Chapter 6: Of hissy fits and accidental meetings..

Music by: Frankie J- We Still

Kai Bu Liao Kou (Can't Open Mouth) - Jay Chou

Want to sing the songs?

"Where is everybody??? Kirsten, where's Angela??? Can someone remind that lady that we're in Taiwan and not in New York... she doesn't know the place for pete's sake! I don't want to have a casualty on the first day of my tour..."

P.Diddy having a fit?
Hell no!
That's Blade, the rap princess throwing a hissy fit.

Unfortunately, I was the only one around to listen to all her gripes.

We had just arrived at the hotel and everyone was off doing something for the tour.

Angela, on the other hand, got sidetracked by Edward and Nicky at the hotel lobby.
Actually it was the two of us, but I decided to accompany Jill to the hotel room instead.

Her first encounter with Kenny after years of being separated wasn't exactly fairy tale material. Both on-cam and off cam.
Of course she couldn't take out his frustrations on him or vent out in full view of her fans, so she controlled all surge of emotions on the way home, and now, here she is, ranting like a mad woman.

"Hey!!! Would you calm down? Angela's just in the convenience store across the hotel!"
Okay, thats a lie, but do you think it will make her feel better if I told her Angela was with Kenny's crew.
"She's a grown up Jill, I'm sure she can manage herself," I followed up.

"Well can you blame me? It's all our first time here! Of course I'm going to be worried."
"Jill...will you look outside, everywhere we go, were surrounded by big burly bodyguards... you think someone would even think of doing something bad to us?" I reminded her, "Calm down Jill! Everything's going to be fine!"
"How is it going to be fine??? Did you see how Kenny winked at me earlier? Did you notice the cockiness in him while you guys were making small talk at the parking lot? That's not Kenny!That's a walking bloated ego!"
I looked away and shook my head while wearing a silly grin.
It finally came out.
This wasn't about one of us getting lost, it was about Kenny!
"Hey why are you looking away? I know you're laughing at me! This isn't a laughing matter Kirsten! He's changed!" she ranted.
I turned towards her, "He isn't the only one Jill, he isn't the only one."
Her mouth dropped as if I said that her fly was open since this morning, "Excuse me!!!"
"It's been a long time Jill, of course things would change, you weren't around to see all the changes in him. Stop looking at him as the 15 year old kid you fell in love with. It's Andrew who you gotta hang out with if you're looking for the Kenny you used to know!"
She fell quiet.
I think I got her there.
Someone's got to take this person out of 1995.

"Besides, don't you like the spunk and tinge of conceitedness in him? That's what made you like him right?"
"Yiiieeeahhhhhhhhhh..." That was a long affirmation, "But years ago it was cute, now it irritates me."
"Jill, it's been years!!! It's your first meeting after so many years of being away, you just got to get used to it again."

I was expecting some more verbal lashing, but it was all quiet.

She yawned. The type of yawn that you force to come out, "Jetlag settling in," she said.
"Go take a nap first! You need all the energy for tomorrow," I said.

She went off to her room without a word.

The suite door opened.
It was Angela.
"Pssttt...where's our little princess?" she hissed.
"Sleeping...according to her," I hissed, "What took you guys so long?S he's been ranting like a maniac since we arrived."
"Coffee shop! Wanted to catch up. They actually remembered," she beamed.
I smiled, "Thats good to know!"
"How is she though?" she asked, referring to Blade.
"I honestly don't know. I don't think she took the first meeting lightly. Too many things on her head, too many expectations."
"Too many resentments?" Angela asked.
"Probably," I said, "Did they say how Kenny took it?"
"They didn't, but Ed said they needed to get away from him right now, so I guess it wasn't good too."
We both sighed.
"Oh yeah... they asked permission if they could go up here later?"
"What did you say?"
"Uhhh...sure!"
"Ange!!! We made an agreement on the plane! We're not going to meddle anymore. Let them work this out remember?"
"Cool it!" she said, "This isn't just about Kenny and Jill, this is all about the lost years of friendship."

She had a point.

"Oh okay...whatever you say..."

We both turned toward Jill's room when we heard the door open.
She was dressed to go out.
"What the heck?" Angela said.
"I thought you were going to sleep!"

She didn't speak, she just walked out of the suite.

We ran after her, and saw her bargaining with Sean's security staff.

"Jill where are you going? Are you crazy?"
"Hey! Whats' with the bargaining? I thought you were worried about us getting lost."

We saw the security nod their heads and let het her go.

I turned to one of Sean's security. "What the heck??? Why did you let her go?"

"She said she needed to be alone, she was just going to walk around the hotel," he simply said.
"Ay diosko! Where did Sean get his staff? Timbuktu??? Ang lalake naintimidate kay Jill" (My god! Where did Sean get his staff? Timbuktu??? They're so big and yet they get intimidated at Jill")
I giggled. When one of us starts to talk in Tagalog, you know something strange had just happened.
Angela took me by the hand and urged me to be quick.
"Come on! We gotta get there to see things unfold."
"What!?!?!"
"Nicky just messaged me."
I cant believe this person. She should be Jill's PR person. Less than 12 hours in Taiwan, she reconnected already with Nicky.
"Kenny's downstairs!!! Jeff has a meeting with Sean at the restaurant!"
"Kenny with them at the meeting?"
Angela shook her head, "They refused to take him home, so he's down there sulking."

"Oh my gosh!!!"
***
We knew we were in trouble when we ran into Jeff and Kenny at the lobby.

Jeff knew what we were up to, but Kenny's eyebrows were raised up to his temples when he saw us.
We didn't dare explain to him, we knew he wasn't in a good mood to listen.
Thank heavens we went out of there in separate cars.
With Jeff as his only companion in the car, we knew he wouldn't dare throw a hissy fit.

But what scared us more was when Jeff told us he would leave Kenny with us while he went off to a meeting with P.Diddy.
Edward suggested we stay in the lobby, to avoid Kenny lashing out at us in public.
"Thats too public! Fans would see him! And he damn looks like he isn't in the mood to mingle with fans! Coffee shop?" I suggested.

We weren't trying to make small talk.
We didn't know what to say to him.

"Are you guys okay?"he asked.
Both of us looked up, "Huh?"
He smirked, "Dont worry guys, I'm not the least bit pissed off with what happened."
We sighed in relief.
"I guess the mix of emotions just got to me. I was anxious that she was arriving, hoping that we would run into each other, surprised that she actually was Aziatix newest artist...
Someone tapped us from behind, "Talking about me?"
"Gabe!!!" three of us said.
"Where the heck did you come from?" I asked, "Whats with the bags?"
"Airport! Jae told me to meet up with you guys here..." He turned to Kenny, "So how did the meeting with your childhood sweetheart go?"
"You knew about that?" Kenny asked.
"Why do you think I agreed to commute from the airport to here. It's because of her! They said you guys were going to be busy that you wouldn't have enough time to pick me up," he said as he settled himself on the couch.
"Sorry about that man..." Kenny said.
"Its all good dude! So...what happened?" he asked.
"Both of them got into each others nerves!" Edward said.
Gabe laughed, "Just like old times huh! Getting into each others nerves, but can't manage to be away from each other."
"Not this time around!" Kenny said softly, "We just got into each others nerves, and didn't manage to have a decent welcome-back-to-each-others-lives conversation."
"That sucks!" Gabe said.
"I know!" Kenny said, then sighed, "Fame has changed her, became a snob, aloof... she's not the same Jill I used to know."
"But isn't that the same traits that made you like her?" Edward asked.
"Kenny...it's been almost a decade since you last saw each other... what do you expect? She wasn't even past puberty when you left!" I pointed out, "And excuse me for saying this, she's the bigger star... all eyes are on her... you can't just expect her to run to you and hug you and be all chummy with you. As if you didn't know this kind of set up... it's just like being with Vickie..."
He glared at me.
"You talk too much!" he said.
"Ohhh...struck a chord there!" I teased.
Edward and Gabe glared at me.
I was really talking too much.
"Shut it Nicky, you might not make it to your album launch a complete human being if you don't shut up!" Edward mumbled.
Kenny stood up, "I think I need some fresh air. You guys are suffocating me!"
"Where you goin?"
"Pool side!" he mumbled as he walked away.
"Lets just let him be." Gabe said.
"Gabe!!!"
We looked towards the door and saw Kirsten and Angela running to Gabe and giving him a hug.
"Hey, why didn't I get a hug like that earlier?" I complained.
Gabe just stuck his tongue out at me.

"Where's Kenny? I thought he was with you?" Kirsten asked.
"Went off to the poolside! Clearing his head," Edward said.
"Oh...my...God!" Angela said.
"Why?" Edward asked.
"Jill went there!" the two girls exclaimed.

Wow!!!

***
So much for solitude... someone had just walked in the pool area.
Oh well this is a public area anyway, if I wanted privacy, I should have gone to the penthouse swimming pool.
I looked at the person who had just entered.

"Kenny!"

Oh wow!Perfect!The place is almost empty.
Except for that lone figure near the cabanas.
I took a second glance at her to see if she recognized me.
I'm not in the mood to make small talk with fans right now.

"Jill!"

And there we were.
As if time stood still.
Kenny and I a few feet away from each other, making eye contact.

I felt like I was in some sappy love story movie.
We were just focused on each other.
As if we weren't hostile with each other at the presscon.

"What are you doing here?"
Man, that was cold.

I smirked."That was cold! You turning into the ice queen now?"

She raised an eyebrow, "What was cold about that? I was just asking you what are you doing here? Don't you have some appointment? Or probably a date with that Vickie girl?"

"Wow! You actually researched about me huh? That's flattering!" I smiled conceitedly.

Someone's getting conceited.

"Not that I wanted to, I just had to," I said. That would put his feet back on the ground.

"Oh yeah... I know...you dont have time for catch up with old friends and find out how their lives had been. You just want to hang-out with your posse!"

"Oh yeah! I'm too busy with my posse to think about my past. But who got busy first? Who was the one busy street dancing and stuff huh?"

"I went off to college and finished a degree in case you didn't know."

"Oh yeah I know, Mr Hotshot! I actually know! What about you? Didn't you even bother to ask about me? I bet I just came back into your brain when I made it big?"

We both stopped.
This was getting nowhere.
We were just voicing out our resentments at each other.

He got something from his pocket.

She fished out something from her purse

It was our picture!
Our last picture together.

I couldnt believe it. The rap princess still kept our picture.

I was touched. He still had it with him.

"I always had it Jill! I didn't forget about you," I said.
She looked up at me.
Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Me too Kenny. Me too!"she said softly.

We looked at each other and finally, we were looking at each other without any resentment.
It felt like being transported back to 1995.

I wasnt looking at Blade. I was looking at Jill. My bestfriend. The one I loved.

I wasn't looking at Kenny Chou the Rapper. I was looking at my baby boie. My protector. My best friend.

I stepped forward, wanting to envelope her in my arms and welcome her back in my life.

I wanted to step forward, longing for his hug again.

She looked around. Someone was calling her.

His phone rang.

"Wei? Hey Vickie!"

"Blade! Interview! Your room!"

She waved goodbye to me, signalling that she had to go up.

He still had his phone stuck to his ears, he waved back at me.

I looked at her as she walked away.

I didnt dare look back, I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I felt like I was going to burst any minute.
He was watching me walk away, and he wasnt doing anything about it.
Just like before, only this time, I was the one leaving him behind

She was walking away, and I wasn't making a move.
Wasn't it this way ten years ago?
Only the roles were reversed.

Ten years ago we walked away from each other without saying a word.
Without making each other know how they feel.
I had my opportunity to change that now.
I dont know when I'll have my chance again.
It will be a week full of work after this.

"Vickie, I'll call you back. I just need to do something. Aight? Bye!!!" I immediately said as I turned off my phone and called her, "Jill!!!"

He called me. I was afraid to turn.
But I did
"Yeah?" I asked.

I was speechless.
I called her back but then I didn't know what to say.
All I wanted to do was to stop her from walking away.
But I wasn't really sure what I wanted to say.
"Ummm...nothing...it's just good to see you again."

I smiled at him.
"The feeling is mutual!"
***

Chapter 5: Baby Boie reunites with the Princess

Music from the 80s by : Kylie Minouge & Jason Donovan- Especially for You (requested by Budang)
For the First Time- Kenny Logins

I was watching a Friends episode on the cardio room entertainment system when I felt my phone vibrating in my jogging pants pocket. I turned off the treadmill, removed the headphones and fished the phone out of my pockets.

"Kenny Chou speaking!" I hurriedly answered, not bothering to look at the caller display. That was my personal number anyway.

"Kenny! Where are you? You told me you had nothing to do today! I called up your house and Hiro said you weren't there"

It was Jae.

"Didnt I tell you I was going to the gym?" I reminded him.

"Oh yeah right! I'm sorry!" Jae mumbled. "Well anyway are you done? Would it be possible for you to meet up with us at the airport?" he asked.

As much as I wanted to pass up on this one, I sort of committed myself already.
Also, I was the hottest Machi member lately, so whoever it was that was arriving, we had to be properly represented. Translation: Hottest member should pick her up!!!

"Yeah I'm almost done! Can you ask them to pick me up?" I asked.
"Sorry dude! Jeff and the others went ahead already, they had me take care of you, but unfortunately I'm stuck in traffic." Jae said. "Public transport okay with you?"

I sighed.
"Do I have a choice?" I muttered, "Alright alright, I'll just fix myself up and I'll be on my way."

Being the hottest Machi member also meant you would be subjected to humbling activities that would keep your feet on the ground.
Oh I can't wait till Nicky releases his album!

It took me around twenty minutes to take a quick shower, fix myself up and run out of the gym to hail a cab. Good thing someone stopped for me.
Even though I didn't look too fixed up in my runners, jogging pants, the Machi singlet and a hoodie.
Perks of being famous, I hate to admit it, but it is!

On the way there, people would take a second look at the window and wave at me or scream my name. I waved back, of course and gave a curt smile. Every five minutes, Jae or Jeff would check up on me and ask me to hurry up because the plane was scheduled to be landing on the runway in 20 minutes time.

I arrived at the airport and was surprised at the number of media people waiting. I was used to seeing them here, but this was too much. What the heck? CNN? Did I miss out on something? Was someone important arriving.

Oh yeah...Blade is arriving!
Good for us, we wouldn't be hounded too much, all of their focus will be on the other party arriving.

"Kenny!!! Are you here to pick up Blade?" one reporter asked me.
I shook my head and politely smiled at them, discretely laughing at his question.
Though it would be nice to work with Blade and share the same label with her, I knew it was next to impossible.
That would only be possible if she picked me for her collaboration.
It would also be nice if she remembered who I was.

"Yo Kenny! Over here!"
It was Edward, calling me over.
I sighed in relief and ran to where they were.
"Am I late?"
He shook his head, "Flight was delayed."
"Oh!" I said, "Did you see the media outside, it's crazy! Did Blade arrive already?"
Nicky smirked, "Not yet.Flight got delayed," he said
"Flights getting delayed today huh!" I said as I joined Steven on the bench.
I noticed a huge black guy walk up to where we were and approached Jae and Jeff. The two guys shook hands with him.
"That guy is familiar!" I said to nobody.
Steven, Nicky and Edward looked at the direction that I was looking at then all exchanged knowing smiles.

What's going on here?
First they've been acting all jumpy this morning specially when I came in for breakfast, then practically pushed me out of the house when I was about to leave to go to the gym, now they're exchanging knowing smiles as if they're selling me to the Indian trader.
My thoughts were interrupted when Jae and Jeff called us over and asked them to follow them. I walked beside Jeff.
"Okay Jeffrey, what's up? What's with the whole black guy escort thing."
Jeff smirked, "Nothing! Just go with us and you'll find out."
I noticed that some of the Asian journalists were following us and MTV Taiwan VJ Andy. Even CNN.
Okay Andy and the Asian media I could take, for sure they were interested in Aziatix newest artist, but CNN??? Why???

I looked at the black guy again. He really looked familiar!

Oh shoot! Now I know! He's one of P.Diddy's bodyguards who were in the series "Making the Band"

Holy crap! P.Diddy...Machi...where's the connection? I could connect Missy Elliot with Machi, but P.Diddy??? What the heck?

I felt Edward push me a little, "Dude, you're holding up the line! Walk!" he mumbled.

"But there's media people in front of me," I complained.

"Of course! You're about to meet up with Blade, of course there's media people around, for heavens sake!" Nicky said aloud.

"Huh? What did you say?" Kenny asked.

"Shhhh!There she is!" Steven said.

I looked at where I was, I didn't realize we were in the VIP lounge already and we were about to head inside one of the conference rooms. Joan pushed us inside while she was dodging the media people. My brain was still going in circles with what Nicky just blurted out.

Before I knew it, P.Diddy, Blade, and his entourage were all in the room.
I saw Jeff and Jae shaking hands with Diddy and Phil.
He made Blade approach Jae and Jeff.
"It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now," Nicky sang in whispers as he noticed me staring at Jill.
I glared at him.
He just smiled cheekily, "Surprised you didn't we!"
He shoved a bouquet of flowers in my hand, "Go give this to her later!"

I didn't know if I was still in my right mind when Jae called us over and introduced us to Diddy and the rest of the crew.
I could see her two companions look at me and giggle once in a while, then stop when she looked at them.
I came up to her, smiled at her, gave her a peck on the cheek and gave her the bouquet. That peck was pure instinct, I didn't know what was going on in my mind.
She smiled and said, "Thank you!"
Occasionally, I would find myself looking at her, but I looked away when I sensed that she was about to turn my way.

Joan asked us to sit down and settile ourselves since the media people were coming in.
Jeff came up to me, "Liked my surprise?" he asked cheekily.
"Dude, whats up? Could I at least know what's going on?" I hissed at him.
"Relax!" Jeff said, "You'll find out soon!"

I sighed in frustration as he walked away from me and sat beside P.Diddy. The press conference was starting, and I think this is the first press conference that I'm going to be speechless.

"Kenny, can you sit beside Blade please?" Joan asked

Okay.
Standing beside her...I can still do it.
Sitting beside her...I just dont know.

I don't wanna think about the possibilities when we work with each other.
People might think we don't get along if we keep this up.
We dont even look like we had a past together.

Snap out of it Kenny!
Its been 10 years! What do you expect?

I turned to her and was about to ask something when Andy came up to us.

After I answered Andy's question which was greeted by a delighted applause from Jeff and Sean, I turned to her and winked.

Whoa!
Did I just do that?

Well, she looked really taken aback by what I did, she didn't react but I could sense the coldness in her reply when she got the microphone from me.

"Sure why not! I would be delighted to work not only with Kenny, but also the entire Machi crew. As you all know, all of us have the same background. Born and raised in the U.S soI'im sure we would work well with each other," she replied.

Hey Blade, they said work with me, not with the Machi crew.
I tried to hide my disappointment by just nodding my head and pretending to agree with her.

She turned to me and smirked at me, as if saying that's what you get for your wink.

All these years, that self satisfied smirk never changed.
You can still tell when she feels like she scored a point against you.

Oh well...
I sure as hell missed being the cause of that smirk.

***

As we walked down the tube that connected the plane to the airport, I smiled politely at the airport staff who were greeting me. I could hear Sean talking on the phone infront of me and instructing the person at the other end of the line to bring them to the VIP lounge.

"Hmmm...who could be that them? Did he send a drum and bugle band to welcome me?" I whispered to Angela and Kirsten.
"Snap out of it Jill! You're not in the Philippines! You're in Taiwan!" Angela said.
"Whats with her, she's been thinking silly thoughts since we left?" Kirsten asked.
"Two words. Kenny Chou!" Angela said.
"Hey!" I admonished them, "Not him!"
"Then why do you keep thinking about your childhood memories!" Kirsten said.
I shut up before I could even dig my grave deeper.
I sensed that the media people were coming,Ii could see flashing lights.
A chinese woman who looked like she was in her late 20's came up to us and directed us to the VIP room.
"Now I know I'm definitely in Taiwan! No more blondies!" Kirsten said.
Angela and I were giggling at her comment.
The next thing I saw made me stop giggling. My two sidekicks giggles changed from a fun giggle to a giddy giggle.
"Oh my gosh! It's them! What are they doing here?" Kirsten said.
"Probably picking up one of their friends!" I said.
"Yeah sure, but why is Sean there with that bald guy? That's definitely not Phil anymore" Angela retorted.
"Thats Jeffrey right?" Kirsten asked.
"Not sure!" I said.

Next thing I knew Sean called me over and introduced me to Jeffrey and Jae. Jeffrey had this smile that told me he recognized me, I smiled back at him. Jae shook my hand. I didn't know what to do when they called him over, I was stuck to where I was standing that Kirsten had to push me lightly to make me move. Everyone looked delighted when he gave me the bouquet of flowers and gave me a peck on the cheek.

Whoa!
"Thank you!"I said

Sean asked me to sit down already.
He sat beside Jeff while I was on the other side.

"Kenny, can you sit beside Blade please?" the twenty something girl asked.
I saw him nod and approach the chair next to me.
He nodded his head and smiled at me.

Goodness! He still has that killer smile!

Focus Jill! Focus!
Someone's asking you a question! You don't wanna look like you don't know what's happening with your career right now

"Jeff, P.Diddy, it's already known that Blade and Kenny are going to be working together on the Coke Light ad, Kenny is Taiwan's rap prince while Blade is, as we all know, the rap princess. Any chances of a collaboration between these two artists?"
I looked up to see who was asking that question. It was VJ Andy.
I turned to Sean and Jeff.
"Well, that's a big possibility, since Blade is going to be under the Aziatix label while she's here in Asia. So who knows, this might just be a royal team up," he guffawed.
Jeff was smiling and nodding his head to what Sean was saying. He reached for the microphone.
"Well, he said it already!" he chuckled, "So with that big possibility, a song might just be in the works as of this moment!"

I could feel Kenny's eyes on me, I could feel his shoulders twitching and was about to face me when suddenly...
VJ Andy turned to Kenny and me.
"You excited about the possibility of a collaboration between the two of you?"
Kenny reached out for the microphone.
"Who wouldn't be excited to be working with such a great artist? I'll be honored to be able to work with the rap princess on a single or if I would be lucky enough, an album!"

His reply was greeted by a delighted applause from Jeffrey and Sean.

I was about to get the microphone from him when he turned to me and winked.

What the heck?

Well I won't give him the satisfaction that I'm excited to be working with him.

"Sure why not! I would be delighted to work not only with Kenny, but also the entire Machi crew. As you all know, all of us have the same background. Born and raised in the U.S so I'm sure we would work well with each other," I replied.

The self satisified smirk he had on his face earlier changed into a fake, what the heck did she mean by that smile.

All this years, its still easy to tell when he's feeling good or he's just faking it.

Oh well...

Take that Mr. Playboy!!!

***

Chapter 4: It's clear for everyone to see..

Music by: Stephen Speaks- What'll She Look Like

"Five six seven eight...slide...slide..."

Jill stopped mid-count and raised her hands up in apology.

"Sorry Wade!I got lost!Lets do it again!" she said.

Oh boy!
I think her brain went flying out to Taiwan the moment we found out about Kenny and his career.
I know she memorized the steps that even if she had her eyes closed, she can do it.
Damn!She was even hyper last night and was dancing around the place, now she's like someone gave her downers and she's totally not into the beat.

But then, of course, this is her childhood friend we were talking about.
Just the thought of Kenny slows her down.I cant imagine what it might do to her when the thought of probably seeing him again comes up in her mind.

And even though she's claimed she's moved on and stopped thinking about him, with the recent development, i doubt if she can still look at us straight in the eye and confidently say she's moved on.

All i know right now is we have to experience a lot of weirdness when it comes to her behavior.
Angela and i could stand that, i just dont know how the others will deal.

Just this morning, we were eating breakfast and she had this silly grin on her face.
Its hard to wake Jill up in the morning, and its even harder to put her in the mood, so that grin at 6 in the morning was new to us.

Angela claims she's not sure if she's going to be happy for Jill about the development.
"After all the efforts and the convincing to make her move on, now she's going to do a major step in her career and then we find out Kenny may have a part in her endeavors in Asia!That's going to mess things up!" she said to me earlier that morning when we were waiting for Jill to wake up.
Both of us werent able to get any sleep that night, we were scared Jill was going to chicken out from the tour and run away, so we stayed in the living room and woke each other up by talking about anything.
I dont think we were even talking that night, we were just blabbering
I guess the lack of sleep got into our heads when we started talking sense already.
She started to think about Jill's mind condition when we arrive in Taiwan and i was thinking about what might happen next.

"Either its going to mess things up, or she's finally getting some peace of mind, now that she knows Kenny is ok.Depends on how he'll look at him when we arrive.If he's going to be a distraction or an inspiration.It all depends on how they deal with each other when they meet up." I answered Angela.

The way we were analyzing the situation, you would think Jill was a boxer who had to be properly conditioned and void of any distractions.

Angela sighed."Why didnt we even think of looking them up on the internet?"

"Remember, Jill was about to do that but she stopped herself, so we just agreed not to do it too.To help her out." I said.

"Oh yeah, that time she was ranting about Destiny and Fate having something to do with their story" she chuckled.

I smiled."Well, look what's happening.If this isnt Fate, then i dont know what it is!"

"Serendipity?"Bubbles quipped."We're in New York anyway, its Kenny thats not."

We both snorted, then laughed out loud, shushing ourselves a little later when we remembered Jill was already sleeping.

We just broke out into giggles when we started thinking of how they will meet and the possibilities that could happen.DMX not included in the picture.

Oh man!I cant wait till we arrive in Taiwan!

"I think this time we'll finally see if these 2 are meant for each other!'I said as i looked up the ceiling.

Angela nodded. "I think we're about to witness a lovestory develop right before our very eyes in Taiwan."

"But what about DMX?"I asked seriously.

Suddenly DMX became a nuisance, than our savior.
Well thats just my opinion though, since i was a witness to what Kenny and Jill had.

"Well...lets just wait and see what happens!"Angela said.. "And we're going to learn about it three days from now!That is if she signed the contract for Coke Light already!"

"Huh?"

She turned on the computer monitor and showed me the page that she saved.
It was Coke Light's web ad.
Kenny was in the picture!

"Those are the people she's going to work with for the ad!"Angela exlaimed."See the blank space...thats going to be her space when she finally agrees."

"Oh.My.God!" I blurted out.

My thoughts were interrupted when i saw Sean and Phil coming in.They pulled Jill aside and showed her a folder.
I was trying to lip read what Sean was saying and it looked like they were talking about that ad Angela and I were talking about.

A little later, the three of them went to the conference room and a few people i didnt recognized came in the conference room.

I called over Jason, Sean's right hand man and asked him who they were.

"Coke executives!Blade finally agreed to do the ad."he said.

Uh-oh!That was the contract!What if she see's Kenny's name.Angela and i agreed not to tell her about that minor detail until we arrived in Taiwan, but the executives were already and for sure she was going to know about it.

I was waiting anxiously at the media room while trying to make myself busy by sending out press kits to New York media people for the early morning press conference Jill was going to do before she left.

Jason came in and he gave me another piece of paper.

"Fax that to all media sources!"he ordered.

I almost fell off the chair when i read the opening line.

"Blade agrees to do Coke Light Asia Advertisement."
***
Kenny was in the middle of an interview at the Machi Entertainment office when someone called me over and gave me the phone.

It was Jae, relaying the news that Blade had agreed to to the ad already.It was no longer a wait and see situation.She was really doing the ad.

As if the call wasnt enough, one of our staff was browsing the internet and it was the headline on one of the Asian entertainment sites.

"Whats with the smirk, Jeffrey?"

I looked up to see Nicky and Edward eyeing me curiously.

I directed them to the computer monitor.

"Does Kenny know about this already?" Edward asked.

"Weeellll...Joan told him Blade was included in the list, but she immediately followed it up that Blade's appearance was still a wait and see situation." I answered.

"You going to tell him now about this?" Nicky asked. "Dude, he looked really disappointed when he got that second SMS from Joan. He was hyper when we met up at Luxy that night, then he just suddenly wasnt in the mood."

I shook my head, "I think I'd rather give him all the news in one blow. Just to see how he would react."

"There's more???"Nicky and Ed both asked.

I nodded, I was close to revealing to the guys that Blade was going to be under Aziatix management when we noticed that the interview was over and Kenny had gone out of the media room already.

"Remember, let me tell him!" I sternly reminded the two as I retreated back to my office.

It's been a while since I last saw Kenny genuinely happy. Of course, I know he's happy about what's happening to his career and what can be more fun than living your dream and living it with the people who you built the dream with. Your own family.
But living his dream had a price to pay.

His relationship with Jill.

Now I think it's time for the two of them to see each other again. Call me a matchmaker, I wouldn't really care right now. This was a couple who deserves a second chance.

I didn't plan for this to happen.
The Bad Boy Deal...it was Diddy who approached us.
The Coke Light ad...I was surprised about that
Let's just say it just fell straight into our laps.

Oh boy! If only V was here, he would start talking about Fate and Destiny again!

Kenny barged into the room holding a piece of paper.

"Jeff!!! Did you hear the news yet???" he asked. I could sense in his voice that he was excited.

"What about?" I asked.

"Blade signing the contract!" Kenny said.

"Oh yeah!" I said."They showed me this morning, I presumed you knew already."

He knew now, I guess I should tell him about the other news.

On second thought, I think it would be more fun to see his reaction when we pick up Aziatix newest artist at the airport.

I cant wait!

"Kenny!!! Phone call! It's Vickie!"Joan called.

"Coming!" Kenny said, hey, it was Vickie and he wasn't running for the phone just like he did the first few times she called him.

Oh man!Somebody has a lot on his mind right now!
***
Damn!I gotta get used to this!

The sun hasnt risen yet, but I'm already blinded by the lights. Not that I wasn't used to photographers and journalists trailing us wherever Jill would go, but when you lack sleep, and you get out of the house when it's pitch black, you would understand how I'm feeling now.

I knew Sean had a little eccentricity in him but this was too much.Going to the airport at 2 am, to make the 5:30 am flight to Taiwan, I would understand if we were riding on a commercial flight, but we were using his own plane for heaven's sake.

Good thing we were immediately whisked off to the VIP lounge.
I was able to take a catnap.
"Ange!Ange!" Kirsten hissed as she shook me awake.
"Huh? Huh? What? Are we going?" I asked.
"No!Look!"
She was pointing to the area where Sean and Jill were, and DMX and Jin were there!
"Oh my gosh!What is he doing here?" I asked.
Kirsten rolled her eyes, "He claims he's missing her already, and he promised to her that he'll be following her there."
I snorted. Even though between the two of us, I was the one who wanted Jill to get close to DMX, I was also anticipating the Kenny-Jill reunion.
"Well, when we thought things were going to be interesting, now it's going to be more interesting when he arrives," I said.
"I know!" Kirsten said as she plopped down on the couch.
"Hey you two! It's sure going to be lonely out here when all of you are gone!" Jin told us when he approached the two of us.
I could see Kirsten discreetly roll her eyes, "Oh really? How come? You don't really hang out with us after all."
Jin laughed nervously, "Ey, even though we don't really hang out that much, it sure is no fun just being left with D when we go out at night."
I nodded, "Well yeah..."

I think he felt we were pretty incomfortable when he tried to make small talk. He rarely does that. To the two of us, he's just DMX shadow, the one who diverts our attention when DMX wants to have some alone time with Jill.

"Yo Jin! We gotta go!" DMX hollered while waving at the two of us.
"Alright!" he said. He fished out something from his back pocket, "Here, some more information on the Asian scene. I already translated that for you guys." He winked at us and followed DMX out.
Kirsten looked really pissed, "What the heck? Doesn't he even realize that Jill is half Chinese? She could translate this for us."
I was scanning through the pages and laughed, "What is he talking about!!! This is an English paper! Only the classified ads are in Mandarin!"

We tried to cool down ourselves when we saw Jill and Sean approaching us. No need to upset her on trivial matters when we feel that she's treating this trip as the journey of her life.

"Guys time to go!" Sean said

We all boarded his plane and made ourselves comfortable.

Later on in the flight, Jill approached us while we were busy making small talk with Sean's kids

"Hey did you guys see the paper Jin gave you? It has Andrew on it!" Jill raved.
"Andrew?" I asked.
"Andrew? As in Kenny's brother Andrew?" Kirsten asked.
I wanted to pinch Kirsten. We do not say his name in front of her!
I just glared at her and she gave an apologetic grin.
Surprisingly, the rap princess didn't say anything.

She nodded, " The kid's a rap sensation! Man, I hope he's in Taiwan right now, I'm excited to see him again. Look he's grown up already."
"He looks like him when he was that age!" Kirsten gushed.
"I know! I even have a picture of him at that age." Jill said.

No, no, not that picture.That was the picture that opened the floodgates of Jill's eyes.
Can we just look at DMX's baby pictures. Even Sean's!
Just don't look at Kenny's baby pics!

Why am I even fussing about this, when one of her suitcases is filled with Kenny's memories.
She's practically cleared out one of her drawers. You would think she's moving out and not going on a tour.

"Yo Angela!"Sean said."Why don't you join those two back there, they said they were going to watch some of the CD's Jin gave them. I'll take care of this two!"

I was so deep into thought that I havent even realized that those two left me.
I excused myself and followed them at the back, I was surprised to see the both of them gawking like some macho dancer mooned them.

I looked at the monitor.

It was Kenny, rapping with some guys!

Shirtless!

***

Edward, Jeff, Jae and I were cooped up at the recording studio as we set the final touches on my album.
We were expecting Kenny to arrive anytime soon since he was gonna lay down some hooks on one of my songs.

We were trying to calm ourselves down before he arrived.
It was a day before Blade was coming to town, and we were all excited, but we didn't wanna show Kenny that emotion.
He's been trying to be stoic about it lately/ I think he's thinking too much about her that he can't react anymore to all the news that he's getting.

"You know what, we're practically done for the day, all we're waiting for is Kenny. I say we relax and watch TV now!" I proposed

Edward raised his index finger, "I'm with you on that one."
"Same here!" Jae and Jeff said.

I reached out for the TV remote control on the console table.
Just in time. Entertainment news and I see the faces of Blade and P.Diddy on the screen.
She's not even here yet and it's Blade overload already.
Suddenly the door opened and Kenny came in with Luke and Hiro in tow.
I didn't even bother to turn off the tv for his sake, he saw it already, no need to hide it.

He made a face.
"Not again!" he groaned."She's been all over the place and her plane hasn't landed yet."

Jeff ignored the comment and just continued watching the news clip. Jae, on the other hand looked at his schedule book.

"You're free tomorrow right?" he asked Kenny.
Kenny nodded. "I'm just going to the gym tomorrow morning. Why? What's up?"
"Nothing really! Something might just come up, so be ready!" Jae nonchalantly said.

Since he was used to the impromptu gigs we usually do, he just shrugged his shoulders and joined us in watching the news clip.

Reporter: Rapper DMX was not around when their entourage arrived, but an hour before their flight was set to leave, he arrived with Asian rapper Jin in tow and although he didn't grant us an interview, ET got some footage outside of the VIP lounge

My eyes shifted from Kenny to the TV.
There it was, proof that Kenny's childhood sweetheart was indeed playing sweet music with DMX.
DMX arriving and hugging Blade, kissing her on the forehead, and talking intently to her. Jin and DMX sending air kisses as they went out of the VIP lounge and carefully dodging away mediamen.

Kenny looked away and fished out his cellphone.

"Hey Vickie, you home now? Uhuh....uhuh....Yeah I just got here at the recording studio, I'm with the crew.Gonna lay down some tracks in a while."

Distraction at it's finest!
He's been pretty good with distracting himself lately, even though we're practically spoonfeeding Blade news to him.
Jeff told us it was better than making him veer away from her presence. Besides she was going to be here anyway and no matter what happens, they were going to see each other anyway.

Of course, we did that without V knowing, coz we knew he was the one behind the moving on plan.
We felt it was pretty premature for him to move on when the girl is just around and they haven't had any closure yet.
Kinda weird coming from us who are currently not involved in serious relationships huh, and the one we're defying is someone who's seriously into a relationship even if he doesn't admit it to the public.

Haiz! What is happening to us! We're turning into matchmakers.

"Yo! Are we working or what?" Kenny hollered. "Im dying to go home!"

I turned off the tv and let Jae and Jeff do their work, while Ed and I went outside thinking of what might happen tomorrow.