[ilikeoldchangke]

Kate did a brief look around before walking down the path to the same KTV.


That very one that the man went into.



No way.


She can’t possibly work there.



As Kate entered, I saw her turn the sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’ on the tinted glass door.



Weird.


I was about to cross the small road when a car pulled up in front of the KTV.



2 men alighted from the vehicle and they chatted for a moment by the front door before heading in as well.



One of them looked really familiar.




He looked like someone I played soccer with when we were kids at the back alley of the coffee shop. I can’t put a name to the face but I know we’ve met before.




I paced up and down for a minute as I thought about what to do next.


Well, it’s a KTV, and a pub and they serve beer.



I’m just going to walk right in and order myself a drink then.




I could always pretend I did not notice the closed sign.



As long as the door is unlocked, I can walk in.


Nothing wrong with that.



I crossed the road, angled my direction towards the KTV entrance.



I could feel the butterflies in my stomach churning. My curiosity needs to be satisfied. Maybe Kate is in some kind of a trouble or something.


Without breaking step, I pulled back the tinted glass door and stepped into the pub.




And the moment I set foot inside, I froze.



There were no music playing.


The lights were on, not those dim coloured lights, I meant like bloody white lights. It lit up the entire place.



The place was almost empty.


Almost.

The bartender barked sharply at me.



Bartender : We’re closed brother !... read the sign. !



In the middle of the room, 3 chairs swivelled towards me at the same time.




On the left is the Anthony wong, followed by the other 2 who just alighted from the car.



Before I could speak, Kate emerged from one of the room with a few files in her hands.



Kate’s eyes widened and she asked me in a bewildered manner.



Kate : What are you doing here ??!!




Jake : I ….. I wanted to grab a beer…. I didn’t…. I didn’t know it’s closed…


The 3 men kept quiet as they looked at me.


Kate pointed to me and added.



Kate : Kor, Uncle and Auntie Teo’s son…. Jake…




One of the men immediately smiled and stood up, he approached me and shook my hand.




Gabriel : Hey Jake… remember me or not ? …. Gabe la…




Jake : Oh… oh… oh… Gabe… hey… how are you man !.... it’s been so long…


Some missing memories of my childhood came flashing back into my head as I chatted with Gabe. I didn’t know Gabriel had a sister, well, their age gap must be pretty big, i don’t remember seeing Kate at the coffee shop before as a kid.

We chatted for about 2 or 3 minutes when Gabe snapped his fingers at the bartender and ask him to bring me a drink.



Kate : Kor… our….. discussion ? we don’t have much time…


Gabriel ignored Kate and introduced me to the other 2 men around the table.




Gabriel : This is Andy….. and this is Uncle Ben…




I nodded with a slight smile at each other them.


Andy returned my nod while Uncle Ben just stared at me.



Gabriel casually asked about what I was doing and I told him that I quit my job and I planned to take over my parent’s business after I learn the trade.




I could see the twinkle in his eyes as he looked at Kate before turning to Uncle Ben and Andy.



Gabriel : Let me get his straight…you’re not working now… and you’ll be learning the trade…. At the coffee shop …



Jake : Err… that’s the plan…



Gabriel went on with his questions.



Gabriel : You’ll be at the coffee shop…. Everyday ?


Jake : I… guess so…. I mean… I need a while to pick up the skills and it’s not like I have anything to do at the moment… so…



Gabriel leaned forward and I could tell he was getting excited.



Gabriel : Are you attached or married ??



Jake : No! of course not… i…




Uncle Ben cut in suddenly and asked.




Ben : You speak Chinese ? Hokkien ae hiao buay ? ( You understand Hokkien dialect )




Jake : I am Hokkien… of course I understand… but…




Andy jumped in this time round and peppered me with his questions.


Andy : Jake , stand up straight… how tall are you ? Do you take beef ?



What the fuck ?




Even my dietary preference ?



Jake : Ermm… wait wait… I’m not following….. I’m just here to grab a beer…



Gabriel went over to Kate, pulled her over so she’s standing beside me and took a step back.




Andy stood up too and uncle Ben uncrossed his legs and sat up straight.



Kate : Gabriel !.... what are you doing ??!!!




Gabriel : Jake…look…. I can give you a very very good rental rate if you take over… much better than what your parents are getting…



Gabriel sat back and pointed his index finger at me, shaking it as if he’s pin pointing a location on a map.


Andy : Gabriel , maybe we….



Gabriel : He can do it… let him do it…


Jake : Ermm.. do what ??




Kate : NO!.... we don’t even know him….! I don’t even know him !



Gabriel : Exactly… they don’t too. ! … no one knows him.. and one thing for sure…. He’s not with them…




Andy turned and look at me while Uncle Ben nodded his head.




The 3 of them turned towards Kate at the same time and she shook her head.

Kate : NO!... no… .. it’s… it’s so weird… no !...


Jake : ERm… ok .. ok.. wait… i…. I’m a bit disoriented. .. what is going on ?


Gabriel : Who else are you going to find ?? within this short period of time ??



Gabriel pointed to me and added.




Gabriel : He’s not working… he’ll be at the coffee shop the whole day… and look at him…. He got no fucking clue what’s going on… Jake is like a block of wood …untouched. Ready to be sculpted … we know his parents for decades !...



Jake : Errrr……



I’m not sure if that was meant to be a compliment and I slowly got onto my feet.



Something don’t smell right.



It’s as if they’re trying to con me into doing something illegal.




It’s time to bolt.


I got up and tried to excuse myself.




Jake : I think… I better make a move…




Gabriel : No… Jake… sit down… I have a proposition for you…


Jake : Er… no la… thank you… I think better not…. We catch up another time…




Andy : Jake… at least listen to what Gabriel has to say.




Something was definitely way off.


I could literally smell where this was headed.




“ Help me get this luggage to another airport “