The arrival of the package she ordered online and the letter from the prestigious medical institution in New York had Stacy ecstatic and overjoyed. She couldn't wait to share the good news with Malia as she frantically searched for her around the hospital. The downtrodden expression on Malia's face as she dispassionately toyed with her salad at the hospital cafeteria halted Stacy from sharing her good news.
She casually approached her at the table and touched her shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"Chin hasn't called yet, has he?" Stacy asked empathetically.
Malia's expression remained passive but her eyes told a different story.
"Go ahead. I know you've been dying to say 'I told you so'" blurted Malia.
"I wouldn't do that to you, you know that," Stacy said kindly which only made Malia feel worse.
"It's been three days… I guess it's a closed chapter in Chin's book," she said sadly, wiping a tear at the corner of her eye.
"Cheer up, girlfriend. Your ex may be hot but he's not the only fish in the sea. I'll tell you what. There's a party thrown by Gov. Jameson tonight. It's a black tie and everybody who's anybody will be there…"
"Stacy, we can't just barge into the governor's private party…" protested Malia.
"We're not barging in. We have an invitation. There are two seats reserved for any of the board of directors of Honolulu Hospital. Not one of them is interested to go and so Dr. Lucero told me that I and another doctor should go there in their place," Stacy announced excitedly.
"Come on… please say you'll go with me. You wouldn't let your girlfriend go to this party alone, would you?" pleaded Stacy with an infectious smile.
Malia sighed and forced a smile. "Alright then but promise me we won't stay long."
Stacy giggled. "Ok, I promise. Now let's go and hit the salon."
Steve grinned from ear to ear as he sat beside Kono at the designated round table labeled Five-0.
"She's got the hots for Chin, doesn't she?" observed Steve.
Kono smiled before taking a taste of her appetizer.
"Tell me about it. Laura never left Chin's side ever since we got here."
"Doesn't she have to mingle around the other guests?" asked Steve, taking a sip of his red wine.
"She tags Chin along with her as she spoke to the dignitaries and my cousin being the gallant gentleman that he is, let's her."
"My oh my! Don't you look stunning Kono! Is that straight out of Bergdorf Goodman" teased Danny as he joined them on the table.
"You know very well a cop doesn't have that kind of money," laughed Kono.
"Oh yeah. But anyhow, you look like a million bucks," smiled Danny.
Kono beamed knowing full well how gorgeous she looked in her beaded chiffon, deep v-neckline and back, sleeveless, thin-shoulder strapped fitted long gown in a bright-red hue.
She knew she was going to see Adam at the party. His father was a big supporter of the governor and a generous patron on government projects. She discreetly flipped open her compact to check if her vintage red lipstick was still intact. They made a pact to sneak out before the governor's speech and drive around the city. She was glad Laura Hills was keeping her cousin busy. Perhaps he wouldn't notice her slip out.
"Hey… will you look at that, Steve. I told you that this party won't be graced by old fogies…" he said in delight, staring at the two elegant looking women who just entered the banquet hall.
Malia and Stacy caught Danny's eye as soon as they arrived. They were one of the few younger women in the crowd.
Malia had her dark brown hair up with small ringlets falling down to frame her heart-shaped face in a sophisticated style to match her teal and black abstract jacquard silk floor-length, strapless side-draped gown, it draped from under bodice on the left side. The sweetheart neckline and crossover bodice looked attractive without being vulgar and the slit to thigh allows a peep of her silky legs. But instead of a white gold necklace that would go well with her stud diamond earrings, she kept Chin's ring around her neck.
Stacy was dressed in a more intricate Prussian blue jersey gown, one shoulder-neckline, long sleeved on the right, her blond hair, flowing and straight on her back.
They were ushered by tuxedoed men to their table as they showed them their invitation.
Malia's breath was caught in her throat as she was taken aback by the sight of Chin so smartly- dressed in his suit with a beautiful oriental looking girl in his arm talking with some foreign delegates not far from their table.
It tore Malia's heart to see the woman constantly flashing Chin her flirtatious smile which he seemed to welcome. She would touch his face or his shoulder whenever she made a point in the conversation.
"At least now we know why he hasn't called," said Stacy, breaking into Malia's thoughts.
Malia looked at her friend pleadingly. "Stace, maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
"Come on, Malia. His presence was unexpected but it's not a reason for you to run away. Let's enjoy the evening," urged Stacy.
Their conversation was interrupted by a charming blond guy with a Jersey accent.
"Hi ladies! I'm Detective Danny Williams. I was wondering if you would care to join us. We have a couple of no show guests at our table," said Danny, extending his hand for a handshake.
Malia shook Danny's hand but remained distracted, her eyes lingering on Chin and Laura. Stacy took Danny's hand and answered in a friendly manner.
"Hi I'm Dr. Stacy Michaels and this is my friend Dr. Malia Waincroft. We are resident doctors at the Honolulu Hospital. Our directors couldn't make it…so here we are."
"That's cool. Smart and beautiful-I like that. Would you care to join us?" smiled Danny.
"We'd love to, detective" smiled Stacy as she led Malia further away from where Chin was standing by the bar.
Danny led them both to where Steve was seated along with two middle-aged gentlemen engrossed in their own private conversation.
"Where's Kono?" asked Danny.
"I don't know. She said she wanted a drink," answered Steve.
"Hey, Steve, I'd like you to meet doctors Malia and Stacy from the Honolulu Hospital. Ladies, this is my friend Steve Mc Garrett."
Malia and Stacy warmly greeted Steve before settling down on their table.
Malia was only half listening, half participating in the conversation during the meal as she kept giving furtive glances in Chin's direction. By some stroke of fate, Chin and Malia suddenly caught each other's eye from across the room.
Chin couldn't believe his eyes. He was thinking of a plausible excuse to get back to the table he shared with the rest of Five-0. Kono was nowhere in sight but Steve and Danny were having a blast talking with two ladies. She eyed their table and to his big astonishment, he saw the woman who had been plaguing both his conscious and subconscious mind the past three days.
Needing no excuse, impulsively he excused himself from Laura and rushed over to Danny and Steve's table.
In the few seconds that Malia watched Chin made his way across the ballroom, she felt her breath caught in her throat as panic overcame her. She jerked up from her seat, gasping in horror, her evening bag falling on the floor at her feet.
Steve gallantly picked up her purse and handed it back to her. She uttered her thanks before glancing back at Chin's approaching intimidating presence.
"I'm sorry. I think I need to go. Will you please excuse me? I'll just see you tomorrow at the hospital, Stace." said Malia in a harried voice.
"Is there a problem?" asked Danny in concern.
Stacy caught Malia's cornered expression but before Stacy could follow her gaze. Chin arrived at the table, a big pleasant smile plastered on his face, his eyes lighting up like firecrackers.
"Malia!" he spoke her name like it was as sweet as chocolates in his mouth.
All eyes were fixed on them as the two looked into each other's eyes.
"This is a surprise," said Chin as he fell beside her, closing the distance between them.
"I was just leaving…" she managed to say in a low voice.
"Good bye, Steve, good bye Danny. Thanks for the pleasant evening."
She shook their hands before rushing out of the ballroom as though her dress was on fire.
"Malia, wait…" called out Chin.
As he tried to stop her, his shoe caught a hard metal on the floor. He bent over and picked up the object.
"What is it, Chin?" asked Steve.
Chin recognized the key ring he won in the amusement park on their third date. She wanted the purple plushie but he just couldn't make a correct guess on where the mystery egg was so he ended up with a consolation prize, the Tiki key ring. He offered to play a different game, perhaps a shooting game or darts to win her a teddy bear but she smiled and told him she was more than contented with the key ring he won.
He showed them the Tiki keyring with a single key in it.
"Is that Malia's car key?" asked Steve, addressing Stacy.
"No, that's her house key. I better go…She can't get inside the house without it."
Chin looked at Stacy. He could feel her apparent dislike towards him but he shrugged it aside.
"Let me give it to her. Does she still live in Kapiolani?" asked Chin.
Stacy hesitated before affirming Chin's guess.
"Wait a minute. What are we missing? You know Malia?" asked Steve.
"That's an understatement considering he knows where she lives," said Danny.
"She's my fiancée…"
"EX-fiancee. Don't forget the prefix," said Stacy in an exaggerated sweetness that irked Chin.
"Whatever…" muttered Chin, giving her a hostile look.
"May I borrow your car Danny? I promise I won't take longer than an hour," said Danny.
"If you need three hours I can wait," teased Danny, throwing him the keys which he caught in midair.
Chin laughed at Danny's naughty sense of humor. "I'll let you know, brah."