Sunday, July 26, 2009

Always and Forever - Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Another Meeting



Ella sat by the window sill, watching outside as the rain falls down. She could hear the rain drops falling against the glass window. It has been three days since she ran away. Three days since she have been staying at this old summer house, her own secret place. Three days since she met Calvin. Three days since that unforgettable night. Three days since they made love.

By now, she should've gotten over it. But there was something about that guys that made her unable to move on. “What's wrong with me? It's just a one night stand, just an affair... why am I getting affected because of this?” she thought to herself. She leaned over the glass window, and closed her eyes. Her mind drifted again to that night. She could still Calvin's touch on her skin, his warm kisses, the heavy breathing on his chest. “I hate this!” she said to herself as she opened her eyes.

“Ella?” she heard someone call her. She looked back, and saw Charlene walking up to her. “What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you guys to leave me alone whenever I'm here at the summer house?” she told her. “I couldn't help it. You got me so worried about you. You were gone for three days... so I decided to check if you're here, and I am right...” Charlene said. She sat in front of her, giving her a worried look. Ella looked away from her friend, wanting to hide the emotions in her eyes. “What happened? Something happened between you and Danson? Did he do something bad against you?” she asked. Ella shook his head. “He saw his girlfriend at the club that night. I don't know what happened to them afterwards...” Ella said. “Then, what's wrong? I know you, Ella. You only go here at the summer house when something's bothering you...”

Ella looked at Charlene. She have finally decided to tell her what happened. “I met a guy at the club... right after Danson left...” she said in a low voice. Charlene smiled at her. “So? What's wrong? You meet a lot of guys at the club, right?” she said. “But this one's different.” she said. She turned away from her again, and stared outside the window. “He was the same guy who helped me outside the cafe. That night, he was also in the club, dating Danson's ex-girlfriend. The ex saw me and Danson together, we had a little fight, then in the end she and Danson took off to talk, leaving me alone with him...” Then, her lips turn into as smile as she remembered him again. “We decided to hang out together. We talked. We had a few drinks. Then, something happened between us...” she said. Charlene stared into her friend's sad face. She could understand how she is feeling right now. She took her hand, and squeezed it tight. “Ella, dear... you know that it's just a one night stand, right? You've been through this before, and I know that you know better...” she said sympathetically. Ella shook her head. “It's not just a one night stand, Charlene. It's not just sex. It's not just lust. Charlene... when I looked into his eyes, I could see it filled with love. He told me he love me, and for the first time in my life, someone made me feel that I could be loved. He made me feel it... he made love to me, and it's the most wonderful feeling I've felt in my entire life...”
“And you have fallen for him?”
“I think I have...”

Charlene sighed and shook her head. She never thought Ella could be this vulnerable again. In the past, Ella quickly jumps into a relationship, hoping that she could be loved, but in the end, she was being dumped, and left all by herself. She have seen how Ella have been hurt in the past, and she was a witness when she promised herself that she will never fall for whatever the guys would tell her. She was there, seeing Ella play around, jumping into bed with other guys. She was there when Ella told her that she will never ever fall in love again. And here she is now, seeing her friend being too helpless for she fell in love with a complete stranger, whom she might never see again. “That guy really knows how to play with a girl's feelings. Look at you, you fell for that guy, and he only took advantage of you.” she said to her. “You're right. Maybe he doesn't remember me at all. And here I am, trying to reflect on the actions I have done, when it's too obvious that he made me fall for him so that he could get laid.” she said bitterly. She looked at Charlene, and then broke into laughter. Charlene simply smiled at her. “See, you're back to your old self. I just need to put some sense into you.” she said. Then, she laughed with her. “Hey, I think we should go home. Chun wants to see us tonight, he said he set us up for another date.” Charlene said. Ella smiled, and nodded her head. “Yeah, I think I should go home, and go back to my old life...”

--

That night, Calvin went to the same bar where he met Ella. For the past three days, he was trying to search for her, to apologize for what he did. He kept on coming to that bar, hoping he would be able to spot her there. “Hey, handsome guy...” he heard someone say. He looked beside him, and saw a petite girl in a skimpy outfit. “Want to dance with me?” she said flirtatiously. Calvin smiled at her, and shook his head. “I'm sorry, but I have a date tonight.” he said. “OK, if you say so. If you want to have fun, come and find me.” the girl said.

As soon as the girl left, Hiro approached him. “Man, why did you turn that girl down? She's hot!” he said. Calvin only smiled at his friend. “Hiro, you know why I'm here, right?” he said. Hiro sighed, and nodded her head. “Yeah, you're looking for that girl... whoever she is...” he said. “I have to find her, Hiro. I have to apologize to her.”
“Cal, it's just a one night stand! You don't have to apologize to her. And besides, she's the one who left you alone at the hotel. She should be the one apologizing.”
“I don't want her to think that I took advantage of her. And you know me, I'm not the type who just jumps into bed with random women.”
Hiro shook his head in dismay. Sometimes, he could not understand his friend sometime. “Fine. Now, make your life easier. Did you even catch her name?” he asked. Calvin shook his head. “I forgot what her name is...” he said shyly. Hiro burst out laughing at him. “But I remember how she looks like. Once I saw her, I know it's her.” he said defensively. Hiro smirked at him, and then folded his arms. “How does she look like?” he asked. “Not so tall, short hair, big black eyes.” he said. He looked around the club, hoping he could find someone who would fit his description of the girl, but he couldn't find anyone who looks like that girl. “Man, what you're doing is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I don't think you'll be able to find her again, so cut the search out and have fun, OK?” he said. Calvin shook his head. “I will find her. I have a feeling I will see her again.” Calvin said. Hiro shook his head again. “Can I ask why do you have to look for her? And I don't think it's really because you want to apologize for her. Is she a special girl?” Hiro asked.

Calvin looked at Hiro, and stared at him for a long time. He could not think of an answer to give him. She is definitely not his first, after all he have been with some women in the past. But there was something about Ella that he could not explain. Although he drunk too much that night, he could clearly remember what he have done. He does not regret his actions, but his only regret that he did that with her on that same night that he just met her. He admits, he was somehow attracted to her. She's beautiful and sexy, and he could tell a lot of guys have been admiring her. But he was feeling something more to her, and it was not just lust. “Cal?” he heard Hiro call him. Calvin looked at him, and then nodded his head. “Yes...” he said. “You can say she is a special girl for me...”

--

Three months later.

Robin Chen threw the newspaper on the table. He felt his head aching again because of the headline on the paper. Ella was partying again, and worse, she was seen flirting with Ming Dao, the son of a businessman who recently got married to Cyndi Wang, the senator's daughter. It was speculated that she have been seeing Ming Dao for quite some time, and were having an affair. “This will be another scandal that I have to clean up...” he thought to himself. He rubbed his temple, hoping it would ease the pain he is feeling.

“Robin...” he heard his wife called. He looked up, and saw Melinda coming inside his office, holding a glass of water and his medicine. As soon as Melinda gave him his medicine, he took it. “That daughter of mine will be the cause of my death...” he told her. Melinda looked at his table, and saw the newspaper. She took it, and read it. “Robin, do you think we should talk to Ella?” she asked. “She will not listen to me. It's no use talking to that girl.” he said. “Maybe she will listen to me? I can enlighten her...” she said to him. Robin sighed and shook his head. “Talking to her will be of no use, Melinda. I have to think of ways to clean up her act.” he said.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. The door opened, and they saw Robin's secretary enter his office. “Mr. Chen, Attorney Jiang wants to see you.” his secretary said. Robin nodded his head. “Let him in, Michelle.” he said. Michelle gave way to an elderly man. Robin smiled at him, and shook his hand. “It's nice to see you again, Attorney.” Robin said. “There are matters that we have to discuss. About Ella...” he said. Melinda stood up from her seat, and excused himself to the two men.

The two took their seat, and began to talk. “What about my daughter?” he said. “We have to talk about Diana Chen's will. It is stated there that as soon as Ella turns 25, she will have full control of all of her inheritance, including the stocks in your company... and I understand that Ella will be turning 25 this month.” the lawyer said. He opened his bag and then took some documents. He gave a copy of the document to Robin. “It also states there that when she turns 21, she will get control of her trust fund, which she is handling now. Now that she's 25, she could take over all of what Diana and her grandfather have left her. That includes controlling the whole of Ming Tian corporation, as well as your own company, Summit Incorporated.” the lawyer said. Robin looked at the lawyer. “Is there anyway that I can stop this from happening?” he asked. The lawyer shook his head. “I don't think there is away...” he said.

Robin let out an evil smile. Finally, he thought up of a way to make his daughter follow what he wants. “I think there is a way, and I know you can think up of a way...” he said. Then, he leaned over his table. “I heard you're planning to run as a congressman next election. If you can help me put her control on hold for the mean time, then I will give you my support, and will make sure that you will win...” he said. Attorney Jiang's eyes lightened up upon hearing what he said. “Well, maybe there is something we can do so that your daughter can't have control over her inheritance for the mean time...” he said. Robin smiled at him, and nodded his head. “Good...” he said. “It's exactly what I need...”

--

“Good Morning, Mr. Chen...” Calvin heard his secretary say as soon as he arrived at the office. Calvin smiled at her, and nodded his head. “Good morning.” he said. He entered his office, and his secretary tailed on hi. As soon as he settled down, she gave him some documents, and a newspaper. “Thanks, Albee.” he said. He took the newspaper, and began to read it's contents. As he turned the page, something caught his attention. It was the picture of Ella, the girl he was looking for for the last three months. “It's her!” he thought. Then, he looked at the headline. “Ella Chen, caught having an affair with Ming Dao” it read. He felt all of his energy was drained upon reading that headline. He was able to find her again, but then he also found out that she is having an affair with a married man.

He took his phone, and began to dial Hiro's number. After a few rings, Hiro answered his call. “Meet me at the cafe in 20 minutes. I have to tell you something.” he said. He stood up from his seat, and went out of his office to meet Hiro.

--

“Ella Chen?” Hiro asked Calvin in disbelief. “The girl you were looking for is Ella Chen?” he asked again. Calvin nodded his head. Hiro sighed, and shook his head. “Wow, so you got laid by this playgirl, huh?” he said. “Hiro, do you know where I could find her?” he asked. “Why would you still have to find her to apologize? What happened between the two of you is just normal for her! She sleeps with different men every night. That's how she is... and she have been like that even before you met her.” he said. Calvin took his mug, and sipped his coffee. “I still want to see her...” he said decidedly. “What for?”
“I still owe her an apology.”
“Why? Are you thinking that it's your fault that she was having an affair with a married man?”
“I don't think she could be like that...”

Hiro leaned to his chair, and let out another sigh. “You have a demented mind, Calvin.” he said. “Let me tell you this again. What happened between the two of you, it's just a one night stand. So forget about it. Unless...” he said. Calvin looked up at him, giving him a confused look. “Unless what?” he asked. Hiro stared at him, and let out a smirk. “Unless you fell in love with her.”

--

Ella walked inside the restaurant, and at the far end, she saw the woman she was about to meet She put her shades on her head, and began to walk towards her direction. The woman felt her presence, and looked up at her, giving her a warm smile that she never expected she would give her. “I'm glad you came...” she said in a sweet voice. Ella sighed, and looked away from her. She shouldn't have agreed to meet up with Cyndi, but she insisted. Seeing Cyndi made her even more guilty because of her affair with her husband. Ella took the seat in front of her, and then folded her arms as she looked at her. She was trying to act to be mean, because if she doesn't, her guilt will overthrow her. “What it is that you want to talk about?” she said in a firm tone. “I want to talk to you about my husband...” she said.

She looked at Cyndi as the latter lowered her head. She could hear her soft sobs. “Ella...” Cyndi began. “Please... please leave my husband. I need him... especially now...” She looked up at her, and Ella could see the tears cascading from her eyes. “I know that Ming Dao never loved me, and our marriage is because of an arrangement our parents made. But I love him... I love him very much...” she said. Cyndi leaned towards the table, and held Ella's hands. “Please, Ella... please leave my husband and let him be with me. I need him now more than ever... I am carrying his child...” she said tearfully. Guilt have finally devoured her. It was a bad idea to have a short tryst with Ming Dao since she perfectly knows that. She knew this is coming. She knew that this day will come, where either his wife will threaten her, or ask him to end their affair. “Does... does Ming Dao know that you... you are carrying his child?” she asked. Cyndi shook her head. “And despite the fact that he cheated on you, you are willing to give him another chance?” she asked. “I need him, Ella. I don't want our child to grow up without a father...” Cyndi said.

Ella took a deep breath, and then shook her head. She felt her past coming up to her again, seeing Cyndi in this situation. “I don't need him, believe me. It was just an affair, and I am playing around. You are aware that I am not the only girl he's having an affair with, right?” she asked. Cyndi nodded his head. “And you still chose to be with him? Are you nuts?” she told her. “I love Ming Dao. I am willing to give him everything, his happiness... even if it breaks my heart...” she said in a low voice. Ella leaned back to her chair, unable to believe the words coming out of Cyndi's lips. “Don't you know that you are hurting yourself more, Cyndi?” she said. Cyndi looked up at her, and gave her a confused look. “Whatever it is that you do, that bastard will never change. If you think that he will after he found out that you two are going to have a child, well, I have a good news for you. He will definitely not change for you, or for this child.” she said bitterly. Cyndi lowered her head, and began to cry again. “You love him too, don't you?” Cyndi asked. Ella shook his head. “I am just playing around with him. Love is never in my vocabulary.” she said. Ella sighed again, then she leaned towards the table, hold on to Cyndi's hand. “Look, Cyndi... I know you are stronger that you think you are. You don't need Ming Dao. You don't need a man who can't give you his whole heart. You deserve someone better. And your child... Don't let your child suffer because of a loveless marriage. You child deserve something more better than that. If you are thinking that your child will not understand when he or she grows up, then you're wrong. You are a smart woman, and I know your child will be a smart kid as well. Later on, your child will understand if she or she grows up without a father.”

Cyndi looked up at her, and this time, it was Ella's turn to give her a warm smile. “It is Ming Dao's lost that he took for granted your love for him. Show him that you can live without him. I know you could.” she said. She collected her bag, and then stood up from her seat. She paused before walking away, and then looked at Cyndi. “By the way, I ended our affair already. From what I heard, he have another girlfriend. Think about what I said. You don't deserve an unfaithful husband like him.” she said. Then, she turned her back, and left Cyndi alone.

--

Ella entered the door of the mansion, and as she walked inside, she saw her father walking up to him. She could see the anger in his eyes, and she guess the news about her affair with a married man have reached his knowledge. Then, her father slapped her hard on her face. “You insolent child! What's this new scandal that you brought upon our family? I did not raise you to be someone else's kept woman. I did not put you in a good school to be a whore!” he shouted at her. Melinda immediately rushed to her husbands side. Before he could hurt Ella again, she stopped him. “Robin! Stop hurting your daughter!” she told him. Ella slowly lifted up her to face her father. Despite the fury written in his face, Ella have him a mocking smile. “Why, father? Does it hurt to know that your dear daughter have turned into a married man's mistress?” she said mockingly. “Ella!” Melinda shouted at her with worry. Robin could only look at her. “How does it feel that your only daughter turned out to be like one of those girls whom you date while you're still married to my mother? Are you a little ashamed of all the things you did in the past?” she snapped at him. She folded her arms, and smirked at his father. “Aren't you ashamed of the scandal that you have made? Aren't you ashamed that you are breaking off a family?” his father told her.

Ella glared at his father. “How dare you ask me those questions when you are the one who ruined your own family!” she shouted at him. She felt hot tears rolling down her eyes as she faced his father. He did not show any regret in his face. “How dare you tell me that what I did is wrong, when it was you who have been cheating behind my mother's back in the past? How does it feel now, dad? How does it feel now that you found out your little daughter have became a slut?” she asked. Melinda looked at his husband, and she could tell that he felt guilty with the things Ella have told him. “It is all in the past...” Robin said in a low voice. Ella nodded her head. “Yes, it is. But I could never forgive you. I never will. And you know what, I take pride in all I did, giving you these kind of headache.” she said. With that, Robin slapped Ella's face again. Ella rubbed her swollen face and then looked up at her father. “I hate you...” she said in a low voice. Then, she turned and ran away from him.

Robin realized that he was wrong in hurting his daughter. “Ella!” he called her. But his daughter did not looked back at him. He could only watch his daughter as she leaved their mansion. “Robin...” he heard his wife said. He looked back at Melinda, and the woman could see the sadness in his eyes. “I was the one who did this to Ella, did I?” he asked. Melinda paused, and looked at him for a long time, then she nodded her head. “I... I was the one who pushed her this mess? I... I was the reason why she's been living like this...” he said. “Robin, maybe you need to let her calm down first before you talk to her. And don't let your temper get in the way when you talk to her, it only makes matters worst.” she said. “I only wanted the best for my daughter. Why can't Ella understand it?” he said in a low voice. Melinda stared at him again. “Robin...” she called. “I... I don't think she have forgiven you for her mother's death...”

--

Ella was walking through a deserted, her eyes still filled with tears. “I hate you, dad...” she thought as she walked alone. She stopped, and wiped the tear from her eyes. “i told myself a thousand times that I will not cry for you. But why are these tears falling from my eyes? You've hurt me in the past, I should get used to this....” she said to herself.

Just then, she saw a car stop in front of her. She looked up, and saw a tall figure got out of the car. Suddenly, she felt scared. This might be a bad man, or a kidnapper for all she know. Her heart was beating faster, and she forced her feet to walk away. She turned her back on the car, and walked as fast as she could, but the figure seem to follow her. “Ella!” she heard a familiar voice call. It was a voice that she last heard of three months ago. She paused, feeling her heart beating much faster. Then, she looked back, and in the light, she saw a familiar face looking at her worriedly. “C-calvin?” she said. Calvin walked towards her. “Are you OK?” he asked. Ella just stared into his eyes. She doesn't know why, but somehow, she felt safe now that he is with her. Calvin held her hand, and the warmth in his hand seems to have chased all the fears she was feeling a while ago. “Ella?” he called again.

Ella looked up at him, and then felt the tears began to fall from her eyes again. Calvin knew at that moment that she is not OK. Something must have happened that made her cry like this. Is it because of the affair? Did Ming Dao broke her heart? He wanted to find the answer, but in her state, he know Ella wouldn't tell him. Calvin reached up to her cheek, and wiped her tears. “It's going to be OK, I am here now...” he said softly. Ella closed her eyes, and let the tears fall for the last time. The last person she wanted to see in her state right now, is the stranger whom she have fell in love with. She doesn't know if Calvin understood her, but it seems that he could feel her heart. Then, she felt his hands on her shoulder. He pulled her to him, and embraced her tight. He leaned on her cheek, and she felt his finger brush her hair, trying to comfort her from crying. “Sssshh...” he whispered. “It's all going to be OK... just let it all out...” he whispered to her ear. With that, Ella began to cry on him.

--

At one corner of the restaurant, he saw him patiently waiting for him. He walked towards him, and sat in front of him. He looked at the man before him. He could tell that he was undecided yet regarding his offer. “You have to decided.” he said firmly. The man before him shook his head. “I... I cannot sacrifice my son's happiness because of my business...” he said. The man leaned on his chair, and took a deep breath. “I know that your business is on the brink of bankruptcy. I can pull a few strings for you, just do this favor I am asking you...” he said. “And your daughter?”
“I am doing this for her good.”

Silence.

“I... I owe you everything...” the man said. “It was you who helped me build my business... if it weren't for you, then I wouldn't be where I am...” The man in front of her turn into a smile. “I'm glad that you realized that. So, I assume that you are accepting my offer?” he asked. The man closed his eyes, and slowly nodded his head. “Yes...”

Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic