Sunday, February 21, 2010

Paper Stars - Chapter Four

Chapter 4 – Meet Me Halfway




It is midnight, and no matter how much she tries, Nadine couldn't bring herself to sleep. She sat up on her bed, and let out a sigh. “They say that if you can't sleep at night, it means, someone is thinking of you...” she said to herself. She smiled to herself, and wondered who could it be that is thinking of her. Would it be the friends she left behind in Manila? Would it be her colleagues who missed her? Or would it be the one God prepared for her?

She stood up and then went to the window and opened it. The night sky is clear. The moon is at it's fullest, giving light to the darkness in the whole of earth. The stars show brightly, as if they were like jewels decorating the night sky. Two particular stars caught her eye – it was the Vega and Altair. “I wonder if he is also looking at the same star as I am...” she thought. She smiled at herself again. She leaned to the window sill, and then looked up at the stars. She always does this when she couldn't sleep. She looks up at the night sky and adore the stars as they continue to shine brightly. Her father have told her before, the stars used to be the other half of a person's heart, and that they will continue to shine until the day you found your other half.

“Would it be possible for me, an ordinary girl, to be with a shining star?” she thought. She let out a sigh, and then looked up at the sky again. “What is the possibility, that out of the million people adoring you from below, you would be able to notice me? What is the possibility, that out of the million people roaming in this world, you will be able to find me?” she said to herself. “And would it be possible... that at this very moment, you are thinking of me, and wishing that you'll find me as well?”

Meanwhile, Jiang Wei just came home. The first thing he did was to sit on his favorite chair by the glass window, and look outside. It was a good thing that he decided to buy a unit in a high-rise condominium building in Taipei, rather than an ordinary house. He could clearly see the city lights from where he is. And most of all, he could clearly see the stars in the sky as they show brightly. As a child he have always admired the stars. He had this childhood dream before to be an astronaut and reach for them. “Vega and Altair... Zhi Nu and Niu Lang...” he thought. He have always loved the story of the weaver girl and the cowherd, even though it is heart breaking. Whenever he looks up at the stars, he imagined what could have been the life of Zhi Nu and Niu Lang before the magpies could make the bridge for the two of them. “Maybe Niu Lang is lonely, for Zhi Nu is not beside him...” he thought.

He may have the life he have always wanted. He maybe a superstar in his own right. But those things seems to be meaningless, for he have always felt incomplete. He never believed in love, or so he thought. Beneath his cold facade is a lonely man wishing to find the girl who will love him for who is. Someone who will accept his imperfections. Someone who doesn't care about his status in the society. He may have dated a lot of girls in the past, but he knew that they loved him because of what he is, and not because of who he really is. That's why he never committed himself to them. That's why he would often leave them when they start to fall for him. They never knew the real him, and even if he let them find out who he is, there is no way they will accept him as who he is. Whatever it is that they feel towards him, he knows that it is, and never will be love. It will only be lust. It will only be greed. It will only be out of vanity. In their eyes, he is Yu Jiang Wei, the superstar, the heir to the largest company in Asia. But inside, he is just Jiang Wei, a sensitive man who He smiled to himself, as he thought of himself as Niu Lang, always waiting for the day that he will be with Zhi Nu once again.

He closed his eyes, and made a sincere wish in his heart. “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight... wish I may, wish I might... have my wish come true tonight...”

--

It was a Saturday night.

Jiang Wei have arrived in the Yu mansion that evening. As he entered the mansion, he noticed they had that night. “Ah yeah, figures... I am supposed to meet the one I'm supposed to marry today.” he thought. He put his hands on his pocket, and looked down as he walked inside the mansion. Then, he heard something fall from the floor. He looked up, and saw a petite girl lying on the floor. “Ouch...” she said. He felt his lips curve into a smile as he watched her. He walked up to her, and then gave her hand to her. She took it, and stood up. “Thank you...” she said while fixing her white dress. She looked up at him, and she gaped upon seeing him.

“It... its you!” she exclaimed. “You must be Fang Li Xue? Uncle Qin Lang's daughter?” he asked. She blushed as she smiled, and then she slowly nodded her head. “T-thank you... It's v-very awkward to see you again in this manner. I... I'm not used in wearing heels?” she said. Jiang Wei folded his arms, and let out a laugh. She is clumsy, and unsure of what she is saying. Her nervousness could only amuse him more. Then, he remembered the first time she met her at his dad's office. She wore that same sweet smile that she have right now. And it was that smile that mesmerized him in the first place. “We met. At the office. Sorry that I had to run along that day...” he explained. “I... I understand. You are a very busy man, I know that.” she said.

She blushed again. Her rosy white cheek turned crimson. And the way she blushes could only make him like her even more. “So, you're parents are here?” he asked. Xue nodded her head. “I guess they are talking about business or something... it must be boring you to death...”
“I don't know anything about what they are talking about. Those business jargons could only make my nose bleed.”
“I feel the same way when I'm around dad...”
“But you do have a business degree, right?”

Jiang Wei smiled again. “How did you know?” he asked. “You... you are quite popular, and you see... I've read some of your interviews before...” Xue said nervously. “You're not one of those obsessed fan I have, right?” he asked. Xue shook her head. “I... I just read it somewhere...” she stuttered. “And you do seem to have a photographic memory, Fang Xiao Jie. You were able to remember it.” he said. Xue smiled, and nodded her head. Jiang Wei smiled at her again, and as he smiled, Xue could feel her heart beating faster and faster. “Since it seems your parents are busy discussing business with my dad, if you want, I can tour you around the mansion.” he suggested. Xue smiled at him, and nodded her head. “That would be great.” she said. Jiang Wei held her arms, and led her outside the mansion for a tour.

--

“Ate! You have some delivery!”

Nadine got up from the counter, and saw her brother, Angelo, holding a bouquet of flowers. “Where?” she asked him. Angelo then placed the bouquet of flowers in front of her. Nadine just stared at it, and then glared at him. “What?”
“Who sent these?”
“Your secret admirer.”
Nadine folded her arms, and let out a sigh. “Who gave these?” she asked. “I don't know. Why don't you take a look at the card for you to see.” Angelo said. Nadine grabbed the card and read it. “You are as beautiful as these flowers.” she read aloud. As she looked outside, she saw a man staring at her. She recognized him as Martin, the one who always delivers them fresh seafoods. Martin smiled at her, and she just nodded her head. “I thinkn it's Martin. I heard he's in love with you since the day you arrived.” Angelo said to her. Nadine sighed, and shook her head. “Too bad, he's not my type.” she said. Angelo gave his sister a confused look. “Not your type? Come on, sis... look at him. He's handsome, he's macho, he is the only heir to the business that supplies the whole Pagudpud fresh seafood. They have quite a few stalls at the public market, and all girls are into him. What's there not to like about him?” Angelo asked. “There is no spark.” Nadine said.

She took the flowers from the table, and grabbed a large vase. Then, she went inside the house. “Spark? What kind of spark are you looking for? What are you guys, electricity?” Angelo asked. Nadine began to arrange the flowers on the vase. “Look, Angelo... just because he is handsome, or rich, or almost perfect, everyone will fall for you. You need to have that something that will make that person love you. OK, let's say all the girls here in our town is in love with him, because of what you have describe of him, but I am not the kind of person that will easily fall for someone because of those things.” she said. Angelo folded his arms, and shook his head at his sister. “You know what you're so choosy. You've been rejecting your suitors, Ate. I wonder what kind of man would you love...” he said.

Nadine turned to face him, and smiled dreamily. “The man I'm going to love? He is someone who have something more to offer than what I'm seeing in him. He is someone with depth... someone who is willing to show me the other side of him that he never let other people see. When I think of him, I will smile like a fool for no apparent reason. He is gentle, and innocent... he will always do everything to keep me happy and smiling. He will look only at me, and for him, I will be the most beautiful girl in his eyes. He will always be there for me. He will save me and protect me, and he will always take care of me. He doesn't have to be the richest person in the world, but as long as he loves me, that's all that matters to me.” she said. Angelo sneered at his sister. “You're looking for impossible, ate. There's no such guy living in this century!” Angelo said. “But I still believe that one day, I will be able to see him.” she said.

Angelo just shook his head. “I think you'll grow old alone.” he said. He walked up to the couch, and sat on it. Then, he opened the TV. As Nadine turned to it, he saw that her brother is watching that Chinovela again. And the first person she saw on the TV screen is Jason Yu.

--

“Can you tell me something about Fang Li Xue? How did you know her? Why you two seems so close the last time?” Jiang Wei asked Ah Ren as he poured himself another drink. Right after having dinner with his family and Xue's family, he called Ah Ren and asked him to meet him at their favorite bar. Ah Ren pausd, and gave his best friend a confused look. “Why the sudden interest in Xue?” he asked. Jiang Wei smiled, and shrugged his shoulder. “I don't know... I just find her interesting.” he said.

Ah Ren let out a laugh as he shook his head. “You find Xue interesting... it's not like you to take interest in girls that easily.” he said. “I met Xue again today. I don't know, Ah Ren... it's just there's something in her that I can't explain. She is such a klutz, if you see her a while ago, she fell while walking.”
“It's because she's not used in wearing heels.”
“And she's cute when she's nervous.”
“She's usually shy around guys.”
“And she have the sweetest voice I've ever heard in my entire life...”
Jiang Wei sighed, and then turned to Ah Ren with a smile. Ah Ren studied his face. He have never seen that look on his face before. When he talked about Xue, he have this dreamy expression on his face. He looked like a man falling in love for the first time. “Are you in love with Xue?” Ah Ren asked. Jiang Wei paused, and looked at his best friend. “Why did you ask?” he asked in a confused tone. “You looked like a giddy school girl when you talk about her.” Ah Ren said. Jiang Wei looked away from him. Ah Ren could see him blush as he smiled. “Man, you are in love with Xue...” he confirmed. “I don't know, Ah Ren... it's just there was something in her... that day I met her? I felt so mesmerized by her. She looked so innocent and I feel like protecting her from the world... when I looked into her eyes, I felt like being lost in it. Then, there's this urge in me to do things that will make her smile...” he said. “And let me guess, your heart beats fast whenever he looks at her?” Ah Ren asked. Jiang Wei just nodded his head, and with that, Ah Ren laughed. “I knew it. You're in love. You have the signs of being in love, Yu Jiang Wei!” Ah Ren said.

Jiang Wei gave his best friend a confused look. “How do you know, Ah Ren? Have you been in love that you know about it?” he asked. Ah Ren stopped laughing, and looked at him. “Yes, I've been in love.” he said. “I've been in love with Fang Li Xue as well...” he wanted to say. “You have been in love... and did you have the same symptoms I had when you were in love with a girl?” Jiang Wei asked. Ah Ren nodded his head. He took his glass and gulped it down. “Well then, I guess I really am in love with Fang Li Xue...” Jiang Wei said.

Ah Ren looked away from him, and poured himself another drink. “Finally. Someone captured the heart of Yu Jiang Wei.” he said. He finished his drink at one go, and poured himself another. The fact that his best friend is finally in love with the girl he have been secretly in love with hurt him. But then, he have to give way to Jiang Wei. If Xue is the reason for him to change, then he will have to give way. Also, Jiang Wei is meant to marry Xue, and he knows that there's nothing he can do about it. Even destiny is against him in loving Xue. He just wished that the alcohol would help him forget all the hurt he is feeling right now.

--

“Nadine! Wait up!”

Nadine stopped walking at the shore, and looked back. She saw Martin rushing up to her. “Oh, hey Martin!” she said. Martin stopped in front of her, and tried to catch his breath. “Finally, I was able to get hold of you...” he said. Nadine just smiled at him. “About the payment for the seafood, I'll have it ready by this afternoon...” she said. Martin stood up straight, and shook his head. “No, I'm not after that, Nadine...” he said. Nadine could only give him a confused look. “It's not the reason why you followed me?” she asked. Martin smiled, and nodded his head. “Actually, I've been meaning to ask you something, Nadine...” he began.

Nadine folded her arms, and waited for him to speak again. “Nadine, will you go out with me on a date?” Martin asked. Nadine was taken aback by what he said. “Date?” she asked. Martin nodded his head. “There's a dance at the town this weekend. I would like to now if you're interested to go... and if you are willing to go with me...” he said. Nadine sighed, and let out a faint smile at him. She know that Martin likes her a lot, but the feeling isn't mutual. “Martin... I'm sorry...” she said. Martin gave her a confused look. “You don't want to go out with me?” he asked. Nadine nodded her head. “I have a lot of things to look after to... especially here at the resort. I don't think I can go with you to the dance.” she said. “Then, how about for dinner?” Martin asked again.

Nadine pursed her lips. She doesn't want to break his heart, but she also doesn't want to lead him on. “I know that you like me, Martin... but you see... I... I can't love you in the same way that you love me. I... I have someone that I already love...” she said. Martin's face turned sad upon hearing what she said. “Oh...” he said in a low voice. “I'm really sorry, Martin. I know you will find someone who will give you the love you've wanted. I'm sorry that it can't be me...” she said. Then, Martin let out a smile at her. “I understand, Nadine. But can we be friends?” he asked, extending his hand to her. Nadine smiled at him, and took his hand. “That will be great.” she said.

After a while, Martin said goodbye to her, and left her all alone in the shore. She turned and faced the sea, and looked at the island from afar. “I still have someone that I love... the one that I love all these years...” she thought to herself. She guessed that despite all these years, she will always be in love. Despite the fact that he have hurt her before, it will always be him. “Vanz...” she thought as she hugged herself. He is the reason why she could never bring herself to love again. As long as she have these feelings left inside her heart for Vanz, she will never be able to love another. And somehow, she wished that one day, all of her love for him will suddenly vanish, and that she will learn to love again.

--

The Yu and Fang family had lunch the following week All throughout, Ming Zhe and Qin Lang were talking about business, while Qin Lang's wife, Chen Yi, Xue and Jiang Wei just listened to them talk. All throughout the meal, Jiang Wei never took his eyes off Xue. Xue, on the other hand, blushed whenever their eyes meet. Since the day he saw her, she always occupies his thoughts. He always long for the day that he will see Xue again. He wanted to say something to her, and talk to her, but he's scared that he will stutter or won't be able to say the right words. And so, he just kept on staring at her all throughout. He's so scared of making a fool of himself in front of her.

“Jiang Wei...” he heard his father said. Jiang Wei looked up at him. “I think Xue have not seen the green house. Why don't you take her there after dinner. From what I know, Xue loves flowers...” he said. Xue blushed at what his father said. Jiang Wei nodded his head, and then turned to Xue and smiled. “Sure... I'll show her the green house.” he said. He saw Xue's cheeks turn crimson red again as he looked at her.

As promised, right after dinner, Jiang Wei toured Xue at the greenhouse. He loved the amazed look on her face as they enter the greenhouse, and saw a lot of flowers inside. “Wow, it's beautiful here...” she said. She walked up to a red rose, and then touched it. Jiang Wei heard her flinch in pain. He walked up to her worriedly, and saw her holding her hand. “The thorn got inside...” she said. Jiang Wei took her hand, and carefully took out the thorn from her finger. The mere touch from her soft hand is enough to make his heart beat fast again. As he looked up at her, he saw her smiling at her. “Thank you, Jiang Wei...” she said. Jiang Wei smiled back at her. “N-no p-problem.” he stuttered.

With that, Xue let out a giggle. “I noticed that you've been stuttering a lot. Are you always this nervous when you're with a girl?” she asked. Jiang Wei gave her a nervous laugh. “Yes... I mean no. I... I have n-never... b-been like... t-this...” he stuttered again. Again, Xue let out a warm smile that is making him melt. “It's OK. I'm like that whenever I see the boy I like...” Xue said. He could feel his heart breaking at what she said. “You... you like someone else?” he asked. Xue nodded her head. “Well, I g-guess you're having a hard time coping about this whole setup... you know... we're going to get married in the future, right?”
“No, no... actually, I'm very happy about it.”
“But... what about the guy you like?”
“I just hope he's happy with it as well...”
“Can you tell me something about the guy?”

Xue let out a smle, and then began to describe the guy she likes. “He have this big black eyes that sparkles when he smiled. His nose wrinkles when he laugh. His small dimple show up whenever his lips curve into a smile. He's really popular, and girls chase him... to bad, I can only watch him from afar...” she said. Jiang Wei took a deep breath to ease the hurt he is feeling. For the first time, a girl have rejected him. “Seems like you liked this guy for so long...” he said. Xue smiled, and nodded her head. “I liked him since we were in college.” she replied. “So, who is the lucky guy?” he said, letting out a fake smile. Xue laughed at him, and walked away from him. “Why do you want to know?” she asked. “Because I'll be your husband.” he said.

Xue turned to face him again, and walked up to him. “The guy I like... it's Ah Ren ge's childhood friend...” she said. Jiang Wei gave her a quizzical look. “I've known him since college. It was Ah Ren who introduced him to me. I don't think he could even remember who I am. He was the popular kid back then, and had a lot of girlfriends. Then, he became Taiwan's superstar. I guess he could not remember me, because I was nerdy back then. Anyways, why would he take a second look at a plain girl like me? I'm completely out of his league...” Xue said. Then, it him. Xue was referring to him. He suddenly remembered the nerdy girl that Ah Ren introduced to him, the one that always tails him. “It... it was you? You were Ah Ren's friend from his class?” he asked. Xue smiled and nodded her head. “So... that's why you seem so familiar...” he said. Xue smiled again, and nodded his head.

“You're wrong. I actually remember you. I never thought that you can be this... this pretty...” he said. “And now that I'm pretty, you were able to notice me.” she said. “But I noticed you before. It's just that you seem to always run away from me like a mouse whenever I approach Ah Ren...” he said in defense. Then, Jiang Wei took her hand, and looked her into her eyes. “Believe it or not... I think I like the nerdy girl from before. It's just that I thought she didn't like me at all... because she always runs away from me.” he whispered to her. Xue gave him a confused look. “You do?” she asked. Jiang Wei nodded his head. “You're not going to run from me this time, right?” he asked. Xue let out a laugh as she nodded her head. “I won't...” she said. Jiang Wei looked at her. He brushed the strand of her hair away from her face, and then he cupped her chin. He stared into her face for a long time, and then, he leaned down to her, giving her a loving kiss on the lips.

Labels: original story, Paper Stars