"Dinner's ready!" shouted Cheryl and her voice echoes around the mansion. The moaning stopped, the movie was completed and the two cars can be heard parking in the garage. Ivan, Terry and Vespin were the first to the round table, followed by Doug and Maddie. The last ones were James and Yee Lin in bath robes, where James was seen carrying Yee Lin bridal style downstairs to the dinner table. Terry sighed at the sight.
"Not even married but acting like one," commented Terry.
"No, it's just that she's too tired to walk, so she asked me to pick her up," shot back James. The rest stared at them. Yee Lin was giggling.
"At least they broke their last record of 2 hours and 54 minutes," said Ivan. Yee Lin gave a death glare at Ivan, who sweat dropped. They took their seats. Tonight's dinner: steamboat (hotpot).
"Who would like to say grace?" asked Cheryl. Everyone kept quiet. With the prolonging silence, Cheryl sighed. Doug just rolled his eyes.
"Since I'm team leader, I'll do it," said Doug. Cheryl gave a faint smile. Doug took a deep breath and started reciting the grace in German.
"Lass't uns beten! Segne, Herr, uns und diese deine Gaben, die wir von deiner Großmut essen werden. Durch Christus, unseren Herr'n. Amen," recited Doug. No one could understand him, but followed suit after by saying "Amen". Then everyone rushed to their food.
After having a hearty and satisfying meal, they took their plates to the kitchen for washing. They put their cutlery and dishes into the dishwasher and set the timer on the dishwasher.
"You know, the last time we spent the holidays together was like 6 months ago, so we better make full use of it," announced Terry.
"Yeah, a movie marathon starting tonight 8:30 pm 'till 4 in the morning!" said Ivan, with much enthusiasm.
"I second the motion," said Doug, already in his cheerful mood.
"Movie marathon it is," said Terry. "James, Yee, I'm sure you can postpone your…………uh………….time together and be with us."
"Who said we were going back upstairs?" retorted Yee, dragging James to the TV room. The rest stared at their antics.
"I'll……..get the beer," said Doug.
"I'll get the popcorn, hell yeah!" said Ivan as he rushed to the cabinets to take out the popcorn. Everyone else went into the TV room to start the movie.
It was 3 am. Everyone was tired. Ivan and Terry were drunk and slouching on the couch. Yee and James were sleeping soundly next to each other. Cheryl went to clean up the scraps and brought the empty cans to the kitchen for disposal. Doug, Maddie and Vespin have gone back to their rooms.
Doug looked out the window and saw the night sky. The stars stretched across the night sky, like diamonds, showing off its beauty. Then there was a knock on the door. Doug went to open the door. Vespin appeared before him, in her nightgown.
"……..Is there a problem?" asked Doug. Vespin entered his room and closed the door.
The next morning, Doug walked down the stairs to the dining table. He saw Terry and Ivan sitting at the dining table, holding their heads.
"Hey guys, hangover?" asked Doug.
"Yeah, a heavy one," replied Ivan. Then footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. It's Vespin, in her black tank-top and white track pants.
"Vespin, you're up early," commented Doug.
"It's such a nice day today. I could not miss this," replied Vespin. "Oh, and thanks for last night. I'm heading to the dojo. Wanna join me?"
"Looks like we got our second couple already," whispered Ivan to Terry. Terry just sighed. Vespin walked towards the dojo. Doug was about to follow suit after when Ivan called him.
"Hey Doug, you…….uh………...banged her last night?" asked Ivan.
"Hell no!" retorted Doug.
"Someone's feeling guilty," commented Ivan.
"Why would I fell guilty?" asked Doug.
"Because you don't want people to know the truth?" asked back Ivan.
"Ivan, you have a sick mind with all your porn shit in your room. If you'll excuse me, I'm going for some teaching," said Doug before turning away and heading towards the dojo. Ivan wooed him, but he didn't care.
At the dojo, Vespin and Maddie were stretching. Maddie caught Doug from the corner of her eye. She stopped stretching and greeted Doug.
"Morning Doug," greeted Maddie.
"Morning girls," greeted Doug.
"We're getting ready for a duel," said Vespin.
"I see. You two, on me," said Doug, getting onto his fighting stance. The two just looked and then stood ready. Then they took out shinais from their backs and charged at Doug, trying to catch him unaware. Doug was a bit surprised, but he dodged the attacks. He got near a weapons rack and took out a staff. He spun the staff around, creating a shield for himself. He quickly got from a defensive to offensive, using every opportunity to knock them down. He was faster without his heavy metallic arm, as the girls found it extremely hard to attack and dodge his attacks. Doug found an opportunity and he swung the staff below their feet, tripping them. They fell down with a big thud.
"Ow!" said Maddie in pain.
"Doug, you're a meanie!" retorted Vespin, rubbing her bottom.
"Well, you can't blame me. I'm your sensei, and I'm here to teach you quick offensives and defensives," said Doug.
"Since when did you use the word 'sensei', teacher? You're not Asian," commented Maddie.
"I appreciate Asian culture," explained Doug.
"Furthermore, one of the world's experts in wushu and taekwondo," explained Vespin. Doug just did an 'I dunno' stance. Maddie sighed and face palmed.
"Ok, get up. Time for another practice," said Doug in his wise tone. Vespin and Maddie whined, but still got up and prepare for another practice session.
It was noon. The sun gleamed through the thick clouds. Terry and Ivan, who were jogging outside around the snow-covered compound of the mansion, came in, exhausted.
"I beat you Ivan. 30 rounds in 25 minutes," said Terry triumphantly. Ivan panted like a dog on a hot day; considering it was winter. Cheryl came out of the kitchen and gave them both glasses of water.
"Drink up. You're not going to expect beer now. It's reserved for lunch," said Cheryl before leaving to the kitchen again. Terry sighed and gulped down the glass of water. Ivan downed the water in one shot. Then Vespin, Maddie and Doug came back from the dojo. Ivan, being a dickhead from the exhaustion, started wooing him. Doug slapped his forehead while Maddie and Vespin were confused.
"Dammit Ivan, not again!" said Doug. Ivan just giggled. Maddie and Vespin were starting to ask questions that Doug wish he would not need to answer.
"Doug, what's happening?" asked Maddie.
"Doug banged Vespin last night," said Ivan. Maddie had a look of suspicion against Doug. She thought that Doug may be playing with her, wanting to get into a serious relationship with her while keeping Vespin's a secret.
"I DID NOT, DICKHEAD!" retorted Doug.
"Doug, you need to accept the truth. There is no other reason for Vespin to come to your room after the movie fest," commented Ivan. Vespin's face started to glow red from the anger.
"Dude, she came to discuss things, about our team," said Doug.
"Since when did she become all powerful? Vespin, what did you give Doug to rise among the ranks? A blowjob?" asked Ivan. Maddie became flustered and left for her room. Her room door slammed shut.
"Maddie! Ivan, I'm so gonna kill you," warned Doug before going after Maddie. Vespin walked towards Ivan and grabbed him by the collar.
"Dare you say another word of this and I'm gonna cut off your wiener," said Vespin face to face before pushing him down to his chair. Then she left to get Doug.
"What a bitch," commented Ivan.
"Great, you just broke a relationship," said Terry.
"I thought Vespin and Doug were obvious," said Ivan.
"No, it's Doug and Maddie, you dumbass," said Terry. "They've been going on for a while already."
"So Doug's been two-timing?" asked Ivan.
"No, but I heard of a rumor that Doug and Vespin were connected by one incident," replied Terry.
"Maddie! Maddie! Open the door. I want to talk to you," said Doug while knocking the door. Sobs can be heard from inside the room.
"Go away! Stop bothering me!" said Maddie from inside her room. Vespin came up next to Doug and answered to Maddie.
"Maddie, we can explain," said Vespin.
"There is no need for explanation! You both are liars!" retorted Maddie.
"Maddie, you know that Ivan is a dickhead. Do you actually believe him?" said Doug.
"Then what other explanation tells that both of you are so close together?" asked Maddie.
"I think we should tell her the truth, about the team that is not supposed to exist," whispered Vespin.
"Fuck Ivan! Now word will spread," whispered Doug.
"I need the truth, now!" demanded Maddie.
"Yes, just let us in. Because this is a secret," said Vespin.
"What secret?!" demanded Maddie.
"It has to do with my twin and her sisters," explained Doug. The sobbing stopped and Maddie slowly opened the door. Her eyes red, new stream of tears starting to form.
"I'm so sorry," said Doug before hugging her. Vespin entered Maddie's room.
"Come in. No one should know about this," said Vespin. They entered the room and closed the door.