Chapter 2...

Quin nervously sipped her coffee. She glanced around. Coffee Cup hadn’t changed much in 2 years. She remembered all the times she sat here with Fei, drinking coffee and munching on coffee cake. Stop it, she told herself angrily. Fei belongs to Ching Ching. Don’t you even dare to have another thought. She continued to wait for her mysterious date. Suddenly, there he was, at the door. Quin hopped up delightedly and threw herself into his arms.

Quin: Chi San! I miss you!

Chi San: (Hugging Quin tightly) Quin…how’ve you been? You never even left an address when you left Hong Kong. You wrote to me, but I can never write to you!

Quin: (Stepping back) Come, let me treat you coffee. I have so much to tell you.
(Chi San smiled and allowed Quin to seat him at her table. Soon, there was a steaming cup of coffee in front of Chi San.)

Chi San: When did you get back anyway?

Quin: Just now. Let’s see…now it’s 9 o’clock, urmm…12 hours ago?

Chi San: (Laughed) And you wanted to see me so soon? You must really miss me.

Quin: (Smiled) Actually, I do miss you. But I also want to tell you about my plans in now in Hong Kong. Chi San, I came back because my contacts in Canada transferred me over.

Chi San: So where are you working now? (Sipped his coffee)

Quin: (Sighing deeply) I’ve been transferred to the Central Police Station.

Chi Sam: (Started choking on his coffee) What?

Quin: You heard me.

Chi San: (Partly stunned) But, but, that must mean…

Quin: Listen, Chi San. I need you to keep this from Fei. Don’t tell him I’m back in Hong Kong. And don’t ever send him down to the physcology department.

Chi San: Quin, be reasonable. Central Police Station isn’t the size of America. You’re bound to see each other. (Suddenly) You still love him, don’t you?

Quin: (refusing to meet Chi San’s eyes) No. I only regard him as a friend.

Chi San: Quin, I wish you’ll…

Quin: If you are my friend, Chi San, please don’t question me. Just promise me.

Chi San: All right, but I really do think you’re being nutty.

Quin: Let’s talk about something else…

Meanwhile, in China…
Child: Teacher! Teacher! Headmaster wants to see you!

Man: (Bent down and smiled) Thanks, June-Ling. Now, you be a good girl and play with the others. Miss Ren will look after you. Don’t be naughty now.
(June-Ling ran off to the swings. Man stared after her fondly. She loves little June-Ling. She loves all the kids here. Man walked to the headmaster’s office.)

Mr.Wong: Miss Mun, I’m very satisfied with your performance these 2 years. So I’ve decided to promote you.

Man: Promote me? For what?

Mr.Wong: Miss Mun, I received a letter from Hong Kong. They required a professional schoolteacher and asked me to recommend one. I immediately thought of you. You will be going back to Hong Kong when the application comes through.

Man: Hong Kong? But I love it here. I love the kids.

Mr.Wong: Miss Mun, you’re overqualified for this job. I wouldn’t be fair to you if I keep you here. Besides, you have excellent prospects in Hong Kong.

Man: But…but…

Mr.Wong: Miss Mun, my decision is made. I’m choosing you for that promotion; thus, you will be transferred to Hong Kong.

Man: (Nodded) All right, Mr.Wong. (She got up to leave)

Mr.Wong: And oh, Miss Mun, you have a letter. From Canada.

Man: Thanks, Mr.Wong. (Quin, she thought.)

Retreating to her little apartment, Man made herself a cup of hot tea and settled down on a chair to read her friend’s letter.

Hi Man,
This is going to be a short letter; it’s more of a NOTE. Well, I just want to tell you I’m being transferred back to Hong Kong. It’s a long story. So if you want to write to me, just write to my old Hong Kong address. I’m living with my brother and sister-in-law. You better write, you lazy worm! You owed me at least 3 letters. Are you really THAT busy up there? Can’t even take a few minutes to pen a few lousy lines…
Well, I have to pen off now. I’ll write again when I arrive in Hong Kong. Take care!
Love
Quin

Man felt a jolt of happiness. So Quin was also in Hong Kong. Suddenly, she was more excited about her return. She hadn’t seen Quin in so long. Well, I’m not going to reply that letter, she thought mischievously. I am going to show up on her doorstep and surprise her. Chi San suddenly came into her thoughts. She wasn’t really uncomfortable about running into Chi San. They had kept in touch in a casual way in these few years. It will be awkward to see him again, but Man believed that she was over Chi San. They’ll be good friends, she was sure. Man began to pack little things. She couldn’t wait to see Quin again.

Chi San: So, like I was telling you…(Chi San’s pager started beeping) whoops, sorry. (Chi San checked his pager and groaned) Mr. Boring and Annoying. I wonder what he wants now. I better return his call. Excuse me, Quin.

Quin: Who? (But Chi San already retreated to make his call)
(Quin looked around her and craned her neck to see the numbers on Chi San’s pager. “Tsui Fei. Call me, buddy.” Quin guiltily straightened herself. She had no business in seeing who paged Chi San. But she had a hunch that it was he. Chi San returned to their table.)

Chi San: Sorry about that.

Quin: It’s ok. So, am I bothering you?

Chi San: Nah, it’s only Fei. Whining about…(stop himself in time) um…his hurt foot. He hurt his ankle while chasing a criminal the other day.

Quin: Really? Why would he whine to YOU?

Chi San: (Vaguely) He isn’t getting along too well with Ching Ching lately. I mean…

Quin: Well, none of my business. Goodness, look at the time. I have to go, Chi San. Thanks so much.

Chi San: What are friends for? See you for lunch tomorrow? Chez Maman?

Quin: (Joking) Are you treating me?

Chi San: (Pretended to ponder for a while) Nah…going dutch.
(Quin hit him lightly on the arm with her bag.)

Quin: Cheapskate. (Laughed) I’ll see you for lunch tomorrow anyhow.

Chi San: Good night, Quin. (Brushed her cheek with a friendly kiss)

Quin went back home. Chi San was a true friend. She was lucky to have a friend like him. She sat down on the sofa and tiredly lied down. The phone rang. Quin jumped up.

Quin: Hello?

Man’s voice: Hi, is that Yuk?

Quin: (Her heart started beating faster) Fei?

Fei: Yes. Yuk, can I speak to Kit, please?

Quin: He’s…asleep.

Fei: Oh. Listen, Yuk, have you received any letters from Kwan lately?

Quin: N…No.

Fei: If she writes and there is a return address, you must tell me, okay? And Yuk, better take something. You sound like you’re coming down with a cold. Bye. (The phone went dead)

A smile touched Quin’s lips. Tsui Fei, charming as always. Can’t even say a caring thing without sounding sarcastic. Oh Fei, I miss you. Quin shut her eyes and let her memories overflow her. Her love for Fei had never faded in these 2 years. If anything, they were stronger still. But I will never take him away from Ching Ching. They love each other. I don’t believe that I can’t find another man to take the place of Fei. But truly, Quin doubted herself.

Now that Quin is back and working in the same place as Fei, what will happen to them? Will Quin’s resolution not to see Fei work out?

Chapter 3...

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