Beyond the Skyline

by Lise Gold

  “Amazing,” Mel said, admiring the fish at the edge of the pool. They were beautiful creatures. Most of them were white with bright red marks, and they immediately came to the surface when Mr. Ho took a bag of food out of his pocket.

  “They know it’s me,” he said, throwing in a handful of food. “These are very expensive Koi Carps. They’re my greatest possession, and it’s my policy that if they cannot live in the recycled water from our factory, we shouldn’t be dying fabric or printing at all. I have children, you see. And I worry about them.” The big smile he had been showcasing all day had left his face. “This country needs to focus more on the future and less on the here and now. We all need to make money to keep the economy alive, but we also need to think about the land that is the core of our country. It’s a serious issue that keeps me up at night.” He shook his head. “I gave my staff the challenge to create a water purifying system so ground breaking, that my expensive pets can grow old and be happy here. It’s their responsibility to keep them alive by how they run the factory. Koi Carps are very sensitive to their environment, you see. I come here every day and feed them.” He pointed at the largest carp, chasing away the smaller ones. “That was my first one,” he said. Cost me almost ten thousand dollars. To me, he represents the future of our country. The pollution is so bad in China that we, as business leaders, need to set an example. Otherwise, our children will not have a future here.” Sophie nodded, watching the carp jump. She had seen it many times, but she reminded herself again that it was one of the main reasons she had pursued the job she had now, knowing she wouldn’t have to feel guilty about what she did for a living.

  “That’s why we work with you, Mr. Ho. And I’m personally proud to work with a factory that does everything in its power to give a great example to China’s future generations.”

  Mel knelt down, luring the fish by hovering her hand over the water.

  “Thank you for the tour and thank you for your time,” she said, looking up at the factory director. “And for reminding us of what’s important.” She stood up and smiled. “This made my day, Mr. Ho.” Sophie watched Mr. Ho’s face light up at Mel’s simple statement and was amazed to witness yet again, her positive effect on people.

  The cherry on top was a visit to Mr. Ho’s office, where they sampled an espresso from his new coffee machine. It was his pride and joy and could only be handled by Lemon, his first assistant, whom they had met during their previous visit. She had clearly been instructed to nod at the right times and to laugh at Mr. Ho’s jokes. Even after eight hours, she had no intention of relaxing her face.

  “Thank you so much, Lemon,” Sophie said sweetly as she accepted the coffee. “You’ve been so helpful this week. We really appreciate it.” Mel nodded in agreement.

  “It’s been inspiring to see how you all work here and you’ve been incredibly professional.” Lemon clearly liked the sound of the word professional. Her forced smile broke into a more natural one immediately, and she even showed her teeth for a moment.

  “You’re welcome,” she said, in a rehearsed tone. “We always strive to meet our customers’ expectations and exceed them where we can. Here at Ho Manufacturing, we pride ourselves on short lead times and environmental consciousness. Our employees are granted two extra holidays during Chinese New Year. Unlike most factories, we work in three shifts that never exceed nine hours. Healthy employees are happy employees and a healthy environment is essential for the future of our next generation.” She stammered a bit as she spoke the words she probably repeated several times a week, but Mr. Ho seemed satisfied and nodded appreciatively.

  “Thank you, Lemon. You can go home now; we are done here.” Sophie and Mel, however, were not done. They had to sit through another hour with the director. In situations like this, Sophie was always tempted to say: “Thank you so much but we’ve had a long day, and I’m sure you’d like to go home to your wife as well so why don’t we skip the polite chit chat and both go and enjoy what’s left of the evening.” But she couldn’t do that. It just wasn’t the way things worked in their line of business. Relationships with the factories were essential to their brand in order to keep their lead times short and their prices reasonable so she downed the espresso, gathered her last bit of energy and admired the pictures of his sailboat and his family’s last holiday to Europe.

  16

  After Sophie and Mel had re-entered Hong Kong, their driver dropped them off at the Ladies’ Market. It was too late to get changed first, so they bought a cheap suitcase on wheels to drag their files and laptops along with them as they searched the market for souvenirs to take back home.

  “This must be the most crowded place I’ve ever been,” Mel said. “But I love it.” She smiled as she gazed up at thousands of neon signs, sticking out from the buildings that towered above them on either side. Although it was dark outside, the narrow alleyway was lit up like a torch. Music was playing from the stalls where locals and tourists were laughing and haggling. The sea of people was blurred by big clouds of steam, pouring out from the vents of the restaurants behind the stalls, spreading the authentic aroma of traditional Chinese and Cantonese food.

  “It’s amazing,” Mel said. “I feel like we’re in a different world.” She shook her head and spun around, taking in the three-sixty view of chaos and lights. “First we arrive at this luxurious hotel with an incredible view of the skyline, then you take me to an island where everything is completely calm and spiritual with rich nature and beautiful temples, and now this.” She pointed at a stall selling the biggest, most outrageous key rings they had ever seen. Sophie laughed.

  “Welcome to Mongkok. This is a cool neighborhood, actually. It’s gritty and kind of mysterious.” She looked up at the high-rise buildings, covered in thousands of satellite dishes and air-conditioning boxes attached to the exterior. They were once white but now dark-grey from the smog and looked like they might fall apart any minute. Clothes were hanging down to dry from extensions on the tiny balconies, soaking up the humid air. “Did you know,” she said, “that some of the most interesting places in Hong Kong are in those buildings?” Mel looked up.

  “But they’re private apartments, right?” Sophie nodded

  “Yes. Most of the ones facing the streets are apartments, with London price,s if I might add. But in the middle, around the atrium, there are music rehearsal studios, karaoke bars, pool bars, handbag dealers, electronic shops, pay-per-hour rooms, arcades and anything else you can possibly think of. It’s a labyrinth of entertainment and indulgence and one of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets.”

  “Wow. It seems like we’ve got quite some exploring to do,” Mel said, eyeing up a souvenir stall with lucky cats. “Take me anywhere you want; I’m game!” She waved at the shopkeeper for help.

  Mel bought a handbag and a kimono for her mother and soup bowls with chopsticks for herself. They also found a tea shop where she stocked up on Jasmine tea and an intriguing selection of flower teas, presented in a beautiful wooden box. Although they were tired, they had fun haggling and made a competition out of who could get the best bargain.

  “I’m in heaven,” Mel said, kissing Sophie on the cheek. “You’re the best traveling companion I’ve ever had.” Sophie bought some vintage prints of Shanghai movie stars from the thirties to frame on her wall.

  “Just one more thing,” Sophie said when they got to the end of the market. “I need to get a handbag for Cat. She led them across the road, into a department store that specialized in electronic products. Mel followed her up the escalators and through the narrow corridors where phone dealers and games specialists clamored for their attention.

  “I’m not sure if this is the right place to find a handbag, Sophie.” Mel was out of breath by the time they had arrived on the top floor.

  “Trust me. If it’s still here, it’s the best place,” Sophie said as she opened the emergency exit, leading into a dark and dirty corridor. “They tend to move around, in case they get caught.” She stopped in front
of door number eight hundred and twenty and knocked. Mel nudged her.

  “Are we safe? I don’t want to be chopped into pieces today.” The door opened before Sophie had a chance to answer and an old Chinese lady rushed them inside before closing the door behind them. Mel gasped at the sight of hundreds of designer handbags, stuffed into cardboard boxes that were piled up to the ceiling.

  “See?” Sophie grinned. “Best place to buy a handbag.” She searched on her phone for a picture of the bag she was looking for. The old lady took her phone and brought it close to her face, squinting. Then she nodded and started rooting through the boxes until she found one just like it.

  “Nice one,” she said, showcasing a toothless grin.

  “It certainly is.” Sophie smiled. Nice and cheap, right?” The lady nodded and showed her a number on her calculator, upon which Sophie shook her head, laughing. She typed another number into the calculator, and the lady pulled a furious face, balling her fist at Sophie. Mel seemed genuinely entertained by their emotional haggling game and even joined in when things got heated. Eventually, they agreed somewhere in between and shook hands. Mel regarded Sophie with interest as she took the wrapped up bag from the sales lady and thanked her in Cantonese.

  “So that’s for your friend Cat?” she asked, trying to sound indifferent.

  “Yes, it is. I’ve been getting her bags for years. She likes to tell everyone they’re real. Why?” Mel shot her a cynical look.

  “I don’t know… Is it because you still like her, maybe?” Sophie shook her head and laughed.

  “No, it’s not like that. As I told you, that died out a long time ago.” She paused for a moment and looked at Mel, who seemed to be playing a game with her.

  “Why?” She asked. “Does it bother you?” The words were out before she had time to think them over and Sophie felt her cheeks flush. Mel smiled in silence, then answered her question with another question.

  “Why? Do you want me to be bothered?” Sophie looked down at the bag in her hands. This was a game, and she could play it too.

  “If you’re jealous, I’ll buy you one too. Which one would you like?” The sales lady jumped in between them within a split second, presenting a range of twelve different designs, dangling from her arm.

  “Yes jealous lady, pick one. Pick two. This one will buy for you,” she said, pointing at Sophie. “Sugermama. Rich lady.” At that moment, they both burst into laughter with Sophie almost losing her balance in the overstocked room.

  “I’m good, thank you,” Mel said, waving her hand at the lady who kept shoving bags into her face. Then she took Sophie’s hand and dragged her out of the apartment. “Just take me out for dinner on the company credit card, and I’ll be happy.” She smiled mischievously. “And for the record,” she added. “Maybe I was a little bit jealous.”

  They were seated at a table so small and low that their knees were touching as they faced each other, looking at the pictures on the menu. Staff members were running around, shouting out order numbers in the long, narrow restaurant. To their side was an open kitchen, where skilled chefs were hand rolling out wrappers, then filling, boiling, steaming or pan-frying sweet and savory dumplings like they had done it since the day they were born. Sophie and Mel seemed to be the only non-locals in the rowdy crowd, crammed in between rowdy students and stall owners, winding out after a long day. Sophie was conscious of the contact, constantly shifting on her stool. Their flirty banter at the handbag store had set the tone for another interesting evening, and now she wasn’t quite sure how to behave.

  “I’m afraid I have no idea what to order here,” Mel announced. “So you choose. I’ll eat anything as long as it’s not something super weird like testicles or pig’s nose.” She raised a finger. “No, wait. I take that back. I’m prepared to try that too if you recommend it.” Sophie giggled and pointed out her selection to the waiter who also brought them two large, cold beers in Hello Kitty bottle covers. They cheered, and Mel held up her bottle, cocking her head with a comical grin.

  “You know what they say,” she said. “Seven years of bad sex if you don’t look each other in the eyes. And for me, that would be a tragedy.” She raised her eyebrows.

  “Although you wouldn’t know, would you Sophie?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. Sophie chuckled, slightly uncomfortable.

  “Stop talking about things you don’t understand,” she giggled. “Wait till you try the pork and truffle dumplings. It’ll be an orgasm in your mouth, so you won’t have to worry about other people’s sex lives.” They were both famished, and Sophie didn’t realize she had over-ordered until the steam baskets were placed on their table and were stacked so high that they had to peek around the towers to see each other. The waiter gave her a look as to say: You greedy tourists, let’s see if you can finish this order. But Mel’s appetite was untamable. Eating everything in sight like she had all week, she managed to work her way down the first four levels, praising every single dish with such passion that Sophie almost felt proud of her selection.

  “How on earth can you eat so much and stay so slim?” she asked. “I mean, do you always eat for three? Or four? Are you even human?”

  “I’m not slim,” Mel mumbled with a mouthful. “My bum is rather big but I love my bum, and I’m lucky to have my mother’s metabolism.” She swallowed and took a sip of her beer. “I can eat anything I want, and I’ll always look the same. At least so far anyway. And I love food so thank God for that.” She looked up at the sky in a dramatic manner and picked another parcel out of the basket, struggling with the chopsticks on the slippery dough before she dipped it in the vinegar.

  “I swear Sophie; this might be the best meal I’ve ever had. I’m starting to think you’re an ordering genius. After this, you can order for me anytime.” They had another couple of beers while they finished off whatever they were capable of eating and discussed the events of the day, laughing at the memory of Mr. Ho’s holiday presentation.

  “I’m so glad you’re nice and normal,” Sophie sighed. “Seriously, I’m pleased and relieved you are who you are. And now we got these first couple of days over with, I know it will never be awkward traveling with you, and I can look forward to our trips together.” Mel kicked her leg playfully under the table.

  “Me too,” she said. “And just so you know, I’m aware of your little secret.” Sophie raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” Mel laughed.

  “Oh come on Sophie. I know that you’ll be my manager soon. Debbie told me, so no point beating around the bush. Let’s talk about this.” She straightened her back and raised her head, the way she did when she was talking business. Sophie smiled and found it so sexy that she had to look away for a second while Mel continued.

  “You don’t seem like the kind of person to bring this subject up yourself because you’re modest. Besides that, you’re not the typical leader-type, who believes in hierarchy and distance.” She leaned in again and put a hand on Sophie’s, resting on the table. “And that’s not an insult, that’s a compliment.” Sophie looked at the hand covering her own and every useful phrase she had ever learned from her management training and team building workshops faded into a big blur. Mel’s hand felt delightful, and she sighed quietly.

  “Thank you,” she said. “You’re right, I didn’t bring it up, and I have no idea why. I’m still getting used to the idea, I guess. You must have noticed the enormous bump on Debbie, but I didn't know she told you it would be me replacing her. It hasn’t even officially been confirmed yet.” She shrugged. “But yes, it looks like I’ll be taking over from her and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” She shifted on her stool, not sure what to say next.

  “Well, that’s great for you, and I totally respect that,” Mel said. “After so many years of hard work you deserve a promotion more than anyone. I’m happy for you.” Sophie could see that she meant it and felt relieved that the word was out. There was no reason in particular that she hadn’t brought it up in the first place. She
had meant to, but as time progressed, things just seemed to get more and more complicated between them, and she was now at the point that she couldn’t be around Mel anymore without lusting after her, so it had just seemed wrong to discuss the matter. I’m a bad manager already. Why do I find her so damn attractive?

  “I’m sorry,” she said again. “I should have been honest with you from the start, but I guess I’ve had other things on my mind and it didn’t seem like a big deal.” Mel nodded.

  “It’s okay. Don’t worry. Until you take over, we’re just colleagues, nothing else. We’re both having fun so let’s continue to do that.” Mel didn’t look too sure of herself as she spoke because they both knew deep inside that they had gone too far and said too much to make the attraction undone.

  17

  “Ready to get inspired?” Mel asked. She pointed at the Converse on her feet and danced around the breakfast table before she sat down. “I’m wearing my comfy shoes today.” Sophie held up her cup of coffee.

  “Cheers to comp-shopping. On days like these, we have the best job in the world, right?” Mel nodded. “I’m excited. Do you have a plan on where we should go? I’ve done some research online but then I figured you might know the best places, so I didn’t print it out.” Sophie smiled before putting on her sunglasses.

  “Leave it with me. I love to be in charge.” She laughed. “We’re going to Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour. There are competitor flagship stores, some great art galleries, and exhibitions that I think you’d like and there’s also a Korean shopping mall with the latest crazy stuff to spot some of the upcoming trends. We don’t have any obligations. All we need to do is make sure we know what our competitors are up to and that we’re a little bit more inspired for our next range.” The waiter offered them coffee, and they both held up their cups for a refill.