Hong Kong

44

42

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-3-

44

suk

CURRENT WEATHER:

-- You have to understand that this is not normal-- Melissa said at the other end of the table.

The old man looked at her and said nothing, just took some wine and said.

-- I propose something to you... I recognize that there are certain age differences between us.

-- And you intend to keep me happy with expensive clothes, jewelry and a hired stripper to make love to me after you d**g me.

-- Well. Except for a few details, I guess that's what a lot of girls want.

I don't -- because of you, I lost my police career.

-- It's a misunderstanding. It can be fixed.

-- What do you propose now?

-- I'm going to give you your freedom back.

-- Please. It should be respected. I can easily be your great-granddaughter. I'm not your property so you can give me back what doesn't belong to you.

-- Something like that.

The young woman was silent.

-- You see. It's a bet. You bet something and I bet something.

-- I hate bets.

-- I'm giving you a chance.

They both kept silent.

The doctor spoke.

-- All right, I'll bet 100 million Hong Kong dollars, 3 kilos. I'll bet 100 million Hong Kong dollars, 3 kilos of gold, and your full freedom... It's just a game.

-- Listen... let me go. I know that if you don't want to be seen, no one will find you; I don't stand a chance of doing you the slightest harm.

-- Follow me," said Lai Chong Wisang, getting up from the table.

-- Where are we going?

-- To the door. I'll walk you to the door... you're free to go... I thought it might work out between us.

Stupefied and in disbelief, they both walked down the sidewalk and into the street.

-- You're a lonely man who buys company for money," said Melissa.

-- Don't worry, it's 20 minutes past one in the afternoon.

-- Yeah. It's going to rain, too.

-- Well. You know in 24 hours you'll get what I offered you.

-- I don't want anything.

-So it's done... I'll bet that. -You bet your life.

-- What does it say?

-- A bet. I'll pay you what I offered you if you last 24 hours alive. If I catch you in 24 hours you give me your life... you have a 20 minute head start.

Melissa didn't understand at first, until she saw Lai Chong Wisang's expression and in desperation started to run...

I

COUNT QIANG'S TIME:

Akame woke up and saw the count finishing dressing.

He turned to leave and she said to him.

-- My good. Stop for a moment.

Qiang stopped and she hurried out of bed and touched his face.

-- Qiang," she said admiringly, "By the divine heavens!

 How beautiful and lovely you look!

-- Thank you Akame. Very kind of you.

The Count waved goodbye leaving Akame confused in the middle of the room.

Qiang Ling stepped out into the hallway and saw her servants kneeling by the door of one of the rooms. The door was open. Qiang rushed in and said almost beside himself with rage.

-- I have f*******n that door to be open," he said, entering the room and stupefied.

He entered the room and looked stupefied.

He entered Mi suk's room for the first time in almost 25 years. With a shock in his body he saw the bed and the scene of betrayal entered his soul again to break it into a thousand pieces of pain.

Her closet was open. If anyone in the world knew how many suits and shoes she had, it was him.

-- One suit was missing," he said after a quick glance. She looked and saw her servants kneeling with their eyes fixed on the floor.

-- Who was it? -- asked the count.

-- No one answered.

-- I give my solemn word not to give him any punishment; I only want to know why he did it.

A sepulchral silence pervaded the room.

Akame entered the room. First time he had ever done so and embraced.

-- Death, life, passion -- whispered Akame with an extremity.

II

Melissa, in order to run better, took off her sneakers and threw them anywhere, and next to her came Rai Chai on an electric motor scooter.

Taking courage from where he had none, Rai, avoiding stuttering and red as a tomato, said to her, "Hello.

-- Hello, I'm your neighbor Rai, I'm here to help you.

Melissa saw him and recognized him. He sat up on the motorcycle and said to her.

-- Take me out of Hong Kong right away.