Sunday, July 19, 2009

Always and Forever - Chapter 1

Chapter One: The Life They Lived


The Loud Music.
The Laser lights.
The shouting crowd.

She felt the sweat on her body as she dances, but she wouldn't mind. She felt hot as more bodies bump and gyrate with her, but the hell she cares. She could sense the piercing look from the envy girls at the bars, she could tell they are jealous for all the men in the club have their eyes on her. Still, she doesn't give a damn. She love this life that she is living right now. This is the only way she knows she could live her life.

She is Ella Chen. The daughter of the richest man in Taiwan. But with that fact, she still doesn't care. She doesn't care if the news tomorrow will headline her, the daughter of Robin Chen, being wild at another party for the nth time this month. After all, nobody does care if she would damn herself, not even her own father.

“Ella!” she heard someone call her. She looked back, and saw her best friend, Charlene, waving at her. Ella smiled back at her. She excused herself from her dance partner, and then walked up to Charlene. “Charlene! Dearie! Good that you could come.” she said as she hugged her. “Would I miss this party for the world?” Charlene said. Ella laughed at her. “What are we waiting for? Let's party!” Ella said. She took Charlene's hands and led her to the dance floor. “Let's party!” Charlene shouted. They found themselves on the dance floor with some random guys. They were busy dancing with their partners, when Charlene paused, and nudged her. “Wu Chun, nine o' clock.” Charlene said. Ella looked by the bar and, true enough she saw Wu Chun with another guy. “Oooohhh... that gay guy's got a hot date!” Ella whispered to Charlene. Charlene just giggle at her. “Hey, let's go and annoy that gay guy.” Charlene suggested. Ella laughed, and nodded her head. Ella looked back at their partners, and let out a seductive smile at them. “I'll see you later, boys...” she said to them, winking at them.

Ella and Charlene walked towards Chun. “Hey, Chunnie!” both of them said as soon as they got near him. Chun looked back at them and smiled. “Hey, girlfriends!” he shrieked. The two girls kissed him on the cheek, and then sat beside them. “So, who's the hunk?” Charlene asked, eying on the guy beside him. Chun smiled at them, and looked at the guy beside him. “Arron, these are my girl best friends, Charlene and Ella. Girls, this is Arron, my new guy.” Chun said. Arron smiled at the two girls, and then took their hands and shook it. “Ooooh, nice to meet you, Arron.” Ella said flirtatiously. “In case you get tired hanging out with this gay guy here, I'm available to accompany you.” Charlene said. Arron just laughed at the two girls. Meanwhile, Chun glared at his friends. “Stop flirting with my date. There are a lot of cute guys around here who are obviously interested to get laid by the two of you tonight!” Chun said. Ella and Charlene looked at each other, and giggled. Arron put his arm around Chun, and looked at him lovingly. “Don't worry, Chun. You know that I'm not interested with girls anyway...” Arron said. Chun felt himself blush at what he said. “Awww, that's so sweet of you, Arron.” Ella and Charlene said in unison. “Aiyo, stop teasing us already.” Chun said. Ella just laughed at his friend. She took her drink from the counter, and then leaned on the counter, facing the dance floor. Her head was swaying with the music.

At one corner, she saw a a handsome man, looking at her way. They stared at each other for a while, and then she smiled at him. The man raised his glass at her, and smiled back at him. “I think I found my prospect tonight...” Ella said. Chun and Charlene looked at each other, and then giggled. “Then go and get him, Ella girl!” Chun said. Ella smirked at Chun, and shook her head. “I'd rather him beg for my attention tonight.” she said. “Oooh, someone's gonna get lad again tonight!” Charlene said. Then, she saw the man coming at her. “Whoa, he's coming for you!” Charlene whispered to her. Ella watched his every move. She watched him as he came beside her, and leaned over the counter, and order a drink. Then, the man looked at her, and smiled at her. “Hey...” he said in a husky tone. “Hey...” she said in a seductive tone. Then, the man turned to bartender. “Make that two, for the lady here.” he said. He moved closer to her, he was too close that Ella could inhale the scent of his cologne. “I'm Ethan Ruan, and you are...” he said, extending his hand to her. Ella took her hand and shook it. “Ella...” she said, letting out another seductive smile. “Ella Chen.”

--

“Do you really have to go?” Ethan said to Ella as he sat up on the bed. It was early in the morning, and Ella have decided to go home. Ethan leaned back on the headboard, as he watched Ella slip into her tiny black dress. “I have to...” Ella said as she looked back at him. Ethan took the towel from the floor, and then wrapped it around his waist as he stood up. “That's too bad. I want you for breakfast today...” he said, pouting at her. Ella laughed at him, and then bit her lip as he got near her. Ella put his arm around his neck as he wrapped his arms on her waist. She reached for him, and gave Ethan a long, passionate kiss. “How about I have you for my breakfast first, before you go home?” Ethan whispered to her. Ella giggled at what he said. She pushed him away from her. “Sorry, but I don't want to be someone's breakfast in the morning.” she said. Ethan just laughed at her. “So, will I see you again?” he asked. “You have my number. You can call me anytime you want to play.” she said. She give him a kiss on the lips before she turned and left Ethan.

--

Ella parked her car in front of the Chen mansion. As she entered the door, the maid greeted him. “Young mistress...” their governess, Ah Li called. “What is it, Ah Li?” she asked in an annoyed tone. “Master Chen wants to see you at the dining room.” Ah Li said. Ella sighed, and went to the dining room to see her father. As she entered the dining room, she saw the her father is not alone. On his left side is a woman, who's looks as the same age as he is. On his right side is a young teenage girl. She smirked as she watched the three as they have their breakfast. “Let me guess, the young girl here is my supposed to be new stepmother?” she said, eying on the young girl.

The three looked up at her. Her father looked at her with discontentment. “Ella Chen, do you know what time is it? Is this the time that a young woman like you should go home?” he said in a stern voice. Ella let out a smirk at him. “Oohh, and since when did you play the role of a good father? You didn't even cared if I hadn't gone home for days!” she said. Mr. Chen shook his head and sighed in exasperation. “Ella, why don't you take a seat and have breakfast first. Maybe later you and your father can talk things through...” the woman said to her. Ella gave her a wondering look. “Who are you? Let me guess, you are the mother of wife number 11? Or are you the wife number 11?” she asked. The woman looked away from her, she felt guilty with what Ella said. “Do not disrespect my wife.” Mr. Chen shouted at her. Ella let out another smirk, and raised an eyebrow at her. “Oh, so she is wife number 11... and this time, she brought her little daughter to join the Chen family.” she teased. Ella folded her arms, and walked towards the lady. “By the way, I'm Ella Chen. And you are?”
“I'm Melinda. This is my daughter, Genie.”
Ella glanced at the girl, and saw her smiling at her. Ella just rolled her eyes at him. “To tell you honestly, being part of the Chen family is no fun at all. I'll tell you, my dad will divorce you in less than three months.” she said. Finally, his dad lost his temper at her. Mr. Chen stood up from his seat, and glared at Ella. “Ella Chen!” he shouted at her. Ella looked at him, and gave him puppy eyes. “What, I'm only telling the truth. Didn't all your wives turned out that way? You divorced them when you're tired playing with them, so why is she an exception?” she said haughtily. “For the last time, respect your new stepmom, will you?” Mr. Chen said. Ella looked at Melinda, and smirked at her. “Why is she special. She looked older than those supermodels you date. Wasn't your last wife that famous actress... what's her name again? Oh, yes, Kelly Lin. You divorced her because you grew tired of her, right?” she said. “Do you have to bring up the past, Ella. It is a disrespect to your new mother!” Mr. Chen shouted at her. Ella looked up at him. Her eyes were filled with anger this time. “Mother?” she said in a low voice. “You expect me to accept this bitch as my new mother?”
“Ella!”
“I only have one mother.”
“Ella!”
“And my mother is in heaven.”
“Ella Chen, don't test my patience!”
“She will never ever replace my mother.”

Mr. Chen slapped her daughter really hard on the face. Everyone fell silent at what he did. Ella closed her eyes, trying her best not to cry in front of her father. She have to show him that she could never lose to him. She rubbed her cheek, then she turned to face him. She could still see the anger in his eyes. “I hate you.” she said. Then, she ran up to her room. Melinda stood up from her seat and followed Ella. But before she could make a move, Mr. Chen stopped her. “Let her. She have been a problem child since.” he said. “But Robin, can't you see why your daughter have been like that? I could understand now why she despises you...” she said in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Ella got inside her room, and plopped on her bed. The tears that she was trying to hide a while ago finally flodded her eyes. “I hae you, dad...” she said. “I could not forgive you... for what you did to me and to mom before...” she said. She looked at her side table, and there, she saw the heart-shaped locket that her mom gave to her upon her death. She grabbed it from her table, and stared at it for a long time. “Mom... I miss you...” she whispered. She kissed the locket, and let herself cry. “I wish you're still here with me... then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't turn out this way...”

--

He saw her walking through the rose field. He smiled as he watched her. Then, she looked back, and smiled at him. “Selina!” he shouted. She saw her laugh at him. “Hey, you're so slow!” she said to him. Then, she ran away from him. He shook his head, and decided to chase after her. As he got nearer to her, suddenly, she disappeared. “Selina?” he called. He looked around the garden, but he was all alone. “Selina? Where are you? Don't hide from me! You know that I will find you!” he shouted again. “Calvin...” he heard her call. She looked back, and saw her standing. He reached for him, but as he moves towards her, she began to move away from him. “Goodbye...” she said sadly. “No...” he said. He chased for her again, but before he knew it, she gone. “Selina!” he shouted.

“Selina!”
Calvin sat up from his bed. He took a deep breath and shook his head. It was another dream. He looked at his clock, and saw that it was already 2:30 AM. He stood up, and went inside the bathroom, and there, he splashed cold water on his face. He stared at himself in the mirror, and the dark circle in his eyes only proved his sleepless nights for the past few days. “Selina... why?” he asked. Five years have passed by since Selina's death, and he still haven't moved on. He retreated back to his room, and then sat on his bed. He looked at his side table, and from there, he saw Selina's picture on the frame. He took it, and stared at Selina's smiling face on that picture. “Why did you leave me so soon, Selina? Do you know, I'm suffering right now because you left me all alone...” he said in a low voice. He traced his finger on her face, and smiled sadly. “I have to go back to Taiwan tomorrow... I need to help dad run our business there. I don't know if I would still be able to come back here in Canada... you do understand, right?” he said. He sighed, then he leaned on the headboard of his bed. “It would be great if you're still here. Maybe the two of us would be able to go back to Taiwan, then we could get married there. We can start our family... you will become my loving wife, and I'll be your loving husband. But... that will not happen anymore...” He smiled bitterly as he let a tear fall from his eye. “I wish you're still here with me... I love you, Selina, I'll always will...” Then, he kissed her picture.He put it back on the table, and tried to get some sleep. But then again, it will be another sleepless night.

--

The car stopped in front of the mansion. He opened the door of the car, and came out. “Home, finally...” he thought. He smiled to himself as he looked at entrance of the old victorian mansion. “Nothing have changed since I left...” he thought. Then, the door opened, and a elder woman in her 40's came out, smiling at him. “Calvin! You're home, finally!” she said. Calvin let out a smile at her. “Mom!” he said. He rushed to her, and gave her a big hug. “I missed my little boy so much!” Mrs. Chen said. “Aiyo, ma... I'm a grown up now. I'm not a little boy anymore.” he said. Just then, his father, and his younger brother, Andy came out. “Ge!” Andy shouted. Andy rushed to him, and gave him a hug. “Wow, you sure have grown taller, Andy!” he said. Andy laughed at his brother. “Of course, Ge. You haven't came home for the last 10 years, that's why you didn't see me growing as tall as you are!” he said. “I'm glad you're finally home, son...” his father said. Calvin smiled at him, and nodded his head. “Aiyo... I'm sure Calvin here is tired from the flight. Why don't we all go inside, and have lunch altogether.” Mrs. Chen said. “Good thing you suggested that, ma. I hate the food at the plane. I missed your ever famous dishes.” Calvin said. All of them laughed, then they went inside the mansion.

--

Calvin opened his room, and as he entered, he stared at it for a long time. It is his room for the longest time, until he decided to go to Canada with Selina to study. His old posters are still on the wall. His action figure toys are right where they were when he left them. His favorite sheets were on his bed. But at the corner of his eye, he saw that the pictures of him and Selina have already gone. He sighed as he walked inside his room. He knew that his mom put away Selina's picture, because she wanted to help him move on. In the end, it was his choice to cling on to his love for his deceased girlfriend.

“I put Selina's pictures on a box inside your closet. I know that would be the first thing you'll look for when you get inside your room.” he heard his mother said. He looked back at her, and gave her a faint smile. “Thanks, mom. I'll take it out later.” he said. He sat on his bed, and then his mom sat beside him. “Calvin, do you think it's about time that you let go of her? I know if she doesn't want to see you this way...” Mrs. Chen said. Calvin shook his head. “Selina will be the only girl I will ever love for the rest of my life...” he said. “But Calvin, I'm just worried about you. I know you've been hurting since she left this world. As your mom, I only want you to be happy. Why don't you go out and date other girls?”
“I did that before back in Canada, but it didn't work out...”
“It's because you're looking for Selina's qualities in those girls. You keep comparing those girls to Selina. Calvin, you shouldn't be like that...”

Mrs. Chen let out a sigh, and then she patted her son's back. “You have to open up your heart, and learn to love again. Me and your dad only want you to be happy. And besides, we're getting older. We want to see you settle down, and we want you to give us a lot of grandchildren. Can you do that favor for us?” she said. Calvin looked at his mom, and laughed. “Mom, what are you trying to say? Are you going to arrange a date for me or arrange me to be married to some strange girl?” he asked. “If you don't find yourself a girlfriend, then we will be forced to arrange a marriage for you.” she said sternly. “You wouldn't do that, mom...” he said, shaking his head. Mrs. Chen could only give his son a wicked smile. “Just wait and see.” he said. Calvin shook his head, and laughed at his mom. She have always been like this, if she says those four magic words, he knows that an evil plan is being plotted in her mind. “Fine, you won.” he said. He stood up from his bed, and faced his mother. “I'm meeting Hiro and Mike tomorrow. Maybe they could set me up for some date. Who knows, I might hit it off with that girl.” he said. Mrs. Chen was happy with what he said. “That's great, son. You really have to go out and mingle with the single girls. Don't waste your youth sulking because of Selina. OK?” she said. Calvin smiled and nodded his head.

Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic