[Ron’s Point of View]
The room was dark and quiet. Tonight was just like another one of those nights. The silence is dreadful, and I would do anything to escape it. I leaned back in the chair, my hand reaching for hers. I gripped hers gently, careful not to hurt her, but badly wanting to feel her response in mine.
“You still haven’t woken up yet…” I mumbled softly by her ear.
Sighing, I dropped my head on the pillow beside hers. She’s been lying here for at least two months now, and still no improvement whatsoever. I couldn’t bear looking at her. It is just too painful, knowing that part of the reason she’s here is because of me. I’ve always told myself I was strong before, but right now I just feel so weak. I can’t help her in anyway. Slowly, I felt something soft, burning, wet, drip down from my eyes.
I held her hand in mine, placing it on my cheek, wishing to just feel her touch again. It was not the same. My eyes stared blankly at her closed eyes. She’s never looked so weak, so delicate as if each second, she is fading away from me. Gently I stroked her face, hoping with all my heart she would feel my touch, my love and open her eyes. My hopes fell lower each time I tried and no response.
“You’ve got to wake up…we still have a lot to face…please…I can’t do this without you.” I sobbed.
This was the second time in my life I have cried, and it’s for the very same person. I held her hand closer, wanting to pull her entire body into mine. I wish I could just see her eyes open, see her smile, feel her sweet, gentle touch, and hear her chiming little laugh. I just couldn’t stand to see her, so hurt and broken.
My hands swept gently and softly across her other hand, bandaged up from extreme impact that caused the bones to snap completely. I winced, trying to imagine how much pain she had felt. Then my hand slid over her shoulder, heavily bandaged, her bones broken, willingly. I could feel yet another tear fall from my eyes. Finally, I stroked her face once more, my fingers sliding back to the spot just behind her ear. There was a small yet thick piece of gauge there, stopping the heavy blood flow when she took the impact of a car, head on.
Unintentionally, I squeezed her hand. It was just too painful for me to sit here, watching as she struggled between life and death. I squeezed my eyes shut, silently sobbing in regret. My eyes shot open when I heard a long beep. Blurred with tears, I wiped them away only to see her heart rate dropping fast. Then, the machine only went on with a long, echoing beep.
My heart racing, I pressed the alert button as fast as I could. I wasn’t going to let her go. I’m not going to let her leave me, not again.
Almost as if time has stopped, I asked myself…what led to all this…what was the real reason?
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I am engulfed in silence. Even though I had everything I had ever dreamed of, I am still drowning in this dreaded silence. Here I am, standing over 200 feet above the beautiful city of Hong Kong, watching as the swift lights pass by under me. I’ve never felt so powerful. Everything was in my control. In other words, I could very well say that I am on top of the world. Yet I am still missing something. Something that I would gladly trade all that I have for. Something I know I will never get back.
Looking down, I could feel my head spin in circles. The lights were blinding. The noise down below were ear banging, but yet silence still lurks around. Slowly, I moved my arms up, hugging myself, cold from the chill of the soft breath of wind. Tonight’s wind is very soft, very still, yet I could still feel it, creeping down my back. I could feel it well, just like all the guilt that surrounds me, the regrets that I’ve tried to hide, the love that I’ve tried to forget, everything.
Bitterly, I look over at the building across from me, just as tall as this one I’m standing on. All the lights were turned off, and the cold reflections only showed me the worse, what I had hoped not to see. In the black windows, I saw a girl, standing there in a long, beautiful strapless black dress. She was smiling, bitterly, her eyes about to cry, and her arms desperately hugging herself, protecting her helpless self from the coldness of the night. I was looking into a window. I was looking at me…
“Tavia!” a voice called from behind me. “Tavia get down! Please!” he yelled again.
I couldn’t hold myself back. Helplessly I let a streak of tear fall down my cheek. I couldn’t turn back, I just couldn’t. I can’t bear the fact of looking at his face. If I did I wouldn’t be able to let go of him. It is just too hard.
“Tavia please!” he pleaded. “I’m begging you…get down from there…it’s dangerous!”
I could hear his footsteps move closer to me. I could hear his warmth coming closer. Yet, I just couldn’t turn back to him and fall into his arms like how we used to be.
“Tav…it’s over…everything’s over…please…just get down…” he sighed.
I didn’t want to talk to him, I didn’t want the thought of him to hold me back any longer. I knew clear and well that what I’ve done could never be fixed. I knew that I’ve hurt them all so much. I knew that I could never rewind time and make everything better. I knew that this is the end, the end of everything, the end of my world, the end of my reach for desire.
“Tavia…” he whispered close by. “It’s all over…but we can still fix everything…slowly.” He paused, thinking hard about two people I know. “Even though…there are some things that can’t be fixed…we can still face it together.” I could feel his arm slowly reach out for me. “I love you…”
Painfully, I forced my eyes closed, able to feel the tears slide down from my face. “I’m sorry…” I whispered to him one last time. I took a deep breath, my last breath. With my mind fully made up, I fell…down to the million lights below…just waiting for me…
I asked myself…what led to all this…what was the real reason?
~*~
Three Years Ago…
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
The streets were busy, just as always. My eyes were everywhere, wandering from store window to store window. Those mannequins are so elegant, wearing the latest fashion and looking beautiful in them. Then I see those girls, strolling down the side walk casually with their bags tossed behind them as they walked. They seemed to be on a catwalk rather than just strolling casually. Their high heel stilettos, their designer brand jackets, their beautiful silky hair.
I looked down, wishing I could someday be just like them. Then I laughed at myself, viewing myself from a different perspective. I was pathetic. I couldn’t even find a job. Sighing, I gripped the packet of job applications in my hand. I’ve looked through them before, and if it isn’t a fast food restaurant or some job in a night club, there was absolutely nothing else. It seems a change in my life will be harder than ever.
“Tavia Yeung!” a loud, booming voice startled me from behind.
I turned around smiling, knowing exactly who the voice belonged to. “What are you doing here Young Miss Wu?” I asked her, trying to imitate the same exotic accent that her driver had.
“Hey…Chad’s accent is not that weird…Young Miss Yeung.” She laughed, copying the same accent imitation.
I tried not to giggle, but I just couldn’t hold back.
“So what are you doing? I saw you from afar, and the lights changed twice…you still haven’t crossed.” Nancy pointed out.
“Really? I guess I wasn’t paying attention. So why exactly are you here? I thought your dad made you go to an internship thing?”
“Ah…that old man has no idea what he’s doing. I told him clearly that I hate business and accounting…and he decides to send me to his friend for internship on business and accounting. Besides, I’m going to help you get a job.”
“Thank you!” I replied happily in a high pitched voice. “But I seriously think your dad is only doing you good.”
“Ah I’ll find my own job and stuff. Come on…let’s see what we have.” Nancy spoke, looking through my pile of applications.
“Honestly…are you planning on sticking with this your entire life?!” Nancy asked in shock handing me back the pile. “Come on…” she sighed, pulling me towards her car.
“Where are we going?!” I asked in a hurry.
“To get you a job!” Nancy demanded, laughing afterwards.
I sighed, shaking my head. This was my best friend, random, spontaneous, and…well…just downright Nancy. Now if only she would stop worrying about me, and more on herself. Everyone knows she’s been having relationship problems, but no one could really help her. Or at least she wouldn’t let anyone. I shook my head again, running faster to keep up pace with her so that my arms won’t be pulled out of my sockets.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
I leaned on my desk, about ready to close my eyes and fall asleep. It’s been a long day I thought, until I took time to look at the clock. The clock read 3:30 PM, not even close to evening. I had forgotten to pull the blinds up, no wonder I’m so tired and it seems like night time already.
“Mr. Lam, there’s someone here to see you.” My secretary, Kate spoke.
“Send them in.” I replied, pulling up the blinds.
Sitting back in my desk, I tried to prepare myself. Knowing my life, it would either be some business partner of my dad’s I still have to get acquainted to, or some new client I’ll have to please. I sort through the files quickly, memorizing my lines of introduction and offers I have to give. It was such a pain as I rubbed my sleepy eyes.
The door opened, and it was definitely no one I had expected. I couldn’t imagine these two ladies walking in so sudden, without a prior call of notice, but at least they’re not some traditional business man, looking for an old school company. No, they’re far from that. At least that one girl I know, standing there, smiling devilishly beside her friend who I’ve not met.
“How can I help you ladies today?” I asked, pushing away my thick pile of papers.
“Cut the crap Raymond. I heard you’re still looking for an assistant.” The girl in the black vest and white graphic tee spoke, sitting down.
“Hey…I’m just trying to sound professional here Miss Wu. Who’s your friend?” I asked Nancy.
“Oh…this is Tavia Yeung.” Nancy introduced. “She’s looking for a job right now, and I figured since you’re looking for a personal assistant…well you know…”
“Here’s my resume…and although it says I’ve worked in bars and night clubs before, I’m not those types of girls…” Tavia spoke nervously as she handed me a blue folder.
I nodded. I couldn’t help looking at her, dumbfounded. She was such a beauty, and yet she is shy in a way. I smiled softly at her. Then I turned to Nancy, knowing I will have to thank this girl for introducing me to Tavia. Now I know I can’t let Tavia pass me by. Though I don’t know her well, someone like her definitely deserves a look into.
“It’s okay…night clubs and bars are fine with me. Now…um…when can you start working?”
“Does that mean I got the job?!” Tavia asked, excited.
“Uh…yeah…” I answered, realizing I’m still smiling at her. “Stupid” I thought to myself. “How about I give you my card…and you meet me at my house tomorrow morning?”
“At your house?” she asked, a bit surprised I’m guessing.
“Don’t worry, I know where he lives…I’ll drive you there.” Nancy whispered to her friend.
“So tomorrow morning…my house…okay?” I checked.
She nodded. I couldn’t help but wonder about this girl. She’s so different from all the other girls that Nancy had introduced to me. So different that I might think she’s just acting. No matter, I’ve already decided. This girl has definitely gone through many jobs. I took a look at her resume, and nearly 8 of the pages were lists of her previous jobs. The problem is, she’s never stayed at a job longer than a month.
“Thank you…um…Mr. Lam…” Tavia spoke.
“Call me Raymond…or you can call me Rayray like Nancy.” I smiled, knowing she’ll slap me sooner or later.
“I was five thank you very much!” Nancy immediately defended herself. “Your dad called you Rayray so I thought I would too!”
Tavia only laughed.
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