by Mei Silk
“Put me down!” Sara said weakly.
He did put her down, but not until they got to the entrance of the yoga room that had been converted into a dining room for the evening. Sara steadied herself before walking in the room. The room was hushed as she entered. People stopped talking and eating and looked at her with complimenting smiles. She was about to go get a plate for food when Laura came to her and said, “Sara, are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I am, thank you.”
“Good, we’ve been waiting for you to begin the awards ceremony.”
“Oh.” In light of that, Sara decided to wait to eat, and gave Julia a grateful smile when she handed her a cup of tea.
Laura went to the center of the room, where a makeshift podium had been set up and took up a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention please? Our champion of the day has arrived. It’s about time we have our awards ceremony.”
There were instantly applauses and cheers.
Everyone who participated the activities or organized the event got a prize, and there was a brief introduction for each participant. It took more than half an hour to get to Sara.
Mateo took the microphone to introduce her.
“Good evening, ladies and gentleman, respectable sponsors, and dear members of the Monterey Park YMCA. It’s my honor to introduce the winner of our annual swim-a-thon special prize, Ms. Sara Wang, nicknamed Wild Fish.” Mateo paused and looked at her.
Sara darted him a fiery look. Wild fish? How could he say that in front of everyone? She wanted to glower at him, but a round of applause mingling of shouts and yells forced her to smile.
Mateo continued, “I don’t know what this lady is made of. I think she is made of steel, if steel can be molded into a shape as supple and curvy as her figure.”
That rogue! Sara took a gulp of ice tea to cool her flushed face. People were chuckling, taking it as an innocent joke.
Mateo didn’t seem to notice her state of agitation at all. He smiled charmingly at her as he waited for the audience to quiet down. Then he raised his voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to present this gold medal to Miss Sara Wang, the woman who completed a hundred laps in an hour, with determination and strength!”
Another round of applause was heard when Sara found herself walking towards the podium to receive her medal, and it wasn’t as brief an applause as the earlier one. It lasted so long that Sara cried. She wanted to say thank you through the microphone, but her voice would be drowned. Feeling dazed and overwhelmed, she waited as she held the medal and let her tears flow. The last time she received such attention was more than sixteen years ago, a year before she left, at an awards ceremony of a swimming competition, in the very same room.
As soon as the applause died down, Sara cleared her throat and took the microphone.
“Thank you so much for your support,” she said in a slightly trembling voice, “I wouldn’t have made it without the encouragement and the support from everyone, especially from Mateo. And I’m honored to be able to make a tiny contribution to the Y. The Y has been my second home ever since I was a little girl. It’s been such a long time since I left. I’m happy to be home again.”
* * *
The dinner was sponsored by Mobile Buffet, a local catering business, and had an impressive ethnicity ranging from tacos, hamburger, to chow mein. There were also some creative combinations of styles. Sara was delighted to find beef rolls, also called Chinese burritos, made of Chinese pan-fried bread and stewed beef. The sight of the food awakened her hunger and it felt like she hadn’t eaten for days. She stuffed herself with two beef rolls and a plate of chow mein, before searching for some vegetables.
But while she was standing by the salad tray, Peter Chan approached her.
“Peter, thanks again for wanting to sponsor me.”
“No problem. It would have been my pleasure.”
“Where is Uncle Chan?”
“He’s talking to someone over there. Some guy from the chamber of commerce. Well, Yingying, now I know how I know you. Did I tell you that when I was little, I came here to swim at the Y?”
“Yes,” Sara nodded.
“I might have known you then. When were you here?”
“From 1990 to 2001, I think.” Sara said.
“No kidding. That was the time I was here,” Peter paused and asked, “Were you the champion of the girl’s competition in 2001?”
“2000,” Sara smiled with modesty “Thank you for remembering that.”
“Of course, I do. Everyone in the team knew your name back then. I had a crush on you even though I didn’t know you.”
Peter’s tone was playful and flirty, and it made Sara feel uneasy. After all, she had only known the guy for a few days and had no intention to get to know him further.
Out of politeness, she joked along, “Too bad. Would I have gotten a free teeth cleaning if you had known me then? ”
“Not just that. I would have stolen some diamond teeth from my dad and given them to you.”
“Diamond teeth?” Sara laughed. “Are there such things?”
“Of course, there are.”
“Who wears them?”
“Lots of people do. I’ll show you the next time you come to our office.”
“For sure?”
“Yes, when will you be coming? Would you like to make an appointment now?”
“Uh,” Sara hesitated. It sounded like he was asking her on a date rather than making an appointment with her. “I’m not sure. I’ve been pretty busy lately.”
“Don’t wait too long. Your teeth are important. You’ll see the reward later if you take care of them now.”
“Sure, Dr. Chan.”
* * *
Mateo’s eyes never left Sara throughout the evening, whether he was speaking to important business partners, or chatting with female members who were desperate for his attention. When Peter Chan got to Sara’s side, he was not pleased. He had always respected Dr. Chan Sr. but had never liked his son. From a man’s instinct, he sensed that Peter was hitting on Sara. The fact that Peter was a hundred percent Chinese, like Sara, incensed him. And he certainly didn’t like the fact that Sara had referred to him as a “family friend”. Peter was popular among the women and had the reputation of a playboy. Since he had returned to the Y as a divorced man, he changed girlfriends every month and showed up at the annual fundraising with a different woman each year—except this year. Could it be because of Sara? Was Sara avoiding him because of this jerk? Mateo squeezed the empty beer can in his hand until it was crushed. No, he wouldn’t let his Sara get hurt.
* * *
Sara was helping to clear the tables when Mateo stopped her.
“Leave it. We have plenty of people to do it. Go home and rest.”
Mateo was about to walk her to the parking lot when Peter Chan showed up again on her side.
“May I take you home, Sara? You looked tired, I don’t think you’re fit to drive.”
“Uh, thanks but no thanks. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t give me the honor of doing something for the champion?”
Sara laughed. “You’ve done a lot already.”
“But . . .” Peter wouldn’t give up.
“No buts,” Mateo grabbed Sara’s wrist, “Peter, we appreciate your kindness. But Sara needs rest. I’ll walk her to her car.”
Peter put up his hands, and shrugged. “All right then.” Before she was dragged to the door, Peter stopped them and presented Sara with a business card. “I forgot to give you this last time when we met. Call me anytime if you want to go have dim sum again, or if you need dental care, I’ll give a free service.”
“Really?” Sara took the card timidly, aware of Mateo’s glare.
“Yes. Any service, cleaning, filling, you name it. Just give me a call a day or two in advance . . .”
“Thanks, Peter, but Sara has perfect teeth.” Mateo pushed her out of the door before she cou
ld turn and answer.
“Let go of me.” Sara stopped walking when they got outside. “What’re you doing? You’re kidnapping me. I do need a cleaning.”
“You can go to any dentist for a cleaning and I’ll pay for it.”
“But Peter is a family friend.”
“Why do you need a family friend to clean your teeth?” he grunted.
His grunt amused Sara. Why didn’t she just use Peter to cool off Mateo? What happened earlier in the storage room only proved to her that it would be hard to avoid Mateo’s passion. So, she said playfully, “He might be more attentive. You know, teeth are very important health-wise and beauty-wise. Besides, teeth are personal. I wouldn’t just let anyone touch my teeth.”
“So, Peter’s not just anyone to you, huh?”
“No, he’s a family friend.” Sara deliberately stressed the term, and stifled a smile.
“He’s not just a family friend, is he?” He glowered at her. “Didn’t he ask you for a dim sum date?”
Sara was enjoying his sizzling temper. “We already had dim sum together.”
“No, you didn’t,” Mateo grabbed her.
“Yes, we did,” Sara said nonchalantly. “It was a blind date set up by Aunt Liu, my dad’s . . .”
She didn’t get to finish the sentence, since Mateo had pulled her to him and pressed his lips on hers. His tongue was aggressively claiming territory in her mouth, and she let out a moan. After winning every tender spot, it playfully ran over her teeth.
Sara pushed him away and laughed, “What are you doing?”
“Giving you a free cleaning,” he whispered.
They were about to resume their walk when they saw Peter Chan standing at the door of the Y. She was sure he had seen everything.
Mateo put his arm around Sara’s waist and they headed towards the parking lot.
“Oh, there goes my free dental service.” Sara frowned.
“I could give you another one!” Mateo said.
“No, thanks.” Sara said, feeling embarrassed. It was a mistake to think she could use Peter to discourage Mateo.
Then she realized that they were going to the wrong lot. “I parked in the lot in the front.”
“Too long a walk. I’ll drive you over there.”
“There’s no need to do that,” she protested but couldn’t stop walking.
He kept quiet and they walked in silence until they got to his car. Sara could feel the heat of the body that was pressed tightly against hers and heard his heavy breathing. The next thing she knew, she was in Mateo’s car, and her heart beat frantically.
Chapter 12
Mateo could hardly control himself when they were walking to his car. He took deep breaths to calm down, but hell, it was impossible, with a beautiful champion next to him. All evening, he wanted her. He thought he’d go nuts when the dentist tried to lure Sara to a free service. That damned fool! He was glad that Peter had seen them kissing. He tried hard not to push Sara onto the passenger’s seat and waited patiently, holding the door for her. Thankfully, she got in without reluctance and was silent even when he was in the car. He looked at her as soon as he closed the car door. The interior of the car was hot because of her. Her eyes were sparkling in the semi-darkness. And like him, she was breathing heavily, her lips slightly parted. Mateo wanted to taste those lips again, but he suppressed his urge. He would wait a bit longer. Now, he had to take his prize out of the sniffing zone of some dangerous animal.
“Mateo, the parking lot is the other way,” Sara said to him as Mateo turned right on Park Street.
“I know, sweetheart. I’ll take you there later.”
He glanced over and saw a blush creeping onto her face.
“Where’re we going now?”
“You’ll know in a minute.”
“I need to know now!” Sara cried. “You’re kidnapping me!”
Mateo slowed down in the middle of the street, and said to her in a low voice, “Yes, I am, babe.”
He could see the wheels spinning in her head, and knew she wanted to protest, but she sighed and settled into the seat.
Mateo had to force his attention on the road throughout the drive. To distract himself from Sara’s soft breathing, he turned on the radio.
They turned into a quiet street in South Pasadena, lined densely by trees. Mateo stopped the car in front of his house, and got out of the car to open the door for Sara. He saw her hesitate when he held out his hand for her, so he brushed his fingers gently along her shoulder, hoping to entice her. He felt triumphant when he saw her swallow her smile, and she finally took his hand and stepped out of the car.
“Welcome to my house, Sara.”
* * *
Thank goodness he wasn’t calling her sweetheart or babe, Sara thought as she stood on the path between two neatly trimmed flowerbeds illuminated by garden lights. She wasn’t sure whether she was dreaming or not. Letting Mateo’s big hand guide her, she found herself in front of an elegant mahogany door.
The living room wasn’t big, but it was exquisitely designed. With just a set of sectional sofa and ottoman as the main furniture, a flat screen TV was incorporated into the fireplace area. A glass top coffee table was placed on top of a chocolate Persian rug bordered with ivory. And on top of the coffee table, was a vase of orange hibiscus.
“Nice!” Sara said as she stood at the door frame and surveyed the interior of the house. “Can’t believe that a bachelor lives here.”
“My mom was here when I was in the camp. She must have tidied it up for me. Come on in and make yourself comfortable.” Mateo gestured as he went directly into the bar. “I’ll fix you a drink.”
“Uh,” Sara said as she sat down in the sofa, “No alcohol. A juice would be fine.”
“Whatever you say,” Mateo went into the kitchen instead, and brought out two glasses of orange juice.
“How long have you been living here?” Sara asked as they settled on the sofa next to each other.
“Not long. Only a couple of years. I got it soon after I got my broker’s license.”
Which meant when he was only twenty-five. Sara shook her head slightly with amazement. She had barely saved enough for the down payment of her condo.
“Are they from your garden?” Sara asked, pointing at the hibiscus.
“No. My mom brought them.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“Yeah. She likes flowers. My grandfather had a flower shop in Venezuela.”
“Really?” It seemed the connection between them only grew stronger with every revelation.
“Plus, my dad’s family had a flower farm. And he used to make deliveries to my grandfather’s flower shop, which was how he met my mom.”
“How romantic,” Sara said, picturing a young man and a young woman falling in love, surrounded by exotic flowers.
“Yeah,” Mateo murmured as he stared at the hibiscus.
Sara was curious about why they broke up, but didn’t want to remind Mateo of his sad memories. Instead, she asked, “When is Teresa’s birthday?”
“Next Sunday,” Mateo looked at her expectantly. “Are you still accompanying me to her party?”
“Sure,” Sara said before she had time to think.
“Thank you,” Mateo said, and put his hand on her arm.
That little gesture brought turmoil in her. She quickly looked away, and drank the juice silently. She kept drinking slowly, afraid that if she put down the glass, she would be making love to Mateo right in the sofa.
The silence extended for half of a minute when Mateo suggested, “Let’s go to the backyard.”
* * *
With various trees growing just a few feet apart from each other, the back yard seemed like a forest. Sara even heard the murmuring of a stream. She looked around and saw that in the middle of the forest, surrounded by rosemary shrubs, and bordered by rocks, a long narrow strip of pool shone like a flat sapphire in the night. At on one end of the pool was a water fountain.
“Wow!
Competition length?” Sara asked.
“Yep.”
“Do you swim every day?”
“Of course, a hundred laps a day, at the least.”
“Nice.”
“Do you want to try it?”
“Um,” she hesitated. “I would love to, but I’ve already done a hundred laps.”
“I know.” He laughed. “Next time.”
“Sure.” Sara stared at the mesmerizing water and mumbled, wondering when she would come again.
“What about next weekend?” Mateo seemed to have read her mind.
“I’m not sure,” Sara said and look away at the bright sickle in sky. “The moon is beautiful. Let’s sit here for a while.”
Mateo didn’t pursue the topic further. “Okay.”
They sat on a rock by the pool in comfortable silence for a while, and listened to the sound of the water fountain.
“It’s so quiet here. Makes me wish I have a house instead a condo,” Sara remarked.
“Your condo community seems quiet.”
“Most of the time. But you can still hear your neighbors.”
The soothing sounds of the water reminded Sara that she was exhausted, and it almost lulled her asleep. She’d love to go back to the living room and sink into the sofa, but she didn’t want to leave the fairytale garden. She yawned and let her head fall onto Mateo’s shoulder. It was so comfortable that she wouldn’t mind sitting like that for the rest of the night, or even for the rest of her life. She drifted off, content in her position.
* * *
Mateo put his arm carefully around Sara’s waist to steady her. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder. A feeling of satisfaction overwhelmed him and a slow smile quirked on his lips. He was glad she had let him take her to his house, although somewhat reluctantly. He’d nearly gone insane the past few days at the camp, whenever he thought about her, which was about every minute, whether he was awake or asleep, alone or with the kids, rock climbing, or canoeing. The sleepless nights were the worst. During the nights after the kids had gone to sleep, he sneaked out of the bungalow and took a solitary walk, all the time wishing that Sara was there with him. He didn’t know why he was falling so hopelessly for her. He had known her for just weeks, but he felt that she had been in his life all along. Perhaps Sara had reminded him of Yingying. He knew that it was silly to be confused like that, and he shouldn’t be infatuated with a woman just because she resembled someone that he had cherished. But no, Sara wasn’t Yingying. Yingying was his childhood idol, a goddess that existed in his dreams. Sara was a real woman: beautiful, kind, and responsible. Moreover, she was a swimming champion. And, of course, she was sexy. The image of her standing in her swimsuit alone was enough to make any man fantasize. His thoughts turned to their encounter in the storage area, and he was instantly stirred. He could feel the softness of her flesh through her thin blouse, and longed to caress her.