The First Chapter - 023

As I finish my deep fried bun and helping myself with the cereal prawns, I asked. 

"Why are you at the KTV pub that day?" 

Sigh, I wish I can be more outspoken and straightforward with my questions like how I usually is.

"Drink, drank, drunk." Lawrence's answer is just as simple as that.

"That's all? Certainly something must have happened that's why you're..."

"Tearing, right?"

Gosh, is he mind reader? His interruption is exactly what I want to say. 

I guess my mind-fucked state of shock face gave myself away. I nod my head in embarrassment.

"My dog passed away." until today, I don't understand how he could said this calmly without any expression on his face.

"THAT'S ALL!" see, I've said before that I couldn't hide my expressions. With voice that loud I suddenly realize the whole restaurant is looking at me, even though it was a noisy one to began with.

"Yup, my dog was with the vet when I was at the pub. He texted me to say that she can't make it anymore and have to be put to sleep."

I quietly finish the prawn with my head down. Having a dog is like having a kin. When it pass on, it's hard not to be upset.

"But still, you don't have to take advantage of me right?" 

"Haha, you mean that hug I gave you?"

My whole face turn red. Isn't that obvious when I asked this question I'm getting myself into this kind of situation.

"I just broke up with my cai the day before that, and thought of going to somewhere foreign for a drink to listen to some nice singings and maybe fishing for new cai. Turns out that the whole night I'm listening to ghost whisperings, voice breaking and cracking."

True. That KTV pub seems to house a lot of singer wannabes who are well, way too far from being one. Out of tune, screaming, voice breaking and cracking can be heard in almost every song sang by anyone there.

"I almost had my ear drums burst that night until I heard your voice."

Hmm, is that a compliment? While I'm having this thought in my mind, I could feel a flush of heat on my cheeks. 

I must be blushing red, because Lawrence was grinning when he looked at me.

"That hug was a thank you for saving my ear drums, also to make sure if we never meet again, you'll remember me."

"Then why did you appear at the gym?"

I think, I'm beginning to feel more comfortable being with this guy.

The First Chapter - 022

The walk down the shophouse stairs was one filled with tons of questions in my head again. This guy... Who the hell is he?!

Boss of this really nice boutique at a shophouse in Haji Lane, boss of some KTV pubs and night clubs, Senior PR manager of an events company?

Just how many jobs or business does this person holds?

We got back to his car and he drove to us to East Coast Park.

I don't get it. Why would eating at East Coast require me to change my attire entirely to what I'm donning now? Shouldn't what I've worn a way much better choice?

We walk over to Jumbo Seafood Restaurant. I couldn't take it anymore and ask.

"If you're just intending to bring me for a seafood dinner why ask me to get changed into what I'm wearing right now?"

Lawrence merely give me a smirk and continue walking to the entrance.

"Lawrence, I've made a booking."

"This way please Mr Lau." the captain show us the way to the second level.

"You can change back to what you're wearing initially, but that probably will look underdressed and terrible later after dinner." Lawrence replied me after sitting down comfortably.

There isn't anybody who even bothered to bring over the menu. At that point of time, I thought why would the service of Jumbo Seafood be so bad when they don't even bother to serve us anything except chrysanthemum tea.

Don't blame me, I'm here for the first time in my life.

A short while later, we're served with a plate of chili crab, a plate of cereal prawns and deep fried buns.

"Itadaki masu" Lawrence just pick up the chopsticks without me and start getting the cereal prawns for himself.

I look carefully at this guy sitting in front of me. How gentleman or nice can he be when he's showing all signs of an MCP? Or at least to me??

"What are you waiting for? Tuck in!" Lawrence finally realize I'm staring at him after he finishes his first prawn. I pick up my chopstick and pick one of the deep fried buns and dip into the sauce from the chili crab.

"Is that the reason you asked me to change into what I'm wearing now?" I ask, before giving the chili crab sauce covered bun a bite.

"Partially, Au-drey."

"You can call me Aud, or Audrey."

"I prefer to call you Au-drey."

Fine. Whatever. I feel so suffocated having to eat my dinner with someone like him. What have I done in my past life to deserve someone like this to torture me?

That reminds me the question I want to ask him. That unfateful night.

Why was he crying at my singing?

The First Chapter - 021

Second time this idiot just cut my words. Does he even have manners?

"Just leave your bags in the car."

"Huh! Don't want. What if my things get stolen?"

"Au-drey, look carefully at the window. If people can't see anything from outside, do you think they'll come break the window to steal your bag?"

Sigh, being chak big time. I guess I have to listen to his instructions then. I left my bag in his car and took only my wallet and phone with me.

"Leave your wallet in the car, Au-drey."

"What if..."

"If it gets stolen I'll be responsible."

Unwillingly, I left my wallet and bag in his car, bringing only my handphone.

The walk over to Haji Lane was a terribly quiet one. I merely followed him behind his back, with him turning back a few times to check if I'm still around and giving me a smirk each time he does that.

We walk up a shophouse into a small store selling really nice clothings for both men and woman.

"Lawrence! Coming over to check if I'm eating snake or not is it?" the lady in the store greet us with a smile.

"Do I look like someone who does that?" from the way it sound, Lawrence probably is one of their regulars here.

"I need this girl to be in something that's suitable for dinner, with me." Lawrence points at me while telling the sales lady what he wants.

"That's easy. Here, come with me." the lady signal me to follow her.

The next 45 minutes was a torture to me. I was stationed in the changing room while the sales lady bring over at least 10 different shorts, pants, tops and tees for me to try on and showcase to Lawrence. Each time, I merely get a shake of his head.

Finally, he decided on getting a pair of fitting black shorts with gold studs and a asymmetrical black chiffon top.

"Oh yah, she needs a new pair of shoes too."

The sales lady brought over a pair of black heels with some gold studs and chains on it for me to try on. Very edgy and stylish but the price tag of $389 is just as pretty in my opinion.

"Looks good on her! I'll take these."

"No wait! I don't think..." I tried to stop him but too late, the lady was already cutting all the tags on the shorts and top and removing the labels on the heels.

"Done, let's go." Lawrence just grab me by my wrist again and we left the store.

"Thanks boss!" the lady said that to Lawrence when we step out of the store.

Boss???

The First Chapter - 020

It's not about the price of the car.
Neither is it about the specifications of the car that attracts me.

Rather, it's because this car has merely launch in Singapore for a month and he's already driving it. A coincidence that he's changing cars hence the decision to get this?

Can't be bothered since I won't have an answer to it.

Since I'm a fan of Initial D and being surrounded by "Ah Beng" friends who drives for the sake of racing, Evo 9 was already in my lookout before its launch.

And red cars are always my favorite. No questions asked.

As I open the door and get myself seated inside this red Evo 9, tons of questions flood my mind.

"Is he gonna expect me to give him a blowjob here?"

"Where is he bringing me to eat? Why the need to go shop for new clothes?"

"His car is really new. I can still smell the leather from the seats. And there's no cushion or anything feminine that hangs around! No girlfriend or because he's a playboy?"

"What is he going to do?"

"Why take so long to be at the car boot and not coming in to start the car engine yet? Maybe he's got a whole car boot filled with BDSM stuffs!?"

"Fasten your seat belt, Au-drey."

His sudden words wakes me up from my daydreaming. I fasten the seat belt while he started driving off.

I don't dare to speak a word throughout the journey. It's kinda weird because I don't even know who is he. Then I remembered, there's something which I must know.

I have to ask him about this.

"Er...."

"Lawrence, not er." he interrupt even before I can say anything.

"Lawrence."

He smiled the moment I said that.

On a closer look, this guy does look good when he smiles.

"Lawrence, mind if I ask you something?" I looked at him while he concentrate on his driving. Rich people certainly don't thrift like the poor. Even his shades is one expensive pair.

"Haha, shoot."

I look down and hesitate for a while.

"On the night at the KTV..."

"Get down, we're here."

The First Chapter - 019

By the time I'm done with work and changed into my casual denim shorts and tees, Lawrence is already done with his workout, showered and waiting for me at the members lounge area.

Not to mention everyone at work is already being notified that the most humble, rich and handsome member in our gym had dated me out for dinner for some "unfinished business".

Doomsday, I don't need to wait for it. I can feel it coming to me right away.

"You done?" Lawrence scan me from head to toe. I replied with a simple nod.

"Byee Aud! Enjoy your DINNER!" Larry waved with his usual cheeky comical tone of speech at me as I walk to the lift lobby with Lawrence.

"I think we still have time." Lawrence said as the lift door close. "Let's go shopping."

"Huh?" I wish I have heard wrongly. Shopping? Which guy would actually like shopping?

"I don't think you want to be in this attire unless you want to be the center of attraction."

I take a look at what I'm wearing. White Nike t-shirt, Levi's denim shorts. Puma sling bag, hot pink converse sneakers.

I gave this man who's standing beside me a good look. T-shirt and jeans. With an Adidas bag.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Lawrence just gave me a smile. The lift door opens and without a thought he grab me by my wrist and drag me out of the lift.

"You'll know when we reach."

Lawrence brought me to the car park where his car is. At that moment I almost skip a heartbeat.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX in red.

Evo 9, my dream car alright.

The First Chapter - 018

"Hi welcome to Planet Fitness..." *gasp*

My whole body and face froze the moment I saw him.

What the hell! What is he doing here? Is he a member here?

Everything goes crazy in my mind. Worst still, I can't answer these questions.

"Two large towels please, Au-drey"

Sigh, the downside of working in the frontline. You can't hide your name since name tag is a must.

"Oh and I want locker number 17, Au-drey."

Lawrence hand me his membership card. I scanned the card and pass him the locker keys.

*beep*

"Lawrence Lau Hwee"

"Enjoy your workout." I tried very hard to squeeze a smile. Afterall, it really isn't worth to get a complaint for lousy service because of him.

"You bet I will, Au-drey." Lawrence gave me a wink and walk into the men's changing room.

Larry, my partner in crime at work for that day, made fun of me after Lawrence's backview disappear into the changing room.

"Haha, he's your ONS lover is it?"

"NO LAH!" I exclaimed. "I only met him once in a KTV pub." Seriously, I don't know why my face started blushing. Seriously.

"Really just met in the KTV pub or on the bed?" Larry gave me that usual cheeky grin.

"You think my standard for guys is only like that meh?" I replied. Larry is well known for his Ah Beng character while I'm known as the closet Ah Lian, hence when we work together we usually speak in singlish or mandarin or even hokkien.

"Eh he not bad ok, I heard he quite well to do one."

Ya right, SENIOR PR MANAGER.
So?

"What you mean quite well to do?"

"Rumors has it that even though he works as a PR Manager in this big events company, he also owns 2 pubs, a night club and drives a Lamborghini."

W-H-A-T T-H-E F-U-C-K

"Orh." I replied coldly. I can't be telling Larry that I actually attempt to slap this guy during our very first encounter right?

"But he's quite humble despite being so well to do though. Everytime he comes to the gym I noticed he drives a Honda Jazz only."

"Okay I'm allergic to rich people." I tried to stop Larry from telling me about him. Who's this Lawrence Lau anyway?

I have nothing to do with him, that's it.

*bam* someone's sudden bang on the countertop gave me a scare.

"Au-drey, you free after work today?" Lawrence's sudden appearance gave me a shock.

"Huh! What... Er.."

"She'll be knocking off in another 30 minutes time." Idiot Larry for replying on my behalf. Idiot idiot idiot.

"Great. Let's go for dinner then a drink together, shall we? I think we still have unfinished business from the other time."

That moment, I foresee myself facing a catastrophe in 30 minutes time.

The First Chapter - 017

I didn't went back to that pub after that incident. As the toilet was far behind our table Mark wasn't aware of what happened too, since I kept the name card in my hand bag before going back to the table.

Everything seems to go back to normal after that night. Shortly after, I manage to get a job as a Customer Service Executive in a gym. The pay isn't fantastic and there's shift work, but it's still higher than my previous job with shift allowance and there's uniforms provided. Also, staffs can use all the gym facilities for free.

Not only that, my new colleagues are all fun-loving party people so on days when I only need to work afternoon shift till gym closure, we would go clubbing or supper together.

At that time, there's a lot of things happening at home. Dad had an affair with a china woman and mum moved out with my younger sibling. No one is really at home to take notice if I'm at home or not. Good for me in a way since I can come home with my clubbing wear without anyone scolding me.

Everything is good, until one day I meet him again.

Lawrence Lau, Senior PR Manager.