Intoxicated

Contradicting luck

"We are here to say our last goodbyes to our beloved Stella Slowe. Daughter, sister, a friend of you who are here. She has left us physically, but she will always be in our hearts. Listen to her, think of what she would say, she will always be here with us. You feel her when you miss her and hear her when you need that bit of love." The pastor said before opening up the floor to anyone who would like to say their last words. Stella's mother took the floor, biting back those tears as she speaks.

"It is with so much sorrow that I am here today to farewell our youngest child, Stella. She was a sprightly and vigorous daughter who has been taken away from us much too early. But the memory of Stella will live on in us forever. We were so proud of her and know that she is in peace. Goodbye, my precious girl - I know you are up in heaven now, waving down to us with a brazen grin on your beautiful face."

Anna's fist clenched as she watched her best friend being lowered 6 feet under. The tears streaming down her red and flushed face. "Anna," Josh said as he pulled her body closer to his carefully. "I am here Anna, I am here." She sobbed harder as she thought back at the years of friendship that suddenly ended. "She was like my only sister Josh. Whoever did this will pay, I swear it."

"Can we speak in private Anna?" Josh said in a plain expression. The aching of his heart was kept under lock and key. He took her hands and led the way to his car. Her bodyguards turned to follow, but she raised her hands to signal to keep away.

The park was silent, except for the rustling of leaves and the whistling of the wind through branches. They sat on a bench that was facing the road, he held her hands, "Anna, she is gone and it's my fault." Taken by shock, she clenched his hands. Was this the man she wanted? Is he really saying this? Time paused as she tried to make what she heard unreal.

"It's not you, Josh, it could never be you", she said as she clenched his hands in disbelief. "We will find the people who did this. You will help me won't you Josh?" Anna said resting her head on his shoulder. "Josh, I am sorry I was so bitchy in High school. I spoke to father and he said he would sponsor you and you don't even have to be with me." He felt his heart stop. Josh's so thought luck contradicted itself. She raised her head up and looked into his eyes, through her eyes, Josh was perfection. She placed her hand on his face cupping it, then pulled him in for a kiss. The soft maple touch, made him feel horny, but he felt so unworthy to be with Anna or to even have these feelings. "Josh, I promise, I won't break your heart", she said as she got up and left him sitting on the bench. Josh hesitant, sat there then jumped up and pulled her arm swinging her body back to his. The rain started to drizzle, wetting her black blouse.

He drew in his breath and gazed into her eyes. What she saw in his eyes made her own breath to be caught in her throat. From a mood so dark and tense turned into one of shared intimacy. "I want you, Anna, do you want me?" Josh said as he was fighting back his sudden blood flow. Without words, she pressed her body against his and kissed him ever so passionately.

Kissing under the now pouring rain. Josh felt like his storybook life could be real. Kissing Anna, the love of his life, could never feel so right. Despite the loss of a good soul. Stella brought them together and for that he thanks her.

The rain pouring on them suddenly stopped as one of Anna's bodyguard appeared and sheltered them with an umbrella. "Ma'am, its time to go," The guard said.

"Josh, next time we meet, I want to tell you everything that you had missed out in my life while we were apart," Anna said as she walked away.

Josh sat back down on the bench, buried his face his palms. Anna's beauty and strength outweighed his pain.

***

"I am leaving the wager", Fu said to Samuel. He took out a fat yellow envelope and placed it into his hands. Samuel took the envelope and walked off. Fu Kim made his way to see Brandon at his place to give him a letter.

Dear Brandon,

You have been my boy since day one and it was wrong of me to threaten you like that. I hope you can forgive me; I see it in your eyes that you are still that amazing person I once knew; I can see that I was the one who changed. There is probably nothing I can do to earn your trust or friendship again, but I left the wager and Brandon, I just want to be apart of your life again. Write to me Brandy, or email me.

Yours truly,
F u Kim.