I don't owned all off the Hunger Games characters belongs to Suzanne Collins.
Based on Taiwan TTV and Korean MBC drama series, " Fated To Love You ". This is the rewriting of my previous story, plot and details are changed for this remake version.
Thanks to JLaLa who introduced me to this beautifull drama.
The Fate Entrapment.
~~ Someday,
Someone will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. ~~
Preview.
Sticky note is just a small pieces of paper with re-adherable strip of glue on its back.
You can tear it off whenever you want to use it and easily throw it away when you finish using it. You won't remember where the notes that are filled with tasks have been thrown.
But can you imagined when you get used to it and in one day you can't find it all around ?
By that time you will realized that this small piece of paper is actually a very important paper.
xxxx
First Note. ~~ The Chip of Destiny and The Mockingjays Lollipop.
" Excuse me ... excuse me. ", Gale pushing himself through thight-packed white hallway alongside his brother, Rory. He covered his nose as he smells mixture aroma of disinfectant and peoples sweating all around. Summer hasn't started yet they already smell like sulfuric vapor. Gosh, fish market is ten times better than this place.
Both Gale and Rory blowing sigh of relief once they get in the elevator. Gale loosen his tie knot and taking off his suit while Rory unhooked top two button of his shirt and rolled up his sleeve, their eyes watching floor numbers keep changing as if their life is count on it. The siblings seemed doesn't want to waste any seconds as they pushed through and jumped out when the elevator door slowly slide open.
Gale and Rory slowing down their pace as they see a doctor is talking with grey haired woman. Her left arm crossed around her ribcage with her right hand covers her lips as the doctor pats her shoulder and walk away.
" What happened auntie ? Where's Ma ? ", Gale doesn't need further answers as the lady he called auntie step forward and sling around her arms at him and Rory. Gale clenched his jaws and tried his best to hold salt water spilled from his eyes as he heard silent sobbing between her long, unbroken grey sheets.
Gale kiss her shoulder and rub his palm along her back before they parted and Gale guide her to nearest bench. " What doctor Aurelius said this time auntie Wiress ?, ask Rory. The mid fifty lady didn't responded, she wiped her cheeks and sighing.
Gale pats her back when Wiress looked at both of them back and forth and smiled bitterly. " Where's Vic and Posy ? ", she asked. Gale told her that Vic and Evey is already on their way from Taipei while Posy will be arrived with her husband by tomorrow morning with first flight from Seoul. " I told Jane to picked up Sammy and Sandy at school, they should be here soon. ", Rorry added.
Wiress takes a deep breath before she finally told them that apparently Hazelle breast cancer medication has no effect and it already reached her brain by now and that's the reason why she's got an attack this morning and they put Hazelle under strict surveillance at ICU right now and limits her visitor access.
Gale pretty sure he could hear lightning storm strikes as he heard from his mother sister that Hazelle only got a year and a half if she's lucky and strong enough, while the worst case scenario will be four to six months ahead.
" Your mother biggest concern is you Gale. ", Wiress wiped her tears. " She kept saying to me that she doesn't want to leave before she saw you standing you at the altar and hold your child in her arms. ".
" But Ma never say anything to me. "
" Thanks to your late father gene on your eyes and hair Gale. ", She looked at him with watery grave on her eyes.
" Look Gale, I know that this isn't my business but I think it's time for you to forget her. You're about thirty, Posy is near her due date and and look where are you now ". Her voices seemed about to falling apart.
" There's a time where we have to let go our grip so that our palms would open to something new. Unfortunately Gale, time is something we cannot have. "
Gale gulped his about-to-say words back and leaned on the walls behind as he let his mind wanders elsewhere. This afternoon, he suddenly feels like all of his soul is draining out from his physical shell.
" Uncle Gale ! ", two identical cheerfull little girl image snapped him back to reality and he smiled weakly to them. " Well, well, well look who we got here ? ", He leaned forward to the twins and let them placed a kiss on his cheeks and hug them.
" Is grandma okay, uncle Gale ? Mommy told us that grandma is sick. ", asked Sammy, the one with the blue hairpin at her left temple. " Can we see grandma now uncle Gale ? We missed her alot. ", says Sandy who wear pink hairpin at her right temple. Gale looked at Rory who noddes as a silent message for him to deal with the little girls while his brother will taking care the adults.
" Yes, grandma is sick and is taking rest right now. That's why doctor said we shouldn't disturbed her dear. ", Gale smiled. " But we want to see grandma now, uncle Gale. We want to pray for grandma's health. ", Sandy plea.
" Of course you will sweetie. ", Gale kissed his nieces forehead. " But right now, let us have grandma sleep for a while and find something nice like ice cream. Who wants some ice cream here ? ". The identical siblings raised their hands and Gale laugh a bit. Gale looked again at the twins daddy before three of them leaving.
xxx
" Excuse me ... excuse me ... ", a blonde girl pushing herself out from tight - packed elevator and run into an office. She carefully delivered every items inside paper bags she holds to respectful owner while her colleagues stuck a sticky note filled with requests and tasks on her.
There always people like this around you. People that needs to completed what they told to do and know when it's time for them to disappeared.
A very kind person and offers help whenever asked.
Someone that doesn't take space and forever quiet.
They're subtle therefore their existence is as thin as paper.
This blonde girl is that kind of person and her name is Madge Undersee, like her other ordinary days. She has to completed every menial task and orders that written down on the sticky note regardless her own work is pilling up. The best part is, no one ever say thank you after she helped them.
" Gosh Madge, you should stop this. The last time I check, our boss is still Mr. Heavensbee. Not any of them ", Maysilee Donner, her best friend and her co worker who sat next to her cubicle for this past three years, hissing at her.
" Owh, well. Not everybody like you May. It just that I feel so bad everytime I say no. ", Madge sighing and turning her computer on. She's typing her password and back to her work.
Maysilee shaking her head and passing on a paper bag with big M logo to blonde girl she's looking at right now. " Here. You must be hungry. ".
Madge grabbed it and open it right away. Mouth watering aroma burst out as she pulling out a big mac and large french fries from the paper bag. " Geez, thanks a lot May. "
" You're welcome dear. ".
xxxx
The digital clock at the wall showed nineteen hundred and like always, Madge is the only person left in the office beside the security guards. This time, one of her colleagues Mary is having a birthday party and asking Madge to helped her do some reports which Madge agreed in no time.
Madge jumped back as she see an arm stretch and dropped a plastic bag in front of her. " Ops, sorry. ", she turned to a calm and steady voice behind her.
It feel like a magic has been cast down on her when Madge find out that the person is Cato, a new lawyer in Plutarch lawfirm and definetely one of the high quality bachelor around this office, is smiling at her.
" I'm new at this office and I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one who do over time for these whole two weeks. ", Cato stretched his arms. " Cato Eckhart by the way. "
" Owh, Madge Undersee. ", Madge awkwardly fixing her nerdy spectacles before she shake his hand.
" Nice name. ", Cato smilling widely. " I do hope you don't mind if I'm offering a little help right here. "
" Owh, no. I mean - I don't mind it at all. Thanks for - that. ", Madge shrug and pointing at the plastic bag.
Cato chuckle and reached for a small transparent box at the desk where he pulling out Madge name card. " Well, I do hate to leave a damsel in distress like this but I have an important client to handle tonight, so - would you excuse me ? ", Madge just nod and smiled awkwardly.
" I'm also hope that you don't mind having some coffee and talk with me some time. ", Cato taking out an ivory colored card from inside his suit and slide it down to Madge before he leaves.
Madge take it and read the card in a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Tonight, all of her prayers and hard work finally come with an unexpected result. Someone noticed her existence and it's not just some ordinary guy like before. The person is Cato and he's a prince.
Madge kissing Cato's card for a few times before she slipped it carefully at her purse and finishing her reports.
Unfortunately ...
Madge Undersee is not a princess. She is just a sticky note girl that couldn't reject uncountable number sticky notes from her colleagues and has to face bunch of endless things to do. Therefore, ...
" Owh allright then, since you loved your work much more I suggested it much better if you just stay with your over time and forget about me, Good bye Madge." ( click ).
" No ... Cato ... Cato ... ", Madge tried to call out his name but all she can hear is just repeating beeping tone. Between pillars of papers, Madge sinking her head and breaks down in tears.
Tonight, she got dumped ... Again ...
xxxxxx
" Hellooo ... Yahooooo ... "
" Huh ? ". Madge snapped back into reality and turned her sight to left. She jumped back as she see Mr. Heavensbee is looking back worriedly at her. " Are you okay Mags ? ", Madge didn't respond, she just noddes.
" It's Madge, Mr. Heavensbee. M-A-D-G-E and you're welcome. ", Maysilee hissing.
Plutarch a little bit amused and grins, " Well, pardon me then. Are you sure you're okay - Madge ? Is that correct ? ".
" I'm alright boss. What can I do for you today ? ".
" Ah, some spirit at last.", Plutarch rubbed his palms. " My daughter is about to come from abroad and she likes candies. ". Plutarch handed a sticky note to Madge. " I want you to go to The Mansion mall and help me with these. ". Madge read paper on her palms before she nod.
" Perfect. ", Plutarch swing a smile on his lips before he turned back and disappeared back into his office at the left corner.
Madge slowly rise from her chair and grabbed her purse before heading out to complete her new errand.
xxxxx
Gale drone around the store. He pulled his corners of his lips down and shaked his head as he looked at the showcase. It's been four hour and its the third baby shop he drop by this afternoon yet nothing is captured his attention so far.
" Is this all you have ? ", He ask to clerk girl in front of him.
" I'm afraid so sir. ", Gale sighing as he heard the clerk answers. He examines around him again for two times before he finally made up his choice on a set of limited edition Disney's Princess baby care set. He write down an address and Posy name as recipient and handed it along with his platinum card to the clerk.
Gale mind is preoccupied with his phone when he suddenly feel like he bumped into something and see his samsung fly away and landed under the bench. He looked to his left and found out that it was a girl he bumped to.
The blonde girl scratching the floor as if she's can't see and looking for something. Gale look around him and found a small brown spectacles near his shoes, he grabbed it and put it back on her.
" Thank you sir, I'm sor - ", the blonde girl stop midsentences as she look at him in amusement and Gale looking back at her and find that she was attractive enough, despite her misfitted glasses.
Her apricot skin and weathered-streaked blond hair having a fresh, vital look. Her features bores the strikingly appealing symmetry often found in those of Scandinavian ancestry - the straight nose and fine nostrils; shapely, bowed lips and sapphire-blue eyes beneath arched brows of pleasing contour.
It's was her clothing that gave her away. She wore a pair of heather colored slacks and shirt that spoke of brighter days long gone. They were home made and of poor fabric. Her trench coat was limp, frayed at hem and cuff. Her dark brown wedgies were made of artificial stuff worn at the heels and curl at the toes. The worst of all is her choice of those geeky specs.
Feeling guilty, Gale starts to hunt for scattering sweets on the floor which followed by the blonde girl. Gale is about to handing her basket of candies when the blondie seemed to see something over his shoulder and ran away. Gale turned around and see her dove under the mall bench to grabbed something and running back to him.
" Your phone sir. ", she gasped. Gale chuckles and stretch his right arm, " Your candies ma'am. "
Gale frown as he see stretch marks all over his phone and the girl starts to apologized. " Owh it's okay, nevermind. ", Gale smiled awkwardly.
" I'm sorry for - ", He's pointing at the basket. " That. ". The girl smilling back and waved her hand.
" Well, have a nice day ma'am, excuse me. ". Gale nod and walked away. Leaving the blonde girl petrified.
xxxxxx
Madge jumped back as she feel her feet is kicked by someone. She turned left and see Maysilee looking at her with worries. " Are you sure there's nothing wrong with you today ? ".
" I'm okay May. Thanks. ", Madge hurriedly get herself busied with papers in front of her.
" No, you're not sweetie. You stared blankly at your monitor for the fourth times today which in my very humble opinion, you're very very screwed up. ", Maysilee leaned back and crossed her arms. " So come on. Level with me. "
Madge sighing and givin' up. She told Maysilee that Cato decided to broke their very short term relationships. Maysilee leaned forward and hug her co worker tightly.
Maysilee suddenly pushing Madge back, rummaging her drawer and handed a magazine. " What is this ? ", Madge whispers.
" Now, you listen to me. You wanted Cato back to you, right ? ". Maysilee hold Madge shoulders where her friend just nod in complete disarray.
" Just open page thirty four and follow every instructions written in it. Trust me, you'll have him back in less than a week. ", Maysilee winked and return to her position.
xxxxx
" So ? ", Rory leaned back and crossed his legs. " Find anything pleasing ? ".
Gale facing four picture of young woman with all of their hair braided to their left shoulder to his beloved brother and his second in command. " Seriously ? ".
Rory chuckles, " Well, I just try to help you speed up things based on your last preferences. "
" So funny Ror. So funny. ", Gale lips pulled a straight line as he's sinking at his tall director chair and scratched his forehead. Dealing with the Capitol officials is ten times easier than this matchmaking thing.
" Hey, just take your time okay ? Don't pushed yourself too hard. ", Rory leaned forward and slide a brown envelope.
" Clock is ticking Rory, clock is ticking. ", Gale catch the envelope and ripped it open. He pulled out a plane ticket and some sort of contract draft. " What's this ? ".
" It's a ticket to Four. Odair Resort and Casino are finally agreed to use our security services and I need you to replace me. ", Rory straighten his back. " Sandy and Sammy school is having summer camp tomorrow and they asking parents to came along. "
" Send Cressida over, I'm not going ". Gale waving one of girls picture to Rory.
" Woo-woo, wait a minute. " Rory stretched his arms. " We're talkin about millions shals and six months of hunting here. Plus, I'm asking Mr. Odair to arrange some meeting with Four's top notch bachelorette. "
" Hmm ... this one is not bad, she's cute ", Gale ignored his brother protest and continued his examinations of his soon-to- be Mrs. Hawthorne candidates profile.
" GALE ! ". ~ ~
" What ?! ".
" You're not listening. I said, I'm asking Mr. Odair to arrange some date for you. ", Rory knocking his index finger for each word he said.
" So ? ", Gale shrug and spread his arm
" Four's women are well known for their devotion to their family. So - . ", Rory throw himself back at his chair, crossed his legs and copy his brother gesture. " Who knows ".
Gale looked at Rory wicked grins for a while before he throwed some files to him and asked Rory to scheduled an interview with selected comtestants after he's coming back.
Rory just lock his hand behind his head and smiled triumphantly.
xxxxxx
District Four : Odair Resort and Casino.
Wuu ~~
Warm - breezing wind that carrying fresh salty aroma from the sea snuck in Madge sense of smell as she inhale and stretched her arms wide. She shut her eyelids and let those relaxing scent flooded all over her system, calmed her tense muscles and nerves.
" Come on Madge, how long do you plan to dally ? Let's go to our room. "
She gasped and hurriedly dragged her feet along with various size of bag and suitcases. " Cato, waot for me. "
She keeps shout her boyfriend's name while carrying their luggage and trying to get through the crowd. But the guy she's calling in seemed ignored her and doesn't slowing down his pace but Madge doesn't evem care about it and geared up her speed.
After five hellish day of super duper intense approach like the magazine taught, her ship finally come and Cato even agreed to go for a romantic vacation with her. So this time, Madge is determined to catch up with him. Otherwise, her taking the pimch and paying for the expensive trip will be meaningless.
After some minutes of difficulty, Madge finally sees her boyfriend's back. Just as delight comes to her, some people pushing her back and forth, nearly knocks her down and make her geeky glasses fall down.
When she about to fall back, Madge feels a solid arms supported her back while her hip senses another one sling around from front. Between her blurry vision, Madge looks up to see a face covered in sunlight when her ears suddenly can hear her own heart thumping beneath its ribcage.
Could it be the fated encounter between the prince and the princess she has long waited for ? A tall, handsome, gentle and considerate prince ?
" Watch your step next time. ", the man helped her back on her feet again and grabbed her specs from the floor. At this close, Madge couldn't help not to entrail his G.I Joe - cut, dark hair, his sharp but soft; smokey steel gray eyes beneath perfectly plucked eyebrows that a reminder of falcon wings wide spread and his solid jaws derive from Bavarian ancestors.
" Excuse me ma'am. ", Madge take her glasses from the strangers palm and keep tracking the back of his army - green suit untill his shadows engulfed by sea of people passing by.
Madge pretty sure that this is not the first time they met like this.
xxxxx
Gale decide to spent this entire afternoon entertaining himself with anything popped up on his mind rather than locked himself up in the room. He let his hawaiian shirt hang loose unbutton and exposing two big square on his chest an another smaller six lining up neatly at his stomach.
His throat as dry as the air so he heading to the side bar and order for a nice cold drink. When he reached the beach bar, with the exception of the bartender there's only one couple kissing passionately at the left corner of the bar. He sweeps his eyes around, take a seat across them and orders an orange squash.
The couples finally finished kissing and separated breathlessly.
" So, Mr. Eckhart. Didn't you said that you came along with your girlfriend ? ", the woman voice is flirtatious.
" Owh, she's still handling some luggage things. " The man said's coolly. " If it isn't because she's annoying me with all of her whining every here and there. I prefer to ended up somewhere else between Alpen resorts with my snowboards. "
" But if you didn't come, how would you met me ? ".
" I guess you're right. ", As he finished his talk, the couple starts kissing again.
Sons-of-a-bitches !. Gale feels his stomach is somewhat stirred and turned away from them. He feels sorry for that man's girlfriend. She is so blind to go out withs such a jerk.
But it's not his business anyway. Gale sipped his cocktail, look around his surroundings and moan for few times.
The moaning itself isn't because of the taste of the cokctail nor the place. It's simply because ...
Today is his first time coming back again at Four.
xxxx
Today is her first time coming at Four.
And going on a romantic vacation with the male species. At room 209, Madge hugs a transparent night gown and speaks something shyly to the empty air.
Tonight, she plans to give herself to Cato. She knows that he is actually someone with strong needs. In the past, he has made every effort to restrain himself from her. But it doesn't matter now. Cato doesn't have to contain himself anymore.
She's ready to give herself to him totally and she believes that this will change the slowly chilling relationship between the two of them.
Madge smiles as she meditates and continue to tidy her luggage.
xxxxx
Either today is his bad hair day or the lovey dovey couples around the lounge this evening. Gale mood already at its worst as he gulp his fifth shots of vodka martini.
" Care for a drink ? ", a soft woman voice whispered to his ears. Gale just give the lady a short glare before he screams to the bartender to passing him a bottle of vodka and blows thick smoke before he gives his answer. " Screw somebody else bitch, I'm gay. ".
The woman snort in disgust and leaved him rightaway after she called him " Asshole. ". Gale just chuckles and skipping his glass when he poured the clear liquid onto his throat.
A woman dresses in soft blue, short skirt onesie enters the lounge and stumbles the bar shakily when she ask the bartender.
" Excuse me sir, may I know where the casino is ? ".
" The casino is at the right wing ma'am. ", The bartender answers. " Miss, you don't look well. Want something to drink ? ".
" No need. Thanks. ", Madge turns him down as she is anxious to find her boyfriend. But when she turns her head, she find her lover on a sofa. She is delighted. " Cato ! Why are you here ? ".
When Cato hears her voice, he jumps in fright and quickly goes towards her, blocking his girlfriend's view to prevent her seeing another person. " What are you doing here ? ".
" I couldn't find the casino. So I came here to inquire. I thought you wanted to go to the casino ? ".
" Why should I go to the casino ?. ", Cato orders two cocktails and lead Madge to sit at the bar stool. " Here, let's have some drink.
Madge sipped her skinny glass and cover her mouth as she feels her throat sting by strong liquor smell but she's forcing herself to take another one because she doesn't want to disappointing him. " But why Cato ? ".
" Well, let said that my pockets a litle bit dry. ", Cato takes a gulp when Madge handed him her credit card which make his eyes brighten but pretends not to care. " What is this ? ".
" You don't have money don't you ? ", Madge looks at him and bits her lips. " Why don't you use this first and maybe we can have a high-class dinner tonight ".
" Nah, forget it. I won't use a woman's money. ", Cato shake his head.
" Take it ! You should enjoy yourself when you go out. " Madge insisted.
Cato smirk and cups her face to give her a kiss on the forehead. " Oh my, you're boiling. Are you okay ? ".
Madge waving her hands, " I'm okay, It's probably the cocktail. It just too strong for me. "
Cato is about to finished his drink when a guy suddenly bumped him and caused him to spilled his cocktail all over his shirt. " What the hell ? ".
The guy stands up and glare to them before he say, " Whoops, my mistake. Sorry buddy. " and staggering as he walk to the door.
By now, Madge believed that it's the same guy she saw this afternoon.
xxxxx
It seemed the strong liquor has reached her central neuro system as Madge fight her way back to her room. Cato persuade her to go back to their room and take a rest which Madge followed obediently.
" ... three-o-seven ... three-o-six .. ahh ! ", She's found it at last and rummaging her back pocket to grabbed her keycard, inserted it to the scanner machine and abruptly enters her suite after she heard a clicking sound.
A wave of dizziness hit her as she reached the edge of the bed. So she threw herself to the bed and cocooned under the blanket.
It almost midnight when she feel someone crawl at the bed and hold her from behind. Somebody kissing her neck and she's get startled. A pair of solid hands turned her around and softly pressed her lips with his and let those hands slipped under her shirt.
Tonight, she let herself drift away in stream of passionate love.
xxxxx
Tonight, he let his mind surrendered to his body's will.
" Is there anything else sir ? ", the night concierge asked. Gale just waving his hand and told that he will be okay. The concierge nod and closed the door behind him.
Between the dimmed light room and his foggy vision. Gale pulling out his vest, his Hugo Boss shirt and yanked away his forty thousand shals Testoni Dress from his foot before his knee bumped to the edge of the king size bed and fall down.
Gale reached for the other side of the bed and found something puffy and warm, he pulled it onto his grab and cover the blanket all around him.
It feels very nice to sleep with something that perfectly fits in his hug.
xxxxx
Gale props on his right elbow while the other covering his eyes of the incoming light that peeking through the curtain sidelines.
He's moaning as if his head has been rammed by a twenty wheelers. He glanced at his right and surprised as he see man sized bolster has a large mark on it. " Osh ! , Yuck. ", he wiped his mouth and forcing himself to get up and draghing his feet to the bathroom.
10:00 a.m ~~
" It's my pleasure doing business with you Mr. Odair. ", says Gale as he puts his pen down and stretched his hands.
" It's my pleasure too Mr. Hawthorne. ", Finnick welcomed his guest hand and shaked it. " I do hope you don't mind to spend few more days around. Free of charges off course, as a compliment from the house. ".
" I can find no reason to resist such interesting offers Mr. Odair ", Gale smirk and the two of them posed for the photographers.
14:00 p.m ~~
Gale is back at the beach side bar with his casual mode. He look around and sighing, nothing in this place is changed since ten years ago he met with whom he called as the most beautiful girl in the world.
Her long shiny dark hair is braoded to her left shoulder, Her porcelain olive skin glowing under the sunshine as he saw her in her leaf green bikini sat across his right. Gale sipped his cocktail and sweep his eyes once again, the beach, the peoples, the twin tower across. Everything is still the same ...
Except ~~
He suddenly catches an image of a girl in a floral dresses dragging her luggage to the beach and slowly descent to the sea. Either that girl is tryin' to draw everyone attention on her or she's doin something crazy like - committed a suicide ...
Gale get choked upon the last words that bouncing inside his skull and blazing his feet towards the girl. " Hey you ! Lady ! Get back here ! ".
Lucklily, the beach is not so crowded today so Gale could easily slipped between people within minutes and jumped to the sea right away.
" No ! Let me die ! I wanna die ! ", the blonde girl try to yanked herself out from Gale grip as he tightened his clinch on her waist and pulling her back to beach. Gale throw the petite figure as far as he can and gasped while the girl get chocked and coughing as she's lying down on the sand.
" Are you out of your mind ?! ", Gale yelled at the girl and peoples starts to surround them. The girl didn't respond instead she's just curled and breaks down in tears. Feel sorry for her conditions, Gale picked her up and get off from the beach.
xxxx
Room 309.
The blonde girl accept a glass of water and gulped it shakily before she returned the glass back to her saviour and balled on the edge of the bed. Gale take another dry towel and covered his unexpected guest with it.
Gale joins her and pats her back to comfort her and try to speak with her with low and soft tone. It take several minutes before the girl finally says her name, " Madge. "
Gale smiled before he introduced himself and asked her politely about why she's want to drown herself at the beach. Madge didn't answered him and start to sobbed again. " Hey hey, it's okay of you don't want to answered it. Okay ? ", Gale rubbed her back before he grabbed a bottle of vodka at the bedside table, poured some small amount to the glass and handed it to her. " Here. ".
Madge take the glass and finished it in one big gulp. After Gale join her back, she start her story about how her boyfriend cheating on her back and left her in huge debt after he used up her credit card, about how she got throw away from the room that she paid and how she dropped her phone to the sea and the worst of all, she's giving in her precious first time to that jerk.
" Oh God. ", Gale muttered as he imagined how could such a misfortune happened to her in just one day.
" Yeah, Oh God. ", she echoes. " I guess I know now, why my colleagues always called me sticky note girl. "
" Why ? ".
" Because they can used me whenever they wanted to and they could easily tossed me out after they finish with me. ", she breaks down again.
" I wanted to wholeheartedly loves a person and look what it's done to me. "
For some reason, Gale feels his chest is suddenly stinged by thousand tracker jackers and spreads out burning sensations to every inch of his body. " Well, don't tell me that you just gonna sitting here and expect them to apologize to you, do you ?! ".
Madge shocked by his sudden change of emotions and lost her words, " Well, I - I - I don't know what to do . "
" You what ?! Ough God, I couldn't believed this ! ", Gale furiously grabbed the vodka and take few gulp before he slammed it hard and making Madge jumped back.
" Do you mean that you just gonna let them go just like that ? And you - you - just at look at you. "
" What do you think I supposed to do then huh ?! "
" The book of Romans chapter one, verses eighteen. ", Gale take another gulp and continues. " For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and righteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. "
" Huh ? ", Madge frightened as she see Gale glanced wickedly and grabbed her left wrist.
" You are not sticky note ! You hear me ?! You - are - not ! ", Gale blows some steam out.
" From this day onward, you are super glue ! You're gonna stuck so goddam' hard so that people have to ripped their flesh along with you if they tryin' get rid of you ! ", Gale pulled her up from the bed. " Come on ! "
" Bu - but, where ? ", Madge trembling in fear as Gale eyes wide shot opened in bloodred.
" Calling down the holy judgment onto someone. ", Gale turned away and pulling her again. " Come on. "
xxxx
" Hmmm, lemme' see. A little bit short, petite. " Madge freezzing as a dark skinned tall woman circling around like a predator playing with its prey before they swallowed it.
" I'm afraid she'll cost you more than the usual Mr. Hawthorne. "
" Money is not an issue miss Portia. ", Gale snapped his fingers. " I want you to transformed her into something so that everybody will have to look at least twice at her. "
" Very well then, Let us go. ", Portia circling her arms and her assistants stepped forward. Dragging Madge along with them inside.
Inside the beauty salon ...
Portia make sure that Madge get first class services of total body treatment, puts on make up, changed her glasses into contact lenses, polish her nails into shiny beads and perms her hair into a loose flowing style. A shimmering Versace's soft blue evening gown that matched her eyes will be her uniform tonight.
Gale performed a magic spell on her . The ugly duckling no longer existed, Madge is a beautiful swan by now.
Madge stares at an image in the mirror in a amusement. Is that really her ? How could she be so astonishing?.
Portia presenting her to Gale who look charming in his elegant tuxedo. He give her a an assesment look before he smiled to the stylist and waving his card.
Madge looks down shyly.
" You're amazing. ", Gale praises her and placed her hand around his elbow. " Allright, chin up, smiles off. You're a princess and anybody around beneath you. Let's go. "
Together, they make a striking couple like a secret agent with his girl as they walk along the way to the casino.
The casino is very beautiful with vaulted column and its ceiling filled with crystal chandellier.
" What are we doing here ? ", She asked Gale quietly.
Gale ignored her and scanned his surrounding where he found his target is winning big at a table o the far left corner.
So he lead her there and purposedly sit across them. Cato droolling over when he sees the new version of Madge, his eyes nearly jumped out and make a brunette girl next to him mad in jealousy.
At first, Madge wants to run away but Gale grabbed her elbow softly persuade her to sit back. Later, he easily exchange his cheque with five hundred grand chips in a single breath.
Everybody is shocked and even Madge dumbstruck at this huge amount. But not for Gale, his poker face is already set and he's signaling the dealer to deal the cards.
Round after round, their chips slowly changes side to Cato and by the fifth round. There's only six chips left on Gale's side.
" Maybe you should think over again about whom you gonna bring with you. ", Cato mocked. " Here honey, give me some luck. ", Cato's girl gives a blow to a chips on her lover hands.
" Thank you for your consideration. ", Gale smirk and asked Madge if she's want a drink. Madge just say anything will be fine with her. Gale snapped his finger to called a waiter am make orders,
" Vodka martini, stirred not shaked and - ", Gale looked at a girl next to him for a moment before he says, " Bloody Mary for the lady, because she's gonna make someone bleed to death tonight. "
" Are you here for the business or just want to showing off your lovey dovey act ? ", Cato sneered.
Gale just smiled wickedly and passing on a cheque worth of one million chips to dealer. Everybody eyes wide shot opened, Cato gulping for few times and Madge got choked by invisible hands. She doesn't care about her ex - boyfriend is kissing another woman in front of her right now, Gale is her main concern and top priority tonight.
" Gale, I think that you should stop this. ", Madge pulls his sleeve secretly.
Gale only give her his sweetest smile as his answer. He glanced at the bottom of the card that has just been dealt and says, " Raise, hundred grand. "
Cato stunned and Madge is even more nervous. " Gale ! You must really stop playing. "
Gale just grins at her and looks at Cato.
" Call. ", the dealer confirmed Cato and the other two player bet.
" Four players ~ flop. ", the dealer reveal the first three card at the desk.
Gale glares at one ace at the table and says, " Raise, two hundred grand. ". Cato accept his challenges and kept following his bet.
By the time the dealer says, " River. " and reveal the fifth card, Gale already added another hundred grands of chips into his possesion and Cato palms start to flooded with cold sweats.
" Two players, final bet. ", The dealers announced.
Gale take out a white chip worth of fifty thousand who the highest nominal chip and stretched it to Madge. " I think it's time for you to wishing me some luck. ".
Madge quickly grabbed it and pray. " Here. " She blinks for few times, returned the chip back and added, " May the odds be ever on your favor. "
" Thank you. ", Gale smiles, put the chip aside before he pushing all of his chips to the center of the table and hurled a wicked laughter. Madge freezing like anybody else in their seating.
" All in. ", the dealer confirmed Gale's final bet.
" You're bluffing. "
In order to protect his pride, Cato has no other choices but followed Gale move. " All in. ", the dealer confirmed Cato's bet before he says, " Card opened. ".
Cato smiled triumphantly as he shows his hand and the dealer says, " Kings full house. ".
" Please, do the honor. ", Gale slide his cards to Madge. Madge is surprised, " Me ? ".
Gale nod and smiled at her. Madge is at loss for words as she doesn't understand any of this but she choose to pick up the cards and revealed it.
" Four aces over kings full house. ", the dealer set aside Cato's cards and put in Gale's. Madge looked at Gale quizzically for a moment before she leap in joy and hugging him as Gale coolly says, " We win. "
" Oh my God, Gale ! We win, we win ! Oh my God, oh my God ! My bad luck finally gone, my bad luck is gone !. ", Madge couldn't stop shaking and hugging her partner at the same time and her tears of joy leaving marks at his tuxedo.
It took several minutes for Gale to break from her. And when she finally releasing him, Gale smirk as he whispered something to her ears. " Didn't I tell you before that you'll make someone bleed to death ? ". Madge loosen her arms and follow his gaze. On their opposite, someone stares blankly on the table. His face as white as the cards and he's ...
Alone ...
xxxxx
Madge surprises didn't stop there ...
Gale take her for a first class dinner to celebrate, booked her a suite next to his, replaced her lost luggage with two suitcases of branded clothes, forcing her to take a brand new Samsung S6 in exchange of her old-fashioned phone and even more. Insisting that she should take her share of his winning today in a form of two hundred thousand shals cheque.
" But Gale, I can't accept all of this ", she protest.
" Give me one good reason why you can't ? ", he challenged her.
" Well, this dress, getting me even with Cato and - and - ", she gasped and starts to break down in tears. " My life, you've saved my life. "
Gale handed her his handkerchief and asking her something, " Have you ever heard about the good samaritan story ? ".
" Yeah, why ? "
" Well, considered that I'm playing good samaritan to you. ", Gale take a deep breath. " Besides, my mother always told me that if I want to be a better person, I don't need any reason for doing something good. ".
Gale take a seat at the edge of the bed and continue his story, " Ten years ago, I met a girl of my dream right here and two years ago I invited her here on a romantic vacation to Paris which I'm planning to proposed her. ". Gale look down, " But she choose to fly away and goes for her dreams on big screen. So I think that if I'm helping you today then maybe - I could help myself get over it. "
Madge can't help it but wonder what kind of girl would dump such a good-looking gentleman like him. Madge take her seating next to him and touched his left shoulder to express her sympathy for him since she's not very good with words.
" I'm sorry ", she muttered.
Gale and lifted his head and smiled to her. " Well, if you still insisted to repay my kindness. Would you mind accompanying me for the next two days ? "
Just before Madge about to say something, Gale hastilly added " Just breakfast, lunch, dinner and maybe some fooling around. No beds, Promised. "
Madge chuckles and agreed right away, " Sure, if it could make me get even with you then, why not ? ".
xxxx
District 4 International Airport.
Domestic Terminal.
Gale handed her luggage as soon as the reached the departure terminal entrance. Madge a little bit reluctant when she's taking it from Gale.
" Well, I guess it's time to say - goodbye ? ", she smile groggily.
" Yeah, sure. ", Gale chuckles awkwardly. " Anyway, it's my pleasure to meet you Madge and I'm sorry for holding you out. "
" No, no.", Madge waving her hand vacuosly. " It should be me who apologized for causing you so much trouble. "
" Nah, it's nothing. Actually, I'm having fun more than I'm expected. Owh, I almost forgot. ", Gale taking out something from his pocket, It's a white chip that Gale asking her to prayed for. " Here. "
" Life is a like a gambling actually. You're simply playing peoples that sits around you, patiencely waiting for you ship to come and the most important thing is a determination to give all of your best shot no matter what. Remember, like those cards and chips on the table, your destiny is also lies on your own hand, so don't look down on yourself anymore. ".
Madge looks at the chip. Her throats starts to shrink and her eyes sting. It's the first time ever in her life, someone treating her nicely and furthermore, enlightened her with his words.
She holds the chip tightly and gives him a sweet smile through her tears. " Thank you ! I will remember it. "
When Gale about to turned away, Madge calling his name and handed him a heart-shaped lollipop with couple of mockingjays engraved on it.
" It's a lollipop that will helped you realizing your love. Well, at least that what people said to me when I was at the candy shop. They also say that people who like sweets are people that wanted to be happy. "
Gale take the candy and examined it for a while, " Well, thanks anyway. ", he smiled charmingly to her.
" Gomawo Gale. "
" Huh ? ". Gale knitted his brows as he heard the foreign tone.
" It's Korean form of thank you very much. "
" Owh, very well then. Merci mademoiselle. "
" Huh ? ", It's Madge turn to frown upon the strange language.
" It's how I used to say 'thanks ma'am' in French. ", They both giggles by now. Gale raised his fist and says, " Cheer up ! ". Which Madge echoes, " Cheer up ! ". After that, Madge entering the domestic departure entrance while Gale dragging his luggage to the international terminal.
On his journey to Los Angeles, Gale looked at the lollipop and slowly whispers, " Sticky note girl ..", he put it inside his left jacket pocket and turned his sight to the clouds outside. " Not a bad idea .. "
" Take care Gale ", Madge muttered as she gaze at the chip on her way back to Twelve.
xx
To be continued ...
Like it or hate it, feel free to write it down on the comment and let me know which part of my writings is needed to improved.
Regards, Heinz