Que Sera Sera Chapter 25: Upstairs

“I’m here, what do you want from me.”

“So glad you could join us man.” Jason slurred. “Go grab a drink.”

“I’d rather not. I have to drive back home.”

“Dude, don’t be such a goody two shoe. Drink up!”

Before Joe had a chance to refuse again, Tiffany sauntered up to him.

“Joe, honey you came.” She smiled dopily.

“Tiff, are you ok?”

“Oh yeah, fine. Never been better.” She tried to drape her body over Joe.

“Tiff!” Joe straightened her as she started to tilt. “How many drinks did you have.”

“Oh, not many.” She rubbed against him and pulled on his hand. “Let’s get a room.”

“Oh you two have fun.” Jason grinned and made an obscene gesture.

“Tiff, I have a girlfriend.” Joe ignored Jason.

“Oh what does that matter? That ugly bitch wouldn’t expect you to be exclusive. She should be happy that you’re even looking at her.” She slurred. Pulling hard on his hand, she led him tipsily to the stairs.

“Tiffany Xu!” He jerked her back.

“Yes?” She leaned up and tried to kiss him. “Don’t say anything baby, just enjoy what I’m going to do with you.”

“I’m taking you home.”

“You want to go home?” She seemed really happy. “Your place or mine?”

“I’m not going to sleep with you!”

“What if I want you to fuck me?”

“Tiff, you’re drunk!”

“Oh psh.” She pulled him towards the stairs, meandering through a throng of dancing people, “I’ve wanted you since we were 12. Except that slut Bianca was always there.”

“Tiff, do you know what you’re saying? Bee is my sister!”

“Oh, you know she wanted you. Why else would she always wear those short little skirts and tights around you all the time?”

“Those skirts were tutus and Bianca is a ballerina!” Joe gave up arguing with her. “You’re inebriated, I’m taking you home.”

Against her protests, Joe picked her up – princess style – towards the door.

————————

“Here,” Ariel pushed a cup of coffee across the counter. “Drink up. You look dead.”

“Thanks.” Joe raised his head gratefully, took a giant gulp of coffee, only to realize it was hot, and spat it back in his cup.

Ariel took the cup from him and emptied it. “What’s with you today? Fresh coffee is hot, remember?”

“There was a party at Jason’s house, and I went.”

“Jason the guy with the spiky hair that always has a harem after him?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t know you guys were friends.”

“We aren’t. He always insists on having me go to these parties. I tried taking Tiffany home because she was drunk, but then I got stopped on the way and Jason and Brian teamed up on me.”

“What did they do?”

“They forced me to drink two shots of some really strong liquor thing. I don’t even know what it is – and I never want to try it again – but then I got too drunk to drive home, so I crashed there.”

“So for these parties, people always drink, do drugs, and have sex right.”

“Yeah.” Joe just realized what he said. “I mean, I just slept there – not with anyone.”

Ariel crossed her arm and raised an eyebrow.

“What? I’m not lying.”

“You better not be.” Ariel smiled a saccharine sweet smile.

Joe wisely refrained from talking replying.

—————————

“Flour, check, corn starch, check, candy canes, check, chocolate, check, turkey, check, PJ’s for Miranda, check.” Now what type of cereal should I buy? Cheerios are so bland and so are Rice Krispies. It’s near Christmas, so I should splurge a little… But I’m working fewer shifts this month because it’s Christmas and it’s a tight squeeze for rent already…

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Ariel turned at the sound of a high feminine voice and groaned inwardly. “Hello Tiffany.”

“So I see you couldn’t wait before sinking your claws into him could you.”

“I beg your pardon?” Ariel turned back to inspecting the cereal again. She looked utterly relaxed, though beneath that calm veneer, she was a full defensive mode.

“Joe. You couldn’t wait before you crawled into his bed could you.”

“Nope. You know what Joe’s like in bed. He’s insatiable.” Ariel then smiled pleasantly.

“You bitch!” Tiffany tossed her hair, “It’s not like you can satisfy him the way I can. Did Joe tell you that we slept together at Jason’s party the other night? Just wait ‘till he dumps your slutty ass and crawl back to me.”

“Yes, and he also told me how ‘hot’ it was to have sex with someone who just puked all over him.” Ariel winked.

“Bitch!” Tiffany tried to slap Ariel, but Ariel effortlessly twisted her arm behind her back.

“Listen carefully, because I’m only going to say this once.” Ariel whispered into her ears. “Stay away from me or I will have no qualms about hurting you. It will be easy for me and oh so painful for you. If you want Joe, go ahead and try to seduce him. You and I both know he doesn’t give a damn about you or he wouldn’t be with me. So why don’t you leave now,” here Ariel gave her a little push, “while you are still relatively unscathed.”

And with that, Ariel turned back to her cereal.

“He’s going to be mine.”

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why is he going to be yours?”

“Because I want him!”

“Too bad dear, because he doesn’t want you.” Ah! A Fruit Loops sale! All that food coloring can’t be good for the liver though. Oh well, we’ll only eat it once a year. At least they look festive.

————————–

“Joe asked me to have dinner at his house on Boxing Day.” Ariel said as she and Miranda are putting up their Christmas decorations.

“Really? That’s awesome. Does that mean you’ll meet his mom?” Miranda pinned the poster of a Christmas tree on the wall.

“Yes it does. He invited you as well.” Ariel looked at the Christmas tree. “Herbert looks a bit crooked.”

Miranda took a close look at Herbert the poster. “Oh yeah.”

“So you want to go?” Ariel straightened the poster. They have used Herb as their substitute Christmas tree for the last two years.

“Sure, why not. If I’m not there, who is going to prevent you from being uncouth?”

“Be quiet before I throw Herb at you.”

Miranda giggled. “You can try.”

———————-

“Hey Mira, is your sister around?” Joe asked when Miranda opened the door of the basement.

“Ariel’s just getting ready. Where are you guys going today?”

“Just shopping. No where special.”

“Alright. Make sure you have her back by seven. It’s our tradition to have dinner at eight on Christmas Eve.”

“Jeez, you guys have a million traditions.”

“Yup, we do.” Something occurred to Miranda. “You want to come over tomorrow?”

“I thought you guys have a ‘family day tradition’ tomorrow?” Joe said sourly.

“We do, which is that both of us must stay home and hang out. My boyfriend, Josh is coming, so why don’t you?”

“Ok. What should I bring?”

“Food, oh and wear your pyjamas, hopefully ones that don’t show off too much… stuff. I know you’re trying to seduce my sister, but tomorrow’s not the day to do it.”

“Someone’s seducing me?” Ariel walked in to the living room.

“Who? Me?” Joe grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Miranda shoved both Ariel and Joe out.

————————–

“I’m stuffed.” Rainie leaned back into her seat, leaving one last piece of sushi on her plate.

“Finally.” Mike grinned. “I can’t believe you can eat so much sushi. What do you have in your stomach? A dark hole?”

“Black hole. Not a dark hole.” Rainie rolled her eyes.

“Same difference,” Mike took the last sushi off Rainie’s plate and ate it.

“Pig. That was mine.” Rainie glared at Mike.

“You said you were full.” Mike replied.

“So?” Rainie demanded.

“Waiter, check please!”

——————

Hey Guys!

I hope you liked this update. I really would like to hear from you, so please do comment!

Que Sera Sera Chapter 24: The Fast Track

“Phew! We’re finally done!” Mike threw his huge bio book in the air. It did an ungraceful spin in the air before promptly landing in a mud puddle.

“Hm… Mike?” Ariel snickered.

“What?”

“You need that book next term.”

“Aw Shit!” Mike quickly retrieved the book, but it was almost fully soaked through.

Laughing at Mike’s attempts at drying off his book, Joe and Ariel yelled a quick good-bye to him before heading off to Joe’s house. The accounting final was tomorrow, and Ariel had pleaded with Joe for some last minute reviews.

“You know everything already Ari, so why are we doing more reviews?”

“I just need a little more help with section 3B. The prof says it’s going to be at least 30% of the exam.”

“But we went over that section at least 5 times. You know it forward and backward.”

“I just don’t want to take any chances. If I don’t get a B in this class, Prof McArthur says I won’t be able to enrol in her class next semester.”

“You didn’t tell me that earlier!”

“I know, but she only told me two days ago. Now you see what I need that review?”

———————————-

“Here you go.” Joe handed a bag of roasted chestnuts to Ariel.

“Thanks.” Ariel smiled. Who knew Joe was so considerate.

“Eat them while they’re hot, they taste better.” He said, “but not too fast, or you’ll burn yourself.”

“I know how to eat chestnuts Joe.” Ariel said wryly.

“I know that, I’m just…” He decided to be quiet. Why am blabbering like a fool? Come on Joe, show her you’re not an idiot!

“You want to walk around?” Ariel asked. Joe had insisted they get roasted chestnuts before they looked at the light displays.

“Sure.” He grabbed Ariel’s hand and led her to the nearest set of light. It was of Santa and his reindeers, and Rudolf’s nose glowed brightly.

Ariel blushed a little. No one has ever held her hand in public before, and instead of being embarrassed like she normally would be, she found she liked it.

For the next half an hour, Joe and Ariel walked around and looked at all the displays. Joe continued to hold Ariel’s hand and he was surprised she let him. It was 10 o’clock by the time they were done seeing the displays and Joe really wanted to ride the Christmas Train after. Even though she was starting to get worried about Mira at home alone, Ariel couldn’t refuse Joe’s puppy dog look. In the end, she agreed. Since it was near Christmas, the line-up was long.

Looking at all the families in the line-up, Ariel felt a little bit teary. She missed her family. A lot.

“You ok Ariel?” Joe asked, concerned.

“Yes.” Ariel gave a shaky smile. “Just thinking about my family, especially my parents.”

“Where you close to them?” Joe asked.

Ariel frowned at him, “yeah, I mean, they were my parents.”

“Oh.” Joe felt the need to defend his last comment. “It’s just that I’m not particularly close to my father. He’s off in Taiwan somewhere doing business related stuff and I haven’t seen him in at least half a year. He’s never really been there fore me, his business always came first.”

“That’s too bad.” Ariel looked pensive. “Kind of ironic. I’d do anything to talk to my dad again.”

Joe hugged her lightly. Ariel stiffened, then relaxed. “What’s that for?.”

“I don’t know.” Joe grinned. “seemed like you could use a hug.”

Ariel smiled back at him, his grin was infectious, “Thanks.”

“I’m so glad it’s almost Christmas.”

“Yes, me too. Especially since all the exams are done.”

Joe nodded, “You thought you did well on the exam, right?”

“I think so. I mean, I got answers for all the questions. I just hope I didn’t make a stupid mistake somewhere.”

“I’m sure you did fine.”

Ariel just nodded.

“Do you want to come over to my house on Christmas Day?” Joe quickly continued when Ariel looked at him questioningly. “It’s just both Mike’s and my Dad are not home on Christmas, so Mike and his Mom always come over to my house. I was just wandering if you want to come too.”

“Thanks for the offer Joe, but I don’t think so.” She elaborated when he looked disappointed. “Mira and I have been alone for years, so we developed all these weird traditions for ourselves around Christmas. One of them is that we must both stay at home.

“Besides, Mike would probably spend Christmas with Rainie.” Ariel continued him.

“Fine, I’ll just spend Christmas alone then.” Joe sighed melodramatically.

Ariel pinched him lightly before running onto the Christmas train – it was finally their turn.

On the train, they oh-ed and ah-ed like little kids at the various light exhibits. Joe put his arm around Ariel’s shoulder and she leaned on him. All too soon, it was time to go home. Joe looked increasingly uncomfortable as he drove near her basement. Although Ariel noticed, she pretended she didn’t.

“Ariel!” Joe called just before she was about to open her door.

“Yes?” She turned around.

“Do you,” He said extremely fast. “Doyouwanttogooutagainsometime?”

“What?”

Joe took a deep breath, “Do you want to go out again sometime?”

“Sure.” Ariel smiled, “but please stop sounding so nervous, it makes me nervous.”

Joe chuckled quietly, looked at her for a moment, and then leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before dashing away to his car.

Ariel stood there, rooted by the door for a long minute as she recovered from shock. That was my first kiss.

————————–

“I want all the gory details.” Rainie exclaimed excitedly.

“I told you Rainie, there aren’t any.” Ariel rolled her eyes as she was brewing coffee. Luckily, she wasn’t facing the counter, so Rainie didn’t see it. “And stop sounding like Mira. She grilled me for details when I got home last night too.”

“How can there not be any details. There’s got to be more to it than what you told me.”

“How do you know?”

“Because there is no way the only thing you did on your date was walk around Stanley Park while eating chestnuts!” Rainie sounded frustrated.

“That is all we did!” Ariel didn’t want to tell Rainie about the kiss. If she did, Rainie would probably get so excited that she would blurt it out so everyone in the Lotus could hear.

“I give up!” Rainie glared at Ariel. “You are hopeless.”

Ariel finally turned around and handed Rainie her coffee, “Jeez, what tipped you off?”

——————————-

“So you ran off? Just like that?” Mike asked incredulously.

“Yup.” Joe leaned back on the couch.

“You never cease to amaze me with the weird stuff you do around her.”

“I never cease to amaze myself.” Joe chugged down his eggnog.

“Why are you drinking eggnog?”

“My mom is making me, something about getting into the festive spirit. and if you don’t get out of here soon, she’s going to make you drink it too.”

“I’m outta here man.” Mike bolted for the door.

—————————-

“Nothing sir.” Arron reported to Ge. “We still don’t know why Ariel is hiding from him.”

Ge rubbed his temples, “why am I not surprised?”

“Our agents are concerned about James’ latest business transaction. It seems that he’s purchasing some land down in South America. The only reason we know about it is because the land he’s buying belongs to an orphanage. Since he doesn’t seem the charitable type, or San Salvador Office flagged him.”

“That is odd. Find out why he’s buying it. It’s definitely illegal, whatever it is,” Ge looked at the paperwork infront of him. “but he’s good. All his documents and paper works are perfect and his stories and alibis air tight. We can’t get any proof on him. All these cover-ups are professionally done. We need to find out who’s doing them.”

“What do we do once we find out?”

“We need to take him out. His company is making a tone of profit – far too much to be gained through legal means and he’s rapidly becoming powerful.” Ge took a close look at the piece of paper in his hands. “He’s dangerous.”

“If you say so, Sir.”

Ge frowned at Arron, “Just spit it out.”

“He is Ariel and Miranda’s stepfather. Wouldn’t they be upset if you arrest him.”

“Judging by the way they’re running from him, I don’t think so.”

“But what if they’ve only got a small quarrel with him and were merely being stubborn and wilful by running away? Wouldn’t they be upset then.”

“Ariel’s not like that. You know that. It doesn’t matter anyways. If what he’s doing is illegal, we take him down.”

————————–

“Joe, dude! Come hang out with us.” Jason yelled loudly into the receiver.

“I don’t-“ Joe started saying.

“Don’t tell me you don’t have time,” Jason slurred, he was definitely drunk. “You haven’t hanged out with us since you started going out with your new girlfriend.”

“We’ve only been going out for a few days you idiot, and stop drinking so much!”

“You’re such a pansy Joe.” Jason swore, “Maria honey, I’ll be with you in a second.”

“Where are you?”

“We’re at Jessica’s.”

“Jessica. Your blond and blue eyed ex-girl friend who swore never to talk to you again?” Joe asked in disbelief.

“Yeah, she couldn’t get enough of me.”

“And yet you’re with another girl right now?”

“So What? Jess and I are hardly exclusive.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Hey, she’s in a room with Brian. I bet you don’t need to me tell you what they’re doing.” Jason chortled as if he told a funny joke. “Oh, that feels good Janice… Oh yes Chelsea.”

“Look, I got stuff to do, I’ll see you later.”

“That lame excuse won’t work… ah… today. If you’re ah not ah here in 30 minutes, I’m going to go over to your house. We all ah know how much your mother loves me.”

Joe didn’t even want to think about what Jason was doing and felt annoyed. Mrs. Cheng hated Jason. She hated his spiky hair, multiple body piercings, and oversized clothing, and he knows it. Anytime he wanted Joe to do something, he threatened to come over. Joe didn’t like Jason much either, but since that one time Jason got him out of trouble in grade 9, it seemed like he was always doing what Jason wanted.

“Stop shitting me man.”

“I’m not fucking kidding you. Get here or I’ll go there.” Jason hung up the phone.

Joe slammed down his phone, grabbed his coat, and started driving to Jessica’s house. Jason is annoying, immature, and a slob, but he never goes back on his words. If Joe didn’t show up in the next 30 minutes, Jason will make good of his promise and come to Joe’s house, and that could be disastrous. Why the hell am I friends with him?

——————-

Hi Guys! Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long gap between the updates. I was going to update around New Years, but I got a bacterial infections and couldn’t. Then school started, and well… Anyways, enjoy this update and please comment!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Que Sera Sera Chapter 15: History

“So how was it?” Mira asked excitedly.

“It was interesting.” Ariel hanged her trench coat up on the hooks behind the door. Mira had bombarded with questions the second she came in the door.

“How interesting?”

“You wouldn’t believe what I found out.” Ariel told Mira about the story behind the Greenhouse Garden.

“No way!” Mira exclaimed, “So Joe’s Mom used to know Dad?”

“Yeah. Can you believe it?”

“Wow! Did you ask her for stories of him?”

“She wasn’t home. I think she’s away on a business trip. But I wouldn’t have asked her even if she was home.”

“Why not?”

“We can’t appear too curious. It’s kind of suspicious.”

“But still!”

“Mira, I want to know more about Dad as well. He died when I was 12, and I wish I remembered him better But we can’t draw more suspicion to ourselves.”

Miranda looked at Ariel silently for a few seconds, “You’re not telling me something about James are you.”

“Mira-“

“Don’t ‘Mira’ me Ariel. Tell me the truth. What is happening with James, and don’t tell me you don’t know.”

“Am I older or are you older?” Ariel remarked drily.

“Ariel. Tell me or I will phone Ge. And you know he’ll tell me.”

Ariel sighed. “He might be on to us.”

“James?” Miranda paled, “So soon? How?”

“I don’t know. Ge just said the guy that’s tracking us this time got a lead that we’re out west. I don’t know if he knows we’re in Vancouver, but he might. Ge says to sit tight for now.”

“How could you not tell me that before now?”

“What good would it have done? Hell, what good does it do for you to know now? We’re stuck here until Ge can get us new identities, and he won’t do that until it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t know if the tracker knows where we are. I’m betting not or we would be found out already. It usually takes them time to pinpoint us even if they know what city we’re in, so all we can do now is be careful and try not to draw attention to ourselves.”

“How long?” Miranda whispered.

“I don’t know. Maybe a few days, maybe a few months. Depends on how good the tracker is.”

“How long Ari?” Miranda asked again.

Ariel sighed, “I wouldn’t bet on staying here after the New Year.”

“Oh.”

“I know what you’re thinking, don’t do anything drastic about Josh.”

Mira smiled sadly, “I know. But sooner or later I have to.”

——————————-

“So how was it?” Mike asked Joe.

“How was what?” Joe busied himself putting mugs away in the cupboard.

“Your little ‘rendezvous’ with Ariel up in the Greenhouse Garden?”

“What rendezvous? We just talked. She was interested in the history of the garden.”

“Oh man!” Mike started laughing, “You’re disappointed!”

“I am not disappointed!” Joe strived to be calm.

“Yes you are.”

“I am not, and nice try.”

“Oh man, this is hilarious. The great Joe Cheng, dubbed the ‘most eligible bachelor’ of VU last year, couldn’t get a girl more interested in him than his mother’s garden!”

“Shut up dude.”

“It’s true though. I have a new appreciation for Ariel.”

“I’m sure you do. Now can you move your butt? I need to clean up.”

—————————–

It’s another Wednesday. Ariel loved and hated Wednesdays. On one hand, the week is half over and people seem rather reluctant to visit the Lotus on Wednesdays, so she has less work. On the other hand, all the course work seems to start piling up right around Wednesdays, and she was so tired she really wished it was the weekends already.

She was brewing coffee at the Lotus and it was raining as usual. She sighed and glanced at the calendar. December 8th. Christmas was just over two weeks away. Ariel loved Christmas. It was her favourite holiday to celebrate as a child because both her parents would be home. Her mother, a fabulous cook, always prepared a huge meal for the Christmas Eve dinner. Her father, an English teacher, would read Christmas classics to them after dinner until it was time for the Christmas Eve service. Ariel’s family wasn’t particularly religious, but they always go to the midnight service. Both Mira and herself would fall asleep from exhaustion the second they get back home. They would wake up late on Christmas morning, well rested and happy. The “great present search” would happen after a large breakfast, and the family would spend the rest of the day at home, watching movies, reading, playing games. Growing up in a city like Kitchener, snow always covered the houses during Christmas time, giving the town an almost magical feel. Yes, Ariel loved Christmas because she was truly happy. Spending time with her family was what Ariel loved the best.

And then…

One Christmas, Ariel was 12 and Miranda was 8. Her family had gone to the church service as usual. It had snowed during the day, and the ground was covered with a layer of ice. Ariel distinctly remembered the walk back home. Everyone was so happy but tired. A block away from home, Miranda dropped her stuffed reindeer in the middle of the road. The girls’ father, Matthew, went to pick it up. A car turned too fast on to the street they were standing on. The road was slippery; the car didn’t swerve in time.

The family waited in the emergency room for 24 hours. He didn’t make it. Before he died, he called Ariel to his bedside, his last words to her were, “You are so strong Ariel, but remember, sometimes it’s better to go around a mountain than to climb over it. Be flexible.” She took them to heart. “Be flexible” became her mantra. When she thinks those words, she could hear her father saying them to her.

The funeral was two weeks later. Ariel cried. Looking at her father’s tombstone after the service, she vowed to do what her father had asked of her.

Mira was only eight at the time. She never played with stuffed animals or reindeers ever again.

Que Sera Sera Chapter 11: Preparations

“Mira, how do you want to celebrate Christmas?” Ariel asked Mira in late November. The sisters were cleaning up after breakfast. Well, Ariel was cleaning, Miranda was daydreaming.

“The usual I guess.”

“Church on Christmas eve, eating a ton of extremely healthy food, going to bed late, waking up early on Christmas morning, having a huge breakfast, and watch movies while gorging on junk food until we both feel sick?”

“Yup. Why are you asking?”

“Just wondering if you want to do something different this year, that’s all.”

“Like what?”

“Like maybe spending time with Josh?”

“I will on Christmas Eve, but Christmas is for family, we’ve had this tradition since we were young.”

“True.” Ariel brightened up considerably when she thought of an idea. “Mira, do you want to invite Josh over for Christmas day?”

“What?” Mira became flustered. “No! Yes! Well… I don’t know.”

“Yes or no?” Ariel rolled her eyes.

“He’ll see me in my PJ’s! Besides, our basement is a bit of a dump.”

“How about we invite him over, we’ll get you some new PJ’s, and you can count it as my Christmas gift to you.” Ariel grinned, “Besides, he’s been here before. Just ask him.”

“Alright.” Miranda sounded dubious, “but he’ll think I’m weird for asking so early. We’ve only gone out for a month, it’s weird if I ask him to do something a month, won’t I seem desperate?”

Ariel rolled her eyes, “jeez, when did you become in indecisive? At any rate, just ask him, if not now, then in a couple of weeks. Where did the strong, ‘not scared of anything’ Miranda go?”

“She fell in love.” Miranda said in an extremely girly voice.

Ariel threw her dish towel at her.

——————————

“Is this seat taken?”

Ariel looked up from her studying and smiled when she realized it was Joe. “Nope.”

“So how’s it going?” He asked.

“Alright. Just trying to study.”

“You’re diligent. I don’t study during the term at all.”

“That’s because you have more time to cram near exam time than I do.”

“Oh yeah, you work.”

“I don’t only work; I am also ‘mommy’ to a teenage girl. Though speaking of work, I need to get going, my shift starts in a couple of minutes.”

“But you said you’d help me with biology!” Joe whined.

“I thought you said you don’t study during the term?” Ariel raised one of her eyebrow.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Fine, when do you have time?”

“Now.”

“I don’t.”

“How about a trade, I’ll teach you accounting and you teach me bio.”

“We already have that deal Einstein.”

“I mean at the same time. How about you come to my house next week? Mike, my buddy also needs help with accounting, I’ll grab him, and we can have a giant study session.”

Ariel considered it. “Alright, see you next week.”

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Yipppeee! Another update :) Next chapter will be longer!