Page 88 of Roberto

Han unexpectedly called me on my cell phone.

“How did you get my number?” I demanded.

“Mr. Lau.”

“Oh.” Of course.

Han tried to persuade me to go out, but I refused.

“Things going well, then?”Han asked in an amused voice.

“Very well,” I said, not bothering to disguise the happiness in my voice. “In fact, you don’t need to entertain me anymore.”

“THAT well, huh?”

“That well.”

I turned in early. Though it took me a couple of hours to fall asleep…

I eagerly awaited seeing Mei-ling in my dreams.

36

The next morning, one of the hotel’s town cars drove me to the Summit.

I arrived at Mei-ling’s apartment at 10 AM sharp.

We kissed at the door – gently at first, then more passionately.

As I started to inch forward into the apartment, she laughed and pressed one hand against my chest. “NO. If you come inside, we’ll never leave.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” I murmured as I kissed her neck.

“You said you wanted me to play tour guide.”

“I think I’d rather you do someotherthings for me instead,” I whispered, gently nibbling at her ear.

“NO! Stop! Red!” she cried out and giggled, then slapped my arm playfully. “Time-honored Italian system! Time-honored Italian system!”

I immediately stepped away from her.

“Ohhhh… so itdoeswork,” she said with a grin.

“I told you it does. On me, at least.”

“Good to know.”

Rather than take a cab, Mei-ling took me to the underground parking deck of her building, where she led me to a silver convertible Bentley.

“Very nice,” I said admiringly.

“Thank you,” she cooed as she slipped behind the wheel. “She’s my baby.”

We pulled out of the parking garage and took a left. Minutes later, we were winding down the tree-lined road to Hong Kong.

After five minutes, we reached a parking lot nestled amongst the trees. We left the Bentley, walked along a small side street, and reached a covered walkway of steps beside a steep train track.

“What’s this?” I asked.

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