Chapter Eleven – The Celebrity

Michelle Nam Says?

"What do you want?" I ask full of rage.

"The police is after me Aliyah, I need to get out of here."

"You need money again?"

"I am desperate. If you do not grant my wish, I will go to your boyfriend."

"How much?"

"Fifty million."

"Fifty million? Do you understand what you are saying?!"

"You will not give me then?" he challenged.

I clench my fist as I bit my lower lip out of frustration.

"Wait for my phone call tomorrow," I said as I attempts to leave.

"One more thing," he said again, "I need a car for easy escape.

Hearing those words, I left him there.

"Argggh!" I scream as I taps my forehead.

I do not have any idea what to do. I have no enough money. That is impossible.

By the time I got home on his unit, I see him there too busy on his paper works again. He seems so tired.

I head towards him and gently massage his shoulders.

"Tired already?" I ask.

"Uh-huh. A little bit," he said then give me that very weak smile.

"You are stressing yourself too much."

To my surprise, he smiles as he carry me on his arms. "I have a great idea to relieve my stress," he said as he kiss me on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you more," I replied.

As we cuddles on his bed, he kiss me gently on the forehead. "In case that something bad happened, I just want you to know that I will always love you."

Hearing those, a pain suddenly stabs my heart.

"Why do I have this feeling that you are already uttering your goodbye?"

He only gives me a very weak smile as he pinch my nose. I have a bad feeling about this. His smile is so painful.

"I love you," he said again as he closes his eyes.

Dione? Will you forgive me? Will you still love me if I betray you? I am sorry but I am just too selfish enough to keep it in myself alone. You do not have to be involve with my messy life. I t is for the best to keep you in the dark, believing myself to be perfect. It will scarred you for life. Believe me. You do not have to know it. Just remember how much I love you.

With my finger, I trace his face – his forehead, his eyebrows, his eyes, his nose, and then I stops on his lips as tears fall from my eyes. "I love you," I whisper then I kiss him on the lips.

"Just stay okay?" I said again with a weak smile as I close my eyes and succumb to a deep slumber.

~

The next morning, I wake up, only to find that he was already gone from my side.

I fix myself then I head straight to the bank.

"I need a fifty million cash."

"Ms. Nam?" the teller ask in confusion as she give me a worried look. "Does Mr. Tang knows about this? It is a joint account. We need to know if he gives you permission to withdraw that high price cash."

"Of course, he knows about it."

"How can we be so sure?"

"Is his dry seal on this agreement paper already enough?" I said as I shows her a document that I prepared yester evening. Dione trust me so much that is why I have legal access on his personal stuffs, including this one and all the pin codes of his vaults, bank accounts and other properties.

I am sorry honey. I know that this is a joint account but it is still his money. The funds on that account are all his money – a hard-earned money from his medical career. It feels like I am stealing his wealth.

Huh!

"Here is the fifty million cash Ms. Nam," she said as she hands me a brief case.

"Thank you," I answered.

As I went outside, I do not expect to meet Dione's business manager.

"Michelle," he calls out.

I manage to give a smile as I turn to face him. Fake.

"Mr. Guan," I said.

He looks at me then on the brief case on my hand then throws me a doubting stare.

"How was Dione? I cannot get in touch with him these past few weeks."

"Ah!" I smile again. "He is busy in work, personal stuffs and on our upcoming wedding."

"I see," he nod. "Anyway, just tell him that I want to know how he really is," then he looks on his wristwatch. "I need to go. I still have some appointments."

I smile as he heads off.

Huh!

~

At the parking lot of the condominium, I still check if no one is around before I sabotage the brake of my car.

"You can use my car," I said as I call the man who claims to be my father. "The money is on the trunks. I will leave the key here. Ask the front desk lady about where my car is."

I shakes my head and with my trembling hands, I left my car there.

~

"You are really sincere on taking fashion design lessons huh?"

I just only answered him with a smile then pretends on concentrating on my stuffs gain.

When I finally assured that he is already gone asleep, I fix myself again.

Actually, I have been waiting for him to come home so that I can use his car instead.

Before I left, I still scribble a note for him and kiss him on the forehead.

"I will do everything for us," I whisper.

~

"Going somewhere Ms. Nam?" the front desk lady ask curiously as it is not my habit to go somewhere during noon.

In spite of my worries and being bothered, I still manage to smile at her.

"I will check stuffs for our wedding."

"I see. Ah – that is sweet," she said admiringly.

"Ahhm, can I have Dione's key on his car? I want to use his instead of mine."

"Okay," she said in spite of doubt as she hands me the key.

"Thanks," I said.

Huh!

~

I just stay there, on Dione and I's usual place – the riverbank. I closes my fist to prevent my both hands from trembling. I do not know what to do anymore. I only shakes my head while sobbing silently.

Then, I received a text message from Dione.

From My Love

'Alright. But be careful on selecting things. Just think first before you decide, or else you might end up on those that are not beneficial and will only disappoint you after. Take care. I love you.'

I wipe those tears from my eyes.

"I love you too," I said.

Then I received a phone call from that man, whom I already cursed a long while ago.

"I already got the money," he said.

"Good. My car?"

"Do you think I am stupid? I knew you Aliyah. You really plans to kill me? Ha-ha, I am all right, am I? Do not worry; very much your car is yours. I will not show my face to you again. Thank you, dear daughter," he said then he ends the call.

I closes my fist because of anger, then I dial the police to track the brief case and arrest him right after.

From My Love

'I have a duty. You used my car so I decided to drive yours. Take care. Eat on time. I love you.'

Reading those, I rush to our condominium, only for me to find that my car is no longer on the parking lot.

"Where is Dione?" I ask the front desk lady with a panic tone.

"He was already gone on duty in the hospital, Ms. Nam."

Hearing that, I rush outside as I tried to contact him. "Dione, honey, please answer the phone."

I am already crying. Why these are all happening.

It has been hours since I tried to contact him, and yet, there are still no answer.

Mixed worries and frustrations are spinning on my head this time.

I decided to dial the number of the hospital.

"Hello, Ms. Nam?"

"Is Dione there already?"

"No ma'am. Dr. Tang still haven't report this afternoon yet. It is his first time to be late, actually."

"Hello, Ms. Nam?"

I put down my phone as I am now shaking in fear. Dione, where are you?

Then I receives another phone call . . .

"Hello?"

"Are you Ms. Michelle Nam?"

"I am."

"We are the Beijing Police. Mr. Tang drives your car but he got an accident. He fell on a ravine."

With my hand on my mouth, while the other hand is trembling, I loss hold of my cellphone and begins to cry.

Not Dione . . .

~

I rush to the hospital with my eyes already sore because of crying . . .

"Where is he investigator?"

"He is there," he said in a low voice while shaking his head. "We found him dead on the spot."

"No!!!!!" I scream as I head towards him, only for me to find him helpless and lifeless . . .

"Honey . . . wakes up . . . You cannot leave me this way . . . Honey . . . we still have our wedding . . . You promise me . . . Do not die on me please . . . I am begging you . . . Please . . . "

That was the biggest regret of my life . . . I killed the love of my life . . .

In your arms, as the dawn is breaking

Face to face and a thousand miles apart

But I can't find the words to say

To touch you deep inside

Can we give just one more chance

Or let this be our last goodbye . . .

I looks around on our condo unit. Everywhere, everything that I can remember is he. His face, his smile, his embrace, his kiss. I wipes my tears. Now, it seems like an empty space, with all his personal things already cleared away because Auntie Ericka removed it and cremated it with him. Everything that all was left are his memories in my heart . . .

"Are you sure that you do not want to stay?"

I just shakes my head.

"Auntie Ericka, I am grateful to you and your family, but then, it is so painful to stay here."

Then I place my hand on my stomach. Yesterday, I discovered that I am two weeks pregnant.

"My baby needs a new environment."

With teary eyes, she only nods at me.

"I understand. But do not forget to calls us and sends us an update about the baby, okay?"

I only give her a very weak smile.

"When will be your flight to Paris?"

"This afternoon, auntie."

"Take care of yourself," she said in between sobs as she embraces me.

But only love can say

Try again or walk away

But I believe in you and me

That sun will shine one day

So I'll just play my part

Praying you'll have a change of heart

But I can't make you see it through

That something only love can do . . .

It was almost a fairy tale and I really want you to stay, but you chose to leave. Dione, is it goodbye then?