Page 108 of Roberto

I feverishly tapped the driver’s shoulder, startling him awake. After a few seconds of disorientation, he started the engine and we drove after the Bentley.

“Stay far behind her,” I ordered.

He said something in Chinese – probablyWhat?

I translated the phrase and showed him the phone.

“Okay, okay,” he said curtly.

We followed Mei-ling through the city and up the tree-lined road to the Summit, where we saw her turn in.

“Park here,” I said, pointing at the curb. He understood what I wanted without the translator.

I started to get out when the driver began to yell.

I looked back at him in confusion – then realized I hadn’t paid him for the last three hours.

I shoved a fistful of bills at him, then said, “Stay here,” as I pointed down at the ground.

“Okay,” he said happily as he counted the money.

I walked out into the darkness and stared at the upper floors of the Summit.

The building was a shadow against the dimly lit sky. There were only a few visible stars; everything else was drowned out by the lights from Hong Kong.

Mei-ling was on the 57thfloor. I counted up from the ground and got reasonably close.

Suddenly, one of the apartments lit up a floor below what I’dthoughtwas the 57th.

I saw a figure move past the window.

The silhouette was too far away to make out details – but it was her. I knew it.

My heart skipped a beat in my chest… and then stuttered again when the light went out.

Soon, cara mia,I thought silently.

Soon you’ll be mine again.

46

Thus began a strange daily ritual.

Every morning at 11 AM, my Uber driver would pick me up at the Continental and take me to the Summit. I wore the hoodie and jeans as a disguise during the day.

We would wait for Mei-ling’s silver Bentley to emerge – usually around 1 PM – at which point we would follow her to De Sade.

Once she parked, my driver would take me back to the Continental.

Then he would pick me up at 2 AM, dressed in my three-piece suit, and drive me back to the club.

We would wait until Mei-ling emerged in her Bentley, usually after 4 AM.

I was looking for some variation – some window of opportunity to intercept her – but her schedule was like clockwork.

A clock that was repeatedly off by as much as half an hour, yes, but a clock nonetheless.

I kept up my surveillance for nearly a week. I spent so much money on my driver that I had to go back to the bank for more funds.

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