Chapter 45
The blue Toyota Camry was waiting outside the Continental Hotel when I came down at midnight.
I couldn’t stand the hoodie and jeans, so I wore my suit instead. I figured there was no way Mei-ling would see me in the dark, so it would be safe enough.
Wearing my normal clothes again was sweet relief.
However, my driver didn’t recognize me. I had to go up to his window and tap on the glass.
At first he did a double-take – and then he made a face like, Not bad.
Once I got in the backseat, I handed him a 1000-dollar bill to start things off.
“Take me back here,” I said via the translator and gave him the club’s address.
The driver said something into the phone.
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I chuckled. “Thank you.”
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in the alleyway across from De Sade.
I kept feeding the driver 500-dollar bills as I watched limousines, luxury cars, and cabs drop off well-dressed men and women.
At one point, the driver asked for the phone and spoke into it.
I’m going to take a nap. Keep track of the money and give it to me later.
I said “Okay,” and he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Even though it was 1 AM, there was no chance I would fall asleep. Too much adrenaline was coursing through my veins.
I kept revisiting the scene from Mei-ling’s apartment and wondering how our reunion would play out.
Shortly after 4 AM, the silver convertible pulled out of the underground parking.
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 – probably What?
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 57th floor. I counted up from the ground and got reasonably close.
Suddenly, one of the apartments lit up a floor below what I’d thought was 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.