The Last Meeting
Bang Kieu walked into Spike's bar, the only place where people can escape from their troubles within a matter of minutes, or even seconds. Tonight, it had a colorful group of people: a biker who's just enjoying a refreshing night out by gulping down on a bottle of beer, a young fellow whose first time to drink washed down whiskey in excitement, a mother who have sneaked out of the house to enjoy a little stress reliever, a gentleman in a suit slamming one shot after another, a lady in a designer gown with her back turned from everyone. He joins everyone by taking an empty seat.
"What can I get you?" The bartender asked.
"Scotch." That should do the trick, Bang Kieu told himself. He needed to get some thoughts off his mind. For now.
He took a swig of his Scotch and observes the environment. Everyone seems to be occupied. He then noticed the women in the designer gown has left.
"Hello."
Now he knows why she did, probably a lonely socialite looking for a bad boy to have fun with, he thought to himself. He puts down his drink and without looking at her replied, "Lady I'm not interested"
"Interested in what, idiot?"
Bang Kieu ignored her and picked up his glass when he felt a smack across the back of his head. Pissed, he turns around only to find a familiar face glaring at him with her hands on her hips.
Bang Kieu: Tuyet! I didn't know it was you. I-uh-Why are you here?
Minh Tuyet: Not to see you, that's for sure. I came here to blow off some steam.
Across the room, there was a loud commotion as the man in the suit demanded more vodka shots.
"Hit me!"
"Sir, this is not blackjack."
"Whatever. Hit me with another!
Bang Kieu: Quang! Wait..he went with you?
Minh Tuyet: What? I went alone!
She rushed over to LTQ and pulled him over towards where Bang Kieu was sitting at. LTQ stumbled, causing her to fall with him. Bang Kieu helped carry him over to a table where they all took a seat.
Bang Kieu: Quang! How many drinks did you had?
LTQ: I-I-ad-ly-lonley-two-ooo (holding two fingers and collapsing head down)
Minh Tuyet: We just came from eating with Aaron.
LTQ: Aaron?! Where- [hiccups] Me ...and him's [hiccups] gonna have ..a TALK!
Bang Kieu: What's he mumbling about?
Minh Tuyet: Heck if I know.
A minute passed by.
Bang Kieu: So, how did the dinner go?
Minh Tuyet: Ask the knucklehead! It was going great and all till he and his gay buddy shows up!
LTQ: Voom!
Nhu Loan entered in, she had went to her apartment to change and found out from Vu that LTQ had went here. Scanning the room, she spotted not just LTQ but all her 3 friends sitting in the corner. With great delight, she headed over.
Nhu Loan: Hey! Kieu! You're here!
She didn't really expect to see him again after his visit to the hospital. Loey reached over and hugged him, before taking a seat next to LTQ.
Nhu Loan: What happened to Quang?
LTQ: Lonely too.
Nhu Loan: Baby, I'm here.
Minh Tuyet: No, he meant he only had two vodka shots.
Nhu Loan: Oh.
Bang Kieu: Well, look at this. We're all here...well, Quang isn't really here, but...
Another minute passed by without talking. Minh Tuyet wished secretly inside her head that they would just all get up and leave so that she can finally be alone. Bang Kieu tried to think up an excuse so he could leave and get back to his job. Nhu Loan was searching for something to say to break the awkward silence. LTQ was just dozing off.
Nhu Loan: So, have you guys been thinking about Mr. Hung's offer to leave the city?
Minh Tuyet didn't know what to answer. Frankly, she haven't gave it much thoughts. Though as afraid as she is of staying, the thought of being somewhere in the country living a normal life until the day she dies is even more frightening.
Bang Kieu couldn't really tell his friends that he isn't planning on leaving. He's not really even planning on living past this week. But had another second of silence went by, he might've told his friends just that and ruined all the plans he had.
Seeing that everyone was reluctant to answer, Nhu Loan went ahead and answered her own question, "I'm probably leaving."
Everyone thought LTQ was asleep but he suddenly responded to that. "I'm with you, honey."
Minh Tuyet: Well... I want to stay, but...
Bang Kieu: Staying? Are you crazy? If Jack lives then not only will you put yourself but everyone else you know in danger!
Nhu Loan: Wait, what do you mean, "if Jack lives.."
Bang Kieu: Um... I mean, Nguyen Hung has sent his men after Jack. But there's no guarantee that any of them will succeed. And don't change the topic... Tuyet, you gotta leave!
Minh Tuyet: You can't make me!
Then it struck him. Bang Kieu never really thought about it that way. What if he died and Jack lives on? Who's going to protect his friends? Surely one can only escape death so many times...
Bang Kieu: Tuyet, listen to me-
Minh Tuyet: Hey, what about you? You're planning on staying, too, arent you?
Bang Kieu: What- No. I'm leaving, too. My son's already left the city. Please promise me you'll leave?
Before Minh Tuyet can say anything, Bang Kieu saw two men in white suits from the corner of his eyes. Time to leave, he thought.
"Well, I gotta go now." He said, looking at his friends one by one as he stood up, thinking, I'm gonna to miss you guys.
----------------------------
Once Bang Kieu was outside and was about to enter his car, someone called out his name. He turned around and saw Minh Tuyet running towards him.
Minh Tuyet: Kieu! Hold on... Are you going to the party?
Bang Kieu hesitated for a minute, deciding whether or not to lie. "No. I got other things to do."
He tried his best to make the words sounds calm and even a bit cold-hearted. He wished that she could just go back in there and forget that he ever existed. Without saying another word, he stepped into his car.
As he drove away, Bang Kieu looked back in the rear view mirror. Minh Tuyet looked extremetly dissapointed and even a bit mad.
Great. He thought. The last memory I'll have of Tuyet.
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