Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Paper Stars - Chapter Seven

Chapter 7 – His Death



The rain had stopped the evening.

The car stopped by the well-known yacht club in Kaoshiung. “Here?” Jiang Wei asked his brother. Chen Yi took off his seatbealt as he nodded his head. “This is were Pei Pei said that you two will have dinner.” Jiang Wei didn't know why, but suddenly, his heart began beating fast. He could feel something is wrong with the set up. “It should be at the restaurant here, right?” Jiang Wei asked. He and Chen Yi got out of the car and went inside. Chen Yi shook his head. “They have a membership here, right? And her dad owns a yacht here... maybe you two will have dinner there.” Chen Yi said. “I have a bad feeling about this...” he said worriedly. Chen Yi smiled at him as he patted his shoulder. “Relax. Pei Pei is a small and fragile girl. I don't think she can do anything to you.” Chen Yi said. “But what if she did?” Jiang Wei asked again. “That's why I'm here, remember?” he said. Jiang Wei let out a sigh, and nodded his head. “I'll trust you on this one, Chen Yi.” he said. Then, he made his move to find Pei Pei's yacht. As Jiang Wei walks away, Chen Yi watched him, and let out an evil smile. “The mistake you did tonight is to trust me, ge ge...” he said to himself. Then, he went on his way and followed his brother.

Jiang Wei was able to find Pei Pei, as she was standing outside her yacht. “I'm so glad you were able to come, Jiang Wei...” she said. She walked up to him to kiss him on the lips, but Jiang Wei turned away from her, much to her disappointment. “I came here to end things between us for once, Pei Pei, not to get back with you.” he said firmly. Pei Pei let out a sexy smile at him. “I know that. It's just a friendly kiss, Jiang Wei. Friends also kiss, remember?” she said. Jiang Wei sighed, and shook his head. “Let's get this over with.” he said. He went inside the yacht, and Pei Pei and Chen Yi followed him inside.

--

The strong wind began to blow.

Nadine was trying to sleep, but the window rattling with the wind had kept her up. She sat up from her bed, and let out a sigh. She walked up to the window, and tried to close it, but the strong wind still blew it. Tired to wrestling with it, she just decided to leave it open. “There are no stars tonight...” she thought as she looked outside the window. “Of course, there won't be any stars tonight... there's a storm coming. How can there be a single star on this stormy night?” she thought. She's used to seeing stars whenever she open her window. But tonight, the night sky is bear. Then, droplets of waters began to drop from the sky. Like the stars, Nadine loves to watch the rain as it pours down from the sky. Although it's already dark, she could somehow see the rain as it showers down the ground. She reached out her hand, and felt the rain as it falls down. It was cold, and she loved the coldness that she is feeling.

Just then, she felt her heart beating fast. She took her hand inside, and felt her heart, hoping to tame herself down. “What is this? Why do I feel scared all of a sudden?” she thought. It's like she's feeling that something bad will happen – not to her, but to someone else. She looked up, and saw a single shining star up in the sky. “How come there is a star on this stormy night?” she thought. She took a deep breath to calm herself down. “Maybe I'm thinking too much...” she said to herself. She then closed the window (which is much easier to close now), and then went back to sleep.

--

“Cheers.” Pei Pei said to Jiang Wei as she raised her glass. Grudgingly, Jiang Wei took his wine glass and raised it to Pei Pei. “Cheers.” he said monotonously. “For your marriage, and your happiness, Yu Jiang Wei.” she said. Then, she drank up her wine, and so did Jiang Wei. Pei Pei looked at Chen Yi, as if telling him that they have to start their plan. Chen Yi got what she was trying to tell her, so he stood up from his seat. “Chen Yi? Where are you going?” Jiang Wei asked. “I think I forgot something inside the car. Let me get it for a while.” he said. He could see the scared look in his eyes as he was about to leave. “Don't worry, ge. I'll be back soon.” he said.

Chen Yi left the two alone inside the yacht. There was an uncomfortable silence between the two. “I think I should get going, Pei Pei.” he said. “Are you sure? I've prepared some desserts. Ice cream, your favorite.” she said. “I don't think I would want to have some dessert now.” he said. He stood up from his seat, but as he stood up, he felt dizzy. His head was aching, and his surrounding seems to be swirling. Suddenly, he felt weak. He felt that his knees would buckle, and he would fall down anytime. He was losing his balance, he reached up for the chair so that he could stand up. “What's wrong, Jiang Wei?” Pei Pei asked worriedly. “I... feel... dizzy...” he said. Pei Pei stood up from her seat to help him up. “Are you OK? I think you've drunk too much wine...” she said. “I... don't... know...” he said weakly. He held on to Pei Pei for support, but then he feels even more weaker as each second pass. “Why don't you sit for a while and rest?” she said. Jiang Wei held on to the chair, but as he pulled it to take his seat, he fell down on the ground, losing all of his consciousness.

As Jiang Wei fell almost lifeless on the floor, a smirk curved into Pei Pei's lips. “Stay for a while, Jiang Wei... or better yet, stay with me forever.” she said. As she turned around, she saw Chen Yi smiling evilly at her. “Good work, Pei Pei...” he said. “Good work...”

--

“Now, it's time for our next plan. I've instructed the captain, and he will bring you to Malaysia. From there, you will get the fake passport from one of my men. It's all up to you to hide my stupid brother... no matter which country is it. Just make sure to bring my brother as far away from this damn place.”
“Do we have enough time before he wakes up?”
“The drug is strong enough to make him sleep till tomorrow.”
“But what if he did wake up before we reach Malaysia?”
“You have the gun, don't you?”

Pei Pei gaped in shock at what Chen Yi said. “I told you, it's not loaded, Pei Pei. You can't possibly kill Jiang Wei by scaring him off with a gun.” he said. Pei Pei looked away from him, and her reaction gave away the fear she is feeling right now. “You can't turn back now, Pei Pei. I thought you want to be with my brother?” he said. “B-but what if he resisted? What if -” He put his finger on her lips to silence her. “Relax, my dear Pei Pei... That's why you'll make him believe that you are threatening me. You have to make him believe that I am your hostage, and then he will all be yours. He can't let his own brother die, can't he?” Chen Yi said. Pei Pei closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “Don't you want to be with him forever?” he whispered to her. Pei Pei just nodded her head. “I... I'm going to do this...” she said. Upon hearing that, Chen Yi let out a smile. “That's my girl...”
he said as he caressed her cheek.

--

Jiang Wei slowly opened his eyes. He woke up with an aching head. He couldn't remember what he have done that made his ache like this. “Damn hangover...” he thought. More to the headache he is feeling, he is also feeling queasy, as he felt the yacht moving. He turned to his side, and opened his eyes completely. He was shocked to see the sight before him – it was his own brother tied down and lying beside him unconsciously in the pool of blood. “Chen Yi!” he shouted. He walked up to him, and shook him to wake him up. “Chen Yi, wake up!” he said in a panicked tone. Chen Yi slowly opened his eyes, and looked at his brother weakly. “Ge...” he said softly. “Xiao di, what happened?” he asked. He pulled him up, and cradled him in his arms. He touched his blood with his hand, and stared at it. “Hold on, Xiao di. I'll ask for help, OK?” he said. He stood up, and ran back inside the yacht, but before he could, reach the door, Pei Pei came out, giving him an evil smile. “So, you're awake...” she said. Jiang Wei stepped back, as Pei Pei walked closer. He looked at her suspiciously. “You planned this all along, didn't you?” he said. Pei Pei let out an evil smile at him. “Planned? I guess so. I am planning to make you mine, forever.” he said. He looked by the sea, and saw that they are already far away from Taiwan. This made him more alarmed. “What are you doing, Pei Pei? Turn back this boat to Taiwan now!” he commanded her. Pei Pei ignored him. Instead, she just let out an evil smile. “And why should I do that? So that you can go back to your beloved fiancee?” she said.

He looked worriedly at his brother, who seems to be getting weaker and weaker. “Ge...” Chen Yi called. “What did you do to my brother?!” Jiang Wei asked in angry tone. “Relax, Jiang Wei. Your brother will be OK.”
“Turn this yacht back now!”
“No.”
“What has gotten into you? My brother is dying!”
“Don't worry, Jiang Wei. As soon as we reach our destination, I'll make sure that your brother will get the best medical attention money can get. But that will still depend on you...”

Jiang Wei gave her a confused look. “W-what... what do you mean?” he asked. “If you tell me that you will be with me forever... if you tell me that you will love me, and only me. If you tell me that you will follow me wherever I go, then I will spare your brother.” she said. He could not believe what she just said. “Are you out of your mind?!” he exclaimed. “It's all that I'm asking for... in return for your brother's life...” she said. “No! I could never love you, Zhang Shao Pei. I don't love you, and will never will. Xue is my life. She is my present and my future. You can't force me to love you.” he said. Pei Pei let out a smirk as he looked down at Chen Yi. “So... you're saying that you will not do anything to save your brother's life?” she asked. Then, she turned to him, and walked closer to him. “We are a hundred miles away from Taiwan now, Jiang Wei. You can never go back and see your beloved Xue. Are you sure you want your own brother die because of your love for her?” she asked him.

Jiang Wei looked at his brother worriedly, then he looked back at Pei Pei. “Don't do this to me... don't make me choose between my brother's life and Xue...” he said. “If you love your brother enough, then you will come with me. You will dump Xue and be with me forever.” Pei Pei said. A tear formed at the corner of his eyes as he looked at Chen Yi. This is one of the hardest decisions he have made in his life. His own brother is dying, and yet he can't do anything to help him. He's got no other choice but to go with what Pei Pei want. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He have to do something to save his brother somehow. “What now, Yu Jiang Wei? Your brother's life depends on you...” Pei Pei said. He bit his lips, and slowly nodded his head. “I'll be with you...” he said. With that, a smile formed in her lips. “Just turn this boat back to Taiwan now.” he said.

Pei Pei shook her head. “Who said about going back to Taiwan? We are not going back to that damned place.” she said. Jiang Wei gave her a surprised look. “But you said -”
“I said as soon as we reach our destination. Taiwan is not part of my plan.”
“My brother is dying, goddamn it! Turn back now, Pei Pei!”
“No.”
“Zhang Shao Pei! You promised! You promised you'll let my brother stay alive if I'll be with you!”
“Can't you wait a while until we reach Malaysia? I'll still be needing your brother as my pawn... I need something to hold on to so that you'll keep your promise.”

Jiang Wei could only glare at her. “You bitch...” he muttered. He made a step towards her. He wanted to hurt her so much for not keeping her promise. “If you will not turn this boat back to Taiwan, then forget it.” he said. As he made his step towards her, Pei Pei took out a gun, and pointed it at Chen Yi. “What?” she said to him. At that moment, Jiang Wei got scared. If Pei Pei pulls the trigger, he knows it will be the end for his brother. “Stop this, Pei Pei...” he said. “What?!” she shouted at him. Jiang Wei fell silent as she glared at him. “There is no way you will keep your promise, am I right? I know you won't. And you know what, Yu Jiang Wei? I'd rather have you and your brother dead. I'd rather kill you than have some other girl take you away from me!” she shouted at him. He lifted up his both hands to calm her down. “Stop this... please... stop playing games...” he said weakly. He stepped back, until he reached the rail of the yacht.“I am not playing games, Jiang Wei. I'm serious. I'd rather that you die right now, that lose you to some stupid girl.” she said.

Then, Pei Pei pointed the gun at him. This scared Jiang Wei the most. Suddenly, he could see his own life flashing before his eyes as the gun points at him. “Pei Pei...” he said weakly. “Die now! You deserve to die!” Pei Pei shouted at him. Then, she pulled the trigger. A loud shot was heard all over the ocean. That shot have startled Pei Pei, making her close her eyes in fear as she pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, Jiang Wei got startled by the gunshot. He thought Pei Pei have really shot him. He lost his balance, making him fall into the ocean. As Pei Pei opened her eyes, she found Jiang Wei gone, and a trace of blood was the only mark left of him.

She suddenly felt fear enveloping her whole body upon realizing what she have done. “Oh my God...” she said weakly. Chen Yi, who was only acting weakly that time, got up from floor. “Ge!” he shouted. He struggled free from the rope that tied him, and then walked up to Pei Pei. “Oh my God... I didn't mean... I didn't know...” Pei Pei said. She shook her head as her body was trembling in fear. “What did you do? Why did you kill my brother?!” Chen Yi shouted angrily at him. Pei Pei turned to face him. He could see the fear and panic in her face. “I didn't know! You said the gun wasn't loaded!” she said. “I'm sure it wasn't loaded, unless you did put some bullets on it!” he shouted at her. Pei Pei looked at the gun she was holding. Then, she slowly fell on the floor. “I killed Jiang Wei...” she said in a low voice. “I killed the only man I loved...”

She buried her face on her palms and cried. Chen Yi knelt down to her, and held her tight. “Ssshhh...” he said, calming her down. “I killed Jiang Wei! I killed him!” she shouted at him. “We didn't know the gun was loaded, Pei Pei...” he said. Pei Pei released herself from his hug, and looked at him worriedly. “What should I do? I can't go back to Taiwan. They will find out I killed Jiang Wei... they will find out we lost him. They will throw me to prislon, Chen Yi! They will throw me to prison!” she cried to him. Chen Yi cupped his face, and looked into her eyes. “Listen to me, Pei Pei... listen to me. We will go back to Taiwan. We will clean up this mess that you made. We will think of a good alibi for Jiang Wei's loss. You will not go to prison, as long as you take my lead.” he said. Pei Pei nodded her head. “I'll follow whatever you tell me to do. I... I don't want to go to prison. I can't go to prison...” she said. Chen Yi nodded his head, and then he hugged her tight. As he hugged her, an evil smile was formed into his lips.

Finally, his brother is gone. And the girl he loves is ultimately hers.

--

“Wei Xun, we'll be heading back home.”

The young man look at the elder man, and nodded his head. “Should I pull the nets now?” he asked. “Yes. It's better that we didn't get any fish that be stranded here. The storm is coming, as I've heard on the radio.” the elder man said. Wei Xun began to pull the net from the sea, and as he was doing that, he saw a human figure floating at the sea. “Ge! Ge! Come here!” Wei Xun shouted. The elder man went to him. Wei Xun pointed at the floating figure at the sea. “A man?” the elder man asked. “Ge, let's help him.” Wei Xun said. The elder man nodded his head. Then, he moved their boat to help the floating man. As soon as they are near him, Wei Xun took out a ropa, and threw it at him. Jiang Wei took the rope, and got into their boat. “Thank you...” he said wearily. Wei Xun was surprised to see who that man is. “Yu Jiang Wei?” he exclaimed. Jiang Wei smiled at him, and nodded his head.

Jiang Wei sat by the floor with a towel wrapped around him. Then, Wei Xun got out, with two cups of hot tea for them. “Please drink this, Master Yu...” Wei Xun said. Jiang Wei took the cup from him. “Thank you, Wei Xun.” he said. He sipped his tea, and Wei Xun watched him. “Maybe you're wondering what the hell I'm doing at the middle of the see at this time of the night, right?” he asked. Wei Xun laughed, and nodded his head. “I guess I am. I'm wondering why a superstar like you is in the middle of the sea. Are you filming a new movie?” he asked. Jiang Wei shook his head. “You wouldn't believe what happened to me...” he said hesitatingly. “You can tell me. I'll believe you.” Wei Xun said.

“My ex-girlfriend tried to kill me.” Jiang Wei said. As expected, he saw the shock on the young man's face upon saying that. “Really?” Wei Xun asked. Jiang Wei nodded his head. “We were on the yacht. She asked me out for dinner, she said that it's only a friendly one. I believed her, and so I went. Then, she drugged my drink, I passed out. When I woke up, I saw my brother tied down and had blood all over him. I asked her to turn the boat, but she said she wouldn't turn back the boat till I promise her that I will be with her forever. I said I will, so that she'll turn back the boat... I'm worried because my brother is hurt. He's weak and he needs to be rushed to the hospital. But then, she didn't want to go back home. Instead, she wanted us to go to Malaysia, get married, and that will be the only time that she will let my brother go.” Jiang Wei explained. “So, you didn't agree?” Wei Xun asked. Jiang Wei nodded his head. “I am just worried about my brother... then she took out this gun and pointed at him, then at me. She said that she would rather kill me than have other girls have me.” he said. With that, Wei Xun let out a laugh. “Well, I guess she really love you so much. Your story... it's really like one of those dramas my sister used to watch. Don't worry, as soon as we reach Kaoshioung, we'll report everything to the police. I'll be your witness.” Wei Xun said. “Thank you, Wei Xun. I want her to be arrested for hurting my brother. By the way, you guys are going back to Kaoshiung now?” Jiang Wei asked. Wei Xun nodded his head. “There is a storm coming. We had to get back before it gets us. Besides, we can always sail and get some more fish as soon as the storm is over.” Wei Xun said. “Thank you so much, Wei Xun. Thank you for helping me out.” he said. Wei Xun smiled at him, and shook his head. “Don't mention it. Besides, it's not like everyday we catch a superstar at the sea.” he said. Jiang Wei looked at his wrist. Then, he took out the watch he is wearing, and gave it to Wei Xun.

Wei Xun stared at the watch that he is handing over to him. “It's a thank you gift...” Jiang Wei said. Wei Xun looked shyly at him, and shook his head. “Aiyo, master Yu, you don't have to do this...” he said. “No, I insist.” he said. He took his hand, and put the watch on his wrist. “As soon as we reach Kaoshiung, I want you to work for me, all right? I owe you my life, Wei Xun. Giving you a much better job and this watch is not enough to tell you how grateful I am that you saved me.” he said. Wei Xun's face lightened up at he looked at the watch Jiang Wei had given him. Never in his lifetime have he imagined that he will be able to have such an expensive watch. “Jiang Wei, young master... t-thank you... xie xie ni... I promise to take care of this.” he said. Jiang Wei smiled, and nodded his head. “You should. That watch is important to me.” he said. Then, he put his hand on his head, and ruffled the young man's head.

--

The rain started to fall, and it poured hard. That night, the storm finally came.

From his sleep, Jiang Wei could feel the boat rocking to and fro. With this, he decided not to sleep. He got out from the inside of the boat, and saw Wei Xun and his elder brother, Wei Liang trying their best to hold on to the sail. “Damn this storm!” he heard Wei Liang said. “Why can't it wait till we reach the bay?” he muttered. Jiang Wei rushed up to them, and helped them with the sail, much to Wei Xun's surprise. “Master Yu, what are you doing?” Wei Xun asked. “I'm helping you. We all have to go back to Kaoshiung...” he said. “Master Yu, it's better if you go back inside. Leave everything up to me, and to my brother.” Wei Liang said. Jiang Wei shook his head. “Let me help you...” he said. “But Master Yu -” Wei Xun protested. “I can't let you do all the work.” he said. Wei Xun and Wei Liang looked at each other, then they turned to Jiang Wei. “If that's the case, Master Yu, please help Wei Xun steady the sail while I run the boat.” he said. Jiang Wei nodded his head.

They tried to keep the sail steady, but the strong wind is making their task much harder. As the boat ricked to it's side, Wei Xun lost his balance, making him fall on the floor, and let go of the rope he was holding. “Wei Xun!” Jiang panicked. He let go of the rope, and reached up to Wei Xun to help him up. Wei Xun looked up at him, and then saw the horizontal part of the sail coming up to him. “Master Yu! Look out!” he shouted. Jiang Wei look back, and the wood from the sail's frame hit his head. He rolled at the other side of the boat. “Master Yu!” Wei Xun shouted. The wave from the sea was so strong, that it was almost devouring their old fishing boat. The wind was so strong, that the sail's frame fell from it's place. “Wei Xun!” Jiang Wei shouted at his friend. He reached Wei Xun's hand before the sail could finally fall, and pulled him to his side for safety. They thought that it was the worst that could happen. But then, another big wave came, making their boat fall into it's side. For the second time that night, Jiang Wei fell into the salty water. Wei Xun, who is still inside the boat, did his best to reach up to him. “Master Yu! Hold on to my hand!” he shouted at him. Jiang Wei reached for his hand, but as Wei Xun was about to pull him back, a bigger wave came, making their boat sink this time. As the boat sink, Jiang Wei felt something hard hit his head. He struggled to swim up to the surface, but he felt weaker by each second.

Before he knew it, his weak body fell lifelessly into the salty water.

--

“Xue... Xue... wake up...”

Xue slowly opened his eyes, and she saw Ah Ren sitting beside her with a sullen look on his face. Xue rubbed her eyes as she sat up. She turned the lamp on, and then looked at Ah Ren. “Is there something wrong?” she asked. Ah Ren nodded his head. “I... I received a call from Chen Yi.” he said. Xue looked into his eyes, and there was this sadness in his eyes that she could not explain. It's as if she was about to receive a bad news from him. “Chen Yi? Where is he? Where is Jiang Wei? Tell me, where are they?” she asked. “Chen Yi... he... he is at the docking bay here in Kaoshiung with Pei Pei...” Ah Ren said. “Aren't he and Jiang Wei coming home yet? It's already late!” she said.

Ah Ren looked away from her. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. “Ah Ren... what's wrong? Where is Jiang Wei? Why isn't he home yet?!” Xue said. She tugged his arms to force an answer from him. “They... they are looking for him.” Ah Ren said. Xue could only give him a confused look. “What... what do you mean they are looking for him?” Xue asked. Ah Ren held on to her shoulders, and looked into her eyes. “You have to be ready for this, Xue. Jiang Wei... he... he have gone missing.” he said. With that, Xue's jaw fell open as she fell silent because of shock.

--

He felt his body floated into the sea. If he had the remaining strength, he would have swam up the surface, but then, he felt weaker and weaker. “This must be my end... after all, I deserve to die...” he thought. He felt as if a whirlpool is taking away his soul, and that he have left with no choice but to follow it's flows. He let the waters take him wherever they please. He let the water take him to his death. He have lost hope that someone would be able to save him. No one can save him now. He was not able to save his own brother, why would he expect someone will come to take him out of the sea. As he felt himself sinking into the abyss, he could see his whole life flash back to him in an instant. He could see him and his younger brother together. He could see him and his family. He could see his life as an actor, the girls he played with, the women he tried to love.

And he saw her, the only woman she have loved in his lifetime. “Xue...” he thought. He is looking forward to spend forever with her, but that would not happen anymore, unless he find the courage to swim against the strong waves. “I love you, Xue... I will love you until my last breath...” he thought.

Then, there was darkness.

And amidst that darkness, before he could finally lose his consciousness, he felt someone take his arms away and pulled him out of the water.

Or was he imagining things?

Labels: original story, Paper Stars