Chapter 3 – So Far AwayHannah opened the her mailbox, and saw five envelopes inside it. She took the envelope, and scanned through it as she went inside her apartment. It was nothing more than bills, bills, and some more bills. The fourth envelope caught her attention. It was from her friend, Daphne. Since their graduation, Daphne never fails to write her a letter to tell her about her life in Vienna. Daphne opted to stay in Vienna after graduation, while Hannah decided to go back to Taiwan. Upon her return, she was hired as one of the musical directors in the Royal Academy of Music.
“What's that?” Joy asked her as she got inside the house. Hannah looked at her house mate, and smiled at her. “Bills, what else? And, I got another letter from my friend in Vienna.” she said. Joy just let out a sigh. “Great... we need to pay the bills now...” she said. Hannah just laughed at her. As she took away Daphne's letter, the fifth envelope caught her attention. It was from the Royal Harmonic Orchestra in Vienna. “What is this all about?” she thought. She remembered applying in the orchestra before she graduated, but there was no reply from them. So, she assumed that they rejected her application.
“Hey, baobei!” Danson said as she entered their house. Hannah was surprised by him, so she immediately stacked the envelope on the table. “Hey, baobei.... what are you doing here?” she asked. Danson walked towards her, and gave his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek. He looked at her, and saw her face still in shock. “Is there something wrong?” he asked. Hannah smiled, and shook her head. “Nothing... I was just surprised that you're here. Aren't your supposed to be in the office?” she asked. Danson's lips curved into a smile. “Hey, remember I'm the boss there. I can sneak out anytime I want to...” he said. “But, your dad...”
“Don't worry about him. He's out of the country, so he won't find out that his son is sneaking out to see his beloved girlfriend.”
Hannah just giggled at him. “You're crazy.” she said. “But you do love this crazy boyfriend of yours, don't you?” he said. Hannah smiled at him, and then kissed him on the lips.
Meanwhile, Joy just looked at his friends being too sweet again. Since Hannah came back a few months ago, seems that Danson wouldn't take his eyes off at her. After all, they have been separated for almost three years. “Aiyo, go get a room, will you?” she told them. The two looked at her, and laughed. Joy gathered her things, and headed to the door. “By the way, I need to go to the photoshoot now. You can have the house all by yourself.” she said. Danson laughed at her. “If I know, you're just going to Jiro's pad today!” he teased her. Joy just laughed at him, and left the two alone.
Danson looked at Hannah, and planted a kiss on her lips. “I missed you...” he said. Hannah felt herself blush, and smiled at him. “I miss you too, baobei...” she said. Danson wrapped his arm around her waist, and leaned to her forehead. “How about we go out for lunch today?” he asked her. “How about I cook you your favorite meal, then we can hang out here for a while?” she asked. Danson smiled and nodded his head. “Sounds good.” he said in a husky tone. Hannah turned away from Danson, and headed to the kitchen to prepare their food. While Hannah is inside the kitchen, Danson noticed a stack of envelope on the table. He noticed the envelope which came from Vienna. “Royal Harmonic Orchestra of Vienna?” he thought as he read the envelope. “Baobei... what's this letter you got from the orchestra in Vienna?” he asked. “Oh, I think it's just a rejection letter.” she answered. “But isn't this the same orchestra that you applied for before you graduated?”
“Yeah, that's the one.”
“Do you mind if I take a look at this?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Danson began to open the envelope. He didn't know that what's written on that letter would change their lives forever.
--
“Look, Stella... I told you I don't want to be with you anymore... listen... no, listen to me. I told you I'm not yet ready for a commitment so don't you... What? Don't blackmail me with that! I've heard that lie before... What? Fine! Goodbye and I don't want to see you again!”
Chun banged the phone, and leaned on his table. He sighed with relief as he took care of one of his problem, which is his girlfriend, Stella. “Finally, I'm single, and ready to mingle again!” he thought to himself. He leaned back to the chair, and stared on his computer. “Good thing I got rid of that girl, now I can finish my work in peace...” he muttered. “Chun.” he heard someone call him. He looked back, and saw his colleague Wilber, popping his head on his workstation. “What?” he asked him. “Boss says he wants to see you...” Wilber said. Chun's eyes widened at what he said. “I... I didn't do anything wrong! It wasn't my fault!” he told Wilber. Wilber just laughed at him. “Look, whatever stupidity you have done, I don't think he's going to talk to you about it.” Wilber said. After Wilber left him, Chun stood up from his seat and headed to his boss's office. He knocked on the door, and then turned the door knob to peek inside. He saw his boos happily chatting on the phone. As soon as he saw Chun by the door, he signaled him to come in and then he ended the call. “Mr. Wu! How are you?” his boss asked as he walked inside his office. “I'm OK, sir...” he said with a hint of nervousness in his voice. His boss asked him to sit in front of his table, and then he waited for him to speak.
“Mr. Wu, I understand that you know about our expansion in Japan, right?” his boss asked. Chun nodded his head. “I know about it, sir...”
“Good. Look, Mr. Wu, I won't beat around the bush anymore. You have become one of my best employees here, so I decided to promote you.”
Chun's eyes widened upon hearing what his boss said. He could no believe what he heard. “P-p-promotion?” he asked. His boss smiled, and nodded his head. “But, this promotion means that you have to go to Japan to take your post there. We need all the help we could get for the expansion there in our newest branch.” he said. His boss leaned to his table and smiled at him. “So, Mr. Wu, will you take the post?” he asked. Chun simply smiled at his boss. “Yes, I'll take it.” he answered.
--
“Dear Ms. Hannah Tan,
Congratulations!
It is with our great pleasure to tell you that you have been accepted as a member of the Royal Harmonic Orchastra of Vienna.”
Danson read that same line over again. Hannah was accepted to the orchestra. He could not believe it. He was very happy to find out that her dreams are slowly coming true. “Why do you keep on reading that rejection letter?” she asked as she walked over the table to place their lunch. Danson looked up at his girlfriend, and smiled. “Baobei, it's not a rejection letter.” he said. She gave him a confused look, then took the letter from his hand. She began to read it's content. Upon reading the first lines, he saw her lips form into a smile. “Oh my God!” she shrieked after reading the letter. Danson stood up from his seat, and smiled happily at him. “Oh my God! I couldn't believe it, Dannie!” she told him. “Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, baobei!” he said. Then, Hannah jumped to him, and hugged him tight. She hugged him for a long time, until it sinked in to her that her acceptance at the orchestra means having to leave Taiwan again, and leaving Danson behind. She slowly let go of him, and Danson saw the sudden change in her expression. “What's wrong, baobei?” he asked worriedly. “Then.. if... if I got accepted... it means I have to go back to Vienna...” she said sadly. He gave her a confused look this time. “So?” he asked. “Danson... I just got back, and it's only now that I'm making up to you for all the times I'm not around...” she said. “So you mean you will throw your dream away because of me?” he asked. Hannah sighed, and turned her back on him. “I... I don't want to leave you again...” she said in a soft voice. Danson looked at her, and sighed. He knows how important this is for her. He knows how much she wanted to get into that orchestra. “Hannah... you told me this is what you wanted, right?” he asked. Hannah looked at her, and slowly nodded her head. “This is your dream, and you can't just set this aside. An opportunity like this comes only once...” he said.
She walked up to him, and held his hand. “You are more important to me, Danson. I don't want us to part ways again. You never knew how hard it is for me to be alone there, going crazy thinking and missing you....” she told him. “Hannah, you don't understand. What's the use of your studies there in Vienna if you will not use your knowledge. This royal orchestra is your dream, and you have to take this chance...” he told her. Hannah looked up at him, and smiled. Danson never fails to amaze her. He's a very understanding boyfriend, who is always thinks for her good. He was more than willing to sacrifice himself for her happiness. She was thanking God for giving someone like him to her. “Danson...” she called. Danson sighed, and let out his smile. “Honestly, when I was reading that letter, I was hoping you wouldn't be able to read it. Of course, I did miss you and I want you beside me forever. I don't want you to go back to Vienna again, because you don't know how it hurts me whenever you're not with me.” he said. He took a deep breath, and brushed his hair with his fingers. “But it would be selfish of me if I didn't let you go. This is your dream, and I promised you before that I wouldn't want to take your dream away...” he said.
He put his hands on her shoulder, and gazed into her eyes. “We survived those three years that we're apart. Besides, it said on the letter that it's just for a year, right? What is a year of distance compared to those three years we're apart? I trust you, and I know you trust me. As long as we love each other, theres nothing we should fear about.” he said. “I was hoping that after I came back from Vienna, we would be together for the rest of our lives...” she said in a low voice. He paused, and just stared at her face. He knows exactly what she's hinting about. He brushed his hair again, and turned away from her.
If he had the will, he will marry Hannah right now. But there are things that he have to fix before marrying her. He wanted to prove to his dad that he could run their company, and most of all, he wanted to prove to his dad that he made the right decision when he chose Hannah. Up until now, his dad could not accept Hannah. And it's because of the girl that he was arranged to be married to. Until now, he didn't have the guts to tell Hannah about it, and the reason why his dad seems mad whenever he brings her home. “Anything wrong?” he heard Hannah ask him. Danson looked at her, and smiled. “Nothing... it's just that I'm thinking of things...” he said. “What things?” she asked. “Baobei, I think this is a good opportunity for you, and for us... imagine... if you take that job in Vienna, maybe I could follow you. We could settle there and live a new life. I know you love that place more than anything else.” he said. Hannah only gave him a confused look. “But Taipei is also a good place to start and raise a family. And besides, all of our family and friends are here...” she said. “I... I know...” he said. He walked behind her, and hugged her on her waist, leaning his chin on her shoulder. “Take this job, OK? I promise you, I'll follow you there, and we'll live happily ever after.” he said. “Promise?” she asked. “I promise you that, I'll follow you in Vienna after a few months.” he said. Then, he planted at kiss on her forehead.
--
Calvin turned to his side, and put arm around a pillow. Realizing that it's not the body of his wife, he slowly opened his eyes to find Kit missing. “Kit?” he called. He stood up, and looked around the room. “Kit?” he called again. He went inside the bathroom, but Kit isn't there. He felt his heart beating fast. “Where is she?” he thought worriedly. “Kit!” Calvin shouted as he got out of the room.
Meanwhile, Kit was just downstairs preparing their breakfast. She flinched as she hears her husband's loud call. “Kit!” she heard again. She looked at the stairs, and saw Calvin rushing down the stairs. Upon seeing his wife by the kitchen, Calvin paused, and sighed with relief. “I thought...”
“You thought what? That I left you?”
Calvin nodded his head. “You know that I'm not used to not waking up beside you...” he said as he walked over her. He put his arm around her, and kissed her on the cheek. “Calvin Chen, you have a meeting early today, and I only prepared your breakfast. And besides, it's the only way that could wake you up!” she said. Calvin laughed at her, then pinched her nose. He hugged her from her back, and then kissed her on the cheeks. “You prepared my favorite breakfast?” he asked. “Of course!” she said. “But I want you for my breakfast, sweety...” he whispered to her. Kit nudged his chest, and then stomped on his feet. Calvin flinched in pain. “Pervert!” Kit told him. “Awww... but you are my favorite breakfast!” Calvin protested. Kit just looked at him and raised an eyebrow at her husband. “No. You have a meeting today, and you don't want to be late for it.” she told him. Calvin let his wife go, and sighed as he sat on the chair. “Maybe dinner later?” he asked her. Kit just laughed at him.
As they were about to eat, they heard the phone ring. Calvin stood up from his seat, and answered it. “Hello...” Calvin said as he sat on the couch. “Hello, married guy!” the guy on the other line said. Calvin smiled to himself, upon hearing that voice. It was Chun. “Hey, gay guy. What's up?” he said. “Hey, are you and Kit free later? I need to announce something to the gang.” Chun said. Calvin wrinkled his forehead, wondering what Chun will say. “Let me guess, you got some random girl pregnant and you have to marry her?” he asked. “Oh please! I'm the most careful guy you'll ever know. And no, I am not getting married. I'll tell you what it's all about. 8 PM, my place.” Chun said. Calvin smiled, and then ended the call.
“Chun?” Kit asked him. Calvin looked at her, and nodded his head. “He wants us to go to his place tonight at 8. He said he's going to announce something.” her husband said. “Is he getting married?” Kit asked again. Calvin could only laugh. “I asked the same thing. Negative. Whatever it is, we have to hear it from that guy himself.” he said. Kit just smiled at him. “OK. Pick me up at the office later, OK?” she said. “Of course, I will. Don't worry.” he said. Kit walked up to him, and pulled him up from the couch. “Let's have breakfast, OK?” Kit said. Calvin's lips curve into a smirk as he looked at his wife. “How about if I have you for breakfast?” he said sexily. Kit just raised her eyebrow at him. “Pervert!” she said.
--
“Danson, we have a meeting later with the investor.” Mr. Tang told Danson while having breakfast. Danson paused, and looked up at his dad. “Can I pass this one, dad? I have some other things to do.” he said. His father glared at him. “Danson, this is business. You don't want to miss this meeting.” he said sternly. “But dad, I already made plans for tonight...” he said. Mr. Tang let out a sigh, and leaned on his chair. “Danson Tang, you are working for me. Don't think that because you are my son, I will make this easier for you.” he said sternly. Danson only sighed, and began to toy with his food. Mrs. Tang looked at his son, and she could sense her son's frustration. “Nathan, maybe you shouldn't bring Danson with you at this meeting. And besides, there's Ryan...” she said. “How will Danson learn the loops of our business if he keeps on missing this meeting?” Mr. Tang said. “Dad, let Danson pass today. I'll accompany you to that meeting. Next time, Danson will go with you to that meeting with the investors.” his brother, Ryan, said. Danson looked at his brother, and smiled at him. Ryan, in return, just winked at his little brother.
“That's the problem. If you will always let Danson off the hook, then he won't be able to learn anything for this business!” Mr. Tang said in a loud voice. “Dad, I am trying to learn. And besides, why would you need me there? Ge is better than me in talking to those investors.” Danson protested. “Because aside from your brother, you are the other person I expect to run the business, that's why? And why don't you want to attend this meeting? Is it because of that girl again?” Mr. Tang said, pertaining to Hannah. This time, Danson glared at his dad. “She have a name, dad. Her name is Hannah.” he said. Mr. Tang turned away from his son. “I don't care what her name is.” the elder man said.
Danson sighed in frustration. He really can't understand why his father dislikes Hannah that much. “Dad, I love her. Why can't you accept that she is my girlfriend?” he asked. “Because I could never accept someone like her!” his father shouted at her. Danson sighed in frustration, and shook his head. “Dad...”
“She's not the one I want for you. Sunnie is.”
“Sunnie left me years ago, dad! We're both living a different life now. Can't you understand that?”
“Sunnie is just going through some phase that's why she left. She will come back to marry you.”
“If she will, she should've came back to me before! I don't love Sunnie anymore, dad. I don't. Hannah is the one I love, and nothing could change that. You just have to accept that.”
He threw his table napkin on the table, and stood up, walking away from his father. “Danson Tang!” his father shouted at him. Danson paused, and looked back at his father. “You are not going to walk away from your own father just because of that girl!” his father said. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before facing his father again. “Dad... don't make me choose between this family and her. Dad, I love her...” he said in a more calm tone. His father stood up from his seat, and looked at him angrily. Before he could say anything, Danson turn his back on his father, and began to walk away from him.
--
“Jie, until now, I don't understand why he can't accept Hannah. You know that Sunnie and I are over, ever since she walked away from me, choosing that other guy and her career over me.” Danson said to her sister. Dian, who was busy making finishing touches on a gown, paused and looked at her brother. “You know dad, Dannie. He'll do anything for his business, especially sacrificing his own child's happiness.” she said. She walked over her brother, and sat beside him. She heard his brother sigh, ans she could only smile at him. “Dannie...” she said, putting her arm around him. “It's right that you fight for what you truly feel. If you love Hannah, just do your best until dad could accept her.” she said. “I don't think dad could accept any other girl for me except for Sunnie.”
“I guess he doesn't really care. Have he forgotten that it was because of Sunnie that you almost took your life because of that girl.”
“You said it yourself. He's willing to do anything to anything for his business, even if it means sacrificing our own happiness. I guess it's because Sunnie's dad is his business partner, and me and Sunnie getting married means he'll have a full control of the business.”
“Until now, dad thinks that you and Sunnie will end up together?”
Danson nodded his head. Dian sighed in disbelief, and shook her head. “Wow, and you haven't even heard from that girl since she left, right?” she said. “Even if I do, I really don't care.” he said bitterly. Dian looked at her brother, and saw the change of expression from his face. “Dan... do you really love Hannah?” she asked. Danson gave her a confused look. “Of course, jie! I love her. I'm willing to do everything for her. That's how much I love her.” he answered. “And my next question is, have you totally forgotten about Sunnie?”
“I have forgotten all about her.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am sure, jie. Do you think I would jump into a relationship with Hannah if I'm not over her?”
“So, what would you do if you see Sunnie again?”
Danson paused, and gave her sister a confused look. “Why, is Sunnie coming back?” he asked. Dian smiled, and shook her head. “Of course, not. I think she's enjoying herself somewhere in Japan. It's just a what-if question. So, what would you do is Sunnie comes back?” she asked again. “Then, she came back. That's all. I really don't care about her at all, jie. Hannah is more important to me now. Hannah is the girl that I love now.” he said. Dian gave him a contented smile. “It's the answer I'm expecting, Dannie. I'm glad that Hannah's your girlfriend. Don't worry, no matter what happens, you and Hannah will always have my support.” she said. Danson smiled at her. “Jie... thanks for always supporting me.” he said. “But of course! You're my favorite brother, that's why!”
--
“So, what's the big announcement?” Calvin asked as he sat on the couch beside his wife. Chun gulped down his drink, and then faced his friend. “Why are you so excited to know?” he asked. “Because we didn't came here to just waste our time drinking, buddy!” Calvin snapped at him. All of their friends laughed at the two. Chun rolled his eyes at him. “Fine, I'll tell you...” he said. He stood up from his seat, and then faced his friends. “Wei, Chun... you didn't get someone girlfriend, didn't you?” Jiro teased. “Or maybe she found Ms. Right and he have decided to settle down.” Joy suggested. “Negative. I asked that to Chun this morning. I don't think he's going to announce something related to love.” Calvin said. Chun just laughed at his friends. “Fine, fine... I'll tell you now.” he said.
All of his friends looked at him, waiting for him to speak up. “The reason why I invited you guys here is because I have an announcement to make. And that it... the great Wu Ji Chun just got promoted.” he said proudly. “Oh my God! Congratulations, Chunnie bear!” Kit said. Everyone was happy for him, he could see that. But he knew that if he made his second announcement, everyone's excitement will die down. “And I have another announcement...” he said. The five paused, and waited for him to speak. “Since I got promoted, there will be a lot of changes... a really really big and bad change.” he began. “Oh, come on. Being promoted is not that bad! Don't tell me that part of your promotion means you can't see us again?” Danson said. Chun smiled, and nodded his head. “Yes, Danson. It means that way.” he said.. All of them got confused with what he said. “Chun, what do you mean?” Hannah asked. He took a deep breath, and then looked at his friends again. “I've been assigned to our Tokyo branch. So, it means I have to move there.” he said.
Everyone fell silent. Chun could see the sadness in his friends' face. “Oh...” he heard Kit said in a low voice. “Hey, its not that bad!” he said, trying to cheer them up. “I mean, Japan is a few miles here from Taiwan. I can go back home every now and then to see you guys.” he said. “Well, it's just that we've only got complete since Hannah came back from Vienna, then you will have to leave? You're like the life of our group.” Calvin said sadly. Jiro nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you're like our jester.” he said. Chun looked at him, and stuck his tongue out at him. “Thanks for the compliment, Jiro. I never thought you would see me as a clown.” he said. Joy clapped her eyes, and smiled at his friends. “Hey, we don't have to be sad with Chun leaving. At least we girls won't get harrassed by his girlfriends, right?” she said. Chun sighed, and rolled his eyes at Joy. “Wow, thank you very much, Joy.” he said sarcastically. Joy laughed. Then, she stood up, and walked over him to give him a hug. “I'm just lightening up the mood. We will sure miss you, Chun.” she said. Chun smiled sadly, and nodded his head. “Of course, I'm going to miss you too, guys. It's going to be a new life for me out there.” he said.
“Actually, it's not only Chun who have an announcement.” Danson said. Everyone looked at him, especially Hannah. Danson looked at Hannah, and held her hand. “Don't you have any announcement to make as well, baobei?” he asked. Hannah shook her head. “But Dannie, I'm not yet sure...”
“We already talked about it, right? I guess we can let them know now...” he said.
Hannah looked at her friends, who were smiling at them. “Oh my God, I think they're...” Joy looked at Kit, and she smiled at her. “I think so!” Kit said excitedly. Hannah looked at the two girls, and shook her head. “No, it's not what you think...” she said. She looked at Danson again, and he smiled at her, nodding his head. Then, she looked up at her friends. “I... I got accepted as a member of the Royal Harmonic Orchestra of Vienna.” she said. Everyone fell silent again. “So, does that mean you will have to go back to Vienna?” Calvin asked. Hannah let out a faint smile, and nodded her head.
There was an awkward silence for a moment. Everyone seems to be sad. First, Chun announced that he'll be going to Tokyo for work, and now, she will also have to go back to Vienna for work. Seeing the sadness within her friends, Chun decided to cheer them up. “Hey, it's not that bad! I'm happy that Hannah would be able to go back to Vienna to make her dreams come true.” he said. Calvin looked up at him, realizing what he was trying to do. “Yeah. It's not a bad idea. I mean, Hannah should grab this opportunity, right?” he said. Everyone nodded in agreement. “It's just too bad that two of you have to leave at the same time...” Joy said sadly. Kit walked towards Joy, and hugged her. “Aiyo, don't be sad, Joy. Let's celebrate our friends' achievement, and make more memories with them.” Kit said. Chun took a bottle of wine from the table, and started to pour wine on their glasses. They all raised up their glasses and raised a toast for Chun and Hannah. “For Chun and Hannah. May they achieve their dreams, and may they always be happy.” Calvin said. “Cheers!” all of them shouted.
That night was the last time they got together. After that night, a lot of changes will happen to their lives...
Labels: 99 Love Notes, fan fic
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