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Fan Fiction

Title: Love is paradise
(Love has dropped by)
Author: Trang Le Thu
Genre: Romance
Started: 21. December 2001

PART 1

© Trang Le Thu 2001
Disclaimer: This story is a purely fiction. Nothing here is true!! All Hawaii descriptions come from the internet and guide books.

Help me to make up the story. Read to the end this part and decide what will happen next. Then vote "Yes" or "No" for what you want the story to include in the next part. Remember, this story runs the way you want. And you have only one week to vote for each part!

"Do you realize this will be the last vacation I'll take for the next four years?" Agnes asked dejectedly, thinking aloud out of habit as she lounged in the first class cushioned airline seat.
Her boyfriend, who had been typing madly away on his laptop for the duration of the flight, chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Med school won't be as scary as you think. You'll see."
"That was a great pep talk, Scott, she jested. Thanks for the confidence booster." Agnes nudged his shoulder playfully.
"You're welcome" he replied distractedly. Then he cursed under his breath in frustration as he frantically clicked away at the tiny built-in mouse.
Agnes turned to watch him in amusement. His brow was furrowed deep in concentration as his eyes wildly scanned through the information posted on the screen. During their three years together, she had grown used to his maniacal intensity as he worked. His job was his life. He was only 24 years old, yet had secured a job with one of the most esteemed corporate agencies in Bonn - a job which most middle-aged ladder climbers could only dream of achieving - but which Scott had been granted straight out of college.
College was where she and Scott had first met, 3 years ago. She had been a biology major and he a dual computer science/accounting major, so it had been sheer fate that their paths had crossed. It had been a Shakespeare seminar which Agnes had taken freshman year merely as a pleasurable elective due to her love of literature. Since it was an upper level class, she had met many seniors that first semester, including Scott, who had immediately stolen her heart the moment she laid eyes on him. It turned out that Agnes had stolen his heart that day as well, and the rest was history.
"You've run into a problem?" she asked concerned, leaning to look over his shoulder.
"These damn figures aren't matching up, he said more to himself than to Agnes. And I have to present this material at the meeting in the morning."
Agnes gently squeezed the back of his neck to try and relax him. "I'm sure you're just overlooking something because you're tired. Why don't you take a break for a little while?" she suggested as she began to massage his shoulder. "We should be landing soon."
Scott slithered out from beneath her touch, insulting Agnes that her efforts had only been in vain. He shook his head wearily as he rummaged through his carry on bag. When he found the disk he had been looking for, he popped it in and began typing again.
"This is gonna be some trip" he muttered sourly. "It's already starting off on the wrong foot."
Agnes knew it was useless to sympathize with Scott when he got like this. She learned from experience that all she could do was sit back and wait patiently for the storm to pass.
She watched him with a quiet resignation, admiring his handsome face with his piercing emerald eyes and strong jaw-line. He always wore his dark hair short, neatly combed, and meticulously parted to one side with a little flip in the front. His clean-shaven face portrayed a homely, boyish cuteness, and when he smiled, his eyes had the tendency to crinkle warmly. He still had on his navy blue suit since he had met Agnes at the airport straight from work, but he had removed his tie and jacket and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt.
Smiling faintly to herself, she realized how much she longed to spend some quality time with him. Their first year together had been magical. But once Scott landed this job, things had changed real quickly. Between the demands of his work and his frequent business trips, they began to see less of each other. Soon, it was cut down to once a week, usually on the weekend. Scott would take her out to eat in a fancy restaurant and then surprise her with a show or concert at the opera house. They'd part with a few lingering kisses which would have to last for the whole week, and then returned to their separate worlds.
That's why he suggested Agnes accompany him on this trip to Hawaii, because he had hoped he would have some leisure time in between meetings and his work to spend with her.
At first, Agnes had been hesitant to accept his offer because she knew she'd only be a distraction, and this business trip was his most important assignment so far. But Scott had convinced her that she needed this vacation desperately, and whether she was with him or alone, there would still be plenty of things to see and do to keep her busy.
So Agnes had finally agreed, vowing she would enjoy herself even if she had to spend most of the week alone. She made sure she packed a few tourist guide books and lots of mystery novels by her favorite author. She knew she wouldn't mind just lounging on the beach with a good book for the whole week, because her leisure time would soon have to be sacrificed the second school began in September. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach just thinking about it. She was anxious and excited, but also nervous and frightened for a zillion inexplicable reasons - probably because she had taken a major step in the direction of her future and there was no backing out now.
Agnes groaned softly, willing herself to keep her worries and anxiety on the back burner at least until this vacation was over.
"Are you gonna be sick?" Scott asked cautiously, sliding his laptop more towards the aisle and away from Agnes in case she vomited.
"I don't get motion sickness" Agnes told him, amused at his caution. "I thought you knew that."
"It must have slipped my mind" He relaxed and returned to the center of his seat, eyeing her curiously. "So what were you groaning for? Oh wait. Let me guess. Medical school." His voice was light and affectionate, but Agnes could still detect traces of a slightly condescending undertone.
"Kind of, she mumbled quietly. It's gonna be a whole new scene… and I won't be the smartest anymore, since we'll all be on the same level… I think the competition scares me the most."
Scott chuckled and spoke as he typed.
"It's called the real world, sweetie. You won't get anywhere these days without hard work, and a little competition. How do you think I got where I am today?"
"You worked your butt off and rose to the top" Agnes answered in a bored voice, hearing the story of his success one too many times.
"Exactly. And wasn't it worth it in the end?"
"I don't know. All the extra stress and hardly any free time for yourself or those you care about… Is it really worth it?"
"There's not a doubt in my mind" he answered emphatically. "And neither will there be any doubts in yours as soon as you get used to the new routine and set your sights on nothing less than the very top. But for now, put all those worries out of your head and repeat after me. 'This is going to be the best vacation ever simply because it is my much needed time away'." Then he leaned over and kissed the top of her head affectionately. "Go ahead. Say it."
Agnes hated it when he did that. It was such an impersonal sign of affection. It made her seem so… inferior… like she was his young sister or even his pet. But she rolled her eyes and repeated.
"This is going to be the best vacation ever simply because it is my much needed and deserved time away."
Scott chuckled at her improvising.
"That's the spirit. Now let me try and finish this so we can possibly have a nice relaxing candlelit dinner once we arrive."
He returned to his computer once again and Agnes put her headphones on and settled back to watch the movie. She groaned when she looked up and saw what it was.

'6 Days 7 Nights.'
Agnes hated movies like that in which two people with absolutely nothing in common start out hating each other's guts but then fall in love before the movies ends. Talk about your unrealistic fairy tale - certainly not an accurate representation of true life.
'True life was sitting right next to your boyfriend, but knowing deep down that he was really a world away, more intrigued by his work than by you' Agnes thought glumly. 
She had been only 18 when they first started dating, and looking back on the past three years, she knew she had grown up too fast. She felt more like the neglected wife of a successful corporate businessman than an optimistic young woman in love.
'Scott loves you, Agnes, she reprimanded herself sternly. And love sometimes means sacrifice. It's not just fun and games. So stop moping and start having fun. You're going to Hawaii and will end up having the time of your life.'
'The Time of Your Life' Agnes scoffed. 'It sounded like the title to a cheesy romance movie with yet another clichéd plot.'

"Ahhh… is this paradise or what?" Maite marveled to her siblings as she stood on the balcony of their hotel suite soaking up the sun and enjoying the view of the ocean before her.
"Any vacation is paradise" Jimmy muttered sleepily from over where he was laying on the couch. "Whether it be here in Hawaii or just at home… two weeks to ourselves… to do nothing but rest and relax… I'm in heaven."
Johnny, business-minded one in the group, voiced his disapproval.
"I still think it was a bad idea to splurge for this trip."
"You didn't have to come" Paddy chided.
"Of course I did or who else would look after you?"
Paddy scoffed as he continued to unpack.
"I don't need any looking after. You all seem to forget I'm 24 now. I've been legal for 6 years. I can go clubbing, and party with as many girls I can possibly handle at once. Ain't that right Joey?"
Joey poked his head out from his room and voiced his agreement.
"I'll watch over Paddy, Johnny. You don't have to worry about a thing. We are gonna tear up this city. Watch out ladies, here we come!"
"You guys are a disgrace to the male species." Maite snickered as she walked back into the suite.
"On the contrary" Paddy protested sweetly. "You see, the ladies like all the attention we give them. It makes them feel good."
"Yeah. I'm sure you made all the ladies at the party feel good last night" Johnny argued sarcastically. "Let's see, you ditched Angela to dance with Laura. Then you got tired of the brunette and ran off with that red-headed bimbo… I forgot her name. Then when you got back, you had your fun with Rachel and then ended the night with a last dance with Mandy. They all must have felt really good, Pad, knowing how empty and superficial your flirting words and actions really were."
Jimmy opened one sleepy eye.
"I was expecting a cat fight" he commented casually. "That would have been interesting to see."
Paddy shrugged innocently behind his arrogant smile.
"Can I help it if they all want me? They know there's not enough of me to go around, so they have to be adults and learn how to share."
"Mambo #5 has become his theme song" Joey announced, sticking his head back out of his room again.
"Exactly!" Paddy agreed and then began to dance around the room as he sang dramatically.
The rest of them groaned and rolled their eyes at Paddy's pathetic attempt, except for Joey, who proudly applauded his young protégé.
"I've taught him well."

Jimmy realized it was impossible to take a nap there.
"One day you'll fall in love" he said wearily as he stood up and began to unpack.
"Never" Paddy scoffed laughing at the absurdity. "Only suckers fall in love. Love ain't nothing but a ball and chain."
"So you'll be a bachelor for the rest of your life then?" Johnny asked.
"With a beer belly and a double chin?" Maite added.
"Damn straight" Paddy answered proudly. "Except for the beer belly and double chin part, of course. I can have any girl in this world." he boasted. "Why be a chump and settle for one when I could have a little fun with them all?"
"Ego alert! Ego alert" came Jimmy's voice from the other room. "His head has swelled past the danger zone! There's no hope for recovery now!!"
"I'm speaking the truth!" Paddy called back. "You all know I'm right!"
"Unfortunately" Angelo muttered enviously.
"No, Pad. I say you're wrong" Johnny challenged. "I'm sure there are plenty of girls out there who'd find your attitude and arrogance a complete turnoff."
"Maybe in the beginning. But once I work all my charms, I've got them eating out of the palm of my hand" Paddy answered confidently, throwing his empty suitcase into the closet and settling down on the couch.
"And you're sure about that?" Johnny countered.
"Not a doubt in my mind. It's happened before."
"Well, I don't buy it" Maite announced.
"And I smell a potential bet coming on" Joey said in a sing-song voice.
"Huh?" All of them looked at him blankly.
"Let's make a little bet. Paddy says he has the ability to win over any girl, just because of who he is. I believe him but you don't. I say give him a chance to prove you wrong."
"I'm in the game!" Paddy said.
"We give Paddy a week to work his so-called magic. But we get to pick the girl, because it has to be a challenge."
"Piece of cake" Paddy replied confidently." How much are we talking?"
"500 bucks?" Joey suggested.
"No way!" Johnny protested. "I can't afford that!"
"You're worried cause you know I'm gonna win." Paddy smiled.
"It would only be $250 for each of us" Maite pointed out to Johnny. "That ain't so bad."
Johnny took one last look at the smug look on Paddy's face and without any further hesitation, he relented. "Alright. I'm in."
Maite looked at Joey.
"How about you? Are you siding with Paddy?"
"I just spent over $500 on clothes for this trip. I ain't siding with nobody." Joey shook his head.
"But this whole bet was your idea!"
"I was just thinking aloud. You didn't have to go along with it."
"Fine. No big deal!" Maite said causally. "Paddy, you're on your own then. Sure you still want to do this?"
"Bring it on baby!" Paddy said, rubbing his hands together greedily. "Hey Jimmy!" he called into the other room. "You want in, too? An extra 250 bucks would be sweet!"
Jimmy came out of his room shaking his head in disapproval.
"Not a chance. Count me out. I don't approve of such foolish games."
"You and I can act as mediators then" Joey suggested. "You know - keep the peace and make sure the rules aren't broken."
"Whatever." Jimmy plopped back down on the couch again and closed his eyes. "Now how about we all shut up and try and get some sleep? Aren't you all tired? It was a long flight."
Paddy jumped up excitedly.
"Sleep?? Are you kidding?? There's at least 2 good tanning hours left!! I'm heading right down to the beach to scope out the ladies!!"
"Now you're talking!" Joey agreed.
Maite turned to Johnny.
"We should go, too. I'm kinda eager to begin this search for the perfect girl."
"You can find the most difficult girl you like" Paddy called halfway out the door. "But by the end of the week, I'm gonna be $500 richer!!"
He whooped in delight and ran down the hallway to the elevator.
"Look out Hawaii!!! Paddy Kelly has arrived!!!!"

"7 numbers in less than two hours! Paddy bragged to his siblings as they got back to the hotel. That's gotta be a record!"
"Yeah, but too bad they were all dogs" Johnny commented under his breath.
Maite and Joey snickered as Paddy's eyes bulged open in shock.
"Dogs? Did you see the bodies on them?"
"That doesn't mean a thing. They were still ugly."
"Someone's just jealous that he doesn't have a date for tonight" Paddy shot back in a sing-song voice. "He was in a jovial mood because if his luck at the beach today was any indication of how the next two weeks would be, he was in for one awesome vacation."
The four of them clamored out of the elevator and into the room, not surprised to see Jimmy in the same position on the couch as they had left him.
He opened his eyes and regarded them wearily as he yawned.
"Why did you have to come back so soon? he groaned. "I was having such a nice quiet nap."
"Guess how many numbers I got" Paddy said excitedly as he threw Jimmy's legs off the couch and sat down and sat down beside him.
Jimmy rolled his eyes and sat up groggily.
"Like I really, care, Pad." Then he turned to Maite and Johnny. "Did you pick a girl yet?"
They shook their heads dejectedly.
"The bet might have to be called off" Joey bragged to Jimmy "because it looks like they couldn't find one girl who didn't swoon at the sight of him."
Jimmy shot a look of surprise at Paddy who flashed him a wide, toothy grin.
"Oh brother. The ego has landed. Alert the media."
"There's no way we're giving up." Johnny corrected Joey. "We'll find someone… eventually."
"Eventually? We're here only two weeks."
"We'll find someone" Maite repeated with determination.
"Betcha won't" Paddy he shot back, smiling arrogantly.
"Someone's gotta knock some sense into you, Paddy." Patricia said coming in the room.

"Owww Pad, it hurts!!!!"
THUD!!!!
BUMP!!!
"Over here!!!"
"You guys are so childish!!!"
Boom!!!
"I have won!!!!"
Agnes, who was sprawled on the couch, looked up from her book and frowned.
"What in the world is going on next door?" she asked aloud.
"Huh?" Scott asked distractedly, too involved in his work to even notice the disturbance their neighbors in the next suite were causing.
He had been stationed at the table in front of his computer for the past 4 hours since arriving. So much for the romantic dinner he had promised. Agnes had to order up from room service to keep from starving.
"Never mind". Agnes shook her head in wonderment at his intensity level and then turned back to her book.
She hadn't wanted to spend her first night in Hawaii cooped up in some stuffy suite reading, but the long flight had made her tired, so she welcomed the respite.

Bang!!!
"Come on!!!!"
"Here!!!"
"You suck!!!!"
"Owww!! That was my foot!!!!"

Even if the raucous in the next suit wasn't miraculously disturbing Scott, it was definitely bothering her, and she knew that for the price Scott paid for this hotel and room, the surroundings should not be that of a zoo or a playground. She couldn't possibly relax with all the commotion. Sighing loudly, she got up, resolved to put an end to it. Grumbling to herself, she walked out of the room, not even sure of what she would say. She was just frustrated with life in general and needed to take it out on someone, even if it was just bratty ten year olds whose parents had probably left them to fend for themselves while they enjoyed a night out.
The raucous grew louder as she walked down the hallway. Stopping at their door, she listened for another second and it appeared as if they were having a pillow fight.

"Please don't tell me we're gonna have to put up with this for a whole week" she muttered and then knocked loudly on the door, preparing to take a stand and show the kids who was boss.
"Maite, you are dead!!!" she heard from within.
A handsome, dark-blonde haired guy answered the door.
"Hello… Dolly" he greeted her with a suggestive whistle as his eyes made a long, slow appraisal of her body.
At first, Agnes was taken aback by the person standing before her. This wasn't some ten year old child. This was Paddy Kelly of that annoyingly popular pop band The Kelly Family. She certainly didn't consider herself a fan, but she knew of their music and she knew who they were. Her initial shock and surprise immediately wore off as soon as he offended her with his crude greeting. Narrowing her eyes, she looked past him into the suite and saw a crumpled pile of guys on the floor in the middle of the room and a lot of feathers flying around.

Paddy was quick to notice the flicker of recognition in the blonde girl's eyes. Who was Johnny kidding? There wasn't a girl in this world who didn't know who he was or didn't worship the ground he walked on. And standing right before him was yet another example. This girl was not a teenybopper. He could tell by her sophisticated style of dress and the air of almost nonchalance with which she carried herself. Yet she had still recognized him. He couldn't help but gloat.
"Can I get you an autograph… or anything else for that matter?" he added with a smirk.
Agnes had to laugh at his pathetic attempt to hit on her.
"Don't flatter yourself, little boy." Then she said sternly "Some people are trying to do work next door. Think, maybe you and your family can act your age and keep the noise down to a minimum?"

Paddy took surprise at her condescending words. 'Little boy? Little boy?? Who was she calling little?' But he shrugged it off and remained cool.
"Work?" He laughed in amusement. "Who does work in Hawaii? You should be on vacation."
Agnes gritted her teeth at his mockery.
"I am on vacation, but my boyfriend's here on business. So if the noise continues, we're going to be forced to complain."
"Honey" Paddy said returning the condescending tone. "I hate to break the news to you, but nobody would ever throw us out of a hotel."

Agnes was rendered speechless by this boy's arrogance. She always had a feeling he and his brothers and every other teen idol were nothing but egotistical, filthy rich snob-nosed spoiled brats, and Paddy Kelly had just proved her theory right. She was about to give him a piece of her mind when Jimmy appeared behind him and eyed her curiously.
"Is everything alright?"
'He seemed to actually be sort of polite' Agnes thought, but then quickly reminded herself that he was one of 'them' and probably just happened to be a convincing actor.
"I just came to politely ask if you could please keep the noise down" she told him sharply "but your brother here offended me with his arrogance."
"You didn't ask politely" Paddy protested. "And you insulted me first!!"
Agnes shook her head in disgust.
"Look. Forget it. I'm not gonna stand here and argue with you." She started to walk away but Jimmy called after her.
"Wait!"
Turning impatiently, she saw the rest of the guys had gathered in the doorway as well.
"We're sorry for the racket" Jimmy apologized sincerely. "We didn't know we had neighbors. They told us your suite would be unoccupied until Thursday."
"Well they were wrong" Agnes replied coolly, eyeing Paddy with distaste.
"And I'm also sorry for my brother's childish outburst. He can't control himself sometimes."
Paddy glared at Jimmy and then countered Agnes's look with one of his own.
Maite stepped up and offered an outstretched hand to Agnes.
"I'm Maite. And that's Jimmy, Patricia, Joey and Johnny." she pointed to Paddy and joked "We're still trying to figure out who he is and where he came from."
"Agnes" she said, accepting her hand reluctantly. "And I know who you are" she admitted quietly.
"Once again, we're sorry for the noise" Johnny apologized. "We're just a little psyched to be on vacation."
"Yeah, and we're going out in a few minutes anyway" Jimmy added.
"Paddy, you're awfully quiet" Joey teased, slapping his younger brother on the back. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"I'm waiting for an apology" he said, still glaring at Agnes.
Agnes could not believe the nerve of this boy.
"From me!?" she spat out incredulously. "For what!?"
"For barging in here like a snotty little rich bitch and dishing out orders to us… to us of all people!!" He laughed in disbelief, looking at his brothers for support.
Paddy's choice of profanity angered Agnes. Never in her life had anyone referred to her by such a name before. Yet this egotistical 24 year old, whom she had known for not even 5 minutes, had the audacity to talk down to her like that!
She was about to retaliate with the same brutality, but then realized she could never sink to his level of immaturity.
"I pity you" she seethed, sarcasm dripping off her every word.
Paddy smiled sweetly.
"Thanks. Because being perfect is such a hard job."
Agnes's eyes clouded over and she was about to tell him off but Jimmy quickly pushed him back inside before he dug his hole any deeper.
"We're not all arrogant like he is." Johnny admitted humbly. "We swear."
"If you say so" Agnes replied coolly, turning to leave. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight" all the guys echoed in unison.

Question 1: Do you want this fight between Paddy and Agnes to continue?
85% of you voted for 'Yes' and only 15% for 'No'.

{ PART 2 }