oo1. Mario and Barney

“Darling, I’m coming home late from work today. So make sure the kids are in bed by eight, ‘kay?”

“I’m literally born to do this, dear...” Nick, my hubby smiled. “Yeah, you can set the table, son.”

“I know that, just saying it out of habit.”

I leaned in and pecked on my husband’s cheek. I grabbed a piece of toast and was about to leave when my baby girl Rianne reached out her tiny hands to me. I chuckled and planted a kiss on my little baby girl.

“Be a good girl now, Rianne. Mommy’s gotta work now.”

“Debbie dear, you’re gonna be late if you keep this up,” Nick called again.

He was emptying scrambled eggs onto Shane’s plate. Rianne trailed into the kitchen in her walker. He looked as cute as ever in a pink apron dotted with bright yellow stars. Childish, yes I know. Been there, seen that. But hey, he looks hot in it. Oh dear… I’m acting all girly. But still, I’m one hell of a lucky girl. I’ve got a rather stable career, a wonderful hubby who actually cooks and two adorable kids. What more could I ask? Perhaps, a fat paycheck wouldn’t hurt.

“Don’t be silly. There’s plenty of-” I looked at my watch and noticed that it was fifteen minutes to nine. “-OOOOOH MYYYYY GOOOOOOD!!!!!!! I’M LAAAATEEEE!!!! Niiiiiiiiccccck…! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I stuffed the toast into my mouth and rushed out of the door. “Love you honey!”

As I slammed the door shut, I heard Nick yell back, “Love you too!”

Ah… that’s one of the many reasons why I love –and married- him…
Wait! This isn’t the time for you to be talking about this! You have only… what, TEN minutes and you’re LATE!
If only the boss would call in sick…
Dream on!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel while waiting for the light to turn green. Pale sunlight streamed in the windows. Crowds were already swarming the busy sidewalks. After all, this is London we’re talking about. Even River Thames looked especially inviting. I couldn’t help thinking as my BMW SUV cruised along the road. In fact, it would’ve been a perfect day if I wasn’t running late-and of all days too.

AARRGH..!!! The boardroom! This spells trouble with a capital ’T’…

“You’re not getting off the hook this time, Miss Tiew,” Steve Steelman the CEO growled, clearly displeased when I entered. “I’m sure you are well acquainted with the rules of the place.”

Of course I know that, damn it.

“Yes, I’m well aware of that, Mr. Steelman,” I replied trying not to sound huffed.

“And…” he lit his cigar and puffed, “what’s your explanation?”

“Well…” I began uncertainly. His frowned deepened with each passing second... if that’s possible.

God, this makes me long for Nick’s scrumptious breakfast. Wait, breakfast…? Oh ho…Let’s try…

“Well you see it’s like this; today Nick had an appointment with the doctor early in the morning. So I had to do the usual housewife chores before coming for work. And referring back to that incident when I burnt an egg… oh, this is embarrassing! So I thought I would bake something for him instead-”

“You burnt… an egg…?” he echoed hollowly, accompanied with what was unmistakably a shudder. His face clearly shows he’s thinking hard… and fast. I suppressed a smile.

Did I just see him shudder? Surprise, surprise…

I perked up a little. “Oh yes, since he’s such a dear and all. Then I got caught in the morning traffic jam along Oxford Street. And oh, I brought some for you-”

“NO!” he interrupted, shuddering ever so violently. “Um… I mean; no, n-no thank you.”

Oh, gosh…He really shuddered!

I put on my best whinny-but-not-the-whinny-sick kind of voice. “You sure…? I mean-”

Just a little bit longer…

“No, no. You… you can leave,” he finally said, apparently with great effort.

BULLSEYE!! Man, I’m good.

“A-alright…I’ll… just leave.”

Wow! That worked pretty well…but really; does he have to act like he had a heart attack? It couldn’t be that bad now could it? Oh well, the day’s just started off bright…

“However, I shall expect this not to happen again,” he called behind my back. I nodded and hastily exited his office.

Perhaps not…

“Incoming call… She says it’s important.” My secretary voice said over the intercom. I pressed the button and said, “Let her through…”

Who could it be? I wondered, shuffling articles into a neat stack.

“Hello?”

And a happy-go-lucky kind of voice answered, “Debbie! I finally got you! You can’t imagine how long that secretary has kept me waiting on the phone just to talk to you!”

“Err…”

“Hey! Don’t tell me that you’ve completely forgotten about the ‘Almighty Jo’ after not seeing her for three months?”

I could almost hear her frowning at the other end of the line.

“I DO remember you! I was just slow to realize it was you!” I snapped at her. “So what can I do for you Miss Josephine?”

“Actually you could do me a favor by joining me for lunch this afternoon. What say you?”

“Gladly,” I smiled.

“See you then!” A soft click and the line went dead. I chuckled and resumed my work.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“There, there...” Nick lifted Rianne in one arm while making lunch with the other.

Now just in case you’re wondering why is Nick the one doing all the house work –and handling the kids– and not Deborah is simple. He’s a house husband. Well, that’s after he married Deborah. Before… he was a chef –a really hot one at that­­ ­­­– at DELI-cious. That place turned into the ladies’ favorite hangout…… Alright, enough with Nick’s history and back to his current situation. You’ll find out more about him sooner or later.

Lunch was done but Rianne was still crying. Probably she wet her diaper? No one knows.

Filling their plates with macaroni and cheese, he replaced the pan on the stove. “Alright, Shane. You be a good boy and finish your food while Daddy and Rianne go up to clean up okay?”

“Okay!”

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!”

“Shh... alright, alright. We’ll get you cleaned up now.”

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I scanned the lobby in search of Josephine’s signature brown hair. I spotted her just by the glass doors dressed in her casual smart attire. I approached her grinning broadly.

“Hey, Jo..!” I greeted.

“Long time no see, indeed,” Jo returned with a smile. She glanced at me up and down. “My, have you gotten broader?”

“Eh?” I blushed.

“Looks like Nick’s taking real good care of you,” she teased.

“Broader? Are you kidding? It’s only three months!”

“Cool it, dear. I’m just pulling your leg.”

“Not working today?” I asked as we both exited the building.

“Nah… on a one day leave. You can’t expect me to work right away after that case in Piccadilly…”

“You’re the ‘Great and Mighty Jo’ after all…”

“Oh, c’mon… it’s just a name. I’m dead hungry. Any suggestions…?”

Uh oh… incoming…

“Um… Jo-”

Too late, Jo had collided headlong with another person which turns out to be none other than Zachary the Vain. His eyes are of the greenest spring grass. His hair… oh, how short and messy it is! It makes one want to run their fingers through it. Ooh and its dirty blond color made him look so… sexy. Plus, he’s the hottest and most sought after paper boy who works under me. Or so that’s what I hear my female juniors gossiped.

Okay, that was a little late in warning…

“Hey watch where you’re going, will ya?” Zack snapped.

“Who are you to say that to me?” Jo snapped back.

Ah… the queen of verbal war versus the vain pot. This could be interesting… Oh wait, it could be disastrous!

“Oh hello, Zack,” I interrupted, “Fancy seeing you out here.”

“Zack…?” Jo echoed. “Oh, so you’re Zechariah?”

Round One: Zack 0; Jo 1.

“It’s Zachary,” he gritted his teeth. He smoothed his tousled blond hair and glared openly at Jo.

“Zachary you say?” she asked calmly.

“You deaf or something?” he returned rudely.

Round two: Zack 1; Jo 1.

“Well Mr. Oh-I’m-so-handsome-that-others-look-like-trash-next-to-me,” Jo countered.

Round three: Zack 1; Jo rock, girl!

“I challenge you to a game. If you lose, you’re buying lunch... for both of us.”

Ooh… touché. Zack’s going down for sure.

“Looking down at me, huh? Bring it on!”

That’s suicide, Zack! Wait, a game?! What were you thinking?!!

“And oh, Deb, you’re coming with us as well.”

Oh dear, how eventful can this day get…

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

“I can’t believe I’ve to treat this person for lunch!” Zack complained.

“Got a problem with that?” Jo asked serenely. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed to grow in intensity.

“Of course I do,” Zack scowled. The two of them glared at each other from across the table.

“You lost,” I sighed. “And you had to carry out the penalty as a punishment.”

“Bring it to the court then… Blondie,” Jo taunted. She seemed highly amused by Zack. And Zack… well, was very much infuriated with her.

“Oh, he’s cute when he scowls!” she laughed. Zack poked savagely at his lunch. His green eyes burned with intense dislike as he threw dirty looks in Jo’s direction.

Oh my…I could see the throbbing vein in his temple. I’m sure you’re dying to know what happened. It’s rather stupid however entertaining it was. Allow me to take you down memory lane…

“You lost… again,” she smiled.

“B-but... It’s not fair!” Zack nearly shouted. “One more round!”

“Up to you,” she shrugged.

In case you were wondering, it was Lawyer versus Paper Boy in a game of Mario. Correction; 31 year old sophisticated and calm lawyer versus 22 year old hot and sought after paper boy at an arcade. What were you thinking? Some kind of sophisticated game...? You wish… I was pretty shocked myself, needless to say. Ten minutes later…

“You lost… again. And for the seventh time,” Jo drawled.

“It’s not over yet,” he retorted.

“Hey, c’mon… be a sport, will ya? You already lost seven times in a row,” Jo pointed out. “Like it or not, you’re treating both us lunch.”

Zack made some indescribable noise in his throat. Pretty much in frustration I guess.

“Fine…”

“Well… Deb?”

I grinned, “What about New World? It’s Chinese.”

“Sound good to me.”

“WHAT…!”

“Do take note that you’re bound the obligations of the agreement. Let’s go!”

“What were you thinking?” I hissed in her ear as we walked to New World. Zack was busy acknowledging admiring glances from young female passer-bys with his dazzling smile and an occasional wink or two.

“I knew he wouldn’t hold up against me,” Jo replied.

“But you’ve never played Mario before,” I pointed out.

“That’s true, but it involves in my field of work.”

“What does gaming have to do with the court?”

“Everything, Deb. Everything...!”

“What, you played it for work?”

“Just to try it out… y’know testing.”

“I don’t get you.”

“Whoever said I was easy to understand obviously lied.”

“But seriously, what does Mario have to do with the court?”

“Remember that case about 6 months ago?”

“The one about the crook blackmailed some kid ‘cause he lost in some video game?”

“Yeah… Turns out the crook pirated those disks. I was told to try it out to investigate the veracity of the evidence.”

“And you got hooked on it?”
”No. It’s part of my job and of course I’ve to do it well.”

“Riiiight…”

That’s pretty much what happened. And while they were playing, I was standing somewhere behind them trying to not look too foolish. It’s an arcade for goodness sake! So here we are in New World enjoying a scrumptious lunch. Thanks to Jo… and Zack, I needn’t drop a penny. And ooh, the pork ribs here are heavenly! Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all…

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

From Jo’s point of view

“See you around soon!” I waved Deb and Zack goodbye and started down the street humming.

That Zack kid is so easy to infuriate. I should taunt him more often.

I entered the elevator and pushed my office’s floor number. As it climbed up, I tapped my fingers on the railing still humming the same tune.

Oh wait, I’m not working today! -I lifted my finger to push the button- Ah what the heck… might as well drop in and say hello…

The doors open and I trailed out. I rested my hand on my office’s doorknob when an all-too-familiar voice half growled half said behind me.

“Jose…”

It belonged to none other than Vince, my partner in the firm. Braving myself for the worst, I turned around.

“Yes?” I said, smiling as innocently as I could.

His usually neat black with brown hints hair is tousled today. Now I wonder why…

“Where the heck have you been?” he demanded. His arms were folded across his chest.

“All around the world…!” I replied in a sing song voice. His face was so serious. I just had to laugh. It’s so not like him to be that serious looking.

“What…?” He arched an eyebrow.

“Oh. Nothing…” I giggled.

“Well, aren’t you answering me?”

Big brother mode: ON. Younger sister mode: ON.

“Was out to lunch with Deb and that office paper boy of hers…”

“You didn’t do it… did you?”

“Do what?”

“You know perfectly well what I’m talking about.”

Round one: Vince 1; Jo 0. Why does he seem to know everything?!

I mocked a gap. “How did you know?” I drew a collective gasp. “You stalked me…!”

Round two: Vince 1; Jo ! Take that…!

Vince raised his eyebrows higher. “Who… in their right mind, would want to stalk you?”

Round three: Vince 2; Jo 1.

“You…!”

“That’s pretty lame… coming from you.”

Round four: Vince 3; Jo …

“Dang, you just crush my happiness of taunting a kid,” I pouted.

“Taunting…?” he echoed. He shook his head. “No further questions. And oh, you’re obligated to come tomorrow…” I moaned. “Like it or not; we’ve got a new case to work on.”

“Yes, brother…” I teased. As he turned away, I saw his cheeks turn pale pink.

Oh, Vincent’s so gullible!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

It’s a quarter past two. Rianne is taking her usual nap in the nursery. Shane is well… glued to the television watching Barney? It’s not surprising if someone told you that he has inherited Deb’s child addiction to those child educational programs because they’re true. Normally, Nick would drag his son to do something which has absolutely NOTHING to do with a certain purple dinosaur. This time, he chose to ignore it.

After sitting in the living room with nothing to do but watch that damned purple dinosaur sing and dance with his son for two hours, Nick couldn’t be happier when he heard Rianne crying at the top of her lungs.

It’s about time! Nick thought to himself as he headed for the stairs.

“Shane! Do Daddy a favor by not making a mess ‘kay?!” he yelled.

A faint ‘OK Daddy’ replied and Nick couldn’t help but smile to himself.

When he got into the nursery, it was filled with Rianne’s sobs and cries. A bad dream maybe? It’s most likely to be a bad dream since her diaper wasn’t wet or she could be hungry. Highly doubt it because she’s eaten –more like drinking a lot of milk really– a lot for a girl who’s lived for 18 months.

Lifting her up in his arms he asked her in a gentle tone, “Aww… has my baby got a bad dream?”

She just sobbed even louder. Well what do you expect from a baby?

“I’ll take that as a yes then,” patting her head and making soothing sounds. It didn’t work. She was still crying. Oh well. Time for plan B.

“Rianne, how about some ice-cream?”

At the sound of that, she stopped crying and started beaming with delight.

That was easy.