“I was jealous.”
My admittance startles her. She cocks her head to the side and crosses her eyes.
“Of what? What have I done to make you feel that way?” The pitch of her voice is raised as she lifts her head off the pillow so her face is directly above mine.
“You’ve had no closure,” I justify.
“Yes, I have. I told you we talked the day of the signing.”
“Tell me again what you talked about.” Everything changed for the better that day she came home to me. It was as if she was determined to shower me with all her devotion after that meeting.
“How much I loved you. That you saved me. That I love only you.” She holds my face in her small hands, reassuring me.
I don’t know why, but it’s not working. I think it’s because his feelings for her are so deep that his transparency just unnerves me. “But he still loves you,” I protested. Drunk or sober, I witnessed it clearly last night.
“That’s bullshit. What does that have to do with me?” I can tell that she’s frustrated but trying her best to be patient. “You’re being a brat, Ailey.” She exhales loudly and lays her head back down on the pillow, giving me a fake scowl. “And look what you’ve done to me. Your dirty mouth has finally rubbed off on me after twelve years.”
I laugh loudly at her statement—that definitely lightened up my mood. “You know how I feel about your cussing, babe. It’s hot. And yes, you’re right. I just haven’t seen him in a while. I thought I was over it.”
“If I’m over it, you need to get over it. We can’t break down at public events like that.” Her voice is stern and authoritative.
I like it. I’m embarrassed that this happened, but then again, Cain is my kryptonite. Everybody has one.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I say, truly meaning it.
She gives me a half smile and tries to change the subject. “Don’t you think his girlfriend is pretty?”
“Eh,” I reply noncommittally. “Not as pretty as you. I bury my face in her neck and take a huge whiff of her sexy, delicious smell.
“Well, the fact that he’s started stepping out with her, taking her to big events, means that he’s serious about her. You should take that as a good sign,” she says as she fondly runs her fingers through my hair.
“Only because he can’t have you. But I’ll stop now. You have a very pretty nose,” I tease as I outline the bridge of her nose with my finger.
“Are we good, Marty?” she asks as a grin spreads across her face.
I love it when she ribs me about my middle name. “Yes we are, Franny.”
“Then put it here, and here,” she instructs, pointing to her lips and to the place between her legs.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as I cover her mouth with mine.
***
“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste, to experience to the outmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
It’s hardly Olympic-sized, but I’ll take the breathtaking views from the Four Seasons Hotel pool in Hong Kong anytime. Construction on our new project started two weeks ago and I have to be here in time for the first walk through of the property. I haven’t seen my family in ten days, but that all ends this afternoon. Isabel, Emmy and the kids are arriving in nine hours for our new adventure together. Kind of like Chicago, but with Maddy and Emmy as part of our growing family. I didn’t really have any arguments when Isabel told me that she decided to move everyone here. Not that it would have mattered anyway, because once she sets her mind to something, it happens. I really can’t say I don’t love that quality about her. As I climb out of the pool and walk to the deck chair to grab my towel, a woman in a black string bikini approaches me. Well-endowed, good body. I’m whipped and married, but I’m not blind.
“Alex Ailey?” she greets me.
“Hello. Do I know you?”
“No, but I know you. Who doesn’t? What are you doing here?” She takes a seat on one of the deck chairs while I remain standing.
“I’m here on business. And you?” I don’t ask her name. I really don’t care to know.
“Business. Seminar. I’ve noticed you for the last few days. Are you and your wife still together?” She looks like a fucking dog in heat as she stretches out in front of me, arms above her head, legs slightly spread out.
“I’m sorry?” I’m taken aback by her question. What the fuck is she trying to get at?
“Oh. I was wondering if you wanted to get together for a drink sometime. Maybe this evening? It gets pretty old just sitting by myself at the hotel bar.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t do drinks. I’m a happily married guy. Thanks for trying, though.” I turn around and walk away. For fuck’s sake, I stand corrected. I’m whipped and married and blind, apparently. I miss my wife.
By the time I make a few calls and work out of my room, it’s 1:00 pm. I check out of the hotel and head out to a meeting with my bags in the car. The concierge will have me dropped off at the office while the bags are delivered to our new apartment.
It didn’t take me long to find a suitable place for us. The problem was more the fact that Isa wasn’t willing to pay the exorbitant rental rates for only three rooms. I finally convinced her that we should take the plunge for two months, knowing that it would only be temporary. We finally settled on a three bedroom, fully-furnished and fully-serviced apartment in Harbor City. Its central location will make it fun for her and the children to see a lot of places during the day.
The drive to the office is takes longer than I anticipated. Traffic is backed up because of a minor accident, so I sit in what would normally be a ten minute ride for roughly thirty minutes. I had hoped to get there way before my afternoon meeting to prepare myself with the questions that I want answered today.
We’re renting a small office at the Bank of China Tower. It’s on prime space and one of the tallest in the mainland. I make my way to the 30th floor and through the hallway that will lead me to my door.
“Good afternoon, Penny.” I nod at my secretary.
She gives me a lopsided smile. “Good afternoon, sir.”
I swing open the door to my office, and there they are. There’s a brown-haired little girl holding a pink My Little Pony doll in her hand seated on the floor, a blond boy on the couch punching numbers on a smartphone, and a sexy brunette in a blue and white summer dress and sexy high heeled sandals looking out the window. The alluring woman in the dress turns around and gives me the most arresting smile I’ve ever seen.
“Surprise!” Isa and Eddie shout in unison.
I bend down and seize my girl into my arms. “Maddy, baby!” I kiss her cheeks over and over as she squeaks happily and shows me her new toy.
“Hi, Daddy!” Eddie rushes over to give me a hug. “Were you surprised? Penny didn’t squeal on us did she?”
I put my arm around him and kiss him on the head. “Penny keeps good secrets then. I had no idea! How was the flight here?”
“It was good. We got up really early, though.”
Isabel has her arms crossed watching us, waiting for her turn. I place Maddy back down on the floor and rush over to my Isa.
“Baby.” I pull her into me and kiss her.
“Hi. We took an earlier flight. I couldn’t wait much longer. We missed you. I missed you. Being this far away from you just didn’t feel right.”
A few seconds later, there’s a knock on the door and Penny timidly walks in. “Sir, your two o’clock meeting is here.”
“I’ll be right there, Penny. Please show them to the conference room.”
“Kids, kiss Daddy goodbye; he has to go to a meeting. We’ll see him at home tonight.”
Eddie rushes back into my arms while Maddy leans over from Isabel’s hold so I can steal a kiss.
Home. My home has just arrived.
Isa turns to Penny and starts to take charge. “Please get Emmy and the driver to take us to our
apartment. Can you also fetch the currency I asked you to prepare for me? I’m going to take the children grocery shopping before we settle into the apartment.” She turns to me and smiles. “Oh, and Penny, make sure this husband of mine leaves the office at a decent time tonight.”
She then takes my hand in hers and brings it to her lips. “Missed you, baby. See you later. Don’t be late for your meeting.” Hand in hand, she walks out with the children.
By the time I arrive at our building, it is 8:30 pm. The elevators let me out on the 20th floor and I trek a short distance to the entrance of our apartment. No one has handed me any keys so I have to ring the doorbell.
Eddie answers the door in his pajamas. “Hi, Daddy!” He jumps up to give me a hug.
“Hi, son. Do you like our new place?” He leads me inside and my eyes wander around, absorbing our new surroundings. All glass windows, no curtains or blinds. Minimalist in design. Streamlined couches in beige and orange. Hardwood floors, track lighting, abstract paintings. Very Isa.
“Yes, I love it. Mom took Maddy and I down to the tennis courts and the pool. We even went swimming this afternoon. Mom freaked out when she found out this is inside a mall with her favorite stores!” There’s a common understanding in our eyes as we snicker at the same time.
Emmy is putzing around in the kitchen, putting the dishes away, when I walk in. “Good evening, Mr. Ailey.”
“Hi, Emmy, how are you? Is the baby asleep?”
“Yes, sir. She was tired out from the trip. Would you like me to set out some dinner for you?”
“No, thank you. I already ate at the office.”
Eddie has taken my hand and is leading me to his bedroom. He points out the bathrooms along the hall and quietly opens the door to Maddy’s room to give me a chance to peep inside. He tells me that his mom says that he doesn’t have to share a bathroom with Maddy.
“Where’s Mom?”
“She’s taking a shower. Come see my bedroom, Daddy.”
Shower? Did I hear shower? I’m feeling a little dirty myself. I need to go and take a shower. This is going to be the quickest conversation I’m ever going to have with my son.
“Is this your bedroom, Ed? Cool TV. Do you like it?” I walk around and pull the handle on his closet door. “Ooh, and all this closet space for your Legos.”
“I know, right? Dad? Can I go on the computer for a few more hours?”
“You’re on summer break, Ed, go ahead and have fun. Just remember what I said about my tracking the sites that you’re on. Make sure you don’t go anywhere that you’re not supposed to. I trust you.” I’m not tracking anything. Isabel and I have decided to tell him that just so his conscience kicks in before he does look up something he shouldn’t be.
“Yes, Dad. Promise.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go look for your mom. Be back later.”
Much later. And I wouldn’t leave your room if I were you.
I rush towards the end of the hall. The master bedroom in this place is huge. Not as big as ours back home, but there’s enough space for a sitting room that opens up into the bedroom and a large sunken tub in the middle of the bathroom. I hear the rush of water from the shower. She’s still in there. As I open the bathroom door, a cloud of steam hits my face. She’s been in there for a while. I smile to myself as I undress in one second flat. I think I even tore a button or two off my shirt. The shower door squeaks as I open it.
“Monkey? I’m still in here. Wait for me outside.”
“I’ll be anything you want me to be.”
She gasps and whips right around to face me. “Alex!” she squeals, clutching her chest. “Oh, Alex! I wasn’t expecting you ‘til late!”
I take two large steps towards her and snatch her in my arms. Her skin is soft and wet and warm, her face flushed from the hot water.
“I’ve missed you so much, Isa.” I walk a few more steps until her back is against the tiled wall.
“My baby,” she whispers intimately. Her fingers are skimming my face, touching every part of it, from my eyes to my cheeks to my jaw, like she’s making sure I’m still all there. She grabs my head, bringing my face to hers and pulling at my bottom lip with her teeth. We kiss for a few minutes, softly and slowly, like we have all the time in the world. “Floor,” she moans.
I look at her questioningly.
“Let me get on the floor.”
I give her a moment as she lowers herself onto her knees and faces away from me. Slowly, I do the same as I grab her hips and push myself into her. The intrusion causes her to cry out loud. Thank god the rush of the water is drowning out our sounds.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I pause for a few seconds, concerned I’ve hurt her.
“Nothing, I just missed you. Ten days. Keep...going.”
She lifts herself up on both knees as I thrust freely into her, but all of a sudden, I have the need to see her face. To kiss her lips. To touch her everywhere. Not like this. I stop what I’m doing and gently ease out of her, get off my knees, offer her my hand and help her get up.
“What happened? Why did you stop?” she asks, puzzled, concerned.
“I want to make love to you. On our new bed.”
“Okay.” She nods as she grabs a towel and strides back into the room.
An hour later, we’re all in our humongous bed—me, Isa and Eddie. Eddie and I are watching an Anthony Bourdain episode and Isa is reading a book. A few minutes later, Eddie lets out a yawn and reluctantly crawls out of bed. “Night. I’m so sleepy.”
“Let me tuck you in.” Isa puts down her Kindle and lifts the covers off herself.
I keep my eyes on the TV as Eddie leans over to give me a kiss goodnight. I return his kiss with a hug.
“Daddy, are we looking at car parts tomorrow?” he whispers softly, making sure that Isa doesn’t hear us.
I blink my eyes and nod my head ever so slightly. “Uncle Leigh says it’s better to go during the week, so you can come to the office with me on Wednesday.”
“Okay!” he whispers back excitedly.
Isa takes his hand and leads him back to his room. Ten minutes later, she removes her robe and slips under the covers, sliding over to me and leaning her head on my shoulder. I click off the television and drape my arm around her. She takes my hand and holds it to her face. We stay silent for a few minutes.
“Do you like our place?” I ask. “Sheena really did a good job finding this for us.”
“How much did we end up negotiating?” She lifts herself up and rests on her elbows. Our faces are so close to each other, they’re almost touching.
“$10,500 a month.”
“Better than $11,500, I guess. And yes, I love it. The décor and the layout are just what I was hoping they would be. And Eddie and Maddy love the pool.”
“I’m glad.” I raise my lips to meet hers. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.”
“I got hit on today.” I give her my most charming look.
“And how was that?” She smirks, honestly entertained by what I just said. Like she thinks I’m being cute. She pokes my ribs playfully as she tries to tickle me. “That never surprises me. Was it fun?”
I fake frown at her. “No. It’s only fun when it’s you.”
“I hit on you all the time. Maybe that’s a sign that you can’t be away from me for this long. Ever. Again.” She rolls off me and reaches over to turn the bedside lamp off.
The rest of our stay in Hong Kong goes by fast. I work, I travel and I come home every night to my beautiful family. Isa and the kids spend their days touring different places; they take the ferry to the Kowloon side almost every day. Our weekends are spent walking leisurely around the Stanley Market. Maddy just loves riding the scenic double decker bus, and so we do that quite often. Eddie and I shop for car parts and visit many car dealerships much to Isa’s delight. She’s happy to see us spending so much time together during this trip. Twice a week, we leave the ladies at the mall and walk through the streets o
f Hong Kong, sampling all the Dim Sum restaurants we find along the way. We also check out the pet stores where Eddie is fascinated by the exotic birds and the snakes in the cages. Isa tells me that they spend many afternoons in Causeway Bay at a mall called SOGO although surprisingly, she hasn’t shopped much. Our living room is filled with boxes of clothes, not for her, but for the children. She insists that she hasn’t even had a chance to wear her new clothes from Paris.
Today is our last day before my family heads home just in time for the new school year. We decide to take the Ngong Ping cable car to visit the Big Buddha one last time. I’m pushing Maddy in a stroller and we park at the bottom so we can walk the 240 steps all the way to the top. Isa is pensive as we ascend the steps and I know it’s not because she’s worn out from the climb. We’re all casually dressed, but she looks just as pretty in skinny jeans and Converse sneakers as she does in evening wear. She looks as young as she did when we first met. Except for the mature and seasoned manner about her, to me, she’s still as youthful as the girl I fell in love with when she was in high school.
We arrive at the temple with Maddy in her arms and Eddie in front of us. We all pause at the top of the steps, just as amazed as we were the first time we visited.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Trying to find a place to leave a piece of us again.” She dips her hand into her purse and shows me a little white ribbon with a small charm engraved with “A&I.” “It doesn’t look like we can leave anything—it’s so clean here!” She sounds cheerful but discouraged.
“I think I have an idea.”
We take the children inside the structure of Buddha and walk the exhibition halls to observe many paintings and teachings about Buddhism. Before leaving, we pay for an offering to leave by the ancient relic. The ribbon is too conspicuous, so Eddie and Maddy choose a place to leave the charm by itself next to many other gifts that believers have placed upon a tray filled with incense.
“There,” I say.
“Here,” she agrees happily.
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