Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Man-Hater - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – Making Things Right



He opened the door of his room, and carried the sleeping woman in his arm and laid her to his bed. He stared at her for a long time, then he kissed her on her forehead. “Goodnight...” he whispered to her. “Chun...” she called. She slightly opened her eyes, and held his hand. “Can you stay with me tonight?” she asked. Chun let out a smile as he nodded his head. “I will... don't worry, I won't ever leave your side...” he said.

He lay behind her, his arms wrapping around her small body. As he inhaled the scent of her hair, and as he listened to her breathing, he let out a smile to himself. “Don't worry...” he whispered to her. “Tomorrow, when you wake up, I will still love you, loving you more than you can ever imagine...” Then, he closed his eyes and slumbered beside the girl he loves.

--

Ella slowly woke up, only to find herself alone in Chun's bed. She looked around the room, and he was nowhere in sight. It was only last night, she heard Chun telling her that he will never leave her, and that he will always love her. But Chun is nowhere to be found now. “Great... he left me just when promised he will never leave me. Guess playboys will always be playboys...” she thought. She felt like she was a fool, falling for Chun's trap. She should have not believed him at the first place. She was starting to get mad at herself for making herself believe that Chun does really love her, and that he will change because of her. Grabbing a pillow, she buried her face on it and let out all of her frustrations. She was cursing Chun under the pillow. She was shouting, and at the same time, pounding her hand on the bed. “Damn you, Chun. Damn you, damn you, damn you!”

Chun opened the door, and saw Ella punching his bed. He could here the muffled curse under the pillow. He let out a smile as he walked towards her. “Breakfast in bed?” he said. Ella immediately stopped upon hearing his voice. She slowly looked up at him. She saw him smiling at him. She saw him holding a tray of breakfast. He sat beside her, and lay the tray of food in front of her. “I didn't wake you up, you must be tired after last night. Forgive me for leaving you for a while to cook your breakfast.” he said. Ella just stared at him blankly. “You thought I left you?” he asked. “I thought you decided to leave me.”
“I just couldn't do that.”
“Why not. You are Wu Chun, the playboy. You can leave a girl like a dirty cloth, when you're tired of playing with them.”
“Who says I am playing? And besides, you're not just a girl. You're a special one.”
“You and your flowery words.”
“You still don't believe me?”
“If I say that I don't?”
“Does asking your hand in marriage enough proof that what I say is true?”
“You won't dare do that.”

Chun just smiled at her. “Let's see.” he said He took a spoonful of food, and then feed Ella with it. “When do you think will you get tired of me?” she asked. “When I turn 101, I guess.” Chun said. Ella let out a smirk at him. “Oh, really. I bet by next week, you'll get yourself another girlfriend. Especially now that I agreed to be your girlfriend.” she said. “The only girl I want to be with is you. Put that in that small brain of yours, Ella Chen.” Chun said. “Are you sure?” she asked. Chun nodded his head. With that, Ella let out a sweet smile. “OK...” she said. “I think I believe you now.”

--

Chun put the keys in George's hand, and the latter could only look at him with surprise. “What is this?” George asked. “I'm conceding. You get the car.” Chun said. Mike and Show looked at each other, while George could only stare at the car keys in his hand in awe. “Oh, man... is this for real?” George asked. “Yep.” Chun said. “But that's your beloved car! You saved up for that, only to give it up to George. Does that mean you're giving up because of Ella Chen?” Show asked. Chun looked at him, and shook his head. “I won't I just want to make things right...” Chun said. “But your Gallardo... you love this car...” George said.

Chun nodded his head at him, and smiled. “I can buy all the Lamborghini Gallardo in the world, anytime that I want. But a girl like Ella Chen only comes in my life once. I don't want to risk what we have now just because of a stupid dare. So, can I ask you guys to keep this a secret from everyone?” Chun asked.

The three could not believe what he was saying. “Is this really Chun that we are talking to?” Mike asked. “You changed, Chun! Don't tell me that you are in love with Ella?” Show asked. Chun smiled at them again. “I am. And I love this feeling of being so in love with her.”

--

Chun stood before the elder man before him. The elder man looked at him blankly, despite the fact that what he said to him was supposed to shock him.

“I know that Ella Chen is your daughter.” he said once again. “I don't know Ella Chen.” Robert said. Chun closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “Why are you denying her? Why can't you recognize her? Was there something that she have done before that made you treat her this way?” Chun asked again. Robert looked away from the younger man. “I don't know her.” he simply said. Frustratingly, Chun pounded his hand on his desk. “Robert Chen...” he hissed. “I know by now, you are regretting abandoning her. And I know you will regret so in the future. Ella have worked so hard to gain your recognition... and your love. She suffered for so long just because you don't treat her like your daughter. She needs you. She loves you. Why can't you love her the way that she does?” Chun asked demandingly. “Because she is part of the past I want to forget!” Robert shouted at him.

Without any emotion in his eyes, he looked at Chun. “I was a nobody before, until I met my wife. To be where I am right now, I have to forget them. I have to erase my past and live a new life. If I will recognize Ella, all of my work will go down the drain. If I acknowledge her, and tell the whole world that she is my eldest daughter, my daughter from my first marriage, my wife will leave me and take away all that I have right now. She is a secret that I swear to keep for the rest of my life.” Robert said. Chun was stunned to hear what he said. How could someone be as selfish as he, to deny his own daughter just because he was scared to fall from the pedestal where he is standing right now?

“You are the most selfish man I have ever met...” he said. “For your status in the society, and for your wealth, you are willing to abandon your own family... that is the most selfish thing a human could do. Now I know why Ella hates you so much. Frankly, you don't deserve to be the father of a smart and wonderful woman like her. She's right... her father does not exist anymore. You don't exist for her in the same way that she doesn't exist for you.” he continued. He turned his back on him, and headed to the door. As he reached the knob, he paused, and looked back at him. He let out a smirk at the elder man. “By the way, I am marrying Ella Chen. I assure you that no matter what happens, I will help her make you fall down on your knees. I swear I will.” he threatened before leaving him.

--

He stopped his car in front of the building, and as he got out of his car, he saw Ella walking down the stairs. He let out a smile as he walked up to her. Ella, upon seeing him, couldn't help but smile and blush as well.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Wu?” she asked as she folded her arms. Chun mocked a pain expression at her. “Ouch, you break my heart, Ella Chen. Why do you always have to be so formal?” he said. Ella couldn't help but giggle at him. “Seriously, why are you here?”
“And why aren't you in your office, working your ass off?”
“A workaholic girl like me deserves a break from time to time.”
Chun smiled, and nodded in agreement. “I agree with what you said. All work and no play makes Ella Chen a monster boss.” he said. Ella let out a laugh at what he said.

“So, why are you here?” she asked. “I was actually here to ask this sexy hot thing to go out on a lunch with me. You may know her. She works at Polygon Designs. Not to mention, she owns it.” Chun said. Ella raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, I know her. She is such a busy girl. Have you made an appointment with her to have lunch with you?” she asked. “Aiyo... do I have to make an appointment with my girlfriend?” Chun said, rolling his eyes. His reaction just made Ella laugh once again. “Fine. You're in luck. She's out to have lunch. How about treating her to her favorite restaurant?” she asked. Chun smiled and nodded his head. “I'd love to.” he said. Ella let out a smile. She held onto his arms, and the two walked down to his car.

--

Chun sat in front of Rainie, as the latter look at him from head to toe, walking back and forth. “So, you're saying that you want to be with my best friend?” she asked. Chun nodded his head. “And you're seeking for my approval for you to date my best friend?” she asked as she glared at him. Chun nodded his head again. Rainie stopped walking. She put her hand on her waist, and glared at him. “No. I don't approve of you.” she said.

Chun's eyes widened with surprised. He never thought that convincing Rainie, a.k.a. His-ex-girlfriend-slash-his-soon-to-be-wife's-best-friend would be hard to convince. “Is it because of our thing back then?” he asked. Rainie shook his head. “I know your kind, Wu Chun. Playboy. Heartbreaker. No-strings-attached guy. All you wanted is to get laid. You will break my best friend's heart. And as Ella's best friend, it is my duty to protect her from jerks like you. Intiendes?” she said. “But, Rainie -”
“No buts. That's my final say. After this conversation, I want you to leave my best friend in peace.”
“I love Ella.”
“You don't deserve a good girl like her.”
“And who deserves her, that gay ex-boyfriend of hers?”

Rainie fell silent at what he said. “Look, Rainie. I know, I am nothing compared to Calvin. Because if I am, then may God forgive me, I am gay right now. But, I assure you one thing – and that is I love Ella more than anything else in this world... more than life itself. I am willing to give up everything that I have jut to be with her forever. I may not have that sunshine personality of his to always make her smile, but I sure have all the patience in the world to keep up with her moods. I may not sing her favorite song in front of a crowd, but I am more than willing to be bullied by her and get ridiculed by her in front of everyone. I love Ella. And I am going to change for her. I will be a better man for her. I am not making a promise to you, or to her, but I am telling you what I am doing right now for her sake. I know her story. I've seen her cry. I know how hard it was for her these past few years... and I wanted to be the man that will take away all the pain she is feeling... I want to be the man that she will turn to... the man that will make her retire the bitch in her... the man who will make her believe in love once more. Please give me a chance. I swear, I won't let you and Ella down. Please let me be with Ella...”

Somehow, his speech made the man-hater's best friend moved. “That was hell of a speech...” she muttered under her breath. As Chun was speaking moments ago, she could see the sincerity in his eyes. It's as if the man speaking before her isn't the same jerk that she dated and broke her heart. He wasn't the same playboy that she knew, but rather, the man before him became a faithful man, willing to do everything for her best friend. Chun was a completely different man. And it seems that her best friend made that change in him. “You got me there, Wu Chun.” she said. Chun let out a smile upon hearing what she said. “Thank you...” he said. “But, you will be under these eagle eyes of mine. If I caught you with another girl, I swear to beat the hell out of you, and you will never ever see Ella again. And if you break her heart, I swear to God, I will kill you with my bare hands. Do you understand?” Rainie said. Chun nodded his head.

Now that she have somehow given her blessing to the two, the only thing left if to convince Ella more that his intentions are real.

--

“So, I heard you had a heart-to-heart talk with Rainie...” Ella said as she and Chun were strolling down the part the next morning. Chun smiled at her. He put his hands inside his pocket, and nodded his head. “I did.” he said. “So, what did you tell her? You probably asked her back... I'm sorry to disappoint you, but my best friend is happy with her new boyfriend now...” she said. Chun could only let out a faint laugh at her. “I didn't ask her back. And even if she begged me to take her back, I couldn't...” he said. Ella paused as she gave him a smirk. “Oh, I forgot... once you're tired playing with a girl, it's over between the two of you, right?” she said. “Look, even if I ask Rainie back, do you think she will take me back? She hates every bits of me.” Chun argued. Ella nodded her head in agreement. “That's because you broke her heart.” she said.

She turned away from him, and continued walking. Chun followed her. “And if you must know, the reason I punched you that night is to avenge my best friend.” she said. A smile formed in his lips at her confession. “I know that.”
“And you must be mad at me for giving you a black eyes.”
“Actually, I was a little mad... but seeing that a cute girl like you could punch like The Rock, I kinda changed my mind.”

He walked up to her, and then he held her hand. He gaze into her eyes, and let out a smile. “I never met a woman who's like you... brave, assertive, independent, knows what she wants and what she don't wants... I got curious of you. I was challenged by you. The more that I get to know you, the more that I realized that, hey, this is the girl I've been looking for all my life... the one whom I want to love and be with forever.” he said. “Why me? There are obviously a lot of girls out there who are much prettier, much smarter than me? Hell, they are even richer than me. I don't have a model's body or as finesse as those socialites you date. Why me?” Ella asked. Chun let out another smile before answering her question. “Because you're you. I can have a hundred models and socialite before my feet, but they could never compare to you. You're one in a million, and if I let you slip away, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life.” he said.

Ella giggled as she folded her arms. “I think I know now why girls are going gaga over the great Wu Chun.” she said. Chun could only throw her a confused look. “You... you say the right words at the right time. You just know how to get into a woman's heart without trying so much. Hell, even the way you smile at any girl can make them pregnant.” she said. “Well, the playboy Chun was the guy you punched in the face that night we met. You never got to know her, and I think you will never get know him ever. The man facing you now is the brand new Chun, thanks to you.” he said. Ella narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. “Are you trying to flatter me?” she asked. “I'm just telling the truth.”
“So, can you tell me how many girls have you told those pick up lines to? Just curious.”
“One. Her name is Ella Chen.”
“Oh, come on...”
“That's the truth. I've never wore my heart on the sleeve, and get this mushy with any girl just to win this heart. If I want a girl before, I just have to smile her way, and voila, I can have her on my bed.”
“Too bad, your charms hadn't worked on me.”
“I guess that's why I'm crazy over you. You never fell for me... and I had to chase after you.”

Ella let out a sigh. “So, now that the chase is over... I mean, technically, I am your girlfriend... you will go back on your old ways, right? You got what you want...” she said. Chun folded his arms, and looked at her sternly. “Oh, yeah... I forgot... we haven't had sex yet. I jumped into your bed, but not to make love you... but rather, to sleep.” she said. “And cry.” he pointed out. Ella nodded her head. “What made you think that I will get tired of you?”
“Shouldn't you be? I mean, the chase is over...”
“Is it?”
Ella nodded her head. “As far as I'm concerned, I am still chasing you... wooing you till I make you believe that I do love you... until you learn to love me...” he said. As she looked into his eyes, he could see the sincerity in his words. And that sincerity just made her heart beat fast the longer she stared at him. “So, what if I fall for you?” she asked. Chun let out a smile at her. “Then, I'll catch you when you fall.” he said. “And the chase is over?” she asked. Chun shook her head. “It will just be the beginning.” he said.

She felt herself blush. She lowered her head as she let out a smile. She felt like a giddy school girl when she is around him. “OK, you said so.” she said. She reached out for his hand, and held it. She looked up at him, and gave her her sweetest smile ever.

And with that smile, without any words, Chun understood that finally, this man-hater have opened up her heart and fell in love with him.

Labels: fan fic, The Man-Hater