Made in Taiwan 26

Day 228 Continued

“It’s nothing”, I replied, not wanting to talk about it.

“You think I’m going to believe that”? Mei countered, “come on! Tell me what’s on your mind”.

“Ok, fine. Did Simona ever mention anyone called Long Bo to you when she worked here”?

I saw her face tense up. “Yes, I know who he is. Why are you asking about him”? Mei replied, sounding concerned.

“Simona said I need to visit him at the end of the month, but she didn’t give me any details”, I replied, hoping Mei might be able to fill in a few blanks.

“Oh”, Mei replied before going quiet.

“Oh”! I repeated, “that’s all you have to say. Who is he”?

“He works at the university”, Mei replied in a serious tone. “Simona has some kind of agreement with him, where she meets him once in a while. In return, he makes sure she can stay on at the university. Meaning she can remain in the country”.

“What”! I cried, “And what does this man expect from her in these meetings”?

Mei reached over and took my hand. “Come on, Baby. I know you’re not that naïve. What does any man expect in a situation like that”?

Pulling back my hand, I looked away disgusted. Deep down, I’d already known what this man wanted. But, having it confirmed made things seem a lot more real.

“You don’t have to go”, Mei announced, “You have other options”.

“Yeah”, I replied looking up through my thick eyelashes, “like what”?

“You could leave the country, go home”.

“I don’t have my passport”, I replied in a sad voice, “And I’m not going to the UK embassy dressed like this”.

Mei nodded. “On the day you could pretend to be sick”.

“That could delay things, but he’ll surely reschedule, don’t you think”? I replied with a sigh.

“Baby, don’t worry about this now”, Mei shot back, tottering over, and giving me a hug, “we have lots of time to come up with a plan”,

“We”? I said, surprised, “Won’t Simona be upset if you help me”?

“Pfft, who cares about her”, Mei said squeezing me tightly.

“But I thought you two were friends”, I asked, confused.

Pulling back, she looked me square in the eyes. “Friends! I can’t stand that self-centred cow. All she ever thinks about is herself. You are my friend”!

In that moment, I remember tearing up. It had been so long since someone had actually been nice to me.

Seeing a motorcycle pull up outside, I lowered myself down onto my sore high-heeled feet. “I better go serve that man”, I said, changing the subject before I completely broke down in tears.

“I’ll go”, Mei announced, “you sit”.

“No”! I quickly replied, “It’s my turn, I’ll go”.

Mei nodded and gave me a warm smile before hoisting herself back up onto her stool.

Taking a deep breath, I carefully lifted my dangerously long pink nails up to my face and carefully wiped under each eye before taking off across the room.

Hearing my heels click-clacking loudly, I stepped out the door, picked up my umbrella, and felt the rain against my exposed skin. The floor outside was slippery, but it didn’t bother me. By this point, having walked around in six-inch heels every day for months, I was a pro. My feet and legs still got sore after extended periods of walking, but in terms of poise and balance, I had those mastered.

Tottering over to the waiting man wearing a waterproof poncho, I didn’t recognise him at first, but when I did my heart sank. He was one of the regulars and a notorious pervert. Always touching and grabbing, given the smallest opportunity.

Looking over, I saw the man grin back at me. I was probably supposed to smile back but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I slowed my walk to a snail’s pace, wishing I’d taken Mei up on her offer.

(See image 37)