Love Lies

Her

   I went to my office feeling remorseful again. Why is being late my constant trade...I broke the promise to myself and I swore I'll be on time just this ones. People assume I'm reckless and without a care but I wanna be more than that.

   After I had my coffee I started looking through the files but I couldn't see the new project. I grind my teeth in irritation. I've been waiting for it for three days and the fucker was making excuses doing everything but not giving me a copy!

   I took the elevator down and burst into his office when I saw a blond long hair. I flinched and froze 'cause I was obviously disturbing whatever was going on here. A girl was sitting on the chair not moving an inch. I could only see her back.

   "What is it now?'', Zhang tried to hide his hate as always with a smile.

   "I need the project for the piano bar."

   "What happened with yours?", he asked.

   I tilted my head "I'm gonna make a copy". I made a couple of steps my eyes never leaving his disgusting face. "I'm gonna return it right away".

   "So you lost it", I just wanted to smash his head on the desk.

   "Somehow my assistants couldn't get it from your office for a whole three days", I noted.

   "Is that so?", he acted surprised. "Nothing reached my ears, I would have sent it by now".

   I kept penetrating his obscure expression. I could see he was about to break. "What are you waiting for?", I demanded after taking a couple of steps to the right. He gave up and reluctantly started going through his files.

   I looked down at the person who was sitting opposite of him and my lips parted in surprise. I let out a silent gasp from the view. I was lost for words, I could only stare.

   I was hearing some noise in the background but my senses were numbed. I didn't care about anything else. She was so f*****g unbelievable.

   "Hey", a well-known repellent voice got me out of the hypnosis. "The project", I looked away from her and took the file Zhang was holding.

   My gaze momentarily flew back to her. And she was also looking at me. Her long mermaid platinum blond hair was covering both sides of her face. That exaggerated the doll face she had. Who is this girl and what connection does she have with the shitface!? 

   "I'm sorry for interrupting you", I mumbled at her. Her expression got confused.

   "This is miss Amelie", he ceased my thought speaking in English. "She is here on an interview", I was startled. She was just sitting there not understanding what we were talking from the moment I've walked into the room.

   "Hello", her voice ringed in my ears. Of course, she didn't understand s**t. She is Caucasian. Her luscious lips moved but she didn't smile.

   "Hi", I could't but answer. I was still gawking, my mouth open. I wanted to see more of her. It took me one look to understand she wasn't applying for a job at the reception.

   "This is Mr. Yang", the shitface kept coming in our conversation.

   "Nice to meet you", I reached my hand for a shake and she instantly stood up moving the document bag from her lap allowing me to see more of her. She came to the interview with an exposed belly button and vinyl pants although the long black coat that was hanging from her shoulders gave her an edgy classic look.

   Our hands shook and her coat fell down from her shoulders. I quickly took it from the ground and handed it to her. She placed it again on her shoulders and got back on the chair.

   "What do you have there", I motioned towards the document bag she was clinging to.

   "My CV", she was f*****g cute!

   "I'll look into that", Zhang the shitface was about to get it! How dare he interferes!!

   "I have two copies", she took one and hand it to Zhang, I followed.

   "It's nice that you came prepared", I said and started going through it. I needed to know more about her.

   "I also sent one to the email you provided", she added looking at him.

   "Yes, I have received it, we're very impressed with your videos",  Zhang said.

   "Thank you".

   What videos? What the f**k! It's like they're exchanging cryptic messages. "What is this about", I just couldn't take the secrecy.

   "You got the project file I will finish here", Zhang casually said aggravating me further.

   "As a general manager, I want to know what is going on in my hotel", I stated coldly.

   "I was assigned this project by your father", he continued the conversation in Chinese.

   "So?", I have every right to know!

   "I'm not allowed to give any details", I narrowed my eyes and thought about jumping and smashing his head with my fist but she was looking confused at me. We were again altering into Chinese and she was left out of the conversation. "If you could leave us so I can finish my interview?".

    I rushed out of the office slamming the door. I was either going to send him to the hospital or flee the room. I chose the better option. "Do you know what's the interview about?", I've asked one of the assistants.

   "No, Mr. Zhang has not informed us".

   I groaned, "Do you even know anything in here!!!?", I raised my voice. "What do we pay you for!!!?" I continued towards the elevator angrier when the doors opened and I saw Jin!

   "Hey, what's wrong?", he asked before I even stepped inside. 

   Jin is my only friend in this s**t hole! He's a Resident Manager. We often spent time together just hanging out.

   "Nothing", I didn't even try to pretend.

   "Come on", he perked up raising his eyebrows.

   I sighed out in desperation. "Okay, it's just...", I stopped not knowing how to formulate my sentence.

   We were suddenly on my floor. I stepped out of the elevator then he followed. "Come on", I gestured him to follow me. I didn't want to talk in the hallway. "Can you do me a favor?", I asked as soon as we were alone in my office.

   "Yeah...sure. What did Zhang do this time?"

   I hesitated for a second "I need you to go to that fuckers office and find out what's the interview about", I spat in hate.

   "Right now?"

   "Yeah, it's going on right now".

   He rushed out without even responding. I smiled, I knew I could count on Jin.

   I sat down on a couch and looked into the CV. She's a Management consultant...without a degree. I chuckled. How did she even got this interview? We have a management consultant...and those videos they were talking about...What was that? I rested my head back hella confused. Is Zhang f*****g her? No, they looked too official. The picture of them in my head turned my stomach...such a pretty girl. She had two other projects - one of a beauty salon and the other of a dance club. It says she specializes in process analysis, strategy development and operational improvement services. And that she has a team of four people. But only two projects would mean failure. No one in here would even consider interviewing her. There's gotta be something else...

   Amelie Tatou Williams, she's French-American. I bet she knows French real good, I smirked.

   That's it! Zhang! He's trying to f**k her! That scumbag!! Who wouldn't want that babe, you gotta be crazy not to! I shook my head. Like I'm gonna let that happen!

   What??! My eyes widened, she's 31! No way! She looks my age.

   "K, there was no one in his office", Jin threw the bomb coming back looking distressed.

   "What?", I jumped from the couch.

   "I went there and he was alone", he said shrugging shoulders.

   "You're f*****g with me, right?", I exclaimed unnerved.

   "What is going on?", he questioned.

   I handed him the CV.

   "What's this?"

   "Just read it, tell me what you think", I said.

   I went to my computer and typed her name in google. Results of other women came to my view but she was nowhere to be seen.

   "Only two projects?", Jin noticed it too.

   "I know, right?"

   "Who's she?"

   "I wish I knew", I mumbled.

   He came to me and his face became humorous "Check on Weibo"

   "She's Caucasian", I rolled my eyes.

   "Oh, yeah", he admitted his obvious joke.

   "She doesn't know me", I noted maybe disappointed.

   "Wow", he laughed. "You still haven't told me what's happening?"

   "Tsk", I clicked my tongue getting up. I got so messed up with the whole thing. I didn't even know what to say to Jin.

   "You should have seen Zhang's face. He knew you sent me"

   "He's not stupid", I finally spoke after a pause.

   "He smirked at me"

   "Did he say anything?"

   Jin pouted. We both hated that fucker. Maybe I should ask my father but our relationship was never good. I don't have a tendency to explain myself and he would want that.

   "He's very sneaky, that snake", Jin noted.

   "Well, we tried", i said trying not to look disappointed. "Thanks".

   "Sure, bro. Anytime", he went for the door but halted "Why don't you talk to your dad?"

   "Yeah, no thanks", the thought of it made me nauseous.

   I got alone and for the rest of the day my mind was going between her face and what were they talking about. The same questions...repeating. My head was about to blow!

   The day was dragging forever and no matter what work I started I was never able to focus. By five o'clock I have had three coffees and I was still nowhere with my tasks. I couldn't take it anymore! I resigned from the office for the day.

   I got in my car and went for a drive. I ended close by the docks again. I could see the bridge, the buildings and the water from my car. I just sat inside for an hour at least just trying not to think about anything. Music always helps...but I kept wondering if I should talk to my father. We always end the conversation with a fight. He would refuse to give me the project if he knew my real intentions. But what are my real intentions? I didn't know that myself.

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   The edges of her lips curled up. She was smiling at me. Her face was like a mirage - so close but blurred every time I've tried to reach it. I couldn't speak, I couldn't say a thing, I was shocked she wasn't real. Like a picture her face was fading but when I pulled my hand away she was alive again and looking at me. Her mouth opened as she mumbled something. Nothing reached my ears though I've tried to gather all my senses decoding her voice.

   She bit her lower lip beaming at me. Inviting  me to touch her again. The blurred picture of her face made me spoke up but not a sound came out. It's like she didn't realize how unrealistic this situation is. Although every time her face came up I wanted to try to feel her and say something.

   Seeing her looking at me was such a nice feeling. Just one more try...

   My eyes opened surrounded by darkness. I needed couple of seconds to gather my scrambled thoughts. I signed loudly. What was that? I checked my phone - 3:37 am. I sat in my bed for a minute, took a sip of water, and went back to sleep.

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   I was late again this morning or should I say noon. I came to work at 12:40. I own it to last nights dream. I almost couldn't get up from the bed. Finally, at 11:45, I was up, I didn't feel like eating I hurried to the shower and before I could choose my clothing it was already too late. I had to take the elevator back up to my apartment 'cause I forgot to take my pills.

   The first thing I noticed when I was back in my office was her CV. Underneath I found the project for the piano bar. I completely forgot about it! I quickly called Magie (Majie) so she could make at least three copies then I read the info in her CV again. She left her email...maybe I should write her but what would I say? Still, the same questions lingered. I'm sure Zhang will try to f**k her.

   Magie was back with the copies and I told her to return the project to his assistants. I didn't want to be seen as an example of unprofessional. I've asked for coffee and started working. I stopped for a quick lunch break with Jin, then made a few work calls. I always have my lunch around 3 or even later, depending on how my day was going. But definitely, I wasn't doing it the traditional Chinese way. I still remember the fights with my father on dinner and through that I hated sitting on the table with the whole family. I prefer eating alone since I was a teenager. I knew I had to face him about what was Zhang up to and why a girl with very little experience was interviewed for a position that obviously requires more.

   Time was flying - it was already past 4 pm when my phone buzzed.

   It was Liu. He was inviting me to a party. I wasn't in a mood, I told him I have something else. He insisted, it was a birthday party. I knew the girl, two weeks ago when we were hanging out she was there, and she was all over him. He's so blind or pretends to be one, it's obvious she likes him too much. We went to a restaurant and after that to a bar but she was always so touchy when he talked about girls. So there's no way I wanna go through that again.

   I received another message with an image. I was sure it's one of his smart ass joke memes so I ignored it. It's probably some animation saying "f**k you". My phone kept on buzzing but I was too caught up with the events from the past two days. Even if I go there I won't be a good company.

   I was at the door minutes later ready to leave. I was planning to do the same thing as yesterday - go for a drive. I needed to think about a solution to the problem Zhang is causing. I'm sure he's a threat to the company and to me! My hand instinctively opened the messages by Liu and I almost dropped my phone. It was her! The French-American doll I met in Zhang's office. She was on a picture with three more girls, one of them, the noisy one we had dinner with! The one that like Liu. She's her friend so this means Liu knows her! The picture was sent an hour and twenty minutes ago.

   I got back on my couch and zoomed in on the picture. It was definitely her! All the girls were smiling while she got her tongue out in a s****l way. My d**k twitched in my pants. I momentarily dialed his number.

   "Hey, K".

   "The blond girl on the picture, do you know her?", I spat in a hurry.

   He laughed  at me "That's my wife".

   My eyes became huge and I lost my breath. No way! There's no f*****g way he f****d her! "Shut up, tell me the truth".

   "She's hot, eh?", he teased me.

   I sighed out loudly through the phone. I've been trying to find something about this girl for two days. Strategizing how to approach my father and now Liu is playing dumb on me!

   "That's the girl I've been talking about", What?! I've searched through my mind our conversations. He really mentioned about a foreign chick he's into. I rolled my eyes.

   "So?"

   "Tonight I'm gonna get her", he sounded overconfident.

   "Like hell you will", I snapped.

   He laughed. "You know her?", he asked.

   "Umm, no. She came for an interview yesterday".

   "So does this mean you're coming to the party?"