Sunday, November 8, 2009

99 Love Notes - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Life's Little Prank




Danson walked inside the hotel restaurant. His eyes searched among the crowd, and at one corner, he saw his father happily chatting with another older man. He took a deep breath, and walked up to them. “Dad?” he called as he walked up to him. His dad looked up to him, and smiled at him. “Ah, Danson. Have a seat.” he said. Danson took the seat next to his father. “By the way, this is Mr. Zhang. He is the president of Zheng Enterprises.” Mr. Tang said. Danson smiled at the old man, and then shook his hand. “It's nice to meet you, Mr. Zheng.” he said. “The pleasure is mine, Danson.” Mr. Zheng said. “I'm sorry for being late. There were some matters that I had to attend to at the office.” Danson said. Mr. Zheng just smiled at him. “It's OK, Danson. Your father and I have not started yet.” he said.

Danson looked at his dad as he took out a document from his bag. Then, he handed it to them. Danosn was discussing his proposal, when a young petite lady around his age came up to them. “Daddy...” she said, calling on to Mr. Zheng. Mr. Zheng looked up at her, and smiled. “Oh hi, darling...” he said. The girl gave him a kiss on the cheeks, and sat beside him. “Oh, by the way, this is my daughter, Joanne. Joanne, this is Danson and his dad, James Tang.” he said. Joanne smiled at them, and shook their hands. “It's nice meeting you.” she said to Danson as she smiled sweetly at him. “The pleasure is mine.” he said. “So, this is your daughter, Randolph... she sure grew up to be a fine lady.” Mr. Tang said. “Of course. Anyway, she just came back from her studies in London.” Mr. Zheng said. “So, what's your major, Joanne?” Mr. Tang asked. “I took up Art history.” she said proudly. Mr. Tang nodded his head. “I see. That's good.” he said.

The whole time, Danson was silent. He could sense that this meeting is not a business meeting at all, but rather, his father is trying to set him up to his business partner's daughter. “Danson here took up Architecture in St. John's University, but he does have plans to pursue his master's degree abroad.” Mr. Tang said. Danson glared at his father, and let out a smirk. “Yeah... I do. In Vienna.” he said in an annoyed tone. His father gave him a stern look after hearing what he said. “Really, in Vienna?” Joanne asked. Danson was surprised at her sudden interest in him. “Yeah. There's this school there which is close to my -”
“Ah, Joanne, is there anything that you want to order?” Mr. Tang said to Joanne. Joanne smiled at him. “I'm OK, Uncle James.” she said. “James, do you think your son looks good together with my daughter?” Mr. Zheng said. Mr. Tang nodded in agreement. “Most certainly...” Mr. Zheng said. Mr. Tang then turned to his son. “Danson, why don't you invite Joanne for a dinner tomorrow night?” he said. It was more of an order than of a suggestion. Danson glared at his father. “I can't, dad. I have plans.” he said to him. Then, he looked at Joanne, and smiled at her. “I'm sorry, Joanne, Mr. Zheng. I know my dad is trying to set me up to your daughter, but I am already engaged to be married to someone else.” he said. Joanne was surprised at what he said. “Y-you are?” she asked. Danson smiled and nodded his head. “Actually, I was suppose to visit her today in Vienna, but this meeting came up. I'm really sorry...” he said. He gathered his things, and then stood up from his seat. “I'm sorry to waste all of your time...” he said to them.

Then, he walked away from them. His father was calling him, but he chose to ignore it. He doesn't want to follow his father, not now. He can't be with someone else, when he knows Hannah trusts him with her eyes wide shut.

--

Kit sat on the bed and looked at the paper on her hand, and smiled to herself. Finally, after months of trying, she's finally pregnant with their first child. She knows Calvin would be very happy when he finds out all about her pregnancy. “Sweety?” she heard Calvin call her. She shoved the paper under the pillow, and turned to face him. “Hey, sweety!” she said cheerfully. Calvin just smiled at her. “Oh, and Mrs. Chen seems more happy today, huh?” he said. She just nodded her head. “Hey, sweety... I want to tell you something...” she said. Calvin gave her a confused look. “But I guess it can wait... Change your clothes first, then I'll prepare our dinner.” she said. Calvin smiled at her, and nodded his head.

Kit headed to the kitchen to prepare a special dinner for her and Calvin. As she was setting the table, she felt a pain on her abdomen. She chose to ignore it, and continued setting the table. Then, she felt the pain grew stronger, that she couldn't take it anymore. She leaned on one of the chairs for support. “Aww...” she flinched in pain. The plate she was holding fell on the floor. From upstairs, Calvin heard the plate breaking. He immediately went down, to see his wife flinching in pain. “Kit!” he panicked. He rushed up to her, and helped her up. “Calvin... it... it hurts...” Kit said as she cried. “Come on, I'll take you to the hospital.” he said. As he helped her walk, he noticed blood flowing from her legs. “Kit...” he said as he looked down on her legs. Kit looked down on her leg, and saw the blood. At that moment, she panicked. She got scared. “No... she said in a weak voice. “Not my baby...” she whispered before she totally blacked out.

--

“My wife is pregnant?” Calvin asked in a surprised tone. The doctor nodded her head. “Yes, Mr. Chen... and unfortunately, she lost the baby...” the doctor said. Calvin looked sadly at his wife, who was sleeping peacefully on her bed. It was their first child, and they lost it. Their baby is gone. Since they got into the hospital, Kit have been unconscious. He doesn't know how he will tell his wife that they lost her baby. “I... I have no idea how I will tell her about it. Kit... she's excited to have a baby, and now that we do have one... we lost it...” he said in a low voice. “Mr. Chen, you have to tell your wife as soon as she wakes up...” the doctor said. Calvin looked at her sadly, and nodded his head.

Shortly, after the doctor left, Joy, Jiro and Danson came. “Cal! We came as soon as we got your call.” Jiro said as they approached him. Calvin smiled sadly at them. “Thanks for coming guys... you don't know how much this means to me...” he said. “What happened to Kit? Is she all right now?” Joy asked. “I hope she will be... I really hope she will be...” Calvin said sadly. “Cal, what happened? Is Kit sick or something?” Danson asked. Before Calvin could answer his question, he heard his wife calling him.

“Calvin...” Kit called in a weak voice. Calvin rushed to her side. “Kit...” Calvin said in a low voice. He held her hand, and forced a smile on his face. “Good thing you're awake... you scared the hell out of me...” he said. Kit looked at him for a long time, and then a tear fell from her eyes. “I'm pregnant, Calvin... I... I was supposed to surprise you tonight but...” she said, her voice cracking. Her free hand touched her tummy, and in an instant, tears cascaded on her cheek. “I lost our baby, didn't we? We lost our little angel?” she asked. Calvin bit his lips. He was trying to be strong for her, but he couldn't help but be weak, seeing Kit helpless like this. “Kit...” he said softly. With the way Calvn looked at her, Kit finally understood. She have lost the baby. She sat up from her bed, and hugged Calvin. “I'm so sorry...” she said as she cried. “I'm so sorry, Calvin... I'm sorry...” she said. Calvin just hugged his wife, and let her cry on his shoulder. “Ssshhh... it's OK, Kit. It's not your fault.” he whispered to her.

He wished he could take away all the pain Kit is feeling right now. But there's nothing he could do right now but to hold her in his arms, and let her cry.

--

Hannah opened the door of th music room, and she was surprised to see Aaron standing outside. “Oh...” she said in a surprised tone. “Hi! Did I scare you?” Aaron asked. Hannah let out a laugh, and shook her head. “No... no... it's just that I didn't expect it to be you. I thought it's John, or someone else...” she said. “Well... surprise! It's me.” Aaron said. Hannah smiled at him, and nodded her head. Aaron entered the music room, and placed the violin case on the table. “So, you play the violin for the orchestra, right?” he asked. Hannah nodded her head. “But piano is my forte. Since the piano is already taken in the orchestra, might as well play the violin.” she said. “Piano is also my forte. But like you, I have no choice but to play the violin. I wanted so much to get into this orchestra, that's why.”

He then walked to the piano, and played a few notes on it. Hannah was surprised when he began to play her song – the song which Arron gave her. “You... you know that song?” she asked him. Aaron looked at her, and smiled. “I heard you play this piece when I came here. It's a lovely melody, I must say. Did you compose it?” he asked. Hannah shook her head. “A... a friend did...” she said. “Your friend is a talented composer.” he replied. Hannah just nodded her head. He continued to play her song on the piano, and somehow it freaked Hannah out. There was this guy who looked exactly like Arron, and he knew how to play Arron's song. As she watched Aaron play her song, she felt as if Arron lived in him. That Arron came back. “Stop it.” she said in an irritated tone. In an instant, Aaron stopped playing. He gave her a confused look. “Is there something wrong, Hannah?” he asked. Hannah shook her head, and looked away from him. “Just... just stop playing my song.” she said in a low voice. “It's enough that you looked exactly like Arron.. why did you have to know his song, and play it? Why?” she thought.

“Sorry, Hannah...” she heard Aaron said. “It's just that when I hear a beautiful melody, I can't get it out of my head and I would play it over and over. Since I heard you play this song, it got stuck on me.” he said. Hannah turn to face him, her expression turned into an angry one. “No one should play my song except for me. I... I don't want anyone else playing it. I hope you understand.” she said. She gathered her things, and turned her back on him to leave. As she reached for the door, she heard Aaron speak again. “This song must be very special to you.” he said. “It must be very special, that you didn't want anyone to hear it or even play it... am I right.” he said. “It... it's none of your business, Aaron. Just... just don't do it again.” she said. Then, she left him, closing the door behind her.

--

Chun and Hiro went inside the hotel's restaurant to have their lunch. “Ah! This is the life...” Hiro said as they took their seat. “Hiro, make sure that the food here is really delicious or you'll pay for my lunch.” Chun said. “Don't worry about a thing, Chun-san. I assure you the food here is really delicious.”
“Well, I leave everything up to you. Anyway, do you frequent this place?”
“Always. Whenever I'm on a vacation.”
“With your girlfriends?”
“With one of my girlfriends.”

Chun just shook his head. Then, a waiter came, and handed them the menu. Chun scanned through the menu. “What's your special for today?” he asked. “Sir, we have herbed flank steak as our special for today.” the waiter said. “OK, we'll have that. And then we'll have the tomato mushroom soup, and the mango pana cotta for desert.” Chun said. The waiter took down their orders. Then, Chun handed him the menu. After a while, their orders came. It was a hearty meal for the two, and Chun was satisfied with what he ate. “The food here is really good, Hiro. You're right.” Chun said. “See, I told you. You just have to trust me.” Hiro said. “I wonder who cooked these food. It tastes exactly like how my mom used to make it...” Chun said. “I have a suggestion. Why don't we call on the chef so that you could compliment him... or her.” Hiro said. Chun nodded his head in agreement. They called the waiter, and told him that they wanted to see the chef. The waiter nodded his head, and headed inside the kitchen.

“Chef Maki!” The waiter called. Maki, who was dong her plating that time, looked up at the waiter. “What is it Ryu-san?” he asked. “A customer wants to see you.” the waiter said. Maki gave him a dubious look. “Are they going to complain about my cooking?” she asked. The waiter laughed and shook his head. “It's the other way around, I guess. Go and see them.” Ryu said. Maki took off her apron and headed outside the kitchen. She walked towards Chun and Hiro's table. She was not able to recognize Chun right away because she is facing her back. “Konichiwa. I understand you called for me?” Maki said as she bowed before them. Chun turned to her, and he immediately recognized her. His eyes widened in surprised upon seeing her again. This time, Maki caught a glimpse of Chun, and she also recognized him. “It's you again!” both of them said at the same time.

Chun let out a sigh as he shook his head. “Oh man, why do you have to be everywhere?” he said. Maki flinched at what he said. “Hey! I should be the one who should tell you that!” Maki shouted at him. “Don't tell me you're the chef who cooked our food?” he asked. “I wouldn't come here if I wasn't!” Chun sighed again. “Great! I thought the one who prepared our food is a great chef. She just so happened to be an amateur one...” Chun commented. Maki could feel the vein popping out of her forehead at what Chun said. “What? Amateur? For your information, I am the head chef at our Tokyo branch!” she shouted at him. Chun looked at her, and rolled his eyes at her. Then, he stood up and faced her. “Then, thank you for giving me that information. May I not step on that hotel, and eat your lousy food.”
“Lousy food? Lousy food?! I slaved the whole day just to make that food that you just enjoyed!”
“Well, since I found out that you cooked it, I want to vomit it all out.”
“Then, go! Do it. I don't care!”
“I will! I want to make sure that I didn't take in any poison... who knows... you might have put some poison on my food.”
“If I have known you will be here then I would have put poison on your food!”
“Well, does that mean I still have to thank you for not poisoning me?”
“Well, you should. You should be thankful I spared your life!”
“I will not thank you. Not ever. Not after what you did to me yesterday!”
“Oh... so just because I made a mistake yesterday, you're getting back at me, huh?”
“Oh, I'm not getting back at you. You food is really lousy. This hotel made a mistake in hiring you!”
“If this hotel made a mistake in hiring me, then go and cook your own food!”

Everyone inside the restaurant was staring at them as the bicker. Hiro was trying to stop them, but he couldn't butt in on them. “Guys... stop it...” Hiro said. “So, this is how you treat your customers, huh? I will complain you to your manager!” Chun said to her. “Then go and file a complain! I will tell them that you were harassing me!” Maki shouted. “Stop!” Hiro shouted at the two. He couldn't take their bickering anymore. At that instant, the two stopped fighting. “Look at the two of you. You two looked like little kids fighting over some stupid things. Heck, you guys looked like quarreling lovers. Sheesh...” he said. “Excuse me!” both of them said. “Even is she's the last girl on earth, then I'd rather be alone.” he said. “And if you're the guy I'll end up with, I'd rather be a spinster. You're such a jerk!” Maki said. “And you're a bitch!” Chun shouted at her. “Please, stop it! You two are just embarrassing yourselves!” Hiro shouted at them. Chun then turned to Hiro, and smirked. “You know what, I will stop now because it's not used picking a fight with a bitch.” he said. Then he stormed out of the restaurant. “You jerk!” Maki shouted at him.

--

My Dearest Danson,

How are you? Winter is coming here in Vienna, and as a new season comes, I look forward to the day that we will be together again. I always dream of you each night. You are always in it. You were with me, even in my dreams. And when I wake up each morning, I find myself disappointed to see myself alone, and you're not within my reach. I feel so alone... I feel so sad being all alone here. I do have friends. I do hang out with my colleagues, but it's different with you beside me. When I'm with you, I feel more secure. I feel happy and more contented. As long as I'm with you, I know I can do anything. You have always been there, encouraging me and supporting me... and though you're miles away from me, I could still feel that you're supporting me. And most of all, even though you're far away from me, I can feel that you do love me. Your love is enough fuel for me to keep on going. It's enough inspiration for me to continue my dreams.

I want to confess something to you... at this moment, I wanted to give up on my dream and go back to Taiwan to be with you. I wanted to give up everything just to be with you... but I know you'll be disappointed in me if I do that. Danson, I know giving up my dream would be worth it... it will be as long as I'm with you. You're worth giving up all the things I've worked hard for. I wanted to give up this dream because I'm scared... I'm scared that when I reach for it, you will no longer be there for me. I'm scared that one day, you'll be gone, and I'll be left here on my own...Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Maybe I'm just missing you too much that's why I'm saying these things...

Danson, I wish I can see you again. I wish to see your smiling face again, and touch your cheeks with the palm of my hand. I want to feel your warmth as you hold me close... and I wish it would be soon...

I love you always,

Hannah

--

Calvin opened the door of their bedroom. He took his wife's hand, and led her inside their room. Quietly, Kit sat down on the bed, and stared outside the window. It's been two days since they lost their baby, and Kit have been keeping to herself. It was breaking his heart to see his wife heartbroken this way. “Kit... do you want something to eat?” he asked. Kit slowly shook her head. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked again. Kit shook her head again. Calvin sat beside her, and then he hugged her tight. He let her head rest on his shoulder.

They were both silent. And he knew Kit needed this silence.

He leaned over her, and kissed her on her forehead. “It's going to be OK, Kit... you still have me... I won't ever leave you... I will always be here for you...” he whispered to her. Kit closed her eyes, and let a tear roll down her eyes. Calvin reached for her cheek, and wiped that tear away. “We can always try again, Kit... we're not in a hurry to have a baby, right? Besides... I think it would be better if it's just the two of us for now. I won't have to be jealous of a little baby who will always have most of your attention.” he said. With what he said, he heard Kit let out a faint laugh.

Kit looked up at Calvin, and smiled at him. “Thank you...” she whispered. “Thank you for being my strength in times that I'm weak. Thank you for always cheering me up...” she said. “You know I'll do everything for you, Kit. I love you...” he said. Kit couldn't help but cry. Depite of the tragedy that befell them, Calvin is still here with her, always supporting her. Then, she hugged him. “I love you too... I love you so much, Calvin...'” she whispered. As she let him go from her hug, Calvin gazed into her face for a long time. Then, he gave her a long and loving kiss on the lips.

“You need to rest, Kit...” he said. Kit smiled faintly, and nodded her head. She then lie on the bed, and Calvin tucked her in. “When you wake up, I'll be the first person you'll see...” Calvin said. Then, he kissed her on the forehead. “Calvin...” Kit called. She held on to his hands. “Please stay with me... I... I'm scared...” she said. Calvin smiled at her, and nodded his head. He then lie on the bed, and he put his arms around her. Kit snuggled up to him like a little child. He watched over her until she fell asleep. Then, he kissed her lips, and closed his eyes to slumber beside his wife.

--

She found herself walking through an field filled with flowers. As she looked on the ground, she saw a set of foot prints, a track. She doesn't know why, but she began to follow those footprints. At the end of the field, she saw a Sakura tree, and under the Sakura tree, she saw a man wearing all white, standing with his back facing her. She stared at him for a long time, and then she realized that it's Danson. “Danson?” she called. Danson looked back at her, but the smile on her face disappeared when she saw his sad expression. “Danson?” she called again. Danson turned away from her, and began to walk away from her. She followed him. “Danson!” she called again. She ran after him, but on her way, she fell down. As she looked up, his image faded. “Danson!” she called again.

“It's over, Hannah...” she heard him say. She looked back, and saw him standing. “I... I don't love you anymore...” he said. She stood up, and walked towards him. She could not believe what he said. How can Danson fall out of love with her? Is there something that she've done that made him hate her. “Danson... why?” she asked. She was on the verge of crying. “Why?” she asked again. “You pushed me away...” he said as he lowered his head. “You still love him, right? You still have feelings for Arron... and I can't be with someone who can't love me with all her heart...” he said sadly. Hannah shook her head. “Danson, I love you!” she shouted. “I love you...” she whispered.

“He was never yours to begin with.” she heard a girl said. She saw a girl in white walk up to Danson's side. She held onto his hand, and as Danson looked at her, he smiled. “Danson is mine!” she shouted in anger. “He isn't. He is mine. From the start, Danson is mine. And I'm taking what is rightfully mine.” the girl said. Then, the two turned their back on them, and walked away. “No! Danson!” Hannah shouted. However she shouted, Danson did not heed her call. He never looked back at her. “Danson, don't leave me...” she said softly. She made a step to follow them, but she felt someone hold her hand. “Hannah...” a familiar voice said. She looked back, and saw Arron standing behind her.

“No!”

Hannah sat up on her bed. She felt her forehead filled with cold sweat. She sighed with relief as she realized that it was all just a dream.

--

“Aaron...”

Aaron looked back, and saw Robert coming up to him. “You've been staring outside the window for quite some time now. Is there something bothering you?” Robert asked. Aaron let out a faint smile, and shook his head before looking outside the window again. “I know you, Aaron. When you look outside the window for a long time, it means that something's bothering you... Is it that girl?” Robert said. Aaron let out a sigh before he began to speak. “You're right... it's about Hannah...” he said.

Aaron turn to face him. Robert could see the sadness in his face. “Why is it that when I try to do something for her, it ends up so wrong in the end? Why does she always have to run away from me, like I'm a ghost or something. All I want is to be close to her, to be friend her, and it seems that she wouldn't want to be friends with me. Robert, is there something wrong with me?” he asked in frustration. “Does she know that you are a royalty?” Robert asked. Aaron shook his head. “I've kept it a secret. And what's the difference if she knows I'm a royalty?” Aaron asked. “Well, maybe I'm thinking she got intimidated by you that's why...” Robert said.

Aaron sighed, and then he sat in front of his piano. “But I did something stupid today...” he said. Robert gave him a confused look. “I played that song she's playing... and then she got mad at me. She told me not to play her song anymore...” Aaron said. “A song? Why would Ms. Hannah ask you not to play her song?” the butler asked. Aaron looked at him and shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know. All I know is that her friend composed it, and that she doesn't want anyone to play it except for her.” he said. “Maybe that song is really special to her. Maybe her friend gave it to her a memory, that's why she doesn't allow anyone to play it except for her.” Robert said.

Aaron paused, and realized Robert maybe correct. “Could be, Robert...” he said. “If you want to know if I'm right or wrong, then why don't you check on her background. You know you have the power do that, Aaron...” Robert said. Aaron shook his head. “I can't, Robert. Maybe... maybe she'll get mad at me.”
“Then, do you want to find out?”
“I can find out by myself.”
“I don't think Ms. Hannah would give out an information just like that. Like you said, she always avoids you.”
“Maybe Daphne knows something about her...”
“Or maybe not. Maybe she have a past that she have not told anyone...”

Aaron looked up at the elder man. He was contemplating at his suggestion to make a background check on Hannah. “And you want to be close to her, right? Maybe you can use that information to be close to her...” Robert said. Aaron looked away from him. It's wrong for him to investigate Hannah just because he wanted to find out why Hannah wouldn't let anyone play that song, and it would be silly of him to do such things just to be close to her. “I don't know, Robert...” he said. “I really don't know...”

Labels: 99 Love Notes, fan fic