Fan Fiction |
by MetalAZNWarrior
Rose (Kenix Kwok) returned to the Kams' apartment soaking wet. There was no one at home in 8A. Everyone was still at the party in the Seks' apartment. Water leaked from Rose onto the hardwood floor, creating a trail of water as Rose made her way to the bathroom. She turns on the light and shuts the door. She faces the mirror on top of the sink.
She looked pitiful. The droplets of rain and tears had smeared her make-up. Her hair was stringy and flat. Slowly, she unravels herself out of her clothes until she was completely naked in front of the mirror.
Rose walks over to the bathtub and turns on the water. She watches the water as it fills up the tub. She adds soap into the mixture, creating a warm and inviting bubble bath. She climbs into the tub and gives an exasperated sigh.
Mixed emotions danced around in her mind. Angrily, she shouts, "Kam Nin, you bastard!"
Rose had wanted to give Ah Nin (Frankie Lam) a surprise by coming home early, but it was she who was surprised instead. "I let you out of my sight for a few days... and you fall into the arms of another woman? How could you!"
As angry as Rose might be, she knew the only person that was to blame was herself. She had given into trust. She had believed Ah Nin too much. She was naiive and ignorant enough to believe someone else's word. Trust had once again lead to a devastating crash. She submerges herself into the water, hoping to drown everything out. Long ago, Rose had vowed never to trust again.
[Flashback]
Everyone knew the Suens in Shanghai. Their family had a long history, starting most prominently during the 1930's. Since that time, the Suens were both respected and feared. Fortunately or not, Rose was born into this heritage. Thirty years ago, Suen Seung Sam breathed her first breath.
Countless people tended to her every need. She was a happy child because everyone was always around her, making her feel loved. While the other children grew up on the streets, Rose grew up inside the Suens' mansion. She was only allowed on the streets and mingled with people "below her class" strictly on special occasions. Surprisingly, Rose failed to become snotty. She was sweet and treated her servants with care. She even took in Michael (Kevin Cheng) and saved him from poverty and despair.
Mr. Suen (Michael Miu) was proud of his daughter and often commented, "She really has a 'high-quality' heart!"
When Rose reached the age of secondary school, she begged her father to allow her to attend a traditional school like other people her age. She was tired of being home-schooled by a tutor. Secretly, she also desired to be a part of the life that she saw when she looked out of her window. Mr. Suen threw a storm of protest at the request, but gave in when his daughter broke down into tears.
Word quickly traveled around Shanghai regarding Rose's upcoming attendance to Shanghai's most prominent secondary school. Parents warned their children, who would become classmates with Rose, to never offend her. Most people were scared and curious. Some were tempted to disobey. Others saw opportunity.
Rose arrived with a bang and quickly became the most popular student. Everyone knew who she was. Rose warmly welcomed the friendships and felt so blissful. She even found love in the very first month. Bobby (Sunny Chan) nervously approached Rose one day during lunch. Before he had a chance to introduce himself, Rose turned around and gave him an endearing grin.
Bobby's mouth grew dry. He thrust a bouquet of red roses into Rose's face and stutters, "R-r-o-os-ses f-f-o-or t-t-the r-r-o-ose i-i-in m-my h-h-e-ea-ar-art."
Rose's eyes travel from the fragrant bouquet up to Bobby's face. She could see how bashful and nervous he was. She accepts the bouquet and gives a warm nod, "Thank you." Seeing that Bobby would be too embarrassed to ask her out, Rose asks, "Do you want to see a movie together on Friday night?"
Bobby's eyes widen and a huge smile appears on his face, "Y-yes! I would love to."
Since this first encounter, Rose and Bobby became a pair. One evening, Bobby confessed that he had a crush on Rose since the first day he met her. However, he was too scared to approach her because of her status.
"Am I really so scary?" Rose laughs. He blushes. She was touched by his sincerity. "Thank you."
"What was that?"
"Thank you," Rose repeats.
"What for?"
"For another fun date and being a sweet boyfriend."
Bobby stutters, "T-t-tha-ank y-y-ou f-for gi-iving m-me t-the o-o-op-portun-ni-ity t-t-o b-be y-y-you-ur b-boyfriend."
Rose giggles, "You're still nervous around me, aren't you?"
"O-o-f c-co-ourse n-n-not!"
"You're still stuttering!"
Bobby turns a shade of red. Rose plants a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for having the courage to approach me."
The coupling of Rose and Bobby was soon the rage in the school. Everyone admired the two as being the "perfect couple." He was tall and athletic while she was elegant and beautiful. The two were delighted to hear all of the praises.
The school's annual play was coming up and Rose wanted to take part. She had taken interest in acting since she was young, but was never given the chance to try it out. Rose hoped to land any role, even a tiny one, in the play, which was "Romeo and Juliet" that year.
After auditioning, Rose received the good news that she was cast for the leading female role, "Juliet." She was so surprised and happy that she cried. Rose stayed up night after night memorizing and analyzing the play's script. She put her whole heart into it and hoped to deliver a good performance.
"I'm so excited!" Rose said to Bobby one day at the ice cream parlor.
He gave no response. He looked lifelessly into his melting ice cream bowl.
"Bobby, what's wrong? You've been down these days."
He gives her a weak smile, "I'm fine."
"Tell me. I have a right to know."
"Are you implying that you will agree to become my wife?"
"What?"
"Only wives have the 'right' to know things about her husbands."
Rose winks, "Maybe I am. No, seriously, tell me what's wrong."
Bobby sighs, "Oh, all right. It's my father."
"Uncle's not sick, is he?"
"That would be better than the trouble he got us into now."
"What happened?"
"My father's a gambling addict. He owes a huge debt and our family is getting harassed by the loan sharks."
Rose gasps, "That's terrible!"
"I know... I'm afraid I might have to drop out of school to help pay off the debt..."
"You're still a student! You won't make enough anyways."
Bobby shrugs, "I can't just sit around and do nothing, can I?"
"How much does uncle owe?"
Bobby bites his bottom lip, "$100,000."
Rose scoffs, "Only $100,000? Don't worry about it. I'll tell my daddy and we'll loan you the money."
"No, I can't take your money!"
"We're a couple. We share ups and downs."
"Thank you."
The school's play was going to open in a week and Rose wanted to give her fellow co-stars a small treat. She had gone to the bakery to pick up fresh cakes and buns for everyone to enjoy. She decided that it would better if her treat was a surprise, rather than her just showing up with sweets for everyone. She came to rehearsal extra early and hid inside of the red curtains.
She giggled silently imagining how surprised everyone would be when she burst out of the curtain with boxes of cakes. Her peers were indeed wondering where she was. What Rose hadn't imagined, however, was what she would hear from them. Inside of the red curtain, everyone's voices merged into one nasty voice to Rose's ears.
"Who does she think she is?"
"She is holding us up!"
"Rose doesn't deserve the leading role."
"What are you talking about? She auditioned and landed it fairly! You're just jealous."
"From what I've heard, Rose's family bribed the leading role into her hands."
"Are you serious?"
"You better believe it!"
"I'm tired of her."
"I think we all are! She's going around as if she's so loved and popular."
"Too bad no one really likes her and she doesn't even have a clue."
"I know!"
"You know, I feel bad for her."
"Don't! If it wasn't because of her family's status, she would be no one. Hell, she's not even that pretty!"
"Her acting sucks. I'm so pissed that she bought the leading role!"
"I thought you were her friend."
"Who's her friend? Everyone's either scared of her or sucks up to her and it's not even 'her.' It's only because she's a 'Suen.'"
"True."
"What about Bobby?"
"Her boyfriend? Don't make me laugh."
"Why? What happened?"
"Don't you know?"
"No. What?"
"Bobby's just playing Rose and getting as much out of her as he can."
"So that is why he's spending so richly and shows up with so much new things at school these days..."
"He's a sly one."
"You guys are so mean."
"Don't you hate her as well?"
"Honestly, I feel bad for her. I wish someone would show her how reality really is. She grew up thinking the world revolves around her, when it really doesn't. Let's see how long she would last without her family."
"She seems sweet though."
"More like irritating. What is she trying to prove?"
Rose continued to listen to everyone's comments, trying her best to suppress her sorrow. She stood there frozen, afraid to move because she didn't want them to know she was there. She wanted so badly to leave the room and not listen to what she was hearing, but it wouldn't stop. It wasn't until the director decided to cancel that day's rehearsal and everyone started to leave the auditorium that Rose had a chance to escape.
That night, Rose tossed and turned in her bed. The conversation that she had heard in the afternoon replayed in her head. She cried all night long. "Why did they say such things? My friends... how could they? I don't understand. All I ever wanted to be was their friend. I tried to be nice. Where did I go wrong? Why?" Rose's head was filled with questions that had no answer. Perhaps the sole answer was because she was born a Suen.
The next day at school, Rose was cautious around everyone. The same people who talked badly about her yesterday were now smiling and in "pleasant" conversation with her.
Rose looked forward to seeing Bobby because she hoped that he would comfort her, but he wasn't in school. She asked her driver to drive her over to his house later that afternoon. To her dismay, Bobby wasn't there. In fact, another family lived in the house. It wasn't until later that Rose learned that Bobby's family had sold the house and moved. Rose never heard from him again and her $100,000 was never repaid.
On the ride home, tears streaked down Rose's cheeks as she looked at the people on the sidewalks and all of the buildings surrounding her. Suddenly, everything had changed. The world was no longer was a lovely place. Everything seemed big and intentions of people were blurred. Rose felt lonely and scared. Everything that she had known and trusted to be true was shattered.
[End of Flashback]
Rose emerged from the soapy water gasping for air. She unplugs the drain and the water starts flushing out. She turned on the shower and gave herself a rinse. Her soft skin was now wrinkled. She hadn't realized she had been in the tub for so long.
She turns off the water and stands still for a few seconds. She had made an error. Her towel, bathrobe, and change of clothing were all in her room. "Damn it!" she thinks to herself. Hearing that the house was still quiet, Rose assumed that no one was home yet. She grabs her soaked clothes from the bathroom's tile floor and opens the bathroom door. To her surprise, everyone was waiting outside of the bathroom door! She screams and quickly shuts the door.
"Rose! What are you doing in there?" Nim Chi (Nancy Sit) asks.
"Aiya! Auntie Chi, don't be so naiive! Seeing how Rose's been there for hours, the answer should be obvious!" Gam (Louis Yuen) says.
"I've heard that women take a long time in the bathroom, but this is ridiculous!" Ah Hong (Johnny Tang) whines.
"I don't get it. What is taking her so long?" Nim Chi is confused.
Gam sighs and answers, "She's clearly feeling 'the touch of her hand!' She must have been lonely in Canada without Ah Nin!"
Nim Chi scolds, "Nonsense! They are still not married!"
"Who waits until marriage these days?" Gam asks.
Nim Chi answers, "Everyone in this family!"
Ying Gei (Yvonne Lam) speaks up and apologizes, "Gam Gam and I did 'it' before we had a relationship..."
"Oh my god! Sister OK, I didn't know you were so messy!" Ah Yat (Joyce Chen) gasps.
"I would expect something like that from H5N1, but you sister OK?" Ah Lo (Bondy Chiu) is stunned.
"It was an accident..." Ying Gei recalls.
"I can't take it!" Gam exclaims.
"Embarrassed now that you've have had a taste of your own medicine?" Nim Chi snickers.
"No! I need to expel poison! Open up, Rose!"
Rose leans against the door and moans. She had trusted that no one would be home and trust had deceived her once again.
"The only thing you can really trust is yourself..." Rose whispers.