Page 58 of Semblance

Who was I kidding? He wanted me as his fake lover, just so he didn’t have to commit himself to anyone.

Perhaps this entire date in Cambodia was an elaborate sham, something that the Midnight Society could watch or read about.

Face it Aria, you’re just a simplistic girl with a piano, chasing another one of your impossible dreams. To Shadow, I was probably just another news article for the tabloids.

“Are you hungry?” Shadow asked as we left Ta Prohm.

The thought of food made my stomach howl like a wolf, enthralled by a full moon. We had spent almost twelve solid hours hiking, and I’d loved nothing more than to strip naked from the wet clothes that clung to my skin and indulge in a delicious Cambodian meal.

“Let’s go back to the hotel and clean up?” I suggested.

“You got it.”

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It took me about an hour to transform myself from a sweaty, untamed mess into a presentable woman, worthy to take out to dinner. A shower and a glass of wine had me feeling more relaxed, as I waited for Shadow in the hotel lobby.

Outside, the streets were alive with locals running about, wide smiles on their faces as they went about their business.

I turned to Johnny.

“Is it always this busy on the streets at night?” I asked.

“It’s the Cambodian New Year Ms. Aria,” he replied. “Tonight, there is a big celebration on the streets.”

“Oh wow. Shouldn’t you be at home with your wife then?”

“I spend time with her yesterday and day before,” he said. “Cambodian New Year lasts for three days. She tired from two nights of dancing.”

“So you’re going to spend the night watching us eat?”

“Depends on what you eat,” Johnny joked.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his innocent humor. I was going to miss him when I had to return home tomorrow.

“Aria, you look stunning as usual.”

I turned around to see Shadow standing behind me, dressed in shorts and sandals and a navy blue short-sleeved collared shirt.

“Fuck,” I said. “I’m overdressed, aren’t I?” I looked down at my evening gown.

“Of course not,” Shadow said. “I’m just underdressed, that’s all.”

“I had this crazy expectation that you were going to take me to some fancy, over-priced restaurant where they’ll judge me for my unscrupulous cheap looks.”

“The one thing I love about Cambodia, no one knows who I am,” Shadow said. “I don’t have to worry about maintaining my appearance. You have no idea how many times back home, I just wanted to walk into a grimy Mexican joint and enjoy a plate of fish tacos and a bottle of Corona.”

He licked the top of his full lips. “Anyways, I’m going to take advantage of no one knowing who I am here. I’m going to wear comfortable clothes, eat local foods, and enjoy the street-level atmosphere of the Cambodian New Year.”

“Can I change then? I have a casual summer dress back in my room,” I said.

Shadow shook his head.

“No.” His eyes scanned me from head to toe. “You look very sexy…and very appetizing,” he added.

I felt the color of my cheeks flush into bright shades of red. “Okay, I’ll keep it on, just for you,” I said, my mind floating aimlessly in a sea of his sensual talk.

Once inside the tut-tut, Shadow instructed Johnny to drive us to Pub Street, a popular tourist hang out where they served local food and also housed several westernized bars.

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