roland told me that the plans will be pushed back to the following Sunday but he would require my help for a couple of days involving Tiffany.
He told me he managed to ask Tiffany out for a couple of dates but he didn’t want to do it alone.
11.30am
Roland called and he asked if I mind joining them for their date, not officially but in another capacity.
Roland : Can you be my driver ?
Jake : What ? !
Roland : Relax… I’m not out to fuck around with you but trust me… everything will fall into place…
I agreed and Roland said he would be in touch.
My Parents heard about Ah Keong’s dad and all the stall owners headed down to the wake together except me. I told my parents I actually went down already and I have some matters to attend to.
11th Feburary 2015
Wednesday
6am
He did not get back to me until Wednesday, everyone was busy with sending off Matthew and I’ve not gotten a chance to talk to Kate for a few days. Ah Keong’s stall had been closed for the longest time and a few regulars started asking us what happened.
We just said he was taking a break.
9.40am
Roland called and ask me to be at his place at 2.30pm later that afternoon.
2.30pm
Roland handed me the keys to his car, a Volvo MPV.
Roland : Ok… here’s the deal… I’ve been talking to Tiffany these few days… and she’s quite irritating…. I need to entertain her with all the non stop messages…. What is wrong with young people this days….
Roland grumbled that they liked to message so much.
Roland : Why can’t they just call ?? If Tiffany’s a guy, I would have doubt the existence on his balls man….. non stop wasapp and messages… my god….
Roland got into the back seat and gave me the address to pick up Tiffany.
It’s a HDB block right beside a neighbourhood Junior college.
Roland : Ok…I can read Tiffany like a book, …. So don’t worry about talking to her… in fact… I beg she would not even acknowledge you…. Don’t take it the wrong way though…. She’s just a young slut in the making… and you’re just not her meat….
Jake : Errr…. Ok….
I put the car into drive and pulled out of the driveway.
Jake : What’s in it for you Roland….. helping Lucy with this…
Roland : Oh… if she gets what she wants….. it indirectly translates to me getting what I want… but above all that… this is fun … hahah… isn’t it exciting Jake ?
I swallowed a gulp of saliva as I thought about what Lucy had whispered in my ears.
I could tell Tiffany liked Roland, it would be easy for him to get her, and I proposed to film them in the act. Roland may be gay but I’m sure he can put up a show, strip her, get the motion going and all, and all Lucy had to do was to tape it.
Case close.
I could help with getting the cameras and stuff from Sim lim. An army friend of mine owns a shop there selling cameras and stuff.
How was I to know Lucy would reply with something so vile.
She said it would be such a waste if Tiffany didn’t get fuck should Roland get her to strip.
I gripped the steering wheels tighter as Lucy asked me why would I turn down a perfect piece of meat lying there waiting to be eaten.
Lucy : How about you fuck her…. And pretend you are Roland…
I got so excited thinking about that scenario that I just froze and Lucy continued whispering.
Lucy : I know you must be thinking it’s impossible… but it’s not…. Roland has his way with girls even though he prefers using them on his boys… I assure you…. Roland will have Tiffany right where he wants her to be….
I took a turn and cruised down the neighbourhood as Lucy’s words played on repeat in my head.
Lucy : Right there with her eyes closed and her legs spread…. Calling out Roland’s name as you slowly penetrate her young tight vagina……
The ‘na’ in the way she pronounced vagina, lingered and echoed in my ears.
Roland : Just leave the talking to me and if she demanded anything, just do it…. You’ll have to bear with it for a couple of days but don’t worry…. You’ll get to fuck her in the end…
The nonchalant manner in which Roland describes it made me nervous. This is wrong but I could not help but get aroused by it in a weird way.
I pulled into the carpark and Roland called Tiffany.
I saw her appear from under the HDB block, looking cautiously at the car plate number.
She initially opened the passenger seat and she was surprised to see me at the wheel .
Roland : Tiffany… here… at the back…
She shut the door and got into the back seat.
Tiffany : What is he doing here ?? !
Roland : Don’t mind him, he’s actually working for me…my driver..
I looked into the rear mirror and my cock stirred again.
No, I got excited not because I saw Tiffany in her school uniforms.
I got excited not because I saw her cross her legs after leaning back, revealing more of her thighs.
I got excited because I caught the look in her eyes.
That condescending look.
That look that says I look down on you.
I despised you.
Tiffany : Is he a safe driver ?? I don’t like those bumpy rides…. Some cab driver very heavy footed with the brakes…. I’ll get car sick…
The tone in which Tiffany spoke sounded as if I owed it to her to drive her around.
Her arms were folded as she spoke, but the moment she turned towards Roland, she was a changed girl. Like a piece of butter on a warm plate, she melted away slowly as Roland asked me to drive.
Roland : Go to Seletar mall… .
Turning back to Tiffany he added.
Roland : It’s a bit out of the way but I’m sure we won’t bump into anyone there…
Tiffany nodded, happy to be in the same car as Roland.
As we made the journey to the mall in Sengkang, I found out how smooth a talker Roland was. He hit all the right spot and I bet Tiffany wet her panty right there in his car.
Roland : Well, girls your age has boundless energy…. I’m sure if I was your classmate, I’ll probably dream of you every night…. But… but…
I could see Tiffany tensing up at the ‘but’ as she waited eagerly for Roland to go on.
Roland : but I probably don’t have the courage to approach you…. Pretty girls like you are quite intimating to us guys you know….
Tiffany : really ?… hahha… no… I don’t think I’m pretty… just ok…
Roland smiled and I saw his hands move.
I can’t exactly see due to the limited angle of the rear mirror and I had to concentrate on the road as well but it seemed like he held Tiffany’s hand.
Roland : You’re pretty Tiffany, and you will only get prettier as you grow up…. I can see it… you’re going to break a lot of hearts I tell you…. Haha
Tiffany giggled and brushed back her hair, she changed the way she crossed her legs and asked Roland a ton of questions, including one that I thought she didn’t know.
Tiffany : They… they say you are gay ?? … it that true ??
Roland smiled and nodded.
Roland : I like both men and women….. but lately…. Only men appealed to me… until…. Until I saw how grown up you have become…
Tiffany laughed, lips her lips to wet them before turning to look out of the car.
Roland : You see… you have this… sweetness… very lovely sweetness….
Tiffany : Hahaha… stop it… haha… you’re making me blush…
Roland : Then you wouldn’t need blusher then…
Tiffany laughed and hit Roland on his thigh.
‘smack’
Roland : Ohh… so you like… spanking…
Tiffany : Nooooooooooo…. No way… hahah..
Roland : What then ??.. what do you like ??
Tiffany : hhaha… I’m not telling you…
I could feel goosebumps appear on my skin as they manner they communicate got more intimate. They really treated me as invisible, like some passing driver they would not be seeing again.
Tiffany sneezed and Roland offered her some tissue.
After using them, Tiffany just threw them over to the front, on the passenger seat.
Not just 1 piece, 3 pieces.
Scrunched up tissue that looked a bit damp , almost like the wantons I wrap in the morning.
Tiffany : Sorry… nose a bit sensitive… I think the car is dusty… haha..
As I turned down into the basement carpark, Tiffany suddenly snapped at me.
Tiffany : Hey you… driver… you suppose to clean the car… it’s so dusty inside… can you do your work properly ?? be more professional…
I saw Roland raised an eyebrow towards the rear mirror as Tiffany sneezed again, adding 2 more to the tissue in front.
Tiffany : Hey… did you hear me…. so rude..
Jake ; Yes… I heard you…
Tiffany : Then clean up the car….
Jake : Ok..
After I parked, Roland and Tiffany walked on ahead as I cleaned up the tissue Tiffany threw.
Tiffany turned back and shouted after walking off.
Tiffany : Hey hey… driver… take my sweater from my bag…
Then she turned away and entered the mall with Roland.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
I grabbed Tiffany’s bag and went into the mall but I could not see where they went.
Roland text me that they are having bak kut teh on the ground floor and I went in search for the shop.
When Tiffany saw me with her entire bag she scowled and said she only asked for her sweater.
She did not even want to take over her backpack, she fucking unzipped it with 2 fingers, pulled out her sweater and waved me away.
My eyes widened and I saw Roland gave me a nod to back off.
My erection was really throbbing by then as I watch Tiffany put on her sweater, she tried to puff up her chest a little as Roland placed the orders.
Roland gestured for me to sit and ordered food for me too.
The food was served and let me ask you a question.
People put 3 bowls of piping hot bak kut teh in front of you, what do you do ?
You eat.
I took a spoon and dipped into the bowl when I heard Tiffany sneer again.
Tiffany : Roland…. Your driver very rude… we all haven eat he started eating already…
The spoon paused midway between my mouth and I stared at Tiffany.
She gave me a look as if trying to say ’ what the fuck are you looking at ‘ .
Tiffany : What’s the problem… Roland is already nice to buy you a meal… the least you could do is let us eat first….
Roland secretly rolled his eyes and I put down my utensils.
The side dishes and were served and 3 bowls of rice arrived.
Tiffany : Eh… don’t need 3…. 2 will do…
Yeah… fuck. I bet she was trying to show the, oh no, I don’t take carbo kind of shit diet but I was wrong.
Very wrong.
I expected Tiffany to just take the soup and maybe nip on some dishes but she took the rice.
She did not even want to look at me.
Tiffany : I cannot finish a bowl… later I pass your driver eat… I eat a few mouth only…
Roland : No need.. is ok.. I’ll order another…
Tiffany tapped his arm and asked him to tuck in.
Tiffany : Don’t treat your employees too well Roland…. They’ll ride all over you… I’ve seen the way some of my dad’s employees talk to him…. My god… I would fire all of them ..
I sat there in silence while they ate and chatted.
Roland showered Tiffany with praises, wiped her mouth with napkins, he even helped to debone a long rib.
Tiffany ate amid laughter and giggles.
She fucking rape her rice with the thick black sauce, mixing it in before taking a small bite.
Then she drowned the rice with the soup too, before taking another small bite.
You know sometimes you get small bits of bones ?
Yeah .
Tiffany would turn away from Roland shyly and spit it out on the napkin , but her aim is shit, I saw some went back into the bowl of rice.
Roland asked her to try some organs and Tiffany squirmed like a scared little girl, spitting it into the rice before scooping it out.
15 minutes later, they were done.
Tiffany giggled and wiped her mouth.
She pushed her bowl of left over rice to me and asked me to finish up the food on the table.
Tiffany : Don’t waste… it’s probably the nicest meal you get the whole week right…
Then she quickly turned to Roland and ask him to pay.
Tiffany : Quickly pay… if not wait he order additional things…haha..
Roland managed a laughed and walked off to the cashier with Tiffany.
After they settled the bill, Tiffany took off her sweater and said she felt a bit more warm after the meal, she fucking threw the sweater onto her bag and just walk off, expecting me to carry it for her.
I took in short sharp breathes of air as I tried to calm myself down.
I pushed Tiffany’s soggy rice aside and ordered my own.
I looked at the amount of food that had gone onto the napkin in front of Tiffany’s seat. Half eaten pieces of meat, the stems of vegetables. I never expected her to be such a messy eater.
Roland text me to inform me that they will be heading to catch a movie, he asked me to go grab a coffee or something after I’m done eating.
I was about to ask the auntie to top up my soup when my phone rang. It was a number I don’t recognised.
Jake ; Hello ?
Tiffany : eh Driver… bring me my sweater… quick… we’re going in…
Then she hung up on me.
I took another deep breathe and actually contemplating spitting or even masturbating into her sweater but I calmed down thinking that I could get to fuck her soon.
I went up, passed Tiffany her sweater and she did not even thank me.
I spent a leisurely 2 hours at the café people watching. I logged into my internet banking and realised that I’ve been depleting my savings steadily since I quit my job. I refused to accept a pay from my parents, saying that I’m just thankful they were willing to teach.
With the state things are, I only hope with my cover blown, Gabriel would still pay me the money he said he would.
The movie ended and I met Roland and Tiffany outside the mall. Roland wanted to smoke.
Tiffany happily pushed the left over popcorn to me and I threw it into the bin.
She excused herself to the bathroom, leaving me with Roland.
The moment she was gone, Roland started bitching about her.
Roland : Fuck man… she’s so touchy…. I felt as if she was out to molest me…
Jake : What ?
Roland : She link arms with me, kept stroking my hand…. Then still must hold hand, fingers crossed those kind… she even tried to make me touch her… what is the problem with young people these days…
Jake ; She did ??
Roland : And you know what… she lost her virgin when she was 16…. To a classmate… my god… thank god for making me gay…. I’m never going to have kids…
Jake : Were you all even watching a movie ? or trading your sexual history…
Roland : She kept talking… I can’t even watch the show properly… fuck… yah…she’s only 18 and she’s fucked like 3 boyfriends already.
Jake : Wah…
Roland lit up another cigarette and noticed a auntie selling tissue paper a few steps away. She was with her husband who had a breathing tube in his nose on a wheelchair.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few 2 dollar bill.
Roland : Jake… do me a favour.
He nodded towards the old couple and gestured to his cigarette.
Roland : I don’t want them to kena my 2nd hand smoke.
I nodded and reached into my pocket and pulled out some coins.
I went over and dropped it all into the box the auntie held. She smiled and passed me 3 bags of tissue but I declined, waving my hand at her indicating it’s ok.
Tiffany : NO!… what are you doing ?? !
Jake : What ?
Tiffany saw the amount I dropped and she demanded for like 6-7 packets of tissue from the auntie.
Jake : What’s your problem ??
Tiffany : You know how cheap these are…?? It’s Roland’s money… I saw him passing you the notes…
I fucking wanted to strangle Tiffany but lucky for her, she walked away in time.
She carried the tissues and offered some to Roland.
I was so embarrassed that I could not bring myself to look at the old couple. They were probably in their mid seventies. The auntie pushed her husband to a corner and they shared a bottle of water.
After Roland’s 3rd stick, we went back to the car and drove Tiffany home.
She cooed like a little girl as Roland gave her a hug.
Roland : I enjoyed myself today….. shall we do this more often ??
Tiffany : Sure… I’m free tomorrow as well… same time ? ?
Roland : sure… I would walk you up but it’s not nice if…
Tiffany waved goodbye and said she understands.
Tiffany : Bye Roland… thanks for the meal and movie….
Then she turned towards me.
Tiffany : Clean up the car properly before you pick up Roland tomorrow ok ?? … be professional…. If not you’re going to remain a driver your whole life… god… at least go upgrade yourself or something…. Tsk..
The moment the door closed, Roland tapped my shoulder.
Roland : Brother…. Some things…. Not appropriate for man to say to another man….
Jake : It’s ok…. It’s ok….. we understand each other…. That’s enough.
12th Feburary 2015
Thursday
2.45pm
The car was not cleaned. Nothing was done.
The moment Tiffany came on board, Roland spoke.
Roland : See…. Much better ?? I threatened to deduct his pay yesterday…..
Tiffany immediately beamed and said the car looked so much better.
Tiffany : You see…. The problem with employees.. if you don’t keep them on a tight leash… they will always try to take the easy way out…
Roland : Wow… they taught you that in school. ??
Tiffany : Oh no… of course not.. haha… it’s just my observations…
Tiffany brought her home clothes out to change that day, when she boarded the car, she was already wearing a white singlet with grey bra. She wore a short pair of denims and kept her canvas shoes on.
She deposited her school bag on the passenger seat and cuddled up with Roland at the back. Tiffany was literally swooning over Roland, commenting that she likes matured men, while the boys back in school reminded her of kids.
I tried not to roll my eyes when she talks about her plans for the future, going to the university, getting a job, then to travel the world before starting work.
A car cut into my lane without signalling but I kept a good distance so there was no need to jam brake or anything but I slowed down a little, it was a gradual change in speed but apparently it irritated Tiffany as well.
Tiffany : Roland , hope you don’t mind me saying this…. You got to be more assertive to your employees, as in cannot be so easy going, speak up…. You know… speak up…if you are unhappy with his driving or anything… just voice out…
Roland : Oh… it feels fine to me actually…. Do they teach you this in school as well… to be more vocal ?? .. to speak up ??
Tiffany just giggled.
I wanted to turn around and show her my finger.
Assertive ? be more vocal ?
Lan jiao ….understand. I always tried to give a very polite ‘fuck you’ to the fresh grads who come into my office and think the world owes them a living. They think the world revolves around them until they get a taste of reality.
This is the problem with their generation, they learn the theories in school but no one taught them how to apply it in real life situation. Anyone can speak up, but most don’t know when to shut up.
The more they tried to talk, the more obvious it was they know shit.
I was en route to Vivo city when their conversation started to get a little naughty.
They lowered their volume considerably but I could still catch snippets of it.
Tiffany : nooo…. No.. no la… never…..touch breast only….oh… that one in staircase…
Roland : haha….never….. put inside ?? …..pain ? ….. got moan ? …. Really ?
Tiffany : have but….still young……hee hee…haha.. haha…. Scared…. Panic…yah… wet…stain..
Roland : Haha…boys…..compared to man…different… orgasm… explode…squirting..
Tiffany : noooooo…. So sick….panty will……my bra…..in my room…. …nooo… they don’t know…. Not at home…
Roland : ….. naughty….. explore….. is normal….tried before ??
Tiffany giggled.
Tiffany : I don’t know….came close…..no la…. Never do that…..
Roland : is that ? ….. so exciting….. the smell…..clean…
Tiffany : wet tissue…..stain….. uniforms…. Skirt….
Hearing bits of their conversation made it hard to concentrate on my driving.
What a slut she’s turning out to be.
I parked at Vivocity and I was left on my own.
Roland said they’ll be shopping around for a while.
4.30pm
When I saw Tiffany, she was carrying several bags on her arms. Shoes, bags, clothes, you name it. Roland even bought her a ipad mini. I was told to meet them at the basement entrance to the carpark.
Tiffany was over the moon and I could see that stuck up look she wore on her face when girls her age looked at her descending down the escalator.
With the age gap, people would probably think Roland was her sugar daddy but Tiffany was perfectly fine, she looked proud and comfortable.
After all the bags were dumped with me in the car, Roland and Tiffany went off to grab a coffee. I was not invited for obvious reasons.
5.00pm
We got into the car but have yet to drive out of our lot. Tiffany was so excited about all the things Roland bought for her that she could not wait to try them on. She slip on some heels, put the clothes on her body and tried to look at the rear mirror.
Roland : you know… I think these look pretty normal on display….. but if you wear them, you’ll make them look good…
Tiffany laughed and slap Roland on his arm, giggling like a cock starved bimbo.
5.30pm
We drove into Sentosa.
Roland brought Tiffany into Equarius hotel and they had dinner at the restaurant. I offered to stay in the car but Roland wanted me to join them for dinner.
Tiffany : At a separate table right… ? if not a bit weird to share table…
Roland smiled and said of course.
I ended up sitting 2 tables away but I could hear their every word. The restaurant was empty except for us and a 2 other couples.
Tiffany tried to act all high and mighty, she asked if their seafood was fresh that day after looking through the menu.
Tiffany : How’s the fish today ? are they fresh ?
The server replied that their cod are air flown in everyday.
Tiffany: Ok… we’ll see… I’ll have the fish…
She took a look at the utensils and picked out the fork, asking it to be replaced as there was a speck of dust on it.
I wasn’t hungry, it’s too early for dinner anyway so I ordered a soup.
Roland : What kind of food do you like ?
Tiffany : Fine dining …. Haha… something posh…you know… not like the hawker centre or coffee shops…. So hot…. I can’t stand those places… I mean at least a café…who would want to eat at those places ?? … the food is oily, so noisy… those people got no class…
Roland : Oh.. you don’t like hawker food ?
Tiffany : Not at all… there’s hardly any presentation… just cook and chug the food there….you know like…. Ermmm.. like Lor mee ( braised noodles ) … it’s like dunking your noodles in mucus…
I almost choked on my water.
Roland : Oh… so you always eat at cafes and restaurants ah ?
Tiffany laughed and said no. Her parents still prefer coffee shops and hawkers so she try to put up with it.
Tiffany : There should be some government initiatives…. You know … round up all these hawkers… force them to attend some upgrading courses… then they can all open a café or something with air con, wifi…. Move on with the times…
Roland changed the subject when he could before Tiffany could go on any further.
Tiffany kept pestering Roland to tell her about the past. The times when he was still a bad boy and shit. I think Tiffany came in her seat when Roland told her about him in a leather jacket cruising down the street on his bike at 3am with a girl he met.
Roland : She was abused by her father… and I rescued her…
Tiffany : Really !… where did you all go ??? what did you do ??
Roland painted a picture of their short escapade, bringing her then to the now defunct Asian theme park that used to be in sentosa, before spending the night at the beach.
Roland : How about you ?? Would you like to spend a day at the theme park with me ??
Tiffany : I would love to !!!
Roland : And…. After that… we can go up to the room….. soak in the tub… and get some rest…
I could not believe how direct Roland was with his question.
He might as well ask if Tiffany wanted to fuck him.
Tiffany laughed, flipped her hair up and looked towards the distance for a while, trying to behave like a matured adult. She thought about it for a moment before replying.
Tiffany : sure…but… but I can’t stay over…. I need to be home by 10pm…
Roland smiled, took his napkin and wiped off a stain on Tiffany’s mouth.
Roland : I’ll send you heaven first…. Then I’ll send you back home…
Tiffany looked shyly away and bit her lips without saying a word.
When she excused herself to the bathroom later, Roland turned to me and said.
Roland : Ok… done…
Jake : You are really …..really ….very good with words man…. I’m sorry you needed to put up with her shit…
Roland : don’t be…. I feel sorry for you instead…. I’m only doing the talking… you’ll be the one fucking her….
Jake : How will we pull that off ?
Roland : hahah… leave that to me… … we’ll spend a day together, get her high and happy, and give her an orgasm she would never forget…. Just keep really quiet… I’ll do the talking…. And you fuck the hell out of her ….
I excused myself to the bathroom after Tiffany came back.
My phone rang when I was peeing halfway and it was Ben.
I was surprised.
Ben never called me before.
That was the first time.
Ben : Jake where are you ?
Jake : Sentosa…. Why ?
Ben told me that they were calling for a meeting.
Uncle Ben : We need to do something… we need all the help we can get….
I was told to be at the coffeeshop at 10.30pm that evening.
8.30pm
It was 8.30 after I dropped Roland and Tiffany off. Not wanting to waste a trip home only to come back out, I took a cab down to the coffee shop.
9.15pm
When I got there, the roller shutters were down. Only one small panel at the rear remained open. Light spilled out into the dark five foot way and I stepped in cautiously.
Orh pao leaned against the drinks stall with a beer in hand and nodded at me.
I saw 2 staff that delivered rice together with Ben at a table sipping on their coffee.
I sat at a table on my own and Orh pao made me a coffee.
Jake : Thank you..
Andy’s car pulled up at 9.45pm , he came out with a A2 size box. It’s about 20cm thick and Orh pao helped him with it to the centre of the coffee shop.
Gabriel arrived at 10 pm
Uncle Ben’s lorry arrived at 10.15pm. He did not unload any rice, instead I saw 12 men hop off the back of the lorry and they too entered the coffee shop. It was getting a little packed, the fans were on at full blast and Orh pao made ice coffee in several large tumblers.
Everyone hanged around; no one said a word as we all stared at the box, sipping our drink.
10.30pm
Gabriel : Let’s begin
The box cover was removed and it was a model.
You know the kind you see in condo showrooms and launches.
Yes, that kind of scaled model with roads, trees and stuff.
It’s not some fancy condo or house.
It looks really familiar.
Set on the top of a hill, I remembered seeing that before.
Somewhere.
I just cannot remember it.
I definitely have been there.
It’s a old colonial house set on top of a hill.
Gabriel looked at everyone in the coffee shop and thanked us for being there.
Gabriel : There is a high chance for a tie during the election…..
The hair on the back of my neck stood on it’s end as I look at that world war 2 memorial at Bukit Chandu.
It’s the place where Lt Adnan Saidi and the Malay regiment fought and made their last stand.
They fought and held off the Japanese for 2 days despite being out gunned and outnumbered.
Gabriel : If it comes to a tie…. This is where we will go….
Gabriel pointed to the museum and placed 3 tokens in the centre.
Gabriel took a deep breath and revealed his secret with a heavy heart.
Gabriel : This is where we kept my grandfather’s legacy. … the 9th vote..
Gabriel pointed to a particular spot.
Ah Keong helped cast the 3 models that hid the item but he did not know which one was it. Only Gabriel knew.
It made sense.
There’s not much places you can hide stuff in Singapore. Everyday someone is digging somewhere. A heritage site makes perfect sense.
It’s perfect.
Brilliant.
No one would go mess with a place of heritage.
For a good 30 minutes, no one spoke. We all listened to Gabriel.
He had it all planned.
Gabriel : Ben has people stationed there everyday since Ah Keong’s outburst at the wake. Ah Keong is confident of the win, there’s no need for this at the moment but we cannot take any chances.
On the eve of the vote, we will be waiting there. If it’s a tie, Ah Keong will make an attempt to retrieve the last vote.
Gabriel : He must not get the last vote. …….
Gabriel allocated everyone their duties and locations.
Gabriel : Johari will be in charge on that day… all the elders will need to be at the vote.
Everyone looked at Johari , one of Ben’s men.
He lifted his arm and stepped forward.
His voice boomed deep and low in the coffeeshop, like the comforting voice of a fucking ‘zai’ ( steady ) officer in the military.
Johari : Gentlemen…. There are but a dozen or so of us…. And by my last count… Ah Keong has 37.
There was a deafening silence in the coffee shop as Johari and another guy call Herman placed in little figurines on the model. Simple math, Ah Keong has almost 3 times as much guys at his disposal if it came to this.
37 red figurines surrounded the 15 green ones on the model.
No one spoke as we crowded around the model.
A few of us folded our arms and waited for Johari to speak.
And when he did, everyone burst out laughing.
Johari : Well…… I like these odds…… We wouldn’t have to look very hard to see where to punch do we ?? hahaha…
The laughter died down after 30 seconds or so.
He took a deep breath the atmosphere inside the coffee shop changed once more.
Johari : I hope it doesn’t come to this…. But nevertheless, we have to be ready.
He calmly moved the first piece of the figurine, setting it into position like a master chess player making his first move, a few steps away, I heard Uncle Ben muttered under his breath.
Uncle Ben : And so it begins….
…………………………….
13th Feburary 2015
Friday
5.30am
I hardly slept.
After the meeting at the coffeeshop, it was close to 1am.
Johari set up a wasapp group to keep everyone in the loop what was happening.
I was in a zombie like state when my parents woke me up to head down to the store. At moments like this, I would get hit with a barrage of thoughts.
If I had stuck to an office job, I won’t need to wake up so early.
Why can’t we start the day later ? Serve lunch instead of breakfast ?
Before my mind could drift further, I shook myself away. I washed up and went out to the living room where my parents were waiting.
We left the house, entered the lift and went down to the car without a word.
It was a well-rehearsed routine. I realised that we hardly talked ever since I started my journey with them.
It’s weird isn’t it.
I remembered I used to have more topics to talk about with my parents. I could go on non stop when I bring them out for dinner over the weekends or on holidays. I would bitch about my work, colleagues, the funny people I needed to deal with, but now that all 3 of us were working at the same place, it appears as if we had lesser to talk about.
I’m not sure if they are aware of everything that was happening, the election, the power grab, even if they were aware, they seemed contented to turn a blind eye. Pretend everything was normal.
Life goes on.
We’re just normal people. Simple folks.
The big boys can wage their wars and rattle their tails but the sun still rises every day.
We still need to work, everyone still need to eat.
6.30 am
Uncle Ben walked into the coffeeshop, he was still wearing the same clothes I saw him in last night. Orh Pao served him a coffee and my Dad passed me a bowl of noodles, gesturing towards Ben’s table.
Ben sat at the furthest corner with a view of the alley leading to the back road.
I brought him his noodles and Ben gestured to me, asking me to join him.
Ben : Sit Jake… sit…
I turned and checked the stall, there was only one other customer waiting and I took a seat.
Ben looked tired, and I don’t mean just physically.
The look on his face spoke volumes as he took a sip of the hot soup and drank a mouthful of coffee. He looked mentally drained as well, disappointment mixed with disbelief.
Ben : I can’t believe it has come to this…. Sighhhhh….
Ben took a mouthful of noodles before looking up at me. Correction, he was not just looking at me, he was appraising me. Ben looked me in the eye without a word as he chewed his noodles.
For a good 20 seconds , neither of us spoke.
Ben : Why Jake ? ….. why ?
Jake ; Why what ?
Ben : You had a good job…. Good career…. Why give it all up for this ??
He gestured to the coffee shop and waited for my reply.
The words were right at the edge of my mouth but I could not bring myself to speak.
It’s the usual you hear.
To try something new.
To strike it out.
Embrace the entrepreneur sprit.
Ben : Let me answer for you…. You’re bored….. you’re too comfortable…. And you have an itch you cannot scratch…
I kept quiet and Ben continued.
Ben : After a few stable years in the office, your pay increases, life gets better, you’re well within your comfort zone,…. It’s not about the money….but rather it’s that feeling of accomplishment…. Something is lacking but you can’t quite put your finger to it….
He laughed, took a few more mouth of noodles and continued.
Ben : Or perhaps it’s the feeling of knowing if you continue down that path, you will spend your entire life….. working for someone…
Jake : I was in the government services, I work for the country…
Ben : Good luck selling that to yourself…
Jake : There is nothing wrong with being an employee….
Ben : Yes… there isn’t….. and 40 years would have passed before you realised you are 65, with a bank full of money, CPF filled to the brim…
Jake : Great…. Isn’t it ?
Ben lit up a cigarette and blew the smoke away from me.
Ben : Only….. to realise you have squandered away…. Something that money cannot buy….
Ben : Your youth…. Your time….
I was about to reply Ben that I’m not some hippy shit who’s out to have fun and fool around. I’m serious about learning the trade from my parents, unlike him, and the rest of his ridiculous bunch of elders who just stirs shit, I would say I’m putting my time to good use.
Jake : Look at all of you…. You have money, business, and the only problem with you people is you cannot get along…. It’s nothing compared to what some other unfortunate folks had to go through…
I think that sparked of something inside me and I proceeded to give Ben a piece of my mind, using extracts from my conversation with Roland.
Jake : And in today’s modern society, you are resorting to what ? a gang fight …. To protect something a old man leaves behind…. You people are mad…. Those days are over…
I turned and made sure no one is near and I carried on.
Jake : You people should just sit down and resolve your shit once and for all….. do away with all of this back stabbing crap…… fuck the election.…. just solve the fucking problem…
Ben held up his hand, sniggered at me as he shook his leg and inhaled his cigarette.
When he spoke, it was as if everything I just said was not registered in his mind at all.
Ben : Why… do you keep using…. ‘ you people’, ‘you people’ …
Jake : What’s wrong…. I was referring to you and the organisation… or family…. Or whatever the fuck you want to call it…. Gang ?
Ben laughed and laughed so hard that he dropped his cigarette but he lit up another one.
Ben : so you think you are above us all ? hahah…
Jake : No… I happy with the way things are….everything can be simple.
Ben pointed towards the noodle stall and asked me to look at my parents.
Ben : Are your parents happy ? …..
Jake : I would think so …
Ben : Have they expressively said they were happy you wanted to be a hawker… ?
I could not think of a reply.
Ben : Do they look happy to you Jake ? …. That their pride and joy gave up his nice cushy job to join them here…
Jake : I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and I’m sure they won’t force me to do things that I don’t want to…
Ben started revealing little bits of insights into our family’s lives that made the hair on the back of my neck stand. It gave me the chill and I could feel it creep into my spine.
Ben : Where were you born Jake ?
Jake : Singapore…
Ben : Which hospital ?
This, was one of the greatest mystery for me. My parents never told me the answer and I did not bother to dig. Most of my friends were born in KK hospital, in fact, everyone in my class was except me.
My birth certificate wrote Mount Elizabeth.
Ben saw the look in my eyes and he smiled.
Ben : Expensive hospital isn’t it…. Even back in the 80s, you think your parents could afford that ? …… your dad was just a hawker assistant then….
He tapped the side of his head, no doubt enjoying the look of pure confusion on my face.
Ben : A flat…. Right beside the MRT ?? ….Tampines.. ? ….. well…..it’s not as expensive as it is now but still….. have you ever heard your dad talking about housing loans ? …. Instalments ?? no ?? hahahahaha
Ben shook his legs as I blinked twice , trying to make sure I was not dreaming.
Ben : Your university fees…
Jake ; I took a loan !!!
I cried out desperately, trying to cling onto something in the darkness that Ben seemed to be enshrouding me in.
Ben : Yes…. But the loan was fully paid off after you graduate….
Jake : I paid my parents back… those were their savings !…
Ben : Hahaha…. Alright… if you say so…
He pointed to his bowl of noodles.
Ben : Do you know why…. Your parents never collects money from Gabriel and me ?
Jake : You….. you , Gabriel gives them a good rent…. Below market rate I’m sure… what is a few bowl of noodles a month ? !…
Ben looked truly amused.
He raised his index finger and added.
Ben : A thousand…. That’s the rent..
Jake ; Big deal ? … I can rent a stall to sell salted fish and provisions in a market for a couple of hundreds a month too….. Even if I go direct and bid for a stall selling cooked food, I can get one at less than 2k in the less popular markets and hawker… …
Ben : A year..
Jake : What ?
Ben : A year…. That’s what your parents pay….a year..
Jake : bullshit…
Ben snubbed out his cigarette and asked about my graduation trip.
Ben : your graduation trip…. Started in London, ended in Russia, 2 months… you were in Europe….
Jake : I worked part time job !!! and I saved up for that!..
Ben : And….. your Dad’s friend…. Who owns a travel agency…….did the bookings for you… hotels… tickets…
I stared at Ben in horror.
Ben :You paid what… 3k ? …
Jake : It’s 3.5k
Ben : You think that’s enough ? …. For the accommodations, the domestic flights, the rail passes ….. you’re not staying in hostels Jake… you’re staying in full service hotels….that friend is me by the way … haha… my cousin do own a travel agency though…
I stood up from the table but Ben went on.
Ben : Your parents are on our payroll even before you were born… they worked for Gabriel’s grandfather too… they draw a monthly pay… .. and in return…. They launder our money back then……from illegal horse betting , 4D, toto, …. But we moved on…. We’re decent businessmen now…
Ben : Actually it’s very hard to clean up large amounts before the casinos came along…. And hawkers don’t exactly make so much…. You know it actually took your parents 12 years to finish cleaning up the cash we have after we stopped taking illegal bets ?? … my god … that was long …
He said it in such a nonchalant manner like some commentator on National geographic telling the audience that relative to the stars, earth takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds to make one rotation.
Ben : So don’t come and , ‘ you people this, you people that ‘ … we’re all a family Jake….
Jake : Bullshit… pure… fucking bullshit…. My parents are just simple folks…. They sell fucking noodles…
Ben ignored me and went on.
Ben : I’ll tell you the reason why your parents are unhappy….
Ben’s eyes looked towards the alley and he stood up, getting ready to go.
Ben : They’re unhappy not because you wanted to be a hawker…. They’re unhappy because if you are here…. You would eventually get dragged into things you don’t want your kids to get into… … no ? hahah
I could feel my heart beating faster and faster.
Ben : Have you seen their bank statement ? their CPF statement ?
Jake : Why the fuck would I go see their personal stuff ? ….
Ben : hahahah…. Hahaha…haha..
It’s his chuckle, his laugh. It gets to me, right under my skin.
Ben : We’re not bad people Jake…… and you know that… we’re all businessmen…. Sometimes… we just got to be a bit more creative…in the ways we do business… but the bottomline…. We take care of our family…..
I saw Bill coming out from that alley, shuffling in a listless manner towards the coffee shop, no doubt here for his free meal.
Ben : Get some rest Jake…. Exciting times are coming…
Ben walked towards Bill and put his arms around his shoulder, turning him away and walking back down to the alley.
8.00am
I served Bill his noodles and I could see Ben trying to talk to him.
Bill ignored him.
Bill don’t give a fuck what Ben says.
Good.
I should be smart.
I should be like Bill.
Don’t give a fuck.
Ben : We need your help Bill….we really do…
I quietly observe the pair and Bill just finished his noodles, drink his coffee and shuffled down the back alley, disappearing once more.
I went over to Ben and made a snide remark.
Jake : Why… need him to launder your money too ?
Ben laughed and shook his leg before telling me something that almost made me piss in my pants.
Ben : That’s Bill…. Lucy’s ex lover…..
My jaws almost dropped as Ben said Bill was one of their best fighter.
Ben : He was a mix martial arts trainer once…. He can stop people easily…. And most of the time inflicting the least amount of damage while doing so…..
Ben sighed and got up.
Ben : Ah Keong’s men…… they’re family too…. The last thing I want is to see all of us clobbering blindly at each other’s skull with sticks and rods…..but Bill… he won’t talk to anyone other than Lucy… now he helps to look after the coffee shop after hours and keeps an eye out for Kate in return for food and drinks….
Jake : What happened between them ? Lucy and Bill….
Ben : He loved someone he shouldn’t have…
Jake : Then ask Lucy to talk to him !…
Ben : She’s not even voting for us brother…. Haha… why would she help ??
Ben turned around the corner and disappeared.
11.30am
Johari and Herman came down to the coffeeshop as we were packing up for the day. They ordered drinks and spoke softly among themselves. They don’t look like some Chao ah beng ( gangster ) to me.
They’re polite, you can tell from the way they speak and behave.
I stopped what I was doing and I approached the 2 of them.
Johari : Oh…Jake right ?…
I sat down and I went straight to the point.
Jake ; Do you work for the family ?
Herman and Johari looked a little surprised but they both smiled and shook their head.
Jake : Why then ? … why are you doing this ? You could get hurt…
Johari : Because we’re indebted to Ben and Gabriel… all of us…
Jake : You owe them money ?
They laughed and said it’s not money they owe, but their lives.
I found out that Ben used to make deliveries to Boys home back then. When he was there, some of the residents would help to unload the provisions and goods.
Johari : Ben would sneak us some chocolates, and if you gum with him…. You can smoke on his lorry… wahhahahaahahahahahahaha… hahaha…
He laughed such a hearty laugh as he recounted the days in his youth.
Ben plucked many of them off the streets. Most were school dropouts, Ben managed to get quite a few of them readmitted back into schools.
Johari : Ben paid for everything….. I was left with my grandmother…I don’t know where are my parents…. Schools, ITE, then to Poly…. Then my degree… everything… everything I had…. It’s Ben…
Herman : I would probably be in jail by now if not for him….
Herman worked for Ben for a few years after dropping out of school. He hated school but Ben insisted he stayed until he was done with his Polytechnic diploma. Today Herman owns a small events company.
Herman : He’s like a father we never had…..
Johari : Rich daddy… ahahah.. haha
Herman : hahaha.. haha..
Both of them chuckled playfully at the table and they told me how they once switched Ben’s cigarettes with dried grass and got such a whooping from him.
Herman then said Johari sawed the legs off Ben’s favourite chair before enlisting in the army before both of them laughed till tears came out of their eyes.
Herman : Fuck…man… haha..hahha.. haha… and… and.. ahha…Ben could not wack him because Johari in Tekong for BMT… whaha… laugh until we all almost died.. ahhaha…
Their playful chuckle and infectious laughter made me laugh too as I tried to imagine how funny that scene was.
‘ honk honk ‘
We looked up towards the road and it was someone I saw from the gathering the day before too.
Johari and Herman drained their drinks and waved goodbye before disappearing into the car.
Johari : See you Jake…. We’re heading off for prayers…
Jake : See you…
3.30pm
I haven’t spoken with Kate for a while and I gave her a call to see how she was.
Kate : I’m fine…. Trying to convince Ah Keong not to do anything stupid….
4pm
I saw my parents in the kitchen doing the laundry and I thought it’s better to get some stuff off my chest.
Jake : Dad, mum….. do you have something……. Anything….. you want to tell me ?? … about…. About the stall…. The people that rents you the stall…
It caught the both of them by surprise and they stared at me without a word.
That was all I needed to know.
15th Feburary 2015
Sunday
5pm
It was hard for me to come to terms with myself that my parents were crooks. They laundered money. Close to 400 thousand over the span of 12 years. It’s not a big sum after you break it down, I bet Gabriel and Ben won’t bat an eyelid over 30k a year but it’s not just about the money.
It’s the thought of your parents breaking the law.
Thankfully getting to fuck Tiffany helped my mental well being.
I tiptoed out of the hotel suite at Sentosa and i closed the door as softly as I could, catching a glimpse of Roland cuddling up with Tiffany in bed before the door shuts.
It was brilliant.
Fucking sick and brilliant idea.
My dick started throbbing again as I recalled the sick act of switching out Roland and penetrating Tiffany. My god, the way she moaned, for a 18 year old, she’s sure out to please.
I gave her my all, burying my cock deep inside her young vagina as Roland showered her with praises about how tight she was beside me.
That feeling of tightness and warmth made up for the morning of torture I had to endure at Universal studio Singapore. She literally treated me like a man servant but it was worth it.
Every inch of it.
6.30pm
With the video clip in hand, I text Lucy to tell her about it.
She wanted to meet that evening and I agreed.
8.30pm
I got to her place and she welcomed me at the door.
Lucy : Hi Darling…
She gave me a hug and a kiss on my cheek before holding my hand and leading me into the house.
Lucy : Can’t fuck today though… I’m having my period…. Quite massive…. A lot of blood…. Unless you are into that ….
Jake : Errr… thank you…. But no need…
Lucy teased me playfully and asked if Tiffany was better and I shook my head.
Lucy : Clever boy…
She gave me a wink and we went to her study. She played the video, saw me and Roland doing what we did and she smiled before shutting it down.
Lucy : Thanks Jake… you have no idea how important this insurance is to me… don’t worry… I’ll vote Gabriel….. you have my word… and….. I owe you a favour…. Big… big one…. You can use it as many times as you want…. Hur hur….as long as I’m not having my period of course…
Jake : I need something from you actually…
Lucy : Hmmm…. I masturbate for you ??? or a blowjob ?? or can you wait till my blood stopped flowing ? ….
She sat down on my lap, held my hand and wrapped around her waist.
Lucy : What do you need ?
Jake : I need Bill’s help….
She froze.
Lucy got up and walked a few steps away from before speaking over her shoulder.
Lucy : Who told you that ?
Jake : Ben….
Lucy : I can’t help you Jake…I’m sorry…
Jake : Why ?
She could not give me a reply.
Lucy : It’s just me…. being me….
Lucy turned around and said she cannot live her life like a caged bird, that the whole getting married, settle down kind of life Bill wants is not for her.
Jake : You still love him…..
Lucy looked at me with a look I’ve never seen before, as if she was angry with me for voicing out her secret.
Lucy : Yes…. I still do…. And I don’t want to hurt him by giving him false hope….
Lucy walked away from the study and into the kitchen.
I sighed and got up.
Silly me.
Why the fuck should I even care.
I went to say goodbye to Lucy in the kitchen and I saw her pouring herself a glass of wine.
Jake : I’ll make a move first…
Before I turned away , Lucy asked.
Lucy : How is Bill ?
Jake : He eats at the coffeeshop often… I don’t know much about him…
Lucy : He still….. is he still….. shuffling around in his…. Beggar garb ? ..
Jake : Yes…
I decided to fan the flames a little.
You never know until you try, emotions can be a good way to manipulate people .
Jake : He… lost weight…. From the first time I saw him I meant….
Lucy turned and look at me.
Jake : He used to finish his noodles and ask for more soup…. Nowadays sometimes he hardly finishes a bowl….
Fuck , if Lucy ever finds out I’m lying, I wonder what she would do to me. Bill sometimes finished 2 bowls back to back.
Jake : He was sneezing yesterday…. Coughing too…
Lucy : Oh alright…. Fuck you Jake… enough….
Lucy drained her wine and topped up the glass again before heading into the study.
She emerged 2 minutes later with a fan. A small black oriental fan that opens up with calligraphy written in gold. I looked carefully at it and it was Bill and Lucy’s initials.
Lucy : Give this to Bill….and ask him to take care of himself…. See a doctor if he’s sick…
Jake : Can you come with me ?
Lucy : I already said…. I don’t want to hurt him anymore …. Close the door on your way out will you….
With the fan in hand, I left Lucy’s place and called Ben but there was no reply.
Over the next few days, Bill was nowhere to be seen. That fan never left my side.
The first chance I get, I’m going to talk to him.
19th Feburary 2015
Thursday
7.45am
I saw Bill appear in the coffee shop but he went straight to the coffee stall. I wanted to go grab him but there were too many customers at the noodle stall. By the time I cleared the queue, he was gone again.
I saw Gabriel and Ben a couple of times that week at the coffee shop and I wonder if it was a good idea to tell them about my relationship with Lucy and how I got the fan. In the end I decided otherwise.
I would have to tell them a lot, right from the start.
21st Feburary 2015
Saturday
10am
Kate came over and asked if I was free later in the afternoon.
She wanted to pay a visit to King and have a chat with him.
Kate : Who knows…. If we can swing his vote…. We might stand a chance…
Jake : Sure…. What time ?
Kate : 3.30pm ? let’s meet here and head down together ?
Jake : ok.
3.15pm
I waited at the coffeeshop for Kate to come down when my phone rang.
I don’t recognised the number.
I picked it up and it was Johari.
Johari : Jake !…. where are you ?
Jake : At the coffee shop….why ?
Johari told me that his sources told him Ah Keong would be making a move that evening. They’re going to get the last vote even before the election.
Jake : What !.
Johari told me he say trouble gathering his people in such short notice. Gabriel is in KL for work and Ben is in Batam for the weekend.
Johari : We need as many of us as we can get…. Can you head over there now…
Jake : Oh… ok… ok… sure… sure…
He hung up and I could feel my heart thumping.
I’m not ready for this.
The election was supposed to be in March. Still a month to go yet it made absolute sense if I was Ah Keong .
Why wait ?
Why wait till the eve of the election to make your move ?
I decided to make a last ditch effort to find Bill.
Minutes later after the call, the group chat kept buzzing. I ran about a few streets and alleys, checking each corner for Bill as I scrolled through the text messages.
Fuck, based on the replies, only 7 of us would be there on Bukit Chandu.
Johari asked us to get there asap, Ah Keong would not make a move during the day and certainly not during operational hours of the museum.
I was about to give up looking for Bill when I saw a figure shuffling listlessly at the end of the alley, about to pee into a drain.
I immediately ran up to him.
Bill calmly turned around as I caught my breathe, I pulled the fan out of my bag and showed it to him.
I told him what Lucy said and added a shitload more.
Jake : Lucy asked you to go see a doctor if you are unwell, to drink more water…. Take your meals regularly….keep your personal hygiene in check…. And get a change of clothes…. To take care of yourself for the people you love…… to … to…
Bill stared at the fan in my hand and I heard him speak for the first time.
Bill : Fuck you Jake…. What do you want…
I passed him the fan and added.
Jake : I need your help…… to protect a place….
Bill took the fan from me and opened it.
He just stared at it as I filled him in about Ah Keong going for the last vote.
Bill : I’m not interested in their silly games… and rules… how is Lucy ?
I swallowed a gulp of saliva and wonder what would Bill do to me if he knew I fucked the woman he loved.
Jake : She’s doing ok…. Happy I guess… she’s healthy, dresses well, eats well…. Ermm… ermm…
Bill closed the fan, signalling the end of our conversation and met my eyes in the narrow alley.
He did not speak for 2 seconds.
Bill : Save the best spot for me… see you at Bukit Chandu…
Bill turned and he no longer shuffled his feet.
His shoulders were no longer slouching.
He did not drag his feet.
Bill walked with purpose and disappeared around the corner.
8.30pm
Johari, Herman, me and 4 others were gathered at the heritage site.
There was no sign of Bill.
10.30pm
Johari pointed to the statues that we were gathered around. We remained within the grounds of the museum despite it being closed. The security company was a subsidiary of one of Gabriel’s company, making things a whole lot less complicated.
I stared at the cameras inside the small control room.
All was quiet.
Johari gathered all of us into the courtyard, he had bought drinks , coffee and some snacks.
His sources said Ah Keong’s men had left their staging area 5 minutes ago. We should all get ready.
As we sipped out drink quietly, Johari spoke.
Johari : These….. guys……… this is our heritage…. Our country’s history….
Johari said he was upset when he first learnt about what lies within the sculptures but what’s done is done.
Matthew’s company was the contractor that did most of the works around that area including the restoration works. It made perfect sense to hide something there with Ah Keong’s help.
Johari : Ah Keong’s guys…. They worked on this site before…. They know the terrain as well as we do…. Be careful….. if all else fail… we smash the sculptures….. no one should get the vote if it comes to that.
Jake : WHAT !! ? We’ll go to jail… how can we destroy something of historic significance??!!!
Herman added that Gabriel kept another set of the same sculptures as a backup. Identical ones.
They would be replaced if anything happens.
Herman : I hope it doesn’t come to that…
I looked at the plague as the foot of the sculpture and kept my ears opened as I looked around the dark forest. It was a cool night, crickets sang happily and the moon was up high.
The raw smell of the jungle reminded me of my outfield days back in the army.
I had a quiet moment to think about what was about to happen.
It made me upset and angry, with both sides, Ah Keong and Gabriel.
What the fuck do they think they’re doing man ?
Suddenly everyone tensed up and looked towards the stone steps leading up from the carpark below.