Another update for you reader.
i hope this one will be enjoyable. hmm...i'm having this feelign that i will be completing this one before all my other FFs. Not that i won't be finishing them, mind you. But i think my memories of this one is so fresh and new in my mind that i have to write them down before i get lazy and forget the storylines. so bear with me for the other ones, k? ^_^
Chapter 4: An Inconvenient Night
“Don’t even think of mentioning that, Chai. I’m still angry with you.”
“Hey, buddy, it’s not that bad,” Chai replied. “You just happened to have a bad day. I’m sorry I skipped out on you. It was all my fault.”
“You got that right,” Gun said. “Put that right into your head. Because of you, I ended up chasing that idiot of a criminal all over town, get scold by the sheriff, and now I didn’t even have dinner.”
“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you alone,” his friend replied. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Oh Gun, I have to go.”
“Fine. Bye,” Gun said and then shut his cell. Damn. Sometimes, he just wants to punch his best friend in the face. Fortunately, he knew the guy since they were children and they are best friends.
He sighed. Lately, he felt as if everything been going against him, as if a case of bad luck been after him. Today was no exception.
At first, the day was going great until he spotted a guy trying to rob an old lady. He and Chai chased the guy until they ended splitting up with Chai agreeing to get reinforcement. He didn’t expect that mid-way, Chai got sidetracked and left Gun to chase the villain alone. And that wasn’t all that was bad. After the villain was caught, Gun was taken in by the sheriff and was scolded for damaging public property. At the end, Gun was blamed for everything while Chai got off easily because Gun was the superior of the two and was responsible even when it’s not his fault.
Gun sighed. Sometimes, he had wished that he had taken a major in business instead of law enforcement.
Some career it turned out to be, he thought. It’s so unfortunate that he still love it even after this.
Spotting his house, he parked his car in front of the gate and then got out to open the gate. So annoying. Why didn’t he install the automated remote controlled gate like he had always planned to? It’s getting to be such a bother having to get out and open it for himself every night and then closing them afterward. It didn’t make it much better when he usually comes home late and tired from work. He unlocked the chain and pushed the gate open.
As he pushed the gate to the side, he became aware of a figure on his door steps.
“I must be going crazy,” Gun mumbled. He stopped in front of his gate and stared at his front porch for a moment. He cursed under his breath as he realized what the figure was.
Great. Just his luck.
First, he had to chase a criminal all over the damn county and then his boss exploded into rampage about the public properties and how he, as cop, has a duty to keep it safe and not destroying it. Then he found that he is starving from missing his lunch and then his dinner. Damn it to hell, he’s so tired and hungry he can’t even properly think straight. And now this?
Oh for Buddha’s sake, he has a bum sleeping on his front porch!
How bad can this day get? And the sun hasn’t even risen yet!
He strode over to the sleeping from of the women and leaned over her. “Miss. Miss. Get up. This is not a place to sleep.” She didn’t stir. He gave a desperate sigh and crouched down before her. Her back was facing him so he reached out to shake her. “Hey. Get up.”
Gun stumbled to his feet as the woman’s lifelessly fell back against the pavement. Startled, Gun stared at her for a speechless moment before his instinct took over him. He quickly got on his knees and checked her pulse. After feeling some life pulses from her, he relaxed; glad that is alive at the least. He tried to wake her up a few more times but was disappointed to realize that she was just passing out. In frustration, he cursed and tried to contemplate his next move. Unfortunately, his lack of nutrient and sleep took toll and his mind is blank.
“Gun.” At the sound of his name, Gun turned looked behind him to find his good friend and neighbor walked up to him. “I saw your car running outside and is worried something happened?” she informed and then her gazed went to rest on the unconscious form before him. “What happened? Who is she?”
Looking back at the women on the step, he sighed. “I don’t know. I just discovered her here. Vill, why are up at this time? It’s almost morning.”
“Like I said, I saw your car outside and came to check,” she replied, though her gaze is on the woman. “You better take her inside. It’s not good to leave her like that. She may get sick.”
“But—”
“There’s no but, Gun,” Vill cut him off. “She is woman. You can’t just leave her.
Feeling aggravated and annoyed, he tried to get out of it. “I don’t know her Vill. She can be a thief for all we know. I can’t just take a stranger into the house.”
Vill frowned at him. “Gun, you are a cop. It’s your duty to help those in need. And in this case, she is in need. Needless to say, it is what any Good Samaritan would do.”
Gun rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you take her in then?” he countered.
She gave him a reproachful look. “You know why I can’t.” She frowned at him and crossed her arms. Gun looked away. She was right.
Vill has a big family. She lives with her parent and three younger siblings. Their house is also pretty crammed to the point that she had to share her room with her baby sister. Besides, this is his problem. He would be a cad if he tries to throw it on her, even knowing that she would help the woman anyway if he refuses. Kindness is what she is made of.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “But don’t expect me to be nice to her. I have a hard day.”
Smiling, Vill helped him take the unconscious woman into his house and laid her on the couch. After feeling her forehead, Vill gave a sigh of relief. “She is lucky. No temperature. But her skin is ice. She must have been out all night.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you for bringing her in. I’m sure she’ll thank you when she wakes up.”
He rolled his eyes and looked away, crossing his arms. “I only did it because you brought up a good point. But don’t expect me to be nice. She better leave my house as soon as possible. I don’t feel like running a shelter.” With that, he strode up and stair to his bedroom and slammed the door behind him, never seeing the knowing smile that spreads on her lips as she watched him going up.
An hour later, Gun came out of his bedroom, drying his hair with a towel. He had just came out of the shower and changed into a comfortable sweat pant and top. After peeking around to make sure that Vill is gone, he walked into the kitchen to grab a carton of milk. But instead, he discovered a blue plastic bento sitting in the middle of the table with a small note. He smiled as he recognized the Vill’s writing. “For a stubborn bull who likes to give attitude,” he read. “Vill.”
He scoffed and shook his head in amusement. It is so like Vill. He smiled and sat down to eat. For a girl who used to be overly shy, she sure has a way to speak her mind.
After dinner, or should he say breakfast, was done, he walked into the living room to watch TV, forgetting for a moment that he have a house guess. After he saw her on the couch, he shook his head. Even now, he’s even deprived of television.
He walked passed her to the opposite side of the room, where there are glass sliding doors that led to the backyards. Opening it, he stuck his head out for a breath of fresh air. The air is cool and the sky is still dark. It would be a few more hours before the sun will rise.
Taking his fill of the morning air, he straightened up and shut the door. Then he sighed and against the wall to look at his sleeping houseguest.
Gun had seen his fair share of women, in and out of work, so it wasn’t hard for him to guess that this one is Hi-So. From the way she dressed down to her delicate features, she had rich written all over her. She is pretty, with soft brown hair and a delicate face. At the moment, she looks like an innocent angel in deep slumber. Who is she? Why is a Hi-So girl doing in this neighborhood and at this time of the night?
Granted, Phom Pre is a coastal town, but it’s not nice enough to attract the wealthy people. So why would a girl like her hang around at this time. She can’t be from around here because he knows everyone in the town. So why is she here?
He frowned. Why did he care anyway? He’s a cop, but out of uniform, it is his private life. He doesn’t want people coming in and going as they please.
And this woman is no exception. Come morning, he’ll get rid of her and it’ll be over with.
His decision made, Gun crossed the room toward the stairs, stifling a yawn. But half-way across the room, he paused as he noticed that the spare blanket Vill had covered her with had slipped down to her waist. Shaking his head, he leaned over her and pulled the blanket up to her neck before making his way upstairs for his long awaited rest.
------------9 AM THE NEXT MORNING----------------
The sun rays shining through the window woke Nalin up from her sleep. She squint her eyes from the bright light, she wondered if auntie Palai had just opened the window. Sitting up, she yawned, stretched, and rubbed her eyes. It was then that she realized that she wasn’t in her room at all. Surprised, she stood up and looked around the room.
The room isn’t that big, about half the size of her bedroom back at home. But it comes complete with a couch, a loveseat, and a television at the other corner of the room. The wall is bare saved for a few old photographs and a calendar pinned up the door. Frankly, it was just a simple, but comfortable room.
But how did she get here? What happened last night? All she can remember was that she ran away, gotten lost, have no idea where is was, and decided to find a place to stay. Then everything went black. Did she pass out?
“So you’re finally awake.”
Startled, she whirled around to find a tall man leaning against the doorway. He was dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt. He must be the owner of the house, she thought. Her next thought to thank him for letting her stay for the night but the look on his face tells her that he isn’t please to have her here.
“I—I’m—”
“You can leave as soon as you’re ready,” he said, cutting her off. “But you’ll have to answer some questions first.” His eyes scanned her from head to toe, making her feel small under his scrutiny. Something about the way he eyes tells her that he missed nothing. He kept silent and then looked over to the sofa, where half the blanket had slid off. Lyn blushed from embarrassment. What must he think of her, seeing the blanket all twisted and messy? “If it’s not too much to ask, please fold that blanket and leave it there. I don’t have time to take care of homeless people. This is my house, not a homeless shelter.” With that, he left, leaving Lyn stunned at his hostility.
As she went to fold the blanket, she wondered why he treated her that way. She doesn’t remember ever meeting him or having done anything to him. Is he upset that she stayed the night? But she doesn’t remember seeing him before she seen black. Come to think of it, how did she get in the house? All she can remember is knocking on the door and then everything dissolved into nothing. Had he discovered her at the door and brought her in?
Unable to answer her own questions, she quickly did his biding and the rushed out of the room. It was then that she found herself lost. Where is he? Did he want her to follow him or leave his house? She wasn’t sure.
Suddenly, as if by magic, he appeared from the opposite doorway. “Come in here.” He waved her after him as he went back inside.
Lyn followed him and found herself in a small kitchen. There was a stove, to one side followed by the kitchen counter and a fridge. In the middle of the room was a small table with four matching chairs, one of which he pulled out and sat down. Like the living room, this room was simple, clean, and comfy. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder that it lacks something.
Not knowing what to do, she continued to stand and look around until he gestured her to the chair across from him. After stumbling into her seat, he gave her a long appraisal, again making her feel small insignificant, as if she was some specimen being examined under the microscope.
“I found you passed out in front of my doorstep this morning,” he informed her, causing her to flinch from the sudden broken silence. When she kept silent, he continued. “Seriously, I don’t take well to strangers passing out in front of my house, but my friend begged me to bring you in. You know, being a good citizen and all. If was left to me, I would have take you to the police station for trespassing private property.”
Silence ensued as he suddenly became quiet and Lyn not knowing what to say. Lyn tried to best to not make eye contact with him, but she constantly found herself staring at him as if she cannot take her eyes of him.
Despite his nasty attitude, Lyn didn’t feel any danger from him at all. Something about him makes her feel safe. She reasoned this feeling from the fact that he had helped her despite not liking it. The fact that instead of calling the police and charge her for trespassing, he brought her in and gave her a place to sleep without knowing who she is or if he should trust her speaks louder than words. This stranger is not the cold person that he is trying to be.
Besides, she had considered herself a good judge of character, if she’s willing to put Nat’s fault aside. He is a good man at heart, despite all his mistakes. Lyn had learned that about him ever since they were kids. Nat may be a playboy, but that fault aside, he is the kindness person anyone will ever know.
But that doesn’t mean that she’ll be forgiving either. He had lied to her, betrayed her trust, and abused her love. There is no way she’ll be giving another chance.
The impact of a fist slamming onto the table snapped Lyn back to the present, making her jump. “Is there something on my face?”
Lyn blushed when she realized that she had been staring and that he caught her. “Uh—no. Sorry. I didn’t mean to—to—”
He rolled his eyes and then sighed. “Women,” he muttered. Then, he pointed to the blue portable bento on the table. “My friend just stopped by. She left these here for you. She was worried that you are hungry.”
Her stomach rumbled at the sight of it, causing her to blush. Why hadn’t she seen it there before? Oh yeah, she had been staring at her host the whole time. That causes her cheeks even more red. “Than—Thank you.”
He shrugged. “Don’t thank me. You should be thanking Vill. I want you out of the house ASAP.”
Lyn bowed her head. If he doesn’t want her here, she will not overstay his welcome. “So—sorry. I—I never mean to bo—bother you. I—I’ll leave now.” Stumbling to her feet, Lyn look around for the door. Spying one that might lead outside, she made her way towards it. Unfortunately, she suddenly feels lightheaded and would have fallen had strong arms not grabbed her in time.
The only arms that she was accustomed to were the ones that belonged to her husband and even his did not feel as strong and hard as this stranger. She almost gasped as she felt his arms wrapped around her waist and knees. Feeling embarrass at her weakness, Lyn kept her head down as he lifted her up into his arms and deposit her back onto her seat.
As soon as she was settled, the stranger leaned his face within an inch of her, making sure keep eye contact with her. “You can leave if you want…but until you answer some of my questions and eat what Vill had left you. I will not ruining my weekend putting bad host on my list of conscience. Vill will make sure of that.” He leaned closer to her, forcing Lyn to back up into her chair until every inch of her head and back pressed to the back of the chair. “Got it?”
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So what do you think of their first meeting? Writing Gun's character was a little hard for me since I'm portraying a guy who doesn't like to wear his feelings on his sleeve. anyway, hope you guys like this chapter. the next should be out sometime this weekend...if i get to it. saturday is my room makeover (getting rid of junks in my rooms) and sunday will be homework day (trying to get EVERYTHING DONE for the rest of the quarter). why am i doing all this? I'M GRADUATING SOON!!!! (next month in fact) *big grin* been waiting so long for this day.
