Rumour Has It

Chapter Two

Over the next few weeks, Andy popped by Boss Lady Tau Huay more frequently. With his friendly disposition, he quickly developed a close relationship with Handsome. May Wan also grew increasingly fond of Andy, and the two started spending more and more time together.

One Friday afternoon, Derek Shelley, high profile leader of the Shelley clan and a regular customer of Boss Lady Tau Huay, came by the stall.

"The usual please," Derek requested, "What have you been up to?"

"I'm quite busy now, making plans for Boss Lady's transformation into a social enterprise. My friend Andy is helping me," May Wan shared excitedly.

"Andy? Who's that?" Derek asked, raising an eyebrow.

May Wan pointed to a table across the stall where Andy and Handsome were chatting, "He's just over there."

Derek looked over at Andy and sniggered under his breath. Before he had a chance to ask May Wan any further questions about her new friend, May Wan had left the counter to serve tau huay to other customers. Derek made his way to an empty table.

In a few minutes, May Wan came by Derek's table with his bowl of tau huay. Derek offered May Wan a seat at his table. May Wan politely declined, saying she was busy serving her customers.

May Wan proceeded to make her rounds around the shop. Derek noticed May Wan stop by Andy and Handsome's table a while later. He watched scornfully as they chatted cheerfully and erupted into laughter.

About fifteen minutes later, Andy stood up and said his goodbyes. May Wan got up too, and made her way to Derek's table.

"What am I? Your second choice?" Derek grumbled.

"Huh? No lah. We were discussing how the students Andy works with could help with our social enterprise," May Wan explained.

"What does that fellow do with his life?" Derek questioned begrudgingly.

"He's a social worker at the Youth First Service Centre," May Wan gushed.

"We'll see how much of a saint he really is," Derek muttered under his breath.

~~~

Back at home, Derek rang the Shelley family's private investigator, Adeeb.

"I want to know everything about this guy called Andy who works at the Youth First Service Centre. Show me what you can find as soon as possible," Derek instructed.

A week later, Adeeb met up with Derek to share his findings on Andy.

"So, what did you find?" Derek asked.

"Why don't you take a look for yourself?" Adeeb replied as he passed his black ring file to Derek.

"I knew something was off about him the moment I saw him," Derek smirked as he looked through Adeeb's files, "Now I need one more favour from you. I want this story to be all over the internet. Make sure it reaches everyone."

Without asking any questions, Adeeb agreed to Derek's request.

"I knew I could count on you," Derek said while passing Adeeb a cheque.

~~~

Two weeks later, Derek visited Boss Lady Tau Huay. After ordering his usual, he sat down and constantly refreshed the news website on his mobile phone, anticipating the publishing of the news article on Andy.

Half an hour later, Ella dropped by the stall to pass her mother two packets of Handsome's favourite chicken rice.

"By the way, isn't this the guy you've been talking to?" Ella asked, flashing a news article on her phone titled 'Social worker preys on vulnerable women'. The article featured a photograph of Andy right below the title.

Upon seeing Andy's photograph, May Wan grabbed Ella's phone and asked, "What is this article saying?"

"Well, the article claims that he tricks women into giving him money. Basically, he's a thief," Ella shrugged.

"A thief?" May Wan gasped and sat down to read the article. Derek grinned to himself as he watched May Wan's reaction.

As May Wan scrolled through the article, tears welled up in her eyes. She had been certain that Andy was the perfect father figure to Handsome. She felt as though her entire world had been shattered.

Just a few minutes later, May Wan received a text from Andy, requesting to meet her. May Wan declined and told him she needed some time apart to gather her thoughts.

Seeing May Wan's worried state, Derek walked over and sat down next to her. He advised her to keep her distance from Andy.

"Haiyah," May Wan sighed, "I was so excited to get his organisation to help with my social enterprise. Now I don't know what to do."

"Forget about him. I can help you," Derek assured her as he placed his hand over hers and leaned closer to pat her back.

Feeling uncomfortable with the physical contact, May Wan stood up and excused herself, saying she had customers to attend to. Derek soon took his leave.