Saturday, February 6, 2010

Paper Stars - Chapter Two

Chapter 2 – A Superstar's Life


“You're leaving again?”

The girl said as she got up from the bed. She wrapped her naked body with the blanket, as she approached the man who's dressing up. “Yes.” the man said bluntly, not bothering to look at her. The girl just let out a sigh of disappointment upon hearing his answer. “Yu Jiang Wei... do we always have to be like this?” she asked. The man paused, and threw a glance at her. “Yes...” he answered again. He turned to leave, but the girl held his hand to stop him. “Jiang Wei...” she called. The man looked at her again, and as expected, he saw the sad look on her face, as if begging him not to go. “Please don't do this to me.... I... I love you...”

A tear rolled down her cheek as she begged her not to go, but Jiang Wei remained unmoved. “Xiao Yu... you knew from the start what I can only give to you. Loving you back would be too much.” he said without any emotions. “Then let me love you... I have enough love for the two of us, Jiang Wei...” Xiao Yu said tearfully. “You know my rules, Xiao Yu. You fall for me, it's over.” he said. With that, he pulled his arm away, and left her all along in the hotel room. He didn't want to see the tear from his eyes, for he knows it's his weakness. Xiao Yu is a nice girl, but he's not just ready for any serious relationship right now.

He was walking halfway through the hall, when he heard his phone ring. He took the phone from his pocket, and smiled as he saw the name flashing on the screen. “Wei? Ren Jie? Yes, don't worry... I didn't forget our date tonight. I'll be there... bye...” he said. He ended the call, then took the elevator.

He is Yu Jiang Wei – the Taiwanese Superstar. He is an actor, and a singer. He have made several dramas and movies, which were all hit in the whole Asia. He also had platinum albums under his belt, and his singles are always on the top of the charts. Aside from being a superstar, he is also very rich. He is the son of Yu Ming Zhe, the richest person in Taiwan, and one of the top business man in all of Asia. With his good looks and status, no wonder all girls are going crazy over him.

He stepped out of the hotel, and as expected, his black Rolls Royce waited for him. His chauffeur immediately opened the door for him. As soon as he got inside the car, his phone rang again. It was his handler, Yang Guo. “Jiang Wei! Where are you? The press conference is about to start!” Yang Guo said in a panicked tone. Jiang Wei could only laugh at his panic-stricken manager. “Don't worry, Yang Guo, I'm on my way.”
“Be sure to be here on time, Jiang Wei! You know how important this press conference is!”
“I know how important this is, Yang Guo. I'll be there on time.”

He ended the call, then he tapped his chauffeur. “Cai, we have to get to the press conference on time. You know what to do.” he told him. The chauffeur smiled at him, and nodded his head. “Yes, young master Yu.” he said. Then, he started the engine of his car, and sped up their way to the venue.

--

They were able to reach the press conference on time. It was held in one of the high-class restaurants in Taipei. The press conference is about Jiang Wei's new drama series entitled “The Last Sunset”, wherein he played a young, poor man, who fell in love with an heiress. He sat beside his leading lady, and enthusiastically answered the reporters' questions.

“Jiang Wei, how does 'The Last Sunset' differ from your other drama series?” one of the reporters asked. Jiang Wei Smiled as he took the microphone. “Well, my role in 'The Last Sunset' is very challenging. I play the role of a young poor man, who loves two things in life – playing the piano, and the beautiful and fair heiress, which is my leading lady.” he said, eying on Angeline Tsai, his leading lady. “I have to let out a lot of emotion in this drama series. Plus, the fact that I'm working with one of our the best actresses in this country makes it more interesting and different from my other drama series.” he said. He glanced again at the girl sitting beside him and smiled at her. As Angeline let out a giggle, the media began to tease them together, which made Angeline blush. “Angeline, Jiang Wei, how was it like working with each other?” another reporter asked. Angeline was the first to answer the question. “Jiang Wei is a real gentleman. He always helps me out, especially when it's a rather difficult scene. Not only that, he's so sweet! He always gives me food on the set, that's why I've gained weight.” she said. Then, it was Jiang Wei's turn to answer. “Angeline is such a sweet girl. He's very nice to everyone on the set. It's easy to work with her, and I look forward to be in another project with her in the future.” he answered.

Another reporter stood up, and asked a question to him. “Yu Jiang Wei, I heard your drama 'Forever and a Day' is a big hit in the Philippines. What can you say about this?” the reporter asked. “I'm so happy that they are enjoying my drama. I do hope they will also like my new series, as well as the other series that I have done. I'm looking forward to come to Manila to promote my series, and meet all of my Filipino fans.” he answered. “Eh, Jiang Wei... what can you say about the alleged sex video you had with a model, and her claim that you are the father of her unborn child?” another reporter asked.

The smile on his face began to fade upon hearing that question. He was not sure of what to answer, for he never thought that someone would bring that up. He knew he have to be careful in answering that question, because his name is not the only one at stake here, but also his father's name and reputation. He looked at Yang Guo, and he could see that his manager is nervous. Then, he turned to the reporter, and smiled. “I'm sorry, but I'm not aware that this issue would be asked today. I don't want to comment on this issue for now.” he answered confidently. He looked at Yang Guo again, and saw him sigh with relief. After he answered the reporter's question, the producer and Yang Guo ended the press conference, although the reporters still have a lot more to ask to the superstar.

He stood up from his seat, and then walked out of the restaurant. “Jiang Wei, I told you before that you should be more careful! Now, look at what happened. Did you know how this scandal will affect you and your dad?” Yang Guo told Jiang Wei as they walked out of the restaurant. “I know. That's why I didn't answer, OK?” he said in an annoyed tone. “But tell me, Jiang Wei... is there really a sex video of you and Ria? And are you the father of her child?” Yang Guo asked. Jiang Wei paused, and then glared at him. “How many times do I have to tell you, the answer is no. Are you doubting me?” he asked. “I'm just making sure. You know how your father will react if it's all true...” Yang Guo said. “Let me deal with my dad about this, all right?” he said. With that, he stormed outside, and got inside his car.

--

After the press conference, Jiang Wei drove Angeline back to her house. During the whole trip, Angeline was not speaking to him. “Is there anything wrong, honey?” he asked as he put his arms around her. She looked up at him, sternly. “Tell me, Jiang Wei, are those rumors true?” she asked in a hurt tone. He wrinkled his forehead when he looked straight into her eyes. “Are you talking about the model?” he asked. Angeline nodded her head. “I tell you, honey... it's not true. I dated her once, that's all...” he said. Then, Angeline smiled at him.

They reached their stop. Before Angeline got out of the car, he gave Jiang Wei a long, passionate kiss on the lips. “Wo ai ni, Yu Jiang Wei...” she said after kissing him. “Wo ai ni, Tsai Xi Zhen...” he whispered. He kissed her on the lips again before she got out of his car.

After Angeline left, he smiled at his chauffeur, who was watching them the whole time. “Envy?” he joked. “No, young master Yu.” Cai said. Jiang Wei laughed as he shook his head. “You should find yourself a girlfriend soon, Cai, so that you won't get envy with me.” he said. Just then, his phone rang. It was his younger brother, Chen Yi. “Wei, Xiao di?” he said. “Ge, sorry to disturb you, but papa wants to talk to you now...” he heard his younger brother say. “About what?” he asked in a confused tone. “I don't know. Just come over here at his office immediately. You know how much dad wants to wait, right?” Chen Yi said. “OK, I'm on my way.” he said. After ending the call, he instructed his chauffeur to drive him to the Yu Enterprise's head office.

--

Jiang Wei sat beside hi brother, Chen Yi, on the couch. They were inside their father's office at that moment. Yu Ming Zhe took a newspaper from his desk, and then placed it on the coffee table in front of Jiang Wei, for him to see. He saw that the headline on the newspaper is about his alleged sex video with Ria, a model. “Do you know what this scandal will do to our company's image?” his father asked sternly. Jiang Wei sighed as he looked up to his dad. “Pa, I don't think this will affect our company...” he answered.

Ming Zhe put his hands on his waist as he glared angrily at his first born. “Will not?! Yu Jiang Wei! You will take my position in the future. You will run this company in the future. You are my heir! Do you think it will still not affect our company?!” his father shouted angrily at him. “Why can't you just give that position to Chen Yi? He's much better than me... and besides, he knows this business more than I do.” he protested. Ming Zhe shook his head. “No. Bu shi. You are my eldest son, and by our family's tradition, the eldest son will always get the highest position in this business.” their father said.

Jiang Wei looked at his brother, and Chen Yi could only smile weakly at him. He feels sorry for his younger brother. It was him who have been helping their father all throughout, but his father have always been ignoring his hard work. “Pa, you don't have to worry about a thing. I have sent our lawyers to that girl to discuss some matters. I'm sure, the girl will keep her silence forever.” he said. Ming Zhe looked at his youngest son, and smiled, satisfied with what he did. “Good thinking, Chen Yi.” he said. Then, he turned to his eldest son. “And you... you tell me the truth. Are you the father of that girl's child?” Jiang Wei looked up at his dad before answering. He knew that the girl had other boyfriends when he dated her. “No. It could be another man's child.” he answered confidently. With that, their father sighed with relief. “Good... at least nothing will get in the way of your engagement.” Ming Zhe said. Jiang Wei didn't answer him when his father reminded him of his engagement to some unknown girl. It has been a tradition in their family, that the first born son will be married to the daughter of a family that their father have chosen. “By the way, Jiang Wei...” Ming Zhe said to him. “You'll be meeting Fang Qin Lang's daughter, so you better come home.

--

After their conversation with their father, Jiang Wei and Chen Yi stepped out of their father's office. “It seems that you really can't get out of that arranged marriage, huh?” Chen Yi said. Jiang didn't answer. Instead, he just let out a sigh. “I guess once you're engaged, you have to leave your old ways behind. You have stop playing around with girls, and you have to quit showbiz.” Chen Yi added. Jiang Wei paused, and then turned to face his brother. “Sometimes I wish I could take your place as the youngest son... so that I could do the things I want to do. You know that right from the start, I have no plans of taking over dad. You should be the first born, instead. You are more responsible than I am... I don't want to be pressured to do the things I don't want to do...” he said. Chen Yi let out a smile, and patted him. “Aiyo... don't be like that, Ge. Being the first born of the Yu family is always a good opportunity.” he said. “But you knew right from the start that there are other things I would want to do. I want to sing. I want to act. I don't want to get stuck inside the four corners of an office and sign some documents I understand. I don't want to marry a stranger. I want to go out and find the girl I will truly love... the one whom I will be with forever. I don't want to follow our family's tradition, because I know there something more to it...” Jiang Wei said. “You still have that idea, huh, Ge?” Chen Yi asked. Jiang Wei just nodded his head.

Just then, they saw their childhood friend, Wang Xu Ren, approaching them. Wang Xu Ren, or Ah Ren, is Jiang Wei's best friend. The two of them grew up together in the same neighborhood, and both of them went to the same school up until college. For him, Ah Ren is like his twin brother. “Director Wang! Aren't you supposed to be at work?” Chen Yi scolded him. Ah Ren just smiled at them. “Actually, General Manager Yu, I am working. Chairman Yu specifically asked me to do some errands.” he said. Chen Yi and Jiang Wei gave each other a confused look. Jiang Wei folded his arms as he turned to face his best friend. “And what did my old man asked you to do?” he asked. “Ah! I'm showing a guest. You see, she came here to see your father a while ago... but he said he have to talk to you about some things....” Ah Ren answered. Then, he folded his arms, and looked closely at him. “Tsk tsk tsk... you are a bad boy, Jiang Wei.” he said. Jiang Wei and Chen Yi could only laugh at what he said. “So, you're giving a tour to a girl?” Chen Yi asked. Ah Ren nodded his head. “And not just any girl. She is the future Mrs. Yu Jiang Wei.” Ah Ren.

Just then, as if on cue, a petite girl with long hair came up to Ah Ren, and held onto his arms. “Ah Ren, ge...” she said in a gentle voice. The moment she came, Jiang Wei felt as if he was hypnotized by her, for he could not take his eyes off her. He knew at that moment that he saw her, he have fallen in love with her. Ah Ren looked at his two friends and smiled. “Chen Yi, Jiang Wei... This is Fang Li Xue.” Ah Ren said. Li Xue smiled at Jiang Wei and held out her hand to him. “Hi...” she said shyly. Jiang Wei smiled back at her, and then he took her small hand. “It's nice to meet you, Li Xue...”

Labels: original story, Paper Stars