Enemy spotted..

"Chin..wait.." says Marie. "Could you go a little faster, I am late already" replied Chin to her friend who was barely keeping up with her steps. "Hurry up". I"m hurrying!!! I'm not like you, star athlete and all.. Chin smiled and flipped her hair. Almost agreeing to her friend's excuse. " Ok, I'll slow down, but if our teacher finds out that we're late, lunch is on you". Marie couldn't answer anymore. She is gasping for air and lost for words, realizing that she will be paying for their lunch. " Come on, Miss is there already, " says Chin. While Chin was sprinting her way to her classroom, she accidentally bumped into a guy. A tall, muscular and dark-complexioned guy. She bumped into him so strongly that she almost fell. While waiting for an apology, Marie helped her pull herself together. The guy, unmindful of what happened, continued to walk as if she never existed. Chin couldn't bear the thought that she was late because of the guy. "Hey, aren't you forgetting something? " says Chin. The guy continues to walk past her. " Hey, I'm talking to you, " says Chin, but to no avail. Marie told her to just let it go, and since they were already late for class, Marie had just invited her for lunch when, suddenly, she stepped on something hard. It was an Identification Card. Chin picked it up hesitantly, wondering who might be the owner of the I.D. and then, suddenly, she exclaimed! Tugging her friend's arms in excitement! "Marie, Marie, isn't he the guy? The bad guy? The snobbish guy? Hahaha!! exclaimed Chin. " Wait, let me check. Hmmm, he seems to be a good guy here. No traces of him being ungrateful and snob. You have to admit, he is a looker, " says Marie. " Hmmm, let me check, yes, he is the guy with no good manners and the right conduct. Yes, he is the snobbish guy. But no! He is not good-looking. Looker my ass!! He made me miss my class. He made me miss my chance to have a complete attendance. I will not be able to forgive him for that. " " You are so dramatic my friend. Are you the new campus drama queen? Because the last time I checked, it was Charmaine." says Marie, with a suppressed laugh. " Eww, I would never be like that." says Chin. walking away from her friend. " But you are now becoming one. " says Marie, as if she is taunting her. "Come here you drama queen. says Marie pulling her by her side, " Let's just eat. My treat." " It is really your treat, you lost our bet. " says Chin. "Come on, I'll race you to the canteen" says Chin. " You will lose again." " No, I will not. "says Marie. As she sprinted away from her friend. Chin, however, was pre- occupied, "who could be the guy in the ID? " " Is he really the no-mannered guy? Hmm, I think it will be an exciting year for me then." realizing that her friend had left her, she shouted, " Hey Marie, wait up!" "Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Chin shouted as she approached the entrance door. "Mom, Dad?" Chin repeatedly shouted as she is nearing the living area. A middle-aged old woman approached her and smiled. " Oh hello Chin. How was school today? Come, tell me all about your day. ' she said lovingly. "Oh Hello Nanny Thess, how are you? Where is Mom and Dad?" Before nanny could answer, she smelled the aroma of something cooking." Hmm, what is that delicious smell? Chin asked. Her eyes lit up just thinking of the food that she might be having. " Did you cook my favorite snack for me? " Chin asked Nanny Thess. " Of course not! You can get your favorite snack from the fastfood chain across the street. As long as I am here, I will be cooking delicious and nutritious food for you. Come on let's eat. " Nanny Thess keeps on talking about the benefits of nutritious food while they are approaching the kitchen. Chin followed her and slumped her way onto the chair. As Nanny Thess approached the table with the food, Chin exclaimed, " Pork buns! My second favorite snack in the world. But this would be perfect with noodles. Please tell me you made some for me. This would be such a perfect combo." Chin said smilingly. " I am so sorry Chin, I was not able to make the noodles because I have to attend to some other chores here. You see, your Mom and Dad.." Before Nanny Thess could finish what she was about to say, Chin's face suddenly turned pale. She already knew what the rest of the sentence would be. " Come on, let us eat." Says Nanny Thess. " Thank you Nanny Thess but I don't feel hungry anymore." I just wanted to go to my room and rest. Thank you for the food," she said while walking away from the table. "My poor child. I will be bringing some pork buns to your room a little later. Please eat them if you are hungry. If you want to share your day with me, just go to my room, ok?" says Nanny Thess. Until then did Nanny realise that Chin is all grown up, but still clueless of so many things happening in her life. "I wish I could tell you more. How I wish I could tell you all." Nanny Thess sighed as she imagined what would be the consequences when Chin finds out. True to her word, she left pork buns in Chin's room. Nanny Thess is worried that she might get hungry. After Chin washed up, she opened her bag to study her lessons when she felt something in her stomach. It is growling. " I must be hungry," said Chin. She reached for the pork buns on her table and started eating them. While eating, she couldn't help but admire the flavors incorporated in the pork bun. " Nanny Thess is really good at making this" said Chin. As she was taking her last bite, she opened her bag and saw something inside. It was the ID of the guy she bumped into early this morning, and his name was Kim Jeon. " So, Mr. Kim Jeon, let's see how tough you are. " Morning had broken at Xiu's residence. As the color of the sun's rays enveloped the whole mansion, you could see the simplicity of the place. Flowering plants that bloom in this time of the year add color to the place, giving it a warm vibe. The wooden interiors brings warmth to the whole mansion, while fresh flowers found at every corner of the house give it a nice touch. Anyone who would enter the house would feel at home at first glance. You can hear the birds chirping as if they are humming a tune for you. Such a nice place to live in. But this warmth cannot be found by the people living inside the house, most especially Chin. Because she always feels empty and alone. Good thing that her Nanny Thess is always right by her side. The void that is left by her parents, who are very busy in their respective businesses, makes them leave the house more often, leaving Chin alone. It is always a mystery for Chin about what her parents' job was, because no one dared to tell her and she never asked. Even nanny Thess is selective about explaining as to what their source of income is. How are they so rich? And why are Chin's parents always at business mode? You can't even find a single family picture in their house. Needless to say, Nanny Thess became the instant parents of Chin. " Good Morning Nanny Thess," says Chin in a cheerful voice. " Looks like somebody is in a good mood today. Come sit with me and let's have breakfast." Says Nanny Thess. " I guess your pork buns are really a game changer." Thank you Nanny Thess. said Chin. " Glad you liked it. Come on, let's eat or you will be late for class, says Nanny Thess. Nanny Thess prepared a sumptuous breakfast for Chin. Fried eggs, spam and noodles, and of course, some left over pork buns. "May I bring these pork buns to school? I want to share this with my friend Marie." "Of course my dear, here, enjoy, " says Nanny Thess. "I will be going now. Thanks for the breakfast. " Chin said hurriedly as she ran across the living room and outside to the garden to meet her driver. While she was on her way to school, she suddenly remembered to prepare her things. She grabbed her bag and started to look for her ID. She found 2 ids. One was hers and the other was for Kim. On seeing Kim's ID, she suddenly felt excited. Then a mischievous grin was seen on her face. "Today is the day Mr. Kim Jeon." she said while tapping the card on her cheek. Mornings are hell, especially for Mr. Chan, the security personnel of Chang Kai School. The sudden influx of students from different directions makes it difficult for him to do his job properly. Good thing that the entrance is already automated. Just one tap of the Identification Card onto the screen and the bars on the door will be opened. This is why id cards or beep cards are just as important as their cellphones to students. Having them ready by the gate is a must so that the flow of the traffic will be continuous. As soon as Chin stepped out of the car, she thanked her driver and sprinted off. She was able to meet up with her friend Marie by the gate. " Good Morning." said Marie. "Isn't it a lovely day my dear friend? Marie said as she tucked her arms in her friend's knapsack bag. "Oh, I bet this will be a lovely day. Chin said. Just imagining what would happen today makes her feel so anxious. " Oh, by the way, I almost forgot, Nanny Thes wants you to have these." "What's this? " asked Marie while opening the brown bag. "OMG!!! Pork buns!!!Please tell Nanny Thess she is the best.' exclaimed Marie while nibbling on the pork buns. " Don't worry, your message will be delivered hahaha", said Chin. The two girls patiently fell inline and waited for their turn to tap their cards when suddenly, there was a slight commotion way ahead of the line. There was a heated exchange of arguments between a student and the security personnel. Curious about what was happening, they stopped eating and listened to the conversation. While Mr. Chan continuously giving passage to those students with ID's to maintain the steady flow of the line, there was this student pleading to Mr. Chan. "Please Sir, I have to go inside. My ID was stolen." Kim said. " Then you should have asked for a replacement. You know the rules Kim. " Said Mr. chan. "But you know who I am," says Kim. "Yes, I am well aware of who you are. That is why I'm asking you to follow the rules by not letting you in." "Please sir. I have an exam and project scheduled and due today. If I won't able to make it on time, that will be the end of me." says Kim. '"Then you should have known better. Next!" shouted Mr. Chan. " I'm here Sir, no need to shout." Chin said. "Beep. So, Marie, Senior High School student. Beep, Xiu Chin Senior High School student. " then, "Beep! Jeon Kim. Senior High School student." Hearing those words from the speaker made Kim's heart race with excitement. He jumped on the bars and thanked the guard. Confused about what had happened, the guard just let Kim pass, shouting "Next!" Kim rushed down the hallway to look for the student who had his ID. But there was no sign of it. He looked everywhere but to no avail. Kim is already desperate. Just at this moment, his friends came up to meet him. Lei, Jim and Jay were his closest friends, but they were also his number one detractors. " Hey there Mr Soon to be Board of Directors." Says Lei. "Let me just tell you, you look like shit." says Jim. "Welcome to Chang Kai Academy! " said Jay. they were all laughing in unison when Kim stood up and, fix himself. " Hey you punks, have you seen my ID. or atleast the one who had it." Kim asks his friends. "Obviously not. if we are the ones who found it, you wouldn't be here." says Lei. "Yeah, I guess not. and I am so stupid asking you." says Kim. "Hey, why so serious?" asked Jim. " I almost lost my chance to prove my parents that I have a right to study here. You know my parents well enough. They don't just give everything on a silver platter. You've got to earn it." Says Kim. "You know what, I envy you. You don't have to prove anything to your parents," says Kim. "Yeah, and we're not the son of the owner of the Academy. Come on Kim, lighten up. I am sure, your parents want the best for you." Says Jay. "Yeah, they want me to suffer, that's what,"says Kim. "Oh shoot, I've got a test in 30 minutes. I've got to study," says Kim. "See you later" says Lei. and the boys went their separate ways. Kim was at his usual self, serious and always in a hurry. Unmindful of the people he met along the way, while he was sprinting across the hallway, he bumped into a girl. The girl's things are scattered on the floor. Along with it were the pork buns. " Why, you!" Chin's face was turning red with anger. "Why are you not looking at your path?" asked Kim in an angry voice. I really must go. I have an exam in 10 minutes. Next time please be careful," Says Kim. Chin couldn't contain her anger anymore. She was so furious that she wanted to throw the books at Kim's back. But when she suddenly remembered how Kim smiled at her, she felt a sudden rush of emotions that she cannot explain." I hate that guy!! I swear, he will suffer!! grrr!!" says Chin. She slowly picked up her things when a guy helped him. " Here, let me help you," he said. Still furious with Kim, she said " No, thank you, I can manage. All you boys are alike" says Chin. "I don't think so. You cannot judge a person by his gender," the mysterious guy said. " Oh, pork buns, what a waste. It looks delicious." "Yes it is, and thanks to that freaking guy, I won't be able to enjoy it. I hate him. He didn't even apologize, " says Chin. "Oh, you want to grab food or something." "No!!" Says Chin. Chin picked herself up and hurriedly went to the bathroom to fix herself. She didn't even notice that she left a very important thing; her locker keys. When Chin came out of the restroom, she noticed that her skirt was wet. "Ohh, dang it! Now I have to change them." she murmured. She reached for them in her pocket for her keys but she couldn't find them. She looked for them inside her bag but it was not there. She went back inside the cubicle hoping she had just dropped it there, but she couldn't find it."Where is it," she exclaimed! She went to the locker area hoping to find it there, but to no avail. She was about to cry when she heard a familiar voice. " So you are the rightful owner." she could hear the voice saying. "Can I have my keys back?" Chin said. "Please say the magic word," "Please , can I have my keys back." " You can have it, in one condition then, " the guy said, "What is it, please hurry up." Chin said desperately. her class is about to start, and she will have to perform her poem in front of her class. " Your name, Miss. I need your name. Just your name and you can have your keys back." said the guy. "And why do you need my name?" asked Chin. "Well, I just need to know it. We're schoolmates and I think we should know each other, right? " " Wrong!" Says Chin."Ok then, you will have to go to your next class soaking wet." says the guy who slowly turns his body away from the locker room. "OK, ok, it's Chin, now can I have my keys?" "Here, Chin, Nice to meet you., by the way, I'm Lei." says the boy behind the voice. Chin immediately got her keys and opened her locker. She got her extra clothes and hurriedly closed her locker. She pulled out the keys and made sure that her locker was closed and her keys in her hand. She ran across the hallway, into the restroom and inside the cubicle. She closed the door and changed her clothes. She is really in a hurry because she will be performing in front of her class. While changing her clothes, she is slowly reciting the poem in her mind, but alas! she cannot find the words to start the poem. She picked up her bag and looked for her book, opened it and started reviewing her notes. Now she is on track. She started memorizing the poem again. While opening the door and getting out of the cubicle, she is still holding on to her keys. And she doesn't know what has gotten into her, but she kept thinking about Lei. His soft voice, his perfect hands. Although she didn't see his face that much, she just imagined that he might be cute. "His voice is cute. Maybe his face matches his voice, hi hi. " she said. Still thinking about Lei, she reached her classroom just in time. She went inside the room, looked for her seat and fixed her things. " Chin, concentrate!" she said to herself. She started memorizing her piece again while waiting for her teacher. " And so it begins, " she said, reciting a part of the poem. After a few minutes, her teacher entered the classroom. The class greeted her and she started the class. Chin finished her poem flawlessly, to her teacher's surprise. " I never knew that you could recite a poem like that, so engaging and full of passion." said Ms. Rivera. "Ms. Chin, please stay after class. " Chin was elated after hearing Ms. Rivera's words. She never knew that her teacher would like her performance considering what had happened before her class. She waited patiently until all of her classmates were gone. Then, Ms. Rivera approached her smiling. " You did well today. Congratulations!" says Ms. Rivera. "Thank you Miss. " she simply replied. "Um, Chin, we will be having an audition for Theatre Arts Club, and I am inviting you to join us. There will be an audition for the stage play. I really wish you would consider joining us," said Ms. Rivera. " Thank you Mam, I appreciate your gesture of asking me to join the audition. But given the circumstances that are definitely beyond my control, I doubt it. But I will think about it, Miss." said Chin. " I am so sorry to hear that, but please, please tell me that you will drop by the audition, just take a look and observe. please!!" Yes Ma'am, I will, said Chin. "Ok, that will be all. you may go." said Ms. Rivera. 'Thank you Ma'am", said Chin, and she walked away from her classroom. Her friend Marie was outside waiting for her. "So, did you accept it? Please say yes, "asked Marie. "You know that I love to, but you also know that I can't" Chin said. Tears were about to fall off her chinky eyes. Marie gently brushed her hair and said, "Here now, don't cry. Come on, I'll walk you to your car." said Marie. She held Chin's hand and got her backpack and gently walked with her to her car. When they reached it, her driver opened it for her. Chin hugged Marie and whispered to her, "Thank you." Marie smiled and said, " Don't mention it. See you tomorrow. As Chin's car made its way out of the parking area, tears rolled out of her eyes. She couldn't help it but she was really hurting inside. " Are you OK Miss Chin,?" asked the driver. 'Yes, I am fine,"said Chin. but both Chin and the driver knew that it is not true. They reached the house a little later than usual because of the traffic. Chin got out of the car, was greeted by Nanny Thess and was asked to eat. It was quite noisy inside the house as she could hear voices talking. "Mom, Dad, Are Mom and Dad home? she asked Nanny Thess. Nanny Thess just smiled and pushed her to the living room. There she saw her Mom and her Dad busy talking with their friends and business partners. Nanny Thess announced Chin's arrival, and her parents got up and smiled at her. Chin hurriedly hugged them tightly, "What a lovely surprise, I missed you two so much" said Chin. "How is my favorite child? Are you well? How's school?" asks his father? "I am OK dad." says Chin. Her mother can't help but to admire her daughter. " You are becoming more and more beautiful each day," says her mother. "I know you have a lot to tell me and we have a lot to talk about. But you must change first. Come, i have bought a whole new wardrobe for you. Please try them on and tell me what you think." says her mother. Chin doesn't want to go to her bedroom and try new clothes. She wants her parents to know what she feels inside, what is bothering her, what she really wants to do and not what they wanted her to do. But she knows that all of these things are futile because her parents will just brush off all her ideas and won't listen to her. She even knew that the "talk " with her parents would never happen. Sometimes, she even envies her parent's business associates because they get to spend more time with them than she does. Every time she tries to speak her mind, they never listen. With those thoughts lingering in her mind, she made a firm decision to act. She wanted to be an actress. " I will tell mom," she said to herself. While picking up a dress her mother bought for her, she looked at herself in the mirror and wondered, "will they approve?" " I know they wanted me to run the business that up until now, I have no idea what it is? "All I know is that it is very lucrative, which is not bad. " suddenly, a mischievous grin came out of her face. " Maybe they are drug dealers or something, or loan sharks? Oh well. Chin gently stroked her long black hair and put a clip on the right side of her hair. She put on a little powder on her face and very light lipstick, dabbed a perfume and went outside her room. She was greeted by her parents' associates and some of their families. She was munching on a piece of fries when her parents called her attention. "Chin, sweetie, come here. I want you to meet someone." There standing infront of her was a young man dressed in white polo and khaki pants. His head bowed down and is being covered by his layered hair. " Chin said, "This hair looked familiar, Where did I see it?" said Chin. Thinking hard enough, she heard her mother's voice again. "Chin, I want you to meet Lei, our most trusted business partner. Lei, this is my only daughter, Chin. I hope you will be good friends." Chin's mother said. "Hi Chin, so nice to finally meet you. Your parents have nothing but high regards for you. I'm Lei." As soon as Lei lifted his face, Chin was lost for words. She didn't know what to say. she wanted to scream at the guy, stepped on his shoes and leave the party. But she knows the consequences if she does such an act. Besides, this party is not about her, it is about her parent's and her parent's business. "Are you surprised?" asked Lei, while sipping juice from his tall glass. "I know you will be. I only knew about it an hour before the party, when my parents decided to tug me along. I was told that I would be able to meet someone of my age. Actually, that sounded pretty interesting, to meet someone of my age. I was used to meeting people twice my age or sometimes even more. It was really a breather meeting you." "Aren't you supposed to say you are sorry/" Asked Chin. "If you have known it an hour before the party, you should have given me a heads up?" asked Chin. 'How could I? Lei asks back. I don't have any information about you aside from your name. I don't even have your number." "And why should I give you that?" Asks Chin. "Precisely my point!" says Lei. "Getting your name was pretty tough already, how do you suppose i will be getting your number that easily? and besides, I don't have the time. remember, an hour before the party. even I was surprised. But okay, since I wanted this to be our first official meeting, I will introduce myself. Hi Chin, I am Lei. It is so nice to meet you. And by the way, I am so sorry for causing trouble", says Lei. Chin couldn't help but to look at his face. His chinky eyes matched his light complexion. He stands tall and has a nice body, a typical boy next door type of guy, and when he smiles, his dimples on his left and right cheek show. "He is really handsome." says Chin to herself. "Ok, apology accepted. OK, can we move on. " says Chin. They were busy eating dinner at their side of the table. Chin must admit that her parents threw out lavish parties as far as she could remember. She would always remember dressing up for parties that she didn't even know who their visitors would be. The food was extra special this evening, and drinks were unending as well. From a distance, she had always admired her parents for looking so good in their formal business attire. Her mother doesn't age a bit and carries her clothes very well. Her father is well groomed and very distinguished in his all-black suit. "You are not so bad yourself", she could hear Lei whispering. "What are you saying? I am nothing compared to my mom. I mean, look at her. She is all graceful and poised. Wait till you get to know me and you'll find out that I am not even an inch close to her," said Chin. " You are your own person. Don't try to be be someone you are not." says Lei., winking at her. "Oh my gosh, I just died" she said to herself. she could feel the sudden rush of blood on her face. good thing it was dark that Lei didn't notice it. the room was cold but she was feeling a little hot. she sipped her iced tea just to remind her to get back in composure. then suddenly she realized, hey, it's already past my bedtime, but I don't mind, I think I am enjoying it. while looking at Lei. 'I need to know more of you Lei. you are more that what you are showing me. who are you" she said to herself. "oh well, I 've got more time for that. in the meantime, i will just savor the moment." and Chin dunked a whole lot of nachos on her mouth. while Lei was watching her, he was smilling. a really genuine smile. 'I sure am glad I went with my parents today.' he said to himself. It is already past midnight but the party is still going. But Chin cannot contain her tiredness. She is very sleepy and very, very tired. She wanted to excuse herself from the party but she couldn't. Maybe she's enjoying it, but the thought of having a class the next day makes her feel more sleepy. She really felt the need to rest and sleep, so she stood up and informed her parents that she had a class the following day. Her parents approved and she hurriedly left the party. she went upstairs, cleaned herself, changed into her pajamas and lay on her bed. but after an hour had passed, she is still awake. "What is wrong with me?" she said. "I am supposed to be sleeping by now. " she stood up, wore her slippers and went straight to the kitchen. the house is different now. it is quiet and peaceful. " she said. she opened the lights to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. in there she found a piece of cake. "Oh, chocolate cake! I think that's what I need. Wait, that goes perfectly with milk." she said to herself. She took the cake and milk out of the refrigerator, and pulled out a spoon out of the kitchen drawer and started eating the cake. A very delicious chocolate cake only for her