bonniecwt

A week passed without any further incidents, nor was there any news forthcoming from the police. The two men remained protective of their loved ones, and though the two ladies were appreciative of everything that was done for them, they soon grew tired of it all, given their independent nature. Thus, they decided that it was time for them to return to their own home.
“Are you sure?”
Henry asked, his chopsticks full of noodles halting midway to his mouth. For that week, the two men had been making every effort to have dinner together with the ladies.
Annie nodded.
“Um hmm... Jackie and I decided that it’s time for us to return home, not that we don’t enjoy it here but still, home’s the best.”
“Right! You guys can come over anytime you want.”
Jackie added, with a look at Paul.
“Why are you looking at me like that? I have not said anything yet. I guess no one can dissuade you ladies once you’ve made up your mind, I know how stubborn you can be.”
“What?”
Jackie demanded, with a mock punch at Paul.
“Nothing, what did I say?”
Paul smiled, an innocent look on his face.
“I will let you off this time. So, I guess that’s settled, huh? Annie and I will return home tomorrow.”
“How about after dinner tomorrow, Henry and I will send you home?”
“Sure, we can wait till then.”
Both ladies agreed.
True to their promise, the two guys sent Annie and Jackie home after dinner together.
Annie opened the door to their apartment, and entered it, followed by Jackie and the two guys.
“Oh wow, home sweet home.”
Jackie exclaimed, flinging her bag onto the couch.
“You mean you’ve never like my home all this while?”
Paul pretended to be angry.
“Of course not,” Jackie hastened to pacify him, wrapping her arms around him from behind. “You are the best and I adore your apartment.”
“That’s better.”
Paul grinned.
“I can’t stand you guys.” Henry gave a mock shudder. “How can you be so mushy?”
“Are you jealous?”
Jackie shot out.
“Why would I be?”
Henry retorted, earning an exasperated look from Annie as she rolled her eyes.
“Ignore him, you know how he’s like. So, are the both of you going home or what?”
“If you want us to stay...”
Henry suggested.
“Well, we will be fine with or without you here. The choice is up to you.”
“Looks like we are not wanted here.”
Henry told Paul.
Paul looked at Jackie who gave him a shrug in return.
“Alright then, we won’t spend the night here tonight, maybe tomorrow. We will bring supper.” On so saying, he gave Jackie a hug and a peck on the lips. “Be careful, lock your door. I will come and pick you up for work tomorrow.”
“Paul, I’ll be fine, and I’ll see you at the hospital. Annie can send me to work.”
By this time, Annie had walked Henry to the door and they were saying their own goodbyes.
“Be careful, will ya?”
“Henry, I’ll still be seeing you tomorrow night. We’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Henry nodded, leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips.
“Goodnight.” Then in a louder tone, he called to Paul. “Paul, are you ready to go yet?”
“Coming!”
The latter replied, walking to the door.
“Now, lock your door.”
“We will, just go.”
Both ladies replied in exasperation, when both guys refused to budge from the door until it was closed

bonniecwt

Jackie’s and Annie’s Apartment
The Next Night
10.58pm
“I wonder what’s taking them so long?”
“Why, are you hungry again?” Annie teased Jackie. “I thought you had a lot for dinner just now.”
“I did not.”
“You did. I saw you. Careful, Jackie, you are putting on weight.”
“All the better to crush you with!”
Came the prompt retort, as without warning, Jackie pounced on Annie, causing them both to topple onto the couch.
It was to this scene that Paul and Henry happened upon when they entered the apartment with the key that they had been given. Grinning, they watched as both ladies struggled on the couch, laughing and screaming all the while.
“Doesn’t look as if their lives are in any danger, don’t you think so?”
Henry asked Paul sarcastically.
Paul laughed.
“They sure are enjoying themselves.”
It was then that the presence of the two men was noticed by their respective halves.
“Oh, you are finally here. I thought we had to call the search team or something, it sure took you long enough.”
Jackie said, getting up from her position on top of Annie.
“Yep, and we have one starving doctor here.”
Annie mentioned, earning a glare from Jackie.
“Didn’t you have any dinner?”
Paul asked, coming to the couch to sit beside Jackie.
“I did, am just hungry again.”
She replied before giving him a kiss.
Supper was over before Annie decided to break the news to the two guys.
“Jackie and I are bunking in together in Jackie’s room tonight. You two can take my room.”
Henry looked at Paul in mock horror.
“I’m not sharing a room with him!”
“As if I want to share one with you.”
Paul pretended offense.
“Well, you two can fight it out, we are going to bed. Thanks for the supper.”
Jackie grinned, quickly giving Paul a kiss on the lips before dashing off to her room, followed by Annie.
He sighed, and looked at Henry.
“Looks like it’s only you and I left.”
“Well, we can go home if you like.”
“Do you want to?”
Henry shook his head.
“I guess that settles it then.”
Dressed for bed half an hour later, the two guys were sitting in the living room watching television when they heard laughter drifting out from Jackie’s room.
Jackie snuggled up to Annie, determined not to let her off.
“So, did you or did you not?”
“Did I what?”
“You know what I’m asking. Did you and Henry, you know....”
“Know what?”
“Do you really want me to spell it out for you?”
“I’m going to get a drink. Do you want one?”
Annie evaded answering the question, as she got out of bed to go to the kitchen.
Unfortunately, a persistent Jackie followed her out of bed, all the way to the kitchen.
“So, tell me.”
“Why do you want to know? Why are you so interested anyway?”
Annie questioned.
“Just curious.”
Paul and Henry looked on fascinated, as both Annie and Jackie had seemingly forgotten about their presence, and were now standing infront of them, teasing and pestering each other, blocking their view of the television.
This time, Jackie was taken by surprise when Annie turned the table on her.
“What about you? You only know to tease me, what about yourself?”
“What about me?”
Jackie blushed, immediately freeing her hands from Annie’s shoulders. But before she could move away, her shoulders were gripped by Annie. Before long, they were pushing at each other.
“Ha! It’s your turn now, so confess! Don’t think you can get away so easily.”
“Confess what?”
Jackie shrugged her shoulders, obviously uncomfortable with the question.
“Did you or did you not?”
“Did what?”
Paul called out from his seat, causing them both to swivel their heads around to stare at him before turning back to look at each other. Suddenly, they burst into laughter.
“Sometimes, I wonder if we know what we are getting ourselves into.”
Henry drawled from his position.
“Sometimes, I agree with you on that too.”
Paul replied.
“Sorry, we forgot that you were here. Did we disturb you?”
Jackie asked, having finally wound down from laughing to giggling.
“Let’s go back to bed before we disturb them anymore.”
Annie grinned, seeing an exasperated look in Henry’s eyes. She leaned down to peck him on the lips before heading back to Jackie’s room.
Soon, the whole apartment was quiet as everyone went to bed, except for Annie’s room, where two people could not get to sleep.
Paul placed his arms behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.
“I can’t believe I’m actually sharing a bed with you.”
“I can’t believe it too. Oh man, are we turning into softies? Or are we just too blinded by love. If anyone ever tells me that I would be sharing a bed with Dr. Ching, I would be laughing my head off. Now, it’s a reality.”
Paul laughed.
“Oh come on, I know I’m not Annie, but I can’t be that bad, can I? And to answer your question, I think we are just two guys hopelessly in love, and trying to protect the loves of our lives.”
Henry nodded in the dark, trying to lighten the solemn mood that had seemed to descend over the room.
“Wow, Paul, when did you become so mushy?”

bonniecwt

The Next Morning
8.02am
“Good morning!”
Jackie called when she saw Paul coming out from Annie’s room, still dressed in his pajamas.
“Good morning, what time did you get up anyway?”
He asked in return, when he saw the spread of breakfast on the table.
“Just half an hour earlier than you.”
“You don’t have to prepare breakfast, we can just go out and grab a bite, you know.”
Paul said, wrapping his arms around Jackie from behind.
“I always prepare breakfast for Annie anyway, it’s nothing. I just had to prepare more than usual. Go and wash up, breakfast will be ready when you are done.”
Jackie turned her head back to give her fiancé a kiss on the lips.
Paul nodded, returning the kiss before walking off.
“Hey Paul, good morning!”
Annie greeted when she came out of the bathroom dressed for work, passing by him.
“Morning!”
“Henry’s still in bed?”
“Yep! You know how he is.”
Annie nodded, a mischievous look entering her eyes.
“I will go wake him up.”
Quietly, she entered her own room, carrying a glass of water along with her.
“Wake up, lazy pig!”
She yelled, just before pouring the glass of water on his head.
“What the....?”
Henry sat up, sputtering, trying to orient himself, when he caught sight of Annie, bent over with laughter, an empty glass in one hand.
“Serves you right for being such a lazy pig.”
Annie gasped, in between laughter.
“Why, you.....” He sat up, preparing to get out of bed. “Don’t think I won’t retaliate!”
Before he had finished that sentence, Annie had already dashed out of the room, foreseeing revenge.
“Did you have fun?”
Paul asked, when he saw a still grinning Annie exit the room.
“Oh yes, it was the best!”
“Wow, Henry, taking a bath so early in the morning?”
Jackie crowed sweetly, when she caught sight of a dripping Henry entering the living room. That earned her a glare which was later transferred to Annie.
“Alright, alright, breakfast is done. Why don’t you go change and come out to eat?”
Annie soothed, bringing a towel to Henry, and rubbing his head.
“That’s better.”
Finally calm, he grabbed the towel and returned to the room.