Page 84 of Roberto

I can’t say that I’ve ever been in love.

For the first time in my life, that was no longer true.

I was falling for Mei-ling.

I knew it deep in my bones.

It was dizzying –

Terrifying.

I felt completely out of control…

Yet it was the most joyful, exhilarating emotion I’d ever felt.

And as I looked down at Mei-ling’s angelic face as she slept…

I knew that nothing would ever be the same for me again.

35

Iwoke with a start.

The room was dark. When I looked out the window, the glass appeared almost black but slightly translucent; I could see the dim outline of clouds in the sky. I figured it was some sort of electronically controlled tinting.

I turned towards Mei-ling –

But the bed was empty.

Then I heard a metallic clank from elsewhere in the apartment.

Still naked from the night before, I stood up and walked over to the bedroom door. When I opened it, I smelled brewing coffee and heard the sounds of someone working in the kitchen.

I smiled and quickly got dressed.

I put on my pants, socks, shoes, shirt, and suit vest. I rolled my sleeves up to my elbows for a more casual vibe and left my tie and jacket draped over the chair.

I went into the bathroom and used the facilities. Then I washed my hands with soap and used a dollop of toothpaste to scrub my teeth with my finger.

Afterwards, I checked my phone: 9:47 AM.

No messages from Lau, Niccolo, or anyone else.

I left the bedroom and went in search of Mei-ling.

As I walked through the apartment, I heard something sizzling in a pan.

I walked into the kitchen and stopped to admire the view.

Mei-ling was at the island pouring a cup of coffee. She was clad in a light green silk robe, cinched at the waist with a thin strand of material. The robe ended at her thighs and showed off her lovely legs.

The front of the robe gapped open slightly, revealing the curve of her bare breasts. She was wearing nothing underneath.

Her hair was wild and in disarray, which I loved; she looked like we had just finished having passionate sex.

“Good morning,” I said.

Her face lit up when she heard my voice. She looked over at me with a smile –

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