Made in Taiwan 05

Day 30

I woke up still in my clothes from the night before, feeling like death warmed up. I really needed to stop mixing my drinks, it also probably wasn't the best idea, staying up drinking and smoking with Jamal until the sun came up.

I jumped in the shower, which helped a little before crawling back to lay on my bed for a little longer. Waking up a second time, it was two in the afternoon. Rolling out of bed still feeling rough, I suddenly remembered a vague recollection of Simona wanting to go on a date with me. For a second, I thought I might have dreamed it up but looking in my phone, I found her number and smiled.

I debated for a few minutes, whether or not to call her, but then thought, what the hell, what’s the worst that can happen? So, with bated breath, I dialled her number and waited to see if she would answer.

“Hello, her sweet chirpy voice rang out, “who is this”?

“Err... hi Simona, it’s Grant”, I replied suddenly feeling nervous, “I was just wondering if you still wanted to meet up today”? I added quickly before I chickened out.

“Oh, hey, Grant, I was starting to think you wouldn’t call”, she replied, “sure how about we meet in Ximending station, exit 6, say about 4ish”?

I eagerly agreed and after a few pleasantries, she hung up. Wow, I thought to myself, I guess I’ve got myself a date.

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She was late, but I didn’t mind. I found a place to sit on a nearby wall and looked around at all the colourful buildings, lit up with neon lights. Ximending was sometimes referred to like little Shibuya, having been modelled on the popular part of Tokyo, and I could definitely see why.

Thirty minutes later, she finally arrived, sauntering up the street in front of me looking as fashionable as ever. As she approached, I remember worrying about how I would greet her, a handshake was too awkward, a kiss, too forward, a hug could work if I just went for it. As it happens, I needn’t have worried as she almost lept on top of me, gripping me tightly and instantly putting me at ease.

I complimented her on her outfit, which was much more casual than the previous evening, but in a little vest top with a plunging neckline, daisy duke shorts, and a pair of cork wedge sandals, she still looked great.

She played off the compliment, saying she had just thrown it on before she took my hand and ask where I was taking her. I must have pulled a face because she rolled her eyes in a comical over the top way before sighing the word, "men".

In my defence, I had never been to the Ximen area or many dates for that matter, and with other things on my mind on the way over, I hadn’t really considered what we'd do once we arrived.

She told me not to worry before asking if I was hungry. I wasn't and told her so, still feeling the effects of the night before. I don’t know what I was expecting her to say, but her answer, "no problem, let's just walk around for a while", surprised me. Simona albeit appearing like a high maintenance girly girl type was surprisingly easy-going.

We set off into the shopping area hand in hand with me doing most of the chatting. She wasn’t much of a talker but seemed to listen to everything I said.

Struggling for something to say, terrified of an awkward silence, I started commenting on the people and the environment, surprised by how quiet the area seemed, having heard how busy and lively the place usually was. This made Simona chuckle before she turned to look at me. She called me cute before making me feel like an idiot by telling me that it was probably because of the Typhoon about to hit, she then raised an eyebrow and asked if I ever follow the news.

Doubling down on my stupid comments, I asked her if it was safe to be out if there was a tropical storm about to hit the island. Again, she laughed at me before explaining how she had lived through dozens of typhoons. She described it as a wet windy day and said most people just used it as an excuse to hang out with friends and family. 

With my mind at ease, I changed the topic, asking her if she wanted to perhaps get a drink and sit down for a bit. “Sure”, she replied, “I know just the place”. 

The place she chose surprised me once more, the place was a really cool bar, themed around classic rock music, there was even a jukebox where you could select songs to put on for free. With each passing moment, I was starting to like this girl more and more

Over the next few hours, I started to relax, probably thanks to the alcohol, hair of the dog always being the best cure for a hangover. The only downside being, after only a few drinks, I was already starting to feel a bit tipsy.

Simona seemed to liven up too with a few drinks in her. She started to talk more about things she liked to do but oddly dodged any question about her past.

Around eight o clock, encouraged by the alcohol, I made my move. Reaching over, I did the classic fake stretch thing before bringing my arm down around her shoulders.

It was my go-to move on the few dates I'd been on, and in the past, I had seen a variety of reactions, Simona’s was a new one. Turning she tilted her head towards me before smashing her plump lips into mine. For the next few minutes, I forgot that I was in a public place, I didn’t care. Her lips felt like heaven as I explored her mouth with my tongue.

I let my hands wander and in return felt her hands trace up the inside of my thigh before grabbing hold of my fully erect member through my shorts. I gasped and pulled back. Smiling at me, she leaned in and whispered in my ear, “do you want to come back to my place? I only live around the corner”.

Never had I been asked an easier question in my life. I nodded while staring into her dark black eyes and she responded by taking my hand.

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She was right about her place being close, barely five minutes later after a trip through a series of mazelike alleyways, I was stepping in through her front door, and It wasn't what I was expecting. To be honest I hadn't really given it too much consideration on the way over but from the impression I had gotten from her, I had expected her to be living somewhere a little larger and more luxurious.

Don’t get me wrong, the place was fine, probably nicer than my apartment in fact, but It was just a typical old-style Taiwanese apartment on the fourth floor. There were two rooms, a living room slash kitchen, and a bedroom, which opened up onto a very well-kept balcony.

My thoughts suddenly turned back to the reason why I was there as Simona took my hand once more, gave me a quick tour of the place, that didn't take long before she led me out onto her balcony to wait while she made us some drinks.

Stood outside admiring the impressively well-kept balcony area, a sudden strong gust of wind blew in, rustling the branches and bushes surrounding me.

Thinking back now, I perhaps shouldn't have taken the approaching typhoon so lightly, but at that moment, I only had one thing on my mind.

Startled slightly, I turned to see Simona standing in the doorway with a small glass, of what I guessed to be whisky, in each hand.

(See image 05)

Without a word, she walked up and handed me a glass. We chinked them together in a toast of sorts before I brought the hard liquor to my lips, feeling it burn as I took a large gulp.

When I looked back up, Simona opened the palm of her hand and surprised me again by revealed two small while tablets.

She must have seen the shocked look on my face because she stepped forward and kissed me full on the lips, “just something to relax us”, she said purring, “I mean, you don’t have to, I just thought you were an open-minded guy, that’s all”.

In truth, the thought of taking some unknown substance terrified me. But then again, it was the year for new experiences, and I was currently standing next to a beautiful woman from what it seemed, wanted to have sex with me.

Not wanting to blow my chances and reasoning that a month ago, I had never even smoked a joint whereas now I was smoking most days and loving it. I nodded my head and saw her smile once more, a heart-warming smile that made me melt a little inside.

I watched as she placed one tablet on her tongue, before washing it down with a swig of whisky. “Your turn”, she said, “come and get it, big boy”, before placing the second tablet on the tip of her tongue.

She probably never said the big boy comment, in fact, I'm pretty sure she didn't, but my memory of the evening is pretty hazy, especially after stepping forward to kiss her fully on the mouth and having the mysterious tablet pushed down my throat.

From that moment on, it was pure euphoria, even before whatever she had given me kicked in. Right there on that balcony as we ripped each other's clothes off, wildly exploring each other’s bodies, time lost all meaning, the only thing that mattered was the moment.

I've mentioned once before that I wasn’t very experienced in the ways of women, having only ever had sex a few times. This experience far surpassed them all. Whatever the pill had done made my body tingle all over, everywhere suddenly felt so sensitive, so in tune with my surroundings, and with my mind on autopilot, my neurotic thoughts quietened, pure lust took a hold of me.

Looking back, it was probably the best night of my life, but as they say, there's always a calm before the storm.