Page 100 of Roberto

I stood up in surprise. “Mei-ling – ”

“GET THE FUCKOUT!”she screamed hysterically.

“Mei-ling, we’re businessmen – we’re not murderers, or – ”

“I DON’T GIVE A FUCKWHATYOU ARE! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY APARTMENTRIGHT NOW!”

“But – ”

“NOW,GODDAMMIT, OR I’M CALLING THE COPS!”

She was terrified, like she’d just found out I was a serial killer.

“Mei-ling, please – ”

She turned and ran for the table where she’d put her purse.

Thinking she was going for her cell phone, I stepped forward. “Wait – ”

But she pulled out a pistol instead.

It was a Smith & Wesson .22 revolver. A small caliber gun, but more than enough to ruin my day.

I stopped short and stared at her in shock.

“Get the fuck out of my apartment, Roberto,” she hissed, her voice somewhere between terror and rage.

My shock gave way to slowly rising anger.

“Why would Ieverthink you had any contacts on the black market?” I said sarcastically.

“Get OUT.”

“You know,” I said, throwing her own words back in her face, “you could get 14 years in prison if the police found that on you.”

“GET OUT!” she screamed –

And cocked the hammer on the gun.

“Alright, I’mgoing,” I snapped. “At least let me get my things.”

“Hurry.”

I walked into the bedroom to get my jacket, tie, and wallet.

When I came back to the main room, she still had the gun pointed at me.

“Mei-ling, we need to talk,” I said calmly.

“We’re never talking again. Now GET THE FUCK OUT.”

I shook my head in bewilderment and anger, then walked out the front door.

The second it closed, I heard the deadbolt slam into place.

42

When I reached the lobby, I had the doorman call a cab for me.

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