Sunday, February 28, 2010

Paper Stars - Chapter Six

Chapter 6 – The Storm



She watched them from afar.

She watched as he held her hand. She watched as he smiled at her. She watched as he laughed with her. She watched as he kissed her cherry lips. She watched as he embraced him, enclosing her in his arms like he will never let go. And all the time she was watching them, she could only feel fury for Xue. She wanted to take her place so bad. She wanted Jiang Wei all by herself for the rest of her life.

And she could not wait any longer.

She took a deep breath as she continued the two lovers as they were strolling by the lake. She have to endure this pain she is feeling for a while, for she knew it won't be long till she'll have him by herself. “Enjoy being with him, Fang Li Xue... for in the end I will have my last laugh on you...” she thought. She let out a smirk as she put on her sunglasses. “It won't be long, Jiang Wei...” she thought. “You will be mine. All mine...”

--

And the nightmares never ended. And It's always the same.

Jiang Wei always dreams of himself sinking and drowning into the dark waters. No matter how he tried to reach for Xue or Ah Ren's hand, he couldn't seem to reach it. Ah Ren have tried to save him by lunging into the water, but whenever he did that, he would only sink further into the abyss. The voice telling him that he deserve to die kept on shouting in his head. He felt like he is unable to breath, like all the salty water have taken over his lungs, suffocating him to his death.

But tonight, his dream is different. As he falls into the abyss, he saw a dark figure looking at him, floating above his head. “Save me...” he pleaded for his mercy. The dark figure just smirked at him. “Why should I? I think you belong to hell...” he said. The voice seemed familiar to him. He tried to reach for him, but the dark figure kicked his hand away. “You should die, Yu Jiang Wei. A man like you does not deserve to live after all....” he said. Then, he lifted his hand, and drowned him further into the abyss.

“Jiang Wei... wake up... Jiang Wei...” He slowly opened his eyes, and saw the worried look on Xue's face. He looked at the clock beside his bed, and noticed that it's only 2 AM. Cold sweats began to fall from his forehead as he sat up. “What's wrong, Jiang Wei?” Xue asked as she sat beside him. “I... I'm having nightmares....” he said. He caught up with his breath before he could speak again. “It... it felt all so real. I... I'm being drowned into the sea, and no one could help me. Then, someone is telling me that I deserve to die...” he said. Xue gave him a smile, and then cupped his cheeks. “Don't worry about a thing, Jiang Wei. It's just a nightmare. Dreams like that don't come true...” she said. He let out a faint smile, and nodded his head. “Maybe I'm thinking too much that's why I'm having these kinds of dream. I'll try not to think of anything.” he said. Xue smiled and nodded her head. “I think you should. Better go back to sleep now.” she said. She kissed him on the lips, and turned his lights off before retreating to her room.

As Jiang Wei lays down on his bed, he was hesitating to close his eyes, afraid to have that nightmare again. But his body is too tired from that day's activity, that he wasn't fight that sleepiness. And in the end, he gave in, and slept, and dreamed another dream.

This time, he found himself walking by the deserted shore. He was all by himself. As he looked down, he saw a blue paper star being carried by the subtle wave. He knelt down, and picked it up, then he stared at it for a long time. “Jiang Wei...” he heard someone calling him. As he looked back, he saw a girl smiling and waving at him. She was wearing a long, white dress. Her hair is long and curly. As she smiled, it's as if she was glimmering with the sun. He doesn't know why, but he found himself smiling as she walked up to him. “Xia Tian...” he called. He felt so giddy upon seeing her happy face. He immediately rushed up to her, and hugged her tight. As he let her go, he cupped her chin, and gave her a long and loving kiss on the lips.

--

“Are you ready?”

Pause.

She looked back at him, and stared into his eyes. “I've never been ready for this all my life.”

Smirk.

“You must be really excited to have him all by yourself.”
“I should. I've been waiting for so long. I can't bear seeing that bitch have the happiness I've always wanted for so long.”
“But you have to be careful...”

He walked up to her. He caressed her long hair as he inhaled her scent. “You don't want them to think that you're up to something, don't you? You have to gain their trust, my dear Pei Pei...” he said. The way he breathe in to her could only bring shiver to her spine. “I will make this work. I promise you that. I'll make sure our plan would work.” she said. He let out another smirk as his lips touched her neck. “I'm counting on you...” he whispered in her ear.

--

Nadine was busy doing accounting, while her brother is busy watching his favorite Taiwanese drama. After the commercial, a newsflash came on the screen. “There is a typhoon coming inside the Philippines' Area of Responsibility. At this speed, the typhoon might come to the country by tonight. It is expected to hit the Region 1 area by tomorrow.” the newscaster said. Nadine paused, and looked at the TV screen. “A storm?” she asked. Angelo looked at her, and nodded his head. “But it might hit us tomorrow...” he said. “Then I guess we should be take the necessary precautions before that storm hits us.” she said. “But I don't think it will come tomorrow. The newscaster said that there's a possibility that it would go to a different direction...” he said. “But still, we should get ready.” she said. “If it rains tonight, then we should worry about it.” he said.

Nadine could only sigh. She turn back to her work and let her brother watch his TV show in peace. “So, if it rains tonight, you have to help me fix the things around here at the resort tomorrow. Do you understand?” she said. “OK. But if it doesn't, you have to treat me for some ice cream.” he said. Nadine looked at her brother, and smiled. “Deal.”

--

It was a sunny morning, and Jiang Wei and Xue were outside the villa, taking a walk. Just then, Pei Pei came up to them. The two of them paused as Pei Pei approached them. “What is she doing here?” Xue asked as she glared at her. Jiang Wei could only sigh, and shake his head. “Good morning guys! Lovely day, isn't it?” Pei Pei said, smiling at the two. Xue sighed. She folded her arms, and rolled her eyes at her. “It was a good morning until you came.” she snapped at her. Pei Pei just smiled at her, ignoring her remarks. “I had a good morning, thank you very much, Fang Li Xue.” she said. Then, she turned her attention to Jiang Wei. “I hope you had one too, Jiang Wei.” she said. “What do you want? What are you doing here?” he asked. “Well, I'm here to invite you out for a dinner tomorrow.” Pei Pei said. “You and Jiang Wei are already through. Why do you have to invite my fiancee for dinner?” Xue said.

Pei Pei looked at Xue, and smiled at her sweetly. “It's just a friendly dinner, dear. You don't have to worry about a thing. And besides, I've long accepted that Jiang Wei and I can never be together.” she said. Then, she turned her eyes on Jiang Wei. “I hope you won't turn me down, Jiang Wei. Nothing will happen, I assure you. It's just a friendly, wholesome dinner... unless you want something naughty.” she said. Xue could feel the blood rising up her head again upon hearing what Pei Pei said. Unlike the last time, this time, she could no longer control her temper. “Look here, Pei Pei... I am not going to let you do something to my boyfriend!” she shouted at him. She was about to attack her, but Jiang Wei stopped her. “Look, Pei Pei, stop this and let me live my life in peace. We're through. I didn't love at all.” he said to her.

She could feel her heart being smashed into pieces at what Jiang Wei said. “You didn't loved me? I thought what we had was special for you...” she thought. She doesn't want their plan to fail, so she composed herself, and smiled at him. She chose to ignore what he just said. “I am just kidding, Jiang Wei. As if you don't know me. Anyway, I really hope you could go out for a dinner with me. It's just a friendly one, don't worry.” she said. Jiang Wei sighed again and shook his head. “Come on, Jiang Wei... for old time's sake. I promise, after this, I won't bother with you anymore.” she said. “What is it that you want from me, Pei Pei? If you're only doing this to win me back, then I'm sorry.” he said. He put his arms around Xue, and threw an angry glare at her. “Stop trying, Pei Pei. I will never come back to you.” And with that, the two lovers turned their backs on her, and left her alone.

Pei Pei could only watch as the two leaves her alone. Bitter tears began to fall from her eyes as she gazed at their backs. “You could never love me... don't you, Jiang Wei. But just wait and see... Tomorrow, you're going to be all mine.” she swore to herself.

--

Jiang Wei went down to the villa's recreation area, and there he saw Ah Ren and Chen Yi playing billiards. “Hey, guys!” he greeted. The two stopped playing, and smiled at him. “Oh, hey Jiang Wei! Hows your date with Xue?” Ah Ren asked. Jiang Wei could only sigh as he leaned on the billiards table. “It was OK. Until Pei Pei came.” he said. Chen Yi gave his brother a confused look. “Pei Pei came?” he asked. Jiang Wei nodded his head. “What does that obsessed girl want from our Ah Wei?” Ah Ren asked. “She's inviting me out for dinner tomorrow.” he said.

Chen Yi and Ah Ren stopped and looked at him with disbelief. “She wants to have dinner with you?” the two of them said in unison. Jiang Wei could only nod his head. “Well, I'm not surprised. That girl is really obsessed with you. Maybe she'll try to seduce you and then set you up so that Xue could see the whole scene, and she'll break up with you.” Ah Ren said. Chen Yi raised his eyebrow at him. “You and your wild imagination, Wang Xu Ren. And besides, isn't that the plot of one of ge's dramas?” Chen Yi said. Ah Ren could only shrug his shoulder. “I'm not sure what's inside Pei Pei's mind. She said it's just a friendly date, but I don't trust her with it being a friendly date.” Jiang Wei said.

Chen Yi put his arm around his brother's neck, and smiled at him. “Come on, give Pei Pei a benefit of the doubt. Maybe for her, it's a friendly date after all. I've explained your situation to her anyway. She have already accepted that the two of you can ever be together, and that you and Xue are together now. Why don't you give it a shot?” Chen Yi said. Jiang Wei sighed, and shook his head. “I don't know, xiao di. I don't want to go out with her, and give her false hopes. What if when I accepted her invitation, she thinks that I am trying to get back with her. And besides, Xue is not comfortable with the idea of me going out with my ex-girlfriend.” he said. “But what if she invited you for dinner to resolve the differences between the two of you? Or even if it's not, don't you think this is a good opportunity to tell her off?” Chen Yi said. “I think your brother is right, Jiang Wei. Use that opportunity to talk things through with Pei Pei, to resolve the issues you had with her, so that she won't bother you anymore. Why don't you give it a try?” Ah Ren said.

Chen Yi looked at Ah Ren, and smiled at him. Then, he turned to his brother. “Look, even Ah Ren is agrees with me. Go out with her.” he said. Jiang Wei is still unsure of what to do. His brother and best friend maybe right, but then he have to consider his girlfriend's feelings. “But what about Xue?” he asked. “If you want, I can go with you, ge. With me around, I don't think Pei Pei can do something to you.” Chen Yi said. “And I'll help you to explain everything to Xue. I'm sure she doesn't want some crazy girl ruining her wedding day, right?” Ah Ren said. Jiang Wei smiled at the two and nodded his head. “I guess I'll go and have dinner with her tomorrow. Just make sure the two of you will keep your promise.” he said. Chen Yi and Ah Ren nodded their heads. “And for that, how about a round of nine balls?”

--

Ah Ren found Xue alone at the garden that afternoon. As he looked at her, he noticed that she is in her deep thoughts. And knowing him, when she is spaced out, it means that she is worried about something. “Xue?” he called. Xue looked back at him, and gave him a faint smile. “Hey, Ah Ren...” she said. He walked up to her, and joined her at the garden. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asked. Xue just answered him with a sigh. “Come on... I know that when you're like that, it means you're being paranoid.” he said. With what he said, Xue let out a laugh. “You really know me well, Ah Ren...” she said. “Of course, we've been friends for so long. I know when something is bothering you. And I can guess that it's in the form of a human being in the name of Yu Jiang Wei.” Ah Ren said. “You really know me...” she said. “And you're worrying because Jiang Wei is going out for dinner with Pei Pei, right?” he asked. Xue nodded her head. “You know Xue... you should not be scared at all. Jiang Wei have never been serious with any girls, except for you. You should trust him. And besides, I know that even if Pei Pei strips in front of him, he won't dare to look at her.” he said.

At the last thing he said, Xue couldn't help but laugh. Somehow it feels good talking to Ah Ren, for she could forget her worries because of his funny remarks. “Will he run out of the door if Pei Pei stips?” she asked. Ah Ren nodded his head. “Most definitely. He only have his eyes on you, and if he dares to look at other girls, I will blind him with my two fingers.” Ah Ren said. Xue couldn't help but giggle at what he said. “Seriously, Xue... I think you should let him go. There are some issues that he and Pei Pei have to discuss. Jiang Wei have to give her the closure she needed so that she could move on. I bet you don't want to have any crazy girl barging into your wedding when the priest gets to the part, asking if there's anyone against your marriage, right?” he said.

Xue smiled at him. She held onto his arms, and rested her head onto his shoulder. “It's just that I feel insecure...”
“Insecure about what?”
“Pei Pei. Look at her... look at me. She's much prettier than I am...”
“Are you still thinking that way, Xue? Look at you? You're not the nerdy and shy girl I knew back in college, who wears thick eyeglasses and braces. You are beautiful now. And that beauty you have now is what Jiang Wei fell for, because you're not only beautiful outside, you're also beautiful inside.”
Xue looked up at him, and smiled again. “Why is it that you're good at making me feel good?” she asked. “It has always been my job to make you feel all right, when everything seems to worry you. Remember?” he said. “You know, Ah Ren... any girl would be lucky to have you as their boyfriend. I will definitely be envy of the girl you will choose to love...” she said. Ah Ren looked away from her, his smile slowly fading. If only Xue knows that she is the girl he chose to love. “Don't worry, even if I find myself a girlfriend, you will always be my priority.” he said. “Promise?” she asked. Ah Ren smiled, and nodded his head. “Promise.”

--

Pei Pei stared at herself on the mirror. She looked proudly at herself today. She wore a fitted red tube dress, and her lips had a ruby red lipstick on it. She let her curly hair down, and it accentuated the dress she is wearing. She is beautiful today. She readied herself for this day to have Jiang Wei by herself. She is now ready for revenge.

A tall figure walked inside her room, letting out a smirk at her. “Ready?” Chen Yi asked. “You know that I've always been ready for this day.” she answered. He let out a laugh as he walked up to her. He put his hands on his shoulder, and breathe into her ears. “You are beautiful today, Pei Pei... very beautiful...” he hissed at her. “I am Jiang Wei's, Chen Yi. I know you want me, but my heart will always belong to your brother.” she told him. “But my brother does not want you as much as I do.” he whispered to her. He turned her eyes on the mirror, and looked at her. Her eyes reflected the fear in her eyes as he touches her. “Why do I sense fear, my dear Pei Pei? Want to back out and lose Jiang Wei forever?” he mocked her. Pei Pei shook her head. “Then, show no fear, Pei Pei. Be confident. I assure you our plans will be a success tonight.” he said.

Then, he took something out from his coat, and handed it to Pei Pei – it was a gun. As she saw it, Pei Pei gave him a shocked look. “A gun? Why do we need a gun?” she asked nervously. “Relax, Pei Pei. You are going to use that to scare him off. Don't worry, it's not loaded.” Chen Yi said. “But why do I need a gun to scare him off?” she asked again. “Do you believe that you will have Jiang Wei by yourself simply by seducing him? I don't think so, Zhang Shao Pei. Do I have to remind you that my brother is in love with Xue?” he said. “Then... then all I have to do is...”
“You have to scare him off. Scare him that you will kill him or his little brother if he doesn't come with you.”

Pei Pei looked up at him. As of the moment, she isn't sure if what Chen Yi told him is the right thing to do. “It's not loaded. All you to do is point it at him, and hell be scared for his life that he will do everything to save his life. Or, you can have me as a hostage. I know he wouldn't want his little brother be hurt, and will do everything to appease you.” Chen Yi said. Pei Pei closed her eyes, and nodded her head slowly, much to Chen Yi's satisfaction. “Good girl...” he said. She put the gun inside her purse, and as he looked up at Chen Yi, he kissed her on the lips.

He left her with a smirk on his face. His plan will be in place soon. What Pei Pei didn't know, is that the gun is loadad, and will soon be the cause of Jiang Wei's death.

--

It was only afternoon, but it was already getting darker, as if it's already night time. Angelo and Nadine were outside, trying to all of their benches and umbrellas inside the house. “I told you it will rain!” Nadine said triumphantly at her brother. Angelo could only groan at his sister. He lost to the bet again, and he have no choice but to help her around. “Fine. You won this time!” Angelo snapped at her. Nadine could only laugh at him.

Just then, Mang Lito came up to them. “Hey, Nadine! I'm finished arranging and tying the boats in it's place!” he said. Nadine looked up to him, and smiled. “Thank you, Mang Lito.” she said. “I think this storm is stronger than the previous once, so we really should be ready. Make sure to secure all the windows and doors.” he said. Nadine nodded her head. “We'll do that, Mang Lito.” she said. “I'll get going now, and check on our house as well. If you need anything, just call me.” he said. Nadine smiled, and nodded his head. As soon as Mang Lito left, it began to rain hard. “Ate, I think we should get inside now. It's starting to rain.” Angelo said. “Then, better help me pull these chairs inside the house, will you?” she said. Angelo let out a groan, and then gave in to his sister.

--

It started to rain that afternoon. As the rain pours hard, Xue is getting worried. Tonight will be Jiang Wei's dinner date with Pei Pei. She doesn't know why, but she felt uneasy, she felt something will go wrong.

Xue heard footsteps from the stairs, and saw Jiang Wei and Chen Yi coming down. “Jiang Wei, are you still going to see Pei Pei?” she asked worriedly. Jiang Wei nodded his head. “I already gave my word that I will come tonight, Xue. Don't worry, Chen Yi is with me.” he said. “But, Jiang Wei... it's raining hard. Do you think you should just reset it for another day?” she adked. “Aiyo, Xue... don't worry about it. It's just a little rain. Nothing will happen, all right?” Chen Yi said. “But...”

Jiang Wei walked up to her. He put his hands on her shoulder, and looked at her into her eyes. “Xue, listen to me. I will need to end and clarify everything with Pei Pei tonight. I'm doing this for us. I'm doing this, so that she won't bother you or me anymore. Trust me with this one, Xue. Nothing will happen between us.” he said. Xue shook her head as she gave him another worried look. “I'm not worried about you being alone with her, baobei. I'm worried about you. I... I feel that something bad will happen. Please don't go... please...” she pleaded to her. Jiang Wei only gave her a smile. “Nothing will happen to me, trust me. And besides, not all instincts come true, right? I'll be back tonight, I promise you that.” He pulled her into a hug, and then kissed her on the lips. “I love you, Xue. Always remember that.” he said.

He smiled at her, and then turned to leave. “Jiang Wei!” Xue called him, but he didn't bother to to look back at her. “I'll be back before you knew it, Xue!” he told her as he waved goodbye to her.

Neither of them knew that it will be the last time that they will see each other...

Labels: original story, Paper Stars